It was a week later and the harvest was in, Brandon and Laoren were married, and it seemed that everything was perfect. For everyone but Efan who was sharpening his sword in a grove as he tried to find his new place in his friends world. Brandon was going to start a family now and had one already, but Efan was found hidden in a bush by Brandon's father after the Children of the Forest had killed all of his family and the Starks took Efan in. So the Starks were his family, but they were also not.
Thinking of the intervening time he almost didn't hear the rustling in the trees. Raising his sword threateningly, "Who goes there?"
"Efan?" It was Alora, "Could you help me? I'm stuck."
Sheathing his sword Efan quickly found where she was in the bushes and cut her out with the dagger being careful not to hurt her. Sheathing it so he could pick her up, "Shouldn't you be at the house?"
Nodding she answered, "Efan, why did you hurry away this morning? Don't you like us?"
This took him aback, the small girl was watching carefully. "Of course I like you!" Setting her down, "Why would you think I didn't?"
Her little face scrunched up, "Well, you've been hiding a lot. And you can hardly look at the family any more." Looking up at him seriously, "It seems like you want to leave us and I don't understand why."
"Well little winterfell, its because I don't think I have a place with you anymore." The child looked confused, "I don't think I'm part of the family."
Slipping her hand into his, "Would it help if I married you?"
"Well, you are not of age yet but thank you." Kneeling down and hugging her small dejected frame he continued, "I know your my family, but with Brandon and Laoren married it doesn't seem like I am a help anymore."
She blinked up at him, "But you just helped me get out of the bushes." Then continuing, "And you help all of us not get killed by the Children of the Forest." Leaning on his shoulder, "You also help cheer me up."
She was helping him feel better, "And you help cheer me up." Standing up he extended a hand, "Shall we go back to the village my lady?"
But she had paled and was looking behind him. He turned and saw that there were Children of the Forest there. Looking around he saw that they were surrounded. She hugged his leg.
Drawing his sword he looked around at them, waiting for something. This extended for a long time before the Children parted and a man was dragged though the gap and forced to kneel. Suddenly some of them attacked Efan from behind and he had to fight to keep them away, but there were too many.
Twelve to one who were free to attack, and he had to keep Alora safe. Trying to make a gap he called for Alora to go though it. But she didn't, when he was grabbed from behind she stabbed his attacker several times. Then she did her best to protect Efans back as they fought off the small army of enemies.
Just as suddenly as the attack started, it stopped. Efan stood with his sword ready and Alora was standing with her back pressed against his legs, her dagger ready. One of the Children of the Forest, with white hair in contrast of with the others dark hair, stepped forward and motioned for the captured man to be brought forward.
The group around them started chanting, while one in the back was mixing some strange plants together. It was unexpected, but they were waiting for what would happen next. When the mixture of plants had been thoroughly mashed and stirred they were thrown over Efan and Alora. Then there was another round of chanting, a few more tosses of mixed plants, and then unexpectedly the captured man had his throat cut as a sacrifice during the chanting.
After all the blood drained from the sacrifice, the chanting continued for a few more minutes. Then the Children of the Forest disappeared into the trees. Holding his sword in his right hand, Efan scooped up Alora in his left arm and ran towards the village.
When they reached the house of the Starks Brandon and Laoren comforted Alora. When Alroa had fallen asleep, Brandon made sure that she was asleep he left Laoren to sit with her and went into the living room. That was where Efan told him everything that had happened with the Children of the Forest in the grove. None of them understood it, and they wouldn't for another decade to come.