Catelyn

"Your grace… your grace."

Catelyn murmured slightly as she slowly opened her eyes. "Wha-?" she said in the most undignified manner ever. But she didn't care because it was so late that she could barely see anything in her room even with her eyes open. She turned only to shrink back when she saw the candle, its light far too intense for her sleep-addled eyes.

"Sorry, your grace," the servant said softly. "But you must get up."

"What… what is going on?" Cat asked even as she rose.

"Banners from White Harbor have been spotted."

"White-"

Catelyn froze.

"Arya," she whispered, the sleep that had been plaguing her at once gone. She was moving at once, hurrying to her dresser to retrieve her small clothes, the servant now the one struggling to keep up with her. Only where her dresser should be- "Oh," she said to herself, remembering that she wasn't in her main chambers but instead in the smaller bedchamber that she had been sleeping in for the last week or so. The servant though revealed that she had already gathered up her clothing and Catelyn allowed her to work on getting her dressed. "Has… the king been informed?" she asked.

"Maester Luwin has gone to inform him."

"Then I want to hurry," Cately said. "I want to be there before he arrives."

The unspoken words 'Before Ned sends Arya away too' danced on her tongue but she forced them to remain in her mouth. It wouldn't do if she showed herself as anything other than regal.

She was dressed in record time and moved out of her room only to find Rickon leaning against a wall, checking over his crossbow. He glanced at her before smirking and offering his arm to her, Catelyn happily accepting it. "Has your sister been informed?"

"Sansa was already awake. She smelled her coming, I think… began barking up a storm and that's what got the guards to look for the banners."

"Hmmm," Catelyn said with a nod. "I do not like her being up so late."

"Direwolves are different from us," Rickon stated with a shrug.

"And how did you manage to get dressed so quick?" She couldn't imagine that Rickon would be told before her or Ned so that meant he must have been up drinking and partying. Yet the moment she thought that she dismissed it, for she could tell that he was rested far more than he would have been if he had been down in Wintertown getting a drink (which, much to her shock, happened more often than she would have ever liked; even though he was grown he was still her baby and shouldn't be drinking with soldiers!).

"When you grow up with Yondu you learn to get moving quick," Rickon stated. "He loved to burst into my room screaming "HEY RICKON WANT TO SEE MY NEW FACE SHIELD AND GIANT AXE!?"." Catelyn scowled at that; she wasn't the biggest fan of her goodfather and his… methods… in raising children. Sadly some of the comments Ned had made had made it clear that she couldn't even blame the Child of the Forest that Rickard had bonded with for such actions. "And I'm a light sleeper so when I heard a bunch of boots moving around I was able to find out what was going on and get dressed." He smiled as they finally separated at the stairs, Rickon going first so he might catch her if she fell. She wouldn't but it was a lovely gesture. "I thought you might like an escort…"

"Thank you," she said as they continued down.

"…we'll figure this out and get Robb back home," Rickon told her. "Gamora and Drax are going out every day to see if they can find what is attacking the villages. And… you know father had to do something-"

"Yes. But not that."

"He kept Robb's honor. He is touring the North-"

"He is exiled from Winterfell and it won't take long for others to figure it out."

"Which is why we need to figure out who really is attacking those villages," Rickon repeated.

They reached the bottom of the stairs only to be confronted by a yawning Rocket and a bemused Groot.

"I swear, Stark, if this is a false alarm…"

"I am Groot."

Rocket shoot him a dark look. "No, I won't apologize if it's a true alarm. I didn't say anything wrong!"

"I am Groot."

"My tone?" Rocket complained. "Listen here-"

"Rocket, if you don't wish to attend I won't force you," Catelyn said. She had been trying to be kind to the raccoon, seeing that his snarling behavior was cover for his own feelings. Rickon had told her he hadn't had an easy life, having been betrayed many times by those he had thought were friends and family until he'd been picked up by the Children of the Forest.

As such rather than snarl and snark at her Rocket merely shook his head. "Nah, I want to see what is up. If this truly is Rickon's sister I have to see just how smart she is… everyone says the kid is a freaking genius."

"I don't know if they are saying that…" Rickon commented.

"Well first off compared to you they could be licking tree stumps and still be smarter. Second-"

"I am Groot."

"What?" Rocket said, turning back to Groot.

"I am Groot."

"How is that racist!?"

"I am Groot."

"I didn't know that was a thing tree sprites did!" Rocket threw his hands up in the air. "And even if I did why would that be racist!"

"I am Groot."

Rocket was quiet for a long moment. "Okay, admittedly that makes sense. Sorry."

Catelyn wasn't for sure she wanted to know.

"But ignoring you, Stark," Rocket stated, "your sister is apparently whip smart according to everyone I've talked to."

That took Catelyn by surprised. She knew that many people had fond memories of Arya but 'smart' wasn't what she would have first used to describe her. Oh, she knew her daughter was cunning but everyone always talked about how wild she was. A slippery little thing that hated being a lady and wished only to live as she desired.

Something must have shown on her face because Rickon shot her a look. "You don't know, do you?"

"Know what?"

"Just how smart Arya is," he said. "I admit, I don't remember a ton about her since last I saw her I was too busy trying to see if I could shove my entire fist in my mouth-" Rocket opened his mouth to say something most likely crude but Rickon continued on, not giving him a chance, "-but I remember how smart she was. Maester Luwin agrees."

"That I do," the Maester stated, walking up the Cat and her group. She thought, for a moment, telling him to attend to her husband as his words from The Meeting still burned her greatly, but she was curious just what he had to say about Arya. "While it was hard to keep her in my quarters for her lessons when I was able to she provided to be quite the student. Remember the work she did on balancing the test books?"

Catelyn frowned. "I…" She vaguely remembered something concerning that.

Luwin frowned at her pause. "She did them as if she had been lady of the estate for decades, your grace. And she also was quite skilled in setting up rotations for the hypothetical servants I asked her to watch over. And there was the grain and barley supplies… some of her ideas on how to spread them out I honestly considered taking to then Lord Stark."

She looked at the maester, wondering how she had missed all that. "I… I don't remember-"

"Course you don't," Rickon said and she was startled by the bitterness in his voice. "She wasn't playing harps and dancing so anything she did didn't matter."

"Rickon…" she said, trying to scold him, "I am your mother-"

"I'm nearly as old as you and I came to my years the right way," he reminded her. It was easy to forget that he hadn't suddenly woken up decades older… he'd lived each and every one of them. "And Arya was smart. Very smart. And she would have made a find lady, running a castle and overseeing the servants and the wealth."

"Far better than Sansa," Luwin stated and that caused Catelyn to whip around and stare at him in shock. "I mean no offense to either of you, your grace, but I did warn you and his grace that Lady Sansa did not take such lessons seriously. She had trouble with her numbers and would grow rather upset with Princess Arya when she succeeded."

"Why do you think she encouraged Jenye to mock Arya as much as she did?" Rickon retorted.

"Sansa… did what?"

"She encouraged Jenye to make fun of her. The servants too. Arya Underfoot and Arya Horseface didn't spring up in the servants' minds… they were her creation."

Catelyn found herself looking towards the wall where Sansa stood.

"I love Sansa, don't get me wrong," Rickon quickly added. "But you saw her as utterly perfect. Could do no wrong. The best at everything. People said she was you born again because you also used to run Riverrun." Catelyn was surprised Rickon knew of that and her son shrugged. "Yondu liked to talk about it. Was one of the reasons why he said he selected you to marry Uncle Brandon… figured you could beat some sense into him and keep him from ruining the North."

'Considering what I've see now… that sadly makes sense,' Catelyn agreed.

"Sansa wasn't like that. At least back then. She didn't want to put the work in to be a lady… or at least a successful one. She thought being a lady… being Queen… meant getting to sit on a pretty throne while people all waved at you and said you looked beautiful and you gave the king babies." He huffed at that. "That wouldn't even work in the South, let alone the North."

And Catelyn had to admit… he was right. She had always worked hard to keep Winterfell running and it had only been in her later years that she had realized such an attitude had allowed her to survive the North. Had she been like Cersei Lannister she would have been sent to the Silent Sisters ages ago. The Sisters… or worse.

"Arya liked figuring out how to run things," Rickon continued. "I remember one time she and Bran were talking and she was just gushing about reorganizing the schedules for the cooks. The cooks!" He shook his head. "But because she couldn't sing and dance she wasn't 'a lady' and you looked down on her for that. And that made her decide if she wasn't a lady she shouldn't care about any Lady things…"

He trailed off, there being no need to say another word.

Catelyn wasn't for sure if she wanted to hear what he had to say or preferred the silence.

'I have made many mistakes with my children,' she thought, not for the first time. 'Did not teach Robb and Sansa what the real world was like. Robb had to learn in combat… and Sansa through the horrors of King's Landing. I never considered that it wasn't getting Arya to behave like a lady that was my mistake… but rather how I drove her away.' She shut her eyes. 'What great woman have I deprived the world of?'

But just as quickly she pushed such thoughts aside. Arya wasn't dead… she was riding to them right now! And that mattered because it meant they had another chance. Catelyn would be able to do better!

"Ya remember… she ain't gonna be so little, right?" Rocket asked and for him he sounded utterly tender. "Had some weird ritual…"

"I know," Catelyn said with a soft sigh, opening her eyes. At some point Ned had finally emerged into the great courtyard and when he caught her eye she turned away. He was standing with Yondu and Ser Rodrik, Jory just a step behind. Maester Luwin moved to join them, leaving Catelyn with Rickon, Rocket, Groot, and soon enough Drax and Gamora.

"He had no choice," Gamora said and it was only her tone that kept Catelyn from snapping at her. She wasn't happy either. "The evidence forced his hand and he did all he could to make sure no one but us knows the truth."

"We are welcoming back Balon Greyjoy's son," Catelyn reminded her, "and yet Robb-"

"He will come home," Drax rumbled, for once utterly serious. "And the ones that framed him will die."

"Good," Catelyn said, voice as hard as steel.

There was a commotion and Sansa leaped from the battlement in a way that always had Catelyn gasping in fright. But she landed nimbly and Nymeria joined her, the rest of their pack still out beyond Winterfell's walls. Calls began to grow louder in Wintertown and Catelyn smiled as she heard the people cheering Arya's return.

"She's going to hate that," Rickon softly teased. "Them treating her like a dainty flower to be celebrated. She'd rather be greeted as a conqueror."

"Perhaps," Catelyn said just as a horse thundered into Winterfell… and a beautiful young woman leapt from the saddle. She had brown hair that just touched her shoulders and was wearing riding leathers like a second skin. A long face but that merely showed off her elegant cheekbones and perfect little nose. At once Catelyn was reminded of Gamora… and that let her know the truth.

Her child was HOME.

"Arya…" she whispered.

Her daughter stormed forward, moving towards Ned who stared at her in shock, tears in his eyes…

…only for his head to snap back when Arya punched him.

"YOU BANISHED MY BROTHER?!" she screamed even as several of the guards drew their swords. Catelyn gasped at that but Arya merely scoffed. "Oh put those away," she snapped, glaring at the men, taking a step forward and placing her hand on her own blade. "I could take out all five of you without breaking a sweat. You are embarrassing yourselves. Foot work is terrible, the lot of you!" The guards shifted at that but Arya merely narrowed her eyes. "Very well then. Either rush me now or sheathe your blades as I have no desire to stand around all day while you pretend those are you cocks! For the Gods' sake, Jory, what are you teaching these fools if they can't see a superior threat?"

"Not enough, apparently," the head of Ned's royal guard said, which caused the other men to start, though, to their credit, they didn't actually turn and stare at Jory.

"Knock it off, all of ya!" Ser Rodrik demanded. "Gods, you are all too young… a punch to the face is practically how the Starks say hello!"

"I punched out father several times," Gamora commented.

Yondu rubbed his jaw. "Better than the kick to the balls you gave me when I betrothed you to Robert." He narrowed his eyes. "I still haven't paid you back for getting me fucking killed though."

"You, me, the training yard. Just say the word old man."

"I also punched father," Drax stated. "I remember it well… I was in a woman… oh, she was tight and warm. Then some maester pulled me out, smacked me on the bottom , and you declared "My heir, Brandon!" and I punched you in the face."

It was very sad that Catelyn wasn't entirely sure if Drax was joking or not.

"Besides," Ser Rodrik continued, "I doubt his grace wants you to take his daughter's head."

"Away with those swords, all of ou!" Ned snapped and at once the men moved to sheathe their blades, seemingly racing each other to see who could do it first. "Arya…" Ned said, rubbing his jaw. Catelyn felt pity for her husband… despite their current spat she knew that wasn't how he wanted to greet his child.

"Did you, or did you not, banish Robb?" Arya snarled.

"…he is on a tour-"

Arya cocked back her fist to hit him again.

"Still haven't changed, have you?" Rickon called out and at once Catelyn was thankful for that because all of Arya's anger disappeared, replaced with shock and then delight.

"RICKON!" she screamed and she raced forward, leaping into his arms. Her brother grabbed her and spun her around, holding her close as he laughed. When he finally set her down she whispered, "You've grown."

"Look who's talking," Rickon said.

"Yeah, like a foot," Arya complained and Catelyn heard more horses approach, at a far more measured clip, and turned to see Theon, Brienne, three other figures including a blue-skinned woman, and Lord Manderly's host. "You actually grew up! I still need chairs to reach the top shelf!""

"Just means you can squeeze into passages I can't," Rickon teased.

"Arya…" Catelyn whispered and her daughter turned to her, for the first time in their lives able to look at her eye to eye without needing to tilt her head. She took a step forward only to pause, fearful of what might happen. Considering how she'd greeted Ned? Well… Catelyn know that Arya had always preferred her father to her. That he was her favorite parent. It hurt but she understood that.

'And there is my hand in all that has happened. How I pushed Ned to accept Robert's betrothal idea. How I drove her to wish to go to King's Landing just to avoid being around me. How I treated Jon. She has every right to blame me for all that happened. Every right to-'

At once Arya threw herself into Catelyn, burying her face against her shoulder. "Mama…" she gasped out as she clung to her and Catelyn lost the barely fought battle with her tears as she drew Arya close.

Her daughter was home.

It didn't matter that she was older now. That she had done so much. That she wasn't the same little girl that she had seen off from Winterfell ages ago (and yet it hadn't been that long at all…). She was Arya. Her daughter. And she was home once again.

Catelyn sobbed and ran her fingers through Arya's hair, shaking so hard Rickon had to reach out and steady her only for Catelyn to draw him into the hug. She dimly heard barking and realized that Sansa was next to her, happily nuzzling them both.

"I must apologize, your grace," someone said at some point and Catelyn finally let go of Arya to see that the blue woman was speaking. She gracefully dismounted, almost oozing form her saddle with such elegance it made Catelyn feel like every action she had ever done, every step, was a plodding lumber. "I've tried to teach her some decorum but it seems the lessons on Not Punching Royalty never really stuck." The Blue Woman paused. "Or remembering how to do proper introductions."

To Catelyn's surprise Arya instantly let go, brushed her riding jacket off, and moved back towards the center of the courtyard, a look of contrition on her face even as she composed herself and…

And…

'It is like seeing the legendary warrior queens of old!' Catelyn thought as she saw Arya at once shift and take on a stance of strength and regal bearing. All eyes fell upon her and could not pull away unless she gave them leave. Catelyn herself had managed to command such attention before but only with servants… Arya was doing it to all of Winterfell.

It was how she had always wished Arya to be and yet… nothing like it. She commanded complete control without having to forget who she was. It made her wonder if the ancient Northern Queens that Arya had asked Old Nan to tell her about had been born again within her.

"Maester Luwin, have you brought the bread and salt? While I would hope my word would be enough to protect my companions my father's recent actions show that isn't the case."

Ned winced at that and opened his mouth to try and explain (and Catelyn wondered how Arya had learned of Robb's banishment) but Arya merely shot him a look and he clamped his mouth shut while Maester Luwin hurried to get the foodstuffs Arya had requested. It wasn't until they had been presented that she finally began to speak again.

"You of course know Lord Manderly… I don't think I need to introduce him."

"Not at all," Lord Manderly said with a chuckle. "And Lord Bolton needs no introduction either, your highness." Roose Bolton merely nodded slightly, it clear from the scowl he was wearing that he really wished they would hurry things up.

"Ugh, I will never get used to that," Arya complained. "Your highness…" She shook her head before finally continuing on. "May I present my companions: Ravan, though you will know her better as-"

The blue skinned woman's flesh rippled and Catelyn could only stare in shock as everything about her changed. Her flesh became plain and tan, her dark red hair become short black locks, her face while elegant now holding the fierceness of manhood, completely with a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. Even her clothing changed to that of a doublet and trousers.

"Syrio Forel…" Ned whispered.

"The First Sword of Braavos," the woman… man… said before reverting back to her blue skinned feminine form. "I didn't lie about that. I am still the greatest sword in all of Braavos." She looked past Ned to the guards. "If they had taken a step towards Arya I would have been able to offer my services in training their replacements."

Arya merely smirked at that. "Gendry Waters," she gestured at a large man with a hood covering his face. "Now, please do not react badly when he-"

The young man removed his hood and Catelyn couldn't help but gasp. At the very least everyone else did as well as they took in the dark hair and familiar facial features.

"Uh… am I missing something?" Rickon asked.

"Robert?" Ned whispered before shaking his head. "No… no… I remember that name. Gendry…" he puzzled it over before it suddenly came to him. "The Blacksmith's apprentice!"

"Aye, your grace," Gendry said with a nod, clearly not liking all the attention he was getting. "I am… apparently… King Robert's bastard son."

Arya shot her mother a look so dark and vengeful it made her wish that she and Ned were able to swap; she'd have preferred a punch to the face.

"You are… more than welcome here, Gendry," Catelyn said, swallowing as she did all she could to make herself welcoming. "Even without bread and salt."

"Of course," Ned quickly said.

"I don't want the throne," Gendry said quickly and Catelyn frowned when she saw him glance at Ravan. There was something to that… something she was missing…

"And this," Arya said, gesturing to the final member of their group, "is Remy LeBeau."

"An hour ta met ya, yar grace," the tall, dashing figure said with a sweeping bow. He smiled as he moved to Catelyn, taking her hand before she could truly understand what was going on and giving it a kiss. "And I see where our dear Arya gets her good looks from…"

"Knock it off, swamp rat," Ravan declared and Gambit looked up at Catelyn and smirked. She suddenly had the feeling that while the phrase 'if looks could kill' was accurate (especially after the one Arya had sent her was) just as true was 'if looks could fuck'. Catelyn felt herself blush, a heat creeping up not just along her cheeks but other places that weren't proper to discuss, and finally yanked her hand away as Remy stepped back with the rest of the group.

Arya nodded and swept her eyes over the Winterfell contingent. "My I present Lord… King Eddard Stark." Ned nodded though Catelyn, well used to being able to interpret her husband's looks, knew that despite how stone faced he may have appeared his heart broke over Arya addressing him only as "King Eddard". "My youngest brother, Rickon Stark."

"Sup," Rickon said and Catelyn closed her eyes; why oh why could he not regain his proper Northern accent?

"My mother, Queen Catelyn Stark," Arya continued and Catelyn was unable to stop herself from reacting to how much warmer Arya greeter her than Ned. It felt as if she had slipped into another world entirely, where everything was the opposite.

Sansa let out a 'woof' and Catelyn realized that was very much true.

"Arya… I don't know how much Robb told you…" Catelyn said as she looked down at Sansa. But at once Arya moved forward, kneeling down and pressing her hands to Sansa's face.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you," she whispered.

Sansa pressed her body against Arya's and the two sister remained together for some time, ignoring the entire world.

"Now," Ravan said as she stepped forward, Catelyn at once seeing from whom Arya had learned to command attention, "it seems there is much to be discussed. I must admit I am troubled by what I have heard from Prince Robb. Though I imagine your grace wishes to not discuss such things in front of the whole of Winterfell."

"Indeed," Ned said. "Arya has become… confused… when it comes to the nature of Robb and Roslin's departure. It would be best to clear this up… in private." He a louder voice he declared. "But let it be known that Prince Robb Stark remains my heir! He is not banished! Winterfell remains his home."

Arya moved to glare at Ned but Sansa butted into her, nearly sending her to the ground and thus stopping her from making the look.

Catelyn supposed she should have felt bad for the servants and the rest of the Winterfell court. They had clearly come out expecting a grand reunion, with tears and hugs and warm welcomes. Having Arya punch out the King in the North, while sure to fill the tavern halls with lewd gossip, wasn't what many had been hoping for. She could see it in many eyes.

'I don't care,' she thought. 'She's home.'

"So," Rocket said as he moved to walk by Arya; much to Catelyn's surprise Arya didn't really react to the raccoon starting up a conversation, "since no one bothered to introduce us since I guess we aren't important that falls to me. I'm Rocket… you might say I'm the brains of this operation."

"I am Groot."

"What do ya mean I need ta have brains ta be the brains? I got brains!"

"I am Groot."

Rickon snickered. "Yeah, him not getting it did prove your point."

"Hey! Keep out of this Stark! I bet your sister would LOOOOOVE ta know about all the stupid things ya did growing up!" Rocket looked at Arya. "What say ya? Want some blackmail material on this idjit?"

"Oh, you and I are going to get along just fine…" Arya said with a chuckle.

Rocket glanced back at Rickon as they moved into Winterfell proper. "Okay, this one I like, Stark. And I can tell she's your sister. No offense ta Robb or Sansa but the sticks up their rosebuds have sticks up their rosebuds."

Sansa growled at that and Catelyn reached down, gently patting her eldest on the back. The direwolf calmed down but she could tell she was ready to snatch up Rocket and remind him how dangerous a direwolf could be at the drop of a hat.

"That was some right hook ya gave your old man," Rocket said. Ravan had moved to walk with Ned, which had her wondering just who the blue skinned woman was and why she clearly took a commanding role, while Remy and Gendry remained in the very back. Catelyn wasn't for sure how to feel about that; on one hand Remy had her feeling all sorts of awkward but on the other she wasn't a fan of him being able to stare at her ass; too much had been said about it thanks to Drax. "They teach ya that in "Grow Up Suddenly School"?"

"If you are referring to Braavos then yes," Arya said. "I had a lot of teachers that made sure I knew how to defend myself, even if I was unarmed."

"They are going to be singing songs about that punch for ages," Rickon said. "You are going to regret that when you calm down."

"I will not."

"… yeah you will," Rickon teased. "We'll get things settled and you'll feel all bad about what you did. They'll sing that song and you'll sometimes want to beat up the singer and other times just blush and shrink down in your chair and mumble that you so didn't make him shit himself when you knocked him literally out of his boots-"

"Which I didn't do."

"It's a song, Arya. They are going to embellish it."

"Hmmmpf."

Catelyn chose that moment to shift closer to Arya. "Can you tell me why you decided to address me as mother when you didn't address your father as father?"

Arya smiled at that. "Because I know you, mother." Catelyn frowned, not quite getting what Arya was trying to say. "You love Robb. Everyone knows it." She paused, chewing on the inside of her cheek. It was something her daughter always did when she was about to admit that someone was right about something when she really didn't want too. It made Catelyn feel all the better about the situation she found herself in; despite how Arya looked she was still her little girl. "That is why you were so horrible to Jon… you were afraid for Robb. Wanted him protected. You have heard all your life about how bastards are, how they always seek to steal their trueborn siblings' birthright, and you feared that father would do the same. I… I will never forgive you for that. How you made Jon feel like Winterfell couldn't be his home. How you couldn't see how much we all loved him and how he loved us. But I understand… you did it because you love Robb. That's how I know that you wouldn't agree with him being exiled."

Catelyn merely nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She hadn't agreed with it… had cursed out Ned for his decision. In private though because it was a wife's duty to stand by her husband, even if he was wrong. And that went doubly so for the wife of a Lord as important as Ned. And even more so when one was a queen.

Entering into Ned's solar at long last she moved to stand next to him, face impassive as Ned settled down in his chair with a sigh. He had done nothing to change his solar despite being named King in the North and while Catelyn had been pushing him to add a few more touches to show off his new position she was happy he had resisted her. It was far better for Arya to feel comfortable at the moment and the Solar was a familiar place.

'I used to frown upon Ned allowing the children in here,' Catelyn thought to herself as she watched everyone pile in. 'I told him that the solar was supposed to be his private domain… not a family room. "That is how my father kept it," Ned told me. "I was only in here once, before I became Warden of the North, and that was when Father told me I would be fostered in the Vale. I will not allow that to be the case with Robb. I will not have him not understand the weight of this room.'"

And when she had asked him then why he allowed the rest of the children to enter he had merely stared at her with a sad look and said, "Because Winter is Coming". She hadn't wanted to consider that but she knew he was right: one couldn't predict how life would go. History taught them that no rule was secure. There was a reason why 'the spare' wasn't good enough. Jaehareys the Wise had gone through so many heirs that Catelyn couldn't remember how many he'd had before the Great Council had been called. There was a very good chance that not just Bran or Rickon might need to rule the North but Sansa or Arya as well.

Ned let out a weary sigh as he leaned forward in his chair. "There is much you don't know… and much I wish you would have chosen to discuss in private, Arya."

The young woman merely moved to the chair opposite of her father, sitting down on it in a way that at once was lazy and calculated. Arya understood her body and was comfortable in it, which allowed her to relax yet also show off her control of a situation.

'Its also a warning,' Catelyn thought. 'She wants to let Ned know that he can't treat her like a little girl.' He saw Remy shift, moving so that he was leaning against a wall, pulling out a deck of Essos playing cards and idly shuffling them. Gendry remained near the door, his bulk creating a fleshy barrier. And Ravan…

Catelyn swallowed.

'She is the deadliest of all.'

They were moving to back Arya up.

"Then let us discuss how you decided that it was wise to forever paint a target on my brother's back," Arya stated.

Ned narrowed his eyes at that. "I had to act. The smallfolk are talking-"

"And you make sure they talk even more," Arya snapped back, cutting him off. "Those that believe Robb is guilty of these crimes will believe you have vindicated their slander! And even when he proves that he is innocent they will still believe he is guilty. They will say all you did was cover up what he did. And those that might have been allies will see him as weak and not in your favor. You do know that because you kept him in Winterfell the Greatjon believed Robb to be a weakling when he first met him… it took Greywind taking his fingers to convince him otherwise."

"How do you know that?" Ned asked, surprised.

"The whispers have reached Braavos," Arya retorted. "There is a tavern that Gambit took me too." Catelyn wondered who Gambit was. "It is… inspired… by the North." Arya made a face at that and Catelyn wondered what the story was there. But before she could ask Arya continued on. "Many sailors go there as well in order to have Northern food. It was… a small piece of home." She narrowed her eyes. "The sailors love to gossip. You think the story of you banishing your heir hasn't reached them? Or King's Landing?"

Ned sighed. "Arya… entire villages have been wiped out. Torn apart and the people consumed. I don't know how much Robb told you-"

It wasn't Arya who cut off Ned but rather Ravan, who stared at Catelyn's husband with a cool gaze that was so contradictory when done with her burning yellow eyes. "We are aware of the creature that has bonded with him. A… symbiote, I believe he called it." Catelyn frowned, doubting that Ravan couldn't remember what Robb had called Venom. "He was rather up front as well with his preferred methods of dealing with his foes. Something I think your grace wouldn't argue against." She shot Ned a stern look. "We have heard how you have earned your OTHER title… Punisher."

Ned frowned at that. "Then perhaps you have heard how villages and small communities aren't just being destroyed but their people consumed. All when Robb could not be found in Winterfell to provide him with proof that he wasn't responsible. Were I to do nothing all would see me as the king that was protecting his son and ignoring his people. Aerion Brightflame. Rhaegar. Maegor. History is filled with weak kings that could not control their sons. The North remembers well how Robert did that with Joffrey… they will not suffer another king such as that."

Cat knew it hurt Ned to speak of his best friend like that… but it was the truth.

"The people know Robb!" Rickon charged. "He led them while you were in King's Landing. He battled with them in the Whispering Woods and claimed the Kingslayer! He helped us repel the Ironborn while you were down South-"

"Rickon, we have discussed this," Ned charged.

"Clearly not enough!" Arya snapped. "Only an idiot would see this for anything but what it is: a ploy to make Robb look guilty. Why would he ever attack villages so openly? He'd have to know that he would be caught! Robb is no fool!"

That caused Yondu to shake his head. "The boy is a fool about many things but you're right he wouldn't go attackin' those villages." But before anyone could think he had decided to side with Arya and Rickon Yondu said, "but it ain't just Robb anymore, is it? He gots that black snot bubble glued to him now, don't he?" He narrowed his eyes as he glared at Arya. "Ya never even considered that, did ya? Just took the boy at his word because he is your brother. He's Ned's son and he was smart enough to know that we can't trust him anymore… not with that gunk getting into his head."

"Father," Ned said, holding up a hand, "I don't believe Robb-"

"Aw cut the crap, Ned!" Yondu snapped. "We both know that ya can't trust the boy! Even if he is innocent he's still a damn threat! Goin' round eatin' people-" Catelyn shivered at that; Robb hid it very well but she had heard enough of Venom's comments to know that the symobiote consumed more than cooked beef. "-it ain't right. And the fact that Robb thinks its okay?"

"And Roslin?" Rickon charged. "You think she is okay with him slaughtering all?"

"She's a Frey," Yondu said dismissively.

"Watch your mouth," Gamora said, much to Catelyn's surprise. "Roslin has proven to be a strong ally."

"The girl ain't no fighter," Yondu said. "We face the Others… we don't have time for little girls that will sob at the sight of blood."

"Yet you send away our best fighter?" Rocket said with a huff. "Pretty boy and Venom might be different from the rest of us but I'd rather have him on our side…"

"I am Groot."

"Exactly!"

Theon slowly raised his hand. "I'm sorry… the Others?" Brienne looked just as startled and Catelyn realized that they had completely forgotten about them. Hadn't even noticed them arrive. No introduction in the yard, no greetings. Everything with Robb had taken importance. "What do you mean by the Others."

"Keep up, boy!" Yondu demanded. "Damn squids…"

Brienne took a step forward, cracking her knuckles.

Arya turned and glared at Yondu. "I'm sorry but who are you and why the fuck should we care?"

"I am Yondu, leader of the Children of the Forest."

"Oh, the ones that failed to defeat the Others," Arya said glibly, causing Rickon to cough. "Yes, such a brilliant person to seek advice from when it comes to battle."

"Watch that tongue of yours, girly. I'm also your grandpa."

"…again, why the fuck should I care?"

"I like this one!" Drax declared.

"Arya," Ned said, trying to regain control of the situation.

"No," she said, glaring at Yondu. "I am getting the sense it isn't the King in the North that banished my brother but this blue bastard. I think I punched the wrong person."

"Try it. I ain't afraid ta crack you one back." Yondu slowly pulled open his jacket and Catelyn's eyes widened as she saw the red arrow in there. She had seen his demonstrations and knew what that weapon could do!

"Think you can lay a finger on me?"

Yondu narrowed his eyes. "I think your daddy didn't beat you as often as he should have-"

Sansa snarled. Rickon took a step forward. Gendry suddenly grew larger… and his skin turned to metal. Remy's eyes glowed. Ned leapt to his feet and moved to draw his dagger.

"ENOUGH!" Catelyn shouted.

Everyone was thrown back.

Literally.

Ned nearly crashed through the window. Arya was sent toppling but landed in a crouch. Gendry skidded back and Sansa howled from where she fell. Rickon groaned as he rubbed his head, having almost cracked it against the stone while Rocket cursed. Gamora was looking about in surprise while Ravan shifted back, ready to fight but not sure against what. Brienne had managed to remain on her feet and held Theon who looked dazed.

Catelyn… blinked.

"…what the fuck was that?" Yondu got out.

Staring at her hands Catelyn couldn't help but wonder the same thing.

"By the way…" Lord Manderly said with a cheerful smile as he got to his feet, "would this be a poor time to mention that Princess Arya didn't do the introductions properly?"

"Yes, Wyman," Ned groaned as he got up, his eyes seeking out Catelyn's as he silently asked what she had done. But she had no answer… no answer at all. "I am sorry we didn't recognize you properly-"

"Oh, not that," Lord Manderly said with a pleasant shrug. "I meant Ravan's full title." He gestured at the blue woman. "Princess Ravan Blackfyre, wife of Erik Blackfyre, known as Magneto, head of the Brotherhood of the Blackfyres."

And suddenly Catelyn didn't care at all about the strange force that had drive everyone away.