[text + bonus 30 second wolf video]

[wolfdreamer]

[The post begins with a direwolf, peering with sharp curiosity into the device. It is a short video; it lasts only for about a minute, just long enough to take in the sheer size of the direwolf--large enough to fill the frame until he shifts to sniff at the device, and then you can see that he's very large indeed, and not only because of the perspective. But he's friendly-looking, for a wolf, ears pricked, eyes bright--and then the video ends.]

--

This is a direwolf, called Summer. There are six direwolves aboard this ship, and they are all of House Stark. They are not a threat to anyone save to those that might mean threat to the Starks. They are not pets and they are not tame, but they are not wild either. They will not bite you without reason. If they cause some mischief, you need only inform any of my House, and we will make right whatever they have wronged.

People are often afraid of direwolves. You need not fear any of our six. You may be wary but do not attack or provoke them and they will do you no harm. They are rarely apart from us so there should be no reason to do so. But I thought it should be said, as there are new people aboard this ship.

I am Bran of House Stark, and by my word, Summer will not harm you. If you would like to meet Summer, you may.

[SO THERE. And Bran might end there, all that having been said, but... a few seconds later, and he adds:]

I have some questions, too. I am looking for someone that might perform a wedding. And I am looking for people that might know of [--and this is more delicate to say--] transformations.

Thank you.

Comments

[northerner]

[ it's because brothers are the best true facts. ]

Innoculation? [ there's a pause. if robb weren't a king he'd shrug. ] I've not heard it before. Has someone here said it to you?

[wolfdreamer]

There was a man who said that the direwolves required these innockulations, or else they would become sick, and spread their sickness to others. I told him that our direwolves are not sick.

[northerner]

Perhaps he was mistaken. Our direwolves are of the North. I can't imagine what they would need of us to survive that the wild had not already given them.

[wolfdreamer]

[But there might be some illness of this ship, some illness of this strange place that they are in--only Bran doesn't say that. The worry might linger, but he trusts Robb too well to truly question him.]

And direwolves are stronger than their smaller cousins. What might threaten wolves or dogs could not threaten a direwolf. I thought so, too, but I wanted to be certain. I will tell anyone else that might ask.

[A pause, and he adds:] Is-- Grey Wind well?

[northerner]

Who spoke to you of this?

[ perhaps it bears further inquiry, though robb thinks it ridiculous. what does a direwolf need of any of them? wild things, they tend to themselves. ]

Aye. He suffers not for his presence here.

[wolfdreamer]

He named himself a captain--Captain Ivan Vorpatril. But he said he did not know much of such things. Perhaps there are others that might know more of inockulations that we could ask.

[But surely Robb is right--surely the direwolves are too strong for such threats. And anyway Robb is basically always right okay.]

Do you think--when we are returned to Westeros--do you think the direwolves will remember this place? People who have gone home, they say that they forget being here, but I wonder if it would be the same for wolves.

[northerner]

If Remus were his former self, I would have asked him. But maybe we should ask him anyway. He knew much of wolves.

[ remus y u so young its so inconvenient. ]

Perhaps. If anyone were to remember it would be they.

[wolfdreamer]

[young people are clever too, y'know!!!]

I will ask him, when next I speak with him. We can trust his counsel--and if he does not know, he will help me to find the answer, I know it. [okay, but wolves and the future and all that. Bran pauses, a little more uncertainly.] And-- if the direwolves can remember, then perhaps we can, too. Or else they can help us to remember.

[northerner]

[ yes but!! ]

Perhaps there are books upon it in the library. That may be the best place to look. [ oh well... ] You would know better than I, I should think.

[wolfdreamer]

[He pauses, uncertain of saying this to Robb, but--]

If we return home, then we must remember some things, I think. If the direwolves could remember for us-- [But still, he hesitates.] Have you thought more of borrowing Grey Wind's skin?

[northerner]

[ oh lawd. ]

I have. But I've not found a way to do so.

[wolfdreamer]

[He nods--not in judgement, just in indication that his guess has come true.]

If you have time--then I could show you, with Summer. It's not so easy to learn, I think, because it can't really be taught, but-- If I showed you, maybe you would understand.

[northerner]

I would see this. When things are most settled, we shall try this.