The next morning I woke up alone in the bed. Jon had probably left before the sun rose. Outside the window, I could hear all the people already getting ready for the march to Kings Landing, so I quickly got dressed, not wanting to miss their departure. At the courtyard, I could see Jon and Robb talk to each other, while Jon was saddling his horse. I approached the two brothers, wanting to say goodbye one last time to Jon. "Well this is it then." I started. Jon smiled and nodded his head. "I want to thank you for all, Jon. It has been a pleasure to get to know you and I hope you will like it at Castle Black." It was truly hard to say goodbye to the man I had fallen in love with, knowing he would never come back to me. I stepped forward and gave Jon one last hug, which Robb did too. "Please, take care of her for me." Jon whispered into his brothers' ear before letting go. Robb stepped a few meters away, pulling me gently with him. We both stood there, watching everyone leave. "It will be quite at Winterfell now that Arya's leaving." I joked. "We still have Rickon though." Robb said back, giving both of us a laugh to forget the sadness of our friends and families leaving Winterfell.

"Who you're writing to?" Robb's voice spoke up, standing in the doorway. "My grandfather. Letting him know when I will return." I answered back with a concentrated tone. "Your return?" He was surprised. This time I look away from the paper, giving my attention to Robb. "Yes? My grandfather made a deal with Lord Eddard to let me stay here for the Kings arrival, and now that the King is gone, it's time for me to get back home." "No, don't leave Winterfell." He said with a determined voice. "But, my grandfather made a deal with your father." "My father isn't here. I'm the Lord of Winterfell now, and I want you to stay. Send word to your grandfather that you will stay here, I'm sure he doesn't mind." I gave Robb a smile and turned back to the paper, writing a new letter for my grandfather.

The following weeks was a difficult time at Winterfell, mostly for Catelyn, which never left Bran's bedside. Little Rickon had a troubled time as well, not knowing what was happening. He usually followed Robb around all day, clutching his leg, crying. Poor little child. It wasn't a surprise that Robb grew tired of it. Rickon needed his mother. "Are you going to talk to her now?" I asked looking upon a tired Robb. "At least I will try." I laid my hand on Robb's shoulder and gave him a smile before he went up the stairs. It wasn't long before Robb came running down the stairs again. I looked at him with an asking face. "Fire. Stay here." He shouted running off. It was quite around me, but the silence was broken when I heard Catelyn scream from upstairs. Quickly I ran up the stairs, finding a hooded man in Bran's chamber. Catelyn was laying on the floor with bloody hands. The hooded man was eying in on Bran. I ran towards the man, grabbing him by the neck, but he was a lot taller than I was and easily turned around. He desperately tried to hit me with the knife, but only managed to scratch my cheek. I grabbed a hold on his knife, trying to get it out of his hands. Suddenly Summer jumped at his throat, making him fall to the floor and bleed to death. The young direwolf jumped up in Bran's bed, checking if he was all right, before laying down to protect her friend. "Your hands." I ripped of a fabric piece, putting it on her hands to stop the bleeding. "Thank you." She said almost crying. "It's not me you should thank, My Lady." I said, looking at Summer.

Lady Catelyn had held a secret meeting in the Goodswood, about her suspicion towards the Lannisters. She needed to tell her husband, and she wanted to deliver the message personally. That only meant Robb was all in charge of Winterfell. "I will go mad if Rickon is going to follow me all the time, while mother is gone." Robb said resigned as we walked out from the Goodswood. "I shall take the responsibility for Rickon; you will get enough to do as the Lord of Winterfell and the tasks that follows." He had a warm smile on his face, and off course relief. "Wouldn't have done it without you." "No one would." I laughed.

Much had happened the past months. Bran had woken up, recovering well after his fall. Sadly, he would never be able to walk again, but Tyrion Lannister had given drawings for a saddle, which would make Bran ride again. When it came to the rest of the country, it was a total chaos. King Robert had died, and Joffrey was now the new King. Eddard Stark had been imprisoned for treason to the crown. As soon Robb had gotten word of his father's imprisonment, he raised the banners of the North to set him free. House Bolton and house Karstark were only two of many vassals to come to Winterfell to join Robb

"Grandfather, it's a pleasure to see you again." I said and hugged him firmly. "You too, Kristyna. It looks like Winterfell have done you well." He said smiling. "Father." I bowed to Thorren standing next to Rickard. "Kristyna." He said bowing back. "My Lady." Roose Bolton appeared next to my grandfather, giving me a polite bow. "Lord Bolton, is Ramsay with you?" "No, My lady. He's in charge at Dreadfort, but he sends his regards." A warm smile appeared on his face. "My Lords, let's go inside." Robb said inviting. The Lords of the vassal houses gladly entered the castle of Winterfell, which contained both food and ale. "Are you coming?" Robb asked from the door. I turned around to look at the boy who had quickly grown to a man. "I'm feeling a bit tired, so I think I will go to my chamber instead." I answered with a low voice. "Is everything all right?" He had a worried look on his face. I walked up to him, looking into his eyes. "Are you alright Robb?" It looked like he was going to say something, but the words didn't come out from his mouth. I took a hold on Robb's hand, letting him know he could tell me. "I shouldn't let them wait." He took a deep breath and walked off to the dining hall.

The door squeaked, waking me up. Immediately I pulled out the dagger from under my pillow, pointing it towards the dark shadow coming into my chamber. "Wow, relax. It's me, Robb." He whispered with his hands raised. "Robb, somethings wrong?" I lowered my dagger, putting it back under the pillow. "We're marching south to free father." "Now? It's in the middle of the night." "Yes, the Lannisters have eyes and ears everywhere. I want you to stay here and take care of Bran and Rickon." I quickly got on my feet. "Stay here? Oh no. I'm coming south with you Robb." I said firm. "Please, don't. I can't let anything happen to you." His tone was serious. "I won't let anything happen to you either. You have been good to me. Winterfell has been like a home to me and you Starks have treated me like one of your own. This is my chance to repay you Robb. I'm coming with you, either you like it or not." Robb began to laugh. "I'm never going to win this discussion, am I?" I shook my head. "Fine. Get dressed, we're leaving soon."