Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Bran remains unconscious as the royal party prepares to leave Winterfell. Jon gives Arya a small sword, which she names Needle, before heading north with Benjen and Tyrion. Ned takes Sansa and Arya south with Robert. Catelyn stays beside Bran, refusing to leave even when a fire breaks out. An assassin enters the room and attacks her when she protects her son, but Bran's direwolf kills the intruder.
Catelyn examines the tower and finds a strand of blond hair. The assassin's expensive dagger adds to her suspicion that the Lannisters are involved. She decides to take the weapon to King's Landing and warn Ned, leaving Robb responsible for Winterfell. On the road south, Joffrey interrupts Arya's sword practice with Mycah and threatens the butcher's boy. Arya strikes Joffrey, and Nymeria bites him when he turns his sword on her.
Arya drives Nymeria away to protect her from punishment. When the children are questioned, Sansa says she cannot remember what happened, leaving Arya without her support. Cersei demands a dead direwolf, and Robert permits Lady to be killed in Nymeria's place. The Hound has already killed Mycah. Ned carries out Lady's death himself rather than hand her to the royal executioner. Back at Winterfell, Bran opens his eyes.