Eddard

The Warden of the North slumped on his seat. Gods, he was strained. Luwin was preparing some honeywine by his side while Arya played with the quill, completely uncaring of the possibility of breaking it. Robb was the first to speak, "Father, I believe our first course of action is to send some patrols to map out the uncharted areas of the crypts and check any misshapen brick for possible secret entryways." Eddard nodded and added his thoughts, "Still, I do not wish for news to leave Winterfell. Keep what happened to yourselves and the others involved."

He stood up and continued, "I still wish to investigate further before letting any information slip out. Luwin, Jon, I want you to search the library for any descriptions of the great hall or the hammer. Perhaps we should even send a raven to Last Hearth, I believe the Umbers know something we do not."

Jon snapped out of his brooding demeanour and followed Luwin as he left the solar. Shortly after, a guard arrived and announced to the Lord of Winterfell, "My Lord! The First Ranger has arrived with his entourage!' Eddard nodded and followed him alongside Robb and Arya.

As they entered the courtyard, a voice cut through the air, "Brother!" Benjen exclaimed as the two embraced. After clapping Robb's shoulder and ruffling Arya's hair, he said, "It's good to see you. How is your family?" Eddard answered, "They are well, Ben. So what happened at the Wall? If Jeor sent you south it must be important." Benjen's face contorted in a grimace, "Ned, something is wrong beyond the Wall; we should go to the Wolfswood. The news I bring should not reach the common ear. This fellow ranger is Gared, he has a testimonial too."

Eddard nodded and gestured for Arya and Robb to follow him. As Benjen was to interject, he said, "They should follow us too, some things happened here in Winterfell, and my children experienced them first hand."

As they galloped in the Wolswood, the First Ranger commented, "Sporting a new hammer, I see. Perhaps you picked some new habits from your friend Robert." Eddard sighed, "It's a long story, but first, what did you wish to warn me of?"

Benjen straightened himself, then he answered, "Alright, then I'll get to the point: brother, the Others have returned. Gared's party encountered one, he was the only survivor." He cleared his throat and continued, "I had some suspicions, so I organised four rangings. In the last one, I explored the woods of Whitetree. Something was off... it was colder than usual, and I could feel being watched. I had the definitive proof when I managed to track down one of them, thanks to Gared here telling me of the rough location he was roaming."

Gared nodded and added, "Aye, M'Lord, I accompanied Waymar Royce and a lad named Will. They both got killed by that demon. Not gonna lie, M'Lord, I had the intention of deserting after what happened. I felt that my brothers at the Wall would've considered me a madman, but after a happening such as The Fall, why would they not believe me? That thing was probably a warning. There are too many coincidences that prove it."

Eddard stood still for a moment, then said, "It makes sense. These are extraordinary times. Arya, please explain what you've found in the crypts."

Arya spoke how she found the hall, of the descent, and how the white light manifested, with Eddard adding the tidbits of his vision. Benjen's eyebrows flew upward; he then said, "Brother, this is... Gods, I truly don't know how to digest it... may I check the hammer?"

Eddard passed it to his brother. Brandon's hammer was truly marvellous: the handle was made of Weirwood, carefully covered with a leather grip; the head was rectangular, with many inscriptions he still did not know the meaning sculpted in its entirety.

"Gods, it's beautiful..." Benjen murmured, "It's balanced too. I wonder how it would feel in battle."

Robb interjected, "Now we sent some patrols to search if there are additional secret rooms in the crypts. We can only imagine which secrets our ancestors hid in there." Benjen nodded, and the party strode towards a clearing in the woods. This was a good hunting spot for stags; last time Theon managed to fall one, the lad was enthusiastic with his accomplishment.

Benjen suddenly stopped, "There's something in those bushes." He said. Robb prepared his bow, and Arya hid behind him. Slowly two figures strode out of the bushes...

Gods, two direwolves!

The extraordinary creatures slowly approached, but as Eddard was about to unsheathe his hammer, the two stopped and sat, eyeing the group curiously. A mad sensation inside Ned assured safety; against his instincts, he dismounted his horse and leisurely approached the animals. The group was staring in shock at his gesture, but he ignored their looks and slowly pet the bitch's head.

The female direwolf licked his hand and bent her head.

Benjen did the same with the male and succeeded as Eddard did.

Gods, did they submit to us? What is happening?

Eddard mounted his horse. Robb's and Arya's eyes were wide as saucers when the bitch stood beside him. He slowly urged the horse to trot, and the female followed, Benjen not far behind with his own.

As they approached Winterfell, he called out Robb, "Son! Go warn the guards not to hurt the direwolves!" Robb nodded and sprinted forward. As they entered the gates, a great crowd gathered. He dismounted, and Catelyn approached, hugging him.

"My Lord, what are these beasts?" His love asked.

"These are a gift from the Gods," he said, "House Stark has new members."

Brandon

Brandon quickly descended the tower.

Gods! If Mother noticed me I'm finished!

He quickly sprinted out of the way, thoughts flowing through his head. He saw Father entering Winterfell with two direwolves. It was incredible! Bran truly hoped he could receive one in the future; he would be the first kingsguard with one!

Bran wondered what his father did at the crypts. He was down there for hours, maybe he could ask Arya later what happened. He felt quite bummed that no one called him for such an adventure.

And so he reached the Godswood. These days there was an eerie feeling in the air there, but it was surely better than being confined in his room for three days. Gods, please not that, he would prefer eating potatoes for the next month.

Bran decides to hide inside a bush. At least any who could have seen him might give up. So he waited for some minutes, until a strange voice he had never heard surprised him from behind.

"Young Stark, what are you doing hidden here?" Brandon jumped out of the bush in surprise, and as he looked up, a strange shiver gnarled in his spine. He was an old man wearing a plain brown robe with a strange crown made of what seemed Weirwood. "SORRY SORRY SORRY! I WILL NOT SCALE THE WALLS AGAIN!" He blurted instinctively.

The old man chuckled and said, "Do not worry, Brandon, your secret is safe with me. Remember to always be cautious when you climb." Brandon frowned. "How can I trust your word? I don't even know you! And how do you know my name!?" He said while pointing his index at the man.

"Pointing fingers at old people is not polite young man." He said with a smile, "How about I share a secret of mine with you? Do you think it's a fair exchange?"

"I suppose so..." Bran replied. "Good, then let me get straight to the point. I'm no ordinary person, as you've probably guessed from my garbs. I've come from the Afterworld: I am an Old God."

"Eh?"

That was all that Bran managed to mutter from his complete state of shock. An Old God? Talking to him of all people? Yet, somehow he felt it was true. The aura of the man before him was truly unique.

"I've come here so that the ancient knowledge of house Stark can be passed down from father to son again. Too much has been forgotten, and time flies too fast. Of course, this problem can be fixed, as I shall advise the Stark in Winterfell and educate his progeny in light of the Battle of the Dawn. For the time being, keep this little secret to yourself. Tomorrow come back here at this hour of the day: I shall start your upbringing."

Brandon wordlessly nodded, bowed his head to the kind God, and left the Godswood. Well, it will surely be more fun than Luwin's lessons.more fun than Luwin's lessons.