S I X T E E N



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   IT HAS FINALLY reached the night. A feast was being held in the great hall as all the Stark Bannermen came. Not only was everyone summoned by the young Lord Stark but they also wanted to get a glance at the future Stark. The North was surprised to find that Lylian wasn't betrothed to the heir of Winterfell but to the younger brother. Everyone assumed she would wed Robb Stark even if they are many years apart from one another. Especially if the girl came from a great and noble house.

Lylian was feeling better than she did this morning. She has received dresses and jewelry from her family back in Highgarden. They have sent her sweets and the finest silk for gifts. She was greatful for all the gifts but still wished her family could have come. Bran has tried to cheerup Lylian and it worked but only slightly. The Northern lords introduced themselves to Lyli, some welcoming were welcoming to her but others merley nodded as a sign of respect to her, which she did no mind at all.

It was quite different to her seeing all the lords in one room. They were very different compared to the lords she has met before. In the Reach, the lords were far more reserved. They were not as loud and boisterous as the lords of the North.

She was sat in the hightable with Bran and Theon sitting either side of her. She was quietly eating her supper while listening to Robb speak about battle strategies. She would occasionally toss a piece of meat underneath the table to the two direwolves laying beside their masters feet. She jumped slightly when the voice of Lord Umber boomed through out the table

"For 30 years I've been making corpses out of men, boy. I'm the man you want leading the Vanguard." He boasted but Robb looked unimpressed

"Galbart Glover will lead the Van." Robb insisted, determined with his decision.

"The bloody Wall will melt before an Umber marches behind a Glover. I will lead the Van or I will take my men and march them home." he spoke slowly as if speaking to a child and not a lord. Robb

"You are welcome to do so, Lord Umber. And when I am done with the Lannisters, I will march back North, root you out of your Keep and hang you for an oathbreaker." he sneered. Lord Umber grew furies as he threw the cup of ale he was holding across the room

"Oathbreaker, is it?!" he yelled standing from his seat

"I'll not sit here and swallow insults from a boy so green he pisses grass." he places a hand on his sword but before he could unsheath it, Grey Wind jumped on top the table running cross it before attacking Lord Umber. Lyli turns her head away as the screams of Lord Umber echo's throughout the great hall.

"My Lord father taught me it was death to bare steel against your Liege Lord. But doubtless the Greatjon only meant to cut my meat for me." Robb spoke as Lord Umber stood clutching his hand. Two fingers were clearly bitten off.

" Your meat-" Lord Umber paused as he looked around the table "-is bloody tough." he laughed breakinging the tension in the room. One by one the northeners begin to laugh along all except for Lyli and Bran who smiled uncomfortably. As the feast came to an end, one by one the Lords bid one another a goodnight.

As Lyli was walking back to her chambers with her Septa beside her, Hodor chased after them with Bran in his arms. At the sound of running footsteps, the two ladies turned around and stopped as they see Hodor aproaching them.

"Hello Hodor, Lord Stark" Septa Nysterica smiled. The two smiled back as Lyli stepped forth.

"Is their something that you needed Bran?" she asked curiously. Her bright blue eyes staring into his soft brown one. Bran suddenly began to feel nervous. His hands became clammy and a weird feeling began to settle in the pit of his stomach.

"I-i-i um" Bran stuttered. He didn't understand why he was acting so weird. He's always been around Lyli almost every single day but he's never once acted like a fool infront of her. Maybe it had something to do the way the moonlight made her look.

"Are you alright?" she asked stepping towards Bran and Hodor. She gently placed a hand on his forehead to feel his fever. The touch from her brought Bran out of his state and he shaked his head

"Yes im fine. I just wanted to give you my present since i never got to give it to you this morning" he spoke softly. He ushered Hodor to kneel down. He reached behind Hodor's back and pulls out a large brown box. Lyli slowly brought her hands up to touch the package before pulling it back

"Why don't we go to my chambers and see what you've brought me" she insited. Bran nodded as he and Hodor followed the two ladies to Lyli's bedchambers. The septa opened the door and allowed the three to enter. Hodor gently placed Bran on a seat beside the fireplace.

"I'll give you two some privacy. Come Hodor, i need your help with something" Hodor obeyed and followed Septa Nysterica. The two sat in silence just staring into the fire. Bran placed the box in Lyli's lap. She looks over at him then back to the box. She gingerly rip apart the paper wrapings until a black slender bow remained. Lyli gently lifted the cover off and what was inside surprised her.
It was a bow and a set of arrows. The bow was beautiful. It had beautiful carvings of Flowers all over and the arrows were sharp and slender, just the way she liked it. She looked up to Bran and he was already smiling at her. Lyli got up from her seat and rushed over to Bran and pulled him into her embrace. Bran was surprised as he slowly wrapped his arms around her waist. The weird feeling in his stomach started coming back again and he didn't know what to do. Fortunately, Lylian pulled away and kneeled beside his side, looking up at him.

"Thank you Bran. This is by far my favorite gift I've ever received" she smiled. The fluttering feeling he felt heightened and he felt his cheeks heat up. Before he could say anything the door opens.

"Alright it's time for bed you two" Septa Nysterica ushered Lyli to stand as Hodor appears by the door. He approaches Bran and lifts him up into his arms. The two were about to leave but Lyli stopped them.

"Wait" she spoke. The duo turned around to face the girl. She walked up to Hodor and asked if he could lower Bran a bit. When he did, Lylian didn't waste anytime in reaching over and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight Brandon" she spoke softly as she pulled away. Bran's face turned as read as a tomato causing Lyli to giggle. Hodor lifted Bran back up as the two began their ascend to Bran's bed chambers.

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As the night grew darker and the winds began to howl. Footsteps can be heard approaching Bran's chambers. The guard by his door bowed his head at the sight of his lord. Robb quietly opened the door and see Bran's figure, sleeping peacefully. Robb felt bad for leaving both of his brothers but he had to do what was right, and marching to to King's Landing is was he thought was right. He slowly approached Bran's bedside and shook his shoulders. Bran opened his eyes to see Robb looking down at him. He sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"What is it? What's happened?" He asked his elder brother.

"Shh, it's all right." Robb spoke softly. Bran noticed the attire Robb was wearing. It wasn't his night clothes. It looked like he was going somewhere.

"Where are you going?" Bran asked.
"South. For father."
"But it's the middle of the night." Bran argued.
"The Lannisters have spies everywhere.
I don't want them to know we're coming." There was silence between them until Bran broke it.

"They have more men than we do." He told Robb, scared for his big brother

"Aye, they do." Robb nodded his head.

"Can't I come with you? I can ride now. You've seen me riding. And I won't get in the way, I-" he insisted but interrupted him.

"There must always be a Stark at Winterfell. Until I return, you'll rule as Lord of Winterfell with Lylian as your lady. You are not to leave the castle walls while we are gone.Do you understand? Listen to Maester Luwin. Look after your little brother and Lylian" Robb ordered. Bran hung his head but obliged to his brothers wishes

"I will."

"I'll send letters whenever I can, but if you don't hear from me, don't be scared. Until I return." Robb placed his hand on Bran's shoulder, his sign of affection. Bran watches as Robb leaves his room but as soon as Robb left, Rickon appears.

"How long have you been hiding out there?Robb will be looking for you, to say goodbye." Rickon walks inside the room with a solemn expression

"They've all gone away."

"They'll be back soon. Robb will free father and they'll come back with mother."

"No, they won't." Rickon shook his head in disagreement. Bran would have chased after him if he could. Bran sighed as he laid his head back down on the pillow. Rickon's words echoing through his head. He wanted to believe himself but he knew deep down that he'll never see them again

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