Chapter Three
Sorry for the wait! To make it up to all of your lovely readers, here is a nice long chapter! Thank you for the support for this story!
Enjoy!
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Rebel. Traitor. Lord. King. The Young Wolf. When all of the titles had been stripped away all that was left was Robb Stark, a boy forced to turn into a man because of war and bloodshed. He will always be my little boy. Catelyn watched as her eldest, and only remaining, son dismounted his powerful steed and walked towards her. A chorus of shouts came from the men around her, all of them praising the King in the North. To anyone else he would look the part of the king, with his intimidating armor and the power that seemed to surround him now. But to Catelyn, she would only see the timid boy who hid behind her skirts when he was no taller than her knee. Catelyn's eyes traveled past her son's approaching form and scanned the mass of men behind him. Gods be good, his army only continues to grow with each victory.
In the short time that had passed since Robb left the Twins, it seemed the Gods wanted nothing but to bless him in battle, just as they had throughout the entire War. Catelyn nearly wondered if Ned was somehow watching over his son, guiding him into the battles that he would win and keeping him from the ones he would lose. And without Petyr's warning, we would have all been dead. She had not heard from Petyr since that raven had arrived, but knew that he would be in King's Landing and unable to freely send her messages. As long as a Lannister sits on the Throne, none of us will ever be free. She briefly thought of Melara and the child she now carried. Catelyn had no doubt that Tywin Lannister would want the child, should it be a male, if what Melara had told her was all truth.
The girl had told Catelyn of Tywin's quest for the Lannister name to live on no matter the outcome of the war. She would never admit that what Tywin had done, while unforgivable, was clever. Melara would be safe no matter the outcome of the War, and when Tywin had her married to Jaime it ensured any child born from their union would carry the Lannister name.
"Mother, Arya." Catelyn gave a warm smile to her son once he stood before her, Grey Wind at his side, but made no move to embrace him as she wanted to do. Many changes had come to Robb with his new titles, and one of them was the image he must uphold in front of his men. Catelyn remembered the way that Ned would act so cold and distant to her until they were behind their closed door, then he would be as warm to her as the fire in their hearth. Catelyn pushed thoughts of her husband from her mind to focus on her son, placing them back into her heart where she kept them.
"Where can a man take a bloody piss around here?" Catelyn looked past Robb and saw the Greatjon striding towards the front of the party that had accompanied Robb to the western tower of the Twins. He caught sight of Catelyn once he broke away from the crowd to stand by Robb. "Forgive me, my Lady."
"No, my Lord. I'm sure you all have traveled far and need…rest." She looked to Robb once more, seeing a slight smile on his face. That's the boy I remember. Smiling amidst the trials he faces. Catelyn wanted to wait until she was alone with Robb and he had been fed before telling him the news, so she addressed him once more. "We have prepared a feast for your arrival. Please, have your men go to the Hall for their supper. Some can cross the river and dine in the east tower as well." Robb gave Greatjon the commands and once he had shouted them out, the hundred or so men that had escorted Robb began to dismount as well, the rest of the army scattered about setting up tents. Before Catelyn could tell Robb to follow her, Brienne called to her. The Maid had ridden off to find Robb and join his army, proving herself to be a better fighter than bodyguard.
"Lady Catelyn."
"Is that your sword?" Arya spoke before her mother could respond, not that Catelyn could blame the girl. Her daughter had not been properly introduced to Brienne for fear that Arya would try to leave when the Maid rode out. Catelyn had been selfish and wanted Arya to stay with her now that she had been found.
"It is, my Lady."Brienne placed her hand around the hilt of the sword and pulled it out just enough so that the steel could be seen. Catelyn did not miss the look in Arya's eyes as the girl stared at Brienne. I've nearly tried everything to quell the girl's rising anger. Brienne may be the way to bring back my once sweet Arya.
"I had a sword before. It was called N—"
"Needle." Brienne turned her body sideface to look at the boy that had spoken, giving Arya a view of him as well. She was slightly stunned for a moment, thinking that she would never see him again after they had parted.
"Gendry?" Catelyn watched as the boy gave Arya a mock bow before greeting her in return. He looked to be no older than Robb, and a striking resemblance to Renly Baratheon. He and Melara could be twins. Catelyn didn't remember Arya telling her about anyone names Gendry, and knew that she would have to find out who this boy was.
"Arya, would you show Brienne to her rooms? The one across from Melara's have been prepared for her." Catelyn stole a glance at Robb when she spoke Melara's name. She saw the flash of confusion in his eyes, and she realized that he had not known Melara was even there. Arya looked as if she was going to put up a protest, so Catelyn continued. "I'm sure you can find a room for your…" She looked to the boy, wondering what he was to her daughter.
"Gendry, milady."
"Yes, I'm sure we can find a suitable room for Gendry." Arya nodded and bid Gendry and Brienne to follow her. She did not look back to her mother as she walked away, and Catelyn had a strange feeling that soon she would be losing Arya once more.
Robb watched them leave as he offered his arm to his mother, and the pair walked amongst the crowd with the direwolf padding beside them. They spoke of trivial things, such as how they each were during the time that Robb was away, until they were within the castle walls. He had declined her offer of rest and instead Robb took his mother straight to the feast. Catelyn sat next to Robb at the head of the Hall, joined at the table by some of the more prominent Lords among Robb's Bannermen.
She stayed mostly silent over the next few hours and allowed the men to converse, sitting with her back straight and eyes alert for any danger. She watched at serving maids brought in barrel after barrel of wine and ale as the hours went by. The sun was just setting as Arya joined the feast with Gendry in tow, and Brienne trailing behind them. Catelyn watched as Arya sat to the side of the Hall, deep in conversation with the dark haired boy she seemed to know. While Arya had told her mother of her journey, Catelyn realized that it had been a vague retelling. And now my sweet Arya has been replaced with a girl a barely even know. Catelyn couldn't help but feel that her living children were slipping away from her, becoming people she didn't even recognize as her own sweet babes, and would soon be as lost to her as Bran, Rickon and Sansa were. She heard Greatjon Umber mention her husband and Catelyn focused on the man sitting across from her and Robb.
"That bastard got what was coming to him for what he did to Ned. That little shit-of-a-king." Catelyn saw him lean into the man sitting to his right, which she recognized as Smalljon Umber. "Heard it was that little Imp that did it. Kingslaying must be a family trait amongst the Lannisters." Catelyn tensed at the vague mention of Jaime Lannister. Robb still had not fully forgiven his mother for setting Jaime Lannister free, along with sending Melara away. Her thoughts of Melara made her wonder where the girl was for a moment, but then was thankful she had not made an appearance at the feast. It would do no good for the Northmen to see her. Moreso now that she carries Jaime Lannister's child. Catelyn cast a glance to where Arya was still seated, looking for the long black hair of Melara. The only black hair she saw by her daughter belonged to the boy that Arya had called 'Gendry'.Catelyn turned fully to Robb and spoke quietly to him, their conversation drowned out by Greatjon's much louder voice.
"What do you know about the boy sitting with Arya? Gendry, she called him." Robb gave a small shake of his head, his thick auburn hair catching the light of the fire. Catelyn vaguely wondered after her sister, Lysa, who had the same color hair as Robb. Do I even dare sending her a raven? Robb turned his head in the direction that Arya sat before looking back to Catelyn.
"Don't know much. He's a bastard from King's Landing that Brienne found on her journey from the Twins to find us. Lousy with a sword, but you should see the boy with a hammer." Catelyn's eyebrows raised and she leaned forward to get a better look at Gendry. While he seemed to be strong and fit, she doubted he was as strong as Robert Baratheon had once been.
"That boy wields a war hammer just a Robert Baratheon did?" Robb gave off a laugh, the sound drawing some attention to their conversation. Catelyn sat back in her chair and waited for Robb to explain.
"A smith's hammer, Mother. Someone paid for his apprenticeship to become a smith and he does have a skill."
"And where is the girl? I want to see if the rumors here are true!" Robb looked away from his mother and questioned the man. If he would have looked at his mother a moment longer, he would have seen the worry cross her features. Gods be good, don't let him hear like this.
"What girl?" Greatjon put his palms on the table and leaned towards his King. If he had tried to whisper he did not succeed, everyone at the main table heard what the large man had to say.
"Calling her the 'Lannister Whore' now. Such a shame they spoiled her, I heard she was a pretty little thing." Catelyn knew exactly who the men were talking of, and placed her hand on Robb's forearm in order to pull his attention away. He ignored his mother and asked again with more force to his voice, knowing that the only way to be heard around these men was to be forceful.
"What. Girl."
"The Baratheon girl, Your Grace. You remember her…helped the Kingslayer escape when you had the bastard in your grasp." Greatjon lifted one of his hands, the one with all five fingers, to take hold of a nearby cup, crushing it as he made a fist to extenuate his words. Catelyn watched the cup crumble in the man's hand and held her breath, waiting for Robb to ask the question she feared that he would. Before this war, hearing the news of Melara's pregnancy would have made his heart crumble just as that cup did. She was surprised that he had yet to ask about Melara, but assumed that he had wanted to ask in private. He truly has grown into a King, setting the woman that he loved aside to first dine with his army and give them more reason to follow him.
"Melara? What rumors are there about her?"
"Robb, we should discuss this in private." He lifted the arm that Catelyn had rested her hand on and brushed away her touch. He caught his mother's eyes and held them as he spoke to Greatjon.
"Tell me now. What have you heard?"
"They are saying it all over the Twins. That little whore spread her legs for Jaime Lannister and now she carries his child." Robb stood, and the only thing he heard was the startled gasp of his mother and the only thing he felt was the pain in his knuckles where they had collided with Greatjon Umber's chin. He could barely remembers leaving the Hall but the next thing he knew, Arya was running behind him, calling to him. Robb did not stop but demanded that she lead him to Melara's room.
When he arrived he pounded on the door, the pain in his already sore knuckles intensifying. He would think of his actions in the Hall later, but now he needed to see Melara. He needed to see with his own eyes that the rumors were only that, rumors. Arya put a hand on his shoulder but it only caused him to send her away, snapping at her that this was between only him and Melara. Arya had only just turned out of Robb's sight when he pushed the door open to see Melara halfway between the bed and the door wearing nothing more than a thin cotton dress.
"Robb? What are you doing?" Melara had been jolted awake by the pounding on her door, and had felt as if her body was flushed with fever. She had gotten out of bed quickly and tore her heavy layers of clothing off, leaving her only clothes the inappropriate cotton dress she now wore before the King in the North. Robb ignored her sleepy voice and instead closed the distance between them and took hold of her shoulders, bending down slightly to look into her beautiful blue eyes. Gods, I had forgotten how beautiful she truly is. He dared not look away from her face, frightened that he would see the proof that she was with child.
"Tell me, Melara." She looked confused for a moment, before the look in her eyes soon turned to one of anger. She pushed her open palms against Robb's chest, trying to pull her body from his grasp.
"Let me go, Robb. You can't just come in here after pounding on my door and handle me like some serving wench and demand things of me. Who are you to—"
"I am your King, that is who I am." The anger is his voice was matched to hers, neither taking their eyes off of the other. Melara stopped her struggles against him, knowing that he meant her no true harm and that he was too strong for her to fight off. And if he were an assassin, I would be dead now. Melara removed her hands from his chest and instead placed them on her belly, the action becoming an automatic reaction when her emotions took hold of her. She saw Robb's eyes dart down to her stomach and then quickly pull back up to her face. She saw the change on his face and felt the softening of his grip as his anger left him. It wasn't many times that Robb Stark gave into his anger, but it seemed that the longer the War lasted, the more his emotions took him over.
"Forgive me, Your Grace. I had forgotten myself." Her eyes still challenged him but her tone was one of defeat, and that was all it took for Robb to bend to her. His hands moved from her shoulders and trailed down her bare arms, sending a chill down her spine. His fingertips ghosted over her skin as his hands made a trail down her arms, stopping on her belly just beneath where her own hands protectively laid. The sword that was strapped to his hip rested against Melara's arm, reminding her that this was not a boy before her, but a man.
It had been so long since her body had felt ministrations from a man, that after the chill she felt her body begin to heat. She closed her eyes and pictured that it was Jaime's hands that made her body grow warm. That is was Jaime's hands that lay over the babe within her womb. Will this child ever know its father? When Robb spoke, her fantasy was shattered and her eyes opened once more. She pulled her eyes from his face to look down at their hands, seeing his larger hands cupping her protruding stomach in a tender way.
"So it is true, then." His soft voice did not pose it as a question and so Melara did not respond. Robb continued to speak, sadness beginning to leak into his voice. "If I would have known this would be your future that day you left Winterfell, I would have been more truthful with you. I would have shown you what you meant to me, won your heart before the Kingslayer could steal it." She had been preparing for this moment since that morning when she heard of his arrival. Melara had planned for there to be screaming or yelling or harsh words, and had thought of many things to say back to him. And when he first walked in, mere seconds ago, Melara had been glad she had prepared herself. But then he had surprised her and instead he spoke softly to her. She lifted her head to meet his eyes once more as she spoke, her voice just as soft as his.
"Jaime did not steal my heart. I gave it to him."
"And what has he given you in return?" She opened her mouth to answer him, but no words would come out. What Jaime had given her was not something she could put into words. She could try and describe it to Robb, but he would never believe her. He couldn't see Jaime the way that she saw him, only the way that everyone else saw him, the murderous Kingslayer. Arya's words from earlier came back to her. 'Can't or wont'. Robb spoke to her once more, standing to his full height and removing his hands from her belly. "All you have from him now is the bastard child you carry."
If Robb's tone would have been more spiteful, Melara may have been angry for his harsh words. But he spoke with a sadness, for the child in her belly or his bastard half-brother Jon Snow she did not know, that made her think she was too quick to judge Robb. He may be King in the North, he may have killed numerous men and he may want her husband dead, but he would always be an honorable man just like his father had been. She hesitated a moment before removing her left hand from her belly and placing it in his, in a friendly gesture meant to comfort him.
"I hear that my child is being called a 'Lannister bastard', but I am wed to its father. Does my marriage to Jaime mean nothing?"
"Melara, you took no vows before a Septon. All you had to proclaim your marriage was a decree signed by Joffrey. But now he is dead, and his decree means even less." She pulled her hand away from his and turned her back on him, wrapping her arms around herself now that she was not near the heat his body gave off. Melara did not turn back to face him as she spoke to him.
"And if Joffrey is dead, then why still fight this war?"
"The Lannisters need to pay for what they have done. When we put the rightful heir on the Iron Throne, any Lannister that doesn't choose the Wall will be killed." She did turn to face him then, and Robb could fully see the proof of her pregnancy. Her belly had grown, as had her breasts, and she had filled out where before she had been nearly too thin, too fragile. Her thick, black hair hung loosely around her, and her blue eyes seemed to glow the way that the light of the fire shone within them. Robb had never seen any woman more beautiful, nor had he been able to find a woman more perfect for him than Melara. And even as she stood before him with another man's child within her, Robb couldn't help but love her. I've always been a fool for her. Even when she loves my enemy, I can't turn her away. It is what Father would do. He brought Jon back with him and raised him as no bastard has been raised. Father did it, why shouldn't I? Melara's sweet voice pulled Robb from his thoughts.
"And when Jaime refuses to bend the knee or live his days out on the Wall, you will slice his throat and my child will truly be nothing more than a fatherless bastard." Tears sprung to her eyes when she thought of her husband dying at her feet. Robb came to her side when her tears began to run down her cheeks, and wiped them away with his thumb on her cheek. He had an urge to place a kiss on the side of her head but restrained himself, knowing that Melara would only push him away if he tried to force his affections on her. He settled for placing his hand over her womb once more.
"Your child doesn't have to be without a father."
"Even if Jaime takes the Black—"
"I'm not talking about the Kingslayer." She turned her head and Robb saw the confused look on her face. She was so close to him now that if he just lowered his lips just a bit, he could claim hers in a kiss. He resisted his urges, once more, and settled for explaining himself to Melara . "I could raise this child." He lightly pushed his hand into Melara's belly and she let out a small gasp when a she felt the strange sensation she had been feeling throughout the day. Could it be the babe's movements I feel? Catelyn said it may be soon. Robb took her gasp to mean she was surprised by his offer, and continued on encouraged. "I could take care of you. Love you."
"NO! You will do NOTHING of the sort!" Robb jumped back from Melara, startled by his mother's strong voice coming from the doorway. As Catelyn entered the room, Melara tried to think of something she may have done to cause Robb to act like a lovesick fool. Gods, help me. Why would he say that? Melara was relieved that Catelyn had, unknowingly, come to her rescue. She thought that Catelyn was going to address Robb, but instead the older woman turned her sights on Melara. "Gods be good, put something decent on. The door was wide open for anyone to walk by and see!" Catelyn pointed behind her to make her point. Melara picked a blanket that lay atop the bed and wrapped it around her form as she saw Catelyn turn to Robb. Her voice was stern as she spoke with her son, for in that moment Catelyn only saw him as a boy and not the King in the North. "Do you really think that your men who are fighting your war will react kindly to you raising a child of your enemy? You are the King in the North! Do you really think you can marry Melara and raise her child as your own? The men will leave your side if you do. Then we will have no home, no army and no way to protect ourselves." Melara was surprised that Robb had yet to say anything, but when she saw the look on his face she knew that he was beginning to realize how foolish he had acted. Catelyn saw the change as well and her voice softened a bit. "You are just as honorable as your father."
Robb sobered at the mention of his deceased father. Thinking of Ned brought back everything to the front of his mind. The War, the Lannisters, the North, the Iron Throne, Winterfell. He had too many things to be concerned with to worry about Melara. It hurt him to have to toss the woman he loved aside, but he would have more time to figure things out after the War was won. When he looked at Melara, he wanted nothing more than to go to her and hold her until he forgot about everything weighing down on his mind. But Robb knew that now that she would be the mother to Jaime Lannister's child, Melara would never be his. I need to get her away from here. She's too much of a distraction for me. One night in the same castle as her and already I've struck one of my most faithful Bannermen and offered to take her hand and raise her bastard child. Gods, what am I to do with her? Why can't I control myself around her?
Robb gave the women no words as he left, too conflicted in his thoughts to form a reason for him to leave. Melara watched him go before she moved to her bed and sat down, tears coming down her cheeks once more. Catelyn had yet to leave, but she also had yet to speak. Melara caught the older woman's eyes before she spoke, her voice shaky.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what I did to make him say those things…to make him act like that."
"He loves you, Melara. Ned would act the same way with me. Any man who truly loves a woman will sacrifice anything for her." Catelyn briefly remembered the way that Petyr had challenged Brandon Stark for her hand. He nearly had died just for the change to be with her, and even to that day he still loved her. Catelyn gave her a tight lipped smile before making her way after Robb, knowing that she needed to speak with him about what they would need to do with Melara. She paused in the doorway to speak once more to the girl who had caused them many problems over the past year. "You should stay away from Robb for a short while, dear. Your presence clouds his mind too much." Melara nodded her head to show that she had heard and Catelyn finally left the room shutting the door behind her, leaving Melara to ponder what would happen to her now.
Catelyn did not have to walk far to find Robb, he had only made it a few doors away when he realized he did now know where his own rooms were. Catelyn opened her mouth to call to him when she heard footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. She looked in the direction from where she had just come, expecting to see Melara, or even Arya, but instead saw a red-headed boy, no older than Bran, running towards her. He ran right past her and stopped in front of Robb, giving him a piece of parchment before running off again. Catelyn walked the ten more feet to join Robb, placing her hand on his shoulder once she stood next to him. Robb did not wait for her to question him, and offered the explanation before she even asked.
"Stannis Baratheon wants to meet with me."
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Oh man, what a chapter! We have Gendry, Robb and Brienne all in the mix and now Daddy Baratheon has had a change of heart! Man, that was a big set-up chapter! Don't forget to show me some love and leave a review! They are such great inspiration!