A Northern Rose - Game of Thrones // Robb Stark

A Promised Ride

Hey guys! Thanks for reading, it's much appreciated. Hope you're enjoying! Leave me a comment if there's anything in particular you'd like to see happen, I'd love to hear some ideas! :')

*********************

Once breakfast was over, I said my goodbyes to Lady Catelyn and spent the rest of my time with my best friend, Gilly. I did not ride her today, but instead sat with her and spoke and I could tell she was listening.

I told her everything about Robb, Jon, Catelyn and even the wedding. She scuffed and nuzzled at me when I stopped talking, making me laugh and handing her carrots that I’d managed to smuggle from the kitchens.

I brushed her growing furs and threw on her blanket, plaited her mane and smoothed out her tail – everything that I used to do back in Highgarden.

All was quiet except from the chatter and noises of work from the yard, until an audible thud echoed through the stable causing Gilly’s ears to swiftly perk upwards. I spun around to the doors to see a small boy stood there brushing his clothes free of dust and dirt.

Bran stood silent for a moment, staring up at me. His dark brown eyes studied my face as if he were reading me like a book. “I thought you weren’t supposed to be climbing, Bran?” I said in a teasing tone as I smiled at him warmly.

“Don’t tell mother.” He replied, grinning back and approaching Gilly. He brushed his hand gently across her flank. “She’s a lot bigger than my pony.” He declared, searching for my eyes again. “But I bet we could beat you in a race.” His grin was comforting, yet another Stark whose company I enjoyed.

“Oh really? Well we’ll have to see one day.” I joked, giggling with him afterwards. “Perhaps you, me, Arya and Sansa could go for a ride tomorrow?”

“Sansa won’t come. She hates riding.” He quickly responded to my question, almost interrupting me. “But me and Arya will come.”

Arya was very like Bran, they were of similar age and looked alike… but Arya was certainly more outgoing. “Well that’s sorted then. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said with a smile, patting Gilly and leading Bran out from the stables.

- - -

The day passed quickly after my talk with Bran, I could tell he was excited about tomorrow and was determined to beat his sister in a gallop.

I dined with my mother that evening, perhaps for the last time on our own. That was a sad thought. She’d be leaving soon after the wedding and the only thing that could keep us together after that was an unreliable raven.

I would miss her, but not any more than I missed my father and siblings back in Highgarden. I wondered if I would ever see my home again.