Game Of Thrones... With A Twist

A Game of Thrones - Chapter 16

"They have more men than we do." Bran stated somewhat grimly. "Aye, they do." Robb confirmed grimly, knowing that it would take a great many risks to win against the Lannisters on the field of battle.

"Can't I come with you? I can ride now. You've seen me riding. And I won't get in the way, I..." "There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. Until I return that will be you." Robb cut Bran off calmly, knowing that his brother needed to accept that he couldn't come to war.

Of many things, the sweet summer child wasn't ready for war. That was something both Edwyn and Robb had agreed on immediately, dismissing the notion.

Bran wasn't ready for the horrors of war.

Bran nodded his head slightly as Robb ordered, "You are not to leave the castle walls while we are gone. Do you understand?" Bran only nodded silently.

"Listen to Maester Luwin. Look after your little brother." Robb told him calmly. 

"I will." Bran answered loyally. 

"I'll send letters whenever I can, but if you don't hear from me, don't be scared." Robb stated grimly as he placed a hand on Bran's shoulder.

"Until I return." And with that, the oldest trueborn son of Ned Stark rose to his feet and with one last look at his little brother, walked away, never knowing this was the last time he would see him.

As Robb left, Bran noticed a shadow watching from the darkness as he lightly rose from the bed... and the shadow stepped forward into the light, revealing itself to be little Rickon Stark, the youngest of the Starks of Winterfell.

"How long have you been hiding out there? Robb will be looking for you to say goodbye." Bran chastised the usually wild boy as he quietly walked up to stand before his older brother.

"They've all gone away." Rickon said in a small voice. 

"They'll be back soon. Robb will free father and they'll come back with Mother." Bran tried to comfort Rickon, but the boy's next words shocked him to the bone. "No, they won't."

With that, the youngest son of Eddard Stark turned around and walked away leaving a contemplative Bran behind.

As Rickon walked within the corridors, he bumped against a tall figure and fell to the ground with a thump.

Looking up though, he saw the comforting face of his oldest brother.

"What are you doing here, little wild wolf?" Edwyn asked comfortingly as he kneeled down before the boy. 

"Are you going away too, Eddy?" Rickon asked in a sad tone.

Edwyn frowned as he spoke, "I must, little one. Someone has to free father and save Sansa and Arya from whatever trouble they've gotten themselves into. Me and Robb will bring them back home, you'll see." Edwyn said comfortingly, but Rickon only shook his head. "Father, Mother and Robb won't come back."

Edwyn's frown deepened with concern as he asked softly, "Did you have another nightmare again?"

Rickon only nibbled his lips as he lightly nodded his head, tears gathering at the corners of his eyes. 

Seeing this, Edwyn picked the little boy up and held him softly. "Shhh, there there, little one. Eddy's here... and I promise that I'll come back. Have I ever broken my promises to you?" Edwyn asked the boy softly.

Rickon shook his head as he buried it into Edwyn's neck. 

"Then trust me when I say that I'll come back." Edwyn spoke as he began walking, lightly cooing at Rickon and comforting the boy until the reached Rickon's quarters, the fire crackling in the hearth as Edwyn laid the child onto his bed.