10. On the road, one last time.

The voyage to White Harbor seemed to last forever. Sansa could not wait to be home with all her siblings. They were all going to be together again, well, all minus Father and Lady. She had shared a cabin with her mother. She had enjoyed brushing her mother's hair, after a much needed bath, and have her mother brush and braid hers. They had talked about so many things. She had told her about how it was her fault they had killed Father, although her mother had repeated time and again it was not so. She had told her everything she had endured at King's Landing and at Joffrey's hands. She was at a loss for words when her mother told her how Robb had fought a war; how he had become a King; how she had kidnapped Tyrion; how she had gone to the Iron Islands, escaped and returned to Riverrun; how they had found Arya; how they had repelled the Ironborn invasion in Torrhen's Square; how Theon had been a part of it and how he had died; how they had gone home and seen Bran and Rickon; how Bran was alive and well and how, even though he could not walk, he could still ride horses; and how she had come to King's Landing for her. She hadn't even known she was there. Nobody had told her.

At White Harbor they turned into the White Knife and finally marched the last miles to Winterfell. Lord Umber proved to be a very good source of entertainment during the trip.

As they approached the gates, they could see a welcoming party standing just outside the walls. A lone rider approached and smiled at Catelyn, Sansa and Lord Umber. He bowed to the Royal Guards.

"Good day, milords, miladies, my name is Luken Cassel, welcome to Winterfell. Please ride with me".

They approached the welcoming party and crossed the gates into Winterfell. There, standing proud on their horses were the four Stark children along with a lot of people Catelyn would like to call family as well.

"Mother, Sister, Lord Umber, welcome home. My Lords", he said to the Royal Guards "I thank you for bringing my family back safely to me. Ser Jamie Lannister is all yours. I assure you he has not been harmed. You are welcome to stay and rest. If you wish, you can give your horses to my stable master. You will be treated as honored guests, along with Ser Jamie who is no longer a prisoner."

"I thank you for your hospitality, but we are to be on our way back" said one of the Guards. "We would appreciate it, however, if you could give us fresh mounts."

"Certainly", said Robb, and then he turned to the stable master "Joren, get some horses for these fine men and one of our best for Ser Jamie".

"Aye, milord" he said and ran to the stables.

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Hours later, as they sat in the Main Hall, Catelyn was looking at her family. They were home. Robb, Lord Robb Stark of Winterfell, Warden of the North, still King in the North to his bannermen, was acting like a proper Lord; sitting at the dais enjoying the food and drink; complimenting the cooks on every plate; dancing with most of the ladies, including his sisters; talking to all his bannermen, one by one and calling each of them by name. She was sure he would be a good Lord. Sansa was that little lady who enjoyed feasts again; her horrendous experience in King's Landing had made her grow, but had not changed who she was, her innocence and her sweet nature. Arya had not changed either; she was playing food fight with Rickon and running all over the room with other boys and girls from the castle. Bran was the one who worried her. He had become a sullen quiet boy. The accident had really taken a toll on him; not being able to do his favourite things, such as climbing or running, or not even being able to do the simplest tasks which required the movement of his legs was tearing her son apart. And it was also tearing her apart.

"It's over, Mother" Robb told her softly. "The wars are over, our lands are safe, we are safe. We are all together"

"Yes, we are", she replied with a smile. There was only one thing missing, she added to herself. A very important thing, she thought as she looked at the big seat where Robb sat now, but where someone else used to sit. Ned was gone, but his death was not going to bring them down. It would only make them stronger.

THE END.

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