12th Month of 298 A.C. Winterfell

Lord Eddard Stark

The godswood was quiet except for his breathing, he stands before the heart tree, not really sure what to think. His father was dead, the powerful and unbreakable Rickard Stark was dead, killed by fanatics. The thought made his blood boil, it also made him incredibly nervous. He was now Lord of Winterfell, and he was not sure whether to be happy or saddened by that thought. His wife's voice sounds somewhere close by. "Ned…" he turns around and sighs.

"Sorry Cat, I didn't mean to worry you, how long have I been gone?" he asks.

"Not for very long my love, but I thought I would come and see how you were." His wife replies.

Ned nods, and extends his hand, Cat takes it and comes to stand at his side. He looks at her and then at the heart tree. "I do not know how to feel." He says then, knowing he can speak and that his wife will listen. "For so long I wished for Father to come home, so that we might speak with one another properly, and I wished he would ask me to come to court. But he never did, and now he has come home. But he lies in the crypts." He pauses uncertain of how to continue, but eventually he does so. "And now I am Lord of Winterfell."

"And now you are Lord of Winterfell." His wife agrees. She still holds his hand, and her voice is forceful when she says. "In name as well as deed now. My love you have ruled the north in your father's name for almost sixteen years. The North has prospered under your guidance, we have two cities with ports on them, we have two fleets, the gold and silver from trade continues to pour in. Lord Farwynd has ensured that the Ironborn remain behind their rocks and their sea. You have done a great job, and I am sure you will continue to do so."

Ned nods, he knows his wife speaks the truth, and yet there is still a part of him that remains hesitant. "I know my love, truly I do. But I am not sure how to feel. To become Lord of Winterfell like this? With my Father's killers still out there. I do not know if this is right." It is stupid he knows, he cannot ride south and leave the north alone, but there is a part of him that wishes to ride south at once and kill any and all who oppose him. He wonders if this is how Brandon felt, when Lya had been taken.

His wife squeezes his hand. "I know Ned, but trust me, the north is stronger with you here, than without you here."

"And Robb?" Ned asks. "The King has made our son Hand of the King. Our son who is no older than fifteen namedays, is now the second most powerful man in the realm. I know many will feel jealous at that. And with things being the way they are in the south; I am not sure that is a good idea."

Catelyn looks up at him inquisitively then. "What would you suggest then Ned? Robb has been given a great honour by the King, your mother is also there in the south with them. Robb spent a long time being taught by Lord Rickard as well, as did the King. I am sure they will be okay. The King would not let anything happen to Robb. Nor would Robb allow anything happen to the King."

Ned sighs. "I suppose you are right. Still, these sparrows and their leader will not just disappear. They will keep coming back until they are either completely wiped out, or they have destroyed everything."

His wife looks worried then, and he knows worry for their son is top of the list, though a small part might be due to those doing the destroying. "I am surprised that the High Septon has allowed them to get so out of hand." His wife says then.

Ned nods, remembering the letter he had received. "I do not think the High Septon has any control over them. I think he is the one being controlled, and as such, is doing everything he can to look the other way."

His wife sighs. "I suppose then that it will come to something drastic to sort out all that is happening."

Ned nods. "Indeed, it would seem so." Deciding to change the subject to something of a more lighter note, Ned says. "I watched Rickon in the training yard today, he is coming on very well. I believe he is better than Robb was at the same age."

Catelyn smiles and Ned feels as if his breath is being stolen from him. "Oh yes, he keeps practising. I think he's determined to earn a knighthood before the year is over."

"Well the way he was hacking away at some of the poor boys in the training yard, he might very well get it." Ned says, still not sure how he feels about his son wanting to get a knighthood. At that thought he also says. "I got word from Ser Brynden today as well. He writes to say that Bran is doing well, and that he will soon be ready to move back home."

His wife smiles, he knows how much she has missed their son in the time he has been away. "That is good. I am sure he will be happy to come home."

Ned nods in agreement, and then asks her. "What about Sansa? Do you think it would be right to ask her to come home? Especially with what is coming in the south? I know she is betrothed to Arthur Lannister, but if things go the way we think they will, perhaps we should ensure she is safe first?"

His wife's face scrunches in thought then. "I think we should see how things go before making any decision. We must ensure we keep our allies in place as well."

Ned can see the sense in that, even if he does not completely agree, and so he says. "Very well, let us give it a moon or two, and if things do not seem as if they are not improving then I shall send for her to come back home. I will also need to speak to Lord Jaime, to ensure that we understand one another."

His wife looks at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Lord Jaime has demanded a dowry that was somewhat reasonable in the previous political climate, but as of right now, I think it would be quite unreasonable." Ned supplies. His wife nods, and they turn and walk from the godswood, back toward the castle proper. As they do, they find Jory running toward them.

"My lord, my lady, thank the gods I found you." The man says.

"What is it Jory?" Ned asks concern growing within him.

Jory hands him a letter, saying. "This came from the Wall just now. It says that it is quite urgent."

Ned reads the letter, and then with a sinking sensation in his stomach, turns to his wife and says. "It seems the time has come for the banners to be called. The Wildlings are advancing; the wall will not hold."