CATELYN III

Eyrie was a nice castle, but it was far from what she would call home. Nevertheless, it was her brother-in-law's castle, the ancestral home of House Arryn and therefore a castle worthy of a nobleman of high standing. Unfortunately for her, the visit to her sister turned out to be more boring than she expected, quickly exhausting the topics of conversation they had.

They spent hours knitting without exchanging more than a few words and the most interesting thing was the news that her husband, Lord Denys Arryn, told them. Which were few compared to the many things Stannis entrusted to her.

"Aunt Shella has died", Lysa said one day.

"Really?" asked Catelyn.

"Yes, and her son-in-law's upstart calls himself Lord Danwell. A Frey occupies our mother's castle, by what right?"

Donwell Frey, Lord Walder's eighth child, had married Winafrei Whent, the maid of Harrenhal, when her mother's house fell out of favor after Robert's Rebellion. Before the war, the Whents were the richest and most powerful in the Riverlands, with great marriage opportunities; after the war, Lady Shella lost her sons and only one Frey was willing to marry her daughter.

And since Winafrei had no children, when he died, the castle could pass to Danwell. If her old father lived, he would be furious. Lord Hoster was always suspicious of the Freys, whom he regarded as hardly better than the merchants. The Whents, on the other hand, were not a very old family, but they were of cleaner origins. A true landed nobility instead of enriched by collecting a toll.

"Luckily father is not here to see this", said Catelyn.

"Harrenhal should be for one of our beloved mother's grandchildren", Lysa added, paying no attention to Catelyn's words. "For your Hoster, my Brynden or Edmure's next son... Anyway, I guess Edmure will have to deal with having two Lord Frey as vassals."

"Maybe my husband can do something", Catelyn said, trying to cheer her up. He isn't the King's best friend, but he is still his brother. I think if I convince him of the dangers of empowering House Frey he might favor your Brynden."

"Are you serious?" and her eyes lit up.

"I'm serious. When I return to Storm's End, I will discuss the matter of Harrenhal's inheritance."

Most likely, her husband respected Winafrei's rights as Harrenhal's rightful heir, despite being married to a Frey. Stannis never cared about certain people's humble origins, paying greater attention to their behavior. Thus, he appreciated Davos Seaworth much more than the Tyrells and the houses of the Reach.

Catelyn recalled that when Edmure married Desmera Redwyne her husband gnashed his teeth in the weeks before the wedding. He still did not forgive Lord Paxter Redwyne for his role during Siege of Storm's End. Such a grudge was strange to Catelyn, but she respected her husband's decision to keep it.

In any case, she lost nothing trying to help Lysa. Her son Brynden did not have as much support from his father, so she wanted to assure him of a future. The Lannisters themselves had done the same to Ser Tyrek Lannister by marrying him to Lady Ermesande Hayford, thus founding the Lannister House of Hayford in the Crowlands. Something not very different from what the King did with his cousin Lomas Estermont when naming him Lord of Dragonstone.

"Lady Lysa", announced the Maester, interrupting the weaving.

"Yes, maester?"

"A letter from your uncle, Ser Bryden"

"Give me it"

Lysa read the letter and then wrinkled it furiously.

"Damn ungrateful!" she shouted.

"What's wrong with Lysa?" asked Catelyn.

"My son Brynden has fled to Essos to join the Seconds Sons. And the Black Fish has not been able to stop it. Woe to me when my husband finds out!"

Lord Denys did not react well; he was so furious that he dismissed Ser Brynden Tully from his duties. Catelyn, who pitied her uncle, wrote him a letter to escort her to Storm's End, where he would find a home if he wished to stay. As a child she always loved her uncle, who always had time for her and her siblings, even for Petyr.

As for Petyr, Catelyn learned from Lysa that he worked in Gulltown and had married a woman from House Arryn in Gulltown. The Arryns of Gultown were wealthy, but as they were married to merchants they were not considered. In a way, it was the best marriage Petyr could hope for, as he himself had engaged in commerce, given the poverty of his lands.

Catelyn didn't have much appreciation for him, she remembered well how she challenged Brandon Stark to win her hand. The poor fool grew up capable of defeating the wildest of Winterfell's wolves, as if life were a song. A life in charge of finances was more suitable for a weak man like him, because even the sons of the much humblest Ser Davos had proven to behave like men.

When Catelyn and her uncle arrived in Gulltown, they received word that Lord Eddard Stark was already at King's Landing. She then allowed himself to think about what her life would have been like if he had married the silent wolf. If she remembered correctly, Lord Eddard was an ugly man, at least compared to Brandon; he didn't have the wild beauty of the Starks and was too taciturn for her liking.

Loving Stannis had been difficult, but he loved duty as much as she did, which allowed them to get along well. The first year was difficult, as her husband only visited her bed three times. Even so, after the birth of Edric, her husband's character softened, visiting her bed more often, to the point of doing it once a month.

Catelyn knew she didn't have sex as often as other people, but The Seven-Pointed Star encouraged husbands to practice chastity. It was not a duty, just a pious choice, an option she liked to fulfill. As for her husband, he was certainly not a devout man, though he was far from being impious.

"Is your husband upset about Lord Stark's appointment?" asked Ser Brynden as they boarded the ship.

"He does", Catelyn admitted. "He can't understand why the King prefers Lord Eddard over him."

"What do you think?"

"Being the Hand of the King is an honor my husband deserves. Still, I know that siblings don't always get along, just like you like my father."

Ser Brynden didn't say anything, although he looked embarrassed.

"We don't always choose who we love, niece. I wasn't the best brother to Hoster, but I was the best uncle to you, to Lysa, and to Edmure."

"Lady Baratheon, Ser Brynden", they were interrupted by Lord Baelish, who was at the loading dock with a small entourage.

"Petyr? Is that you?" replied Catelyn in amazement.

"That's right, Cat, were you planning on leaving without saying goodbye to an old friend?"

"Go up," Catelyn allowed, to a sullen look from the Black Fish.

Petyr Baelish obeyed her and went up in the company of two guards.

"Old friend, it's an honor to see you after so many years. And I hope it's not the last time."

"It won't be", Catelyn lied, who didn't want to meet him again.

"Well, because I'm traveling to Lys soon and it would be nice to visit you back in Storm's End.

Catelyn fell silent, but her uncle vouched for her.

"I am sure Lord Baratheon will receive you, Lord Baelish. Just like the legendary storms."

"I know experienced sailors, Ser Brynden, I will arrive safely."

Not many more were said, fortunately for Catelyn. When they departed, She was just thinking about what she would say to Stannis about Petyr, a man she had complained about in his presence. At least she would have close to the Black Fish, who would protect her from any nonsense Littlefinger tried. Catelyn knew that had she been present, she would have avoided the duel between Petyr and Brandon Stark, the duel that damaged their friendship forever.