WOLF'S BLOOD (Game of Thrones)

Two

        Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon, was dead. It was because of this that the royal family was coming to Winterfell from King's Landing, a month's ride that could only mean one thing. King Robert, who had been like a brother to Eddard when they were younger, wished for Eddard to take the position.

        Osric named his pup Aegon, and the animal became his second shadow. The moment his eyes were open, Aegon took to chasing Osric about Winterfell on strong, long legs. Aegon was mischievous. He enjoyed sitting outside the kitchens, acting as if he were starving in the hopes that a kindly kitchen girl would give him scraps of meat and bread. Osric always had to assure the girls that he took fine care of the pup, and when they saw how dearly Aegon loved him, they seemed to agree. Osric had to admit that extra attention from the pretty kitchen girls was one thing he quite enjoyed from Aegon's antics.

        In the month it took for the royal family's travels North, Aegon had nearly doubled in size, almost surpassing Robb's own wolf, which had been dubbed Grey Wind. It was often that Osric and Robb would find the two pups wrestling the courtyard, their barks and yelps met with the laughter of their masters. 

        It was on one of these such occasions that Aegon first tasted blood.

        Osric would never be sure what had exactly happened. He and Robb had been watching Aegon and Grey Wind, laughing and cheering on their pups. Rickon's own pup, an all black male called Shaggydog, had attempted to join in on the game, but Grey Wind and Aegon were intent on keeping him away. They had returned to their tousle, and everything seemed perfectly normal.

        Until Grey Wind let out a yelp of pain and stumbled away with blood dripping from his leg. Osric thought Robb would kill him where he sat, but he was surprised when his elder brother only picked up the pup and left without a word.

        Robb hadn't spoken to Osric in quite a long time. He almost feared that Robb hated him, but what was he to do? If he went to their father for advice and Eddard learned that Aegon was causing trouble, there was little doubt in Osric's mind that his father would make him get rid of Aegon. He didn't know what he would do without the pup. In only a months time he had grown quite attached, and Aegon the same with him.

        The day King Robert arrived, Osric dressed himself in his finest clothes. This was only at Catelyn's urging, as his lady mother deemed it that they be presentable to the royal family. 

        His face clean shaven, Osric stood at Robb's side as they waited for the royal family to enter the courtyard. His blue eyes darted across the courtyard, searching for something to focus on rather than Robb beside him. "Where's Arya?" Catelyn suddenly asked. "Sansa, where's your sister?"

        Osric's other sister, fourteen-year-old Sansa, shrugged, shaking her head as she looked to the ground. As if to answer Catelyn's question, Arya suddenly came running, her dark braids tucked beneath an iron helm. "Hey, hey, hey, hey," Eddard said, catching her by the arm as he took the helm from her head. "What are you doing with that on? Get on."

        He gave her a nudge, and she groaned before moving to her place beside Brandon, shoving him aside with a sharp, "move!"

        Eddard smiled faintly, handing the helm over to Ser Rodrik.

        A man of the Kingsguard was the first to enter the yard, his fine gold armor a drastic contrast to his white horse. Behind him came a young man, whom Osric assumed was Prince Joffrey. The boy was smiling as he entered the yard, but it did not meet his emerald green eyes. His golden hair waved in the breeze, and he absentmindedly brought up a hand to pat it down. Sansa, beside Osric, stared at him with interest in her bright blue eyes. When he caught her gaze, her pale cheeks flushed red, and she looked at the dirt. Osric and Robb shared an uneasy expression.