Arrangements

Ned looked out the window. He couldn't tell how many dangers were hidden in the pitch-black night.

The flood of reports coming in from all sides had left him mentally exhausted.

For a moment, Ned sensed a mighty storm sweeping across the Seven Kingdoms.

"Winter Is Coming!"

He murmured the words, but had already made up his mind.

Ned turned away from the window and sat down in a chair beside the hearth. "Catelyn, you must remain in Winterfell!"

His words pierced Catelyn's heart like a shard of ice.

"No!" Catelyn pleaded. "Ned, let me go with you. I don't want to be apart from you!"

"You must!"

Ned's tone brooked no argument. He was even more resolute than he had been about Sansa's marriage.

"While I'm south, serving Robert, you must govern the North in my stead!"

"Whatever happens, someone from House Stark must hold Winterfell. Robb is fourteen now, and he'll soon be a man."

"I can't continue teaching him how to rule. You must include him in your private councils."

"He must be fully prepared before the time comes for him to stand on his own!"

When Catelyn lowered her head and said nothing, Ned turned his gaze to Maester Luwin.

"Maester Luwin, I've always regarded you as one of my own kin."

"I ask you to advise my wife on matters great and small, and teach my children everything they need to know."

"Remember: Winter Is Coming!"

Maester Luwin nodded solemnly. Meeting Ned's pleading gaze, he said, "May the gods protect you and bring you home soon, my lord."

Then silence settled over the room.

At last, Catelyn lifted her head and gathered the courage to ask Ned, "What about the other children?"

Ned sighed inwardly, rose to his feet, and drew her into his arms.

"Sansa has just been betrothed to Garon. Though the wedding is still some time away, she must stay here."

"Before she marries, you must teach her how to be a worthy lady of the house."

"As for the other children, they'll come south with me!"

Catelyn trembled. "I can't bear it!"

"You must learn to endure this, Catelyn," Ned said sternly, looking into her eyes. "Arya needs to learn the customs and manners of the southern court."

"In a few years, she'll be married too."

Catelyn knew Ned was right. Sansa might be married within a year or so, so she couldn't go south; Arya did need to learn some manners.

But their daughters could go south. Bran and Rickon had to stay.

Catelyn rested her cheek against Ned's chest and pleaded, "Ned, for the love you bear me, please don't take Bran and Rickon away."

"Especially Rickon. He's only six!"

Ned shook his head slightly and refused.

"When my father sent me to the Eyrie to be fostered, I was only eight."

Ned sighed. He didn't want Bran and Rickon to make the long journey to King's Landing and live there either, but circumstances left him no choice.

"Ser Rodrik told me that Robb and Prince Joffrey don't get along well. That's not a good sign."

"Bran and Rickon can serve as a bridge between our family and Robert's. If they grow up alongside the princes, friendship will come naturally."

"Just as it did between Robert and me. That would make our family's position all the safer and more secure."

Catelyn knew he was telling the truth, but it did nothing to lessen her pain.

She could only watch Arya, Bran, and Rickon leave her.

At the thought, tears began to fall.

Seeing her weep, Ned couldn't bear it. He gently kissed the tear that had yet to fall from her eye and whispered,

"Catelyn, I know this is painful, but it has to be done."

Catelyn clung tightly to Ned and remained silent for a long while.

At last, Maester Luwin spoke. "My lord, what should be done about Jon Snow?"

At the sound of the name, Catelyn stiffened. Ned sensed her anger and stepped away from her.

Catelyn had been born at Riverrun in the Riverlands, and had known since childhood that it was commonplace for nobles to father bastards.

She could accept that Ned had a bastard, but not that he had brought him to Winterfell and raised him himself, right under her nose.

Over the years, she had found a way to make herself yield on everything else.

But when it came to Jon Snow, she would not give an inch.

Catelyn looked coldly at her husband. "Ned, Jon has to go!"

Ned tried to reason with her. "Robb and Jon are close. I think we could—"

Catelyn cut him off without hesitation. "He cannot stay at Winterfell!"

"He's your son, not mine. I won't let him stay at Winterfell!"

Pain showed in Ned's eyes as he tried once more to explain. "You know I can't take him south. There's no place for him in King's Landing."

But Catelyn was set on her course and gave Ned no reason to let Jon stay.

"I hear your dear friend Robert has fathered plenty of bastards himself."

"But not one of them is kept at court!" Ned snapped. "That Lannister woman was adamant about it. Gods damn it, Catelyn, how can you be so cruel to him?"

"Jon... he's still just a child..."

Just as Ned seemed about to lose control and say something unforgivable, Maester Luwin interjected.

"I do have an idea. Jon has grown close to Lord Garon lately."

"If it can be arranged, perhaps Jon could go to Deepwood Motte."

Ned stared at him in surprise. "Maester Luwin, are you suggesting Jon become Garon's squire?"

Catelyn said nothing. She didn't care where Jon Snow went, so long as he didn't stay at Winterfell.

Maester Luwin nodded. "I recall that Galbart has a foster son, a bastard of House Hornwood."

"At Deepwood Motte, Jon should be able to find a place for himself, much like the Hornwood bastard did."

When Ned nodded slightly, Maester Luwin went on.

"Actually, if not for Lord Garon, I would have thought Jon could join the Night's Watch."

"Your brother Benjen spoke to me about it before, as well."

"But after tonight's feast, Benjen seems to have changed his mind."

Catelyn's eyes lit up. If Jon took the black, he would never marry or have children, and so he could never challenge her children's claim to the inheritance.

She couldn't help asking, "Why did Benjen change his mind?"

Maester Luwin replied, "It seems it was Lord Garon again. He persuaded Jon and Benjen."

"Garon..." Catelyn ground her teeth in anger. She felt that she and Garon were destined to clash.

Whatever she wanted to do, Garon always managed to interfere and ruin her plans.

Ned didn't want Jon to join the Night's Watch either. He considered it carefully for a moment before making his decision.

"Then that's settled."

"Tomorrow, I'll speak with Garon and make Jon his squire."

Maester Luwin waited a little longer. When Ned and Catelyn had no further instructions, he bowed slightly and left the bedchamber.

Catelyn's sorrow surged up again, and tears fell despite herself.

Ned shook his head helplessly, carried her to bed, and gently comforted her.

All night, they made love.