[Castle Black]
At Castle Black, Rob Stark paced like a wolf trapped in a cage. Tyrion Lannister was under watch, almost a hostage. Rob hadn't planned on taking him, but with Bran missing, the thought gnawed at him. If need be, he would send a raven straight to King's Landing, even threatening the king himself if that was the only way to get answers.
'Father is yet to know about this...' Rob can't help but sigh in distress. Bran's disappearance, they didn't wish to inform Ned Stark this soon. At least not this quickly without them giving their best to find Bran, at least this would save them worrying his father needlessly.
That was two days ago, however, now with no trace of Bran, he too was getting anxious. He long could have informed Ned Stark about this however, he was worried what he might do there at Kings Landing. He was practically alone there, if those Lannisters did something to him then it would be exactly how it was with his grand father and uncle. However, this wait for Bran has been stretched to far. So, even unwillingly, he knew that he has to inform about this to his father in Kings Landing.
Tyrion, of course, acted calm, lounging as though he were at home, while most northerners are mad, they couldn't be mad enough to kill him and start a war, would they ?
'But again, will my dear father would even go to war for someone like me, perhaps he will to keep the honour of his own house or perhaps he will as a joy that the only stain in his legacy was gone, but for him… Nah, He Won't.
Tryion have long known that beside the little bit of care his big brother shows him, his rest of the family wasn't that font of him.
Rob Stark could see the flicker of unease in his eyes. For two days, the tension in the hall was thick. From life threats to stoping his wine supply, they had done everything and now only physical assault was left. But, he wouldn't show any emotion on his face, he had to act like everything was under his control. If for nothing then his own sake.
Then came news that broke it all apart.
"Someone approaches the Wall, from the south," a watchman reported. "A man… and a child with him."
Rob's blood ran cold. John was no better, they didn't waste another moment. With his men at his back, he rode out through the cold air, his heart pounding in his chest. As the shapes drew closer, his breath caught.
"Give me that," He walk upto a night watch memeber and practically snactched the far sight (Telescope) from his hand.
Looking further away and sure indeed, it was a man in black armor riding a mare with a smaller figure sitting beside him.
"By old gods, it's him." Rob sigh in relief and seeing this John to couldn't take it anymore, asking desperately about the situation.
However, Rob didn't wasting time their chatting, now that he knew that this was Bran he has to act fast.
Rob didn't wait for words. He spurred his horse forward, sword drawn. His men followed, steel flashing in the weak sun. John too followed, without a word he knew the answer of his question now.
Sandor barely had time to curse before blades were upon him. He fought, of course—his strength and fury unmatched—but he was only one man. Rob's guards swarmed him, overwhelming him in sheer numbers. Steel clashed, fists struck, and finally, a heavy blow to the head brought the Hound down. His massive frame crashed into the snow, unconscious.
Bran shouted, but his voice was lost in the chaos. His small hands gripped the saddle, eyes wide with shock as everything unfolded too quickly for him to act.
When it was over, the Hound lay bound, men dragging him away like some wild beast. Rob stood over him, chest heaving with anger, ready to demand answers at sword's edge.
"Stop! Stop!" Bran's voice finally broke through. He scrambled forward, stumbling on weak legs, shouting again. "He saved me! Don't hurt him! He brought me back!"
Rob froze, his sword still in hand. His men looked between the brothers, uncertain. The rage in Rob's eyes dimmed, just a little, replaced by confusion.
"What do you mean he saved you ?" Rob snarled that words out of his mouth.
Seeing Bran both scared and tired from his journey, both brother restrained themselves from parctically interrogating Bran and ask few men to take him to one of the rooms of castle black.
This happened yesterday.
They imprisoned the Hound inside the cellar for the time being, waiting for them to learn the truth.
They gave Bran a night to sleep and rest before getting some answers out of him.
And now, it was time to know the truth. Rob and Jon stood with Bran between them, both brothers trying to hold back their anger while Bran sat on a bench, his small frame shivering more from guilt than the cold.
The first words out of his mouth weren't about himself but about Sandor.
"The Hound… is he alright?" Bran asked, eyes darting nervously between them. "He saved me. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."
Rob frowned, his jaw tight, but Jon answered. "He's alive. Battered, but alive. You can stop worrying, Bran. He's in the cellar. I might order someone to get something to eat once I know what really happened." Rob replied with rigid tone.
Only then did Bran sigh in relief, his shoulders sagging as though a great weight had been lifted. He drew a breath and looked at them, knowing he owed them the truth.
"I… I ran from Winterfell," Bran admitted, voice quiet.
His words draw a long silence, both older brothers were out of words. Not sure how to react.
Then, the unbelieve followed.
"Nonses, why would you run away. There was no reason to ?"
"Don't lie Bran. Tell us the truth, what happened ?"
"I had to. I saw it in my dreams—the three-eyed raven. It's north of the Wall. That's where I need to go."
Rob's fists clenched. Jon's eyes narrowed.
"That nonsense again, by old gods what madness have clouded your mind. Ever since you woke up you're hardly speak out side those dreams. What happened to you ?" Rob growled.
Jon completely out of the loop at what was going on at Winterfell after he left had no idea what Rob was going on about.
"I…I know it sounds deranged but I know I'm not just dreaming Rob. Believe me, I saw things. How many times can one dream could repeat for a person before one suspect that something about it is true. I know what I saw, ever since I woke up, I only dream about it." Bran replied, a bit unfocus seeing none believed him again.
"What's this about Bran ? Jon turn the little boy with confusion on his tone.
"Nothing but wild imagination of a child Snow…" Rob shrugged off the upcoming conversation from even beginning.
"It's not. Jon believe believe me…" Bran immediately shook his head and pleaded.
"Let's not talk about it Bran. Tell me clearly what really happened. To do you know a war could start becuase what happened. I need the truth." Jon for the time being decided to ask about this to Rob later on, now they had to know what really happened.
Bran seeing neither was believing him, had to tell the truth. "I set out alone. Halfway there, wildlings found me. They would have killed me if not for him—Sandor."
"What Wildlings ? You found them south of wall, that close to Winterfell ?"
"Are you alright. Are you hurt ?"
Both were amazed and worried.
Bran just shooked his head, showing that he was completely fine, " It was Hound, he cut them down, saved me." Bran's eyes dropped. "After that… I made him take me here."
"You made him do it ?" Jon couldn't even believe what he heard.
"I—I blackmailed him. I knew that Rob would come after me, and the first one who will get the blame would be Sandor…"
"And here I thought Arya got all the wolf's blood." Jon grumbled.
"More like devil's blood. Do you even know what have you cause. Did you even think about mother, or about father or Arya and Sansa when they learn that you went missing. Did you even think about them ?" Rob scolded. Finally the anger coming out.
"Do you have any idea how reckless that was? Running off alone, trusting a man like Clegane? Do you know what could have happened to you?"
Jon's anger was quieter but no less sharp. "You might have been killed, Bran. Or worse. Do you understand what you've put us through? We thought the Lannisters took you."
Bran shrank under their stares, tears stinging his eyes. "I'm sorry. I just… I had to go. I had to find the raven."
Rob turned away, running a hand over his face, "Snow, put some sense into this boy's brain will you ? Cause I'm at my wit's end with his one. " Rob growled. He was tried, hungry and too tense to talk straight anymore. H
"Go take some rest Rob. I'm here with Bran." Jon nodded. He had to know what's going on as well.
xxx
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