BRAN

"Promise"

Bran was in a garden. It was sunny and he was surrounded by trees. One tree in particular had a white haired man and a dark haired woman standing beneath it. They were being married by a Maester as their arms were wrapped together by a wedding cord. Bran then realized who he was watching. Bran took a deep breath and went into his aunt's near future and saw her on her delivery bed. She was holding a brown eyed, black haired babe. His brother—his cousin; not Jon Snow, but Aegon Targaryen. Then her delivery bed turned into her death bed, though the secret lived on. Her secret.

Ever since the night he touched the book about the Westerosi Targaryens Bran was seeing this vision. He couldn't take it anymore—all of his visions still coming to him after that cold night when his master was slain before him and now this. His training wasn't complete and so the Three-Eyed Raven—his predecessor had to show him everything he needed to know at once. Now the visions were coming to him during his sleep. Destruction, wildfyre, dragons, Winterfel, Jon, and Daenerys. He remembered his words; We are the Three-Eyed Raven. What did he mean? Was there a deeper meaning than the obvious. The Battle at Winterfel was something that Bran knew would come but he didn't feel he had to intervene because Arya was arriving. As far as Jon's heritage went Bran knew that Jon could not find out until he met Daenerys Stormborn. In any green vision he saw they always fell in love and through that love the North and the rest of the Seven Kingdoms could be saved from the army of the dead. Without the pair Westeros didn't stand a chance.

Bran worried that he wouldn't be prepared for the events to come and as such nor would his family—and Meera. He had grown really fond of her after their time together, but Bran was also insecure. He knew that he would be a burden to her because of his legs. He couldn't be the man he wanted to be for her. He knew what would become of them, but Bran didn't know the 'how' which was an issue for a lot of his visions. Not knowing context and the full details caused him to make mistakes in the past. Then again he wasn't sure the future could be changed.

"Bran.", Meera called out. They were sitting in the dark common hall of Castle Black. There were a few brothers around and Edd was sitting with them. Bran looked at Meera and gave her a slight smile.

"Sorry.", he responded."About my arm, Lord Commander."

"Oh fuck. It sounds worse than I thought... The name I mean.", Ned responded. Meera grinned. "Go on."

"Cutting it off wouldn't work. The Night King is in me... A small piece of him in my blood now."

"Bran we wouldn't have wanted you to do that in the first place.", Meera stated while turning to look at Edd. She was annoyed at why he would even introduce the idea. Clearly Bran was going through a dark journey that was eating away at his light.

"I mean it was—you know ugh um an option.", Edd interjected.

"Anyways we have to defend the wall—it's stood for thousands of years. If it were to fall it would have consequences we couldn't foresee.", Bran responded grimly.

"Yeah well us and what army. The southerners are all in civil war and too worried about that so they won't believe us—or at best they send more rapists and bastards. Men not ready to arm the wall. For fuck's sake can't you see the future."

"Lord Commander you don't need to talk to the Three Eyed Raven that way. That's not how greenseeing works anyways.",Meera added. Bran couldn't help but to feel proud of the way she defended him.

"He's right I do know more than I tell, but I worry that if I tell certain things it will affect the future. I can tell you that I've seen a battle here, I've also seen the Wall standing long after it."

"That's it. Well we definitely have a chance.", Edd stated—his words laced with sarcasm.

"Did you call for men from the other towers?", Bran asked.

"Yes I have. Most are coming from Shadow Tower. I also sent out calls to the rest of the Seven Kingdoms."

"Good. If need be could we relocate and how long would it take?", Bran asked.

"A sennight to make it to the nearest civilization, which I doubt you would because the Night King knows you would attempt to flee west or east. He will bring the bulk of his army so that you have no other choice but to go south.", Edd stated.

"We must do whatever it takes to give us time. Yes many will perish to postpone the true battle but it is necessary. The rest of Westeros is not ready."

"Well it doesn't seem it'll ever be ready." He downed his tusk full of ale and got up to do his runs.

"I wish that the 'Lord Commander' had more respect for you. You are the Three Eyed Raven after all.", Meera stated while gripping Bran's hand. Bran was taken aback, but to his surprise all of his hesitation and shame went away. Suddenly all he could think about was her. Just for a short moment but still in that moment he saw her youth; the most meaningful memories of her with her mother.

"He's fine. I admire his views on life.", Bran responded. Meera squeezed his hand. Bran looked into her eyes.

"You're funny... Bran promise me something.", Meera started. "Promise me that you'll be loyal to me and protect me. It's your turn. You're all that I have now."

"I promise."

...

Next time: Men arrive to prepare for the army of the dead. Bran realizes how hard survival will be in the war to come.