Merlin found himself inside a hall where wine and food were in abundance. Despite the merriment and festive atmosphere Merlin was in a tense mood. With each second passing, the more stressed he became. It wasn't until he looked upon the dais that he deduced why. In the center was a wrinkly, crotchety man who was too old to still be alive. Yet still was. Looking at Walder Frey's wrinkly face, Merlin knew what was happening. Before Merlin could act, he felt the cold steel entering the back of his neck. And severing his brain stem. Killing the wizard.

Merling shot up, gasping for air, fumbling the blankets and fur off him. As his body glistened with a fine film of perspiration. Unused to the warmness, he felt relief as his body mixed with the Northern coldness. His breathing slowed down, allowing him to take stock.

'That was too real to be a simple nightmare.' He thought as he rested his eyes on the palms of his hands. But soon was interrupted by the unlocking and opening of the door. Merlin moved his head to gaze at a maid who quickly went over to the fireplace and stoked it. Breathing new life into it. Before departing, leaving a confused wizard. It was only then that Merlin could no longer stand his dry mouth. He flew to a vase filled with water.

After the last drop of water, it descended into Merlin's throat. When a Bang reverberated throughout the room. Merlin only had a chance to turn his to see a dire wolf leaping onto his chest. Threatening to break his ribs. While drowning him in slobber, as the pup showering the wizard with licks.

"Summer!" Exclaimed Bran, embarrassed that his wolf reacted in such a way. Merlin raised himself, facing Robb, who had a bemused face. With an even more giant, grey Direwolf than the one that nearly slobbered him to death. Bran bent over but stood proudly rubbing his dire wolf's neck as the creature looked up to lick its master affectionately. Theon stood behind Robb more out of fear, but Merlin noticed the young Greyjoy's hand grasping the handle of a sword. Almost as if the ward was preparing himself to slay the stranger. And then there was Maester Luwin; while fear was present on his face, it was mixed with awe and respect. And even slight hints of admiration for this stranger.

The only people who were missing were Hodor and Rickon.

"How long was I asleep?" Merlin asked. The tension was soon becoming too unbearable.

"Three days," replied Maester Luwin. 'That long?' Merlin thought to himself.

"Then, what is my fate? Am I to be executed or to be put of use?" Merlin asked. Robb pondered the very same question, does he kill the man for healing his brother. But he could be at the same time somebody to kill his family, hired by the Lannisters to finish everyone here.

"What will stop you from going to the Lannisters?"

Merlin then did something unexpected. He kneeled. Unknown to him, yet noticed by everyone else, a new Mandala had formed. But unlike the one that had healed Bran, this one was more complex. Fearing it, Theon and Maester Luwin jumped out of it. As if it was a pool of boiling water. While Bran and Summer merely looked at Merlin. Who gave them a slight nod that told them everything would be alright. With that, Bran and Summer stood where they were. Ready for what would come next. With an even smaller nod towards Merlin.

Merlin began saying, "I offer my services Robb Stark. I will shield your back, keep your consul, and give you my life if necessary. I swear it by the Old Gods." After completing the first half of the agreement, the mandala started to glow a bright green, showing a tree resembling a Wierd wood. "And I vow that you shall always have a place by my hearth and meat and mead at my table. And I pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you dishonor. I swear it by the Old Gods. Arise," finished Robb, in which the mandala erupted in silver light, fusing with the tendrils of green.

Then violently, green and silver sparks of energy erupted from the mandala. First, at the perimeter, the sparks rushed towards Robb and Merlin, encircling them. They both notice their arms are raised towards each other. Robb, his right, and Merlin, his left. When both were perfectly aligned, silver energy lept from Robb's arm and directly towards Merlin. Green energy shot from Merlin's and directly towards Robb. Each impacts both men in the same way.

A singe of flesh on the underside of the arm. When Robb inspected his arm, he saw a Wierd Wood tree. With its leaves connected to its roots. While Merlin's arm now bore that of a Dire wolf. In a circle, with its snout attached to its tail.

"It seems the Gods have accepted my oath to you, my lord."

"How do you know?" Robb remarked, fear while present, in his voice, was well hidden. "How can that be?"

"If they had rejected my vow. I would no longer be alive." Replied Merlin raising himself. Wrapping a blanket around his waist while lifting himself.

"That so?" Asked Maester Luwin, curiosity now overriding his fear.

"Yes, Maester, you see when a wizard or witch binds themselves. It is more than simple chosen words. That can be broken by the lack of character of the person." Merlin paused, taking a quick glance, and only saw beside the four men and two dire wolves. Was his bag, walking stick, and sword. "An oath for a wizard is one of the highest forms of magic. Therefore it requires a steep price if a wizard or witch decides to break their oath."

"And that is?" Asked Theon, surprising everyone that Brann, Robb, and Maester Luwin turned to gaze at him. As if he suddenly appeared in that he was in the room with them.

"My Death," Merlin replied, walking towards the wardrobe, only to find it empty. After opening it, "However it seems that the Gods have a keen interest between Lord Robb and me."

"How?" Asked Brann, his own curiosity in overdrive ever since he started walking.

"Well, that spell circle was no ordinary spell," Merlin said as he twirled around, looking for something to wear. "Normally, I would have spoken the language of the forest, granting me the ability to make an oath circle." Nerves were starting to wrack through him, but he continued onward, "since I did not utter the forest's language. I could not have cast any magic. So allowing logic to rule it was..."

"The Gods." Maest Luwin finished. Awe overwhelming him as if he was gazing upon a prophet. Merlin gave Luwin a crooked smile and said, "correct, Maester Luwin. The gods themselves willed this oath into being, and now I serve at the pleasure of House Stark."

"And if you betray my family or me?" Asked Robb, who had guessed the answer. But wanted to hear it from Merlin's mouth. Even to reassure himself for the third time.

"I will die a most gruesome death," Merlin replied, distracted by not finding a single piece of garment. To cover himself other than the blanket.

"However," he continued, surprising everyone, "If I am betrayed and innocent or freed from my oath by Lord Robb or any of his heirs. Then I am unbound and free to break my vow."

With the gravity of what Merlin had said sinking in, they started to depart. One by one, they began to leave him. First, it was Theon, needing to clear his head, and to due that was with a whore in Winter's Town. Then Robb and Grey Wind, due to his obligations as acting Lord. Then Brann and Summer as they both went off to get ready for his sparing lessons. Maest Luwin turned to leave until he heard Merlin's words, "Wait."

Maester Luwin turned to see Merlin. "Maester Luwin, I wish to clarify that I have no interest in replacing you."

Maester Luwin, while grateful about the wizard's intentions. He was still uneased by his motivation. "Oh..." Maester Luwin paused, unsure how to respond, "Thank you for that reassurance."

"It is nothing. I do not wish any bad blood between us." Merlin said, unsure he convinced the Maester. With a hail mary, he made an offer that no man would reject. "With your blessing, I wish to teach you magic."

Maester Luwin was taken aback, not of offense. But he because he wanted to immediately say yes. Ever since he was a young acolyte, he held out the hope that the magic was real and that the Maester's Order would help. It was only through the education and experience of going through the Order that such hope was brutally squashed. Culminating in his failure to light the obsidian candles.

"I would love to Ser, but I have duties that I must attend to." He replied hesitantly, "The education of the younger lords must not be impaired by my personal gain."

"Then I will teach them as well." Merlin countered, grinning when he saw the old man gasping and quickly reclaiming himself.

"When are we going to have the time to learn magic?"

"Immediately, after the young lord's lessons. We'll spend upwards of two hours. One hour of the theoretical aspects of magic. And another for the practical. "

"Lord Robb is going to be wary."

"Not if you sell it to him."

"Why me?"

"Because he trust's you. He knows you have the boy's best interests and, if need be, you be willing to sacrifice your own life for them."

Maester Luwin was hooked. He knew he couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. But he mustn't be seen overjoyed, or Lord Robb would be suspicious. So with great effort, he breathed in once and counted to five before exhaling.

"I will talk to Lord Robb about this scheme, though I cannot guarantee anything." Maester Luwin said, trying to gauge the wizard's reaction. However, could not find a hint of emotion. With that, he turned to leave but soon remembered that he had two questions for the wizard.

"By the way, Merlin, son of Gandalf, what is your house's name?"

"My what?" Merlin asked before remembering his fake father's name. "Oh, my house's name shall be...Wierdwood." Another mental slap to the head, but he was grateful that the Maester didn't think much about it.

"And your sigil?" Asked the Maester

"A bent white tree, with leaves red as flame." Said Merlin before pausing. Finally, resuming to finish the new seal. "With a green field behind the tree."

"And the words?"

"Ah yes, the words." Merlin, again pausing, but with nothing coming up. Merlin just shrugged, and Maester Luwin just left it at that.

"Is there anything else?" Asked the Maester, having a good guess what it was.

"Yes, can you send a seamstress and a cobbler, ones that can work fairly quickly?" Replied Merlin. Now wishing to be alone.

"I can see what I can do." And with that, Maester Luwin left Merlin alone, with a bed sheet wrapped around his naked body. With a final look at his room, Merlin went to the small table, sat down, and waited.

Hours had passed. Before Merlin, his head lying on top of the table, heard a knock on the door. In between, Merlin took the opportunity. Explored his wizard's bag, the finer details of his magical sight. Casting simple spells and charms didn't require him to speak Forest's language and inspecting and staring at his Valerian Sword.

Before, he ultimately discovered a curious spell that allowed him to read the knowledge from the Chamber of Knowledge. Hoping this newfound ability will make the wait more bearable. He delved right in. At first, it was fascinating, starting at the very beginning. Reading about the Age of Creation and how the gods came into being. But soon, it was realized that the amount of detail put into this was much like reading Tolkien on steroids. And by the time Merlin got to the second chapter, the Age of Primodialism, he could barely keep his eyes open, much less his head above his shoulders.

And so, after much resistance and a total time of an hour of reading. Merlin surrendered to the blissfulness of an early afternoon nap.

So now Merlin grumbled when he first heard the banging on his door. Rubbing the delirium from his eyes, he opened his eyes to the same maid earlier in the day, opening the door and allowing someone else. Almost instinctively, he'd sat up quickly, composing himself if only half convinced to tell a teacher that he wasn't sleeping in class. But she only ignored him and promptly left when another woman entered. Carrying bolts of cloth and a bag containing various tools and pattern paper. With a much younger woman, the seamstress' apprentice Merlin assumed, hauling a stool and folding mirror.

Not wanting to endure a measurement in the nude and fearful of how long it would take to make him a proper wardrobe. With the aid of magic, Merlin took it upon himself to make clothes.

It started with a circular flick of his wrist. Pointing his hand toward the various bolts of cloth. Quickly followed with an incantation that startled the two women.

"Thig agus sgeadaich mi. Thig agus dìon mi."

What followed was a quick flurry of an assortment of cloth and tools. That quickly left Merlin in a historically accurate representation of Medival clothing. After summoning the mirror to get a better look, what was revealed was not pleasant. Other than the leather belt, there was nothing that pleased Merlin. With leggings held with wool straps to a leather doublet, covering a billowy linen tunic. With a brown wool cap. Grey socks over his leggings and brown ankle-high boots. Merlin looked less like a wizard and more like a bard who would be beaten to death by other bards. With a snap of the fingers. The fabric was added, garments morphed, and what was shown was something more bearable.

The leggings morphed together before opening at the bottom at the feet. Then transmuted into a pair of dark brown leather paints. The grey socks darkened to a charcoal grey. They slid underneath up to the knees before tying themselves with leather garters. The boots began to morph and stretch over to the calves and up to the knees. As lacings appeared in front. Any excess leather attaches to the sides, turning into straps and buckles. Where the latter morphed into brass. The linen tunic became more form-fitting and less historical. While his undergarments, too, became less historically accurate and more modern while retaining a medieval flair. His doublet became form-fitting, as the wool straps, once a part of the leggings. Now migrated to his shoulders and attached themselves to leather sleeves on his arms. And the wool cap simply dissolved, the thread returning to the bolt. The outfit was complete, with the original belt sinching itself to his waist.

"Now, that is more like it. If you..." Merlin stopped as he turned to find both women standing there, in shock. The seamstress is standing there with her mouth agape while her apprentice is cowering behind her. Fearing that he'll turn her into a cat."...Can? Take my measurements and deliver six more pairs of socks, pants, undergarments, and tunics. Within a week, I'll compensate you fairly." He says cautiously, hoping for a yes. He received the seamstress, slammed shut her bag of tools, and grabbed them. And ran away with her apprentice not far off. Leaving behind the folding mirror and bolts of cloth.

Merlin ran to catch them and calm them down. But he was too late. Instead of running into Robb alone, Theon and Greywind couldn't be found.

"M'lord." Merlin kneeled as a sign of respect.

"Rise, no one is here."

" I Apologise, m'lord." Merlin rose before he asked, "How may I help you?"

"I had an interesting conversation with Maester Luwin," said Robb as he and Merlin walked through the hallway.

"Oh, and what was that conversation about."

"He said you offered to teach him and my brothers magic."

"Is that all?" Both men stopped next to the stairs leading to the ancient castle's foyer and great hall. Looking at each other, sizing one another up. Wondering two different things. For Robb, it was hoping that it was a jest, as he feared if it could antagonize the smallfolk and nobility. As seen by the two women who ran passed him without compensation and their wares. Merlin just wondered if he overstepped his bounds and wondered if Robb would give his consent.

"I did, and my offer still stands."

"No, it will not."

"What do you mean?"

"I will not have my brothers engage in dangerous activities."

"Your joking, right?" Merlin asked incredulity, surprised by the young man's position.

"No, and this is the final time you shall ask." Said Robb as he turned to face the stairwell. As he descended, leaving Merlin stewed in anger and annoyance. With no options left, Merlin decided to play the only card he had left.

"They're not dreams, you know," Merlin said as Robb was about to disappear from Merlin's view.

"What?"

"The dreams you have finding yourself as Greywind." Said Merlin, moving his head to face Robb. He saw the acting Lord of Winterfell's complexion go from a healthy to ghostly white.

"How do you-"

"Know?" Merlin asked as one eyebrow cocked up. "Magic permeates this place. It permeates the air, the water, and its people." Said Merlin, now ambling towards Robb. Hands behind his back to stop himself from hexing Robb with an annoying curse. "So it's child's play for me to sense other people who are touched with magic." Finished Merlin now standing with Robb, once more confident with his position.

"Then why did you offer to teach-." Robb tried to say but failed as he felt his throat dry. Merlin continued as he started to descend onto the staircase.

"I offered to teach Maester Luwin as an olive branch between the two of us. So that he understands that I have no desire to replace him." Merlin interrupted, annoyed that Robb, despite both of their shared experiences, still viewed him as a threat. "I do empathize, I really do, with wanting to protect your family. But thinking prohibiting your brothers from learning. An important aspect of their being is smart. It's not. In fact, it is beyond stupid, to the point that it borders irresponsibility."

"What are the consequences of doing nothing?"

"At best, a little wilder. At worst, both Brann and Rickon can lose themselves completely."

"What about their responsibilities?"

"I'll ensure it does not infringe upon their other responsibilities." With that, Merlin descended further. In the hopes of both catching the women and finding food to consume.

"Merlin," Robb said sternly, causing Merlin to stop and turn towards him. "I'll give you leeway this time. You have yet to earn my trust. Go behind my back again. And I will free you from your oath. By freeing your head from your body." With that, Robb turned and headed upwards. But as his foot took the step upwards before him.

"M'lord, is that a 'yes' or 'no' on their magical education?"

"It's a yes." And with that, Robb left Merlin in the middle of the stairway. Chewing on what had transpired.