Out of the woods // Ned Stark

8. Pain

'The maester says he will survive.' Ned told Maelia.

'But?'

'But he wont have use of his legs.' Ned informed her sadly.

"Let me try." Maelia said walking past him. She looked to Catelyn she stared down at Bran as though he was just sleeping. Maybe it was for the best she didn't understand what was going on.

"Cat... perhaps some food?" Ned suggested and Robb led her away. Jon and Ned approached as Maelia held to Bran's arm. Suddenly big black veins pulsed leaving Bran and entering Maelia.

"What are you doing?" Ned asked reaching for her.

"I'm taking his pain." Maelia told them. Her face pinched as she drew it out. "Maybe if it doesn't hurt he will wake up." Maelia offered.

"I didn't know you could do that." Jon remarked.

"You don't get hurt." Maelia countered.

"Are you healing him?" Arya questioned coming in and closing the door silently.

"No... just taking his pain. I don't... I don't think I have healing abilities." Maelia remarked softly and soon the black veins weaned away.

"Did you do it?" Jon questioned.

"He isn't in pain." Maelia offered. "Now we wait."

+

'Better looking bitches than your used to uncle." Joffrey remarked snidely as he looked down at Tyrion laying in the kennels. Tyrion looked up to him with distaste as he brushed himself off. 'Mother was looking for you. We ride for Kings Landing today.' Joffrey told Tyrion, sandor told a dutiful servant behind Joffrey.

'Before you go you will call upon the Lord and Lady Stark and offer them your deepest sympathies' Tyrion told him

'What good are my sympathies?' Joffrey sneered. Maelia moved between Sandor's legs staring over at them.

"Hey pretty." Sandor said petting her gently. She looked up to him for such a big scary man he was a softie when it came to wolves.

'None but it is expected of you, your absences already been noted.' Tyrion told him.

'The boy means nothing to me and I can't stand the wailing of women-' tyrion slapped him across the face. Maelia looked to them and a little yip left her lips. Her tail wagging.

'One word and I hit you again' Tyrion threatened.

'I'm telling mother!' so Tyrion hit him again

'Go. Tell her, but first you will go to lady and lord stark fall upon your knees in front of them and tell them you are very sorry that you are at their service and all your prayers are with them. Do you understand?' Tyrion instructed.

'You can't!' Joffrey cried out and Tyrion slapped him again, Sandor could feel Maelia's tail wagging hard hitting hit boots excitedly.

'Do you understand?' Joffrey stormed off.

'The prince is going to remember that little lord.' Sandor remarked.

'I hope he does, if he forgets remind him for me.' Tyrion mused. 'Hello pretty.' Tyrion looked to Maelia. "You like that? You like me now?" Maelia licked his cheek before running off into the woods. "I will take that as a yes." Tyrion said with a shrug as he headed inside.

+

'Time for breakfast. Bread. And two of those little fish. And a mug of dark beer to wash it down. And bacon, burned black.' Tyrion remarked looking over the food.

'Little brother.' Jaime remarked

'Beloved siblings.' Tyrion said smirking back at them

'Is Bran going to die ?' Mycella questioned

'Apparently not.' Tyrion told her picking at his food.

'What do you mean?' Cersei questioned, her eyes darting to Jaime.

'The Maester says the boy may live.' Tyrion told them and Cersei sucked in a breath trying to remain calm.

'It's no mercy, letting a child linger in such pain.' Cersei told him.

'Only the gods know for certain. All the rest of us can do is pray. The charms of the north seem entirely lost on you.' Tyrion remarked.

'I still can't believe you're going to the wall. It's ridiculous even for you.' Cersei told him.

'Where's your sense of wonder? The greatest structure ever built, the intrepid men of the Night's Watch, the wintry abode of the White Walkers.' Tyrion mused.

'Tell me you're not thinking of taking the black.' Jaime teased and Tyrion scoffed.

'And go celibate? The whores would go begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock. I just want to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world.' Tyrion assured them.

'The children don't need to hear your filth. Come.' Cersei said leading her children away from the breakfast table, Tyrion's eyes followed them as he brought his cup to his lips.

'Even if the boy lives, he'll be a cripple, a grotesque. Give me a good clean death any day.' Jaime remarked.

'Speaking for the grotesques, I'd have to disagree. Death is so final, whereas life... Life is full of possibilities. I hope the boy does wake. I'd be very interested to hear what he has to say.' Tyrion remarked.

'My dear brother, there are times you make me wonder whose side you're on.' Jaime said down to him. Tyrion offered a coy smile.

'My dear brother, you wound me. You know how much I love my family.' Tyrion reminded him.