WILOW-Ch.350: A Private Matter
Northern Army Camp, Near the Twins
POV of Domeric Bolton
"What was the topic you wanted to discuss, Lord Stark?" Domeric asked.
"Before we get into the details, you must understand that this is a very sensitive matter. I need your word that unnecessary ears will not hear this," Lord Stark said in a serious tone.
"You have my word, Lord Stark. You may speak freely," he said.
If Lord Stark wanted the matter to remain a secret, that was fine with Domeric. Of course, assuming the matter hadn't already ceased to be a secret.
"I recently received a letter from Highgarden. It was written by Catelyn himself," Lord Stark said.
"Yes, Robb mentioned it. The letter from Lady Catelyn asking us to support Renly Baratheon, right?" Domeric asked.
"Yes, that letter. But the letter contains information that Robb and Jon don't know. In her letter, Catelyn also mentions that she's showing symptoms of pregnancy illness." Lord Stark said.
"Oh? Congratulations then, Lord Stark. But I don't think this requires you to discuss it with me privately. Perhaps you suspect Renly Baratheon forced her to write this and that Lady Stark isn't pregnant?" Domeric asked.
But he already understood the real issue and where it was leading.
"It seems unlikely. If Catelyn had been forced to write it, she would have hidden a special word in the letter. We have specific words for situations like this. And judging by the special word hidden in the letter, this information is correct." Lord Stark explained.
"I understand. So, what's the matter?" he asked.
"Shortly after Robert's death, I received an anonymous letter mentioning events in King's Landing and the legitimacy of Robert's children. Almost all of this information has been proven true, except for one. That's the information I want to discuss." Lord Stark said.
"Okay. What is the information?"
"According to this information... the day before the tournament in King's Landing began..." Lord Stark paused here. It seemed quite difficult for him to utter the following words.
"The day before the tournament in King's Landing began, Catelyn went to one of Petyr Baelish's brothels to meet him and... and stayed there until the following afternoon."
Lord Stark said this and then slumped back into his chair. It seemed as if saying it had taken all his strength.
"Oh... I warned you about Petyr Baelish, Lord Stark. You should have told Lady Catelyn to stay away from him," he said.
Lord Stark raised his head and looked at Domeric. His eyes looked as if they were hurt, and he said, "I warned Catelyn about this before she left for King's Landing. I told her not to have any contact with Petyr Baelish. So, I can't understand why she would go to him, especially to a brothel."
"This complicates things a bit more. What exactly do you want from me?" he asked.
"When I spoke to Maester Luwin about this, he said the dates didn't match. Even if Catelyn had become pregnant immediately before leaving Winterfell, she should have already shown signs of pregnancy before arriving at King's Landing, or at least after arriving. And Maester Luwin said that based on the day Catelyn met with Petry Baelish, it fits a normal pregnancy sickness time." Lord Stark's voice became quite low and fragile towards the end of his words.
For a while, Domeric and Lord Stark sat silently inside the tent.
Then Lord Stark continued, "I only want to know the truth, Lord Bolton. Just the truth. And you said you have a spy network. I thought perhaps you had some knowledge of this, or that you might be able to learn something."
"I see... Honestly, I don't have any information about this matter. But my men only pass on important information that they think will be useful to me. Other information is just recorded, so it's not forgotten. I'll have the records reviewed to see if there's any information on this subject. And if possible, I'll have them investigate further to gather more information. They'll probably get back to me within a week." He said.
He knew everything about this matter, but he couldn't say it now. Otherwise, Lord Stark would be angry with him for not sharing the information sooner.
The best solution was to share the information with Lord Stark later, as if he had newly acquired it.
"Thank you, Lord Bolton. Truly," Lord Stark said.
"No need, Lord Stark. And you can be sure that I will keep this matter confidential as much as possible. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to write a few letters," he said and rose to leave.
Lord Stark nodded in understanding, and Domeric left the tent.
Frankly, the main reason he was helping Lord Stark was out of pity. Domeric was one of those who knew best what betrayal from a loved one meant.
And the people he hated most were those who cheated on their spouses. Therefore, he didn't care at all what would happen to Catelyn Stark.
Within a week, he was to pass the information he had to Lord Stark, and it was Lord Stark himself who would decide what to do with her.
But Domeric couldn't help but feel sorry for Robb, Sansa, and Arya.
Even learning of their mother's betrayal would be devastating for them. And if Lord Stark were to punish Catelyn Stark severely, it would be even harder for them.
As for Jon... Domeric didn't think Jon would feel sorry for Lady Catelyn. But he probably would feel sorry for her siblings... or cousins.
-Haaahhh
Domeric let out a deep breath.
The situation of House Stark was truly a family drama.
At least Domeric had prevented things from getting worse by changing some things.
Otherwise, only he knew how many Starks would survive at the end of this war. And the situation for the survivors wouldn't be auspicious.
Lord Stark would have been dead long ago.
Robb Stark, Talisa Stark, Catelyn Stark, and Rickon Stark would have died at the end of this war.
Sansa would have fallen into the hands of that psychopath, Ramsay, after everything that happened to her at King's Landing.
Brandon would be on a harrowing journey beyond the Wall.
And Arya would be learning the Faceless Men's methods in Braavos.
Although the last one wasn't so bad.
And if possible, Domeric would want Arya to learn the methods of the Faceless Men.
But Arya's journey all the way to Braavos had been quite difficult for her. And Domeric was glad she didn't have to endure those hardships.
Although he knew these challenges helped them develop and mature, he would still prefer to provide them with more appropriate experiences.
After all, he was Domeric Bolton, and many things weren't impossible for him.
Domeric… Bolton…
He really needed to change his last name when he founded his empire in the future.
He didn't exactly like the Bolton last name, and as he was the last person to bear it, he didn't think anyone else would mind.
So, Domeric, thinking of a new last name for himself, made his way to his tent and to Ygritte, who was waiting for him there.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.351: Building a War Bridge
Ch.352: Domeric's Target
Ch.353: Grief and Despair