290 AL
Catelyn I
'I pray to the Mother Above, I pray for fertility, compassion and mercy for my children. I pray to the Father Above for my oldest, Robb. That he may grow up to be strong like his father. I pray to the Maiden for my daughter Sansa, that she may love. And I pray to the Crone that she may teach my Arya to be quiet sometimes. And I pray to the Mother Above for my youngest Bran, that he may recover from this fever.'
Catelyn Stark had recited this prayer every few hours in the Sept of Winterfell. It had only been a few short months since her youngest son Bran had been born. And he had already been struck with a fever, the servants called it a bad omen. But Measter Luwin said there was nothing to worry about. 'Birthing fever' he called it, some obscure Northern tale she thought. She instead blamed the intense cold of the North for her Brans fever. His Tully side hadnt yet fully adapted to the harsh North.
She wandered through the castle and stopped at a small square where she saw her oldest, Robb playing swords with the Greyjoy ward Theon. Catelyn had been a bit surprised when Ned had brought back the boy from fighting another one of Roberts wars. But she saw the political sense in it. With only Maron Greyjoy remaining in Pyke with his mother and younger sister it was useful to have a hostage.
They could simply threaten to execute the boy if his brother thought about rebelling again. Not that the Iron Islands would be capable of such a thing for the next decade. Or so Ned had told her. King Robert had made sure about that as he set the castles, fleets and towns of the Iron Islands on fire. It had still baffled her that Robert had not completely replaced those treacherous Greyjoys for their rebellion.
As she finished those thoughts she saw Theon overpowering Robb in their little pretend battle. Theon was a few years older then Robb, though Catelyn knew that Robb would soon be the better warriors. His father was that at least, she thought about Ned, ever sullen with that rough Northern face.
Everything had gone so fast these last few years, one moment Ned, Robert and her father were fighting the last Dragonlords over the Iron Throne. Next their son was born and not too long after their daughter. Last year Ned had gone to fight another war for Robert, and now they had a second son. Yet it seemed like yesterday that she was still a young girl in Riverrun, playing with her sister Lysa, sneaking around the castle with Petyr and teasing her younger brother Edmure.
Just then Robb had managed to dodge another one of Theons more powerful strikes, quickly getting behind the taller boy and slamming his wooden sword into Theons behind. Theon let out a short yelp before getting back on his feet, chasing Robb around the courtyard. 'Ill get you for this, Stark!' He shouted. 'A squid like you will never catch a Wolf here!' Robb retorted. Catelyn smiled at that remark.
It was true, the Greyjoy kid would become more of a Wolf then a Squid by the time he would return to the Iron Islands. And perhaps it would be for the better, those Greyjoys and their 'Old ways' seemed even more primitive than some things in the North. At least the Northerers farmed, but the Iron Islanders were mere pirates with a fancy title.
Catelyn was lost in thoughts again as she made her way to Ned's solar. One of the more comfertable rooms in Winterfell. And she had to admit, a beautifull one at that. Such large amounts of glass were rare, even in the wealthy Riverlands. And the glass allowed for a pleasant warmth to envelop the room when the sun shined upon it. She opened the door and found Ned reading a message from a raven that had arrived this morning. 'Ned, is it bad news?' She asked with some worry noticable in her voice.
What if someone died? Or worse, Robert wanting another war? 'Its not really bad news Cat, it is not just good news though.' Ned looked as cold and grim as ever, but he did spare a small smile when he saw her walking into his solar. It made Catelyn happy that they had begun to truly love eachother. 'Please tell me its not another war.' She almost pleaded. 'Robert is restless, he wants to fight something or someone. And the Queen is pregnant again.' Ned said unhappy about Roberts lust for battle, but happy that his friend would soon have another child.
Catelyn shrugged, 'That wild boar of a King may just get us all killed someday.' Ned gave away a small smile at her remark. Catelyn figured that Robert probably just wanted to get away from his wife during the pregnancy, rumours about their unfriendly conduct had spread even to the remote North after all these years.
Though Catelyn did keep contact with her sister, who's husband Jon Arryn was Hand of the King. So Catelyn was usually well informed about the capital, lately though, the letters had been coming less and less.
Ned looked at her for a moment, then spoke. 'Do you remember when I told you about the siege of Pyke?' Ned inquired. 'Off course I do, how could I forget that my husband fought a demon.' She said while having to restrain a giggle. Ned gave her a grim look. 'You still don't believe me Cat? But I tell you that something changed in Robert that day. Im not sure what it was, but I saw a fury in his eyes that day. A fury I hadnt seen since he told me about the battle for the Triden when we met during the rebellion. Roberts fury is dangerous Cat, if he wants another war we will go to war.'
'I really hope it doesn't come to that.' Catelyn said, 'If Robert takes you away to another war I think you might have spend more of our time married on the battlefield then with me.' Ned walked up to her and kissed her firmly, she happily answered with another passionate kiss. 'I don't want to go to war either, but Robert is my friend, and our King.' Catelyn nodded, 'But who is there too fight, the realm is peaceful. Who does he wish to fight?'
Ned seemed to immediatly drown in thoughts. After a few moments he said, 'Dorne perhaps, they never truly swore their allegiance to Robert. Or the Stepstones perhaps, against whatever pirates are there. Maybe in the North beyond the Wall, the Wildlings are the only men on the continent who do not kneel to the Iron Throne and the laws of gods and men.' Catelyn thought that either these options were foolish, the realm was huge enough as it is.
And Dorne had a reputation, they had held even against the Dragonlords of Old, the ones with actual Dragons. It would be foolish to fight any of these so called enemies now. 'But just how foolish is Robert really?'
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Cyricist001, That is assuming that Robb is the same person in this story. And if you really want to see Tyrion become a demon you can write that story yourself right?
Kaio,
1- Who is to say the Godhand did not come along for the ride?
2 - Thats a minor mistake, I accidentally uploaded an older version.
3 - Again, assuming thats only the case if Robb grows up the same way he does here.