Why didn't Cat sail back to Winterfell?

[unitron]

When Cat leaves for King's Landing with the dagger, she goes by way of White Harbor so as to take a ship in the interests of getting there as soon as possible.

But when Ned decides that there might be other attempts on Bran, and that she needs to go back to Winterfell immediately, he tells her to ride up the Kingsroad, instead of asking Littlefinger to find him a good ship headed back to White Harbor, and it doesn't occur to Cat to do so either.

It's like George arranged a sudden attack of the stupids for both of them just so she could cross paths with Tyrion.

It should also have occurred to Littlefinger to suggest a return via ship rather than the Kingsroad, but I figure if he kept quite it was from conniving at something rather than a momentary failure of his intelligence and quick witted-ness.

If only Tyrion had heard of an excellent whorehouse in White Harbor and decided he could sample its wares and make up the time by taking a ship himself.

[David Selig]

Mostly plot necessity. But also Rodrik had a terrible seasickness. Plus getting on a ship would've been harder to keep hidden from Lannister informants.

[unitron]

With Bran in danger from further assassins, Rodrik could tough it out for a few days more.

To keep the Lannisters from knowing she'd been there, Littlefinger could have arranged the ship and a stealth boarding by night away from the docks via a smaller boat (something he actually does later after Joffrey's poisoning).

Someone must have told her that Bran had plot armor, because she proceeds to go everywhere except Winterfell.

[David Selig]

With Bran in danger from further assassins, Rodrik could tough it out for a few days more.

To keep the Lannisters from knowing she'd been there, Littlefinger could have arranged the ship and a stealth boarding by night away from the docks via a smaller boat (something he actually does later after Joffrey's poisoning).

Someone must have told her that Bran had plot armor, because she proceeds to go everywhere except Winterfell.

Bran is already heavily guarded. Not sure what Cat or Rodrik's presence would've helped in that regard.

[Trigger Warning]

Didn't she want to visit her father?

[unitron]

Bran is already heavily guarded. Not sure what Cat or Rodrik's presence would've helped in that regard.

Not that heavily guarded, Theon takes him prisoner.

[JonCon's Red Beard]

Not that heavily guarded, Theon takes him prisoner.

Because he invaded the place. They were not expecting him to go and take Winterfell. Or anybody.

[Trigger Warning]

Not that heavily guarded, Theon takes him prisoner.

The entire WInterfell garrison and Robb is there when Cat leaves King's Landing.

And even when Theon does take Winterfell it's only because Roderick acts like an idiot for plot reasons.

[David Selig]

Not that heavily guarded, Theon takes him prisoner.

Due to Rodrik being a dumbass. Maybe getting him back ASAP wasn't such a good idea. ;)

Seriously, at this time there was a good sized garrison at Winterfell and no war, and a constant watch over Bran, not sure what more Cat or anyone could've done to protect him.

[Guard of the Rainking]

Catelyn must have grown wary of sailors after her first trip.

[James Arryn]

Anyone here sail?

It's not like driving, except maybe during rush hour. Prevailing winds and currents can take a trip that's 3 weeks in one direction take 3 months in the other.

(fuzzy math, but still)

That said, I think the main reason was plot, but above would be GRRM's answer, I'll bet, if asked.

[RainGhost]

I'm pretty sure the main reason is that Ser Rodrik got seasick and there was no real urgency to get back to Winterfell. Ned wanted Cat to go straight home but a few weeks' extra travel wouldn't have made much difference. They took the galley going south because Cat wanted to beat the Lannisters to KL. The other question is why did Tyrion not get a ship from White Harbour. Perhaps because he was in no rush other and sea travel is generally more dangerous than the kingsroad.

[SirMichael]

I'm pretty sure the main reason is that Ser Rodrik got seasick and there was no real urgency to get back to Winterfell. Ned wanted Cat to go straight home but a few weeks' extra travel wouldn't have made much difference. They took the galley going south because Cat wanted to beat the Lannisters to KL. The other question is why did Tyrion not get a ship from White Harbour. Perhaps because he was in no rush other and sea travel is generally more dangerous than the kingsroad.

Is it even clear where Tyrion is headed, I can't remember if it's ever mentioned but he could have been going to Casterly Rock not King's Landing

Not that heavily guarded, Theon takes him prisoner.

That's completely irrelevent, that happened under much different circumstances and in a very different way than any threat to Bran at the time.

There are hundreds of men who could protect Bran and even if Catelyn was back it would make him no safer since Rodrik is more likely to be doing his usual job than personally guarding Bran from assassins.

[Tywin Manderly]

Anyone here sail?

It's not like driving, except maybe during rush hour. Prevailing winds and currents can take a trip that's 3 weeks in one direction take 3 months in the other.

That is exactly the reason why Catelyn chose not to rely on winds and much less on currents by picking a galley to take her from White Harbor to King's Landing.

[HosteenOsteen]

I think it does have to do with her tie to the Riverlands

[Sword of the Morgan]

Mostly plot necessity. But also Rodrik had a terrible seasickness. Plus getting on a ship would've been harder to keep hidden from Lannister informants.

This pretty much sums up my thoughts.