Lion Dressed As A Stag

May He Rest

Screams of agony woke Leo early the next morning. Wails of pain nearly covered up the knocking at his door. The prince pushed himself out of bed wrapping a sheet around his naked body. He barely managed to pull open the door before Sansa threw herself into his arms.
"Mother said his breathing was bad when she fell asleep. She said she tried but she couldn't keep her eyes open. Bran is dead." She cried out in his arms. Leo quickly pulled her face into his bare chest as he glanced behind him watching Cain quietly tumble out of bed. The squire fumbled with his clothes as Leo hummed softly in the crying girl's ear to cover any noise he might have made. Leo pulled her in the room maneuvering her around Cain as he slipped out.
"Stand here for a moment please, my love." He told her softly facing her back to his closet. He watched her body shutter with a sick satisfaction as he go dressed before wrapping his arms around her tightly from behind.
"Come, I know you are in pain but I can't have my wife go hungry." Leo told her softly as he lead her out of the room to the dining hall. She clung to him as they stepped inside. His family was eating breakfast as he reached between them filling a plate with various things before leading Sansa out.
"Where do you want to go?" He asked her softly. Sansa led them through the halls till they reached Bran's room. The rest of her sibling huddled by the door crying into each other. Leo pulled away and crouched down in front of Arya and Rickon.
"I know it's a heartbreaking day, but it's important you eat a little something." He told them holding out the plate. Ned stepped out of the room just as they reached forward to take something that was offered to them. Ned nodded gratefully to the prince.
"Can we speak for a moment?" He asked him. Leo nodded and handed to plate to Sansa before following Ned to his office.
"Catelyn told me you stopped by last night. She said you warned her of his breathing but she didn't listen." Ned told him his voice heavy with sadness.
"If only I had brought the matter to you. I deeply apologize." Leo told him deeply bowing his head.
"There is no need for your apology. I just wanted to thank you for looking out for my children." Ned said shaking his head.
"They are my siblings. Sansa and I may not be married yet but that doesn't mean I see her as anything less than my wife." Leo told him.
"Your father wants us to leave as soon as Bram is buried." Ned told him with distaste.
"I could try and talk to him if you'd like." Leo offered.
"There is no need. The man is as stubborn as an ox." Ned shook his head.
"Would you like me to help the girls pack. It's not much but it may lessen their burden." He suggested.
"I would appreciate that." Ned nodded. Leo gave him a sad smile before dismissing himself. Happy his last minute plan went well Leo met with Sansa and Arya to help the girls pack for their stay in Kings Landing.

Leo stood with his siblings as Bran's funeral was held. The bored glazed over look in his eye easily mistaken for sadness. The feast held after was sullen and messy as people drank themselves stupid in the sorrow of their young lord's passing. The next two days moved like a blur the the young prince and before he knew it they were saddled up and leaving the walls of Winterfell. Much like their journey to they had to make many stops in the way to fix the wheelhouse. As they stopped yet a again this time to hunker down for the night Leo left in search of Sansa. He planned to take her for a walk to see where she stood emotionally so he could move forward in his plans of seduction.
"How are you feeling, my love?" He asked her as they walked through the field.
"It all feels like an horrible dream. Like I'm going to wake up and mother will be shouting at him for climbing again." She told him with a deep breath trying to hold her tears back. Leo went to answer but the sound of shouting interrupted them. Joffrey was in the motion of pulling out his sword as Leo quickly rushed to his side shoving him to the ground and redirecting the lunging wolf. He pulled the sword from his bother's grasp and tossed it to the side.
"You, take care of that wolf." He said harshly pointing at Arya before turning to Joffrey and crouching down over the top of him.
"Not a word of this do you understand? I will not see you carrying that sword until you learn to use it. You are a prince stop acting like a little girl throwing a tantrum." Leo told him his harsh glare far more intimidating then the wolf had been just a few moments earlier.
"I would like the both of you to apologize to my bride for this inconvenience in our once lovely afternoon." He said as he told straitening his tunic looking between the two.
"I'm sorry." Arya said with a bow of her head thankful for the prince. She knew had Nymeria actually attacked Joffrey things would be very bad for her.
"Joffrey." Leo snapped at the pouting boy.
"Sorry." He said rolling his eyes before running off most likely to their mother's side.
"Now I apologize to you both for my brother's lack of manners." Leo told him helping Arya off the ground and leading Sansa away.
"Thank you." Sansa told him pressed against his side gazing lovingly up at him.
"We are to be a family soon. It's best not to have any bad blood between us." Leo told her placing a soft kiss on her head.

Luckily the issue was resolved quickly after Joffrey had tattled to their mother. A slap on the wrist for both Joffrey and Arya and to two wolves sent home. Sansa was angered by the verdict because Lady had done no wrong but a few well placed words from Leo she agreed it would be best to send them back to Winterfell. The rest of the trip back to Kings Landing as been long and boring. Riding through the gates of Kings Landing brought a wide grin to Leo's face as he waved to the people. They adored him and he had to admit the constant praise brought him satisfaction.

(Not super happy with this chapter it's more of a filler than anything. Thank you for reading!)