The Riverlands 294 AC.
The Blackfish.
He had spent most of the ride from the Vale thinking over things, now as he passed Stone Hedge and night began to fall, he wondered should he stop off at the keep and speak to Lord Jonos or should he ride on. Hearing the roar of thunder he found his decision being made for him and so he turned his horse and began to ride hard for the keep. He arrived as the rain began to fall and after speaking to the guards, and them realizing who he was, he was brought inside.
He had almost stopped in the village, just gone to the tavern and spent the night there, but Jonos was an old friend and perhaps he'd give him some of the run down of events in the Riverlands since he'd been gone. For almost ten years he'd not set foot in his homeland other than when passing through, he'd spoken to some of the lords over that time, had met up with some knights and Riverlands men at tourneys and events. But on occasions like that he'd cared not to hear of troubles or gossip from his home, now though he was eager for it.
"Ser Brynden, my father will be with you as soon as he is able." Barbara said, Jonos's daughter was every inch the woman she was named for, right down to the hills.
"Thank you my lady." he said remembering his courtesies and smiling as she left, her chest leaving a few minutes before the rest of her.
He knew he was in for a torrid evening with Jonos, the man liked to drink and to whine about Blackwoods and so he was guaranteed a lot of both before this night was done. His horse had been stabled and would be well looked after and so Brynden stood by the fire warming himself, while waiting for the lord to arrive. When the man himself finally did come into the room, Brynden was surprised to see the smile on his face, it was rare Jonos was so openly happy.
"Do my eyes deceive me or is there a Blackfish in my home?." Jonos said walking to him.
"No, it's really me, it's good to see you old friend." he said with a chuckle.
"Aye, you too Brynden, have you eaten, drank?."
"No."
"Good then we'll do both and then we'll speak."
He followed Jonos to their hall, it was small but still with how well it was laid out, it could hold more than a hundred men, though there was less than half that there now. Jonos brought him to the high table where his wife, Barbara, and his four other daughter's sat, all mirror images of each other, with jet black hair and dark eyes. Taking his seat he welcomed the ale and the meal itself was the best he'd eaten since leaving the Vale.
The deer was perfectly cooked and plentiful and he found himself enjoying a second helping, the vegetables were less appetizing but he ate them all the same, though it was the pie which followed he enjoyed the most. He had always had a sweet tooth and apple was his preferred choice, this one being made from apples from the Riverlands made it just that much nicer to his thoughts. Once done and after washing it down with another ale, he waited until the dishes were cleared and then began to speak to Jonos.
"So what brings you back Brynden, finally going to help me get rid of Tytos?" Jonos only half japed.
"I heard some things about my nephew which caused me concern, came to see the boy for myself.
"You mean that trouble in Kings Landing?" Jonos said and Brynden cringed, they were speaking of it openly which was not a good sign.
"Aye."
"Silly affair, what young Edmure was thinking I'll never know, but he trod on the Lion's tail Brynden and even with Tywin gone that's not the thing to do."
"You fear the Kingslayer?" he asked genuinely.
"I fear no man but the stranger himself old friend, but the boy is far too important to the lions, what he's done for them, to challenge him so, to try and take his hand, what do you think the reaction would be?"
"Aye I know, boy was always too full of pride to let things go, would have liked to see him be knocked on his arse though." Brynden said with a chuckle while Jonos laughed loudly.
"You hear what happened with the Freys?" Jonos said conspiratorially.
"No."
"After the Kingslayer and his party went to see them to use the crossing, the boy was attacked on their lands, bandits, lad was injured some, though he survived thank the seven."
"You think the Frey's responsible?" he asked hopefully.
"What? Old Walder? "Jonos said laughing "Man is a lot of things but a fool isn't one of them, any bandits on his lands are ones he's put there and he'd not have them attack the Lannisters, he's far too much of a coward for that. No whoever this was it certainly wasn't the Freys."
"Aye, doesn't sound like them."
"Luckily they were dealt with long before your niece arrived."
"What, Cat, Cat's here?" he asked his surprise clear.
"In Riverrun aye, arrived a few days ago, I thought when I saw you there was some event coming up, even sent Harry to Riverrun to make sure Hoster was feeling better."
"Hoster is ill?"
"Damn, my mouth gets the best of me. I forget how long it's been since you've been by, aye he's not been well these past few moons, still does his duties though, you know how your brother can be."
"Aye, that I do."
"Enough of this talk, more ale I say." Jonos said laughing and Brynden couldn't help but agree.
The ale flowed freely for the rest of the night and he drank it eagerly, his mind was so full of disturbing thoughts he wished to clear it, though in the end it took a lot of ale for that to be the case. Why was Cat here? Had something happened he was unaware of? His brother was ill? Between the questions and knowing people were speaking of Edmure's Folly as the events in Kings Landing had come to be known, something he overheard when taking a piss. It was clear that things were far from well in the Riverlands, should his nephew have played a role in the attack also, he shuddered to think what it could mean for them.
So he drank, got drunk. and woke up the next morning his head thumping and throat dry, he emptied the half drank mug of ale he'd brought back to his room, feeling himself wake up as he did so. He had only half stripped before falling into bed so after throwing some water onto his face, he quickly dressed and left to break his fast. Seeing Jonos sitting there laughing and japing while breaking his own fast, Brynden wondered just how often the man drank that way.
"Morning old friend hungry?" Jonos said and he nodded as Jonos sent a servant to grab his meal.
"Can you have my horse readied, I'll eat and set off and with luck should reach Riverrun by nightfall."
"Consider it done." Jonos said and sent another servant to have it seen to.
"I thank you for last night Jonos, it was much appreciated."
"Think nothing of it Brynden, it was good to see you again."
After finishing eating and finding himself glad he had an appetite, he said his farewells and promised to return and stop off before heading back to the Vale. As he was mounting his horse Jonos walked up to him and spoke quietly.
"If you see Harry, send his arse back here will ya."
"Aye, I will, thanks again old friend." he said as he rode out.
He ended up passing Jonos's bastard halfway to Riverrun, the lad riding with a couple of guards. After bidding him hello and telling him his father was asking after him, he couldn't help but smirk when they quickened their pace. He himself did likewise and even considered not stopping, only for him to feel how tired his old horse was. So he led the stallion to the stream to drink and took out some of the oats he carried to feed him with, eating a piece of the pie Jonos had packed for him to sate his own hunger.
Once he was ready he set off again and just as the sky began to darken he saw it in the distance, Riverrun hadn't changed and he felt the familiar stirring in his heart when he saw it. While he didn't look forward to some of what was to come, seeing Hoster again was for once the least of his concerns. Instead it was his niece and nephew, knowing Cat had come here had preyed on his mind, the letters she'd sent and the attack on Jon Snow too much of a coincidence now with her arrival.
"Who goes there." the guard shouted as he reached the gate.
"Ser Brynden Tully." he shouted in reply.
He heard the words spoken as he was welcomed back into his home.
"The Blackfish."
"The Blackfish has returned."
Brynden smiled and wondered just what this return would end up being.
Riverrun 294 AC.
Edmure.
How he had survived was beyond him, a dozen men, a dozen men had been sent to kill a boy, one single boy and yet he had survived with nary a scratch. Edmure was furious when he heard the news, the coin he'd spent was excessive and without the bastard's death to show for it, wasted. He had been called by his father about it and had denied it was anything to do with him, while he had looked at him suspiciously, in the end he had believed him.
Edmure very thankful now he'd gone outside of Westeros to find the men required, Petyr's contacts coming in handy in that regard. He wondered if Petyr even knew what he'd wished them for, or had he believed him when he'd told him of the troubles he was having with one of their bannermen. No matter whether he did or didn't, it couldn't be traced back to him. But covering up the coin could and he knew his father would go there next, the Maester though was a great help, Vyman enjoyed his time with the girls far more than his purse allowed for.
Things had calmed down then until the news came of the wedding, to not be invited was one thing, to have others from your lands invited instead of you another. They were being shamed because of the bastard once again, Darry, Mallister, were both to go and they'd not even been given an invitation. His father once again did nothing, once again allowed them to be shamed publicly and Edmure groaned in frustration.
" Nothing father, you've nothing to say of this?"
" What would you have me say boy? What would you have me do?"
" Deny them the right to go, tell Lord Jason and Raymun they aren't allowed to go."
" You would have me tell my bannermen where they can go and who they can speak with, that they can just ignore an invite from a Warden?"
" Aye, why not?"
" Are you a fool boy? Is that it? Have you lost your wits or when the bastard knocked you from your horse did you land on your head?"
" He got lucky, he tricked me."
" Pfft, the boy beat you, own it."
" So we're to just accept this humiliation?"
" By the seven give me strength, you think Jaime Lannister would invite you to his wedding after Kings Landing, you think after what happened with the boy on our lands he'd have you there?"
" I wouldn't go anyway and what happened was nothing to do with us." Edmure said petulantly.
" You wouldn't go. So let me get this clear in my head, you're complaining about not being invited to something you would wish to snub?"
" Aye."
" By the seven, I've raised a lack wit." his father said coughing loudly and for quite a few minutes.
" Are you all right father." he asked and his father red faced waved him off.
" Aye, now listen carefully Edmure, we're lucky that boy didn't die on our lands, we'll be even luckier if they don't think it was us who played a part in it." his father raised his hand as he went to speak "I've told you already boy and I swear it, if you had anything to do with this, I'll disown you, I'll name Cat's second son as heir don't' test me on this."
He stood looking angrily at his father though he wisely held his tongue.
" As for this humiliation as you call it, aye we'll accept it and be glad if that's the end of it."
His father may believe so, but not he, no this was far from the end of it. So he would wait and bide him time, he would get a chance to put the bastard in his place and when he did he'd ensure he stayed there. For a few moons though he had almost forgotten about the boy, almost put him out of his mind, until one night hearing from Patrek Mallister at a feast. Hearing how the boy had danced with his niece at the wedding, how he had danced with the rose of Highgarden.
The stories of how the boy was best friends with Loras Tyrell he knew, but hearing that he was also friendly with the boy's sister, that he was looking far beyond his station was too much for him. It infuriated him so much that he even managed to overlook him dancing with his niece, managed not to think of how close Sansa had come to be hurt in his attack. He even put Cat's panicked note she had sent about it out of his mind, so focused was he on Jon Snow dancing with Margaery Tyrell.
"Lion's, Roses, is there no end to who that bastard will try ingratiate himself with." he said drunkenly that night.
"He's just a boy my lord, he may dance with the rose but he's a bastard, if he were older than he'd not be allowed in the same room as her." Marq said.
"Aye, the Queen of Thorns will never allow a bastard too close lest he pluck her golden rose's most precious flower." Lymond said causing those around the table to laugh.
"That's not the point, it's who does he think he is, dancing and being with his betters, he belongs in the gutter." Edmure said bitterly.
"It's a pity those bandits didn't do the job then isn't it." Kirth said.
"Aye a pity. Oh look here's the turn cloak now, what say you Patrek you're more than happy to spend time with us now, but isn't a lion better company for you, or a bastard?" Edmure said loudly and those at the table quietened.
"You really are a fool aren't you. What's wrong Edmure no boys for you to push around, is that why you stay in your seat? Though given how Jon Snow handled you last time, maybe its for the best he's not here." Patrek said and there were some chuckles around the hall.
"Who do you think you are?. I'm you liege lord. How dare you." Edmure said standing and then falling back to his seat."
"You're a fool Tully, the boy was right a floppy fish indeed and I fear for the Riverlands the day you become Lord."
Edmure glowered at Patrek as he walked away, he shrugged off Marq's hand and almost got up to follow after the Mallister lord to teach him a lesson, only for him to laugh at something Hugo said instead. Waking up the next morning his head thumping he got up to break his fast, only to be called to his father's solar. He stumbled in to find his father red faced and coughing, Vyman leaning over him as he tried to get his breath.
"Father are you well?"
"Of course I'm not bloody well, take a seat Edmure we need to talk." his father said and he did as he was bid.
"I'm afraid it's getting worse my lord, you must rest more."
"Rest, I can't afford to rest, gods knows what would happen if I took a damn rest."
"My lord, then I must ask that at least you take it a little easier, take some time in the day for a small nap or try to get more fresh air."
"Aye, aye, I'll do that Maester, leave the tonic and we'll speak more later."
"As you say my lord."
Once the Maester had left he watched his father swallow down the tonic and cough a little more before turning to him and handing him a raven's scroll.
Lord Hoster,
My wife has decided to visit you and her brother and has left Winterfell and she should be arriving within the moon. I've sent a large guard with her and provided her with coin, but should any costs for the barracking of the guards become too much, I'll have no hesitation in reimbursing you.
Eddard.
"He set her aside, he set my sister aside, I'll have his head. This is it father, this is what I warned you about, this is the bastards doing." Edmure said loudly.
"Enough Edmure, at this rate you'll blame the sun going down and the rain not falling on Jon Fucking Snow. He's not set her aside, if he had the letter would say so, he'd have made it clear."
"You think this is something different?"
"Aye and I want to know why your sister is coming here Edmure?"
"What? How would I know?"
"She arrives just after Jon Snow was attacked, do you think me a fool boy?"
"I don't, father I don't understand, I don't know why she's coming. I thought he'd set her aside, so how would I know?" Edmure said as his father looked at him.
"Aye, there's that I suppose, but I swear I'll get to the bottom of this." he said as the coughing began once again "Water." his father said his face going red.
Edmure filled the jug and handed it to him, watching as he drank it down. Once he had they spoke for a few minutes and then Edmure suggested sending some men to meet Cat on the road, which his father agreed to. Leaving his solar he went to his room and wrote a small note and handed it to the head guard to give to his sister. The last thing he needed was for her to come and admit what they'd been planning, should his father follow through on his threat, what would become of him he thought worriedly.
Cat.
She hated traveling, hated the road, the dirt, not being able to bathe, the dust, all of it, by the time they had reached Moat Cailin she felt she actually smelled. It had been Castle Cerywn since she'd had a proper bath and the one in the Moat was barely what she'd call proper. She felt disgusted looking at the grime and dirt that came off her body and just putting on clean clothing made her feel so much better.
In the end they stayed a few days at the Moat, the weather had turned yet again and she found herself longing for the warmer climate of her home. Traveling through the Neck was a nightmare, they were inundated with flies, mosquitoes and other horrible things. Thankfully she and Mordane covered the wagon with a net which kept most, though not all at bay. When they finally reached the other side she felt as if she could breath again.
"My lady we should reach the Twins on the morrow." one of the guards said and she nodded.
"The weather outside is much better my lady." Septa Mordane said and she couldn't help but agree.
As they were traveling to the Twins she wondered if this was where it had happened, was it here they'd managed to mess things up?. She tried to put the thought out of her mind, the idea of how close they'd come to being rid of him. But knowing that had they managed it then she would have been saved this journey, wouldn't allow her to do so. As they reached the gates of the Twins she prepared herself for what would be yet another uncomfortable experience.
"Lady Stark, what brings you to my keep, your husband gotten tired of you, set you aside has he?" Walder said with a grin "Surprised at that, still look like you could warm his bed to me." he licked his lips.
"I've come to visit my father and brother my lord, my husband and I are very happy together."
"No doubt he is, must be very cold in the North, man needs something to keep himself warm." Walder said to chuckles.
"I seek to cross my lord, what toll do you require." she said holding back her annoyance and disgust.
"Perhaps you should stay the night my lady, wouldn't want you to fall prey to bandits now would I, two attacks on Starks on my lands, give the family a bad name that would." he said laughing now.
"That bastard is not a Stark." she said loudly.
"He is your husband's son though, always wondered that, all that honor and yet Ned Stark still fathered a bastard, seems we're more alike than I thought."
When he saw the furious look on her face he smirked even wider then and finally allowed her to pass. A single gold dragon and she found herself both relieved and disgraced. when as she was leaving Black Walder told her the bastard was charged more. She tried to console herself with the fact that she was his liege's daughter and that he respected her father too much to be greedy, but she knew the truth, Walder Frey cared far more for coin than respect.
They arrived at Seagard that night and finally she felt what it was like to be welcomed properly. Lord Jason was ever gracious, her rooms and the bath she had, just how they should be for a woman of her stature. He sat her at the high table and treated her like the beloved daughter of his liege that she was and she found herself finally free of the aches and pains the last moon had brought. When his son arrived and told her of Sansa she had smiled and sought more information, though by the end of the night she'd wished she had not.
"She was ever so worried on her brother when she arrived, sat by his bed as much as she could, such a dutiful young girl, my lady." Lord Jason said.
"Aye, she and Jon are quite close my lady, never seen a lad dote on his sister so." Patrek said and she smiled though grimaced inside.
"Patrek went to the wedding in the West, such a wonderful event. Though I heard you had your own in Winterfell too?" Lord Jason said smiling while he looked at her.
"We did my lord, though a proper wedding in the West would have been much different no doubt." she said with a practiced smile.
"As you say my lady."
The conversation was stilted she found for the rest of the night, Lord Jason and his son picking up for her dislike for mentions of Jon Snow and especially when they mentioned Sansa being with him. She knew it, she had worried of it and now she was seeing it come true, the boy using his bastard powers was taking her sweet girl and leading her astray. She cursed Edmure his stupidity and incompetence, if only he'd done what he was supposed to.
They left Seagard the next morning and rode on stopping at Wendish Town, she would have stopped at Raventree Hall but for the appearance of the men wearing her house colors. She at first felt herself almost beaming with pride, her father had sent her an escort, he had made sure she would arrive as befitted his daughter. But then she was handed the note by the lead guard and she knew it was Edmure who had sent them and not her father.
Cat,
Father suspects, we must be careful I shall speak to you alone when we have the chance, ride quickly sister, stop as little as possible for we must speak soon.
Edmure.
She took the letter in her hand and held it there as they passed Raventree Hall, a part of her still wishing for nothing more than to send a night in the keep. But instead they rode on and that night after eating, she burned the letter in the fire. The next day along with their guards they continued on and then finally after moons of travel she saw it in the distance. The last time she'd seen it had been looking back as she headed North, seeing it from behind as she held Robb in her arms. She hadn't thought then she'd not see it for another ten and one years, had no idea it would be that long until she saw her father's face again.
She made them stop the cart and walked onto the grass, bending down to pick some up and smell it, home, she was home. Home in a way the North had never been, this was where she belonged, this was where she should have lived. Lady of the Riverlands, Lady of Riverrun, that had been her once and had she known what the North was truly like, would she have wished to be anything more? She wasn't sure, but then her life had never been the one she wished for, she thought sadly as she climbed back into the cart.
No, her life, her home, her husband, all of it in some way was so much different than it was supposed to be and as the cart entered the gate, as she looked around the still familiar courtyard, she wondered if it was better or worse.
Raventree Hall
Ser Richard Lonmouth.
Arriving at Raventree Hall was going to lead to enough problems without finding the lord already embroiled in a rant about the Brackens, but to Richard's annoyance he found that is exactly what was waiting for him. Hearing Lord Tytos continually moan to anyone who'd listen about how they had crossed into their land, how they were stirring up trouble and how the damn Tully's were useless, got old very quickly.
But Richard listened as did the others in the hall, after all the man was feeding them all, they may as well listen to his whining too, it was the least they could do. He was sitting lower down with some of the guards, a knight he may be but Dorne it seems didn't carry much weight here. For two nights he'd came, eaten and drank and found while he learned some things, it wasn't what he needed to know, the damn Bracken's taking up far too much of the conversation.
"Wonder what that is all about?" Karl the guard he'd built up somewhat of a friendship with in the last few days asked.
"What? Richard said as Karl drew his attention to the high table where Tytos was speaking to one of his son's and laughing loudly, a raven scroll in his hand.
He didn't have too long to wait to find out, as Lord Tytos stood up, hushed the hall and began to speak.
"Quiet down, I've some news to tell you all. The Mountain has fallen, killed in the West. Tywin Lannister's rabid dog is dead." Tytos said to loud cheers.
"Well would you believe that, someone went out and killed that big fucker, now this requires more drinking." Karl said and Richard laughed along with the others at the table.
"Wonder how they managed it."
"Or how many of them it took."
Richard smiled as suddenly the table's talking took on a different tone, while he listened to those around him he looked to the high table to see the scowls and frowns were gone. Apparently the Mountain's death enough to take talk away from the Brackens, perhaps now he'd hear more of what he'd come for. In the end he found himself proved right, the ale flowed and rather than a simple meal and few drinks he'd been expecting, it became almost a feast and celebration.
The most desirable effect of this to Richard though wasn't the dishes suddenly getting better, nor the ale flowing freer. It wasn't even the welcome addition of wine which somehow found it's way onto his table, no for Richard it was the conversations which he could now steer as people drank and made merry. Karl was suddenly looser tongued and Richard took full advantage of that, and of when Lucas Blackwood came to the table.
"I may stop of at Riverrun on my way to Kings Landing, if you lot celebrate here, I'm sure it'd be even bigger up there, may actually get to have a feast." Richard said with a laugh.
"Only if you like trout Ser Myles." Karl said to laughs.
"Aye, never have I had to see so many dishes full of the same fish anywhere, they do love their sigil up there." Lucas Blackwood said and Karl and Richard laughed along.
"You've gone to many a feast up there my lord?" Richard asked Lucas who looked at him warily before looking to Karl and seeing him nod, as if to say he one of us.
"Ser Myles here is traveling from the west back to Dorne, took part in the tourney of Lannisport."
"And you're going to Kings Landing?" Lucas asked suspicious as to why he was traveling so far to get back home.
"Didn't make much coin in the tourney my lord, figured there's bound to be a chance of some in Kings Landing, the king likes his tourneys so I've been told."
"Aye, that's the truth of it or so I've heard." Lucas said laughing now and drinking some of the ale in front of him "Let me tell you about Riverrun then."
Lucas it seemed had no time for the Tully's, none at all, firstly there were the general gripes which were straight from his father's lips, how they allowed the Brackens too much freedom, how they were biased towards them. Then came the more general ones and most of these seemed to be about Edmure Tully and how unfit he was to be a lord. Richard found himself genuinely laughing when he hard their version of what his king had done to Edmure in Kings Landing.
"On his fucking arse, twice, and the boy never even touched him, should have known better than to mess with a follower of the true gods." Lucas said laughing loudly "Then knocked on his arse in a joust by a ten nameday old boy, even the Bold himself lost his one at one at ten."
"Can you imagine what the floppy fish was like after that." Karl said and more around the table laughed.
"Floppy fish? Richard asked.
"What you've not heard the song, nor the story I wager?" Lucas said and Richard shook his head.
Lucas told him then of the day Edmure was supposed to first lay with a woman, how he had it all planned out but drank too much and couldn't rise to the occasion. How a singer then swooped in and took the girl for himself and then to add insult to injury wrote a song about the floppy fish. After laughing along with everyone else at the table, Richard tried another tact.
"A man who drinks too much and tries to bed wenches, surely there's nothing wrong with that?" he said looking to Lucas.
"Aye. But a man who can't hold his drink and fails to bed them, well that's a different story." Karl said laughing loudly.
"True, but if that's the worst of him, then he don't sound too bad." Richard said and Lucas shook his head.
"Man's a fool Ser Myles, can't take a slight nor hold his drink, all the way back from Kings Landing he was swearing to get even with the bastard. My brother Brynden said the drunker he got the more ridiculous the things he came up with." he said whispering conspiratorially.
"But we've all done that surely, many's the time I lost in the joust or melee and groused about it."
"But a ten name day old boy, you ever threatened to kill a ten name day old boy?" Lucas said shaking his head.
"No, you got me there, but maybe it was just the beer talking, besides isn't that boy all the way over in the West." he said and as Lucas finished his ale and Richard moved his own over to him he began to whisper again.
"You didn't hear what happened when the boy came through the Riverlands, boy was attacked, bandits they say, but I know the Freys, they're the only bandits on those lands." Lucas said and belched loudly.
"You think Edmure?"
"I know what my brother said Ser Myles and what I've seen with my own eyes and I wouldn't put it past him."
He drank a few more ales himself, around him Karl was passed out and looking at young Lucas he would be too soon. Heading to the room he'd been given, he pondered on what he'd been told, some of it was useless gossip, it was clear the Tully's were held in no great respect, but he knew that anyway. The Riverlands had split during the rebellion, Hoster not able to bring his whole force to bear, given what he knew of Edmure, he'd have even less success than his father.
So some of it was that no doubt, but a lot of it was based on the boy himself, Richard could see that, he'd been far from impressed with Edmure any time he'd seen him, after Kings Landing even less so. The fact his bannermen seemed to think him capable of the attack, added to what Lucas said about the Freys did make him wonder. As he lay down in bed that night he was starting to think, that maybe just maybe, they and Olenna Tyrell could be right.
He woke the next morning, broke his fast and said his farewells to Raventree Hall, he thanked Lord Tytos for his kindness, offered the same should they ever find themselves in Lemonwood, trying not to smirk at the idea of the Dalt's reaction. Then he said his goodbyes to Lucas who barely remembered him and to Karl who seemed almost sorry to see him go.
"It was good supping with Ser Myles, I wish you good fortune in your adventures." Karl said.
"I thank you Karl, all the best to you and yours my friend." he said and rode off.
He had been riding for almost a day when he saw Riverrun come into view, it was near nightfall and he had no intent to just ride up, besides he had to meet with one of his lips first. So he camped up for the night and slept under the stars, the weather dry and just right for a night outdoors. After waking the next morning it took him a few hours to find the small shack he'd meet him in, he found it empty and so went inside, then lit the fire and waited.
"Expected you a few days ago Alayn." Darius said entering the shack.
"Got held up with the Blackwoods, the men love to drink." he said laughing.
"Aye, better than those fishes I bet, though Edmure like his, the old man keeps a tight lid on the rest of the household."
"A dry house, how ever did you manage?" he asked with a smile.
"You know me Alayn, I have my ways, anyway I do have some interesting news for you, seems you're not the only one interested in what's going on in Riverrun."
"Oh who else?"
"A couple of odd visitors arrived since I got word, Catelyn Tully and the Blackfish." Darius said.
"When?
"A few days ago, the lady first and then the Blackfish."
"Anything else?"
"Aye, some trouble with the boy and his father, some shouting and arguing, nothing new there though, just it's been a little quieter for a bit until now."
Richard tried to think about this change in events, on the one hand it proved things to him, Jon was attacked, it was unsuccessful so Catelyn Tully came to speak to her brother on it. He had no doubt that if Edmure played a role in Jon's attack then his sister knew at least, or played her own part in it. The Blackfish though was not what he expected, not only did it create an unexpected problem, but it was so unlike the man he knew.
"Who've you got inside?"
"A young girl, she's working as a maid for the Lady."
"What else can you tell me about Catelyn? How big an accompaniment did she bring?"
"A decent sized, the Septa too." Darius said and Richard chuckled at that, Jon would no doubt be happy to hear his little wild sister was no longer faced with the Septa.
"The Blackfish?"
"Came alone, there's been some problems with him and his niece and nephew and he's been spending his nights with his brother."
"You can contact the girl easy enough?"
"Aye."
"Good, the Blackfish changes things, he knows me, he'd recognize me and that would lead to far too many questions, where do you stay?"
"Normally, in the village, but when working it's here, it's easier to get to the meeting point from here." Darius said and Richard reached in and took out some coins.
"For the girl, make sure she's paid even better, we need to know what they're talking about, even at the risk of her being discovered." Richard said.
"She'll not like it, the extra coins nice and all but should she get found out they'll throw her out, her and her mother, she'll not take the chance."
"If they are found out I'll find them somewhere better to work and live, if she finds what I need tell her there's a gold dragon in it for her."
"As you say, where will you be?" Darius asked.
"I'm going to be your new guest Darius, come lets ride to the village and grab some supplies." Richard said.
Riverrun 294 AC.
Cat.
She was taken straight to see them, almost a little annoyed at both it and the fact they hadn't been there to greet her upon her arrival. Walking into her father's solar she felt like the little girl she'd been so many years before, as if she'd been caught up for some mischief with Lysa and Petyr and was about to be reprimanded. But that girl was long since gone and in her stead she was a lady of a noble house, married and with children of her own, she stood straight and walked proudly into the solar.
"Cat, dearest Cat, it's good to see you sister." Edmure said hugging her tightly.
Her little brother had gown into a man, his auburn hair longer, his eyes bluer than she could remember, she kissed his cheek and turned to her father.
"You look well daughter, a sight for my weary old eyes." her father said and she hugged him tightly glad once again to be in her father's embrace.
"It's good to see you father, so very good, you too brother." she said her smile genuine and true.
She had only just sat down and then it began, her father hitting her with question after question. Why had she come now of all times? What brought her here after so many years? Was everything well between her and Ned? How were the children? Had the fact she had finally relented in her constant letter writing meant she had taken his words on the bastard to heart. She had expected a far different reception and she found herself hurt that her father looked at her with so much suspicion.
"I wished to see my father and brother, with Robb and Sansa gone to foster it gave me more time to do so and once Septa Mordane wished to visit her own family, I decided to join her." she said adding the lie about the Septa as if it was second nature.
"Your Septa is with you?" her father asked and she nodded "Strange that Ned didn't mention that in his raven."
"Ned wrote to you?" she asked surprised but it was Edmure who answered not her father.
"Aye he did, just to let us know you were coming, though we weren't sure when you'd arrive." Edmure said a soft smile on his face and she knew then that was why she hadn't been welcomed correctly.
"Your children have been fostered?" her father asked before she had a chance to speak to Edmure.
"Sansa is gone to Highgarden and Robb to White Harbor, it was Ned's decision, though the bastard played his part." she said bitterly.
"How?" her father asked looking at her directly now "How did he play a part?".
"When Ned brought up the fostering I wanted Robb to go to Highgarden and Sansa to come here."
"Why would you want your daughter to come here?" her father said a frown on his face.
"I wished her to learn as I did, to learn from you father."
"And Jon Snow, he came up with the ideas for them to go where they did, or was that Ned?"
"It was the bastard, Robb should be in Highgarden, he and Lady Margery could be a matched." she said and her father shook his head.
"Jon Snow has done you a great boon and still you blame him, does your hatred run that deep Cat, are you that blind you can't see?"
"It's no boon, it's part of his plans, keep Robb in the North so he can't get a strong match, so his own friendship with the Tyrell boy can't be threatened."
"How is it that a ten name day old boy has more sense than my children, more understanding of politics?" her father sighed.
"Father." she said indignantly.
"No Cat, on this you'll listen, Margaery Tyrell would never marry Robb. Olenna has her sights set far higher than the North and even if there was a chance of a match it could never be, your son must marry in the North."
"You would deny Robb his due, my son deserves the very best bride, Margaery Tyrell, Princess Myrcella, any daughter of a great southern house and yet just like Ned you'd sell him cheaply for a Manderly."
"A Manderly you say and Jon Snow it was who came up with this, the fostering, the bride perhaps?" her father asked and she nodded and her father smiled.
"Father?" Edmure asked confused.
"Sending Sansa to Highgarden is perfect, it's a move I'd not have considered and yet perfect, should she and the heir get along."
"The cripple, you'd see my girl with a cripple." she said shaking her head in anger.
"The heir of the Reach or are you too blind to see it. As for Robb the Manderly's are fast developing into one of the richest houses in Westeros, given those ships and the deal with the Lannisters. Trade, trade will be the future of the North and a match with a Manderly will not only help that but keep the bannemen happy too."
She looked at her father incredulously, in sheer disbelief, he was actually praising the bastard, he'd fallen for his tricks, just like Ned, why were the men in her life idiots. She was about to say it to him. About to show him just how full of tricks bastard were, how all of this was just another step in his plan to take Winterfell from Robb when he began coughing loudly, struggling to catch his breath and she ran to his side.
"Father, Father, A Maester, Edmure get Vyman." she said worriedly though her father waved it off and pointed to the water jug.
After she helped him drink it down, his color started to return and he sent both her and Edmure away so he could rest, her brother told her that this had been going on for a few moons and had been getting worse lately. Before she could ask him any questions though he led her to a small room, where they could be alone and talk.
"Why did you come Cat? Father is already suspicious, you here now only makes it worse."
"I had to come, you failed Edmure, you failed and now my family is being torn apart and father, Ned, none of them can see what he's doing, none of them but me."
"I don't, this what father says it makes sense, Sansa would love Highgarden would she not? And if it's true about the Manderly's then it's a good match for Robb and they follow the true gods too."
"It's a plan Edmure, Robb with a powerful southern alliance would mean the Lannister's would think twice, but now, now the bastard and his friend can sway the Tyrell's, they can promise them something more, Sansa, Sansa, could be kept as a hostage." she said and her brother looked at her and nodded.
"What do you suggest then Cat, I sent a dozen men his way and he came out the other side, what do you suggest?"
"A dozen was too many, it only takes one, one man to do the job."
"A Catspaw?"
"Aye."
"Where would I find one?"
"Leave it to me, I'll handle it from here brother." she said and Edmure smiled at her.
They had a feast that night and she enjoyed having people behave properly, there was joviality instead of loud drunkenness and bards and musicians,. Even though none of the Lord's of the Riverlands were there, some of their sons who were friends of Edmure's were, and Cat enjoyed being asked to dance by them. She had one of the very best nights she could remember in a long time, dressed how she should be, her hair done up, dancing and holding court, finally feeling the true lady she was.
She broke her fast with he father and brother the next day, spent most of the day embroidering with Sept Mordane and found herself looking out the window at the river as it flowed by, more than once. She dressed for dinner and was heading to the Great Hall when an excited young man ran by her, heading to her father's rooms. She turned to follow hearing her father's voice call out for Edmure and then she saw her father walk from his rooms towards her.
"Father?" she asked seeing an odd look on his face.
"Your uncle's at my gate."
"Brynden?"
"You have another." he laughed "Come lets go welcome the Blackfish."
She found herself smiling at the thoughts of seeing her uncle again, it had been far too many years since she had, but as they walked she wondered what had brought her uncle home after so long. The closer she got to him, the more the smile on her face turned into a worried frown.
Riverrun.
The Blackfish.
In the few days he'd been here certain things had become clear to him, his brother hadn't changed, still arguing with him over a betrothal he had no interest in. His nephew was an idiot, weak and foolish to the point the feared for his house's survival when Hoster passed, which given his illness was looking far sooner than he wished it would be. But it was his niece who was his biggest disappointment, the Cat he remembered and loved so, replaced by someone he didn't recognize.
He had been welcomed cordially, though not friendly, which given how he'd left things with Hoster he expected, though Cat's welcome should have been the first sign something wasn't right. As dinner was ready to be served, they ate rather than spoke and that was fine with him, eating in silence something he was used to. After dinner all four of them had retired to his brother's solar, Edmure had surprisingly, given what he knew of the boy, drank very little which he found odd.
"What brings you back Brynden?" his brother asked and he smirked as he'd still not called him brother once.
"Jon Snow." he said getting straight to the point and looking at his niece and nephew for their reactions, they didn't disappoint, both of them looking to each other.
"What about the bastard?" Cat said with such hatred in her voice it took him aback for a moment.
"Did any of you have anything to do with the attack on him?" he asked and saw his brother's look of intrigue.
"Why would we?" Edmure said shaking his head.
"I know what happened in Kings Landing, I know how you both feel about him, your letters were enough to make that clear." he said looking to Cat.
"Who cares about someone attacking a bastard anyway." Cat said with a chuckle he found disturbing.
"Jaime Lannister, half the damn North, Olenna Tyrell, need I go on."
"Tyrell?" his brother said looking to him.
"With the improved trade deals who stands to gain more than the Tyrell's, other than the Lannisters?" he said and Hoster nodded in agreement.
"Aye, it'll be food the coin gets spent on mainly." his brother said.
"So again were any of you involved?"
"No." Cat said and his nephew followed though looking at Hoster he could see that just like him he didn't believe it.
"Should the Lannister's think it was us, should anything happen to that boy, we'll be blamed and what do you think they'll do then?" he said looking to his niece and nephew.
"They'd not do anything for a bastard uncle." Edmure said.
"That bastard has made them more coin than any other man, that bastard is Jaime Lannister's squire, by all accounts he's closer to him than a father is to a son, should a hair be harmed on that boy's head." he said and Hoster nodded.
"We had nothing to do with it." Cat said then and Edmure nodded in agreement.
"Then see to it we have nothing to do with it in the future either. If that boy is harmed, if they come because of you, I'll not be here to help you out, you'll have brought it on your own heads and I'll not be a part of it." he said as he stood to leave.
"Family, Duty, Honor, uncle." Cat said as he was walking from the room.
"Aye, but Honor is part of those words too Cat, don't forget it."
He was settling down for the night when the boy came to call him to his brother's solar, he found him red faced and out of breath and it worried him to see him so.
"You don't look good brother." he said taking a seat.
"Damn stupid cough, can't get rid of it, this helps though Vyman tells me not to drink it." he said pouring him a glass of Dornish sour.
"It's good to see you, despite the reasons for my visit." he said.
"Aye, you too brother."
"So now that we're done catching up." he said and laughed as Hoster did also.
"I did miss you, you old fool." Hoster said and he nodded taking a sip of the wine.
"And I you, They did it you know?"
"Aye, I know, I don't know what to do, don't know what I'm supposed to do, you know the boy actually arranged fostering for the children, Sansa to Highgarden and Robb to White Harbor."
"Clever, seems like something you'd have done yourself."
"Would that I'd been able, but aye it is. Cat, gods, what happened to my sweet Cat, she's so lost in it, so wrapped up in him being a bastard, gods if she ever knew the truth of back then." Hoster said as he drifted off into thought.
"Truth?"
"What, oh nothing, don't mind me, memories of a life long gone brother. What should I do?"
"I don't know, Cat on her own is bad enough, but Edmure, brother the stories, the tales I've heard, he's not respected, not loved, and given what he's doing not smart."
"I know but he's mine own son, what am I supposed to do?" Hoster asked wearily.
"You were always far better at this than I, I meant it though, I'll not come to his rescue if he tries it again. I'll not have an innocent boys blood on my hands when I finally go to meet the gods." he said and drank the wine.
"Nor me brother, nor me."
Hoster Tully .
When the reports came in he had known, it was too convenient, too soon after Kings Landing, but more than that it smacked of Edmure's attempts to be clever. How he'd found the men he knew not, but he knew his son had sent them and it made him furious, only the boy's survival had calmed him down. Seeing how Edmure reacted to the wedding only made it clearer, that he couldn't be more right in his assessment of his son's failings.
Deep down though he had always known, that incident with the bandits years ago, finding the woman's body, covering it up, all of that because he'd tried to teach the boy and watched him fail repeatedly. He still at night had the image of her blond hair in his head, of her pleading for them to ride out and help the village, he had failed her, failed them and failed his son too. He should have been stricter with him, less indulgent, should have sent him off to foster where he'd learn, but he was all he had left of Minisa and so he kept him close.
Family.
A daughter he'd forced marry against her will who hated him and another he'd kept secrets from, all in order for their family to be safe he'd told himself, all in order to reach higher. At least Cat had married a good man who loved her, at least she had found some happiness in that, even at what it cost him to give her that. He deserved it though, he deserved it he told himself late at night, Brandon Stark deserved it for shaming her, for marrying another.
Edmure, his boy, his heir, the future of his house, young and dumb and a craven to boot, how had he not seen it earlier, how had he not fixed it earlier?. How could he fix it now? Should he do what he threatened? Should he strip his heir and give it to Cat's boy? Allow Ned Stark to train the boy up and then take him for his own?. Was that the only path left open to him?.
Brynden, for over ten years he'd wasted time on a petty feud with his brother, a petty disagreement all because he dared say no, all because he refused his order and wouldn't take the girl to bride. What could he have done with those ten years? With Brynden by his side? He could have taught Edmure to be a man? Could have been there for him? He could have had his brother with him.
Duty.
Duty to one's king, but what happened if you choose another? What happens if you decided another gave you a better opportunity, was it not your duty to follow that king, or should you always be beholden to your oaths?. The Targaryen's raised them up, but under Baratheon they could rise even more. Jon Arryn was right when he came to him all those years before, was he right to forsake his oaths, did he fail in his duty?
Duty to one's god, was it not right to help those who knew no better to see the light? Was that not the duty of a man? The North needed to be brought into the light. Did not that duty to the gods negate his duty to a king? Did it not absolve him of being an oath breaker? Was not Brandon Stark guilty of trying to derail that, of trying to keep the North in the dark? And if so was he not right to see him suffer because of it? Was it not his duty do so?.
Honor.
Such a fickle thing when compared to the other two he thought, for no matter how he looked at it he had forsaken his own many years ago. He had lied, told half truths, he had hidden things from his family and his allies, but hadn't he needed to? And wasn't him taking the responsibility for doing so a sign that despite it all he was an honorable man? Brandon Stark deserved to die for he showed he had no honor, but was he any better? Was he in the end just as dishonorable?
He was a boy, an innocent despite the nature of his birth, despite the stain he brought on their house, in the eyes of the seven he was a child and all children are innocent. Could he sit by and let the boy fall? Could he allow his son commit that crime? Could he go to his gods with the blood of an innocent boy on his hands? Weren't his hands bloody enough?. Wasn't Brynden right, didn't his brother have the truth of it?
He took out the parchment and began to write.
I Hoster Tully,
Do hereby strip Edmure Tully of all rights as my son and heir. I uname him as future Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Trident and do hereby name Brandon Stark my grandson as my legal heir. With my brother Ser Brynden Tully to act as regent until the boy comes of age.
Hoster Tully.
Lord of Riverrun,
Lord Paramount of the Trident.
He held the letter in his hands as he walked to Edmure's room, he needed to tell him, needed to speak to him on his decision, hard though it was. He found him half drunk but far better than usual, though his clothing was disheveled.
"Father I…" his son said trying to rise to his feet.
"Sit down boy, there is something I need to speak to you on."
"Father?"
He handed him the letter, watching as the realization dawned in his face, as he looked up at him with tears in his eyes, Hoster found his own threatening to fall.
"You've left me with no choice Edmure, I must save you from yourself, save our house from ruin."
"You would do this to me? Do this after all I've done?"
"It's because of what you've done that you leave me with no choice."
"How could you, do you hate me so? Why? Why do you hate me so?" Edmure said and began to cry, he moved towards him and began to cough, his breath coming in shallow bursts.
"I don't hate you son, far from it, I don't….." his coughing became louder now and he held his hand to his mouth, feeling liquid leak from it.
"I don't." he said as he looked at his hand and saw the blood.
"Maester…"
As he fell to the ground and things began to go dark he saw Edmure sitting there, looking at him, not making a move and then there was nothing but never ending darkness as he drew his final breath.