Chapter 39

Version 2.0

As the party continued their journey south, they found themselves passing through a familiar forest and greeted by a similar Long Lake, with the forest came loving greenery, vibrancy, and fresh care. With it came it's a familiar child of the forest and his nest of ravens.

"Looks to me like you have had quite the journey. Brandon."

"Well, that's an understatement." Brandon huffs. "There is much to tell, and I would ask that you send a raven back to Elder Oak so he can start to prepare for what is coming."

With his interest held, he brings the party to his home where they tell him of all that expired just like with Sara and Ronnel.

"That would explain the human fella, Hother then. It seems you both bring tails of dark times. I feel ashamed now for not helping Hother out more when he came here. He came asking for obsidian weapons and help against his fight against this White Walker. He was given little other than essentially scraps. It seems I will need to work harder to change the elders of the grove's opinions. Thanks for this Brandon, I will also send a raven to Oak to update him on your progress. Now I have taken enough of your time." He says moving to his ravens, whispering troubling times to concerned people.

Following down the river, they follow in the wake of the river following fish as they head to the great sea. Along the way, they decided it was best not to enter the village where they had been accused of murdering the Bryden family. Instead, from a distance, they observed the village's rebirth. People were diligently preparing, replacing parts of the palisade that had been burned down. The resilience of the villagers was evident as they went about their tasks, returning to the rhythm of their lives.

Choosing not to disturb the healing village, the party continued through the open plains, the landscape gradually evolving from plane snow-bound planes to snow-covered fields and communal farming that seemed to be working well for the village. Soon The familiar sight of their village came into view. The feeling of coming back home was both heartwarming and surreal. The snow-draped roofs and smoke rising from chimneys painted a picture of a community they know and love.

As Jon, Edric, and the others approached the village, they bathed in the familiar smell and sights of the village. The crunch of snow beneath their boots seemed to echo through the streets.

Jon smiles. "Ah man, finally home, I can't wait to have Mom's cooking again, see Dad again, and breathe in the fresh aroma of the inn,"

Edric eyes sweep over the village. "Home sweet home,"

"We'll split up here then and meet back up later. We need to get to Elder Oak and tell him what is happening. Meet at the usual spot," Brandon looked towards the forest.

"Right, but that is later, and family is now. Later," Jon replied, already heading towards his own home.

"If you want, you can come with me. My house can accommodate you." Edric says turning to Lyanna and Jocelyn

"No, we don't want to intrude; we can find a house to stay in," Lyanna insisted.

"It's no worries, come on," Edric insisted, leading the way. Lyanna and Jocelyn followed him, while Hawthorn stayed with Brandon.

"Come on, Haw, let's go to my home," Brandon said.

A quick trek through known snow-clogged streets revealed the familiar home. As Brandon opened the door, a wave of warmth and familiar scents welcomed him. The aroma of the hearth, the hint of a stew brewing, and the distinct smell of home filled the air.

"I'm back," Brandon announced, greeted by the familiar sight of his family seated for lunch.

"Brandon! Oh, my baby boy," Alarra exclaimed, bounding out of her seat and drawing Brandon into a loving, crushing, embrace. "Oh, look at you, you look so grown up." she gathered his long hair in her hands.

"Welcome back," Torrhen said, patting his back and drawing him into a hug.

"Bran," Alys shouted as she rushed towards him, as the family squished together.

Brandon smiles. "Ah, it's good to be back," feeling the warmth of home and family surrounding him.

Alarra finally lets go of Brandon. "And who is this, Brandon?"

"Hi." Hawthorn awkwardly waves.

"This is Hawthorn; he joined us in the north. His family and grove were attacked and destroyed by The Others."

"The Others?" Torrhen asked.

"Let's sit down; there is lots to talk about."

Brandon began yet again of his journey and adventure.

"Oh Brandon," Alarra softly smiles. "You always find something don't you."

"You always bring something interesting home, don't you, Brandon? Haha," Torrhen chuckled.

"Hey, I don't mean to, ha" he chuckles before shaking his head. " I need to go see Elder Oak, see what he makes of it all. I do know, though, that we won't be able to do anything by ourselves. Everyone has to unite against this, or we will just die."

"Aye, it sure looks that way," Torrhen said, nodding his head. "But that won't be easy. You have been away for quite a while, and we got more complete stories from other villages. A couple of petty kings have arisen. Tales of a Barrow King and a Ryder King if you believe what the traders say. But if you are going to unite the north, you'll have to deal with them as well."

Brandon nodes along. "If that is what I need to do, then so be it,"

Torrhen smiled brightly, as he patted his son on the shoulder.

"Enough about that; you have missed plenty of gossip from the village, Brandon," Alarra smiled, transitioning to her exciting tales of the village.

/

With the gossip of the village enjoyed, Brandon left home and headed for the centre of the village, the usual spot for adventure to begin.

Arriving at the court, Edric and his group waited, though Edric looked grumpily blanked-faced whilst Lyanna and Jocelyn looked quite happy with themselves. And despite the prodding and poking of Brandon to find out why he got nothing from them.

It doesn't take long for Jon to arrive, reinvigorated from the joy of his family as they depart for the woods.

The party moved through the dense woods of Winterhaven, their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of snow. Tall, skeletal trees reaching towards the sky, their branches laden with snow. As they ventured deeper into the woods, the air grew colder, and the occasional gust of wind sent flurries of snow cascading from the branches.

"Glad to see your return, for there is much that we must speak about," Acorn says as they step out of the grove. She hums for a moment as she looks towards Hawthorn. "Seems we have even more to talk about."

Reaching the sacred grove where Elder Oak resided, they observed the ancient trees standing tall and proud. The presence of the children of the forest lingered in the air, and faint echoes of their melodic chants resonated through the woods.

Approaching Elder Oak's dwelling, a large, gnarled tree with a hollowed-out trunk, the party felt a sense of reverence. The snow-laden boughs of the surrounding trees cast intricate shadows, creating a natural tapestry of light and dark. The wise being emerged from the shadows, draped in moss and leaves, his ancient eyes reflecting his wisdom of centuries.