FAMILY DUTY HONOR

CATELYN STARK

The Starks leave the Capital behind, along with all the secrets, lies, and politics. They travel up the Kingsroad on horseback with a supply wagon and their household guards. In one day they reach Hayford Castle and camp in the countryside. At sunrise they move on and after two weeks of travel they reach Riverrun.

They are greeted by Catelyn.s brother Edmure the heir of Riverrun and their Uncle Brynden the Blackfish Tully. Called the Blackfish because he refused a betrothal set up by his brother Lord Hoster Tully. "Cat!" Edmure says hugging her.

"Ed…Its good to see you again." She looks at and greets her Uncle. Then Ned and the children are introduced. This is Ed and Bryndens' first, time meeting, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. "How is father?" Cat asks.

"He is getting worse I'm afraid. But it will do him some good to see you, sis."

After getting settled Catelyn goes to see her father. Ned and the children wait outside while she sees him first. She takes a shaky breath when she looks at him. Hoster Tully is not the man she remembered. He was not the strong, force of nature she knew before she left to be the Lady of Winterfell. Her heart breaks looking upon the frail man lying in his bed; a shell of what he use to be.

"Father." She whispers, "Father its me your Cat."

His eyes open and he looks at her, "Cat…My little Cat…" He smiles, "You are so big now. A woman grown."

"I am…I've bought my husband and children with me."

"Ned…Ned is here?"

"Yes father."

"I have no wish to see the man who betrayed my Cat." He replies coughing.

She goes to the door and invites the children in, as they enter she whispers to Ned and he nods staying by the door. "Father this is Sansa, my eldest daughter."

"Grandfather."

He smiles, "Cat she is the spitting image of you. I heard that she is to be betrothed to Prince Joffrey…By the gods what a Queen you will be."

Sansa kisses him on the forehead and then he meets Arya, "You…You look like your Aunt Lyanna."

"So I've been told Grandfather. Did you know my Aunt Lyanna?"

"I met her before the Tourney of Harrenhal…Feisty woman your Aunt was."

After introducing Bran and Rickon Cat takes the children away so that her father can rest. Then she and Ned meet in private with Edmure and Brynden in the Solar. "We have to talk about some things with the two of you…It concerns us as whole." Cat says and looks at Ned.

"I have never been unfaithful to my wife." Ned says speaking up, "Jon Stark is my nephew by Lyanna and Rhaegar. Rhaegar did not kidnap or rape my sister. They fell in love and married."

"I need a drink." Brynden says. Pouring himself some wine.

"But Rhaegar was already married."

"Princess Elia couldn't have anymore children. So she suggested that Rhaegar take a second wife. Elia and my sister became friends through letters they wrote."

Brynden takes a second goblet of wine, "So why did you lie?"

"To protect Lyanna's son. If Robert knew the truth…I wouldn't, couldn't take the chance."

"Lyanna named her son Aegon and he wants the Iron Throne."

"And he wants the support of House Tully." Edmure says.

"Yes." Both Cat and Ned say at the same time.

"Who else knows?" Brynden asks.

"Houses Martell, Tyrell…All of the North, the Stepstone Lords, Most of the Crownlands."

"Jon Arryn?" The Blackfish asks.

"Knows but will not support either if it comes to war." Ned says.

"Also the Queen's children were not fathered by the King."

Brynden grunts, "I had my suspicions…" He says, having served under Lysa when she was in the Capital. "Speaking of which…Have you heard from Lysa."

"She is in Winterfell. She tried to blackmail the Queen and was sent to Volantis to be sold as a slave."

"Wait." Edmure says waving his hands. "Who fathered the Queen's children?"
"Her own brother." They talk for several more hours before both Edmure and Brynden agree to fully support Aegon's claim to the Iron Throne. Before leaving Cat speaks privately with her Uncle Brynden.

BRYNDEN

After the Starks leave Brynden begins his journey across the Riverlands to gain the support of the Tully Banners. He starts with House Mallister, traveling by horse with ten men to the port castle of Seagard. There is a village and port surrounding the castle that sits near the beach. The sigil of House Mallister is a silver eagle on a field of blue. Their words are Above the Rest.

As Brynden enters the courtyard, Jason and Patrek Mallister are waiting. Jason's wife died giving birth to their son. "Brynden! Welcome to my home friend."

Brynden dismounts his horse and greets the two Mallister men. After being offered guest rights Brynden os shown to Jason's Solar. "I came because there is a power struggle for the Iron Throne and House Tully will need your support."
"Who would be foolish enough to challenge Robert Baratheon?"

"Aegon Targaryen the son of Prince Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark."

Jason stares at Brynden, then he pours himself a drink, swallows it down and pours another. "Rhaegar didn't kidnap Lyanna Stark did he?"

"No they fell in love and married with Princess Elia's consent. She could not have more children. Rhaegar intended to overthrow his father. He wanted our support before he made his move."

"Do you know who spread the lies about Rhaegar?"

"Pycell. Of course House Stark supports Aegon, The Martells, the Tyrells, all the Stepstone Lords, and most of the Crownlords. House Arryn will not fight for either side. The Queen's children were fathered by her own brother."

Jason sighs and takes another drink, "Will this Aegon make a good King or will this be another Mad King?"

"Jason Aegon was named Jon Snow and then legitimized by Lord Stark. He won the King's tourney."

"That tourney was to celebrate the betrothal of Sansa Stark to Prince Joffrey. I did not know that the Lord of Winterfell could be so cunning."

"A man does what he must for family. Can House Tully count on House Mallister when the time comes?"

"Of course…House Mallister has never failed to answer the call."

Brynden spends one night and moves on after breaking his fast. He travels to Stone Hedge to speak with Lord Jonos Bracken. At first he is not pleased with the news of Rhaegar having two wives; as he is a stout follower of the faith of the seven. But his oath of loyalty outweighs his sense of piety and he promises support follow wherever House Tully leads. For two months Brynden travels the Riverlands never staying at a castle for more than one day.

A Raven heralds his return to Riverrun and when he arrives Edmure is waiting. "How did it go Uncle?"

"It went well…A few were not happy when they heard the news, but they will keep their oaths."

"And Walder Frey?"

"You know that he cannot be trusted. He would most likely blackmail us and ask for the King to wed one of his daughters. Speaking of which it is high time for you to find a bride."

He growls in frustration and stands up, "I'm not ready to marry."

"Your father is sick…And sooner rather than later you will be the new Lord of Riverrun…You need a wife and an heir of your own. And I think we can use this opportunity to repair relations with House Frey."

"By the gods old and new I draw the line at mixing our blood with that frog's spawn."

"Your sister and I spoke before she left. She suggests that you ask Lord Frey to send his daughter Rosalin."

"A pretty name for a grog."

"Cat tells me that when you meet Roslin Frey, you will not be disappointed. All his daughters can't be frogs. I have seen Handsome and beautiful Nobles with the most ugly children."

Reluctantly the Raven is sent and a reply returned. Two weeks later Stevron Frey the eldest son and heir of the Twins arrives with his Sister Roslin and their brothers Ser Perwyn, and Olyvar. When Edmure meets Roslin he is smitten by her beauty.