Will doesn't have so much stubborn pride as Bran in general, but even if he did Bran's just provided a good example of the pointlessness of holding to it just now. He takes Wellard's offered hand with a quick and rueful half-smile, and lets the other boy help him up.

His head pounds more, standing, and there's a moment of vertigo when he's afraid he's going to do something embarrassing like lose his balance, but it passes quickly. "Thanks," he says to Wellard, rueful again.

It's not so different from the long months of convalescence after his bout with hepatitis, years ago. There was exhaustion then, too, and dizzy spells. But better, this, and far more temporary. He has his balance back now, enough to be certain of walking to the bar on his own, however slowly.