A smile hovered on Catelyn's lips as she gazed at the massive and heavy cloth-of-gold on her lap, the crowned stag emblazoned in the centre with black onyxes. It took a few weeks to sew herself, but it was finally done.
It was her daughter Lyanna's maiden's cloak.
Some of Catelyn's ladies had raised their eyebrows when she'd announced she planned to sew Lyanna's maiden's cloak herself. "Why not have the seamstresses make it Your Grace?" Lady Margaery Baratheon had asked. It'd bothered Catelyn that after a brief honeymoon, Lady Margaery had followed her husband Renly to King's Landing rather than to settle in Dragonstone. Catelyn did not answer Lady Margaery; she would not understand a mother's love for her daughter.
"It looks lovely Your Grace," said Lady Roslin Frey shyly. Lady Roslin, a girl of eighteen, was one of Catelyn's newer ladies. She was small for her age, had white skin, a pretty face with a small chin, delicate nose, and big brown eyes. Today her brown hair was coiled into a long braid. When unbound, it would reach her waist. Lady Roslin had inherited no weaselly features from Lord Frey and was certainly one of his prettier daughters.
Catelyn smiled at her. "Thank you Lady Roslin. Do you miss the Twins?"
"We will always miss our homes Your Grace," Lady Roslin responded, "though I find the Twins stifling from time to time. However, my brother Ser Perwyn said that if he is granted Rosby, I can live there with him and our other brother Olyvar instead. The Twins does get crowded very quickly."
"I do not miss Highgarden as much as I should," chirped Lady Margaery. "It's a lovely place, but King's Landing is much more exciting. How long will you stay at court with us Lady Roslin?" She smiled sweetly. "There's a strong chance that my grandfather Lord Leyton Hightower will be granted Rosby. His first wife was the late Lord Rosby's niece after all."
Lady Roslin looked at Lady Margaery. "My mother was a Rosby my lady," she stated calmly. "Her grandfather was Lord Rosby's younger brother. My brothers and I have Rosby blood in our veins."
"Ladies," said Catelyn loudly before Lady Margaery could retort. "Please, let us leave the matter of the Rosby inheritance to the small council." She had heard the Rosby inheritance conflict through her husband's grumblings over the last week. Again through Robert, she learnt that her kinswoman Lady Shella Whent, Lady of Harrenhal, had died in her sleep a few months ago without any surviving sons or daughters. As the great grandchildren of Lady Whent's predecessor Lord Walton Whent, Catelyn, Lysa and especially Edmure, all had an excellent chance of being granted Harrenhal.
"Of course Your Grace," said Lady Margaery sweetly.
Too sweetly.
Catelyn looked at the cloth-of-gold cloak on her lap again. "No expenses would be spared for Lyanna's wedding to Robb Stark," Robert had declared a couple of days ago. He even said he would have Ser Barristan Selmy knight Robb before he wed Lyanna – a pre-wedding present of sorts. Catelyn felt a tinge of unease at the thought of the wedding cost. The treasury was no longer flowing with gold as it'd once did when Robert first ascended the Iron Throne. Catelyn wondered if there would be enough coin to celebrate Orys's wedding just as lavishly. The thought of Robert borrowing coins from the Lannisters worried her too. What if Lord Tywin suddenly demanded repayment? The crown was in no position to repay even half of the debt. What if Lord Tywin wanted one of her daughters to marry his dwarf son Tyrion? Catelyn almost shuddered. Thank the Seven Lyanna was to marry in a matter of months and Minisa still a young girl.
"Your Grace," said Uncle Brynden, entering the chamber. "Lord and Lady Stark have arrived along with a man of the Night's Watch." Catelyn brightened up. She still exchanged letters with Ashara, but letters were rarer over the last few weeks. Catelyn suspected Ashara was busy arranging last minute wedding plans for her daughter Lady Lyarra's wedding.
"Thank you Uncle," said Catelyn, folding the cloak and standing up. She turned to Lady Blackwood. "Can you put this in the chest in my room?" She handed it to her. "The chest near the window please." The other ladies stood up, curtsied and dipped their heads as Catelyn made her way out in her uncle's company.
"Lady Stark did not mention coming to King's Landing," Catelyn remarked. "Is Robert aware of it?"
Uncle Brynden shrugged. "I was mostly assigned to guard you or the children over the last few weeks. Perhaps my sworn brothers would know more. I suspect the king is aware of Lord and Lady Stark coming to court as Lord Stark would no doubt have written to the king before setting off. I do wonder why Lady Stark has come here too though."
"Is Robb with them?"
"I did not see him. They might have left him at Winterfell as acting lord. Good experience for the boy." He nodded approvingly. "Your grandfather would go and visit King's Landing from time to time to give Hoster good practice of ruling. Orys should have a chance to do that too."
"Orys is still a little young for ruling…"
Uncle Brynden chuckled. "Nonsense Your Grace! Orys is fourteen! A good age to put what he learnt into practice. During the dynasty of dragons, the heir would rule Dragonstone – good practice for kingship." He smiled at her and stood by the doors of the Great Hall as she walked in. Lord Stark and Ashara were standing in there talking to Robert, who looked happier than he had this morning. Robert will always be in high spirits when he is surrounded by Starks, Catelyn contemplated as she walked up to Robert and the Starks with a welcoming smile on her face. Lord Stark was the first to notice her approach.
"My queen," Lord Stark said, dipping his head. "You look well."
"Thank you Lord Stark," said Catelyn, beaming as he kissed her hand. "I didn't expect you or Lady Stark to come here today."
"Neither," agreed Robert. "When I received your letter Ned, I thought it would take you at least a month to travel here!" He chuckled boisterously. "Maybe even more than a month now that winter is coming eh? So where are the children? Did Robb wish to come here early to speak to Lyanna?"
"The children are at Winterfell," answered Lord Stark, "all of them except Bran who is here and Lyarra who is travelling to the Rills with Domeric. My wife and I have come on a…different matter."
Robert's eyes sparkled with interest. Catelyn too, was curious. "Are you both here to take Bran home?" she inquired. "I must tell you that he and Ormund have become very good friends, almost inseparable. They learn swordplay together in the training yard and they are taught together in the schoolroom. I did not expect you to come so soon."
Ashara smiled at her. "We have not come to take Bran home," she assured her kindly. "He is happy here and we do not want to deprive him of happiness. Have you met my good-brother First Ranger Benjen Stark? Ned and I would be grateful if you and Robert can listen to his petition first. He did come a long way after all." Catelyn smiled and looked at Robert, whose grin broadened.
"Benjen!" he roared enthusiastically, crushing the First Ranger into a massive hug. "It's been years! Last I saw you, you were still a young man of sixteen! Look at you now! Ned did mention you joined the Night's Watch."
"Your Grace," poor Benjen Stark managed to say. "It is an honour-"
"Bah! Enough of that Your Grace! Call me Robert! Now what's this you came to discuss? Need more men to man the Wall I suspect? I will have my men clear the dungeons for you. What happened to that other black brother who used to come here? The one with the beard and the the twisted shoulder? I thought he was the one out here gathering recruits."
"Yoren died," Benjen said quietly. "He died two years ago. Killed by a wildling I think. My other sworn brothers said he was ambushed by wildlings when he and a batch of recruits were on their way to Castle Black. Half the recruits died and a lot of them ran away in fear." Robert nodded. Catelyn knew her husband was not at all interested in the wildling situation. "I came here to ask for some troops my king," Benjen continued. "The wildlings have declared war and we had been slow to notice. We thought it was the usual raids, but it were acts of war. As you know, more than half the men of the Night's Watch are thieves, rapers and killers with a little to no experience in the sword and shield and archery. We need troops Your Grace. If the wildlings succeed and win the war, they will invade the North. After that, they'll head south. I saw them in the great ranging, Your Grace. There were so many of them beyond the Wall. Their sheer number will overwhelm us alone. I come here on behalf of Lord Commander Mallister Your Grace."
"A war?" Light lit up in Robert's eyes. Catelyn wanted to groan aloud. When he spent time with the children, he would tell them the stories of the glory days, the times he grasped victory in the war and the Greyjoy Rebellion. Catelyn knew that Robert loathed the political parts of ruling; another war, even if in the icy North? Catelyn could already picture him reliving his victories via telling the children of them whenever he could.
"A war," Benjen Stark confirmed. "A war we are losing Your Grace. Two of my sworn brothers have headed back to Castle Black with some of Lord Stark's men but they will not be enough. Ravens have been sent out to Lord Stark's vassals as well, but they will need time to gather their forces. We don't need a large army to march north; enough men to push the wildlings back beyond the Wall for two to three years will be helpful."
Robert nodded thoughtfully. "I will speak to the small council about it," he said gallantly. "You will have troops Benjen. You have my word on that."
Benjen broke into a smile. "Thank you Your Grace!"
"Robert," Robert corrected him. Catelyn laughed, a smile on her face as Benjen mumbled an apology. Robert chuckled. "You must dine with us tonight. Ned, you and Ashara too. It had been too long!"
"Thank you Robert, but I must decline," said Benjen swiftly. "I must recruit – it is said that the taverns are good places for finding recruits. As long as I am here, I must continue gathering volunteers. More black brothers are coming too. Maybe another time when the wildlings are vanquished, I will have the honour of dining with you Robert. You and your family."
"You are no longer a mere pup!" Robert chortled. "As you say! Would you like me to recommend a few taverns, Benjen?"
"No thank you Robert. I am certain I can manage."
Robert turned to Lord Stark and Ashara. "What about you two? I highly doubt you will be patrolling the streets of King's Landing, looking for recruits eh? Come and have a drink with us! Drink of…mead," he added hastily before Catelyn could clear her throat and glare at him, "or…or ale."
"That would be delightful," spoke Ashara. "We will be honoured to join you for a goblet of…mead or ale."
"Now Ned, I doubt you and Ashara came all the way here to accompany Ben," said Robert, smacking his lips as his eyes fixed on the suckling pig placed on the middle of the table. "What is it you wish to speak about?"
"It is…a delicate matter," said Ned quietly. "Regarding Robb."
Catelyn frowned. "Robb?" Ned nodded. Catelyn glanced at Ashara and noticed at once that Ashara was staring at her mostly empty plate – very unusual. Catelyn grew concerned. Ashara had never been silent for long. She'd always have a word or two ready and her conversations were more interesting than those of ladies at court who preferred boasting about the strong qualities of their brothers or sons or husbands to influence her. Some would be bolder and suggest their daughters as companions for either Lyanna and Minisa or their sons as pages at court. They would do anything to advance their Houses.
"Ashara?" said Catelyn softly. "Are you ill?"
Ashara looked up and forced a smile on her face. "Not at all Your Grace. A little tired I suppose, but I am not ill."
"Have I not asked you to call me Catelyn before?"
The smallest of smiles appeared on Ashara's strange expression. "That you did Catelyn," she conceded. "That you did. I'm afraid I won't be good company to you today, Catelyn. My apologies for it."
Catelyn shook her head. "Don't apologise, Ashara. You had a long journey from Winterfell in such a short time. Robert should not have insisted for you and your husband to join us for supper today. I know how tiring travelling can be and with children to worry about! By chance, did Lord Frey try and coerce you to betroth a son or daughter to one of his?"
"It was Ser Stevron Frey who hosted us for a day. He said Lord Frey was ailing and in bed." Ashara chuckled. "First time I ever heard that Lord Frey was ill. So ill that he was unable to speak to us at all."
"I always thought Lord Frey would outlive me!"
Ashara laughed. "As did I! My mother once threatened to marry me to him if I ever misbehaved. I was terrified, Catelyn. There was this tourney at Oldtown – to celebrate the birth of Lord Leyton's first Hightower granddaughter Lady Maelle I think – that I'd attended when I was a girl of fourteen. My mother and both of my two brothers also attended, as did Lord Frey. His fifth wife had recently died and he was hunting for a new wife. That tourney would have been exciting if I wasn't so frightened and worried my mother would betroth me to Lord Frey any minute. When we returned home, I told Mother and she laughed. She then vowed that I'd be wedded to a great Dornish lord, not Lord Frey." She quietened. "She'd died an hour after giving birth to Allyria. My father died shortly afterwards too."
"I am so sorry," said Catelyn softly. She truly was. Ashara must've expected to live in Dorne all her life: marriage to a Dornish lord, having Dornish children and dying contently in her Dornish home. Instead, she was married to Lord Ned Stark of Winterfell, birthed northern children and lived legions away from her Dornish family and her childhood home.
The moment of grief was interrupted by Robert's loud laugh. Catelyn looked at her husband in surprise. She glanced at Lord Stark – it did not seem he uttered a jape at all. "Robert?" she said cautiously. "Is something amusing you?"
Robert snickered and slapped Lord Stark on the shoulder. "Robb's a man!" he declared, reaching for his cup of ale. "A man, Cat!" He guffawed. "Ned just told me that he and Ashara came all the way here to tell us that after a rowdy night, Robb bedded Ned's ward!" His broad shoulders shook as he directly broke into further laughter. "Robb had his first tumble! Ha!" Robert raised his goblet slightly as if he approved of that appalling behaviour…which he probably did.
Catelyn's lips tightened. Robb had never slept around before…she never heard he did until now. What if he liked it? A thought struck her. What if that woman he tumbled with gives birth to a bastard? Catelyn was horrified. Robert had plenty of bastards, but she remembered the moment when she learnt two of his bastards – Edric Storm and Gendry Waters – were to be raised in the Red Keep. Oh it had all been Lord Arryn's idea, but there was no use blaming the dead now. Catelyn was certain that if the girl birthed a bastard, Lord Stark and Robb would both agree to have the bastard raised at Winterfell alongside Lyanna's future trueborn children after she wedded Robb.
Anger swelled in Catelyn. "Robb tumbled with a girl," she said, her slim fingers curling into fists. "He tumbled with a girl."
"Relax Cat," said Robert, waving his hand dismissively. He snickered again. "It is fine, Cat! Besides, wouldn't you rather our daughter Lyanna have a much more pleasurable wedding night?" Catelyn blushed as red as the juicy strawberries on the plate in front of her. Robert snorted and turned to Ned. "All is good, Ned! All's good! Ha ha! I never thought Robb would tumble with a girl! Your ward too, eh? I must say, I don't remember you having a girl ward."
"Daenerys Sand Your Grace," spoke Ashara. "My late brother Lord Dayne's um, bastard daughter. We raised her since she was a babe."
"Ah yes," said Robert, chewing on a chicken leg. "I remember her. Very pretty wasn't she? Silver-haired I think. Mmm. If I was raised alongside a pretty girl like her, I would've fucked her too." He licked his lips. "Would've fucked her hard till the whole castle hears her scream my name." He chuckled.
By then, Catelyn's cheeks flushed hotly with embarrassment. "Lord Stark, you will be sending your ward away won't you?" she heard herself inquire. "What she had done was…disgraceful. Utterly disgraceful."
"Robb bedding my ward isn't all that happened," said Lord Stark grimly. What else could have happened? Catelyn was almost certain Lord Stark was going to tell her and Robert that this Daenerys Sand was pregnant with Robb's bastard. Yes, it was why Lord Stark and Ashara both came to King's Landing to deliver the awful news. Catelyn calmed down a little. It hurt that Robb had bedded a woman, but in truth, he was an unmarried man and all young men were hot-blooded in love and lust. No doubt after Robb marries Lyanna, he would settle down and see sense. A bastard at Winterfell would surely upset Lyanna.
Robert leant forward with interest. "Robb fathered a bastard?"
"Robb married my ward," said Lord Stark shortly. Catelyn's eyes widened. No, he must be mistaken…
The grin disappeared from Robert's face. "What?"
"Robb married Daenerys Sand," Lord Stark repeated. "After realising what he had done, he married her."
"Your son married a bastard?" growled Robert, his eyes flashing with anger. "I hope you are japing Ned!" Lord Stark shook his head silently. Robert rounded to Ashara. "Robb married your bastard niece!" he accused, shaking with rage. "Your BASTARD NIECE Lady Stark! You did nothing to stop them? Your son rejected my daughter, a princess, for your BASTARD NIECE?"
"Robb did the honourable thing Your Grace." Lord Stark's voice rose. "He took Daenerys Sand's maidenhead and married the next day. He protected her honour Your Grace. It was noble of him."
Robert stood up and slammed the table with his fists. The plates and bowls of food and the cups of liquid shook. "YOUR SON HUMILIATED MY DAUGHTER!" He glowered at Ned, full of hate instead of affection. Catelyn bit her lip as she felt her eyes threatened by tears. I will not weep. She was a grown woman and queen; not a girl of ten who lost the love of her life. As Robert ranted at Lord and Lady Stark, Catelyn stared at her plate, pain jabbing her heart. Only that morning she thought Lyanna was soon to be married to Robb Stark. She finished sewing the maiden's cloak and now Lyanna was without a betrothed. Robb and Lyanna were engaged since they were babes and now…nothing. No marriage. After all those years Robb decided to wed his bastard cousin. It wasn't even a pretty northern girl he could have fancied. It was his bastard cousin.
His bastard cousin.
"Please Catelyn…" Catelyn swallowed her thoughts and looked up. Lady Stark was staring at her pleadingly. "Robb did not mean to humiliate Lyanna," she said softly. "He really didn't."
"It is Your Grace, Lady Stark," said Catelyn coldly. Her lips tightened. How was she so blind? It was Lady Stark at fault, not Lord Stark. Lord Stark wouldn't have agreed to foster his good-brother's bastard if Lady Stark hadn't convinced him to in the first place. Lady Stark probably persuaded her bastard niece to sneak into Robb's bed, knowing full well what Robb would do. What for? Catelyn knew.
Revenge.
All those years of waiting and plotting to hurt Lord Stark and through him the other lords – even Robert and Catelyn herself – who participated in the rebellion that deposed the Targaryens. It sounded unbelievable and unlike the Lady Stark Catelyn knew, but what if Lady Stark was not the caring, kind and clever woman she thought she was?
Suddenly smothered by a mix of sad and furious thoughts, Catelyn stood up, to Robert and Lord and Lady Stark's surprise. "I will retire now Robert," she said as Lord and Lady Stark stood up politely. She turned to them. "Please forgive me for retiring early my lord Stark, my lady." She walked away from the table as Robert resumed his angry rant.
Catelyn left and slowly headed to her daughter Lyanna's chambers with a sole thought in mind:
Lyanna must know the truth.
I agree that the best way is for Ned to disinherit Robb, but it would be really out of character for him. There will be more on that in the northern chapter soon. Next chapter is a southron chapter. For those of you interested, I am also uploading the oneshot 'Kill the Boy' (my first oneshot!) which is Igl's prompt (Chapter 72 Christmas competition). BigStevie, I will start your prompt straight away :)
Here are a few hints to hopefully help you guess who the next chapter's POV is:
- Again, it is another woman
- She did not have a POV in The Dance of Spring before
- She did not have a POV in the ASOIAF books before
- She is from the Reach and has spoken to Catelyn in The Dance of Spring
- Her chapter will dabble slightly in both the Northern and the Dornish plot arcs
The winner will be the first person who tells me the correct POV.
I really enjoy creating these little POV guessing games and the prompts you guys set are seriously so interesting! :D
