TDC: Missing Scenes and What If Scenarios
By
Arrow4131
And
Leilani972
Chapter 7: What If Petyr Baelish had made it to Highgarden? Part 2
Summary : The aftermath of Littlefinger's trip to Highgarden.
With Baelish held captive in the Tyrells' keep, things in Riverrun takes a whole new turn.
Utherydes Wayn, steward at Riverrun, sees the army of the West surround the keep, while his Lady's mind unraveled with the anguish of a siege.
How will this event unfold without Baelish's influence?
Riverrun, 298 AC
Utherydes Wayn, steward under Lord Edmure Tully
He should have left with Ser Brynden when he had the opportunity. Life in Riverrun had gone from bad to worse ever since Lord Edmure had become head of House Tully. The atmosphere, once serene, was now always tense, even more so once they had received news from the Targaryens.
He didn't know if Jon Snow was truly who he claimed to be, but it certainly affected the Tully siblings. Lady Catelyn had been more on edge while Lord Edmure struggled to keep his composure. That the Major Houses of the Riverlands hadn't answered the call made things even more difficult for everyone.
The servants were scared, himself included to be perfectly honest. Some had left without notice and Utherydes didn't have the courage to tell the Lord about it. Neither he nor Edmure were in the mental state to endure a confrontation. Plus, knowing Edmure the blame probably would've been laid squarely at his own feet and his position would in no doubt have been taken from him. And this time, it wouldn't have been a simple demotion.
Lady Catelyn had managed to convince Lord Edmure to march to Stone Hedge to convince Lord Bracken to join their forces. Utherydes wasn't really sure that the Lord of Riverrun could do so, even by force. Jonos Bracken was a seasoned warrior and he knew his lands perfectly, the same could not be said for the adverse party. Still, Edmure had left and they were to wait for the issue of their confrontation. Meanwhile, Utherydes busied himself with checking the food store and inspecting the armors and the arms.
That night, as he was reviewing the castle's defenses, he could see the Lady running to the closed drawbridge wearing only her nightclothes. He frowned as he watched her looking around haggardly while calling for someone.
"My Lady?" he called her cautiously, not wanting to scare her.
"Where is he?"
"Where is who, my Lady?"
"Petyr! Someone came to me to tell me Petyr was here!"
"Petyr… You mean Lord Baelish?"
"Yes! Who else would I be talking about?" she answered crisply.
"My Lady, I haven't seen Lord Baelish for a long time."
"But… But he should be here! He has to! They told me…"
Utherydes' frown deepened as he took in Catelyn Tully's state. Disheveled as if she just woke up, with dark circles under her eyes, she looked visibly distraught, so much so that she didn't even bother putting her shoes on. It seemed she had been having another nightmare and that this one looked more real than the others. He had to tread carefully with her. After all, in Edmure's absence, she was the head of House Tully and nobody would want her to snap and lose her mind.
"I haven't anybody coming from the drawbridge, Lady Catelyn. But I can assure you that you will be the first informed should I spot Lord Baelish coming."
"Thank you, Utherydes," she relented, sighing. "I… Will go back to my rooms. Call for me, if anything…"
"I will, my Lady," he swore while walking her back to her room.
When he made sure that she was safe, he battled with himself about what he should do. Should he call for the Maester so the latter could give her something to make her sleep better? Or should he leave her alone and watch her from afar?
He made up his mind and walked straight to the Maester's quarter. He was glad that Vyman had left, whatever his reasons, because Utherydes had felt that in some way the maester had been behind Lord Hoster suddenly taking ill out of nowhere. Maybe the guilt was why the man left with all his belongings in an instant. Maybe he had killed himself over it. In any case, a man capable of betraying his vows of chastity and using the castle's coffer to pay for his proclivities was not one he would miss at all.
This one seemed more dedicated to his craft than Vyman had and for what he needed to talk about, Utherydes was grateful. He knocked on the door and the Maester invited him in.
"Not asleep yet, Maester?" he asked, surprised.
"Oh, no. There's so much to do, I don't think I will sleep tonight. I received a shipment of herbs today and I have to sort it out and start making tonics and potions for the future wounded."
"Before that, could you… Could you visit Lady Catelyn? I fear that she's not sleeping well because of everything going on and the pressure of the war to come."
The Maester sighed loudly and Utherydes realized that he was not the only one feeling concerned.
"Aye, I've suggested she take some Dreamwine or just a pinch of Sweetsleep so that she could have a good night's sleep, but she's afraid of not being able to wake up from it… Whatever she's experiencing, I cannot go against her wishes." the Maester said sadly.
"So there's nothing we can do?"
"I'm sorry, but unless you manage to make her accept my help, I can do nothing on my own."
For a moment, Utherydes regretted Vyman's habit to meddle into things that didn't concern him. At least this Maester, as infuriating it could be, stuck to his principles.
Chagrined by his conversation, he went to bed, hoping they would get some news in the days to come that would cheer the Lady. Unfortunately, he found out that his hope was wishful thinking as he gazed at the impressive army coming toward them a few days later.
"That wasn't supposed to happen that way…" Catelyn cried, panicked. "Edmure should have been back with reinforcements…"
"We have no news from Lord Edmure, my Lady," Untherydes said apologetically.
"What about Lord Baelish?"
"Nothing from him either." Why she was fixated on having Baelish come to Riverrun, Utherydes didn't know, but the one thing that was for certain was that there was nothing that the Mockingbird could have done to help them in this situation.
Utherydes had heard the song about Baelish and Lady Lysa. He'd also heard the rumors that Lysa had been set aside and arrested by Lord Arryn for adultery. However, he didn't have the heart to tell Lady Catelyn about it, not knowing how she would react to the news.
"What should we do? What can we do? We don't know where Edmure is, so we can't go to him."
"We have all that it takes to withstand a siege, my Lady. I suggest we get ready for a parley and then we will see."
"Yes. Yes, you're right." Catelyn said, calming down. "Will you come with me? I will need someone I trust if I am to be surrounded by enemies."
"Of course my Lady. I swore to your father that I'll always guard Riverrun and I shall always do so no matter the odds." He said with far more confidence than he felt. Thankfully the woman didn't seem to notice before she thanked him and walked back to the keep to get ready for the parley.
After she was long gone, Utherydes called Ser Desmond over to report he had been able to survey with the Myrish glass of the enemy army under his orders. He had hoped that the men would have some good news for him. Unfortunately, his day only got worse when he heard their words.
Not only was the army well over 20,000 strong but it didn't just consist of Westerners. There were Riverlanders as well. Whent, Mooton, Mallister, Darry, Blackwood and… Bracken. That last name had made Utherydes begin to have a massive headache. Because if House Bracken was able to leave Stone Hedge and come to Riverrun, then that meant Lord Edmure had failed miserably in his efforts to force them to answer the call.
This was a very bad position to be in. Since his Lord had taken most of the men with him on his failed quest for reinforcements, they would now have to face a siege with only 300 men at arms. Granted they had enough food to last them for roughly 2 years, but the Lannisters were not Mace Tyrell. They would want to break down the gate as quickly as possible. And because Riverrun's forces were so heavily outnumbered, there was no guarantee that their men would be willing to fight since most of them were smallfolk with families of their own.
Surrender may be our only option right now.
Utherydes didn't want to continue that line of thinking until after the parley. Hopefully, the terms would be favorable enough for Lady Catelyn to be willing to consider.
Who am I kidding? She will never yield Riverrun since they are fighting for the person she hates the most.
His head hurt a lot from thinking about their predicament. He was but a steward, in service of the Lord. He was never meant to rule Riverrun in Edmure's stead! Why did the fool or his sister think it was a good idea to meet the rebellious lords when they weren't in a position of strength?
"You look defeated already, Utherydes," a woman's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, Pearl. I thought you were gone," he said sadly.
"I wish I could leave, but I need the money," she replied.
"It probably would have been for the best if you hadn't stayed. You know what happened to the smallfolk when the Lannisters got involved in the Rebellion…"
"I don't think so. The lad, the future boy king, he looks like he has a good heart. I don't think he will let his army hurt us."
"He cannot control all of his men, Pearl. That's impossible."
"No, but it's the Lady he has a bone to pick with. Not us."
"What do you mean?" Utherydes frowned.
"I mean that the Lannisters are there for Lady Catelyn. Methinks they already have Lord Edmure. People know what she did to the lad and they are not happy."
"What are you talking about?"
"The song, Utherydes! The song about the damn trouts! They tried to kill the lad when he was ten namedays!"
"You shouldn't listen to this. This is a story to divide us!"
"What if it's true? What if they tried to kill him? You would stand by the Lady after that?"
"I stand with Riverrun."
"I hope you do. I really do."
She tapped his shoulder and gave him a bottle of wine, winking at his surprised expression before walking away.
Waking up for the parley was hard the next day. Utherydes had drunk the bottle by himself and could feel nausea hit him as he stood from the bed. He splashed his head with fresh water and got ready to join Lady Catelyn.
Looking at her as they walked past the drawbridge, she could have fooled him by how haughty she looked. She had schooled her features, not giving away anything, as a perfect Lady in this situation should, but he knew her enough to notice the small tremors of her hands, the little twitch of her mouth which indicated how nervous she really was.
They arrived in front of the parley flag and Utherydes instantly tensed as he saw the boy with the direwolf next to The Lannister Lord. Was he Jon Snow? He had heard that his wolf was white and this one wasn't, but he definitely looked Northern. He had the build of a Stark, for sure, and he reminded him more of Brandon than Eddard. Seeing that his Lady didn't even glance at the boy, it couldn't be Jon Snow, so who was he?
"Lord Lannister, I am most upset to see you in such circumstances."
"Lady Tully, let us not beat around the bush. I, Gerion Lannister, am here to discuss your surrender."
"Surrender, you say?" she laughed humorlessly.
"Exactly. My king is the one person who wishes you to keep your head. Me, I'm perfectly fine with seeing a woman who tried to kill a child twice, lose her life."
Utherydes saw Catelyn gulp, then shake her head and clench her fists.
"The bastard you serve and who pretends to be a king will lose this war and his head," she said angrily.
"I doubt that very much, but I've come not to insult you Lady Catelyn, you do enough damage to your name and reputation with your actions and the company you keep. There's no need for me to say more than that. I've come here to offer you my king's terms. House Tully is to be stripped of all lands and titles. Lord Edmure will lose his head for his part in trying to kill the king. For the love he bears for his brothers and sisters, you, Lady Catelyn, may choose between the faith and the silent sisters and your son Brandon will take over as Lord of Riverrun."
Utherydes could see that his Lady was distracted by this Northern boy so he decided to answer the terms. Although he very much wanted to accept them and avoid any fighting, he did not have the authority to do that. So he came up with an answer that was the most neutral way he could think of.
"These terms are generous my Lord but Riverrun has always stood strong in the face of adversity and has never yielded to enemy forces so how can we..." his voice trailed when he saw the boy smile from the corner of his eye, something that Lady Catelyn noticed as well.
"Who is that boy?" Catelyn asked loudly, interrupting him.
"My name is Cregan Stark, trueborn son of Brandon and Ashara Stark," Cregan said, stepping forward to Utherydes' absolute shock.
Well, that explains his looks.
"You can't, he wouldn't, you lie!" Catelyn said her eyes moving rapidly from the boy Cregan to the wolf he was stroking.
"No my lady I do not, my father never wished to marry you, even your own father knew of this. My father married another, a woman he actually loved." Cregan said.
"Lies, lies, you're a bastard, just like the other one!" She cried out loudly.
"Funny you mention bastards my lady, did your dear friend Lord Baelish tell you about his own?" Gerion said Lady Catelyn went rigid and stared at Gerion in silent shock.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh, so you don't know he is the father of your sister's babe? Nor that Lysa and the child have been locked in the cells in the Red Keep ever since Jon Arryn has known the truth about their affair?"
Utherydes gasped and grabbed Catelyn's arm, seeing that she was about to faint.
"You lie! Petyr would never… Not with Lysa! He loves me! We're going to get married!"
"Oh where he is, I highly doubt he could marry anyone!" Gerion laughed.
"Where is he? Where is Petyr? What have you done to him?"
"He is a prisoner of the Crown. And by it, I mean the rightful one."
"I will kill your bastard king myself if he lays a hand on Petyr!" Catelyn yelled, to Utherydes' horror.
"Your dear Petyr has nothing to fear. You, on the other hand, since he has confessed his crimes and yours to King Jaeharys in exchange for his head…. If you want to keep yours, as I stated in our offer, you have until noon to decide, then we attack."
At these words, the enemy's party turned around and left them on the drawbridge, shocked and fearful. Utherydes called his Lady's name so they could go back to the safety of the castle, but the woman was still watching the retreating form of Gerion Lannister with her body trembling from anger.
"My Lady," he insisted. "We have to go inside, now!"
Without a word, she followed him to the courtyard but even then he could feel the hatred and righteous anger radiating from her. She went straight to her solar, where the Septa she'd brought back from Winterfell followed her shortly, asking what had happened.
The shock of hearing what had happened to Lady Lysa was almost suffocating him. He'd known the Tully siblings since their birth, cried with them when their mother Lady Minisa died, and more than lords and ladies he had considered the Tullys to be part of his family. A flawed one, with lots of secrets and lies, and not so much as a bond between themselves, but a family still. Utherydes hoped they were lying but, judging by how the Lannister Lord had said it, added by what he knew about not only the past transgressions of Lysa and Littlefinger, but also the last argument Hoster had had with Brandon Stark, he knew for that at least the boy with Stark feature was the Northern's son with Lady Ashara Dayne.
He remembered when Hoster had raged about the Stark heir's attitude after their argument. Lord Brandon didn't want to marry Catelyn and Hoster was visibly offended by that; so much so that the Lord Paramount of the Trident smiled when he heard of Brandon Stark's death. It hadn't taken long for him to call out Ned Stark about his family honor and to tie him to Lady Catelyn, but when he came back with a bastard of his own, Hoster was furious and raged more about the Starks and the blatant disrespect they had towards his daughter.
He could hear the commotion in the solar from the entry of the hall. Things being broken, a woman voice screeching. He felt he was too old for that but he had to restrain his Lady for the good of Riverrun. He opened the door and was faced with absolute chaos.
Lady Catelyn was pacing back and forth in front of what remained of the desk, and the Septa was trying her best to calm her down.
"How could they say that about Brandon and Petyr?"
"Surely it was to make you react, my Lady." the Septa answered. "You said they brought you someone who looks like the bastard."
"Yes, and he had a direwolf too! How could he have a direwolf if he isn't a Stark?"
"The bastard has one, too, remember, my Lady? The one you wanted to be gifted to Robb?"
"Yes, a bastard. But he must have Stark blood if he has it. Maybe he's the other bastard's twin? And what they said about Petyr… He would never do that! He would never… Not with Lysa!"
"Actually he would my Lady," Utherydes said, deciding that he needed to speak up now and explain some things she had never known.
Lady Catelyn then turned to look at him with a mixture of feelings that were swirling around inside of her. First, she looked at him in surprise that he was in the room, then his words seem to finally sink in which resulted in her giving him a look of absolute anger.
"How can you say that? He is my oldest friend." She said to him very loudly. Nevertheless, he stood his ground. She needed to know the truth of things.
"I say this because this isn't the first time that he and Lysa have done this. Except for last time your father managed to force her to drink Moontea the very moment he found out."
Catelyn stared at Utherydes as if he was the crazy one who'd broken all the furniture. He'd never liked Littlefinger's influence over the Tully sisters and had hoped they would grow out of it since they were married, but it seemed the Mockingbird still had a hold on them. It was probably why she was so perturbed at this moment.
"Lord Baelish was exiled from Riverrun, not because of what had happened with Lord Brandon, but because he had taken your sister's maidenhead and got her with child. Lord Hoster separated them to prevent the scandal of your sister having a bastard or getting married to a minor lord, but Lady Lysa never accepted his decision. She stopped talking to your father after her wedding to Lord Arryn because she never forgave him for what he did to her."
"But… He said he loved me…" she whispered, on the verge of crying.
"My Lady, about your sister, if she's really imprisoned as they said…"
That seemed to reignite her anger.
"That bitch had betrayed her husband and ruined my life!" she yelled. "I was supposed to be Lady Baelish and to bring justice to the bastard and all those traitors who thought they'd brought me low! I had a plan and she ruined it! She's ruining everything! Let her rot there and face the Gods for all I care!"
Utherydes gasped, startled by her words. To say such things about her sister. Yes, what Lysa had done was wrong and sinful but she was still family and she wasn't the only one at fault. Baelish should be punished as well and Robin…
Wait… the boy, Robin. Lannister said that Lysa and the child had been locked in the cells.
He's just a boy. He's not at fault for what his mother and father had done. And he's so young and sickly. He won't last in a cell for very long. Especially if they have been put in the Black Cells.
Oh, gods! Please let the boy be alright! Please don't put him in the Black Cells!
"My Lady, what about your nephew? He's not at fault for your sister's sins and he's a Tully by blood. We can't just leave him there to die for something he had no say in or any control over." He asked, hoping that Catelyn still held some love in her heart for the boy. After all, Hoster might not have ever wanted a bastard grandson, but his house words were "Family, Duty, Honor". That should mean something to his daughter. Right?
"He's a bastard, Utherydes," she said tersely. "For our sake and for the sake of the Vale, it would be better if he died."
"How can you say that? My Lady, he is your family!" he pleaded.
"And look at what his birth had led us to. Look at the chaos he and the other bastards of the Seven Kingdoms have created! Bastards should not exist! Robin Stone, Joffrey Hill, or Waters… They led us to our fate, as did Sands, Rivers, Flowers, and most of all Snows! They are evil at heart and everything they touch rots. My family, my children, my marriage, look at all I've lost because of them! And now I'm risking losing Riverrun! No! I will not let them win! The Seven will not let them win!"
"That's right," the Septa agreed. "You are on the path of the righteous. You have to show them that treachery will never be rewarded!"
"But…"
"No! I will hear no more of this! That bitch and her bastard have made their beds and now they can rot and die on them for all I care. One more word about this Utherydes and I will find someone else to be steward. Am I understood?" she asked with a look in her eyes that made it clear that there was no reasoning with her. Especially with that foul Septa who is far from pious constantly whispering in her ear.
So Utherydes sighed and nodded his head wordlessly telling her that he understood.
"Good. Now go tell the men to be ready for the siege. Lord Gerion said that we have until noon to surrender so we have until then to be ready. I will not surrender my home to the bastard." She said with such intense hate in her voice and then she waved her hand at him in dismissal.
After Utherydes had left the room his mind began to swirl in turmoil. The things that she said of her own kin. Ordering him to tell the men that they needed to fight to the death because of her hatred for all things related to bastards. She had to know that they couldn't hold out. Mace Tyrell wasn't at the gate and reinforcements would not be coming to save them.
Moreover, the Lions were determined to see Riverrun fall. It made him think about what Lord Gerion had said about the assassination attempt on Jon Snow.
She didn't deny it.
Catelyn yelled at the Northern boy and called him a liar, named Lord Gerion a liar when he talked about the affair between Lysa and Littlefinger, but she never denied being involved in the attempts. Lord Edmure had toasted to the child's death and Ned Stark had set her aside after the ordeal. Even Ser Brynden argued more than once with them on the subject before getting kicked out of the castle.
Gods!
His heart broke some more as he couldn't escape the reality of what this family had become. He never had children and he had seen them grow up. While he knew Lysa was probably unhappy regardless of her status, he had hopes that Catelyn was in a good marriage, given the four children they had and the only complaint he'd ever heard from her were about having to deal with Jon Snow's existence. He thought her the best of the Tully siblings where she was actually the worst. And this woman, rather than accepting a sentence far too fair for the crimes she had committed and letting one of her sons take over the ruling of Riverrun, was willing to see their castle razed to the ground because of her madness.
He couldn't let that happen. Not to him, not to the brave soldiers defending Riverrun, nor for the smallfolk who depended on them. For he was Utherydes Wayn, Steward of Riverrun, and he would see that Riverrun stood for the generations to come.
With determination in his steps, he walked onto the courtyard and saw the two people that he wanted to speak to most. Pearl and Ser Desmond were talking to each other away from the others and they seemed to be nervous. Considering that they still didn't know what had happened at the parlay, who could blame them.
Pearl noticed his presence first and motioned Desmond to let him know. They then walked over and asked almost at the same time what had happened and why Lady Catelyn was so upset. Utherydes proceeded to tell them everything that happened at the parley, what was said in the solar, and his own realization in regards to the attempted murder of the boy.
Pearl didn't look very surprised but at the same also had a look of disgust on her face, while Ser Desmond on the other hand looked angrier than he had ever been before.
"Bastard or not, to try to kill a child is abhorrent to the Seven, especially to the Mother herself. And now our Lady expects me and my men to fight and die in this unwinnable battle because she and her idiot brother don't want to face the truth?"
"Tell me for true Desmond, do you believe that this siege is unwinnable even though Septa Mordane has claimed that we are on the 'Path of Righteous'?" Utherydes asked despite knowing the answer.
"Unwinnable would be an understatement. We have barely 300 men at our disposal and most of them are smallfolk who've never held a sword in their entire lives. While the enemy on the other hand has thousands of seasoned knights and men-at-arms. I guarantee you of this, if we don't convince her of these facts soon then we are doomed."
"It may not need to come to that. Lady Catelyn is too hateful of bastards in general to see reason. So if we want to keep Riverrun and everyone in it safe then we'll just have to take matters into our own hands."
"What did you have in mind?" Pearl asked with her eyebrows raised "She's the Lady, we can't go against her orders."
"Under normal circumstances, you would be right. But there are ways around that. Have either of you ever heard of Argella Durrandon?"
Both Pearl and Desmond stared at him in confusion and then the young knight said, "I think so. She was the last Durrandon during the Conquest right?"
"Correct. Her father was the last Storm King and after he was killed in battle, Storm's End became surrounded by King Aegon's very large army which was being led by Orys Baratheon and Queen Rhaenys' who had also brought her dragon Meraxes. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Lady Angela declared herself the Storm Queen and ordered her garrison to stand their ground and defend her home to the last man. Of course, her men did not want to end up like Harrenhall, so they revolted, raised the peace banner, had her tied up and then brought her to Orys' camp. As far as I know, those men were never punished for their actions."
"Are you suggesting that we…?"
"I wouldn't tie her and give her to our enemies like Argella, but maybe we can put Lady Catelyn to sleep with Dreamwine and surrender the keep to Lord Gerion? Believe me, this plan is not one I consider lightly. I have always seen the Tully's as family, but if we want to keep Riverrun intact and its people alive, then we don't have a choice."
"What if they sack the keep anyway? You know what the Lannisters did to Kings Landing during the rebellion. Can we really take that risk?" Desmond asked with a worried look on his face. A worry that Utherydes himself shared but Pearl on the other hand seemed far more optimistic.
"Tywin Lannister did the Sack of King's Landing. The man's been dead for years and Lord Jaime and Lord Gerion look far different from him. Plus, if even half of the things I heard over the years are true then I very much doubt that the King would allow this to take place. 'Specially if he don't want people to compare him to his grandfather." She said.
The two men at first looked at her in disbelief but it didn't take long for them to realize the truth in her words, though there was still one thing that bothered Ser Desmond.
"What about The Blackfish? He'll be very angry with us if he were to find out about this."
"Ser Brynden is against the killing of children just as much as we are. Trust me, he will be far angrier with his kin than he ever would with us," he responded feeling more and confident about their chances.
"May the Seven forgive us for this," Desmond muttered to himself. Then he stood up straight and said, "What do you need us to do?"
Utherydes smiled, glad to have found a form of encouragement of his plan. It was one thing to think about the best solution for Riverrun and its residents, but having someone supporting him lifted some of the weight from his shoulders.
"For starters, Desmond, I want you to gather all of the men into the courtyard by the main gate. They need to know what has happened at the parley and what we need to do in order to keep them all safe. Pearl, I want you to have every servant and smallfolk gather in the courtyard as well. While you both are doing that, I'll go to the Maester and acquire some dreamwine from him. Hopefully, he won't question it if I tell him that I'm feeling restless about the battle to come."
"Wait. You're going to give Lady Catelyn the potion yourself?" Pearl asked worriedly.
"Yes. It has to be me."
"No, it don't. I know you think about the Tullys as kin but giving her the potion could backfire on you. She know you well. 'Tis even more risky since you left the solar as angry at her as she was at you. She'll suspect you, but not me. For the Lady, I'm just a lowly servant so she won't suspect anything if I tell her that I brought her a drink from the Maester that will keep her calm and strong during the battle."
"She's right Utherydes. For this to work, we need to use every advantage we have at our disposal and we can't let our personal feelings get in the way of our goal." Desmond concurred.
Utherydes knew that they were right, but it still felt wrong to allow someone else to do what he as the steward of Riverrun should do. He owed it to Lord Hoster. He owed it to one of his oldest friends. Though when he looked into the eyes of his companions he knew that there was no point in arguing with them.
"Oh fine. But be careful of Septa Mordane. I wouldn't put it past her to try to intervene. So either give her the potion as well or have a few of the servants help you get rid of her somehow."
"Ha! If she's a Septa then I'm the Queen of Thorns. Dat woman spoke nothing but poison since she's arrived with the Lady. Dealing with her will be my pleasure. I'm sure she won't mind if we lock her in a closet somewhere all tied and gagged." Pearl japed causing all three of us to chuckle for the first time in weeks.
"Alright then, we all know what to do so let's hurry. We do not have a lot of time to spare. Noon will be here in just a few short hours. Desmond, go gather the men, I'll join you shortly."
The three of them then scattered off to execute their tasks. It didn't take long for Utherydes to get some Dreamwine. As he had said, he was so exhausted physically and mentally that the Maester didn't once question his personal need for a vial. He learned from Pearl when he passed the potion to her that the Lady and the Septa would be having their supper in the Lady's rooms. Hopefully, the annoying Septa would not cause any serious problems when she sees Catelyn fall asleep so suddenly. Timing would be of the essence. They needed a second plan if they couldn't make it work before noon.
"Don't worry about that," Pearl told him. "I have something in mind if it don't work. But I'll need your support, just as much as you need mine. No questions asked."
Utherydes nodded and hoped it wouldn't come to that, since Pearl would be more willing to be a bit rougher than him.
He then met with Desmond and asked him if the soldiers were with them. When the young man confirmed to him that they were and that the men did not want to die needlessly he breathed a small sigh of relief. The hard part was over, the much harder part of the plan had been left in Pearl's hands. Hopefully, she would be able to accomplish her task without too much trouble. Until she was ready, all he could do was wait anxiously for her signal, dreading a surprise attack from the Lannisters before they could surrender. They gave their word during parley, but he didn't trust them not to betray it to finish with the war as quickly as possible. After all, the Old Lion might be long since dead, but that does not mean that his shadow does not still loom in this world.
A few moments later, he saw the window in Lady Catelyn's room open and Pearl proceeding to lean out far enough for me to see her. She then waved what looked like a small grey scarf. It wasn't what they agreed upon but he took it as a sign of her mission being accomplished.
He gave the signal to lower the drawbridge and, with his peace banner firmly in his hand, proceeded to ride his horse to the enemy camp, alone. He wanted to have Gerion Lannister's word that they wouldn't hurt anyone before surrendering.
It didn't take long for Gerion to appear before Utherydes and even if the latter knew it was the best solution, having to betray Catelyn Tully to survive was one of the lowest points of his life.
"I am Utherydes Wayn, and I come to negotiate with you."
"Where is Lady Tully?" Gerion asked, frowning.
"She is safe in Riverrun. I want your word that if we surrender, no harm will come to her nor the people inside the Castle."
"I'm following my king's orders, Master Wayn, and my king would not wish us to sack the castle. Moreover, as we are still before noon, his offer about Lady Catelyn still stands. Does she know you're here?"
"I want to be in charge of Lady Tully's custody," Utherydes said firmly, ignoring Gerion's last question. "You can choose someone else to ensure I will not let her go, if my word doesn't suffice, but if she has to become a prisoner in her house, I want to be the one to tend to her."
Gerion looked to the boy, Cregan, if he remembered correctly, then nodded and the boy walked away.
"Granted."
"Then as the Steward of the keep, I surrender it to His Grace, Jaehaerys Targaryen. Riverrun is yours, my Lord." Utherydes said painfully as his heart broke once more.
He traveled back to Riverrun alone and gave Desmond the signal to lower the Tullys' banners and have the men lay down their arms. He didn't stay to see it done, wanting more than anything to see if Catelyn was well, but as he was about to enter the Lady's room, he was startled when the door opened and two men he knew from the kitchen grumbled while carrying away an unconscious Septa Mordane.
"Where are they going with her?" he asked a smirking Peal.
"To the dungeons. The foolish Septa tasted the dreamwine when the Lady was already asleep. Can you believe it? So much for being pious."
Utherydes rolled his eyes. It didn't surprise him much but he could care less about Mordane.
"So it is done?" Pearl asked.
"Aye, they might come right now. Can you and Desmond make sure that they don't cause trouble? I will watch over the Lady."
"Are you sure? Maybe you should -"
"I will stay with the Lady," he cut her off sharply.
Pearl nodded and left the room, not without glancing back at him to be certain that he would be well. He took the chair that was in the corner of the room and placed it near the windows so that he could survey the courtyard and guard Catelyn.
He could see the Lannisters forces coming through the main gate, the smallfolk gathered together as they were scared of the enemy, Then Gerion Lannister's voice rang up to him.
"We thank you for surrendering peacefully. I give you my oath that no harm will be done to any of you. Should anyone under mine or my allies' orders raise an arm against you, he would be immediately punished and sent to the Wall. Now, where is Lady Catelyn?"
Utherydes shivered, fearing that the discovery of what he did to Catelyn would be seen as dishonorable. It was, for him at least, but he knew that she wouldn't agree to open the gates to the Lannisters and he was ready to face the consequences of his acts. After making sure that she was still asleep, he went out of the room, just in time to see Gerion arrive with Pearl.
"So that's how you've managed your feat, Master Utherydes?" the Lord smirked at him as the woman near him gave him an encouraging smile.
"I… I…"
"Fear not, Master. You did the right thing. I just want to be sure she had not escaped."
"She is still asleep. I don't know when she will wake, my Lord."
"Might be sleeping for a long while with the dose I've put in the wine," Pearl added nonchalantly, making Gerion laugh.
"Well, as long as you permit a man I trust to stay with you, I will keep my part of the bargain as you did yours. As the Steward, I want you to be the link between Riverrun's household and my men. Ser Addam will stay with you until the end of the war, then the new Lord of Riverrun will decide your fates."
Utherydes nodded numbly, feeling more and more like a traitor to Catelyn's cause, even though it would be one of her sons who would inherit the keep.
"Good. I will be leaving in the morning. I have a Floppy fish to catch, you watch over this one."
"Lord Edmure…" Utherydes gasped.
"Is still at large, yes. He left with a few of his men after the Blackwoods broke their siege at Stone Hedge." Gerion informed.
"The Blackwoods did what?" He couldn't have heard that right. The Brackens and the Blackwoods have hated each other for generations, the idea that House Blackwood would come to the aid of their sworn enemy is unthinkable.
"The impossible seems to happen every time Jaehaerys Targaryen is involved. He brought the Blackwood and the Brackens feud to a halt and he is the driving force to bringing out the best in people" Gerion's soft smile died when he looked to Catelyn's closed door. "And to show the world the true nature of the worst people. Have someone inform me if she wakes up before I leave. Pearl, show me where the Lord's solar is and introduce me to the Maester so I can send out some ravens."
"Of course milord. Do you need me to get anything for you Utherydes?"
"No, but thank you. I'll be well."
"Very well, if you're sure…" she said looking worriedly over at the door where Lady Catelyn was sleeping.
"Pearl, I'll be fine. Go." He said firmly with a reassuring smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Pearl didn't look convinced but she nodded her head and left the room with Gerion leaving the Steward of Riverrun alone and feeling more conflicted than he ever felt in all of his years.
Fortunately for them, the Lord of Castamere rode at first light and Catelyn hadn't even stirred from her slumber. Utherydes was worried that it could have been too much for her but the rise and fall of her torso showed that she was still alive. It was after dawn when he heard her moan and he stood up immediately to rush to her side.
"Utherydes?" she mumbled groggily. "Why are you here?"
"You slept for a full day, my Lady."
She sprang to her feet and fell on the bed instantly, dizziness affecting her movements. "Careful my Lady, don't move too quickly. Your body is too weak right for anything strenuous. Here, have some tea and fruit, this should help you feel better."
So she did as he suggested and slowly ate the food he had given her, all while a look of confusion and disbelief was etched on her face. After several moments that felt far too short for Utherydes, she had finished her small meal and asked the questions that he dreaded having to answer.
"What happened with the siege? Why is it so quiet? Did Edmure return with reinforcements? Were the Lannisters defeated? Why was I…?"
"My Lady, please, one at a time. I will tell you everything I know." He interrupted her feeling his heart fill with dread and shame once more, despite knowing in his mind that he had done the right thing. "For starters my Lady, your brother has not returned. From what I was told, his attempt to siege Stone Hedge was a complete disaster when the Blackwoods arrived and broke the siege. So disastrous in fact that someone wrote a song about it. 'The Fish with no Pants' has been sung by quite a few Lannister soldiers."
"Is… Is he…"
"No, my Lady, he's still alive, but he did not come back to Riverrun. He must have seen the siege and run away from it. He's probably with the king or Lord Arryn, at least I hope so."
"Good. Then we just have to hold the keep until -"
"That won't be possible, my Lady." Utherydes sighed. The moment of truth was upon him and he feared her reaction. "Riverrun has surrendered."
"What?" she screamed whilst standing up once again. "How? Why? We were ready to fight yesterday. The men were ready! What happened?"
He couldn't speak. He willed himself to open his mouth and tell her that he was responsible, but he couldn't do it.
"Utherydes?"
He shook his head and took some distance from her.
"Utherydes…" Catelyn's confused voice turned menacing. "What did you do?"
"I… I opened the gates. I had no choice."
"How could you? You had no right to make that decision! You betrayed me, you betrayed Edmure and everything Riverrun stands for!"
"You gave me no choice!" He finally snapped. "You were about to make us all die for your stupidity!"
Catelyn gasped and her eyes widened. She was obviously not ready to face his thoughts, but he found himself not caring at the moment.
"You're so quick to judge everyone, including your own family," he continued. "Did you stop one moment and judge what you did and the consequences it ensued? Your madness led us to almost lose this keep and our lives!"
"I'm not mad!"
"Yes, you are! I respected you thus far, my Lady. I would have stood by you and Lord Edmure had you recognized your part in this debacle. Your obsession with a boy had already cost you your status and your marriage. But it has cost the Riverlands far more by ruining our alliance with the North and it put us at odds with the Reach and the West. I was willing to stand there and say nothing when Riverrun was shamed by your actions. But I could not let you cost us more than our reputation."
"It was not your place to decide!" Catelyn yelled back. "You are nothing more than a servant, one I thought loyal, but a servant nonetheless! I want you out of my room, now, and I want to speak to the one in charge! I am the Lady here and I say we're fighting!"
"With all due respect, my Lady, you are nothing but a woman stuck in her rooms until the war is over. And the men will not fight for a mere prisoner."
"I will have your head for this, Utherydes! Mark my words! When the bastard and all the fools who follow him lose this war, you will die painfully for your betrayal!"
"If they lose, then I'll take full responsibility for my actions and accept my fate. If you need anything until then, send for me."
"I'd rather die." she spat.
"Then die you will. I tried to make you see reason and you would not. My work here is done."
He turned around and left and as he closed the door, he could hear her screaming in rage and items being thrown against the door.
Nothing more than a servant she said. Did she say that in anger? Or is that how the Tully children have always seen me?
He knew she wouldn't react well to the news, but her answer hurt his feelings, he who considered her as the child he never had.
He had been born the same year as Hoster and had devoted his life to his service. He could have had a wife, children to care for, but he chose this path, thinking it his purpose in life. He gave his heart to this family and he realized he'd never been paid in kind.
When everything would be over, he swore would leave this place behind and never look back.
Catelyn didn't speak to him until a group of Lannister soldiers came back with Edmure's lifeless body. Heartbroken, he put up with all the blame the mourning sister threw back at his feet. He had been barred from assisting the departing ceremony of Edmure, even if he'd been the one who organized it.
From that moment on, the news that came to Riverrun got worse and worse with each messenger and raven scroll. Edmure Tully hadn't been the only one who had fallen at the Second Battle of the Trident, but it wasn't the number of losses that caused everyone to lose sleep in fear. It was how the battle was lost that made the River and Western soldiers cheer in victory and the people of Riverrun nearly shake in fear.
A dragon.
An actual fire-breathing dragon had let loose its flames and caused the Knights of the Vale to surrender quickly. And what worse was that this dragon did not belong to King Jaehaerys. Which meant that King Robert and the Golden Company would be facing their own dragon as well. So it came as no surprise when word reached the keep about the Battle of the Gods Eye. Robert Dead and most of the Golden Company destroyed by dragon flame. Although no one was sad to hear about those mercenaries, especially after they had broken parley to shoot an arrow at the King's back. A shameful and dishonorable act that not even the Frey's would have ever done.
It soon became very clear that the war was almost over and Utherydes was impatient to leave this gods forsaken place. The smallfolk were already evacuating Riverrun, traveling with some escort to some lands not affected by the fights. He only stayed there not because of Catelyn, but out of respect for Lord Gerion, their conversation before the Lord of Castamere's departure was one he would never forget.
"She should be thanking you for saving her life and not blame you for something that would have happened anyway."
"I did what I had to do," Utherydes repeated for the umpteenth time.
"You did, Master, and you have saved countless lives, including hers. Had we gone through what was planned, I think a lot of guards would have lost their lives."
"I don't understand… What was planned?"
Gerion gave him a small smile and put his hand on Utherydes' shoulder.
"We knew about the Water Gate. We would have created a diversion and got you focused on the Main Gate while I and some of my men would come through it."
Utherydes startled at the admission.
"But, the Water Gate can only be raised from the inside, and it's an escape route only known by Riverrun residents. How-"
"Let's just say you were not the only one thinking about protecting the smallfolk. So don't blame yourself for it. If anything, you should be proud, Master."
His mind spun in circles with waves of emotion. On one hand, he was very glad to know for certain that he had indeed saved lives by doing what he had done. But on the other hand, he had come to a realization that made him simmer in anger. There is only one way that would have made it possible for Lord Gerion to not only know about the gate but also have a way to open it. They had a spy inside Riverrun who had made plans to let the enemy in when they least expected it.
But who? Why? How Long?
The 'why' would be easy enough to answer. Edmure and Cat did not make being in service to Riverrun comfortable. And their behavior in regards to King Jaehaerys has been appalling to many people, even if people are too afraid to say it out loud. Plus the Lannisters have enough money to pay their spies very well. The 'how long' is a little bit more tricky to figure but Utherydes wouldn't have been surprised if things had started sometime after Edmure's honor duel in King's Landing. But who? Who would have been willing to betray the house they served?
For days he had tried to figure out who would benefit from betraying House Tully. If it had been for a reward or some form of advancement, then he would have been made aware of it. None of the soldiers had changed ranks or been given a more prestigious position. So it must have been one of the smallfolk, but he knew them quite well and he thought he would have noticed any change had they been bribed and given a reward.
"Lost in thoughts again?"
Utherydes smiled as he stared at Pearl, who stopped in front of him on her way out of the keep.
"Ready to leave, I see."
"Aye. Going to see if I can find an Inn to work in. Maybe open my own if I have any luck."
"I wish you luck, my friend. And I thank you for having my back."
"Always, Utherydes. When you leave, if you think of visiting me, Just look near Harrenhal."
"Harrenhal?" He repeated, surprised.
"Aye. That's where my path is leading me."
"Why Harrenhal?"
"Who knows, maybe there will be things moving there now the dragons are back in this world? Anyway, if you have any trouble, anything you need, come see me or ask around. I've always got the back of the Savior of Riverrun."
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and he rolled his eyes, annoyed by his new moniker. He wished her good fortune and wondered while she was walking away with all of her belongings how she was certain Harrenhal would be the place where she would find her purpose. After all, Lady Whent's lands were not the most prosperous and people thought the place cursed after what Aegon had done to it. That she was also certain she would be found by anyone should he ask for her…
"PEARL!" he yelled, making her turn around. "What was the second plan, the one you had in mind if mine didn't work?"
"No questions asked, remember?" she answered with a wink. "Good fortune to you, Utherydes!"
Dumbfounded, the Steward watched her leave, no longer wondering about the spy's motives.
A sennight later
Riverrun felt empty without its people. He was not certain they would come back, not before making sure that the new Lord appointed was worth it, to a certain extent. That it would be Catelyn's son made them suspicious of the Lord Brandon, and the fact that the Blackfish would be his regent didn't help, since the Tully knight apparently knew what was going on and did nothing to stop his nephew and niece.
All of it made Utherydes fearful of their meeting. Would Ser Brynden blame him for his niece's misfortune? Would Brandon avenge his mother, like the Lady was so adamant to claim? She had made a mission to make his life miserable and he was glad to see the day of her departure finally come. Her constant fits and screams would not miss him. He was so mentally exhausted that he didn't bother to escort her in the courtyard to say his farewells. He didn't feel like he would withstand another confrontation, especially with the bad news he had received earlier.
Lysa was dead. Alone, in the Black Cells, while waiting for trial. And so was Robin. She had passed long before the war had truly started but no word had been sent to Riverrun; probably to ensure they would follow their murderers. Knowing Catelyn's feelings about her sister, they would surely have.
He could see them. All of them, in every corner of Riverrun. Lysa and Cat playing as children, bonding wholeheartedly as they should have stayed. Edmure chasing his older sisters under the amused glances of Hoster and Brynden. Minisa brushing little Cat's hair in front of her looking mirror, in her room. Lysa giggling at something a young Petyr Baelish was recounting, whilst Edmure and Catelyn rolled their eyes at them.
He was going mad and he knew it. He couldn't stay there and wait for the new Lord to arrive. He rushed to the solar and poured his heart out on the paper he addressed to Ser Brynden before sending for the Maester, who was already bringing the dreamwine Utherydes found quite ironic to be needing at that moment.
He went over his things, a lifetime of souvenirs from the kids, drawings from Edmure, Catelyn and Lysa they'd gifted him when they weren't at an age it wouldn't seem improper. Things he had stored and that broke his heart even more as he battled with the idea of keeping or discarding them. He put them back on the box he had them in and walked to the Maester's room when he was set to go, willing to give it to the man with the instruction of giving it to the Blackfish as soon as he saw fit. He was surprised to cross paths with him, but it would make his day easier, or so he thought.
"Ah, Master! I feared I was too late!"
"Too late for what, Maester?"
"A raven arrived from Winterfell this morn. It's addressed to you"
Utherydes shivered as he accepted the missive and he opened it with a trembling hand and a lump in his throat.
Utherydes,
I thank you for sending news of Riverrun.
I also thank you for what you did for my family. Others would have long given up on them. To my shame, I must admit that I did. I thought I could do nothing more to save them from their fate.
I know how hard it must have been for you to witness everything and to take the appropriate decisions.
Know that I don't fault you for surrendering Riverrun.
Given what I've seen and what I know so far, it was the best thing to do.
Although there was nothing we could have done for Edmure, King Jaehaerys was willing to spare Catelyn for the sake of the children.
There would have been no warranty of that happening had Cat stayed on her stubborn path.
I know you considered my nephew and nieces as family, and even if you were not by blood, you were true to our House's word.
You did your Duty with Honor while protecting our Family.
You've always been an essential part of our household and that is why I must ask you to go back on your decision to leave the keep.
Brandon will need your help to rule. I will need your help as his regent. You know how I'm terrible at doing what is expected of me.
I will understand if you refuse, but I beg you to reconsider.
Honestly, I don't think I'll be able to stay there, with all the ghosts of the past surrounding me, without you by my side.
Ser Brynden Tully
Granduncle to Brandon Stark, the Future Lord of Riverrun
The words he had read were the most honest he had ever imagined possible from Ser Brynden. Considering everything the man had lost in this war, it should not have been surprising. He felt sympathy for the future last member of House Tully, since Catelyn would become a Septa and lose her name in the process.
Tears collected in his eyes and his resolve waived as he read the words about the ghosts of the past. He knew all too well what Brynden meant since he'd experienced it first hand and thought it would be worse for the Knight as he would have to show young Brandon every corner of his lands.
Memories were good when you could share them with someone and it made things less hard to cope with. Utherydes knew he would never forget Riverrun and always worry about its fate, and if Brynden was truly in need of his help, he would try and stay a little while longer.
For House Tully, he would.
Notes:
The end... or is it?
If you wonder what happens to Littlefinger and Catelyn, it is the same thing as in the original story.
Catelyn is tried by Margaery and went overboard, and LF will go on a hunt with the direwolves.
The journey is completely different but this road not taken leads us to the same end result.
That's the core idea of our 'what if' section. This way we don't compete with alperez's ending which is perfect as it is, we just take some elements and have fun with it!
We hope you still enjoy our chapter and that you liked what we did so far!
Next chapter is a missing scene coming straight from the dungeons of the Red Keep. Will you guess which character will have their stories told?