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Breach of trust

The company that King Joffrey sent to escort his bride to King's Landing could be called a proper one… But only if Catelyn looks at the position they hold, not their character. After all, the members of the Kingsguard are considered the brightest knights of the Seven Kingdoms. These two, however, are a great disappointment for all of them. Ser Meryn Trant's civility is close to roughness. Ser Arys Oakheart seems easy-mannered and chivalrous but treats every person older than him and everything that comes from north to the Reach with a kind of supremacy.

And their leader… well, he is definitely part of the royal family, but Catelyn has her doubts about what kind of part that is. At least, Arya and Bran are intrigued that they can meet the famous – or rather infamous – Imp. And, truth to be told, Catelyn herself is relieved that Petyr did not come. She would not have the patience to talk about the possibility of her future marriage.

Especially now, when Sansa's future marriage gives her more than enough reason to worry.

"That's not what we agreed on with Lord Baelish," she says.

"The King's will supersedes the promises of Lord Baelish," Ser Meryn replies.

"He spoke in the name of the King."

"But we have a new King now."

"Yes, we have," Lord Tyrion speaks up in a warning tone and, Catelyn notices, with a little enthusiasm.

Grimacing, Ser Meryn clenches his jaws and allows the lord to talk.

"My nephew is eager to see his bride. Since his journey in the North, Lord Baelish has praised Lady Sansa's beauty and…"

"Your nephew fights a war against his uncles," Catelyn cuts in, "and apparently, King's Landing is a main target for both of them. Would you declare that it would be safe for my daughter?

"The city's defense is my lord father's responsibility, of course it is safe there."

"Not as much as Winterfell."

"Lady Stark…"

Catelyn clings to a last objection to save time.

"My son is the head of our house. Sansa cannot go anywhere until he returns."

"It could take weeks," Ser Meryn protests.

"And we will wait for it gladly," Lord Tyrion assures her with an ingratiating smile.

"My lord…"

"Ser Meryn. If we weren't dispensable, we wouldn't be here." Glancing at Catelyn, his smile lights up again and it feels falser than before. "I'm sure we will enjoy Winterfell's hospitality."


Even Sansa is more upset than happy after Ser Arys notes that a direwolf will cause a huge sensation in the court and he is snapped at by Ser Meryn who says, 'There is no place for such a beast in the court.'

"If Lady stays, I will stay too," Sansa declares later hugging her wolf fiercely.

Catelyn sighs. She wants them to stay too, at least until the end of war, but that will be another day's concern. They will still have time to find a solution before Robb arrives.


Catelyn is out of bed and on her feet before she is fully awake and before she would realize that the screams do not come from a dream.

She does not think just runs.

The door of Sansa's chamber is open. Catelyn has to push Nymeria away and pull the terrified, wide-eyed Arya out of her way.

The chamber shows the signs of scrimmage. The bed where Sansa should be is empty, the pillows and blankets are thrown on the floor.

And beside the bed a dead man lays. He is covered in blood. Unrecognizable, save for the once white cloak he is wearing.

Sansa stands above him, pale and shaking. A dark bruise flowers on her left cheek. She is tousled and her temple smeared with blood. The attacker could have torn some of her hair.

Sansa looks up at her mother without blinking.

"Lady killed him," she says, her voice is strangely calm.

Catelyn enters and he glances at the direwolf. She is snarling at someone who is huddling up in the corner. Arys Oakheart. So the other one must be Ser Meryn.

Catelyn's face hardens.

She steps to Sansa and embraces her tightly.

"Lady did well."


The great hall of Winterfell is cold. Nothing remained from the warmness of last evening's feast.

Catelyn ordered to lay the fire in the hearths but they still do not give heat, only light.

Their clothing is highly inappropriate. Neither Catelyn, nor her children have changed their night-robes and Lord Tyrion, who was drawn out of a brothel, is half dressed. His pants and shirt are crumpled. His tunic and coat… he did not even manage to put those on.

He looks miserable, deep wrinkles sit on his forehead. It seems he does not understand what is happening. Or he pretends he does not, skillfully.

Anyway, Catelyn has to ask, "Did you know about this?"

"No, I swear."

Catelyn turns to Ser Arys. Nursing his wounded arm, he does not dare to look at anyone.

"Would you have left him behind?"

"We knew he went to Wintertown. Ser Meryn said, after getting the girl, we could pick him up."

"Because I would never agree to this madness or allow it. And you shouldn't have either." Now, he is furious – and desperate.

"My duty is doing what my King commands me to and not questioning it."

"How comfortable," Lord Tyrion notes with disdain. "And what if the King is a…" But he does not finish.

Catelyn presumes certain things cannot be said about kins.

"Did you forget about Lady?"

"Fools," Arya hisses.

Although she is right, Catelyn waves her to keep quiet.

Ser Arys shakes his head.

"No, but we are knights…"

This time Bran snorts.

"And that is just an animal. A… tame one, we believed." It feels like he means not only Lady but Sansa too.

"She is a direwolf," Sansa says, her voice is grim and proud. Half of Lady's left ear is missing, Sansa herself cared for the wound.

Ser Arys stares at them with animosity. And fear.

"You broke the guest right when you attacked my daughter under our roof." They want her as a hostage, no doubt, to force the Starks to obey them if they need to. She takes a deep breath. "Despite the King's acts and yours, House Stark is loyal to the crown. But from this moment on I consider the marriage arrangement between my daughter and Joffrey Baratheon invalid."

Lord Tyrion bows his head.

"Understandable choice, my lady."

Catelyn turns to the guards who stand by the wall.

"Lock them up."