Robert was more conflicted after this ride with Lyanna than he was after the previous one. He was happy with the advice he had given her and the joy he saw in her face when she was sharing her passion. At the same time he felt a ill at ease when he thought about the revelation of his "dreams" during their conversation. To top it all off, he had mixed feelings regarding their discussion of his family. He felt truly admonished by Lyanna's words and was ashamed by how even returning from death did not open his eyes to the state of his own blood. He also felt encouraged by how Lyanna was able to stand up to him and push him to be better, something only Ned had really been able to do in the past. The more he thought about it, he could see that his time spent with Lyanna was an overall positive, but even so he couldn't shake a growing feeling of foreboding as they neared Winterfell.
"Are you alright Robert?" Lyanna asked, concern in her voice.
"Sorry, I'm just lost in thought." He said with a forced smile. Lyanna gave him a look that indicated she didn't believe him. Robert frowned and relented. He leaned in closer and lowered his voice so that their escort could not overhear. "It's something I dreamt about. I have this sinking feeling that something is about to happen."
"What does that mean, what did you dream?" Lyanna said both excited by the fact that her childhood stories coming to life and concerned by Robert's worsening mood.
"I don't know, nothing was clear. It's just a feeling, let's not speak of it further. It's no good worrying too much about what might happen." He knew the truth of the words, but it did nothing to lessen the pit in his stomach.
Robert and Lyanna entered Winterfell through the Hunter's Gate and went straight to the stables. The inhabitants of the castle must have been staying inside out of the cold as there were only a few people scurrying about. When the finally rode up to the entrance of the stables, Walder came out to greet them.
"Good afternoon m'lord and lady. I hope you enjoyed your ride." He said beaming as he took hold of the horses' rains. Both Robert and Lyanna couldn't help but smile at the boy's infectious enthusiasm. Robert quickly dismounted and patted the boy on the head.
"Yes, I enjoyed it very much. And you Lady Lyanna?" He said smiling.
"Aye, we'll have Lord Baratheon riding like a true Northman in no time." She said smiling.
Robert let out a laugh and turned to walk towards the guest quarters when he stopped in his tracks.
"Bran?" He whispered in shock. Standing near the edge of the yard as if he was any other inhabitant of Winterfell was Ned's Son Bran. Clad in thick furs and wearing a curious expression almost as if he was watching a show. Next to him stood an old man with long silvery white hair, pale skin, and a blood red mark on his cheek. Robert was startled by a hand gently touching his arm. He turned to see a confused Lyanna.
"What is wrong? Did you see my brother?" She asked with a concerned tone.
"Sorry no, I must be mistaken." His tone was grave as he watched the phantoms of the future approach, they seemed to be having a whispered conversation. Lyanna's grip on his arm tightened.
"Robert," Lyanna's voice was low and was full of worry, "you're starting to scare me."
Robert looked back to her not knowing what to say but was distracted when he saw Eddard hurrying over to them.
"Robert, Lyanna, what's wrong? I was passing nearby when I saw you standing there like you had seen a ghost." He asked in a hushed and worried tone.
"He's here Ned." Robert whispered. Eddard spun around looking about the place. By this time Bran and the older man finally got close enough for Robert to hear them.
"I knew he could see us. You said the ink is dry and that we are seeing ghosts, but he is different." Bran said in confusion. Suddenly Robert heard a familiar voice, and it seemed as if only he and the spectral visitors could hear it. He shook his head in confusion, as it sounded almost like Jyanna's voice calling out in terror pleading for Bran to help.
"Listen to your friend Brandon," The older man said to Bran. For a moment, the boy froze for a moment, eyes turning white. When Brandon came back to himself the old man continued speaking. "The usurper is an anomaly; another power is at work within him and he cannot be trusted. Be warry Brandon, my time has come." No sooner had he finished did a look of agony wash over his face and he burst into dust that faded away into nothingness.
"He's gone" Bran whispered to himself before turning to Robert. "Why can I interact with you? Am I changing the past? You never told me about this."
Robert was still for a moment more before his courage found him. He thought about the words of the Crone and decided that he would meet this test head on. He straightened his back rising to his full impressive height and stepped towards the boy.
"The hell if I know what is going on, I met you once before." He said forcing a smile on his face.
"What are you talking about Robert, who are you talking too?" Lyanna said, her voice beginning to sound frantic. "Ned, what's going on?" Ned just stood quietly looking at Robert. Behind them Walder was doing his best to calm the horses who were growing more and more agitated.
Before Bran could respond, he and Robert heard the girl's voice again calling out again.
"HOLD THE DOOR!"
Bran's gaze fell upon Walder and Robert could feel a cold unnatural wind gust past him to towards the stable boy. Robert turned in time to see Walder's eyes turn white before he collapsed to the ground. Robert moved in an instant to protect him from being trampled by the horses who were now properly panicked. Now holding the convulsing boy in his arms and not know what was going on or what to do he instinctively called out to the Seven.
"Mother above please protect this boy."
Of everything that could have happened Robert definitely did not expect to find himself back in that endless field again. The old gods look down upon him through the many faces of the same giant weirwood tree that Robert had stood beneath before. This time however he was not alone, as he looked around, he saw an equally astounded Bran nearby.
"King Robert, what's going on?"
"I'm not king yet." Was all he managed.
You are the king chosen by the gods old and new, the Storm King returned to push back the Long Night. You will not abandon that role. The voices of the old gods thundered as the blood red leaves of weirwood that represented them shook violently as if being blown away by a storm.
"To answer your question young greenseer, we are here because you brought us here." The voice of the Crone called out as she materialized behind Robert.
"Who are you?" Bran replied.
"Do you not recognize your mother's god? I know she took you to the sept of Winterfell on more than one occasion." The Crone replied walking around the pair as if studying them. Bran simply gawked at her words.
"What happened to the boy?" Robert asked impatiently. The crone turned to him and was replaced by the concerned face of the mother.
"He was touched by the power of the last greenseer and lived through his own death. A normal human mind cannot bear such trauma and come out unscathed." She finished with her gaze lingering on Bran.
"I did that to Hodor? He was like that because of me?" Bran replied, horror in his voice.
"Yes, his circle will soon be closed" the Crone replied. "The power of the old gods is dangerous. Men are not meant to walk in each other's skins. It is a violation of will and a terrible crime against the immortal soul."
"But without that power we would have all died!" Bran cried defensively
"Yes, you would have." The crone replied with some finality before she shifted once more into the form of the mother. "Your choices have consequences good and ill, and you are far from beyond salvation."
"But why are we here?" Robert said, failing to not sound impatient in front of his god.
"We are here because your connection to me and the Stark's connection to the old gods has created a unique opportunity for us to speak." It was the father who now spoke.
"What will happen to the boy?" Robert said concerned for Walder's wellbeing, the boy had grown on him in the short time he had known him.
"He will live, but his mind will be broken. Able only to carry out basic tasks until he is needed to carry the winged wolf to his fate." The Crone replied.
"Wait, Bran called him Hodor, you mean Walder grows up to be that dullard?" Robert said obviously surprised by the revelation.
"How would you know about him being simple if he wasn't like that when you met him? What connection do you have to the seven?" Bran asked, curiosity in his voice.
"Ah, well, I've been to Winterfell before. I, uh, lived a life and the gods thought it necessary for me to go back and fix my mistakes." Robert said not exactly knowing how to explain the strange circumstances of his second life to the young man.
"But this makes no sense, how can the past and future be changed so easily?" Bran asked, Robert just shrugged his shoulders now being well out of his depths.
You ask questions your mortal mind is unable to truly comprehend. The voices of the old gods boomed out.
"Yes, as my contemporaries say, the mortal mind can only comprehend so much. To vastly oversimplify, mortals can only see time as a road travelling onward and cannot see the vast wilderness of possibilities all around them. The laws of nature, your choices, and the choices of those around you shape the ever-shifting landscape of time. There are many paths one can walk down. Most mortals simply meander down the easiest path never thinking of what lies beyond. The strong willed might seek to take themselves and others down a hidden road in search of a glorious future. Others yet are forced down a path whether they like it or not. Prophecy is dangerous thing, it is like focusing a distant point while walking. One ends up going in that direction regardless of their will or the dangers along the way." The Crone explained in the tone of a teacher trying to explain a difficult topic to a child.
"So, the future can be changed? You can find another path and avoid fate?" Robert said hopefully. He saw the crone shift into the form of the Mother who wore are saddened expression filled with pity.
"Yes and no, some roads are too difficult to travel down, and some destinations are impossible not to visit."
"What would it take to change the boy's future, is it possible to save him from his fate?" Robert asked with determination. Robert believed that if the fate of this boy could be changed, then he could have hope for saving all those he failed in his past life.
"Wait, I grew up with Hodor being this way, what will happen to the past I know, what will happen to me?" Bran shouted out.
You are the last greenseer there is no time where you are not where you are. When you return you will have knowledge of what is and what was. The old gods said cryptically.
"I don't understand!" Bran protested.
You're understanding is not required. They replied with finality.
"Tell me, please," Robert interjected trying to bring the conversation back to what he saw to be most pressing. "What must I do to save the boy?" Robert repeated with conviction.
"He is under the thrall of the last greenseer. As soon as Brandon Stark releases his hold, the boy's fate is sealed." The father said gravely before his form twisted into that of the stranger. Robert felt a shiver run down his back, but he steeled his nerves knowing he had to face this test head on.
"The boy has seen his death, a death most brutal and painful, and someone must take that way from him. Will you? Can you? Or will you become an addled mess as the boy was meant to be?" The unnatural voice of the stranger chilled Robert to the core, but he had to do it. He would endure any pain, take any fight to ensure a better future those he loved.
"I will." He responded resolutely.
"You say this having no knowledge of the consequences? Do you accept this task regardless?" The Stranger said with a vague amused tone in his voice.
"I Do!" Robert responded forcefully.
"Very well." The stranger lifted his hand and snapped his boney fingers. In the blink of an eye, the peaceful field was replaced by utter chaos.
Robert suddenly found himself in the body of Hodor trying desperately to hold a door shut while a young woman frantically pulled the limp form of Bran away into the snowy forest. He had no idea who or what was on the other side of the door, and he didn't want to find out. He knew instinctively he had to hold the door as long as possible to give Bran and the girl time to flee, so he braced himself and set all of the considerable strength of the body he was inhabiting into holding the door shut. Wails and angry howls and the thuds of weapons against the heavy wooden door told him that sooner or later the door would give way. Suddenly, pain bloomed in his side as a spear point finally made its way through the door an into his flesh. Robert grunted in pain, knowing that the end was near. He had to endure this madness to save young Walder. Fortunately, if Robert was anything, he was stubborn, and would not let a single wound like this stop him. Letting out a bellow of defiance, he broke the spear shaft with a single blow and pulled the point from his side, redoubling his efforts to hold the monsters on the other side at bay.
Eventually, the door could no longer withstand the assault and was torn to pieces giving Robert his first true glimpse of the foe he had been resurrected to face. Rotting corpses with glowing blue eyes filled with malice charged towards him seeking to end him with tooth, claw, and jagged blade. He fought back as hard as he could, only managing to hold them at bay due to the narrow passage. Even with his martial skill and the body's size and strength, the wights were quickly beginning to overwhelm him. He roared in pain as he was stabbed, bitten, and clawed at. He knew this was the end, after everything this was how he was going to die. It had all been for not. As hope faded, his movement grew more sluggish, and the pain overtook him darkness began to cloud his vision.
No, he could not let it end like this. He would continue to battle on against the unnatural foe as long as the body allowed. He renewed his fight against the monsters, Baratheon fury drowned out the pain. He pushed, tore, and smashed everything in front of him as he armed himself with the crude weapons his enemies carried.
"Mother protect me! Warrior, give me strength!" He yelled in a voice not his own. He had to have faith that this was not the end. The gods would not send him to be broken. In that moment the wights grabbing and tearing at him recoiled in pain seemingly being burned by contact with Robert, the blue light fading from their eyes. And for a moment there was a lull in the chaotic melee, it was as if the wights didn't know how to react to the sudden power that could utterly destroy them.
"Spirits, wights, and revenants cannot harm a pious man, so long as he is armored in his faith." The voice of the Mother explained, quoting the Seven-Pointed Star. Almost as if in response, a spear was thrust right into Hodor's chest. "Swords and Spears can still pierce flesh however" The Warrior continued in a grim tone.
The body that Robert was inhabiting had far passed its limits, and he could no longer fend off the weapons wielded by the corpses. He continued to fight on with his fists, destroying a few more of the monsters until the body could no longer stand. His fall unleashed a tide of wights eager to end his life. The pain of being torn apart was nearly unbearable and the only thing keeping him from breaking was the thought that he had to endure it to save the young stableboy. To prove that the destiny could be changed. Finally, the body he was in breathed its last and darkness consumed him once more. Robert felt as if he was adrift in utter darkness, and then before him a bright light appeared, and the seven voices of his god spoke in unison.
"You have proven your worth and saved the life of an innocent. While your actions have heralded drastic change in the future to come, events have already been put into motion that cannot be stopped. The Three-Eyed Crow has already put his plan into action. To honor the faith you placed in me, I will send you a someone to help ease your burden. A sinner most foul in need of redemption, though a peerless knight who kept true to his vows to the bitter end."
The light grew and enveloped Robert and a moment later all was once again dark, this darkness however was not supernatural. As feeling returned to his body, he slowly began to open his eyes. He must have been moved inside as he stared up at what he assumed to be a grey ceiling. As he stirred, he heard a voice calling out to him.
"Rob, you're awake. Gods, what happened? Are you alright?" Robert guessed the voice must have belonged to Ned, everything was still fuzzy and muffled. Robert tried speaking but only managed a groan at first. He tried sitting up as his vision slowly returned to normal, but his muscles were stiff and unresponsive. Eddard quickly moved over to help him sit up. After taking a few more moments to compose himself he was finally able to ask about the only thing that mattered to him in the moment.
"Is the boy, Walder, is he okay?" He said in a strained voice.
"The Stableboy?" Eddard replied sounding surprised by the question. "Yes, actually. He is resting and being watched over by his family. He came to not long after the ordeal and asked to see you when you awoke." Robert smiled in response and let out a heavy sigh of relief. He could still feel the phantom pains from the countless wounds he sustained during that terrible trial. It had been worth it. He proved he could do it; he could save someone from their fate. Hope swelled in his heart, and a laugh began to build in his belly, but it quickly turned into a coughing fit as his exhausted body was unwilling to cooperate.
"Robert, what happened?" Eddard pressed on.
Robert took a deep breath to steady himself and to dispel come of the lingering aches and pains before launching into a retelling of what he saw. He left out all of the worst details of the fight against the wights, not wanting to relive it himself.
"Rob, this is madness. Your words sound like fever dreams." Eddard replied after a moment of staring at Robert in disbelief.
"Seven Hells Ned, don't you think I know it?" Robert grumbled a little at his friend's reaction "Look, I can hardly believe it myself, but things like this are beginning to happen more and more in my life. All I know is that the gods gave me a chance to save a life, to change someone's fate and I took it. I had to take it, I had to know that we are not just bound to make the same mistakes over and over." Robert's voice was rising throughout his rant to the point that he was almost yelling by the end.
"I can't say that I understand Robert. But I told you once that I'd stand by you, and I am not going back on my words." Eddard said, obviously struggling to come to grip with what Robert was sharing. A few moments of awkward silence passed between the two before the Lyanna burst into the room.
"Robert! What the hell happened to you. Do you know how scared I was?" She screamed as she advanced upon him. Robert looked over to Eddard for some kind of support.
"She made me promise that I would send for her as soon as began to wake." Ned replied with a shrug.
"How long was I out?" Robert asked. He noticed that Lyanna was dressed differently than when he last saw her.
"A whole day." Lyanna replied. "Now explain. The boy is claiming that you saved him from monsters."
"Uh… well I told you that in my dreams I saw that I would be tested." He said cautiously, taking in the information that she had just given him. She nodded her head eagerly, her eyes blazing with curiosity urging him to continue. He didn't want to tell more lies to Lyanna, he was just starting to gain her trust, so he decided to go with the truth. Or at least as much of the truth as he dared. "The gods sent me a vision where I had to choose between letting the boy suffer so that he could play an important role in the future, or I could defy fate and take the boy's place. I chose to take the boy's place." He began to feel the phantom pains again and unconsciously started to rub where the final spear had pierced through his chest.
"This is madness!" She exclaimed in response.
"That's exactly what I said." Ned said dryly.
"But what does it all mean?" Lyanna questioned impatiently.
"It means that the future is ours to make." Robert said with grim determination.
"What kind of answer is that?" She yelled in frustration.
"There is not much more to say. I have spent a lot of time in prayer in the Sept and even before the Heart Tree trying to make sense of my dreams. Maybe this was the god's way of telling me not to rely too much on my dreams." Robert said with humility.
"Why would the gods test you though? What's so special about you?" Lyanna pressed on unsatisfied with his answer.
"Lyanna, Robert is tired, you should let him rest." Eddard interjected trying to cut of that line of questioning. Lyanna seemed unconvinced.
"I wish I knew what they saw in me. I was born into a position of power, and I am gifted physically, but there are tons of people who are smarter and wiser than I am. If I could live without these dreams I would, but here I am." Robert said, exasperation heavy in his voice. There were a few beats of silence before Lyanna sighed.
"Is this something I'm going to have to get used to living with you? You just passing out randomly and having magical visions?" The tone of her voice was much softer now, almost teasing. Robert didn't miss the implication and smiled.
"Gods, I hope not. I hope this was a once in a lifetime event." Robert replied with a laugh followed by a pained grimace. Lyanna stepped up and took his hand squeezing it gently. Robert couldn't help but feel comfort in the simple gesture. She let go and stepped away.
"I believe young Walder was asking after you. If you don't object, I think I will go fetch him." Lyanna said before giving a slight curtsy and finding her way out of the room. Robert watched her go before laying back down. His mind wandered back to what the Seven had told him before he had woken up. He knew plenty of knights who were terrible sinners, but none that had never broken their vows. It was too much to think about now, he would find out eventually. For now, he would need to recover, and make plans to return to Storm's End. If he travelled quickly, he might still have time to patch things up with his brothers and start acting like a real lord before the Harrenhal. He would find the right path.
A/N So, I must have rewritten this chapter something like 10 times going through 3 or 4 different concepts. And it turned out to be my longest chapter yet. I always planned to have Robert to save Walder/Hodor through his connection to the Seven, but had a hard time writing it in a way that fit the themes I am developing in the story. We also get a bit of a lesson time travel from the gods, it was fun trying to come up with a good analogy for the concepts of time I wish to explore. Anyway, our time in Winterfell is coming to a close. Planning to travel across a continent is not something you can do overnight so Robert will have some more time to learn from and bond with Lyanna. I figure one more chapter to wrap up things here and then off we go to the south. Thank you for your support and comments they are very helpful in the continued development of this story.