Author's Note

I do not own Game of Thrones.

Robert's first raven came two weeks after Ned returned to Winterfell. He was indeed making arrangements for this grand tourney that he wanted to hold, and asked Ned send word to his bannermen, as well as requesting he reconsider and attend.

Ned responded with another invite to Winterfell and a declination of entry to the tourney.

The sound of children's voices floated up from the courtyard. He folded the letter and left it in the tray for Maester Luwin to send before stepping from his solar and making his way out to the castle walk. Winter joined him, trotting along behind him. The wolf had taken well to life at Winterfell, and while none would ever cage him if he wished to leave, he had never chosen to slip away and become wild once more. Likely he knew where he had it good. He still walked with a limp, and a wild life would be rough for him now.

Down in the courtyard, Ned's eldest children were giggling as they chased each other, throwing handfuls of dirt and leaves. Even Sansa had deemed to join the fun today, and Theon Greyjoy had finally joined them, though he was still cautious and jumpy.

Sansa skittered to a halt as though blocked and squealed. "Sara!"

Sara.

The still invisible girl, Jon's third sister. The sibling that had stayed in Winterfell while the other one followed him to the Iron Islands and back.

Ned scratched Winter's head as he watched the children at play. He had never heard of such a thing in Winterfell before. Perhaps he ought to ask Old Nan if any such things existed in the stories, but if they did, surely she would have told them to him when he was a child? Was it something inherited from Jon's trueborn father then? But that would make no sense, Lordling – Cregan – had chosen the form of a direwolf, something a Targaryen magic would never do.

But then Jon had said they looked like dragons sometimes.

Robert's second raven came a week later. Apparently the tourney was to be one of the greatest Westeros had seen and he wanted greatly for Ned to attend. The wording barely sounded like a request.

But he also seemed interested in a visit to Winterfell, so mayhaps something had been achieved.

In the training yard, he found Robb, Jon, and Theon practicing their swordwork, while Winter prowled the edge of the yard. For a moment Ned wondered if he caught a glimpse of dark hair by the strawman, but then the clouds shifted and the moment passed.

"Are you killing it?" he asked.

"Truly, Father!" Robb called.

"Cregan's killing it best!" Jon shouted.

Ned struggled for an answer, but all he found was, "I'm sure he is."

Cregan had killed men aplenty in the Iron Islands as Lordling after all.

Robert's third raven took a long three and a half weeks to arrive. He had been in the midst of the tourney when it was sent, and was bemoaning Ned's refusal to attend, cursing him and his 'damn wolf omens.' He did include a detailed description of his various victories though, so presumably it wasn't all bad.

Ned left the letter on his desk. A response could be made later. He looked down at Winter. "Ready for a walk?"

The wolf pricked his ears. The Kingslayer had called Cregan lazy, but Winter had certainly taken to living the life of luxury.

Sansa was with Arya in the nursery, listening to some nonsense from the Septa. One day he'd have to speak with Cat about that.

Robb and Theon were out in the training yard with Rodrik, beating each other with wooden training swords. Ned took a few swipes at Robb on his demand before leaving them be.

He found Jon out by one of the pools in the godswood, thoughtfully stroking the air beside him. Cregan, or Sara? Without being able to see them, it was impossible to say. He knew nothing true of Sara. Did she too look like Jon, or was it something otherwise? Jon smiled and petted Winter before Ned led him deeper into the godswood for some peace.

He forgot to answer Robert's raven.