8. Epilogue: The King in the North.

"Milady, we sent the raven only three days ago. You need to give the Umbers time to prepare the trip. Lord Bran has special needs that need to be catered for. They will be here in a matter of days, but you will bury yourself to the ground if you keep pacing like that. Spending your time by the window will not make them come any sooner."

"You're right, Genny" Lady Stark smiled "but I can't help myself. I haven't seen my boys in over a year. Rickon was five when I left him. What if he doesn't remember me?"

"He will, milady, he will"

One of the first things Lady Stark had ordered after they settled home again was to send a raven to Last Hearth to have the boys sent back to Winterfell. Lord Umber and his men left immediately so they could meet the boys on the road and bring them safely back home.

Reparations were under way and the castle was almost fully functional. The southern soldiers and the mountain clansmen had left, but her uncle had stayed. He was going to stay in Winterfell for a while and then he said he might be going back to the Eyrie with Lysa. The townspeople rejoiced at having the Starks back and the Boltons gone. Lady Stark had knighted Bronn, Ser Bronn now, and offered him a position as her personal bodyguard, which he took gladly. For some reason she felt safe around him.

She couldn't wait for the boys to get home and be a family again, just like before, before the war, before King Robert came and took Ned away. She could just hear Arya teasing Bran. Rickon playing in the yard. Sansa telling her stories about the boys in the town. As she reminisced about her children she failed to hear footsteps behind her. She heard a soft cough and turned around.

"Ser Bronn, what can I do for you?"

"I just came to see how you were doing, my Lady. Do you need more logs added to the fire? It takes a bit to get used to the cold of the North, but I'm getting there."

"I'm glad you're adjusting to life in the North. It took me a while when I first arrived here."

"You look worried. Are you afraid for your son? The rider said he should be here within an hour"

"He's too young. Too young to be a King. I could not protect his brother, what makes you think I can protect him?"

"I have seen you Lady Stark. If there is something that motivates you is the safety of your children. I saw it when I first met you at the Inn, when you kidnapped the Imp. You have a fire in you that is difficult to put out. Besides, you are not alone. You have an army ready to protect you and your family. You have many Lords that will gladly raise their swords to protect your son. You have your daughters to guide you in the right direction. … You have me for whatever you need." Bronn said looking deep into her eyes and she sensed a bold honesty seeping through his words.

"Thank you, Bronn" she said just a horn was blown.

"Your sons are arriving. Let's go greet the King in the North" he said. "May I?"

He took her hand and kissed it gently. She felt an odd sensation running through her veins. Something she hadn't felt in a long time. Something that filled her with both dread and satisfaction. Something that made her feel both hot and cold. As he walked her down the stairs holding her hand, she started to think that maybe, just maybe … No, she couldn't. What about Ned? … Could he really want her? Even after what the Freys had done to her? He must heave seen her body, her scars, he must surely know what had happened at the Twins … Oh, Gods, Ned, I miss you … but you're gone …

When they reached the courtyard the commotion was such that she couldn't even hear her own thoughts. Everything was ready for the feast and coronation. Yes, there would be a feast. Much to her mother's chagrin Brandon Stark would be crowned King in the North and his mother would be Queen Regent until he came of age. Lady Stark remembered all too well what had happened to the previous King in the North. She certainly did not want to repeat that.

Being King involved a lot of responsibilities, not the least of which was to deal with the Boltons. What should they do with them? Roose Bolton had plotted against the previous King in the North and held the knife that killed him. Lady Stark remembered that all too well. His bastard son, Ramsay, had raided the castle of their liege lord and mistreated the people of the town. They needed to be dealt with. The Lannisters had promised to stay south of the Neck and leave the North alone. But their word was not to be trusted blindly. There had also been reports of strange creatures north of the Wall, and even some of them breeching past the Wall. Lord Eddard Stark had a lot of responsibilities, but he was only Lord of Winterfell. Bran would be a King, and not just of Winterfell, but of the North, a very vast and dangerous territory. Was he ready? Was she ready? She didn't know. All she knew was that together, the Starks would rise again. And the North may forgive, but it will never forget.

THE END.