Lord Jon Arryn, Robert and Ned returned to Eeyrie through, Gate of the Moon the next day after breaking their fast. Lord Arryn enquired about Ironeyes. So Ned told him about the story of his journey to the Wall and meeting Frost, her following Ned to Winterfell and his Lord Fathers decision to allow her to remain and birthing of the pups, he left out all mentions of magic and Wargs.
Berek mentioned that a Wargs Familiars have longer lifespans than normal animals or birds and magical beasts have even longer lifespans compared to their mundane cousins, he estimated barring death by violence or accident the Starks direwolves may remain their companions for life.
Ned assured Lord Arryn that Ironeyes will behave and Ned will take completely responsibility for his actions. After thinking for a while Lord Arryn allowed Ironeyes continued stay at Eeyrie as long as he does no harm outside of battle.
Robert was awestruck on learning that Ironeyes is a direwolf and wondered whether he can tame a stag to match Neds direwolf. Ned tried to curb all such notions out of Robert, but he isn't how far he succeeded. Once returning to Eeyrie Ned returned to his studies and duties seamlessly. He continued his practice of meditating for an hour before breakfast and took to his studies with Maester and training in the yard with a new zeal.
Two months after returning to Eeyrie Ned received his first letter from Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. The Prince was polite and formal in his letter, mainly enquired about health and wellbeing of his great great Uncle Aemon as Ned has been the only one who has met Aemon in person in long time whom the Prince can reach. Ned replied with all that he knew and remembered of the Maester, his physical appearance, his apparent health ( which was in excellent condition for a man his age ), and about his respected position in Nights Watch and how he is a valued advisor for the Lord Commander. Taking this chance Ned explained the deplorable state of Nights Watch, heavily hinted that some aid sent Nights Watch's way will not go amiss and that said aid will gain a lot of goodwill from the North.
When Robert found out about letter from the Crown Prince, he demanded to know what it was about. Ned explained his meeting with Aemon Targaryen at the Wall and how the Maester might have encouraged the Prince to write to Ned. That seemed to satisfy Robert, but Ned wondered how Robert even knew he got the letter and why Robert seemed to dislike the Prince, as Ned usually collected any correspondence addressed to himself from the Maester directly, but put that thought aside to ponder another time.
Once Robert saw Ned practicing with Wolf's Fang in the yard, and how deep gashes it left on the wooden dummy, he enquired about it. Ned explained that Winterfells castle smith discovered a new method of forging and dubbed it Wintersteel and that after ensuring that North has enough for its own use, Neds Lord Father may think of allowing other highborn to purchase it.
Robert declared that he would be first highborn of the South to purchase first full suit of Armour, Longsword and Battle hammer made out of Wintersteel made in forges of Winterfell itself. He demanded that Ned write to his Lord Father to reserve Roberts the honour, and that he will inform his own parents his decision.
All these declarations and demands drew Lord Arryns attention, when he inquired about Neds Arming sword , Ned once again repeated what he told Robert. Lord Jon praised the smith for his accomplishment and kept his own council after that. Whether he will enquire further on Wintersteel of his Lord Father, Ned didn't know. But atleast Ned managed to advertise Wintersteel at Eeyrie.
Ned kept constant communication with Winterfell and Bran after coming to Eeyrie, Bran returned to his own fostering at the same time Ned did, Father informed him that a Maester Luwin, a northborn one, arrived at Winterfell to serve as Brans advisor and personal tutor when he took over Ironwood venture and he called Lady Maege Mormont from Bear Island to serve as Lady of Winterfell and to take care of Lya and Ben when he went to the Wall to negotiate with the Nights Watch and Wildlings.
Lya and Ben were distraught without Father, Bran and Ned at Winterfell, but they quickly took to Maester Luwin and Lady Maege. Four months after Father going to the Wall, Ned recieved news that his Lord Father returned successful from his mission there. Negotiations with the Watch were easy enough. Stark name and Frost accompanying Father has earned a lot of respect with Wildlings, but Father had to participate and win four duels to prove his strength before all twenty Wildling tribes agreed to the trade. Finally Neds brainchild took off, repairs to Castle Queensgate were ongoing so that it may serve as Stark outpost at the Wall. First delivery of Ironwood logs to Queensgate has happened another three months after that. Meanwhile Father unveiled Wintersteel for the Northern Lords on Harvest Festival at Winterfell. Father informed Ned by Raven that introduction of Wintersteel has been a tremendous success and already orders for personal arms for the Lords and their Men at Arms have started arriving. Father also informed Ned that he has put out the call for prospectors and they should be arriving in another two months.
As Ironwood and Wintersteel ventures succeeded, Ned turned his mind to identifying another present and potential threats to the North and the ways of how to deal with them.