"Hello mother."

"Oh Bran!"

Catelyn felt whole again as she gathered Bran into her arms pressing kisses to the crown of brown hair until she was satisfied. Pulling back, she looked at her precious boy, but something made Catelyn paused. "Bran, are you okay?"

"I'm alive." Bran's voice sounded like himself, but his eyes spoke volumes. Catelyn Stark thought she knew all of her children well, but her little Bran held a special place in her heart. His innocence was something she wanted to keep but something had changed after his fall. "Bran-"

"Where's Joffrey?"

"The prince is taking a moment but that's not important. Bran, do you remember anything about who pushed you? Anything at all?"

"Can you go get Joffrey? I miss him." Bran demanded disregarding his mother's words completely.

"Bran, I need you to understand me. If you remember anything you need to tell me now."

"I want to see Joffrey."

"Brandon Stark, you will listen to me!"

"What do you want from me? A name, someone to blame, someone to punish. I slipped from the snow on the tower. That's it. No one pushed me. Now can I see Joffrey."

"You have never fallen a day in your life. Not once have you fallen from rain, snow, sleet. Someone pushed you, someone had to. Bran, I need to-"

"I'm tired." Bran turned his head away, laying back down fully ignoring his mother's existence. "Bran-"

"Lady Stark come to take a walk with me. I believe there's a few matters to discuss."

Tommen Baratheon was confused. He knew they had come down to visit his father's closest friend and something had happened to Bran so now they had to stay here. He remembers his mother trying to tell father they needed to leave but he quickly silenced her.

"What are you doing?" Tommen paused at the door. Turning around he found Myrcella still reading her book, but he knew she was paying attention. Tommen learned over the years that Myrcella only chose to stay silent because people bored her. She never found anyone who could hold her interest enough to speak so she stayed silent and observed.

"I'm going to see Bran."

"Mother wants us to stay in this room. If she comes back and you are not, I will not cover for you."

"Fine. I'll be back before mother and if I'm not I'll handle it."

"Fine. If you see a servant, tell them to send some food."

Tommen nodded as he opened the door making sure to close it quietly as he headed down the hallway. It was easy to slip past the guards as none of them were truly paying any attention to him. Soon enough Tommen found himself outside, walking along the castle of Winterfell.

Something blond walked into his line of sight, "Joffrey?".

"Tommen."

Tommen didn't know what to say as he came face to face with his elder brother. Oftentimes Joffrey seemed to avoid him and Myrcella like a plague resulting in them only seeing their brother in passing. However, now face to face with Joffrey, Tommen didn't know what to say.

"How is Bran?"

"Awake."

Tommen bite his lip. Despite how badly Joffrey treated him, Tommen still seek out his brother. "Can I see him? Mother never let me or Myrcella out of the room and I wanted to check up on him too. I remember how kind he was to me when we arrived. I wish to return it." The words didn't come out as smoothly as Tommen hoped as Joffrey listened. His brother didn't say anything before he started walking away.

"I will not wait for you to catch up."

"Coming!"

Cersei Lannister knew Lady Stark did not enjoy her presence. It wasn't hard to notice but no one truly enjoyed her presence when they knew about her fangs. "Lady Stark, you do not have to seem so stiff with me. We are to be family soon enough, my firstborn son and your second born son. I believe we should become closer to gain better knowledge of each other."

"Of course my Queen."

Silence filled the air as Cersei and Catelyn found themselves before a grand tree. "What a unique tree."

"It's a weirwood tree. My husband and children come to pray to this tree to the Old Gods."

"Mhm yes, the Old Gods. You pray to the Seven don't you Lady Stark?"

"Yes. House Tully has always prayed to the Seven and thankfully my husband allowed me to continue it. My eldest daughter Sansa also joins me in these prayers."

"Sansa. She is quite a beauty. Mother to Mother I was hoping when Robert announced his wish to unite the houses that he would have picked Sansa as Joffrey's bride. I even expressed this to him, but it seems my husband does not hold me to the same regards as Lord Stark does you." Cersei knew her words struck the chord she needed as Catelyn paused. Cersei made sure to note two issues that she knew were lingering in Catelyn Stark's mind. Her son being married to another boy and her husband's bastards both issues within her belief in the Seven.

Catelyn thought Cersei was on her side, but she was wrong. Cersei knew Robert wanted to unite House Baratheon and House Stark since he couldn't have Lyanna, which he intended to do with Joffrey & Sansa. However, Joffrey requested to know about his future bride before announcing a union which Robert agreed to. The day they arrived at Winterfell; Cersei saw the look in Joffrey's eyes when the middle son came running around the corner followed by his mutt. She still remembers how quickly Joffrey requested a private meeting with Robert before the King announced the union of Joffrey and the first spare of House Stark.

"You are quite lucky to have two daughters, and a sister if my memory serves me correctly. It was always with me and Jaime growing up. I have wished for a sister or even another daughter so my sweet, Myrcella does not feel so alone."

"Yes, I never wanted any of my children to feel alone. Arya and Sansa fight but I know they love each other as I and Lysa."

"Lady Stark, what do you think about our sons' union?"

"I support my husband and the King in every decision they make."

Cersei laughed, "Lady Stark I am not asking you as the wife of the king, or the queen of the seven kingdoms. I am asking you as a mother, the mother whose eldest son is marrying yours. Something that my faith would never respect."

A few moments of silence. Catelyn simply stared at Cersei, "The seven never intended for a man to marry a man. Bran is only a boy, who does not deserve this."

"I agree. He would be ridiculed, harassed and even attacked for this. You would hear the horrors of these actions and never be able to do anything about it. I never wish for any mother to feel that useless in the ability to protect their child. Joffrey will endure more and as his mother I refuse to allow one to hurt my son."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying we can come to mutual understanding and figure out a way for this to benefit us all."

"I will have guards outside the door, and someone will bring you food in a few." Ned whispered as he pressed a kiss to Sansa's head. He knew his eldest daughter did not exactly hold any favor for Jon however even she did not wish for his death. Sansa nodded as she went back to her needlework. Ned let his eyes linger on Jon's sleeping face for a moment, he had the maester feed the boy more milk of poppy. Slowly closing the door Ned Stark kept his eyes upon Jon until the door shut up fully behind him. Turning he locked eyes with his eldest Robb, "Walk with me."

"Of course, father."

Bran stared and stared.

His eyes, forever seeing and yet seeing none.

He felt exhausted and yet his body would not allow him to sleep anymore. He was still trying to wrap his mind around everything. Joffrey was not the son of the King, none of his siblings were. The Queen and her brother, the Kingslayer were committing incest among other crimes. His aunt Lyanna is Jon's real mother and Rhaegar Targaryen is his father, making Jon the true heir of the seven kingdoms. His father knew this and lied to the king, his best friend.

Nothing was making sense.

"If he is sleeping you get a moment to see him then you disappear, understand?"

"I understand."

"Joffrey."

Joffrey paused as he opened to the door to find Bran sitting upwards staring at him. His intended never looked so breathtaking then in that moment. Ignoring Tommen and Summer, Joffrey rushed towards the bed dropping to his knees pressing kisses into Bran's hands. "My little wolf. How do you feel? Are you hungry? Sleeping? Do you need anything, anything at all?"

"I'm fine. I missed you."

"I missed you far more."

"Hold me?"

"Always."

Bran felt his body relax as Joffrey rested face into his neck behind as he leaned against his bethrothed's chest. Glancing up, Summer circled the edge of the bed before settling before the couple's feet leaving Tommen as the odd one out as he stood in the doorway.

"Hello Tommen."

"Hi Bran. How are you feeling?"

"Like I fell from a tower and survived."

"Oh yeah uhh I mean-"

"Tommen I miss my brother Rickon. I know he's probably worried sick about me and he's still so small can you go get him for me?"

"Uh sure. Where is he?"

"He would probably be in his room with his Shaggydog, his direwolf. One of my father's men should be able to point you in the direction." Tommen nodded before disappearing out the door leaving Joffrey and Bran alone.

"Your mother pushed me."

"I know."

Bran glanced over his shoulder to lock eyes with Joffrey. Turning Bran settled as he sat upon Joffrey's lap, dark brown meeting green. "Your mother, the queen, tried to kill me because I saw something I shouldn't have seen. When I was sleeping I met someone I shouldn't have met and he told me things I am scared to say. What would you say to that?"

Joffrey sighed, settling further into the bed pulling Bran deeper into his lap until he felt the boy's knees rest on either side of his hip. "I do not care about the reason nor do I care about what you saw. I care that someone tried to hurt you."

"I want Cersei and Jaime Lannister dead. Would you give that to me?"

"Of course."

"How much do you love me?"

"I will kneel before you with their hearts carved out still fresh from their warm bodies laid out on a gold tray. I will have their dismembered bodies strung up across Kings Landing to warn anyone who even breathes harshly in your direction as a warning of my dedication to you. I will have burning coal pressed into their bodies if you desire even for amusement. There are no limits to what I will do for you."

Bran leaned down pressing his lips softly to Joffrey in a simple kiss before leaning back. A laugh almost escaped him as Joffrey followed his lips. "I have more to tell you but Tommen and Rickon should be back soon."

"Why did you send my brother to little Rickon? Tommen has only seen him in passing. Your mother likes to keep him close."

"My mother is busy right now and despite what I think I have a feeling that you and Tommen share a similar taste in the north. Besides we need to start building connections and who better to start with than the brother to the future king."

"Tell me what you're thinking?"

"I want Cersei to die but we must be smart about it. She is older, wise and has more connections than us so we must move carefully. We need to set a trap and let her hang herself."

The walk to the crypt was quiet and almost uncomfortable. Once inside Ned Stark didn't say anything as he headed directly to the statue in the back surrounded by fire. "Do you remember Lyanna Stark, Robb?"

"Of course, the only daughter of Rickard and Lyarra Stark. Sister to Brandon, Eddard and Benjen Stark. Betrothed to King Robert Baratheon."

"Then you know Lyanna had a touch of too much wolf's blood. She rode horses better than me or Benjen, often leaving circles around us. Shot arrows more precise than Brandon could ever wish despite how much he practiced. My father hated it, but he could never deny her anything especially after our mother died. However, when she wanted to wield a sword he refused, father and Septa, the first time I've ever seen her denied."

"Father-"

"I loved Lyanna. I loved her with the love only rivaled by my love for my mother. I would bend to anything she asked of me, took all the scolding from my father and older brother for her. I would do anything for her."

"Why are you telling this?"

"Because Lyanna's wolf blood brought her to an early grave. A grave that I didn't even have a body to place in. A grave that none of my brothers or father lived to ever see. A grave I built with only memories of her. Somedays I come down here to remember what she looks like and I fool myself into believing this is exactly how she looks."

"Father-"

"I will not bury Jon down here. And pray to remember his likeness enough to have a statue built."

"Jon will not be buried here before you, I swear that. He will have a loving and deserving life."

"Not with your love, he will! I see you Robb. You have more wolf blood than Lyanna and I am terrified of it! I have lost enough already once, and I will not lose it again." Robb found himself stiffening at the tone of his father. Never before has he seen his father lose his mind so quickly.

"I am a Stark; wolf blood is in our nature. My love for Jon-" Robb choked inside his throat as his father reacted. Suddenly Ned Stark held his heir by his face, squeezing Robb face close "Will kill him. I have turned a blind eye to it for years thinking, praying and wishing you would outgrow it, but it seems my own ignorance has only encouraged you further. You are my heir, the next Lord of Winterfell so the fault falls upon you. Leave Jon alone and I will forgive these transgressions."

"You see my love for Jon as a transgression. I see it as an opportunity, with my love he will never leave Winterfell. We both know mother wants him gone as soon as he turns of age mentioning the black around him as if it's proper payment for your sins. When I am Lord, he will stay and never leave."

"And if he desires to leave."

"I will have him locked away until he sees my reasoning."

Ned opened his mouth "Lord Stark, the King wishes to speak to you!" "Thank you Bennar." Turning back, Ned found Robb already staring at him. "You are not Lord of Winterfell yet."

"I am not, and I wish you many more years as Lord." Robb walked past stopping as he reached the entrance of the crypt, "Do not test my love for Jon, father. Just know he is in good hands; he will be protected beside I have loved Jon longer than you will ever know and I would hate to become Lord of Winterfell sooner than necessary."

"Robb."

"Yes?"

"Do you truly love him? Not just lust for him, but love him?"

"Jon i s mine and I am his. Father, I respect you and I love you but do not go down this path with me. I have loved Jon since I was a boy, maybe even longer. I will love Jon until I am nothing but dirt in the grounds of crypt. Nothing will change that. If you try to keep me from him I burn down Winterfell and rebuild upon the ashes of whoever I need to cut down to establish my goal. You are a great honorable lord. I will rise above you with or without honor if it means keeping Jon."

For the first time in a long time Ned Stark felt something aligning with fear as he looked into his eldest eyes. Robb Stark in that moment reminded him of his brother, Brandon. They say the curse of House Stark was the signal. Some Starks were lucky to have a little wolf blood in them such as him and Benjen while others were cursed with too much wolf blood like Lyanna and Brandon.

"Do not make me regret this." 'And yet I feel as if I have signed Jon's life away.'

"I will not father."

Ages:
Joffrey - 15
Myrcella - 13
Tommen - 8
Robb - 16
Jon - 16
Sansa - 14
Arya - 13
Bran - 12
Rickon - 6