The hunt left at dawn, they were hunting wild boar, which Robert Baratheon had wanted for the feast.
Griffith had thought that he would be left behind but to his surprise, Prince Joffrey had invited him to join, with King's permission.
He didn't believe his luck and instantly accepted, it would give him a chance to closer acquaint himself with the Prince.
It didn't take long for the party consisting of the King, his father, Prince Joffrey, Robb, Theon Greyjoy, uncle Benjen, Tyrion Lannister and Griffith, to reach the Wolfswood.
"Ah, what a feeling!" the King said, grinning, "It's been too long since I went hunting."
Eddard chuckled, "You always did like hunting Robert."
Robert Baratheon laughed boisterously, "Yes and Kings Landing gives me many opportunities to do so."
Griffith sneered from his place at the back of the party, ever since he had first laid his eyes on the man he had known that he wasn't fit to rule.
Robert Baratheon was lazy and arrogant so much so that he didn't even attend the small council meeting, from what he had heard.
Setting his face back into the soft smile he usually carried, Griffith picked up the pace.
Riding past Theon, Tyrion and Robb, he slowed down next to the Prince, "Your Highness?"
Joffrey just hummed in acknowledgement, and Griffith continued, "I must thank you for inviting me on the hunt.
It is a great honour to be riding with you and your father."
The Prince turned in his saddle to look at the black-haired Griffith, "Yes, I wanted to repay you for yesterday."
He then glanced back at Robb, "Your half-brother is quite the fighter isn't he?"
Griffith smiled and nodded, "That he is, the north is lucky to have him as the heir to Winterfell."
Joffrey sniffed, "I guess you are correct, he does have, " he waved his hand in the air, "an inspiring nature to him.
But," he chuckled, "he has quite the short temper."
Griffith smiled, "He's always been that way."
They were now deep inside the Wolfswood and the hounds seemed to have caught the scent of a boar.
"Here we go." Griffith sighed out.
He saw as the King drove his heels into his mare's sides driving it after the hounds.
Doing the same, Griffith raced after him, his black stallion jumping over roots as though they weren't there.
He easily caught up to the King since the great oaf weighed so much causing his horse to nearly collapse.
But knowing of Robert Baratheon's ego he slowed down right before he overtook his allowing the King to move ahead.
First to reach them where Robb and Joffrey both glaring at each other.
After them came his father accompanied by Theon.
And lastly the talking pair of Benjen and Tyrion.
The King pointed up ahead where the hounds had cornered a large dark grey boar with long vicious tusks.
Out of the corner of his eye, Griffith saw the Prince grin maliciously, it disappointed him.
He had thought that Joffrey was like him, merciless yes, but not when it wasn't to his advantage.
The King motioned them to move forward, "Come let's kill the beast."
Griffith sighed and reached back, removing a javelin from his saddle.
The boar began to squeal as soon as it saw them emerge from the underbrush and it tried to run away only to be snarled at by the hounds.
The King raised his arm and threw a javelin at the boar but it dodged by a hair's breadth.
Griffith was surprised, the King wasn't as useless as he had thought.
Turning to the Prince he saw as he raised his arm behind his back and threw the javelin missing the boar by a mile.
"Griffith, you go next," Robb said from beside him.
He sighed and cocking his arm backwards breathed in and out, before throwing it with all his might.
It soared through the air, and cut the boar across its backside, burying itself in the ground close behind it.
They kept trying to hit the boar for several minutes before Benjen rode forward and in a single throw killed the beast.
***
It was nearly sundown when they arrived at Winterfell, but what they found wasn't a boisterous crowd welcoming them back.
No, the castle felt sombre, as though a heavy blanket had been laid over Winterfell keeping everything muffled.
Griffith instantly knew something was wrong and jumping off his stallion, ran into the keep.
He soon found one of the servants, Emilda he thought the girl's name was, grabbing her by the shoulder and pushed her against the wall, "What happened?
She blushed but still answered him, "Bran fell from the broken tower, it doesn't look good."
"Thank you," Griffith said, rushing away towards Bran's room.
He soon reached the oak door leading to his little brother's bed chambers.
Taking in a deep breath he slowly pushed it open.
Inside there were only three people, Bran, Maester Luwin and Lady Catelyn.
Griffith bowed to her, "My Lady, how is he?"
The mother sniffed, "What kind of question is that, Bastard!"
***
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please tell me if you see any mistakes.
Ice or Fire?
Then I hope you have a nice day or night depending on where you are, goodbye ;)