"And she will, Sister. But we cannot be tyrants as our father was. She must be tried, and if she is found guilty, Catelyn Tully will be executed. But that doesn't mean we cannot take everything that she holds dear away from her, starting by turning her loved ones against her." Rhaesa told her sister.
Dany thought about it for a moment then; she agreed, "From what Balerion and Vhagar reported, the Young Wolf is already suspicious of his wife; no doubt Lord Stark will want nothing to do with her after learning about her treachery." Dany discerned.
"Besides, Lord Stark is falling in love with our Missandei. He eventually would have left his wife for her anyway. Now he has more motive," Rhaesa said.
While Rhaesa talked to her council, Ned and Missandei made their way to the throne room to speak to Rhaesa and Daenerys. Ned was nervous that the Dragon Queen would pull her support for the North, even though Missandei assured him that her queen would do no such thing.
Missandei sent word that Lord Stark requested an audience with the royal couple and the Princess. One of the Unsullied quickly made his way inside to inform the queen. Ned and Missandei waited outside until they were called into the Throne Room. Upon entering, Ned immediately noticed that Drogon, the smaller of the dragons, had entered the Throne Room and had curled himself around the throne with his head between his parents. Ned suddenly heard the screeching of the other dragons nearby.
Sweat began to pour down Ned's face. He began to wonder if Queen Rhaesa would burn him alive as her father did with so many. Was she as mad as he was? As if reading his thoughts, Rhaesa spoke, "Lord Stark, I am not my father. You have nothing to fear; I have no intention of executing you by dragon fire or other means. My sons are only concerned for the safety of their parents."
Ned relaxed slightly.
"I suppose you are here because you want to know if we still intend to support the North against their enemies. The answer is yes; I will not hold your people responsible for the actions of one woman, though my family and I do want justice, and we will have it." Rhaesa informed Lord Stark.
Lord Stark nodded, "I understand, Your Grace. I, too, want justice for all the harm Catelyn Tully has caused."
Rhaesa leaned forward and stared into Ned's grey eyes with a glint in her violet eyes, "Then you should have no problem in setting your wife aside and annulling your marriage."
Ned straightened his spine, "None, Your Grace. I will not be tied to a woman that has caused so much harm to so many people."
"Good, there is a Sept in Braavos that can annul your marriage. A letter will be sent to your wife, and you will be free of her," Rhee, Rhaesa's Hand, informed Lord Stark.
Ned nodded and told them he'd write the letter as quickly as possible, and with that, he and Missandei left the throne room. As they left the Great Pyramid, Ned took Missandei's hand and brought it to his lips. He pulled her to a stop and stared into her chocolate eyes, "Missandei, I love you, and I would be honored if you would become my wife once I am free of Catelyn."
Missandei smiled at Ned and kissed him gently on the lips, "I would love to marry you, Eddard Stark. Nothing would make me happier."
Ned pulled Missandei flush against his body and kissed her deeply, then pulled away, "Come, I have a letter to write, and we have a wedding to plan."
It didn't take long for Ned to write the letter and reach the Sept in Braavos. When the High Septon read the request and the reason for it, he granted Ned's request for an annulment. The High Septon sent a Raven to Riverrun address to Catelyn Tully. When the letter arrived, Catelyn and Robb's army had returned to resupply and to rest for a few days.
Catelyn was surprised that she had received a letter from the High Septon of Braavos. There was also a letter from her husband. Catelyn decided to go to her childhood room to read the notes in private. She sat down on her bed and opened the letter from the High Septon first.
*Lady Tully,*
*This letter is to inform you that your husband, Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, has petitioned for the dissolution of your marriage on the grounds of deception and adultery. Lord Stark has informed me that he has known for many years that your youngest son Rickon Stark is not of his flesh but is the son of Peter Baelish.*
*On these grounds, the Faith of the Seven has granted his petition of annulment. You are to give up your title of Lady Stark of Winterfell and return to your father's home in Riverrun. Failure to do so will lead to your ex-communication from the Faith. A copy of this letter has been forwarded to your eldest son Robb Stark so that his father's will may be carried out.*
Catelyn read the letter twice to make sure that she had read it correctly. How did Ned know about her affair with Peter? It had only happened once when she had visited her father and Peter was there; the result was her pregnancy with Rickon. She had hoped that she had successfully passed her son off as Ned's.
Catelyn's hand shook as she reached for the letter that Ned had sent her.
*Lady Tully,*
*As you have read in the previous letter from the High Septon, our marriage has been officially dissolved. I do not ever want to see you again and want you out of Winterfell before I return.*
*I was willing to overlook your infidelity and claim Rickon as my son, but I cannot ignore all the damage you have caused to countless people due to your hatred and pettiness. Because of you, I lost my father, brother, and sister. Because of you, Elia Martell and her children were brutally murdered. Because of you, Queen Rhaella died giving birth, and the Targaryen children have been on the run all of their lives.*
*You are an evil, despicable person, and I hope you get what you deserve. You will no longer have contact with any of my children, and you can take your bastard son with you when you leave. Never contact my children or me ever again.*
*Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell.*
By the time Catelyn finished the letter, tears were streaming down her face. She was about to walk out of her room to talk to Robb when he came in. He was furious with his mother; Robb began waving the letter he had received from the High Septon and his father.
"You were unfaithful to Father? With Little Finger of all people?! How could you, Mother? And you hate Jon because he's a bastard when Rickon is no better. At least Father loved him as his own!"
Catelyn stared at her furious son, "Robb, I-"
"I do not want to hear your excuses, Lady Tully. Your things will be sent for from Winterfell as soon as possible, and you will remain here for the duration of this war. I do not need or want your council."
And with that, Robb stormed out of Catelyn's room without looking back. Catelyn sat on her bed and began to cry; she didn't know how long she had sat there crying, but suddenly there was a knock at her door. Catelyn wiped her tears and called for the person to enter; it was Edmure.
Catelyn smiled at her brother, "Brother, is there something I can do for you?"
"Sister, Father wishes to speak with you, and he is furious."
Catelyn swallowed. Could her father know about what had happened? She would soon find out.