Watching over you-Bran Stark

Chapter 4

After supper, Alaia had walked up to her chamber staying there for the night. She hadn't done so in a month, every time she would retreat to her bedroom it would only to bath and change clothes, after that she would go to Bran's room, sitting at Catelyn's side for the night. As Bran had woken up, she didn't think he would want her to be by his side, thinking she would invade is space. So she bathed and dressed herself for the night with her nightdress. As she was lying in bed closing her eyes, she heard a knock at her door, she covered herself so nothing would be revealing.

"You may enter." She said. A maiden entered a few moments later at her command.

"Sorry to interrupt your sleep my lady," The maid starts, "but Lord Stark has asked for you."

"Robb asked for me?" Alaia inquired.

"No, my lady, Lord Brandon Stark. He asks you come to his chamber at once." The young maiden replied.

"Thank you, I'll head to is bedroom at once. You may leave." The servant then bowed to her and departed. As she quit the room, Alaia stood up, making her way to the chair where her fu cloak had been placed. She put it on her shoulders and walked to Bran's room the moment after.

As she stands in front of the door, she began to feel anxiety crept to her, taking a toll on her mannerism. She fidgeted a couple of seconds in front of the closed door before knocking on it.

"Who is it?" Inquires the voice inside.

"It's Alaia, Bran. May I come in?"

"Yes, come on in." Bran answered. "Why didn't you come after supper?" He asked looking at her as she stands at the end of his bed.

"I didn't think you would want me to be there honestly." Alaia replied.

"Of course I want you here with me. You're the only thing I want." He stammered, blushing a deep red. "If you weren't there, I don't think I would want to live any other day of my life. You're the only one who doesn't have pity for me." 

Alaia went to reply, but was cut short of word by Bran's revelation. As Bran did, she also felt a blush creep on her cheeks. Since words wouldn't come out of her mouth, she slowly approaches his bed, looking at him as she did so, trying to find any form of discomfort in his demeanour, but she found none. She lied at his side, him looking at her his face turned in her direction. They found themselves entranced in each other's gaze. When they both realized this, their faces burned red turning their heads to look somewhere else. Plucking up courage, Bran put his hand in Alaia's squeezing hard. In response, she turned herself to face him and got closer to him finally setting her head on his shoulder. Bran turned his face to her bringing his nose to her hair. He could smell a faint flower perfume, maybe lys or rose he did not know. He wasn't the best to distinguish smells. All he knew is that it smells great. Both children then fell into a deep sleep, relishing in the heat the other procure them.

♦♦♦

The next day, Bran and Alaia were taking a nap when he woke up with a jump awakening her as he did. Old Nan was there, looking at them with a smile.

"The little lord's been dreaming again." Bran only stared at her bringing closer Alaia. But his attention was put on the door as it opened, revealing Theon behind it.

"We have visitors." He tells them.

"I don't want to see anyone." Bran responds, Alaia only looked at Bran as he spoke.

"Really? If I was cooped up all day with this old bat, I'd go mad." Alaia was glaring at Theon as he talked. "Anyway, you don't hve a choice. Robb's waiting."

"I don't want to go." Bran commented. These words only made Alaia glared harder at Theon, but he wouldn't let go.

"Neither do I. But Robb's Lord of Winterfell which means I do what he says, and you do what I say. Hodor." Hodor entered the chamber.

"Hodor?"

"Help Bran down the hall. You go with them Alaia."

"Hodor." Hodor took Bran in his arms, lifting him to go to welcome our guests.

After a short walk to the hall, the group of four entered in being welcomed by Lord Tyrion Lannister. They could feel the tension filling the place but it wasn't a strange feeling since a Lannister was in their house. One of whom had caused Bran to be crippled for the rest of his days.

"So it's true. Hello, Bran. Do you remember anything about what happened?" Questioned Lord Tyrion.

"He has no memory of that day." Utter Alaia to the half-man

"Curious."  Lord Tyrion think out loud.

"Why are you here?" Robb asked.

"Would your charming companion be so kind to kneel?" Interrogated the Imp. "My neck is beginning to hurt." He defended his question.

"Kneel, Hodor." Bram command.

"Do you like to ride, Bran?" Asked Lord Tyrion.

"Yes. Well, I mean I did like to." 

"The boy has lost the use of his legs." Maester Luwin explained.

"What of it?" Lord Tyrion brushed it off. "With the right horse and saddle even a cripple can ride."

"I'm not a cripple" Defended Bran.

"Then I'm not a dwarf." Argued Tyrion. "My father will rejoice to hear it. I have a gift for you." He gave to Bran a parchment to Bran. "Give that to your saddler. He'll provide the rest. You must shape the horse to the rider. Start with a yearling and teach it to respond to the reins and to the boy's voice."

"Will I really be able to ride?" Inquired Bran as he and Alaia were looking at the drawing of his new saddle.

"You will." Nodded Tyrion. "On horseback you will be as tall as any of them."

"Is this some kind of trick? Why do you want to help him?" Robb eyed suspiciously Lord Tyrion.

"I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples, bastards and broken things." Bran and Tyrion smiled at each other. Alaia beaming at the interaction.

"You've done my brother a kindness. The hospitality of Winterfell is yours."

"Spare me your false courtesies, Lord Stark. There's a brothel outside your walls. There I'll find a bed and both of us can sleep easier." Lord Tyrion took his leaves sparing a last smile at Bran and Alaia. 

With smiles still on their face, Bran and Alaia turned to one another smirking. After the council, Hodor took back Bran to his bedroom, Alaia following behind them. Once they were in his room lying in bed face to face, they spend their time talking about where their next adventures would take them. The smile covering their face never left after the joyous moment Lord Tyrion gifted them. Locking their eyes numerous times in the day, both feeling the fluther of wings inside their stomach left them with even more joyous times to come. Once the saddle was ready, they had planned to go take an outdoor meal in the woods outside Winterfell.

In the afternoon, Bran and Alaia parted ways. Bran had lessons to be at and Alaia had decided to go to practise a little bit her sword. It had been a month or two since she had last wield it, she had put it down as Bran was in a comatose state, never wishing to leave him while he was in this state. As she didn't want to get sloppy, she decides to leave Bran's side for the afternoon. Being apart had led them lingering for each other. Bran easily lose his temper and Alaia was always distracting asking herself if he was alright. This afternoon show to everyone that they depend on one another. They were stronger together, pulling them apart would have them kill. Their strength was found in the other, if they were not together they would perish quickly. After experiencing an afternoon apart, the betrothed didn't want to be ever separated again, they wanted to be forever at the other side.