@strengthanddevotion from here
“Lots of good men have bastards, Lyanna. Besides, him bringing the girl and her child shows he cares about them, think about how he’ll care for you, and his true born children.” Ned tried not to wince, he knew that Robert bringing the woman and her child was a slap in the face to both Lyanna and their family. He’d tried to get Robert to leave them in the Eyrie, but once Robert had his mind set on something there was no changing his mind.
“We all have to do things we don’t want. Father’s decided Brandon will marry the Tully girl, he’ll find me a wife soon, and I’ll marry her weather I like her or not. Besides I thought you liked Robert.” Ned was sure that Lyanna had liked his friend before, though he had never been a good judge of things like that. He was sure that Robert was looking forward to the union, Ned had spent the whole ride back home listening to his friend talk about it.
“Storm’s End’s walls aren’t as fit for climbing as Winterfell’s are,” Ned said smiling trying to imagine Ben climbing up the side of such a fortress, “but if any one could do it, it’d be Ben. we’ll visit Lyanna, I promise, and maybe father will marry me to some pretty southern girl and I’ll be close enough to visit often.”
Ned wanted to be sincere but the moment the words were out of his mouth he felt a longing. He loved the North, the people and the land. He didn’t want to move south, he was glad to have reason to come back home, end his stay at the Eyrie. He was glad to have his family together for the moment, and wished he could stop time before they were spread to the corners of the seven kingdoms.
