Summer child~Brandon Stark x Reader

Chapter 41- Child's Heart

Sunday update!--I HAVENT BEEN SO HAPPY IN A LONG TIME!!!
haha that suffices! Let's begin!!

Arya was so lighthearted. It was one of the things I loved about her. She made a great friend. No other girl could share my tomboyish interests like she should. I found myself not wishing to run today though. She and I had tried to find ways to roughhouse in areas of the castle no one would catch us in. I felt like a little child again. Sometimes Rickon would join us. He would be delighted and all! It was great. Afterwards when we were cold and pale, we would rush downstairs to the den. Bran would be there with Meera and Jojen, spending his time with them. Catelyn would be there reading a Book and Jon would sit quietly, stroking Ghost's white pelt. They would avoid each other as if one had the plague. Bran would veer away from his companions and hold my hand endearingly. His eyes would grow wide as he stared into mine like a child's on his name day. It filled me with the utmost fulfilled happiness that I almost forgot about the dangers at our doorstep. But Bran would often wake up with a gasp and struggle to sit up in the night. Id awaken to his hyperventilations in worry. His visions took their toll on him. I felt exhausted often. Perhaps it was from my constant restless sleep. I have been trying to eat normally and keep up my health. Arya was ill for a while but Maester Luwin tended quickly to her and the scare soon blew over. She was alright. The best part of our days had to be the den though. It was comfortable and warm. The floors were warm from the hot springs and the fire illuminated the room and it's heat radiated in our glowing faces. Talisa's belly was round and full now. She was fine to walk, but I am sure that will change with time as the months grow closer. She still has a ways to go, but she will be just fine. She's a strong woman. She looks young and happy as she is and Robb seems just as elated as her. Catelyn grew fonder and fonder with Talisa by each day and even sowed up some clothes for the child with help from Sansa. They had the kitchen servants bake a cake for her and one night we enjoyed it and gave her our gifts. I made her a wreath out of vines that grew from outside of Bran's window. Supposedly it was supposed to bring good health to the baby. With Talisa and Robb around, the mood became happy spirited. I relished in that fact and found my own self yearning for something to care for. I had blizzard of course. By the Gods she was almost Lady's size now, but she still had her puppyish yips. Thankfully, i no longer needed to feed her myself. She joined the other wolves (much to my worry) to hunt any game that could possibly live in this never ending storm. The days were as bright as winter could be. They were cold, they were snowy. And Winter hadn't even hit its peak yet. I was never more grateful for the Northern cloaks than I was now. With more light and less dangerous blizzards, there was more activity outdoors. Catelyn didnt like Rickon to stay out too long however. The workers rushed in and out and didn't stay outdoors. Bran and I stayed out too long and our lips grew paler than the dark gray walls of the towers and castle stones. Meera was ghosted by a harsh memory and happened to go outside for some fresh air. When she saw how pale we were, she ushered us inside. I realized how cold I truly was when I shivered next to the fire that night. Bran was restless mostly but he seemed more than happy when I layed on his chest for warmth shamelessly in front of his family. His brothers smirked and his sisters smiled good-naturedly. His mother looked very pleased. I wonder why that is. When Theon turned to Bran to see what everyone was oddly looking at, Bran conveniently wrapped his arms around me and rested his cheek against my hair. I felt at home and my chest swelled. I smiled into his chest. I looked up to those half lidded eyes and kissed him right in front of everyone. My confidence got the best of my and i soon hid my face as his cheeks turned rosy. But we shivered less. "Y/n." I turn to Osha, being knocked out of my reverie. "Wow even i like that dress and you know me. I am not for them at ALL." I giggle. "Thank you." "We will be expecting another guest if the weather permits you know." "Huh?" "Jon told me to tell you and Robb. His friend Samwell Tarly is comin. He had a squabble with his father and needs a warm place to stay for the winter." "Ah. Tarly. His friend Sam. From the wall." "Sam? I believe I've heard of 'im. The chubby one Eh?" "Osha!" She laughs along with me. "He's a nice guy. From what I've heard he is going to be a Maester." "He can learn from Luwin then."
***
I walk with Osha away from the window and the cold floors of the hallway. We had talked for a while, and killed some time. As we approach the dining hall for lunch, I spot Bran smiling triumphantly. I blush. "Don't be so cocky my lord." "I have every right to be." He smirks. We certainly did take Talisa and Robb's advice. And used it as an excuse too. Whenever Bran was stressed, we would talk for a while and I would comfort his worries and then comfort his other needs. He seemed to enjoy it as much as I did. And I enjoyed it extremely. It made my night not to hold lonely. I would lay with him dominantly quite a lot and afterwards, we would always sleep warmly, skin on skin covered in furs. It was the most wonderful feeling. I would awaken to a cold room, fire long gone, and would press my nose to Bran's cold one. Id stroke his face and hair and wait for him to open his sleepy eyes. It was my favorite thing to do, to lie in bed with Bran. Or legitimately lay with him. As we made our way to lunch, he reached up to grasp my hand. I squeezed his hand and heard the mocking coo of Meera. She endlessly teased us almost as badly as Robb and Jon, but she gave us our privacy in the night, which Jon and Robb did not. I appreciated so, so that I may enjoy my husband in peace. I don't voice that however, how embarrassing that would be! Bran whips his head back to give Meera a look. She skips with her steps and brings him to a chair next to another empty one. I sit down, pulling my hand away for a brief moment, and she lifts Bran with a slight struggle, onto the chair. He grabs my hand eagerly again. "You actually like holding my hand?" "I do." "Why?" "I don't know. Is it wrong?" "No. I love holding your hand." "I love you." I feel the smile invade my face. I can't hold it back and I smile brightly at Bran. "I love you too." The mutton was cold but worth it. It still tasted great, just not as fresh. Salty. But that was alright. We were grateful we still had food and weren't to starve. Those days to come would be the harshest. I couldn't help but envy the southerners while I sit alone in the afternoons gazing into the snow drifts. They had fresh fruit, warm bays, sweet wine. I grew to miss the baked goods and root vegetables of the north. We had our rations but they wouldn't last long if we feasted like the summer days. We saved them and ate small portions of them. I missed winter berries and imported lemon treats. Sansa seemed to miss those most too. Fresh fish was a luxury we didn't have either. The southerners sure had fresh vegetables and meats and fruits. Then again, they ate different meats. I always believed Northern meat to taste better. I hated the heat, and everything with it, but I do wish to visit the South, just for the sights and to try the food. I found myself thinking of food constantly lately. But even if I did go, I would soon miss my home. Winterfell was my home now. And the Starks were my family. Bran was my home. One day I will hold his children. One day. One day summer will come back. But first, the white walkers will come. And that day, Bran will protect us all. I just wish I knew how. It bothered me as well but I needn't worry bran further by my own superstitious worries. I often wondered how he coped. He worried all day all night. I did all I could to distract him, which wasn't much. I felt like an awful lover to him. He seemed to love me though. He wanted my company for some reason and I sure didn't wish to lose that feeling any time soon. It was hard though. You try to feel young and enjoy yourself. Sometimes you feel there's no time for happiness anymore... it's not enjoyable. Other times you feel too young and rushed into the world. I was so conflicted I wasn't sure what to think anymore. I felt almost disgusted with myself. Bran rubs his wrist and his eyebrows furrow in hate. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I felt like he wouldn't tell me. Not here, at the dining hall. I wanted to make the best of what we had, but how? There isn't much to do under the circumstances. I could always spar I suppose..but knowing me, Id break something. I had no interest in playing with Arya today either. Bran looks up at me and I think he noticed my distress because he grabs my hand again. "Can we go somewhere else please? I don't know..anywhere. Anywhere but here. I want things to be like they were before...you know? No worries..all I had to worry about was if you'd like me..and then I had to worry if you really wanted to marry me..then-" "wait wait wait..." I chuckle lightly. "You worried I didn't want to marry you?" "I'm a cripple." "So?" Bran couldn't find the words to say so he averted his gaze from me. I can't help but laugh when his cheeks turn red. "You know i don't care about that. We can do everything other couples do, no? Isn't that enough love? I can go riding with you and I can watch you practice archery atop your horse like any other man and I can lay with you..." His head snaps up. "It hasn't stopped us from anything." "And that's all I want though. For things to be normal. We will survive winter..but who is to say we won't lose so many from the white walkers? I don't want to lose you...the army of the dead...how do you kill what's dead?" "You said it yourself! Believe it or not I listen to your stories I really do. I love them. And you remember what you told me?" "Well how do I create such a contraption? Everyone would need one in this fight." "You believed so many were gone when so many weren't. Think of it. You say the Starks are strong and they are. You all can contribute. It's not completely up to you." He smiles. "And you are just the leader. In this war, you are a knight. Isn't that what you wanted? To be a knight? What had the three eyed Raven said?" He pauses to think. "Something like its up to me now? I don't remember. Everything happened so fast." "Well it is my knight. And your guard." He snickers. "And hey when the war is all over you'll need a warm bed to go to." Id rather him think of the good parts of how this could end, rather than the blood and demise of his friends and family. Hopefully we wouldn't have to lose anyone close to him. "Yes..but I need to make sure the castle is safe for you my lady." He smirks, but then suddenly becomes serious. "We need the entire north. Everyone needs to be a part of this war. It's the living against the dead. All the men of the night's watch and the north aren't enough to stop the white walkers. I've seen their army. It's colossal. They move at the Night King's command. And they don't wait to kill. They're hunting us down." "Bring them into a trap yes?" I begin. "You should create a wall of fire!" I laugh. "Fire won't affect the white walkers though." I swallow and let myself sigh in momentary defeat. I kiss his forehead and make to leave. "Come on. Let's not worry about this right now." "I hope we have the time." "Huh?" "The time not to worry.."