When Catelyn reached her father's Solar, she timidly knocked on the door, and she heard her father bark out for her to enter. Straightening out her skirts, Catelyn walked in with as much dignity as she could muster. She immediately noticed that her Uncle Bryndon was there and was giving her a disappointed look. Hoster, on the other hand, had yet to look up from the paperwork he was reading. Catelyn stood there and waited for her father to acknowledge her presence.
After a while, Catelyn began to fidget until Hoster looked up with cold eyes and stared at her, "Sit, daughter."
Immediately, Catelyn took her seat across from her father's desk. He stared at her for a long moment before speaking; holding up the letter, he looked Catelyn straight in the eyes, "Are these accusations true, Daughter? And do not think of lying to me."
Catelyn hung her head in shame, then mumbled, "Yes, Father, they are."
"Speak up, girl."
Catelyn lifted her head and looked at Hoster, "Yes, Father, the accusations that Lord Stark has made are true. Rickon is not his son, but the bastard son of Pyter Baelish."
Hoster sighed, "How could you do such a foolish thing? Do you know what you have cost us? A lot of our trade was with the North, and with your betrayal, there is no guarantee that our alliance will remain intact."
"Robb would never abandon his family," Cat said indignantly.
Hoster stared coldly at his daughter, "From what I understand, he no longer wants anything to do with you and has had your things sent for from Winterfell. Besides, as long as Eddard lives, it is not Robb's decision. Because of you and your stupidity, you have cost us everything, including the possibility of protecting the Riverlands. You, Catelyn, have betrayed our family's words. Your Family, Your Duty, and most of all, your honor. Now, the question is, what am I going to do with you and your bastard son?"
"What do you mean, Father?" Catelyn asked.
"By now, the entire realm has heard of your infidelity, and they will want nothing to do with you. Your son will be shunned as a bastard. There are only two choices, either you join the Silent Sisters, and we send Rickon to the Citadel, or you marry Pyter Baelish. I honestly would prefer the first option as it is a fitting punishment. I will think about it and decide later. You may go."
With that apparent dismissal, a stunned Catelyn left her father's solar. Meanwhile, Robb had sent word to Maester Luwin to have everything that pertained to Lady Tully packed and sent to Riverrun as soon as possible. He informed him in as little detail as possible that she was no longer the Lady of Winterfell and was no longer welcomed. It was harder for Robb to tell Maester Luwin to prepare Rickon's things and have the boy escorted to the keep to be with his mother, but it was something that Robb had to do. Rickon was young enough to remember or understand what was going on, and he would soon adjust to living in Riverrun.
Meanwhile, in Meereen, Ned had received word of the dissolution of his marriage to Catelyn Tully, and he couldn't have been happier; However, Ned did feel guilty about what would happen to Rickon; that was something that could not be helped. As he read the letter from the High Septon and the additional letter from Robb, his heart lightened, and Ned felt freer than he had in years. Ned had not realized until that moment that being married to Catelyn had been oppressive. He had loved her, but the love Ned felt for Catelyn was nothing compared to the love he felt for Missandei. Missandei made Ned happy in a way Ned never thought was possible. And he couldn't wait to marry her.
After reading the letter, Ned went to seek out Missandei and tell her the good news. He found her within the nesting area with the twins as they visited with their scaly siblings. Ned always found it interesting that the dragons were always very careful not to hurt the twins and would let them crawl all over them. Ned cautiously approached the nesting area but stopped short with Balerion's head snapped up and stared at him, a warning growl rumbling in his chest. Missandei turned around when she heard Balerion's reaction and smiled at Ned. She walked towards Balerion and laid a comforting hand on his neck, and whispered something in his ear. Balerion glanced at Missandei then back at Ned. He let out a puff of smoke through his nose but settled his head back down next to his human sibling.
Missandei patted Balerion and left Reuel in his care while she walked towards Ned and greeted him affectionately. Ned smiled at his love and hugged her and a kiss.
"What brings you to the dragon's lair, Eddard?" Missandei asked.
"I received a letter from the High Septon and my son Robb. I have been informed that my marriage with Catelyn has been dissolved," Ned informed Missandei, smiling happily.
Missandei hugged Ned fiercely, "I am so happy for you, Ned!"
"As am I, my love. Now there is only one thing that could make me happier."
"And what is that?"
"If you would do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Missandei smiled brightly and threw herself in Ned's arms, "Yes, yes, thousand times yes."
Ned laughed heartily. He had never felt so much joy in his life; for once, he was able to follow his heart and marry the woman he was in love with. Ned pulled away from Missandei and kissed her, "When would you like to get married, my love?"
"Whenever you want, Ned. I know that it is important that we are married in the tradition of your gods, so if you wish to wait, that is fine with me."
Ned shook his head, "I had thought about it; my love, we can get married here, and then when we return to the North, we will have a ceremony in front of the hearts tree."
"Then we shall get married as soon as the arrangements can be made. I am sure the queen will not mind."
"Will not mind what, Missandei," Rhaesa asked as she and Drogo strolled into the area where their children played.
Missandei and Ned bowed towards the royal couple, "Your Grace, Lord Stark has asked me to marry him, and I have happily accepted."
Rhaesa stood there in shock for a moment, then forgetting all decorum, she squealed and ran towards her friend and hugged her tightly, "Congratulations, Missandei, I am so happy for you. You deserve all the happiness in the world."
Missandei hugged her queen and friend back, "Thank you, my queen, Lord Stark, and I appreciate your good wishes."
Drogo walked towards Ned and offered his hand in congratulations, "I congratulate you, Stark; Missandei is a fine woman. But know this, if any harm befalls my wife's friend, I will take your head and feed you to the dragons."
Ned clasped Drogo's hand, "If I harm Missandei, I would expect nothing less, Great Khal."
Drogo nodded, satisfied with his answer.
While that was going on, Rhaesa and Missandei picked up the twins and headed back to the great pyramid. As they walked, Rhaesa told Missandei that she would have the most delicate wedding that Meereen had ever seen. A wedding is fitting the friend of the Queen. Missandei laughed, she knew that it would make Ned uncomfortable, but once Rhaesa decided on something, there was no changing her mind, but at least the queen would consider Missandei's wishes.
As they walked, the two women talked about the wedding dress that Rhaesa would have made for Missandei and that Daenerys had to be informed so that between the three of them, they could plan everything. For this occasion, nothing was more important, not even the plans to conquer Westeros.