After the King and his party arrived and Ned and Brandon had greeted each other in the courtyard and introduced their families to the other they began to break up into smaller groups. Ned's daughter, Joanna took Sansa by the hand and led her to the glass gardens, both girls seemingly determined to be the other's new best friend.

Cersei asked her eldest boy, Robb along with Lyanna's son to show Minisa and Artos the Godswood along with Bran, Arya and Tommen. She also instructed her son be mindful of "Grey Wind" and the other "pups."

Catelyn had thought little of that as she moved to her first-born son. When she'd last seen him he was still a boy of eight, his auburn hair shaggy and starting to curl and his Tully blue eyes shining with unshed tears. His little face set with determination as he'd promised his father he'd be brave and mind his uncle and learn of their home.

Her baby boy had tamed her wild husband better than she ever could. Her husband had been called "The Wild Wolf" when he came to Riverrun the first time. She could still remember the young man who rode through the gate with his father, talkative and cocky as all young men were. He was handsome and charming and practiced in a way that let Catelyn know that he'd seduced his fair share of maidens before they'd met. Even so, she nearly fell in love with him from his first smile.

However, when she'd handed him baby Rickard for the first time all that went away. He became a father in that moment and when he looked up at her with gratitude she fell in love with him completely.

Catelyn never tried to favor one of her children over another, she loved each of them in different ways but Rickard was her first child and to see him standing before her: tall and grown, with a face that was more man than boy though his auburn hair was still shaggy and still trying to curl she knew Rickard would always be special. He even had a silly little beard that she was sure he thought made him look manly but to her it somehow reminded her of a little dirty faced boy that would look up at her with a smile and call her "Mama."

Then her baby boy gave her that same boyish smile though he spoke to her with a man's voice, "Mother."

She smiled and pulled her boy into a tight embrace, "Rickard." She stepped back and looked him over again, her hands coming up and cupping his cheeks, "Look at you, almost a man grown."

He laughed, "It had to happen sooner or later."

She laughed, "I've missed so much."

Brandon stepped to her side and gripped Rickard's shoulder, "Son."

Rickard nodded, "Father."

Brandon smirked then tugged lightly at the hair on his son's chin. "What's this, lad? Forget to wash your face?"

Rickard gave him an indignant look, "It's a proper Northern beard, father."

Her husband shook his head, "If you say so. Son, would you show your mother Winterfell while I speak with Lord Stark?"

"It would be my honor." Rickard smiled and offered his elbow to her, "My Lady?"

He led her leisurely through the courtyard towards the Great Hall. Once inside, she was surprised by how warm it was. Brandon had told her about how Winterfell had been built over a natural spring and the water flowed through the walls to warm the castle but it was another thing to experience it. "Have you enjoyed it here, Rickard?"

He nodded wistfully, "Very much. I have come to care for Uncle Ned and his family as much as you, father and my siblings. I've learned a great deal of many things. I've met father's banner men. I've seen White Harbor, Karhold and Torrhen's Square, even Bear Island and the Last Hearth. I prayed in front of a weirwood and even seen direwolves."

She turned to her son with raised eyebrows, "Direwolves?"

He smiled, "Yes, mother. Two moons ago, a pregnant direwolf appeared in the kennels. She birthed a litter of pups and Uncle Ned allowed his children to each have one."

Cat didn't know what to think of that, the idea of her children taking care of a direwolf… Still, this was not her home and she couldn't help but to wonder if there weren't meaning to the animal the Starks took for a sigil seeking out their ancestral home and bonding with the family. Also, this was not long after Brandon had decided to come north with the Targaryen siblings in tow, perhaps within a day of the raven Brandon sent heralding his trip reaching Winterfell. Could it be that the Old Gods were blessing the Starks in some fashion? Or worse could they be protecting the Starks in some fashion?

She felt a chill go through her and she managed to come up with the most neutral question she could think to ask, "What of the pups' mother?"

Her son shrugged, "She remained and she seems to have taken a shine to Lady Stark. Joanna and Arya named her 'Brightroar' after the lost Lannister Valyrian blade. She's a giant of a beast, nearly as big as a horse. Strangely calm though, you would think she was no different than any common dog."

She decides to change the subject before the taste of bile at the thought of her two youngest children wandering a Godswood populated with a family of direwolves could get any stronger. "Do you still like to read histories? Grand Maester Pycelle found several tomes he felt you might enjoy, one of them is about Old King Jaehaerys' time in the North another is about the history of the Free Cities."

He nodded, "Thank you, mother. I look forward to reading them."

She squeezed his forearm as they passed from the Great Hall into the Keep. She gave him a look then felt a grin come to her lips, "My handsome boy." He blushed bright red at her praise and she continued, "Margaery Tyrell asked me to bring you a letter as well."

He groaned slightly, "Mother."

She laughed and patted his forearm reassuringly, "She's a lovely girl, Rickard. She came to Court not long after you came to Winterfell. She's of an age with you but she's grown very close with Sansa since she came to King's Landing. They spend much of their time with the orphans of King's Landing. Her father, Mace, is the Lord of Highgarden. He's made some discreet overtures to your father for a marriage. Your father and I wanted you to return to the capital before we decided on your bride but it should be soon."

He shakes his head, "The Tyrells were loyalists and as I recall they laid siege to Storm's End for most of the war. I doubt Lord Stannis would appreciate my marrying their daughter."

Catelyn nodded, "That might be true but if there is one thing the Tullys have learned in the time we've ruled Riverrun is that a marriage is a quick way to bring potential problems to heel."

He frowned, "Shouldn't we reward our allies…" He flushed suddenly, "Perhaps a Northern house?"

She gave him a quizzical look and noted the way he looked straight ahead. She set thoughts of betrothals aside and decided to merely play a mother for a moment, "Rickard, is there a northern girl that's caught your fancy?"

When he turned bright red she laughed lightly and tried to recall what she knew of the Northern Houses. "Is it one of the Manderlys? I'm told Lord Wyman's granddaughters are both of an age with you." When he said nothing she took that as a no and tried again, "I also believe Lord Mormont has a niece near your age as well. They say the women on Bear Island are fierce."

She brought them to a stop and gave him a smile, letting him know that she was only teasing him a bit and he gave her a smile that was all Brandon. "I… Dacey and I have flirted a few times, but I will admit to enjoying her company."

She shook her head, Brandon used to speak of enjoying her company. Perhaps she would ask her husband to speak with her son before they leave Winterfell.