Author's Notes: Back to the intrigues at the inn – and a bit elsewhere too… Thank you Hardlyfatal for patiently continuing to beta this behemoth!

The next chapter is back to Tyrion again, and to his ponderings after the revelation in his last POV. What shall he do? How will that impact on our big, happy family?

Thank you for all the lovely reviews and comments - you are all awesome!

Catelyn

After a frustrating meeting with her husband – mostly because there was so much more she wanted to tell Ned, but couldn't because of Bronn's presence – Lady Catelyn retired to her room. She gave a silent thanks to the Seven that there had been no need for a fight, after all, now that Jaime had miraculously been delivered back to them. Just in time, as well, to ensure they could fulfil their part of the imaginary bargain Sandor Clegane had conjured out of thin air, and even more miraculously, which Lord Tyrion had believed.

Catelyn felt ashamed of having judged both her saviours so wrongly before: Clegane, for thinking him to be just a brute at the peck and call of the Lannisters; and Brienne, for allowing her to be imprisoned by the word of only one man. She had soon become convinced of Brienne's innocence, but she should have fought harder to make sure the others believed it too. Then again, had she done so, Brienne wouldn't have been captured with Jaime and she wouldn't have been able to free him…

A single candle cast its flickering light into the room, the corners being left in shadows. Catelyn released her hair from its simple Northern styling and brushed it in long, slow strokes. Staring into the darkness, Catelyn decided she had to make proper amends with Brienne the first thing in the morning.

After breakfast, Catelyn went in search for Brienne. As she had suspected, she found her in the Kingslayer's room, sitting on a stool next to his bed. Her arrival interrupted whatever they had been discussing.

"May I have a word with you, Lady Brienne?" Catelyn enquired, nodding at the Kingslayer. She felt a smidgen of sympathy for the man – but just a smidgen – having had close experience of the blow losing one's legs could have on a person.

Bran. Catelyn's thoughts turned to her son and how much she longed to be back with him. Perhaps after the exchange they could finally turn towards the North?

"Of course, my lady." Brienne got up and followed Catelyn to her room. She was still dressed in the simple tunic and breeches she had worn during her captivity, although they were now freshly laundered and clean.

"Lady Brienne, I hope I have already expressed my deepest gratitude for the great service you have done for me and my family," Catelyn started, beckoning Brienne to sit down on the bed, having taken the only chair in the room for herself.

"You have, my lady, and I thank you for it," Brienne said, blushing.

"Let me also apologise once again, profoundly, for the horrible miscarriage of justice we subjected you to. I know my son would do the same, so let me extend this apology to you on his behalf, too. We should have never doubted you or placed you under arrest. Can you find it in your heart to forgive us?"

Catelyn was painfully aware of how inadequately those paltry words described the depth of her gratitude, but she had to try.

"Think nothing of it, my lady. I understand that your position was difficult. My story about how King Renly truly died is quite unbelievable, so I understand you had your doubts. Besides, I knew all along that the truth shall set me free," Brienne said, her blue eyes meeting Catelyn's, steadily.

"That it has. Knowing you as I do now, I believe you spoke the truth. That obviously means that you are free to come and go as you please. We still have your armour and weapons, and since you were able to secure your horse, you shall have all your possessions back with you later today. In addition, although I know how insufficient any monetary reward is compared to the service you have rendered, you shall receive a fair compensation for your troubles."

Catelyn knew it would replete their travel coffer considerably, but what good was coin if it couldn't be used to reward those who had earned it?

Brienne shifted, folding and unfolding her long legs. Catelyn almost felt sorry for placing her in such uncomfortable position. It was clear that the lady warrior was not used to receiving praise and reward.

"You are too kind, but I thank you," Brienne murmured.

Catelyn leaned back. With formalities concluded, she was free to ask what she really wanted to know.

"What do you plan to do next? You told me once that when you first came to us, you intended to offer your services to House Stark. Would that still be of interest to you? As if it is, I can assure you that you would be warmly welcomed and my husband would be proud to have you wearing our colours. Saying that, if this experience has discouraged you from that notion, I understand completely."

Brienne seemed to think for a moment. Finally she spoke, slowly.

"If that would be acceptable to you, I would like to serve you – but only you, my lady. I would like to swear my allegiance to Lady Stark, rather than House Stark – although of course, by doing that I'd be serving your house as well."

Catelyn was taken aback. Me?

"Are you sure? My life can be rather boring when we get back home to Winterfell. Not much to keep a warrior like you occupied, I'm sure."

"It matters not. I'd rather serve one who has a good heart," Brienne said, then quickly added. "Not that your lord husband doesn't have a good heart as well, I only mean—"

"Don't worry. I think I understand what you mean. We women need to support each other." Catelyn took a deep breath. "If you are sure you want it, nothing would bring me greater pleasure than to accept you in my service."

"I am sure, my lady."

"Well then, I shall speak to Ser Rodrik and he will arrange for your things to be brought to you. He will also arrange the room next to me being assigned to you. Is there anything else you may require? If there is, just say the word." Catelyn was pleased but wondered if Brienne had been too hasty with her offer. Surely her skills would be better used in the service of someone else than a wife and a mother of five?

"I need nothing more than what I have – but I would feel better if I was dressed in my armour again."

"As for that – you know that any knight can make a knight. I could ask Ser Rodrik to knight you, and I have no doubt that he would do it willingly, being as grateful to you as I am."

Brienne blushed again. Catelyn wondered how it was possible for such a gentle and shy maiden to have chosen such a difficult path to follow.

"Thank you again, my lady. I will think about it. We have no sept here, and no time for proper prayers and preparations. But I thank you, truly."

Catelyn let the matter drop; there would be time for it later. There was another issue she wanted to raise with Brienne, one more boon she wanted to give to this brave young woman.

"As for the Kingslayer, you don't have to guard him anymore. Ser Rodrik can assign other men to take it over. Servants can take care of other matters related to his condition." For Brienne to carry Jaime into the inn the previous day had been unnecessary, and her helping him to bathe even more so.

Catelyn had offered the services of servants, but Brienne had declined. It had been improper, of course, for an unmarried maiden to assist a man in such a task. Yet after hearing Brienne's story Catelyn knew that she had already taken care of Ser Jaime in ways that breached all limits of propriety, so one more breach didn't seem such a big thing at the time. But now…

Brienne appeared uncomfortable. "If it is acceptable to you – and to Ser Jaime – I don't mind continuing. At least until he travels on."

"Why would you do it? I recall you wished nothing more than to be rid of his company. I know his current condition is a cause for pity, but don't let that cloud what kind of a man he still is, or what he has done."

Brienne looked as if she wanted to say something, opening her mouth, then closing it. Catelyn felt sorry for her. Had she perhaps found a new object of her affections, as impossible as Renly had been? What the Kingslayer could have done to earn such devotion, she couldn't understand, but young women were known to fall for good looks and easy charm, and Ser Jaime had plenty of both. And despite her experiences and abilities, Brienne was still just that – a young woman.

"I know of many things he has done, and how unforgivable they are – but there is also some good in him. For that little bit of goodness, I want to do what is right by him, especially as it is my fault that he is this way."

Oh yes, the struggle with their captors. When Brienne had told Catelyn – hesitantly – how Ser Jaime had rescued her from a sure rape, Catelyn had been surprised, as it hadn't sounded like the arrogant Kingslayer she knew. Maybe there was something in what Brienne said, after all, and her guilt over his condition explained the rest.

"As you wish. I trust that they may leave very soon anyway, possibly even today after the official exchange has been concluded."

While they had been talking, Catelyn had heard steadily increasing commotion from the outside: sounds of many men talking and shouting to each other. She had ignored it, but it had grown too loud to be disregarded any longer – she had to find out what it was about.

"If you excuse me, Lady Brienne, it seems something is happening at the yard. I better go and have look."

"I will come with you. Ser Jaime should be settled for now and he is not going anywhere." Brienne got up and rushed to open the door for Catelyn.

By the time they got to the yard, a considerable crowd had already gathered. People were talking and gesturing towards the forest, and when Catelyn looked at where they were pointing, she understood their alarm.

A wolf. And not just any wolf.

In one look she could see that it was a direwolf, as big as Grey Wind, standing on a hill and looking down at the inn. For a moment her heart lurched; was Robb here? However, another look told her that it couldn't be her son's direwolf. He had a smoke-grey fur and yellow eyes, and although this direwolf, too, had grey fur, the colour was much lighter. Catelyn considered for a moment. Summer was back in Winterfell with Bran, Shaggydog was black, Ghost was white, and Lady was dead. So this could only be… Nymeria?

In the letter Catelyn had received shortly after the unfortunate events on the Kingsroad, Ned had told her that Arya had been forced to drive her wolf away lest Cersei Lannister got her hands on it. Of course! The incident had occurred near this place, and she must have lived on her own ever since…

Catelyn stepped forward. Ser Rodrik had appeared by her side from somewhere, and she relayed her instructions to him in a tense voice.

"Ser Rodrik, please make sure nobody tries to harm that direwolf. It is Nymeria, she is coming home."

"Yes, my lady."

"Make sure Lord Tyrion and his men are given the same message. Any man who as much as touches the hair on her fur shall answer to me."

Ser Rodrik left for his task and Catelyn took another step. She had always been friendly with her children's wolves – but it had been a while ago. If Nymeria had been living in the wild, would she still accept human company?

"My lady, be careful," Brienne said in a low voice, just a step or two behind her.

"I will. But I have to see why she is here."

In the meanwhile, Nymeria had settled down and laid her head between her huge paws, staring at Catelyn. She didn't appear threatening, her ears pointing forward. If she was not willing to come back to their fold, why would she have shown up here in the first place?

Slowly, step by step, Catelyn walked towards the hill. The men had stopped talking and pulled back, forming a path through which Catelyn approached the direwolf. When she was only ten paces away, Nymeria rolled over, exposing her belly.

Interpreting it as a clear sign of the direwolf's acceptance, Catelyn walked ahead with more confidence and knelt next to her.

"Nymeria! Good girl! What are you doing here? So wonderful to see you!" Catelyn rubbed the direwolf's belly, scratched her behind the ears and ruffled her fur, speaking soft terms of endearment. Nymeria responded by wiggling excitedly and rubbing her head against Catelyn.

Catelyn felt a twinge in her heart. Ever since she had heard that neither Ned nor Sansa had any news about Arya, she had been pained by it. Her child, all alone in the unforgiving city, knowing no-one… Part of her wanted to believe that she was fine, that she had been taken in by good people and that they would find her again, another part whispered into her ear about horrible things that could happen to a young girl on her own.

Catelyn had cried, she had prayed – and now seeing this reminder of her little girl, she felt tears in her eyes again.

She stood up. Nymeria had returned, maybe Arya too would return someday. She had to believe it – she simply had to.

"Come, girl, let's go. You get to meet Ned again, and Sansa, and in time, your siblings." She tugged the direwolf from the fur of her neck and started to walk back towards the inn. Maybe… Sansa had lost her wolf. Maybe she and Nymeria could bond while waiting for Arya to come back?

Brienne's jaw had dropped and she was looking at the direwolf in awe. Catelyn smiled at her; this was just one of the things she had to learn to live with if she became a member of the House Stark retinue.

Catelyn hadn't walked for many steps when Nymeria started making little rounds around her, pushing and prodding her. She made small yelping noises, and it was clear she wanted to convey something to her.

"What is it? What do you want? Don't you want to come after all, did you just stop by to greet us?" she asked Nymeria, puzzled.

The direwolf panted, her eyes bright yellow and staring right at her. When Catelyn tried to move, she repeated her actions, pushing against her with her snout, then retreating towards the direction she had come from, looking at Catelyn over her shoulder.

"If I'd have to guess, I'd say it wants you to follow it," Brienne suggested.

"But where?"

"I don't know, but I am pretty sure it would take you there."

"Her name is Nymeria – but you may be right." Catelyn had reached Brienne and they stood watching the direwolf. She returned to them, then ran back again.

"Maybe she has a litter somewhere? I had a cat once, who behaved exactly like this when she wanted to show me her litter. She had given birth to it without me even knowing she was pregnant," Brienne said, nodding slowly.

If that was it, how could Catelyn refuse? As a mother of five, she understood Nymeria's concerns better than many – if that was indeed the reason for her odd behaviour. Catelyn made her decision.

"Lady Brienne, would you mind getting our horses and bringing them here? Take one other man with you; ask Ser Rodrik who is the best shot with a bow. We'll follow Nymeria and see what she wants."

In no time Brienne had done as asked and Catelyn, Brienne and the man Ser Rodrik had recommended, Jarwin, had mounted and were on their way. Ser Rodrik had seen them off, muttering how Lord Tyrion wasn't happy about the distraction and wanted to move on with the exchange. Catelyn had dismissed it with a wave of her hand; Lord Tyrion simply had to wait.

Ser Rodrik had also wanted to send more men with her, but Catelyn didn't want to leave their numbers depleted in case of some treachery from the Lannister and had insisted that two mounted warriors were surely enough. Besides, they were not going to follow Nymeria too far: whatever she had to show had better be within an easy distance.

After seeing that they were following her, Nymeria had increased her pace and sprinted ahead in long easy strides, the horses galloping after her at some distance. The presence of the direwolf made them nervous and they snorted, showing the whites of their eyes when their riders urged them on.

Catelyn noticed that Nymeria took them through a shortcut towards River Road, and then along the road. That was odd, as if she had a litter hidden somewhere, surely that would be in the woods? Yet she followed.

Not long after reaching the road, they saw two people walking in the direction of the Riverlands. Nymeria ran straight towards them, and for their sake, Catelyn hoped they were not faint of heart. To see a gigantic direwolf striding past was likely to cause alarm in anyone, not least in what appeared to be two men, or rather, a young man and a boy.

Catelyn leaned closer to the neck of her horse and gave it full rein. The sooner they got to the bottom of the mystery, the better.

Surprisingly, Nymeria ran straight at the pair, stopping by the side of the boy and pushed her snout to his thigh. The boy stopped, as did the young man, and after apparently hearing the horses, they turned to look at them. The boy looked somehow familiar with a lean build, dark hair and long face.

And then Catelyn almost fainted, having to grab the mane of the horse to stay upright.

Arya!

Her horse reached the pair in a few strides and Catelyn clambered down from the saddle, running the last few steps separating her from her daughter, who stared at her with her mouth open.

"Arya!"

Arya started running towards her, and they met in the middle of the road, clasping each other in a tight hug and calling for each other.

"Mother!"

"Arya, is it really you?"

Catelyn laughed and cried at the same time, squeezing her daughter tight in her arms. She is alive! She is here!

They had fallen to their knees, and after another tight embrace, Catelyn pulled back and took Arya's face between her hands. She had changed: not only was her hair short, but she was gaunter than before, and she looked older.

"Mother, how did you find me?" Arya sniffed, tears in her eyes.

"It was Nymeria, she brought me to you," Catelyn sobbed. They both turned to look at the direwolf, who was sitting next to the young man. Brienne and Jarwin had also dismounted and were watching the reunion unfolding before their eyes.

"Nymeria? So that's why she has been so restless!" Arya blurted. "But where did you come from?"

"From the inn at the crossroads. Nymeria came there and made it clear she wanted me to follow her… and I am so glad I did." Catelyn stroked Arya's hair, marvelling at yet another miracle that saw her family brought back to her.

Arya's smile, so bright just a moment ago, wavered, and she seemed to be in the brink of bursting into tears once again.

"Mother, I have heard… about Father, and Sansa." Arya cried at earnest now and pressed her face against Catelyn's chest. Her tears soaked into the fabric of Catelyn's dress, and her heart broke thinking of how her poor innocent daughter had had to carry a pain so great, and so completely unnecessarily. Her hatred for Joffrey burned hotter than ever before.

Catelyn had to use force to detangle Arya from her arms and push her back.

"No, no, no, Arya, it was not true! Your father is not dead, and Sansa is well! They are both with me, at the inn!"

Arya stared at her with wide eyes. "Not… dead?"

"No, not at all, my dearest! It was all just evil lies Joffrey put out. We don't know why – but, oh, sweetling, everything is well!"

Catelyn embraced her again, clutching her as if wanting to squeeze all painful doubts out of her. She was so skinny… but also taller, more sinewy. What ordeals she must have gone through! Once more Catelyn pulled back, gathering herself. She needed to be strong – for her daughter. She got up, helping Arya to get on her feet.

Looking around, for the first time she paid attention to the young man Arya had been travelling with. He, too, looked familiar: the blue eyes, the set of his jaw, the thick black hair.

"And you are…"

"Gendry, his name is Gendry, mother." Arya hastened to make introductions, wiping her runny nose with her sleeve. "He helped me escape from King's Landing. We're friends."

"My lady." The young man made a clumsy bow, visibly uncomfortable about the attention.

"Gendry, I and my family owe you a great debt. Please, let's return to the inn and we can exchange stories there."

Catelyn started to feel a bit more in control of her faculties, although she couldn't help stealing glances at Arya at every few seconds. Just to make sure she was not dreaming, and that her daughter was still there. She turned to her companions.

"Lady Brienne or Jarwin, could one of you take Gendry to ride double? I will ride with Arya. We better return to the inn in haste, as I don't want to keep any member of this family apart from each other any longer than is absolutely necessary."

Brienne stared at Gendry, her mouth falling open. Hearing Catelyn, she seemed to pull out from her daze and nodded curtly. After a brief discussion, it was concluded that Jarwin, being lighter than Brienne, would take Gendry, and Brienne would take their bags and parcels.

In a few moments, they had organised themselves and turned to head back. Arya rode behind Catelyn and wrapped her arms tightly around Catelyn's waist.

"Hold on, my babe," Catelyn whispered, pressed a kiss on Arya's knuckles and urged her horse to a canter.

She wanted nothing more than to ride like the wind to get back to her husband, to her daughter, with her daughter – all unharmed and safe.

The gods were good.