Chapter 7
Years had passed since the Bastard got the pox. Catelyn's family was growing before her eyes. She had two sons and two daughters. The Maester had told her that she was pregnant again. She was to tell Ned tonight. Catelyn stood on the balcony over looking the training yard. Her son Robb was growing into a fine young man. He was becoming like his father. Robb was his fathers son, he was honorable and fair to the people of Winterfell. Sanza and Arya were with the Septa completing their needle work. As Catelyn was thinking about her children, she heard the sound of swords clashing. Robb was sparing with Theon Greyjoy. Within minutes Robb had beaten the Iron born and knocked him to the ground. Robb gave Theon a hand and pulled him to his feet. She had raised a proper son. Catelyn looked over to the edge of the training yard to see the Bastard with a small smile on his face. His eyes were bright as he watched Robb get the better of Theon. Catelyn glared at the boy.
On occasion she would think of the promise she made to the Gods, "If you save the boy, I will raise him as if he is my own son. I will talk to Ned to get him legitimized. He will have the Stark name. I will do anything, just let the boy live." Her thoughts quickly turned. She didn't want to remember what she promised. She only made that promise so the boy would live. The God's granted the Bastard his life which seemed enough. He was alive so Catelyn told herself that he didn't need the Stark name. She told herself this over and over until she believed it. He is my husbands Bastard, why should I love him? The promise she made years ago to the Gods would never bed fulfilled. She couldn't bring herself to ask Ned to legitimize the boy. He will always be a Bastard. He will always be a Snow.
Her thoughts were interupted when Bran ran up to his mother and hugged her. He only came up past her knees. Catelyn picked the young boy up. When she looked into his eyes, she could see her own. Tully eyes. My children don't look like Northerners. They are Tully's. Arya was the closest of her children who looked like their father. She had dark hair while the rest of her children had lighter colorings. It was the Bastard that looked like Ned. He had the same quiet personality of Ned. Catelyn was angry with the boy. Why should a half born look more like his father than his True Born children?
Catelyn took her son to his chambers and read to him. Her thoughts still returned to the Bastard. She knew that she could not kill an innocent child. Her jealously would not get the better of her. But Catelyn knows she cannot love the boy as if he were her son. He is still the Bastard of her husband. He won't be a Stark. He will always be a Snow.