Wind howled through the narrow space of the window as Link finally hauled Bran Stark onto the inner ledge of the tower. The boy was shaking violently, his small hands clutching Link's leather jerkin so hard his knuckles were white. Bran's eyes were wide and glazed with a terror that no seven year old should ever know.
"It is alright, Bran," Link whispered, though his own heart was hammering like a trapped bird. "You are safe. Just look at me. Do not look down."
Below them, the castle was beginning to stir. The scouts were shouting in the yard, and the barking of the hounds announced the return of the rest of the hunting party. The window into the secret room stood open. The scent of Cersei's perfume still lingered in the air.
Link knew he could not stay here. If he was found in this room with the young Stark, the Lannisters would claim he was the one who had led the boy into danger. Or worse, the Queen would ensure he never left the tower alive.
"We have to move," Link said, his voice firm. "Can you walk, Bran?"
The boy nodded weakly, though his legs were like jelly. Link helped him down the winding, narrow stairs of the First Keep. Every creak of the ancient wood sounded like a thunderclap in the silence. Link's hand remained on the hilt of his sword. He didn't expect a guard, he expected Jaime Lannister to step out from every shadow.
They reached the base of the tower and slipped out into the cold air of the courtyard. The main party was just rolling through the gates. Ned Stark was dismounting, his face flushed from the hunt, a large boar strapped to the back of a pack horse.
"Bran!"
Catelyn Stark hurried across the yard, her eyes scanning her son. She saw the dust on his clothes and the paleness of his face. "Where have you been? I told you no climbing while the King is here!"
Bran looked at Link, then at his mother. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. The boy was in shock.
Link stepped forward and bowed low to Lady Catelyn. "Forgive him, My Lady. The boy took a bit of a tumble near the old stables. I caught him before he did any real damage, but it gave him a fright."
Catelyn gripped Bran's shoulders, checking him for broken bones. She looked at Link, her blue eyes searching his face. "Again, it is you. First the wolves, then the yard, and now my son. You seem to be everywhere at once, Link."
"I am a guard, My Lady," Link said, keeping his voice steady. "It is my duty to be where I am needed."
Ned Stark approached them, his heavy boots crunching on the gravel. "What is this? Is the boy hurt?"
"He is fine, Ned," Catelyn said, though her voice trembled. "This guard found him."
Ned looked at Link. There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes, a memory of the man who had spoken up about the direwolves. "You have my thanks, Link. Go to the kitchens and tell them I ordered a double ration of meat and ale for you tonight."
"Thank you, My Lord," Link replied.
He backed away, fading into the crowd of servants and soldiers. He felt the weight of the Save point in his mind. He had changed the world. Bran was not paralyzed. The boy could still walk. But Link had also created a witness who could destroy the Lannisters, and a Kingslayer who knew there was a witness to his greatest sin.
Link found a quiet spot behind the armory and slumped against the wall. His arm was beginning to throb where he had caught the boy.
[Status: Extreme Mental Fatigue]
[Warning: The Timeline is Diverging Significantly]
He closed his eyes. In the original story, the fall of Bran was the event that kept Ned Stark in the North longer and eventually led to the discovery of the truth. Now, Bran was healthy. Would Ned still go to King's Landing? Would Jaime try to finish the job tonight?
"I have the anchor," Link whispered. "If the castle burns tonight, I will just go back to the morning."
But even with the power to reset time, Link felt a cold dread. He had saved a child, but he had invited a lion into his path. And lions did not stop until they saw blood.
....
Author Note
Hi guys! Thank you for reading my fanfiction.
I wanted to let you know that I'll be releasing bonus chapters for Power Stones. Here are the goals:
15 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
30 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
50 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
75 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
100 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
Thanks for the support!