Chapter 3 Chapter 2 Caitlin

Ser Desmond Greer served the Tully family all his life.When Catelyn was born, he was just a squire; when she learned to walk, ride and swim, he became a knight; and when Catelyn married, he became a master.He watched the Duke of Hoster's little Kate grow into a girl, become the wife of the high lord, and become the mother of the king.But now, he saw her become a traitor. Before his brother Edmure set off, he appointed Sir Desmond as the acting castellan of Riverrun, so he had to come to deal with her crimes.In order to ease the uneasiness, the old knight specially brought her father's steward, Ussels Wayne, who was not good at talking.Two big men stood in front of her. The fat Sir Desmond blushed and was extremely embarrassed, while the thin Utheras had a dark complexion and melancholy eyes.Both wanted to wait for the other to speak first.

They gave their lives to my father, and I brought them shame, Catelyn thought wearily. "Your boy," said Sir Desmond at last, "Maester Wayman told us all about it. Poor boy, how miserable, how miserable, but..." "We share your grief, ma'am," said Uthereth Wayne, "as do all of Riverrun, but..." "The news must have driven you mad," went on Sir Desmond. "Crazy with grief. It's a mother's madness. Men will understand. But you don't..." "I understand everything," Catelyn said firmly. "I understand what I did, and I understand that it was a great treason. If you don't punish me, people will think we were complicit in letting Jaime Lannister go." .I did it, and I did it alone, on my own account. Put me in the shackles of the Kingslayer, and if so, I'll wear them with pride."

"Shackles?" The word shocked poor Sir Desmond. "To the king's mother, our lord duke's own daughter? Impossible." "Perhaps," said the steward, Uthereth Wayne, "the lady can confine herself until Ser Edmure returns. Would you be alone for a while, and pray for your murdered children?" "Confinement, yes," Sir Desmond said hastily, "I will live in a room on the top of the tower, and we will arrange it for you." "If you want to confine me, please allow me to stay in my father's bedroom, so that I can give him some comfort in his last days."

Sir Desmond thought for a while, "Very good. You will be treated with courtesy and comfortable accommodation, but you are not allowed to move freely in the castle. If you want, you can go to the church, but nothing else until Duke Edmure returns." Can't go anywhere." "As you wish." The younger brother was not a duke at all before his father died, and Caitlin didn't bother to correct him. "You can send guards to watch over me, but I promise you that I will never run away." Sir Desmond nodded, beaming with joy at having accomplished such an awkward task.Uthers Wayne, with pained eyes, stayed for a while longer after the acting castellan left, "You have done a terrible thing, ma'am, but it is meaningless. Sir Desmond has ordered Robin Ser Rygg is in pursuit, to capture the Kingslayer alive . . . and if not, bring his head back."

Catelyn had expected this.Give her strength, warrior, Brienne, and don't let me down, she prayed.She had done all she could, and there was nothing left to do but hope. Her belongings were carried to her father's bedroom, which contained a large canopied bed—where she had been born—with posts carved into the shapes of leaping trout.Earlier, my father moved the bed halfway down the steps, facing the triangular balcony outside the bedroom, so that he could watch the river he loved all his life. Duke Hoster was sound asleep when Caitlin entered.So she went out to the balcony and put one hand on the rough stone railing.At the corner of the castle, the swift Tengshi River flows into the quiet Red Fork River, and beyond the confluence point, she can look far downstream.If a ship with striped sails appeared from the east, it must be Ser Robin Wriggle.But for a while there was nothing on the water, and she thanked the gods for that, and went back and sat down beside her father.

Caitlin didn't know if Duke Hoster understood her existence, or if she could bring him comfort, she only knew that being with him would give her comfort.What would you say, father, if you knew the crime I just committed?She wondered, if Lysa and I fell into the hands of the enemy, would you do the same?Would you condemn me and call it mother's madness? The room was filled with the smell of death, thick, sweet and rotten, attached to the air.It made her think of the lost children, her sweethearts Bran and little Rickon, both of whom had been killed by Ned's adopted son, Theon Greyjoy.She has been in the grief of losing Ned, and she has never been able to get rid of it, and now with the addition of two treasures... "It is a terrible and cruel thing to lose a child." She whispered, more like herself , instead of telling my father.

Duke Hoster's eyes suddenly opened. "Tansy," he said hoarsely, with deep pain in his voice. He didn't recognize me.Catelyn was getting used to being thought of by him as her mother or sister Lysa, but "Tansy" was still an unfamiliar name to her. "I'm Caitlin," she said, "Kate, Father." "Forgive me... that blood... oh please... Tansy..." Was there another woman in my father's life?When he was young, he was sorry for a certain country girl?Or had he found solace in the arms of some maid after his mother died?These thoughts were strange and unsettling, and suddenly she felt that she didn't really know her father. "Who's Tansy, my lord? Do you want me to find her, Pa? Where shall I find her? Is she still alive?"

Duke Hoster moaned, "Dead." He groped for his hand, "But it doesn't matter, you will conceive again...be pregnant with a group of good babies, real babies." Pregnant again?Caitlin thought, What do you mean?Had he forgotten that Ned was dead?Was he talking to Tansy the whole time, or was he talking to me, or was it Lysa or Mom? He coughed, blood splashed, but his fingers clenched even tighter. "...be a good wife, the gods will bless you...have children...children of blood...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," Duke Hoster's arms tensed up suddenly , his nails dug into her palm, and he let out a strangled scream.

Master Wyman came in at once, prepared another dose of milk of the poppy, and poured it down for his lord.A moment later, Duke Hoster Tully fell into a deep sleep again. "He's calling for a woman," Kate said, "a woman named Tansy." "Tansy?" The maester stared at her blankly. "You don't even know? Some maid, I suppose, or a girl from a nearby village, or someone from the past?" Catelyn had been away from Riverrun for a long, long time. "No, I don't remember, ma'am, I can look into it if you want. Uthereth Wayne knows the details of everyone who has been a servant in Riverrun. Tansy, is that the name? People like it." Name your daughter after a flower or herbal medicine," Bachelor Shen Ling said for a long while, "There was a widow once, I remembered, she often came to the castle to recycle old shoes that needed to be replaced. She seems to be called Tanju, let me think again I wonder, maybe it's called Orchid? That's the kind of name. But she hasn't been here for years..."

"Her name is Violet," said Catelyn, a woman she remembered. "Really?" The bachelor was a little apologetic. "Forgive me, Lady Caitlin, I cannot stay here. Sir Desmond has made it clear to us that we cannot speak to you unless it is related to our duties." "Then you should follow the order." She couldn't blame Sir Desmond, everything was her own fault, and the deputy castellan was undoubtedly worried that she would continue to do stupid things by taking advantage of the loyalty of the people in Riverrun to the lord's daughter.At least I'm out of the war, she told herself, if only for a little while.

After the maester left, she put on a wool cloak and walked back to the balcony again.The sun shines on the river, and the river rushes through the castle, shining brilliantly.She shielded the light with her hands and gazed at the sails in the distance, deeply afraid of what she might see.But there was nothing, and nothing meant that there was still hope. She watched all day, and stood until night, until her legs were too sore to stand upright.In the late afternoon, a crow flew back to the castle and flapped its huge black wings into the nest.Black wings, black news, she thought, remembering the terror of the last crow. As night fell, Maester Wayman came in to nurse Duke Tully, and brought Catelyn a simple supper of bread, cheese, and horseradish beef. "I've spoken to Uthereth Wayne, ma'am. He's pretty sure there never was a maid named Tansy during his service at Riverrun." "I saw a raven come back today. Got Jaime?" Had he been killed?O gods have mercy. "No, ma'am, we have had no news of the regicide." "Is that another battle? Edmure in trouble? Or Robb? Please, have mercy, don't make me panic like this." "Ma'am, I can't..." Wayman glanced around, as if to make sure no one was watching. "That's right, Lord Tywin has left the riverlands, and all the crossings have returned to calm." "Excuse me: Where did the crow come from?" "West side," he replied, averting her gaze by fiddling with Lord Hoster's pajamas. "A message about Robb?" He hesitated, "Yes, ma'am." "He's in trouble." From the expression and actions of the other party, she understood what he was deliberately hiding. "Tell me! Is something wrong with Robb? Is he hurt?" Don't die, Gods, please, don't tell me he's dead. "Your Majesty was wounded when he attacked Cliff City." Master Wayman said, still avoiding Caitlin's eyes, "He said in his letter that the injury was minor and not worth worrying about, and he will be back soon." "Injury? What injury? How bad is it?" "He said it was a minor injury not worth worrying about." "Nonsense! I'm very concerned about all the injuries. Is he well attended to?" "Please rest assured that the master in Kag City will take care of him, there is no doubt about it." "Where is he hurt?" "Ma'am, I was ordered not to talk to you. I'm sorry." After packing up the medicine bottle, Wayman left in a hurry, and Caitlin was alone with her father again.The milk of the poppy had its effect, and Duke Hoster fell into a deep sleep.A thin stream of saliva dripped from the corner of his open mouth, soaking the pillow.Catelyn folded a piece of sackcloth and wiped the spit away gently, and when she touched him Lord Hoster moaned again. "Forgive me," he said, in a voice so soft that she could hardly distinguish the words, "tansy... blood... that blood... by gods..." Even though she didn't understand exactly what he was saying, his words bothered her unexpectedly.Blood, she thought, is it all down to blood?Father, who is this woman and what have you done to her that you still beg her forgiveness? Caitlyn slept fitfully that night, having dreams about her children, lost children and dead children, all kinds of nightmares.Long before dawn, she was suddenly awakened by her father's words.Good baby, natural baby...Why did he say that, unless...unless he had an illegitimate child with this woman named Ai Ju?She doesn't believe it.If her younger brother Edmure had a dozen illegitimate children, she wouldn't be surprised.But not Father, not Duke Hoster, absolutely not. Was Tansy some kind of nickname he had for Lysa, like he called me Kate?When I came back to Riverrun from the south, he confused me with my sister.You'll be pregnant again... with a bunch of good babies, real babies.Lysa had five miscarriages, including two in the Eyrie and three in King's Landing... but never in Riverrun. How could that be?Here Duke Hoster can take care of her himself.Unless...unless she was pregnant, on her first... She and her sister were married on the same day, but their husband, the newlywed, had left his wife to join Robert's rebellion, leaving them in his father's care.When their periods were out of order, Lysa decided they were both pregnant, and she was overwhelmed with joy. "Your son will be the heir to Winterfell, and mine, the Lord of the Eyrie. Oh, they'll be best friends, like your Ned and Lord Robert, really, they'll be better than Brothers are closer, I just know it." She was so happy back then. But Lysa's period blood came back soon after, and all her joy was gone with it.Caitlin always thought Lysa was just a little late for that period, and if she had ever conceived... She remembered putting the baby in her sister's arms for the first time, Robb so small, blushing and howling but strong and full of life and vitality.Seeing him, Lysa's face was stained with tears.She hastily pushed the child back into Caitlin's arms and ran away. If she had lost a child before that, it would be enough to explain her father's words, among other things... Lysa and Lord Arryn's marriage was arranged very hastily, and Jon was already an old man at that time, and he was older than their father's. Still old.But he is an old man without an heir.His two previous wives bore him no heirs, his nephew died in King's Landing with Brandon Stark, and his valiant cousin died in the Battle of the Bells.To continue the Arryn family, he needed a young wife... a young wife who could actually give birth. Catelyn got up, took off her robes, and walked up the steps, into the darkness, away from her father for a moment.Boundless terror filled her heart. "Father," she said, "Father, I see." She was no longer the innocent bride full of daydreams, she was a widow, a traitor, a grieving mother, but she was also more sensible, He has a clear view of the fickleness of the world. "You made him marry her," she whispered. "Lysa is the price Jon Arryn must pay for the Tully army." No wonder the sister's marriage is so dull.The Ayrin family has always been proud and cherishes their honor very much.Lord Jon could marry Lysa in order to get the Tullys into the Rebellion cause, and hope to have a child together, but it would be too difficult for him to fall in love with a woman he's been defiled and has slept with reluctantly.He was kind-hearted and responsible, there was no doubt about it, but what Lysa needed was warmth. At breakfast next day, Catelyn asked for quills and paper, and began writing to her sister in the Vale.She told Lysa exactly what happened to Bran and Rickon, though it was hard to write, but most of all about their father.All he can think about is the wrong he did to you, and his time is running out.Master Wayman told me that he dared not adjust the higher dose of milk of the poppy.It is time for the father to rest with his sword and shield, it is time for him to rest.But he still struggled hard and refused to fall. I think it's all because of you, because he longs for your forgiveness.There is war, and the dangers between the Eyrie and Riverrun, I know that, but will you send a large body of knights to escort us across the Moon Mountains?Take a hundred knights, a thousand knights, will you?If you really can't come, at least write him a letter, will you?Write a few words of love, let him die peacefully?You can always write whatever you want, and I'll read it to him myself and let him go in peace. Even as she put the pen to the sealing wax, Caitlin felt that the letter was too small and too late.Maester Wayman thinks Lord Hoster won't be able to last the time the crow travels to and from the Eyrie.Despite what Father used to say... a Tully never gave in, no matter the odds.After entrusting the parchment to the maester, Catelyn went to the sept, and lit a candle for her father in the presence of her heavenly father, and another to the old crone, who, when she peeped through the gates of life and death, sent the first raven Sent to the world, the third root was given to the Mother, for Lysa and their lost children. Later that day, as she sat by Duke Hoster's bed, turning the pages of the same book over and over again, there was a distant commotion, accompanied by the sound of a horn.Sir Robin is back, she thought at once, with horror.She ran to the balcony, only to see that the river was still empty, but the sounds in the distance became more and more clear, which were the neighing of countless horses, the clanging of armor, and cheers one after another.Catelyn hurried up the winding stairs to the top of the castle to observe.Ser Desmond didn't forbid me from the top, she told herself as she climbed. The sound originated from the main entrance at the far end of the castle.A large group of people stood in front of the gate, waiting for it to bump up. In the wilderness outside the city, there were probably hundreds of knights gathered.The wind blew, the banners waved, and the sight of Riverrun's trout-jumping emblem calmed her trembling heart.It was Edmure. It was two hours before he came to see her.During this time, the castle echoed with the laughter of reunion, men and women embraced, fathers and children embraced.Three crows were released from the crow's nest, flapping their black wings, and flew away.Caitlin watched them from her father's balcony.She combed her hair again, changed into clean clothes, and was ready to accept her younger brother's reprimand... Even so, the wait was still difficult. Finally, there was a sound outside the door, and she sat down quickly and put her hands on her knees.Dried brown mud spattered Edmure's boots, greaves, and burqa.Looking at his appearance, you can hardly imagine that he is a general who has returned from victory.He had grown thin and haggard, with pale, disheveled features and sunken eyes. "Edmure," Catelyn asked worriedly, "you look uncomfortable. What happened? Have the Lannisters crossed?" "I drove them back. Lord Tywin, Gregor Clegane, Adam Marbrand... all of them were no match for me. But, but, Stannis..." His face crumpled. "Stannis? What happened to Stannis?" "He was defeated in King's Landing," Edmure said sullenly. "The ships were burned, and the army was scattered and destroyed." The Lannister victory was bad news, but Catelyn was not as disappointed as her brother.She couldn't forget those nightmares about Shadow, how Shadow had sneaked into Renly's tent, and his blood gushed from his throatguard for a split second as the steel shone. "Stannis is no more our friend than Lord Tywin." "You don't understand at all. Highgarden has sworn allegiance to Joffrey, and so has Dorne, and all the South." His lips were pressed together. "And you let the kingslayer go! You don't have the right." "As a mother, why don't I have this right?" She said calmly.In fact, she knew in her heart that Highgarden's defection would be a heavy blow to Robb's career, but she couldn't be distracted right now. "You have no right," repeated Edmure. "He is Robb's prisoner, your king's prisoner, and Robb asked me to keep him safe." "Brenne will protect him, she swore to me with her sword." "Only by that woman?" "She will send Jaime to King's Landing and bring Arya and Sansa back safely." "You think Cersei is a fool?" "I didn't count on Cersei. I thought of Tyrion. He swore in court, and the Kingslayer swore on me." "Jaime's words are worth nothing. As for the imp, they say he took a blow to the head and will probably die before your Brienne gets to King's Landing—if she ever gets there." "Dead?" Are the gods really so cruel?She made Jaime swear a hundred vows, but the real hope lay in his brother. Edmure ignored her pain. "It's my duty to guard Jaime, and I'll bring him back. I've sent the crow—" "To whom? How many?" "Three were sent," he said, "to make sure the news reaches Lord Bolton. To get to King's Landing, you must be near Harrenhal, whether by land or water." "Harrenhal," the word darkened the room momentarily.Fear made her voice rougher, "Edmure, do you know what you did?" "Don't be afraid, I've ruled you out. In my letter, I said only that Jaime had absconded himself, and offered a thousand dragons for his capture." Wrong on top of wrong, Catelyn thought desperately, my brother is an idiot.Tears welled up in her eyes. "How could the Lannisters give my daughters to Brienne if he escaped on his own accord," she whispered, "and not as a captive in exchange?" "You don't have to worry about that, because you won't be able to reach that step. With the nets you cast, I can assure you that the Kingslayer will never escape." "You can guarantee I'll never see my daughter! Brienne might have brought him safely to King's Landing... as long as no one was looking for her, but now..." Catelyn broke off, "Go away, Ed Mu." She had no power to command him, and the castle would soon be entirely his, but at the moment her tone could not be disputed, "Leave me to father and sorrow, I have nothing more to say to you. Go Go, go away." She just wanted to lie down immediately, close her eyes, fall into a deep sleep, and pray that the nightmare would not come.