Over two thousand men lined up to receive the King in the North and his ladies. Bran wore all his best clothes and blades. The King rode beside his Queen and squeezed her hand as they neared. Mother was right behind him in between Sansa and the wisp that was Jeyne Poole. Looking wilder as ever. Until Bran's eyes fell on Jeyne and he realized who he was looking at. Arya Stark of Winterfell. Rickon's eyes lit up but a stern look shot his way kept him in his saddle. As the King spurred his steed closer, Bran dismounted and knelt before his liege. Robb got down from the horse and Bran offered up Ice in both hands to his lord
"My King, my lord. As you have charged me with the stewardship of Winterfell and wardship of the North; I have done. I ask you to take your place as the Stark in Winterfell, now and always." Bran recited the words stiffly and hoped Robb wouldn't laugh. Robb gingerly took Ice with one hand and hefted it with both. He looked the sword over and tensed himself.
"As you were charged, so have you done. Stand Brandon of the House Stark, and know your oath fulfilled." Bran was still trying to remember what oaths he had sworn when Robb left him to mount his horse while Rickon struggled with his. Bran gave his brother a hand before mounting his own and leading the procession to the Great Hall. Upon dismounting, Robb followed after and helped Roslin Frey as well. She was prettier than most Freys Bran had met and comfortable with Robb. They strutted past Bran into the empty Great Hall were dishes lay attended by only a few guards. As Arya and Mother entered the great doors swung shut on all the handmaids and guards. Robb wheeled around in shock, then a smile split his face as Jon and Uncle Benjen quickly stepped out from the shadows. Uncle Benjen swept Mother in an embrace and Jon Snow caught Arya as she tripped on her dress in her haste to get to him. Robb smiled and nodded at Jon but the gesture went unnoticed as Jon closed his eyes tighter while holding Arya. Uncle Benjen released Mother and laughed as Sansa and Robb engulfed him in a hug. The whole family save Roslin and Jon twisted at the sound of the voice that sounded so much like Father's. Mother breathed to hold herself till Rickon bounded at her and buried his face in her skirts. Bran joined in even as Mother's hot tears fell on his cloak. Robb swept the whole family into an embrace while Jon struggled to bring Arya closer.
They had to open the doors for the guests to enter but they were all much to polite to speak of all the bawling and weeping they must have heard. Their eyes however, held no such courtesies. The feast began in full and Bran noticed that Queen Roslin was never a few words from his brother. He was seated on his brother's left and was painfully reminded of how he always sat at Robb's right before they rode off south. Robb dropped a few comments to Bran and spent half the meal whispering intently and feeding his wife from his own platter. The Reeds had no place on the high table crowded as it was with Starks and Freys. After the meal Robb and Roslin led the procession to the Godswood and while one of Roslin Frey's many brothers gave her away, Uncle Benjen himself was there to take Father's place for Robb. The two were joined and while she glowingly went into the Great Keep with Robb, Lyanna Mormont slid up to him silently and near growled out.
"That Southron is going to change Winterfell, no doubt at all."
"There are enough Starks in Winterfell to keep it Northern. She will not go far." Lyanna raised an eye and strode off to her chambers. Bran watched her go and a grin split his face as he imagined Arya, Lyanna and Meera in the yard.
"Brandon!" His mother was behind him and she looked mortified. Bran realised he was smiling at Lyanna's retreating form.
The next morning, men were at the Sept with axes and hammers. They broke down the outer frame and Bran ran closer. One of the Freys was watching the men work and his face fell on seeing Bran.
"Seven blessings to you Prince."
"Thank you, Ser?"
"Ser Benfrey Frey, brother to the Queen."
"Prince Brandon Stark, brother to the King. That's my mother's Sept your men are at."
"Quite so. You see, we have come up with a rather large household and such a small Sept could not possibly be sufficient."
"Ah. And you were permitted by whom?"
"The Queen." He replied without missing a beat.
"Unfortunately, that Sept is the property and province of the Lady Consort of Winterfell. My mother. You need permission from her. Not Lady Frey"
"I had understood in most castles, the Steward had the authority to raise and tear down structures for the Lord's benefit." He raised an eye and Bran kept silent. Steward?
"My apologies then. Carry on." He nodded and turned. Ser Frey was not finished.
"Carry on? We never had to stop!" Bran ignored him and went straight to the King's chambers. The guards were in the corridor rather than at the door and one in Frey livery hesitated to speak on seeing Bran. Bran ignored him and strode to the room. He was a few feet away when he heard the laughter and shouts from inside. Bran stopped and suddenly he was in a different place watching a golden-haired pair groan and roll. Then he was falling and he hit the ground. A guard bolted in and stared at him on the floor. Bran rose slowly and shook his head.
"Who's there?" His brother's muffled voice came through the door.
"Bran. But I'll come later your Grace." Bran tried to steady his voice and stumbled past the guard to his room. The door was open and when Bran stepped in a servant was packing all his texts and papers. Maester Luwin was sorting out papers on Bran's bed.
"Maester?" The Maester looked up and smiled.
"Bran. Pardons for the intrusion."
"No matter. Where are you taking my notes? Do you need anything from me?" The aged Maester shook his head.
"The new steward has requested all papers and records for study and review to aid him in his duties. I apologise Bran, but I asked your brother and he agreed. Leastways you can rest now. No more lords drawling grain prices and taxes at you, Aye?" The Maester sounded very unnatural trying to speak like a Northman and Bran was starting to see the truth of Lyanna's words.
"But some of those are mine." Did he have to give Ser Frey all his things to go through?
"I know Bran, I have only taken those papers which were certainly pertaining to the welfare of the North and Winterfell. I will, of course, let you decide which papers to keep beyond that."
Bran nodded and left the Maester there. Arya was not in her room and he went down to the kennels to see the Direwolves. Despite all hope all five of the direwolves were there together. Bran halted and counted again. Then he saw Nymeria, Arya's wolf among the rest. He rushed in and hugged the direwolf as tightly as he could. The direwolf was uncomfortable and Grey Wind was slightly raised and watching intently. He hugged Grey Wind and Ghost as well, the direwolves all reunited. Not all, he remembered. Lady was gone, she rested in the lichyard, a stone's throw from Old Nan. The kennel master dropped a half skinned boar and he and the stable boys slowly backed away from the wolves. Nymeria padded forward and Grey Wind gave a low growl. Nymeria hung back as Grey Wind bit into the boar; Ghost bit in and Grey Wind snapped at him before returning to the meal. His dominance asserted, Grey Wind lay down and tore a huge leg of and sat in the corner. Ghost and Nymeria dove in savagely ripping into the carcass even as Summer and Shaggydog watched silently.
Bran smiled and walked towards the training yard. Sure as Winter, Arya was there and down on her back while Meera circled her. Bran walked in and stood beside Lyanna while Arya struggled to stay out of Meera's reach while darting in and out at her oddly balancing on her heels. Meera's face puffed with the exhaustion of trying to get Arya on her back and stay out of reach. After a long dance with Arya Meera tried to spin around Arya, but Arya jumped at her and they both went down. Arya was laughing hard and Meera smiled in good spirits.
"Oh Arya, However are we to find a good husband for you?" Bran shook his head in mock despair and clutched his hands to his chest.
"Seven save us child. You should be stitching with your Needle." Jon completed behind him. Arya ran and ripped out a short sword or dirk and Jon Snow caught his breath.
"How did you keep it?" Arya was beaming and Bran had the feeling that it was a gift.
"Later. I promise." Lyanna clapped her hands once.
"To the tables now?"
"Aye." Jon offered his hand to Meera as Jojen walked in and stared at Jon. Meera smiled at her brother and took Jon's hand.
Upon reaching the tables, Mother was waiting impatiently along with five Freys. Bran gave his apologies and they all settled down. Benfrey Frey looked around and spoke.
"It grieves me to say that King and Queen Stark will not be joining us for the meal. They have elected to remain in their chambers." Bran could hardly believe his ears. He waited for Robb to emerge from his chambers yet only servants went in and out. By the Mid-day meal, he was first to the table and waited for Robb. His mother came down in the company of the girls and Rickon who babbled away like a young child. Some Freys and the Walders came in and Ser Benfrey sat down at the head of the table to Mother's left hand. He motioned for the servers to come forward and tucked into one of Gage's pies. Bran seethed silently as he took of the capon for his brothers. He reached for the stewed pease and woke Rickon's wrath. Rickon stood in his seat and spanked Ser Benfrey's hand hard with his spoon.
"No! The pease belong to me." Ser Benfrey smiled down at him and asked gently.
"Do you intend to finish them all yourself?"
"Try finishing what is on your plate before taking another course. As Steward, I had understood that you should be aware of the dire state of food and supplies in the castle. You must remember Frey, Winter is Coming." Bran looked at the Frey as hard as he could after finishing. The Frey nodded amiably, left off the pease and excused himself from the table.