There was a great hubbub of activity when they entered the gates and courtyard of Winterfell with King Jon. For his safety, it had been decided that he travel in secret, with little advance notice to anyone.
Sansa ran to and greeted Jon in a joyful embrace, as did Arya. Their younger brother Bran, now almost a man grown, rose from a specially designed wheeled chair and stood with the aid of crutches, which seemed to please Jon greatly. There was a very tall, large man and a high-ranking maester at his side, judging by the elaborate chain he wore. Stable hands to take their horses; household staff and servants. Lady Lyanna Mormont and several of the Northern Lords; and Brienne of Tarth, which he saw seemed to please the wildling greatly. Most would stay at Winter Town now; but Jon insisted that he, Beric, Thoros, Ser Davos Seaworth, the wildling Tormond Giantsbane and Ser Jorah Mormont stay with the family at the castle. Farther off, he could hear still more shouts of "Until Victory!"
When her eyes at last turned to look at him and she recognized him, she looked bewildered, almost as though she might weep; and she was more beautiful than he even could recall in all the times he had pictured her in his mind - her face, her hair, the hint of her womanly figure through the heavier winter dress of the North, a fur-trimmed cloak about her shoulders. My beautiful little bird, he thought, not wanting to be the cause of any distress for her; she had been through enough. But then she smiled, and came over to him and took his hands in hers. Ser Sandor, she whispered, I'm glad to see you again, as she embraced him and pressed her cheek to his.