Author's Note

I do not own Game of Thrones.

All his weariness seemed to wash away as Winterfell's great walls came into sight.

Home.

He was home once more, away from the politics of the South.

Some of his men rode ahead, but Ned let his horse take its time, keeping pace with the grown direwolf limping on beside him.

Lordling had disappeared.

They were a short distance from the Wolfswood when Ned noticed it, and he turned in his saddle, seeking out the black wolf that had come all the way to the Iron Islands and back with him.

He had never been far from his side before.

Rodrik too had noticed, and was scanning the land around them. "I don't see him, my Lord."

"I don't think we will," Ned replied, and the laughter burst forth from him. "Seems I truly was sent a protector for the trip!"

And it had seen him home, unlike his father and siblings.

Part of him was still so accustomed to Lordling's presence that he expected him to reappear as he entered the gates of Winterfell, but he remained conspicuously absent.

His people were gathered to greet the profession, crowding the street down to the courtyard. Many backed away at the sight of the new wolf, cries of horror and shock ringing around him.

"Perhaps you ought to leash that thing, Stark," called the Greatjon.

"We both know he wasn't sent to be leashed."

No.

Ned knew by the look in the Greatjon's eyes exactly what he thought the wolf had been sent for.

Seemed the Iron Throne would be meeting some more turbulence soon enough.

Catelyn and the children, excluding Jon, were gathered in the castle's courtyard. Little Bran lay bundled in her arms. Her face turned white as she saw the wolf, and she stepped before the children, trying to herd them backwards. Only little Robb complied.

"Ned, what in Seven Hells–?"

"Cregan!" Sansa cried, and flung her little body at the wolf. Cat screamed and grabbed her with one free hand, fighting to keep Bran in her arms and Arya bundled safe behind her.

"What is that?"

"He's a direwolf," Ned replied. "He's going to be staying as long as he may."

Cat opened and closed her mouth, trying desperately to find some kind of answer. All the while, Sansa broke free of her and rushed forward to hug the wolf.

And behind them all the castle doors swung open. Jon stumbled out, pale faced and thin, clad in only his nightwear.

"Jon!" Cat cried. Jon. She'd never called him Jon. Only ever the boy, or the bastard when she felt cruel. "What are you doing? You need to be resting!"

"I imagine he wants to see his father home," Ned said, stepping forward to get the small boy. "Isn't that right, Jon?"

"Ned! He's unwell! He needs to be abed!"

Jon looked up at her with his very not-purple eyes. "But Lady Catelyn. I feel much better now Cregan's home."

"You'll feel better when the Maester says you're better!"

Maester Luwin took that as his cue to swoop down on them all and take Jon's arm, pulling him back towards the castle. "Come along then. Back to bed with you."

Ned looked at Cat, who was now watching in absolute horror as Sansa and Arya giggled over the direwolf currently inhabiting their courtyard.

"You are not bringing that thing inside the castle."