Chapter 20

The familiar sight of Winterfell's towering walls sent a wave of warmth washing over Cregan. The long journey from the Barrowlands had been arduous, but the thought of returning home, of seeing his family, had kept him going. He could feel the familiar pull of the North, the comforting chill in the air, and he was eager to be embraced by the familiar surroundings, and the warmth of his home.

The gates swung open, and he rode into the courtyard, Jory Cassel by his side, a small retinue of guards following behind. The sight that greeted him was one of pure joy. His siblings, their faces beaming with excitement, ran towards him, their shouts of welcome echoing through the courtyard. He could see all of them, his father watching with a smile, and his uncle close to him. And he felt something that had been missing from the last few months: home.

"Cregan!" Robb yelled, nearly tackling him off his horse as he jumped, and nearly pulled him to the ground. "You're back! We missed you so much!"

"Welcome home!" Sansa cried, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears, as she ran to hug him tightly.

"Did you bring me anything?" Arya demanded, her hands on her hips, her usual stubbornness on full display. "You better have!"

Even Bran and Rickon, who were usually quieter, were jumping up and down, their faces beaming with delight. And in the midst of all that chaos, he also saw his father, watching with a smile that reached all the way to his heart.

Cregan laughed, the sound warm and genuine, as he dismounted his horse, embracing each of his siblings tightly. He had brought a small gift for everyone, a small memento of his time in the Barrowlands. He gave Robb a small wooden replica of the Dustin's warhammer, for Sansa he brought a scarf as colourful as the one she had given him, for Arya a finely crafted dagger, for Bran a drawing of all the horses he had seen and for Rickon a small toy that was shaped as a knight, and he also gave Old Nan a book about the legends of the Rills.

After the initial greetings, they all made their way inside, the familiar warmth of the great hall a welcome contrast to the chill of the outside world. As they ate, they talked, Cregan sharing tales of his adventures, and his siblings sharing their own news and events.

Later that evening, after the younger children had gone to bed, Cregan found himself sitting by the fire with his father and uncle, a mug of ale in his hand. "Lord Dustin was very impressed with you, Cregan," Ned said, his voice filled with pride. "He told me that you were a natural leader, a quick learner, and someone who always strived for the best." He paused, his gaze meeting Cregan's, "And that he was proud to have you in his home. That meant something to me."

"He taught me a lot, Father," Cregan replied, his voice sincere. "And I am grateful for everything that I have seen. I have now had an understanding of how much the region is in desperate need of help, and I have more ideas on how to fix our problems."

"And I'm sure you've come up with many," Ned said, with a small smile. "Tell me more of what you have learned."

And so Cregan told his father of everything he had seen, everything he had learned, from the fertile fields and well-maintained towns of the Barrowlands, to the trading routes that kept the North alive. He spoke of the different methods of agriculture, the different fighting styles he had encountered, and of the need for better infrastructure, a stronger military and a thriving economy. He also spoke of his time at the Ryswells, and how even houses that you expect to know very well, may still hold many secrets.

He explained how important it was for a lord to know his people, and how much of an impact that had on the economic well-being of their region. He spoke of his time with Domeric, and how the Boltons may be more than just a name. He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and looked his father in the eyes, "And that he was not different to me. We both know what it is like to be raised with a secret in our hearts, and how that shapes who we are."

Ned listened intently, his expression a mixture of pride and thoughtful consideration. "It is all very promising," he said, his voice thoughtful. "But these ideas will take time, and resources. And we both know how lacking we are in both." He paused, his gaze drifting to the fire. "The North has the land to feed more people, Cregan, but we do not have enough people to manage all of it. It's always been a conundrum, and a challenge, and I have yet to see a way to solve it."

"I may have a solution, Father," Cregan said, his eyes shining with conviction. "If there is ever a chance to entice people from the South to migrate north, we should take it. We need people to work the land, and they may want a new start. And I'm sure that there are houses who would be willing to pay to send a portion of their smallfolk north."

Ned nodded slowly, his gaze meeting his son's. "That… that is a good idea, Cregan. You have always been able to think outside of the box, something that I value greatly." He paused, his voice laced with pride. "I am proud of you, Cregan. You have grown so much during your time away."

Cregan smiled, a warm and genuine expression of happiness. He knew that his father was proud, he could feel it. And it was more than enough for him.

"While we are talking about that," Ned continued, "I must tell you that, while you were gone, Lady Catelyn has arranged Robb's fostering with her father Lord Hoster Tully in Riverrun and as you know he will be squiring with the Blackfish." He paused, and his gaze became more serious, "It is something that I agree with, as I plan to rebuild Moat Cailin for him. And he needs to have a good connection with the Riverlords, for when he rules."

He paused for a moment, and a small, faint smile crept onto his face, "But it also means that the Blackfish will return to his home, and that Catelyn want to give her uncle and father a chance t bury past grudges, if they decide to," he said. "Also, if anything should happen to her brother Edmure, Robb would be the heir to the Riverlands." He shook his head, sighing. "Catelyn always has a plan, and still feels responsible for her family in Riverrun."

He then looked at his son, with a hint of curiosity, "And, while we are speaking of that, what do you think of all of this, of the fact that both you and Robb have a direction, while Jon doesn't have one?"

Cregan nodded, his brow furrowing slightly. He had been so involved with his fostering, that he had almost forgotten about the needs of his other brother, who was not going to squire for a southern lord, and had no specific tasks assigned. "I spoke to Arthur," Cregan said, "and he told me that Jon feels that he is missing out, as all of us are being allowed to go on adventures, and learn about the world, while he is still at Winterfell." He paused, his mind working. "But I have a plan, for Jon," he said, his voice a bit more confident. "I am scheduled to go to Deepwood Motte next, to learn from the Glovers. They already have a baseborn son, Lawrence Snow, fostered in their lands, so they will not take offence if we bring Jon as well. He will be able to learn from them, and he will be able to see the world."

Ned was quiet for a moment, considering Cregan's words. He knew that Jon deserved to be treated fairly, but he had never known what to do for him. He was a reminder of the past, and of his failures. But he was also the future, he was a part of the Stark family, and he deserved all the love and the support that they had to give him.

"That is a good idea, Cregan," Ned said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I know that you will be a good guide for him, as you have been for all of your siblings. And it is time for people seeing him as a Stark, not as a problem that needs to be swept under the rug. You are becoming the leader that I always knew you could be, Cregan, and it fills me with pride."

Cregan smiled, his heart swelling with a deep sense of love for his family. He had grown so much during his time in Barrowton, and he was eager to use his new knowledge to help his family, and his people. He had learned about the importance of agriculture, trade, and defense, and he had also learned how to form new friendships, how to make connections with people that were different from him, and how to use those connections to improve his surroundings.