The following morning, Catelyn thought about what Ned had told her the night before. She wondered what could be so crucial that Ned could only tell her in the safety of Winterfell and what was so special about his bastard. Catelyn decided that she would look in on Jon this morning; she went to his nursery after he had been fed and looked at the infant while he slept in his crib. She studied his features carefully. He looked more like a Stark than Robb, but not as much as Lyarra. Jon was fair-skinned and had a long face associated with the Starks. But his facial features were more delicate and refined, almost aristocratic. He had prominent high cheekbones even through his baby fat, a soft nose, and a pointed chin. If she had not been scrutinizing him so closely, she would have missed it. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. Catelyn had been informed that Ned's sister had died of a fever. What if it was no ordinary fever? What if it was a birthing fever? Catelyn's eyes widened at the thought; what if Jon is not Ned's bastard son but the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen?

Her mind reeling, she continued to stare at the little boy, when suddenly he opened his eyes. Catelyn gasped; Jon's eyes were Stark grey, but if you looked closely, there was a tint of violet in them. Now Catelyn understood; her husband had claimed Rhaegar's son had his own to protect him from Robert's wrath. There was no way that Ned would let his nephew die the way the boy's half-siblings had. Catelyn understood that if Jon were ever found out, it would mean their death, but what else could Ned do? He needed to protect Jon.

As Catelyn stared down at the infant, a fire grew in her belly and her heart. She, too, would protect her nephew and treat him as her son. Jon would grow up strong and refined and would never be without a mother's love. Catelyn would follow the words of her house to the letter, Family, Duty, Honor. Catelyn decided she wouldn't say anything to Ned and wait for him to confirm her suspicions once they reached Winterfell. In the meantime, she would have Jon moved into the nursery with his "siblings."

When Ned got up and went to the nursery to check on his children, he was surprised to find Jon in the crib next to the twins; at that moment, Wylla walked into the nursery to feed Jon.

Ned asked the wetnurse, “Wylla, when was Jon moved into the nursery with the twins?”

“This morning, Lord Stark. Lady Catelyn ordered that all of Jon's things be put in the same nursery as his siblings.”

Ned stared at Wylla with a wary look on his face. He composed himself and left the nursery after greeting his children. Ned thought about confronting Cat but decided against it, there were too many ears in Riverrun, and if Catelyn had figured out his secret, Ned couldn't risk the information getting back to Robert. Instead, Ned walked towards his excellent father's solar to inform him that he and his family would be heading North soon.

Ned arrived at Hoster's solar and knocked on the door. Once Hoster told him to enter, Ned walked in and sat down in the chair opposite the older man, “To what do I owe this visit, Lord Eddard?”

“Lord Hoster, I wanted to inform you that my family and I, along with my men, will be returning North soon. I have been away from Winterfell too long, and my brother Benjen is there alone.”

Hoster stared at his good-son, then nodded, “I will have my daughter's belongings packed as well as my grandchildren's. Provisions will be made ready for your journey North.”

Ned stood and thanked Hoster for his help and hospitality. He told him they should be ready to leave in a few days. With that, Ned excused himself and left Hoster's solar. A moment later, The Blackfish, also in the solar, caught up with Ned.

“Ned, if it is alright with you, I'd like to accompany you and the others to Winterfell.”

Ned looked at his wife's uncle warily, “Of course, Ser Brynden, you are more than welcome to join us in Winterfell. May I ask why?”

Ser Brynden chuckled, “I would like to spend a bit more time with my niece and her children and help them settle in. And honestly, I will miss your little she-wolf. She is an exceptional child.”

Ned tilted his head curiously, “Oh, how so?”

Ser Brynden gave Ned a mischievous smile, “You will see in due time.”

Ned thought over Ser Bryden's cryptic words but decided not to dwell on it for now. He needed to inform his men to make ready for their trip North.

It took longer than Ned expected for everything for their departure. Lord Hoster insisted that Catelyn and the children travel to Winterfell in a wheelhouse, not only for their comfort but for their safety. Once all the preparations to depart were made, a final feast was held in their esteem. The dinner did not last as long as their welcoming feast as the North Men were eager to get home and needed to be sober for the voyage.

The following morning, the Northern retinue were up before dawn; their horses were brought from the stables, saddled and equipped for the long journey. The wheelhouse was already prepared and waiting for Lady Stark and the children. Once the horses were tended to, everyone went inside to have their breakfast. As their meal ended, Hoster and Edmure escorted Catelyn to the wheelhouse. Hoster stopped his daughter and took her in his arms, “Farewell, Daughter, may you have a safe journey to your new home. And always remember our words, Family, Duty, Honor.”

Catelyn kissed her father's cheek, “I will, Father; there is nothing I would not do to protect my family.” ‘Including Jon,’ She added in her mind. Catelyn then turned to Edmure and hugged her little brother, kissing his cheek.

The twins, who were with their nursemaids, were handed to Hoster; he kissed both babies and hugged them. After that, Catelyn climbed into the wheelhouse. A few women from the Riverlands would accompany her for the time being, at least until she was settled; then, Catelyn would send them home and acquire new handmaidens from the North to help her adjust to her new lifestyle. Catelyn thought of bringing Septa Mordane to be Lyarra's Septa but thought better of it. Catelyn realized that the old Septa would treat Jon as a blight on Ned's honor, and she could not allow that.

It was time to embrace the customs of her new people as well as she could. If Catelyn needed the comfort of her gods, she would turn to them in private. If Catelyn was going to fit in the North, she needed to make drastic changes in her life for the sake of Robb, Lyarra, and Jon. After thinking about it for some time, Catelyn knew she could not push her Southern upbringing on children raised in the North. It would alienate them from the others.

Now that everything was ready, Lord Eddard Stark mounted his Destrier and led his men out of Riverrun, ensuring that the wheelhouse that held his family and his wife's servants was being guarded. The trip would be slow, but his men were in high spirits, finally making their way home. As they traveled, Ned occasionally had to get into the wheelhouse with his family; it was not something he enjoyed, but Lyarra would start crying for him, and she would set off the other two children, and she would only calm down if Ned would hold her. After a while, Ned took Lyarra out of the wheelhouse and placed her in front of him on his horse. The weather was still warm, so there was no chance of the toddler becoming ill.

Lyarra smiled and squealed at seeing all the new things. She laughed and petted Ned's horse and would look at him and babble in her baby talk, some words he could make out. After a while, she got bored and wanted to ride with her Uncle Brynden. Ned smiled and passed his baby to the Blackfish, who gladly took his niece. Ned found it amusing that Lyarra talked more to Brynden and that he seemed to understand her reasonably well. Finally, when the child wore herself out, she was returned to her mother, and Robb took her place with Ned.

But as the days got colder, the toddlers were forced to stay in the wheelhouse with their mother and nursemaids. It was a tiresome trip for them, but at night, they were allowed out for a few hours to eat and socialize, then had to go back into the wheelhouse to sleep. It was a long trip, but finally, the grey walls of Winterfell came into view. Ned was excited and relieved to see his home. The banners were unfurled to announce their presence. As they got, they got closer to Winterfell Ned; the others could hear the bells ringing, announcing their return.

The gates to Winterfell were opened, and the soldiers marched in excited but exhausted after such a long trip. Ned noticed that Benjen and the household were lined up outside the castle to greet them. Ned dismounted his horse and walked towards the group; they bowed, welcoming the new Lord of Winterfell. Ned acknowledged them all, then his eyes fell on his little brother, and he hugged Benjen tightly.

They broke apart, and Benjen smiled at his brother, “It's good to have you home, Ned.”

“It's good to be home, Ben.”

At that moment, Catelyn and her ladies got out of the wheelhouse, along with the children. They waited for Ned to acknowledge them. Ned motioned for Catelyn to come forward so that she could introduce her and his family to his little brother.

“Ben, I want you to meet Lady Catelyn Stark, my wife. My Lady, this is my youngest brother, Benjen Stark.”

Catelyn curtsied, “It is nice to meet you, Lord Stark.”

“The feeling is mutual, My Lady,” Benjen answered.

Ned turned towards the nursemaids and gathered the twins in his arms, “Benjen, these are my children, Lyarra and Robb.”

Benjen smiled at his niece and nephew; he held out his hands to see if they would come to him. Robb shied away, but Lyarra squealed and leaned toward her uncle. Benjen laughed when he took the little girl from Ned's arms.

“My, you're a pretty little thing and so bold.”

Lyarra laughed and slapped Benjen in the face, shocking the young man.

“Lyarra!” Catelyn cried out.

Benjen looked at the baby and then laughed; it felt good to laugh again, “It is alright, My Lady, no harm done.”

Seeing that his twin was not afraid of the new person, Robb leaned towards Benjen, wanting to be held. That allowed Ned to take Jon in his arms, “Ben, and this is my bastard, Jon Snow.”

Benjen looked up from playing with the babies and stared at his older brother in disbelief. He found it hard to believe that his older brother would father a bastard. From Brandon, he could feel it, but not from the honorable Ned Stark. There had to be something else behind this, and Benjen would get to the bottom of it.

After greeting all of the Lords, Ned instructed the servants to escort his men to their rooms so they could freshen up and rest; later that evening, they would feast. Ned also made sure that Catelyn's things were brought to her room; he would not share a room with her until Catelyn was comfortable with the idea. Once the children were settled in the nursery, Ned retired to his bedroom to bathe and rest before the feast.