He sat in his solar, thinking on what to do next. Ben was still in Essos, trying to bring the Wild Wolves home. Catelyn,-loving, dutiful Catelyn- ran Winterfell for the time being, as she'd noticed, that he was too distracted with something else, to concern himself with the current matters.

He glanced down at the papers, written a long time ago, by his grandmother. She'd planned the reconstruction of Moat Cailin- which he already started, by sending a group there and asking them to clear the area of the rubble and clean it, as much, as possible.

Now he was looking at his lands' finances- it was mostly fine, but the numbers were still concerning. A good part of the North's fortune would be consumed by the reconstructions and the starting of a fleet.

He frowned. He saw the logic behind the plans- having a fleet would be good for trade and they could finally shake off the goddamn Ironborn- but once more, it would cost a fortune. Trade could eventually bring back all the expenses, but for that, he'd need to secure good contracts with the Free Cities.'Grandmother, why aren't you here? You've been better at these things, even if the Realm thought you were a simple-minded fool…'

Looking at the map he wondered where to…'If we left a smaller part of the fleet near Bear Island at Sea Dragon Point, that could be good against the Ironborn. Leaving the trader ships near White Harbor might be a bit too close to the South…'

The Dreadfort and the Weeping Waters could be a solution, but he wouldn't trust Roose Bolton with his dogs, let alone half-a-fleet of ships.

There was a knock on the door and he looked up. "Enter!"

The door opened and his wife stepped in. She still didn't get used to the cold, if the furs were anything to go by- but then again, neither had Arthur. Both were of the south andthiswhat was comfortably warm for him was probably meant freezing to both.

"Is everything alright, Catelyn?" he asked, concern lacing his tone. They were newly married yes, but that didn't mean he didn't care for her.

She nodded. "Yes. I could be asking the same from you. I barely saw you these days, since Benjen had left."

Ned eyed her for a second. How much he could trust her with? Probably not the part about Jon, but this wasn't so life-threatening. For all she knew this will be a trading fleet and not one for war. "I was thinking." he gestured at the map. "We were speaking with Ben and… I guess it would be good if we could be a bit more independent from the South."

Catelyn glanced curiously at the map. "I see. What is your plan, exactly?"

"My grandmother had planned on establishing a fleet. It would have been good to keep the Ironborn at bay and for trading. Tough, she died before she could even start it and my father had completely different ideas. I for one, really appreciate the idea of a fleet. I was wondering where to station one, tough."

Catelyn sat opposite him and peered at the map closer. "Don't you have ships at White Harbour?"

He nodded. "A small number of ships for fishing and trading. Lord Manderly can only provide those near him, not the entire North. And those are not for fighting, if we ever want to keep the Ironborn at bay. Besides, I think it's a bit too down sought. We need it closer to us, in case of emergencies."

Catelyn threw him a speculative look- doubt flashing in her blue eyes,- before looking back at the map. Ned sat back and waited- maybe she had a good idea. He wouldn't put her down, for being a woman- his grandmother and sister were both strong and sharp.

"What of the Dreadfort? It's close enough to the Weeping Waters and the open sea…"

Ned sighed. "I had the same idea, but… I wouldn't trust Roose Bolton with a pack of dogs, let alone a fleet. The Karstarks I would trust, but they are too far inland to be of any help… useless…"

"Useless what, Ned?" she asked.

Ned rubbed his face. He'd been thinking of granting the repaired Sea Dragon Point to Rodrick Greystark, but at this point, he trusted the foreigner more, than Bolton, with how much bad blood the two Houses had between them.

"Tell me, would you help me make the North strong and safe for our family?"

Catelyn's eyes steeled over in a second. "Of course. Anything for little Robb or any other child we might have."

"Then, I'd need you to come with me on a tour around the Houses. For meeting them- I could use that to see how loyal Bolton is, which is not much, if I had to make a guess. The moment we find evidence, I can have him removed, but not until then."

Catelyn's blue eyes went wide. "You'd do that to a bannerman?"

Ned snorted. "No, I would not. Well, I will never do something like that, to those, who areloyal. But I think Bolton's only loyal to himself- the northern equal of Tywin Lannister, just crueler."

Catelyn shivered and he had a feeling it wasn't because of the cold. "Let's say you find evidence. Who you'd put into his place? The keep is at a strategic point, if I understand you well, especially if you want a feet."

Ned smiled. "Benjen's bringing home some stray cousins- I think, at this point, a complete stranger would be a better choice, than Bolton. But of course, that doesn't mean I would not keep an eye on them…"

"So a fleet… I think, if I write to my father, he'd be eager to help, with whatever he can. That would make trade between the two regions faster."

"That would be appreciated," he said with a tiny smile, as he stood up. Catelyn did too and they walked out of the solar together. "Have you seen Ser Arthur somewhere?"

Catelyn's eyes flashed with anger and Ned almost winced. A part of him wished, he could tell her, that nothing was, as she thought, but she didn't trust her fully- not yet. Maybe in a few years, he would tell her.

"No." she said in a clipped tone. Ned sighed inwardly and nodded, going separate ways.

He found Arthur in the nursery, reading a book, eyes occasionally flickering over to tiny, sleeping Jon. He gave a small chuckle. "He's not going to grow wings and fly away, Ser."

Arthur looked up from his book, then shrugged. "Probably not- well, logically, it's very unlikely. But I can't help it. It's been too soon and I can't help, but worry."

Ned sighed. He understood well, from where the Dornishman was coming. Glancing at the sleeping bundle, he understood why- when awake, the chid's Valyrian features were all too visible. He wondered for how long would Westeros believe, that tiny Jon was a Sand or Snow…

Tough, Arthur had been adamant, that it should be Sand, as he'd been born in Dorne. (Not that it mattered much, as they both knew it was but a farce. Regardless of what they said, the child would always be a Targaryen.)

Only now, that he closed the door, did he notice how hot the room was. It was almost uncomfortable, but Arthur- used to much hotter climate, only seemed to relish in the heat. Strangely enough, not even Jon seemed to notice as he slept.

"What brings you here, though?"

Ned leaned against the wall, his gaze trailing the sleeping child. Despite having mostly his father's colours, he could see a lot of Lyanna in him, as well. "We were toying with the idea of a trading fleet with Benjen. Of course, we simply do not have the resources yet and the matter of Moat Cailin is more pressing. Maybe in a few years. Do you think the Dornish would be willing to trade?"

Arthur looked thoughtful and then shrugged. "A good offer and my brother would surely agree. I don't know, how Prince Doran would react, but he's not one to pass up a good offer either."

Ned hummed. "At least, it is possible. Good. Now, if you excuse me, I would have to get ready for Benjen's arrival. He should be here in a week or so. And I still have to deal with my bannermen…" he muttered under his breath.

The fleet might never even get done, but he would surely get rid of Roose Bolton. He'd told his brother, that he wanted a stronger and safer North. The first step to stronger, was Moat Cailin, without a doubt.

'And the first step to a safer home would be killing Bolton.'he thought. Stroking the tiny whisp of fair hair on his nephew's head, Ned left the room, thinking about the Dreadfort.