Author's Note: So, I've gotten a few reviews telling me how Ned and Cat would never accept a bastard marrying their second daughter. I've answered a few individually, but I'm probably going to get more in the future, so I'll just answer them all now. The main reasons for being against the betrothal will be fixed in future chapters ie. at some point Matt will be legitimized. This chapter follows all the chapters from the journey down the Kingsroad to the events at Castle Darry.

The road to King's Landing was a long one. Matt rode near the back so Blaze could catch up after he went off to hunt. About two hours into the journey, they received an urgent message from Winterfell. Bran had fallen from a tower and hadn't woken up yet. Thankfully, he was still alive, but Maester Luwin still didn't know if he would make it. Ned almost turned back, but Matt talked him out of it.

"My lord," he said. "You must keep going. I'm sure Bran will be alright. We can still pray for him. King Robert needs you to be his hand."

"You're right," Lord Stark decided. "Cat is there with him and Maester Luwin will do everything he can. I'll have Grand Maester Pycelle send a raven with instructions on what best to do."

That night Arya came into his tent crying. "I don't know what's going to happen to Bran," she said as she melted into his arms. "I don't want him to die."

"Bran will be alright. Maester Luwin will take good care of him."

She sniffled, "I love you, Matt."

"I love you too"

Matt smiled as they fell asleep in each other's arms.

—

The next morning, they set off again. Arya was riding with Matt now. The Hound had come to rouse them and found them still wrapped in each other's arms. Arya had been embarrassed at first, but when Ned was told, he was surprisingly ok with it.

"As long as you didn't fuck," he said. Then he turned to the Hound, "Since when was clothed cuddling taboo, Clegane? Next time, leave it go."

"Yes, My Lord Hand."

"Just my lord for now Clegane" Ned corrected. "I'm not the Hand of the King until I put on the badge."

"Sorry, my lord."

Lord Stark turned back to Arya and Matt. "Bran's fall hit us all hard, none more than myself. You may ride together for comfort if you would like."

And they did, for the rest of the journey. A few days later, they arrived at Castle Darry, where Ser Raymun Darry planned to host them for three days. They feasted that night.

The next morning, Matt, Arya, and Mycah, a butcher's boy, were sparring using sticks down by the riverbank. Mycah had just gotten the better of Arya and accidently hit her while disarming her, when Joffrey and Sansa came upon them. Joffrey saw the boy hit her and looked angry.

"You hit my lady's sister, boy?" He asked. "You deserve a proper punishment," he drew is blade.

"Stop, it was an accident!" Arya shouted, stepping in front of Mycah and drawing Needle, her own sword.

"Stop it, both of you!" Sansa cried.

Joffrey ignored her, "Out of my way girl!" He hit Arya in the side with the side of his sword.

This infuriated Matt, "Don't touch her you little shit!" He drew his sword. Blaze growled, sensing Matt's anger, and prepared to pounce.

Nymeria was there first. She jumped and bit Joffrey's sword hand causing him to cry out in pain and drop his blade. Arya picked it up, took one look at the prince rolling on the ground in pain, and threw it in the river.

"My sword!" Joffrey shouted through tears.

"Wow, he is a whiny little bitch," Matt said. Arya laughed.

"I'm telling the king!" Sansa shouted and she ran back towards the castle.

Arya paled. "Mycah, run and hide," she shouted.

"Sansa, no!" Matt shouted as he ran after her.

He somehow lost her in the wood.

By the time he got back to the castle, Sansa was already there.

"What's this about Arya's beast hurting my Joffrey?" Cersei asked.

Matt tried to explain, but the queen wouldn't hear it.

"We will find the girl and the beast in time," She said. "For now though, let's make an example, shall we?" She looked to Robert. "Kill Sansa's beast."

"No!" Sansa cried.

"My wife is right," the king agreed. "There must be some show of force and, from what we've heard, Matt will kill anyone who goes near the ones that he loves. It must be done." He looked to Ned.

I'll do it myself then," Ned said solemnly.

"No, father! You can't!"

"I have to, Sansa dear. The king commands it." His eyes were full of sadness. He walked off to where Lady was tied up.

Matt laid in bed alone, listening to Lady howl as Lord Stark approached her with a knife. One howl, then another, a yelp, and then… silence.

Author's Note: I decided to keep Lady's death for the sake of the plot. I'm still not sure whether Bran is still going to be crippled or not, but he probably will be because, in my opinion, without losing the use of his legs, Bran would not have had much motivation to become the Three-Eyed Raven. This was Dire, signing off.