Ever since she was a child in Riverrun, Catelyn had never deluded herself with the thought of a perfect married life…particularly as the lady wife of a notorious drinker and philanderer.

A few months since her wedding had flew past and Catelyn was relieved she never held any illusions of being Robert's queen. He was still courteous to her; he dined with her every day and asked politely about her health (no doubt hoping she would announce the news of pregnancy one day) at every supper. As the end of the year neared, Catelyn fervently hoped she could gift Robert with the news of pregnancy soon. Could I possibly be carrying his child now? My moon blood has not come yet; it's been two months . She frowned as she recalled Cersei Lannister hint loudly to the other ladies about the late Lady Tully's troubles in childbirth. If her father was not Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport and Warden of the West, Catelyn would have banished her from court already.

Apart from breakfast and supper, the only other time Robert Baratheon would consistently spend time with her was at night when he would pump his seed into her before rolling over and snoring like a pig. Catelyn never complained. Family, Duty, Honour. The Tully words echoed in Catelyn's mind even now she was a Baratheon. For the rest of her days, she spent it either in her chambers or in the library or the gardens with her gaggle of ladies. As queen, she was entitled to a large number of them from noble families.

Catelyn was not blind to all the gossiping and whispering that cropped up around her and she chose only her sister Lysa – now Lady Arryn – and Lady Ashara Stark as her closest confidantes. She had yet to meet Edmure's betrothed, Lady Leyla Hightower, but she did have Lady Alerie in her company. Despite being a Tyrell by marriage, Lady Alerie was more than happy to entertain Lysa and Catelyn with stories about her sister Leyla during their childhood.

"Leyla is such a sweet girl, Your Grace," Alerie had once said, "always kind to everyone and quite talented at singing and playing the high harp. Is Ser Edmure fond of music, Your Grace?"

Edmure dislikes music. "Lady Leyla will bring beautiful music to Riverrun," said Catelyn graciously. "Ser Edmure will greatly appreciate it as will our father. Our father loves music. He oft said it reminded him of my late mother." She liked Alerie Hightower and enjoyed hearing her stories about her childhood, some of which reminded Catelyn of her own girlhood in Riverrun.

Other than Lady Alerie, Lysa and Ashara, Catelyn's ladies ranged from nobles from the Riverlands to highborn girls of the Reach. She learnt that Northerners tended to stay home in the cold North whilst the Dornish – still holding a grudge – apart from Lady Ashara Stark, preferred to stay away from King's Landing. As a daughter of the Riverlands, Catelyn felt more comfortable with the daughters, sisters and wives of her father's bannermen such as Lord Jonos Bracken's wife, Lady Bracken, as opposed to the Stokeworths and Cersei Lannister. However, as queen, Catelyn knew it was her duty to converse with all her ladies rather than show obvious favouritism.

"Your Grace," her uncle Brynden the Blackfish, appeared at her side. "The king has requested to dine with you at supper tonight."

Catelyn nodded. "I sup with him every night."

"Your good-brother Lord Stannis, will join you tonight."

Flabbergasted, Catelyn accidently pricked her finger with her needle. "Lord Stannis Baratheon wishes to dine with us?" she repeated. Uncle Brynden nodded, shifting uncomfortably in his intricate Kingsguard suit of white enamelled scales. His snow white cloak – clasped at his throat with a black fish brooch – billowed around him as he stood beside her. "The king wishes for a family gathering," he added helpfully. "As Lord Stannis has no wife and Lord Renly is still in Storm's End, it will only be the three of you dining tonight."

She looked at him strangely. "Very well," she said, slightly curious now. "I will go as usual. Thank you, Uncle." The Blackfish opened his mouth as if to say more, but he closed it and stepped back in the shadows. For her protection, Robert had assigned Uncle Brynden to guard her and be her sworn shield.

Catelyn turned to Lysa. "How do you find your marriage, Sister?"

Lysa pouted, ignoring the stares and whispers from the other ladies. "I hoped Jon would stay in Dorne," she said flatly and childishly, her once sparkling blue eyes now dull. "He is not a good husband to me. All he cares about is the king, running the kingdom and if I am with child. I am nothing but a brood mare!" She scowled. "Does your husband caress you with kisses?" she said longingly. "Does he love you like the princes do to maidens in the songs?" I wish I can say yes, Lysa..."Another time," she said gently, noticing Cersei stare at her from across the room. "When we visit Riverrun again, I will tell you all," she promised. "I will tell you how Robert loves me-" a lie. "-and cares for me. If Lord Arryn frightens you, I will protect you. Uncle Brynden can protect you too. You are safe Lysa, and Lord Arryn does not think of you as a brood mare."

"Your Grace," ventured Ashara. Lysa shot her a murderous glare. "May I have a word with you, Your Grace?"

Catelyn nodded and stood up. "Lady Stark and I will be going for a walk," she announced. "I will call you again if I request company." She smiled and left with Ashara, Uncle Brynden following them silently. "It seemed like you wanted a word with me in private," Catelyn told Ashara as they headed to the Red Keep's godswood. A large acre of elm, alder and black cottonwood trees, the godswood overlooked the Blackwater Rush, one of the major rivers in Westeros. As there were no weirwood, the heart tree in the Red Keep's godswood was a great oak, its limbs overgrown and tangled with smokeberry vines.

"I am grateful, Your Grace," answered Ashara.

"Please, no more 'Your Grace'. Call me Catelyn."

"As you wish, Catelyn."

Catelyn smiled. "What is it you wish to speak to me about?"

"Ned," said Ashara promptly. "He is unhappy here. The king is pleased his good friend is here as his Master of Laws, but Ned does not find the Red Keep his home. His Grace will never permit him to leave; I am here as a wife to plead for you to convince your husband to allow him to leave for Winterfell."

"Lady Stark…I have no power over my husband. He does as he pleases and I never speak to him of politics."

"This is not about politics, my queen. This is about a wife pleading for her lord husband to be released from his duties here in King's Landing."

Catelyn sighed. "Lady Stark, your husband is one of the few men capable to be the Master of Laws. With him enforcing the laws, rape and thievery had already ceased significantly. Can you think of another competent enough to be Master of Laws if Lord Stark leaves for Winterfell?"

"Your lord father-"

"No. If I suggest that to Robert, the other courtiers will think I try to influence

him to increase my family's power and position. I cannot propose the Master of Laws to be any lord from the Riverlands." She looked intently at Ashara. "Do you have any names I can pass along to the king?"

"Perhaps a lord from the Crownlands? Mayhaps my husband will be happy to provide a name or two for his successor."

"Is there another reason for your plea? I doubt Robert will allow you and Lord Stark to return to Winterfell on the grounds of unhappiness here."

Ashara quietened and said softly. "I am with child."


Catelyn poked her portion of trout cooked in a crust of crushed almonds with a knife as her good-brother Stannis droned on about the growth of the royal fleet and the need for experienced sailors. Sensing her boredom – or perhaps his own – Robert interrupted him. "Enough, Stannis. Talk to Jon about it. My lady wife is tired of hearing your complaints."

Stannis grunted and speared a slice of smoked duck breast with his dagger. He mercilessly drowned it in a bowl of creamy chestnut soup and gnawed at it as a servant refilled his lemon water. Robert had told Catelyn one time that Stannis was the only man he knew who disdained good wine.

"When will Renly join the court?" said Catelyn, hoping to lighten the brooding mood. She had not met her youngest good-brother (more of a nephew or son by the sounds of it) yet and was keen to. Rumour was Renly looked like a younger Robert in his childhood.

"When he reaches manhood," answered Stannis flatly. "He is still a child thus he will remain in Storm's End under the care of Ser Cortnay Penrose, whom I've appointed as castellan. However, Renly may visit court a few days a year when we celebrate Robert's name days."

"Stannis japes!" declared Robert, with a chortle. "Only a fool stays away from court! Renly will arrive here when it is safe for him to travel, most likely at the beginning of next year."

Stannis stared at him. "Court will be a distraction to him."

"Bah! If I leave Renly at Storm's End, he'll turn out like you, and that is the last thing we need, eh? Cat, can you imagine another little Stannis? Father will not thank me if I allow my little brother to be the same as you; a solemn, grim man who does not know how to smile."

"Our brother. Renly is mine brother as much as he is yours."

Robert snorted, wine spraying from his mouth. Stannis shook his head with disgust and edged away from the droplet of wine that landed beside his lemon water. "Renly will come to court," Robert repeated. "He is the brother of the king, not the brother of a lord. Renly will be raised a courtier here. Would you rather he die of boredom at Storm's End? Besides, are you not the Lord of Storm's End, Stannis? It should be you dwelling in Storm's End, not Renly. Would you prefer if I give the lordship to Renly instead?"

Stannis grinded his teeth so loudly Catelyn was certain Ser Barristan Selmy and Uncle Brynden could hear it…from outside.

"Lord husband," said Catelyn quickly. "How was your day?"

"Eh?" Robert glanced at her and grinned eagerly. "Ah, it was a fine day! I left Jon to rule the Seven Kingdoms – he is good at that, clever Jon – and went on a hunt in the kingswood from dawn! You should see the pelts and stuffed animal heads Cat!" He paused thoughtfully. "I will gift you with wolf pelts and fox fur in the coming winter," he said generously. "Do you hunt, my lady?"

Catelyn shook her head. "My father feared bandits would abduct me or Lysa in the woods. At times, some of my father's bannermen would go hunting and gift me and Lysa with pelts to garner favour with our father."

"Have you held a crossbow before, Cat?"

"No, lord husband. The only weapon I was allowed to hold was a dagger."

Robert roared with laughter. "Now wasn't he protective, old Hoster? Mm, you should come with me on my next hunt! I insist!"

"Very well." Family, Duty, Honour. Think the Tully words. How can I tell him I loathe the idea of killing animals for sport? I hope Robert does not expect me to accompany him in every hunt…

Stannis looked at her. "Will you not feel ill, my lady?" he said bluntly. "Will the sight of blood and dead deer make you feel ill?"

"Ignore him," Robert advised Catelyn. "He does not believe women should hold crossbows and hunt." He snorted. "Cat, do you remember that short, stout Northern woman from our wedding? The one who was rumoured to have fucked a bear? Ned told me she hunts as well as any man! If she ever comes back here, I look forward to hunt with her! It will surely be a challenge! No man here is brave or bold enough to put up a challenge." He shook his head forlornly. "A bunch of fools, Cat. A bunch of fools."

"They are afraid of accidently injuring you, my lord."

Her husband chuckled. "More like afraid of my wrath, Cat." He shook his head again. "Utter fools."

Catelyn smiled weakly and sipped her goblet of Arbor gold. It was only her second glass today; she felt slightly woozy already. How can Robert consume so much wine? It is…odd.

"There is peace throughout the Seven Kingdoms now?" she said hopefully. "I heard Lord Arryn was successful in Dorne."

"Barely," muttered Stannis. Robert ignored him. "All is well," he said to her with the utmost confidence. "Ned Stark holds the North and he is a brother to me. He will never betray me. Your father precedes over the Riverlands and he is my good-father. He will never turn from his family, eh? Jon Arryn is my foster father and my Hand (as well as your good-brother); the Vale harbours nothing but peace. The Fat Flower of Highgarden bent the knee at the end of the war and his daughter will be betrothed to Renly. There will be no trouble from him. Then there is Tywin Lannister…his brother is the Master of the Coin and his son is still part of the Kingsguard. Will that not be enough for him? Dorne may despise me, but they do not have enough power to rebel against me, or so Jon assures me. As for the Iron Islands, if they dare lift a single finger as a sign of war, Stannis here, as the Master of Ships, will force them to their knees!"

"That is…good to hear." She delicately picked up a small slice of blackberry cake with her long fingers and nibbled it. The meals at King's Landing were oft quite filling, but she always left room for either a sweet biscuit, a lemon cake or any other type of cake or sweets.

"Lord Paxter Redwyne has arrived this morning with his twin sons as you have ordered," Stannis informed Robert. "Both boys seem to be no older than three; too young to be pages. However, you must keep one or both of them here in case Lord Redwyne decides to rebel against you. Even with the Fat Flower's infant daughter affianced to Renly, betrothals can be broken and both Redwyne and Randyll Tarly of Horn Hill are his sworn bannermen. Redwyne controls the most powerful fleet in Westeros and Tarly is a formidable commander; certainly more competent than the Fat Flower himself-"

"Do you ever stop?" said Robert wearily. "Every day, it's politics, politics, more politics with you. If you are not rambling about politics, you are complaining! Go to a brothel and fuck a wench."

Stannis reddened. "I rather not," he said stiffly.

"Of course." Robert leaned towards him."Do you even know how to fuck a woman, Stannis?"

"My lord!" said Catelyn, blushing. "That is an inappropriate topic of discussion when we sup, lord husband."

Robert smirked and drank even more wine. "Very well Cat. How did you find your day? Full of gossip and sewing I presume?"

"Most of it, yes," affirmed Catelyn. "However, I did speak to Lady Stark."

"Oh? How is she finding King's Landing?"

"Different from her life in Starfall. She wishes for me to plea on her behalf."

"Really?" He looked at her with interest. "What may she possibly wish you to plea about? If she wants to return to Dorne, very well. She can leave court when she pleases. Will that be all?"

"It is to do with…Ned."

"Oh?"

"Ned Stark is unhappy here. Lady Stark tells me he yearns to return home. He already served you for months; let him leave for Winterfell."

"Cat…once Ned leaves for Winterfell, he will never come back. As the Master of Laws, rape and thievery has lessened more in these months than in…I don't know, the entire reign of the Mad King? What am I to do without Ned? He is like a brother to me!"

"He thinks you a brother to him too, lord husband, and brothers will never abandon each other in times of need. Ned Stark fought for you and serves you – he serves you still. Allow him to go home and he will be grateful to you. As you said a countless number of times, lord husband, you view Ned Stark as one of your brothers. Will you force a brother to stay someplace he despises and keep him from home?" Please say nothing, Stannis. Please say nothing. "What will the Northern lords say?" Catelyn continued softly. "They will grumble about the king who kept their liege lord away from them. Ned Stark is not only your Master of Laws, but also your Warden of the North. The Northerners have not seen their liege lord in months; give them the satisfactory of allowing Ned Stark to return to Winterfell for a year or two. You can always summon him back."

Robert frowned slightly. "He is more useful here…what can he possibly do in the North? Sort out land disputes?"

"There is one other matter," Catelyn went on. "Would you deny the pleas of a pregnant woman? Or should I say…pregnant women?"


Swaying beneath the heart tree, Catelyn waited for Lord Stark to appear. She smiled to herself as she touched her growing belly. After her talk with Ashara, she had consulted Grand Maester Pycelle and discovered she too was in the early months of pregnancy. Robert was thrilled at the news of her pregnancy of course, but she suspected he was even more pleased that she and Ashara were both with child at the same time. Once both of us give birth, Robert will propose to unite our Houses. He still reminisced about Lyanna Stark and desired more than anything – with the exception of wine and wenching – to join Houses Baratheon and Stark together in marriage.

"Your Grace. You summoned me?"

Catelyn smiled and nodded. "Lord Stark."

Slightly less solemn than Stannis, Lord Stark emerged in the godswood. He looked around and asked, "Where is the Blackfish, Your Grace? You should not be out here alone at such a time."

"He is over there." She nodded at a figure standing near an elm cottonwood tree. "I wanted a moment of privacy."

"I see." Lord Stark's grey eyes darted here and there like the flickering flames of a candle. "What is it you wish to tell me, Your Grace?"

"I am with child, Lord Stark."

Ned Stark's eyes shone with surprise. "Um…congratulations, Your Grace! Does the king know?"

Catelyn nodded. "I told him and Lord Stannis over supper last night. That isn't

the point, Lord Stark. I am with child…and so is your lady wife." His expression radiated astonishment and delight.

"Are you hoping for a son or daughter?" she asked, smiling.

"I…I don't know," he said in wonder. "I am to be a father...Your Grace, when did my lady wife tell you?"

"Yesterday, Lord Stark, when she requested for me to plea on her behalf for you." She watched his expression morph into one of confusion. "She did not tell you about it, did she? I thought as much. Lady Ashara Stark informed me that you desire to return home to Winterfell."

"That is common knowledge Your Grace-"

"Common knowledge or no, I spoke to Robert." She paused and beamed as she noticed him staring at her, alert as a hawk – more a direwolf – to its prey. "He gallantly decided to agree to the wishes of two pregnant women," she continued, her beam widening. "Lord Stark, you may finally return to Winterfell."


I wrote this chapter during my last week of exam season, so it may not be as great as previous chapters...I love Catelyn Tully as a character, but I find her POVs slightly difficult to write so do not expect many of them in this story :) As for Sansa, many of you said that she's better as Cat's daughter, but there's a slight problem in this story...all Baratheons are black haired and blue eyed. Either Sansa will be a Tully or a Stark who looks like a miniature version of Ashara Dayne. As she won't appear for at least five chapters, feel free to say whether you want Sansa to be Edmure's daughter of Ned's. I'll most likely write her either as a Tully or Stark based on the most says.