Chapter 51: Chapter 50

Rickon walked now. He toddled all over the room and tried to reach for her skirts. Cersei smiled at him and put him on her lap. Rickon grabbed her hair and pulled. She smiled at him and gently pushed her hair back. "Your father and siblings will be here tomorrow." She kissed his cheek and tickled him. The baby laughed hard and then squirmed down.

Cersei must have read the letters on her desk at least three dozen times. She traced Eddard's handwriting every time. She was to have her family back at least for a few weeks until she travelled across the Seven Kingdoms and see her children married off. At least she would have Bran, Joanna and Jon with her. She thought about her father and his calm rage. He had been a guest in her lands for a week now. She remembered their first dinner together; it happened a few hours after he and host arrived at the gates of Winterfell. Father wanted to dine with them alone. He had matters to discuss as he put it.

Tywin raged at the knowledge that his eldest son lost a hand and was off fighting the Ironborn. "A glorified bodyguard that he is." Tyrion and her smirked when he told them about Tommen and Robb's new titles.

"The Starks and Lannisters will rule over the Seven Kingdoms." Tyrion raised his cup. Cersei raised her as well. Father offered a small smirk.

"The Eyrie should have been ours." Tywin commented with a practiced disinterested tone.

"It is ours." Cersei continued.

"It is Starks'. Your son is a Stark. It will be Stark's name in the Eyrie not the Lannisters'." Tywin replied.

Cersei smiled. Tyrion frowned and stiffened when father spoke once more. "Why is your wife not with child yet? Is she barren?" Tywin was nothing if not blunt with his children. He looked directly at her, as if she held the answers to his questions.

"Her moon blood comes every month without fail." It was all Cersei could say without incriminating her brother.

Tywin gulped his wine. "You need to put a Lannister baby inside of her. I give you a simple task; impregnate that woman at once and yet you fail."

Tyrion's voice was harsh. "She is a child."

The older Lannister replied immediately, "She is older than your sister when she married. Put a Lannister child inside of her. Sansa of Arryn is of noble birth, a gem that you shall be so lucky to call your wife. Perhaps it is her noble birth that impedes you from doing your duty. Whores and baseborn wenches are of your predilection but do make an exception and consummate your marriage." Tywin stood up and left the quarters. He was the epitome of cold rage.

Tyrion broke the glass cup. There was an uncomfortable silence. Cersei took his hand. He didn't cut himself. "He is correct." She said while she examined his hand.

Tyrion snatched his hand away. "Typical of you to side with him." He growled and left.

He did not speak to her since then. Cersei didn't seek him either. This time it was Tyrion who was being unreasonable.

She smiled when her son came running to her once more. He fell but then stood up and kept running to her. She picked him up and spun him.

"You look so much like your papa." She nuzzled his neck.

Osha came into the room, "your brother wishes to speak with you."

Cersei nodded, "take Bran and Rickon to the kennels."

She went to her brother's quarters. He drank and glared at her.

"Where is she?" He growled and drank more.

"Who?" She asked and sat in front of him.

"Don't play innocent. You and I know nothing escapes your notice, not in your home. Where is Shae?"

She frowned, "I don't know what you are ranting about."

"My companion. I had her removed months ago at your insistence. She resided in one of the Keeps close to Winterfell."

Cersei looked at his younger brother. "She should be where you left her last."

"She is not. Where is she Cersei?" Tyrion asked once more.

"I do not know. Tyrion, I advised you to remove her months ago for your sake and the Arryn's girl sake but you did not listen. I honestly do not know where the whore is." She continued with that.

"Don't call her that." Tyrion snapped.

Cersei didn't quiet. "She is a whore Tyrion. Let her go, you have a lady wife. Father does have a point."

Her brother laughed bitterly, "A wife that cannot bear the sight of me. A wife that weeps and avoids me at all costs, a child that is nothing more but a broken, sad doll."

"Is this your concern? You want to make your wife happy? Do you?" Cersei asked once more.

"I want her to not weep and pale every time I rest next to her in our bed." Tyrion gulped more wine

"Give her a child. Put a child in her belly and I assure you she will be happy. Bed her, at least once. What will happen to her if you don't?" Cersei asked him.

"She would go to the Eyrie. She could be in court and marry one of the knights in the Vale. She is a virgin; we could have an annulment." Tyrion replied, clearly having thought about the situation.

Cersei frowned. "Suit yourself. I doubt she will remain a virgin until you reach the Eyrie. Our father is determined to keep Sansa in our family. You heard him. Tyrion do not complicate your life."

"She is miserable Cersei." Tyrion continued with his rant.

Lady Stark looked at his brother and said her peace. "She is, and you do nothing to nothing to better her situation. You keep a whore close by and avoid your wife as well. Brother, I see you more than she does. You spend your days with your nephews and me and go to your rooms so late I wager she is asleep before you reach your quarters."

Tyrion avoided her gaze, "Do try brother. Leave your whore. Talk to your wife." She stood up and left for the great hall. Tywin was there alone. She sat by him, it wouldn't do to run away from him. It never did. Her father could smell fear miles away.

She sat by him and waited for the servants to serve lunch. "Your brothers are stubborn."

Cersei remained quiet. "I have yet to meet my youngest grandson."

"I thought it best to not trouble you with an infant." She said stiffly.

"Jon is a capable commander as is Robb." It was all the praise she would get from this man. Cersei allowed a small smile to appear on her face.

They ate their lunch in silence. Tywin left the halls for his private quarters where he sent letters to the Rock and the rest of Westeros.

Bran and Rickon came to her quarters later that day. Bran could walk with the aid of crutches that Tyrion designed for him. He would need them at all times. Her boy slowly recovered his brightness. He wouldn't run or fight but he could walk again. He could move. Cersei accommodated a room for him. She made sure her son had quarters fit for an heir of Winterfell.

"When are they going to be here?" Bran asked excitedly as he showed Rickon a wooden horse.

"Soon my love. They should reach our gates by the morrow." Cersei was as excited as her son was.

Osha stayed with them for some time until maester Luwin took Bran for his lessons. Osha went to the lessons as well. She was learning how to read and write. "Leave Rickon with me." She held the boy to her chest.

Cersei played with her son and was interrupted when Sansa came into the room. The young woman wore a green dress. It must be the new because she hadn't seen her ever wear it before.

"Good afternoon lady Stark." She curtsied and began her needlepoint. She usually spent an hour with her and Rickon. Sansa never knitted, instead she played with Rickon. He liked Sansa a lot.

"Is it true that your sons will control the Eyrie and the Riverlands?" She asked in her usual meek voice.

"Yes, they will." Cersei replied, She did not consider the girl to be a particular threat. She was indifferent to her really.

Sansa nodded. "your lord father spoke to me privately." Her voice shook somewhat."

"Father is a wise man." Cersei continued.

Sansa looked about to cry. Lady Stark looked at her with some pity, "Compose yourself. You are not a girl anymore. You are a highborn lady and the rightful lady of Casterly Rock, wife of the future Warden of the West."

Sansa breathed deeply, "It is not a kind world for us. I will give you this last piece of womanly advice. Bed my little brother, give him a son. Your life will change for the better once you have a child."

Sansa paled but looked at her. "Not all mothers love their children lady Stark."

Cersei frowned, "You will have no choice but to little dove." She said firmly.

"Do compose yourself and put on a brave face. Your mother and aunt will not protect you anymore. Whatever hope you had is now moot. Adapt little dove or you will perish." Cersei was honest with the girl. There wasn't a place for her tears any longer. This girl would get no sympathy from her or any of her relatives. Lysa and Catelyn Tully were dead and this girl would have to mourn them in silence.

Sansa continued playing with Rickon until Bran and Osha were back. "If you'll excuse me lady Stark." The young woman left, her eyes were still red rimmed.

There was no space for her sadness. Cersei did not have it in her heart to feel bad for Catelyn's death or Lysa's for that matter. She felt uneasy with Tommen's and Cassana's union. There would be time for her to assess and advise her son on how to treat the girl. She worried more about Robb. Tommen had a good head on his shoulders while Robb was wild, impulsive and unchecked. Jon wouldn't be there to restrain him.

"Are you sure they are coming tomorrow?" Bran asked for the hundredth time.

"Yes, my sweetling." She kissed his forehead.

"I'm going to show Jon how much I improved in archery and Robb will be so happy when he sees I can walk with the crutches." Her son told her. Cersei was so relieved her family was coming back to her.

"Take Bran to his quarters. It is time for you to sleep. You'll need to be awake for when they come." The boy didn't even pout he went willingly with Osha.

Cersei retired to her quarters early and undressed. She tried to close her eyes and sleep. Rickon slept in Jon's old nursery. The woman couldn't. She kept picturing the faces of her children and his face. She longed to kiss his mouth and look into her husband's grey eyes. How she missed him. She missed him most dearly, it was as if she couldn't believe he was truly alive. No matter how many times she traced his handwriting in the letters that arrived she wouldn't truly believe her husband was alive until she saw him with her own two eyes. Cersei wished with all her might that it was true that she would wake up and see Ned once more.

The morning dawned bright and early. It was a beautiful morning, colder than ever. Winter was coming and perhaps Old Nan and Benjen were correct and this would be a long and harsh winter. Benjen planned another trip beyond the Wall to assess how many "white walkers" existed. Cersei gave him as many men as she could spare. Tyrion disagreed with her generosity but Benjen vowed to not leave until he had Winterfell men.

Ned and her children would come back to Winterfell. It was all that mattered. Cersei woke up and checked on a sleeping Rickon. He would wake up soon. She took advantage of the few minutes she had for herself and looked in the mirror. She looked at her reflection. She looked older, but there was a light in her eyes that hadn't been there in almost two years. Maryam found her staring.

"M'lady what will you wear today?" It was early still.

"The red dress." Cersei felt festive. She had the maiden braid her hair three times before she grew tired of the girl's incompetence.

"Useless." She left her hair loose, with only two small braids tied at the back as to not let Rickon completely pull her hair.

As if on cue Rickon babbled from his crib. She attended to her child. She bathed and dressed him. He smiled and clung to her. Finally Cersei dressed and took Rickon to the great hall. It must have been later than she thought because Tyrion, Sansa and father were already in attendance.

Cersei sat by Sansa. "You look beautiful lady Stark." Sansa said politely.

Cersei smiled, "thank you Sansa."

They broke fast without any sightings of her husband's company.

Bran and Osha appeared after Tywin left for his quarters. The man asked Tyrion to send a servant when his son in law arrived.

Tyrion nodded. There was nothing that could put her in a bad mood. She was simply happy. Her brother asked to have a word with her.

They talked while Sansa made herself scarce. The girl did have a talent for making herself invisible.

"Sansa and I will be going to the Eyrie." Tyrion said after a brief conversation about Bran's progress with the crutches.

"What does father say?" Cersei asked curiously.

"He is amenable. I presume he does not wish to be near me and me new wife." Tyrion buttered his toast.

She felt easier. Tyrion was a good counselor. He was versed in the matters of running a castle and would be a good asset for Robb. "You would control the Eyrie or at least that what father wants. It will be my son's face but your words and actions."

"I do not plan to manipulate Robb." Tyrion defended.

"You like power as much as I do. I don't think it is a bad idea little brother. Robb will learn a lot from you and your young wife will be at more ease in her home." Cersei speculated.

Tyrion nodded, "it will be easier for her. It could make her happier."

Bran went to his lessons and Sansa came back. They spoke and played with Rickon when maester Luwin walked to her.

"They have reached the lands. The men can see our banners not far from here." Luwin said with a smile on his face.

Cersei stood up, "have Brandon and Osha meet me in the yard. Send for Tyrion."

Lady Stark contained the energy that she felt and successfully calmed her galloping heart. She grabbed her infant son with as much poise as she had.

Rickon babbled and held onto her hair. She smiled at him. This boy would grow up to look just like Ned.

She noticed Sansa by her side, "My lord husband and your lord father are discussing matters. They will join us shortly." Cersei couldn't care less what her father and brother were doing. All that mattered was that she would have her family, her beautiful family together in a few minutes.

Cersei felt queasy, happy, scared and couldn't breathe properly. Rickon pulled her hair, demanding her attention. Osha must have taken him. Bran held her hand and smiled up to her. She grinned at her boy.

She could hear the horses and the men. She knew the vanguard was first to arrive. Ned always rode in the vanguard. The doors opened and in came the first bannermen. She saw their sigil, and other Northern sigils.

She saw them and tears welled on her eyes. She saw four horses and riders. Robb, Jon, and Tommen and the prince. Her eldest looked tired. Robb and Tommen grinned. She wiped her tears and walked a little forward her children ran to her and hugged her and Bran.

"Mother." Tommen kissed and hugged her. She laughed when Robb kissed her noisily.

Jon held her delicately. "He is here. There was a problem among Bolton's men and he decided to ride last." Cersei nodded and kissed his forehead.

Tommen was as tall as she was now. She hugged him hard. "Joanna and Arya are in that wheelhouse."

The wheelhouse door opened and out were her daughters. Arya grinned and hugged her. Joanna hugged her too. "Oh I thought I would never see you again." Cersei said for the first time. She was painfully aware that girls were the first to perish in wars. They made wonderful hostages when there were marriages to be had. Catelyn had no male heirs; with Ned supposed dead her daughters were as well as lost to her.

Bran hugged Joanna. Cersei was hugged and kissed more times that she could count. She saw Cassana and another girl out of the corner of her eye. Sansa hugged Cassana and they cried together.

Cersei waited anxiously. Jon said he was here, that he would be here. She saw him for the first time. Lady Stark felt her heart stop. She couldn't breathe. She wanted to cry; she felt a crushing pain in her heart. Maybe this was the feeling the bards sang about. Ned was older, his was unshaven and he had dark circles under his eyes. His hair was greyer but his eyes were the same. He dismounted the horse and only had eyes for her. Ned walked to her. She let go of someone's hand and walked to meet him. She was lady Stark, a highborn lady and wife to the Warden of the North. She wouldn't disgrace herself or her house by acting like a tavern wench. She thought about propriety and her breeding but it all fell short when she heard her husband's voice for the first time in two years.

"Forgive me." He whispered with honest grey eyes.

Cersei nodded and hugged him tight. She felt his strong arms embrace her and she didn't care who saw them. She inhaled his scent and nuzzled his cheek. He kissed her neck. She cried and then stopped. "Never let them see you cry." She repeated that mantra and was delighted when Ned kissed her because she would have kissed him if he didn't and it wasn't proper for her to do so.

The kiss was filled with longing, and that feeling of coming home after a long journey. Cersei could only compare it to the time when she came back to Winterfell from the Riverlands with her twin children. He kissed her as if she was learning her again and Cersei responded with abandon. She came up for air and grinned at him. Ned hugged her.

"Lady Stark I daresay we are giving quite a show." He whispered and kissed her forehead.

Cersei held her head high and walked to her home with her husband by her side. He was home, as were her children. They were with here where they belonged. "Welcome back Lord Stark." Luwin said, clearly affected by the Ned's arrival.

"It's good to see you." He embraced the older man. They entered Winterfell and went into one of the small chambers. They usually held dinners there.

Tyrion and Tywin were side by side near the hearth. "Eddard." Lord Lannister said. "There are matters we have to yet discuss."

"Later perhaps." Ned replied.

"Very well." The man left chambers.

Tyrion spoke to him. "It is very good to see you alive."

"Likewise Tyrion." Her baby brother kissed her hand and left.

It was only them, her family. Jon held Rickon who seemed transfixed with his brother's hair. Robb and Joanna hugged and kissed Bran while Arya touched the walls. She smiled.

Ned looked at Bran, "Aren't you going to greet your father?" He asked with a smile.

Bran grinned and used his crutches to reach him. The boy hugged him and grinned up. "I knew you weren't dead. Mother knew it too."

"You can walk." Ned's eyes were light with happiness.

"Yes, uncle Tyrion made those for me. I can walk, and ride too." Bran grinned at Robb who looked relieved.

Bran had his moment with his father. He told him about Osha and his lessons. "I have to tell you about my dreams father." He said quietly.

Cersei hugged and kissed her children time and time again until Rickon fussed and reached for her. "Rickon." Ned said and looked at his youngest son.

"After your father. Tyrion thought it fitting." She said.

Jon gave her the child. "I should get our men settled and sort the rest of the forces." Jon said as she kissed her goodbye. Robb trailed after him.

Rickon fussed on her lap. Joanna and Arya excused themselves as well. Tommen left too. There would be time for her to speak and spend time with her children. Bran needed more time with his father.

Bran continued speaking to Ned until he was exhausted and fell asleep. "I'll call for Osha." Rickon looked at his father with wary eyes and hid his face on his mother's bosom.

"No need, I'll take him to his rooms." Ned picked his son and headed upstairs.

"Ned, don't. He sleeps in the first landing now. It is easier on his legs." Cersei said with a sad voice.

Her husband paled and meekly followed her directions to their child's new quarters. She didn't realize but it had been a few hours since the men came back. Bran did not even stir when Ned placed him on the bed. Summer came into the room and rested by her son's legs.

"He didn't sleep well last night. He wanted to see you so much." Cersei said wistfully.

Rickon fussed once more. "He's sleepy. Rickon usually naps in the afternoon."

Ned nodded and held her hand they walked up to their quarters. Cersei tried to calm her child as soon as they entered their chambers. She went to the nursery and sat on the bed. They had kept her old bed and built a crib nearby for their children.

Ned sat by her. Rickon stopped crying and looked at his father. He hid behind Cersei's hair once more. "He's never this shy. He doesn't know you yet." She replied.

"And here we are again. How strange my lioness. You have given me another son and I feel as if I'm looking at you and Jon." Ned touched her lips. "Only this time I know how to engage an infant."

Cersei smiled and kissed him once more. Rickon clung to her. "Hello lad." Ned touched Rickon's hand. The boy looked at him.

"I'm your father Rickon." Ned said and took him. Rickon looked at him with big grey eyes. His eyes filled with tears and she then looked at Cersei. She remained calm. Rickon and his father needed to know each other.

"Don't cry." He smiled and tickled him. Rickon stopped crying and giggled. Ned and her spend time playing with Rickon. It was like old times, like when they only had Jon. She smiled when Rickon pulled at his hair and imitated the wolf noises his father did.