As I opened my eyes, blinking to clear the white spots from my vision, I couldn't shake the confusion about where I was. My hands groped around, and I gasped when I saw the pool of blood nearby. The last thing I remembered was going out with my friends for drinks at the bar down the street from my house.
Struggling to stand, I was immediately hit with dizziness that spread through my body. My hand instinctively went to my head and found it damp. Pulling my hand away, I saw it stained with blood.
The stench of the street filled my nostrils, making me recoil from the smell of garbage. And waking up in a dark alley with what seemed like a serious head injury was definitely not part of my plans.
As I realized my clothes weren't the ones I had been wearing, my confusion deepened. I scanned the alley for a reflection, but I found no windows near me. I approached a puddle at the alley's entrance. I knelt, staring in disbelief at my reflection.
I looked much younger than I should have. My bloodied face resembled a ten-year-old Robb Stark. That thought never crossed my mind among the theories of where I might be. I slumped back, wondering what the hell was happening to me.
Faint memories of a tipsy conversation with my closest friend lingered. We had debated better endings for some characters in Game of Thrones.
Finding myself in a situation that had only existed in my dreams was overwhelming. The impact was so intense that I could only wander the town. I clutched my head and prayed to any god listening. I hoped this was Winterfell, where my new family held power and would find me soon.
As I had no memories of the original Robb. I could only awkwardly smile at the commoners. They shouted my name upon seeing the lord's injured heir walking alone in the town. Feeling my strength wane, I collapsed face-first onto the dirt and passed out. My last thoughts were a hope that the maester could help me once someone took me to the castle.
Lord Eddard Stark
As a father, one of the worst things is hearing that someone has injured your son. When two guards entered my study, they had bad news. They found Robb wandering Wintertown with a bleeding head. It pained me more than anything. Even the deaths of my family didn't compare. I had lost my father, my brother Brandon, and my sister, Lyanna, during the rebellion. Hearing about my heir's injury was a stab to the heart. I ran through Winterfell's stone corridors to Maester Luwin's office, desperate for news of my son.
---
Maester Luwin
Maester Luwin furrowed his brow with concern as he tended to Robb Stark's head wound. The young heir lay motionless on the examination table, blood dripping from the wound. The maester hastened his work. He cleaned the wound with care. His hands darted, but his eyes flashed with intensity.
Ned Stark's heavy footsteps echoed through Winterfell's corridors. He hurried to Luwin's office, worry etched on his brow. He pushed the door open, his cloak billowing behind him. His gaze fell on his unconscious son.
"Luwin, how is he? Is he going to be all right?" asked Eddard Stark, his eyes wide as he leaned in to get a better view of his eldest son.
Maester Luwin raised his eyes, his face etched with worry, yet his tone soothed.
"Lord Stark, he received a strong blow to the head. The wound is deep, but I've stopped the bleeding. Now he needs rest, and time will tell," Luwin replied as he washed his hands in a basin of water.
Ned approached the table, his heart sinking as he looked at his son, so still and pale.
"He hasn't woken up. How long has it been?" asked Eddard, swallowing hard. He worried for his heir, usually stoic but now concerned in private with Maester Luwin and his injured son.
Luwin's hands moved with precision as he crafted a response. His voice was calm despite the serious situation.
"Not long, my lord. These things take time. Robb is strong; he will wake up," Luwin explained.
Ned's fists clenched at his sides, his palpable concern evident as he watched Luwin work.
"He must." Ned said, "Our family worries about him," aware of the shared concern outside as he hears the master's verdict. Sansa, Jon, and his mother all cared and were waiting for the news outside the solar.
Luwin finished bandaging the wound. He wrapped Robb snugly in a blanket and then he stepped back to allow Ned to approach.
"He will, Lord Stark. Give him time. The Old Gods are kinder to some than to others," Luwin said.
Ned nodded, his gaze never leaving his son's face.
"Thank you, Luwin. Keep me informed of any changes," said Ned, giving the master space to continue with his heir's treatment.
Luwin nodded in response; his expression was serious.
Luwin: "Of course, my lord."
Ned stayed a moment longer. He gently stroked Robb's hair, then turned to leave. As the door closed, Maester Luwin turned his gaze to his young charge. He prayed for Robb Stark's swift recovery in these uncertain times.
Eddard Stark
Ned emerged from Maester Luwin's office with heavy steps. He met his wife Catelyn and the other Starks who waited anxiously outside. All eyes were on him, desperately searching for some sign of hope on his face.
"How is Robb? Is he going to be okay?" Cat's voice quavered as she clutched Ned's hand tightly for reassurance.
Ned tried to appear calm through his gaze, despite feeling troubled by his own thoughts.
"Luwin is doing everything he can. The wound is serious, but he's stable. He says we need to give him time," Ned replied, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
Sansa and Arya approached, worried. Bran watched in silence. He didn't understand the situation but sensed the tension. Theon and Jon were in the back, worried, but trusted Ned enough to wait for him to finish the explanation.
"Is he going to wake up soon, Father?" asked Sansa, her voice trembling and eyes watering, seeking hope.
Ned's nod conveyed gravity even as he infused his words with optimism.
"Yes, Sansa. Luwin believes so. Robb is strong, like his mother and father. Everything will be all right," Ned said, trying to instill confidence in his children.
Arya stared at her father, her jaw tense as she struggled to contain her emotions.
"Can I see him?" Arya demanded to see her brother with her own eyes, just to ensure he was okay.
Ned embraced her tenderly, feeling the fragility of his family in this moment of uncertainty.
"Soon, Arya. Let's give Luwin time. He'll keep us informed," Ned replied, comforting his daughter.
Catelyn clung to Ned. Relief and concern crossed her eyes as they looked at the closed door of the master's office.
"Robb has to wake up. He has to be okay," said Catelyn with determination, expressing her deep desire.
Ned nodded, his voice full of determination as he looked at his gathered family.
"He will be, Catelyn. We're in this together. And together, we'll get through this," Ned affirmed with conviction.
The Starks embraced, finding comfort in family unity. They anxiously awaited Robb's return to consciousness and health.
Robb Stark
Robb Stark remained in a state of deep unconsciousness, but in his mind, he had a vision of two entities of exceptional size. He instinctively knew these beings were the "Entities" from Worm. They granted powers in a parallel universe very different from Westeros, where he now found himself.
In his vision, he watched as a single shard split. It then communicated with itself, exchanging parts with a precision that defied understanding. Robb knew these entities were linked to his new powers. But, he did not understand why or how they interacted with him in this different universe.
As the vision faded, Robb clung to his new insights. He knew something monumental had occurred. Meanwhile, his family waited outside Maester Luwin's office. They were anxious and unaware of Robb's transformation or the entities now tied to his fate.