CYEL

"It surely is a lovely morning" Cyel's mother said looking out the window in their chambers as the girl was brushing her dark hair. Her mother had always loved the cool air against her cheeks, she was a real woman of the North. The girl find herself smiling thinking about that her daughter was the White Snake of Oberyn Martell.

"How have you met Father?" asked Cyel as her mother turned with a dramatic frown.

"You've heard this story a hundred times" Phelya complained.

"Let's make it a hundred one" Cyel giggled putting on golden earrings. She had always loved knowing how her parents had met. She had no memory of them together and in love; she knew that they cared about each other deeply, but in a different way than what he felt for Ellaria Sand.

"I was young" Phelya said sitting on the chair next to the window "And I've never been what other ladies would call proper. Infact I'm really shocked that you are" Phelya chuckled "Anyway, I've never been good in needle work and politics. I've never seen the point in that. So, when I had the chance to travel South, to Dorne, after the war, I went" a bit of sadness came over her mother "Lyanna was dead and Father wanted for me to marry and Umber. It was my last chance to be alone. But there-"

"You've met Father" finished Cyel with a smile.

"Indeed, I have" Phelya said "And he was so different from any other men that I have ever met in my life. It didn't take long before my heart grew weak for him. He shown me so many things and then... you happened" Cyel smiled. Every time that her mother thought about her time in Dorne she seemed so dreamy, it made Cyel so glad. She knew how the story continued; her parents grew apart and decided to end their relationship. And without him Phelya grew nostalgic of the North, so she decided to go back after almost 10 years from it.

"Here, a hundred one" her mother said "Why the sudden question?" Cyel observed herself in the mirror. She had always found pleasure in putting on her jewelry, flowers and pearls. But now it was difficult to find pleasure in anything.

"I hoped it would have distracted me for some time" Cyel's said turning towards her mother "Robb and Theon are at war, Lady Catelyn and Antea aren't back yet, Lord Stark and the girls are taken prisoners by the Lannisters" that name was like venom on her lips. But she didn't want to focus on that.

"Rickon is angry and Brandon is closing himself in" she said as her mother walked closer embracing the girl, caressing her head.

"My sweet sun" she said making Cyel hugging her mother back "I know how you feel. I grew up with my Lord Eddard and knowing him captive is a constant thought of mine."

That was true, her mother had been not that different from Cyel as a young lady, growing up in Winterfell. She surely could understand most of her fears.

"It's just..." Cyel said "They are all so far away."

"They are all in your heart" Phelya said poking Cyel's chest lightly "Keep them dear, keep them close and be strong."

Cyel was trying to be for so long that she almost didn't remember how it was to play with Bran, walk with Robb and Jon, have her secret breakfast with Antea, sew and sing with Sansa, run around with Arya or bicker with Theon. It felt so distant, a beautiful story, too old to be remembered correctly. She knew she had to be strong, she had to be solid, but it was easier said than done.

"Little Lady" came a knock from the door and Cyel turned surprised; there was only one person in Winterfell that called her like that.

"Come in, Osha" she said as the woman entered quietly as usual even though she still wore the iron chains around her ancles.

"The little lordling had required your presence" she said bowing awkwardly, she did that only because South of the Wall it was use to bow before lords and ladies "If it pleases you."

Cyel smiled to her mother before following Osha outside the chamber. They walked in silence at first, only the light sound of the chains could be heard, but Cyel had grown accustomed to the woman's presence. She didn't trust her fully, of course; she and her people had attacked Brandon in the woods not so long ago, after all.

"The wolf attacked the Maester" at her words Cyel turned with wide eyes.

"Summer?" she asked shocked, Summer never attacked anyone if they didn't mean Bran any harm.

"No, little lady" Osha said shaking her head "The black one" even though it made much more sense, the frown on Cyel's face didn't disappear.

"He was chained in the Godswood" Shaggydog had been chained since he had attacked to men, one of them was Mikken, their blacksmith. The black direwolf was so wild, only Rickon could restrain him; just one word from the little lord and he would go from attacking to retreating in an instant. Everyone in Winterfell was afraid of Shaggydog.

"How did he escape?" Cyel asked "Did he broke the chain?" the black direwolf was becoming so big, much bigger than Summer, who was growing up even if he was staying lean.

"The younger one set him free" at Osha's answer Cyel frowned again. What could have happened? Rickon acted impulsively more than usual when he was angry. So, something must have had upset him deeply.

"Is the Maester alright?" Cyel asked still feeling a strange sensation about Rickon's behavior.

"His arm is slashed" Osha said calmly "I helped him clean it, but the lordling wanted for you to be there. He is upset too."

"Bran?" what could have happened to him?

The two of them were heading to Maester Luwin's tower. It wasn't that far from Cyel's chambers and that place had always been quite magical. It was full of books and objects like the eyeglass to see the sky at night. Cyel had always loved watching the stars and when it was given the permission, she and the Starks would stay up late to observe the dark sky, talking about stories and heroes.

As they arrived before the wooden door, Cyel tapped the wood with her fingers to announce her and Osha's presence. Bran's voice came from the other side, making her open the door.

"Cyel" Bran called as she stepped in bowing lightly, before Rickon ran to her jumping up and down.

"Look Cyel, look what the Maester had given me!" he exclaimed showing her what he was holding in his hands. There were four arrowheads that seemed made of black glass.

"What are those?" she asked bending lightly to look closely at the objects.

"Obsidian" Bran said from where he was sitting, making Cyel nod her head.

"You were talking about the children of the forest again?" the young lady asked with a little smile, knowing how much Bran was curious lately about those ancient creatures. And that made the Maester roll his eyes.

"It seems to never end" the man said, making Cyel move closer to the man.

"Maester, I've heard what happened" she said taking his arm trying not to touch the injured part "But how it was possible it is still a mystery to me" Cyel finished turning to Bran, that raised his hands.

"I just wanted to go to the crypts" he said with a calm tone. It had been long before he had gone there; the last time Lord Stark was still in Winterfell.

"Me too!" exclaimed Rickon. But that made her frown a little.

"And why is that?" she asked, but the Maester groaned making the girl turn with worry, afraid that she had somehow hurt him.

"Do not ask, my lady" he almost begged, but Bran ignored him.

"We..." he seemed a bit hesitant "We've both dreamt about Father" Cyel's eyes moved from Bran to Rickon more than once "He was in the crypts. I went with Summer, the Maester and Osha, but once we went there," he turned his gaze to look at Rickon that was observing the obsidian arrowheads in his hands "Shaggydog came out and attacked the Maester."

"Why?" Cyel asked.

"We were in Father's resting place" Rickon said without turning "Father is coming home; he should have let him be" Cyel turned to Bran that had an uneasy expression on his face too. Lord Stark was coming home? How? The war wasn't over, they heard no words about it. And why waiting him inside the crypts?

"I had Summer to stop him" Bran said moving his head towards Shaggydog, that was laying down, giant and black and Cyel could spot on his fur stains of blood. They must have fought really hard.

"What was your dream about?" Cyel asked sitting next to Bran, that turned towards her.

"The three eyed raven," he explained taking a breath, he had already talked to her about it. He had dreamt it after his fall "He wanted for me to follow him and in the crypts, there was my Father, he seemed sad; something about Jon, I think. Only that" he said pensively. She knew when he was worried and, in that moment, there was so much more inside him than what he was sharing.

Suddenly Summer started howling, making Bran and Cyel look at each other before their hands found each other, squeezing tight. Shaggydog got up howling beside his brother as Bran turned and whispered.

"It's coming"

"Bran?" she called but before they could say anything a crow entered from the window. Rickon started to cry letting the arrowheads falling on the floor making Cyel's heart to beat even faster. Bran kept his hold on her hand as with his other arm he brought Rickon closer to him in a side embrace.

Cyel felt cold, it was so cold all around her, the only thing that was giving her comfort and warmth was Bran's hold. He was trembling lightly, but he looked at the Maester that went near the crow, taking the parchment that it had secured around its foot.

"What is it?" asked Bran.

"You know what is it" said Osha putting a hand on Bran's head for a moment. Bran's hand shook again making Cyel shiver in fear. What was on that paper?

"My lords" the Maester turned with tears in his eyes and trembling voice "We...we shall need to find a stone carver who knew his likeness well..." Cyel turned to Bran, his face pale and eyes fixed on the Maester.

"Father" he muttered before Rickon let out a scream and ran out of the chamber, followed by Shaggydog.

"Rickon" called the Maester as he followed the little lord out of the room.

Cyel hadn't realized she was crying until the tears in her eyes were so many that she couldn't see properly. She blinked letting many tears ran down her cheeks. She turned to Bran who was looking at the ground with a blank expression and pale skin. Osha gave him another caress on his hair before moving towards the door.

"I'll give you a moment. I'll be out here if you need me" she said before closing the wooden door.

Silence fell in the room and it was like there was no sound in Winterfell anymore. Not even the wind was making noise. Cyel couldn't even hear her sobs, not even sure she was sobbing. The Lannisters had killed Lord Stark... they had executed the Lord Liege of the North. Her Lord was no more with them, Bran's Father was there no more. They would have never seen him again; his people would have never talked with him again.

"Bran" she whispered squeezing his hand, that was still secured in hers.

"They have killed him, Cyel" Bran muttered breaking her heart "My Father is never coming back" he was still looking ahead of him, not turning in her direction, not letting any tear to slip from his eyes.

"Oh Bran" she said pulling him in a tight embrace. He stood still, while she kept him closer to her, trying to not let the sobs leaving her lips. She wanted to be there for him, make him understand that she was there for him.

"He will never come back" he repeated before moving to return her embrace "My Father..."

"I'm so sorry, Bran" she said kissing his temple as they were still hugging each other. She heard him whimper silently as she held him against herself, wanting to be there for him. Trying to be strong.