The Birth of Dragons

Lady Catelyn Stark

The letters had arrived that morning, bringing with them a sense of chaos and confusion not felt at Winterfell since the day the King had arrived, or since the day the King had left. Robert Baratheon was dead, killed by his own whims, Joffrey Baratheon was King now, and had accused her husband of treason. Ned and his brother Benjen were prisoners, whilst her girls were in Riverrun. That last bit relieved her somewhat, but she was worried. Worried about what this all meant now, now the Lannisters had showed their hand.

Her son looked contemplative. "The King on the Iron Throne has demanded that I come south to answer for father's alleged crimes, and that I also come and swear fealty to him."

"You go south, you won't leave." Jon points out. "We all know what Joffrey is like."

"If I do not go south, he will accuse me of treason, and more than likely give our land to someone else." Robb points out.

"A good thing the girls are in Riverrun then." Catelyn states. She is relieved they made it into Riverrun, though her heart aches at the thought that Benjen was snatched.

Her son looks at her intently then. "The girls will not remain safe in Riverrun forever, if what Uncle Edmure says is true. Tywin Lannister is gathering men, or is already marching into the Riverlands, on his grandson's orders. I have to act, and act soon."

Catelyn nods, she knows this to be true, that does not stop the sharp fear in her. "And what will you do?"

Her son looks hesitant, and that is when Theon Greyjoy speaks. "Give me leave to go to the Islands now Robb, and I will get my father to provide you with his ships. You will have the necessary strength to challenge Tywin Lannister."

Before Robb can respond, Catelyn finds herself speaking. "You are still my Lord Husband's ward Theon, and it is for him to decide what to do with you."

Greyjoy looks quite sullen at that, but it is Robb who speaks. "My mother speaks truly Theon sorry. Your father will need to wait." There is a pause in her son's speech, and then he looks at Maester Luwin and says. "Send word out to the rest of the north, tell them to begin calling their men. I will not make the mistake my grandsire did. If I go to King's Landing, I shall take my men with me."

Catelyn takes a deep breath, relieved. "I can send word to Edmure and ask him to send the girls north through Seagard, that way you do not need to worry about them travailing through Frey territory."

Her son nods. "Will Walder Frey prove to be a big issue then mother?"

Catelyn thinks over the old man, remembering the last time she'd seen him, shrivelled and prone to anger. "Yes. He sees insults where there are none, and he will spit insults at you, and expect you to rub them off. Furthermore, he will demand something from you."

"A toll?" her son asks innocently.

Catelyn snorts. "If it were a monetary one, I would not be so concerned. No, most likely he will have you promise something to him. Either yourself or one of the boys or girls."

"He does not have the right to demand anything from me. Should Tywin Lannister declare war, he is obliged to fight for grandfather." Robb responds firmly, sounding exactly like Ned.

Catelyn sighs. "Would that it were so." She remembers something her father once told her of Walder Frey and she grimaces. "He is not a man to remember loyalty unless it benefits him. He will remain on the side until such a time as he can be convinced of a side."

"Even with twenty thousand northmen coming down the Twins." Jon asks incredulously.

Catelyn briefly thinks of saying the one thing that could make Walder Frey move, but she does not want her nephew tied to one of Frey's girls, or granddaughters. So she keeps silent on that point and instead replies. "Especially then. He might accuse you of treason, he could accuse you of a whole host of things, and there would be little you could to counteract that statement. You will need to approach him with caution."

"How?" Robb asks, and Catelyn can tell her son is getting impatient. "If he breaks his oath he will be forfeit."

"He will claim you are forfeit by marching against Joffrey, Robb, perhaps I should come with you." She suggests, knowing as she does so that her son will reject that.

"No." Her son says firmly, and then a bit softer he replies. "I need you to remain here mother. I need you to keep Bran and Rickon safe, and to hold Winterfell for me."

Catelyn knows she could protest, her father is ill and ailing after all, but she nods her head in acceptance, deciding to keep silent, until she remembers something. "You must send word to the Vale before you march Robb. Send word and the knights of the Vale will gladly come to your side. They wish for vengeance against Jon Arryn."

"What of Aunt Lysa?" her son asks.

"Leave my sister to me." Catelyn responds, knowing as she says so, that such a thing will be a difficult task, Lysa has grown stubborn and obdurate as of late. "I know what to say to her to get her out of her castle and onto the battlefield."

Her son nods. "Very well, I shall leave Aunt Lysa to you. Whom amongst the Vale Lords do you recommend I write to?"

"Lord Royce, Lady Waynwood, Lord Hunter, Lord Redfort, Lord Belmore, Lord Templeton and Lord Grafton. All have significant power." Catelyn says, listing the names from the top of her head.

"Very well." Her son replies, and in that moment, Catelyn cannot help but notice just how young her boy truly is, how young her nephew is, and she feels nervous once more.