"You can't go Ned! Please stay. If not for me, stay for Bran. He will wake up broken, dreams fallen and lost. He will need you Ned!" At first, Catelyn Stark thought that her Lord Husband, Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, Warden of the North, should leave to be hand of the king for his honour and family. Now, she was determined for him to stay. She feared for him now as she did her son, Brandon, who fell from a tower and will not wake.
"Cat, I must." Ned said solemnly, "I have told Robert." Ned took Cat's hand but she turned and sat by Bran's bed again. "You must leave this room, what more can you do?"
"I will not leave him." She stroked Bran's cheek as tears fell from her eyes again.
Ned knew he had lost the battle. Walking over to her, he placed a kiss on her head. "I love you. I will return as soon as I can." He waited for a reply before placing a hand on her shoulder and left.
"I love you too." Catelyn whispered as the door closed behind Ned.

She heard the noise down below the room where people gathered to say their goodbyes to the King and husbands. Ned was taking the better of the household guard. She saw Ned saying goodbye to Rob. The girls gave their farewells both looking to the window and gave Catelyn a smile. Sansa was excited but Arya was resentful. She hadn't wanted to leave Winterfell; she fought her father to stay. Told him to take Rickon, but Ned had refused as he was only three years of age. "Mother, don't let him take me. I want to stay!"
"Your father thinks it best. You can learn all sorts from the capital." Was all Catelyn had said. Arya was not happy and left the room. That was before Bran's fall. It had made things worse. It made Sansa slightly reluctant, Ned had hesitated in the slight and Arya had fought harder to stay. Now, Catelyn looked out the window as her daughter left. Ned looked to the window that his wife stood and he gave her a look with a promise; a promise to not bring home another child. A promise he would return. Catelyn did not think much of it. She walked away from the window without an acknowledgement. "Northern men do not return from the Red Keep."