Chapitre 131: Troublesome

In the fields, Kit guided his horse across the terrain, maintaining a speed within his comfort zone.

However, as he felt the wind against his face while riding Storm, Kit was startled to see someone swiftly catching up. He turned and noticed it was Lucas, who was riding Shadow at a remarkable speed, quickly pulling up alongside him.

"Whoa, Lucas! That's reckless! How can you ride so fast?" Kit shouted, astonished by Lucas's sudden approach.

"Why so slow, Kit? Haven't you ridden a horse before?" Lucas retorted with a grin, teasingly reminding Kit of his previous boasts about his horse riding skills.

"Of course, I've ridden before! But I know for fast-paced scenes, a stunt double takes my place!" Kit shouted back, trying to justify his cautious pace.

Lucas just laughed, speeding past Kit and leading the way with the wind caressing his face.

Seeing this, Kit was left speechless. Under his breath, he murmured, "I never knew Lucas was so daring. Riding at such speed is downright dangerous."

Meanwhile, Caroline Benoist and James P. Warren, both animal wranglers on the production team for the pilot, were teaching Sean Bean, Emilia Clarke, and other cast members how to ride horses.

As Caroline and James covered the basics of horseback riding, their attention was drawn to someone galloping across the field.

"Who's that?" Caroline asked, shielding her eyes with her hand in a salute-like gesture, trying to make out the distant rider.

"It looks like a skilled rider," James remarked, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Sean Bean, Emilia Clarke, Alfie Allen, Ian Glen, and the rest of the cast and crew watched the impressive horse rider dash across the field at a brisk pace.

Sean Bean squinted, trying to identify the distant figure. As the rider came closer, he recognized the person and exclaimed, "Wait—is that Lucas?"

Hearing Sean, the nearby cast and crew members turned their attention to him, eager to know if he recognized the rider.

Meanwhile, Lucas was reveling in the thrill of riding a horse in real life for the first time. Although he had simulated horse riding experiences in the Mind Workshop—a mental space designed to offer a realistic immersion into different scenarios—he found that the actual experience of riding was incomparably better.

He couldn't quite articulate why, but perhaps it was the sheer authenticity of the moment and the realization that this, unlike the simulations, was reality, which added to its allure.

***

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were in deep conversation with the writers and the director about the upcoming scenes.

One of the writers brought up, "After Lucas Knight suggested making his character—Robb Stark—more like the version in the book, other actors started requesting to keep their roles closer to the original material as well."

"I understand why the actors would make such requests," one of them said. "The characters as written in the book are richer and more layered. Adhering more closely to these original portrayals could enable the actors to deliver their best performances, as they can draw on a well-defined backstory and complex personality traits."

In the meeting, a writer spoke up, addressing the issues raised by the actors' requests: "While adhering to the book has its merits, we must think about the overall story and flow of our series. Directly translating book characters to the screen can lead to slow or disjointed storytelling, given the differences between the two mediums."

The discussion then shifted. "Initially, if it were just Lucas wanting his character, Robb Stark, to align more with the book, we might have been more accommodating. However, with multiple actors requesting the same, it complicates things," the writer continued.

David Benioff weighed in, "There's also the matter of creative liberty. Turning a book into a series gives us the chance to explore the characters in new ways and present fresh perspectives. This adaptation can make the characters more engaging to a wider TV audience."

D.B. Weiss added, "Let's also keep in mind our budget and scheduling limits. Some storylines and character developments from the books are just too intricate or challenging to portray within our constraints. By simplifying or tweaking certain elements, we can maintain the narrative's momentum and ensure the production remains viable."

A director then interjected, "Moreover, adapting for the screen allows us to address and refine parts of the book that might not have resonated well with readers or were seen as contentious."

The producer then reflected aloud, "Our main aim is to craft a unified and captivating series. And regarding Lucas Knight, I've heard good things about him. He's shown considerable talent in independent films. Maybe we could consider his request to keep his character closer to the original book. It could yield some surprising benefits."

The room was filled with mild surprise. While Lucas Knight's skills were recognized in indie circles, few anticipated this would be enough to sway a producer to prioritize his artistic vision, potentially setting a precedent that could stir feelings of unfairness among the cast.

As the debate continued, Rebecca, assistant to Director Tim, entered the room and whispered urgently to him.

"What? Someone was recklessly horseback riding?" Tim exclaimed, capturing everyone's attention.

"Who was it?" someone asked, amid the rising concern.

Tim turned to the producer and David, revealing, "It appears to have been Lucas Knight." He then asked his assistant, "Were they able to get him to stop?"

Rebecca nodded, reassuring the room, "Yes, he was fast, but he complied with the wranglers' instructions and has stopped. He's being lectured by them now."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the tent. The last thing they needed was an accident disrupting the tight filming schedule.

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Chapitre 132: Improvised scene

On set, Lucas had just been admonished by the animal wranglers before the horse, Shadow, was led back to Julie.

Sean Bean gave Lucas a consoling pat on the shoulder. "You really shouldn't take such risks... Accidents can happen at any time. The crew is just concerned about your safety and the potential delays it could cause for the shoot."

Lucas nodded, sighing. "I understand, I recognize my mistake. But riding a horse is just too much fun."

Sean, looking intrigued, asked, "Is it?"

Lucas nodded again, a faint smile appearing.

"I suppose it is. I'd have wanted to try as well, but sadly, I'm not as adept at horseback riding as you are," Sean said with a chuckle.

"You're incredible out there, Lucas! Could you teach me too?" piped up a young voice.

Lucas and Sean turned to see it was the eleven-year-old actor, Isaac Hempstead Wright.

"It is quite something," Lucas agreed with a laugh. "But it looks like I won't be doing it again, let alone teaching anyone."

Isaac looked visibly disappointed at Lucas's words.

Isaac let out a sigh, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I was hoping you could teach me how to ride like that with the pony..."

Lucas, hearing this, offered a reassuring smile. "Don't be too downhearted. At least I'm confident that during the shoot, we'll get a chance to ride together."

A little while later, it was time to start filming. Lucas was summoned to the set by David Benioff, relayed through the crew.

Making his way over, Lucas was greeted by David who quipped, "Ah, here comes the horse rider."

Lucas laughed, "Looks like word of my little stunt has spread fast."

David grinned and clapped Lucas on the back, saying, "Don't worry, I didn't summon you to scold you about that." He took a brief pause before continuing, "Honestly, discovering you're an adept horseman was quite the pleasant surprise."

"Moreover, about your earlier request to portray Robb Stark as closely as possible to the character in the book, the producers and I have discussed it and agreed," David informed him.

Lucas was taken aback with delight, engaging in a deeper conversation with David, before being called onto the set to start filming.

---

The scene in the pilot involves Ned Stark's men capturing a deserter.

The stark, cold ambiance of the northern wilderness sets the tone as the tension mounts.

Sean Bean, as Ned Stark, flanked by his sons and loyal men, confronts the deserter, who trembles with fear and cold, desperate to explain the horrors he has witnessed beyond the Wall.

Ned Stark's sons were poised atop their horses, with Lucas portraying Robb Stark, while Kit Harington, positioned close by, assumed the role of Jon Snow.

Near them, Isaac Hempstead Wright, embodying Bran Stark, watched intently as Ned Stark unsheathed his sword.

As Ned Stark solemnly recited the ritual words, he "executed" the deserter, his sword slicing through the neck of a green human-shaped prop instead.

Isaac, portraying Bran, widened his eyes in feigned shock at the scene.

Kit, embodying Jon Snow, dismounted his horse and quietly said to Bran, "You did well."

Following this, the director called cut, and the crew began setting up for the next scene.

The storyline then moved to a hillside where Robb Stark and Jon Snow rode their horses, with Bran trailing on a pony.

Lucas, embodying Robb with the stoic and reflective demeanor characteristic of the character in the book, solemnly remarked, "The deserter died bravely." He paused thoughtfully before adding, "At least he had courage..."

Kit, as Jon, agreed with a nod. "I thought he was quite brave too," he added in a reflective tone.

"You're trying to impersonate me again," Robb remarked, catching Jon off guard. The line Lucas, as Robb, had just delivered wasn't in the script.

Kit paused, waiting a few seconds for the director to yell cut, but the scene continued, indicating Lucas's improvised line had been accepted.

Adapting to Lucas's unexpected move, Kit retorted, "Me, trying to be you? You're full of yourself, Stark."

Robb merely shot Jon a look and countered, "Well, if I'm so full of myself, let's see who reaches the bridge first."

Kit, portraying Jon, momentarily rolled his eyes as though he found the challenge ludicrous. Then, without warning, he spurred his horse into a quick start.

Robb muttered under his breath, "This guy really is a bastard." Skillfully, he accelerated, swiftly closing the gap between him and Jon.

Kit glanced back at Lucas, and realizing Robb was gaining on him, he blurted out, forgetting they were still filming, "You'll never catch me!" He pushed his horse to go faster, but his efforts fell short of Robb's skill.

Meanwhile, Isaac, as Bran, lagging behind on his pony, pushed to catch up. However, his pony couldn't match the speed, especially now that Robb and Jon were racing ahead, increasingly distancing themselves.

After the scene ended, Lucas and Kit brought their horse race to a halt and dismounted. "Man, you're seriously something else. You just threw in your own lines back there and the director didn't even blink," Kit said, impressed.

Lucas just laughed, shaking his head. "Guess that just means the director was into it," he replied with a grin.

As Lucas and Kit walked towards the monitor to review their performance, they were joined by Director Tim. Upon seeing Lucas, Tim remarked, "Your performance was quite good, Lucas. However, making Robb stoic yet with a light attitude after this scene diverges a bit from the book."

Lucas responded with a smile, "While I based my portrayal on the book, I also added my own interpretation of the character."

Tim nodded in understanding as they, along with David and Weiss, who were already reviewing the scene, gathered to go over review their work. After assessing the scene, the team moved on to shoot a dialogue between Ned and Bran, capturing a relaxed yet focused interaction that highlighted the strong bond between the characters.

Next, they shifted to the scene where Bran, Robb, and Jon discover the deceased direwolf and its pups.

Throughout the day, certain scenes demanded multiple retakes to capture the nuances and ensure that every angle was just right.

Finally, as the day's filming wrapped up, there was a sense of accomplishment among everyone involved. The day had been long and demanding, but the dedication and effort were evident in the quality of the work completed.

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