I clapped, loudly, "Well done, Philip!"

With my arms folded in front of me, I smiled at him as he bravely went on the attack in training. He had grown in confidence since I saw him last, which seemed to fuel his strength.

"He's a little you," I teased my elder brother.

Will raised an eyebrow, "Why do I feel like that is not a compliment?"

"Oh, it both is and is not. I just hope someone reminds him to be somewhat less obvious in attack," I returned quietly.

With a chuckle, my brother returned, "Yes, master-at-arms, thank you for your sage advice."

I looked up to the heavens as Philip finished his lesson. It was only my pride for him that brought my eyes back level. He was doing quite well for a boy his age. Father would have been so pleased.

"So, Theon, do you want to spar?" Will asked, glancing behind us.

Theon had stretched out to watch, but he looked up with a smirk, "Absolutely. As fun as it is to watch children play, I think we can show better sport…"

I felt confident in Will, who stood as tall as Theon and was a bit older with more muscle. Still, for all his high birth, Theon's arrogance meant he lacked social grace.

"Lose," I whispered softly as Theon passed me.

"Sorry?" he asked, convinced I could not be saying what he heard.

I said nothing but hoped my eyes communicated enough of a warning. In the end, it appeared more or less unnecessary. Will and Theon traded moments on the attack. The swift motions and power in each hit stood in complete contrast to little Philip, who stood beside me.

Theon held strong against Will's power. But one small false step from Theon gave Will the opportunity to truly put him off-balance and win. I clapped for Will as the men shook hands. I glanced down at Philip's wide-eyed stare.

"You and I both have something to aspire to," I stated with a small grin, getting full agreement from my little brother.

Theon walked back towards me with a curt nod. I watched him with curiosity for a moment before Will called away my attention.

"Care to give Philip an archery lesson?"

"Absolutely," I replied with a smile.

In my head, I could hear Lady Catelyn's voice, telling me I could no longer be a child. She said I had to be a woman grown. This was likely not what she had envisioned, but perhaps she had come to expect this from me. Based on the resigned smile on my mother's face as she watched from a distance, she must also have expected this.

With a half smile, I took the bow, nodding Philip towards the targets.

"I'll try to remember all of the hints Father gave me," I said, putting an arm on his shoulder.

"Steady breathing," Philip piped up. "He always said, you must keep stready breath, no matter how frightening things are."

I smiled, "Yes, that is most important."

Philip had apparently spent more time with a sword than with a bow; however, he was very interested in doing better and made me promise to work with him each day while I was home.

"If she has a great memory of her father"s teachings, then does it matter?" Theon demanded behind me.

He was speaking to a man, who appeared to be Lord Eddard's age. It took me a moment to recognize him as Lord Whyte. I had met him a few times as a child although he did not visit as often as many of Father's friends. If memory served, he brought large numbers and a great sense of self-importance, but somehow he threw in his lot with my father.

"My Lord Whyte," I spoke up, seeing the disgust passing over Theon's eyes as Will's jaw tightened. "Such a pleasure to have you here."

I stepped towards him, curtseying, as he bowed, "My Lady Samels—Stark." He corrected himself with a smile. "A very recent change."

I smiled warmly, "Yes, not even a full year."

"And already you return back home," he commented, probing, not teasing.

"I love Winterfell. I love my husband. You know Lord Eddard Stark, of course?"

"Yes, of course," he returned haughtily.

Graciously, I smiled, "Yes, of course. You were an incredible asset to King Robert's cause. My husband, Robb, is so like his father, very honorable, kind, thoughtful. I miss him very much, but I never had the opportunity to say goodbye to my house, to my family's dear friends. I wanted to have my farewell feast of sorts – just as my father would have wanted had I been married in the most typical of circumstances."

Lord Whyte seemed appeased by this response, but all he said was, "Your father was a friend, and I am happy to join you."

"Lord Whyte!"

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief as Lord Whyte excused himself to visit with another lord. The way he had stressed my father as his friend and not our family was apparent to me. Will seemed to reach the same conclusion.

"The arrogance…" Theon commented.

Will and I stared at Theon with raised eyebrows as he stood, shaking his head in disgust in the direction of Lord Whyte. I exchanged silent words with Will. If anyone should understand Whyte, it should have been Theon.

"He was Father's friend. We must give him the benefit of the doubt," I stated.

Will cast a glance skyward, "I think he is the one who needs to give us a chance."

"Will?"

"Apparently, word has reached our friend Lord Whyte that I am very different from father."

"You are very different," I agreed.

Will's brows knit together as his lips formed a straight line. "He brings the most people and the most sway, so we need Lord Whyte to think that I am just like Father."

I shrugged, "Our family has the same values; you share many of Father's qualities, I share others, Philip does as well, but none of us is him. None of us can be. We just need to prove to him that does not matter."

"And how do you suggest we do that?" Will asked.

I smirked, "Ale, lots of ale."

"You've become more fun outside of Winterfell," Theon commented.

"I wasn't entirely serious."

"Then, I was not either," Theon returned with sudden disinterest.

Will spoke up, "We'll have to turn our attention to Lord Whyte later. I unfortunately have duties to fulfill."

"I shall find Mother. No doubt buried under figures from this feast we are hosting."

"No doubt, poor woman."

"Yes, our poor mother deserves a rest. We need to find you a wife, Will," I teased.

"I am always looking. Theon, perhaps I can enlist your help in searching for such a lady tonight?"

"Absolutely!" Theon replied.

"No more," I pleaded, quickly walking away from the boys.

It was moments like this when I could not call them men, but maybe that was for the best. We wouldn't have the opportunity to be like this forever.