More a stranger

"With his proposal, His Grace would like to honor Lord Eddard's memory and their old friendship."

"Great honor, indeed," Catelyn says thoughtfully.

"And yet you don't seem glad."

She is not. She should be – probably – but she is not.

"I'm just worried, like mothers always are." She forces a smile. "Sansa is a northern girl and so young."

"Time will solve both of those." Petyr assures her. "She can come to the court and she can learn the southern customs there."

Catelyn nods, because he expects this from her. However, she does not think being a northerner is a problem that has to be solved. After all, the King wants Eddard Stark's daughter for his son. And Eddard Stark's daughter is a daughter of the North.

"Sansa will grow up in Winterfell," Catelyn declares. She has not given an answer yet. Still, Petyr is already planning to take her child.

He bows his head. "If you wish that way."

Catelyn wishes Sansa to wed to a northern lord but it seems that is not a possibility anymore. However, she will cling to every concession she can gain.

"I find she is very close to her siblings," Petyr notes. "I saw her often with Lord Eddard's son as well."

Her siblings and Lord Eddard's son. The differentiation is too obvious to be unintended.

"Sansa has a good heart," Catelyn replies. "She is kind to everyone no matter what they were born as."

"Useful virtue for a queen."

Petyr tries to push her again to accept the betrothal. She cannot say 'no' but she is unable to say 'yes' now.

"It's amusing…"

Catelyn looks up at him with curiosity. Petyr's eyes are sparkling as if he is about to tell her a joke.

"That boy, the bastard. He is so similar to your late husband. Any lord who doesn't know your son would easily believe he is the Lord of Winterfell."

"Every lord in the North knows my son," Catelyn says coolly.

Softly, Petyr chuckles. "Of course, of course. I was just musing aloud. Please forget it."

But he does not want her to forget, does he? If he did, he would have not said it.

So why? Why did he feel that was necessary to share with those thoughts her? What is his real purpose?

She stands up from her chair, so Petyr has to as well.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to find Sansa and tell her the King's proposal."


Several days later they stand near the gate and say farewell. Petyr takes her hand in his own.

"I wish I could stay longer. But the realm calls for me."

"It's a miracle they can spare you at all."

Petyr's expression is rather conceited than proud.

Catelyn glances aside where Robb pretends that he does not look at them but grooms his horse before riding. Jon is with him, naturally.

Petyr follows her gaze.

"I'm very grateful for your warning. You reminded me that I have to be much more careful. For the sake of my family."

He smiles gently. "All I care about is your best interest, dear Catelyn."

"I know."

"As regards to my proposal to you, if you changed your mind…"

"My decision is the same."

"For now." His smile is hopeful.

Forever. But she does not say the word. Petyr would not accept it anyway.

She allows him to kiss her cheek, then, watches as he mounts and with his attendants rides through the gate.

And when he is finally outside the walls of Winterfell, Catelyn feels relieved.

Maybe it is true. Maybe Petyr cares about her. But only her, the Catelyn who he imagines for himself, who he wants her to be. Who she will never become.

But he does not understand it.

She turns to return to the castle. The boys pay real attention to their horses now.

Petyr does not understand.

Jon is one of them.

Petyr is more a stranger than a friend after all these years.

So Catelyn has to be careful with him.