Game of Thrones: A Blessed Union
Chapter 6 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
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Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 6: Fifth Stark Child
It had been five years. Five years since the birth of Bran Stark; the children had all grown up together and soon began to flourish under the care of their parents and those specially trained to raise and teach them. Robb and Jon had become stronger and much better fighters; they were also polite and showed true honour; in Robb's case it was expected of him, being the heir to Winterfell. Sansa had, as Septa Mordane predicted; become a perfect lady. Arya on the other hand seemed to have become the reverse; at six years old, everything Sansa had mastered by then, Arya struggled with and even rebelled against. Bran was only five but already seemed to have a hobby, climbing; despite the danger and the many attempts to stop him, Bran seemed capable of climbing just about anywhere and was getting better at it every time. Between Arya's antics and Bran's climbing Ned had found his prediction five years ago being true. However things seemed to be calming down now, at least Bran only climbed in places he either wouldn't be seen, or would have a soft landing if he fell. The issues with Arya were causing friction between her and Sansa, as well as between Arya and Septa Mordane. This however Eddard hoped would resolve itself with time. Especially now, Since Catelyn was expecting another child, her fifth.
The atmosphere in Winterfell when the birth of Catelyn's fifth child approached was one of mingled joy and tension; many were anxious. She had already birthed four northern children; what if fifth was too much for her. Ned however was reassured; if anything Cat seemed to grow stronger from both her time in the north and from her children. That was enough for him to feel reassured that everything would be fine. He thought back, a couple of years ago, to a raven that had arrived bearing news from King's Landing. After two stillbirths Catelyn's sister had finally given birth to a boy, whom Jon had informed them was named Robert after the King. Robert Arryn however was found to be a sickly child and Lysa appeared to be paranoid about his safety. It was clearly causing friction and difficulty but so far, nothing had happened. Eddard had decided however, after five years of seeing his children grow; that they were old enough to more or less understand. He had already spoken to Robb and Jon about taking precautions when it came to any sexual activity. He knew that trying to tackle what Theon might have already told them would be difficult; especially since at least two kitchen maids so far had been impregnated by him. He trusted their maturity however and told them they could wait with him when Cat gave birth; although Jon planned to leave after the birth, knowing he would not be wanted. However then the others found out and begged to be with them too. So; when it was finally time for Catelyn's fifth child to be born, he allowed them all to wait with him.
So it was that he now found himself sitting with the children, just outside the room. He could hear Cat's screams as she went through the birthing process. Bran and Arya were anxious when they heard the screams but Robb and Jon reassured them; Sansa looked uncomfortable, but didn't say anything. Finally however, after a long time had passed, Maester Luwin exited the room and informed them that it was over; a third boy had been born to Eddard and Catelyn Stark. Soon the family gathered; Jon conspicuous only by his absence. He would always meet the child later; when Catelyn was sleeping and recovering from the exertions of giving birth, his father would bring him to see the child. The boy had once again inherited the Tully looks from Catelyn but his temperament and the way he cried a lot seemed to indicate a ferocity about him; what Eddard called the Wolf's Blood; something which Brandon and Lyanna both had. Catelyn took comfort form this in knowing that her youngest son would grow up as strong as the others. Whatever fears she once had evaporating in her newfound relief. Eventually they named the child Rickon Stark and for five more years the Stark family lived together, untouched by trouble and enjoyed a happy and deep love for each other; until that one fateful day when a raven from King's Landing changed everything.
End of chapter and of story., hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.