Almost a month had passed since Bran's fall, and he had still not woken up. It had been weeks since Sansa, Arya, Jon and Lord Stark left, and Hera was already missing them dearly. Hera sat by a small lake and gazed up at the stars. It was late night, darkness already taking over the woods around her. Her horse, Spirit, stood by the lake, drinking water. The horse was light brown, with a white spot down its forehead.

As Hera gazed up at the stars, she wondered if her family was watching over her. Were they proud, or dissapointed in the person she had become? As she closed her eyes, she could see their faces just as clear as she did when they were still alive. She saw her father's proud smile which he wore whenever she managed to beat one of her brothers in swordfighting, and she saw her mother's loving smile as she gazed at her husband like he was her sun.

She heard Spirit walk towards her, and suddenly her muzzle shoved lightly into Hera's shoulder, causing Hera to smile slightly at the young horse.

"Do you want to go back?" Hera asked as she stroked the side of Spirit's neck. When she recieved a slight nod from the horse, she stood up from the ground.

She made Spirit gallop the way back to Winterfell, enjoying how it felt when the wind hit her face and blew her hair over her shoulders. As she rode into the courtyard, she was surprised to see it full of people running around and shouting at each other. She made Spirit stop walking as she looked around to try and find out what the matter was. That was when she spotted a bright and blazing fire coming from one of the houses.

She debated on going over to help, but it seemed like it was being taken care of. People were already trying to stop the fire by throwing water at it. With that thought in her head, she made Spirit start walking again. She felt people's stares as she rode her horse towards the stables, but she paid them no mind.

When she arrived at the stables, she led the horse to its booth. Before she left the stables, she made sure to give the horse some food.

After some minutes, she was walking in one of the hallways of Winterfell. The hallway were completely empty, because everyone were most likely busy with the fire outside. She knew that was where Robb would be as well. A loud and ear piercing scream echoed through the hallway, which made Hera snap out of her own thoughts. Suddenly alert, she drew her sword and looked around with wide eyes. Another scream followed, and Hera gasped as she realised where the scream came from. It came from Bran's chambers.

Without a second thought, she ran as fast as she could towards the chamber with her sword in her hand. She skiddled to a stop in the doorway of Bran's chamber, her whole body stiffening in shock. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight that met her. Catelyn Stark was sitting at the floor beside Bran's bed, where Bran still laid peacefully. Horror was written over her face and she cradled her bloodied hands in her lap. Her hands had deep cuts in both palms. Bran's direwolf laid on his bed, blood decorating the fur around its mouth. And on the floor beside Lady Catelyn, laid a man with his throat torn out, and the crimson liquid was still flowing from the wound. A bloodied dagger laid beside his corpse.

Hera gasped as she placed her sword back in its sheath. Her gasp made Catelyn look up from the corpse, terror showing in her eyes. Hera briskly walked over to her and fell down on her knees beside her. With wide eyes she stared at the corpse as a shudder ran through her body, then she looked at Catelyn.

"What happened?" She asked in shock. Lady Catelyn didn't answer, she was in shock. Hera's eyes landed on the knife beside the corpse, then they moved to Lady Catelyn's wounded hands, until they settled on Bran's sleeping form. Catelyn didn't need to tell her what had happened, because she understood.

Someone had tried to kill Bran.

*

The next day, Catelyn Stark had called for a secret meeting in the godswood. She had said it was urgent, and that it was important that no one knew they were meeting. Hera stood beside Robb, who was looking at his mother in curiosity to hear what she wanted to say. Theon, Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrick were also present.

When Catelyn was sure that everyone was paying attention, she cleared her throat.

"What I am about to tell you must remain between us." Her face was serious without a trace of humor, and Hera realised that what she was about to say was serious. "I don't think Bran fell from the tower, I think he was thrown."

Murmurs broke out in the small circle of people until Maester Luwin spoke. "The boy was always sure footed before." Bran always climbed, it was what he loved doing the most. He had climbed in all kinds of weather and buildings, but he had never fallen before. So why would he suddenly fall now?

"Someone tried to kill him twice" Lady Catelyn announced, reffering to the attempted assassination in the chamber last night. "Why? Why murder an innocent child?" Her voice grew slightly in despair. "Unless he saw something he wasn't meant to see."

"Saw what, my lady?" Theon Greyjoy asked with confusion clouding his face. Catelyn looked at him with grim eyes.

"I don't know, but I would stake my life the Lannisters are involved." The reveal made Hera's eyebrows raise in shock. Why would the Lannisters want to murder a young boy?

"We already have reason to suspect their loyalty to the crown."

Ser Rodrick pulled the sharp dagger the killer used from inside his cloak. He held it up for everyone to see. The blood had been cleaned off the blade, and it now shined brightly in the sun. "Did you notice the dagger the killer used? It's too fine a weapon for such a man. The blade is Valeryian steel, the handle dragonbone. Someone gave it to him."

Hera heard Robb suck in a deep breath. "They come into our home and try to murder my brother? If it's war they want..." She noticed that he was getting riled up, so she lightly placed her hand on his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. His eyes snapped to hers and she gave him a small, hopefully comforting smile. He closed his eyes with a sigh as he relaxed slightly.

"If it comes to that, you know I'll stand behind you." Theon was quick to speak, and Robb gave him a grateful look in return.

"What? Is there going to be a battle in the godswood?" Maester Luwin remarked with a raised eyebrow. "Too easily words of war become acts of war. We don't know the truth yet." He turned to look at Lady Catelyn. "Lord Stark must be told of this."

Lady Catelyn rapidly shook her head. "No, I don't trust a raven to carry these words."

"I'll ride to King's Landing" Robb quickly offered, glancing at Hera from the corner of his eye, who in return looked at him in slight shock.

"No, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell" Catelyn said with a firm voice. Her eyes darted across everyone's faces before she nodded slightly to herself. "I will go myself."

Hera felt Robb stiffen, and that's when she realised that her hand were still resting on his shoulder. Suddenly feeling awkward, she quickly removed her hand.

"Mother, you can't" Robb exclaimed as he stared at his mother with wide eyes.

"I must" Catelyn responed in determination.

"I'll send Hal with a squad of guardsmen to escourt you" Ser Rodrick offered, causing Catelyn to shake her head.

"Too large of a party attracts unwanted attention. I don't want the Lannisters to know I'm coming."

"Let me accompany you at least" Ser Rodrick offered again. "The kingsroad can be a dangerous place for a woman alone." Hera shuddered slightly. Many women had suffered bad fates at those roads.

Robb was flabbergasted. "What about Bran?" he exclaimed at his mother.

"I have prayed to the seven for over a month. Bran's life is in their hands now." She looked at her son with tired eyes, before she walked past everyone and towards Winterfell.

Everyone soon followed after her, somber looks on all their faces.

*