"Eventually something you love is going to be taken away. And then you will fall to the floor crying. And then, however much later, it is finally happening to you: you're falling to the floor crying thinking, "I am falling to the floor crying," but there's an element of the ridiculous to it — you knew it would happen and, even worse, while you're on the floor crying you look at the place where the wall meets the floor and you realize you didn't paint it very well."-Richard Siken

Chapter 13

Mal slowly stroked Bran's hand as she searched his face for any kind of sign that he was getting better. On the other side of the bed Catelyn was holding onto Bran's other hand. Her face filled with such heartbreaking sorrow Mal wondered if her own face mirrored the same. No words were spoken, the only sounds that could be heard in the room were the soft sniffles coming from both Stark women and the labored breaths coming from the Stark boy. The door to Bran's room opened slightly and Robb quietly entered, careful not to disturb anyone in the room. He walked over to his mother's side and kissed her head. Catelyn, so caught up in her grief, didn't even acknowledge her eldest son. Robb didn't seem to mind, his own mind was preoccupied on his little brother. He lightly ruffled Bran's hair before walking over to where Mal was sitting. He knelt down next to her and rubbed her back, he leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"C'mon love, you need to rest. You've been here for two days." Mal had stuck with Bran since the moment she found him. The direwolves had succeeded in bringing back a couple of guards to help bring Bran to his room and alert Maester Luwin. The maester had worked wonders in trying to bring down Bran's fever and setting his bones back into place. Bran was still unconscious and the maester had no clue when he would wake. "Your son needs you." Robb firmly told her.

The thought of Torrhen brought Mal back from her melancholic fog. Getting up out of the chair Mal turned to Lady Stark. She had no idea whether or not she should say anything to her- the poor woman was so far away she doubted she could even hear anything. Instead, Mal curtseyed as low as she possibly could- a curtsy that she would've given a queen, hopeful that her good-mother would understand the meaning of it. Robb took her empty chair and sat down in it to be by Bran's side. Mal placed her hand on Robb's arm and gave him a kiss on the cheek before exiting the room.

On the way back to her room she found the rest of the Stark children wandering around the halls, red-eyed and miserable. After some gentle coaxing she managed to wrangle all of the children back to her room. She gestured that they all sit on her bed and like little ducklings the went one by one onto the the big bed with Sansa in the middle and Arya and Rickon on either side of her. Mal offered the three of them some tea but only Sansa accepted, though that was only for courtesies sake as she barely took a sip from her cup. Mal walked over to Torrhen's cradle and picked him up, Robb had moved Torrhen from his bedroom back to theirs since Bran's fall, something that Mal was eternally grateful for. The room was quiet for a few moments until Rickon spoke up.

"Is Bran going to die?" He asked with all the innocence in the world. The question caused Sansa to sob loudly and Arya lightly pinched her brother for his rudeness.

After chastising Arya on her behavior and calming down Sansa, Mal went about answering Rickon's question. "Maester Luwin is working miracles on getting Bran better. Bran's a tough lad, I'm sure he'll pull through. We all just have to pray very hard that he'll wake up soon. Have you been praying, Rickon?"

The little wolf nodded his head eagerly. Mal smiled brightly. "Good lad."

Just then Robb entered the room with a slight bang. When he saw his siblings sitting upon his bed he gave them a strained smile. "I've just come from Bran's side, he's doing better than expected. Maester Luwin has high hopes for him."

Arya jumped off the bed and stood in front of her older brother. "I want to see Bran." she demanded with her hands on her hips.

Robb shook his head. "Mother says that we should continue and entertain our guests. You can see him later, but right now you need to be a good host to Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella."

"I don't care about the fat lump and that dumb cow." Arya told him rebelliously.

Sansa looked aghast at her younger sister. Robb gave Arya a hard look. "I don't care if you don't care about them, but they're guests and part of the royal family. So you'll do your part and be a good host." He ended with tone that told Arya that it was useless to fight him.

Arya lightly glared at her brother before letting out a loud huff. Seemingly satisfied he turned to address Sansa. " Sansa, why don't you take Rickon and Arya to the Godswood and the Sept to pray for Bran and then go spend some time with the prince and princess.

Sansa, ever the obedient child, took Rickon's hand in hers and lightly shoved Arya out of the door. She dipped her head lightly to her older brother and his wife in a show of respect before closing the door behind her.

When the door shut Robb let out a relieved sigh. His shoulders drooped and his eyes softened making it clear to Mal how tired he was. He's trying so hard to be strong for his siblings. Mal would never admit it out loud to him but she knew this was too much for him to handle.

Robb soundlessly crossed the room and took Torrhen from Mal's arms. He walked towards the bed and laid down with Torrhen resting on his chest. With a heavy sigh, Mal stood from her chair and slowly made her way towards the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to stroke the curls that were over his forehead. "You have a heavy heart, Stark." It wasn't a question, but more of a statement.

Robb's eyes were focused on the ceiling as unconsciously rubbed his hand over Torrhen's back. "Father's leaving."

Mal bit her lip and nodded. Before Bran's fall Lord Stark had accepted King Robert's proposal to be the Hand of the King. The original plan was to have Bran, Sansa and Arya join Lord Stark in the capital, but now with Bran's fall Mal assumed that Lord Stark was going to resign from his post. "So, he still plans on leaving? What of Bran?"

A dark look fell over Robb's face. "He said Bran's life is in the Gods' hands now. Maester Luwin has done all he can. King Robert needs him in the capitol- Sansa and Arya are still going with him." he trailed off and huddled Torrhen closer to him.

Mal took her hand from Robb's hair and placed it over the hand that was resting upon Torrhen's back. "When do they leave?" She asked quietly, she squeezed his hand and felt him squeeze back.

"In a few days." he answered in a small voice. Everything was changing for Robb and he feared things would never be the same again.

Sensing his fear, Mal leaned down and kissed his hand. "This was going to happen eventually. Not what happened to Bran, but your siblings leaving the keep. Your father is going to become the second most powerful man in the kingdoms, it's an amazing opportunity." she lightly explained. While she empathized with Robb, she couldn't understand what he was going through. The Starks held deeper bonds with their kin than the Martells. She did love her family on some level but she always knew that one day she would be separated from them. Starks took family to a whole other level. While it was the norm in most noble families to foster their children with other families. It was always odd to her that none of the Stark children were sent to other noble houses.

Robb sat up suddenly and glared at Mal. "Starks don't belong in the South." he said stubbornly.

"Sansa is going to become the next Queen of Westeros, it's good of your father to be down there to help smooth things over for her future rule," being the daughter of Doran Martell, Mal sometimes had the tendency to view things in a more logical way than emotionally. "King Robert is not a diplomat. If your father can help keep peace in Westeros, that would be a good thing."

"And so? He's leaving Winterfell. That means that I have to run the keep until he returns. Do you understand what that means?" He rudely asked her.

Mal felt her temper prickle at his tone with her. She knew that he was afraid of being in charge but it wasn't like he was going to be alone. "I doubt your father would even entertain the notion of leaving if he did not believe you were ready to run Winterfell."

Robb scoffed before turning his attention to Torrhen. "I thought it would be years before this would happen. Not until Pup was a little bigger, I would've liked to have had more experience- maybe running one of the smaller keeps." he trailed off quietly.

"Everything will be fine. Your mother is here and Maester Luwin and I'm here Robb. You don't have to feel alone or overwhelmed. Think about how proud your father will be when he returns to find you haven't burnt the place down." She tried to joke with him.

Slowly Robb's frown turned into a strained smile. "You southerners are too carefree for your own good. I feel so sorry that my father now has to deal with you cloth-headed lot."

Mal let out a loud laugh before reaching out to take Torrhen into our arms. "Careful or else I'll raise Torrhen to be as carefree and lazy as the rest of us horrible southerners." She teased. Her heart swelled as she heard Robb's low chuckle. His dark mood had passed and now the Robb she knew and loved was back.

"Pup is a Northerner, through and through. He'll be trouble in the future. We'll have to keep multiple eyes on him." His smile faded as the thought back to his little brother clinging to life just down the hall.

"Do you think he's going to die?" He asked her quietly

Mal unconsciously shivered and held Torrhen closer to her chest. She remembered the way Bran looked when she found him, so broken and twisted, he looked like one of Arianne's childhood dolls after she grew bored playing with them. She pulled away from her thoughts and turned to look into Robb's heartbroken eyes. His Tully eyes were stormy and if she looked closely she could see the tears he was trying so hard to keep hidden.

She bit her lip before answering. "I think we should be prepared for it, in case it does happen," she let out a little sigh before continuing. "But Bran is a strong lad, and I think he'll make it." She finished, repeating the words she told Rickon to sooth him, but didn't fully believe them.

Robb was silent as he crawled closer to where Mal sat and laid his head on her lap. She felt the wetness of his tears stain her dress but said nothing. She silently cradled her son in one arm and comforted her husband with the other until long after they were both asleep.

Things hadn't changed much since that night. Robb had started to keep things more to himself instead of talking with Mal. There was no improvement of Bran but Maester Luwin had assured Lord and Lady Stark that he would live, it was just a matter of waiting until he woke up. Lady Stark still refused to leave his side forcing Mal to be the unofficial lady of the household, a position she did not enjoy because it forced her to be in close proximity to the Lannisters. She kept her promise to Lord Stark and played nice with the blonde-haired little shits but she still felt very relieved that they were finally leaving to return to King's Landing.

The courtyard where the front gate was located was teeming with servants and noblemen. The sounds of laughter and yipping dogs were enough to give Mal a headache but she was on a mission and she'd be damned if some headache was going to derail her from it. Earlier in the morning Sansa had entered her room and took Torrhen from his cradle, pleading with Mal for some time alone with the boy to say goodbye. Mal sighed sadly because she knew that Sansa would miss her beloved nephew. But now everyone with it being so close the departure time Mal was in a hurry to find her good-sister before Torrhen would become another piece of Sansa's luggage.

A sigh of relief left Mal when she finally found Sansa and Arya standing near one of the wagons holding all of their worldly possessions. Torrhen was in Sansa's arms while Arya was tickling his belly.

Coming up to her good-sisters and she gave them a fond smile. "Have you said your goodbyes?"

Arya turned her gaze from Torrhen to Mal. "Can't we take him with us?"

Mal tried to stifle her laughter as she shook her head tenderly. "I'm sure you would take very good care of him, but I think Robb and I would miss him too much."

Sansa sighed as she handed Torrhen over to Mal. "I'll miss him too."

"When he's a little bigger, I promise that I'll bring him down to visit you all. Or when you become queen you can come and visit us." The reminder of being queen stroked the red-headed Stark's ego and caused the youngest Stark daughter to role her eyes.

"Don't reminder her, she's been a pain ever since they announced the betrothal," Arya huffed before brightening up. "Mal, guess what? I named my direwolf after you."

"After me? Arya you didn't have to."

Arya shrugged and continued. "Well not entirely after you. But I named her Nymeria and since you were the one who taught me about her-"

Mal cut her off by enveloping her in a hug, careful not to squish Torrhen. She tried very hard to not let the tears that were swimming behind her eyes out but there were a few that managed to escape and fall onto Arya's dark hair.

Pulling back, Mal sniffled. "I'm going to miss the both of you so much." she handed Torrhen over to Arya and she pulled Sansa into a great bear hug. Sansa, being the more sensitive of the two began sobbing onto Mal's shoulders. Mal pulled away to wipe the tears away from Sansa's cheeks. "I love you, both of you. Come now, no more tears. We'll see each other again." She promised as she helped the girls onto the wagon.

"You'll send word when Bran wakes up?" Arya asked as she settled in her seat.

Mal nodded. "The moment he wakes I'll send you a raven. And don't forget to send me some ravens to keep me up to date on your fabulous lives in the capital."

Arya huffed. "yeah, fabulous right." she said dully.

Mal was about to retort when Lord Stark came upon them. "Arya, enough." the Lord of Winterfell scolded his daughter. Lord Stark's faced was lined with worry and he seemed tired. "Did you say your goodbyes?" All three girls nodded in the affirmative. "Good, I need to speak with Mal for a moment." He excused himself from his daughters and led Mal a small ways away from where the wagon was.

"You'll watch after him?" Lord Stark asked as he motioned across the courtyard where Robb was saying his goodbyes to his uncle and his brother.

Mal nodded and bit her lip. "I'll try. Robb is... Robb, I'll do my best to help him but at the end of the day..." She trailed off, she didn't want to admit her hesitations to her husband's father, but by the look on Eddard Stark's he knew exactly what she was thinking.

He nodded his head. "I understand, I'm proud of Robb and I don't doubt that he'll take good care of Winterfell while I'm away. But he's young and he's a new father, this is too much of a responsibility for him." He took Torrhen from Mal's arms and rocked him slightly in his arms as he gave the boy a terse smile. "I want Robb to enjoy his family. I missed the first year of his life fighting in the war. It was my duty, but I regret missing out on watching him grow." He kissed Torrhen on the head and held him as he made a silent prayer to the Gods to watch over his grandson.

A warm smile graced Mal's face as she watched Lord Stark coddle Torrhen. "Maybe when you return you'll have another grandchild to look after."

Lord Stark smiled and extended an arm for her to go to his side. His arm wrapped around her and he gave her a kiss on the head. "Gods be good, I hope so."

After saying her farewells to Lord Stark and the girls, Mal made her way to where Robb was standing with Jon. She gave them both a loving smile, which Robb eagerly returned. He opened his arms and Mal passed Torrhen over to him so she could say farewell to her good-brother. She gave Jon a big bear hug and kissed him on the cheek.

"I still think you're making a mistake."She quietly told him as she rubbed his cheek. A light snowfall had started and little flecks of ice stuck to his dark curls so much like her own. Jon treated her to one of his rare smiles.

"It's the most honorable path I can take." He broke away from Mal and walked over to where Robb stood with Torrhen. Carefully taking his nephew into his arms, Jon gave a boy a kiss on the head. "The next time I see you hopefully you'll be walking and talking. I'm sorry I won't be able to teach you to ride a pony like I promised."

"When he's Rickon's age, we'll take him to visit you at the Wall." Robb promised as he took Torrhen back into his arms.

Jon nodded, he gave his brother another look that Mal could decipher but it was clear Robb understood. He turned from the young family and mounted his horse. His Uncle Benjen was nearby and the entire royal party seemed ready to head off.

Mal went to stand by Robb as they waved goodbye to the entire party. She felt tears gather at the corners of her eyes and roll down her face as she watched Lord Stark, the girls and Jon Snow ride away.

"Weren't you the one who said that this is typical, and now I find you crying like some scullery maid." Robb teased softly.

Mal lightly slapped his arm. "Stop it, I didn't think it would be this hard to say goodbye. I didn't even cry this much when my Uncle Oberyn left."

"I know love, but they'll be back... one day."

A loud sniff came from Mal, as she choked back her tears and nodded. She looked up Robb and Torrhen and gave them both loving smiles. She leaned up and kissed Robb firmly on the mouth."Come along, Lord Stark, we have a lot of work to do."

A/N: I deserve to be fed to the fires of R'hllor for putting this story off. So many things came up and then I fell into a miserable funk and lost all passion for the story. But anyway, thank you so much for continuing with this story and not losing hope. I do have a plan for this story and I can say that we will see Jon Snow again ;D. BTW I have to admit that the Red Wedding was a bit of a let down for me, I'm sure I sound like a horrible person. But some of the special effect, the make-up, the acting... there was something about it that seemed... off? I don't know what it was, maybe I wasn't in the right state of mind for it. I am sad that Richard Madden and Michelle Fairley no longer a part of the show. If you paid attention to my ramblings you'd know that Catelyn and Robb's relationship/dynamic was always my favorite part about the books. I'm such a major Catelyn stan... but I'm rambling again...

I'm sorry, but I've forgotten who it was, but someone left me a review/question about why Jon didn't go South to Dorne with Mal's cousins, since Mal is always talking about how things are different for bastards in Dorne, Jon should've gone there instead of the wall - I'm paraphrasing but I think that was the gist of it. The answer is I don't think Jon would ever go South. He would be like a polar bear living in the middle of the Sahara desert. I think he would be absolutely miserable in the South. Much like Lord Stark, he's way too much of a Northerner to ever even consider the possibility of living south of The Neck. Eddard only went South to solve the "Who-killed-Robert-Aryan?" mystery and save King Robert from any potential Lannister plots. If it wasn't for the note Lysa sent Cat, I don't think he would've ever gone South. But that's my own personal thoughts and opinion... and i'm rambling again.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for the questions, I'll be happy to answer any other questions you guys have to the best of my ability. You can PM me them or ask me on the story's twitter EMTML. So, yeah, until next time.