10. A LADY FOR CASTERLY ROCK
And just like that, Catelyn had never being so busy with enjoyable tasks. In the first week since Tywin's departure, she wrote all the invitations to the wedding. Her father had gifted her with beautiful bright white paper and golden ink, as well as golden wax to seal the invitations. Lord Hoster had also sent for fabrics in Highgarden, so Catelyn could start thinking about her wedding dress.
The presence of Lady Genna, as well as Enya's mother, helped Catelyn to remain calm, as with the passing of the days, she started feeling the pressure of organizing such a large event in such a short amount of time. The two women were more experienced, and they assumed functions in order to lift Catelyn's burden. Genna, with Saera's help, was immersed on the idea of how to make the wedding look as beautiful as it possibly could. Lady Mallister had taken over the feast, managing the supplies and the added help that it would be required, only asking for Catelyn to build a menu of her liking.
Tywin was also invested on the preparations, and had sent her an impossibly heavy arch of gold, as well as too many gifts. The dressmaker from Casterly Rock, arrived bringing so many different yards of -incredibly expensive and rare- types of fabric, that Catelyn did not know where to start. He had also sent, together with a letter, the list of details he would sort out himself, like the music. The letter had being written less than a moon after his departure and he seemed to have so much to share with her beyond practicalities.
"My beloved Catelyn,
I left Riverrun dominated by the deepest desire to turn my horse around and get right back into your embrace. I have arrived in what is to be our home after no more than six days on the road, and have being consumed by matters of the realm ever since.
However, do not assume I haven't made myself busy with the much more enjoyable matter of our nuptials, and although there's not much I can do about the Wedding itself, I have being invested in making sure our castle is ready for your arrival. Kevan has being of great assistance, and helped me decide the most appropriate place where to set your residency.
We have debated that a tower, the one where my bed chambers are, might not be so suitable for you, on the longer run. You will need space and appropriate chambers to your ladies and guests. Casterly Rock has a completely well-guarded wing, facing the sunset sea, as I have imagined you to be used to the sounds of the river, and I do not wish to deprive you from whatever might be of any comfort. This area of the castle also seems the most adequate to hold a nursery, when the time comes.
As in this precise moment, a raised garden is being built right outside your chambers, and a master craftsman is designing the interior of them. I hope that is all of your liking, and I also hope that you will make this place your own with time. Home, like what you have created in Riverrun. And before you think otherwise, although I have my own domains in the castle, I have no intention to ever sleeping away from you.
As I write this letter, you have on your way everything I could think of being of any help to you during this busy time. You will have a dressmaker and her assistants, traveling ready to make you whatever your heart desires. You also have a goldsmith, bringing you pieces of jewellery that might be of your taste, and he is also prepared to do any alterations you see fit. To lighten the burden of the feast, you will have a small team of master cooks, one of them very skilled with sweet treats.
I intend on arriving back in Riverrun ten days before the wedding, to only leave again with you riding by my side, as my lady wife. I am longing for that, and you are in the forefront of my mind at all times.
I love you,
Tywin"
Catelyn had allowed Enya to read it, and they now looked at each other with silly smiles on their faces.
-He has mentioned a nursery… -Enya said, still a bit giggly and teary.
-For when the time comes…
-And has he said to you before that he loves you?
-Yes.
-And did you say it back?
-Of course I did!
-Oh! -Enya now sat on the bed next to her friend, drying a happy tear- I am so glad for you...
-Thank you. I am also very happy for myself.
When Catelyn had the meeting with the dressmaker, she could have sworn that the woman was there to clothe the entire Riverrun city, as per the sheer amount of fabrics.
-My wedding dress is nearly done. -Catelyn said, almost apologetically, watching this woman produce dozens of different drawings, with incredibly intricate models for Catelyn to choose from- I am sorry. I wanted to make it myself.
She was in love with her gown, and besides Enya, no one else was to see it. Enya, in fact, took upon herself to apply every single stich and multi-coloured flower onto the sheer fabric of the skirt, that had a significant trail. The main fabric was crushed linen and the colour was golden beige, but without any sheen. A layer of sheer plain lace in the same colour covered the dress. The bodice was structured, but very simple. The neckline was modest, with a V shape going from gathered fabric on the shoulders, to the end of her breast bone. It made the most of Catelyn's figure. She was still debating if she should add sleeves to it, and if yes, which kind.
Without the embroidered flowers, it was almost too plain, but every day it was looking more and more like a dream. Just the silky underskirts took her an entire week to sew.
They had created a simple and delicate design of The Seven, even though Catelyn's faith had been wavering since the war, it was still a fundamental part of her, and she wished to invite them back on her heart by walking into that marriage under their protection. And for that, she dedicated her mornings solely to that embroidery and she didn't accept any help with that part. She knew that not many people would notice it with all the gorgeous flowers adorning yards of lace, but it didn't mattered. That was something she was doing to herself.
-I believe Lord Tywin knew you were going to make your own dress, my lady. He has complimented your sense of style, and I must say that I agree with him. It is not what we are used to on the West, but is regal on its own merit. Your wedding dress, I am sure, will be fantastic. That is not why I am here to.
-Why is that, then? -she was confused.
-He wants us to produce as many dresses you wish, from the models I have brought with me, or any other kind that would please you. I am briefed to design to your taste, and maybe add some of the Casterly Rock flair to it. But most importantly, you will also need your Lannister garments... -she now showed some red and gold beautifully intricate fabrics, so heavy that they would only really work for gowns to be worn at night, with strong boned corsets.
Overwhelmed, Catelyn recruited Lady Genna to help, as she would be the only one there with a good idea of what Catelyn liked, and what the West expected.
-I don't know where to start. -Lady Genna confessed, a bit overwhelmed herself.
-We have a bit over a moon to the wedding, I am not sure that a new wardrobe is on the top of my priorities. -Catelyn said, looking at the designs once more.
Enya was inspecting the fabrics, looking somewhat confused with the overall style differing so much from Catelyn's taste. In the meantime, the dressmaker was assuring Catelyn that she was not to concern herself with the garments. All they would need her for, would be for a couple fittings and to do the alterations she would, certainly, require.
-All you have to do now is to pair the models with the fabric of your taste.
But even that was too much.
-Let's focus on the essentials. -Enya jumped into problem solving- How many Lannister garments will Catelyn need on her first weeks on the Rock?
-Three, maybe four. -Lady Genna replied- She will have to wear a rather impressive gown on her first day in court. And she must arrive in a complete Lannister ensemble.
-So, three. -Enya stared at Catelyn- Can you select three of your favourite Lannister fabrics?
-Yes... -Catelyn answered, not very sure if she truly liked any of them, but having to keep in mind that those garments were part of what she would become.
-And choose three designs from what we already have?
She already had selected her favourites and it was only a matter of pairing them. The same was made with the simpler fabrics on the bunch, and Catelyn just said that she would bring some of her dresses, so they could copy them, and add or subtract whatever they thought fit. Now, back at her bedchambers with Enya, she could not help but feel exhausted.
-Have Tywin forgotten that I am to go to the Rock, and that most of this could be made there?
-He is trying to make sure you have all you need for your arrival. That's why all this jewellery and fabrics are here. -Enya said- At least this lady is not trying to intervene on your wedding dress.
-And what was all the talk about undergarments? And why she thinks they should be so small?
-Oh, well... -Enya blushed- After observing you and Lord Tywin for a while I must say that the revealing undergarments will be a lot more than what you will be wearing for most of the time you two can spend alone.
-I understand the need for a bride to have beautiful undergarments, I have being this close to be wedded before. My struggle is: why so many and why so tiny?
-Maybe is how they do it in Casterly Rock. -Enya shrugged.
-Also, why is she using such expensive silk and lace to make sleeping garments and shifts?
-I believe you need to get used to the idea that you will be sleeping next to a man soon. A very refined man, of expensive taste and deep… very deep pockets. He will cover you in gold and precious stones. He will send for silk from the free cities if that is what you want to underline your dresses. He is vain, and he wants to show you off.
-Those dresses will wear me, not the other way around. -Catelyn knew that Enya was right, and she didn't really have a reason to explain why she was so uncomfortable with all the novelty. That was to be expected.
About a week later, all the responses to the invitations had arrived, and a few were already followed with gifts. From all of those responses, the one Catelyn expected the most was the last one to arrive.
-This is from Ned. -her father placed the box in front of Catelyn, that had being making a count of how many people they should expect.
She stared at her father and then at the box. She couldn't understand why, but that was making her far too nervous. She lifted the lid, and right on the top, she found a folded letter with Ashara's handwriting.
"Dear Catelyn,
It seems that we have finally found the best moment to meet again. The news of your upcoming nuptials has taken us by surprise, but also with joy. We know, Ned and I, that you would not commit to this if it was not the truest desire on your heart.
Yes, we might have hoped for something different in your life, but now is clear that this could not be better, as is your choice and very on par with what you deserve.
I have thought, long and hard, on what to send you as a wedding gift, but the ideas evaded me as I have for sure that you are now surrounded by riches, coming from all over Westeros, and certainly do not know what to do with them.
So, with that in mind, I got the children to make you things. Now, neither of them are artists, but they were set on doing their best. On the box you will find a small ceramic plate, with a tiny hand imprint on the middle of it. That is Ella's, and she is already standing up by herself at eight moons. She has Ned's colours, and although I do not have a good recollection of Lya's face, everyone say they are like reflections of each other.
The little clay knight and horse are from the twins. You might confuse the horse with a dog or even a wolf, due to the stubby short legs, but the twins assured me that it is, in fact, a horse, as knights always need horses. Arthur and Jon couldn't look more different, even though I am pretty sure they were both kicking on my womb at the same time. Jon has my eyes and my black hair. Arthur is the image of his father, and a couple inches taller than his brother. They are now about to be three, and they give me the purest love, already grown enough to follow their father wherever he goes, and starting to venture on horseback, as they like to say. I am not allowed to point that those "horses" are actually pigmy ponies, but you know how boys are.
They also made a solid attempt to draw you a picture of Winterfell, using charcoal. There might even be one or two lines that actually resemble something, but most of the paper is smudges of their little hands. It might be a completely new form of art that they are pioneering; however we will only find that out on the years to come.
We will be traveling by boat down the White Knife River, across the Bite and arriving at the Eastern Bay in the Riverlands. The rest of the journey will be done in a carriage, to keep the children from the elements. It will be a long journey, but I truly need some warmth and true sunshine. It is long overdue.
I can barely wait to see you again,
Love from us and the cubs.
Ash"
Catelyn found all the precious little things, safely wrapped and padded inside the box. She also found a pressed blue rose on the bottom, inside a satin pouch. A few red leaves from their Heart Tree helped with the padding. She read the letter again, laughing at how Ash described the children. Her words truly made her sound happy and the fact she missed the south was no news or surprise. The only thing bothering Cat was the complete lack of response from Ned, directly from his hand.
-Do you think he is mad at me? -Catelyn asked, observing Enya lift her eyes from her very meticulous embroidering to stare at her for a second.
-He does not have the right.
-Even Keira has written me to say she arrived safely, and that she will remain in Winterfell for a while. She has also mentioned Eddard and that Sir Harold had given him my letter, but he never wrote back.
-You should not concern yourself. -Enya was final- He is coming to the wedding, probably getting ready to be on his way by now. I know he matters dearly to you, but you need to focus on more pressing matters. Like what will we do about these sleeves...
Twenty days before the wedding, Catelyn felt like she had being ambushed on her chambers after supper, now surrounded with, slightly inebriated, married ladies, who still intended on carry on drinking. Lady Genna, Lady Serena Mallister, Lady Zarah Whent and Lady Chloe Keath, as well as a very sober Enya, dominated Catelyn's solar.
-We are to have a serious conversation, child. -Lady Chloe, the youngest of them, besides Cat and Enya, announced, indicating a chair for Catelyn to sit.
-Among us cannot exist any reservations and the advice we will give you is something you should keep in mind for the rest of your married life, if you wish to keep your Lord Husband away from other beds.
Startled, Catelyn looked at Enya as begging for rescue, but she seemed to be a part of it all. Catelyn wasn't oblivious about the kind of intimacy they were expected to establish. Enya had being married and had explained to her the mechanics of what was to happen, even though her experience was fairly limited. The other ladies, however, had being married for years. They probably had one thing or another to bring to her attention.
-Tywin is my brother, and I do not enjoy picturing him in these situations, but I truly know him and I can promise you that he will never hurt you. -Lady Genna started- Our dear Joanna, who was effectively the one in charge on that marriage, was able to do so because he worshiped the ground she walked on. And part of that adoration, was due to their intimate conjugal life.
-I do not wish to hear it. -Catelyn said, flustered and uncomfortable- I also do not wish to picture him in said situations with his previous wife. -yes, she was jealous of a dead woman, and that was how she knew that Tywin had her body and soul.
-I will not get into any details. -Genna promised- But I will say what I believe was the key for her success as the woman who tamed Tywin Lannister.
They were all silent in expectation, and even Catelyn was curious to hear about it.
-Men, in general, like to feel appreciated. -she continued, with the agreement of the other ladies- They crave intimacy, not necessarily the act, but...
-The closeness. -Catelyn said, having already identified that on him.
-Exactly. That is why I believe you will succeed as well. You brought him here and you decided that you both would be as tight as possible before he left. And I can tell you now, he was distraught mounting that horse to go away from you. Another thing on your favour is something he feared would be an issue. Your age. Similar to his own when he first married. Similar to Joanna's at the same time. And it is your youth that will allow you to explore your possibilities in bed, because he will expect that. That is what he knows from a lady like you, of your age. That is what he had with Jo.
-Explore?
-Yes, my darling. -Lady Serena joined in- Explore him. He is an experienced man, but you are something completely new. And the entirety of him must be new to you, so you will have to explore him, find what is good...
-He had multiple women, he knows what he likes, how he likes. -Lady Genna was back at it- Allow him on you as he wishes, within your limits.
-I do not know what my limits are supposed to be. -Catelyn was in a complete state of shock, not having expected any of that.
-You will find out. -Lady Zarah promised- And the most important thing among all of this, is to find what you like. Men enjoy emptying their sacks, but they also enjoy making their women lose control on their arms.
-You must look for him in bed sometimes, and not only wait for him to begin with contact. -Lady Mallister said- Their egos can barely take it when they feel like they are needed. Needed that way.
-A man like that... -Lady Chloe said, staring at the fireplace- Strong, virile and willing... He has all the makings to be the greatest lover, if you are willing to let that happen.
-Oh, she is. -Enya declared simply- I was the one here when they were alone, and by my accounts, you two were usually very close of crossing the lines of decorum, and you were just as willing as he was.
-That's true. -Catelyn admitted, relaxing a bit on her chair and allowing the wine to work its magic- He clouds my mind, worse than wine. Truly.
-Most of your work is already done, my dear. -Lady Mallister said- You already love each other. Making love will be the easiest part.
That night Catelyn could not settle. Many things had being said and most of them were too much for her ears. She was, against some popular belief, a maiden. She knew how Tywin was able, with very little, to inspire on her the lust he felt. His hands and firm grip had already shown her that she was allowed to melt on his embrace. And she trusted him, so much so that sometimes she was not able to trust herself.
Throughout those weeks, he made sure to let her know that she was always on his mind. The tiny little messages he would send by raven were enough to reassure her and make her eager to respond. If that dynamic was to continue in marriage and between sheets, she was certain that no difficulties would arise.
The one thing she hadn't come to terms yet was the bit of information that he had being a man of many women. Did he ever kept a mistress? Sired a bastard? Were those women prostitutes? Was he keen on that? Would he wish for that sort of thing once they were married?
When the morning came, none of that was of any importance, as it seemed like that wedding day would not come.