โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ ๐'๐ก๐ก ๐จ๐๐ฎ, "๐ก๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ, ๐๐๐ฉ ๐ข๐๐ฃ. ๐๐ค๐ช ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐๐ช๐จ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐๐ง๐. ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐ฃ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ข๐ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฌ."
Catelyn smiled at him thenโtruly smiled, the kind that softened her whole face and settled something deep and quiet in her chest. She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze, unafraid of the cold so long as he was beside her.
โOur family,โ she echoed softly, as though the
them, gentle but certain, โโis what I hold to.โ
The wind tugged at her hair, cold fingers reminding her of winterโs patience, and she nodded in agreement.
โYes,โ she murmured, already turning with him toward the warmth of the keep. โLet us go inside. I would rather face the
Catelyn did not flinch at the name Targaryen, nor at the ghost of Lyanna that seemed to drift between them. Instead, her expression deepenedโsomber, steady, utterly composed.
โSansa,โ she said softly, โyour father never judged a child for the sins of their father. He would not
weight of your house and the grace of your own character.โ
She squeezed Sansaโs hands.
โHold your head high when you speak to him. Robb will hear the truth in your voice.โ
Then, softerโalmost a motherโs vow:
โAnd when Aegon comes to our table, I will look at him not as a
Catelynโs breath caughtโjust a littleโat the kiss he pressed to her hand. It was such a small gesture, yet it warmed her more than any fire ever could. She let their hands fall back between them, still linked, still steady, as they walked across the familiar stones of
to meet his, full of quiet affection.
โI have no grand desires this evening, Ned. Only the comfort of your presence.โ
A pause; the faintest teasing note.
โAnd perhaps,โ she murmured, โa cup of warm wine to chase away this cold.โ
Catelyn saw the shiftโthe brightening at the thought of Aegon, the sudden shadow when Nedโs memory rose like a bladeโand she tightened her hold on Sansaโs hands just a little. Not restraining. Steadying. Reminding her daughter that ghosts did not rule this hall anymore.
benediction.
โAnd know this: whatever I see in him, whatever comes of this meetingโฆ I am glad you have someone who brings you peace. That alone is a blessing the gods seldom grant lightly.โ
Her voice softened to a near whisper.
โWhen you ask him to join us, speak with