#wicopen

No one has told Bran anything. He's heard that the fat, old King was murdered, but he doesn't know for sure. They must think that he's too young to hear about these things, but he's not too young, he's almost a man grown. He just wants to know whats going on and if the King is really dead. He doesn't know how the King can be dead, though. The Kingsguard is supposed to protect the king from things like this.

Alys had visited the Capital for the ball of welcome. She was from a lesser-known branch of Tyrell (she was the wife of Lord Tyrell's second cousin's son - not exactly prestigious) but that didn't stop her from having ambition. She was still popping out children and knew that they could help her rise - she had two daughters, Alla and Leona, who were ten and one, and ten. Not old enough for marriage, but for betrothal.

The King had died whilst she had been visiting - the whole realm was in mourning. It didn't particularly bother her that he was dead, but she knew she had to pretend. She'd spoken to the man, briefly, about ten years ago. Didn't think much of him. 

She sat in the gardens which reminded her of Highgarden, a place her and her family had visited so many times. She sipped some tea, and noticed someone sitting down in front of her.

Tywin was not one for balls, but today he saw it as an opportunity. Stannis had backfired - but he needed to continue to plant the idea in minds. He took a small sip of wine, as customary, and looked around for some lonely woman to prey on. Besides, women were particularly good gossips - it would help. He walked over to a nice-looking girl and gave a small bow. A new piece began to play.

Robb is so serious all the time and Bran is sad. And when he’s not sad Bran is angry. He’s angry at mama most of all. Rickon thinks he might be angry at mama too. Bran says she should not have gone away and left them all alone. He thinks Bran is right, so he supposes he must be angry at her too. Even though he doesn’t want to be. He supposes he can be angry at her until she comes back.

He wakes up after having a bad dream and he doesn’t know what to do. He wants his mama and he sniffles as he remembers that she’s not here... It’s still not crying because there is no one to see him. He dreamed about the lions he heard Robb talking to Maester Luwin about. He dreamed about his mama and papa and his sisters all being taken away by lions. He thinks they should all come home.

Robb had been unable to sleep. It had been only a day since his mother had departed for King's Landing but he already felt uneasy about it. He would not, could not rely on the honor of Lannisters and every time he closed his eyes all he could see was his mother's hands, scarred and bloodied, as well as Bran, broken at the base of the tower.

He rose early, hoping to ride for some short time before the duties of the day required his attention. He wanted to clear his head, and was grateful for the snap of cold air and the smell of dirt and leather in the stable. He began saddling his horse quietly, the sky was lightening quickly but the sun was still not yet in the sky as he tightened the cinch on his saddle, making sure it was secure. He was about to mount when he heard footsteps.

It’s dark. He doesn’t like the dark. Papa says that there is nothing to be afraid of and that he can be brave. He doesn’t really know what brave is but his mama and papa always smile when they ask him if he can be brave for them and he says yes. But they’re not here now and he doesn’t want to tell Robb and Bran he is afraid of the dark. They might think he is a baby and Rickon knows he is not a baby. Mama and papa say that he is three now and almost a man grown. Robb and Bran are not afraid of the dark.

He peeks out from under the big heavy fur on his bed, but there is nothing to see. Mama would have left a candle for him. But it’s just black. He sniffles quietly, but it’s not crying because no one can see him. He wants his mama and papa back. Old Nan tells him stories, but he wants mama and papa’s stories. They always give him hugs and kisses and make him feel better. He doesn’t know why they went away, but he doesn’t like it.

All of Bran's dreams had come crashing down around him. He'd fallen. He'd fallen even though he never, ever fell. Now his legs are useless and he is useless and he will never be a knight. He hates it and he hates stories and he even hates Old Nan, who he really has no reason to hate. 

It isn't the old woman's fault that she is supposed to sit with him tell him stories, or that she can't remember which Brandon that he is, but he can't help but hate her. He doesn't want to, but he can't help it. He is just so tired of having to sit around and listen to stories. He wants to get up and run somewhere, but of course he can't.