Meera Reed

Her father taught her what almost no highborn girl learns: to fight with a fishing net, a frog spear, a long bronze knife and a three-pronged spear. She hunts with ease and has even brought down a direwolf in play, tangling it in her net.

Cheerful by nature, she contrasts with the solemnity of her younger brother Jojen, whom she protects without hesitation. She does not shy from a fight and holds a firm loyalty toward those she calls her own.

Meera arrives at Winterfell with Jojen during a harvest feast, sent by their father to pay their respects and renew the crannogmen's oath to House Stark, now led by Robb after Lord Eddard's death. Bran, standing in for his absent brother, receives the words of the rite: "To Winterfell we pledge the faith of Greywater. Hearth and heart and harvest we yield up to you, my lord. Our swords and spears and arrows are yours to command. Grant mercy to our weak, help to our helpless, and justice to all, and we shall never fail you."

When Theon Greyjoy seizes the castle, Meera takes refuge with Jojen, Bran and Rickon in the crypts. As their supplies run out, each of them takes a weapon from the old tombs; she insists on taking Lord Rickard's sword, heavy as it is. Soon after, she sets out with Bran and Jojen toward the Wall, seeking the three-eyed crow.

During the march north, Meera keeps the group fed with her hunting. They reach the Wall near the Nightfort, where they come across Samwell Tarly of the Night's Watch, who leads them through a hidden passage at the bottom of a well to the other side.

Once beyond the Wall, they encounter Coldhands, a figure of uncertain loyalty who joins their journey.

The group is forced to shelter in an abandoned wildling village while their guide faces a threat of his own. Meera distrusts him and doubts he is truly alive. On reaching the cave of the three-eyed crow, wights ambush them right at the entrance; seeing Jojen too weak to go on, Meera carries him on her back.

Inside they find what remains of the Children of the Forest and the three-eyed crow himself. Jojen sinks into deep despair, and Meera struggles to keep his spirits up.