THE KING IN THE NORTH
TYWIN LANNISTER
Lord Tywin Lannister had fought most of his life to make House Lannister into a powerhouse and establish a legacy for his children and their children. The current war would be the defining moment of whether that legacy would last through the ages or fall into obscurity. His three losses against Robb Stark threatened to bring House Lannister down.
Unable to defeat the Young Wolf on the battlefield Tywin retreated to King's Landing to relieve the attack on the city by Stannis Baratheon, the number one contender for the Iron Throne. Stannis had a hundred thousand troops and two thousand ships. Many believed that the city would be taken, but Tywin's son Tyrion Lannister had organized the defenses of King's Landing in such a way that Stannis lost over half his forces.
When Tywin arrived he was able to flank the enemy and drive Stannis' army away. Despite heavy losses against the Young Wolf Tywin Lannister still commands a large force. After getting settled he tries to force Tommen to remove Tyrion as Hand of the King and name him as Hand of the King. To his surprise his grandson refused. The boy had become bold and confident since he started sword training. It wasn't until Tywin threatened to withdraw his armies that Tommen obeyed.
As Hand of the King Tywin dismissed Lady Vastell and appointed his own Master of Whispers. Next he removed Ser Bronn of the Blackwater as Lord Commander of the City Watch and named his brother Kevan acting commander until he could find someone to fill the position more permanently. He also banned his daughter from the Small council meetings. She did not take it well to say the least.
Tywin is in the Tower of the Hand at his desk in the solar. News had arrived that House Romyn was marching an army out of the Western Gate. House Martell was also on the move and Robb Stark was marching back West from Harrenhal. He did not have the strength to fight the Romyn/Martell alliance and the Northern Forces. Then the fleet he sent to Dragonstone was destroyed by some magical fire attack if the reports were to be believed.
"My Lord…Lord Randyl Tarly to see you…" A guard announces.
Tywin sighs, he had not spoken to Tarly since the battle of blackwater. "Send him in…" He stands up as Randyl Tarly enters the solar.
"My Lord Hand…"
"Lord Tarly please be seated. I am sorry I haven't spoken with you sooner…"
"No apologies are necessary…"
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No thank you…I will try and be brief…You and I are both fathers…"
Tywin wondered where this conversation was going. It certainly was off to a good start so far. "Yes…"
"And we both have sons who are major disappointments…My son is fat craven who would rather read about the accomplishments of better men…Thank the gods for Dickon…"
"Tyrion is the bane of my existence…Why do you bring this up…"
"When I arrived in King's Landing I was shocked to find Tyrion as Hand of the King…Your daughter tried everything to have him removed…"
He nods, "Yes she even wrote me demanding that I have him removed…"
"I took your son for a drinking man whore, but he surprised me…He set up the defenses for the city that held Stannis at bay…He cleaned up the streets of Capitol, and he kept your daughter in check…"
"He did his duty for his family as anyone is supposed to do…"
"And yet you removed him from the small council…A Dwarf he may be, but he has a good head on his shoulders…"
"You think I should make a position for him?"
"Yes…He is a born leader…Also I was thinking perhaps he would spend less time in the brothels if he had a wife…"
"And who would you have in mind?"
"Margaery Tyrell…She is the daughter of traitors, but her name carries a lot a weight…Such a prize should be rewarded or given to a son of House Lannister…"
He nods, "I will take your advice under consideration…As it turns out I am considering sending Tyrion to negotiate terms with the Young Wolf…"
"Why?"
"You haven't heard…Houses Romyn and Martell have fielded their armies…" That is when the guard enters with a man.
"Begging your pardon m'lord he insisted on speaking with you…"
"What is it?"
The man hands him a Raven scroll, "An urgent message from Red Lake…The castle is under attack…"
Tywin takes the letter and reads silently then he hands it to Randyl, "The Romyns attack Red Lake…"
"They mean to invade the Reach…" Tywin says, "And if House Martell is on the move they will most likely attack Ashford…" He looks at the two men, "Dismissed!"
"What of Robb Stark?"
"His forces are on the move heading back West…"
"Randyl shakes his head, "We don't have the numbers to fight the King in the North and the Tiger of the West…"
Two more messages arrive that day one from Ashford and the other from the Banefort. Tywin calls the small council meeting. After the meeting he summons Tyrion to his solar. "You wanted to see me father…"
"Yes…" He replies pouring him some wine, "News from the south…House Martell and Romyn are on the move…They have mobilized their armies…"
"Yes I know…"
"Of course you know…"
"What service may I perform for our noble House now?"
"I am sending a Raven to Golden Tooth…You will go and negotiate with Robb Stark on behalf of the crown…You will have full authority to negotiate in King Tommen's name…Above all I want Jaime freed…"
"The Northerners have a saying…The North Remembers…The King in the North will want Roose Bolton's head…"
"Try to dissuade him…"
"And if I cannot?"
"Then I suppose we will have to give him what he wants…"
Tyrion takes a drink, "The Lannisters always pay their debts…"
"Yes…"
"I need five hundred thousand in gold for the Faceless Men…"
"Why?"
"I arranged for one to kill the Red Woman who advises Stannis…"
"I will send a Raven to Casterly Rock…"
"When do I leave?"
"As soon as possible…" Tyrion stands up, "One more thing before you go…The time has come for you to marry…"
Tyrion sneers, "I was married remember!"
"To a whore…You will marry a proper Lady of nobility…"
"Who?"
"Margaery Tyrell…She is young, beautiful, and will provide you with a proper heir…"
"And if I say no…"
He stands up, "Do not test me boy…You killed your mother coming into this world, the least you can do is help see to this family's future…"
TYRION
He drinks from his goblet and leaves the room without a reply. Bronn is outside the door waiting, "So what did the old lion want…"
Tyrion smiles, "Don't let my father hear you calling him that…" Tyrion falls silent and does not answer right away.
"Well what did he want?"
Tyrion sighs, "I am to head West and negotiate peace with the King in the North…"
"Oh…Doesn't sound too bad…"
"When I return I am to marry Margaery Tyrell…"
"The one with the apple face and reddish gold hair?"
He sighs, "Yes."
Bronn stops and looks at Tyrion, "Well if I was getting a beauty like that I wouldn't look so glum…"
Tyrion starts walking again, "You remember what I told you about my first wife…"
"Yeah…Oh…"
Tyrion goes to the dungeons to speak with Eddard Stark, "Lord Stark…"
"Lord Tyrion…"
"I came to see you before I leave…"
"Leave?"
"Yes I am off to negotiate with your son…I wanted to know if you would like to send a message of any kind?"
Tyrion can see the joy in his eyes at his offer. "Yes I would…"
"Write your letters I will send my Squire Podrick to fetch them…"
By early evening Tyrion has a hundred men to escort him to the King in the North under a peace banner. "I was thinking…" Bronn says mounting his horse.
"About what?"
"About you and the Tyrell girl…You should try to win her heart...I asked Lady Vastell what she knew of her and to my surprise you and the little lady have a lot in common…"
Tyrion looks at Bronn, "How so?"
"You both are very intelligent…Smart…You both have sassy mouths…You like to read…She likes to read…She is very cunning…And so are you?"
Tyrion looks at him, "Do you see me? What I am?"
"So…You won over old Iron Pants Lord Tarly…You made the plans to defend the city against Stannis…Make her see past your short stature…same way you do with everyone…"
"You are different…I pay you…"
"You may pay but I genuinely like you as a friend…Pod help me out…"
"He has a point My Lord…You have a gift for making people see you as a person and not just a dwarf…"
"Had I been born to any other family they would have left me for dead…"
"But you were not." Bronn replies.
Tyrion looks at the two men and then he looks away smiling to himself. Inside he asks himself, could he get a woman like Margaery Tyrell to love him?
ROBB STARK
Robb Stark had become every bit as much a legend as his father. He had convinced the Lords of the North, The Riverlands, and the Vale to name him overall commander of their armies. He surprised everyone with his battle strategies and the capture of Ser Jaime Lannister. After capturing the Sword of the West, Robb is named King in the North, by his banners, the Riverlords, and the Knights of the Vale. In a bold move Tywin Lannister attacks Robb's mains force, but his quick thinking enables his forces to win another victory. The third victory comes when Robb attacks Tywin who is encamped near the Golden Road near the mountains.
After the third battle Robb meets a young lady by the name of Talisa. A healer of noble birth; the two fall in love and marry in secret. His Banners are not pleased as many of them have daughters of marrying age, but Talisa wins them over with her charms, grace, and beauty. And since Robb is winning the war the issue is quickly dropped.
Harrenhal had been abandoned so Robb uses it as a base until the battle of blackwater is decided. As soon as they receive word that Stannis lost the battle Robb marches his entire army back West and attacks the Banefort. After five days of fighting Lord Banefort surrenders. A few days later the Young Wolf sends Yohn Royce with ten thousand men at his back to Clegane's Keep, while he marches on the Crag. The Lord of the Crag surrenders without a fight.
ASHEMARK
Robb is in the command tent, his army is encamped before the castle Ashemark. A small force tried to disrupt Robb's supply lines, but his Uncle Lord Edmure Tully destroyed the small army completely. "Your Grace a rider approaches from the castle…He is holding a peace banner."
"Let him pass…" A few hours later a tall skinny man enters the tent.
"His Grace the Young Wolf…The King in the North Robb Stark…" Dorryen says. "Your Grace may I present Rolland Masters Master At Arms of Ashemark…"
"Welcome…Dorryen some wine please…"
"None for me thank you Your Grace…"
"So Ser Rolland does Lord Marbrand wish to surrender?"
"No…A Raven arrived from the Capitol via Golden Tooth…" He hands the letter to Dorryen and he gives it to Robb. "So Lord Tywin wishes to discuss peace…And he is sending his son Tyrion…" Robb looks at Rolland, "Tell Lord Marbrand that I will stand my armies down, but if I get the hint of any tricks I pull his castle down brick by brick…"
"Yes Your Grace…"
Two weeks pass before Tyrion arrives to discuss peace. "Lord Tyrion welcome to my camp…" They meet in the command tent, Talisa and Lady Catelyn are present.
"Your Grace…You have been doing well for yourself…"
"My wife and Queen…Talisa of House Maegyr…"
"Your Grace…"
"And you know my lady mother…"
"Lady Catelyn…"
"Lord Tyrion…"
"Before we begin I have some letters from Lord Eddard Stark…" He hands one to Robb and the other to Catelyn. "My condolences on your father Lady Catelyn…"
"Thank you…" She barely says opening the letter to read.
Robb sets his letter down to read later, "Some wine?"
"Yes please…" Tyrion takes a drink, "I am here to negotiate terms of peace…King Tommen has given me full authority to speak on his behalf…"
"You know my terms are non-negotiable and before we can have peace I want Roose Bolton, his bastard son, Lord Whitehill, Lord Warwick, and all their men delivered to me in chains…"
"A poor reward for the men who fought so bravely for King Tommen…"
"Roose Bolton is a traitor…" Robb replies. "…How long before he turns on you."
Tyrion sighs, "Is there no way you will allow him to fight for us…"
"No…"
"Understand Lord Tyrion…" Catelyn Stark says speaking up, "House Bolton has been a thorn in the side of House Stark for generations…Our Banners are adamant on the subject…"
"So be it…" Tyrion unrolls the scroll, "King Tommen of House Baratheon the Second of his name King of the Andels and the First Men Protector of the Realm do hereby renounces all claims on the Northern Kingdom, The Riverlands, and the Vale…From this day forth the aforementioned territories shall be known as the domain of the King in the North and all who follow in his bloodline…Territories shall include Harrenhal and all surrounding lands…To the Wall and from the Vale in the east to the Riverlands in the West…Item two Prisoners…"
Robb interrupts him, "In regards to prisoners…I would like to hold as a Ward to ensure peace…Martyn and Willem Lannister…"
Tyrion takes a drink, "Your Grace is that really necessary…"
"If our roles were reversed you would ask the same…"
"You would keep two young boys from their mother…My Aunt Lady Dorna has been in grief ever since they were taken prisoner…"
"Are not the words of House Lannister…A Lannister always pays their debts…The only reason your father is doing this is because he cannot fight us and Houses Martell and Romyn…"
"True…" Tyrion sighs, "…You once told me that your House is in my debt for the kindness I showed your brother…I would like to call in that debt now…"
Robb looks at his mother and she nods with teary eyes, "Very well…All prisoners shall be released…Ser Jaime, Martyn and Willem Lannister along with all other Lannister and Tyrell men…In exchange for my father Lord Eddard Stark and all his men…" Catelyn points at something on the table, "Right…We also require that House Lannister supply the wood needed to rebuild the villages and farms destroyed by Ser Jaime…"
"My Lord we are still at war as you well know…"
"Our people can cut down the trees needed…"
"The Banner Lords of House Lannister will not take kindly to your people tramping across their lands to cut down trees needed to build siege engines and rebuild things we have lost…I ask that you table this for another time…"
"My people are anxious to go home and be done with this war…So I will drop the matter…" Robb takes the document to sign it, "Tell your father that if he breaks the peace I will march south again and tear down every castle and litter the west with Lannister dead…"
"You don't need to make threats Your Grace you won…"
"Even so…" Tyrion signs as well then a Maester makes a copy of the document.
"I must send word to my father…Roose Bolton, Ramsey Snow, Lord Ludd Whitehill, his sons, Lord Warwick and his two sons will be delivered in chains to you here…They will be sent with your father and his men…"
"I will withdraw my armies from the West as soon as they arrive…"
Tyrion raises his goblet, "To Peace…"
"To Peace…"
"Now may I see my brother…"
Robb stands up, "I will take you myself…"
"Your Grace it was a pleasure to meet you…" Tyrion says kissing Talisa's hand.
"A pleasure to meet you My Lord…" She graciously replies.
"Lady Catelyn…I wish good health to your son…"
"Thank you Lord Tyrion…I pray the gods see you through this conflict…"
As he walks Tyrion through the camp Robb questions him about the battle of blackwater. Later Robb meets with his banners and lords to tell them the good news. The days pass by slowly, anxiously especially for Catelyn Stark. "What if your father doesn't like me?" Talisa asks standing next to Robb.
Two weeks had passed and in the south the Martells and Romyns controlled the Reach from High Garden. Their massive fleet of 1,300 ships blockaded blackwater bay seizing all merchant ships approaching the city. Robb stands with his wife, his mother, Uncles, banner lords and supporters as wagons carrying Eddard Stark and the men of White Harbor to them. There are also wagons holding Roose Bolton, Ramsey Snow, the Whitehills, and Warwicks. Their men had been killed after the traitor Lords were arrested.
Tyrion Lannister steps forward and meets Robb in a field near Ashemark, "As promised Lord Stark. Your Lord Father and all his men…And the traitors of Houses Bolton, Whitehill, and Warwick…"
"As I promised…" Robb replies, "Ser Jaime, Martyn, and Willem Lannister, along with all Lannister men taken prisoner in battle…" Both men signal their groups and the prisoners are allowed to approach their allies. Both sides cheer, but the North cheers the loudest as Lord and Lady Stark kiss when reunited. "I will withdraw from the west as promised…"
Horns are sounded and Robb's army starts moving towards Riverrun. Yohn Royce had decided to accompany them to Riverrun and sent a large portion of his army home to the Vale. Another force of ten thousand men are sent to Harrenhal. When they reach the river they stop to make camp. "Father may I introduce my wife and Queen…Talisa of House Maegyr…"
"An honor…" He kisses her on the cheek, "Welcome to the family…"
Later father and son find the time to talk alone, "I am proud of you son…"
"I am the man I am because of you father…" They hug, then Robb clears his throat after they release one another. "I can relinquish my crown…and name you King in the North…"
He smiles, "Heavy is the head of him who wears the crown…No my son you earned the respect of these men and they named you…King in the North…"
He smiles, "I will need a Hand…"
They laugh, "Oh no…I have had my fill as Hand of the King…But if ever you need my council or advice it is yours…"
"I talked with mother and well…I sent a Raven to Winterfell…By now Masons and Carpenters should be remodeling Moat Cailin…Talisa and I will stay at Winterfell for a year or two and then move in…"
"My children growing up…"
"Also I arranged a match with Sansa and Torrhen Stark…"
He nods, "Does she object?"
"No they seem to like one another…A romance is budding…"
"gods where does the time go…"
The next day they march on to Riverrun and hold a feast for two days to celebrate. After the feast King Robb meets with Talisa, Catelyn, Eddard, Yohn Royce, Edmure, Brynden, and Great Jon in the main hall of Riverrun. "We need to discuss Lord Walder Frey…He did not support us in the war…" Robb says.
"I am his liege-lord…I never liked that old goat…I say we strip him of his lands and titles…I don't know why father didn't do so long ago…" Edmure replies.
His Uncle Brynden clears his throat, "We were thinking of another course of action…"
"Ed…" Catelyn says speaking up in a motherly like tone.
"Oh gods…The only time you call me Ed Cat is when you are trying to mother me…"
"You are the Lord of Riverrun now…You need an heir to continue the family line…"
"I don't like the way this conversation is going…"
"Time for you to settle down nephew…And as much as Iwould like to see old Walder Frey kicked out on his ass…We think you should consider one of his daughters for marriage…"
"I would rather marry a goat…"
"All of his daughters…are not…"
"Mules!"
"If you want to force him out I will support you…" Robb says speaking up, "…But consider this. A lot of blood will unnecessarily be spilled…Walder Frey will not just roll over and play dead…"
Edmure sighs, "Fine…" He looks at Maester Bosten. "Maester send a Raven telling Lord Frey to send five of his most beautiful daughters to Riverrun with an escort…I will chose a bride from among them…"
They discuss Robin Arryn Warding at Winterfell along with taxes for the new King. Edmure will remain Lord of the Riverlands and Warden under Robb, while Yohn Royce will rule the Vale in Robin Arryn's name until he comes of age. A week later Stevron Frey arrives with three sisters and two of his nieces. Edmure speaks with each young lady in private. He chooses Rosalin Frey and a week later the two are married in the main hall of Riverrun.
Before the vows are said Walder Frey renews his oath to House Tully and swears fealty to the King in the North. Edmure leans over to Walder Frey who is sitting at his left, "Lord Frey…We are family, but the next time you fail to answer a call to war I will set aside the bonds of family by law and blood will flow…"
"What would you have of me Lord Edmure? Suppose you lost the war where would that leave me and mine…I did the wise thing and stood out of the conflict…In my place you would have done the same…"
"No I wouldn't…I chose a side and I fought…"
"The Lannisters pay their debts…Tell me…If the Martells and Romyns are defeated will you still fight when the Lannisters come to collect?"
"Family, Duty, Honor!" He replies.
The next day Robb and his men leave Riverrun with Walder Frey who allows them to use his bridge to continue on North. On they go up the King's Road after leaving the Twins. Howland Reed and his men part company and head for Greywater Watch. Meanwhile Robb and his company stop at Moat Calin. When they arrive carpenters and masons are hard at work repairing towers, gates, and other buildings in and around the castle. They stay for two days before moving on.
Soon Winterfell comes into view, Robb had sent riders ahead to announce their arrival. When they enter the courtyard, Sansa, Arya, Rickon, Maester Luwin, Ser Rodrick, Mikken, Vayan and Jayne Pool, Old Nan, are all waiting along with the servants.
"Mother!" Rickon screams running up as she climbs down out of the wagon with Eddard's help. Robb helps his wife down and introductions and greetings start.
"By the gods you have gotten bigger…" Eddard says to Rickon.
"Sansa where is your brother?" Catelyn ask.
Maester Luwin clears his throat, "I am so sorry My Lady…"
"Sorry about what? Where is Brandon?" She asks raising her voice.
Ser Rodrick steps forward, "We thought it best not to distract his Grace from the war…You see…"
"Bran ran away…" Sansa says, "…with the Reed children."
"No…" Catelyn says, "My son would never run away…" She walks up to Maester Luwin, "Why didn't you tell us?" She grabs him, "Why?" Eddard pulls her away.
"Cat calm down…"
"We should head in doors…" Robb says.
They all gather in the main hall, "Your Grace…My Lord and Lady this is Osha…She can best explain…"
"You…" Eddard says, "My son the King told me about you…"
"I am your humble servant My Lord…"
"What do you know of this…"
"I am from beyond the wall…" She looks at Maester Luwin and Old Nan, "The Maester and the Old Woman tell me your people believe or have heard the old tales…"
"What tales?" Catelyn demands, "And what do they have to do with my son?"
"The Old legends…My Lady…Wargs…people who can enter the minds of animals and see through their eyes, Green-seers people who can see visions of the future, wind-walkers…They can see into the past…Your son asked me about his dreams…"
"What did he dream of?" Robb asks.
"The three eyed Raven…The Old Legends say the Three Raven is the most powerful of them all…He is a Warg, a Green-seer, a wind-walker…The three eyed Raven can speak through the godtrees…I tried to discourage him from seeking the meaning of these dreams…The Reed children the boy at least he has the blood of the old gods in him…The say the first men mingled their blood with that of the Children of the Forest…Beyond the wall most people like this especially wargs are shunned…"
"Why?" Talisa asks.
She looks at her, "Fear…Some Wargs…very few mind you are so strong that they can enter the minds of people and control them…" She looks at Robb, "I saw you Your Kingship…I mean your Grace…You often spoke with the Reed boy…and I see how you are with that wolf of yours…Do have wolf Dreams?"
Everyone looks at Robb and he lowers his head, "Robb?" Eddard says.
He looks up and takes Talisa's hand, "Yes…I am a Warg…I can enter Grey Wind's mind whenever I wish…By the time we gathered at Riverrun I could also control birds…Sometimes I used my Warging to intercept Tywin's Raven massages…" She already knows as she once caught him doing it.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Cat asks, "And you…Maester Luwin…How could you not contact us…"
"My Lady don't be angry…We did not wish to distract your son from the war…We sent men out to find them and we sent Ravens to every House in the North, but no one has seen them…"
"I can't hear any more of this…" Catelyn says and runs off.
"Cat!"
"I am so sorry My Lord…"
Eddard shakes his head, "You did the right thing…Robb would have been distracted by this…"
Robb looks at Osha, "Osha do you think they went beyond the wall?"
She hunches her shoulders, "If they are looking for the current Raven then yes…"
"Do you know where we can find this Three Eyed Raven?" Eddard asks.
"No I do not…"
"I searched our library…I even wrote to the citadel about any writings on the Three Eyed Raven…All they have is a piece of paper from the journal of a Maester Hest who lived many years ago…The paper was found by a man of the Night Watch…The paper says…They exist…"
"Who exists?" Robb asks.
"I know not…that is all it says, but there is also a glyph on the paper…The same glyphs are found in a cave on Dragonstone…The glyphs in the cave were drawn by the children of the Forest…"
"The Old legends say the Children of the Forest tend to the Three Eyed Raven…" Osha says speaking up.
"I need to write Lord Reed about this…" Eddard looks at Robb, "Did Howland Reed say anything about this as he fought for you?"
"Not a word father…"
Later after everyone is settled Robb is in the courtyard when he spots his father, "Father…Where are you off to?"
"The godswood to pray…Your Mother is in the sept with Talisa doing the same…"
"I will come with you…"
"Maester Luwin told you about what is happening at the wall?"
"Aye he did…A Wildling Army…We may have to summon the banners again…"
They enter the woods with Grey wind following. The other Direwolves are already in the woods playing. "They just got home…" Eddard replies.
Father and son sit by the tree and place their hands on it to pray to the old gods in the old manner. Suddenly a great power engulfs their minds and both Robb and Eddard find themselves in cave beneath a tree. There are roots coming from the cave ceiling and people with pale green skin and leaves growing in their hair and on their skin. They have eyes like gold and their skin glistens like diamonds.
"Hello Father…Robb…" A familiar voice says.
"BRAN!" They say at the same time.
"I am speaking to you through the heart tree…It is one of the first things the Three Eyed Raven taught me to do…"
They notice a much older man dressed like a Maester, "Greetings King Robb…Lord Eddard Stark…I am pleased to meet you…"
"Who are you?" Robb asks.
"When I walked among men I was called Maester Hosten…I wondered beyond the wall to follow my dreams of the three eyed Raven same as Bran Stark…"
Robb looks past them both and on the ground is Bran his eyes are open, but they are white even where the pupils should be. The old man Hosten, his eyes are white as well, but his body is intertwined into the roots of the Heart Tree. "Is this what will become of my son?"
He looks back, "If he chooses it…"
"Do not worry father…I do not wish to live as he does…One day I shall return home…I must go now…I am not as strong as the Three Eyed Raven…I will rest…In two days bring mother, Sansa, Arya, and Maester Luwin to the tree I will speak with them…"
"Bran wait!"
He vanishes and they can see Bran's eyes return to normal and he moves, but the Old Man remains to speak with them, "He is learning quickly…I remained behind to tell you some things…Aegon Targaryen is sailing up the East Coast as we speak…He wishes to meet with his kin Maester Amon Targaryen of Castle Black…The Free Folk are not the real enemy…The Night King is…That is why the Free Folk are gathering they wish to escape the Long Night before it is too late…The two of you must go to Castle Black…Make peace with the Free Folk…"
"What you ask is a hard thing…" Eddard replies.
"Bloodshed will only add troops to the army of the dead…I must go now…Remember in two days bring your wife and daughter so that he may speak with them…"
Two days later Robb and Eddard convince Catelyn to come to the godswood. "What is this all about?"
"Mother trust us…"
Eddard grabs her hands, "Do you love me?"
"Yes…You know I do…"
"Do you trust me?"
"With my life…"
"Then do as I ask…Even if it feels strange…Now everyone place your hands on the tree and close your eyes…"
Talisa is there as well and she along with Sansa, Arya, and Maester Luwin place their hands on the tree. Their minds are overwhelmed by a great power and now they are standing in a cave. "Hello mother…Sansa…Arya…Maester Luwin…" He looks at Talisa, "…And I am very pleased to meet my brother's wife…"
"Bran! Bran!" Catelyn runs up to him and hugs him for a long time. The others gather around, "I am so angry with you…"
Bran apologizes for running away and explains why he did it. Catelyn demands that he come home immediately, then he shows her the White Walkers and the Night King. She cries, but eventually accepts it. Since Bran is training he can only speak with them once every two days; as he is building his strength up. After they return to their minds Robb and Eddard prepare to leave for Castle Black and the wall.