The journey back to King's Landing was dull. Every time the royal party went passed a village or holdfast, Catelyn felt a dull ache in her heart. When she, Lysa and Edmure were little, their father loved taking them with him to the castles of his bannermen when he felt in the mood to travel. Since she was a girl of six, she had journeyed throughout the Riverlands from the dreary Twins down south to the seat of House Vypren.
From Riverrun to King's Landing, Catelyn was miserable. Her party travelled on River Road, pausing briefly at Lord Keath's castle and Lord Harroway's Town for a short respite. Catelyn's palms almost bled as she dug her nails into them to stop herself from weeping when one of the knights declared that they will rest in the inn at the crossroads for a night. Catelyn knew that tavern well; she'd rested there a number of times when Father was alive.
"You holding up Cat?" said her uncle quietly, sliding onto the seat opposite her, handing her a mug of warm ale.
"Trying to," murmured Catelyn, taking a long sip. "It's hard."
"I know. Despite our quarrels, I still thought Hoster my brother. I always will. I wished we could rest our heads somewhere else tonight, but not many inns near River Road or Kingsroad can provide chambers good enough for a queen."
"For a day or two, I wish I am not Robert's queen. I want to be Catelyn Tully of Riverrun, not Queen Catelyn of House Baratheon." Uncle Brynden shook his head with a sad smile. "Impossible little Cat," he said forlornly. "You are the queen and will remain queen till your death. If Lyanna Stark had lived, she would have been the queen and you would've been the Lady of Winterfell."
"The Seven had different plans, Uncle. Lyanna Stark is gone but my daughter will be their new Lyanna Stark once she marries Robb Stark."
"You will always see her again."
"She won't be my little girl forever."
Uncle Brynden nodded and said softly. "That's what your father used to say to me when we weren't fighting. When we talked about you, Lysa, Edmure and even Petyr Baelish, your father would oft say you wouldn't be children forever."
"He was rambling to me before he died," Catelyn recalled. Her mind suddenly cleared from a fog of misery and despair. "I thought he was delirious in his last days – Maester Vyman even said he had his delirious moments – but he called me Lysa…he kept calling me Lysa…and apologising."
"He must've regretted wedding Lysa to Jon Arryn. Poor Lysa was devastated when she was told the news."
"I remember…" Catelyn faltered. "There's more."
"What is it?"
Catelyn glanced around. "He kept muttering a word," she whispered. "Tansy. I don't know what it means. Father kept saying it. Did he…did he ever have um, a mistress when he was alive? I know he had no natural children or open affairs at Riverrun, but…oh Uncle! Please tell me the truth! Did my father ever have a small infatuation with a common girl named Tansy?"
"If he did, I was not told about it." Uncle Brynden looked thoughtful. "Having a mistress would've been huge for Hoster. He would've told me if he did fall in love with a girl, even a commoner."
"Maybe he was afraid of what having a mistress would do to his reputation as the Lord of Riverrun and a father?"
"Perhaps. He still would've told me anyhow. If this Tansy girl was with child, I wager Hoster would either send her away whilst giving her a regular amount of money to raise the child or have raised the child as his own."
"What does it have to do with Lysa?"
"Maybe Lysa somehow found out about Tansy and to hush her up, he sent her, he wedded her to Jon Arryn?" Catelyn frowned. If Lysa discovered an important secret, she would've been all giggly and told her anyway. Lysa was never one for keeping secrets. Besides, as a child, Lysa was never particularly observant in the schoolroom or in games.
"I'll look into the matter," Uncle Brynden promised. "Cat, you have your duties to attend to when we return to King's Landing and I'll try and do what I can do to find out about this Tansy. Maybe write to Lysa? She might know more about this than both of us!"
"I wish I asked Sansa," said Catelyn wistfully. "The poor girl lived in solitude in the Vale with only Lysa for company for about a year. She might've heard or saw something regarding Tansy. She's only a little girl and might not be aware of the significance of what she witnessed. I'd hoped I would be able to retain Sansa for a few weeks at court, but I worry about Lysa. Ever since Jon's death, her letters had become more infrequent and sound quite unlike the Lysa I know. Even the letters from Sansa are rare now. I wish I can go to the Eyrie someday, but as queen, it is my duty to stay in King's Landing."
"Summon Lysa and Sansa to King's Landing when it is the king's name day. I'm certain they won't miss grand celebrations. Invite this Harrold Hardyng too. I'm interested to meet this young man who Jon named as Sansa's betrothed."
"Their betrothal was unexpected, but clever in Jon's part."
"Do you believe Lord Stannis will change Sweetrobin into a proper lording? I pity Lysa for losing both her son and a daughter to Lord Stannis Baratheon, but if there is a man who can transform Sweetrobin, it would be Lord Stannis. I will be saddened if Sweetrobin turns out as hard as Lord Stannis, but better a hard man to rule the Vale than a whining boy."
"Lysa will hate it."
"Aye, but Lysa had always been soft as a girl. Not a bad quality, but she is now a mother, not a mere girl. She must grow up, and quickly. How will she be a good example for Sansa?"
"Sansa is a bright girl, innocent and kind." She stopped talking and smiled as the innkeeper, Masha Heddle, delivered them their hot meal – a bowl of soup, a thick slice of buttered bread, a large portion of chicken and a flagon of ale – with a quick curtsey and a broad grin that revealed her blood-red teeth, which Catelyn remembered was caused by her continuous eating of sourleaf.
"Milady queen," she said excitedly. "An honour to have you here again!"
"Masha," Catelyn tilted her head. "Good to see you too."
"Are the little princes and princesses here too, milady queen? Shall I fetch 'em some nice sweet cakes?"
"How kind of you Masha! Only my eldest is here. Lyanna."
"A lovely princess Your Grace."
"Thank you Masha."
"Condolences on your lord father's passing my queen. Lord Hoster Tully was a good lord, a fair lord. My condolences."
"Thank you Masha." Catelyn picked at her food. She wasn't particularly hungry but forced herself to eat a bit of warm chicken and bread. Her uncle watched her and nodded approvingly. "Eat up Cat. Hoster would have wanted you to remain in good health rather than wither away. Here." He pushed his bowl of hot chicken broth towards her. "Eat it Cat."
"I don't think I can."
"Try, Cat. I hope you'll have a good sleep tonight. I'll guard your door; the two other household guards can look after Lyanna."
"You need to rest too Uncle."
"Bah, I had plenty of nights without a good sleep – one more will not matter. I will not rest easy until we return to the Red Keep. The last thing Hoster told me – it was a few years ago – was that bandits have been spotted roaming the nearby roads, robbing travellers and merchants in their way. Imagine their delight at the prospect of robbing a queen! Now that Edmure's Lord of Riverrun, I suspect they will be much bolder."
"Edmure will rule fairly."
"He hadn't killed a man, Cat, and he is still young. Hoster taught him the best he could." His forehead creased. "If I wasn't of the Kingsguard, I would help him the best I can. I shouldn't have accepted that white cloak so quickly. At first it was to spite Hoster…I was a fool wasn't I?"
"What is done, is done. You're a fine knight of the Kingsguard and my husband appreciates you protecting him." Catelyn stood up. "I'll eat more in the morning," she promised. "I'm…tired. I think I will retire early."
Catelyn's mood only soured when she rode into the Red Keep. Right there in front of her was young Edric Storm in a sparring session against his uncle Renly, who laughed good-naturedly when Edric knocked the sword from his hand. She gritted her teeth. Bastard. It still bewildered her why Robert decided to have two of his dozen bastards raised in the Red Keep along with his trueborn children. It was still a complete mystery to her.
"Your Grace!" said Renly cheerfully, flourishing a bow as he noticed her. Edric stopped and bowed too. Catelyn ignored him.
"Lord Renly," she acknowledged. "You seem to be in a fine mood today – quite odd considering young Edric here just defeated you in a round of sparring!" She curtly nodded at Edric. She found no point ignoring him. Edric and the other one would crop up that day anyway. They always did.
"I'm in an excellent mood, dear good-sister," Renly agreed. He strode forward and gallantly helped Lyanna dismount her horse. "In the latest council meeting, it had been decided that I will remain a happily unmarried man for another year or so! Is that not glorious?"
Catelyn frowned. "You are betrothed to Lady Margaery."
"Were, my queen. Were."
Catelyn arched an eyebrow. "Were, Lord Renly? How is this possible? You and Lady Margaery have been betrothed since you were children! Was there a reason for an end to your betrothal?"
"The usual arguments and my dear brother Stannis finally had enough." Renly smiled charmingly. "Lord Tyrell refused to wed his daughter off to a landless lord and insisted for Stannis to give up Dragonstone for me – something dear Stannis wouldn't do of course. He claimed that Dragonstone would fall if I ruled it from here. Funny, I do not see him visiting that wet island monthly. When Mace Tyrell suggested that I have Storm's End instead; a mistake on his part. You should have seen Stannis's face my queen! It looked as if he wanted to kill him!"
There was no surprise there. "What did Robert say to this?"
Renly shrugged. "He was out hunting."
"He was hunting?" Catelyn repeated. "Robert was out hunting? It is unwise to have the Reach as our enemy!"
Renly laughed languidly. "Oh my dear good-sister! You worry too much! There is peace in the Seven Kingdoms and Mace Tyrell would be foolish to launch a war against the Iron Throne. Yes he has a large army, but apart from his Reach lords, who will support him? Lord Stark is Robert's best friend, Lord Tully is your dear brother and Lord Lannister is Stannis's good-father."
"That leaves the Greyjoys and Martells, both who have good reasons to rebel against the Iron Throne."
"You have four children my queen! Lyanna's betrothed, but the other two can be used to forge new friends eh?"
Catelyn was too tired to argue that her children were still children. She hated to think they were naught but bargaining chips or cows in a market. Robert was not particularly interested in finding spouses for their children, but as the Hand of the King, Stannis – and Jon Arryn before him – were ruthless in making strong alliances with her children as ironclad pieces in agreements. She wondered who Stannis planned to wed her Orys to.
"I'm willing to marry for the good of House Baratheon Your Grace," said Edric Storm proudly. "I am the king's son after all."
The king's bastard you mean. "I'm glad to know," said Catelyn stiffly. "I see you have been sparring with Lord Renly."
"Indeed Your Grace! Yesterday the king allowed me to hold his warhammer! I had to use both hands to hold it Your Grace!"
Catelyn froze. Her lips tightened as the bastard's beam broadened. "Now was that not an honour?" she said sarcastically. "Holding the great King Robert's own warhammer! A tremendous honour indeed!"
"Quite!"
"Lord Renly, Edric," spoke Uncle Brynden. "Her Grace is tired. I hope you don't mind if Her Grace retires early?"
"Why of course!" exclaimed Renly. "My queen, allow me the honour of leading my niece to her chamber? I'd like some time with my sweet niece." Catelyn gave her consent with a quick nod.
"Uncle Renly," said Lyanna, smiling at her uncle. "I hope you are well." Catelyn gave her a swift kiss on the cheek before dismounting her horse and heading to her chambers, Tully knights behind her. Robert should never have allowed that bastard of his to touch his war hammer, she thought, entering her rooms. What if Edric thinks he has rights to the Iron Throne? Her heart hardened. Orys was heir to the Iron Throne and no bastard would replace him. She gestured for one of the maidservants to approach. "I'd like to bathe," she told her. Before she could take the pins out of her hair, she heard a knocking at the door. One of her usual guards came in and said, "The king is here."
"The king?" said Catelyn, surprised. "Here? Now?" Robert hardly visited her in her private rooms unless it was at night. Even then, it had become rarer after she gave birth to Minisa. It seemed Robert preferred his whores and tavern wenches after siring two sons and two daughters. At first Catelyn was hurt – wouldn't any woman be? – but over the years, she grew used to an empty bed. She also learned that Robert never slept with the same woman twice. She was relieved that he had not slipped to drinking. It had took her a while to convince him to reject wine – a personal victory. It was also the only victory Catelyn recalled. After sixteen years of marriage, she still felt she married a stranger. Robert called her, "dear Cat", but it felt empty, not like the way her father used to fondly named her his 'little Cat'. From Lady Stark's letters, Catelyn envied her relationship with Lord Stark. Their marriage was a success and they loved each other – a rarity in political matches indeed. Catelyn wasn't as lucky as Lady Ashara Stark.
"Cat," said Robert awkwardly, closing the door behind him quietly. "You well? Your father was a good man. It was an honour fighting with him."
"He died peacefully," said Catelyn softly. "Thank the Seven for that."
"Aye. He was also a good Master of Laws. Much better than Ser Kevan. I didn't expect you back so early Cat. I thought you would've stayed at Riverrun for a few more weeks to mourn with your family."
"You are my family." Catelyn's tone was flat, almost mechanic. "My husband. It is my duty to be here with you."
"Eh, duty. Lyanna well? Not too upset I hope?"
"Sad of course. She loved her grandfather as much as he loved her. She spoke to young Robb Stark at Riverrun too. I am glad she had a chance to speak to him before their wedding."
Robert perked up with interest. "Robb Stark was at Riverrun? What for?"
Catelyn shrugged. "I don't know. Northerners are strange, Robert. So different to us of the south. Their ways are more…blunt. The Starks are good people, but I do worry if Lyanna will survive in the cold North and be happy. I never dreamed that my daughter will be leagues away from me when she is wed." She laughed a little. "I know it sounds childish, but I never thought I'd marry a Northern lord or a king either. All thanks to a war, I'm married to a king and my daughter engaged to the Lord of Winterfell's heir."
"It is a good match Cat," said Robert gruffly. "For me, it is more than that. Ned is as much my brother as Stannis and Renly and he will be family once Robb and Lyanna are married. It is a dream I always wanted."
"You named our daughter Lyanna," Catelyn could not help saying. For sixteen years, she had held her tongue. She accepted a Northern name for her daughter – not today. "You gave her a Northern name," she continued. "It sounded like you planned to marry her to Lord Stark's heir even if he happened to be ten or twelve years younger than her."
Robert snorted. "That would be highly unlikely Cat. I wouldn't marry Lyanna to a babe when she is a maiden!"
"I know you still love Lyanna," said Catelyn rashly. Robert stared at her. "Not our Lyanna," Catelyn added. "Her. Lyanna Stark. Even if Rhaegar Targaryen took her maidenhead, you still would've married her." Robert flinched. Catelyn gave a hysterical laugh. "By the Seven! You hardly knew her! What was she? A Stark and a pretty face? Was that all you remember of her? Would you have wed all four of our children to Starks if you could?"
"Seven Hells no!" grumbled Robert. "What is wrong with you?"
Catelyn wiped away angry tears. "You hardly know me! After sixteen years of marriage, you still hardly know me! I know I am no Lyanna Stark, and I'm naught like her, but have you tried to know me?"
Robert sighed. "You are a good woman Cat," he admitted. "I always thought I didn't deserve a woman like you. You kept your silence all those years…only the strongest of women can do that. You raised our children well and treated my um, bastards better than any woman would. I'm grateful, Cat."
Catelyn folded her arms. "Did you spend time with our sons when I was away in Riverrun, Robert?"
"Why would you ask that?"
No more, a voice inside Catelyn's head begged. This is not you. "I heard Renly is no longer betrothed to Margaery Tyrell," said Catelyn hastily. Robert nodded, his eyebrows raised with astonishment.
"I heard it this morning from Stannis," he affirmed with a derisive snort. "That man never liked the Tyrells and would've done anything to break that betrothal between Renly and Lady Margaery. It was that uptight pride of his, I wager. Even as a child, Stannis had always been so unyielding. He refused to relinquish either Dragonstone or Storm's End to Renly. Fool. Doesn't he know that it would only lessen that damned burden of his? I could just take Dragonstone from him, but I need Stannis as my Hand with Ned remaining in Winterfell." He sighed. "Thank the gods for Jon Arryn, Ned Stark, Hoster Tully and Stannis. All hardworking and honest men. Without them, I would've led the Seven Kingdoms to disaster! Bah, no more talk of this."
Catelyn nodded in agreement.
"What about joining me for a hunt tomorrow?" suggested Robert. "You are a fine rider. You should try hunting Cat!" Catelyn smiled and nodded. "I'll be happy to go hunting with you tomorrow," she replied. She hated hunting, but at least he was attempting to spend more time with her. He never really invited her on one of his hunting trips before.
"The children can hunt with us!" said Robert enthusiastically. "It is time they go hunting! Lyanna, Orys, Ormund, Brandon Stark, Edric and Gendry!"
"Wouldn't it be dangerous?" said Catelyn, concerned.
"Not at all!" Robert laughed, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "They will have the Kingsguard protecting them. It will be fun, Cat. We will have a big feast afterwards to celebrate our successes! I've hunted all my life and I am still here – only ignorant fools and arrogant idiots die whilst hunting."
Catelyn's no Cersei, but after being married to Robert for so long and being dutiful and all, Catelyn needed to vent out in anger like at least once. What do you think of season 6 Game of Thrones so far? :)
