The final days of his mother's pregnancy , Eddard spent playing with Lya and Ben in godswood with sticks for swords and sparring with Brandon . Listening to Brandon's tall tales of michief and adventure during his fostering . Telling his own tales about Eeyrie to his siblings , when Father was busy and mother was resting ,listening to Old Nans stories of long night , children of forest and Stark Kings of Old .
Few days after his arrival ,Father asked him to come to his Solar and enquired about his fosterage . Ned told him about his lessons with Jon Arryn about lordship , history and sums from Maester , training with Robert Baratheon and Elbert Arryn with master at arms .
Then Father enquired about Robert and Elbert and his relationship with them . Ned said Robert reminded him much of Brandon and Elbert was very dutiful as heir to Vale spent majority of his time with Lord Arryn .
Father then said that he was receiving regular reports on his studies and conduct from Lord Arryn and he was very pleased with his progress and Lord Arryn is also pleased with his time at Eeyrie . And commended Ned for upholding honor of House Stark .
With that praise in his mind and a smile on his face he made his way to his mother's rooms .
Mother happy to see him asked what his Lord Father enquired of him Ned relayed the conversation he had with his father to mother .
His mother said , " Of course he is proud of you , I am too . So Eddard do you understand why you are being fostered at Eeyrie ? "
Eddard thought for some moments and replied slowly , " Lord Arryn and father became friends during Ninepenny Kings war , and Father and Lord Arryn wanted those bonds to continue and strengthen through my fostering ? " ,With a questioning tone at the end .
His mother smiled softly in praise and rustled his hair ,before saying, " Good ,you understand some of it , but not all of it , ports White Harbor and Gulltown do a lot of trade ,a good chunk of White Harbor revenue comes from there and that revenue in turn feeds Winterfells revenue , and with your fostering you gain friendship of Heirs to Vale and Stormlands , which in turn leads to their friendship with House Stark and the North , when your father grants you your own castle and lands and you support your brother as his right hand man , these friendships will lead to alliances and trade deals . Do you understand ? "
Listening to his mother explain it all , Eddards eyes grew wider and wider , was his fostering this important to House Stark and The North ? . He would gain his own castle and lands ? As second son he thought he may gain some small holdfast and land and a Castle ? Still in shock about these reveations , Ned nodded " I understand , Mother " .
Still smiling " Good , I know you would understand, you are a dutiful son and a perfect blend of your Father and I . What are House words ? "
With as much solemnity as he could for a one and ten year old boy he replied , " Winter is coming "
To that his Lady Mother " And when winter comes and white wind blows ..."
" Lone wolf does but pack survives ". Eddard replied .
" Good , good , though you are lone wolf in the south , I worry for you so , you have Pack that would protect you , that you would protect in turn , be dutiful , but be very observant too , the Pack comes first , understand ,my son ? "
" I do, Mother "