The journey home had been a long and thought provoking one. They had left King's Landing early in the morning some two weeks ago, to avoid the rush that would come travelling on the King's Road. Along the way they had seen some very interesting sights, men fishing in the rivers with their hands, women clawing through rubbish looking for some good or the other. It seemed that the regents installed in Bracken lands weren't doing their duty properly. That had brought a tinge of guilt to Ned, for some reason he could not quite explain he felt as though he was responsible, he knew what Ashara would say, but she was not here, she had remained in King's Landing with the Princess. They had moved through the Riverlands quickly, they had briefly met Lord Hoster Tully on the road, and the man had been reasonably accommodating to them advising them on the best routes to take and the best ways to avoid troublesome meddling of this lord or that lord.

The more time they spent on the road, the more convinced Ned became that if there was ever a war in the kingdom again, the first conflict and the bloodiest conflicts would take place in the Riverlands. Whilst he had read about the turbulent history of the Riverlands, it was only when he was in the region that he truly understood just what it was that caused so much fighting to take place within the area. There were riches in resources and food and minerals here beyond compare. Really it worried Ned, he had a vague idea of what the King and Lord Tywin were trying to achieve, and he suspected that the first signs of unrest would be the Riverlands, if for no other reason than to ensure the lords could address their old grudges. Lord Hoster had some control over the region, but even he could not prevent all the old grudges and pains between the various lords. More would need to be done there, but what Ned did not know.

When they had crossed into the north proper, and the humidity of the swamps of the Neck had greeted him, Ned had felt relief and happiness, and a tinge of nervousness. The cranogmen had given them sanctuary for roughly two days, and there Ned had met a boy named Howland, heir to the lordship of Greywater Watch and a nice lad who talked of things that seemed at once terrifying and preposterous. He had dreams, Ned knew for the boy had told him once. Dreams of fire and of ice and of great things occurring in the south and beyond the wall. Of a three-eyed raven calling out to them all and of a being of great strength stirring beneath the shadows of fire. Ned did not understand the visions, or dreams, or whatever it was they were, and neither did Howland. They'd spend a fair bit of time reading through various books on the matter, but had found nothing. Though the library in the Howland's home was not that impressive, so Ned had promised to do some reading when he was in Winterfell.

And here he was. Winterfell, home. The great towers were still standing tall and proud, the castle still looked as if it could come alive at any moment, and the heart tree remained intense and intimidating. Ned had been greeted by his father and siblings, Lord Rickard had nodded, Brandon had grunted, but Lya had thrown her arms around him and hugged him until he thought he might have difficulty breathing. She had grown, tall and beautiful in the years he had been away and she had remained quiet though. They had had a feast and drinks and all kinds of other talk. Brandon was a man grown now at six and ten, yet he did not say a word either, not about anything of value anyway, and that was something that made Ned sad. He wanted to ask his brother about his experiences in battle, whether he woke up as Ned did in the middle of the night, sweating and panting and screaming. Or whether he remained calm as Brax did. But Ned got the feeling such questions would be unwelcome.

Father had asked to see him in his solar and so there he was. The room still seemed monstrous, as if it had been built for a giant, not a mere man. Lord Rickard still filled the room, he was getting old, Ned realised as he looked at his father. There were lines under his father's eyes where previously there had been none, there was more than a little grey in the beard and in the brown hair, and his eyes seemed as though they were constantly fighting for either sleep or to remain awake. It was a worrying sight, and one Ned had to fight hard to keep from asking about. He did not think Lord Rickard would appreciate such a comment being made. Father had said nothing for a few moments and Ned wondered if he could be excused, he wanted to speak to Lya and to ask Benjen how he was getting on with his lessons, but as he was about to ask, Father spoke. "Your journey was safe I trust?"

"Yes, my lord." Ned said formally. "We spent most of the time on the road, ensuring we made a quick pace through the King's Road. We met Lord Hoster on the road as well, I think he was going to Seagard or somewhere else up in the northern Riverlands. He gave us some advice as to which roads and pathways to take, to avoid the toll near the Twins."

Lord Rickard nodded and asked. "And did you avoid the Twins?"

"Yes my lord." Ned replied. "We took the crossing near the fording of the Green Fork and the Neck. We met the cranogmen and they ensured we had sufficient supplies for the rest of the journey. I met Howland Reed, the heir to Greywater Watch, he was a very interesting fellow."

"In what manner?" Lord Rickard inquired.

Ned thought about this, wondering how precisely he was supposed to give voice to what it was he wanted to say. He did not think his father was the sort of man who would believe in the visions or other things that Howland spoke of, in fact, Ned was quite convinced that if he told his father about them, Lord Rickard would order Howland arrested and thrown into a cell. That was not something Ned wanted, and so he simply said. "He had a lot of interesting things to say about history and about politics."

Lord Rickard snorted. "The cranogmen always do." There was a brief silence, Ned moved slightly on his chair to get into a better position. Lord Rickard spoke once more. "Now, enough of that. Tell me of your time in King's Landing and the Rock. We did not truly get a chance to talk when we met at Harrenhal."

Ned nodded, he thought over what he wanted to say, then when he had reached that decision he spoke. "Casterly Rock is a great place. It is filled with a great many hidden passageways and a great many other things beside. We once found a statue with a lion headed man carved in gold. And they have real life lions in the rock as well. There was one that was as big as an aurochs, and it was white!" that had been an experience all unto itself, especially as such lions were incredibly rare and always had been. "The people of the Rock are kind, they are always making sure that there is enough food, water and books for us all to use and they ensure that we are kept informed of news as it comes. Jaime and Cersei are very nice and good; they both went out of their way to make sure I felt welcomed. Lord Tywin is a kind man and one who has gone to great pains to make sure I have the books and tools I need for my reading. Lady Joanna was always there willing to listen and to talk as well."

Ned looked at his father and saw an odd expression there. He wasn't sure whether he had said the things his father wanted to hear, or not, but his father had asked him a question and so he had answered it. "And what about King's Landing?" his father asked.

"King's Landing is most definitely an experience Father. It is a place that is filled with so much. There are a lot of people, who all move around wanting your attention, trying to sell you wares of gold and silver, and clothes and food and water and wine and ale. There are those who talk about books and knowledge as if they were there themselves. There are those who speak in tongues that I don't think even the citadel knows exists. The King and Queen are figures who reign over it all, their court is like something from a story. They have real people with real desires and wants. They know how to keep those people in line and they know how to ensure the best for their people. Prince Rhaegar has a vast library all of his own within the Red Keep, and the library of the Red Keep itself is something to behold. There are so many books there that I think you could spend several lifetimes trying to find everything you wanted." He paused for breath and saw his father smiling, encouraged he continued. "The friends of the Prince are good people as well. Ser Arthur is one of the finest knights I have ever seen, and Ser Jon is one of the shrewdest young men I've ever seen as well, the things he says are something else to behold. Truly it is an enjoyable and enriching experience."

Lord Rickard smiled, and Ned felt such pride flitter through him it was hard to believe it, why a smile from his father would make him feel this way he did not know. "So you are enjoying your time there?"

"Yes. Very much so." Ned replied enthusiastically.

Lord Rickard smiled once more. "That is good, very good." There was a pause and then Lord Rickard spoke. "You are spending a few days here, correct?" Ned nodded and his father continued. "Good then you can spend some time getting to know your brothers and sister, and you can spend time getting to know the other young heirs to the north. They shall be coming for your brother's nameday celebration."

Ned nodded, the thought of meeting northmen sent a tinge of nervousness through him. He was not sure how they would respond to him, and how he would respond to them. He was a Northman, he knew that, had gone to great pains to remind himself of that, but he was also something else. His years in the south had ensured that. "I look forward to it." he replied half honestly.

There was a pause and then his father asked. "And how are you feeling, after Duskendale?"

Ned tensed slightly, the sounds of ghosts screaming, of women crying, of children dying, of men groaning, it all played before him, his hands tensed, and then he did as Ashara had suggested he do. He took a breath, and another, his hands relaxed and untensed and he said. "I… I am getting better, Father, thank you."

Lord Rickard nodded and said. "Good, if you wish to speak to someone, you can always speak to me, you know that, don't you?"

"Yes Father." Ned said, though he doubted that Lord Rickard would be as understanding as Ashara had been.

"Good, you may go." Lord Rickard said.

Ned stood up, bowed before his father, straightened and then walked out of the room. He walked through the corridors, an odd sensation of loss and relief floating through him. He spent some time trying to figure out why he felt that way when he came to Lya's room, he knocked and entered when she said he could. He found Brandon and Benjen in her room already. "How was it?" Lya asked.

"Okay, he wanted to know how I found the Rock and the capital." Ned said simply.

"And? How do you find them?" Lya asked excitedly.

Ned looked at Brandon before he spoke and saw that his older brother was glowering. Slightly unnerved by this, Ned spoke. "They're both very interesting places and they have a lot to offer, the people there are kind and considerate and they are always willing to talk about the things I've read."

"That's good." Lya said.

Ned nodded but before he could say anything else, Brandon spoke his tone sharp. "Do they require you to dress like some sort of nonce when you're in the south? Or is that a choice you actively made?"

Ned looked at his brother, and then at himself. "I do not see what the problem is? I am dressed per the weather."

Brandon snorted. "You are dressed like you are some sort of southern pansy having some north for some business or the other. You are dressed as though you have not seen snow before, you are dressed as though you fear the cold. Is that what you were taught in the south, Ned? How to fear the cold?"

Ned was stunned by this; he did not know what to say. "I…I…"

"And now he's forgotten how to speak. Of course, what more can one expect from a southerner?" Brandon snarled, he stood up and said. "When you remember what it is to be a Northman, come and find me." With that Ned's older brother pushed passed him and stomped off to wherever.

Ned looked at Lya who sighed. "Ignore Brandon, he's been acting like this the entire time he's been here." Ned raised an eyebrow, and Lya looked at Benjen and said. "Ben, why don't you go and help Hal with those tasks you still have to do."

"But Lya?!" Benjen protested, his protestations died when he saw the glare Lya gave him, Ned laughed as his little brother got up and scampered out of the room.

"That works a lot, then does it?" Ned asked.

Lya laughed. "Like you wouldn't believe."

Ned laughed alongside his sister for a moment, enjoying this moment of simplicity, he had missed this, he realised then. He had missed laughing and joking with Lya, he had missed making Benjen laugh. Perhaps he could extend his stay for a little while? He stopped laughing as he remembered Brandon's expression and asked. "What's wrong with Brandon, Lya?"

Lya sighed. "I am not sure. But he came back from the Rills and from Barrowton in a mood. And he's been in one ever since. I think he and Barbrey had an argument about something or the other and now he's trying to take that anger out on anyone and anything. He nearly beat Lawrence Crowfoot half to death the other day in the sparring yard."

"They fought with live steel?" Ned exclaimed, he'd only had one taste of live steel and he'd quite liked it, as had Jaime.

"Yes. Father had to pull Brandon off Crowfoot himself. He was not happy." Lya said, grimacing.

"Will Brandon be returning to Barrowton after his nameday celebration?" Ned asked, a thought coming to mind then.

Lya shrugged. "I do not know. I think that he might be, or he might not be. He and Father had a big argument about something or the other, the day before you came home, and that's merely added to his bad mood."

Ned nodded that could make sense, then he thought about what Brandon had said about his clothing choice, he looked down at himself, and saw the gold and the red and the grey and asked. "Lya, do I look ridiculous?"

"No." his sister said immediately. Ned raised an eyebrow. "I mean you look different, sure. But different is not bad. Different is what the north needs, everyone knows that, especially Brandon. The north is dull, there is just grey and white here, and the odd speckling of blue, but nothing solid, nothing real. Nothing that would make anyone want to stand and trade and consider us a proper region. That needs to change."

Ned was encouraged by his sister's words, but there was still a trace of worry for him. "Will the other northern lords and their heirs find me ridiculous if I dress as I am now for Brandon's nameday?"

"Even if they do, so what? You are a Stark, Ned, not an Umber and certainly not a Glover. You have the authority of Winterfell; you could wear a rag and the lords of the north would not say anything aloud. The north needs to change and adapt to the changes coming. Father has told us that often enough." Lya said simply.

Ned nodded and then asked. "And how about you, Lya, how are you? What has been happening with you?"

His sister smiled. "I'm good Ned, and I am learning how to fight, Father finally caved and agreed to let me learn how to fight with a sword." His sister sounded so excited that Ned could only smile, despite his misgivings. "And Father has begun looking for someone to betroth me to."

Ned raised an eyebrow at this. "Oh? Who has he considered?"

Lya sighed. "Domeric Bolton, Robert Baratheon, Elbert Arryn, Willas Tyrell and Quentyn Martell."

"All sensible options, Bolton would ensure Roose Bolton is properly loyal to Winterfell, whilst the other options bring with them the option of opening new relations and ensuring the openness that Father wants. What do you think of them?" Ned asked.

His sister was silent for a brief moment then she said. "I am not sure. I know Domeric, and I like him, he is nice and kind, but I don't want to remain in the north. At the same time marrying someone I do not know and likely won't meet until the day of my wedding is something that worries me as well."

Ned nodded, he could understand that. He thought about his sister's words and then said. "If you want, when I am in King's Landing I could observe the different lords and their heirs and write to you about them? At least that way you'd have some understanding of what they're like?"

Lya smiled and nodded. "I'd love that Ned. Thank you."

Ned smiled. "What else are brothers for?"