Game of Thrones: A Blessed Union

Chapter 1 of a new Game of Thrones story; takes place before the series; focused on my second most favourite relationship in the whole series, as well as the most real, in my opinion: Ned/Catelyn. Anyway, hope you enjoy it.

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

Chapter 1: A Second Blessing

Twenty-two year old Catelyn took a deep careful breath; letting the clean, fresh northern air fill her lungs. She had been in the North for two years now. Yet still she felt like a stranger; the North was still strange and foreign to her. In spite of this she found the North; particularly Winterfell and its inhabitants readily welcomed her. Despite everything the one thing she was certain she would never get used to was the cold. Even now; indoors, she had wrapped herself in furs. Winterfell had been built above several hot springs which flowed through the walls of the castle; it was those hot springs that, along with the usual log fireplaces, provided heat for the castle. So it was that Catelyn always ensured that the heat from the hot springs was hottest in her room, at least until her husband came. Then it was his body heat that kept her warm during the night. Catelyn smiled as her thoughts went to her husband; Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell. Following the end of Robert's Rebellion and Robert Baratheon's crowning as King; he had returned from the war and brought her from Riverrun to his family home in Winterfell. She had important news for her husband; she had just come from Maester Luwin; Winterfell's resident Maester, who had confirmed her suspicions after she had found she had missed her moon's blood. She set out through the castle; searching for her husband.

As she walked through the castle she came across her son Robb; two years old, an almost perfect mix of his parent's genes; looking very like his father but with her hair and eye colour as well as the high cheekbones that were typical of a Tully. Catelyn's smile faded however when she noted that he was playing with that boy. Jon Snow; her husband's bastard; the one her husband insisted on raising in Winterfell; a constant reminder that he had been unfaithful to her. She was certain she wouldn't have minded as much if she didn't have to see Jon Snow every day; but her husband insisted on keeping him with them and, to her despair, Robb seemed particularly close to his half-brother. Still she smiled warmly when her son turned to see her. He smiled back and rushed over; Jon however stayed where he was. Despite only being two years of age; he seemed to have realized quickly nothing he did would ingratiate him to Catelyn.

"Good morning Robb." Catelyn greeted her son as she hugged him.

Robb returned the embrace. "Morning, mother."

Catelyn straightened up and regarded her son carefully. "I hope you've been behaving yourself."

He nodded and she saw he was telling the truth. "Good; go have fun, just stay out of trouble; I need to speak with your father."

Robb nodded and ran off, back to where Jon was waiting. Catelyn frowned before turning away and continuing her search for her husband.

She finally found her husband in the great hall; he was with his Steward Vayon Poole. They were both talking while observing a large pile of papers before them. Vayon noticed her approached and bowed.

"Oh, my Lady."

Eddard looked up and a smile smoothed his usually solemn features. "Cat; I wasn't expecting you." He said softly; using the affectionate shortened version of her name. "Is everything alright?"

She nodded. "Yes, of course Ned." She replied, using her affectionate name for him too.

Vayon stepped back.

"I'll take my leave, my Lord." He said before exiting the room after Ned nodded in confirmation.

Alone with his wife Eddard Stark stood up and took her in his arms. They shared a chaste kiss before he spoke.

"You look a bit pale, my love; are you sure everything's alright?"

Cat smiled wryly; she had been growing paler the longer she stayed in the north. He must've meant more than usual. "I have news; my Lord. I have spoken to Maester Luwin and he has confirmed my suspicions."

She paused and then revealed. "I am pregnant Ned; we're going to have another child."

Ned smiled and kissed her again.

"That is wonderful news, my love." He said; his voice showing his joy clearly. "This will be a great blessing for us all."

Catelyn nodded. "Indeed, we shall have another child; Robb will have a younger sibling."

Ned seemed distracted however; Catelyn noticed and asked him about it.

"I'm trying think of how to explain all this to Robb; it'll be pretty complicated for him." He explained.

Catelyn smiled and shook her head. "Let me explain it; I think I can manage."

Ned nodded in agreement and they parted ways; Ned to return to his duties and Cat to find her son.

Soon news was flying around Winterfell that their Lord's wife was pregnant again. When those that doubted a Tully could be Lady of Winterfell, and give their lord a good strong family, heard the news their doubts vanished. Catelyn was pleased with the prospect of another child; she was proud of Robb and knew he would be the perfect heir for his father. However she hoped to have a child that would take after her; she prayed for a daughter. More than that however was one great desire. Her son had been born with predominantly Tully traits. Yet Jon Snow, the bastard, had inherited the Stark traits; brown hair, grey eyes. If she did have another son, she prayed that the child would look like his father. Maybe it would convince Ned that Jon didn't need to be a permanent part of their lives.

'I wouldn't expect him to abandon Jon.' She thought to herself as she looked out the window. 'But surely he could find some way for the boy to be taken care of; without having him here; where he constantly reminds me of what happened.'

She turned away from the window as the door opened and Ned came in. She noted he was carrying a letter.

"Maester Luwin received a raven from King's Landing this morning." He explained. "It's addressed to you; I think it's from your sister."

"From Lysa." Catelyn gasped, she hadn't heard from her sister since they both married just before their husbands went to fight the final battles of the war.

She took the letter and read it before sinking into her seat with a heavy sigh. Ned noticed the sadness on her face and knelt next to her.

"Cat, what's wrong?"

Catelyn shook her head. "It was from Lysa; she…She and Lord Jon were expecting a child, but…she miscarried, just yesterday."

Ned lowered his head; Catelyn knew his sympathies lay with her sister and her husband, elderly Jon Arryn, who had been a surrogate father to him in his younger years. However travelling would be unwise just now as many places still needed to be repaired and roving groups of Targaryen remnants roamed the land for revenge. While she waited in Winterfell for the birth of her own child; Catelyn sent a reply to Lysa; expressing her sympathy and, to spare Lysa's feelings, said nothing of her pregnancy.

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