Disclaimer – If you recognise it then it belongs to GRRM

Catelyn III

"Not very ladylike." Brynden said in a non-judgemental voice as he came and sat down next to Catelyn. He was referring to her continued biting of fingernails. She was down to her last finger now and she was sure she could continue down through skin to the bone the way she was feeling. Nerves wracked her body as she sat in the stand awaiting the start of the melee.

She was sat with Brynden, Rodrik, Jory, Domeric, Perwyn and Daryn. The boys were all excited for the melee and the chance to watch Robb and Torrhen compete in what was a confirmed field of 92 men. Torrhen had also decided to enter the melee and both he and Robb had been practicing fighting with a sword on horseback with Brynden and Rodrik every day.

Whilst Torrhen appeared confident and at ease with the idea of fighting in the melee, it was obvious to Catelyn that Robb was apprehensive. He was far more withdrawn than normal and he seemed focused only on his training. It was a shame too as the melee was to take place on the third day of the tournament so Robb was unable to enjoy the opening two days of the jousting that otherwise he would have loved watching.

The only time Catelyn saw Robb smile was when Brynden won his opening round joust against the Greyjoy boy. For the first three tilts the boy had gone against standard tactics he no doubt would have been taught and tried cocky crowd-pleasing headshots with his lance, all which Brynden easily avoided. On the forth tilt Brynden deftly moved his horse and lance to catch the Kraken on his helm with a headshot of his own, sending him sprawling to the dirt much to the amusement of the watching crowd. Even Robb laughed at the sight of Brynden putting the show off Greyjoy in his place. However the rest of the time Robb could not join in the merriment and excitement of his friends, his mind preoccupied.

The other boys were having a great time. Domeric and Torrhen were both making numerous bets on the jousts (with mixed results) whilst Daryn was overindulging on the ale with Garth Tyrell and one of the Redwyne twins who had been beaten in his first round joust. All the boys cheered on Brynden and Jory Cassel in the joust who were the only Northern party entrants and now both were through to the fourth round after winning their first three jousts each. After Brynden unhorsed the Greyjoy boy he had beaten Ser Balman of House Stokeworth and then Black Walder Frey, a victory Catelyn knew he relished after the incident at the Twins. Jory had beaten Ser Hugh of the Vale, an unnamed hedge knight who had a dagger piercing a black heart as his coat of arms and, in somewhat of an upset, Ser Preston Greenfield of the Kingsguard en route to the fourth round. Torrhen had gone practically delirious with that win as he had placed a big bet with Renly Baratheon on Jory beating the Kingsguard at favourable odds. That money had gone towards a brand new set of armour smithed on the street of steel, emblazoned with the white sunburst of House Karstark. Torrhen had paid the smith and his young apprentice additional gold dragons to stay up throughout the night to ensure the armour set was ready for the melee. Catelyn had gone with Rodrik to collect the armour that morning on Torrhen's behalf whilst he practiced with Robb and she was taken aback when Renly Baratheon himself brought the armour out for collection. She thought it may have been a forfeit as part of the bet with Torrhen but she soon realised it wasn't Renly and it was just the apprentice had incredibly similar appearance to the youngest Baratheon. "The resemblance is so close that they could be related." She had thought at the time.

A trumpet sounded and everyone in the crowd stood and turned to face the royal box. King Joffrey entered, accompanied by Ser Jamie, Queen Cersei, Tyrion Lannister, Myrcella Baratheon and Tommen Baratheon, who smiled and waved at the crowd much the annoyance of King Joffrey who scowled at his younger brother. Once King Joffrey sat down, the crowd followed suit. Almost immediately the participants of the melee started to emerge to rapturous applause. Catelyn immediately looked for Robb and spotted him looking magnificent in his silver armour. His shield showed the direwolf of House Stark and he held his favoured longsword in other hand. Robb had wanted to try use Ice in the melee but, as the event was on horseback, Brynden had convinced him to use a longsword so he would be able to carry a shield as well. Using a greatsword like Ice required both hands so he would not have the option of a shield. Catelyn also saw Torrhen who took looked every inch the warrior in his new armour. He caught up to Robb and gave him a friendly pat on the back which Robb returned in kind.

Robb rode closer to the stand where Catelyn sat and raised his helm. Catelyn was surprised when Robb did not speak to her but instead turned to face a group of girls sat a few rows in front of the Northern party. She noted Robb smiled, the first time she had seen him do so since this melee was announced, and he spoke confidently to one girl in particular "My Lady, could I ask your name?"

She smiled back at Robb "I am Margaery Tyrell, my Lord."

Robb continued to smile "May a request your favour for this melee my Lady, I would be honoured to fight for your good name."

Margaery shook her head though Catelyn noticed she did appear just as smitten with Robb as he was with her. "I'm sorry my Lord but I have already given my favour to my brother, the Knight of Flowers Ser Loras Tyrell." She pointed to a knight wearing the most decorative white armour, adorned with three red roses, who was passing out flowers to young maidens in the crowd.

"I understand my Lady, though I hope to earn your favour in future through my efforts today." He turned to one of the ladies accompanying Margaery. "May I request your favour lady…."

"Alla Tyrell." She quickly responded and tied her scarf around the outstretched arm of Robb, who politely nodded, his eyes lingering on Margaery Tyrell, before snapping his helm shut and riding off to join the participants who circled the arena.

Catelyn felt a pang of jealousy that she had been overlooked by her son and Brynden seemed to sense this and rubbed her arm gently. He whispered in her ear "Robb likely wants to continue to foster good relations with other noble houses, don't take it personally." Catelyn would have liked to believe it the truth but she knew that Robb was a growing boy of fifteen who was likely taken in by the beauty of Margaery Tyrell, who now sat giggling with Alla and the other girls around them.

She could also hear Domeric and Daryn laughing and pointing. She followed their gaze to see Torrhen desperately trying to get a favour from a lady in attendance, eventually settling on something from Lolly Stokeworth.

"That was brilliant!" Domeric said as he laughed heartily

"He was getting so desperate he even asked the Queen of Thorns and even she refused!" Daryn replied, also struggling to compose himself between the laughter.

Catelyn observed the infamous Queen of Thorns Olenna Redwyne and noted she was glaring with a look of pure anger towards Margaery Tyrell. "She is probably not impressed that Margaery would be caught smiling at a Northern boy when she has bigger plans for her no doubt." Catelyn thought to herself.

Domeric stood up and shouted over to Janos Slynt "Janos, What odds you give me on either Robb Stark or Torrhen Karstark winning the melee?"

Slynt gave a dismissive look and responded "One hundred to one. No wait…. one hundred and fifty to one. Those boys stand no chance."

Domeric smiled towards Catelyn, obviously aware she heard that reply, then replied "I'll wager 50 gold dragons if you'll take the bet Janos, I believe in the North."

Slynt smiled smugly and nodded so Domeric flung him the small bag of money which he accepted and pocketed quickly.

As the trumpet sounded again to signify the start of the melee Catelyn sent up a silent prayer to the Seven to watch over Robb and bring him back to her safely.


Catelyn's fingernails were now long gone and her nerves were completely shaken. This was by far the longest two hours of her life. The crowd contrasted her silent fear with loud excited shouting and gasps of amazement at the fighting they were watching. It was down to the final six men and Robb was still involved, though he had survived some scary moments when he came close to falling from his horse and being eliminated from the contest. Torrhen had lasted a respectable thirty minutes before he was unhorsed by a blow to the head from Lord Bryce Caron. Robb had gained a measure of revenge for his friend by unhorsing Lord Bryce ten minutes later.

"Robb is doing great!" Brynden shouted to Catelyn from his standing position. It seemed like everyone was standing to watch the spectacle apart from Catelyn who continued to send up silent prayers to any Gods listening.

She winced as Robb defended himself from another stiff blow from Sandor Clegane, the only Kingsguard to enter the contest. To Catelyn, the Hound seemed to focus all his attacks on Robb exclusively, much to the delight of King Joffrey who could be heard shouting from him to "get him" from the Royal box. Brynden had spent most the contest shouting words of encouragement to Robb and occasionally trying to guide him tactically. Domeric, Perwyn, Daryn and Torrhen, who joined them in the stand once he had disarmed, were all screaming themselves hoarse in support of Robb, especially Domeric who also kept one eye on Janos Slynt's whereabouts.

Just as Robb unhorsed Ser Guyard Morrigen with some masterful swordsmanship, Ser Loras Tyrell charged his horse into that of Ser Jon Fossoway to knock him to the floor, leaving a final four of Robb, Ser Loras, The Hound and Thoros of Myr, wielding his usual flaming sword dosed in wildfire. The four men circled each other, each one tired from the contest but ready to continue the fight.

"Come on Dog, get him!" King Joffrey shouted and this caused Sandor Clegane to charge towards Robb. Catelyn shut her eyes and could hear the clash of steel and the cries of the crowd.

"Come on Robb, keep going!" Torrhen shouted loudly

"Get yourself steady on the horse." Brynden directed in his assuring voice.

Catelyn opened her eyes to see Robb pulling himself up and moving his horse around the side of Thoros of Myr who swung widely but missed easily. Catelyn noticed Sandor Clegane seemed unwilling to move after Robb whilst he lingered near the flaming sword. Robb seemed to notice this too as he quickly moved his horse into the side of Thoros's and rammed them towards the Hound. This clearly surprised the Kingsguard who did tried to move his dark horse backwards away from the oncoming fire, only to find the way blocked by Ser Loras. Robb kept on pushing determinedly, resulting in Sandor falling from his horse and taking down Ser Loras with him. Thoros was now holding onto the side of his horse for dear life and dropped his flaming sword. Even Cateyn stood to her feet and began to cheer loudly as Robb calmly moved his horse around to the hanging Thoros and gracefully knocked him to the floor with a precision blow.

Time seemed to stand still as everyone erupted wildly. Brynden hugged her tightly and the boys jumped up and down cheering.

"Robb's won, Robb's won! He's done it!"

Catelyn wiped a tear from her eye as Robb dismounted, removed his helmet and raised a fist in triumph to the crowd. He waved towards her and blew a kiss, before following suit with Margaery Tyrell, who clearly blushed despite her strongest attempts not to. King Joffrey was seen storming off from the royal box and Catelyn noticed that as Ser Jamie went to follow him he was stopped by his dwarf brother who whispered something in the Lord Commander's ear. After a brief discussion Ser Jamie turned and began to walk down to the arena floor and towards Robb. The crowd went silent as the Kingslayer strode determinedly towards Robb, who tried to maintain his composure though Catelyn knew he was nervous by the look in his eye.

Ser Jamie reached Robb and looked him straight in the eye. After a brief silence he spoke "Take a knee."

Robb duly did and Jamie unsheathed his sword. He placed it on each of his shoulders and spoke clearly "By the Seven I knight thee Ser Robb Stark of Winterfell."

The crowd erupted again. Robb stood and shook the hand of Ser Jamie, who duly raised his hand in victory. Though Catelyn was beyond happy she noticed a brief look between the Kingslayer and the Imp which made her think this knighthood was not all it seemed and had some other motive.