Author's Note: Thanks to PriscilaOrglene (You're about to see Catelyn's view in this chapter too. And honestly I'm a little worried for Luce as well) for reviewing the last chapter! I own nothing of A Song of Ice and Fire that you recognize.
"Three in the morning and I'm still awake so I picked up a pen and a page. And I started writing just what I'd say if we were face to face. I'd tell you just what you mean to me. I'd tell you these simple truths; Be strong in the Lord and never give up hope. You're going to do great things, I already know. God's got his hand on you so don't live life in fear. Forgive and forget but don't forget why you're here. Take your time and pray. These are the words I would say."- The Words I Would Say, Sidewalk Prophets
X. CATELYN
Catelyn Stark stood in front of a simple oak door, hesitating at knocking. Just a few days ago she would have swept in with barely a tap but so much had changed since then. She had found out that Jon and Lucia Snow, the pair she had always seen as a shame to her honor and that of Ned's, were actually the children of his sister with Rhaegar Targaryen. At first she hadn't wished to believe Ned but she knew him too well to suggest he was lying. What he had told her was the honest truth and it had shamed Catelyn ever since.
When she had thought Jon and Luce were bastards she had treated them poorly, even horribly at times. Even Sansa, who was every inch the prim and proper lady, had not treated the pair she saw as her half siblings with more than a bit of disdain now and again. Catelyn was ashamed of her actions and ashamed that it had taken the truth of the pairs true origins to bring her to regret her ways. Now she stood outside Lucia's bedroom on the day of her niece's wedding, unsure if she would even be welcome.
Finally Catelyn raised a hand and rapped lightly on the wooden door, wondering if Lucia would even open it. The girl did a moment later, wrapped in a warm brown robe with her hair loose to her shoulders, falling in dark brown ringlets. "I wondered perhaps if you would like some help," Catelyn said nervously and was rewarded with a warm smile.
"That would be wonderful," the young woman admitted, ushering Catelyn in. "Sansa was helping and Arya was trying to help earlier but they both had to be dragged away to be dressed for my wedding and I sent the maids away. They were making me nervous going on and on about wedding and bedding and other things of that sort."
"I did the same to my maids on my wedding day," Catelyn admitted. "And my sister Lysa was in tears for most of the morning because of her nerves. Our mother rescued us both that day and I was hoping that perhaps I could fill that role for you, if only for a day." She was brushing Lucia's hair now, pulling most of it up and letting only a few curls hang loose.
"You have always filled that role," Lucia said with a gentle smile. "Even when you didn't know it." Catelyn felt her eyes well with tears and she hugged the young woman to her.
"Forgive me," she begged, crying softly. "I have wronged you and your brother; something I should not have done even if you were true bastards."
"Jon and I forgave you long ago," Lucia said, hugging Catelyn back. "There is nothing to forgive."
They stayed like that for a moment until Catelyn pulled away, wiping her eyes. "Come," the lady of Winterfell said. "We must get you into your dress. It would do you no good to be late for your own wedding."