Everyone in the North was mourning what happened to Bran Stark. The word of what happened had spread quickly across the region. No one could believe the boy fell from the tower as he never fell any other time he climbed...of course it couldn't be ruled out. Catelyn didn't want to leave her son and sat next to the bed all night long. By morning she began working on a prayer wheel typical of the Faith of the Seven. Since the fall she barely talked to anyone and just sat silently making her prayer wheels.
Maester Luwin didn't know if Bran would wake up or when but he was sure on what thing...he would never walk again. The entire Stark household was shocked at hearing of the fall. Bran was an avid climber but never before has he fallen. He was always been as careful as possible with with the placement of each foot. No one in Winterfell ever expected the boy to fall yet here everyone is waiting hoping for good news on his condition.
Despite Bran's fall the plans to ride south were not delayed. Ned,Torrhen,Serena,Sansa,and Arya were all packing their trunks and preparing for the trip south. Lady Stark tired to talk Ned out of going at least until Bran was better but he would not keep the King waiting angering his wife. Serena wished she could stay with Bran until he woke up. She would like to know what happened and what caused him to fall. She wouldn't believe for a moment that he fell of his own clumsiness as he never had slipped before.
Torrhen had spent the night packing so all he had to do now was wait. He was standing before the Broken Tower looking up at the window and then back down at where Bran fell. There was still a small imprint where he hit the ground and lay until he was found by a Winterfell guard on patrol. There was no sign that anything gave out beneath the boy's feet as there were no broken pieces of stone laying on the ground. If he and slipped there would be some proof of it.
It was then a guard approached him.
"Lord Torrhen Lord Stark would like you to help the children pack." The voice of Jory rang through the small courtyard.
Torrhen turned to leave and replying "I'm not a Lord." As he walked through Winterfell he came across Jon Snow talking to Mikken who appeared to be finishing up polishing a blade. He approached patting his shoulders giving the to be Nights Watchmen a scare.
"Torrhen." He said. "You scared me."
"New sword for the wall?"
"No."
Mikken then handed Jon two pelts each containing a blade one bigger than the other.
"Well...don't stab yourself with them." Torrhen said with a chuckle moving on to help Sansa and Arya with packing there things so the King was not kept waiting much longer.
When he got to Sansa's chamber she was standing beside her bed neatly folding her gowns and placing them in the trunk that lay open atop it. It took several notice for the young Stark to notice her adoptive brother had entered her chambers.
"You almost packed?"
"Just a few more gowns." She replied.
"Good...you wouldn't wan to keep the King waiting."
After that he went to check on Arya. Upon entering her chamber she seemed frustrated as she folded up her clothes with her wolf Nymeria watching close by. Arya turned around smiling at the sight of Torrhen.
"Hurry up Arya your keeping the King waiting."
"I'm trying." She replied. "Septa Mordane said my clothes weren't folded properly and that I had to do it again."
Torrhen laughed.
"Watch this...Nymeria gloves."
The wolf stared at her owner with confusion. Arya commanded her wolf again but she just sat there staring at the young Stark.
"This explains why you are one of the last ones still packing...hurry it up."
Serena was finishing folding her last pair of trousers before she packed them neatly in her trunk and closed it latching it shut. Taking a deep breath the girl walked over to a nearby table reaching for a flagon of water and filling up a goblet and took a refreshing drink. She then walked over to the window looking out on the snowy castle of Winterfell which she hoped to see again soon. This was her home and it killed her to leave it. Winterfell and its people are all she has ever known. From Lady Stark to Ser Rodrik all the way to Hodor and Old Nan.
The cold breeze rushed across her face leaving a slight tingle in its wake. The cold didn't bother Northerners that much...it was in their blood. She could tell many who came up from Kings Landing hated the North mostly for its cold. Cersei did not seem to care for the North or its people at all.
Serena had heard rumors of Cersei Lannister. She was a cold woman who had the personality of a brick wall. Now she would have to live in the Red Keep with her for who knows how long. What didn't help the tension was the Stark Curse. No Stark has ever done well when they ride south. Ned lucked out when he rode into Robert's Rebellion but this time could be the last time he rides south.
Many in the North contribute the curse to all of the Weirwoods in the South being cut down when the Andals came to Westeros. Many say that the Old Gods have to power in the South which is why Rickard and Brandon were murdered by the Mad King. Ned didn't have time for superstitions as Warden Of The North and now Hand Of The King.
Serena was deep in thought when a knock on the door took her from the thoughts. She invited the person in and turned around seeing the Queen standing in the doorway. It was then that feeling from the previous night returned. She started to straighten herself out to look presentable before the Queen.
"Your Grace...I'd offer you wine but I'm afraid it is a bit early for that here in the North."
Cersei smiled.
"It's quite alright."
There was a silence that filled the air as Cersei looked around the room and Serena attempted to think of something to say.
"I wanted to give my sympathies for your brother." Cersei said breaking the silence.
Serena smiled at the statement. She knew the Queen was only doing what was expected of her but she will take it.
"Thank you Your Grace."
Cersei could see the fear in Serena's eyes.
"I'm sure the Gods will spare Bran...they are just."
"Yes...I'm sure they will as well."
Cersei inspected Serena's outfit which wasn't one typical of a woman. She wore a pair of trousers, shoes, and a tunic similar to a mans.
Before Cersei could reply there was a knock on the door.
"Serena father needs you to hurry it up." The voice of Torrhen echoed through the door.
"I'm almost ready."
"Well I shouldn't hold you much longer."
With that Cersei left Serena's chambers. Serena then grabbed her trunk and carried it down to the wagon sliding it onto it. Sansa was right behind her. Robb walked over to see everyone off. Jon walked over to Serena with a smile on his face and a pelt in his hand that had something wrapped in it.
"I'll miss you Jon."
"You could come visit me at The Wall. " He replied.
"I don't know...it seems cold up there."
The pair chuckled before Serena turned attention to the pelt he held.
"What do you have there?"
He looked at it before pulling it up with a smile.
"This is for you."
He handed over the pelt which she took with a smile. Her hands brushed over the soft fur of the pelt. The item within had a slight weight to it and seemed somewhat small in size. Unwrapping the pelt the handle of a sword stuck out of a sheath. She quickly pulled the sword from the sheath allowing the sun to shine of the freshly forged blade. Near the bottom of the blade near the crossguard was the engraving of a Direwolf. The gesture nearly brought a tear to her eye.
"Thank you Jon." Serena said sliding the sword back into the sheath. "You didn't have to."
"I did...you were one of the only people who were kind to me."
"I will wield it with honor."
She then took the belt and wrapped it around her waist adjusting it until it was on right. The pair then hugged.
"Good luck on The Wall...kill a few Walkers for me."
"I will." Jon said with a laugh.
Ned made his way out of the castle laughing with King Robert who was grabbing at his large round belly followed closely by some of his Kingsguard. The pair split as Ned wanted to make sure his family was ready to go. He checked the wagon and made sure every child was accounted for. Uncle Benjen walked over holding on to the reigns of his steed which was black like the cloak of the Nights Watch.
Robb finally came out of the castle to say his goodbyes to his father and sisters...and adoptive brother and sister. With the departure of most of the Starks there was a sad feeling in the air. It had been years since any of the Starks had left Winterfell and now most of the family was leaving. Ned was riding south to take the place of a murdered Hand. Cat feared for her husband praying he did not meet the same fate as Jon Arryn.
Once things were settled and everyone had mounted their mare Ned rode up to meet Robert near the front of the column. After a few minutes the column began to move and the ride to Kings Landing finally began. When they reached the crossing in the road where it broke off going one way to Winterfell and the other north straight up to Castle Black Ned stopped to say his last goodbye to Jon.
Serena thought the riding would never end. They have been riding and stopping along the rode for barely a few good hours of rest before re saddling and continuing south to the capital. Many had begun to get sores and such from the riding. Nothing made them feel better than when word had reached them that there was an Inn just up the road and that they'd be stopping for the day to rest. The Inn was a decent size having enough room for the King and a handful of his men. The rest had begun to pitch up their tents and watered their horses after the long days ride.
The Innkeep had offered the King and his men food off their fires which was much better than what was cooked along the road that was for sure. Nothing made a good lunch like a nice juicy honey roasted Ham that dribbled down your chin. After lunch Serena and Torrhen decided to take a stroll around the Inn to stretch out their legs that have seen almost no use for days.
The warmth of the Riverlands was a nice relief from the chill of the North that entrapped the land whether it was summer or winter. Many of the Northerners were most definitely not dressed for the southern weather. Most were now wishing they had left their heavy furs back in Winterfell so it didn't weigh them down.
Serena stopped in her tracks when she saw Joffrey talking with Sansa. She was uncertain about the Prince. In front of her he seemed like a decent young man but that is how a Prince was meant to act in public. Rumors had been spread by a few of the King's servants about the true nature of the Prince Joffrey Baratheon. Sansa took Joffrey's arm and the pair strolled off into the woods leaving Lady sitting in the middle of the road.
"What do you think of the Prince?" Serena asked her twin.
"I barely know the boy." He replied. "You fear for Sansa?"
"I do...we may not be blood with the Starks but they are the only family we have. Look to Lord Stark and King Robert..they are like brothers."
"Sansa will be fine. She will have you there to protect her."
"Yea...at least she favors her mothers Gods...they have power in the South."
"Gods or not she has you,me, Jory, and father will be there."
It was then Sansa came running out of the woods with Joffrey close by clutching at his arm. Serena and Torrhen ran over to the pair and asked what happened. All Sansa could get out was Arya and wolf. Several Lannister soldiers ran over along with one of the Kingsguard who inquired as to what happened and pushed the twins aside. Ned ran out to see what was happening with his daughter.
He pushed passed the group of soldiers to get to Sansa who was clearly shaken up from whatever occurred out in the woods. With all the commotion no one could clearly hear what was going on which triggered Ned to scream for silence. With the silence Sansa was able to tell her father what occurred in the woods with Arya and the butchers boy near the river. Joffrey was escorted inside to have his bloodied wrist tended to.
"Where's Arya?"
"She ran off into the woods." Sansa replied.
Ned ordered one of the Stark household guard to take Sansa inside before ordering Jory to assemble the rest of the guard to help search for Arya. Once the guard assembled they stretched out into a line and began to walk in to the woods to look for Arya. Torrhen was at Ned's right and Serena to his left. They had their blades out cutting through bushes and other plants that got in their path.
The sun began to set and some men were sent back to collect some torches to light the way as the search was not to be abandoned. By now dozens of Lannsiter men were also cutting through the forest in the hunt for the missing Stark. What felt like hours went by and the sun had finally set and the only sources of light was the moon and the torches that made the ground glow orange.
The hunt had gone on all day and many of the men had began to tire. There were almost human track prints and if there were they were smashed out by that of the local wildlife. There was then the sound of a horsemen approaching causing Ned to turn around as the steed came to a halt.
"Lord Stark they found her."
The words brought relief to the Lord who nearly stressed himself into a heartattack worrying about Arya.
"Where is she? Who found her?"
"The Lannisters found her My Lord...she was brought straight before the King."
"Everyone back to the Inn!" Ned ordered.
Several men repeated the order so everyone could hear it and the retreat back to the Inn began. There was a look of fury on Ned's face as they walked back. The anger could almost be seen in his eyes as the light of the torch flickered on them. He pushed through the door entering a room in which the King arranged to serve as a type of throne room to serve his justice. Ned ran up to Arya pulling her into an embrace. He then looked up to the King with the Queen standing by his side.
"Why was my daughter not brought directly to me?"
"I'm sorry Ned I didn't mean to scare the girl...we need to get to the bottom of this business quickly."
"Your girl and that butchers boy attacked my son and that wolf nearly tore is arm off."
"That's not true...she just bit him a little." Arya replied.
"Joffrey told me what happened. You and that boy beat him with clubs while you set that wolf on him."
"Thats not what happened!"
"Yes it is...they attacked me and threw my sword in the river."
"Liar!" Arya yelled attempting to lunge towards Joffrey.
Ned held her back with his arms wrapped around her.
"Enough! He tells me one thing, she tells me another. Seven hells! What am I to make of this? Where's your other daughter Ned?"
"Asleep."
"No she's not." Cersei said. "Sansa come here."
Sansa then entered the room looking to the floor in fear.
"Tell me what happened...tell it all and tell it true. It is a great crime to lie to a King."
Sansa took a deep breath and looked up to meet the King's eyes.
"I don't know Your Grace...it all happened so fast."
"Liar!" Arya yelled going after her sister.
Serena jumped between the siblings stopping any harm from coming to either of them.
"She's as wild as that beast of hers." Cersei said. "I want her punished."
Serena shot a dirty look to the Queen. If she even dared order any harm to Arya she would baptize her new blade in her blood.
"What would you have me do? Whip her though the streets? Children fight."
"Our son will bear these scars for the rest of his life."
Robert dismissed his wife keeping his attention on his near life long friend.
"See to it that your daughter is punished...I'll do the same with my son."
"Gladly Your Grace."
Ned went to escort Arya away when the Queen spoke up stopping them in their tracks.
"And what of the Direwolf?"
"I'd forgotten the damned wolf."
A soldier then stepped forward to speak.
"We found no signs of the beast Your Grace."
"So be it." Robert said standing up to leave this business behind him.
"There is another wolf."
Robert sighed turning back around wanting to be done with the business and get some sleep.
"She doesn't mean Lady...Lady didn't do anything she is good!" Sansa yelled.
Serena grabbed Sansa holding the girl back. Cersei ordered Ser Ilyn to do the deed but Ned stopped him.
"Is this your command...Your Grace?"
"A direwolf is no pet...get her a dog she'll be happier for it."
Sansa began screaming and attempted to break from her grasp. Torrhen saw his sister struggling and jumped in aiding her.
"If it must be done...the beast is of the North...she deserves better than a butcher. Serena Torrhen take the girls to their rooms."
Both Arya and Sansa were screaming as they were dragged off to their chambers while Ned pulled out a dagger and went to give Lady as painless a death as could be given.
