[Open post] For the Oak and the Ash, they are all cutten down

[winter_came]

Ned has been very quiet, of late. His days are spent looking after his children, those who've grown and those who've yet to be born.

But this morning, his mind is on Westeros, and those children still unaccounted for. Bran. Rickon.

Snow falls slowly, covering the land, flat and hilly alike, and he whispers to himself, winter has come.Nostalgia

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[weristdas_graal]

He might find that guileless young knight and septon clearing the light snow off the steps of the chapel with a broom, though his sword is strapped to his back even as he works.

[winter_came]

Ned is not one for septs - but the chapel is on the way to the godswood, and though he worships neither the Seven nor the Three, as he likes to call the trinity, he quite likes the younger man, whom he believes to be one of the most honest knights he's ever met.

A rare thing, in Westeros, if there ever was any.

"Good Morrow, Ser," he calls as he pads over. "The first snow is ever a surprise, aye?"

[weristdas_graal]

"And a blessed day to you as well, Lord Stark!" he calls back, cheerfully. "It comes upon us unawares, and brings its magic and its hardships, but it passes and so comes the spring in its place."

[winter_came]

"Aye, and how I long for it again," Ned replies, sighing a little. "The snow reminds me of the North, and of all that is lost."

~fashionably late~

[caniaskyouaqstn]

Ned's not the only one feeling nostalgic. The snow reminds Will of home and sneaking around in snowdrifts when he was young and still living at Redmont. It's a peaceful feeling -- so he's standing underneath a tree, with a small smile on his face, though his cowl's up so it might not necessarily be visible.

[winter_came]

For a very short moment, Ned is unsure whether he is seeing an older version of his son Bran, or not - he's got thoughts of his boy, and Will has a similar look to him, from a distance.

Ah, but that may well be why he is walking a touch faster.

[caniaskyouaqstn]

Will finally spots him.

"Ned!" he calls, throwing back his cowl to reveal a wide grin.

[winter_came]

Ah, Will. Of course. Inwardly, Ned curses himself for believing a moment his middle son might be here, but he likes Will, and so of course, the lad gets the smile Bran might have received, had he been here.

"Young Will Treaty," the Northern lord intones, "it's good to see you again, lad."

[in_summer_leaf]

[Also late!]

Ned may come upon Hisoka in the woods, as well. He'll be coming around from north side of the lake, and heading for Parsifal's chapel. He's got a couple of swords slung at his back and a heavy satchel over his shoulder. He whistles softly as his boots crunch lightly through the snow.

They've met before, when Ned was the architect for Genkai's dojo and Hisoka helped build it.

"Good day, Lord Eddard!" Hisoka greets him.

[winter_came]

[[OOC: Happy to see you both! <3]]

It may be on the way back from the godswood - for Ned prays to the old gods often, and more so now that Winter has come.

The heart tree is odd to him - it seems as though it may be dying, but he tells himself it is the rhythm of these wackily short seasons, and it will blossom again come spring.

Still, it makes him edgy.

But seeing a friendly face makes him smile, and so on he goes.

"Master Hisoka," he says when he sees the younger man, "out sparring, aye?"

[in_summer_leaf]

"Aye!" responds Hisoka. "Also, I've been out to the boat-building shed. And you? What brings you out on this day of the first snow?"

[Happy to see you, too!]

[winter_came]

"Reminiscing," Ned admits a tad bashfully. "We of the north do get melancholy, come winter...."

(pic: sorry for short tag, on phone...)