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ATP

That is what Theon tried to explain to her. It's lucky for Dany that the lords are too busy fighting each other. But sooner or later they'll have to deal with her too.

It'll also be an important question how Renly's supporters react to an opponent with dragons. Sadly, if he dies, no doubt Brienne would die (or at least, want to die) protecting him.


Kissed by fire

Catelyn's temples are throbbing. She has spent the whole morning with her daughters bending over Winterfell's books of accounts. Sansa is pretty much terrible at math, while Arya is quite good with numbers but has little patience for the questions of running a household.

After releasing them, she needs some air. It is a freezing day but it is not snowing at least, and winds do not blow either.

Then, walking through the courtyard she gets an unexpected company. Mance Rayder hurries to her from the stables.

"Can I join you, Lady Stark?"

When she nods, he steps to her side taking her slow pace.

"Lord Stark went for hunting with his brothers," Catelyn notes.

"I've been told. But talking to you is a great pleasure for me."

Usually sentences like this are no more than a courtesy. But he says it because he means it, not because politeness dictates it.

This is his second visit in Winterfell since Robb's wedding. Catelyn remembers that at the first one he also found occasion to talk to her.

"You bring good news from the Wall, I hope," she says.

"Some good and some bad, but nothing I wouldn't be able to deal with."

He tries to speak with ease but there is a grim shade to his voice.

"Tell me about the bad ones," Catelyn asks.

He gives her a sad smile.

"For weeks now no one has come from north. Which means no one is left there. No one living."

'There are dead though. They are there and they are coming.' Catelyn understands that even without words.

Mance Rayder sighs heavily.

"I killed five men from my own because they tried to climb the Wall. Executed them, but killing is killing either way," he shrugs. "My people are afraid. They are tense. But I made an oath not just in my name but in theirs and I won't allow them to break it."

He cannot. He has to prove to the North they can be trusted, that they can follow the rules. It is their only chance for survival.

"We'll take a wight," he declares abruptly. "And if we have it, I want the lords of the Wall and the Watch to come and see. I want your son to come and see."

"He believes you."

"And I'm grateful to him for doing so. But belief is not enough, he has to know. Every one of you have to know." Saying that he glances at Catelyn almost apologetically.

Catelyn, however, does not worry about herself, she would be willing to face anything. She fears for her sons and daughters and for the child whom Meera gives to Robb soon. She turns back to Mance Rayder.

"Do you have a family?"

"I wasn't so lucky." But he smiles, and his smile is gentle and warm this time. "You, however, were born favored. Kissed by fire."

When Catelyn stops and looks at him questioningly, he explains:

"Your hair. You can't find a lot of red heads beyond the Wall. It's the color of fire, the color of life… beautiful for us. So, when someone has red hair, we say they are lucky, they are…"

"Kissed by fire."

Though, her hair is not true red but auburn, Catelyn, of course, does not correct him. Mance Rayder meant it as a compliment, and it is not appropriate to refuse such.

"I like how it sounds," she says.

They continue their walking, the snow is crackling under their feet. The clouds above become darker and darker. There will be a storm tonight. Catelyn shivers. Every storm seems a bit more threatening, a bit stronger than the previous one.

Mance Rayder, perhaps instinctively, draws closer to her, his arm touches Catelyn's.

"Since I heard you speak about Others and wights for the first time, I've wished all of it were a lie," she confesses.

"I wish the same," the man replies. Then, with a short delay, he adds, "My lady." Somehow, on his tongue it feels more than just a title.

A request.

A desire.

A promise.

What silliness. Catelyn brushes the thought aside. But her heart beats harder than usual.


Author's note: In canon, Mance met Dalla when he returned from Winterfell after Robert's visit. But here Robert didn't travel to the North, so Mance didn't go to Winterfell that year.