Game of Thrones: Tragedy and Reunions

Next chapter of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

magnus374: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; well, when you've got someone depending on you, there's no limit really to what you can accomplish.
SayianWizard: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; yeah, they're finally free; well, that'll come later, right now their focus is to reunite with the others.
HarryPotterLover1886: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, yup, Arya is reunited with her brother. Yeah, Meera's having a hard time right now, but at least they are free.

Now onto the story.

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

Catelyn

Catelyn sighed; she kept her hands clasped tightly in front of her, her knuckles almost white. Her insides felt twisted with worry as she listened to the battle occurring not too far away. Far too close for her liking. She opened her eyes and observed Jeyne, the young Queen of the North, as she paced restlessly around the tent.

Like Catelyn, the close proximity of the battle had her nerves on edge. Brienne stood just outside the tent, guarding the entrance and keeping watch; she had instructions to get Jeyne and Cat away from the tent and battlefield and somewhere safe if things went against the Northern army.

Finally Cat couldn't take the strain anymore and the constant noise of Jeyne's shoes tapping on the ground didn't make things better. Catelyn stood up and made her way to Jeyne, she gently touched her on the shoulder. Jeyne stopped and turned to face Catelyn.

"Y-yes my lady?" She stammered.

Catelyn did her best reassuring smile. "Relax Your Grace, we will all be fine. Don't let yourself be consumed with fear."

Jeyne paused for a moment and then seemed to realize what she had been doing.

"Oh...Oh, I'm sorry my lady, I..." She composed herself with some effort. "You are right, thank you."

Catelyn smiled and nodded, and together they sat down and waited for news. To at least partially sate their curiosity Catelyn called out.

"Brienne, how fares the battle?"

Brienne pulled back the flap and stuck her head in. "There is no change my lady; both sides still fight evenly."

Catelyn thanked Brienne and the warrior woman returned her attention to the outside.

After sitting in an awkward silence Jeyne decided to speak up, to hopefully break the heavy tension.

"My Lady I...I must ask." She hesitated but then continued. "I've only know, Robb and the Tully's. I know almost nothing about the rest of your family, the Stark's, your other children...Robb told a little about them but..."

Catelyn smiled and nodded.

"Yes, I realize that. Well, perhaps I could tell you about them." She replied. "It would take our mind off the battle at least."

Jeyne returned the smile and agreed wholeheartedly. "So, what of your other children? Robb mentioned in passing once that he was the eldest."

Catelyn nodded. "That is correct, Robb is my eldest, after him is Sansa, then Arya. We started this war to save them. Now it seems neither of them are in King's Landing."

Jeyne was surprised by this. "Do you know where...?"

Catelyn shook her head sadly. "No, we've not heard a word about Arya since my lord husband's execution. Sansa was held captive but seems to have escaped the city. If that is true, she is supposedly with Sandor Clegane. Gods only know what he intends."

Jeyne noted the distress on Catelyn's face and so changed the subject.

"What of your other children."

Catelyn managed a small smile. "Bran and Rickon, they were left at Winterfell. Rickon was too young for any of this, Bran...there was an... accident and now...Bran is unable to walk."

Jeyne looked horrified by this; Catelyn observed, to her relief, that her horror was more due to Bran's injuries than the actual fact he was now a cripple.

There was an awkward pause before Catelyn continued with the news of the fall of Winterfell, which Jeyne had overheard before. Jeyne nodded in understanding but seemed confused by something.

"Your Grace?"

After a moment of thought, Jeyne seemed to make up her mind. "Forgive me my lady, but you said you had five children...Robb said there were six."

Catelyn suppressed the urge to groan; of course, she should have expected this. Without delaying further she told Jeyne the truth.

"There is a sixth, but he was not one of mine." She paused briefly to calm herself and then continued. "Jon Snow."
Jeyne gasped. "Snow...a bastard." When Catelyn confirmed it, Jeyne's shock only grew. "You mean, Lord Eddard Stark..."

"I'm afraid so, but he never told me anything about the boy's mother. It irked me that all the sons I gave, all the children I gave him except for Arya...they all inherited their physical traits from my side of the family. Arya took after her father, but so did Jon. None of the sons I gave Ned possessed the common Stark traits, yet his bastard son did."

Catelyn lowered her head and gathered her thoughts before looking back to Jeyne.

"I am sorry, Your Grace." She said softly. "I should not have burdened you with my woes."

Jeyne shook her head. "It is quite alright my lady. What...What became of Jon Snow?"

Catelyn informed Jeyne of Jon's decision to join the Night's Watch. Before she could continue, the pair was suddenly interrupted by loud cheers from the battle outside. It was quickly followed by even louder ringing of steel striking steel, and the shouts and cries of men. To the women it sounded like the fight had just taken a serious turn; but they couldn't tell if it was for the better, or for worse?

Before Catelyn could even call out, Brienne stuck her head inside the tent. She looked surprised and even elated. This eased Catelyn's fears somewhat.

"My lady, another army of troops just arrived. They are bearing the Stark banner and have reinforced the main army." She paused to allow her news to sink in before adding. "The Frey's have been routed; it looks like victory for us."

Jeyne sank back into her seat; obvious relief covering her face. Catelyn felt relief flood her too and she turned back to Jeyne.

"Come Your Grace; let us greet the army when they return."

Jeyne agreed and together they left the tent, Brienne walking with them as they went to meet the army. They both watched with happiness as they saw the army returning. The men were jovial, exchanging words and laughing, none louder than the Greatjon. However Catelyn felt her breath catch in her throat. She heard Jeyne's sudden gasp too. Riding next to the Greatjon, at the head of the army, was Robb. He had returned!

Knowing he was alive only served to partially still her fears, but to see him before her, unharmed and apparently in good spirits, washed those fears away completely. Robb saw them and, if anything, smiled wider. He dismounted from his horse and approached them. Almost at once Jeyne moved towards him, fighting hard to remember her courtesies. Robb was soon within reach and lovingly embraced his wife, kissing her. They broke apart and Robb approached Cat and embraced her too. Cat returned the embrace, fighting back tears.

Robb's smile was both reassuring and, to Catelyn, mysterious as he made his remark.

"Mother, My Queen, we have won this battle. This is a good victory, in more ways than one."

"Robb," Catelyn breathed. "What do you mean?"

"You will see soon, mother. My old camp is just over that ridge. I've sent word and they'll be here soon." He gestured over to the ridge as he spoke, and as he did men appeared and began to approach.

Catelyn watched as the men reunited with their comrades. Two however caught her attention; they were the only ones not in armour. The first was a boy of around sixteen; with thick black hair and blue eyes. He stood out to Cat as, like Mya Stone in the Vale, he looked vaguely familiar. She also noted a fair resemblance to Mya too.

'Could this boy also be a bastard, do they have the same father?' She wondered.

However the boy was soon pushed from her mind by the second figure. The hair was shorter, the eyes covered with bandages; there were old burns on various parts of the right side of the face and right arm. But all this did not deceive Catelyn; her eyes saw the truth in the figures identity as only a mother's could.

"Arya!" She cried, almost stumbling as she hurried forwards to her youngest daughter.

She saw Arya stiffen and then a smile appeared on her face. Her courtesies forgotten and not caring about any onlookers, Catelyn threw her arms around Arya and pulled her into a tight embrace, fearful to let go.

It wasn't until she heard the sobs that Catelyn realizes she wasn't the only one crying. Arya had returned the embrace and was now in tears. For Catelyn it was as if the Gods had finally decided to show mercy. Arya, the daughter she had feared dead, the one person whom she never thought to see again; never knowing her fate. She was now safe. Catelyn pulled back enough to look her daughter in the face.

Tears still shining in her eyes, Catelyn noted with concern Arya's injuries. "Oh Arya, what happened to you?"

While she meant the injuries she also meant everything else too. Arya realized that.

"I...I don't know where to begin."

It was then Robb, who also hadn't heard her side of events, decided they should convene in the commander's tent to recount her tale. Arya agreed on the condition that the boy, who Catelyn now learned was named Gendry, came with them. Robb agreed, explaining that Gendry was the one responsible for getting Arya back to them. So they returned to the commander's tent, and they sat and listened to Arya and Gendry as they told them of their journey. Robb and Cat were amazed and horrified in equal measure. Finally, when they were done Catelyn turned to Gendry.

"I cannot thank you enough, Gendry, for helping my daughter return safely to me." She said sincerely.

"I...thank you m'lady." He mumbled unable to meet her eyes, and feeling somewhat awkward.

Catelyn continued to watch as Robb introduced Gendry and Arya to Jeyne. She felt happier than she had in a long time. Two of her children were back with her; it was more than she had hoped for.

After the reunion was over, things grew more serious. With their army reformed, Robb felt it was time to retake the North, as well as all the other ground they had lost. Starting with the Twins. The commanders came in to begin the planning while Catelyn led Arya out; Gendry and Jeyne accompanied them.

"I better get to work." Gendry stated. "Those swords won't mend themselves."

He left while Jeyne also left, returning to her personal tent. Catelyn smiled and led Arya to her tent.

"I'll talk to the camp followers about setting up a tent for you." She explained to Arya. "Until then, you can stay here with me."

Arya nodded and Catelyn finally allowed herself to relax.

She took in Arya's appearance and sighed sadly. "Honestly Arya, I've never seen you in such a state, we'll have to get you cleaned up."

"But mother..." Arya began but stopped, Catelyn's voice had left no room for argument. "Fine."

Catelyn sent some of the camp followers to prepare a bath when an unexpected messenger arrived to see her.

"My lady, please, come to commander's tent." He cried breathlessly. "It's urgent."

"What has happened?"

The messenger shook his head. "It'll be better if you see for yourself."

At that point two of the camp followers had returned. Catelyn ordered them to see to Arya's bath and, at Arya's behest, left them instructions to wash the clothes she had been wearing. She also ordered that when the bath was done, to remove the bandages and if necessary, apply fresh ones. Once those instructions were acknowledged she followed the messenger to the commander's tent, wondering what was so important and why it required her presence.

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