Eddard saw Willas, Rodrik, and Catelyn off. He held his wife by the hands as they said goodbye. "I wish I could see the girls," Catelyn said.
"It's too dangerous," Eddard replied.
"Just for a moment."
"Until we know who our enemies are- -" he began.
"I know they did it, Ned. The Lannisters. In my bones, I know it. So does Willas."
"Littlefinger's right," Eddard said, and Willas had to smile a bit at the mention of Petyr's nickname. "I can't do anything without proof."
"And if you find the proof?" Catelyn asked.
"Then I bring it to Robert... and hope he's still the man I once knew. You watch yourself on the road, huh? That temper of yours is a dangerous thing."
"My temper? Gods be good, you nearly killed poor Littlefinger yesterday."
They both laughed at that. "He still loves you," Eddard noted.
"Does he?" Catelyn replied with a smile.
They kissed, and smiled when they broke away. "Off with you," Eddard said. "Keep an eye on Will. Riding a long time will make him sore, he may fall of his horse."
Catelyn nodded, stepping away from her husband. Willas looked at his uncle. "Goodbye, Uncle Eddard," he said. "I can write you when we get back, if you like."
"Yes, Will," Eddard agreed. "I would like that very much."
Willas released a chuckle before he reached out, pulling Eddard into a tight embrace. "Tell the girls that I miss them so. The castle is quiet without Arya's running about and Sansa's sweet singing."
Eddard nodded. "I'll tell them, Will. They miss you, too."
Willas was holding back tears when he let go of Eddard, turning away to mount his horse. He accepted Rodrik's help without much fuss, offering a faint smile as thanks.
Eddard watched his family ride out of King's Landing, Catelyn and Willas's red hair once more hidden beneath cloth. He smiled as they went, but there was no joy in the expression. If anyone found out about their suspicions of the Lannisters, a war could break out.
And the Starks did not want war.
Willas, Catelyn, and Rodrik stopped at an inn on the way back to Winterfell. Willas was thankful for a place to get a good meal and rest, his leg was hurting terribly from all the walking and riding.
They sat at a table, Willas listening to the chatter of the inn's patrons.
A young man smiled before sitting down beside Willas at their table. "Seven blessings to you, good folk!" he grinned.
"And to you," Catelyn replied, and Willas echoed his aunt.
Rodrik ignored the man's appearance, looking to one of the inn workers. "Boy!" he barked. "Bread, meat, and beer. Quickly."
The man chuckled, grabbing Rodrik by the arm. "Ah, good idea, grandfather. I'm starving," he said. "A song while we wait, or- -?"
"I'd rather throw myself down a well," Rodrik stated, and Willas could not contain the laugh that escaped him.
"Now, now, grandfather," the man said, "this may be your last chance if you're heading North. The only music the Northerners know is the howling of wolves!"
Willas joined the man in his laughter. "Do you perhaps know The Day They Hanged Black Robin?" he asked the singer, and the man's eyes widened.
"A sad song, that is," he noted. "But you look like such a happy boy. Why would a happy boy like you like such a sad song?"
Rodrik suddenly stiffened in his seat, and Willas looked up to see why.
Tyrion Lannister entered the inn, a man dressed all in black at his back, along with a knight. "I'm sorry, my lord," the inn keep said. "We're full up. Every room."
"My men can sleep in the stable," Tyrion replied. "As for myself, I don't require a large room."
"Truly, my lord, we have nothing."
Tyrion pulled a purse from his pocket, waving it so the coins jingled. "Is there nothing I can do... to remedy this?" he asked, clinking a coin against a tabletop.
A man spoke up, leaning forward in his seat. "You can have my room," he said.
"Now there's a clever man," Tyrion smiled, tossing him the coin.
Tyrion turned to the inn keep. "You can manage food, I trust? Yoren, dine with me," he added to the black-clothed man, a member of the Night's Watch.
"Aye, my lord," Yoren agreed.
The singer grinned, getting to his feet with raucous laughter. "Aye, my lord. My Lord of Lannister! Might I entertain you while you eat? I can sing of your father's victory at King's Landing!"
"Nothing would more likely ruin my supper," Tyrion answered, and the singer's smile dropped.
"Lady Stark! Lord Arryn!" Tyrion suddenly said, his eyes landing on their small party.
"Fuck," Willas cursed under his breath.
Heads turned to see Willas and Catelyn. "What an unexpected pleasure," Tyrion said. "I was sorry to have missed you at Winterfell, my lady."
The inn keep's eyes went wide. "Lady Stark, and Lord Arryn!" she said, clearly surprised.
Willas watched his aunt rise from her seat, and so did Tyrion. Catelyn pulled back the scarf hiding her hair, nodding to Willas to take off his hood. He did as told.
"I was still Catelyn Tully the last time I stayed here," she said.
She looked at a man. "You, ser, is that the black bat of Harrenhall I see embroidered on your coat?"
"It is, my lady," the man answered.
"And is Lady Whent a true and honest friend to my father, Lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun?"
"She is."
She turned to another man. "The red stallion was always a welcome sight at Riverrun. My father counts Jonos Bracken amongst his oldest and most loyal bannermen."
The man nodded. "Our lord is honored by his trust."
"I envy your father all his fine friends, Lady Stark, but I don't quite see the purpose of this," Tyrion noted.
Catelyn turned to another man. "I know your sigil as well, the Twin Towers of Frey. How fares your lord, ser?"
"Lord Walder is well, my lady. He has asked your father for the honor of his presence on his ninetieth nameday," the man replied. "He plans to take another wife."
Tyrion scoffed, and even Willas raised an eyebrow. If he remembered correctly, Walder Frey was on his sixth wife.
Catelyn moved to the center of the room, looking around at the men she had spoken to. She pointed at Tyrion. "This man came into my house as a guest and there conspired to murder my son, a boy of ten. In the name of King Robert and the good lords you serve, I call upon you to seize him and help me return him to Winterfell, to await the King's justice."
In seconds, the men drew their swords, herding around Tyrion.
Willas smiled faintly from his seat.
Tyrion Lannister would get what he deserved.
