Chapter 1
The first time Catelyn saw Jon Snow, she didn't know how to feel. Her husband held in his arms the child of another woman. He didn't hide the fact that the boy was his. Ned told her that the boy would be raised in Winterfell beside Robb. Her husband, the most honorable man in the seven kingdoms had betrayed their marriage vows ands brought dishonor on her. And if that wasn't enough he brought her more pain by allowing the child to live in her home and be raised by her son. Their son.
Catelyn looked over the balcony to where Robb and Jon were sparring in the yard. Both six years old, the boys had recently begun to train with the master at arms. As she looked at the boys blocking incoming attacks from each other, she couldn't help but feel disgusted. A bastard boy training along side her Trueborn son. Catelyn glared down at Jon when he deflected Robb's attack which nocked her son to the ground.
"That is enough." Catelyn began to descend from the balcony. The previous sounds of metal on metal had stopped, leaving the yard silent. As she walked to where the boys sparred she felt her face getting warm. She looked at Jon who began to shy away from her attention. "In what world do you think it is acceptable to strike down the heir of Winterfell, Bastard?" others who were watching the young boys spar turned to Lady Stark. The boy held a look of fear in his eyes, wondering what Lady Catelyn would do. The boy slowly began to respond. "Lady Catelyn I didn't mean to- I swear I would never hurt Robb. Sorry Lady-" The boy was cut off as Catelyn raised her hand, ready to slap the boy.
"Catelyn, what are you doing?" Ned yelled. In the time that Catelyn had been married to Ned, he only rose his voice on a few occasions. He did not anger often but when he did, it was for serious reasons. She remembers the few times he grew angry but it had never been aimed at her. Until today. Ned dismissed the people around the training yard who held serious looks on their faces. As they fled from the yard, Robb stood up and looked toward his father. Catelyn could see fire in Ned's eyes burning with anger towards his wife. "You will never attempt to lay a hand on my son ever again. Do you understand Catelyn?"
Catelyn paused for a moment, why should she allow her son to be beaten by a Bastard? She wouldn't allow herself and Robb to be degraded. "So Robb can be beaten up by this Bastard? Ned, he pushed Robb to the ground, I could see it Ned. He was going to hurt our son. Why should this Bastard train with the heir of Winterfell. It isn't right."Ned's turned a deeper shade of red upon hearing what his wife said. He turned to the boys and spoke softly. "Robb, Jon go to your rooms and don't come out until I come to get you." The boys ran towards their chambers together, only Jon looked back at his father. Ned watched the boys leave and turned his gaze to Catelyn.
"Why is he here Ned? Every time is see him I think how you broke our wedding vows. I look into his brown eyes and see a stranger looking back at me. It's not enough that he exists, but must he live with your family? You wont even tell me her name. The woman you loved more than me. The woman you dishonored me for. At least have the decency to tell me her name."
Ned's eyes darkened. "You must never ask me that question again. I love you Catelyn, but I wont tell you who Jon's mother is." Tears began to fall from Catelyn's eyes as she watched Ned leave the yard. He made is way towards the boys chambers.
Catelyn stood alone in the training yard, the tears slowed until none remained. She knew that she should let it go. She would never know of the woman who captured her husbands heart those years ago. But she couldn't. She needed to know who Jon's mother was. She cursed the unknown woman who had brought this misery to her life. She cursed Jon who remained in Winterfell. Who's presence would always remind her that Ned loved another woman more than her. The boy who made her life a living hell.
Once the tears stopped and her face dried, Catelyn went to her daughters chambers. Being with Sanza would make her feel better. As she opened the door, the little girl ran over to her. Catelyn picked up her daughter and sat herself in the chair beside the only window in the room. Through the window she could see the training yard where Ned played games with Robb and Jon. The boys were laughing as their father chased them through out the yard. Ned himself had a smile on his face as he caught both boys in his arms.
Catelyn looked to Jon Snow who smiled up at his father. "I hope you die Bastard. Die, Jon Snow."