Eddard's lord father had once said that when it snowed to expect a blizzard and dark wings bear dark words as winter grows nearer. When forced to take Brandon's place as Lord of Winterfell and Caitlyn's husband during the time of False Spring, he had thought he understood the full magnatude of his lord father's words, yet now after receiving a letter from Talia father Lord Tytos Brax and another from his son Robb close together, that grave statement weighed heavily on his mind. He had originally written to Tytos with the intention of arranging a betrothal between Talia and Robb if the heir to the Lord of Hornvale was interested in a union between their two Houses, yet Robb's almost plea had made Eddard think about his own hopes before the war, which had died with his lord father and elder brother. Over time, he had gained new desires with Caitlyn as they had built their relationship brick by brick and he still remembered the pact they had made where she had vowed to fight the battle of childbirth as hard as she could only if he promised to not mourn her long if she did die.
News of her death had stricken him deep inside his heart, especially knowing their youngest Rickon perished before her. She was right in her last words saying Robb needed someone and knowing that his son was interested in a Mormont complicated what should have been a simple arrangement. He knew Robb would respect whatever decision Eddard made and he hadn't forgotten Bran telling him of Jaime Lannister's threat to Talia, which had caused him to write Lord Tytos in the first place. As a part of House Stark, Talia would be protected from the lions and she had already shown him in their conversation upon his arrival that she could be as fierce as any woman in the North. She would make a fine match for his son, but so would Tamesys Mormont and the she-bear's family had been loyal to the Starks for centuries. Then there was his end of the bargain with Cat his Northern honor would expect him to uphold, though finding another wife at his age seemed impossible.
He rubbed his face tiredly and looked out his window in time to the moon rise over the horizon. He walked down the halls outside into the Godswood and was surprised at who he found there. "Lady Brax?"
Talia looked up and it was evident from the streaks on her face she'd been crying. "Hello, Lord Stark."
He didn't know whether or not he should ask the cause for her tears, so he settled for: "I did not expect one of the Faith to be out here."
"It must look very strange." She agreed quietly and he saw another tear slide down her cheek.
"Is something the matter?" He held out his white handkerchief to her, which he never used but kept because it was one Sansa had embroidered with a simple grey direwolf for him.
Talia held the small piece of fabric like it were her only tie to the world. "I haven't heard from Emily for a while and I know my worry is unwarranted. She's perfectly safe back at home helping look after our lady mother."
He nodded slowly. "There is no shame in your concern, you are obviously very close with your sister and that is a good thing."
"We're only a year apart and we've always done everything together, but that will soon change. I'm sure our lord father will marry us off soon and there's no telling how far apart we will be then." She dabbed the tears from her face with a soft sigh. "And to be truthful now that King Robert has declared the kingsguard can wed, I am certain Lord Tywin will approach my father or another allied house with daughters to betrothe to Ser Jaime."
"You fear he will go to your lord father first?"
"A Lannister married a Brax long ago, so it is possible. I suppose my greatest fear is that it will be sweet Emily and not me. She is a gentle spirit and deserves to have a kind man, not a cruel one."
Eddard had forgotten Talia's sister was close to marrying age too, though he didn't have another son old enough yet. "You both deserve good men."
A crow landed on Talia's lap before she could reply and she unrolled the letter attached. "Ser Barristan asked for Emily's hand? And father said yes?"
"Sounds like your sister has already been spoken for."
"Yes, by her enduring flame. She says you wrote my father too."
Eddard inclined his head. "I asked if you were betrothed and he said no."
Talia smiled a little. "For now, at least. I never did ask why you were out here, Lord Stark."
"To pray, but now I am thinking I should take a walk with you out to the beach."
"I would like that." She tucked the letter away and took his offered arm. "Thank you for the use of your handkerchief."
He nodded as he took it back from her. "You're welcome." He waited till they were out on the wind swept sand and the waves crashed into the shore before he spoke again: "You never actually said why you were in the Godswood."
She looked away. "It was the one place I found peace."
"The Old Gods welcome all." He felt a small smile creep across his lips. "It's your gods who have strict rules."
"Bran told me you said something like that to your lady wife." She noticed his pained expression. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize she was dead."
"She passed away not too long ago at the hand of wildings. My eldest wrote me of the loss and it arrived at the same time as your father's reply." Eddard took a deep breath of the salty air. "He was interested in uniting our Houses, however my son seems intent on marrying a woman of the North."
Talia shook her head. "I wouldn't want to get between two people in love. You can tell my lord father you changed your mind."
Eddard was reminded of years ago when he'd surrendered to duty as she spoke and that made him come to a decision. "You won't come between anyone. I promised my lady wife I would not mourn her long if she died and I have a proposal Lady Talia Brax. After a year of betrothal, I would have you as my bride. You can say yes or no before I decide what to write to your father and I will abide by your answer."
"Your bride, Lord Stark? I'm honored you'd consider me in that regard, but shouldn't you have this conversation with a Northern woman?"
"I am not though, am I?" He asked quietly, grey eyes meeting hers.
She studied his stern face, not sure what to say for a while. "Why me?"
"I have seen how strong you are and care about you. I cannot promise you love right away, but I can tell you without doubt wolves are fiercely loyal." He regarded her with respect and something else she couldn't identify. "What is your answer?"
"Yes Lord Stark, I will be your wife."
"Even if your lord father doesn't agree?"
She thought of the alternative and knew there wouldn't be a possibility of love or loyalty with a Lannister. "If it comes to that, but I am certain he will."
He didn't share her confidence as he turned their steps back towards the castle, nevertheless he let her keep her hopes because of what had happened for Emily. "Very well, I shall send a reply with my intentions and suggest you come with us to Winterfell."
"Go with you? You mean you're leaving King's Landing?"
"Yes and that must stay between us, Talia."
Her breath caught in her throat at the sound of her name with no Lady, of House Brax, my lady or handmaiden title attached. "Understood, Eddard."
He paused to look at her in the moonlight, windswept by the beach and still carrying herself with decorum. "I would prefer if you call me Ned when we are alone. All my family have had that right and so should you."
"As you wish, Ned." She managed to reply as they began walking again as if nothing had changed and yet everything in both their worlds was overturned.