Bran was getting ready to spar against Arya to Jon and Meera's cheers. They were preparing to meet when Maester Luwin burst in and sputtered. All of them crowded the Maester and Jon patted the older man's back. Maester Luwin burst out a breathless laugh.
"No need for the care Jon." He stopped and looked at Bran.
"Bran, Ser Benfrey Frey is sending the grain south to the Twins as gifts." Bran shivered with fear. That grain was the hard toil of the Northmen and Freefolk. They would be unbelievably incensed at hearing their grain was being shipped off for naught.
Bran rushed to the granary with all the sparring party close on his tail. A Frey man-at-arms lowered his spear to block them. Jon handily grabbed the spear in one hand and flung both weapon and wielder away to the floor. They entered the granary and most of the Winterfell servants stopped at the sight of him. Ser Benfrey's smiling amiable face was gone and he marched up to Bran.
"I have done my very best to be friendly and helpful to you and House Stark but you block me at every turn on childish suspicion." He took Bran by the arm and six blades pointed at his form. Jon went as far as to stick the Valyrian longsword in an exposed joint.
"Do not cause Longclaw to accidentally prick your arteries, good Ser." Ser Benfrey backed away slowly and raised his voice.
"Continue the work. No matter here."
"No man of you is to move a single speck of wheat or barley. That food belongs to the North and our families." The Northern servants looked at each other and Ser Benfrey huffed in the direction of the Great Keep. Ser Rodrik held him from the back and spoke in a low voice and motioned for Bran to come over. Meera, Jon, Arya, Lyanna, Tomtoo and Calon all sheathed their weapons and followed the knights to the stables.
Robb was there and with Roslin. He had set her on his own horse and was strapping a cloak on when he caught sight of Bran and cursed to himself. A stable boy stepped in and asked which horse to get Robb. "None. Thank you. My sweet wife will have to make way." So saying he hopped on behind his wife to her squeal of laughter. They shifted and Ser Benfrey marched up to Robb and begun blabbing his filth into his brother's ears. Robb shook his head.
"We need that grain Ser Benfrey. Without it, we perish." Roslin twisted in the saddle and spoke quickly. She rested her head against his chest and Robb laughed.
"Very well then, Ser Benfrey. Your Queen is quite persuasive. But only this once, Ser" Ser Frey nodded and went off. Jon dragged Bran away and Arya went to the sheep cot. Jon hauled Bran all the way to the Great Keep and off to the girls' sewing room. Mother and Sansa were there and both looked up happily at him. Jon stepped forward.
"Lady Stark, Lady Sansa. My apologies for the intrusion. I believe Bran has somewhat to say to you." He shoved Bran forward and lowered to face him.
"I can only leave the Wall so many times before the men call me a deserter. Lord Commander Noye has made it clear that I have little time and lesser freedom. If you want me to find Winterfell memorable in the least, I suggest you get Robb's head out of his wife's-"
Mother clapped her hands once and looked at Jon.
"His wife's arms." Jon finished and Sansa giggled. He smiled at her and she turned her eyes away demurely.
"My ladies." Jon's cheeks were red and walked off.
"She is his queen Bran."
"I said nothing of Roslin Frey"
"My eyes still see Bran. In any case, Robb did not have the chance to choose his own wife, did he?' Mother tilted her head at him. Why she brought up Lyanna Mormont was beyond him. A bit.
"The woman is a Frey!" Bran protested. Sansa smiled at him
"Bran, while in King's Landing I saw what happened to a kingdom where the princes hated the Queen. It did them no good" Bran gasped in mock horror.
"Is that why she brought three brothers?" His mother was absolutely scandalised.
"A jape. But Robb is ignoring us all. He has not had a single meal since he returned. Could you not speak to him? Please mother. I tried my best to get grain and food for the North and the Freys are giving it away. I asked Robb to stop it but he listens only to his wife. Is there nothing you can do?"
"Jamie Lannister is in the bowels of Winterfell. His presence stains this castle enough. I will not have you sully it more by mentioning his actions and abominations. Now Sansa and I are very busy. Discussing with our loved ones rather than witch-hunting. Off with you then."
Bran stomped out, in the knowledge he looked like Rickon. He could hear their laughter rising after him.
The hunting party did not return that day or the next. They came back with Robb and Roslin on different horses for once and Bran breathed a sigh of relief. Till Robb swooped down and carried his wife off. Straight to their chambers. Ser Benfrey stepped near them to speak and Robb nodded and waved him off as best he could without letting him speak. Arya followed close behind with a familiar smile on her face. She winked at Sansa and Jeyne. Whatever it meant, they looked both horrified and excited. They trailed after Robb as well. Robb was red-faced and puffing when he reached his chambers and he dumped his wife on the bed.
Bran stepped into the room and steadied himself in Robb's way. Robb looked at him and easily nudged him out the door and slammed it shut.
"We will speak at dinner. Be ready." Bran would be. The only way to convince Robb would be facts and Bran would be ready.
By dinner, the table was well arranged and the seats marked. Bran sat at his Mother's left hand at the foot of the table. Near the whole family sat in between him and Robb and Ser Benfrey sat at Robb's right hand. Robb's queen was at his left and the youngest of her Freys that men called Robb's squire was next to her. Even Little Walder was closer to Robb who japed with them and ate little. The height of his brother's impudence was to reach over and ruffle his squire's hair. Bran could take no more. He got up and strode out. Ser Benfrey's elder brother laughed and Little Walder sniggered. Lyanna Mormont stood and stared the two Freys into silence and walked out as well. He had not reached the door when Mother's commanding voice rang out.
"Brandon, Lyanna; Return to your seats." Bran groaned and turned about.. Lyanna observed no such courtesies and strode out. Bran ate the rest of the meal in silence while Little Walder regaled Robb with stories. The servants cleared the table and shot sympathetic looks Bran's way. Before they could leave Ser Benfrey spoke up.
"You should apologize to your lady mother. And your friend as well. I could have her sent away for that. Little wonder she is so uncouth, girls should not be allowed to use weapons. There are knights for that. Most civil lords know that." Jon snatched Arya's hand and forced it below the table. Robb excused himself and moved away rather sheepishly and Bran wondered when Robb Stark died in the south.