Bran would not wake up. Maester Luwin said it would be a miracle if he lived through the first night, but he did. He lived through the first night, and the next, and the next.

The worst was past. Bran would live, but there was no hope for his legs.

He would be crippled for life.

Catelyn sat in his room night and day for nearly a month, hardly sleeping, barely eating.

Jon was going to the Wall, Eddard and the girls to King's Landing. And Bran was confined to his bed, in a deep sleep that he had not yet woken from.

Willas locked himself in his room, berating himself for letting Bran climb. For not catching him. For not realizing sooner that something was wrong. For not telling Bran to come down the moment the pup started to get anxious.

He refused to eat, up until the moment Rickon started to cry, fearing that Willas was going to starve himself to death.

"It's not your fault."

Willas didn't look at Jon. He only lowered his head, adjusting in the chair by his bed and looking at his book. "Bran fell, Willas. There was nothing you could have done about it," Jon stated.

"Bran never fell before," Willas argued. "Never. Not from a small height, not from a large one."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm not entirely sure he just fell."

"What else could have happened?"

Willas closed his eyes, thinking of the arm he saw, gripping Bran tightly. "I don't know," he said softly. "I just don't think he fell."'

When he opened his eyes again, Jon saw tears shimmering in them. "I'm going today," Jon said. "So are the girls and Lord Eddard. Say your goodbyes, Will."

"I don't want- -"

"You won't see any of us for a long time, Willas. Say goodbye to everyone. The girls will be upset if you don't."

"Can't I just- -"

"Get off your ass, Willas, and say goodbye."

His eyes went wide, and Willas slowly nodded his head, getting to his feet. "I'll say goodbye to you first, then," he murmured. "Don't freeze to death at the Wall."

"I'll try my best," Jon said with a faint chuckle.

Willas hesitated a moment before he reached out, wrapping his arms around Jon in a tight embrace. Jon smiled, sharing the embrace.

When they separated, Willas lowered his head. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too," Jon answered.

Willas went to say goodbye to Arya first, since her chambers were close to his. He knocked lightly on her door, hearing her call out, "come in!"

He stepped into the room, chuckling at the spread of clothes all across her bed. "Septa Mordane is making me pack my things again," Arya explained. "She says a lady must fold her clothes properly. What's the point? They're just going to get wrinkled again."

Willas let out a laugh. "Sometimes, you're too smart for your own good."

She turned to face him, holding a long package in her hands. "Look at what Jon got me!" she said, excitement clear in her voice.

She handed it to him, and he peeled back the paper to reveal a long, thin sword. "Seven hells, Arya," he said softly.

"It's called Needle," Arya said. "Do you get it?"

Willas chuckled. Arya hated sewing, but the name fit the sword. "Yes, I get it," he answered.

Her smile suddenly faded. "You've come to say goodbye to me, haven't you?"

"Oh, don't be upset, little one," Willas said with a kind smile. "I'll see you again. You're going to King's Landing, where there's all sorts of adventures to be had. I'm staying in boring, old Winterfell."

"I don't want to go. I don't want to act like a lady."

"I know you don't, Arya. But you have to learn."

She let out a deep sigh. "I'm going to miss you."

Willas chuckled. "I'll miss you, too, little one. You have to make sure to write me whenever you can."

"I will. But you have to write, too," she said.

"I promise."

Arya smiled, jumping up and wrapping her arms around his neck. He gripped her close to his chest, smiling as she burrowed her face into his neck.

When she released him, he ruffled her hair lightly. "I'm off to see Sansa, now," he said, and Arya nodded.

He found Sansa with Septa Mordane. "Cousin dear," he said, and she spun around to face him.

Her fiery red hair was unusually messy, but she didn't seem to mind it very much. "Cousin Will!" she grinned, turning to face him.

"I've come to say goodbye," Willas said.

"Promise that you'll write, Will," she answered.

"Only if you tell me about all the lovely ladies in King's Landing."

"Willas!" she cried, giggling at his joke.

"I'll miss you, Sansa."

"I'll miss you, too, Willas."

They did not embrace, but Willas stepped close, kissing her on the forehead.

Even Septa Mordane smiled at the pair.

Willas stepped away, smoothing his hands over his tunic. "Would your father be offended if I didn't say goodbye to him? Three goodbyes are already too draining."

There was humor in his tone, but sincerity to his words. Sansa smiled awkwardly. "I'll tell him that you said goodbye."

"Thank you, Cousin Sansa."

Septa Mordane hummed under her breath, and Willas looked at her with a kind smile. "Goodbye to you, too, Septa Mordane."

"Goodbye, Lord Willas," she answered, seemingly pleased by his acknowledgement of her.

"Now, I don't think you would very much appreciate me kissing your forehead," he said.

"No, I would not."

Willas let out a chuckle, moving to embrace the old woman. "Enjoy King's Landing," he said to her.

"I will," she answered.

He stepped back and smiled. "You'll enjoy yourselves. King's Landing is beautiful from what I can remember."

Sansa let out a chuckle. "How much could you even remember? You haven't been back in five years."

Willas did not remember very, much that was true. Walks in the gardens with Jon Arryn telling him about the Eyrie. Avoiding the Queen as he ran about the castle, hiding in alcoves and climbing walls. The dangers of King's Landing had never been visible to Willas when he was a child.

He just hoped that the dangers would not present themselves to his family.