Game of Thrones: Tragedy and Reunions

Next chapter of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Emeloo2: Yeah, it's a harsh time and you're right; her determination to save Bran is what's keeping her focused right now. Glad you enjoyed it :)
magnus374: Actually it has, the only thing holding her together is her desire to save Bran and get him out of Dreadfort.
HarryPotterLover1996: Yup, got that right; luckily she has something to keep her from breaking down, for now at least.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Catelyn

Catelyn walked through the camp; she could feel the tense, almost hostile atmosphere. Today was the day of Jeyne's trial and Catelyn could only pray that the truth would be proven. She had listened to the men talking and the gossip around the camp; it appeared that her uncle, the Greatjon, and herself were the only ones who truly believed Jeyne was innocent. She approached the commander's tent where all the bannermen were gathered. She entered the tent, all eyes turned to her briefly and then the men resumed what they were doing. She walked over to the top table where Brynden Tully and Jon Umber sat; there was a seat next to her uncle that was empty. She took her seat there and waited for the trial to begin. She looked around at the men present, those which represented Robb's remaining bannermen. Umber, Glover, Mormont, several others were present, but those were the most prominent of the northlords. The lords of the Riverlands that sat most prominently were Bracken, Blackwood and Mallister. It truly worried Catelyn that so many of these men readily felt that Jeyne had betrayed Robb like the rest of her family. As far as Catelyn knew, the plan she had laid out with Jeyne might be the young queen's only chance at survival.

Then the Greatjon stood and called out.

"Silence." The men all fell quiet and he continued. "Now; we all know why this trial is being held. So, let us begin and find the answers."

The men murmured their assent; a few of them also muttered angrily under their breath, likely disparaging comments about Jeyne.

Brynden then spoke, his voice serious. "This is a proper trial understand, we shall conduct this fairly; we won't have petty personal grievances clouding our judgement. Is that understood?"

His serious words were met with only a few murmurs of assent, mostly from the Umber's and Tully's. There was silence from the others, some even seemed angry at this; likely they had already made up their minds about Jeyne and her 'guilt'. Finally the Greatjon called out.

"Let us begin; bring Her Grace inside!"

Following his words the tent flaps were opened again and Jeyne was brought in, flanked by two guards. They were assigned to protect her, as much as guard her. She stopped in the middle of the tent; all eyes were now upon her and the trial began.

The Greatjon spoke directly to Jeyne; his voice was a mixture of respect and yet also authority. "Your Grace; you have been brought here to answer for the crime of treason against your King."

Jeyne stood straight; she knew the dangers she faced, she knew she only had three true friends in the tent. Yet she remained strong and gave her reply.

"I am not guilty of the crimes you accuse me of." She replied with firm conviction.

Almost at once there was uproar, several of the men bellowed at her; denouncing her claims and declaring her a liar. The Greatjon and Brynden were trying to restore order. Catelyn glared and then called out.

"Silence all of you." Her voice rang out and the men turned to her. "You agreed to have a trial; yet you act as if the sentence has already been decided. You should hear her side of the story before you pass judgement."

One of the gathered lords glared at her. "What would you know of these matters, my lady? You are a woman and are hardly a fair judge."

Catelyn knew that he was right on his second point at least; Jeyne was the wife of her son, nobody expected her to be unbiased. However, the distraction caused by the man's remark and the further outbreak gave Catelyn time to lock eyes with Jeyne's. She nodded almost imperceptibly and Jeyne returned the gesture, indicating she understood. Above all the argument and shouting Jeyne's voice rose as she spoke.

"My lady is right; you will not give me a fair trial; any of you." She declared, capturing the attention of everyone present. "Therefore I put my hands in the unbiased judges, the Gods. I demand a Trial by Combat."

Catelyn knew Jeyne had that right, and as predicted nobody refused her. Catelyn smiled as she remembered the meeting she had with Jeyne last night.

'Now, once they choose their champion Jeyne can name hers and then there will be no questioning her innocence.' Catelyn thought to herself as a man stepped forwards to volunteer to fight Jeyne's champion.

Catelyn observed the man; going by his cloak and sigil he was clearly a Frey. She was outraged that such a man was still allowed here and questioned her uncle about him.

"He is a swordsman; he is kept alive by us for two reasons. His apparent strength, although I suspect his exploits are boasts and little more, and we have no legitimate means to kill him without drawing attention to our actions."

Catelyn nodded; realizing that her plan would effectively allow the army to deal with their problem involving the Frey warrior. Finally Jeyne spoke.

"I name Brienne of Tarth as my champion." She declared. Catelyn nodded; just as they had planned.

Behind Catelyn's smile her thoughts raced. 'I just hope this gamble pays off; I had to convince Jeyne to choose Brienne, how she defeated Loras Tyrell was persuasion enough.'

There was some muttering as Brienne, in her full armour and a half-helm, stepped forwards to accept her role as Jeyne's champion. The Frey warrior laughed when he saw who his opponent was; instantly disregarding her because of her gender.

'A foolish mistake.' Catelyn noted to herself, knowing first hand of Brienne's strength.

At the Greatjon's order the tent flaps were pulled back and fastened so everyone could see outside. Brienne and the Frey Warrior (who, according to Brynden, was another Walder Frey) stepped outside. They stopped and faced each other, standing in an arena of grass outside the tent; swords drawn at the ready.

Walder seemed confident of his victory; he didn't even accept his helmet.

"This will be a quick fight. A woman this big and ugly is still a woman." He jeered with an air of arrogance. "She will be no challenge, simply playing at swords more likely."

Brienne didn't say anything in reply. Catelyn guessed she was used to hearing things like this and simply ignored them. Finally, with a shout to the contestants, the Trial by Combat began. Walder moved towards his opponent and made a lazy strike to her side. He seemed momentarily surprised at how swiftly his attack had been blocked. Growling he struck again, and again. Brienne parried each blow with calculated precision. She was holding back, Catelyn noted.

Jeyne watched on anxiously; Catelyn was all too aware of the fears plaguing the poor girl, and knew she was resisting the urge to look to her for reassurance.

Finally Brienne seemed to have felt the Frey had faced enough humiliation, and it was now time to end this mummer's farce. She acted quickly, swatting aside Walder's sword and brought her own down on his neck. The blade easily sliced through and killed the Frey in one smooth, but fatal, blow. She sheathed the blade and turned to face the assembled lords and bowed deeply. There was silence and then even those who had held the strongest conviction in Jeyne's guilt were clamouring for her forgiveness. The Gods themselves had just proven her innocence, so who were they to deny it?

The body of Walder was taken away and, as Brienne cleaned her sword, the Greatjon called an end to the trial, declaring Jeyne innocent.

Before the celebration could even begin a messenger arrived carrying news that would cease all further festivities. Apparently an army of Frey soldiers was approaching; it was clear they had been found and the on-comers were here to fight. With stern instructions the men all gathered their weapons; Catelyn and Jeyne were to remain in the commander's tent with Brienne guarding them. Catelyn felt her fears mounting; had she saved Jeyne only for them all to die at the hands of the Frey's? She could only wait and find out.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.