This is who we are

(Always thought it would be interesting to get further into Bran trying to run Winterfell however a child although eleven is still young so he may need some help here and there)

"You see here" Maester Luwin said pointing to the map while Laria looked at it curiously "These are the Gates of the Moon and over here is the Blood Gate the two of them located in Eyrie and here are the Mountains of the Moon. All of them are said to be a part of the region that is owned by the Arryn House." "So you think that there is some bloodline from my mother's original house that then became the Arryn's" Laria theorized earning a nod from him as she looked at the map again "That would make sense then I heard stories from Old Nan that are coming back to me now that the House of the Moon the Blood family separated into several distinct lines my mothers of course being the one where they drank Phoenix blood." "Yes and it is said that the blood is what gave them their hair color and their power" Maester Luwin said glad that she was getting this "Lady Laria it is my belief that since your mother had in fact partaken in the ritual and drank the phoenix blood that you possess their powers as well and that it links you to the earth, or at least that's what the stories say." "Well that would make sense" Laria said nodding as she remembered the letter that Eddard had written for her "Father did say I was born on the night of a full moon." "I'm actually delighted to see that you are still referring to him as your father" Maester Luwin said pleased as he pointed to the map again "There is also something else I was told by your mother that further up North pass the wall before it reaches the point where the moon cannot reach that there was a temple that they built just like the ones they did before that was dedicated to the Moon." "Hmm a hidden temple" Laria mused smirking slightly "Interesting I may have to visit past the wall at some point then, well if Bran would ever let me the demands of Winterfell are definitely more than he thought they'd be." "He's done well though" Maester Luwin said nodding surprised by how well they'd be doing "Both of you have… shall we continue more of this lesson after midday meal?" "Sure" Laria said nodding in agreement as she stood up before turning to Maester Luwin "If you we're wondering I think you should know that I refer to him as my father because that's the only way I see him. He raised me after all so in his memory I still see him as my father and nothing else." This is how Laria had been for the past few months since they had found out about Eddard's death she'd take lessons with Maester Lewin and then would go and help Bran with the political demands of Winterfell before she would go and find Rickon to see if he needed anything, it was the only routine right now that appeared to work for them.

"How was the lesson" Bran questioned Hodor carrying him as he caught Laria sitting in the Godswood eating her midday meal and was placed down beside her "Did you learn anything of particular interest?" "No nothing really surprising" Laria said with a shrug "I did learn though that my mother's original bloodline could be the ancestors of the House of Arryn if that is anything of significance." "Hmm I can see why though" Bran said taking a piece of her lemon square earning a look from Laria as he playfully smirked and popped it into his mouth "Their sigil is a falcon under the moon which makes perfect sense that they would be descended from people who worshiped the moon." "Mother's House had an interesting saying too unique despite them having the whole ritual sacrifice practice" Laria said as she bit her lip in thought "It was 'look to the light in the darkness and let it guide you.' Not surprising though since they were speaking of the moon and I can't think of any other natural light in the darkness besides it."

"Hey I need your help with something" Bran said sighing tiredly as he placed his head on her shoulder "It's rather boring and I have no time to tire myself out with the decision, the farmer Kane says that he just lost his last goat and that his son who was just born will die without goat's milk because his wife is not able to produce milk but his closest neighbor Farmer Gordon says he isn't going to give him any of his goats. What in the Seven Hells am I supposed to do?" "Your Lord Bran be forceful as I know you can" Laria said turning to him with a smile "You're going to have to say that you demand Farmer Gordon give Kane one of his goat's and he's just going to have to deal with it…personally I would just do things the easy way though." "The easy way" Bran questioned looking at her with a raised brow "What's the easy solution there?" "Give the child a bloody wet nurse" Laria said chuckling at Bran's expression "What good are they for if they aren't to help infants whose mothers can't produce milk?"

"You know you have gotten wiser since you turned fifteen" Bran said yawning slightly still resting his head on her shoulder "Soon I'm going to be twelve and I'm going to be wiser too." "Yes well twelve means your three years from being of age too" Laria said moving some of Bran's hair back "What are you going to do then?" "Wasn't thinking that far ahead" Bran admitted giving Laria a small smile "When it does happen I'll tell you and we'll go from there, until then though we are just better this way right?" "Yes I'd have to agree with you not fretting about the future is rather relaxing" Laria said lying down onto the grass as Bran decided to lie down with her "I can't help but wonder what mother and Robb are doing now." "I wonder that sometimes too" Bran said shaking his head with a small smile before his expression changed and he looked at Laria almost sheepishly "Laria I was wondering have you ever you know felt like you weren't in your own body but thru a dream?" "Now that you mention it yes" Laria said nodding as she looked over to Flare who was lying in the grass a little ways to the side of them lifting her head up as Summer approached her "I dreamt one night that I was in Flare's body the same night that assassin tried to kill you." "What do you think it means" Bran asked as he snuggled up close to her "Do you think that people actually can go inside animal's bodies?" "I'm sure it's perfectly possible" Laria said looking up and noticed where the sun was "We can finish this conversation later Bran I think I need to return to Maester Luwin now before he gets impatient." "Alright" Bran said motioning for Hodor to come and take him "I'll see you later then."

"Preposterous" Maester Luwin said causing Laria to look down in embarrassment "Lady Laria I do not believe in such things as people being able to go into the bodies of animals or even sharing dreams I think that's all a bit of an old wives tale to scare children and not at all real. Magic for me is just something that others believe in when they have nothing else of which they can strive for." "I know I was just hoping you might have heard something about it" Laria said surprised by the man's reaction but realized he was a much more logical thinker than she was "You look throughout history and our whole discovery of the lands and the known world and there's so much mythology and magic involved I find all of it rather intriguing." "Yes but I would not let those thoughts cloud your mind Laria" Maester Luwin said standing up "The only reason I spoke to you about your family is because it pertains to you and I always thought that the drinking of phoenix blood did have its effects, however that does not mean that I fully embrace speaking of things that border beyond the norm. There are some creatures that are real yes but like the theory of Unicorns living on Skagos I think there are some silly things that people come up with when they are bored." "Well anyways thank you for the lesson Maester Luwin" Laria said with a bow "It was nice to hear your opinion on certain things and I was glad to learn some of my family history." "Always a pleasure Lady Laria" Maester Luwin said pleased with her manners "Now perhaps you can go and help your brother I've heard he's been having trouble with the whole political side of being acting Lord." "Do I have to rescue him from everything" Laria joked with a wolfish grin "Let me see what my little wolf is up to now."

"Lady Laria" the men addressed her as she entered the room surprised to see that although she had made a bit of a detour to see if Rickon was alright that Maester Luwin was now seated beside Bran "What brings you here?" "Same thing as always" Laria quipped with an amused look on her face "Adventure discovery and above all trying to keep my pack safe…why don't you carry on Maester please don't mind me." "As I was saying" Maester Luwin said watching as Laria sat beside Bran "Maintenance of a hold fast generally falls to the Lord of that hold fast." "Generally yes" the man said "But I've sent all of the men off to fight Robb Stark's war." "King Robb" both Laria and Bran defended as Bran looked at the man "it is not his war he didn't choose it." "Maybe not my lord" the man said looking at the two of them "but he took his banners and all the men." "Joffrey killed my father" Bran said irritated at the man's speaking of his family in such a way "Your late Lord you should remember your vows sir." "Of course I remember" the man said as Laria stood up glancing at the man with a fiery look "Than you will do well to remember your place and who it is that you serve under for we are all mourning in the Late Lord's death, remember that it is King Robb who fights for not only the memory of our father but for our freedom as well for Joffrey is a corrupt little boy and not fit to rule anyone. How dare you come here and speak of such things as though father wasn't recently added to the crypts a few months ago, oh that's right they wouldn't even give us the body so we could honor him properly!" "We can spare four masons for a week my lord" Maester Luwin said watching as Laria sat back down beside Bran "Will that be sufficient to repair your walls?" "I-I believe it will" the man said stuttering before he walked away leaving Maester Luwin to turn to the two who looked at him questioningly "We didn't want him here all day did we?" "Didn't like the way he was talking about Robb" Bran said reaching over for Laria's hand as Maester Luwin agreed with him "Nor did I but listening to people you'd rather not listen to is one of your responsibilities as Lord of Winterfell." Another Lord than approached and gave his condolences for their loss before he stepped away and another Lord was seen looking at Laria with a rather intense gaze "I was wondering when is it that you are to be betrothed Lady Laria as you are of age by now, certainly your family has some sort of plan for you?"

Laria's fists clenched at the man's tone unsure of how to answer such a question when Bran who apparently found the question infuriating quipped in "I'm afraid she's spoken for already." "Really to whom" the Lord questioned looking between the two "If I recall correctly anyone who has asked for Lady Laria's hand has been denied." Looking to Maester Luwin for help Laria felt overwhelmed as the Maester apparently knew just what he had to say to get this Lord to leave "It would appear that the time of honesty is upon us, Lady Laria if you would please tell the Lord of whom you are promised to." "Yes of course" Laria said unsure of what Maester Luwin was getting at but turned to the Lord with a smug look "I am actually promised to Bran." "Lord Bran" the Lord said stuttering a bit as Bran gave him a smug smirk "Is he not your brother though wouldn't that be incestual?" "Lady Laria is actually the daughter of Benjen Stark and his wife who died bringing her into this world" Maester Luwin said looking at the man with a harsh glare "The marriage and birth was kept secret so no one know and he could keep his spot at the Keep but now in light of things I see no problem in letting you know. Now as you know a union between cousins is allowed, did you have anything else to say?" "No my Lord" the Lord said bowing his head "Congratulations then you two." "Well that could've gone better" Laria mumbled as Bran nodded and whispered back to Laria "Now we have to tell Rickon…" "Yes I suppose we do" Laria said nodding in agreement "Though I have not the slightest idea how to go about that." "Leave me to that" Maester Luwin said earning their gaze as he smiled "I'm rather good at explaining things." "Right…" Laria trailed off as she stood up "Well I see you've got things handled here I will see you later Bran." "You really could try to be less transparent my Lord" Maester Luwin said as he watched Bran stare after Laria "The man hadn't even asked for her hand yet." "I know" Bran said a little flushed "I just don't know what came over me in that moment." "I understand" Maester Luwin said smiling softly at the boy "She won't be leaving you little Lord she cares too much for you."

Laria was in Flare's body once again the wolf running thru the trees with a grace in her step as she surveyed her area and made a yipping noise with her snout in the air as she caught the scent of someone familiar. Summer was seen trotting toward her and she made a noise of glee nuzzling his side with her nose and licked at his cheek in affection Summer appearing to enjoy her treatment as he leaned in closer as though to ask for more. Laria then made a playful sound in the back of her throat and asked for Summer to play with her pretending to submit letting him come over and place his snout into her stomach his nose cold. Laria then pawed at his nose playfully loving the feeling and freedom that came from being in Flare's body until she glanced into Summer's eyes and saw it was not Summer looking back at her but Bran the eyes evident. 'Bran' Laria mumbled in wolf speech and watched as Bran who was in Summer's body turned to her with a look of shock or as much of a look of shock as a wolf could manage 'Laria?' 'By the Gods' Laria said and ran off in the woods hearing Bran following after her 'What is happening?' Something suddenly pounced on her pining her to the ground as she stared up at Bran who gave her a look of worry 'How are you here with me?' 'I'm in Flare's body obviously I do this sometimes when I dream that I'm free or protecting you' Laria said and stood up nuzzling his side with her nose 'How are you here?' 'I just fell asleep' Bran admitted leaning in to her touch 'I told you I could go into Summer's body.' 'Be careful' Laria warned as she felt herself fading 'do not let this become you or you may lose yourself.' 'Laria' Bran called as she felt herself leave Flare's body 'What do you mean?'

Shooting up in bed Laria sighed blinking tiredly and glanced over at Rickon who was sleeping soundly against her and sighed placing a kiss on his forehead as she stood up noticing the sun was just peeking up "You sleep my pup I need to see something." Walking down the hall Laria felt saddened that Flare was no longer allowed with her the wolf being confined to the Godswood along with her brothers and knew that being in Flare's body was also because of her wolves wanting to be with her. Approaching Bran's door Laria gave it a small knock before opening it surprised to find that he was already up and glanced at her with a questioning look as she came in "Was all of that just a dream?" "No it really did happen" Laria said as she sat by his side and grasped one of his hands "I didn't want you to be in the wolf for too long because I don't want you to think it's the only way to be free Bran cause I'll tell you it's not." "I can't help it when it happens" Bran said looking sheepish about the conversation "I have no control it just happens sometimes when I dream." "I know and I only meant for you to be careful" Laria said squeezing his hand affectionately "Last thing I need is to lost you." "You'll never lose me" Bran said almost defensively as he went to embrace her "Just like I'll never lose you." "Bran um I think we should get up now" Laria suggested a little flustered at him being so close with her remembering how as a wolf she basically kissed him "Would you like me to carry you down to the dining hall?" "Sure" Bran said as Laria turned around and moved so she could pick him up "You think they'll serve something besides gruel?" "Not sure" Laria said as she began to walk while he clung to her back "Whatever it is I'm sure it's good though."

Walking thru the Godswood with Osha, Hodor, and Bran Laria felt a bit better and was a lot happier the sack used to carry Bran defienlitley seemed to be helping and he appeared to be a lot more comfortable with having Hodor carry him. "Boil this for an hour then drink the tea and it makes all your pain go away" Osha said as she bent down gathering an herb as Bran looked back at her "Don't have any pain." "Lucky for you" Osha responded as she watched Laria bend down by a tree looking around for something while Bran directed Hodor to a spot "You've been having those dreams again." "I don't dream" Bran said looking over at Laria as if to tell her to be quiet about it while Laria pretended to look at something else in fascination as Osha smirked "Everyone dreams…" "I don't" Bran said as Hodor continued on "Heard some of the men talking about the comet they say it's an omen says it means Robb will win a great victory in the South." Laria looked up at it with a smile feeling her heart go out to Robb and Catelyn who she still considered her mother a small humming sound leaving her as Osha watched her curiously before going to help Bran "Did they? Some other fools say it's Lannister red think the Lannister's will rule all the seven Kingdoms before too long. The stable boy says it's the color of blood after your father. Stars don't fall for men comet means one thing boy dragons." "Dragons are all dead" Bran said looking into the small pool he had seen in his dream and blinked when he saw Laria in it beside him giving him a sweet smile and upon looking up saw that she was far away sitting on a stump before looking down surprised when he didn't see her again "They've been dead for centuries."

"Laria" Bran mumbled and Laria looked over at him with a curious look "I think I just saw you in the water." "What" Laria said amused "Why would you think you saw me in the water?" "But I did" Bran said insistently as he motioned for her to go over to him causing Laria to stand and walk towards him "You were smiling right beside me." "You see things of great importance in that pool" Osha said causing the two to glance over at her "Perhaps the gods were telling you something." "Yes but whatever it is I'm confused" Bran said as Laria sat beside him "Laria promise me…promise me you won't go get yourself tied down to someone else." "What" Laria exclaimed in shock "Why in the seven hells would I go do that I'm promised to you Bran? I will happily scream that for the rest of my life too, you hear that I am promised to Bran Stark and no one else!" "Laria" Bran said placing a hand over her mouth in embarrassment "Laria please don't do that I mean you know I'm a cripple and all that…" "Who cares" Laria scoffed kissing him on the cheek causing him to redden more "You're still Bran Stark and no one else, a wolf stays with her pack." "I think Bran is trying to say something else my lady" Osha said with a knowing smirk as Bran flushed "Haven't you noticed he's rather protective of you?" "Well of course" Laria said her eyes narrowing in confusion "He's got to protect Rickon and I as acting Lord of course he's going to be protective." "Can you give me a moment" Bran groaned looking up at Hodor and Osha with pleading eyes his tone very childish from embarrassment "Please I need a moment alone with her!" "Of course little Lord" Osha said giving him a nod "Just call us back when you're done."

Watching them walk away Laria gave Bran a curious look as he sighed and scooted closer to her "Sorry about that…" "No I can see you're stressed" Laria said giving him a small smile "It's alright to be irritated at times Bran it's only natural." "Laria last night you kissed me" Bran said causing Laria to flush and look away "When we were wolves you kissed me and it felt really good I felt warm." "Yes well I was happy" Laria said as she thought about the previous night "I felt like seeing you in Summer's body like I could run and travel the world and it would be just the two of us but then I remembered that I was using Flare's body and I didn't like it. I don't want to use my wolf I want her to trust me and only let me in when I really need to like I did the night I protected you and mother…I don't like going into her body too much because it's not me if that makes sense." "It does" Bran said nodding as he placed his hand over hers and squeezed "Getting back to what I was saying though Laria I actually liked it when you kissed me." "Oh really" Laria said amused causing him to flush more "This coming from the boy who a few months ago said that girls are nasty and gross." "I'm almost twelve now" Bran said looking her in the eyes "Things change, I'm changing I'm growing older." Laria gave Bran a questioning look when he placed his hand on her cheek and moved his face closer till it was ghosting over hers his hot breath hitting her lips "Would it be wrong for me to ask you to kiss me?" "No it wouldn't be wrong" Laria said her eyes blinking as though she wasn't sure it was real or not "I am your promised after all."

"Shut up" Bran muttered his voice growing dark as he grabbed her front and shoved her forward surprising Laria as he placed his lips onto hers. Blinking for a moment before closing her eyes Laria found his lips to be warm and despite being slightly chapped were still very soft the kiss being very sweet and innocent. "See that was what I meant" Bran said seeing that Laria was pretty much breathless when he pulled back "That's how I felt last night just like that and now I feel it again, why is that?" "You're starting to like girls" Laria said looking down at their hands which were still laced together "In my opinion though kissing me like that means you don't like just any girl do you?" "No I like you" Bran said turning to her with an embarrassed smile "Don't tell anybody though okay but these last few months since father's death with everything it's just been a lot of pressure but you are always there when I need it. Like Robb said you know how to be where you're needed." "I'm glad you feel that way" Laria said realizing this is where she had to say something and cleared her throat as her cheeks reddened "I also like you…I started to see you more like that when I saw that you make a very good Lord and you're protective of our family and you whine a lot less than you used to." "Yea I do whine less why is that" Bran wondered aloud before giving her a wink "So just because we like each other doesn't mean I want to push anything else though I'm still quite busy and being Lord is annoying." "Understood I'll be there when you need me" Laria said sighing as she squeezed his hand "Whether it's for a hug, you want to talk or even a kiss all you need do is ask it." "Good glad we came to an agreement" Bran said scratching the back of his neck "Now if I could just get some of those feuding Lords to do the same!" "When did you start to like me" Laria questioned causing him to look back at her with a sheepish look his eyes boring into hers "Was about a month ago when you were carrying Rickon who was crying you had on that dress with the wolves at the bottom and you were telling him it'll be alright and it occurred to me you're always there when I need you no matter what even if I'm being a spoiled brat you're there and I realized no one else has ever done that for me." "Well no else knows you like I do" Laria said standing up and cupped her hands around her mouth "Okay Osha we can see you behind the tree and Hodor seriously hiding behind a bush when you're a giant is a terrible job at trying to hide!" Bran chuckled as the two came over to them wondering what it'd be like when he was older if he'd still look at Laria the same way, he was certain though as he saw her standing there with a knowing smirk on her face that he wouldn't change what they had now for the world. However when things become perfect something must always come along to shatter them and soon Bran and Laria's world would be broken again as war always creates enemies.

(Hello to Season two and the grand return of Laria and Bran who might I say despite only aging a few months are maturing gradually as most do when they are suddenly given big responsibilities so I don't see how Bran couldn't of started seeing Laria differently it'd make too much sense honestly)