A Lion's Heart [Game Of Thrones] [Robb Stark]

VI - Gifts and Farewells

Lyra entered Bran's chambers carrying Rickon on one hip. He had just woken from the most perplexing dream.

"Lyra!" the boy exclaimed, his face brightening.

"Our little Lord's been dreaming again,"  said Old Nan.

Lyra smiled at Bran. "Has he now? I dream quite often. He will have to tell me all about it."

Bran was eager to speak to her about his dream; perhaps she could help him interpret it. To him, Lyra seemed very wise.

"Later. At this time, we have guests."

Bran's semi-good mood seemed to dissipate. "I don't want to see anyone."

"Come, now. That's no attitude to have. You know, they were going to send Theon to wake you. You should be thankful."

"Fine."

"Hodor, you may come in now." The huge man came stumbling in. "Would you please help Bran down the hall?"

Lyra stayed by Hodor's side, for Bran's sake. As they were walking, he grew upset that his younger brother was being carried as well, though his legs worked perfectly fine.

"Rickon can walk," he grumbled.

"Yes," Lyra answered. "Rickon can walk. I am comforting him, because he misses his mother. Don't you?"

Bran looked down at the ground. He did miss his family, terribly. "Yes."

That shut down any more jealousy between the two boys.

"Lyra, do you miss your mother?"

"I never knew my mother," she said. "She died when I was born. They say she was kind, and beautiful."

"Joanna Lannister?"

"No, dear boy, do you pay attention to your studies?" Lyra teased. "Joanna was the mother of my siblings: Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion. After she died, our father married another woman. My mother's name was Lorenah and she was from Dorne."

The boys listened with great interest and several questions.

"You are like Jon," Bran said. "He is our half brother."

"I am different from Jon." Lyra knew it would be difficult for them to understand how. She wished Jon would garner the same respect as she, but it would not happen. "My parents were married, so I am considered a Lady. Jon..."

"...is called the bastard," Bran finished.

"Yes."

Rickon was concerned by the stories of ladies dying in childbirth. "Your mother died because she had a baby? Lyra, will you die if you have a baby?"

"Rickon," Bran scolded.

"It's alright, he's asking a good question." She shifted Rickon so she could look him in the eye. "I could, but we are going to hope I won't."

"Are you and Robb going to have a baby?" Rickon asked shyly.

Bran added, "We heard him say he's going to marry you."

"Well... we will see. Not yet."

***

Tyrion Lannister stood in front of Robb, Theon, and Maester Luwin in the grand hall.

"I must say I received a slightly warmer welcome on my last visit," the dwarf proclaimed.

"Any man of the Night's Watch is welcome in Winterfell."