Summer child~Brandon Stark x Reader

Chapter 21- Whichever Way

White walkers... The words rung in my ears. I hold Blizzard tightly in my arms and walk besides Bran. We were walking at a brisk pace back to Winterfell. It would take all night and half of tomorrow to get there and we were very tired. Meera was running ahead, scouting for us. Jojen was walking ahead but talking to Bran, trying to comfort him. Bran seemed broken. He only spoke a few times and all he said was "winter is coming." Hodor whispered small worried Hodors and watched Brandon carefully as he walked quickly after Jojen. Summer walked ahead with Meera and was watchful of our surroundings. It was scary to think of the first snows coming already. It was likely to be a long lasting winter and it was ready to begin. I felt nausea bubble up my stomach and i whimpered to myself. I let one hand drop to hold onto Bran's barrow so I could steady myself. The nausea rose. Bran mumbled. "They'll come." And grasped my hand. Jojen looked back at us and frowned. "Don't worry it's just the beginning. It'll be alright." We traveled for an hour at most quietly before we heard running and screeching. Everyone stopped short, together in a bunch. "What was that?" Meera shrieked. All at once the noise stopped. "Bran NO." Jojen growled. Bran was about to warg into Summer and figure out what was going on.  "We ALL stay together got it?" Jojen said rudely. Bran nodded obediently. Meera scoped the area slowly moving forward again. Summer growled and Meera held an arrow to her bow ready to draw back if needed. I bowed. "Shall we?" Jojen nodded and Bran gave a weak smile. "Jojen.." Bran whispered. "Yes?" "Do you think it's possible..the white walkers?" "Don't say that. We'll be fine. We've dealt with all kinds of treachery." Jojen shouldn't be so snide. There is a possibly yes. I believe so. It was probably no more than half the night past. And nights stretched on, growing longer with the oncoming winter. I tried to keep my footsteps quiet. "Old nan says their squeals are animalistic." "Bran.." Jojen warned. "It's true. I believe it." He looked back to Hodor. He turned his head forward when he saw Hodor was calm enough. Blizzard whimpered and nuzzled my cloak in search for milk. I stroked her ears. She was a little tiny thing she was. Won't be for long though. After a few more moments of walking, we heard a far away screech. Jojen gasped. Meera looked back at us and quickened her pace. "The closer we get to Winterfell, the better. We've only gone a few miles." I note the lowness of her voice. If these guys are worried, there's a problem. "White walkers...sign of a long winter..old nan says it lasted a generation... The long night." "I remember what you say. They live and die, in the cold." "Starks live. We will live. We have to. We all will live." "If we can get back to the castle walls.." Jojen comments. I nod in agreement. I feel my legs tire and seemingly a few hours passes. No one says anything and the cold winds chill us to the bones. I feel my legs ache. I feel like a little child and I just want to get back. Everything seemed so blissful before...I caught a glimpse of a red mark on Brandon's neck and I smile. He notices and blushes. We go for a few more hours. They seemed like days. The light never seemed to rise. Winter nights were lengthening. At the first lightening of the sky we felt more comfortable. The screeches had long since stopped. I ignore the burn in my legs as it had increased with the hours. I felt like a little kid, I had wanted to ask how much farther?? I yawn with exhaustion. I kept walking up to the quick pace of Jojen and Hodor though, feeling as though there was a dead army chasing my heels. It kept my blood pumping and my heart racing. I felt like I was going to vomit. Summer began running and we soon found out why. Horses were racing towards us. Once the two of them slowed down, the faces of the men mounting them came into view. Eddard and Robb... bran is in so much trouble.... I glance at Bran. Meera stopped dead in her tracks and backed up to us. Bran's eyes were first relieved, then washed over by fear. A snow white horse rode behind them and a woman was mounting it. Cat...oh boy. "Why did we stop??? We need to find...BRANDON!!" Bran flinched. Hodor cringed. Jojen protectively stands in front of Bran and Summer whines. Robb dismounted first. "Have you lost your mind??? Winter is coming! this isn't the time to just run away no matter how experienced you are! No one can survive the white walkers!" I shivered to myself remembering the screeches. No doubt they're in the forest on our side of the wall. How did they pass? The Night's Watch would've seen them no? And Jon would've been first to find out. Greywind ran up to Summer and sniffed his ear. He growled and wagged his tail. Ned dismounted next. "Bran." He walks over. "Im not happy about this...or with either of you.." He glares at Meera and Jojen. "I am aware of how you protected my son before but that was when summer was a bit warmer. Winter can fall any day. This is dangerous. Bran you're still an heir to Winterfell do you understand? The North cannot afford to lose you." "I am capable of traveling here I've been beyond the wall!" "And that was lucky that you didn't come into contact with any white walkers! The Others will come in numbers larger than the entire population of Westeros and then some. I refuse to lose my son to them before Winter even falls. They shouldn't be a problem yet." "I agree." Cat walks over. "I wake up to snow covering another foot of the ground. I go check on my children and find my crippled son is gone. Could you not imagine my panic? I already almost lost you once Bran!" Bran hung his head. Ned seemed to notice me for the first time. He eyes my direwolf pup and glared at Bran. Probably thinking another Direwolf??Robb spoke. "Bran..what exactly were you doing Huh? Is there a particular reason you left?" He looks at me suggestively and smirks at Bran. "What?...NO! Robb!!" Bran's face turns Scarlett and I am sure mine matches. Catelyn giggles to herself little and sighs. "You can't even walk and you're still as much trouble as before." "Where's the others?" He asks. "Back at home. Someone had to hold Winterfell." Catelyn's face showed anger and annoyance. That moment I knew Jon Snow was holding up the castle. Probably with Rickon but since the curly haired boy is so young, he'd need more guidance from an heir of the Lord himself even if he wasn't an heir to the name. "Are you all alright? You dragged poor Hodor into this mess." Ned looks at the monstrosity of a man. "Hodor.." Hodor mumbles. I rub his arm sympathetically. He grips onto Bran's barrow. "We should go back. With luck, we'll be there before supper time. We're not too far from." Those were the best words Id heard all day. "Where's Talisa?" I finally say. Robb mounts his horse. "Watching Rickon. Shireen's got him dazed. He's doing very idiotic things he needs full Time attention." He snickers. "We should've brought you all horses.." Cat muses. "Jojen, Meera. Help Bran up. Robb, hold your brother." Bran blushes and allows them to lift him up against Robb's chest. Robb holds the cripple up with one arm and laughs aloud when he sees the red mark exposed from the exchange. He holds the reins of his horse with the other gloved hand and turns the horse around. "Hodor and Jojen, you'll be faster to push the cart now." Jojen nods, not daring to speak against the word of the Lord of Winterfell. "I want you to ride with me y/n." Nervously i reply "yes lady stark" and mount the horse, sitting behind her and clutching Blizzard. "Meera?" "Im alright thank you Lord Stark." I envied her and felt weak on the horse. Meera helped the boys lift the cart and walk with it. The ride was a quiet one. Bran was being pestered quietly by his brother and his face flushed often. His eyes were infuriated the whole time. By nightfall, we were within castle walls. Ser Rodrick, Theon Greyjoy, and Maester Luwin awaited us. They all had looks of relief on their faces. Ser Rodrick helped Bran down and Robb hopped down to hold Bran. Once we were all inside, we departed to our quarters. That sure didn't go as planned. I change into a new warm dress and rush off to the kitchens to request warm milk for my pup. I fed her and met up Bran. His tunic hugged his skinny body and his cloak dropped to the floor. Hodor was no where to be found, Robb was holding him. Greyjoy came up behind Robb. I hadn't seen him since I was little. "How was the trip Theon?" Robb turns to face him. "It was alright. Man you've grown Bran. Lady catcher yet? Just wait. You'll bed all the women of the north in no time." Robb glared at him. "Meet his fiancé greyjoy." I blush. The title hadn't really been used before that. "You? Ha! Well at least she's got a nice body. You'll have fun with her." Bran looked infuriated. Maybe it was the white eyes. Huh. Couldn't tell. My attention went to the large direwolf pouncing on Theon, pinning him down with his huge paws and ferociously snarling in his face. I hadn't seen that cocky motherfucker so scared in my life. Robb shouted at Bran but it turned into a laugh. "Get it off!!" Shouted Theon. Bran's eyes rolled. "Think before you speak greyjoy." Summer pants. "Someone's sweet on 'er Eh?" Bran glares. I walk around Theon and Hug Blizzard to my chest. Bran motions for Robb to follow me and Greywind and Summer run to catch up to us.
dinner wasn't too eventful except for the first ten minutes when everyone was questioning us. They seemed happier that we were okay and a lot less angry with us. Meera and Jojen seemed to realize they weren't in trouble and calmed down after a bit. We feasted into some pork pies and had some laughs before talk became serious. I wanted to drown out the idea of white walkers. Talisa seemed to feel the same. I noticed her grab Robb's hand. The serious talk finally dimmed down when Jon made a whistling noise reflecting the down hill events to come. The whistling alerted a certain smiling, red eyed direwolf waiting outside the hall. He rushed in and stared at Jon with a goofy grin. I almost choked. Shireen stared at the albino runt and rapped her fingers on the table. I noticed her greyscale. Id never met her in person before. It was all over one side but it didn't change the fact that she looked like an innocent and good hearted person. Rickon seemed to feel the same way. His eyes didn't leave her the entire night. I didn't think he was this serious when he told me he liked her. I began to wonder when Id marry Bran. If Winter was so soon coming, you'd think we'd need to make some preparations. I frowned worried that it wouldn't happen. Bran laced his fingers through mine and I hold his hand. I really liked holding his hand. It was warm despite the constant cold weather. It's like he'd been warming it by a fire. He rubs his thumb on my hand comfortingly and I wish we were in the den so I may lean on him. We ate some sugar crystals and strawberry tarts. "Enjoy this children. There's no chance of fruit when the long night returns." The thought chilled me to the bone as I tried to enjoy the meal. "Am I the only one who didn't know these two were getting married?" Theon demands. We were under his watchful glare. "I didn't.." Shireen whispers. Rickon's eyes sparkle and he stares at her face. She's so obvious. Are bran and I like that?? "Yes greyjoy you are. Shireen had a reason not to know." "Hey I wasn't here stark." Talisa rolls her eyes. She didn't seem to enjoy Theon's company. I couldn't really blame her. When the maids and men took away all of the dishes, Robb and Talisa retired to their room. No doubt they were going to have sex. Not trying to be rude but they're newly wedded and young. It's going to happen. I just hope they aren't too loud to corrupt what was left of my young ears. Not to mention poor Rickon and Shireen. I followed the kids to the den with Hodor behind me. Meera and Jojen joined us as did everyone else other than Robb and Talisa. Greywind seemed to be shut out of Robb's room, proving my suspicions, so he nipped at his younger brother's scruff. when he bit too hard Cat yelled at them. She knew she couldn't tame them but they were gigantic wolves roughhousing in her castle. Ghost cowered next to Jon and laid his head in his lap. Summer nuzzled Blizzard and licked her small muzzle. She burrowed her face in his neck fur looking for warmth so I brought her to my cloak's fur. I timidly leaned on Bran who seemed quite happy that I did. He leaned his cheek on my head and I could feel him smile. "You two shall get married in a fortnight or less." Lord Stark said simply. Catelyn nodded in agreement and pet Greywind who was looking for attention. We hear a few distant creeks further proving my suspicions and we said nothing of it. Rickon smirked and looked up. One loud bang and he was giggling like a little perverted devil. Shireen watched him intrigued. Perhaps his behavior turned her on. He whispered to Bran. "He's fuckin her." Bran hushed him and laughed a bit. How old is this kid?! He's only what 11? Am I mistaken? Jeez! Catelyn stares at her youngest in disbelief of what she overheard and has him walk over to her. She has him sit at her feet and Shireen crawls over beside him, favoring his company. The wind howled outside and snow stirred the sky making it impossible to see the black. No one wanted to go out there. Osha slowly walks In and Rickon waves to her. She smiles and sits next to him and his blonde interest. I felt the fatigue cause my eyes to close. I give in and fall asleep on Bran, feeling his arms pull me closer.