Ned Stark had just finished his reply to Jon Arryn and handed it over to Maester Luwin to be sent to King's Landing. He was standing on a balcony of the castle overlooking the training yard of the castle.
Beneath him, in the yard, Robb was engaged in a duel with Theon. And Robb was doing considerably well. Theon was not really a swordsman but even then Robb was showing far superior skills. Ned would not hesitate to admit that his son was better than what he had been at that age. Though he would not tell this to his son. He did not want Robb to become complacent or arrogant. Robb was the heir of Winterfell being the Lord of Winterfell was a great responsibility. Being humble was a quality Robb needed to ingrain within himself.
His other two sons, Bran and Rickon, were spectators of the duel and were cheering loudly for their brother. Bran had already begun his training with wooden swords, but Rickon was still too young to undergo any training.
"You seem worried," Catelyn remarked, appearing at his side.
Since the news of Jon's arrival had reached Winterfell, the relationship between him and her had cooled considerably. It was not that she had asked Ned to refuse Jon's visit, nor had she remarked anything about Jon.
But it was just that his arrival had opened past wounds that had been healed long ago. Ned was enthusiastic, almost eager, at the prospect of meeting his bastard son once again, but at the same time, he also understood her pain. And he had no words of comfort that he could offer to her.
On the other hand, his children were also very curious and expectant about Jon's visit. The most excited among them all was obviously Arya.
Ned could not think of how the girl who had barely spent time with her brother could still be so excited about his arrival. He doubted that most other children of her age would have even remembered a bastard brother they had. She could not wait to meet her brother. She had been constantly blabbering about meeting Jon ever since Ned had announced about his arrival.
Bran too was excited, but it was not on the same level as Arya. His excitement resembled more towards idolism. The great feat which Jon had achieved in Essos had earned him Bran's admiration and respect. If not for the tense atmosphere in the family regarding Jon Snow, Ned was certain that Bran would have practically worshipped his bastard brother.
Sansa, the stoic one, had also shown interest in the man who was probably the most talked-about man in the last few months. She hardly expressed any familial feelings for her brother. Her curiosity was borne more out of Jon's fame and prestige.
And as for Robb, well, Ned was unable to tell what Robb had been thinking. He had not really expressed either joy or disappointment at Jon's arrival. He had been very neutral in his demeanor regarding Jon Snow. At times, Ned felt that Robb was really looking forwards towards the arrival of his brother. And at times, Ned felt as if Robb did not want to meet Jon. As if he was running away from something.
And as for Rickon, he was too young to think anything. He had been a mere baby when Jon had left Winterfell.
"I am not worried," Ned replied, his gaze shifting towards Catelyn.
Despite the obvious dullness in their relationship, it was not as if they had stopped talking to each other or had stopped caring about each other. It was just that a coldness had settled between the two, and Ned was certain that it would not be long before that coldness vanished. Probably, once Jon concluded his visit, everything would return to normalcy.
"I know when you are lying," she responded. "Is it about the letter from King's Landing? What was in it?"
Ned looked at her with raised eyebrows.
"What?" she retorted. "I may not know what the content of the letter might have been, but I know that you got a letter from King's Landing. Maester Luwin has this much loyalty to me."
Ned sighed deeply. And then he replied. He told her everything. Truthfully. And honestly.
"I do not think that there is anything really in that letter to worry this much about," she said. "It was a mere misunderstanding. A miscommunication. I am certain that Robert and Jon Arryn were already aware of your position and perspective. And now that you have replied to them, it should do away with these misunderstandings. They will surely understand your position."
"I know," Ned responded. "I know."
"Then why are you worried?" She questioned.
"There is no other matter," he replied. "My heart just feels unsettled."
A moment of silence ensued between the couple. Ned did not know how to explain the unease he had been feeling, and Catelyn did not know how to comfort her husband. She wondered if it had anything to do with the bastard. And she would have nudged her husband if it had been any other matter, but she did not wish to intervene in anything related to the bastard.
The loud sound of cheering from the training yard snapped Ned and Catelyn's attention. They craned their necks to look below. Robb had just emerged victorious, and the cheering was coming from Bran and Rickon.
A smile blossomed on Ned's face, and he nodded his head towards Robb, who had been looking up at him with expectant eyes. Robb nodded in return before he walked towards his brothers, accepting their praises.
At this moment, Ser Rodrik Cassel approached Ned with hurried steps.
"Lord Stark, Lady Stark," he greeted.
"Ser Rodrik," Ned responded.
Catelyn too nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"The scouts have spotted the convoy," Rodrik informed them. "Jon Snow will reach Winterfell in an hour."
Catelyn stilled, while Ned remained perfectly composed. They were aware that he would be reaching Winterfell today, but the reality of his imminent arrival still hung heavy in the air. Ned opened his mouth to speak, but a shrill voice cut him off.
"Jon is here!" Arya shrieked as she ran towards God knows where. "Jon is here!"
A smile appeared on Ned's face at his daughter's antics, and he shook his head in amusement.
"Make the arrangements," he said to Rodrik.
Rodrik gave a curt nod and walked away with crisp steps.
Ned turned towards his wife, who had smoothed her features back into a mask of normalcy.
"Catelyn," he said. "Let us go."
She nodded and followed after him.
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