Chapter One- Unwelcome News
"Lord Edmure?"
He looks up to see the slim figure of his wife slip in the cell, a tray in her hands. It's been 4 months since their marriage and the death of his family, and since then, Roslin has visited him every day without fail. He tries to smile, because he is happy to see her, and her dutiful care has been a ray of hope in this grim place.
"Lady Roslin," He smiles at her. She shyly returns it, kneels next to him, and passes him the tray. It's the same food she always brings him, a bowl of soup, 2 slices of bread and a wedge of cheese. But there is also a glass of wine, and a small bundle which she removes from her skirts, and places it and a spoon on the tray.
"Edmure," The use of his first name, along with the worry and concern in her voice, makes him sense that something is wrong. "Do you … do remember me telling you that I saw your sister ride away from The Twins, after … after the wedding?"
Yes, he does remember. He'd been angry with her family, and still recovering from the shock of it all, when she'd visited him for the first time. He'd shouted at her, and refused the food she'd bought him. But she'd persevered, and come back the next day, and since then, a bond had formed between them.
"I do, Roslin, what of it?"
Out of curiosity, he opens the bundle to find a small honey cake, with what looks like chopped nuts added to it, and still warm from the oven.
"Well, there has been news from the capital. It seems … my lord, your sister has wed Lord Tywin Lannister."
"What?" He says in disbelief, glancing up at her sharply.
"I'm sorry, Edmure." She places her hand lightly on his shoulder, but he barely notices, lost in his own thoughts. Cat remarried. To Tywin Lannister. That would most certainly not be her choice, she would have been forced, but Cat would do anything to protect family. (Even marry a man that had a hand in their deaths?)
I hope you know what you're doing, Cat, and that your new husband treats you well.
"You should eat, Edmure, your soup will go cold."
She does have a point, so he picks up the spoon, and begins to eat. He hears the creak of the door and sees her leave, only to come back a few minutes later, with an empty chamber pot and a full water jug, which she sets down in their normal places, and comes over.
"How is your arm?"
"Healing. You know that, you stitched it. "
She smiles. "Can I have a look?"
He pulls up his left sleeve, revealing a thin scar that runs down most of his inner forearm, from Black Walder's knife. It's stitched up, and has stopped troubling him, but she still insists on checking. He doesn't mind, though, because she is all he has, and the only person here who cares enough to check. (Not that he really wants anyone else here seeing it). She passes him a fresh candle, and he accepts it, lighting it from the stump of wax his old one has been reduced to, and placing the new one in the holder.
"Why do you do this, Roslin?"
"I am your wife, Edmure," She answers, "Our child makes us family, and it is both my duty and an honour to do it."
Family, Duty, Honour. She is a Tully, now and forever.
"Come and sit with me, Roslin"
She does so, joining him on the pallet. They have developed a routine over the last months, and this is what they do each evening, before Roslin returns to her bedchamber, leaving him alone for the night. She smiles, moves closer, and puts her head on his chest. He wraps one arm round her, and puts the other hand on the bulge in her belly that becomes more noticeable with every passing day.
Our child.
They sit in silence for some time, until she rises, kisses him on the cheek, and heads for the door. As she reaches it, he calls out to her.
"Good night, Roslin."
"Good night, Edmure."
After she leaves, the guard that has been hovering locks the door behind her, as he finishes the food, lays down on the pallet, draws the blankets around him, and tries not to think about Cat being bedded by Tywin Lannister.(He's not successful.)