Catelyn wanted to be alone with Ned on this night, not Ned… his bones she reminded herself. It did not look like him, nothing but his clothing resembled who this was. A tear fell down her cheek and onto his. She trailed her hand around his skull without making contact. Remebering his eyes that would look upon her as she trailed her fingers around his face, like she did. Her hand would move to his chest. She remembered the scars that covered parts of him. Wounds from the battles he fought; battles that didn't take him from her. She thought that would be what separated them, not a boy king. She remembered the feeling of his fingers running through her hair. He loved her hair. On nights she was too tired, he would brush it for her. His gentle stroke would comfort her to sleep. Just one night is all I ask, she thought as more tears ran down her cheeks, landing on the bones; I should have been there when… she could not think the words. Knocking emitted from the door, she turned wiping her tears, "Who is it?" she asked, emotion heavy in her voice, she did not want company. She wanted to grieve for her loss, to let go of her strength for a moment.
"I rather not speak through the door, Lady Stark." A soft voice came. She recognised it from somewhere. Walking to the door she opened it cautiously. A heavily silked figure stood with arms folded and head hooded and down to not reveal the person's identity, "May I speak with you alone, Lady Stark? My presence is not to be noted. Lord Tyrion would be most disappointed if word got out of my visit." The silks and the voice was enough for Catelyn to realise who the man was, Lord Varys. Standing back and nodding her head, he entered. He walked silently and pushed back his silk hood. He looked to the bones on the table, saying nothing.
"Lord Varys, may I ask why you visit?" Catelyn eyed him suspiciously as she covered Ned's bones.
"You may, but I will tell you anyway as I do not have long, so I will speak frank and fast. You see, Lord Tyrion sent me. I had some news for him not to long ago and he best thought you would be the one to hear of it and to make you an offer." He spoke quietly but quickly, "I will warn you, Lady Stark when I make this offer, you must decide quickly. Though, I do expect you will answer fast because I have what you want. Although, you will receive it no matter the answer, you will have a decision to make after." Catelyn was confused but nodded for him to go on. "Lord Tyrion sent you these bones of your "late" husband, but while they can resemble a man of the north with the clothing and a stark banner, they are in fact not Lord Stark's."
Catelyn's eyes widened, she thought it did not look like Ned. She looked to the now covered body, "Where is my husband? I want him returned." Her voice was quiet and shaky with emotion.
"I can take you to him, Lady Stark. He is not far from here, waiting for you." She looked to Lord Varys with questioning eyes. He sighed and began to explain, "He asked if I could save him, but I am no hero, I will tell you that. My little birds whispered to me that while Lord Stark was supposed to go to the Wall, it was still not safe to let him walk onto the Baelor. So, I found a man that could represent him. It wasn't too hard. The men in the cells did look quite a like. I switched them and used some of my own skills to disguise the man. I took Lord Stark away to recover." Catelyn's legs began to shake. Noting this, Lord Varys walked her to a chair to sit. Ned… alive, "Lord Tyrion has asked me to return Lord Stark to you. The real one, not a fake. He was quite agitated that I had not told him sooner. But now, the offering is this, you pledge fealty to Jofferey return to the north and Lord Tyrion, Hand of the King, will fight for the North to be a separate kingdom and Sansa will be returned to you on the condition Jamie Lannister is returned. Lord Tyrion has arranged this with his father. Jofferey has not been told of Lord Stark's survival" Varys stopped momentarily, giving Catelyn the chance to take think.
"What of Arya?" Catelyn asked, looking him in the eyes. Lord Varys straightened.
"There is no sign of Arya, Lady Stark. That is another thing he asked me to be straight with you about. She could be anywhere. He has his own men searching for her, if that please you." Catelyn shook her head.
"No, that does not please me. How can she be lost?" She yelled. Lord Varys walked over to the bones. After recovering her manner Catelyn dared to ask for the other offer, "What is the other offer?"
He turned and continued carefully, "The other offer is to not pledge fealty and continue with your war, risk losing Lord Stark, your children and home. Sansa will not be returned on that note."
Catelyn stared into open space, contemplating. Either way, she would have Ned but only one will return Sansa. There was only one option she knew, "When can I see Ned?"
"We can leave now and you will have him in the hour, I promise you." He told her.
"There is only one option… I will have to convince Robb when I return. What has Ned had to say on this?" She asked absently. Lord Varys nodded.
"He wants to return home, Lady Stark. His life was nearly lost, his eldest at war, two youngest without their mother or father, a daughter lost, the other held captive and a wife amongst the danger of war. What option do you honestly think he would take? He has already been dishonoured. He cannot be shamed any more than he has been, Lady Stark." There was no humour in his voice, only the blunt facts.
"You know my decision." She stood and looked him in the eye.
"Of course, My Lady."
"I will convince Robb. He will have no reason to fight once his father is returned along with Sansa. We will search for Arya ourselves. But, if this is not Ned, I will not hold back. I promise you."
"I am hurt that you think I would bring you a false husband, Lady Stark. But, you have no reason to trust me."
"That, I do not. Ned was betrayed in court. But, you did save him, My Lord, and I thank you." She gave him a smile, "Shall we go?" Lord Varys pulled on his hood when Catelyn pulled over her own cover as the left the room.

They left Riverun in haste. Hardly anyone noticed the figure walking beside her. Men nodded and greeted her as they walked the halls. Lord Varys led her over the hills and to the edge of a forest in silence. He dismounted swiftly and signalled for her to follow on foot. On entering, Catelyn could make out a light from a fire. She became clumsy in her anticipation. She had to use trees for support as she edged closer. Almost, she could make out a figure sitting on the ground, sharpening a sword. As she got closer, she could make out shoulder length hair, a cloak of grey and blue with fur out lining. When a stick broke under her foot, the man looked in her direction. Standing he walked towards her. "As promised Lady Stark." Lord Varys said as Ned came into full view.

For a while, they stood looking at each other. He looked like him. Cold eyes that showed the north clear to his bones. His beared, a little longer than she remembered but all the same, his small smile that he kept for his family. He took a step closer; but Catelyn took one back. He looked to the ground, when he realised that she was still not certain. It was too serial. Her husband returned to her, supposed to be beheaded and mounted on a spike. His leg was still bandaged for support of his injury after being trampled on by a horse, another result from dancing with lions. "Is it really you, Ned?" She asked tentatively.
He looked up at her, a sad smile on his face and took an uncertain step towards her. "Ask me a question, Cat. Any question that I would know the answer to." He told her.
She looked away, searching for a question Ned would know the answer to. It came to her quickly; it was something that only her, Ned and Maester Luwin was aware of. She was sure, no one else knew, save the person who sent her the letter. Looking at Lord Varys, who stood silently watching the horses.
"On the night the Late King Robert feasted at Winterfell, who sent me a letter and what was the message?" She looked him in the eye.
He gave a small smile, "It was from Lysa. She said Jon Arryn was murdered and that King Robert was in danger. She warned you of the Lannisters." He took a step closer, "We were talking before that, about Robert's proposal. I stood at the window when Maester Luwin came with the letter. We had just bedded before he came to the door." Catelyn looked Lord Varys who apparently was not listening. She returned her eyes to her husband and took the rest of the steps to embrace him. Silent tears left her eyes as she kissed his cheek. His hands, full of life, rubbed her back. "Cat, my love, I missed you." She realised he was crying as well. Pulling back, she looked into his eyes. Usually reserved, they now held fear. She wiped his tears before kissing him fully on the lips. Their arms wrapped around each other, holding onto one another, never wanting to let go.

Reluctantly, they pulled back but did not completely separate. They looked to Lord Varys, still looking at the horses, giving them what privacy he could. "Thank you Lord Varys. You have done me and my family a great kindness." Ned addressed him. Lord Varys turned and smiled kindly.
"I ask only that I remain unnamed as Lord Tyrion has promised as well. I will take my leave. I will tell of your intentions to return North after pledging fealty to king Jofferey. I do suggest not waiting longer than necessary." He warned.
"You have my word. I will pledge fealty. I do ask, that Sansa is ready to leave within three moons. That is when I will arrive. Thank you Lord Varys." Catelyn smiled. Lord Varys bowed silently. They watched him mount his horse and ride off. When they could no longer see him, they turned to each other.

"I thought I would never see your again." Ned whispered as he played with her hair. "You are thinner and look tired, my love." She smiled holding his hand in place as it moved over her cheek.
"I have been busy helping Robb. You would be proud Ned. He reminds me much of you." He smiled at the thought of Robb being a successful ruler of Winterfell but frowned at the thought of his son leaving Bran to rule in his stead. "We must return before Robb takes another action and I must check on Father." Sadness took her eyes. She moved out of his arms and moved for the horse. Ned followed her.
"Tell me about your father, Cat?" Ned asked.
"He is unwell, Ned. When I saw him earlier, he thought I Lysa." Ned helped her mount before mounting behind her. Taking the reign he put the horse into a trot.
"How long has he been in that state?" He enquired.
"Long. They did not wish to tell me." Catelyn leaned into his chest to listen to his heart. "What of Arya, Ned?" Ned's jaw clenched. Arya was in his watch and he knew nothing of her location.
"We will find her, my love. She may have tried to return home." Catelyn had become sleepy. The sound of Ned's heart soothed her.
"I hope so." She answered sleepily, "I really do, Ned."
"Sleep now, Cat. I know the way to Riverun." Catelyn tightened her grip on Ned's clothes as he rode to Riverun.