I don't own Game of Thrones.
Prologue
Men go to battles and bring home victory.
Musicians and tales would tell everyone what knights are.
They are brave, valiant, and honorable who defend everyone.
But what about women?
What roles did they play?
In this world, women's job is to get married, have children, and obey every whim.
"NEVER!"
A fisted hand bang on the table.
A young 15-year-old girl hissed at the fairy tales that she used to read as a child.
"Disgusting," She muttered at that fairytale book. What a farce! That is what she thought. Foolishness is what she always believes.
You are probably wondering who is this person is?
Catherine is the daughter of the great lord Randyll Tarly, Lord of the Horn Hill, and Lady Melessa Tarly, née Florent. Randyll Tarly has five children: his eldest child Samwell, then four daughters, and finally his second son Dickon.
She is the fourth daughter of this family and has two brothers.
Her older sister Talla is fostering somewhere else while the other two are betrothed while she is waiting her turn as the youngest daughter.
She hates this.
She loves her books since she had been inspired by Samwell her idol. Catherine misses her big brother. They would talk about anything from music, poetry, politics, and food.
Now you are probably wondering why she hates these fairytale books.
Well, simple.
She wanted to be something great. After all, questions became to rise in her head.
What if her husband had no interest in siring a child with her?
What if he values his mistress enough to dispose of her?
What if he dies and someone is conspiring against her position?
So, her answers were the books.
Learning all the basics as well keeping herself a clear mind when situations change. She used to hide and hear her father's war strategies.
"One of the principles of war is to achieve one's objectives with an economy of effort so that a reserve force is preserved to meet the unexpected, reinforce a threatened part of the front or press home to certainty a successful action."
Those were her father's words that she takes to heart. So, she quickly takes books and studies them by mind and heart.
Catherine's father probably figures out that his daughter was indeed more clearheaded and ambitious than he is.
Her intelligence is quite hard to match any suitable lords or heirs which gave her father no doubt more greys in his hair.
Catherine's hobbies are books to read when times were tough. It is her books that gave her a clear mind and regain her confidence.
So, Catherine plans that she would have happened if she marries a Lord outside of the Reach or outside of Westeros.
Learning your enemies is by learning their culture. This means that by renouncing the relations of her previous birthplace into becoming one of them and their people.
That is what she believes is part of her strategies to survive and keep her position as a Lord's wife.
KNOCK, KNOCK!
Catherine paused her plan when her door is sounded out the knocking noise.
"Come in!" She shouted. The maid came and curtsy before her.
"My lady, your lord father wished to meet you at the dinner table."
'No doubt worse than that time when he announced that Samwell Tarly will be joining the watch and renounce his lands.' Catherine did not agree nor forgive such a terrible decision their father forces her brother to do it.
Catherine said nothing and just walk out and ahead of her maid which stuttered and was behind her. Catherine is no follower, but a leader.
That is what she told herself.
She never stops her destination even when she refused to announce her presence. The guards stood guarding the household but knew Catherine enough to not stopping her.
She opened the door with a loud creak noise. That announced that she is already here.
Randyll Tarly is quite a stern and scary person. Her mother Melessa is quite the opposite of her father that is warm, loving, and kind.
Her two older sisters are there as well, Dickon the new heir.
"Father," Catherine echoed which her father nodded in acknowledgment of her. She took his cue to sit on the chair and listen to her father.
"King Robert Baratheon is dead."
Her father announced the news. Catherine looked at him shocked and surprised but had a feeling there is more.
"The new King, Joffrey executed the previous hand, Lord Eddard from House of Stark on holy ground. His brothers are both claiming the Throne. Stannis is the elder yes, but…."
Catherine looked at her father surprised and suspected much. Why would they not want them to support Stannis as King after all it is the law? True, he didn't like the Tyrells or the Reach. I mean the Tyrells had always a close relation with Renly Baratheon…
Her eyes widen at her own discovering. Her chair scratches on the hard floors that fell backward.
"Don't tell me that the fat oaf wants us to declare Lord Renly as King!" She stood up when she shouted.
Melessa astonished her willful daughter. "Catherine…!"
Catherine held no love nor respect for Mace Tyrell. He is no Lord or even a warrior. He is a simpleton! Everyone knows that!
Lord Tarly raised his hand to pause any disputes.
"Yes. I know how you feel about Lord Tyrell." He gritted his teeth at his resentment for his warden of the Reach. "But sadly, I am his bannermen and swore an oath to obey his command. No matter how much I despise him."
Catherine made a small click on her tongue, "Tch!" She hated that he kept his vows and oath seriously. They are powerful Lords. Why should they obey that Oaf?!
"I am off to war against the Lannister. Pray that I will return victory."
Catherine didn't wait to be dismissed and left the room.
What she didn't know is that when she left the room. Their father dismissed her siblings while they discuss privately what to do with Catherine.
"My Lord, forgive her. She just doesn't understand what you had to endure…" Melessa pleads her husband.
"Our daughter is willful, yes. But she is not wrong. Perhaps I have been too lenient on her. I think we should see if there is a chance to marry her off."
"My Lord….!" She protests. She can't think of a thought that her youngest daughter is to leave so soon.
"This is not a punishment for her. This is to secure the future of the household for us." He also, said, "If anyone who could make this house greater. It is she. I will discuss this matter when I get back."
Reviews are welcome.
Catherine Tarly source claim: 1f8386a39a199ddfff0be11ed6902a5f
The quote was actually from a famous battle called COMMITTING THE RESERVE: AUSTERLITZ, 1805