Jaime Lannister 292 A.C

The welcome to Winterfell had been brief. Ned had dismounted from his horse nearly immediately upon seeing his family waiting for him. Jaime doubted he'd be much different when he eventually made it home to Casterly Rock. Stark had hugged Lady Catelyn before kneeling down to hug his heir, Robb, no doubt named for the fat stag. His daughter was next and even Jaime had to admit he nearly smiled upon seeing the girl be swung around in her father's arms. The second girl was very similar to the first with a large embrace from her father and a few whispered words into her ear. Ned's youngest son came last and little Brandon was helped into his father's arms by his mother. Jaime noticed Ned look around in confusion before making eye contact with his wife. He returned to his children's side; his face not as happy as it was a few seconds ago.

Robert was introduced next with a large hug to Lady Catelyn which he was surprised the woman could still breathe from. The king then tousled the young heir's hair with a wide smile. Both girls attempted a curtsy with one achieving far greater results, something while Lady Stark scowled at her husband found rather amusing. Robert moved to Brandon and spoke to him shortly before he turned with a scowl to Jaime.

"Hurry up and make your introductions Kingslayer, I want to visit the crypts as soon as possible."

Jaime rolled his eyes before dismounting. "Yes, your grace."

Due to the king's insistence Jaime made short work of the gathered Stark family and only spoke briefly to them, enough that would seem polite. As soon as that was done Ned walked off with Robert towards the crypts leaving Lady Stark both irritated and confused by the sloppy entrance of the king. She called for a servant to take Jaime to his room for the duration of his stay and assured him he would have some of the best available, something he was glad of after the hardships of the Greyjoy rebellion. It was on the way to his rooms that he caught the first glimpse of what Jaime could only guess was Ned Stark's bastard son. The boy having all of the stark characteristics where his half-brother had none. He was hacking at a straw dummy furiously with his training sword. Jaime begin to walk over but stopped still in his tracks upon noticing the boy's eyes. Through the boy's anger he could swear they looked violet. Upon further inspection the boy's eyes were definitely shining purple. Jaime's mouth fell open, standing where the boy was stood mere seconds ago was his prince. The one he had sworn to serve. He heard the words again 'Protect my family Ser Jaime.' The silhouette of Rhaegar Targaryen fell away to reveal the bastard boy once more.

"Ease up a little bit boy."

The lad's eyes met his own before Jaime offered him a nod, one he was glad to see returned by the boy who continued striking at the dummy, this time with much more finesse and composure. Jaime looked down to see his hands were shaking. The servant quickly ushered him to his room but before he could leave Jaime asked to be notified once Ned was free. The lion needed to have words with the wolf.

Jon Snow 292 A.C

He'd been hacking at the dummy for a while now, yet relief from his anger still illuded him. Since he'd heard his father was returning Jon had been excited to see him again. Yet Lady Stark had decided that it would be seen as an insult for him to be there when welcoming his father home, he'd initially tried looking for Brynden but he couldn't find him anywhere around the castle. So here he was slashing angrily at the dummy while hoping his father would come to see him soon.

When he'd heard the shout he'd thought it was his father who'd come to see him but instead he'd made eye contact with a figure new to him. Long golden hair fell down around his head while eyes of emerald green gazed into his own. It was only when Jon took in the figure's full attire that he'd worked out who the man was. With clothes made in red and gold, dotted with the lion of his house this could only be a Lannister. As far as Jon knew the only Lannister who'd work age wise for this certain individual was the Kingslayer, Ser Jaime Lannister.

It wasn't everyday someone as renowned as Jaime Lannister spoke to him on swordplay and so when he was told to ease up, he did. Jon was slightly sad to see Lannister go but remained fixed at the dummy in the hope that it would lessen some of the pain he'd felt from Lady Stark's snub. Instead the more he hit the angrier he got and in the end it was only making him feel worse. To the godswood it was then.

Upon arriving he found the place occupied. Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell sat polishing the Valyrian steel greatsword known as Ice across his lap. Jon's face lit up after seeing his father and his heart swelled when Ned returned his smile. Ned placed Ice on the ground before he was rammed into by his nine year old. The pair tumbled back off the rock on which Ned was sat and grappled in a hug for a few seconds laughing with one another. They separated but remained lead on the floor smiling up at the canopy above.

"I missed you Jon."

Jon's eyes started to water. "Really?"

Ned chuckled. "Of course lad, I looked for you when I arrived but I take it Cat didn't allow you to come welcome the king."

Jon spat. "No she said that it would be seen as an insult for me to be presented before the king."

Ned nodded. "I'll speak to her Jon, you may not have my name, but you do have my blood. It's about time she understood that… Has it been like that the whole time I've been away?"

"It was at first, but then when Brynden arrived he managed to convince her to let me spend time with the rest of the siblings."

Ned turned to Jon. "Brynden?"

"Yes father, Brynden Blackwood arrived around a month ago and has been staying with us ever since."

"Tytos' son?"

"Aye father, he's become a good friend."

Ned smiled at his son. "I'm glad of his arrival then, I'll need to speak to the lad. no doubt at some point I'll run into him."

Jon's face scrunched up in confusion. "I thought he was there to welcome you? He told me that's where he was going."

Ned shook his head. "No son, just Cat and your siblings I'm afraid. I'm sure he's not gone too far. Anyway come on, let's get back, gods knows Robert will be asking for me."

So the pair stood up, dusted off their cloaks and once Ned had collected Ice they walked out of the godswood together. Jon sending a barrage of questions about his time in the iron islands, the king and what was most curious to Ned were Jon's questions about Jaime Lannister.

Brynden Rivers 292 A.C

He'd been excited to see the new arrivals to Winterfell. Lord Eddard Stark, the quiet wolf, the man who slew Ser Arthur Dayne. Lord Stark's role in the rebellion had been vast and well documented making him someone Brynden had desperately sought to meet, especially after hearing some of his father's words about the man. Then there was King Robert Baratheon, the demon of the trident, the man who had toppled the Targaryen dynasty after 300 years of control. The pair were apparently close friends after Lord Stark had fostered in the vale under Jon Arryn who was now the king's hand. Thirdly there was Ser Jaime Lannister, the man had so many nicknames it was hard to narrow it down, The Kingslayer, Man without honour, The white lion and many more. Crossing swords with him was something even he had dreamt about.

Instead he'd met Hodor. Or at least, that was the only word the giant in front of him knew how to say. While Brynden was not usually so dismissive of people he found Hodor to pale in comparison to the people he was going to see and so he'd gone to move round Hodor and carry on his way. What actually happened was that he found his feet no longer touching the floor. Hodor had picked him up and was carrying him in the opposite direction from where he wanted to go. While he had initially kicked and tried to fight off the larger man it became apparent it was impossible to escape. As such Brynden relaxed and tried to keep track of where they were going if he needed to escape later on.

Hodor carried him to a darker part of Winterfell than he was used to. The tower in front of them was old, very old. The way the wood and the stone blended made the building seem archaic. Brynden glanced around his surroundings hoping to find another person to help him. He silently cursed the fact he'd allowed Jason to go on patrol with the castle guards in an effort to keep the man busy. If he was to be slaughtered here by this foolish giant then it was on his own head.

When they had entered the tower he had expected to see an execution stump but was instead met with the ancient lady who he'd noticed following him around. Hodor unceremoniously dropped him into a seat opposite the women before walking and standing beside the door. Brynden turned back to the woman who was sit in a gnarled white rocking chair with blankets covering her nearly from head to toe.

The lady addressed Brynden. "Hello nephew."

Brynden's eyes widened. "Nephew? I don't believe we've met My Lady."

She chuckled. "How polite… I'm no Lady, not anymore, just the feeble old nan you see here."

"And what Lady were you before?"

"You actually look a little like him you know."

Brynden face grew puzzled. "Look My Lady I don't know who you're talking about but I've got to go and greet the king so if you don't mind telling Hodor over there to let me pass I'd much appreciate it."

"His name's Walder."

"My apologies My Lady, would you tell Walder to let me go."

"I was talking about the man you're named for. You look like him, despite the scar. Well I suppose you have your own. The hair also, his was white."

Brynden took a sharp intake of breath. "Bloodraven… You're talking about Bloodraven."

"I'm talking about Brynden Rivers. That was what we always called him."

"You knew Bloodraven personally?"

Their eyes met. "Well of course I did boy, he's my brother you fool."

Brynden gasped. "Then that means… you're… you're one of Melissa Blackwood's children. You're one of the daughters of Aegon the Unworthy."

"Obviously boy, I did say you were my nephew right?"

Brynden's eyes darted from side to side. "But that would make you.."

"Never mention a woman's age."

Brynden's mouth shut. "Sorry."

"Now nephew, what are you doing here? It's been a long time since any of our kin have been to Winterfell, especially one with your disposition."

"Disposition?"

"A warg boy! Keep up."

"Sorry."

"So nephew, what's your story?"

Brynden Rivers proceeded to tell her all about his life so far. How his father had tried to teach him right from wrong, how his uncles had doted on him in their own special way. How his false mother ignored him and criticised him any chance she got and how he was ostracised from his siblings. They talked through the death of his father and the subsequent escape and then onto the journey north and finally his time at Winterfell. As he told his story Brynden began to feel his control over his emotions slip and a few tears were shed at which point his aunt had called him over and had held him until he calmed down. Walder had joined in the little family hug to the complaints of both Gwenys and Brynden. The little family interaction being something that brought a massive smile to the boy's face.

"Where are you going to go next nephew?"

Brynden considered his words. "I honestly don't know Aunt. I wish I could stay here permanently with Jon and the others but I fear the repercussions of my lies once word of my father's death arises."

"Well, I might be able to help with your next destination although I fear you might not accept it."

"Anything you suggest Aunt I'll consider."

Gwenys smiled lovingly at her nephew. "I believe you need a purpose Brynden. It does you no good lingering here. You'll forever be stuck with the pain in your heart if you decide not to continue on the path the old gods have set out for you. I'd ask you to help me Brynden. I'd ask you to help my grandson. I'd ask you to help free an innocent life from a curse my brother placed upon it. Walder is trapped within his own mind Brynden, he is stuck in a prison of my brother's creation."

Brynden looked behind him at Walder. "You're telling me that Bloodraven cursed Walder to be like this? You're telling me he's still alive?"

"I'm alive, am I not. And Walder does not deserve the fate my brother is trying to force upon him. The life I see for him is one full and joyous, filled with purpose while my brother would relegate him to this half-life. Forever trapped doing the bidding of my brother."

Brynden nodded." What do I have to do?"

"I believe the only way to save him is to break his control over Walder's mind."

"And I do that how?"

"Well you'll have to beat my brother at his own game."

Brynden's eyes widened. "You expect me to beat Bloodraven? What can I do against him."

"My brother is old Brynden, while he sees more now than he ever did before he's no longer as sharp as he once was."

"So you want me to find Bloodraven and kill him?"

"It won't be as easy as that. I fear my brother's death would not bring Walder back fully. You will need to wrestle control of his mind back from my brother's hands. Use your warging ability to undo what he did to my grandson."

"I'm very new to being a warg aunt. Bloodraven was renowned for his ability with the power and yet you still expect me to beat him?"

Gwenys nodded. "My brother is arrogant nephew, allow him to believe you are his until it is too late for him. In the process I believe you may find my brother, while a horrific opponent, an incredible teacher."

Brynden sighed. "So you want me to go where exactly? Where is he after all this time?"

"North of The Wall, after that I do not know, as I said allow him to guide you while not losing sight of who you are. Many drown in the embrace of my brother; you must fly above the rapids and keep your head afloat. What do you say Brynden. Are you willing to help me?"

Brynden looked once at Walder before looking back at Gwenys. He took a few moments to think. He found his thoughts would not leave his father and the lessons he had taught him. Some of his words came to Brynden in that moment. 'Family first, always. Without a family to keep us warm, man, trembles in the cold.'

"I'll do the best I can aunt."