She had to admit that the second time she gave birth was the strangest one. It all went so smoothly even if it took very long. Her daughter made it very clear that she would come in her own time without making such fuss. She would be a gentle and sweet lady this one.
This time, Catelyn wanted a daughter. The warrior had already blessed her with a strong boy but now she wanted a girl. She would coddle her and brush her hair and teach her how to be the best lady the seven kingdoms had ever seen.
When she found out that she was with child, she went to the sept her husband had built for her. She quickly thanked the crone for her wisdom and guidance in her marriage and then she began to pray to the maiden. Cat asked for a daughter as beautiful as the sun. A girl who could sing and dance and move the hearts of those around her like the mermaids and the princesses of legend. Her daughter would turn the heads of princes and lords and everyone would want to have her when the time comes.
After she recovered from her birthing bed, she ran to the sept and praised the maiden for hearing her pleas. Catleyn promised to give the smallfolk all they ask for in her honor the day her child comes before she left the Sept.
She could have sworn that she saw a smile playing on the crone's face.
When Catleyn held her daughter and read her stories she couldn't help but marvel at her. Gods! She's beautiful! Her Sansa's soft hair shone like burnished copper and tumbled down over perfect alabaster skin, and her eyes shone in the daylight like blue ice. Her daughter was ever attentive, already a lady that would surpass every girl in the seven kingdoms. She even thought about whom she would marry, her daughter befits a king but she would still like it if Sansa was to go somewhere warm and rich, the Westerlands or the Reach perhaps.
But now she sees, floating in the river like a dead beast. She sees as her life leaves this world what the maiden had done. Her daughter had no match in her beauty; she was betrothed to a prince and is to marry a king. Everyone wants her sweet, beautiful Sansa to keep but not to love. And Sansa was a lady, she needed love not cruelty, she could never survive this. Singing and dancing could not help her now.
Catelyn wondered if all of the gods were so cruel when she finally saw for true. How the crone surrounded her daughter, sheltering her with her cloak and guiding her with her lamp. She truly saw what happened in her girl's head. She saw how fast Sansa learned and how wise she becomes everyday.
The river suddenly gave her comfort as she thanked the crone. At least she could rest easier. She will survive them all.
