Catelyn
They were here, she would see her sister after all these years. Servants hurried to ready for their imminent arrival. They were in the courtyard, and the entire Stark family was front in center ready to great the Southerners. The air was cold considering that it was the sixth month, with a slight chill in a gentle breeze. She wore her finest clothes, but she ensured she wore a Northern style. She was a Stark and would dress the part. Beside her stood her husband Lord Eddard Stark dressed in typical Northern attire. He stared resolutely at the gate where the Lannisters would arrive from. Eddard's opinion of the Lannisters and Catelyn's brother in law specifically could not be clearer. He hated Ser Lannister's brother Jaime for breaking his oath by killing King Aerys, his Lord father by not supporting the rebellion until the outcome was decided and then killing the prince's children. He hated Lucien Lannister by association and by reputation, she had asked him what Lannister was like years ago as he had fought alongside Eddard during the Greyjoy rebellion.
"The Lannister brothers are good fighters there is no denying that. But they are no honorable sort, Jaime betrayed his oath and revels in it, and Lucien put the sword to Castle Harlow. Men, women, and children. I pray he treats your sister well, but he is no good man."
She found herself having to remind herself to breathe. They were not the closest of sisters, she didn't know what reaction her sister would have. They were of the same blood and at the very least that would count for something. I doubt this trip is Lysa's doing though, if it was, Lannister would not have travelled all this way with all his children. He wants something. A marriage match? The children are cousins and of similar age. I doubt he would think highly of the North, but he has four daughters perhaps he wants one of them to be with Robb.
She calmed herself and the gates opened. Mounted knights rode through the gate carrying various banners of the Westerlands, the Lion of Lannister prominent among them.
Her children all looked along in awe. And how could they not, seeing such an armored host. They had seen her husband's soldiers, but those experiences paled to what they saw now. Her four year old Rickon seemed about to cry from the noise and she quickly consoled him.
A carriage pulled up, no doubt containing her sister and nieces. But before it opened, he strode in. It was Lucien Lannister no doubt about it. She had seen a few tourneys with her father, but she had never seen such an ornate piece of armor. It shone red and gold with two lionesses perched on the shoulders. He wore a lion's helm and rode a powerful mount black as night. Even his black boots looked like works of art. Beside him rode a boy of 12 clad in expensive armor. The son and heir. Catelyn could feel her husband's glare, he did not appreciate the show that the Westerlanders seemed to be putting on.
Lannister and his son dismounted. The elder removed the helm to show his face and customary Lannister blond hair. The hair seemed to be thinning and even from a distance his green eyes were dull but piercing. Despite his declining attractiveness he looked the quintessential knight. He was fair of face but battle had weathered his looks and expression and given him battle scars. It seemed to enhance the fearsome reputation he had. The boy opened the carriage door and took a women by the hand. Lysa, her sister. She wore a radiant dress of crimson and gold. Her hair done in an elegant southern fashion, it must have took hours to do. Catelyn pitied the poor girl who must have done it while on the bumpy road. She wore an ornate necklace with a large diamond in the center and her fingers were adorned with golden rings. Lysa had never been particularly beautiful, but at this moment she looked a queen, only lacking a crown. She walked forward after being helped out of the carriage by her son to join her husband in approaching the Stark family. She wore a smile, not a smile Catelyn used to see on Lysa as a young girl however. An arrogant smile.
Lucien Lannister stood face to face with Eddard Stark. Lysa stood several paces behind her husband and proudly stared at Catelyn. Her children stood with her all five of them. The son and four daughters. Catelyn's attention was drawn to a little girl no more than 3 years old with auburn hair. The Tully look through and through. Let Lysa gloat, I will still spend time with her, and at the least I will take the opportunity to meet her children. I may never get a chance to see them again.
"Lord Stark, a pleasure" Lannister spoke in a commanding voice. He was not smiling, but the edges of his lips were slightly curled upwards. Catelyn thought he had a restrained but arrogant look. A product of a life of extreme wealth. A look that seemed to say that he owned Winterfell and everyone in it. Looking at the two of them the Tully sister's husbands could not be more different in looks. With Lannister's armor it made Stark's furs and best doublet seem humble and drab by comparison.
"Ser Lucien Lannister, welcome to Winterfell. I offer you and your men the castle's hospitality" Stark spoke evenly. He did not call him Lord, Catelyn realized, he should have. Though Tywin Lannister still lived, it was customary for the sons of a Lord Paramount to be called Lord. He may not know that, my husband does not know the South. Lannister gave no indication that he realized the slight, but Catelyn saw Lysa's grin twitch and turn sour for a moment before resuming the smile.
"My host will gladly take that hospitality, they have ridden a long way through your vast lands. Lady Lannister has petitioned this trip for some time, to see her sister and for cousins to meet cousins."
Lysa stepped forward proudly. "If I may my Lord" Lannister nodded. Lysa outstretched her arms and Catelyn met halfway to embrace her. Cat faintly heard Lysa breath in her ear "What good fortune I have had sister." They pulled away and Cat's head was spinning so that she could barely hear what her husband and Lannister spoke of right next to her. She was focused enough when Lannister kissed her fingers with assured grace.
"Lady Catelyn, it has been a long time. We were merely children then. It is good to see you well. " The attention was considerate. Lucien and she had met when he was 10 and she 12 at Riverrun. Her main focus however had been towards his brother Jaime, an older and more handsome boy who was the heir at the time. As a child he was handsome, but Lucien had always physically looked secondary to his older extremely attractive siblings. How time has changed, the Kingslayer as my potential husband.
Catelyn thanked him gracefully and he moved on to beckoning the Lannister children foreword to be introduced,
"My son and heir Gerrion. Even now at age 12, word of his skill with a sword has spread"
Lannister was proud but restrained, however his son was open in his arrogance and reveled in the praise of his father. He looked much like his father or rather how Catelyn remembered Lucien looked as a boy before he attained scars of battle, although he had Lysa's long ears, blue eyes, and slightly sunken cheeks. If he wasn't the son of a powerful house he would have been mocked for those ears as some girls mocked Lysa as a young girl behind her back. Catelyn got a feeling that a member of House Lannister would not tolerate such slights. Though not a man, the boy seemed physically fit beyond his years.
"I'm eager to see the men at arms here, learn how the Northern kingdom hunts and fights. Always open to new experiences." Gerrion said, his voice polite but eyes betraying condescension. He was raised in wealth, he must think us lowlifes who could teach him tricks for his amusement.
Gerrion kissed her hand, "A pleasure to meet you Aunt Catelyn" But he did not linger and he soon moved down the line of Starks to speak with Robb who he focused on and subsequently her other children.
The eldest daughter now stood in front of them, Lannister put his hands on her shoulders. She was attractive for a young girl and her scarlet dress gave her a radiant presence. She looked very much a Lannister. Catelyn struggled to find any hint of Tully features on the girl. Philippa smiled a courteous smile. A smile that Catelyn was sure got her whatever she wanted.
"My eldest daughter, Philippa. 10 years, nearly an age of your own daughter, Sansa, I see your daughter also wears a southern style. They will make quick friends." Catelyn caught Sansa beaming in her peripherals, it was a dream come true for her to spend time with a southern girl.
"Certainly, Lord Father, My ladies and I are eagerly waiting to share time with my cousins"
By 'my ladies' she obviously referred to the handful of girls that had exited the large carriage. Most looked to be from the Westerlands and were dressed richly. Sansa will be swallowed up in this allure. She will beg Eddard to take her South.
Three more girls followed. Sile was 8 years old and had the auburn hair of her mother. It stood out among the golden heads that surrounded her. She imitated Philippa and filed suit with her previous siblings. Jainefer was 6, but it was clear she would be very pretty possibly more so then Philippa. She reminded Catelyn of the one time she had met Lucien Lannister's sister Cersei. Pure Lannister hair and a young face that would undoubtable turn very comely. It seemed the only major difference between her and her older sister was the blue eyes on the younger. If not for age they could be mistaken for one another. Of the sisters, Jainefer seemed the most genuine to Catelyn. Then again she was younger and innocent. Philippa and Sile both had smiles, but Catelyn doubted their sincerity. Winterfell was no Casterly Rock in their eyes. They had better treat my children right.
The last Lannister to be introduced was three year old Tristifer, who was led by the hand by a servant to Lysa's side. The little girl looked a true Tully, the only change was the green Lannister eyes shared by Philippa and Sile. The little girl pointed at Catelyn "My hair" then at Sansa "There mother, my hair" Catelyn could not contain a smile, even Eddard who was stone faced throughout the entire affair seemed to be amused.
"It is rude to point Tristifer" her mother stated. "Greet your cousins, come along." It seemed she didn't want her sister to greet the girl.
Lannister whispered to Eddard so softly, Catelyn, who was standing right next to him, could barely hear.
"Ignore Lady Lysa's curtness Lord Stark, she dotes on the girl. It's the Tully look."
He leaned backward and addressed Stark normally as if he had said nothing at all previously. From a distance it would seem he hadn't spoken.
"Lord Hoster's daughters have served us well Lord Stark. Many healthy children, a strong future." He motioned to introduce his self to each Stark child. Despite it being Lord Stark's home, Lannister had assumed control over the courtyard. No one else in the entire area spoke as he appraised each child. He's presuming authority, taking charge in these proceedings.
"Robb, the heir and future of the North. Named after our great king no doubt. And looks like he lives up to the name." Lannister shook Robbs hand and Catelyn could see how tightly Lannister shook her son's hand. "And a strong one, a tough boy for a tough land. You'll meet my son in the yard and nowhere else, he is eager and rarely challenged by a boy around his age."
To her relief Robb answered appropriately given the circumstance "Gerrion and I are agreed to combined training and sparring. Ser Rodrick is an excellent man at arms, your son will be in good hands."
"And will those hands or yours harm my son in the yard?"
"Gerrion all but ordered me to strike him should he leave an opening. Do you wish otherwise Lord Lannister?"
"If you have the opportunity to teach him anything ensure the mistake is a vivid memory. Humility is difficult to teach to the gifted. Men must be strong and endure when struck" Humility is clearly not a virtue you have learned Lord Lannister. Lannister looked Rob Stark, a boy of 14, over then nodded.
"Good, and so courteous for a young man. I will follow your pursuits with great interest."
Ned's expression remained nearly unreadable, he hid his emotions well but she knew him better. She held his arm in an attempt to sooth him from his growing uneasiness. I pray emotions will not boil over when they are alone. Sansa's look of longing and Bran's amazement with the Southern knights. He's making an impact on the children. Her motherly instincts had kicked in with Ned's fears as well and she prayed her suspicions were unfounded.
She watched Lannister kiss her 11 year old daughters fingers and she felt an instinctive need to throttle the wealthy pompous prick in that moment despite how ridiculous the action would be. "This must be Lady Sansa, the southern hairstyle suits you. Philippa, Sile, and their ladies can show you many more. The south beckons, you would fit in perfectly." To her dismay Catelyn could not recall a time when Sansa had looked happier.
"You are too kind Lord Lannister"
"I only say the truth. It is refreshing to be accused of kindness"
His bannermen laughed heartily and Sansa gave a small laugh with them. Lannister gave her a hint of a smile and moved on.
He came to a stop at her daughter Arya. At 9 years old she was willful and borderline reckless. Please Arya, play along as I told you and you'll never hold his attention again.
"A definite Stark look, your name my lady?"
Arya stared defiantly at one of the most powerful men in Westeros.
"I am not a lady."
Oh Gods No No NO!
"Arya!" Catelyn and Sansa said simultaneously. "Lord Lucien, please forgive her she means no disrespect." Catelyn implored. Sansa looked affronted. This is an experience she has dreamed of, now she fears her sister will ruin it. Cat's fear was different, the piercing green eyes of Lucien Lannister was on her daughter, and she could tell by his expression he was truly interested now. He looked very amused. He looked over Arya's dress that Catelyn had forced her into.
"It's quite alright. My sincere apologies, your name good Ser?"
Everyone within earshot, save Cat and Ned laughed. Lysa laughed the hardest and Theon Greyjoy was close to tears. Sansa who was previously angry laughed along after she heard the Lannisters laughing, in hopes of humor diffusing the situation. Even Robb despite himself had to stifle and hide a grin before quickly recovering. Cat noticed that Lord Lannister did not laugh, instead he was staring very intently.
He's testing her like he tested Robb, gouging her reaction, will she slink back or own up to her words.
"Arya, apologize to Ser Lannister" Eddard said.
Arya glared at her father "I shouldn't lie, I am not a lady" She turned her attention back to Lucien Lannister
"I am a Ser, will be. Ser Arya Stark of Winterfell. A knight more famous than you."
That got another round of laughter, louder than the first. Cat wanted to grab her and take her elsewhere, anywhere. But she could only watch.
"You would be the most honest knight that has ever lived. When that day comes I shall knight you myself. You have such passion. Find time to join me in the training yard and that passion can become a reality."
Arya looked mischievous, happy with this obvious false proposal, seeing both of her daughters seemingly idolize this man was too much. At long last he moved on. Though Arya's eyes followed him. Lannister greeted Bran, who seemed star struck, without incident and gave 4 year old Rickon no more mind then to ruffle his hair as if the boy were a dog.
The group dispersed and everyone began preparing for the coming feast while the travelers settled in. Cat caught Arya by the back of her dress before she could run off. She and Eddard wordlessly agreed, they needed to talk with the children.
Out of Catelyn's earshot, Lysa addressed her husband "Where is your brother? He's a Lannister the little man should be here."
He sneered "No doubt seeking a northern whore as we speak. Pay him no mind, I will deal with him."
Lysa swept her eyes over the towers of Winterfell "A quaint little castle, though the people seem a bit dour, except for the little Stark girl."
Lucien threatened a smile, not quite but almost "She has spirit."
"Spirit, Ha, no my Lord, she has fire. Give her a few years they won't be able to force a dress on her. She'll trample the men who try underfoot."
Lucien chuckled "An adorable dilemma for them" He extended his arm and led his wife across the courtyard "Let us be settled in, and see what the Starks are made of."
