The most dreaded words in any marriage - closed

[onlyvengeance]

WHO: Catelyn Stark & Ned Stark
WHERE: Jon Snow's farm
WHEN: now
WHAT: a conversation a long time in coming
WARNINGS: none that I can think of, but it's Game of Thrones people sooo....

[ Cat had turned this conversation over and over in her mind almost constantly the past few days,
like stones tumbling in the water, eventually worn smooth. She hoped the gods would guide her, and finally hold her promise fulfilled, to stop punishing her family for her own mistakes. On the one hand, it should be easy. After all, it was Ned, and there was no one she trusted more. Yet this subject had been just historically a sore point, all the way around.

But finally, spurred on by the loss of Arya, she finally reached out and rested her hand on his shoulder.]

Ned, we need to talk.

Comments

[wintersfallen]

[ He turned his gaze from the setting sun - a welcome and familiar sight in this strange place - and looked at his wife, an even more welcome and familiar sight.

But there was something about the way she spoke that troubled him.

Frowning, he reached up to place a hand atop hers. ]

What is it?

[onlyvengeance]

[ It took every ounce of her courage not to give up. After all, it would be very easy to talk about literally anything else. And that was exactly why she needed to speak. ]

We need to talk about Jon.

[wintersfallen]

[ He took a deep breath, turning to look back out at the strange landscape, bracing himself. ]

He's done well here - gathering you all together, keeping you safe...

[ He felt inclined to remind her, just in case she'd forgotten. She had always had an easier time forgetting the good things when it came to Jon. ]

[onlyvengeance]

[ As ever, every word he spoke in Jon's defense made her all the more irritable. But for the sake of the children, she would try to keep her calm. ]

I know that!

[ Calm down, Cat. Remember! This might be a necessary conversation but in no way was it going to be easy. ]

And I've had a lot of time to think...here, in this world, and in ours, before the end...too much time, really...I know you will never tell me about his mother. And while I will never understand, he should be a Stark in name as well as blood.

[Just don't make me say it again. ]

[wintersfallen]

[ Before the end. Those words fall like a blow to the chest, driving the air from his lungs. The very thought of her...

No. He can't bear it.

He opens his mouth to protest, to insist that he will tell her someday, but... ]

What did you say?

[ He'd been lost in thought, and he wants to be absolutely certain that he heard correctly - that he didn't miss anything. Did she really mean what he thought she meant? ]

[onlyvengeance]

[ She is by equal turns bewildered and exasperated. Years, literal, actual years of bitter resentment had been there at the back of her throat, ready to choke out her words, and when she does speak again, her voice wavers. ]

I said

[ Mother above, give me compassion instead of guilt and anger. This once, when most I need it ]

he should be a Stark in name as well as blood. Please don't argue with me about this. I've made up my mind.

[wintersfallen]

[ He stares at her for a moment, stricken. This was... unexpected, to say the least. ]

You have? [ But of course she has. When his dear wife says her mind is made up, her mind is made up. He knows that. ]

Oh, Cat... [ He throws his arms around her, pulling her close, grateful for this progress. ]

When do you want to tell him?

[onlyvengeance]

[ She closes her eyes for a moment, blinking away tears. She rests her head against his shoulder, and pulls herself together. She leans back, and looks at his beloved face, and she could kick herself for keeping this happiness from him for so long. ]

As soon as you'd like, my love.