Chapter 9. REVELATION

Winterfell

Tara sent a rider ahead to announce her arrival. When she enters the courtyard Robb is waiting with Theon Bran who cannot walk, Rickon, Adeline and Eagen. "Wow!" Rickon whispers staring at the tall woman dressed like a warrior.

Robb and Theon smile as Tara gets off her horse, "Lady Tara Clegane!" Robb says, "Father sent a Raven stating you had been knighted. They interlock arms and hug.

"Is that all he said Lord Stark!"

"Don't Lord Stark me!"

Tara smiles looking at Theon, "Theon you are ugly as ever…" They hug.

"My brother Bran" Robb says introducing Tara to him.

"Hello!" He says sheepishly waving.

Tara curtsies, "And the little one is Rickon!"

"My lord!" Tara says with another curtsie.

"You are pretty."

"Thank you! You are cutter than your big brother…"

Tara looks at her mother and they hug, "Mother! I have missed you so much!"

"And I you sweat girl…" She releases Tara after a long hug then Adeline takes Eagen's hand, "I…I mean we have something to tell you…"

Tara smiles, "I am so happy for the both of you…"

"Where is Jon?" Tara asks.

Bran looks at Arya, "You didn't tell her?"

Tara looks at Robb, "Tell me what?"

"Jon has joined the Night's Watch…"

"Oh!" Was all Tara could manage to say.

Tara is pulled from her trance by Rickon, "I want a hug!" He says.

Tara scoops him up and bear hugs the boy. Later when everyone is settled Tara and Robb speak in private. "Where is your mother? I would have loved to see her again…"

Robb sighs, "Maester Luwin is of the opinion I shouldn't tell you this because your last name is Clegane and your brothers are sworn to House Lannister."

Tara sneers, "I am a Clegane, but I have sworn an oath to your House!" She replies with a bit of an edge on her voice. So Robb explains everything that happened when the King came to visit and why Bran was crippled.

"Does he remember what happened?"

"Not really!"

"Maybe I can help…I know of a man in Meereen a healer. He can fix your brother's legs. I can pay for it."

"Do you really think he can help?"

"I saw him make a slave master's son walk who was born that way…I will send for him. As for your brother's memory…I can handle that!" Robb, Theon, and Maester Luwin stand around Bran's bed. Tara sits on the edge, "Relax! Breathe in and out…Good." She places two fingers on his forehead.

"What are you doing?" Theon asks.

"Watch and learn! Listen to the sound of my voice. Now close your eyes…Leave the cares of this world behind…Imagine Wintefell and all the places you have explored…Think back to that day…You walk up to the tower…"

"Yes!"

"And! What are doing?"

Bran speaks in a hypnotic voice, "Summer is with me…I climb the tower."

"Are the stones loose?"

"No! I make it to the top to watch the father and the King ride off to go hunting…"

"Did a bird startle you?"

"No…I here strange noises and go to the window…"

"Is someone there?"

"Yes! I don't want to go in."

"Its completely safe. You are safe no one can hurt you, but you have to look and tell me what you see…"

Robb tenses as Bran speaks, "I see the Queen!"

Robb, Theon, and Maester Luwin exchange glances, "What is she doing?"

"She's on her hands and knees moaning."

"Is she alone?"

"No her brother is with her – His pants are down and he is on his knees. He has his private inside her…She sees me!"

"Remain calm remember you are safe…But you have to tell me what happened next."

"Her brother gets up and walks to the window…he says I am brave for climbing so high. His sister is upset…She keeps saying he saw us! He saw us!" Bran stops.

"What happens next?"

"He…he pushes me out the window…I'm falling!"

"No you are not…You are safe and sound in your room…No one can hurt you. When I remove my finger I want you to wake up and remember everything you just said. When Tara removes her fingers Brandon opens his eyes and hides under the cover to keep them from seeing his tears.

"That son of bitch!" Robb says.

"Well now we know what really happened." Maester Luwin says.

"Your father needs to know what we know…" Theon says speaking up.

Robb writes a letter and gives it to a guard, "Ride to the capital and gives this to my father and him only!"

"Yes sir!"

Robb holds a small feast for Tara and she regales everyone with her adventures across the sea. As they talk Rickon leaves his seat and walks up to Tara grabbing her long braid. "Seems you have a new suitor." Theon says.

Tara picks him up and places him in her lap, "So are you engaged yet my lord…"

Rickon blushes, "No!"

"Oh my heart flutters…dare I ask…Would you consider me for marriage my lord?"

Rickon looks at her, "Really?" She nods, "Can I have a kiss?" He asks.

She kisses him on the cheek, "My little brother the flirt…"

After two days Tara leaves with her mother, her new stepfather Eagen who had been a second father the earlier part of her life and Arya who said a long goodbye to her brothers. From Winterfell Tara heads southeast towards White Harbor. When she arrives Lord Wyman Manderly gave them room and board making Tara several offers of betrothal to his son. Two days later Tara's army arrives by boats. She immediately has Akbar march them toward Moat Cailin, but stays behind to make a deal with Wyman. Her ships would remain in White Harbor and be rented out to fishermen and merchants. Wymen would get a cut of the profits and rest would go to Tara's coffers.