Bran was stunned when he saw the ships, and then when he saw how many people were getting off them. As Arya got near the two, Sansa said, "Arya, what happened to your hand?" When she got to them, she hugged them both, then pulled off her glove to show them the damage she had sustained. She turned to the crowd, shouting, "My brother, the king of Westeros!" Everyone getting off the ships stopped and went to one knee. Then they stood and cheered for Bran. Bran said, "Well, that's rousing, never expected such adulation from people that don't even know me. I expect the one who did that to your hand is dead?" Arya smiled, saying, "No, he will be along shortly in his cage. He was one of the most important generals the Zon had, and I brought him back for your amusement. Your men will have to learn Zonian to get much from him, though, Zonian, Thrainian, Amanian, stonekin, sandkin, swampkin, and any languages I forgot. But there is one issue we must solve right now!" She called out loudly, "Nymeria!" Bran nodded, "I expected this. Did she serve you well?" "Saved my life several times, and many others as well, Arya responded. Nymeria trotted up and sat by Bran, then she put a huge paw on his lap. Bran burst into laughter and hugged her, thanking her for bringing Arya home safe. He then placed a chain around her neck, saying, "The King's pardon and freedom in Arya's new home territory. I am sure the hunters in the Wolfswood are terrorizing us." Arya leaned in and told Nymeria that she had been pardoned for her crimes and must not commit any more. That was when they arrived in Wolfswood; she would be free to run with her pack. But for now, she must protect Calancy and behave.
Nymeria woofed and went to get Calancy. She and her mother were coming close. Arya introduced her as the Queen of the treekin, whose homeland had been destroyed by the Zon. She and her 6,000 subjects would need a new home in the north of the Wolfswood so that they might start their lives anew.
Sansa looked at Bran, "Is that why you told us not to run the road through that old growth sheltered by the mountains?" Bran nodded. One by one, the leaders of the different groups came and knelt before Bran, asking in their own languages for the freedom to start new lives as subjects of the King. The stonekin leader pointed at the Palace dome over Bran's shoulder, asking, "What did that?" Bran answered, "Dragons did that." When his answer was translated, the stonekin's eyes went wide, "Dragons?" He turned to his kin and shouted, "They have dragons!" The stonekin cheered.
With the palace in shambles still, there was no place big enough to house them all for a state dinner. It was a beautiful day, so they had it outdoors. Arya presented Bran with a large chest of Amanian coins and gemstones. "1 tenth, I believe it was?" she added. Bran looked at the riches and said, "If this is a tenth, then you are wealthy, Arya." Thomas handed Bran two notebooks, one was the journal of their journey, and the other was intelligence on the Zon and technical drawings of inventions. Elanor presented Bran with two of the troop ships and all they contained. The stonekin presented him with one ship, and the others offered gifts they considered valuable. Bran was moved by their generosity; he thanked them all. After dinner was served, Bran had them all swear fealty to the crown again. Because there were so many of them, they slept back on board their ships.
The next day, they were served breakfast and taken on a tour of the city; translators did their best to keep them all informed of the sights. Later, each of them was measured for and watched as they were made: cold-weather gear fit for the north. It was decided that 200 troops, along with seven crews and their captains, would take their ships to the Bay of Ice. The people would ride in wagons with foodstuffs and tools for what lay ahead. The treekin also bought tents to start living in. Then the long journey to Winterfell began, taking them almost two months. But they got a good sense of what the land was like and who the people were. They made many friends along the way. It was getting colder as they went, and this was the start of spring.
The wedding was held the day after they arrived at Winterfell. Thomas and Arya married. Sansa asked Arya what gift he had gotten her, and Arya produced the chest. Bran was nearly in tears when he read the tome and saw what was inside. Sansa accused Thomas of being a romantic and giggled at him. Arya and Thomas had a one-day honeymoon, and the day after that, Arya's swearing-in as Warden of the North West took place. All of the clan heads in the western part of the north were there, and each of them took a knee to Arya, except one man who was the leader of a small mountain clan that her new territory would somewhat displace. He swore that he would kill her first, but Arya blasted him with two disruption casts of her glove. A fine mist of blood covered everyone there, and they were shocked speechless. Arya then passed out generous compensation to those whose lands would be affected. The large chest of treasures, opened and passed out to them, made them realize that Arya was doing her best to respect them and their clan lands. The hunter clans of the Wolfswood were heavily compensated because a large portion of their northern territory was being given to Arya and the treekin. Arya then told them why this was being done: an enemy beyond anything they had ever experienced was coming to kill them all unless they joined together and prepared for the invasion. They nodded, understanding at last.