It was the day before the counsel meeting and Sansa couldn't take being stuck in the Solar going over plans anymore. The week had brought many changes and headaches to go along with it. To both Jon and Sansa's surprise her Uncle Edmure would be at the meeting to swear it to house Stark. Many were cautious after he had handed it so easy back to the Freys, but both Sansa and Jon understood the need to protect your family.
It was Arya who finally got everyone to agree to let their Uncle in on the meeting. In fact when she disposed of not only Walder Frey but also his sons she was able to give the Tulleys the Peaks as well. The army was useless with out the Lanistors who had taken their leave with Jamie to the capitol. Both Sansa and Jon couldn't help but be greatful that Arya had avenged their mother and Rob.
There was a knock on the door and a maid stuck her head in with a letter. Jon and Sansa's eyes both widen they knew the symbol on the letter. Winter was finally here, it had been delivered by the dove from the citadel. Gently with a hand Sansa stopped Davos in the middle of what he was saying.
"Winter has come my Lord as that letter states, we shall stop here and reconvene one hour before the counsel tomorrow. Please go enjoy your day." Sansa said with a smile
Before he could answer her she had already grabbed Jons hand and was rushing out of the room. Leaving Davos, and Tormund to smile at their antics and shake their heads. Without a word spoken they both knew what had to be done. Jon ran to kitchen to grab food and supplies , and Sansa headed to the chambers to grab Arya and there cloaks.
Arya is on the training with Brienne who had returned not long after Arya. Podd is sitting not far from them sharpening Brienne's sword. They stop when they see Sansa coming each curious about the smile on her face. Without a word she hand Arya the letter that had been delivered. Arya's eyes get big and then she grabbs Sansa's hand and they run to the Gods wood, but not before yelling to Brienne and Podrick to grab their cloaks and meet them there.
By the time they had gotten their Jon had already set up the candles and stood there waiting. Since they could first talk all the Stark children had been taught this ritual should the bird signifying winter had come arrived. They paused for a moment looking at each other Saddened that there was only three to do it. As the eldest male Jon would be in the lead. Sansa gently placed the fur cloak she had made for him on his shoulders and then proceeded to do the same thing for Arya and herself. Slowly Sansa lit each candle that represented the old gods. When she was done she nodded to Jon to begin.
"Here we stand in the sacred forest of our gods, and winter has come. We the Starks have held this land since the first men came. We humbly beseech that you protect our land and its people in these trying times ahead. We stand before you to ask for your protection from the others who will one day come over the wall. In return we swear a blood oath to protect your land honor the old faith."Jon said
Without another word Jon sliced his own palm and then gently cut Sansa's and Arya's also because as a Stark they owed the blood and loyalty to the land and its old gods. Each one place their hands on the Hear tree and then slowly onto the candles representing the Gods. When this was over Arya smothered the Candles one by one and they laid out the blanket and food to feast in honor of the gods.
As they sat there they shared memories and even told of their journeys over the last few years. It was all going well until Arya well back her eyes glazing over a white foamy color. Jon and Sansa both yelled to her but she was unresponsive. Her body did not shake or convulse, simply lay there ridged. The only thing that kept them from completely panicking was because they were able to hear her breathing. Jon and Sansa feared that if they moved her she would be hurt.
It seemed like an eternity that she laid like that until her eyes returned to their color and she sat up gasping. Grabbing Sansa and Jons hand she almost frantic to get up. Gentlly Jon pushed her back onto the blanket to calm her down.
"We have to go, they are coming ." Arya said frantically
"Who's coming?" Sansa asked concern
"Please there is no time." Arya pleaded
Jon and Sansa exchanged a look but then helped Arya up who was still wobbly on her feet. She started to lead them as fast as possible to where the horses where, Brienne and Podrick following right behind. Since she was still weak Jon placed Arya in front of him while the others mounted their own horses. Arya took the reins as Jon held her wait to make she she didn't fall. Quickly she made the horse gallop. They road for nearly a hour before they stopped. Jon shook his head; he had not been to this place since Brans first execution. There were three forms walking toward them, a male,a female, and a horse sized wolf.
As they got closer it became visible that behind them a man was dragging a sled. Arya was off her horse before Jon could stop her sprinting towards the wolf, which was running just as fast toward the girl. Brienne began to draw her sword but soon was stopped by Sansa who had a look of amazement on her face. As the wolf and the girl met yips and laughter filled the air. The wolf jumped on the girl knocking her to the ground and licking her face.
As the other two people came closer it became more visible that a third person was on the sled. The copper color of the Tulley hair soon came into view causing both Sansa and Jon to gasp and pause. This made Arya turn her head around, but she didn't see the copper hair, she saw the muscular body and the piercing Blue eyes of a friend who had left long ago.
" Gendry…" She whispered
It was almost as if he had heard her because soon he was smiling and walking as fast as his body would carry him with the sleigh weighing him down. When he was in front of her he gently placed the sled down and held out his arms. Arya didn't hesitate to jump into them and cuddle her face into his neck.
At the same time this was happening both Jon and Sansa was running for the sleigh. Jon having longer legs got there first and picked his brother up and hugged him with everything he had. Sansa soon joined them hugging her brother. "Bran!" Arya letting go of Gendry, and joining her other siblings. Brienne the ever steady night had tears in her eyes as she watched the long awaited Stark reunion.
Since they didn't have enough horses it was decided that everyone would share. Gendry would ride with Arya,Meera would take Bran, and Sansa would ride with Jon. They abandoned the Sleigh to the side of the rode and headed back to the castle.
They where greeted by a flash of white fur. Ghost went straight to his litter mate and licked her. They began to play as they once did when they where children. Many people watched in shock as the people rode back in. Many remembered the little Lord from when he was a child. He had grown a lot in the last three years. After the greetings of many Jon put up his hand.
"Tonight we will have a feast in honor of Brans return, but for now we have something that must be finished." Jon said with a smile
Everyone nodded their head and headed back to what they had been previously been doing. Dismounting Jon gently helped Sansa down and then grabbed Bran from the horse. Although he had hoped for some alone time with his family, the younger Starks refused to let their companions leave them. When they walked back to the where their blanket was still layed out.
Bram who had been gone for so long found tears in his eyes at the sight infront of him. These where the Gods Woods that he played in when he was younger, the Woods that his father came so often to pray in. He told Jon to lay him infront of the Wirewood Tree, and then gently held his palm out. As he had done with his other sibling Jon gently cut Bran's palm.
Bran placed his against the tree and as he did his eyes rolled back as Arya had. His siblingings may have panicked if Meera did not tell them quietly to leave him be he was fine. Bran's vision did not last very long and when he came back he had a small smile on his face.
They stayed in the woods for another hour before heading back to the real world. Bran had told them his story and all three had gasped when he said he was to be the new three eyed Raven. He also shed tears when he had heard of Rickons death , he had sent the young boy away for his saftey. When things calmed down he would be taken down to the crypts to pay his resepcts.
When they headed inside Jon carried Bran to his personal room. There was a hot bath waiting for him. Jon gentlly undressed him and helped him into the tub. Bran let out a small sigh, he hadn't felt this warm in three years. He had gone to the wall and beyonde. As Bran washed himself, he told Jon the things he hadn't wanted to say infront of his sisters.
The boys shared their horro stories of the others. Bran told of how they had infilirated the trees and how Summer defended him. He told Jon of how Holdor was once a boy named Willas and it was Brans fault he had turned into a simpleton and also how he had lost his life by protecting Bran and Meera. Bran told Jon that the world was chaning and only they Dragons, and Wolves could save it.