3 The Wolfswood
Eddard Stark mounted his horse, a large grey stallion, with a long pitch black main as dark as night.
Looking around he didn't see Griffith, only the guards they would be taking with them.
He sighed and glanced up at the balustrade on top of which his wife Catelyn stood little Bran in her arms.
Eddard heard a door slam shut and turning in his saddle, saw Grifith striding towards them, pitch black hair trailing behind him.
As the young boy drew level with his father he quickly grabbed the reins of his pony that he had rarely used and with ease that surprised Eddard, swung himself into the saddle.
"You took your time." Eddard said, sighing in resignation.
His son smiled, "Well I've never packed for a journey as long as this, now have I."
He chuckled, "I guess you're right."
Turning to his men he raised his hand and shouted, "EVERYBODY MOUNT UP!"
They had just done so when a shout from the otherside of the courtyard caught their attention, a small girl with thick soft auburn hair and bright blue eyes was running towards them, a single white rose in hand.
"WAIT, PLEASE WAIT!"
Eddard turned to his daughter and smiled, "What is it, Sansa?"
She was gasping for breath when she slowed down before Griffith.
Raising her arms she presented the rose to him, "I got this for you brother!"
Griffith smiled and leaning down, took the flower from Sansa's small hands, "Thank you, dear sister, I will keep it with me at all times, so I may never forget you."
Eddard watched as Griifth raised his hand and placed the flower behind his ear.
The boy then turned and rode towards the gate waving back at his little sister.
***
The tall dark trees of the wolfswood loomed above the party as they rode along the stone paved path.
Looking up ahead Eddard saw Griffith riding further up ahead, he smiled and spurred his hoars to go faster.
Riding up beside his son, Eddard asked, "Beautiful isn't it?"
He saw Griffith look up at the canopy, "Yes, yes it is."
He heard the boy sigh and then turn in his seat, "Father, why are you going to Bear island?"
A bark of laughter erupted from Eddard's throat, "I'd thought you'd never ask."
His voice then turned solom, "Sir Jorah Mormont, Lord of Bear Island, has been sentenced to death for the vile act of slave trade."
Griffith nodded slowly in understanding, "Father, why did Jorah Mormont sell slaves?
He must have had a good reason to do it."
Eddard shrugged, "From what I've heard he bankrupted himself, buying things for his wife."
Lord Stark saw Griffith bend over in suppressed laughter, "Do not laugh at him, he was a very respectable man once, and he loved his wife dearly.
It is wrong to find pleasure in another man's suffering."
His son straightened up; "I'm sorry father."
From then on they rode in silence only speaking on rare occasions, when they had to choose which way to go or if they saw a pack of wolves go by.
They had just crossed a small stream when Griffith reached into his saddlebag and produced a lyre
He plucked its thin delicate strings afew times and everybody in their party turned to listen.
From a very young age, the boy had been gifted in the art of music and had played his different instruments in the yard or from his window.
The people of Winterfell sometimes gathered around him to listen to his songs.
They were mostly of battle and honour but sometimes he told stories of Aegon the Conqueror or Bran the Builder.
Breathing in deeply, Griffith closed his eyes and started to play.
A bear there was, a bear, a bear!
All black and brown, and covered with hair.
The bear! The bear!
Oh come they said, oh come to the fair!
The fair? Said he, but I'm a bear!
All black and brown, and covered with hair!
And down the road from here to there.
From here! To there!
Three boys, a goat and a dancing bear!
They danced and spun, all the way to the fair!
The fair! The fair!
Oh, sweet she was, and pure and fair!
The maid with honey in her hair!
Her hair! Her hair!
The maid with honey in her hair!
The bear smelled the scent on the summer air.
The bear! The bear!
All black and brown and covered with hair!
He smelled the scent on the summer air!
He sniffed and roared and smelled it there!
Honey on the summer air!
Oh, I'm a maid, and I'm pure and fair!
I'll never dance with a hairy bear!
A bear! A bear!
I'll never dance with a hairy bear!
The bear, the bear!
Lifted her high into the air!
The bear! The bear!
I called for a knight, but you're a bear!
A bear, a bear!
All black and brown and covered with hair
She kicked and wailed, the maid so fair,
But he licked the honey from her hair.
Her hair! Her hair!
He licked the honey from her hair!
Then she sighed and squealed and kicked the air!
My bear! She sang. My bear so fair!
And off they went, from here to there,
The bear, the bear, and the maiden fair.
As the last tunes floated away in the air Eddard looked around himself, the animals that usually didn't show themselves to humans had gathered around them hidden in the underbrush.
He saw a massive stag, a pack of wolves and a dray of squirrels, all standing there as if waiting for him to play another song and noticing them, he smiled and did.
***
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please tell me if you see any mistakes.
Which house would you most like to be reborn into?
I would probably choose the Tyrells just because they have the most advantages.
Then I hope you have a nice day or night depending on where you are, goodbye ;)
