A thrill of excitement and apprehension ran through Lady Catelyn Tully's heart as her wheelhouse approached the main gates of the Red Keep, the home of kings, queens and princes and princesses for centuries.
When Catelyn's wheelhouse slowly rolled into King's Landing, she was assaulted by a whiff of the city's stench, a smell that had not existed in her childhood home of Riverrun. Aware of the great stink lingering in the air, Catelyn pulled back the two plain, dark blue velvet curtains to glimpse the exterior of her new home – technically one of her two new homes. She gasped a little as she caught sight of the huge castle.
Atop of Aegon's Hill, the Red keep was made of pale red stone. Massive curtain walls surrounded it; Catelyn craned her head and spotted seven massive drum towers, every one of them crowned with iron ramparts. Thick stone parapets, some around four feet high, protected the outer edge of the wall ramparts. It was said that the heads of traitors were traditionally placed on iron spikes between the crenels at the gatehouse. Catelyn shuddered. She hoped she would never see a traitor's head stuck on an iron spike when she resided there.
"Magnificent is it not?"
Catelyn closed one of the two curtains and smiled at her wheelhouse companion, her uncle Ser Brynden, more popularly known as 'the Blackfish'. Uncle Brynden would have ridden to King's Landing but he had elected to sit in the stuffy wheelhouse with Catelyn when he learnt her younger sister Lysa was to remain at Riverrun. "It'll be cruel to have you shut away in that infernal wheelhouse on your own," he had said when he waited to escort her to the wheelhouse on her last day at Riverrun. "If young Robert was not with you, you would be riding to King's Landing, eh Cat?"
"Very magnificent," Catelyn agreed. She had seen drawings of the Red Keep; she had never imagined the castle to be that immense. Closing the other curtain, she turned her attention to her infant son who was fast asleep in a comfortable basket beside her. I am a married woman, she repeated to herself as she ran her slim fingers through her baby's tuft of strawberry blond hair. I am a wife and mother. Even now as she journeyed closer to one of her new homes, she could not believe she was married. The wedding was short and brief; two days to be precise. There were no feasting, tournaments or dancing. Vows were exchanged in Riverrun's sept followed by a quiet supper in the Great Hall and then the bedding. Her husband? A man old enough to be her father. As the wheelhouse jolted on the bumpy path, Catelyn's thoughts wandered to old Jon Arryn, the Lord of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, Warden of the East…and her husband.
Was Lord Arryn a good man?
Catelyn did not know. He must be tender at least, or her father Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun wouldn't have consented to marry her to him, Catelyn assumed. House Tully's words were Family, Duty, Honour after all.
Was Lord Arryn a gentle husband?
Again, Catelyn did not know. She'd hardly talked to Lord Arryn during their wedding supper and at night…words were exchanged even less. Lord Arryn was an old man, but it was said that marriages between older men and young maidens were happy. Catelyn hoped it was true. On their wedding night, they had consummated their marriage as was expected of them and nine months later, Catelyn endured the dreaded childbirth for the first time. Women whispered fearfully about childbirth; many have died birthing infants including Catelyn's own mother Lady Minisa Whent. Despite her initial worries, Catelyn successfully gave birth to a son: little Robert Arryn.
"I did not expect to come here," Catelyn murmured quietly. "I thought once the…war was over, I would leave for the Eyrie at once."
"That was the plan," Uncle Brynden affirmed with a nod, "but our new king had asked your husband to be his lord Hand. A great honour Cat. A very great honour. I suspect the king plans to ask Lord Eddard Stark to be his Master of Laws." He nodded a second time, approval written all over his weathered face. "There'll be no better Master of Laws than Lord Stark," he went on. "The Starks of Winterfell believe in the sense of strong justice – King's Landing will benefit significantly from it. Your father will be pleased eh? He'll be good-father to both the King's Hand and the Master of Laws, a position that'll be envied by many powerful lords."
"What of yourself, Uncle? I heard rumours that you will join the Kingsguard."
Uncle Brynden grimaced. "Words are wind, Cat. Words are wind. The Kingsguard is a prestigious order – very prestigious indeed. Besides, even if I want to be a knight of the Kingsguard, it will be the king who asks."
The new king.
"Lysa would have loved to see the pomp and glory of court," Catelyn commented with a faint smile as she recalled her sweet little sister Lysa – now Lady Stark of Winterfell – who remained behind at Riverrun via request from her husband Lord Stark. From what Uncle Brynden had told her, Lord Stark had headed south to Dorne to liberate his sister Lady Lyanna Stark and once the task was complete, will return immediately to Riverrun, collect Lysa and their infant son (Lysa gave birth to a bonny boy a few days after Catelyn gave birth to Robert) and travel to Winterfell in the cold, bitter north.
"A pity Lord Stark decided not to attend his best friend's crowning. Hoster may have protested Lysa's absence, but Lysa is no longer his daughter; she is Lord Eddard Stark's wife and the Lady of Winterfell. If Lord Stark desires for her to remain at Riverrun until he returns, so be it."
Catelyn nodded sadly. Silence descended in the wheelhouse and she took the chance to study her uncle. Uncle Brynden Tully was her favourite uncle – her only uncle in fact – and was always ready to listen. He was tall and lean; when Catelyn was a little girl, she would run up to him and squeal delightfully when he picked her up as if she was one of her dolls and swing her in the air. When she was older, Uncle Brynden would be the first to hear her problems. He would listen patiently and offer sound advice in his hoarse and smoky voice. Even though Uncle Brynden was no longer the young man he once was, his hair was still auburn like Catelyn's, though a few strands had greyed, and had the bright blue eyes common in House Tully.
"Hoster is proud of you." A beam appeared on Uncle Brynden's weathered face. "He is pleased you have not uttered a word of complaint at your marriage."
What was there to complain of?
A lack of letters? Catelyn had been safe behind the sandstone walls of Riverrun while her husband was fighting in a war. Lord Arryn did send a few letters; more than she had expected at all. Most certainly they were not love letters – it was a war after all! – but at least one bore seeds of…affection?
"It is my duty," Catelyn said simply. Uncle Brynden expected an answer. "If I am lucky, I will learn to love my lord husband. If not, I will love little Robert for both our sakes." As if he was agreeing, Robert stirred. He opened a sleepy eye and blew a wet bubble at her. Uncle Brynden snickered and grinned fondly at her giggling son. He learnt forward and tickled him on the chin with a gnarled finger. "Jon will love him," he said confidently. "He will be a fool if he didn't. Lord Stark told me he always longed for an heir. When he sees little Robert, he will love the both of you."
"It is astonishing how fates change so quickly," Catelyn remarked. "If Lord Whent had not hosted that tourney, there would have been no war and I would have been married and at Winterfell. Now I am almost at the Red Keep and Lysa waiting to travel with Lord Stark to his home in the north. Odd is it not, how our destinies change?" Her small smile remained as she thought of Lysa again. At least Lysa will be very happy in her marriage, she contemplated contently. All Lysa had ever wanted was the man of her dreams – kind, noble and handsome like a knight in the songs they once loved. Catelyn had not sung or even thought about a romantic song since her marriage.
With a final jolt, the wheelhouse slowed into a stop. Exhilaration brushed Catelyn in the heart as her uncle said gruffly, "We have arrived."
Catelyn felt like a child as she walked with Uncle Brynden to the Great Hall, gasping and gaping at the splendid sight around her. She crossed through a few small bridges, a number of inner yards and oh, the number of doors she saw! The Red Keep was a maze of rooms and corridors – how was one meant to find her way around?
"It seems young Robert is enjoying the view," her uncle chuckled. Catelyn laughed as she looked at her son in the arms. His bright blue eyes were as wide as platters. "Should I not put Robert in my chamber first?" she asked worriedly. "The last thing Lord Arryn will want is his son wailing in the Great Hall."
Uncle Brynden nodded thoughtfully. "Aye Cat. You go in to the Great Hall and I'll take care of Robert. Your father is waiting for you inside," he added as Catelyn did not move a step closer to the Great Hall. Taking a deep breath, Catelyn walked towards the doors of the Great Hall. "Lady Catelyn Tully," she told the waiting herald. Should I have said Lady Catelyn Arryn? Worry wormed in her stomach as the two guards opened the black iron-and-oak banded doors and the herald announced, "Lady Catelyn of House Tully!"
Catelyn felt her cheeks warm as every lord and lady present in the Great Hall turned and stared at her. Closest to her were a number of brown-haired lords and ladies garbed in green with golden rose clasps or golden roses sewed on the women's skirts. Tyrells, a voice whispered in Catelyn's head. Beside them were a cluster of Reach, western, River and Vale lords and ladies and closest to the dais which held the Iron Throne, the seat of spikes and jagged edges and twisted metal, were a faction of tall, golden-haired, smiling lords and ladies from head to toe in scarlet. Lannisters.
"Little Cat." Catelyn's discomfort vanished as her father waded through the crowd of lords towards her, a huge smile on his face. Ignoring the gawking of the courtiers, Lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun embraced her warmly. Catelyn hugged him tightly. It had been a few months since she last saw him. After her and Lysa's weddings, he had went off to war. Though he sent a flood of letters back, it was not the same as seeing him in person. They broke apart and Catelyn smiled weakly.
"You look well," Father murmured. "I was so pleased you survived the horrible ordeal of childbirth Cat…so pleased." He cleared his throat. "Ah, I think it's about time you meet our new king don't you agree?" As he escorted her on the long carpet towards the dais, she glanced at him discreetly. To her relief, he looked well. As tall as Uncle Brynden, he had the same blue eyes and brown-red hair. Catelyn had feared his health would worsen or deteriorate due to the war, but he seemed as healthy as he was before he went to war, perhaps even a little better.
Catelyn looked back at the man sitting on the most uncomfortable chair in the Seven Kingdoms and immediately remembered the handsome knights she and Lysa had once swooned over. The man stood up and descended the few steps, a huge grin on his ruddy face. "Lord Tully!" His voice boomed in the cavernous hall. "This must be Catelyn, one of your beloved daughters!" He approached Catelyn and her father. The first thing Catelyn noticed was his looming, great height. He was taller than Father – much taller – and his shoulders were broad and muscles. His face was clean shaven and he had blue eyes and thick, coal black hair.
King Robert Baratheon.
The last time Catelyn glimpsed him was at Riverrun when he was just plain Robert Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, a former ward of Lord Arryn. Here he stood as Robert of House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. It was him whom Catelyn named little Robert after. Instantly, Catelyn sunk into a curtsey and said softly, "Your Grace."
"Rise, my lady," said the king grandly. "You're indeed as beautiful as your father Lord Hoster claimed. Jon here is fortunate to have you as his wife." He turned and nodded at the old man standing to the left of the throne's dais. Unlike her father, Jon Arryn looked much older than he did when they had wed. His hair and beard were grey and a sky blue cloak pinned by a silver falcon brooch fell upon his broad shoulders.
"Jon is lucky to have you as his wife," the king said again. He sounded a little envious even. "Very lucky indeed eh Jon? You must be tired from your long journey Lady Arryn. You should go and rest. Jon! Escort your lady wife to your chamber. Lady Arryn is in no condition to stand here and listen."
"As Your Grace commands," Lord Arryn responded. He strode up to Catelyn as fast as a man ten years his junior would walk. He offered Catelyn his hand. "My lady?" Ignoring a loud snigger from the Lannister party, Catelyn took his hand and allowed him to lead her out of the Great Hall.
"You are well, my lord?" ventured Catelyn timidly.
"Quite," her husband responded, glancing quickly in her direction. "Your journey was um, pleasant I hope?"
"As pleasant as it could be my lord."
"Excellent." Silence peeked out from hiding. "I know you did not expect to come here my lady," Lord Arryn spoke again after the short interlude of silence, "being the Lady of the Eyrie and all." He risked another swift look at Catelyn. "My bannermen are keen on meeting their new Lady of the Eyrie too. However, the king, my former ward, had asked me to be his Hand. I used to view King Robert as mine own son, my lady, and he'll need my help ruling the Seven Kingdoms. I hope you understand the reason for our ah, stay at King's Landing my lady."
"Of course my lord." Catelyn hesitated. "If it…if it so pleases you my lord, you may call me Catelyn. We are husband and wife after all."
Lord Arryn halted and stared at her with…alarm in his eyes? Did I frighten him? She bit her lip as her husband continued staring. "Very well," Lord Arryn said finally. "If that is the case, you must call me…Jon."
"Jon." His name sounded strange on her tongue. Over time I'll grow comfortable with it, she assured herself. She could not call him Lord Arryn or 'my lord' forever. "Our son will be delighted to meet you at last," Catelyn said lightly. "He is in my uncle's rooms – it may be a good time to remove him to…to our own?"
Jon Arryn nodded in agreement. "It is kind of you to name him after the king. I really appreciate it…Catelyn. I truly do."
Catelyn blushed. "Thank you…Jon. I knew how much that you loved His Grace when he was a boy and thought it a kind gesture to name our son after him. Perhaps one day we will name another son after your father."
"Another…another son." Jon seemed lost for words. "Of course Catelyn. Of course. Is our son healthy? Well? Will he…" He took a deep breath. "Will our little Robert survive a cold winter's day in the Eyrie? It will not be as cold as the north, but winter in the Vale is much colder than winter in the Riverlands. My previous heirs who bore the name Arryn had all died thanks to the Mad King. I hope our son will not die of a chill."
"Our Robert is strong," said Catelyn firmly. "He is healthy in every way and will grow into a robust lad. No son of mine will die from a chill." She was surprised at the boldness of her words. Jon smiled at her. "Our children will never be weak," Catelyn went on. "It's a promise, lord husband. Our children will survive the iciest of winters."
Jon chuckled. "You defend our son's health like a mother falcon, Catelyn." He nodded approvingly. "Here, this is Ser Brynden's chambers." They stopped in front of a door that was identical to the oak-and-iron doors scattered throughout the Red Keep. The guard stationed at the door, Elwood, beamed as he saw Catelyn. "My lady," he said, dipping his head politely. "Ser Brynden is inside with um, a babe. Your child, my lady? A bonny boy my lady. The Seven have blessed you." He opened the door and Catelyn and Jon entered. Uncle Brynden's chamber was not particularly large; it felt spacious though. The basket that served as little Robert's cradle in the wheelhouse sat on a table that was opposite a bed and wardrobe. Uncle Brynden paced around, humming to himself as he cradled the baby in his arms.
"Ser Brynden," Jon spoke. "I thank you for caring for little Robert."
"Lord Arryn," Uncle Brynden acknowledged. "I did not expect you and my niece to be here so early. Had the king already announced that you will be his Hand?"
"His Grace had declared that before my lady wife appeared at court. He further stated his intentions to give the post of Master of Laws to Lord Stark and said that once Stannis returned with the last Targaryens, he will be Master of Ships." Stannis Baratheon is King Robert's brother, Catelyn recalled. She did not remember much about him. Then again, it had been a while since she last met the second Baratheon brother.
"A wise choice," Uncle Brynden affirmed. He held out little Robert. "Here is your son, Lord Arryn. He has been waiting for you."
A smile danced on Catelyn's lips as she watched her husband reach out to hold their son for the first time. She could not help but wonder if her elderly husband ever held a child before. Jon's blue eyes glazed with happiness as he examined each of little Robert's plump, pink fingers. He ruffled little Robert's tuft of strawberry blond hair and laughed like a young man when little Robert gurgled and gave him a toothless grin. Jon glimpsed the small falcons sewn on little Robert's clothes and nodded approvingly. "He'll be a fine Lord of the Eyrie when he grows up," Jon decided. "Look at his rosy pink cheeks! I've not seen a bonny babe for years, Ser Brynden. Years! To think the babe in my arms is mine own son too! A miracle! When peace is achieved in the Seven Kingdoms, I'll take Catelyn and little Robert to the Eyrie where all my bannermen will see the heir of House Arryn." His eyes sparkled animatedly. "Mine own son."
"You are pleased?" said Catelyn timidly.
"Pleased?" Jon's eyes met hers. "My dear…I am grateful. Delighted. Elated." He turned to Uncle Brynden. "Ser Brynden-?"
Uncle Brynden nodded, a smile on his weathered face. "I will attend court tomorrow my lord, my lady. Perhaps I will see both of you there."
Catelyn bid farewell to him and left with her husband and little Robert. "I am grateful to you Catelyn," Jon said again once they began their walk to their own rooms. "I believe childbirth is dangerous and unpleasant for all ladies. I am ashamed to say that from the progeny of my father Lord Jasper, House Arryn had been cursed. Not only had I been um, quite unlucky in my two previous marriages, but so have my heirs." He paused. "I should not have frightened you my lady," he apologised. "Young mothers…easily frightened by the talk of curses and such. I apologise, my lady."
"I am not afraid of curses," said Catelyn tentatively.
"The Seven have blessed us." Jon opened a door for her. "This is our chamber Catelyn. Temporary. In a day or two, we will move into the Tower of the Hand when I begin my official duties as the king's Hand. I'll see to it that there'll be a cradle for our son and all that is required for an infant. Will there be anything you need Catelyn?"
"No. I brought what I needed from Riverrun."
"Of course, of course. Tomorrow morning, I will introduce you to the members of my household and the Vale lords present. Many of them will be heading home but it will be good for you to recognise them quickly."
"Of course, lord husband."
Jon looked suddenly embarrassed. "You have…you have studied the sigils of um, the Vale houses, Catelyn?"
"Of course." Catelyn's cheeks grew hot. "My father ensured that my siblings, his ward and I were properly educated as befitting the children of a nobleman. We were taught to recognise not only the sigils and words of noble houses in the Riverlands, but the sigils and words of nobles houses throughout Westeros." She didn't add that after she and Jon were married, she studied the noble houses of the Vale again. She had encouraged Lysa to revise the Northern houses, but Lysa petulantly refused.
"Vale lords haven not often married highborn maidens from the Riverlands," Jon said quietly. "Vale lords tended to wed Vale ladies."
"As did River lords." Her late mother was from House Whent of Harrenhal, once one of the most powerful vassals of House Tully. "Now the war is over, it is time for peace do you not agree, Jon? Peace and prosperity."
"Peace and prosperity," Jon echoed. "That is what we need."
"Let us hope little Robert never fights in battle." Catelyn shuddered at the thought of her dear son slashing down enemies on a battlefield soaked with blood and littered with the wounded and the dead. No more war, she prayed silently as she listened to Jon talk about little Robert earning a knighthood one day. Please, oh gods, no more war. Please give us a long summer of peace and prosperity for me and other young mothers to raise our children. Despite carrying the Arryn name, wearing the Arryn colours and bearing the Arryn sigil of a sky-blue falcon soaring against a white moon, on a sky-blue field, she would never abandon the Tully words.
Family, Duty, Honour.
Though it would unfortunately conflict against As High As Honour, the Arryn words, Catelyn had made a vow when little Robert was born: family would always be first.
I couldn't resist writing this chapter :D For the last few days, I planned and I really wanted to start the story haha. There will be definitely more changes than just Catelyn marrying Jon Arryn and Lysa marrying Ned Stark. I remember many of you readers' advice from The Dance of Spring and I plan to implement them: earlier conflict, stop cheating in conflict by marrying characters off, don't make too many new characters, don't have too many time jumps as it'll compromise in character development :)
