6.

Ser Brynden Tully at just settled in his duties as Knight of the Gate of Moon. He had been woken by maester carrying missive from his niece Lady Catelyn Stark. He had been worried at first but upon reading had relaxed. Cat talked of how happy she was and was thankful for his advice. She mentioned many things including Robb, Ned, Artos Snow and even her husband's bastard Jon Snow. He was glad that she had found happiness. The later part of the letter made him feel uneasy. She urged him to return to Riverrun, talk to her father and mentioned some important decisions must be made. Cat knew he would be very reluctant to go back there but she had told to consider this as the last thing she would ask of him. Cat had mentioned more important decisions than his marriage and assured him Hoster won't pester him about. The final thing had made his decision easy.

Brynden had decided to go to Riverrun and see what was happening there. He had reached the gates of Riverrun. The gatekeeper had let him in after seeing the black trout on his chest. He told servants to inform his brother Lord Hoster of his arrival and request meeting and then went up to his old room to freshen up and have some supper. When serving girl had delivered his supper, a guard came to tell him his presence has been requested in Lord's solar. He imagined Hoster getting angry that he had been kept waiting.

He reached his brother's solar after supper, he entered uninvited," I thought you would have removed my things from castle".

Hoster didn't miss a moment and replied," Shut up Brynden and sit down, I am in too much good mood to get into arguments with you."

Bynden was surprised, Hoster never backed down from arguments with him. But Hoster looked happy. He gave him a missive that had broken direwolf sigil," Our little Cat all grown up. She sent this missive with riders few days back. She hoped you would see the sense and come back here. Read it. "

Brynden decided to do so

Dear Father,

Brynden stopped and looked up to Hoster who indicated to read further.

Hope this letter finds you in good health. I am fine and getting used to North and being Lady Stark and the duties that came along with it. Robb is in fine health and enjoying north. Father, I have written to uncle Brynden and he will hopefully visit you in coming days. If he comes please stop pestering him about his marriage. Both you and I wish for him to be married and find happiness but he is a grown man (more like graying man), he will marry if and when he wants. But you two fighting on the subject won't serve House Tully and Riverrun. Father, please make peace with him.

I would also like request you to allow Edmure to be fostered at Winterfell. He would learn of his duties and responsibilities here from Ned and Uncle Artos and would definitely benefit from Benjen's company.

Ned has few plans for North and Riverlands would definitely benefit from it. He has also sent some requests to King Robert. He mentioned a small council seat for you as one of them. If King Robert offers you please accept it. You are most suitable person to look after Northern and Riverland interests in capital. Let uncle handle administration of Riverlands. You may not agree but he is capable leader and he would do well, perhaps he might be more suitable in these circumstances.

Again I repeat please make peace with uncle. I don't like Freys laughing at Tullys because of your fighting. Also send Edmure to foster here, it would benefit him.

Ned and Artos send their regards.

Always yours,

Catelyn Stark.

Brynden looked up after finishing reading had to agree with Hoster," Our little Cat all grown up indeed." But Brynden knew she had grown up long ago after her mother had died and decided not remark on that.

Hoster commented on letter further," I will not mention your marriage further. You can do as you wish. She is right if we kept fighting we will look weak and that might give Walder Frey ideas. If King offers will you go to Kings Landing. "

Brynden never wanted to go to that cesspit if he can help it," Thank you for agreeing about my marriage, but I won't go to Kings Landing. Besides we both know you are more of a small council type. I promise you I won't start war with Freys without you and I won't let Bracken and Blackwood start one between them either. I hope you are sending Edmure north."

Hoster looked reluctant," Not immediately, just turned ten namedays old, may be in a year or two. "

Brandon knew Hoster always thought his children as little one. Cat had handled castle's responsibilities well for more than three to four years. Brynden knew he had to send Edmure now,"Hoster, he is old enough. Benjen stark handled castle's responsibilities when he was ten and two namedays old. Edmure is missing his sisters and sending him north will cheer him up. Besides Cat mentioned about Ned's plans and that is why she wants Edmure there. He is to be Lord Paramount of Riverlands one day and let me assure you, Ned and Northerns will help him becoming a good one."Brynden decided to change the subject and ask Hoster his opinion on," Do you have any idea what Ned's plans are? And what she meant when I might suit more in current circumstances. "

Hoster had good idea of what the plans might and if they came to realization Lord of Riverrun was going to be very busy," It could be same plan due to which Rickard had taken interest in south. We had talked about it but never in details. He had said few things like foods from Riverlands could prove valuable for north during winters or a jape he made of building port in the western shores of the North for trading just to see how much it will annoy Walder Frey, a good jape I will give him that. Ned might be considering these matters seriously. As to your suitability, I would guess your reputation as warrior. Riverlands were divided during Rebellion and are near to Targaryen loyalist from Crownlandsand not to forget the Darrys and the Whents. They will be looking for opportunities but with you here and without me to stop you they would definitely think twice, you can include Walder Frey though is not loyalist but opportunists. Riverlands must be under our firm control. If a war starts again in near future we have allies but if Riverlords are not loyal to us then there would be no point of these allies."

Hoster decided to wrap up their meeting because he didn't want to argue with Brynden and they had gone long time without doing so," If King offers a position, I will take it and go to Kings Landing as early as possible. You will take over my current responsibilities and inform Arryn that you are leaving his services. After couple of moons you will take Edmure to Winterfell and see how Cat is doing, ask what Ned plans to do, guess his intentions and make sure Riverlands and lords loyal to us are remembered. Do not linger in north for long you will be required here. If King doesn't offer, then you return to Vale after returning from Winterfell that is if you want to. "

Brynden decided to take it as dismissal and left the room. He was thinking of the letter Cat had sent. In letter she sounded so similar yet so different. He knew those were her own words and not just in her hand. He wondered what changed in last four moons that had affected her so much. He knew she had always hated bastards but she had mentioned both of Winterfell's bastards. He knew whatever the King said he had to visit Winterfell.