Chapter 1: Eddard

Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, Warden of the North. That was him now. He preferred to be Ned, friend of Robert, second son of Rickard Stark of Winterfell, not his. He had never expected to become a Lord. It was his brother Brandon's right. So was his bride, Lady Catelyn of House Tully. Now, they were both his, a burden and an honor. He was only twenty years old and he often felt weary. His father and brother were murdered by the mad kind Aerys. He had fought a war alongside his close friend Robert Baratheon against the mad king and his son Rhaegar, who had kidnapped his sister Lyanna. Now even his sweet sister was dead. They won the war but he felt he had lost everything.

He was leading the northern troops back to their home. It had been a heavy war that brought many changes to the realm of Westeros. Robert had become King and killed Rhaegar Targaryen. Most of the Targaryens were dead, murdered or otherwise. Ned still could not understand how his friend could condone the murders of Rhaegar's children and the rape and murder of his wife Elia Martell. The Lannisters, Others take them, entered late into the way but finished it. Jaime Lannister killed the mad king, dishonoring his vows as a kingsguard. Tywin Lannister ordered the deaths of the remaining Targaryens in Kings Landing.

It still infuriated Ned when he remembered the scene of the great hall in Kings Landing; Jaime Lannister smugly sitting on the Iron Throne with the mad king lying bloody and dead in front of him. It was his kill. He should have been the one to pass justice on the mad king.

Ned shook his head trying to shake away the bad memories. He was now in sight of Riverrun where his lady wife was waiting for him with his sons. He looked forward to the reunion. They had had just a few weeks before he left for the war.

As they neared the castle, Ned called out to his friend Lord Howland Reed "Make camp with the men outside the walls. We shall rest here for the day."

"Yes my lord. Who shall I have accompany you into the keep?" the smallish man asked him.

"Leave Lord Karstark in charge of the camp. You and Greatjon shall accompany me" he replied.

"Of course my lord" came the reply. Howland was a good man and Ned was sure that he would not have lived at the tower of Joy if it had not been for this man.

Ned kept riding to the castle as his orders were carried out. Riverrun reminded him of a ship. It was peculiarly shaped with three sides and a tall central tower. He barely registered the tall figure of Greatjon Umber who joined him with Howland as he rode into the castle courtyard.

The shrewd lord of the Riverlands, Hoster Tully was waiting for him with his court. Ned could see his lady wife standing beside her father holding a baby with a maid holding his other son beside her. Once again, he was mesmerized by the beauty of Lady Catelyn and felt that she would have been a better match to his dead brother Brandon who was more handsome than him.

Stopping in front of the waiting retinue, he dismounted his warhorse and walked forward. He bowed his head at Lord Tully and greeted him "Thank you for hosting us Lord Tully. King Robert sends his regards."

"You are most welcome Lord Stark. I am glad that this dratted war is finally finished" replied Lord Tully.

Ned stepped forward and kissed the hand Lady Catelyn held out murmuring to her "Lady Catelyn."

She then presented him his first son for the first time "Your heir my lord husband."

Ned saw the red mop of hair on the sleeping babe and was overcome with feelings he could scarcely control. "His name my lady?" he asked.

"I was hoping you would honor him with a name my lord. He is to be the future lord of Winterfell after all" she replies strongly.

"Robb after Robert Baratheon" Ned replied without hesitation. "I hope you are not dissatisfied my lady, I had promised my friend that I would name my first born after him." He would have to send a raven to Robert about the good news. He would surely celebrate with a massive party at Kings Landing.

Ned removed his gloves and stroked the face of his son. He looked so small sleeping in his mother's arms; small and beautiful. He could see that he took after his lady wife with beautiful red hair.

"And his brother?" asked Ned looking at his other son in the hands of a maid.

The maid brought his son forward and Ned had to hold back a gasp. His other son, twin to Robb had pitch black hair and was watching him silently with startling light grey eyes. His son seemed to observe him and Ned could see the glimmer of curiosity. He had black hair reminded that him of his brother Brandon and his father Rickard, and his grey eyes were so light that they seemed to be the color of molten silver.

"What shall we call him lord husband" his wife prodded him.

Ned took his black haired son in his arms who was still quietly observing him and proclaimed "He shall be Harold. I thought to name him Brandon as he reminds me of my brother but I think Harold suits him better. It means 'mighty in war' or 'army leader' in the Old Tongue."

XOXOX

Ned continued his journey North after a day's rest at Riverrun. His lady wife and his sons rode in a wagon sheltered from the cold winds. After they crossed the Twins declining the hospitality of Lard Frey, the northmen began to return to their holds one by one. First was Howland who departed to Greywater Watch with his men. The mountain clans of Flint, Will, Norrey and Liddle were next. The men of Lord Manderly of White Harbor broke off at Moat Cailin. The rest of his men under various commanders left for their homes before he reached Winterfell.

The tall walls of Winterfell brought joy to his heart. He was unsure he would ever see it again during the war. His brother Benjen would be waiting for him. Ned sighed sadly. At least one person would be happy to see him.

After greeting the various lords and cleaning up at Riverrun, Ned had pulled his lady wife aside and shown her Jon. He could still see the hard look in her blue eyes as he told her that Jon was his bastard. It was quite an argument they had had. She had refused to hold him or care for him insisting that he be sent away. But Ned, beholden to his promise, denied her and stated firmly that Jon would stay with him at Winterfell.

Lord Hoster Tully surprisingly did not make a big deal out of it and left it to them to resolve the issue themselves. His lady wife's anger had burned hot and she still refused to speak with him, keeping his trueborn sons with her. He let her have her space as they travelled home hoping that she would come to accept his decision soon. The nursemaid he had hired at the tower of Joy cared for Jon along the trip.

Upon reaching the castle, he began the long process of settling into his home again after a long war. He visited the Heart Tree in the Godswood and prayed to the Old Gods. He had a long list of things to take care of, starting with his brother Benjen who was eager to join the Night's Watch. He also had to ensure the castle had enough provisions for everyone. The nursery had to be made ready for three babies instead of just his heir. All these things kept him away from his lady wife and sons for a few hours.

The following days were filled with many minor issues and attempts to get his lady wife to accept Jon into the household. Eventually, Lady Catelyn conceded but made sure to let him know that she would accept Jon as his son. He did not know what he had expected but he wanted to remain true to his promise. But he also wanted a marriage that was more than an arrangement between lords for men and supplies. He wanted to have a meaningful relationship with his ladywife.

XOXOX

AN: One small change is that Harry has light grey eyes instead of green eyes. Thanks to Blorg13, I realize that having light grey eyes is more Stark-like and green eyes reminds everyone of Lannisters in Game of Thrones.