Ned's tender hand danced its way lovingly around yours as you strolled together through the busy keep of Winterfell, even in the harshest winter the North had seen for some time, the markets and streets did not settle or quiet.

Many of the folk looked up to Ned, as you and your children did and often you would find yourself ganged by children all pleading for a gift of sorts.

"There you go." Ned said, flicking a silver coin into the outstretched hands of a child and ruffing up his dark, snowcapped hair.

"The people are lucky to have such a generous hand of the king. Not all nobility is charitable as you, I'm just lucky to have an extra piece of that luxury." Ned pulled you into the cozy cavern of his fur-lined coat and laid his lips upon your forehead as you walked over the cobblestoned floors. "I'm not quite sure why out of all the suitable choices in Westeros you chose me-"

Ned stumbled forward, interrupting your speech and leaving him apologizing profusely to a small child that had run in front. Winterfell had it's share of the less fortunate as every city did, it was impossible to help everybody of course but unlike certain civilizations King Robert and Ned cared deeply for all of its people.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there, are you okay?" Ned knelt into the muddy cobbles and rested his hand gently on the shoulder of the shivering child.

"I'm okay, I think." He looked up at you and then back to Ned, whose hand was already reaching for a hefty portion of silver. "You don't need to do that." He rested his small, blue-fingered hand on Ned's and pushed it back into his pocket.

"Where is your coat?" You asked, kneeling beside your husband and noting the child's blue tinted lips and hands. "You must be freezing."

"Coats are a bit harder than food to..." He stopped talking and sheepishly looked up at Ned, who smiled and nodded him forward. "I don't have one."

"That simply cannot be." Ned slowly stood up, helping you to stand as he did so. "No citizen of Winterfell should be without proper attire."

He slipped his from his shoulders and draped it gently over the boy's thin body. "Let's go to the market and pick you out some clothes, eh?" The boy's face grew rosy against the cold, blue background as his head turned into a series of frantic nods. "Come on then boy, maybe some nice food too?"

~*~

Written by Aaron.