Chapter 52 Chapter Fifty-One Caitlyn

The beating of the drums thump, thump, thump made her dizzy.From the musicians' balcony at the bottom of the hall came the wailing of flutes, the trilling of long pipes, the screaming of fiddles, and the howling of horns, but most disturbing was the sound of the drums, which gave her goosebumps.The messy tunes echoed in the house, the guests were eating and drinking, and Walder Frey was deaf? How could he put up with such terrible and bad music.Catelyn sipped her wine as she watched the bells jingling and singing "Alessa...Alessa," or at least she thought it was "Alessa," or maybe "The Bear and the Pretty Maiden."

The rain outside continued unabated, but the air inside the city became increasingly stuffy and warm.Flames blazed from the fireplace in the hall, and black smoke rose from torches in a row of iron ledges on the wall.Even more heat is dissipated by the wedding guests, and with so many people and so few benches, everyone bumps into their neighbors when toasting. Even the crowd on the high platform made Catelyn uncomfortable.She sat between Ser Ryman Frey and Roose Bolton, fed up with both men.Sir Lyman's enthusiasm for drinking seems to be abstinence in all of Westeros tomorrow - and what he drank is all coming out of his armpits.She knew that he had bathed with lemonade, but nothing could cover up such filth.Roose Bolton's condition was better, but not far off, and he drank no wine or mead, only rum, and ate very little.

Catelyn sympathized with the Lord of the Dreadfort's lack of appetite.The wedding feast started with thin leek soup, followed by a salad of green peas, onions and beets, river fish stewed in almond milk, roast duck, and hills of chopped bitter turnips—the dish was cold before it was served. Dropped, congealed beef brains and tendons.How can these things be served for a king? Catelyn tasted some ox brains, and her stomach turned.Fortunately, Robb didn't complain, and ate meticulously, while his brother Edmure's attention was on the bride. Unexpectedly, for Roslin's sake, my brother was willing to completely ignore the hard journey from Riverrun to the Twins.The newlyweds ate on the same plate, drank from the same glass, and kissed from time to time, and Edmure waved away the dishes before they were served. She couldn't help recalling the scene when she got married. At that time, I was more nervous than my brother .Have I eaten at all? Have I been staring at Ned's face and muttering to myself about the solemn and strange northerner?

Poor Roslin had an unnatural expression, as if she was forcing a smile.Poor girl, on the wedding night, there will be trouble in the bridal chamber, she must be as scared as I was back then.Robb sat between Essie Frey and "Beauty Varda," the two Frey daughters. "When the feast begins, I hope you will not refuse to dance with my daughters," Walder Frey had said, "as a comfort to an old man's heart." And now Robb did all he could as king. , Lord Walder should be satisfied.At the previous wedding ceremony, he and every woman had skipped, including Edmure's bride and the eighth Lady Frey, the widow Ariel, and Roose Bolton's wife "Fat Walda", with a look of disdain. Pimple's twins, Sira and Sarah, even danced with Shireen, Lord Walder's six-year-old daughter.Caitlin didn't know if the old man was complacent or dissatisfied that some granddaughters didn't have the chance to be invited by the king. "Your sisters dance well." She tried to smile at Ser Ryman Frey.

"Scary! They are my aunts or cousins." The other party drank another large glass, and the wine flowed from his cheeks into his beard. Boring drunk! Caitlin thought.Lord Frey, who arrived late, was stingy with food but generous with drink.Ale, wine, and mead flowed like the river below.The Greatjon was so drunk that he knocked Ser Whalen Frey down cup after cup and met Lord Walder's other son, Merry.Catelyn hoped that Lord Umber would at least be sober, but telling the Greatjon not to drink was like telling him not to breathe. Youngjon Umber and Robin Flint sat next to Robb, with Essie Frey and "Beautiful Varda" between them and Patrick Mallister and Neither Daisy Mormont had touched a drink, for together they formed the king's personal guard tonight.A wedding banquet is not a battlefield, but there is no guarantee that there will be no accidents between cups and cups, and the king is a man of gold.Catelyn was very satisfied with this arrangement, and was also very satisfied to see the sword belts hanging on the walls of the hall.These are not for dealing with cow brains.

"Everyone thought my lord would choose the beautiful Walda," Mrs. Varda Bolton told Sir Wendel, screaming over the music.Fatty Varda is like a pink ball, with watery blue eyes, limp yellow hair, and a pair of big breasts, and her voice is surprisingly high-pitched. It is hard to imagine what she is wearing in the pink dress and fur cloak of Dreadfort look. "However, my lord grandfather promised to use the silver equivalent of the bride's weight as a dowry, so Lord Bolton picked me!" She laughed, her fat chin trembling, "I am six stones heavier than the beautiful woman Wada, this It's worth it at last! I'm Mrs. Bolton, and she's a virgin, poor thing, nearly nineteen!"

The Lord of the Dreadfort said nothing about the gossip.Sometimes he gnawed at the beef, sometimes drank a tablespoon of soup, and sometimes tore some bread with his stubby fingers, but his mind was obviously not on the dinner.At the beginning of the wedding feast, he toasted the old man to the health of Lord Walder's two grandsons, and assured the two Walders that under the full protection of his illegitimate son, there would be no danger at all.The old Marquis squinted and stared back, his lips twitched from side to side, and Catelyn knew he was well aware of the threat. But, for God's sake, such a dreary wedding feast? She wondered, until she remembered that dear Sansa had married the imp.Our Lady of Mercy! My little lady . . . the heat, smoke, and noise made her sick, and the band of musicians on the balcony was inexplicably loud and strangely incompetent.Caitlin drained her glass and asked the waiter to refill it.Just hold on for a few more hours.At this time tomorrow, Robb will lead his army to fight against the ironborn in Moat Cailin.She felt a little relieved from it.The son will surely come back victorious.Ned taught him well, the northern army was invincible, and the iron people lost their king again.The drums thump, thump, thump, and the bells rang in front of me again, but the music was too loud to hear the bells.

Suddenly there was a barking, and the two dogs fought over a piece of meat.They rolled, bit and attacked on the floor, and people howled and cheered.At last someone took ale and poured it over their heads before separating them.One of them hopped up onto the ledge, and Lord Walder's toothless mouth opened in delight at the sight of the wet brute shaking its body and shaking the filth over its three grandchildren. Seeing them, Catelyn thought of Gray Wind.Robb's direwolf was not here, because Lord Walder refused to let him into the hall. "I heard that your beast eats human flesh, hey," said the old man, "that's right, it rips the throats of living people. He can't appear at little Roslin's wedding. There are women and children everywhere. , are all my sweet little kisses."

"My lord, Gray Wind won't mess around," Robb promised, "as long as I'm around." "You were there when we entered the city, weren't you? Didn't that wild wolf attack the grandson I sent to meet your grandson? I've heard it all. I've heard it. I'm old but I'm not deaf. Hey." "He was unharmed—" "No harm, Your Majesty? No? Petyr fell off his horse, fell off! I once had a wife who died like that, falling off a horse." His mouth squirmed from side to side. "Uh... like a whore? Mother of Walder the Bastard? Yes, I remember. She fell off her horse and broke her skull. Hey, what if your Gray Wind just broke Petyr's neck? Apologize again? No, no, no. You're the king - I didn't say you weren't - King of the North, hey, but now under my roof, and I'm in charge. Your Majesty, you either attend the wedding , or accompany your wolf, not both."

After hearing this, the son was very angry, but he still suppressed his anger and accepted it politely.If I can reconcile with Lord Walder, remember he told her that even if he gave me crow stew with maggots, I would accept it happily and asked him to have another bowl. The Greatjon challenges another Frey, this time Petyr the Pimpleface.The young man is already his third opponent, how long will he have to drink? Lord Amber wiped his mouth with his big hand, stood up, and sang loudly: "This bear, bear, bear! It is black and brown all over, covered with fur. Velvet..." His voice is not bad, it's just rough after drinking high.Unfortunately, the luthiers, drummers and flute players upstairs played "Spring Flowers" at this time. It goes well with "The Bear and the Pretty Girl", just like snails and barley porridge.Even poor Jingle Bells couldn't stand the show, covering their ears.

Roose Bolton undoubtedly belonged to the unbearable crowd. He muttered some incomprehensible words before getting up to go to the bathroom.In the smoky hall, guests were noisy, and servants came and went.From the castle on the other side came the clamor of another banquet, attended by cavaliers and lesser lords.Lord Walder sent his bastards and their offspring over there for what the North called a "Bastard's Party."Of course, some of the guests here also sneaked past, wanting to see if there was more fun on the other side, and some even sneaked into the barracks.House Frey has provided plenty of wine, ale, and mead so that the soldiers can toast the union of Riverrun and the Twins. Robb took Bolton's empty seat and sat down. "Mother, don't worry, wait a few more hours, and this farce will end." He lowered his voice, just as the Greatjon sang honey in the girl's hair. "Hayward's attitude has finally improved, and Uncle Edmure seems particularly pleased with the bride." He leaned over her. "Sir Lyman?" Ser Ryman Frey blinked, "Er, Your Majesty?" "When our army marched north, I hoped that Olifa would return to me," said the king. "I didn't see anyone during the banquet. Did he eat there?" "Olivar?" Sir Lyman shook his head. "No, no, Olivar, he... he left the city on business, and he has something important to do." "Got it," said Robb thoughtfully.Seeing that Ser Lyman stopped talking, the king stood up again. "Dancing, mother?" "Thank you, no need," she felt pain in her head, she couldn't think of it at all, "You should go dance with Lord Walder's daughter." "Hehe, yes." The son resignedly smiled. The band performs "Iron Gun" while the Greatjon sings "The Merry Boy".The two parties seem to have made an appointment, but they want to go against each other and destroy the atmosphere.Catelyn said to Sir Lyman, "I hear you have a cousin who is a singer?" "That's Alexander, Simon's son, Essie's brother." He pointed his glass at Essie Frey, who was dancing with Robin Flint. "Why doesn't he come to the show?" Lyman glanced at her, "He...he went out." The other party wiped the sweat from his forehead and stood up unsteadily. "I'm sorry, ma'am, I'm sorry, I'm anxious." Caitlin watched him stumbling towards the door. Edmure kept kissing Roslin and touching the girl's hand.In the Great Hall, Sir Marque Piper and Sir Danwell Frey are gambling, Lame Rosso seems to be joking with Sir Hostyn, and a young Frey performs a trio for a group of laughing girls dagger, while the bell rang simply sat on the ground, sucking the wine between his fingers.At this moment, the servants brought huge silver platters full of juicy, blood-red shanks piled high--the most delicious dish of the evening.Robb invites Daisy Mormont to dance next. Countess Maggie's eldest daughter took off her armor and put on a dress. She looked quite beautiful, with a slender figure and a shy smile adding luster to her long face.Caitlyn was delighted to see her at ease on the dance floor and in the sand.I wonder if her mother has arrived at the Neck at this moment? Countess Maggie took all her daughters, but Daisy, as Robb's bodyguard, volunteered to stay with the king.The son inherited Ned's gift for inspiring the loyalty of his men.Wasn't Oliver Frey the same? He even declared that even if Robb married Jeyne, he would follow him to the death. Sitting in the black oak chair, the Lord of the River Ferry suddenly slapped his palms covered with age spots. Unfortunately, it was so noisy that even the people on the high platform hardly paid attention.Ser Aenys and Hosteen saw it, and slammed their glasses on the table, joined by Lame Rosso, and then Ser Marq Piper, Ser Danwell, and Ser Raymond.The last half of the guests knocked on the table.The band on the balcony finally understood, and the flute, drum and violin stopped at the same time. "Your Majesty," Lord Walder said to Robb, "the monk's pious words have been spoken, and the young couple's promise may have been made. Brother Edmure wrapped my sweetheart in his fish cloak, but they are not yet. Husband and wife. Hey, the sword is equipped with a sheath, and the wedding is in the bridal chamber. What do you say, Your Majesty? Should there be a bridal chamber?" Twenty or so children and grandchildren of Walder Frey knocked on the table together and shouted, "Go to bed! Go to bed! Make a wedding!" Roslin's face turned pale.I really don't know if it's the imminent loss of virginity, or the bridal chamber itself frightened the girl.With so many brothers and sisters, she must be no stranger to marriage customs, but once it was her turn, everything was different again.Remember his own wedding night, when Jory Cassel ripped her dress impatiently, and the drunken Ser Desmond Greer apologized for every dirty joke, but still said no happily Stop, and finally Earl Dustin held her naked in front of Ned, boasting that this pair of breasts would make Ned regret that he had been weaned early.Poor man, she thought, he went south with Ned and never came back.Caitlin couldn't help but wonder how many of those present tonight would be dead soon.I'm afraid there are really many. Robb held up a hand. "If you think it's time, Lord Walder, go for it!" The crowd burst into cheers.The orchestra on the balcony played flute, drum and violin again, and sang: "The queen takes off her shoes, and the king gives up her crown".Bells rang, hopped up and down on one foot, and crowns jingled on their heads. "I hear the Tully man has a fish between his legs!" cried Essie Frey presumptuously. "Shouldn't I be prodding him with worms?" Ser Marq Piper shot back, "I heard that the woman of Frey's family has two doors!" Ain said, "That's right, both are very strong, your little thing can't get in!" Everyone laughed.Patrick Mallister hopped onto the elevated table and bragged about Edmure's "fish." "That's a strong pike!" he declared, "haha, but compared to mine, it's a baby Huh." The fat man next to Caitlin, Walda Bolton, responded clamorously.After a long time, everyone yelled "Go to bed! Go to bed! Make a bridal chamber!" The guests flocked to the high platform, leading the way drunk.Men, young and old, gathered around Roslin, lifting her into the air, while women and girls grabbed Edmure and undressed him.Lord Tully smiled brightly and responded with the same dirty joke, but the music was so loud that Catelyn couldn't make out what was going on, and only Greatjon's voice could be heard. "Give me his little wife!" he shouted, pushing Roslin away from the crowd, and lifted Roslin on his shoulders. "Look at this thing! It doesn't even have meat!" Kaitlyn really felt sorry for the girl.On their wedding night, most women would try to fight back people's jokes, or at least pretend to be happy, but Roslyn had nothing but fear in her eyes.She clung to Greatjon as if afraid he would throw her off.She's crying again, Catelyn thought, watching Ser Marq Piper take off his bride's shoes.Hope Edmure treats her better, poor child.The music on the balcony turned obscene: "The queen takes off her skirts, and the king takes off her trousers." She should have joined the group of women gathered around her brother, but she knew she would only spoil the momentary joy, and the last thing she dared to think about now was lust.Edmure would forgive my absence, she was sure, and how could he care for a stern and eccentric sister with these twenty or so Frey women full of desire and laughter? The bride and groom walked out of the hall surrounded by a large group of nobles, but Robb did not leave.Catelyn was a little worried that Walder Frey would take the king's behavior as indifference.He should go to the bridal chamber, but I suggest, is that appropriate? She hesitated, looking at the rest of the hall: Pimple-faced Petyr and Ser Whelan Frey with their heads on the table, drunk; Foyle poured himself another glass of wine; Bells rang around, picking food from other people's plates; Ser Wendel Manderly charged another leg of lamb with vigor; and the unsupported Lord Walder Naturally, you can't leave your seat.He must be annoyed why Robb didn't go, and Catelyn could almost hear the old man sneering, "Your Majesty, hey, of course, not interested in my daughter's body?" The drums went boom, boom, boom, boom. Daisy Mormont was the only woman left in the hall except Catelyn. She walked up to Edwin Frey, touched his arm lightly, and whispered something in his ear, but Edwin savagely push away. "No," he said loudly, "I don't want to dance anymore!" Daisy turned pale and left.Seeing this situation, Caitlin slowly got up.What's going on? Doubt takes over, where a moment ago there was only exhaustion.Nothing, she tried to comfort herself, you boring, stupid, sad and frightened old woman, why are you so indifferent? But the thought must be written on the face, and even Sir Wendel Manderly was alert. "Trouble?" he asked, holding the leg of lamb. Caitlin didn't answer.She lunged at Edwin Frey.The orchestra on the balcony had already sung the part where the king and queen were undressed, and suddenly turned around, and before a moment's rest, another song was played.No one spoke the words, but Catelyn knew it was "the rainy season in Castamere."Edwin ran for the gate, and she ran for Edwin, driven by the rhythm, six quick steps to catch up.What virtue and ability do you have? The lordship proudly declared that I must bow my head and surrender? She grabbed the other's arm tightly, trying to turn it around.The silk sleeves touched the iron armor and shivered all over. With a slap, Caitlin broke the other's lips.Olifa, she thought, Paiwyn, Alexander, they were gone, and Roslin's crying... Edwin Frey pushed her away.The sound of the music drowned out all the noises, and echoed between the walls, as if the stones echoed each other.Robb glared at Edwin angrily, walked over to stop... took a step, and stopped abruptly.An arrow shot through the king's body, just under the shoulder.His cries were drowned out by the sound of flutes, drums and harps.A second arrow pierced the thigh, and the king fell.On the balcony, the musicians put down their instruments one after another and took out their crossbows.She ran toward her son, getting a blow to the back halfway and hitting the hard stone floor. "Robb!" she shouted sharply.Little Jon quickly lifted a high table and threw it on the king.One, two, three, countless crossbow bolts were inserted into the wooden board.Robin Flint was surrounded by a group of Freys, their daggers rising and falling.Ser Wendel Manderly rose heavily to his feet, armed with the shank of lamb—an arrow shot into his open mouth and pierced his neck.He fell forward, overturning a row of tables, flying cups, wooden spoons, wine jugs, plates, saucers, turnips, and peas.Endless, blood-red wine flowed over the hall floor. There was a fire burning on Catelyn's back.I got to go with my son, that was her only thought.Littlejon had hit Ser Raymond Frey across the face with the leg of mutton, but before he could take off his swordbelt he was caught by an arrow and half dropped to his knees.The red lion fights the yellow lion, the minions are sharp and merciless.Lucas Blackwood was cut down by Ser Hostyn Frey, and one of the Vances was cut off by Black Wald behind him while fighting with Ser Harris Hay.Don't forget, Ruzi, don't forget, Ruzi, if you make a fatal move.Crossbow shot down Donal Locke, Owen Norey, and half a dozen others.Young Ser Benfrey caught Daisy Mormont by the arm, and she swung a jug of wine backhand, knocked him over the head, and ran for the gate.As soon as they got to the door, the door opened with a bang, and Ser Ryman Frey, who was fully armed, rushed into the hall first, followed by a dozen or so Frey soldiers, all holding heavy axes in their hands. "Mercy!" Catelyn cried, but the blaring of trumpets and drums and the clash of metal and iron drowned out her plea.Sir Lyman disembowels Daisy.Several other groups of soldiers poured in from the side door, all wearing thick fur cloaks, full body armor, and holding weapons.They were from the north! For a moment, she thought she was saved, until she saw the other two axes cut off Little Jon's head.Hope is like a candle in the wind, annihilated without a trace. The Lord of the Crossing sat high in his carved black oak chair, watching the carnage greedily. Lying on the ground a few yards away was a dagger that Littlejon had dropped when he tipped the table, or something dead.Catelyn crawled towards it, feeling heavy in limbs and tasted of blood in her mouth.I'm going to kill Walder Frey! she told herself.Bell Ring hid under the table next to the dagger, and when she saw her crawling, she flinched back.I'm going to kill the old thing, at least I can! The long table that covered Robb moved, and her son struggled to his feet.The king had an arrow in his shoulder, one in his thigh and one in his chest.Lord Walder raised his right hand, the music stopped, only the big drum did not stop.Catelyn heard the sound of fighting in the distance, and the howling of savage wolves.Gray Wind...it's too late, everything is too late. "Hey," Lord Walder chuckled, "The King of the North has stood up. Your Majesty, I'm sorry, my subordinates seem to have hurt your people. Hey, I apologize to you on behalf of them, and I hope we can be allies again ,Hey." Catelyn grabbed the bell's long gray hair and dragged the idiot out. "Lord Walder!" she screamed, "Lord Walder!" The drum beat slowly, boom, boom, boom. "Enough," said Catelyn, "enough! Betray with betrayal, and you've done it!" She pressed the dagger to the bell-ringing throat, and suddenly it was as if she were back in Bran's hospital room, feeling the edge of the blade again. edge.Drums boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. "Please," she cried, "he's my son, my first son, the only son I have left. Let him go. Let him go, I swear we'll forget... forget what you did. Gods old and new, we . . . we will never avenge . . . " Lord Walder looked at her with interest, "It's only fools who believe stupid things, you think I'm out of my mind, hey, ma'am?" "I think of you as a father, a father of many children. Please, don't kill him, keep me as a hostage, and keep him if Edmure is alive. Please, let Robb go.", "No," the son's voice was dim and thin, "Mother, no..." "Go, Robb, stand up, go, please, please, save yourself... if not for me, then for Jenny!" "Jenny?" Robb put his hands on the edge of the table for support. "Mother," he said, "Grey Wind he..." "Go, go to him, go, Robb, get out of here!" Lord Walder snorted, "Why should I let him go?" She pressed the dagger into the bell-ringing throat, and the dementia rolled its eyes and uttered a wordless accusation.The filthy body odor was in the nostrils, but it didn't matter, it didn't matter.The sound of the drum was continuous and muffled, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.Ser Lyman and Black Walder touched behind her, but she paid no attention.They can do whatever they want, grab her, fuck her, kill her, torture her, it doesn't matter.She had lived long enough, and all she wanted was to return to Ned as soon as possible.Robb is the only concern left in the world. "In my honor as a Tully," she told Walder Frey, "in my honor as a Stark, I would trade your child's life for Robb's, a son Change another son." She shook her head, which was ringing a bell, and her hands were shaking violently. Boom, the drums continue, boom, boom, boom, boom.The old man's lips twitched constantly.Catelyn's hands were beaded with sweat, and she couldn't hold the dagger. "One son for another son, hey," the other party repeated, "but he's just a grandson...a useless grandson." A black-armored samurai wearing a reddish cloak dotted with blood spots hurried up to Robb. "On behalf of Jaime Lannister, I greet you kindly." He thrust the sword into the king's heart and twisted it. Robb doesn't have a weapon, but Catelyn does.She tugged at Aegon's hair and slit his throat numbly to the bone.Hot blood ran down his fingers.Bells ding, ding, ding, drums ding, ding, ding. Finally someone pulled the dagger away.Tears flowed down her face like poison.Ten sharp and ferocious crow claws descended from the sky, tore the face, scratched the skin, and left deep grooves.Blood, blood, blood, dripping into the mouth. Not fair, not fair! My children, Ned, my dear children, she thought.Rickon, Bran, Arya, Sansa, Robb... Robb... Please, Ned, please, stop them, stop them from hurting our children... White tears and red blood Blended on the ragged cheek, the face Ned had loved so much.Catelyn Stark held up her palms and watched the blood run down her fingers, across her wrists, into her long sleeves, into her arms and into her clothes like red worms.It itches, she laughs, she screams. "Crazy," said one, "she's crazy!" Another said, "Kill her!" A hand grabbed her by the hair as she had done with the ringing bell.No, no, please don't cut my hair, Ned loves my hair best.Immediately, steel hit the throat, cold and blood red.