Author note: I am sorry this took so long. I didn't know how to finish it. I hope you like the ending. This didn't turn out the way I wanted but there is always next time. So, the ending is something I just thought up, that satisfied my disappointment in myself. Happy reading, anyway. Xo

Catelyn was ridden into Winterfell with haste. Commands were shouted, from whom she could not tell, as men rushed out of the gate and others moved out of the way. The Maester rushed to Catelyn and helped her from the horse and carefully led her into the buildings. Maester Luwin put a hand to her arm and called for assistance as she wavered. "I am fine." She said as she leaned against the wall. "Milk of the poppy will help." Maester Luwin looked at her curiously.
"My Lady!" Catelyn looked down the hall. Relief washed over her to see Ned and Rodrick Cassle rush towards her. "How is she Maester?" Ned asked when he approached them, eyeing the pain on his lady wife's face.
"In pain, My Lord." Maester Luwin replied eyeing Catelyn off, "I will get milk of the poppy. I do not think there is much else to do." Catelyn gave him a small nod of thanks.
"Do you not need to look at the wound?" Ned asked perplexed.
"She fell from her horse, My Lord." Ser. Rodrick interrupted. "An arrow was shot, but it missed her. If it was not for the cover of night, she would have been hit. Thank the old gods, and new, for sparing her more pain."
"Yes." Ned gave a grim smile, "Bring her milk of the poppy Maester Luwin. I will help her to her chamber for rest." The Maester nodded and went to his storage. "Ser. Rodrick, take some men and aid the party back to Winterfell, if you will."
"Of course, Lord Eddard." Ser. Rodrick bowed at left.
Ned put an arm around Catelyn, "Come, my love." She leant against him as he guided her to her chamber.

They walked in silence for a while. People bowed and gave her their sympathies. She smiled gently and thanked them. Sansa found them as they ascended the stairs. "Mother," she cried, walking hastily towards them, ever much like a lady. "They wouldn't let me see you." She wined and hugged her mother. "Robb has Arya, do you want me to get him?" Catelyn nodded and combing her fingers through her daughter's soft hair.
"Sansa," Ned called as his daughter began to depart, "Can you bring your mother some food and drink, sweetling?"
"Of course, Father." Sansa smiled. Ned silently asked for Sansa to never change. Everyone smiled in her presence. She is a blessing from the gods, he thought.

Ned eased Catelyn onto the bed. She winced a little but settled on the side un-damaged. Smiling, she took his hand and squeezed it. He knelt by the bed and kissed it and starred into her Tully eyes. Hair like fire, with eyes of ice blue, she was a true beauty of Westeros. Sansa took after her in every way. "How do you fair, my love?" She looked away.
"I will be fine, Ned." Her reply was barely audible.
"Cat," he pulled her face to him, looking straight in her eyes, he asked again, "How do you fair, honestly?" Her eyes watered to the point of breaking. It was the answer her wanted to know. He lifted her as gently as he could and let her head rest on his chest so he could hold her close. "I guess riding in the North is not safe for a lady." He mumbled to himself.
"It was one time, Ned. I will go again." He did not reply, just stroked her hair in silence. "I could have fallen over on the stairs and been in the same pain, Ned." The thought scared him, he admitted. Walking around Winterfell, to see his wife collapsed at the bottom of the stairs, he promised himself to have guards at the bottom of every lot of stairs at every hour.
"Then we will take the roads. I will not risk your life, Cat. The North knows you well enough." A knock from the door broke their conversation. "Who is it?"
"Maester Luwin, My Lord." The guard replied.
"Let him in."
The Maester entered and bowed, "I bring milk of the poppy, My Lady." Ned assisted her to sit up, so she could drink. "How do you fair?" he queried.
"Better, now that I rest. Thank you Maester Luwin. I may come to a lot, until I am better." She smiled kindly at him.
He nodded his head, "Thank the gods that it was close to Winterfell. I must take my leave now, a child is sick. I suggest keeping Robb, Sansa and Arya refrained in the castle." He bowed when they nodded their consent.
"There is no rest in the North." Catelyn commented.
"No," Ned agreed, "At least the ride is over. North riding is never easy, especially when Winter is Coming." He said seriously.
"Yes, but at least we have our family, Ned. A Northern ride just reminds you of what the North is." Catelyn said casually, leaning back on him.
"And what is the North, my love?" he questioned, curiously.
"A beautiful land, filled with adventure." And it brought us closer, she thought to herself. As if he could read her mind, he hugged her closer as they both fell asleep.

Sansa came to their room to see them in each other's arms. "Just like the stories." She smiled. Robb smiled at his little sister.
"No, just like Father and Mother. Come Sansa, leave their food on the stand. They will wake to it later." Sansa did as he bid and Robb pulled the furs up over his parents.