A Game of Thrones-Chapter 6

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Catelyn II
A Game of Thrones chapter
AGameOfThrones.jpg
POV Catelyn
Page US HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Catelyn I
Jon I  ← Catelyn II →  Arya I

Catelyn III

A secret letter from Lysa to her sister Catelyn convinces Eddard, and Maester Luwin that it would be best for Eddard to go to King's Landing to be the King's Hand.

Synopsis

Eddard and Catelyn are in Catelyn bedchamber in Winterfell, after making love. The room is always warm, the warmest in Winterfell, because of the hot springs beneath the castle. The water runs in the walls and there are open pools in small courtyards. Eddard gets up and opens the windows, not liking the heat. Watches him from under the furs thinking that he was looking like the youth she had married 15 years ago. Catelyn hopes they may have conceived another child. They discuss the king's offer, Eddard says that he will refuse, but Catelyn says he must not, that King Robert is different from the man he grew up with, that his pride must not be offended. Cat thinks about the sign of the dead direwolf with the antler of the stag in its throat. Eddard says he wishes Brandon had lived, who would have known what to do, who also had been originally promised to Cat.

They are interrupted by Desmond, who says that Maester Luwin has an urgent message for Eddard despite orders for him not to be disturbed. The Maeseter is shown in and he tells then that he had been left a message after the door is closed. There had been a carved wooden box left in his observatory while he napped; the box contained a fine new glass lens for the observatory. The way it had been delivered had made the Maeseter wonder and had discovered a message hidden beneath a false bottom. Maester Luwin says he has not read it, and will not give it to Eddard, for it is addressed to Catelyn.

Catelyn takes the message, apprehensively. It is from Lysa, and written in a secret language the two sisters share. Eddard tells Maester Luwin to stay, and later Cat tells him they may need his counsel. Cat immediately burns the message after reading it. She tells Eddard that the message contains claims by Lysa that Jon Arryn was murdered by the Queen and the Lannisters. Catelyn says that now Eddard must go be the King's Hand, to find the truth behind Lysa's accusations. Luwin agrees with Cat, telling them that the Hand has great power that will help determine the truth and protect Lysa and her son. Then Cat tells Eddard that he would not leave a man that he loves like a brother, King Robert, to face the Lannisters on his own.

Eddard deliberates, and then makes his decision: he will go, but Catelyn must stay behind, to govern Winterfell and teach Robb the things he needs to know. He says that young Rickon may stay with her as well, but the others must come south--Sansa to wed Joffrey, Arya to learn the ways of a southern court. Cat reluctantly agrees but begs that 7 year old Bran be allowed to stay, but Eddard states Bran will be needed to bridge the gap between Robb and Joffrey; {{ Rodrik Cassel|Ser Rodrik] tells there is bad feeling between Robb and Joffrey. The house will be the safer for it, and Cat has to agree. Cat feels lonely already.

Maester Luwin asks about Jon Snow. Eddard could feel the anger in Catelyn. Catelyn remembers the bastard child that Eddard brought back with him in the early days of their marriage. She could understand Eddard having bastard sons while away, but she could not bear having a bastard raised in the castle. There were rumors that Ashara Dayne was his mother, but Eddard forbade her to ask about him, saying only that Jon was his blood. Eddard would never send him away, and Catelyn could never forgive him that. Catelyn insists that Jon must leave, but Eddard tells her there would be no place for Jon in the court. Maester Luwin mentions that Benjen Stark had told him of Jon Snow's ambitions to join the Night's Watch. Eddard considers this for a while, and finally agrees to let Jon take the black, though not until they are ready to leave for the south. He wants Jon to enjoy his last few days, and that when it is time, he will tell him himself.

Character List Appearing/Mentioned

Places and terms mentioned

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