The King Arrives

When Bran stood atop the castle wall and saw the king's procession, it was nearly noon.

The procession of three hundred stretched out in a magnificent river of gold, silver, and steel.

Free riders carrying more than a dozen golden banners embroidered with the crowned stag rode ahead across the gray fields.

Behind the vanguard came a luxurious carriage, drawn by at least twenty or thirty fine horses. Bran's eyes widened at the sight.

He let out a quiet cry. He had never seen such an enormous carriage, and he couldn't help cheering from the wall.

His shout caught the attention of Garon and Jon, who were on their way to greet the king at the castle's southern gate.

The two looked up and immediately spotted Bran.

"Bran, get down here!"

"The king's almost here. We need to hurry and go greet him!"

Garon called up to Bran on the castle wall.

Bran heard him and looked down at the two of them. "Wait for me. I'm coming down!"

With that, he nimbly climbed down, using the stones jutting out from the wall.

In the blink of an eye, Bran appeared on the wall right in front of Garon.

When he was still about a yard above the ground, Garon stepped forward, caught him, and set him down.

"Jon, Garon!"

"I just saw the crowned stag banners, and... and..."

"A really, really big carriage!"

Bran's face flushed as he excitedly gestured and described what he'd just seen.

"That's the queen's carriage. She's a Lannister, and the Lannisters are the richest family around!"

Garon explained with a smile, then said to the two boys, "Come on. Lord Ned and the others must already be there!"

Jon and Bran nodded, and the three of them headed for Winterfell's south gate together.

Just as Garon had said,

Lord Ned and Lady Catelyn had arrived by the time the three reached the south gate, with Robb, Sansa, and the others beside them.

"Lord Ned, Lady Catelyn!"

Garon and Jon stepped forward to pay their respects. Ned gave them a slight nod and a smile.

Catelyn glanced over, then turned her attention to Bran and immediately spotted the dirt on him.

"Bran, have you been climbing the walls again?"

"Didn't you promise me you'd stop?"

Hearing his mother's angry voice, Bran realized he was in trouble and hurriedly looked to Robb for help.

To his surprise, Robb only laughed at his predicament.

Seeing that he couldn't count on his elder brother, Bran turned to Ned.

Ned shook his head slightly, coming to his rescue.

"Catelyn, the king is about to arrive. Scold him later."

"You should all get ready, too."

At that, Catelyn had someone fetch a rag and wipe the obvious dirt from Bran's clothes.

Taking advantage of the moment, Garon and Jon exchanged a sympathetic glance, both neglected by Catelyn, then moved to stand behind Robb.

Garon nodded to Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrik on the left, while Jon stood to Garon's right.

Once the two had taken their places, Sansa glanced sideways at Garon. He noticed at once and gave her a small smile.

Sansa didn't dare look again. She gazed straight ahead, shyly, a sweet feeling rising in her heart.

Arya, standing nearby, didn't tease her sister as she usually did. She was busy asking Bran whether he'd seen the Imp.

"Dong, dong, dong..."

Soon, the bells of Winterfell rang, signaling that the king's procession had entered Winter Town.

"Prepare to welcome the king!"

Ned Stark solemnly surveyed everyone. All present grew serious as well.

Anticipation showed in Garon's eyes. He stood quietly, gazing at the castle's south gate as he waited for King Robert to arrive.

Nearly five minutes passed.

Garon could now clearly hear the clatter of hooves. They're here!

Sure enough, the next moment,

two knights carrying golden crowned stag banners rode into the castle at the head of the procession.

Behind them, King Robert rode up before Ned, flanked by two Kingsguard in snowy white cloaks.

"Your Grace!"

Ned immediately dropped to one knee.

Everyone present followed suit and knelt.

As he did, Garon raised his head slightly and discreetly took a look around.

Seeing King Robert, so imposing and commanding that everyone obeyed his word, filled him with longing.

This is what a great man should be!

Robert didn't notice Garon at the back. His gaze was fixed on Ned, and his eyes brimmed with nostalgia.

He swung down from his horse, strode forward, and pulled Ned to his feet before embracing him tightly.

"Ned!"

"Ah, it's so good to see you!"

Ned couldn't help smiling. "It's good to see you too, Your Grace!"

They released each other and laughed heartily.

Taking the opportunity, the people gathered to welcome them at Winterfell rose to their feet.

Watching the scene unfold just as it had in the story, Garon felt a strange sensation stir within him.

Robert gave Ned a thorough once-over. "Look at that face, purple from the cold. You haven't changed a bit."

Ned's gaze dropped to Robert's unmistakable belly. You've changed a great deal. I nearly didn't recognize you.

But Robert was the king, so Ned couldn't say that aloud. He only smiled and said, "Winterfell is at your service, Your Grace!"

Just then,

Queen Cersei Lannister arrived before Ned with her children, accompanied by Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard.

Her carriage was so enormous that it couldn't fit through Winterfell's gates and had to be left outside.

So Cersei had no choice but to walk in with her children.

The Imp, Tyrion, had ridden over. With help from a servant, he hopped down from his horse and curiously surveyed everything in Winterfell.

At the queen's arrival, Ned knelt again and kissed the ring on Cersei's hand.

Robert, meanwhile, embraced Catelyn as though she were a long-lost sister.

Then the children on both sides were brought forward and introduced to one another.

When Joffrey was introduced, Sansa curiously looked at the blond prince in his red cloak.

He's much scrawnier than Garon. He looks like he could blow over in a strong wind.

And he doesn't seem very easy to get along with...

Since Sansa had already fallen for Garon, she no longer saw Joffrey through the rose-colored glasses of the original story. At a glance, she realized he was even more arrogant than Theon.

Joffrey noticed Sansa, too. The corners of his mouth lifted into what he thought was an appropriate, haughty smile.

Sansa responded with a polite but distant smile.

Standing in the back, Garon stared coldly at Joffrey until Jon nudged him, reminding him to rein himself in.

Perhaps Garon's stare had been too brazen, because Jaime Lannister, clad in a white cloak, noticed him.

Jaime looked at Garon, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

At that moment, Robert, having finished introducing his family, looked at Ned. "Take me to see your family crypt. I want to pay my respects."

But before Ned could answer, Cersei spoke from beside them. "We've been on the road for a month. There's no need to rush off and look at the dead..."

She didn't get to finish. Robert silenced her with a cold look.

Jaime had no time to pay attention to Garon. He squeezed Cersei's hand, signaling that she should say no more.

Once Cersei had backed down, Robert turned to Ned again.

Ned gave the queen an apologetic nod, then led Robert toward the family crypt.

After the two left, Catelyn pretended nothing was amiss and warmly welcomed the queen and the nobles, arranging their lodgings.

Winterfell soon came alive with activity.