It is the last morning of the king's visit. King Robert has ridden out for one final hunt, along with Eddard, Robb, Benjen, Theon, Jory, Ser Rodrik, and Tyrion. Bran was left behind along with Jon, Rickon, Sansa, and Arya. Bran tried looking for Jon to keep him company, but he was nowhere to be found and has seemed angry at everyone since learning he was joining the Night's Watch. Bran is excited about going south. He wants to be a knight of the Kingsguard someday and do great deeds like Serwyn of the Mirror Shield, Ser Ryam Redwyne, Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, the twins Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk, who killed each other during the conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons, Gerold Hightower, Ser Arthur Dayne, and Barristan the Bold. Bran has admired the two Kingsguard that came to Winterfell with Robert, Ser Boros and Ser Meryn, from afar, but never dared to speak to them. Jaime is on the Kingsguard as well, but Robb told Bran he does not count since he killed the old, mad king.1 The greatest living knight is Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and Eddard has promised Bran he can meet the famed knight when they arrive at King's Landing.
Bran had meant to spend the day saying his farewells to those staying in Winterfell such as Old Nan, Gage the cook, Mikken the blacksmith, and Hodor the stableboy, but he discovered that saying goodbye was too sad and so he spent the day with his wolf2 instead. Bran has still not thought of a name for the pup. Robb has named his Grey Wind for his speed, Sansa calls hers Lady, Arya's is named after an old witch queen,3, and Rickon has named his Shaggydog, which Bran thinks is just stupid. Bran loves the name that Jon gave his pup, Ghost. Bran decides to go climbing and heads for the godswood, avoiding the heartree which has always frightened him. As he is about to begin his ascent, his direwolf4 begins howling at him, but he goes on anyway. Bran has loved climbing all his life and has explored every nook of Winterfell. His mother always fears he will fall, and even made him promise to stop once, but he could not help himself and his father finally relented to let him continue.
Bran climbs around until he reaches an abandoned part of the castle, where he overhears a man and a woman talking. The woman is mad and afraid that Eddard is coming south and wishes she had insisted that Robert make the man Hand. Eddard puts them in danger, as Robert will listen to him unlike his own brothers, Stannis and Renly. The man is glad that Robert did not appoint one of his brothers or Littlefinger Hand, as he would rather have an honorable enemy. The woman, however, thinks that Eddard, who has never before taken an interest in affairs south of the Neck, can only be coming south to move against them. She mentions Lysa Arryn and her accusations. The woman is afraid of Lysa because she shared Jon's bed and might know what he knows.5 The man asks if Lysa has proof, and the woman says no, but that it will not matter because Robert does not love her. She fears what may happen when Joffrey comes to the throne and is afraid that Robert will cast her aside for someone he loves like he loved Lyanna Stark. Bran is frightened, but decides he must get closer to see who is talking. He sees the man and the woman having sex, though he does not realize that is what they are doing, and recognizes Cersei. Cersei spots Bran and screams, causing him to lose his grip. He manages to grab the ledge with one hand as he falls. Cersei and the man appear in the window, and Bran now recognizes the man as well, who appears a twin to Cersei.6 The man helps Bran up to the ledge, asks him how old he is, and then pushes him out the window. Bran falls to the ground far below; the last thing he hears is a wolf howling.
