The Coming Storm
Ned’s children remained angry with him for the next sennight. After already having lost one brother, they were now being separated and scattered across Westeros.
“It's to keep them safe,” Ned said when Cat pressed him on the matter.
“What could there possibly be to threaten our children in their own home?” she asked.
“The King is coming north.”
Cat searched his face. “Is Robert not your friend?” Understanding dawned in her eyes. “This is about the girl, isn’t it?”
They had concocted a story of her being Benjen’s daughter, raised in a farming village until her mother died and she came seeking her father’s family. Ned only hoped Benjen would understand and forgive him.
“Where she comes from… our children are in great danger.”
“Are they in great danger here?” Cat took his hands. “Ned. I am their mother. Tell me.”
“I do not know,” he admitted.
Robert wanted to make Ned his Hand. Or so went his story. Robert might have found out about Jon and decided instead to lie about his reasons for coming north. That wasn’t much like Robert.
“So you sent them away to protect them.”
“Lord Manderly has agreed to foster Sansa, but he wants to visit Winterfell for the royal visit. Sansa will return to White Harbor with him then.”
“By that time it might be too late!”
“I know.” Ned closed his eyes. “I was considering… Rickon…”
“Ned, no. Rickon is but a babe; he needs his mother.”
“Which is why I would ask you to take him with you to Riverrun.”
Cat’s expression brightened at the thought; she’d been asking to take the children to Riverrun for years. Then her face fell again. “You would send me away too?”
“You were taken prisoner too. Jonelle doesn’t know what happened to you. You will be safe with your father and brother.”
“Are you certain?”
“If you will agree.”
Cat closed her eyes. “I agree.”
Ned had hoped that he could send her south with a support team of guards and that she and Rickon would reach Riverrun before Robert reached the Moat.
It wasn’t to be. A raven arrived two days later, as Cat packed dresses into a travelling chest, bearing a letter from Robert. He’d been stopped by the men at the Moat, who refused to allow him to pass due to Ned’s orders.
“If your men travelled with Cat, could they guide her and Rickon through the swamps?” Ned asked as he and Howland sat in his office.
“It wouldn’t be Lady Stark’s preferred route, I would expect, but it is possible,” Howland agreed.
“Then speak to your men. Ask who will accompany Lady Stark and her guards. They can follow the Kingsroad some of the way south, but they will have to leave it in order to avoid Robert’s travelling party.”
Howland nodded. “I will see what I can do.”
“I will have to allow Robert to pass the Moat,” Ned continued, choosing a fresh piece of parchment from his stack. He’d pained over the decision, but he couldn't see any other option. Leaving Robert stranded at the Moat was an insult to the crown.
“It may solve many of your problems if you did not.”
“It may only ignite a war for a different reason. At least if Robert comes to Winterfell, he will be on my grounds.”
“Must you make Mother and Rickon leave?” Robb demanded of him later. The grey pup behind him growled softly. The white one in his arms flicked its ears.
“Is it not enough for you that we lose Jon and you send Arya and Bran away? Now you must send Mother and Rickon too?”
“Robb, sit down,” Ned said.
Robb sat. His grey pup hopped up onto his knees.
“We need to talk about Jonelle.”
Robb was quiet once Ned was done. He petted the pups in his lap. “Do you think King Robert will come here to harm us?”
“I don't know. But separating you and your siblings will provide a greater safety for both them and our House. Those fostering your siblings will send representatives to Winterfell for Robert’s visit, while the bulk of their family and men remain home to fortify their own castles.”
Robb nodded. “Why would King Robert seek to hunt Jon – or Jonelle – down?”
“I cannot tell you that now. It is best for both of us that you do not know.”
Robb reddened.
“But I promise you. If the King’s visit goes well, then once he is back in King’s Landing, I will tell you about Jon.”