Game of Thrones: Love Shall Find its Way

Chapter 4 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 4

Bran sat up in his room, gazing out the window at Winterfell's courtyard below. He felt as if a terrible weight was pressing on his chest. He was forlorn and withdrawn, in the space of just a few moments; his life seemed to crumble around him.

'Everything I feared, being betrothed, being taken away from Meera…It's all come true.' He noted sadly. 'What am I to do now? I love Meera, but I'm supposed to be with this girl, Bethany Mallister.'

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't see any way for things to end happily. Even if he told his family the truth, they wouldn't listen. They'd simply tell him to stay away from Meera. He'd be forced to spend his time with Bethany and Meera would probably be sent back to Greywater Watch. If there was one thing he felt would be worse than not being able to be in love with her, it would be never being allowed to see her again.

His thoughts continued. 'If I said anything, they'd send Meera away, probably ensure she got married to someone else. I'd be stuck here with Bethany. It isn't fair, I mean, why me?'

Even as he thought it, he realized he already knew the answer. Rickon was too young and there were already widely known talks of plans for Robb's betrothal and marriage. Therefore he was the only possible candidate to marry Bethany Mallister.

He sighed as he stood up from the chair. There were other issues too; he knew. It wasn't just his feelings and his worries he had to be concerned about.

'Meera, what's she going to think about this?' He fretted. 'She'll think I…She'll probably think I was just using her. But, how…how can I tell her the truth. She'll probably not want to see me. Worse than that; if I'm caught with her, we'll…Ugh, what am I supposed to do, I can't just leave this.'

Bran groaned; he couldn't believe he was resorting to this. But he quickly wrote a note to Meera. Tucking it into the pocket of his doublet; he prepared himself and left his room. Bran wasn't sure if it was pure chance, or simply bad luck. But he was only halfway to his destination when he ran into his mother.

Catelyn smiled as she spotted her second son. "Bran, there you are. Where have you been hiding all this time?"

"I wasn't hiding mother, I've been in my room." He replied.

"Oh, I see, may I ask why." Catelyn asked; Bran bowed his head and she continued. "You really should be talking to Bethany, get to know her better."

Bran nodded slowly. "Yes Mother, I will. I just, I'll go and see her soon."

He began to walk onwards when his mother called after him.

"Bran, do not worry Bethany unnecessarily."

He turned, confused. "Mother?"

Catelyn almost grinned as she emphasized. "No climbing."

Bran sighed and nodded before leaving. He reached Meera's room and slid the note under her door. Praying she would find it, he left.

Meera tried to concentrate but it was useless. She had tried to hunt earlier, but found it hard to concentrate on that too. Now she couldn't focus on her archery practice either. She lowered her bow and sighed. It was no wonder really; her mind was too full, following Lord Stark's announcement.

'Bran; despite everything we tried. It's over; whatever we had between us can never be now.' She thought sadly. 'He's to get married to that girl. But…No, I refuse to believe it. Bran wasn't just using me for entertainment until she got here. The look on his face, he didn't even know himself.'

She turned away from the archery range and shook her head. 'I just wish there was something I could do. But…I can't think of anything. Talking about it to his parents, that won't help us at all. If anything, it might just make it worse.'

She began to head back inside; heading for her chambers.

'I don't know what to do anymore. I still love him, but, but it just hurts now. Knowing I can't have him.' She thought to herself; dismayed. 'Maybe, Maybe I would be better off, returning to Greywater Watch. But how would I explain it.'

Despite the pain she felt, knowing that staying would only hurt her. How she'd be hurt every day seeing Bran with that girl, Bethany Mallister. But somehow, the thought of leaving, returning home, of never seeing him again, hurt more. Finally she reached her room; she stopped as she felt something with the toe of her boot. She looked down and saw it was a piece of paper.

Curious she bent down, picked it up, and entered her room, closing the door. She unfolded the paper, realizing it was a note. Her breath hitched when she recognized Bran's handwriting.

"Meera." She read. "We really need to talk; please meet me in the Godswood; please, I really need to talk."

She bit her lip; it was clear Bran was taking a risk. After all, he was asking to meet her secretly, when he should be with his betrothed. Knowing the risks she quickly burned the note, leaving no evidence of it. After that, she left her room and headed down to the Godswood. She was curious, not to mention anxious, just what did Bran want to talk to her about.

'He should be with Bethany; but he's asking to see me, why?' She wondered as she shook her head.

She'd have to wait and see what happened. She finally reached the Godswood; making sure nobody was following her. She headed for the Heart Tree, the place she and Bran usually met up. Sure enough she saw him there; she approached; her apprehension building. Bran looked up and saw her. He bit his lip and stood, she stopped a couple of feet from him. Both waiting awkwardly for the other to speak.

Finally Bran sighed and broke the silence.

"Meera, I…I'm glad you came. I need, I need to talk to you." He said quickly. "I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I know what it seems like; but I do care for you."

Meera shook her head. "Bran no, don't. I know you weren't using me, you're not like that."

Bran nodded slowly; at least some relief came from this. "I'm, I'm glad, thank you. The question is; what are we going to do? I still love you; but, this betrothal means…"

"Bran…" Meera said softly. "I'm sorry but, we can't go against your parents."

He froze, realizing to his horror what she meant. "Meera; no; please…"

"I'm sorry Bran; but, we can't. You must do the honourable thing. Do right by your family." She said as firmly as she could. "It's the only way, I'm sorry."

With that she gave him one last, long, lingering kiss and then turned and fled back to the castle. Moving quickly so he couldn't see her tears.

End of chapter, well, things are starting to become awkward, read and review please.