A THOUSAND EYES & TWO
( A Bran Stark Self Insert )
Disclaimer - All characters belong to George RR Martin and HBO
Chapter 1 - Catelyn
For a hundredth time this morning Catelyn Stark prayed to the Seven to save her Bran since a sudden illness took him while he was climbing the heart tree in the godswood of winterfell. Maester Luwin for all his wisdom could not understand how to help him as he identified no fever nor any signs of diseases related to the brain or heart. Catelyn sobbed as she looked at her son whose eyes have been glazed over and white pupils stared lifelessly at her.
Lord Eddard and her children visited bran and offered prayers to the old gods for his recovery . She loathed to lose her beloved Brandon and it is agony to see her seven year old son who is full of life and quick to laughter lay motionless in his bed. Only the ocassional incoherent sounds and the slow beating of his heart was the only sign of life that comforted her. Suddenly she noticed someone beside the bed and looked at a pair of grey eyes and a long face that had tormented her for years. His long face is hauntingly similar to that of Eddard Stark who married her in River Run all those years ago.
She rounded on the bastard then "What are you doing here Bastard ? I will not have you near my son" the bastard was stunned and caught up in two minds whether to flee or stay. "I have come to see if Bran has recovered" said the bastard with fear on his face. She screamed "Get Out this instant" and he turned to leave as her husband and Luwin returned came through the door. "Catelyn, Jon what is all that shouting about " asked her lord Husband. The bastard looked shamefully at his sire and said he was checking on Bran . Suddenly Bran shouted and beging to shook wildly as if he is fighting with a demon. All she could hear was Bran shouting "NO, NO , NO NOT WESTEROS PLEASE….ANYTHING BUT WESTEROS" as he continued to shake violently.
Catelyn noticed his voice sounded different than before loud and as if he had aged ten years . "BRAN BRAN" she shouted moving towards him with the others following her. Suddenly there was a flash of red light filling the room and in Bran's eyes and the room began to rumble as if a mountain fell on it. Catelyn lost her balance as did her husband, the maester and the bastard and just as suddenly the room went still again without a trace of any disturbance occurred just a few seconds before. Suddenly all of them looked at Bran standing on the bed looking at them mouth agape with a look of horror on his young face. "Praise the Gods" she wailed as she ran to embrace him "Bran are you allright ?" she shouted hugging him.
Bran looked at all of them and shouted "WHAT THE FUCKKKKKK ". She was caught off gaurd by his cursing and suddenly with pained look on his face bran fainted on his bed. As Maester Luwin started checking on him she shared a troubled look with her lord husband. Luwin finished checking bran and declared he looked healthy and possibly fainted due to shock. Suddenly Catelyn remembered the strange light and rumbling and felt fear spread down her spine.
Chapter 2 - Arya
Arya was worried about Bran since he woke up a fortnight ago after his sudden illness. She could see Mother , Father, Robb , Sansa and Maester Luwin discussing what to do about him. Bran no longer ate with them and confined to his room after he had refused to take the potions given by the maester. Worse he looked scared whenever she, Sansa or Rickon went to visit him. Jon said he acted queerly and kept shouting "It's not real" repatedly and one night he was found by the sentries trying to flee Winterfell . Since then he was confined to his chambers and two guards always stood near his doors.
As she was breaking her fast with her family , she could see the somber mood hanging in the hall . Mother was worried sick and started praying in the sept most of the time. Suddenly a guard came running to the hall out of breath and said "Pardon Mi'Lord , lord Brandon has escaped his room and left a note he will be in the godswood". Father , Robb and Jon hurried towards the door summoned gaurds as they went.
Sansa , Rickon and her bounded behind them and reached the godswood behind many gaurds and her siblings. She saw Bran stood calmly touching the Hear Tree with an uninterested look on his face. Father went to him and with an angry tone asked "Brandon , you are ordered to stay in your chamber, why did you escape the gaurds ?" Bran simply smiled and said in a booming voice " The Old Gods spoke to me father , they have a task for me".
Arya was shocked by his voice as it sounded like an Adult and bran looked serious as all were puzzled by his reply. Suddenly mother came along with Ser Rodrick and hugged Bran who did not react "Bran what Heresy are you speaking ?" . Her father was angry and spoke in a dark tone "Enough Bran I command you to stop your games and return to your rooms". Bran looked at his father and mother and replied "The Old gods choose me as their champion and I am their chosen the Winged Wolf".
Mother was distressed and about to chastize him when all of a sudden Bran touched the Heart Tree and his eyes went white. Every one was shocked as the branches tree started to shake. Arya and everyone there stood transfixed as suddenly hundreds of Ravens flew down from the sky and rested on the heart tree and Bran spoke in a high pitched voice "I Brandon Stark, the last Greenseer and the Three Eyed Raven promise in the presence of the Old Gods promise to fight the Great Other and protect all the realms of men to defend the North in the Long Night".
Everyone was frozen by the brans proclamation and Mother was aghast as she searched for words while Father stood transfixed. After a long pause all the ravens flew away and the branches stoped shaking. Bran was walking towards father with a blank look on his face and said "Lord Stark we should talk".
Chapter 3 - Ned
Ned Stark sat in his solar with his wife and his older children along with Maester Luwin looking at his son Brandon with a puzzled look. He does not know what happened to his son but his demeanor has changed from a young boy to an adult within a fortnight. His wife took this change hard as she started blaming Old Nan for filling Bran's head with stories about Old gods and Others which has driven him mad.
He is at his wits end after witnessing the power of the Old Gods in the Godswood today. He doubted if any of the things bran spoke there has any truth. Many of the household gaurds and crew started talking about Old gods touching Bran and talks of Long Night sent many to offer prayers in the Godswood.
He has to get to the end of this, taking a deep breath he spoke "Brandon explain your actions. This behaviour is unacceptable". Bran looked at him as if he is a simpleton and answered "I TOLD YOU I AM THE THREE EYED RAVEN. THE OLD GODS SHOWED ME VISIONS OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE. I HAVE TO STOP THE LONG NIGHT ".
Catelyn stood up and shouted "Brandon stop this madness at once. You fell ill and this is just a sickness. We will get you help". Robb who stayed silent till then spoke "Mother you cannot deny what we saw in the Godswood". Cat fell silent again. Nobody knew what to say or do. Bran spoke suddenly "I can prove everything I said" "Father I have seen the future and it brings ruin to House Stark and the Seven Kingdoms. I have a chance to change the future". "Enough brandon what madness is this Visions of the Future ?" shouted Ned .
Bran looked around the room at Jon and then looked at Ned and said " Shall I tell my cousin the Truth ? father ". Ned was shocked to his core and a chill went down his spine as he looked at bran 'No he couldn't know it's impossible' . Catelyn and Robb stared at Bran as Ned had frozen. Sansa asked innocently "Bran what cousin are you talking about is it cousin Robert ?"
Bran looked at Catelyn and then Jon and said "cousin Jon forgive my mother for her harsh behaviour towards you, she doesn't know the truth about you". Catelyn frowned and Jon quickly replied "Bran I am your brother what are you talking about ? " Mother said crying "He has gone mad maester please help him".
Eddard Stark suddenly stood up and looked painfully at Jon and spoke " Everybody leave the room except Bran" . Everyone left quickly with a glance towards Bran. Once the door was shut Ned asked "How do you know ?" Bran sadly spoke "Promise me Ned Promise me , that is what aunt lyanna said before she died in a bed of roses in that Tower" .
Ned felt dizzy and felt like he was gutted with a sword and fell on a nearby chair before he lost his footing "'That is impossible How can you know what she said ? ". Bran said "I saw you and Lord Reed defeat Arthur Dayne to reach aunt Lyanna in one of my visions" . " You are touched by the Old gods then tell me true what happens to westeros then " asked Ned still in shock.
"Fire and Blood" and then covered in Ice as the White Walkers and their Hordes of dead overwhelm westeros in the Long Night" answered Bran without any emotion. All blood drained from Ned's face as he heard his son calmly telling the fate of Westeros without any emotion. "Tell Me Everything Bran. Leave nothing out" he said while pouring a glass of wine to calm himself and just for a second he swore he saw a faint smile appear on Bran's face before it became stoic again.
Chapter 4 - Robb
Everything changed since that fateful day in the Godswood when Bran has proclaimed himself as a greenseer and spoke of the Long Night and Others. Winterfell itself has become a dreary place as all the servants and guards spoke in whishers about Bran being touched by the Old gods. Father and Bran were in regular discussions in his solar and a lot of things are changing from the increased crops laid before Winter to the constant drilling of new Guards under Ser Rodrick and Jory.
Father looked Tense and worn out whenever he met Bran in his solar. Jon , Arya and Sansa are worried about Bran acting like an adult without joy or answering anyone with short replies. Mother was beyond troubled and started hounding Rickon and Arya more and more as father refused to heed her words about callling healers to Winterfell to help Bran. Father summoned me, Jon , Theon to his solar as Ser Rodrick informed of a Nights watch deserter. Father looked at Bran who nodded and replied "So it Begins".
Once we rode to execute the deserter bran and father spoke something to him which we could not hear. The Nights watch deserter seemed to be at peace and Father beheaded him with Ice. On our way back Bran asked both Jon and me to follow him and rode ahead . Once we reached him we found him standing near a dead carcass of a huge direwolf ? "Bran get away from it" i shouted as he picked up a Grey pup and said "I had a vision we would find Six Direwolf pups . They are gifts of the old gods'.
Father, Theon and Jory along with Rodrick Cassel looked stunned by the proclaimation. Father looked at Bran with awe and nodded before announcing "You will train them , feed them and look after them as they are the only direwolves south of the wall and they are symbols of our house". Once at winterfull Arya , Sansa and Rickon were taken with their direwolves as well as the names Bran suggested for them.
Father has called me and Jon for a meeting in his solar, once there we found mother and Father along with Maester Luwin with a scroll. Jon was wary with mother in the room but took his seat . " Robb , Jon we have news to share with you both" said father as his face became serious we nodded and he continued "the King is on his way to visit winterfell to name me Hand of the King and suggest a royal match as well".
"Jon , it is time to talk about your future". John looked startled but collected himself " I meant to take the black and join Uncle Benjen in serving the Nights watch" he said. Father watched Jon a long time and then looked at mother who suddenly looked relieved. "No you will not join the watch . You are my blood and I will not let you waste your life". Mother stood up angrily and said "Ned , please he does not belong here".
Father stiffened and slammed his fist on the table , " Jon from this day to your last day you will be henceforth known as Jon Stark, lord of Sea Dragon point with all its incomes and lands will be passed down to your descendents. You will serve as a bannermen to Lord of Winterfell. Jon looked too stunned to answer, I congratulated him with a hug and his eyes were on verge of tears. "Thank you Father I will make you proud". Mother glared daggers at both father and Jon but father ignored her.
Chapter 5 - Robert
Gods it is good to see Winterfell after all these years. He felt alive after so many years at Kingslanding , away from the Lickspittles and fools. He looked back to the Wheelhouse and felt his happiness slip away. Had I married Lyanna, she would have raced me to winterfells gates , he took a long sip of his wine and rode ahead. Once he entered the courtyard he saw the entire Garrison waited for him. As he dismounted they have all Kneeled.
"Winterfell is Yours your Grace" said Ned , he hadn't changed after all these years. "You got fat" he jested as ned pointed at his gut he let out a booming laugh and hugged his friend whom he had not seen for 15 years. Then he hugged Catelyn in and then shook the heirs hand , he saw the pretty girl and the one who has Ned's coloring and spirited like Lyanna, he ruffled the little one's hair.
"Take me to the crypts ned , I would like to show my regards". The Bitch says the dead can wait , gods why have I ever married this women "Ned" he repeated. As they went down to the crypts "Ned didn't you have another son ?" "Aye Brandon you will meet him now, Robert if you ever bore me or lyanna any love you would listen to what my son says" said Ned looking seriously.
"Ned isn't he Seven years old , have you lost your wits ?" he asked "Trust me Robert, you will see". They reached the lower levels where Lyanna rested . Robert held the lantern to her face and at once he was filled with sorrow and memory from that blasted tourney all those years ago. He complained how she should have been buried under a tree on a hill with a clear sky above her and Ned says she wished to be buried here.
"Tell me about Jon Arryn" ned asks "He was strong when I last saw him a fortnite later a fever took him. I loved that man". "We both did Robert that is the reason his murder should be avenged" ned said suddenly. What ? "Murder you say ? Not a Fever ? Even Pycelle was unable to save him " suddenly a voice said "He was poisoned by his own wife your grace" .
I turned around to find a scrawny boy and a wolf pup ? It looked at me with it's golden eyes 'Gods a Direwolf ?'. " Your grace this is my son Brandon Stark he is a greenseer who can see the past and the future. Please listen to what he has to say" The boy stepped forward and said "Lysa Arryn had Jon Arryn killed at behest of Petyr Baelish your grace". "What Lysa ? that worm Baelish ? what madness. Ned you cannot believe all this magic talk".
"I can prove it your Grace" said the boy "Rhaegar died uttering my aunt Lyannas name while dying". Robert's blood ran both hot and cold hearing the cur's name "Curse the dragonspawn , how could you possibly know that I am the only one who could have known". " I saw it " the boy stated "I am the Three eyed Raven like Bloodraven I can watch the realm your grace , root out evil plots against you , spy on your enemies and kill them if needs be". No it can't be possible can it ? "You have promised to foster Robert Arryn with Tywin Lannister and also in the east the Targeryan girl is set to marry a Dothraki Khal " impossible how can you know this "I have a Thousand eyes and Two more your Grace" said the boy .
Ned began "Robert believe him and make him your hand and he will help you bring order to the Realm more than I ever can". "The lords will laugh at me Ned if a boy of Seven is made my Hand" oh these starks don't know anything about the South but they continue to fascinate me .
"Lord Baelish manipulated Lysa Arryn to Kill her Husband using a poison called Tears off Lys"continued the boy "I can help you to bring Lord Arryn's killers to justice your grace". Goddamns plotting scum, my head is heavy I need a drink and a hunt and some whores. "We will talk again boy if what you told me is true then we have work to do".
Chapter 6 - Queen Cersei
From the time she step foot in Winterfell, Cersei Lannister felt a panic like never before. She saw her husband's demeanor change right after he returned from visiting his whore's grave. Usually the fat oaf would be indulging in drink and whores again but to her surprise he went to the godswood along with Ned Stark's seven year old son and hours later he was speaking with the boy again in stark's solar.
Suddenly he came back red faced and had the look of a beaten man about him. Without sparing a single glance at her, the fat oaf went to the training yard and spent a better half the afternoon sparring and destroying half of stark's soldiers and his own household Stormland knights in a brutal way. Even Ser Meryn Trant and Ser Boros Blount suffered severe injuries at the oaf's hand. Later Jamie told her he did not see the king fight so hard since the Greyjoy rebellion and he nearly killed a lannister knight if not for Ned Stark's young son who became a new lickspittle to the oaf.
"Sweet sister have i not guarding the king for the past fourteen years i would have thought his Grace developed an interest in little boys" japed Jamie. Yet Cersei could not relax seeing the sudden change in Robert. She vowed to send her spies to Robert's bed to keep an eye on him. She could not risk her golden son Joffrey's rule delayed by Robert anymore. She have to speak to Pycelle again once she returns to the capital.
She was lead to the Feast hall by the dour lord and sat at the high table after the Tully fish escorted Robert who surprisingly was quiet and not his oafish self. After the Lords were all seated and the feast began, Robert's voice boomed when he called for silence and after silence fell he looked unsure before continuing "My Lords and Ladies it is good to visit Winterfell again after so long, i will not forget the brave northmen who helped me win my throne and keep it. I promise your King and the South will come to the North's aid come winter and also will help in it's prospertity". The hall exploded in cheers and the oaf continued "For the first time in over a Hundred Years after Cregan Stark, I ROBERT BARATHEON, FIRST OF MY NAME, KING OF THE ANDALS, THE RHOYNAR and THE FIRST MEN here by appoint a Stark to serve as my Hand" , the crowd exploded in joy with shouts of "Aye", "About Darn time" and "STARK".
Then the oaf called for silence again before booming "Brandon Stark of Winterfell , i name you Hand of the King will you take the responsibility of protecting westeros from dangers within and beyond ". For a minute every one in the great hall were dumbfounded and silenct, the Tully woman gaped like a fish and started shouting. All those seated at the tables looked at each other to see if what they heard is a jest or the king has lost his senses, the stark children looked shocked as well.
She nearly missed looking at the seven year old boy who made his way before the dias and kneeled before Robert and in a serious tone of an adult said " I am beyond honoured your Grace, i accept the position of Hand and i will serve you faithfully to the best of my abilities in ruling the Seven Kingdoms and i promise to bring peace and prosperity to Westeros for another thousand years. House Baratheon's rule will surpass that of The Great Empire of the Dawn and the Jade Empire itself". Cersei was stumped by the mummer's farce played and the false promises given by the boy who was tommen's age. Out of all the Starks she did not think the boy willing to play the Game.
"Your Grace please" the Tully woman wailed "Bran is but a boy who does not even know all the names of the houses of the North let alone the seven kingdoms. He fell quite ill recently and could not possibly mean the words he spoke today". Lord Stark placed a hand on her shoulder and with a shake of his head and a stern look he silenced her. Robert continued "I spoke with Brandon Stark and found him as wise as a Grandmaester and have no doubt over his ability to rule". Cersei was too shocked and suddenly stifled a laugh at the fat oaf's foolishness she saw her brother Jamie was laughing behind a hand . This green boy will be destroyed in court and no one will be listening to him. She felt bad for Robert Baratheon , he will be mocked and laughed till the end of his days for this folly. 'A fat king and his boy hand', father will be mad though that Robert made a child hand ahead of him. She suddenly imagined Tywin Lannister knowing the news and this time she laughed hard ignoring the oaf's glare. Oh what fun it will be to watch the small counsil meeting while Varys and Little finger tear the boy to shreds.
Note :- Thank you for all the reviews and support, i am new to and as you can see "English" is not my first language. Did a number on the formatting as well. I have written the story in a hurry and really messed up by uploading first 6 chapters in one go. will try to upload one chapter at a time. Thank you all for your support as for the story i don't want to reveal the SI's POV till the first arc of the story is completed.