Catelyn Stark stood at the window of her bedchamber, looking out over the northern lands surrounding the city and laid a hand to her swollen belly thinking of the family she had been given. Somedays it was a blessing, most days a burden hung over her by her lord husbands honour and compassion. There is no honour in fathering bastards and no compassion in keeping children captive, she thought to herself. She knew that in this case it was compassion but it didn't change the fact. Her own two children didn't mind. They played merrily with the others as if they were their own blood. The fact that Ned allowed them to play and practically live together was something else. Doing ones duty was one thing, mixing duty with family was another. Catelyn sighed at the thought of her eldest, Robb, playing with his bastard brother and the Targaryen girl. She knew that she should be proud of her son for his modesty and acceptance. Robb had a lot of his father in him in both respects. So, she thought unable to keep a bitter edge from entering her thoughts, does the bastard. She had no love for the sullen, serious boy and the feeling of dislike was greatly heightened by this uncanny similarity. The Targaryen girl was another matter completely. Why couldn't't Ned have let them be? She knew that he had done the better thing, the bigger thing. Robert would have had them killed if it weren't for her husband. Catelyn shivered at the thought. The girl had only been a new born when she had been caught in a small, dangerous looking boat just out of Dragonstone, going only the gods knew where. The girl had been so similar to Robb and Sansa at their birth, like all newborns were. No mother could ever stand the slaying of babes. She had respect for her husband's choice. At least, she thought the boy hadn't come too. Viserys Targaryen was being kept at Casterly Rock. That was a comfort. Despite herself Catelyn couldn't help feeling for the Targaryen girl. She was so small and she had a certain beauty about her. Her violet eyes were filled with innocence and laughter, her silver hair framed her small, perfectly formed face. She was, nevertheless a Targaryen and any love Catelyn may have felt for her was made impossible. Catelyn sighed again as she braided her hair. She hadn't asked for the bastard or the dragon, she hadn't asked for her life to be like this.
The nursery at Winterfell was much like the rest of the castle, with bare stone walls and wooden floors. Littered around the room were many coloured building blocks, a red cart and a lifesize toy direwolf. In one corner of the room there was a chest in which lay two toy swords made of many layers of cloth. This corner is where three of the four children of Winterfell were. The two older boys were playing while the small, silver haired girl sat atop the chest, arms petulantly crossed, her lower lip protruding. Her silver hair was braided at two sides and she was scowling at the other two. In the opposite corner Sansa Stark sat on her nurse's lap, playing with a red haired rag doll, pretending to feed it and rock it "Lady, you eat mashed peases." she exclaimed suddenly lifting a small finger reproachfully. At that moment Daenerys Targaryen jumped off the chest onto her little bare feet.
"I want to play too! When's it my turn? Robb? Jon?" the two boys paid little attention to her so she stamped her foot and marched off to the rocking horse. Soon, she had forgotten her grievance ad was riding happily, pretending to shoot arrows at imaginary foes. "There you rascals! Ha!" she shouted joyfully and the two boys quickly jumped onboard, running around the horse, aiding the warrior queen in battle. "What they do?" asked Sansa cocking her head "Killing wildlings of course!" answered Robb, brandishing his cloth sword with gusto. Suddenly he caught Jon by the arm and shouted "Look Jon, they've captured the Princess Sansa. Make haste!". So the three children ran to Sansa's side and holding her by the hand dashed to the small wooden castle where they hid, waiting for wildlings. Laughing and playing.
Daenerys sat in the godswood on a rock, under the weirwood by a pond. Her hair wasn't tied and a slight wind moved her silver locks from side to side. As always, her feet were bare. She was wearing a long, flowing dress of dark purple silk. Absent mindedly she ran a hand through her hair and turned her head towards the sky. She liked the godswood, its peace, its familiarity... In every corner of it there was a memory; Jon and Robb jumping over the small streams while Arya ran after them, Sansa embroidering on a low stool, Rickon going far too close to the edge of a stream... This is my home she said to herself the only home I've ever known. Just then Lord Stark entered the godswood. In the utter silence, the soft crunch of his boots rang out like a greeting. Dany stood when she saw him and lowered her gaze. He was holding Ice at his side. The two handed greatsword was tainted with blood, now slightly dried. She thought it best to leave. The Lord of Winterfell had just come back from an execution, he probably came here to be alone. Dany curtsied and said "My Lord, I was just..." the Lord held the girl by her chin and raised her head.
"There is no need for excuses Daenerys, please, sit if you want." Daenerys curtsied again "If it please you, Lord Stark." she said mad sat back down on her rock. Eddard Stark sat on another, just beside her. She felt awkward and clumsy in the presence of the Lord of Winterfell. Because although she was, in reality, a captive, both the fact that she was alive and the life she had been allowed to live were wholely own to this cold, grim northerner.
"Do you like it here Daenerys?" he asked with a piercing look. He isn't just asking out of courtesy, Daenerys thought, he actually cares. She blushed and lowered her gaze again. She could never understand Eddard Stark's genuine concern for her wellbeing. Her family was responsible for so much. Her father, her brother had done so much harm. But somehow Lord Stark had overlooked the murder of his brother, sister and father. Not overlooked, Daenerys corrected herself the North remembers, but it is just. Somehow he had been merciful, more merciful than most thought fit.
"Yes my Lord. The godswood is always beautiful." the northman nodded and even smiled slightly "You have truly become a lady of the north." he said. "We found a litter of direwolves on our way back. I'm sorry to say there weren't enough for you and Theon." Daenerys immediately responded "The direwolf is the sigil of your house. It is only fitting my Lord." she fingered the fabric of her dress uncomfortably "Maybe if we come across a dragon one day... Is there anything you might favour until then?" the Lord said, waving his hand in thought "Hullen says you're quite the little rider. Would you like a horse of your own maybe?" Daenerys' already flushed face turned a deeper shade of red at these words and opening her mouth in amazement she looked at Eddard Stark momentarily lost for words "Please, my Lord, you embarrass me. I couldn't ask for such a thing. It is too much. I can use the other horses. I don't need one of my own." she clasped her hands in her lap and tears suddenly came to her eyes "I have so much already." how a person could be this compassionate was beyond the would be Targaryen princess. Eddard Stark looked slightly awkward when he saw her crying. He waited a few moments before placing an uncertain hand on the girls small shoulder "Dry your tears child." he said simply, and so she did. They sat a while more in silent contemplation. After some time Catelyn Stark came into the godswood. Her feet made no sound and neither Daenerys nor Lord Stark noticed her presence until she called out her husband's name. He lifted his head to look at her and Dany jumped up and curtsied, Lady Stark made a gesture for her to sit. "Catelyn," said Eddard "Where are the children?" he seemed to Daenerys to be slightly distant and formal. Perhaps I should leave she thought but before she could say anything Catelyn answered "In the kitchen, arguing about names for the wolf pups." then she sat down by the pond, her cloak pooling around her. "Arya is already in love, and Sansa is charmed and gracious, but Rickon is not quite sure."
"Is he afraid?" the Lord asked.
"A little" she admitted "He is only three.
Eddard Stark frowned and Daenerys, making use of this pause rose and said "May I be excused Lord and Lady Stark. I fear I am intruding." Eddard didn't say anything but Catelyn smiled graciously "You may leave child, no intrusion was mad." Daenerys thanked them both, curtsied and left. Stupid girl she said to herself you should've left at once. She was distracted as she walked back to the castle hoping to find Jon. She went down to the kitchen. The beautiful smell of baking bread greeted he instantly. As she stepped into the dim torchlight she saw the Stark children scattered around the room. Sansa was sitting at the table, cradling her wolf. It was a beautiful animal. Daenerys felt a slight pang of jealousy. Despite what she had told Lord Stark, and it was the proper thing, she couldn't help it. Arya was skulking by the meat counter and her wolf was pawing at her feet, whimpering slightly. As Arya looked about her she saw Daenerys and her face suddenly lit up. Grabbing a small piece of lamb from the counter she came bounding to her side, her direwolf close behind. "Look Dany, isn't she just perfect? I've called her Nymeria!" she dropped the meat to the ground and the wolf, after sniffing at it cringed away "I don't think she's big enough for meat" said Daenerys "Maybe milk would be better."
"Maybe" said Arya and darted of to find some. She followed Arya with her eyes and shook her head, mad child, she thought. Rickon was in a chair near the fireplace, sitting on Old Nan's lap, his brow slightly furrowed. Where were Jon and Robb? Just as she was about to turn and search elsewhere two hands closed in front of her eyes. "You're smiling," Jon whispered in her ear "I can feel your cheeks pressing against my hands." Daenerys reached up and pulled the boy's hands from her eyes "I've been looking for you Jon Snow."
The young man smiled, "And I for you, Dany Dragon."