Chapter 36 Eddard

As the Stark family watched, two soldiers carried Maester Luwin's body out of the godswood and took him to a wagon that the two Silent Sisters of Winterfell used to take bodies from the castle. As he was laid in the wagon, one of the Sisters pointed silently to the ring of metal links that Maester Luwin wore tight around his neck. Eddard Stark understood what she wanted and shook his head. "No, it will be buried with him." He had spent years forging his links and Ned knew he would have wanted to be buried with them. The Sisters bowed to them and then wheeled away Maester Luwin. Arya and Sansa let out small sobs, and Gendry had an arm around Arya's shoulders and Catelyn Stark held Sansa. As Ned watched the body leave the castle for the last time, he felt an overwhelming sadness.

"Now he is with the gods," his wife said quietly.

"It's not fair," said Arya as she sniffled. "He never hurt anyone."

"Aye," Ned replied heavily. He turned to his daughters. "He was a good man and don't ever forget that. We will say a service for him on the morrow."

"There is no septon," Catelyn Stark said, anger in her voice. "How will we say a service?"

"We can say some words for him," Ned told her. She held to the new gods fiercely, he knew, more so in these last months than in all her years. But the septon was dead, drown in a well by the ironmen to please their god, according to the stories the Winterfell people were telling them.

"The fires are mostly out," Sansa observed.

"We have to see what the ironmen left to us," Ned told them. "Let's…"

But his wife interrupted him. "Ned…Bran and Rickon are still out there."

"And good men are looking for them," he replied, wanting nothing more than to jump on his horse and race out there as well but knew he couldn't, not yet. "Our place is here, for now, to help our home and its people. You and the girls check the Great Keep. Gendry, Mikken is still hurt. I need you to help the apprentice at the smithy."

"Yes, my lord. I think the smithy was burnt though," Gendry replied.

"See the apprentice armorer and find out what you can recover from it."

"I'll help," Arya said and in a moment she and Gendry went off to find the apprentice and head to the smithy in the inner courtyard.

Then Roslin and Jeyne Poole came over towards them with two little boys. "These are the boys my father sent to foster here, my lord," Roslin said to Ned. "Both called Walder, but we call him Little Walder and this one Big Walder." She saw the confused look on Ned's face. "Big Walder was bigger when they were small boys, but now Little Walder is bigger."

"Aye," he replied as he looked at Big and Little Walder. "I am Eddard Stark. How fair you?"

"Good, my lord," said Big Walder but Little Walder fumed.

"They left without us! Left us here with the ironmen!"

"Not to fret," Catelyn said with a gentle smile. "You are here now and safe. I am Lady Stark. Come, all of you, we will go to the Great Keep and make sure our home is in order." Sansa, Jeyne, and Roslin followed her and the two Frey boys trailed behind.

Ned also moved further into the castle, into the large inner courtyard. He stood there for a while and surveyed the damage done to the home his ancestors had lived in for thousands of years. The fires had damaged the stables, the kitchens, the armory, part of the roof of the great hall, the guest house where visitors slept, and even the bridge between the Great Keep and armory. The fires were mostly out now, but the stench of smoke and ash filled the air. Many people were here, soldiers of his army and Winterfell people picking through the ruins, looking to salvage what they could, making sure no new fires erupted. Arya and Gendry and the apprentice armorer were over by the smithy, seeing what they could recover from its smoking remains.

He felt a burning anger inside, an anger at those who had done this but also at himself for leaving here in the first place, and for all that had followed.

As he thought on this Samson, the new steward of Winterfell, approached and spoke to him. He was a younger man than Vayon Poole had been, but he had trained under Poole and knew what he was doing. He was not tall or short and had straight brown hair and brown eyes and was a bit thin. Robb had appointed him before going south with his army.

"Maester Luwin is the only one dead," Samson said. "Except for the nine men killed during the first attack, my lord."

"Nine men, plus our maester," Ned said, unable to hide the anger in his voice. To those ten he had to add his guardsmen and household staff he had taken to King's Landing only to be slaughtered by the Lannisters. Almost one hundred more. How many faces would be missing from the great hall the next time they held a feast?

"How many wounded?" he asked the steward next.

"Some dozen," he said. "A few during the attack, more with burns from trying to put out fires. The army maester, ah, Maester William, is looking after them now."

"How many ironmen dead?"

"Lord Umber and Lord Robb's men killed seventeen of them this morning as they tried to escape into the Wolfswood. That makes eleven who escaped."

"Twenty-eight. Are you sure that was how many were here?"

"Aye, my lord. I counted them as best I could and Maester Luwin as well and we both agreed it was twenty-eight. Twenty-six warriors, Greyjoy, and his squire. Twenty-eight."

"Maester Luwin said three went into the tunnel with Greyjoy, along with the squire called Wex and my kennel master."

"Aye," Samson said. Then his face looked a bit stricken. "I am sorry, my lord, about Maester Luwin. The ironmen…they locked the gates to the godswood and warned us not to enter. Of course, we knew Luwin was missing. The one called Black Lorren told us he went with Theon Greyjoy to find Bran and Rickon. We…we could have saved him otherwise."

"No, you would have died as well if the ironmen saw you helping him," Ned told him. "Besides, he was beyond help. The wound the maester suffered was mortal. There is no one to blame but Greyjoy and his men. Now tell me about the damage."

"What you can see here my lord is the most of what damage was done to Winterfell. The fires did not burn long before we and Lord Umber's men set to putting them out. But it will take time to rebuild and will be costly. The town…the town is mostly destroyed. But all of those living there survived."

"Good," Ned replied, thankful for some small mercies the gods had shown. "We must rebuild the town first and quickly, before winter comes. What about the food and the coin vault?"

"Untouched, my lord, except for what they ate while here. I think they planned to take the gold, but your men surprised them by arriving so quickly and just before the dawn yesterday."

"That is good," Ned replied. "We will have need of all of the food for the coming winter, and some of the gold to pay for repairs. I want you to start making lists of what we need. We will get timber from the Wolfswood, and other supplies we can order from White Harbor."

Before Samson could reply, a guardsman shouted from a nearby wall. "Lord Stark! Lord Robb is returning!"

Just then the gate to the inner courtyard opened and Robb and many men rode in on horses. They all looked tired and more than a few were bloodstains and three sported bandages on arms and legs, but Robb looked unharmed. He swiftly dismounted as his father approached him.

"What news?" Ned Stark asked his son right away.

"Six of them we ran down. They fought and now they are all dead," Robb told him. "Except for Theon. He wasn't with them!"

"I know," Ned told his son and then explained all he knew. As he spoke Arya had come over from the forge with Gendry behind her. Ned saw the look of anguish on his son's face when he told him about Maester Luwin.

"Dead?" he asked, looking from his father to his sister, hoping it was not true.

"Yes," Arya told her older brother, her voice constricted. "Sansa and I found him in the godswood. Still alive but…but…" She couldn't finish the story, and looked like she wanted to cry again. Her eyes were still red from crying, Ned noticed. Or maybe it was from the smoke.

"Aye, he died soon after," Ned said to Robb with a weary sigh.

"And Bran and Rickon are still out there now?" Robb asked, his voice now full of anger.

"The Greatjon took a party to the Kingsroad and Roose Bolton is leading another in the Wolfswood and Lady Mormont and her daughter took some of their men into the tunnel," Ned told him. "They will find them and bring Theon back to face our justice."

Robb immediately turned and mounted his horse. "I'm going as well. Give me twenty fresh men."

Ned was about to protest, to say his son was tired and needed rest, but he also wanted to be out there. He knew his place was here in Winterfell, supervising the putting out of fires and making sure all was well, but every fiber of his being wanted to be out their looking for his sons. Now that the fires were out he could not stand it any longer. "Wait for me," he told Robb.

"And me!" Arya said in a fierce tone.

Ned was about to tell her 'no' when Gendry beat him to it. "No," he said to her, not harshly but still firmly. "There are men enough going and you're exhausted. And if you go, I'm going, too."

She glared at him and had a protest on her lips but he stared back at her and then her look softened and she nodded once. "Aye," was all she said.

Ned looked at his daughter. "We will find them, not to worry. Tell your mother where we are going."

She agreed and then his horse was brought to him and Ned mounted. Some fresh men were quickly found and they mounted fresh horses and Robb had sense enough to get a fresh horse for himself as well. Grey Wind had been out with him hunting ironmen and looked like he still wanted to go out again and came right up beside Robb as he mounted his fresh horse.

"Which gate?" Robb asked his father.

"East Gate," Ned told his son. "They've been gone two days. If that wildling woman has any sense she is on the Kingsroad by now looking for us. If the gods are good Lord Umber has already found them and they are coming home."

The gods were good, for once, and Robb and Ned and their men had not ridden an hour north on the Kingsroad when they saw Lord Umber's party coming toward them. As Ned looked at them he saw that a small boy was sitting on the saddle in front of the Greatjon and the unmistakable bulk of the stable boy Hodor sitting on another horse with another boy in front of him. It was Bran and Rickon.

Ned almost cried in joy as he saw his sons and then he kicked his horse and galloped forward, with Robb at his side. As they approached Rickon's voice rang out across the Kingsroad.

"Father! Robb!"

In moments Ned was off his horse and the Greatjon climbed down from his and placed Rickon on the ground. Ned's little boy was soon running to his father's open arms. He hugged him tight and lifted him from the ground and kissed his cheeks and Rickon was laughing and giggling like the small boy he was. Then Ned saw Hodor, off his horse and carrying Bran, and Ned's heart gave a twist as he laid eyes on his crippled son after so long. He handed Rickon to Robb and then held out his arms for Bran. But Bran spoke first, his tone formal and serious for one who had only counted eight name days.

"I am sorry Father for yielding Winterfell to Theon and his men."

"No, my little lord," Ned replied, smiling at his son. "There is no reason to be sorry. You did what was right. You protected your people."

"Not all of them," Bran said sadly. "Alebelly is dead and Hayhead and the septon and many others. Lord Umber told us Maester Luwin was badly wounded."

"Aye," said Ned and his heart was heavy. "I'm sorry Bran, but…but..."

"He is dead?" Bran asked and Ned could only nod. Bran did not cry for Maester Luwin, but his face was filled with sadness.

"The wound was too grievous, I am afraid," Ned explained. "But his strength and will kept him alive until we came home so he could tell us where you were. Come, my son. It is time to return home."

Ned held out his arms and Hodor placed Bran in them and Ned felt a shock at how heavy Bran was now, despite his injuries. His son was growing, Ned realized. But he would never fully heal, and never walk again, and never lie with a woman or have babies of his own, and for that Ned cursed the Kingslayer. In all the time he was at Riverrun, Ned never once spoke to Jamie Lannister. He feared that if he had he would have killed Ser Jamie with his bare hands for what he suspected he had done to Bran. And he couldn't have done that if he ever wanted to see his daughters freed from the Lannister clutches.

Ned carried Bran to his horse and soon they were mounted again. As he sat on his horse, Robb and Rickon climbed on Robb's horse. Then Ned noticed the two great direwolves prowling nearby, Summer and Shaggydog, sniffing and yelping alongside Grey Wind, reintroducing themselves to their long missing brother. All three were soon loping along the west side of the Kingsroad, sniffing the ground as if searching for food.

Then Ned spied two youngsters in green and brown clothing who could only be the Reed children, and he also saw a tall woman who must surely be Osha. All three of them were on horses, each riding behind one of Lord Umber's men. He would need have words with them all later, especially the woman, who had once tried to harm her sons, as Robb told him, and later helped save Bran. It was going to be difficult to decide what to do with her.

As they rode back to Winterfell the Greatjon told them how they had found his sons and the others hiding in an abandoned crofter's log home set off the Kingsroad in a stand of forest.

"We would have missed them except one of the direwolves was on the road, looking right at us as we rode up," the Greatjon explained. He lowered his voice a bit as he rode alongside Ned and Bran. "I swear Ned, that direwolf knew who I was, the look it gave me. Now Grey Wind has had a taste of my hand, so he knows my scent and taste for sure, but how could that one, Summer the boys called it, know me so well?"

"Aye?" Ned replied with a chuckle. "Sure you weren't in your cups around that time?"

"NO!" the Greatjon shouted, startling Ned's horse so he had to grab the reigns tight. Robb had overheard them and laughed and so did Bran a little.

As they rode further Ned whispered in Bran's ear. "Was it you looking at Lord Umber on the Kingsroad, my son?"

"No, Father," Bran said matter-of-factly. "It was Summer."

"Bran…Arya and Sansa have told me the truth of this."

Bran said nothing for a long moment. "What truth?" he finally asked.

"They can dream of the direwolves as well. Of being inside them."

Bran craned his neck around to look at his father, astonishment in his eyes. "Both of them?"

"Aye…well, not Sansa anymore."

"Lady is dead."

"Aye," Ned said, ruing once more the terrible deed he had been forced to commit. "We will talk more on this when we return to Winterfell."

Robb rode up beside the Greatjon. "There was no sign of Greyjoy?"

"None," the Greatjon told them, a mad look on his face. "Bran and the woman and the Reed children said they thought they were followed on the first night, but they never saw any ironmen."

"Is that the way of it, Bran?" Robb asked.

"Yes," Bran said. "We heard something behind us…it sounded like dogs barking. But we never saw anyone. Osha made us run all night. She had to carry Rickon. We never saw Theon."

"Then he's still out there somewhere," Robb said through gritted teeth.

"We'll find him," Ned told his eldest boy. "And justice will be done." Ned Stark knew there was only one kind of justice he would give Theon Greyjoy. He had better make sure Ice was nice and sharp.

Ned sent a fast rider ahead to tell Winterfell they had found the boys and an hour later they rode through the East Gate again and almost the whole castle and many from the army were waiting for them at its entrance, with Cat, Arya, and Sansa almost in tears again and most of the people cheering, with many of them in tears as well.

As Robb lifted Rickon to the ground he cried out and ran to his mother and she hugged him tight. Ned took Bran down from the horse and carried him to see his mother and sisters.

"My brave boy," Catelyn Stark said as she kissed Bran's brow and held his hands. At last Bran let a few tears fall. Then Ned carried him into their home as Sansa and Arya danced around and asked a dozen questions and Ned told them to wait until the boys were fed and rested to hear all the stories. Nymeria was there as well and the four direwolves leaped and fought and played and caused a general ruckus as the group moved into Winterfell.

Hodor took Brad from Ned and Cat immediately told Hodor to take him to the new maester, William, to check over and then Rickon was dragged along as well for an examination, the small boy protesting the whole way as Sansa and Arya pulled him along. As they left people began to return to the business of cleaning up. As it was near the supper hour Ned order a feast prepared for the people and the remains of his army. Then he took a look at the Reed children and Osha, standing nearby. "Come with me," he said to them in his lord's voice. "We have much to discuss. Robb, you come as well."

They went into the empty great hall and sat at one of the lower tables, Osha and Meera and Jojen on one side, Robb and Ned on the other. The smell of smoke filled the great hall. Ned looked up at the ceiling where one section of roofing and wooden beams had burnt and knew he had to have that repaired quickly before more rains came.

"First," Ned began, as he looked at the three people across the table. "I thank you for helping my sons."

"We were running away too," said Meera. "My lord," she quickly added.

"Aye, I suppose so," Robb said to her. "Theon would have held you for hostage as well."

"Your father is well," Ned told them. "We saw him at Moat Cailin not ten days past. He and your people helped us a great deal in defeating the ironmen there. I suppose you will want to return home now. We will…"

"No," Jojen said, interrupting Ned. "I…" But his sister grabbed his arm suddenly and he kept quiet.

"What's this?" Ned asked sharply.

"The boy thinks your son is special," Osha spoke, for the first time.

"He is," Jojen said. "I…I'm sorry my lord. But I can't leave yet. Not until Bran flies."

Meera let out a groan. "I'm sorry, Lord Stark. He thinks Bran is meant to do something important. Jojen has the greensight.

"The what?" Robb asked in puzzlement.

"His dreams come true," Osha told him.

"Greensight," Ned added. "Their father explained some to me. Let us leave this for now."

"Will you send us away?" Meera asked.

"No…not yet, not if you don't wish to leave," Ned replied. "But soon I will have some truths from you about this business with Bran. But not today. Go and rest and clean up and come back for the meal."

They stood and dipped their heads and left. Now Robb and Ned were left alone with Osha and Ned put on his lord's face and turned a hard look toward her.

"My son tells me you tried to kill Bran."

"Not kill," Osha said without any fear in her voice. "We just wanted his horse and whatever trinkets he had on him. Was just trying to get south before those with blue eyes come."

"Blue eyes," Ned said, knowing what she meant. The Others. He had heard the stories himself from Old Nan when he was just a boy and she was already grey-haired and called Old Nan.

"She thinks the Others are coming back," Robb said with a shake of his head in disdain.

"Not think," Osha said to him with strength in her voice. "I know. And you best be ready or there will be worse than fire and ironmen climbing the walls of your great castle. The old maester, he knew I spoke the truth. He asked me how to defeat them."

Much and more had gone on here while Ned was away and now he rued that Maester Luwin had no time to tell him it all in detail. "That matters not for now," Ned told Osha. "You and your companions trespassed on our lands, attacked my sons, and only by the gods' mercy Robb spared your life."

"Aye, this is all true," Osha told him, still not flinching.

Ned could see she was unafraid. Did she think he would not punish her? Or did she just not care about death?

"You had a chance to run," he said next. "Why didn't you?"

"I couldn't leave them boys alone with Hodor and them other two," Osha replied. "Smart as they think they is the Wolfswood and the northlands is no bog. If Greyjoy had caught up with us, what would have happened to them all?"

"He'd have killed Hodor and maybe the Reeds as well if they got in the way," Robb answered. "You would have died for certain."

She grunted. "Maybe. But I would've taken some skin off him before I died. And he didn't catch us cause I made them run all night. You ask them, ask the little lords. The first night we did not sleep until near dawn, tired as we all were. I pushed them till they were in tears, the Reeds and big Hodor as well. After we heard the dogs barking behind us they needed no more push from me."

Ned silently listened to her, unable to decide what to do. "Bran said Maester Luwin had to almost beg you to take them." The story of their escape Ned had gotten from Bran as they had ridden back to Winterfell.

"Aye, he did. I feared what you lot would do to me if we found you."

Robb almost laughed. "You don't seem afraid."

"I fear no man. All men and women die in the end. But if you kill me make sure you burn my body. I don't want to come back with blue eyes."

After she said that, Ned decided. She had helped his sons and he could not ignore that. Not only because he was grateful, but because he knew repaying her with her death would cause unease among his people. Many in the castle and his army knew who she was and what she had done by now. No, Ned Stark would not kill a woman who had helped his family, despite her past crimes.

"You have leave to go, if you wish," he told Osha. "We will not stop you."

She seemed about to rise but then hesitated. "I got nowhere to go."

"South was your plan," Robb reminded her.

She looked down now, and Ned could see she wanted to ask for their help but wouldn't, too proud to beg.

"What were you north of the Wall?" he asked her and she looked up and had a strong look in her eyes.

"Spear woman," she said at once.

A spear woman, a warrior of the northern wildlings. His brother Benjen had told him enough stories of the tough wild women, who took no guff from their men and fought and died as equals with them. But could he trust her with a spear in her hands inside his castle? Well, she had had his sons at her mercy for two whole days and had not harmed them. He decided once more. "You serve in the kitchens two more months till I see you are truly willing to join civilized men. Then I will let you join the guard if you wish."

"I wish," she said quickly. "I suppose I'm needed in the kitchens now." She stood and was about to go when Robb stopped her with a sharp word.

"It is common courtesy to show respect to a lord by dipping your head and calling him such."

"We got no lords or ladies north of the Wall," she told them. "And which of you is Lord of Winterfell now?"

"He is," Ned and Robb said at the same time and a smile came to Osha's face and then the two Stark men chuckled. Osha dipped her head slightly. "My lords," she said and then went off to the kitchens.

"I am surprised she bent so easy," Robb said after she had left. "She was so wild when we first caught her. Oh, she begged for her life that day, and called me lord of Stark, but I think she feared the direwolves more than us after she saw what they did to her companions."

"No, she did not bend then or now," his father told him. "She just wants a warm bed and food and has no friends and nowhere else to go. And she is afraid."

"Afraid to head south?"

"No. Afraid of what is coming from the north. At least here there are people and perhaps some protection."

Robb almost laughed but he saw the serious look on his father's face. "Come, Father, you don't believe all that nonsense about the Others? Do you?"

"Many think they are myths," Ned told him. "But all myths have some basis in truth. Dragons once flew over these lands, we know that to be true, but in another hundred years will people still believe it? Valyrian steel is not only strong because good smiths worked it hundreds of years ago. Many believe those old smiths had the ways of magic, but is that the truth or just a myth now? And someone built the Wall a long time ago to keep something evil on the other side. Not the wildlings and giants as many think. Something truly evil. The Others. The blue eyed men."

Robb was silent for a long moment, then suddenly spoke. "That Night's Watch man. The deserter. The day we found the direwolf pups."

"Aye," Ned said, remembering as well. "He raved on about seeing dead people come to life, dead people with blue eyes. I thought it was the fear in him. Or madness. Maybe it was not."

"What do we do?"

"We send a raven to Castle Black to find out any news. We must have words with Jon and Lord Mormont. And I want to know if there is any new news about Benjen." Yoren had told him how Benjen had gone ranging and not returned and all feared him dead. That had weighed heavy on Ned's mind as he had traveled from King's Landing but too much else happened and he drove it from his mind for a time. Now here in the north it all came back to him of a sudden and he worried that his last sibling was truly dead.

Robb placed a hand on his father's arm. "He lives. I am sure of it. He is the best ranger there ever was."

"Aye…but it has been months," Ned said. He stood suddenly. "Come. We will find out nothing sitting here and brooding. The Night's Watch will know if anything is happening north of the Wall. And we must find out what Osha told Maester Luwin about the Others. Let us go to the maester's tower. Perhaps he took notes."

Ten minutes later they were in the maester's tower by the Hunter's Gate. Inside on the lower floors were many of the wounded. Here he found Maester William treating a winter town's woman for burns on her arms. He was applying a thick whitish colored salve he took from a clay jar.

"Your family is in Maester Luwin's chambers," he told Ned.

"Your chambers now, maester," Ned replied.

"For the nonce my lord," William replied. "I have not forged so many links to be a maester of a great place such as Winterfell. I will send a raven to Old Town soon and tell them of Maester Luwin's passing. Then they will pick someone with much more experience to come and replace him."

"That will take months," Robb said.

"And war still lies between here and Old Town," Ned added. "It would please me if you will serve for now, Maester William. And you will stay here in this tower and care for the ravens and the people."

"Yes, my lord, I will serve you and yours. For now," William said and then Ned and Robb let him get back to his work and they climbed the winding stairs to the upper levels where Maester Luwin's chambers were, below the rookery.

Inside they found their family with Hodor. They were busy picking up many papers and scrolls and books and other items from the floor and placing them on shelves and in bookcases. Apparently the ironmen had been here making a mess, but it was not so bad and nothing seemed permanently damaged. Bran sat on Maester's Luwin's bed in a corner and Catelyn sat on a chair at his big table, reading a scroll, while Arya, Sansa, Rickon and Hodor cleaned up. Well, Rickon wasn't really cleaning up, just playing with some papers on the floor.

Cat looked up at him and Robb as they entered and she had a terrible look in her eyes and Ned knew something was wrong right away. "What is it?" he asked.

She held out the scroll and then looked to Bran. "It had your name on it, Ned," she said. "I…I thought it was some message to you, about the ironmen or something about Winterfell. I…gods….it's all true."

He didn't understand and snatched the scroll from her and read and as he read his hands trembled and he closed his eyes and felt anger course through his body. "The Kingslayer," he said in anger as he opened his eyes.

"What is it?" Sansa asked and all of them were looking at their parents, except Bran who was looking down.

"He pushed me," Bran said quietly and his older brother and sisters all stared at him. Bran looked up suddenly. "I remembered, Father. I told Maester Luwin."

"Jaime Lannister pushed you from the tower?" Robb asked his little brother.

"Aye," Bran said and Ned felt his heart skip a beat and then Arya voiced what they all thought.

"He must die!" she growled as she pounded her fist on the table.

"Gods," Robb said next, also in anger. "We had him at our mercy in Riverrun for weeks!"

"And if the Kingslayer had died your sisters would have also," Catelyn said sharply to her oldest son.

Rickon spoke up from where he sat on the floor, playing with some papers. "Who is the Kingslayer?" he asked in his small boy's innocent voice.

"A bad man," Sansa told him. "A bad man who hurt Bran."

"Sansa, Arya, take Rickon the baths," their mother suddenly told them. "This is not for his ears."

"Yes, Mother," Sansa said. "Come, Rickon, time to get clean."

"You as well, girls," Ned said. "And Arya, put on…"

"A dress, I know Father," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Supper will be in about an hour's time, be ready," Catelyn told them.

"Can…can Gendry come to the feast?" Arya asked, with hope in her voice.

"Yes, he has served us well and should not be left out, but he cannot sit with you," Ned told her. "The Frey boys will be there and it would not do to have them asking questions."

Arya nodded. "I guess not."

"Who's Gendry?" Bran asked.

"Arya's…friend," Sansa told him.

"He's the new apprentice smith I took from King's Landing," Ned told Bran.

"Off you go girls," Catelyn said quickly to forestall any more questions and soon the girls, Rickon, and also Hodor, had left.

Robb, Ned and Catelyn all looked at Bran. "Tell us what you know," Ned asked right away.

"It's all written down," Catelyn said with worry in her tone. "Does he have to repeat it?" She came out of the chair and went to Bran's side on the bed and wrapped an arm around him.

"I will hear it in his own words," Ned told his wife, his voice firm and after a moment she nodded.

"I...was climbing the wall of the Broken Tower," Bran started to explain. "And I heard voices. I looked in the window and they were…they were...like a man and a woman…who are married."

"They were fornicating?" Ned asked, and his wife gasped and looked at him sternly.

"Ned, he's just a boy!"

"I know what he means," Bran replied, in a tone that said he was not a boy. "Yes…they were fornicating."

"And then what happened?" Robb asked.

"He…he grabbed me," Bran said. "And they talked and asked me something. I can't remember it all. And then he said something else…I can't remember what he said. Then…he pushed me and I fell and…and that's all I remember."

"Are you sure, Bran?" Ned asked in his lord's voice with his lord's face on. "Are you absolutely sure it was Jamie Lannister and his sister the Queen?"

"Aye," he told his father. "Absolutely."

Ned nodded and then grinned at his son. "You did well, my son. Robb, take him to the baths and have one yourself."

"Come, little lord of Winterfell," Robb said as he scooped up his brother. "Time to get the smell and dirt of the road from us."

After they left Ned sat in the chair and looked at his wife. "What do we do now?" she asked.

"What can we do?" he replied with a weary expulsion of air. "We have suspected this truth for months now. The Lannisters are our enemies, despite the peace. And the Kingslayer sits outside King's Landing surrounded by tens of thousands of his sworn bannermen. There is no easy way to bring him to justice."

"Stannis Baratheon can," Catelyn said, with hope in her voice.

"Aye, if he defeats them. If he captures Ser Jaime, he will kill him without hesitation. Then we will have justice. At least some form of it.

"I would rather have him confess his crimes before he dies," his wife answered. "So the whole realm knows what a monster he truly is."

"I think they already know. The stories Stannis has…"

"Not stories anymore," Catelyn said quickly. She shook her head in disdain. "His own sister…while she was married to King Robert."

"Even before then, if what the Imp implied is true."

"You must write to the new King, Ned. Perhaps he can hold the Kingslayer if he captures him to await proper justice. There…there is a raven message from Stannis, here somewhere."

She stood and went to the table and moved around many papers and finally pulled out a strip of parchment and handed it to her husband. He read quickly.

"He wants my loyalty, but he offers nothing in return. There is no mention of reinstating my titles at all."

"He will do it, Ned, you know that. And you know what he is like. You must first bend the knee before he offers anything."

"Aye, it is what he wants," Ned replied. "I will write to him soon." Then he remembered why he and Robb had come here in the first place. "That woman Osha…I have pardoned her."

"Good," Catelyn said. "The people would have found it strange if you had clapped her in irons or killed her after helping our sons."

Ned smiled. "I was thinking the same. She will work in the kitchens for now, but talk to Gage and asked him how she is. She…she spoke on the Others."

His wife scoffed. "Fairy tales from Old Nan she must have heard or Bran told her."

Ned's smile faded. "No, my love. She truly believes in them. Her people do also. Much and more is happening up north and we need information. Were there any raven messages from Castle Black?"

"None that I have found," she said. "It's Benjen you are worried about, isn't it?"

"Aye…and Jon, and the rest of the Night's Watch. I need to know what is happening. But it will have to wait, like so many other things. My wife, off to the baths with you as well and make sure our children are presentable. On the way ask Maester William to come here."

"Yes, my husband," she said and then hesitated before she left. "The maester…he took a quick look at Bran and Rickon and said they are well. Except…except…"

And then she let a tear fall and he hugged her tight. "We are home now," Ned told her as she sobbed quietly. "We will raise Bran as best we can and make sure he is well and happy for all his life."

"Ned...he will never be a whole man."

"No…the gods and the Kingslayer have taken that from him and us. But we will make sure he will be as much of a man as he can be." He kissed her once and she wiped her tears away and then left him.

Ned did not mention what the Reed boy had said nor what his father had said, not yet. He needed to speak to the Reed boy more and then he would tell Cat. But not yet.

Maester William came and together they composed three messages. The first was for Old Town, to tell the Citadel of Maester Luwin's passing and to request instructions. Ned added that he had faith in Maester William and would gladly accept him as their new maester. William thank him for his support and then sealed the message.

The second was to Castle Black to Lord Mormont, asking for news of Benjen and of happenings north of the Wall. Inside he added a smaller scroll with a message for Jon, informing him that all were home and well now and asking how he was.

The third message was for King Stannis and was the most difficult to write. Finally Ned and the maester settled on these words:

"King Stannis Baratheon. I pledge my life and arms to your rule and the whole of the North stands behind your claim. It grieves me to tell you my King that I am afraid we can send no support at this time. Winterfell has been attacked by ironmen and has been badly damaged. We are still hunting them down. My people are tired and have just returned to their homes. The fall rains are here as well. We will send what food and arms we can spare by ship. May the gods grant you victory over your enemies and bring peace to the kingdoms. Eddard Stark."

He had written it as small as he could to fit on the parchment. The business about Bran and the Kingslayer would have to wait. It was no time to be asking for justice when Stannis was fighting a war. And Ned truly believed Stannis would not wait one second before killing Ser Jaime if he was captured anyway.

"Why not add your titles?" the maester asked when Ned finished writing.

"I have no titles," Ned told him.

"Perhaps Lord Robb should have written the new king."

"No, it is my loyalty he wants. He will know I will not be so eager to help him while this issue of my titles is still undecided. For the time being Robb is Lord of Winterfell in any documents or correspondence."

"As you wish, my lord. But the people of Winterfell and the North still know you as their lord."

"Aye, that they do," Ned told him. "Very well, send them off and then join us in the great hall. It is long past time I took a bath."

Thirty minutes later, with his hair still damp, and dressed in clean and more refined clothing, Ned Stark lead his family into the great hall and everyone stood. All of the important lords of his army except Roose Bolton and Lady Mormont, still out hunting Theon Greyjoy, were present, as were many of his household and people of the castle, the Frey boys and the Reed children. He even spotted Gendry standing by a bench in the very rear with little Tim and Duncan. He saw Arya waving toward them and Gendry was smart enough not to wave back and attract attention. Catelyn glared at Arya and she grinned sheepishly and pulled her arm down. At least Arya was clean and dressed like a lady for a change.

Bran, Rickon, Sansa, Arya, and Jeyne sat with the Frey boys and the Reed children at the table in front of the raised dais and head table. Catelyn, Robb and his wife Roslin, and Lords Umber, Glover, and Tallhart and some minor lords sat at the head table. As he took his position at the head table, Ned was about to stand by the high seat of the Starks and then hesitated and Robb looked at him. "Father, it is your seat."

Ned grinned. "Aye…soon enough for certain." Ned looked out over at his people and raised a cup filled with wine. "To my people and my strong northern lords and ladies. I have looked forward to coming home for many a moon's turn now. To come here and find our home burning and our people attacked has grieved me much. But you have done me proud, doing your best to protect our home and people from an evil enemy. I want you to raise your cups, my lords and ladies and men and women of Winterfell and the north, raise your cups to my son, Brandon Stark, who did his duty and saved as many and as much as he could."

Bran was startled, Ned could see, as everyone raised their cups "TO BRAN!" they shouted and then drank deeply. Robb then shouted "HODOR!" and Bran turned ten shades of red as Hodor picked him up and held him high and ran with him on his shoulders, holding onto him tight, running around the great hall and more cheers came and more drink was consumed as all thanked Bran. After a few minutes of this Hodor returned Bran to his seat and cups were refilled by many servants.

"And now," Ned began a new speech. "To my army. Our army. You have valiantly served my son Robb and me in these past many weeks. Without your valor and the valor of many good men no longer with us I would still be a prisoner in King's Landing, my daughters as well. You have prevailed and have defeated our enemies. Raise your cups to our strong and brave northern army."

All did so and drank and then the Greatjon let out a bellow. "TO ROBB!" he shouted. "Who else can say they defeated the Kingslayer and Tywin Lannister!?" And all shouted and cheered again and Robb laughed out loud as the Greatjon picked him up in a big bear hug.

And so it went and more speeches were made, with the most important one given by Catelyn Stark, introducing Roslin to the assemblage and welcoming her to the family and promising to have a proper wedding feast for her later. And then all the food came out and it was a marvelous feast. Many and more dishes came and they ate and drank and wash away their sorrows for the time being. Many a toast was made to lost comrades and some tears were shed. Ned made sure he went around the room and sat with each table and heard from his people and his men how they felt. With the few Karstark men remaining he stayed a long time and listened to their laments and drank toasts to their lost lord and his sons and other lost comrades. Ned promised to write a long letter to their lord's wife and they asked him for it on the morrow as they wished to return home as soon as possible.

Late into the feast, a guard came into the great hall and found Ned and Robb sitting with Lords Glover and Tallhart.

"My lords, a messenger from Lord Bolton."

All four quickly rose and went outside. One of Bolton's men was standing there holding his horse's reins. "My lords, Lord Bolton sends his regards. It grieves me to tell you we found the body of your kennel master, Lord Stark."

"Farlen," Robb said sadly.

"How did he die?" Ned asked.

"His throat was slashed open, most likely by a sword," the messenger told them. "We buried him in the forest."

"And Greyjoy and his men?" Lord Glover asked.

"We have not found them," came the reply.

"What of Farlen's hounds?" Robb asked.

"They weren't with the body. They were gone, but Lord Bolton found their trail and he is after them. Perhaps Greyjoy and his men still have the dogs."

"Thank you for this news," Ned said. "Get yourself some food and then have a rest."

"I can't stand it, Father!" Robb exploded after the messenger left. "I want to…"

"No," Ned told his son sharply. "Roose Bolton and Lady Mormont will find them or they won't and it will make no difference if you are out there or not."

"I know Theon," Robb countered. "I know what he will do."

"And what is that?" Lord Glover asked Robb.

"Once he realizes he will never find Bran and Rickon he will head for the west, to his sister at your seat, Lord Glover. He will head for Deepwood Motte, as Maester Luwin said his sister told him in her message. If she is not there he will head for the sea to find a way home."

"My men march on the morrow for the Motte," Lord Glover said. "If he is there we will find him and return him to Winterfell. And kill his bitch of a sister while we are about it!"

"And I march for Torrhen's Square in the morning," Lord Tallhart said. "If there are any ironmen left we will find them."

Robb looked like he wanted to protest some more but then his words died on his lips and he kept silent.

"If you find Ser Rodrik on the road," Ned told Lord Tallhart. "You have leave to make use of him and his men to help you hunt ironmen."

"Aye," said Lord Tallhart. "I am sure he is already doing so."

Ned had to grin. "Aye, I suppose he is at that." After that Lords Glover and Tallhart returned to the feast.

Robb looked angry. "I want to capture Theon!" he said to his father with heat.

"What's it matter who captures him?"

"He betrayed me…us, our whole family! I trusted him!"

"Aye���and that was a mistake."

Robb looked in surprise at his father and Ned knew the rebuke stung him but it had to be said. "Robb…you are a great leader of men, and did so well against all odds. Your name will long live in our songs and histories of the north. But there is much more to being a lord than winning all your battles. You have to know people, your own people and your enemies, and remember who they are and where they come from and their history."

Robb nodded slowly. "Aye. I should…I should have never sent him to Pyke."

"His father is the one who put the seed of Theon's foul deeds in his head. Your mother was talking to the steward, Samson. Theon told Luwin and him about what happened when he returned to Pyke. How his father scorned him and shamed him for being soft. Luwin himself said Theon raved on about his dead brothers and how we helped force his father to bend the knee to Robert. That's why he attacked our home."

"He was my friend," Robb said with much regret in his voice.

"He was," Ned told his son. "But he forgot he was our hostage, as did we. His father reminded him."

"What will we do with him when we catch him?"

"He must die," Ned said.

Robb nodded. "Aye. He must."

"Come, my son, let us enjoy the feast and a least for one night shed some of our cares, for the time being."

The next day dawned clear and bright and Ned said a small prayer for the continued good weather which he knew could not last. In the morning many of the people and army went out of the East Gate into the town and just past it where the lichyard lay near the outer wall of Winterfell. The dead common people were all buried here and now one more body was added, that of Maester Luwin. As he was placed in the ground Ned said some solemn words and many more tears were shed for their lost friend and advisor. Sansa and Roslin and Jeyne and some other Winterfell women and girls sang a beautiful hymn for the departed and as they sang Ned tossed the first handful of dirt into the grave and then his wife follow and soon many others did the same. As Ned stood there thinking on many things, he knew he would sorely miss Luwin's wise counsel in the months and years to come.

Lord Glover's men left before noon, and Lord Tallhart's men soon after. Then the Karstark men left as well, carrying in a wagon the remains of their lord and his two sons, the only bodies they had carried so far north of all those that they had lost. Ned gave them the letter he had promised them. He also gave each group what food he could spare from Winterfell's stores for their journey home and all swore to keep an eye out for Theon Greyjoy and his remaining ironmen.

Lord Glover knew not what he would find when he returned to Deepwood Motte, whether the ironmen still held it or whether it was burnt to the ground. The Greatjon ordered two hundred of his men to go with them, under command of Lord Glover, and Ned added three hundred Winterfell men as well. Ned knew some were grumbling about this, having to march so soon after returning home, but he had to support Lord Glover in his time of need. Soon only Lords Umber and Bolton's few remaining men along with some few from Lady Mormont's Bear Island contingent remained camped around Winterfell.

All day was spent in cleaning and repairing and tending to all the details of their house. Ned spent much of it with the steward discussing what supplies they needed and what had to be done soon to make repairs before the really heavy fall rains came. As morning stretched into afternoon, the work continued, with people only taking short breaks for food and drink.

Night came on this second day and there was still no word about Theon Greyjoy or from Lord Bolton or Lady Mormont. Ned and Robb and the Greatjon discussed this and it was agreed to send riders in the morning to find them.

But that was not necessary. Soon after breakfast the next morning a great shout rang from the battlements. "Lord Bolton is returning! And he has a prisoner!" shouted a guard and soon Ned and Robb and many others were heading to the Hunter's Gate. Ned hoped he had Greyjoy but was soon disappointed. It was a young ironman, not Theon Greyjoy, attached to a long rope trialing behind Lord Bolton's horse.

"Lord Stark," Roose Bolton said in his soft voice as he and his men dismounted. "I bring a prisoner."

"Aye," said Ned. "Well done."

"Where is Greyjoy?" Robb demanded and Ned gave him a sharp look and Robb realized he had made a mistake. Ned was always wary of Bolton, knew him to be a dangerous man, who was much feared in his own lands. Robb had yet to learn that. "I beg pardon, Lord Bolton, but…what has happened?" Robb asked in a more gentle tone.

"We found four of them and three fought and died," Lord Bolton told them. "This one tried to run but we caught him. He was unarmed so we let him live. Of Greyjoy, there was no sign."

"Damn," Robb said. He looked at the prisoner who was just a boy. "Where is Theon Greyjoy?"

"You will get no answers from him," said Lord Bolton. "I believe he is a mute."

"Aye, he is, my lord," said Samson, standing behind Robb. "He is called Wex and he is…was…Greyjoy's squire."

Ned looked at the boy Wex. "Can you make your letters? Read and write?" The boy shook his head and Ned saw fear in his eyes and he quickly looked at Roose and then away. Something has gone on here, Ned thought, but that would have to wait. "Robb, take him to the cells and give him food and water. We will see if we can find a way to make him communicate with us later."

Robb used his dagger to cut the rope that tied the boy to Lord Bolton's horse and then took the boy Wex away.

"Come, let us eat and talk, Lord Bolton," Ned said. "Samson, see to his men's needs."

"Aye, my lord," the steward replied.

A short time later Ned and Roose Bolton were seated in the great hall at a lower table, Roose eating some food and both drinking wine.

"Tell me what happened," Ned commanded. "How did you find them?"

"They lit a fire," Roose replied. "And were cooking a rabbit over it. We smelled the smoke and found them. They were heading for the west and were almost out of the Wolfswood."

"They said nothing?"

"No, except their battle yells as they fought. I lost a good man to them, but they all died."

"And there was no sign of Greyjoy?"

"None."

"What of the kennel masters' dogs?"

"Gone as well, my lord."

"Aye," Ned said as he brooded on this. What did it all mean? Where was Greyjoy?

"I would see my son now," Roose said as he was about to stand up.

Ned looked at him in surprise. "Have you not heard? Theon released him more than a week past."

"Indeed? And why would Theon Greyjoy release my son?" There was a hint of suspicion in his tone.

"Maester Luwin spoke very briefly on it, but it seems Theon thought having your son loose would cause me trouble." Ned stared at Lord Bolton after he said this, waiting for his reply.

Roose nodded and spoke in his soft voice. "My son has done much to cause you and the north trouble already. I fear relations with White Harbor may never be good again."

"Lord Manderly is willing to put aside your differences if Ramsey agrees to annul his marriage to Lady Hornwood."

"He will, when I find him," Roose said with certainty. "If I find him. He may be anywhere by now."

"He still needs to be punished, Roose."

"And how would you suggest I do that, my lord? He is my own blood, despite being a bastard. Could you punish yours?"

Ned knew not if he meant punish his own blood, or just punish his own bastard, Jon Snow. But he knew for certain Roose was throwing the fact that he had a bastard as well into his face. But the boy all believed was Ned's bastard was not really his bastard, and besides he was not like Ramsey Snow at all. Far from it.

"I have left his punishment for you to decide, out of respect for your position and your support when I was a prisoner," Ned reminded him. "You may confine him, banish him, force him to do labor, or any other punishment within our laws."

"My father would have flayed me if I had done such to bring disorder to our lands."

"Flaying is outlawed in the north," Ned said through gritted teeth.

Roose smiled slightly. "Of course, my lord. Well, this is moot since he is in the wind."

Ned nodded and decided to move on to other matters. "What news of Lady Mormont?"

"We did not see her since the first day, but she said they would look to the west, the lands between the Wolfswood and the sea."

"Maybe the gods will allow her to find Greyjoy."

"We can only hope," said Roose. "I think it is past time I and my men returned home."

"Aye," said Ned, knowing he had done all he could. "If you find your son, let me know."

"Of course. By your leave, my lord, I will see to my men and prepare for our journey home."

Ned stood and Lord Bolton did as well and then after a slight dip of his head he left. Ned sat again and brooded on what just happened. The Boltons had long been the black sheep of the north, the one family which generation after generation had strained against authority. But they had been in no position to challenge the Starks or anyone else of note for centuries. This business with Lady Hornwood was the first serious disruption of the north since Ned came to be its lord. All because of Roose Bolton's bastard son.

Settling this issue with Lord Manderly back near the Moat had taken all of Ned's skill with words and conciliation. Roose had to promise to restore the Hornwood lands, force his son to annul the marriage, and give compensation to the Hornwoods and Manderlys for any losses in men during the clashes between the two sides. Privately, Lord Manderly had told Ned they should all just march on the Dreadfort and raze it to the ground and be done with it. Ned knew that if Lords Umber, Glover, and Tallhart and the others had heard this they would have agreed. None had any love for Roose Bolton or the Dreadfort. So he swiftly told Wyman Manderly that would not be done while he and his son were Lords of the North. Ned knew that once they started destroying their own people it was a slippery slope toward open warfare in the north. Enemies enough they had, south of the Neck and north of the Wall as well.

Late that afternoon Bolton and his men left, not even bothering to rest for a day, and the army around Winterfell grew smaller still. After making his goodbyes, Ned went to the walls and looked out over the Wolfswood and the lands surrounding Winterfell. It was his home and he was happy to be back but trouble was not over yet, and may not be for some time to come. Theon Greyjoy was still not run to ground. Maybe Lady Mormont or Ser Rodrik would find him. Perhaps he was already heading for Deepwood Motte. If only Roose had kept one of those men alive to question him. Well, he had, but the boy Wex could not tell them anything about Theon. Roose's bastard was also out there, maybe causing more trouble in the future. Ned knew he would have to issue an arrest warrant for him, and send it to all the major towns of the north.

As Ned stood on the walls brooding on this, the new maester, William, came up on the battlements. In his hands was a raven scroll. Close behind him came Robb.

"From King's Landing, my lord," William said as he handed over the tiny rolled scroll.

Ned swiftly opened it and read. It was from Stannis.

"Lord Eddard Stark. I confirm you in all your titles and offices as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. We have heard of your great victory at Moat Cailin and I expect you will be in Winterfell soon, if not already. At present, we are still besieged by the Lannisters. It is a stalemate. Send any aid you can. King Stannis Baratheon."

He handed it to Robb who read it aloud. "Well, Father, I guess there is no more dispute as to who is Lord of Winterfell."

"No," Ned said, with a slight grin, but he had a hollow feeling inside.

Maester William took the message and looked at it. "It has been only two days since we wrote to the King," he said. "This is certainly not a response to your letter."

"No, it isn't, not so soon," Ned replied. He knew what it was. "It is a sign of desperation. Stannis is hard pressed. He wants our help but he knows we are in no shape to send any men south. He won't openly ask me for my bannermen to march south again, because if I refuse it means I am disloyal and someday he would have to punish me for such if he still sits on the Iron Throne. So he confirms me in my titles and is hoping my honor and gratitude to him will force me to support him."

Robb shook his head. "Father…we just got home. The ironmen are still not defeated. They may still hold the Motte and parts of the western shore."

"Aye," Ned replied. "No, we cannot spare any men and I will not take our host south of the Neck again until winter passes, if ever. Stannis is on his own, for now. Of food and arms we can spare a little and will send what we can as I promised in my last letter to our new King."

"What worries me most is what is happening at King's Landing," said the maester. "This message is a week or more old at least, my lord. If the Lannisters win and Stannis is forced to retreat to Dragonstone…"

"Aye," said Ned in a grim tone. "Then our war with the Lannisters may not yet be over."