It was frowned upon to have a child out of wedlock; the whispers that it was Brandon Stark's firstborn were making its way through the cities and towns of Westeros. But that didn't stop Catelyn for making the proper preparations for her child. With help from her father, she was able to find the best clothes makers and furniture makers to help prepare. It had been two months time since the healer told her she was with child, and she was finally starting to show. Her belly had rounded as the child grew, and her body had filled out in places that Catelyn wasn't aware of, but she did not mind at all.

She had sent out a raven to Brandon as soon as she could, letting him know that when he returned to Riverrun he would return to a family, their family. Catelyn still hadn't received word back from him, but she knew it could take time since they were fighting a war. So the word of no news was somewhat of a comfort to her.

Catelyn took that comfort on that particular day; it had been gloomy at Riverrun, filled with smog as it covered the calm water. It was eerily calm, and that put a slight worry in her heart. Lysa was doing her best to keep her sister's mind off of her worries. They were busy in Catelyn's bedchambers, sewing a blanket for the expected baby. They were going back and forth at each other with what the baby was going to be.

"A little girl would be perfect, Cat." Lysa smiled as she worked on the blanket with her sister.

"Oh, Lysa...you've always wanted girls." Catelyn rested a bit and placed her hand on the swell of her belly. "I want it to be a little boy. That way, when we do have girls, he can protect them."

Lysa giggled and playfully nudged her shoulder. "Cat, sometimes I think you live in a fantasy world."

"It's no fantasy! I think it would be wonderful." She smiled softly and shook her head a bit. "We better get moving, or we'll never finish this blanket before the baby arrives." And with that, Catelyn and Lysa continued to work on the green blanket.

By the time that night was falling, the sisters were exhausted. They placed the needle in the spot that they had left off at and left it on the bench.

Side by side, they made their way down the torch lit hallways to the dining hall. Catelyn hadn't noticed, but that worried feeling she had felt earlier in the day had disappeared. Until now. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her father coming towards them. He had a gloomy expression; her body tensed as she grabbed Lysa's hand.

"Father, what is it?" Lysa knew that her sister couldn't talk from fear, so she took it upon herself to talk for her. Hoster Tully sighed with a heavy heart as he held out the parchment roll to his eldest daughter. Catelyn took it with both hands and unrolled it slowly, dreading what was written inside.

Lady Catelyn,

With a heavy heart and hand, I regret to inform you off your loss. Brandon died with great honor for his family, and for you. His bones, along with my father's, will be returned to Winterfell for proper burial. It would be a great honor for you as well as your family to join us as we bid farewell.

Eddard Stark

Catelyn dropped the parchment to the ground and shook her head. Heartbreak filled her soul as she started to fall to the ground. Her father was quick and caught her with the help of Lysa.

"No! No, my love!" Sobs racked her body as she shook in the arms of her sister and father. "It is not true, please, it is not true."

"You, take her to her chambers." One of Catelyn's hand maidens had returned from the kitchen to the scene. She nodded and took his place holding up Catelyn.

"Yes, my lord."

"Please, please, it is not true."

Catelyn's voice echoed through the hallways as Lysa and her handmaiden took her to her bed chambers. Lysa had dismissed the handmaiden as she helped Catelyn change from her day gown into her nightgown. After Lysa got her into her bed, she climbed in next to her and let Catelyn cry on her shoulder until sleep overtook her tired, broken body.