Chimera seemed to fly once his feet hit the grass it new so well. The men accompanying me struggled to keep up.

"I will see you in the courtyard," I called over my shoulder. To Chimera, I leaned forward, "Go home, Chi."

If possible, he picked up his pace as we hurried onwards. With Plenair, our castle, in sight, my lips curled into a smile as I ducked closer to Chimera. He whinnied our approach. Just as I had my whole life, I burst through the ivy-covered gates with a massive grin upon my face.

My two brothers and my mother stood in front of our house, accompanied by several of my father's dear friends: lord and ladies of nearby lands, who had come for the feast.

Their smiles grew as I dismounted in a flourish well before my protectors even entered the outer walls. Forgetting decorum, I ran toward my elder brother. Willem laughed and stepped forward, hugging me tightly.

"You finally brought my horse back," Will teased, getting a good laugh from everyone assembled.

"I'm fairly certain Chimera likes me better now. I can't see him staying with you," I retorted.

"Ana!" Philip called, pulling away my attention.

"Philip!" I exclaimed, bending down to hug him. "Not even a full year has passed and already you look more a man grown."

"Welcome home!"

Next, I turned to my mother. She was the lone Samelson holding her place. Tears welled in her eyes and mine as I drew closer.

"Mother," I said softly, wrapping my arms around her.

She kissed my head, saying softly, "It's so good to see you. We've missed you so."

"I missed you too," I squeezed her hand before turning to our guests. "And what an honor to have my father's dear friends to be part of this homecoming," I added before going to speak with each lord and lady in attendance, asking after their health, their children, new happenings.

Father never liked quiet halls, so he made a point to have friends visit as much as possible. It kept alliances strong, but most importantly, it kept him smiling.

As the process to take the Stark men to their chambers began, the crowd started to thin. I took that time to speak with the staff of our house. Everyone I grew up with still remained along with a few new additions and some with children on the way.

"Ana, you must see how I've improved with my sparring!" Philip exclaimed as I made our way to the master-at-arms, Ser Waren.

"Yes, I would love to," I replied.

Ser Waren smiled, "And you, my Lady Stark? Have you continued any lessons?"

"I may have to show you how far I have come, Ser Waren."

"But not tonight," Will spoke up. "We have supper not long from now."

"I must get ready," I agreed. "Tomorrow, early in the morning, I shall watch my fierce little brother."

I had plenty of time until supper, but the expression on Will's face showed a great deal of curiosity. I knew how surly and irritating he could become when kept from information.

"You tell me to call upon all of father's friends. You make a point to say hello to each and every one of them gathered so far—"

I cut off Will's train of thought as we walked, "—More are coming, yes?"

"Of course, over the next few days. We shall have the main feast in a few days time. You did not give much time—"

"—And do you remember the stories from Father, particularly the men of our house and our lands, who fought. Will you invite any that distinguished themselves in battle? And their sons?"

"Ana, what is this about? What is hap—"

"Ana!"

I cast a look skyward as the voice carried towards me.

Will raised an eyebrow as an amused smirk snuck upon his face, "How did that happen?"

"My husband trusts him most and insists it was for my protection. However, I'm fairly certain only one of us will return, so so much for that."

"Selfishly, I hope you wait until the return to Winterfell to kill him; I get on with him just fine," Will added.

I tilted my head, raising expectant eyebrows, "Shocking, since you both only think of women."

Theon reached us by now as Will demonstrated his resentment of that statement, "I do think of them a great deal, but I'm lord of our house now. I have to divide my time."

"How do you do it?" I teased.

"With great focus."

"Will," Theon interjected. He put his hand on my brother's shoulder, which Will reciprocated. "Good to see you."

"Thank you for bringing my sister here safely," Will replied with a smirk.

I could feel my blood beginning to boil in a way that only family could inspire.

"Of course," Theon replied. "I was curious to see the plains. Far cry from Winterfell."

"Clearly, your horse had some trouble keeping up," Will added with a good-natured smile.

"We weren't far behind."

I grinned, "Here our horses fly. I shall let you both catch up." I started to walk on, but Will called my name. I tossed back a glance, "I know the way, Willem."

I walked through the open passageways. The only completely roofed part of Plenair was in the center where the majority of the chambers were located. There were two guest homes along the wall as well that were covered in addition to the kitchen and the armory.

The passageways only contained pillars, supporting greenery more than anything else. Like many rooms, even our equivalent of the great hall was opened in the center. During rains, canopies would be erected, but for most of the year, it was pleasant enough to stay open. The design was impractical in essentially every way for convenience of cleanliness, but it was breathtaking the way stone, greenery, and flowers intermixed. And, although I loved Winterfell, it was still home.

I dallied through the halls, taking in the memories and scents of home, but when I arrived to my chamber, I found Willem waiting.

"You know I hate being left in the dark," he stated.

I smirked, "Yes, I do. That is why it is so entertaining."

"I see marriage has not matured you any."

"Only a little, but not towards my brother."

Will grinned that wide smile I saw so often upon my father's face, but the smile slowly faded as darker thoughts began to enter his mind.

"You are asking after those involved in the war," he stated.

I nodded, "Someone tried to attack Bran."

"The boy isn't even ten, is he? Who wants to do more damage to that child?"

"Someone who wouldn't want him to wake up."

"He saw something."

"Apparently," I shrugged, walking towards the window. I placed my hands on sill, looking out as I added, "Lady Catelyn thinks it was Jaime Lannister, who pushed him. That Bran saw something terrible, and since Bran has every chance of surviving, this is what a Lannister would do."

"I thought you liked Jaime Lannister."

"I do although I will decidedly less amiable towards him if he did in fact push Bran off of the tower." Somehow, being with Willem brought the sharpness back to my tone.

"If…" The word hung in the air.

"We have no proof."

"So you will not besmirch the Kingslayer's good name." I could hear the jeering of his tone.

"Perhaps it's the rational side of me that does not want to accuse someone without real proof. The blade was above the attempted murderer's means, but it could have come from anyone…it probably was the Lannisters in some fashion. But, until there is proof, our conjectures mean nothing. Only if…"

"Only if you find proof, you need your brother to bring with him more men than those that support our lands."

"We would need everyone who sided with Father during Robert's Rebellion. Our men aren't enough. We would need all the lords who were his friends, if we were to face them."

If. The word tasted almost poisonous. I had dreamt of fighting the Lannisters. Of course they were involved. I kept saying if to try to hold off the inevitable, but it was coming.

"You've seen something?" Will interpreted, seeing the glaze in my eyes as I thought back to my words to Robb as we stood alone in a tent, before he was to fight the Lannisters.

"It's not proof."

"It is for me." Will stood up abruptly. I furrowed my eyebrows at him as he walked towards the door.

"Will?"

"I need ale."

"Why?"

"I am dramatically more charming with wine, and it sounds like we may need then."

I chuckled and leaned back into my chair. The seriousness returning to my face as my smile fell. I looked back at him. "Thank you."

"I'm your brother, Ana. I will always be there if you need me."

As he walked away, I turned my gaze out the window, whispering to myself, "I hope so."