river drowned me

lupus fluvium, n. latin - wolf of the river catelyn stark, neé tully. family. duty. honor. grief. dust. bitter longings.

[tyrannicalshiv-old]

Dark Wings...

Upon the raven, a message is carried, flying swiftly to Winterfell, and the Warden Regent of the North, sealed with the Direwolf of House Stark…

My Dearest Mother,

I understand that you are worried for Sansa’s safety in this matter with the Targaryen. I want you to know that I will keep a close eye on both of them before I allow such a betrothal to take place, but you should know that I feel Sansa has learned from the past. I do not think she will make the same mistake again.

Robb.

[lupusfluvium-blog]

Dearest Robb, 

I am well aware that you'll keep an eye on her. But you have to understand that I'm more than worried - this wasn't discussed with me, and I have had a conversation with the King. Yet, you are not in the place to allow anything. It is mine. It wasn't discussed with me, so it won't happen until such thing is. I will not tolerate anything towards my child unless I am well explained of the intentions from the King.

When I shook his hand to make this alliance happen, it was only on the matters of easing the pain that has been caused to us. I will not allow my daughter being married to him or to anyone without reflecting on the matter.

Dragons kill wolves. I do not trust the King.

- Catelyn Stark, neé Tully, of Riverrun and Winterfell, Wardeness Regent of the North

[lupusfluvium-blog]

Dear Robb, son of mine,

I write you to tell you that I have arrived well in Winterfell. It still stands as tall as the last time we saw it, on that dreadful departure. I can't say that I have missed it, as you do understand, I do feel slightly safer here.

Your brothers have asked about you countless times. They miss you. You should write to them, they'd love to hear from you... or from your writing, rather than from my own voice. 

I hope everything is well. I sincerly do... You know I wouldn't leave you alone in the capital if Bran and Rickon weren't here like by themselves. I don't like your current position. You are a target. No sons of mine are targets, not when I can do something about it... But the King himself promised me your safety... I'm sure he has informed you.

Send my regards to my darling daughters, your sisters, Sansa and Arya. 

I love you, Robb. Stay safe for me. Stay safe for the north. Do not forget what has brought you there...

- Catelyn Stark, neé Tully, lady of Riverrun and Winterfell, Wardeness Regent of the North

[wejustmadepartner-deactivated20]

"when the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives."  -eddard stark

[lupusfluvium-blog]

Raven: Mother, I miss you, Bran and Rickon dearly. Please give me them my love. I know that you are very busy with the duties of Warden Regent, but I wanted to tell you that his Grace has offered me his hand in marriage, but has also gave me the choice of marrying Prince Aegon. I think it would be best for me to make a decision after I have returned to Winterfell.

Dear my Sansa,

I have given them your love, for that you shan't worry, as much as in these written words they send theirs, with mine as well. We miss you and Robb ever so much, and hopefully we'll see you soon.

We've already talked about marriages. His grace, King Viserys has not talked with me about anything, and... I'd rather have you here with me than having to write you through a raven.

Will you return to Winterfell soon? Please. Your brothers need you, I need you. 

With all my love, my dearest child,

- Catelyn Stark, neé Tully, heir of Riverrun & Wardeness Regent of the North

[longliveviserys]

Sewing Seeds || Catelyn & Viserys

[longliveviserys]

Viserys ate her smile up as if it had been candy. He wasn’t aware how much her approval had an affect on him, it was simply something that he did without dwelling on it. In truth, if he studied his reaction, he may have quite a few conclusions to come to—but he didn’t realize the effect her simple gratitude had on him. When the handshake broke, their alliance was sealed, well, as much as could be before it was brokered by a marriage, of which she knew would be coming because he had spoken of Sansa and choices. But that was another discussion, for another time, after he spoke to Sansa himself on the matter.

If Catelyn was wary, Viserys could not blame her. Both of their families had been betrayed—oddly by many of the same people—and it was only natural to be distrustful. The only person Viserys truly trusted was his sister, Daenerys, but there was definitely the foundation for true trust here, should neither the Starks nor Targaryens harm the other. He had no desire to make them bleed nor to raise arms against them, so he thought the alliance could be fruitful, as he hoped.

"You, as well, are welcome to attend King’s Landing whenever you see fit. I’m sure you’ll be quite busy with Bran now being Warden," he said with the corner of his mouth uplifting, for they both knew what that really meant: doing the work and training Bran to do it as well as he grew, “but any time you deign to go south for a visit, I’ll see we have dinner and you are met with warm hospitality." He had shown her nothing else during her stay, so it was not an empty offer, nor meant to impress her—it was simply his way of saying she was welcome back in a fashion that was respectful to her, what she herself was entitled to. As she stood, he rose with her to see her out in gallant fashion. “You have my leave, my lady. Have a good eve."

[lupusfluvium-blog]

I will return. To bring them back home. She thought to herself those words, as she nodded politely, a small smile on her lips, her hands clasped on her front. She still couldn't see the bigger picture very clearly - she understood that having an alliance with the House that holds the throne is a very interesting move, rather bolder even, although it was a double edge knife. It could cut both of them. But for now, it would strengthen the North, perhaps keep it together, making it stronger. It would certainly give titles to her children, castles, pieces of land. For her... well, she'd have her share piece of this land like every other mother of a Hand and a Warden. But as long as she kept her family together and safe, she could even live in the Red Keep that she'd care little about that.

Would he understand that Catelyn was not like any other woman, she wondered. She hoped that she made the right impression. She would only return not to have the luxury of sleeping in the capital - she only wanted to see their children. But knowing that she'd be well received didn't made her happier. She'd have to be. After all, she was the mother of the Hand. She wouldn't care about it, but Robb would. Sansa would. So it would have to happen. But she was well taken care of in King's Landing... even though the place haunted her ever so much.

"Thank you, your grace. I shall return in the future, and I shall send you ravens where the situation needs it. You won't see the last of me so soon," she chuckled lightly... She didn't know why she did that, but she did feel a lot more comfortable doing that. She had emotions, and she felt like laughing lightly, showing a bit more of a small, sad smile. 

When Viserys allowed her to leave, Catelyn nodded. "I shall. I desire the same for you, your grace, my King Viserys." She bowed down to him, and turned her back to him, approaching the door. This was the dawning of a new future. With the sword that was to be given to her, she'd have to be prepared. Perhaps she'd have to use it.

[lupusfluvium-blog]

Family, Duty, Honor - with Bran I

[threeeyedstark]

"Warden of the North?" Bran asked? “But what of Robb? Father was Warden while serving as Hand of the King. Why would I be named Warden?" Bran did not understand. He was happy his mother had returned but he had a sick feeling in his stomach that his brother and sisters were still in danger every day they remained in Kings Landing.

Bran was glad his opinion would be considered when matters of the north were in need of deciding. He had been worried about matters of the North lately. The Maester had not been telling him everything. The act that he had not heard the news of his new title made him certain. He did not trust the young Stark, did not believe he could make decisions on his own.

Bran thought of his brother, “He is uncontrollable," he told his mother.

[lupusfluvium-blog]

"Your brother apparently declined the King's offer. I don't know, that's what I think he did. So he named you Warden. It's better to be one of us than a Bolton, my boy." She turned around and started walking towards the castle, his son on her arms. He was heavier now, but she could hold him. Time made her stronger in the arms too, not only on her heart. Her servants started carrying the things inside as well, following them. She looked around, and she could see so many familiar faces. Some even greeted her. Some only nodded in respect.

"You shall not worry about it, Bran. I'm to take the work for as long as you are still young. And the King promised me the safety of your brothers. I wouldn't leave it until he promised me in person." Catelyn sighed. She knew Bran wouldn't like the idea. He had a very troubled mind, although he could see things better than most children his age, and he could understand things a lot better. She'd make a fine warden in the future, she thought. A good title for as long the alliance stands.

She frowned at his son's description of Rickon's current status. "Then I'll have to control him. Bran..." She looked at his son. "...I am sorry for having left you two. You understand that I had to, don't you?"

[lupusfluvium-blog]

ooc; i'm going to do replies today! ~

[lupusfluvium-blog]

Family, Duty, Honor - with Bran I

[threeeyedstark]

Bran felt as though his mother was pressing the air out of his lungs, her grasp was so tight. What was the news his mother had to tell him? “Has something happened to Robb?" He asked quickly trying to look up in to her eyes. “No word has come from the Capitol," he wondered if his Maester was keeping the messages from him for a reason.

His mother’s tone when she asked for his brother had a tone of fear mixed with regret. He could hear it in her question. He did not know how to explain. Rickon had begun to grow wild, Shaggy Dog as well. Just last week the direwolf had bitten one of the Frey boys. That has not gone over well. Rickon had not left the God’s Wood in weeks. He would not shower, only infrequent dips into the pools. He slept with the wolf every night. Bran could not understand it but Rickon grew closer to his wolf every day. They were becoming one.

"Mother, Rickon has grown… well… Feral," he began to explain, “He is in the Gods Wood, wher ehe has been for over a month"

[lupusfluvium-blog]

She relieved her embrace on her son a little so he could feel more comfortable on her arms. She sighed, looking at his face. She missed him, yet it felt like she had embraced him yesterday, and the day before. "As you perhaps have heard, your brother Robb is the Hand of our King Viserys of house Targaryen. And you... my child... You are Warden of the North now... The King himself named you. My darling boy... Warden of the North!"

She almost cried, having him in her arms. "... Even though you are not old enough to take the title, you will be. I'll be the Wardeness Regent  for the time being, but you will have a say in the matters regarding your future role."

Catelyn's eyes widened. She couldn't believe her son's words... Rickon, her youngest, the most pure boy she had ever laid eyes on... was becoming feral? A Direwolf? She couldn't believe it.

"Brandon... Is, by any chance, what you're telling me... true?" He had not looked to the ground. "...I should have never left..."

[longliveviserys]

Sewing Seeds || Catelyn & Viserys

[longliveviserys]

Viserys watched emotions flicker across her face, but could not get a good read on what she was thinking, and so said nothing to their effect. “Yes, of course, my lady," Viserys said without trouble. It was only reasonable she should see Sansa and Robb before leaving them behind. “I will have the swords ready for your departure. If you should be taking Arya with you, I will arrange all the necessary additional provisions you might need for her on the journey. She is welcome back for her dancing lessons any time she likes and may come and go between Winterfell and King’s Landing as the two of you see fit." Viserys gave her a real, warm smile when she thanked him for his efforts. He felt—good—about that. No one ever thanked him. He had done so much, given up so much, to be here, and no one ever thanked him. He liked Catelyn very much, suddenly, in that moment. It felt odd to thank her for having thanked him, so the words stuck in his throat, made his tongue clumsy, and he said nothing. Particularly because such an oddity did not befit a King. Instead, he let his genuine smile speak for him, one that offered no schemes, just something like happiness, and extended his hand to strike the alliance officially. “By the old gods and new," he agreed. It would be odd to find true family among the Starks when long-lost Targaryens were crawling out of the woodwork, but stranger things had happened.

[lupusfluvium-blog]

She found it quite... strange that the King himself said nothing more, but only showed a smile. That smile was very... she couldn't describe it, but the mother in her found the smile quite pure, without second intentions. Besides, he showed few to no second intentions. Her natural reaction was to smile back, and so she did - perhaps not as warmly as Viserys did, but it was a smile. She had no reason for it, though. But it would ease the relationship. And why not? Perhaps she'd never have any other chance to talk with the King like this.

She got up and took the hand he extended to her, shaking. "By the old gods and the new." She spoke calmly. She had let go of his hand before it would be unproper - even though the King was young enough to be her son, he was still a king, and she had to be respectful. At least he was to her, he let her be with her children, and even helped with her trip back to Winterfell. But yet, she'd still be sleeping with one eye open. She had learned to trust no one ever since the ones he loved were dead by the hands of others.

"Your grace, I will thank you again for the invitation here. It trully is an honour to sit on the same table as you... But I fear my time has come and I will have to retreat to my chambers, unless you have anything more planned." She nodded, standing tall in her spot.

[lupusfluvium-blog]

Family, Duty, Honor - with Bran I

[threeeyedstark]

Bran sat in Osha’s arms, the wildling women had grown to be a close friend. She was often kept in chains because Maester Louin thought she was not to be trusted. Bran knew differently, she was a trusted companion. she held him, this morning in chains, the Maester insisted because his mother might not approve of this women walking freely around the castle.

He pulled his fur skin around his shoulders tighter, the cold winds were blowing south and they had been for weeks. Each morning the sun rose colder then the last. He worried soon the winter snows would begin and Winterfell would become a safe haven for the smaller houses. They would arrive in large groups the Maester assured him. As they ran out of food in turn they would look to Winterfell to protect them and feed them.

Bran could not worry about the future now. His mother was returning, and he was eager with anticipation. Last he remembered his mother was warning him, making him promise not to climb the towers, the rest was a blur. He woke up and she was already gone. She had followed his father to Kings Landing and she had not been back since.

Now she was returning. He could see the banners approaching in the distence. From the second story window he had seem them on the horizon. Now they were here. The gates opened and her carriage rode in. It was just like the morning King Robert had arrived just over a year ago. So much had happened. His family was scattered, his father was dead, so was the king. There were dragons now, the world was changing.

Bran looked up at the gray sky and he hoped the snow would not begin to fall for another few days. His mother stepped out of the carriage. He began to beam his smile wider then it had been for months. He reached out to her.

[lupusfluvium-blog]

"My little boy..."

Catelyn's eyes teared up. It wasn't the place she called home that made her cry, but the sight of her son reaching out for her. She didn't realize it was Osha who held her son in her arms, has she took him into hers instead. 

"I'm back, and I have so much to tell you. Have you received any raven from the capital, besides mine? I really pressured them for me to tell you the news." Catelyn sighed, holding his children like she was holding dear to life. "And your brother...?"

She couldn't see Rickon arround. She felt like he didn't want to see her because she left so abruptly, not even saying goodbye to him. But perhaps he was playing around somewhere. Bran was now Warden of the North, Catelyn being the Wardeness Regent. The Starks would rise again, for winter is coming.

[cattullystark-deactivated201904]

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[unwavering-lioness]

"Mmm," Cersei mused, hardly wanting to admit that Catelyn was right. Their families should be friends or allies, what with their geographical closeness. Cersei had had just about enough of everyone being against her and her family. But what could she do? She trusted almost no one. They would all betray her, that she was sure of. There as no one but her family she could rely on, and even some of them she didn’t trust. She knew her imp brother was out to get her. He was sneaky and he pulled out everything he could. Jaime and her children were all she had.

"Yes," She sighed. “She is. It seems to me that she’s just a plaything for our great King. Your son Robb though… I have yet to thank him for protecting Myrcella." She said, hating to owe anyone anything. “He seems like a wise Hand. I suppose that’s a good thing though, King Viserys need it."

[lupusfluvium-blog]

"Did he, now?" Catelyn crossed her arms. "I did not know he was meddling with... your children. But if he did protect her, I guess I have nothing against that." She'd have to talk with Robb about this later, if she got to be with him. He had to stay away from every conection with the Lannisters. They have killed one Stark already, and even though Tywin was dead, the lions live and roar.

"And yes, he is wise. Every king needs a wise Hand. But my son is too young for that, but who am I to question the King's word, but a widowed mother?" She shrugged lightly. A slight sympathy for Cersei ran on the tip of her tongue again. She was too a widow, and her family was caught in the midst of the dragon's fire.

[longliveviserys]

Sewing Seeds || Catelyn & Viserys

[longliveviserys]

Viserys considered Lady Catelyn very carefully. His eyes grew dark, though not with displeasure. She was not wrong… he had Robb, and he valued Robb; he had Sansa, and he valued Sansa. Arya was young enough for a betrothal, true, but far too young for marriage or the consummation thereof, with her not yet even a maiden flowered. She was but a girl. He hesitated, but not so as to dance around the topic, but in order to give her full understanding: “You are right, of course. With such an alliance between us, there is little need for such arrangements for Arya. She seems quite happy in the capitol with her dancing lessons, however, and may be loathe to leave. You should consider that." He paused and leaned back in his chair, looking to the window as he continued, “That being said, it is for you to consider, as you are her mother. Yet as far as I am concerned, I see no reason that Arya should not be able to return to you, if that is what you both should desire." Catelyn was a clever one, manipulative as all women were. He would have to be mindful of that in the future, particularly when he might be less inclined to agree with her.

[lupusfluvium-blog]

"..." And would Arya want to stay? Would she have any say on this matter? Why would she want to stay on the place her own beloved father was killed? That seemed too hard to understand. But Catelyn would have to ask, to fight for her company to Winterfell. If she could bring Arya back, Bran and Rickon would be very happy. And slowly, one by one, she'd bring them all back.

She felt like she was slowly starting to trust the King - another unreasonable thing for her to understand. Had he come sooner Ned would have been alive. He could have stopped him from being killed, and none of this would happen. They'd be all happy - Catelyn with her family, Viserys with her throne. They could still have an alliance, for all she cared. 

Would Ned approve all of this? She asked herself. She would pray later for an answer, but as for now, Catelyn would have to finish diner with the King. She wished her father could see her now - being called to share a dining table with the King himself. Lord Tully would have been proud. 

"I will reunite with my children before my departure, if that is alright, your grace, and my decision will fall in that same moment. For now I will consider, and I hereby thank you for everything you're doing for me and my late husband's family." Catelyn  nodded politely. "I have nothing to ask of you as of now, and I feel like I have done enough. Unless you have something more to tell me, I guess we can shake hands and make this alliance blessed by the old gods and the new."

[poisonously-sweet-blog]

I do know, my lady and it saddens me. If you ever come to Dorne I can promise you that your family be as safe as mine. Is Bran healing well?

[lupusfluvium-blog]

As far as I know, he is healing well yes, but won't... won't walk anytime soon. Thank you for your concern, lady Tyenne. I will bring them to the capital eventually, and hopefully you'll meet him - he shares my passion for travelling and although he can't, he loves to meet people from other places.

[lupusfluvium-blog]

//To-do list:

reply to Cersei, Tyenne, Viserys & (...) <-please tell me if I've forgotten our post!

plot with Cersei & Jon

be awesome

[lupusfluvium-blog]

Family, Duty, Honor - with Bran I

The road was long, too long for her rushing desire to return to Winterfell, to hold Rickon in her embrace, to be with Bran again. She had left them alone because her oldest son needed her more in his war, and now that there was only a subjective war,  she could - she had to return. Not only to bring the news to his little child that he had been named Warden, that his oldest brother was the Hand, that the wolves and the dragons were allies. Perhaps none of that would matter to him, but it mattered to his family. Family always came first.

She could see the banners from afar. She could hear the sound of the people with every pace she took towards Winterfel. She could already hear Rickon laughing... She could almost see Bran smiling. "I am coming, my boys... I am coming..." she mumbled as she approached the gates.

They opened, letting her in, and she saw Bran, Rickon and her servants waiting for her. With a smile and help of one of her escorts, she climbed out of her horse, and smiled. She was back. The cold was chilling her spine again, and the sky was as grey as her heart. But the smiles of her children were enough.

[cattullystark-deactivated201904]

//Question: were I to post what I am working on as some sort of preview, would anyone be willing to check it out? I’d post it on my personal but the vast majority of my followers are already asleep.

[lupusfluvium-blog]

//i can check it out