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Robb was talking about the accounting stuff again with Master Luwin. It was very boring if Robb was being honest but it was his job to make sure it got taken care of.
When the door opened suddenly with a loud thud taking all the attention in the room (Robb,Master Luwin, and two guards) to the door.
The woman, Robb recognized as one of the women taking care of bran, was breathing heavy from running.
“My lord.” She says slightly bowing to Robb. “The boy is awake.”
It took a minute for the words to process. Though when they did Robb was running as fast as he could towards the north tower.
Thoughts that it wasn’t true pushed there way into his thoughts but he brushed them off.
Coming to a halt at the last few steps Robb took a few deep breaths of oxygen. Then walked up the remaining steps and pushed the door open.
There was Bran and his direwolf, Bran never had time to name him.
“I could hear you coming from like a mile from how hard you bretahing was.” Bran joked and Robb smiled.
Even though he had thought about this day for months Robb didn’t know what to say.
‘Glad your awake?’ No shit why wouldn’t he be glad he was awake.
He also didn’t want to make Bran upset with crowding his space after he just got back. Though when looking right into his eyes for the first time he could see the relief that his brother was here.
Therefore Robb desided to close the door behind him and walk to sit down on the side of the bed.
Ruffling the direwolf’s fur as he said, “This wolf of yours stayed with you day and night almost. If he was kicked out, he would howl outside your window.”
Bran smiled though it didn’t quiet reach his eyes as the one he had when he saw Robb agian.
“I’m naming him Summer.” Bran said.
“Greywind, Ghost, ShaggyDog, Nymioria, Lady, and now Summer.” Robb said counting on his fingers and looking confused in a joking way which made Bran giggle “A lot to keep up with though I guess it’s better than him .”
They sat in silence for a minute. Robb knew he had work to do and Master Luwin would be upset but he thinks back to Master Luwin’s teachings of house words.
House Tully:Family, Duty, Honor
Robb remembers his mother saying to his father one time, There is a reason Family comes before Duty.
She had also told that to all her kids. Robb hadn’t understood it as much as he did in the past few weeks.
There was scratching at the door and both the boys turned their heads towards the noise. Robb got up to open the door and Bran felt scared that he would leave.
After the dream of the Raven he didn’t want to be alone especially not at night. Though when Robb just opened the door and stepped aside, Bran relaxed.
Greywind came in and Robb closed the door back and followed taking up the same position as Greywind now lay at his feet.
Bran continued to pet the newly named direwolf. Bran didn’t look up when he asked, “Is it true I won’t be able to use my legs?”
Robb was silent for a moment feeling an enormous amount of pity and guilt. He was somewhat glad that it could be him to break the news to Bran that way he knew his little brother felt ok to show an emotional reaction. Although Robb didn’t want to crush Bran’s dreams of being a knight right in front him either.
Robb swallowed hard and replied in a soft voice, “yes.”
Tears immediately started falling down Bran’s face without his consent. Bran wanted to remain dignified not like a baby even though he was only 7 and just had been told he basically could never do the one thing he ever dreamed of.
The room was pitch black with the door now shut. Though Robb could hear him crying and put his hand over Bran’s as a reassurance. The boy’s hand was half hidden under Summer’s fur.
That’s all it took for Bran to let out his real emotions full on sobbing now. He wasn’t with strangers or even Master Luwin or Old Nan. He was with his big brother, someone who had seen him cry on multiple accsions. Someone who had know him since his nameday.
Summer moved seemingly knowing what Robb was going to do. He repositioned himself so he was sitting beside Bran his arm around his brother.
Bran layed his head on his brothers shoulder as he cried. Robb moved his fingers in circles on Bran’s shoulder in reassurance.
Bran felt safe here in Robb’s arms. With Robb with him he felt as if the stupid Raven couldn’t come near him again.
This is the most Robb has felt like Robb instead of Robb the Lord in a while. Since his father left he felt like he was always looked at differently. People were chose their words carefully to him now that he was in charge. He felt like everyone was on edge even if it was slightly since he took his father’s place.
Rickon helped but then agian he was 3 years old he really didn’t understand Robb had become a Lord during his father’s absence.
Even Theon changed, though slightly and Robb didn’t blame him the man has trust issues. Though he wished he could just talk with someone and joke with them and have them jokingly make fun of him(obviously someone who Robb wouldn’t take offensive for because he cares for them so much and knows they’re joking).
Jon.
Bran just like Jon was his brother and trusted (he hoped and thought) Robb with their lives. Just like he did there’s.
Bran’s sobs broke him out of his thoughts. He was breathing heavy trying to get his breathing in control.
Evently Bran calmed down.
“Stay?” Bran whispered as Robb repositioned himself. The voice was so soft Robb could have pretended to not have heard it(or more likely wouldn’t have heard it if Bran hadn’t been so close to his ear).
“Ok.” Robb says in the same soft quiet tone. Robb felt Bran fully relax in his arms like he was finally sure he was safe.
This is what he’d lacked since his mother left.
Family.