Raven grows stronger and larger by the day. I found out he likes to be stroked behind his ears most of all. It makes his leg pat the ground and his tongue hang out of his mouth.

But at night, he grows restless. He howls relentlessly every time i close my eyes trying to get to Ghost. He will out grow it soon enough once Jon and Ghost go to the wall. I found myself twiddling my thumbs as Raven sat by my feet. The door handle seemed to be heavy.

In truth, i did not want to go in. I didn't wish to see Bran in this state. It had been two days since his accident and he has not shown any signs of waking up anytime soon. My mother has not left his side, stitching some protective doll her mother used to make during times of war.

Rickon now follows me around more than ever waiting for my mother to be a mother to him. He is too young to understand her grief. "Do you wish for me to go in first, sister?" Rickon asked looking up at me. I gave him a soft smile brushing the loose curls from his face.

It took all my might to finally open the door, revealing my mother looking as sickly as ever. "Mother?" i called out. When she turned to us, her eyes were red, her finger tips bloody from her relentless stitching and she looked as if she had not slept for days. "Keep the wolf out" she muttered. "Or else Brans wolf will follow."

I nodded weakly, my heart heavy shutting the door on Raven. I placed Rickon on my lap whilst we sat on the edge of Brans bed. The silence was deafening. My mother wiped her runny nose mealky continuing with her stitching.

"Rickon, do you wish to tell mother what we did this morning?" i asked. He hesitated for a moment keeping his eyes on the floor. "We helped make lemon cakes in the kitchen" he mumbled.

My mother gave no response. I wanted to understand her grief, i truly did. But i wanted my mother too. I was leaving for Kingslanding today and i would not be back for many moons. I wanted my mothers embrace, i wanted her to coddle me and i wanted to leave Rickon knowing my mother would be able to care for him.

"Tell her how that all ended" i said with weak laughter. Rickon shook his head and pushed his head into my shoulder. I rubbed his back gently trying my best to comfort him. "Mother please speak with us" i said gently.

I watched as her hands began to shake. She then put her head in her hands, quiet cries leaving her. "Go to your chambers, i will say my goodbyes soon" i whispered to a Rickon as he reluctantly hurried off out Brans chambers.

I then rushed to my mothers side, confused on what to do. "Mother?" i whispered brushing her matted hair gently. Suddenly, she turned to me wrapping her arms around my waist as she sobbed into me. I continued brushing her hair letting her soak my dress with her tears.

I felt more like a mother to my own mother at this moment.

"It's alright, mother. It will be alright" i said. I held her unsteady figure close to me until her tears finally stopped. I knelt before her grabbing both of her hands in mine. "Do you wish for me to stay? I can, truly. I will tell father you need my help whilst Bran is in this condition."

She shook her head. "No, no your father will need you in Kingslanding" she mumbled. Her eyes then fell on Bran as she bit her lip. "What am i going to do if he doesn't wake? I can't loose my boy."

"Don't speak like that. Maester Luwin said if he was going to die, he would have done so by now. He will wake" i insisted. "Even if he does, he will never walk again. He will never become a knight like has always dreamed of being... The names they will call him-"

"If anyone says a word about Bran then we will cut the tongues from their mouths" i spat. My mother was slightly taken back by my words. "I will take them myself if i must."

My mother gripped my hands more tightly this time. "You will be careful in Kingslanding wont you? You will take care of Arya and Sansa?" she questioned. "Of course, mother. I always do."

"And... And don't leave yourself alone with the Lannisters. I don't want you near them, not even the imp" she said. I nodded. She pulled me into an embrace, leaving my shoulder soaked from her tear stained cheeks.

"I will miss you sweet girl" she mumbled into me. I squeezed her tightly. "I will miss you more, mother. How will i bear my sisters on my own?" i teased making her laugh slightly. She then held my face in her hands, trying to memorise all my features.

"You may be a Stark, but you have true Tully blood. You keep that close to you, alright? What are my words?" she questioned. I rolled my eyes playfully. "Family, duty, honour" i said. "And don't forget it."

I lingered for a moment not wanting to leave the comfort of my mothers embrace, but i had to say the rest of my goodbyes. I turned to Bran and held his hand. He never looked more pale and thin. He used to be the most lively Stark.

I always found myself cursing him because of his jokes which i was often the victim to. One day, he thought it would be hilarious to drop eggs from the top of the Winterfell Holdfast. But unfortunately, i found myself walking past at the exact same time leaving two eggs to land right on my head.

I shouted up that i would push him off that wall when i find him next. The memory only leaves me with guilt and shivers down my spine now. But he was also one of my sweetest brothers. After the egg incident, i found two stolen plates of lemon cakes left at my chamber door as an apology.

Even though the cook was furious with him, he did it all for my forgiveness. I felt a sob leave my throat as i tried desperately to keep it in. "You must write the moment he wakes up" i cried. I heard my mother sniffle as she nodded.

"If i am to marry a lord, i will make sure you are my sworn guard" i said to Bran even if he could not hear me. "I will build you a chair so you can move around. I will do whatever i must. You will be trained with a sword and you will be the most famous knight in history." I kissed his head gently. "The most famous man in the Seven Kingdoms."

I left my mother to go back to her stitching, leaving Brans chambers quietly. When i closed the door, i found Rickon sitting on the floor rubbing Ravens stomach. He was waiting here the whole time. "Could i be your sworn gaurd too?" he asked. I chuckled wiping the tears that had escaped me. "Of course you can."

"And can i have one of those moving chairs too?" he asked. "I'm afraid only cripples get those chairs" i jested taking his hand in mine. We made our way through the halls to Jons chambers as Raven followed close behind. I was not the only one leaving Winterfell today. Jon was travelling with uncle Benjen to the Wall.

I knocked on his door lightly, not waiting for him to let us in. Jon had finished packing his one case, only bringing his sword and a few memories of home. "We've come to say our goodbyes" i said as he turned to us. Rickon hurried over to Jon wrapping his arms around Jons leg.

Jon laughed at the small boy as he ruffled up his hair. "Maybe you will come join me one day on the wall" Jon said. "I'm sorry, i can't. I'm going to be Sara's sword gaurd" Rickon answered truthfully. This made both Jon and i laugh which made Rickon confused.

"Do you have all your belongings?" i asked. "Only a few. I left you something" he said. "Left me what?" i questioned. "I left it with father. He will give it to you when you reach Kingslanding."

I gave him a soft smile. I hesitated for a moment. No words could amount to the loss i will feel once Jon leaves. He may not be my true born brother, but he was my closest. He was the only one who would let me tag along when we played as children.

He was also always there when Theon taunted me even if it meant he would get the torment in my stead. "I... I will miss you... Very much" is all i could get out. I wished i could say more, but my mouth would not allow me. He sighed sadly. "You will forget all about me once you reach Kingslanding."

I shook my head. "No i don't believe i will" i said. I watched as Raven laid his head down on Ghost who was fast asleep. They seemed to be the most bonded of all the Direwolf cubs. "I am travelling with the imp" Jon said. My nose turned up in disgust. "Why would a Lannister travel to the wall?"

"He told me he wishes to piss off the edge of the world" he said. We both paused for a moment before the room echoed with more laughter. "I suppose that would be a Lannisters choice. Pretending they rule the world" i said. "They do in some ways, do they not?"

"The Lannisters are all pigs" i spat. "Sara keep you voice down. You can not say that about the Queens family" Jon whispered. "What will they do? Put my head on a spike? Even the king knows it is true. The moment he came here he traveled down to the Crypts to visit aunt Lyanna. He insults his 'queen' everyday."

Jon looked as if he disagreed with my sharp tongue but i found it amusing. "When are you to leave?" i asked. "Well, i am supposed to leave now but i need to say my goodbyes to Bran" he said. My smile faded. "He does not look well and my mother is there. Prepare yourself" i said.

I once again began playing with my fingers as Jon noticed. He made his way over to me and embraced me tightly. "I will visit. Just as Benjen does" he whispered. "It will not be the same. What if i am sent to Casterly Rock?" i asked.

"Then i will use my new brothers and kill them all if you wish it. Rickon will lead the hunt" he jested. I laughed weakly but in all honesty, i wished he would. "Will you write?" i questioned. "If they let me, i will write as much as i can."

I finally let Jon go as i held my tongue. "Do not replace us with your new brothers" i said taking Rickon up into my arms. "I could never." If i stayed any longer i believe i would beg him to stay. Even though i felt something in the pit of my stomach. A feeling as if this was all wrong.

He shouldn't leave, none of us should. I pushed that feeling deep down as i squeezed Jons arm. "I'll see you soon, Snow" i said. I never called him Snow. Only when i was angry or truly serious. He gave me a weak smile. "Soon."

I summoned Raven who seemed rather reluctant to leave Ghost, but he followed anyway. "Who are you saying goodbye to next?" Rickon asked. I paused. "You." I placed Rickon down to the floor as his face grew pale. "Me?" he questioned. "Yes... I need to speak to you about your duties" i said. He kicked the floor unenthusiastically.

"Your duties whilst we are gone are to take care of mother. I need you to help her with whatever she needs and that includes leaving her be when she wishes. I want you to make Robb write to me every chance he gets. I also want you to keep training your wolf. When i return, i want him to be as tall and strong as the highest wall in the North. If i am to have you ask my sworn guard you must have a strong wolf, do you understand?"

He lit up slightly as he nodded. Rickon was different to my other siblings. He follows me around like my own shadow but he is surprisingly one of my favourites. He chose to follow me. Not Robb, not Sansa, not anyone else. Me.

I kissed the boys head softly and covered the rest of his face with kisses also. "I will return soon with gifts" i said. I don't believe he truly knew how long i was leaving for. But he was just happy to know he would receive gifts. "Now go find Shaggydog."

I wanted him to leave before i stole him away with the rest of my luggage and snuck him into Kingslanding. As i watched Rickon run off cheerily, i heard footsteps from behind me. "Am i the last to receive a goodbye?"

I rolled my eyes at Robb and his jests. "Only because you are the busiest" i said embracing him. He chuckled lightly. "Come, i will take you to the carriage" he said.

Rob walked me through the Winterfell yard as i took in every single detail. I did not wish to be away for long, i couldn't bear it. The North runs through my blood, i can not escape that easily. Raven jumped up into the carriage first, making himself comfortable for the journey.

"Next time i see you, you may be 'Lady Lannister'. You'll have forgotten all about us by then" he said. "I could never" i spat as Robb helped me up into the carriage. "Never what? Forget us or marry a Lannister?"

"I'll leave you to decide that" i jested. He sighed. "How am i to handle Rickon in your absence? I don't want him following me around all day" he said. My smile faded as my eyes turned cold. "You will leave him follow you because he is lonely. Especially with mother in... In her condition."

Robb paused. "Swear it to me you will take care of him" i spoke sharply. "I will... If you swear to me that you will return soon and take him back as your ward" he spoke sharply back. I put out my pinky which Robb took with his own. "Having a family moment there, ay?" Theon Greyjoy called out. "Please make sure you've died before i return, Greyjoy" i shouted back.

I would not miss him. He mumbled curses under his breath as he walked away. My eyes suddenly drifted from Robb to an excited looking Meera who i saw running to the carriage.

"Am i late? Are we leaving?" she exclaimed as she sat beside me. Robb grinned as i grew uncomfortable. "No you are not late, we are just about to leave. And Robb was just leaving" i snapped raising my eyebrows to him as a warning.

Robb put his hands up in surrender. "I will see you soon, sister. And you even sooner, lady Meera" he called out before making his way over to our father. "Gods give me strength" i mumbled under my breath.

"Your brother is strange" Meera whispered to me. I took her hand in mine. "Are you excited to see Kingslanding?" i asked. She almost squealed at my question. "I can not believe we are truly going."

"Neither can i" i muttered less enthusiastically. The horses began to ride as we left the Winterfell gate. My eyes lingered on the yard as Robb gave me one last wave of goodbye, Rickon lingering in his arms. My heart softened at the sight and my worries were now receded.

I would miss my home but i would return soon. And my brothers would have each other in my absence. All i had to worry about now was if i would be able to survive the Lannister clan.

(Authors note: now that exams are over im hoping to update more frequently and i am going to try and make chapters longer now that they are in kingslanding,, ty for reading!!)