Ned decided to not attend Brandon's wedding. While he really wanted to, these were last months of his fosterage at Eeyrie. He might as well finish it before visiting home and he would take Robert along with him to show it to him at least once. Then Robert and Ned can go to Strom's End by ship and stay a year there and see to it that Lord Stannis gets married. Once that's done, Robert and Ned will tour Essos. Ned needs to know more about the place and it's people, maybe even visit Iron Bank at Braavos to start negotiations for a loan, only after consulting with Father. By the time he returned to Westeros Lya will be ready to wed Rhaegar.
So Ned stayed at Eeyrie to finish his fostering and Lord Arryn was happy with that decision. On the evening before Roberts and Neds fostering was officially over Lord Jon Arryn called them both into his solar and bid them to take a seat.
Lord Arryn remained seated in his chair staring into the fire before looking towards them and saying in a somber voice, " When both of you came to me for the first time years ago, you were boys and now you leave Eeyrie, your fostering finished as men and good honourable men at that. I want both of you to know I am incredibly proud of you. Robert, you have a Strom in you, as any true Baratheon should , that Storm will help you in accomplishing anything you set your mind to, but only if you can channel that Storm and not let it control you. I know you struggle with the restraints of duty from time to time, but remember, Son, duty doesn't just bind, it gives you direction and purpose and that purpose is important for any man, be they a highlord or a peasant. You may not understand it now, not because of a lack of intellect but because you do not want to see it, but you will, in time. And another thing, I know you do not get along with your brother Stannis, but once you reach Strom's End I want you try to connect with him again, take it from the man who lost all his blood born siblings and mourns their loss deeply, it is a blessing from gods to have brothers and sisters. Now Ned, my honourable, dutiful and serious boy, you are a credit to your House. It takes a singular will to remain honorable in this world of ours, I know you have it in you, Son. But remember, Ned life is more than honor and duty. I want you to be happy. You both have a bond only true brothers share, never let anything come between you. When you stand together, you both can take on the whole World, but only if you stand together. And I want both of you to know, you are the sons I wish I had"
By the time Lord Arryn finished all three of them had watered eyes, Robert shot out of the chair dragging Ned with him and drew Lord Jon and Ned into a tight hug, with a sniffle in his voice Robert said, " I will miss you, old man"
Ned just hugged a bit tighter.
And they withdrew from the hug and composed themselves, Lord Arryn gestured them to follow and led them to the armoury. There are two mannequins covered in cloth, which Lord Arryn drew back to unveil two gleaming scale armours made out of Wintersteel one decorated with stags and other with direwolves.
" I wanted to gift you with full plate, but since you both are growing still, I settled for scale mail, there are some spare scales and it can be adjusted as you grow, by any competent blacksmith", Lord Jon said with a small smile.
Robert already started examining the armour and began to put it on. While Neds initial reaction was to protest that this was a too great a gift, he suppressed that impulse and said to Lord Jon, " I will take good care of it and put the armour to good use. "
" Good, that is why I have given it", Jon replied with a squeeze of Neds shoulder, " go on put it on."
The armour fit perfectly, and it gave a wider range of mobility than full plate would have, it reached down to upper thighs, with parting at the sides and between the legs for free movement. Robert declared that this was the best parting gift ever.
That brought Neds mind to sudden clarity, by the next morning a chapter of his life would be over. He came it Eeyrie as Lord Jon Arryns ward at eight namedays old. Now after seven years it is time to say farewell to Eeyrie. Yes, he could always visit, but when he did it he would come as a guest. For years Eeyrie has been a second home, after tomorrow that will be different. Ned knew Jon would welcome him with open arms whenever he came, but it would be different. He came here a boy and leaving it a man grown, that thought was a bittersweet one.
When the morning came Robert and Ned are on the road with their guards. They are a party of fifty, a considerable force if any mountain clansmen or bandits have any ideas. While saying farewell to his life of last seven years was bittersweet, Ned was excited to return home for awhile and Robert shared his enthusiasm. They won't be staying in the North for long, a month at most, then they will on their way to Storms End by ship from White Harbor. They could have taken a ship from Gulltown but Ned wanted to check on progress at Moat Cailin and Robert wanted to see Neds future home, so by the road they go. They decided to set a sedate pace, as there was no particular hurry, it will be long journey home, but a pleasant with good company.