chapter 112 part 2
The servant outside answered cautiously, "My lord, I am very sorry. Maester Luwin insists on seeing you. He says it is very urgent."
Lord Eddard threw a heavy, long robe over his shoulders. "Let him in."
Catelyn stifled a yawn and sat up in bed, pulling the pelts up to her chin. "Ned, have you not slept at all?"
Eddard walked to the window and stared out at the night sky. "Whenever I close my eyes, I keep thinking of the past."
Catelyn sensed her husband's sorrow and comforted him, "Grand Maester Pycelle gave him milk of the poppy. He passed quickly, so Jon didn't suffer much."
"I suppose that is a final mercy."
Lord Eddard murmured, suppressing the grief in his heart.
He couldn't selfishly indulge in his own sorrows; Catelyn also needed care and comfort.
"Your sister, and her child, is there any news of them?"
Men of The North were not skilled at expressing affection with words, and her husband was a prime example.
Catelyn felt the concern from the man before her. She smiled and said, "The letter only said they are safe and have returned to the Eyrie."
"I truly wish they had returned to Riverrun. The Eyrie is high and desolate. It was always her husband's fortress, not her home."
"To be surrounded by his things... memories of Lord Arryn must cling to every brick and stone in the Eyrie... I know my sister well. What Lysa needs most right now is the support and companionship of family and friends."
"Catelyn, your uncle was appointed Knight of the Bloody Gate by Jon. Brynden will do his best to look after them."
After a pause, Eddard added, "You could go and be with her. Take the children with you. Let her home be filled with laughter and noise. The boy needs the company of other children, and your sister shouldn't grieve alone."
"If I could, of course I would go, but... have you made your decision? Things have changed so suddenly. Will you go to King's Landing?"
Lord Eddard was silent for a moment before saying, "I am still considering."
His wolf's blood told him that this was the home of House Stark, and he should not leave The North lightly.
The alpha wolf was grieving. Catelyn knew now was not the right time to discuss this, so she didn't press him further.
A moment later, the door was pushed open, and Maester Luwin entered the room.
The slender Maester Luwin was dressed in a long robe of grey wool trimmed with white fur, the colors of House Stark.
Maester Luwin waited until the door was closed behind him before he spoke, bowing his head slightly. "Forgive me for disturbing your rest. Someone left a letter on my desk while I was dozing."
As he spoke, Maester Luwin retrieved a tightly rolled letter from his sleeve.
"It was clearly marked to be opened only by Lady Catelyn. I feared it was something very important, so I dared not delay for a moment."
Catelyn saw the new moon and falcon sigil of House Arryn on the seal.
She reached out and took the letter. Heedless of her nakedness, she let the pelts fall away and gasped, "It must be from Lysa. I fear it won't be good news. Ned, this letter is filled with endless sorrow. I can feel it."
Lord Eddard's brow furrowed. "Catelyn, don't panic. Open it and read it first."
Catelyn unrolled the letter and glanced at the contents. "This is... Lysa and I invented a secret language when we were young. Only she and I understand it."
Catelyn threw off the pelts and swung herself out of bed.
Eddard was taken aback by his wife's sudden action. "Catelyn, Maester Luwin is still here."
Maester Luwin, who had already turned to face the door, said, "My lord, I believe it would be best if I took my leave now."
Catelyn grabbed a sleeping gown and put it on, then walked to the candle. The words on the letter were tiny; she needed the candlelight.
"Ned, Maester Luwin delivered every one of my children. Now is not the time for false modesty..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Catelyn's body suddenly froze in place.
Eddard noticed his wife's strange reaction and went to support her. "You're terrified? Tell me, what does the letter say?"
Catelyn looked at Eddard's anxious face, her voice trembling. "Lysa says Jon Arryn was murdered."
"Did she say who the killer was?"
"The Lannisters."
Lord Eddard's first instinct was disbelief. "Your sister is overcome with grief. She doesn't know what she's saying."
Catelyn disagreed. "Lysa can be impulsive, but she would never joke about something like this. She even wrote me a secret letter to tell me. Lysa must be terrified, which is why she fled with her son to the Eyrie."
Catelyn stared at her silent husband and said, "Now we truly have no choice. You must go south yourself to investigate and uncover the truth."
Lord Eddard sighed. "The south is a place full of poisonous snakes and savage beasts. A direwolf is better off staying away."
At that moment, Maester Luwin interjected, "My lord, from the last letter, it was clear that King Robert intended for you to succeed as Hand of the King."
"The Hand of the King wields great power, enough for you to investigate the true cause of Lord Arryn's death. If you find that Lord Arryn was indeed murdered, you can bring the killer to justice."
"Even if the situation proves unfavorable, you will have more than enough power to protect Lady Arryn and her young son, and you can retreat in safety at any time."
Catelyn added, "Eddard, in his last letter, King Robert also mentioned bringing Sansa with you. Don't you understand what Robert means? He intends to betroth his eldest son to Sansa."
Eddard finally spoke. "Catelyn, Sansa is only eleven years old... and I don't want my daughter to marry into the south!"
Eddard's father, brother, and sister had all died in the south. It was a wound that would never heal.
As Eddard's wife, Catelyn was of course well aware of these things. But no matter how tragic, it was in the past. She didn't want Sansa to be affected.
Catelyn's voice rose slightly. "Eddard, this is a gesture of goodwill from the King. You can't always treat him as your old friend. A king's pride is his everything."
"Sansa might one day become Queen. Her children would rule the vast lands from the Wall in the north to the cliffs of Dorne in the south. Is that not a good thing?"
Ha, the Iron Throne.
Eddard's expression was weary and sorrowful, but Catelyn knew this was not the moment to embrace him... For the sake of her children, she first had to persuade her stubborn husband.
Catelyn spoke again. "You say you love Robert more than your own brother. If what Lysa says is true, do you think Robert is safe? You know very well how venomous the Lannisters are. Are you truly going to stand by and watch Robert in danger?"
Eddard's lips moved. His face grim, he turned to face the narrow window.
Catelyn said no more. Maester Luwin, too, remained silent. They waited quietly... as Eddard silently bid farewell to his beloved North.
(end of chapter)