The three days before his departure to wall Ned spent all of his time with his siblings . Talking about his discussions with their late mother and their Lord Father .

While Lya and Ben didn't most of it , Bran did , while for a brief moment jealousy flare in Brans eyes , it was soon replaced by love ,pride and joy for his accomplishments . While his older brother was most of the time uncaring about things that didn't interest him like economics and politics , he took special interest because this is about Ned , and soon discussing Neds findings and experiments Ned conducted , and promised that he will keep up to date on this project and prospectors for mining once he went back to Eeyrie as he is only few days from Winterfell .

Eddard was grateful for that , as his Lord Father has enough duties as it is , if Brandon took more interest in this venture , it would only serve to make father's burdens lighter .

Once talk about his work has died down , all Stark children started talking about time they spent with their Lady Mother . Finally two months after her passing they were able to talk of her without breaking down , there were still years and whimpers , but it was better than sobbing and wailing at her name .

The night before he was to leave for the Wall , Ned entered his father's solar , went down on his knee to the shock of his father and said solemnly , " Lord Father , I have a boon to ask of you "

" Eddard , what is the meaning of this , get to your feet " , he almost shouted before toning down his voice , to this Ned shook his head without looking away ," Fine , ask it , if it's feasible I will grant it " .

" I beg of you , if my sister asks for it , may she be allowed to learn the sword , yes , she doesn't have the build for normal longsword , but a shortsword , daggers , and Braavosi Water dancers sword are suitable for her . " , Ned asked

" Eddard she is a Lady of a Great House , there will be expectations upon her , and duties she can not avoid , what you are asking contrary to that , I expect you of all my children to know this " , Rickard replied .

" You , yourself have given me percepts to live by , Father , Survival of the Pack , survival of the North , Happiness of the Pack , Happiness of myself , then honor and duty . Lyanna learning the blade will not hamper her survival or the pack's , instead it increases the chances for it . If some catastrophe has befallen House Stark and you , Bran ,Ben and I are not there for her , her knowing skills of sword , tactics and strategy may save the North , and learning these will make her happy , her happiness makes all of us happy . By your own word , Lyanna should be educated in all the things Bran , Ben and I being educated . So grant me this boon Father , for I know I am right to ask of this and so do you "

His Lord Father sighed , " She needs to learn the Lady arts too , son . She needs know how to sew , sing and run a household , teaching her the things you ask ,will cut into those pursuits and learning them she will want to use them , using them is a dangerous endeavour , she will be risking her life . "

" I understand your point , Father , so teach her wisdom , take a personal hand in her education , it is ultimately be better to know them and not them than to need them but not have them . She will be deeply unhappy if she is confined to a role she doesn't want , but if you make a deal with her that excellence in Lady arts can get her training in the blade and lessons on tactics and strategy from you , she will listen and excell , she is a Wolf of Winterfell , Father , it would not do anyone any good if we try to muzzle her . We will protect her as long as there is breath in our bodies , but , Gods forbid , if ever there was a time we can't ,she will have a way to protect herself ." , Ned replied

" That was a well made argument , son . Still I have to think on this , you will have an answer when you get back from Wall . Now get up from the floor , it is ridiculous to talk to you like this , I didn't know you had a flair for dramatic , my son " , his Father said with a twitch of lips .

" Thank you ,Father for your consideration " , Ned said with a smile on his lips .

" Now come here " , his father said taking him in to a hug in his bear like arms .

Mussing Neds hair he said ," I am proud of the man you are becoming and your mother would be to . When winter comes , white wind blows , lone wolf dies ... "

" but the Pack survives " , they both finished in quiet voices