A/N: thanks for the reviews for last chapter! A lot of you are (rightly) angry at Catelyn for trying to kill Jon...Moonie you mentioned this being a cheap way to get rid of Catelyn...I can assure you there is more in store from Catelyns perspective which might surprise you. She herself admitted in canon she wanted to suffocate Jon but she didn't... well here she did and as you'll see in this chapter was the catalyst for needed change...
The first part of this chapter follows the Dragons and is unfolding as the events of Ned returning to Winterfell from last chapter occur
As always enjoy and I love the reviews...even if you don't like something I write :)
Chapter Eleven: The Old Gods Speak
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Seagulls screeched and fought over whatever morsels they found amongst the rocks and driftwood that washed in from high tide. Rising from the sand a tall castle of dark stone with patches of salt crusted on the walls rose from the swirling waves. The enormous walls looked out to the glittering sea, and absorbed the warm sun which beat down from above.
Every day, Lyanna stared out to sea for several hours praying to the old gods silently. She was far from home but her Gods lived within her heart and she did not relinquish her faith when she went South. If anything her developing abilities only solidified her faith, and both her abilities and her faith soared at this moment.
She knew Rhaegar lived, despite anything Monterys Velaryon told her she maintained he was alive, and he would come. News of Elias death had reached Driftmark and Lyanna cried bitterly over the news. She felt tremendous guilt every time she saw Elia's children looking up to her and felt bewildered when the children asked her hard to answer questions.
Despite the difficulties she faced as a single mother to her baby and her husbands children she would not break under the pressure. Rhaegar would come, they would all see.
"My Lady," spoke a kind voice behind Lyanna, she turned slightly to see Monterys approaching behind her adorning the driftwood crown, his silver white hair braided in the Valyrian style, purple eyes shining with his smile.
"Might i join you?" he questioned as he slowly approached.
"Of course Lord Velaryon, you need not ask my permission when I'm in your castle"
Monterys chuckled and stepped forward, "I do when I'm in the presence of potentially the next Queen of Westeros"
Lyanna looked at him deeply and chuckled light in response, "I will never sit the iron throne Monterys," she sighed, "truth be told I don't know where our future lies. I see pieces of the future but I cant piece them together"
Monterys leaned on the walls and looked out across the glittering sea alongside her.
"What was Rhaegars plan?"
"I don't know. All he told me was the find the seahorse," she smiled widely at thinking of him, "of course I'd been thoroughly schooled on the Houses of Westeros. It made sense to come here, since the fall of his family no one has even thought to visit"
"Interesting how easy they forgot about my house isn't it? Don't think I haven't noticed" returned Monterys with an edge of annoyance.
Lyanna laid a hand on his, "I am extremely grateful for my sanctuary here, truly you will not be forgotten by us"
Monterys smiled at Lyannas pretty face looking intently at his, "I never lost faith in your family, but my Lady I must implore you to think of what options are best for you and the children. If Rhaegar is- lost"
Lyanna swallowed and looked down, she closed her eyes and swept out her energy where was her husband. She felt the spray of the sea hit her face, heard the crash of a boat on the waves, she saw him clearly saw him standing on the deck of a black boat. Lyannas eyes flew open and she wildly turned and scanned the horizon, Monterys stopped speaking and followed her gaze. Keenly she scanned the horizon.
"Lyanna-" started Monterys gently as if he was breaking bad news to her. She grasped his arm tightly and looked wildly at him.
"He's coming, they're just over the horizon"
Monterys looked at her sadly, "But-" he started before he heard the shout of his men.
"Ship approaching!"
Monterys squinted looking in the distance, he didnt see anything and after the storm that washed over his island the day before he did not believe one could survive. He scanned for moments before he saw them, three ships emerged from the direction of DragonStone.
"It couldn't be" he muttered as Lyanna hung forward from the battlement in excitement almost throwing herself over the walls to get closer.
The bedraggled ships docked and the DragonStone inhabitants filed down the docks welcomed and taken in by Monterys Velaryon.
"Any worker of the Targaryen family is welcome here!" He declared as scared women, children and men filtered into his island. Lyanna stood next to him patiently but fidgeting her hands endlessly, finally she saw Rhaegar's silver hair and ran down the dock. Weaving around people and jumping over ropes and crates on the dock, she jumped in the air and threw herself around her husband. For long minutes she just held him and heard the sound of his beating heart in her ears. He gripped her tightly, not caring who was around them before he pulled back and kissed her hard on the lips.
"Did you take me for dead?" smiled Rhaegar.
"Never" she replied with absolute certainty, "I knew the stories weren't true"
"I cant wait to hear these stories," he slowly lowered her to the ground and she saw he carried a heavy sack on one shoulder. Before Lyanna could ask questions Monterys pushed through the crowd and fiercely embraced his cousin with almost the same amount of passion as Lyanna.
"You thought me dead, I can tell" said Rhaegar gravely
"I did cousin, you should hear what the realm is saying about your death there's five different versions from the Trident alone!"
Rhaegar laughed and shook his head, "You wouldn't believe the truth of it"
"Try me," said Monterys with a smile as he ushered Rhaegar's crew off the dock.
"These men and their families need lodgings, they're my crew members and will be leaving with us on the next fair day. I want them close to me" spoke Rhaegar with authority.
"Of course my King," said Monterys, "they'll be given appropriate lodgings and your DragonStone servants will be found houses until they return to your service"
"They will be staying for the foreseeable future" said Rhaegar firmly and ominously.
Monterys simply nodded and indicated Rhaegar go ahead of him, "As you wish"
Rhaegar's reunion with his children from Elia was emotional, there were tears all around and his children asked incessantly when Elia would be coming too. It was uncomfortable for Lyanna, she wanted to leave them to reunite in private but Rhaegar refused insisting she is family and must stay. When presented with their daughter Rhaegar gushed over her, and alongside his children marvelled at her delicate features and her silver streaked hair.
"Nobody in the history of my family has had hair like this," he exclaimed proudly holding her up above his head, her silver flecked hair shone in the light and her purple eyes shone bright.
"I need to tell you something Rhaegar," said Lyanna with a seriousness, he looked up to his wife and waited for her to speak.
"There was another baby, we didn't realise because we had no Maester to check me, I was carrying twins"
The colour drained from Rhaegar's face, "What happened to my son?"
"He's in the North, with Ned" she said simply, "during the labour I was in and out of consciousness, many times I saw visions of us, and them," she indicated the children in the room, "but our son was surrounded by snow and-" she paused looking uneasy.
"Go on Lyanna, tell me" encouraged Rhaegar
She exhaled loudly, "I saw two things, our son riding an enormous black dragon...and the Night King with a sea of dead. I don't know what it meant for him, and I've been plagued with guilt since Ned left," the words tumbled out of her mouth as she allowed her pent up anxieties about their son be released. Rhaegar slowly stood and still holding Rhaena wrapped his free arm around Lyanna pulling her close. Lyanna sobbed lightly into his embrace feeling immense guilt wash through her.
"I think of him every day since he left, I dream of him, I hear him crying and wake up thinking he's here with me. It's torture! If I hadve known I'd feel this way I never would've let him go! What sort of mother am I to just give him away!" she wailed loudly as the tears intensified. Rhaegar said nothing and just held her, she ceased talking and sobbed into his shoulder. Rhaegar still held her and let her have the space to cry, holding her tight and close. Afterward she was silent, Rhaegar kissed the top of her head and pulled away wiping her eyes with his free hand.
"You did the right thing, I have faith in your abilities Lyanna. Come let me show you why you made the right choice"
Rhaegar gently grasped Lyannas hand and drew her to the fireplace which was roaring robustly, he pointed into the flames.
"What do you see?"
Lyanna looked, "Flames and logs" she replied bluntly.
"Look closer at those logs" smiled Rhaegar.
Lyanna stepped forward and looked intently, bending closer she felt the heat holding her back from getting too close. Suddenly she gaped open her mouth.
"Dragons eggs?" she said softly standing and looking back to her husband.
Rhaegar nodded excitedly and brought the children closer to look.
"Don't get too close," he warned, "but look at this sight my precious family. Those eggs will rebuild our House, we will return to Westeros one day riding these dragons and they will fall to their knees and beg for our return"
Later that evening, the children slept soundly and Lyanna returned to the castle walls to star gaze. Rhaegar slipped up behind her and ran his hands down her form in the black of night, kissing her neck gently. Lyanna closed her eyes and felt the chills slide down her neck at his touch, she thanked the Old Gods for returning him to her.
"What's next for us Rhaegar?" whispered Lyanna, "we are too close to Robert here, all it takes is one spy to go to Kings Landing-" her voice trailed off replaced by the loud crashing of waves below.
"We stay for now," he said as he turned her to face him, kissing her long and slow while lifting her skirts.
"I'm not done making dragons" he said huskily in her ear as he lifted her up and pushed inside of her. She groaned in response and threw her head back as the waves continued to crash loudly below them and the stars glittered high above them.
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The Targaryen family stirred early the following morning, woken by Rhaena's cries for milk which Lyanna silenced by putting her to the breast. She was a robust little girl, happy and clearly magical. They had witnessed her calling animals to her side and caught sight of her toys dancing magically in her crib. Rhaenys and Aegon doted on her and would often take her from the crib first thing in the morning allowing Lyanna to sleep.
They sang songs to Rhaena and played with her toys, Aegon would chase Rhaenys and Rhaena would giggle watching them. All the while the flames raged around the dragons eggs, stained a muddy brown from being smeared with Rhaella's blood. Slowly the eggs all began to glow until they became red hot, they shook from the build up of heat and began to crack and shake. At first the children didn't notice, they were too busy chasing one another and laughing. Rhaegar and Lyanna lay in bed trying their best to sleep despite the giggles and pattering of footsteps. The cracks got louder and the flames hissed throwing sparks across the floor, the children stopped running in their tracks. Rhaena rolled to her side and smiled reaching out her tiny chubby hand to the flames. Rhaenys lurched forward and scooped up Rhaena, Aegon followed his big sister. The children seated themselves in front of the flames, Rhaena was propped up on Rhaenys lap. They stared into the flames that had stopped hissing and spitting sparks, tentatively, Rhaenys reached her hand forward to touch the flames. Aegon watched in wonder for a moment before he copied and reached forward as well.
Rhaenys hand entered the flames, which bent towards her touch and leapt into the palm of her hand, her purple eyes glowed bright as the flames danced on her palm. The same happened to Aegon, and baby Rhaena reached her chubby little baby arm forward mimicking her siblings. She was nowhere near able to reach it but regardless flames leapt from the fireplace into her tiny hand. The flames danced in the children's hands as they watched on, shocked. They stared transfixed at the flames in their hands as the flames soared and hissed again. Several loud cracks and the sound of falling stone startled the children and they scooted back away from the flames slightly. Rhaenys stared into the flames and beckoned to Aegon, to move closer with her. Again she reached out the hand which she cradled flames in, and before she knew what was happening a dragon burst through the flames and ran up her arm. Aegon pulled his arm back in fright but before he could a dragon burst from its egg in the flames and ran up his arm too. The siblings laughed as their fear fell away, little Rhaena grunted in unhappiness as she wriggled her little fingers and a short time later a dragon jumped from the flames and ran up Rhaenys lap and settled across little Rhaena's shoulders.
Rhaegar and Lyanna lay in bed dozing in and out of sleep as they let the children squeal and run around them. Noise and commotion was normal with the children so when they let out several excited whoops neither of them stirred. Lyanna first felt something jump onto their bed, but ignored it thinking the kids were throwing toys around the room again. The next thud though was too heavy to be a toy, groggily she opened her eyes and quickly was confronted with the sight in front of her. Two large dragons stared down at her, one bigger than the other calmly watching her, her eyes widened and she smiled as she shoved Rhaegar to wake up. He groaned in annoyance but Lyanna shoved him again, he was laying on his stomach and opened one eye. In an instant he rolled to his back and sat up, eyes wide open and mouth open in wonder. He bowed his head to the dragon towering over him, a black dragon flecked with golden tinged scales and golden eyes. The dragon returned his bow and Rhaegar slowly moved forward mouth open in wonder, he stretched out his hand and caressed the dragons neck. In return the dragon clicked and growled in response which made Rhaegar jump a little before realising the dragon was enjoying his touch. Lyanna gingerly sat up, and eyed her dragon before following Rhaegar's lead and bowing to her dragon. The pale blue dragon with silver shining scales returned her bow and Lyanna also touched her dragon.
"I don't understand," she said softly worried the dragon would hear her, "I'm not Targaryen or Valyrian I shouldn't have one"
"Your dragon chose you, you wield Valyrian magic my love," he replied not taking his eyes off his own dragon, "embrace it"
It was difficult to hide the dragons as they grew incredibly fast which Rhaegar hypothesised was due to the magic they used. Monterys Velaryon was at a loss what to feed the dragons and ordered his men to bring a cow every day for the dragons to fight over and feast on. At the very sight of the dragons Monterys Velaryon had fallen to his knees and looked up at Rhaegar and his family with their dragons. He had said in wonder, "I pledge my family to yours as they always have been and always will be"
A couple of weeks passed by and the dragons grew large enough to ride, Rhaegar and Lyanna rode their dragons who they named Baeron and Aesha. The children were firmly told they couldn't ride so they watched from the ground while their parents soared above them. With the children's dragons tailing close behind, it was a sight to behold, two large dragons with three medium ones railing behind them. The people of Driftmark stopped and stared in awe, many clapped in exultation that the spirit of Valyria had finally arisen. Without question the people of Driftmark fiercely declared their approval and were overjoyed at any sight of Rhaegar, Lyanna and the children.
Unfortunately as the dragons continued growing, especially Baeron and Aesha who grew faster than the children's dragons, their time on Driftmark was becoming too risky.
"We can't have five dragons in the air above us every day," said Monterys firmly, "we have been lucky you weren't already spotted by a passing merchant ship! Your safety is paramount I won't have you stay and risk being discovered"
"I know you care," beamed Rhaegar, "I'm not sure where we are to go next though, we need to be close enough to Westeros to return but not be discovered..."
"We need to be close to Valyria," interjected Lyanna, "I've seen it, we go there"
Rhaegar looked across the crowded table at his crew and their families who he insisted join the discussion as they would be going on the journey with them. Many suggestions were thrown around the room but all of them involved going to a city, Rhaegar declined all their ideas.
"We need somewhere not tainted," explained Rhaegar, "somewhere we can settle and grow without fear of being discovered"
A voice yelled out from the back of the group, "We should go to Naath"
Rhaegar's ears pricked up and he felt the air instantly change, "Naath," he mumbled to himself, grasping the world map he searched for it. He found it and rapped his finger on the small island of Naath on the map.
"Who spoke?"
A man bustled forward, rough face and stubbly beard missing an eye, to all he looked like a pirate.
"Have you been to Naath?" questioned Rhaegar.
The man nodded, "Only once though"
"Tell me what we need to know"
The man explained the beauty of the island but the relative weakness of the people and their vulnerability to being raided and enslaved. Colour rose in Rhaegar's cheeks. The sailor continued saying it's across from the Valyrian ruins a day or two of sailing depending on the wind. Finally he added that the island is home to the most beautiful butterflies in the world some of which contain deadly poison. Several debated the truth of this and others said it's a reason not to settle there, but all Rhaegar saw was an opportunity.
"Can you and your men get us to Naath?" said Rhaegar staring intently at the man.
"Aye my King, I can sail there again"
"Ready yourselves, we sail sunrise on the morrow"
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The Targaryen ships sailed until the island of Naath rose out of the morning mist, Lyanna and Rhaegar stood on the prow watching the island get bigger. The dragons had been instructed to remain high in the sky until they established contact with the natives on the island. Rhaegar and Lyanna took a small boat and rowed to shore, they pulled the boat up the picturesque beach and hesitatingly entered the settlement. All was empty, not a soul in sight. It was almost eerie and ominous, fires still smoked as if they'd been extinguished moments before, meals looked half prepared and tools had been thrown to the ground.
"They're in hiding, from us" murmured Rhaegar, "the Captain was right this place is vulnerable"
They came to a large temple, looking around they could find no other indication of who was in power here.
"Lay out the gifts here Lyanna, then we go to the ship and we wait"
Lyanna bent down and quickly laid out the gifts they had brought, sacks of grain, wreaths of flowers, and a golden dragon statue. She arranged them in front of the temple all the while praying to the Old Gods to guide them. Satisfied she stood and they returned to their boat on the shore and rowed back to the ship.
Several days pass before a small boat approaches from the shore, three men approach the Targaryen ships and board the boat. Rhaegar and Lyanna stand front and centre flanked by their children and men behind them, they're dressed in Targaryen clothes of black and red. The tribal men look on edge, Lyanna steps forward and holds out her hands in a gesture of being non threatening. She bowed her head and held her hands out in front of her. The Naathi men repeat her movement.
"Does anyone here speak their language?" said Rhaegar.
"I speak some common tongue" said one of the Naathi in a heavy accent, "we capture prisoner, he teach me"
Lyanna and Rhaegar look at each other in surprise.
"We come to seek permission to reside on your island"
The Naathi man turned to his leader and spoke in their tongue, he responded in their tongue and the Westerosi waited patiently for the response
"We know only peace," he translated slowly, "but we are vulnerable. They come, they attack, they take our people. Our island is not what you think it will be"
Rhaegar laughed a little which caused the Tribal leader to look at him strangely, "You won't be vulnerable anymore" and he looked to the sky. Slowly the tribal leader and his companions lifted their heads to gaze at the sky, and promptly fell to their knees at the sight of five dragons materialising from inside the clouds to hover above the ship.
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12years later...
News of the Nights Watch defector immediately raised the hairs on Neds neck, in almost the same way as that horrible day he knew Jon was in danger. Many years had passed but that feeling was as fresh as yesterday. Sombrely Ned prepared the horses and summoned his sons, it was a harsh reality but one they must learn. It was their duty to protect the realms of men even from defectors who are meant to protect them from whatever fairy tales live North of the Wall.
Catelyn tried to argue against Bran going but Ned overruled her with one simple comment, "All Starks must learn the ways of the North Cat"
She simply pursed her lips together and nodded, her eyebrows knitted together in worry. She knew he was right but it was still her nature as a mother to want to shield him from the harshness of the world.
"He'll be fine, he's a strong lad" he said as he kissed her brow which softened under his kiss. She leant into his kiss and embraced him before stepping back and observing the Stark boys saddling up.
She did not envy what her son was about to learn. It was something she had wanted to shield all her children from, but she couldn't go against her husband.
The defector was restrained by Neds banner men who looked unnerved when Ned galloped up. The Stark boys and Theon the Stark ward following closely behind.
"Lord Stark!" yelled the young defector as he approached, "please hear me! The wolves protect the realm from them, they're coming! Coming for us all! You must stop them! Please!"
The boy struggled to remain restrained as he sought to rush to Ned.
Ned dismounted his horse and drew Ice, the boys words washing over him but not sinking in. He was in a different mindset, one of executioner.
"You defected from the Nights Watch young crow, I must do my duty" spoke Ned gravely.
The young man fell to his knees and dropped his head, sobbing quietly.
"They're coming for us all Lord Stark, and your House will be the first to meet them" spoke the boy staring up at Ned, their eyes caught and Ned saw it. Fear, real fear was alive in this boy. Ned saw the blue eyes and the wildling bodies stacked in the snow, he heard the screams of his Nights watch comrades dying. After mere seconds he snapped back to reality.
Neds banner men laughed in scorn, "White Walkers coming for Ned Stark? They'll have to get through the wall first. You know lad? The one that's stood for near ten thousand years"
"The wall will fall" returned the boy ominously, "and you men will join the army of the dead"
He peered at them all individually, his words making their blood freeze momentarily.
The banner men fell silent at these words and Ned stepped forward. The certainty with which he spoke, and his unwavering unapologetic gaze shook them all to their core. None spoke in return, the cold breeze tugged at their cloaks as they ruffled in the wind violently.
"Regardless of what you say defectors die by the sword young man, ready yourself"
Ned nodded to his men who dragged the boy to the stone and laid his head across it, the boy muttered inaudible prayers.
"Last words defector?" said one banner man
"Get word to my family I died in battle"
Several of the banner men sniggered quietly, they scorned the young man. Yet something in Ned felt off about this, a part of him tugged on his consciousness to spare the boy.
"As you wish" responded Ned as his sword swung down in a strong arc and cut the boys head from his body.
His sons remained on their horses watching, solemnly and sadly, but watching all the same.
Seeing the boys dead body caused Ned to feel sick again and the hairs pricked on his neck as he internalised what the boy had said. Something in him knew those words were an ominous prediction of the future. Nodding to his men the boys body was given funeral rites and prepared for burial, Ned cleaned Ice and glanced at his sons. Robb and Jon flanked Bran with Theon Greyjoy beside Robb. He could tell Bran was shaken by what he'd seen but Ned reasoned with himself there were worse things in the world his son would see in his lifetime.
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The ride back was tough for Ned, that feeling didn't leave him it only grew stronger. That terrible feeling he made the wrong choice drowned him in dread, leading the group back to Winterfell he was lost in thought. Words echoed around him from the men talking excitedly about the execution but Ned only heard the boys voice in his head. He was pulled back to the moment by a shout from behind from his ward, Theon Greyjoy. Dismounting he commanded them all to halt with his hand, there were smears of blood across the ground. Something had been dragged into the bushes, Ned examined the marks, the wind picked up around him and he smelled the scent of blood...and something else, something familiar, something he had to find. Ned began to push into the bracken alone.
"Wait Lord Stark, should you go in there alone?" asked his master of arms Rodrik Cassel.
"Wait here, I'll look and return if help is needed. There might be nothing of interest in there" replied Ned, he firmly wanted to do this alone. There was something in there, something he needed...but he didn't know what.
Neds neck prickled with a different feeling this time, it was more like excitement or following something he knew was good. Fearlessly he pushed through the bushes and stopped in his tracks at what he saw. Across the clearing a mountain Lion was devouring a huge stag, the irony of the scene wasn't lost on Ned. He immediately saw the Houses of Lannister and Baratheon in this clearing and he felt that ominous feeling again. He started to back away not wanting to arouse the lions awareness he was there. He was obviously down wind and hadn't been detected, as he backed slowly away he heard a low whine. To his right a huge injured direwolf lay, he could tell from her shape she was with pups. He glanced to the Lion, and it made sense to him. They'd fought over the stag and the wolf had been injured and lost, her pregnancy making her fighting skills weak in comparison to the Lion. Thinking quickly Ned wasn't sure what to do, part of him began to turn and leave the clearing and leaving the wolf behind. She whined again louder this time causing the Lion to stop eating momentarily. Neds blood froze, if that Lion saw him he was dead. He knelt down and put his finger to his lips at the wolf, an action he felt stupid doing but he did it anyway. Quietly he made his way to the wolf, they locked eyes and Ned found himself unable to stop himself from helping her. Removing his furs he gently slid them underneath her, he was surprised she didn't struggle or fight him. She let him move her injured body even though she was in pain, Ned marvelled at how he was still alive at this point. He pressed his hand to his lips again bidding the wolf to be quiet and she blinked twice. Ned thought he was going mad but he silently slid the wolf through the underbrush as best he could. His heart hammered in his chest as he thought the Lion would hear them and attack any moment. He looked back and his blood froze, the Lion was standing and watching them leave the clearing. Blood oozing through its fur and dripping on its feet, it watched him as he hastily edged away. Praying to the old gods they be spared, his legs couldn't carry him away fast enough from the Lion watching him drag the wolf away. Ned emerged from the bushes dragging the injured wolf towards the horses who immediately began to shift uneasily at the sight and smell of the wolf.
The look of surprise across his men's faces didn't surprise Ned, everyone was frozen on their horses including his sons. Ned motioned to several men to help him, "Quickly men attach her to my saddle we will drag her back to the castle"
"But Lord Stark," started one, "you can't mean to bring this beast to the castle...surely? With your children?"
"I will not let the animal which is the sigil of my House die, now hurry men there is a Mountain Lion in that clearing that will come looking for us in a short time"
Fearfully the men cast glances around as they hurriedly attached the injured wolf to the saddle. When they finished Ned checked she was attached properly, before he swung into the saddle he checked she was alive. Gently he stroked her head and she locked her large Grey eyes to his, he thought it unusual that a wolf would have grey eyes as he swung onto his saddle and resumed their journey back to Winterfell.
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The ride home was slow so the Wolf wasn't injured any further, Ned was adamant she return with them to the castle. Even despite Theons offer to kill her as a kindness.
"You would have me kill the symbol of my House boy? Touch her and you'll be sorry"
Theon backed away silently and mounted his horse muttering under his breath.
Entering the castle Ned felt relief rush over him, he signalled to Rodrik Cassel to assist him.
The wolf eyed both men and seemed to prefer the help of Ned, she ever so slightly turned her head to watch him. Ned and Rodrik settled her in the safety of the kennels, in an area seperate from the castle hounds. Jory Cassel brought Ned a bucket of warm salted water and some towels, "For her wounds my Lord, they will need cleaning or she will die" he said gravely
"Is there anything else we can give her?" asked Ned as he began carefully wiping down her wounds which made her whine in pain. Yet she never lashed out.
"I'm afraid she's in the hand of the Old Gods now" said Rodrik gravely, "if she makes it through the night she should survive. When you finish ill check on her later, ill bring something from the kitchens for her to eat"
"You're not afraid of her?" Asked Ned in surprise as he continued cleaning her up.
Rodrik smiled slightly, "Of course I'm afraid I'm not a fool, but if she's allowed me in and hasn't bitten your hand off I might have a chance living later on"
Ned chuckled slightly, he always enjoyed Rodrik's dry sense of humour. Ned noticed the wolf watching him intently, "He's going to bring you some food later, don't eat him as well" he spoke sternly and gravely to her, she whined and licked his hand in response.
Ned laughed and looked at Rodrik, "See you'll be fine. Just make sure it's a good cut of meat otherwise I can't guarantee she'll let you leave"
Rodrik smirked and followed Ned and Jory out of the kennels, the wolf watched them leave before closing her eyes and falling into a deep sleep.
Ned sought out his wife the place he knew she would be, the sept. Catelyn spent most of her time in the sept praying to her gods, she told them everything but found only silence in return. Today she prayed to the Stranger, not an altar she could say she ever visited but considering the execution and her young son witnessing it she felt prayers here appropriate. She lit candles and whispered quiet prayers, sitting in contemplation as she begged for protection and strength for her son. It was deathly quiet in the sept, Ned had built it well it was truly a sanctuary of the Seven.
The door to the sept creaked open startling Catelyn, she was relieved to see Ned enter. She could tell by the look on his face something had happened, he silently joined her at her side and gazed up at the Stranger peering down upon them.
"Would you like to join me in prayer?" offered Catelyn
Ned shook his head, "No," he spoke quietly out of respect, "your Gods don't speak to me"
Catelyn lit a candle for Ned on the Fathers altar and looked up at the altar and thought to herself, 'They don't talk to me either'
She turned and faced her husband squarely, "You don't often seek me out in here, is it done?"
"Aye. It's done" replied Ned with a sad tone.
Catelyn searched his face for a clue as to what happened, "And?" she questioned.
"We found something on the way back, a direwolf injured in the woods," he paused, "we brought her to the castle"
"You brought a wild wolf into the castle? Where we have children?" hissed Catelyn.
Ned held up his hand, "I'll not harm, hurt or leave the sigil of my House to die Cat. The wolf will be no trouble"
"How do you know this?" demanded Catelyn.
Ned looked firmly into her face, "because I know"
Ned made his way to the door and looked back at the sept he had built for his wife, "I'll leave you to your prayers now"
As the door shut Catelyn looked around at the Seven who stared down at her with Stoney faces and never felt more alone.
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Despite expectations, the wolf survived and within a few days she was able to move and her appetite increased exponentially. Ned began spending every day checking on her and bringing her food and new blankets. Slowly her wounds healed without any sign of infection, he was thankful for Rodrik and Maester Lewins help with that. The Maester had suggested they place poultices of garlic and thyme leaves against the wounds to stem infection from the Lions teeth. It had worked and the healing had begun at a good pace, within a fortnight she was walking and itching to be free of the kennels.
"A wild animal has no place in the castle," scolded Catelyn while Ned dressed one morning. She had trouble accepting the presence of the wolf in the castle.
"What would you have me do?" he asked gruffly as he pulled on a shirt.
"Set her free Ned! Let her run the hills and do whatever it is those animals do in the wild. Not here and not with our children, please"
She implored him with fear in her eyes, partly genuine. Ned gazed at her for a few moments but followed what his gut was telling him.
"The wolf stays Catelyn, I'll not set her free to die again if her injuries are permanent. You'll see, everything will be fine"
Before she had a chance to respond Ned left the room leaving her looking confused and angry at the same time. She hated how he could do that, what could she do? She had no real power as a woman in this world and this frustrated her no end.
The wolf sat waiting for Ned at the door to her enclosure, she watched him unlock the door patiently and step inside. She didn't move, just sat there resolutely and watched him. They watched each other for a while until Maester Lewin arrived to examine her.
"Thank you Maester for this, I know it's an unusual request" said Ned
Maester Lewin smiled, "It's actually not the most unusual thing I've had to do in my years as a Maester Lord Stark."
With that he set to work, the wolf let Maester Lewin examine her, moving her leg joints and looking at her wounds. Finally he examined her swollen stomach which made her growl slightly and the Maester ceased his work.
"Her wounds have healed well, but one of her legs is permanently damaged. Looks like the lion snapped a bone in its jaw, she can't be released to the wild with an injury like that. Her pups are alive it seems but I was unable to determine how many she is carrying. She stopped me from doing that" concluded the Maester with a wry smile, "I'm not a man of the mysteries Lord Stark but this wolfs appearance and the circumstances around it are very auspicious. It seems she has come here to stay"
At the Maesters words the wolf stood back up and wandered over to Neds side, sitting across his feet and looking up at him. Instinctively he scratched under her jaw, the moment he touched her fur like that something rushed over Neds body. A wave of sensation he can only describe as an intense cold shiver rolled over him. Maester Lewin saw him shiver and look a little shocked.
"I think it's time the wolf joined the pack" said Ned, kneeling down to look into her eyes. "Not everyone agrees with you coming in with us, don't make me regret it"
The wolf didn't move or make a noise just gazed back at Ned and occasionally at Maester Lewin.
"What will you call her Ned? She needs a name if she's part of the family"
Ned looked down at her and in a moment he knew, "Lyarra," he said with certainty, "Lyarra Stark"
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Ned found himself in the throne room of the Red Keep, he watched as Robert played at being King. The scenes shifted and he saw a great crime being committed, his friend and mentor murdered. His murderers coupling together and creating a baby and passing it off as his. The scene shifted as he saw his wife holding a babe in her arms, a girl. Her name is Sansa Ned, said Catelyn. The words echoed around him as the scene shifted once more. The world lurched and spun, he stood in a an alleyway. A familiar alleyway, he looked around at the buildings they were northern buildings. He heard a shout and a scuffle, he edged closer to the sound and saw a woman cornered terrified and a man towering over her. Several quick movements saw the woman fall to the ground bleeding, the man leaving her for dead. As he ran past Ned he caught a glimpse of the mans cloak, he saw the flayed man sigil as the man swiftly ran into the dark.
Ned snapped out of his dream and leapt from his bed, pulling his cloak over his nightclothes and running from the room. Lyarra looked up from the end of the bed and followed Ned into the dark of night.
Ned ran from the castle to nearby Wintertown and down the alley way. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the woman, crumpled on the ground and bleeding. Without a thought he scooped her up and took her to the castle to see the Maester, Lyarra trotting behind him.
Turns out she was a town whore attacked and robbed, but that didn't matter to Ned. The fact he found her from what he saw in his dream shook him to the core. For days he pondered over the fact something was happening to him that he couldn't explain. Several times he actually thought he was descending into madness. After some consideration he sought out the only person he knew who might be able to answer the questions he had.
Ned found Old Nan in the washer room scrubbing linen, her old hands gnarled from years of work and swollen arthritic joints. Nonetheless she worked as hard as any other, if not harder. When she saw Ned approaching she smiled a toothless smile with a look of knowing.
"One of the wolves has come to talk" she cackled slightly crazed. Ned smiled and glanced around nervously, waiting for the other workers to leave the room. He lowered his voice and spoke.
"Old Nan, you told us something when we were young that never left me. Now I have some questions"
Old Nan looked him up and down with a serious look on her face. "What do you want to know Lord Stark?"
Ned began telling her about the wolf and his dreams, which had frequently become more and more prophetic. Some nights he was seeing the world through Lyarra's eyes, these dreams now came nightly and he found conversations he had with people sounded familiar. Ned often knew exactly what one was about to say before they said it, he knew what was written on scrolls before he read them and he had increasingly vivid dreams, he was thoroughly shaken. He told Old Nan he had seen conversations in his dreams that had already come to pass and how he knew what people would say before they said it.
Old Nan clucked her tongue, "Why are you surprised lad? The Magic of the Others and the Children run in your veins. The Starks have the oldest blood in the land and it's the richest with old magic. If you'd have stuck to your studies you would've known that!"
Ned smiled a little at the small woman scolding him, "So what does this mean Old Nan?"
"It means, your family is finally going to use the magic that's been hidden in your blood for thousands of years!" she snapped at him as she walked away, "And it's about time too!"
Ned smiled as he watched her scurry away with a heavy basket of washing in her hands, he might not have the answers he wanted but he knew where to look next.
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Ned carried several books, thick and dusty to his chambers. He knew if he needed answers he would find them in the Winterfell library. No other library in the kingdom contained books on green seers and the other wonders of the North. Frankly no one except the north believed the kind of things he had always known as fairy tales ever really existed. Flicking through the pages he stopped when he saw a lifelike drawing of a dire wolf. It looked exactly like Lyarra, he paused and looked down at his feet where the wolf lay. Ned read about the dire wolves and how they descended from a race of wolves known only in the lands of always winter. These wolves were intelligent and could communicate with humans, they also were known to form bonds with specific people. Especially green seers. This caused Ned to pause, green seers hadnt been seen anywhere for centuries that he knew. As his hand brushed the page to turn it he felt his eyes roll back in his head and the visions began. The history of Westeros rolled across his minds eye, he saw the most famed and controversial parts of history unfold in front of him. The scenes took him through the Long Night and the establishment of the Targaryens in power, scenes from the Dance of Dragons dominated before the recent events of Robert taking the throne. The last vision he saw was Rhaegar marrying his sister and the babes being born. Instantly he was back in his body, he felt a little dizzy and looked down to Lyarra. She was intently watching with her grey eyes boring into his soul. He grazed his hands over her head, the fur feeling soft and grounding on his skin. In an instant he was gone again, this time he saw his mother standing amongst the roots of a great weirwood tree. She was pale, and drawn. He remembered how she looked before she passed. And she looked close to death here, Ned was confused and unsure what he was seeing. His mother seemed to be talking to the tree, many tears fell from her eyes and after a while she walked away. Ned watched as her tears fell on the roots and the tree drank them in, absorbing them in an instant. The tree roots flashed a light and then it was gone. The scene shifted to his mother when she had passed and his grief stricken father giving the men instructions. Lyarra was taken to the woods somewhere north and laid under a weirwood tree. Snow fell over his mother's body as she lay lifeless in the roots, he watched as she disappeared underneath the snow being completely covered. It covered her body in a thick layer, Ned was unsure why he was still here. He heard a whine and shortly after the snow began to shift where his mother had laid moments before. In front of his eyes the snow fell away revealing a wolf, with a long streak of dark brown down her back just like his mother had. In an instant Ned recognised the wolf, she stood and looked up at the tree and howled before shaking off the snow and running into the forest.
Ned returned to his body, and dazedly looked down at the wolf. Her eyes met his and he knew in an instant his mother had worked some magic in her death. Now she was here in another form, tears streamed down his face as he hugged the wolf fiercely.
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Neds visions came more frequently and strongly, he saw interactions with all his children before they happened. He saw Arya fighting with a sword and appointed her a teacher. He saw Bran climbing the towers and commissioned a harness be made for him. He saw Jon and Robb competing with their bows and sent some men to help them improve. He saw Sansa ridiculing Arya for being dirty and he knew she needed to learn humility, so he decided she needed to learn to fight as well. Awkwardly Sansa held a sword and took lessons in fighting. The visions he saw of the fates which could befall his children showed Ned he was incredibly narrow minded when it came to preparing his children for the reality of their world in Westeros. Catelyn was not impressed but again, Ned overruled her and Catelyn felt even more isolated than ever.
A few days later Ned noticed Lyarra had been absent for a period of time and he was worried about her. Since his vision Ned had been even closer to his wolf, and had kept the secret of her origin to himself. Even though he accepted his new skills he knew many wouldn't understand. Ned looked all over the castle and was beginning to worry when he glanced across the courtyard and saw the distinctive Weirwood leaves waving to him. Entering the Godswood Ned felt a sense of reverence fall over him. He immediately began his prayers to the Old Gods when he entered as he had been taught by his parents when he was a boy. He searched the garden but didn't find Lyarra, worried he sat amongst the weirwood leaves his brows furrowed in concern. After he finished his prayers he murmured, 'Where are you Lyarra?'
Ned felt the earth shifting around his feet and looked around in alarm as the Weirwood leaves seemed to move like snakes. They revealed a cave under the weirwood roots which Ned cautiously entered. It was huge and the walls of the cave were dominated by the bone white roots. In the centre of the cave lay Lyarra, sleeping soundly. Ned slowly went to her worried the cave would close on him and laid his hand on her fur. She opened her eyes and looked at him, he felt a mixture of emotions and confusion in him. She responded by licking his hand, he smiled slightly as he noticed the pups asleep next to their mother. Ned counted them, 9 in total. He was shocked, what was he to do with 9 direwolf pups? The pups slowly stirred and yawned, tails wagging they swamped Ned in a cute wave of fur and sharp teeth. Ned laughed loudly as he caressed their fur and felt them wriggle and jump over him. Lyarra slowly got to her feet and began to leave the cave, the pups began bounding after their mother. Ned watched them go in amazement as he looked around the cave. He almost didn't notice the scroll laying among the roots but thought it odd some paper was in the damp cave. When he removed it from the cave the roots began moving and the cave was closing, not stopping to read it Ned quickly exited the cave and watched in amazement as the cave closed in front of his eyes. His home which he had known all his life had just showed a new secret to him. Scooping up some of the pups he entered the castle grounds with the newest members of the Stark family.
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The Stark children immediately fell in love with the pups and Ned noticed certain pups were drawn to his children. He already knew the pups were destined to be paired with his children, he had seen broken visions of his children alongside their wolves. Catelyn made a fuss about wolf animals taking over the castle but Ned ignored her as he watched the pups playing with the children with a smile on his face.
"The pups will stay, it's good for them to be responsible for something other than themselves" he spoke as he watched the children laughing and playing with the adorable direwolf pups.
"Ned, we can't have animals in the castle!"
"Yes we can, last time I checked this castle is my home and the sigil of my House is a wolf. The wolves stay"
Catelyns face burned with anger and she hastily left the room, the more decisions he overruled the more he felt her pull away from him. Ned called over one of his most trusted men, Jory Cassel.
"See those two pups Jory?" Ned pointed to two pups playing alone together across the room.
Jory nodded to Ned, "Take them by boat to Starfall"
Jory looked to Ned confused, but Ned just smiled.
"Trust me Jory, that's where they belong. Give this note to Ashara and only Ashara" his voice was low so none but Jory heard him.
Jory took the note and scooped up the two pups leaving immediately to enact Neds orders. Arya watched the pups leaving slightly confused, she scooped up her pup and bounded across to Ned.
"Where are they going?"
Ned smiled down at his daughter and knew a lie would not suffice his daughter, "One day I'll tell you Arya. I won't lie to you but now is not the time to tell you. Can you trust me?"
Arya looked worried but nodded, "Will they be safe"
Ned smiled down at his daughter, "No harm will ever come to them Arya, they're going to be looked after. What will you name her?" Asked Ned looking at Arya's wolf, he already knew the answer but wanted to hear all the same.
"Nymeria" replied Arya shortly, looking lovingly at her pup.
Ned felt a tear raise in his eye as he looked across and saw his children and their wolves. He locked eyes with Lyarra who seemed to smile back at him.
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Catelyn grew more and more frustrated in her marriage, being the oldest of her siblings she was used to her father at least listening to her. He agreed with her opinions rarely but he listened at least, Ned on the other hand did not. She felt the love she had for him freezing away and her cold exterior returning. Since that wolf had come into their life she felt she was second in line. It infuriated her the wolf seemed to have a higher place in the castle than her, Neds wife. She noticed even the servants seemed to revere the wolf while she was looked at as if she was just another servant. That night she lay awake unable to sleep, she had pretended to be asleep when Ned came to bed so she wouldn't have to perform her wifely duties. The door to their chambers creaked open and she heard her enter the room and jump on the bed, Catelyn sat up and glared at the wolf who immediately returned her gaze. The pair locked eyes as Catelyn was determined not to break eye contact showing her displeasure, the wolf edged slowly forward. Cat intended to shove the wolf away but to her surprise the wolf laid along her body and rested her head on Cat's chest. Slowly Cat put her hand on the wolfs face and stroked her gently, which got her a gentle lick on the hand.
The wolf resumed staring deep into her eyes and Catelyn stared back, she immediately felt ashamed she harboured jealousy toward an animal.
'What's wrong with me?' she thought to herself.
The wolf blinked and whined, Catelyn sharpened her gaze.
"You understand me" she whispered to the wolf
Immediately her mind was barraged with images from her own life, one after the other she saw key points of her life played back finishing with her most shameful memory. Trying to suffocate the boy. Catelyn felt anger and shame all at once.
"I've changed, I love the boy," she quietly pleaded verbally with the wolf who stared at her as a tear slipped from her eye.
"The Old Gods are calling you Catelyn, you feel alone because you refuse to evolve, you'll always feel like an outcast unless you grow"
The voice boomed in Catelyns head, but not in a demanding frightening way. The voice was female, caring and with an edge of love to it. Catelyn breathed raggedly from the shock of it all, "You," she breathed quietly trying not to wake Ned, "you spoke to me?"
The wolf laid her head down on Catelyns chest and licked her hand once more before closing her eyes.
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The following day Catelyn was very nervous, she dressed herself and brushed her hair longer than usual. The events of the previous night shook her, inside she felt a loss and excited at what she might gain. She found herself walking towards the sept as she did daily. She put her hand on the door as if to enter and the wolf flashed into her mind, grow she heard in her mind, evolve, the Old Gods are calling. In that moment she felt in crisis with her faith, not once in all her many years of prayer had the Seven spoken to her or guided her. Her hand slipped from the door of the sept, she looked up at the structure her husband had built for her and smiled gratefully. Yet she turned and walked away, striding with purpose in the opposite direction.
Gingerly she stepped into the cool sun dappled Godswood, it was here she felt most like an imposter. Like the trees didn't welcome her presence, today was no different. But she had a new resolve and stepped forward anyway, her eyes scanned the scene in front of her and she saw Ned kneeling amongst the roots deep in prayer. Lyarra sat by his side watching Catelyn with her unwavering grey eyes, suddenly the wolf bounded forward and circled around Catelyns legs. This caused Catelyn to smile and laugh a little, caressing the wolfs coat lovingly she felt differently toward the wolf now. She saw not competition, but an ally.
She looked up and saw Ned watching, a mixture of surprise and delight across his face. Realising she was in a sacred place Catelyn didn't speak, she walked towards her husband with Lyarra by her side and knelt by Ned placing her hands on the roots.
"I choose the Old Gods, will you show me their ways?"
Neds face was shocked, he smiled and a tear slipped from his eye, "Of course"
Husband and wife, with the wolf by their side knelt amongst the roots and silently prayed to the Old Gods, who listened to their prayers and would speak to them soon.
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Strengthened by their aligned faith, Ned and Catelyn experienced a deeper connection in their marriage than they'd ever had before. Catelyn found her frustration, anger and jealousy melted away when she relinquished all the ideas and lessons she had learned from her youth. She stammered out to Ned in confidence by the fire in their chambers all the lessons her mother and maids had hammered into her as a girl. All the lessons which fuelled her conflict with who she was and who she needed to be. When she stepped into the faith of the Old Gods everything she knew had been shed and a new mindset settled over her. Catelyn began dressing as a northerner and her maids began braiding her hair in the northern style. Ned even caught her taking lessons with a sword which pleasantly surprised him. Slowly and surely his noble wife from the river lands was becoming more and more Northern and with it the two became closer than either thought was possible.
For the first time in her life Catelyn had a connection with her faith, she would ask and would be answered, she would plead to see and she would be shown. No longer was she praying to silence and getting silence in return.
Ned felt he had a wife who he finally bonded with and trusted, and so during their nightly discussions by the fire laid out his plans.
"I saw it Cat, I'm telling you there is treachery. I know it was a long time ago but I know that House they will wait decades if need be to strike a decisive blow. The Bolton's will rise against us"
Catelyn sipped her tea and looked anxious, "What can we do Ned? We should bring their allies closer to us"
Ned shook his head, "No," he said firmly, "I'll not treat with traitors I need to know the Houses of our domain are with us without question. And I'll never be able to trust that they will be"
Catelyn clucked her tongue in disagreement, "What of the children of those Houses? You can't punish them for the mistakes of their elders"
Ned was quiet from her reply, she had a fair point, something in his fury he hadn't taken into consideration.
Catelyn leant forward, "What is your plan Ned? How can we keep the Houses we have in line and replace the traitors with either their children or our supporters? If what you say is true we need to begin preparing now. I've seen a war coming, and if what I see matches what you see it will tear apart the North"
Ned nodded absentmindedly, her previous comment had thrown him into a new train of thought, "Allies," he said quietly, "from outside the North"
Catelyn was shocked but smiled, "Go on"
"Which Houses have the biggest armies?"
"Lannister, Martell, Tyrell," she paused and said uneasily, "Arryn"
"They need to be our new allies"
"How? We can't possibly have something to offer them all which will align them with us to March North on our behalf"
"Oh but we do" said Ned, "our children Cat. They're one of our hidden strengths, look at how they've changed, how we've all changed since Lyarra arrived. There is not one family in Westeros who has what we have"
Catelyn looked uneasy, "I don't like the idea of our children being sent away, bad things could happen and we aren't there to protect them"
"Aye I know, but have you seen them lately? Tell me which one of them can't protect themselves with their physical strength or their abilities"
Catelyn still looked uneasy, she didn't like having her children far away from her, "You're forgetting the river lands Ned, they also have a large army"
"Yes," he conceded, "I can't see for certain how the path unfolds but not all our children will be sent away"
Catelyns displeasure on her face deepened, "I don't know if I like the sound of that Ned"
Ned leant forward and grasped her hand in his, it was large, warm and comforting. Catelyn looked at the fervour burning in his eyes in the firelight.
"Do you trust me?"
Catelyn nodded, "With my life"
"Let me establish contact with these Houses, if the North is broken we will be torn apart by civil war. We need to extend to new allies. It strengthens us throughout the realm and protects our family"
Catelyn hesitantly nodded, "Make contact, and see where it takes us"
Ned smiled, "The Old Gods will guide us, their magic has been dormant too long. They long for action"
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Jon Arryn received the mysterious message in the dead of night from his trusted servants. Peculiar, he thought, he hadn't heard from Ned in years which had pained him somewhat. Jon Arryn had lived with some regrets after what transpired over Elias body. After Ned left the capitol and since Robert ascended the throne Ned prioritised the North and his family above anything else. He had frozen out everyone and many ravens went unanswered. Holding the scroll in his hand Jon wondered if Ned somehow knew things were growing tense in the capitol with him and Robert. The timing of his scroll was most auspicious. Unrolling it Jon almost laughed when he read the contents of the message and he wondered briefly if Ned had lost his mind. He knew Ned though and decided a trip North would settle if the note held truth or not.
Despite being the middle of the night and his wife sleeping in the bed Jon hastily packed and departed the capitol for Winterfell. Along the way he pondered the scroll often opening it and thinking over its meaning, it gave away no detail. It simply said, 'You're in danger there, don't trust those closest to you'. It bore the seal of House Stark and it was clearly written by Neds hand, his interest was piqued and he rode for Winterfell at haste.
Many times Jon wondered if he was also crazy for leaving in the middle of the night over a non descript note. Yet something continued driving him north when he began to question his own sanity. Seeing the turrets of Winterfell rising out of the morning mist after days of travel Jon felt relieved, he wanted answers and wanted them fast.
Entering the courtyard of Winterfell with his Stark escorts, Jon was taken aback at the display put on for him. Ned stood front and centre with Catelyn by his side, between them sat an enormous direwolf. Jon noticed both Ned and Catelyn had a hand on her fur which he thought unusual. Catelyn seemed more Northerner now, adorning dress and hair styling, and something about the look in her eye was different too. Arranged around the Warden of the North his children and ward, each of his children also had a dire wolf at their feet. It was a spectacular sight to behold and Jon realised with a pang in his heart he had greatly missed Ned, it was clear much had changed.
The horses pulled up and Jon wearily jumped from his saddle, removing his riding gloves he approached the imposing family waiting for him. Jon was mere steps away when Ned smiled widely and embraced him fiercely.
"Welcome to Winterfell old friend" whispered Ned in Jon Arryns ear.