Catelyn Tully Stark

Storm's End, 300AC

Fear was nothing new to her.

A feeling so many people hate having and one people thrive on as they are the ones causing it. However, she was not one of those people. Gnawing on the corners of her fingernails in her tent when no one was looking- a habit she'd had as a child but had broken with Septa Mordane's assistance. Catelyn hadn't heard from the woman for a long time. Understandably hated in the North because in the North the Seven Who Are One were not worshipped (except by House Manderly as said House had originally come from the Reach and took refuge in White Harbour when House Gardener wanted them gone). It was a big adjustment for her, and she was glad Ned had gone to the extent he had to have her adjust easier.

Anger boiled deep inside as she thought on what happened. Instead thinking on what was going to happen. If Jaeron received the communication from Elissa then he should be writing to the Tyrell's. It impressed her greatly, how quickly he had picked up on these things. Was he always a studious child? It was a question she would never get an answer to as she made sure he didn't get the same education as her own children before she had found out the truth. Remembering the time where she had wished him dead only for him to almost succumb to the pox not long after. Lighting incense in the small Sept at Winterfell, kneeling in front of each statue of her Gods and praying for forgiveness and that she would love him as one of her own. It had taken years for her to let go of her hatred towards him and even then she had only done so when the truth of his birth was revealed.

She shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts, wincing as she bit a little harder than she had intended and pulling said body part away to see she had pulled a bit of skin away and a steady line of blood appeared. Quickly grabbing a cloth that was in the tent and wrapping it around and instead turning to pacing back and forth. Any moment now she was expecting someone to escort her to Renly where she would hear his response to his older brother. From the little time she had spent with him, she was doubtful. Simply hoping deep inside she would be let free when it all occurred so she could get out of the Stormland's and back to where her sons camp was, perhaps even go back to Winterfell to spend time with Bran and Rickon.

She was a horrible mother.

She despised Jaeron for something out of his control, deliberately manipulated things so Robb would look better and not taking into consideration it would make him think he was better. Which for a time, he had, but it was something that was sorted from a quick smack across his head. Something that were she in the south still would've landed her in serious trouble. But the North was the North. The people were hardier and petty insults didn't bother anyone. Then she had coddled Sansa and had not taught her the intricacies of the game as people in the lower six called it. She had tried and failed to mould Arya into another Sansa and a part of Catelyn believed her youngest daughter hated her for it. And now, she had left her youngest two boys in Winterfell whilst she travelled to help with the war.

When they won, the first thing she was going to do was host a mass gathering of all family members. With bountiful amounts of food and wine and ale and honeyed milk for the younger children. Forget about everything that had happened for one night and simply be what they were. A family. She would teach Sansa all she knew from her own experience, she would make sure Robb never thought he was better than everyone, not shout at Arya every time she done something that was not befit a Lady, and make sure Bran and Rickon knew that she would not abandon them. With Jaeron though, it was tricky. There was no doubt in her mind he was going to win. Whilst they didn't have as many numbers as the other claimants, he had a deciding factor the others did not. He would be stationed in Kings Landing, far away from Winterfell and would be in the pit of snakes and poisonous spiders.

"My Lady, his Grace has summoned you."

She let out a long breath she hadn't realised she had been holding. Placing the cloth down and noticing the bleeding had stopped but her finger was bright pink from her biting down on it the way that she had. Feeling the back of her head to make sure her braid was still in place before leaving the tent. Even now despite her being in the camp since they were stationed at Bitterbridge, people were still looking to her with distrust. Not that she blamed any of them, but it was something that still set her on edge. Renly was inside his tent with the Rainbow Guard stationed outside, Ser Loras being the one permitting who exited and entered at all times.

"You sent for me, your Grace?"

The word tasted like bile on her tongue, but courtesy called in this case. The more she made it look like she was coming around to his claim the more likely he was to spill a secret or two. He handed her a glass over with a darkened wine within, a single taste confirming it was an Arbor Gold. Probably gifted to him by House Redwyne through Lady Olenna as prior to her wedding Luthor she had been a member of said House. If what was written was true, the woman was almost a Princess had her betrothal not been broken off.

"I do not appreciate you speaking to me the way you did during the parlay, my Lady."

In other words he didn't like being called out for how stupid his movements were, but by now Catelyn had learned her lesson that she couldn't let her loosened tongue run around southerners anymore. A part of her wondering if she had become more northern in other ways and had not realised. Bowing her head a little and taking a small sip of the wine.

"I would like to apologise, it appears my tongue has loosened massively with living so long in the North- "

"Don't apologise."

Her eyes widened momentarily but a mask covered her face not long after. Wholly expecting a scolding from him because as far as this camp was concerned, Renly was the King. Whilst not her King, he still was, even if she would never say so aloud.

"Whilst I don't appreciate you undermining me the way you did, your words do hold merit. Politically it would make the most sense for my brother and I to join our claims against Joffrey Waters and his wretched mother. But I meant what I said, my brother is not liked at all. Even if he sits on that gods forsaken throne he won't last long and it would fall to me instead since my dearest goodsister cannot give birth to a live boy."

Ouch, that last portion hurt. Whilst Catelyn herself had never lost a babe, insulting someone for losing multiple was another low.

"What makes you believe they would skip over Shireen?"

Renly laughed at her question, knowing it had its intended effect on the man.

"She's a girl. No one would stand for a sole Queen, and one with a deformed face would be nothing but a laughing stock- "

"She's your niece, your Grace. It's not the girls fault someone gifted her a teddy bear infested with greyscale."

The other swirled the wine in his own glass for a moment before finishing the remainder off in a single gulp and taking her own from her, offering her one of the fruits from the basket. Reaching over for a ripened plum that when she bit into it juices flowed down her chin and all over her fingers.

"I made promises, my Lady, and I am not one to break a promise easily. One of those promises ensures me the Reach."

There it was, confirmation Margaery had wed him either of her own machinations or another scheme of her House so they would have a Tyrell Queen. If her assumption was correct and her nephew had or was writing to Highgarden, it would mean she would be a Queen claimant which would anger the Reach Lords plenty. Then again, there were still many House's in the Reach who simply tolerated them considering they had been a family of stewards given a position that logically should've gone to another leal House. She knew why Aegon done so, because said House tried to talk their King's out of fighting to keep their crown whereas all other House's rallied in support. The message clear – move against me, and you'll be passed over.

"What if her Grace were to give you a son? There's the option of wedding both he and Shireen together which both secures the reach to yourself for at least two generations and should mollify your brother."

He turned from her at her words, knowing within he wouldn't get a child on Margaery. Whilst she was incredibly beautiful, she could tell that her husband didn't hold any affection for her and instead held it all for her brother. It was a sin, two men laying together. Such a thing may not be in Dorne but she was a follower of the Seven and the Seven-Pointed-Star stated explicitly which pairings were not acceptable. Man to man, woman to woman, parent to child, sibling to sibling. The first two going against nature and the last two going against family, nature, and any fruits of said pairings being seen as abominations as House Targaryen found out the hard way when the Faith moved against them.

"I have made my mind up, my Lady. As much as your point holds merit, I made a vow. And I intend to keep that vow."

He nodded to one of the guards, the one in green whose face she did not recognise but if the sigil he wore on his breastplate was his House he was a Morrigen- likely a second or even a third soon looking to make a name for himself outside of his House. Catelyn knowing despite words not being spoken her counsel was no longer needed and being escorted back to her own tent. It was still dark outside, the sun still not peeking itself from behind the hills surrounding them. Despite this, the sky had gradually lightened from navy to a soft blue, confirming there wasn't long left.

Would Stannis attack immediately when Renly refused the offer? Would Renly give him a counter offer? Perhaps give him Storm's End and offer to legitimise Edric and wed him to Shireen once she came of age to tie the blood back together? Raising her fingers to her mouth intending to gnaw away on them again before stopping herself right beforehand. No, she'd broken the habit a long time ago, she was not going to pick it up again. Instead pacing once more to try and distract her mind from the darker thoughts threatening to make their way to the surface. It felt like only seconds had passed before she was summoned outside, noticing her horse was already there and she wasted no time in mounting, riding towards where the agreement would be made. Stomach tying itself in knots and having to fight to keep her face still as she spotted Stannis with his own guards and the mysterious woman in red.

"As promised, I have given you the night to reconsider. Lay down your weapons, brother. I will name you my heir until a son is born to myself and I will grant you your seat of Master of Laws on the small council."

It was deadly silent for a minute before Renly spoke.

"I will not be laying down my weapons, brother. Join me and I will give you Storm's End. It's what you've always wanted isn't it? Why you always despised me so because our dearest older brother granted our ancestral Seat to me and gifted you a large rock with a volcano and a few villages?"

Stannis' lips tightened ever so slightly, Catelyn understanding this was a big factor to his hatred of his younger brother.

"So be it."

With those three words the older turned and rode towards his own camp which was still laying siege to Storm's End. Seemingly forgetting that he himself was once held under siege by the House supporting his younger brother. Of course, how had she not realised that sooner? No wonder Stannis wasn't bending to Renly. Ned didn't speak often of him as he didn't know him well, but he did state he was vocal in his hatred of Mace Tyrell and it was likely a massive insult that the mans daughter was his goodsister. If the rumours were true they had resorted to eating dogs and rats, only being helped by a daring smuggler that somehow got through the blockade.

"Ser Loras, begin preparing the army- "

"We don't have the whole army here, your Grace- "

"Then prepare what we have. I fully expect my brother to hit us in the back so we should be prepared. We are done waiting on the war to come to us."

When they returned to camp, peoples spirits were high. Those who loved the thrill of fighting and enjoyed spilling blood walking around with massive smirks on their faces. Cavalry readying their horses and men sharpening their swords and some even cutting branches off of trees to make more arrows as a precaution. The only sounds in the air being the whistling wind, soft crashes of the stormy waters hitting the coastline, steel against steel as some men had decided to practise. Everyone was on high alert, waiting on when the opposing army was heading this way. If their own scouting was correct, Stannis had less men than his brother but people had told her growing up that numbers simply aid in a battle. A few seasoned warriors would easily triumph over a dozen green boys.

How long had passed, she knew nought. Only that scouts didn't report any movement from the other camp yet which set warning bells off for her. She had to get away from here, but how could she get away when there were only two females in the camp? Those being herself and Brienne of Tarth. She would stick out like a sore thumb. Her best bet would be to sneak out in the midst of everything as she would then be the last thing on their mind. Darkness fell not long after and a meeting was called. Being seated directly in front of Renly.

"Do you swear that what you speak is true? That your son wants nothing to do with the Iron Throne?"

Who it was who spoke she didn't know either, but from the yellow cloak knew he was also a member of the Rainbow Guard.

"I swear it by the Old Gods and the New, my son wants nothing to do with the Iron Throne."

There was no need for her to lie, because the words were true. Robb didn't want anything to do with the throne. Neither did Jaeron really, he simply wanted vengeance but knew he would end up the one on the throne in the end so was simply preparing.

"Then I see no reasons for there to be any hostility between us, Lady Stark. Your son can have the North, call himself King in the North if he so wishes. From here in perpetuity, the North is independent if House Stark hereby declares not to raise their banners against House Baratheon ever again."

Shock rippled through her, remembering when Robb almost was crowned King in the North and promptly refused. Perhaps they could use that, because he had simply stated House Stark and no other House. Immediately ridding herself of the thought. She'd come too far to betray her nephew now.

"The wording of this oath?"

"The same word Ned Stark swore to Robert eighteen years ago."

In other words offering Robb to declare himself King whilst he was in the North but elsewhere he could not do so. King in all but name. The barb growing in her mouth threatening to leave her lips but fighting against it.

"Their friendship held the Kingdom's together."

They did, but it was fractioned massively when Robert had declared all Dragonspawn be killed. Something which Ned was very much against because in the North a son was not blamed for the sins of their father. As he used to say to her when she had first gotten confused when coming to Winterfell over said custom- if they didn't do this, the North would be inhabited by skeletons.

"In return for my sons loyalty?"

"In the morning I will destroy my brothers army. When that is done, Baratheon and Stark will fight their common enemy together. As they have done many times before."

Except the last time had been because of a massive misunderstanding. Even now despite knowing for more than a year that there had been no kidnap, how the conclusion was reached evaded her. Had it been an outright lie? Likely. It was no secret Aerys was mad and many people wanted him off the throne. Had it been someone assuming wrong? Also likely. All that was known was that she had left around ten leagues from Harrenhal where there would've been plenty of people whether that be villagers or free riders. Or had it been someone had heard someone say so and it had spread rapidly? By the time she realised she was lost in her thoughts, Renly had almost left.

"It is true our House's have always been close, which is why I am begging you to reconsider this battle. House Greystark found out the hard way, if you lose you'll go mdown in history for a similar thing."

Brienne was now inside the tent, helping her King into his armour and making sure everything sat correctly like she was a squire. It was probably the closest she would ever get to being a Knight as they could only be male.

"Please, negotiate a peace with your brother- "

"Negotiate with Stannis? You heard him out there, didn't you? It was a miracle in itself he offered me what he did. You'd have better luck negotiating with wind. Please bring my terms to your son, I believe we are natural allies. I hope he feels the same as I do on the matter. Together we could end the damned war in a fortnight. He could take on Tywin Lannister and I can take on the capital."

She bit her tongue and turned around so she didn't need to hide her expression because that was a good point and she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of such a thing. Hearing the tent flap open and turning to see who it was and frowning deep that no one was there. The wind outside whistling louder than before as if the gods sensed how useless this was. But then something caught her eye, and it seemed it caught Brienne's eye as well as she ran towards Renly. What stood behind him was something she had never seen. It looked human but it was transparent in a sense, like a shadow. But it was darker than any normal shadow. But the shape of it, if she wasn't seeing things she could've sworn the shadow had a face scarily similar to Stannis. Renly made a grunting noise, blood beginning to drip down onto the ground which confirmed whatever it was had stabbed him. Brienne screaming in horror as she was closer.

Catelyn's breathing was speeding up in a mixture of fear and shock, watching as Renly stood up for a few more seconds before slumping over. Brienne catching him before he hit the ground and blood pouring out of the wound. She could see it now, where his armour had yet to be fastened in the back, a large wound was there. From her gaze, it seemed to be a knife. Quickly looking on the ground to see if she could see where the knife was but there wasn't one. Shit, this was not good. If they had the murder weapon they could use it as evidence it wasn't either of them as they were the only two inside the tent with Renly. Brienne's agonised screams didn't help the matter as people were yelling outside to find out what the commotion was. A sword being drawn broke her from her thoughts as she realised she had stalled too long.

"You will die for this!"

It was an unfamiliar face who said the words again, running towards Brienne who had just enough time to place Renly's body on the ground and unsheathing her own sword to defend herself. In a single moment of madness. Catelyn ran between the two of them.

"Wait! It wasn't her!"

She cursed herself for her panicked tone and her choice of words, because now she had gotten it in their minds that she was owning up to it. A sword coming her way and she was about to duck before Brienne swung up from behind and pushing her behind so she was somewhat protected. A small feeling of admiration for the positively beastly woman born to the Evenstar bubbling up. Other members of the Rainbow Guard entered alongside a few other men and the only sound in her ears was grunts and steel against steel as the fight waged on. Despite the odds not being in her favour at all, she was holding off well. Cutting them down as they came for her with relative ease.

Catelyn spotted Ser Robar Royce turn to her in hesitation as if asking if they had done it, shaking her head no and he must've believed her as he turned to help Brienne. Red and blue fighting side by side as more men poured in. This was her chance, but how could she get by all the men? Escape left her mind as Ser Loras walked in, cloaked in a rainbow and eyeing his not-so-secret lover on the ground in a pool of his own blood, eyes blazing as anger rippled through him as he began to attack Ser Robar. Whilst the Vale Knight was a talented swordsman, he wasn't a match for the Tyrell. Something that was proven as the Lord Commander took a chance with a single opening that was so miniscule it had passed her perceptive gaze. Screaming himself in fury as he went after the other guards, likely yelling at them for why they weren't all protecting their King. A blow to the back of her head knocking her off her feet but hearing rushed whispering.

"Stay down, my Lady. I won't hurt you."

For some reason, Catelyn believed Brienne for the words. Understanding she was making it look like she had avenged her King by killing the culprit. The remainder of the fight only lasted a few more minutes, Ser Loras yelling of how if anyone stepped in his way of killing Ser Emmon Cuy they would lose a leg. That must've been who was wearing the yellow cloak. Footsteps running away from them and only once silence was ensued did she dare open her eyes to look at the results of the fight. The food she had eaten threatening to make itself known but fighting it back down. The scent of blood and shit and piss stifling. Everyone who fought in wars told her men shit themselves when they died, but having proof of said words was something else entirely. Brienne walking over to Renly's body and promptly falling to her knees and letting out an agonised cry. Only then did Catelyn realised she loved him dearly.

"We have to leave. If they find out you saved me they will hang you- "

"I won't leave him."

"You can't avenge him if you are dead."

Her words done the trick as she walked to the back of the tent and made a single slice in the fabric for them to escape through. Thinking to herself whether to dare taking her own horse or a random one. But it seemed Brienne thought similarly as she made her way into the trees and emerged with her own mount and another. Did Renly actually keep her horse so close to her? Cursing to herself once more before hastily strapping the saddle on alongside a bridle, pulling herself onto the animals back at such a speed a Master of Horse would be surprised at. Riding far into the woods with Brienne close behind. How long they had ridden for was lost to her. Long into the night and far into the early morning judging by the pale blue of the sky. Following a stream closely in case they needed to stop for water. Which is what they were doing now. Both tethering their horses to a nearby tree and cupping their hands in the water to splash it on their faces and drink their thirst away.

"It looked like Stannis- "

"To me it looked like a shadow that looked like Stannis."

Brienne nodded to herself, likely thinking herself insane for such a thing but with Catelyn confirming she had saw the same mollified her somewhat.

"If we continue north we will arrive near the capital. From there we can travel along the Gold Road to meet him in the Westerland's."

"Will you be staying there long, my Lady?"

"Only long enough to tell Robb of what I have seen. After that, I am leaving for Winterfell. My two youngest need me. I've been away from them far too long."

She had to think of a way to tell Jaeron though, knowing that he greatly appreciated her council when it came to politics. He'd done well enough without her when he was training under Howland, and he was considerably more adept with such things now with being fully roped in on the game.

"I never knew my mother, I was only a babe myself when she died."

Catelyn's heart went out to the woman, knowing herself what that was like as her own mother had died when she was young too. Herself having to practically step in as a mother figure to raise Edmure and Lysa with her father.

"Birth is bloody business."

"What comes after is harder than the birth, believe me. I have five children. But I wouldn't trade any of them for anything."

She sat down on a rock now, trying to pinpoint her location. They were likely still in the Stormland's or close to the Kingswood, but she wouldn't know for certain until a landmark or a village or town was passed.

"Once you are safe, will you give me leave to go, my Lady?"

"You wish to kill Stannis."

"Aye, I swore a vow- "

"Stannis has an army, you won't get through said army. His own guards are sworn to keep him safe."

Brienne looked to the ground now.

"I shouldn't have fled- "

"His death is not because of your hand, you served him bravely in the little time he gave you a cloak of blue. He's gone, Brienne. You won't serve him and you won't serve anyone or yourself by following him into the earth. Renly's enemies are Robb's enemies as well. I won't ask you to remain by my side, but my son is your best chance to get vengeance. Either that or the Lannister's."

Could she tell her the truth? That Robb had chosen a side but it was one that by some miracle hadn't spread in the Reach yet? She had saved her life after all, and by extension Catelyn was now indebted to her. A debt which could be paid off with her granting her the best opportunity to get her revenge.

"Promise me you will keep this a secret. For now at least."

The blonde was bewildered by her wording if the expression on her face was anything to go by. It felt like an age had passed before she nodded, sitting down on the adjacent rock as she waited on whatever was being entrusted to her.

"I lied, about how my son has yet to choose a side- "

"Your son is with Stannis?!"

She was about to stand up in fury but Catelyn shook her head to confirm this was not the case.

"No, I did speak truth that my husband didn't proclaim for Stannis. Whatever words he received from the capital have either been lies or has chosen to ignore what is really going on. My son has declared for his cousin, my nephew to be precise."

"But the Vale aren't involved. It's why Ser Robar joined the Rainbow Guard, because he didn't want to remain idle like his father and other House's in the Vale- "

"I didn't say he was declaring for Robyn, my Lady. He's declared for Jaeron Targaryen. Hidden by my husband as his bastard when in reality is the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. The North and the Riverland's have all declared for him as King."

This stunned Brienne, mouth falling open in shock as she ran it through her head.

"But didn't he kidnap her- "

"A lie, or a misunderstanding. We are still trying to figure that out. But there was no kidnap, she left with him willingly and they wed on the Isle of Faces after Rhaegar unknowingly annulled his marriage to Elia Martell just before the tourney of Harrenhal as he feared for her safety. My husband had no idea, believed the rumours until he got to that damned tower in Dorne and found her in a bed filled with blood from having to be torn open to get her son out of her. Jaeron wants vengeance just as much as you do and I'm sure he would take joy that it doesn't need to be him to strike down Stannis considering they are kin to one another as Queen Shaera, King Jaehaerys, and Lady Rhaelle were siblings."

"I won't swear to someone I don't know, my Lady. But I can swear myself to you if you will have me. Only if you promise you let me be the one to end Stannis."

That surprised her, not expecting those words at all. But it was an agreement, a fair one at that. Plus it would be nice to have someone to watch her back at all times as a precaution because any friend can turn into a foe the same as any foe can turn into a friend. Nodding her head in acceptance and the woman dropping to her knee and swearing herself to always shield her back. Soon, both were back on their horses and continuing riding north until they came across somewhere to find out where they were exactly to work out the best way to get to her nephews camp.