A/N: I've changed the 'upload-day' from Sunday to Thursday - not that I've ever managed to upload a new chapter every Sunday, but I tried a least ^-^
However, Thursday is way better for uploads, 'cause I'm always lazy on Sundays.
I'm rather happy I've finished translating this chapter today, 'cause today's my 20th birthday (happy birthday to me ^.^). Now it's time to celebrate, haha.
I hope you enjoy this chapter :)
280 AL
Catelyn was restless with excitement and joy. Her father had told her that Brandon was on the way to visit her again, even though Lord Hoster's words had been, "Brandon is on the way to pay Riverrun a visit."
First, it had slightly confused Catelyn, because she had been sure that Brandon would write her before his next visit. And as she then had not heard of him for a while, she had worried that she had chosen the wrong words in her letter. But now she knew that he had not been able to write, because he was already on his way.
She wondered how he might look. It had been two years since his last visit and even though he had told her a lot in his letters, it was something completely different to actually see him. She hoped that he did not change but she knew that this was impossible. People always changed, especially in their younger years. At least her uncle had said that to her after she had more or less told her about her thoughts. Somehow he managed to read more off of Catelyn's face than she wanted him to know.
Catelyn herself knew that she had changed. She had got remarkable curves which she had realized herself, but for a long time she had not realized the stares of others. Petyr always looked at her as if he had not seen her in years, and Lysa's gazes were as hostile as longing. Catelyn wanted to talk about this with her younger sister but Lysa always avoided such a conversation.
Ser Brynden had also told her that she was a woman now, and not only physically.
Catelyn could only agree. She would never say it out loud but she did feel grown up. Since her mother had died, she had tried to be the Lady of Riverrun as well as a mother to Edmure. Her father had not married again and while that astonished many people, Catelyn was simply happy about it. She did not want a new mother and definitely not a new lady. She knew she should not think that way, after all she would leave this place soon. But still, she could not help it. Catelyn could not imagine anyone else at her father's side.
However, he uncle had stilled her fears, like always, as he had told her that Lord Hoster did not feel like marrying again. Catelyn liked that thought that he father had loved her mother so much that there was no one else for him. But at the same time it made he sad, because he father would never see his wife again, no matter how much he loved her. Catelyn hoped she would never have to feel that way.
"I think they're here", Lysa whispered next to Catelyn. And there were indeed a few riders coming through the gate, one of them was Brandon.
His beard had gotten thicker, so he looked more manly than he had done before. Otherwise, he looked the same, and the smile he gave her had not changed within these two years. She smiled back.
"You're so lucky, milady," Alyssa told her in the evening as she prepared Catelyn's hair for the feast. "Brandon is an admirably good-looking man."
Catelyn smiled.
"I can only agree on that, Alyssa," she said.
Both were silent for a moment. Then Alyssa asked, "Aren't you worried that other women like him too?"
Alyssa had chosen her words carefully. She was almost two years older than Catelyn, so Catelyn liked listening to her advice, but less than half a year ago Alyssa had made a remark about Petyr which Catelyn had not accepted. Even though she was younger Catelyn was sure she had frightened Alyssa with her reaction back then, and since then Alyssa's words were full of caution.
However, Catelyn did not think this question to be out of place. She had thought about this herself a few times but did not want to waste too much time at these thoughts. It was not exceptional for a man to have more than one woman in his life, even after marriage. Catelyn did not like this thought – she wanted to have a husband who only wanted her, especially as this husband was Brandon – but this was reality and she had to live with it, one way or another. So she did not want to waste her thoughts on something she could not influence anyway. And she could very well imagine that a lot of women liked Brandon.
"I'm not worried, Alyssa," Catelyn said in a soft voice. "Brandon meeting other women, even after our wedding, is not a nice thought, I admit that. But I can't change it anyway."
Alyssa did not reply after that and continued with her work on Catelyn's hair.
"This place is even more beautiful than I remember," Brandon said as he and Catelyn walked through the godswood of Riverrun, Catelyn's septa always a few steps behind them so that they barely noticed her. "In the North, the godswood is a rather dark place that is mainly meant for prayers and not a nice walk."
"Here you pray in the sept," Catelyn said simply. She had already thought about the strange religion of the north before but never as clearly as she did now. She wondered whether it would be a problem if she kept her own gods, even as the Lady of the North.
As if Brandon had read her mind, he said with a smile, "No one will expect of you to to renounce your known culture and religion. We don't have any septs but I can build you one if you want."
Catelyn smiled and nodded. "That would be great … my lord," she added. Even though she felt comfortable around Brandon she should not forget her courtesy.
However, Brandon just laughed. "We already know each other quite well. Why not use our given names? Catelyn."
"I'd be honored, my- I mean Brandon." It sounded right and wrong at the same time. It showed some kind of trust, and Catelyn was happy that Brandon wanted her to call him by his name and not his title. But at the same time she was not sure if she should already talk with him like that. "But as we're using out given names, you may also call me Cat."
"Cat." It sounded as if her name was melting on his tongue. "It fits you. You're as graceful and beautiful as a cat."
Catelyn had never looked at it this way. Her father always called her "little cat" which sounded cute and childish and not at all graceful. Brandon let her name look completely different. She did not know how to answer, so she just smiled.
"Let's sit down," Brandon said as they went past a bench. Catelyn accepted the offer and sat down next to Brandon. Her septa was looking for a place somewhere behind them so that she was almost out of sight.
"I wish she wouldn't follow you everywhere," Brandon said, nodding his head towards the septa. "I'd rather spend some time with you alone. Truly alone."
Catelyn was not completely sure if she would like that as well. On the one hand, she would love to spend the whole day together with her betrothed. On the other, however, did her septa give her some kind of security, even though she did not believe anything would happen to her while Brandon was around. It was merely a weird feeling.
"She doesn't bother us or listens to our conversations," Catelyn replied.
"Sounds as if you're happy she's here," Brandon said with just half a smile. Catelyn blushed.
"I didn't say that," she replied quickly. "I love spending time with you. It's just..."
Catelyn could not find the right words. What should she tell him? She was not scared of him or something like that. It was simply improper. Would he laugh at her for that?
"It's just that you should not leave a young lady alone with a man," Brandon finished the sentence for her. "Did you want to tell me that?" His smile was back, though it seemed different to Catelyn.
She just nodded.
Now Brandon laughed, an honest laugh. "I understand your septa. "You should really not be left alone with a man."
Catelyn did not understand what he meant. "What you want to say by that?"
"I want to tell you that you're beautiful. There are many men who would love to be me right now." He slightly bent forward, so that his face was near enough for Catelyn to feel his breath on her skin. "To do this." And then he closed the gap between them and put his lips on hers. Their were soft and warm, different than Petyr's when he had played kissing with her and Lysa. Petyr had always been intrusive and greedy, he always wanted more. Catelyn did not knew what Brandon wanted but his lips stayed on hers for a while and it was impossible for Catelyn to tell how long the kiss lasted. She wished it was an eternity. She felt the warmth in her stomach spreading through her whole body up to her head, and she knew that she was blushing. Catelyn realized how Brandon had wrapped one of her red curls around his finger and that he slowly stroked her arm.
Suddenly, there was a voice. Brandon broke off the kiss and looked sidewards. Catelyn did the same. With horror she realized that her septa came towards them, her head scarlet. "May I ask what you are doing?" she asked and Catelyn knew that it took her a lot of strength to not start screaming.
Catelyn wanted to say something but Brandon was faster. "My apologies. I was fascinated by Lady Catelyn's hair. It is beautiful." He seemed to hope that it had not been possible for her to actually see the kiss from the distance.
However, Catelyn could see on her septa's face that she had indeed seen the kiss.
Still, she did not want to contradict Brandon and replied, "Yes, she had exceptionally beautiful hair." She cleared her throat. "It would be better for us to go inside again. You should change your clothes for the evening meal, my lady."
The septa turned around and went ahead, Catelyn and Brandon following her. From the corner of her eye Catelyn could see the smile on Brandon's lips.
It was late in the evening and Catelyn was already wearing her nightgown as a knock came from the door. Catelyn wondered who visited her that late at night. I could not be Lysa, because Lysa never knocked. And her father and uncle did not enter her chambers that often anymore. For a short moment Catelyn wondered if it could be Petyr. He had give Brandon sullen looks this whole time and as he wanted to talk with Catelyn, she had simply ignored him. Before Brandon had arrived, she had asked Petyr to be nice to him but he had not even tried. She did not want to talk with him again, but of course she would at some point.
As she opened the door rather reluctantly she realized that she should have asked who was there before opening it. But now it was too late. However, the person standing in front of her door was not Petyr but Brandon. Catelyn felt relieved than happy than horrified.
"Brandon! What are you doing here?" she asked a bit too loud.
"Psst!" he said. "Or do you want someone to hear us?"
She shook her head and made some space so he could enter. What does he want here? He should not be here. If father knew…
"What are you doing here?" Catelyn asked again.
"Seeing you, obviously," he said with a charming smile. "I've told you I'd love to spend more time with you alone. Maybe now you know what I meant."
Catelyn could imagine what he meant but she did not say anything.
"Come on, you've liked the kiss," he said and took some steps towards her. Instinctively, Catelyn took a step back. Brandon raised his eyebrows. "You know you don't have to be afraid of me."
"I'm not," Catelyn protested, knowing she sounded like a child.
"So why you flinch away?" Brandon took another step and this time Catelyn forced herself to stand still, so that he was barely a step away from her. Brandon smiled again. "It's a shame your septa has interrupted us. What if we continue now?"
Before Catelyn could reply, she felt Brandon's lips upon her. They were as warm as they had been a few hours ago but something had changed. The kiss was not just gentle anymore. There was something else.
Brandon ran with one hand through her hair, and before Catelyn could think about it, she instinctively but her arms around his neck to draw him closer. He was so warm. Slowly – like she had once done with Petyr – she opened her lips so Brandon's tongue could find his way through them. First carefully, but then more certainly as Brandon realized that Catelyn liked it. A quiet moan crawled up Catelyn's throat and she felt Brandon's lips smile against hers.
One hand still in her hair, Catelyn felt the other gently stroking her arm until it found its way down her body and continued at her hip. This made Catelyn moan and Brandon smile again but he did not withdraw his hand but let it stay there to draw lines along her bones. It was not until she felt Brandon's second hand going down and the other closing around her bottom that she jumped back.
"Brandon." It was only a whisper. Brandon apparently had not even heard her as he came back towards her, with large pupils, to kiss her again, but Catelyn pushed him away.
"No!" she said louder and Brandon stopped. "We can't do this. We're not married yet. You shouldn't be here. If anyone finds out-"
"What then?" Brandon asked sharply but not angry. "We're betrothed, Catelyn. I'm not some random man. I should have the right to kiss you."
Catelyn was pretty certain that Brandon did not just want to kiss her but she did not say that. "You do," she said instead. "but not in my chambers in the middle of the night."
"But when? We're never alone."
"My septa won't always be present," Catelyn replied. "Also, we're going to get married soon. You just have to wait a bit."
Catelyn could see the disappointment on Brandon's face. "I knew you would say that," he said. "I just wanted to try."
And with another smile he left the room.
Catelyn sat down on her bed, breathing heavenly and feeling rather confused. 'I just wanted to try.' Has Brandon planned all that? Has this been a test to find out how far she would go? Catelyn did not knew how she should feel about this. She just knew that no one must ever knew about this night, not even Lysa.
Luckily, Catelyn entered the hall before Brandon on the next morning. She was not certain whether he wanted to talk about last night but she would definitely not try to do so. Secretly she hoped that her septa would follow them again today. Not that she did not like Brandon's kisses. It was the exact opposite and that was the reason why Catelyn was scared. What if he could convince her to do more than just kissing? Horrified, she had realized last night that she had been wet down below. She still did not know whether it fear or happiness she felt.
"Slept badly?" her uncle, who sat next to her, asked.
"A bit, yes," Catelyn answered him sleepy. She felt as if she had not slept for the whole night.
Ser Brynden shortly looked around him and then bent towards her. "May this have something to do with your nightly visitor yesterday?"
Catelyn looked at her uncle full of surprise and horror, but he just said shrugging, "I've seen him going into a certain direction yesterday evening. But I doubt anyone else knows he's been with you," he tried to soothe her. "And?", he asked.
"What?" Catelyn asked confused.
"What happened? Last night, I mean."
He looked at her meaningful but Catelyn just shook her head.
"Not anything you may think," she said quickly. "He has just kissed me."
"Just kissed you," Ser Brynden repeated his niece's words. "And that's it?"
Catelyn hesitated for a moment. "Well … I think he wanted to do more."
"But you didn't let him?" he uncle smiled.
Catelyn nodded.
The smile on her uncle's face vanished again. "Be careful," he told her. "I know, you're in love, but men like Brandon tend to enjoy their lives to the fullest. I don't want to tell you that he's using you," Ser Brynden added as Catelyn wanted to say something. "But I want to protect you. There's nothing worse than a broken heart."
And with these words he got up and left her.