1.
Lord Eddard Stark, second son of Lord Rickard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Warden of North, Ned to his friends and family smiled a tiredly upon seeing the grey stark walls of his home, Winterfell. It still felt odd to think, even more so when he heard himself being addressed as lord. He was a second son who would at most inherit a holdfast to be held in the name of his elder brother Brandon. But things go rarely as planned. He looked behind towards the men under his command. There were more than couple hundred riders and few carriages. The riders had remained behind in Stormlands to wait for his return from Dorne. One of those carriages contained his wife and Lady of Winterfell along with his heir Robb Stark. His lady wife though delighted when he first met her was angry and furious with him now. The reason was that he had told her that he had fathered a bastard during war and he intended to raise him in Winterfell. The bastard boy he had named Jon Snow was in one of those carriages along with his nursemaid. A carriage among them also carried remains of his dear sister Lyanna Stark who died in his arms at tower of joy in Dorne. His elder brother, father and a number of northerners had died to bring her back. He did bring her back but not alive.
His concentration turned towards the East gate of castle which was being opened to welcome him. As he passed the gates, he felt tears threatening upon seeing people standing in the court yard to welcome him. He remembered all those who died for this to occur and felt anger rising through him for the vengeance and justice that he felt denied. How he had hungered for a chance to kill the Mad King but he was robbed of that. He had lost so much and achieved so little. Benjen Stark a lad of barely 15 namedays stood in front of him with expression that looked like he was ready to run to hug him and cry. But he had duty of Stark in Winterfell. He like many others was forced to grow up fast. The memories of happy childhood appeared a lifetime old. Beside him stood the new maester named Luwin among others like Castellian, Master-at-arms and other personnel temporarily appointed.
He could see Artos Snow standing with them a sword at his left side and a modified walking stick on his half left hand. His hair and beard looked more salt than peeper. He was bastard of the Wandering Wolf Rodrick Stark and his uncle from mother's side. Uncle Artos as he called him had stayed with them since he became squire to his grandfather Lord Edwyle Stark. He was injured while fighting raiding wildings in Wolfswood in his late teens that's when he injuried his shield arm and wounded his left leg making him limp while walking and barely a capable rider. Though Artos ended saving life of Rickard. Uncle Artos always freely admitted to not being good with sword. After the accident he ended up pursuing knowledge.
As he got down from his warhorse, he saw Benjen on his knee, rest of the court yard following Benjen. Ned felt his throat constraining. He pulled Benjen by his shoulder and hugged him tightly. The carriage containing his wife Lady Catelyn formerly Tully stopped behind him. She stepped out with Robb in her arms. Ned broke his hug as he felt his wife stepping in to stand beside him. He introduced her to whole assembled courtyard.
After following courtesies, everyone went back to their duties. Ned and his lady wife were led to lords solar by Benjen. It was his solar now; he realized it as he sat on their father's chair. He ordered his maester to see to Robb and John his bastard, their wetnurses and their sleeping arrangements. He could see the argument on his wife's lips and decided to cut it short, "Not now my lady, please." She decided to shut up upon hearing the emotions in his voice. He realized now the talk would be of the funeral arrangements of his father, sister and brother. When the maester returned, he gave the orders,"See to the arrangements made for putting my sister, father and brother to rest. Their belongings and bones are in one of the carts. We will put them to rest in the crypts this today before sunset. Also order the kitchen feast. We should celebrate their life and the end of war."
Maester Luwin replied, "Yes my lord. Lord Benjen has informed the kitchen before your arrival. " He then left along with Benjen to see the rest of orders followed. Ned turned to Artos,"How are you Uncle?" His uncle who had been staring at fireplace replied with gruff "fine" and then most likely reaching the decision, he said, "Ned, get some rest. We will talk on the morrow. I have lots to tell you. See to your lady wife." Then decided to walk out from the solar with a courtesy towards Lady Catelyn. Cat as she had asked him to call her at first had a questioning look on her face.
He decided to answer her curiosity, "He is my uncle Artos Snow from my mother's side."
"I know my lord but why was he here with us?"
Ned understood the question and what it implied. He had also not forgotten their fight. "He has been in Winterfell almost all his life and my father trusted him implicitly. He is also a learned and experienced man."
Cat then threw him off with different question, "Is your bastard going to live with your heir?"
Ned sighed and he knew she didn't like any bastards," Yes he is." With a definitive tone that brokered no argument. "Cat please not now. See if Robb's and your chambers are to your liking. If you like to change anything change it. I know you have questions and doubts. We will talk on the morrow. "
Cat looked at him with multiple emotions on her face but decided to do what told for now. Ned was left alone in his chambers. It still felt overwhelming sitting at this end of tables and giving orders. Ned decided to go to godswood and pray. Coming hours and even days were going to be taxing.