Here you guys go! Thanks again Cassie for being amazing, as always.
The sunlight creeping in through the cracks of the window was the first thing to wake her. She stretched out her legs slowly as the coldness of the sheets greeted her. She retreated them back into their previous position and curled towards the head in the middle of the bed, towards her husband. She opened her eyes and was greeted with his back, which was bare from last night's activities. His brown hair was strewn about the pillow and probably tangled a bit. Catelyn never expected last night to be what it was- of course they were both nervous for what was about to happen. But Ned eased her nerves, as well as his own. He was gentle, slow and full of love. She did not know why but she never expected that from him.
Ned must have felt someone staring because he started to stir. She panicked a bit, not sure what to say, but she didn't have time to think. In an instant, he had turned around to face her, the sheets slipping from his upper body and exposing more of his chest. She flushed a bit as her own chest was exposed; he smiled at her and pulled the sheet back up covering them both.
"Morning, my lady."
Catelyn shifted a bit, her hand slipping up from under the sheet to lie beside her cheek on her pillow. "Morning, Ned."
He smiled at that and moved his hand to rest on top of hers. Catelyn's heart warmed at his gesture. She smiled softly at him her eyes darting to his. The sudden knock at their chamber door caused Catelyn to jump slightly, her eyes closing as her heart beat a bit faster. When Ned crawled out of the bed, she opened her eyes to find him handing her her night gown. Slowly, she pulled herself in a sitting position, letting the sheets fall from her naked body. She moved her legs to hand over the side of the bed as she pulled her nightgown over her head and pushed herself up to stand.
Ned had gotten dressed as well, in a simple shirt and his trousers. As he was getting her robe, he couldn't help but notice how incredibly beautiful she was. Her body was glowing from both last night's events and the unborn child in her belly; her hair was tussled and tangled a bit but still neat in its own way. He shook his head a bit as she was reached for her robe and he walked over to her, helping her slip into the dark green fabric.
"Thank you."
Ned nodded. "Of course, my lady." He then sighed as the knock echoed through the room. He moved from his spot behind her and headed towards the door. Looking back at her to make sure that she was covered, he opened the large door. He was greeted by his friend Jon Arryn; he smiled a bit as he stepped aside to let him into the room. "Morning my friend."
Jon nodded and smiled as well. "My lord…my lady." He nodded towards Catelyn who was now sitting at the window seat, her hand casually on her belly.
"What can I do for you?" Ned ran his hand over his face to rid him of sleep.
"We have gotten word- Robert needs us to go back and help him claim his throne."
With the words that echoed through the room Catelyn stood up, worry striking her face. Yet she stayed her distance.
"I expected as much…when do we leave?"
"As soon as we can, my lord." Jon had dropped his pleasant smile and looked from Ned back to Catelyn. He did not want to leave either, for he had a new bride as well.
Ned turned slightly to look back at his wife, who was looking at his with panicked eyes. He turned and looked back at Jon. "We will leave in a few hours time…"
Jon put his hand on Ned's arm and nodded. He dropped his hand and turned on his feet heading back to his chambers to leave Ned and Catelyn alone.
When Jon left, Catelyn watched as Ned closed the door and quietly walked to the wardrobe to get his clothes.
"Ned…you just got home."
He put his things on the bed and turned towards her. "Robert needs me, you know that."
Catelyn moved from her spot at the window and towards the end of the bed. She did not know what to say. He wasn't like Brandon.
"I have to avenge my father, and Brandon." He stripped himself of his clothing and started to get dressed. "I need to…"
"I know." She dropped her head slightly, her auburn hair falling in her face. Catelyn then went to her wardrobe and got her own clothes out; she dressed with the help of Ned. And when it was time to go to the hall for breakfast it was spent in silence.
It was déjà vu for her as she was standing outside the gates of Riverrun as Jon and Ned were getting their horses ready. Her father, brother and sister were standing with her; Lysa had taken Catelyn's hand in support. When the men were finished preparing their horses, it was time for them to say their goodbyes. Lysa had dropped her sister's hand and went to Jon; Catelyn watched a bit until Ned had stepped in front of her.
He took her hands in his own and placed his forehead against hers. Catelyn closed her eyes, taking in his musky scent. She did not say anything to him, for everything that they wanted to say had been said earlier. When he pulled his head up, she opened her eyes and smiled a bit. He returned the smile and then leaned down to give her a kiss. It was quick, yet filled with a love that she hoped to give him someday. "Be careful."
Ned nodded and then dropped his hands to go to his horse. Catelyn sighed, her head dropping a bit. Would her child ever have a father? It had already lost its blood, and now the only father he would know was riding off to fight another man's rebellion.
In a few moments Jon and Ned rode from their spots and out of the castle's protection into the open lands. Catelyn placed her hand on her belly as she watched him drift further and further away, her hand moved to sooth her kicking child and after a while she could no longer see Ned's figure, no longer hear the horses hoof beats against the earth.