[North]
Bran and Sandor have been on the run for days, trying to find a way to cross the Wall, but the Wall was sealed tight. Every gate was guarded, and there was no safe way through.
And in one of their searches to find a way to cross the damn structure, they almost got caught. The men from the Night's Watch caught up to them. Usually, Bran with his skin-shifting ability would spot them coming, however, that time was an exception. The forest hindered his view.
They had no other option but to run, but they couldn't outrun men on horses. So they hid. In hope that they wouldn't be noticed.
They weren't found in the end, but not because they were good at hiding, but rather because they had unexpected help.
Two strangers appeared—young, cloaked in furs, and moving like they knew the land better than their own hands. A boy and a girl.
The girl introduced herself first. "My name is Meera Reed. This is my brother, Jojen."
Bran looked at them with suspicion. "Why are you here? How did you find us?"
While the girl was the one talking, it was the boy that both Bran and Sandor were wary of—not because he was more threatening, or because they looked down on the girl per se, but rather because the boy had the same gifts as Bran, and unlike the young Stark, this boy was capable of controlling a direwolf.
Jojen stepped forward. His eyes were calm but serious. "We saw you in a vision. We've been waiting for you. Brandon Stark."
Sandor scoffed. "Visions? More magic nonsense. What else is left? Dragons coming back, gods descending to this filthy land, monsters rising from the crypt of hell."
Jojen didn't flinch. "You can believe it or not, but without us, you won't get past the Wall. There's only one path that can take you through without being seen—and only we know it."
Bran narrowed his eyes. "Why help us? What's in it for you?"
Meera smiled, though it was faint. "Because your journey matters. You're here because of the Three-Eyed Raven, right? We are the same. We are to take you to him."
That answer didn't comfort Bran much, but he felt something deep inside him stir. He didn't fully trust them, but something told him they were speaking the truth.
Sandor wasn't pleased, but even he admitted they had no better option. The brat would most likely be fine if those men caught up to him, but he… dead would be better than falling into those savages' hands.
"Fine," he muttered. "But if you lie, I'll gut you both," Sandor growled to himself, to which Jojen just smiled. He was the calmer one. Technically, he was better suited for diplomatic talks over his sister, but she took the lead anyway.
And so they followed the Reeds. The siblings led them east, toward the river that flowed beneath the ice. There, hidden beneath frozen roots and heavy rocks, was a narrow cave leading under the Wall.
"This will lead us to the other side of the Wall."
"Do you know what he wants?" Suddenly, Bran asked, voicing his thoughts aloud. That cave was the point of no return for him. For all the higher power driving him, he was still a boy and hesitated.
"The Three-Eyed Raven is mysterious. No one knows about him, but he has existed for a long time. He keeps eyes on everything. None has seen him before. However, he himself asked for you.
That means something."
Bran at this just nodded mindlessly. His resolve torn between taking another step or going back.
And that's when a mighty push came from behind, almost thumping him and knocking him down.
"Move. There is nothing to think about after coming this far," Sandor growled and started walking inside the cave, leaving everyone behind.
"He's right, you know. Sometimes we just have to take that leap of faith." Jojen smiled at Bran and went ahead as well.
Bran just watched them go, and perhaps it was peer pressure or it was really one of those leap-of-faith moments, he just shut his mind and walked forward. There was no turning back now.
——
[Castle Black]
Jon stood still in the dark of night, the cold air biting at his skin. The wind howled through Castle Black, but his heart was louder. He had stayed silent when the Lord Commander ordered him to go south and speak with the Northern lords, but his mind had already been made up.
He might be a bastard, but he considered Robb his brother, he considered Bran his brother, and Ned Stark his father.
So, it would be a hot day in the North before he left Bran behind to die.
He was going north—beyond the Wall—to find Bran.
Even if it meant breaking his oath.
Even if it meant never returning.
Jon had made his choice.
He moved quietly through the halls of Castle Black, keeping to the shadows. Most of the brothers were asleep, and the few on night watch didn't look his way. Jon had packed what little food he could carry and wore the warmest furs he could find.
When he reached the top of the Wall, he stopped and looked out into the vast white land beyond. Endless snow, black trees, and frozen rivers stretched into the dark. Somewhere out there, Bran was walking. Or hiding. Or lost. Jon couldn't say for sure. But he would find him. He had to.
The lift was too loud, too slow. He didn't risk it. Instead, he took the old builders' stairway along the side of the Wall—steep, icy, and dangerous.
Step by step, he made his way down the Wall's frozen face, gripping the icy rope railings tightly. The snow stung his face, and his fingers ached with cold, but he didn't stop.
Finally, his boots hit the ground on the other side.
The haunted forest stood before him, dark and quiet.
He looked back once—at the Wall, the Night's Watch, his life.
Then he turned away.
"I'll find you, Bran," Jon whispered.
However, just as he was about to take another step, he heard someone behind him. He was immediately on the defensive before he finally saw who the person was.
"What are you doing here, Sam?"
"I'm coming with you."
"What?"
"I'm coming with you!"
"No! No you're not. Go back."
"You're the only person I have here who doesn't look down on me. You're my only friend."
Jon wished to say more, something, but no words came to his mind.
"I can help," Sam said as he looked at the wolf beside Jon.
"Sigh... fine. Come on."
xxx
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