As dawn broke, Catelyn Tully walked out of her dark and cold bedchamber.
Lady Catelyn tightened the cloak around her, having awakened from a sweet dream where she saw her husband and children.
The children's laughter still echoed in her ears, but it grew increasingly faint as she became more awake, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hold onto that sweetness.
....
Strolling in the gardens of the Eyrie, Lady Catelyn recalled her very unsuccessful 'escape' attempt from the previous night.
Although she was a Lady of Tully, she was also the wife of a Direwolf, and naturally, she would not sit idly by.
The guards at the Eyrie were not strict, or perhaps the guards there did not treat her as a prisoner. After a period of observation, Catelyn quickly figured out the soldiers' patterns of night watch and patrols, coupled with the intelligence she had gathered from the innocent maid...
Last night, clutching a dagger she had brought from Winterfell, she quietly left her room.
Aside from its pure white walls, the Eyrie had only mountains and an endless void, with a long and perilous path connecting it to Moon Gate Castle at the bottom, passing through Long Sky Castle, Snow Mountain Castle, and Grave Cliff Castle.
The path down the mountain was about three feet wide, and as soon as Lady Catelyn got close, she heard the cold wind howling.
On both sides of the path were bottomless abysses, but the thought of her children gave her immense courage, and Catelyn took her first step.
The second step... the third step... boundless fear gripped Catelyn tightly; she felt the empty void on both sides, and the black swirling currents yawning around her.
The gale roared at Catelyn, tugging at her cloak, trying to drag her off the cliff. She trembled, afraid to move forward.
In that instant, Catelyn was very clear-headed; she knew that if she went any further, she would fall into the embrace of the stranger.
Catelyn retreated, comforting herself that while the Stark might be fearless, the Tully knew the way of adaptability.
....
Recalling last night's adventure, Catelyn still felt a lingering fear. She stopped, looking up at the hazy, pale high towers in the sky, and a sense of dizziness immediately overwhelmed her.
Lady Catelyn closed her eyes for a moment. The Red Keep had four levels of dungeons, but the Eyrie was a natural sky prison.
....
The sky turned pale as dawn arrived, and the sun, like a brilliant pearl, cast its warm and bright light, draping the mountains in a golden glow.
Catelyn gazed down towards the base of the mountain; although she couldn't see the scenery below, she knew there were lush green forests and quiet villages, golden wheat fields, and splashing streams illuminated by sunlight.
Lysa Tully appeared on the balcony, wrapped in a blue velvet robe trimmed with fox fur. Catelyn felt an intense gaze, but when she looked up, she only saw her sister's disappearing back.
Lysa ignored her, but there would be a chance... she wanted to have a big fight with her sister. The Lady of Tully, the older sister, would mercilessly scold her sister for being a stupid, fat Trout!
Her chest heaving, Catelyn took a deep breath, suppressing the rising anger in her heart.
Soon... a wave of despair surged through her again. Lady Catelyn knew this was the Eyrie; she could do nothing, and she could go nowhere.
My children... Lady Catelyn closed her eyes... In her loss and exhaustion, she cast herself into the embrace of the gods.
She asked the Smith, who mends what is broken, to grant her beloved Bran attention and protection.
She implored the Maiden to bestow her courage upon Arya and Sansa, protecting their innocence.
She prayed for the Father's justice, for the strength to pursue righteousness and the wisdom to know it.
She prayed for the Warrior to make Robb strong, guarding him safely through the battlefield.
She prayed for the Crone to guide her path, lest she lose her way in the darkness ahead.
....
"You should wear more clothes, Catelyn."
A hoarse voice interrupted Catelyn's prayer. When she opened her eyes, she realized she was already kneeling on the cold grass.
Looking at Petyr, who had a smile on his face, Catelyn's pupils constricted slightly as she said, "How did you return so quickly?"
A while ago, Petyr had left the Eyrie with Catelyn's personal letter. Normally, he should be on his way to see Robb now (Chapter 199).
Petyr Baelish walked, spreading his hands.
His tone was somewhat helpless: "Our Ser Brynden, he didn't trust me, nor did he trust his niece's son. He simply took over my mission to the south."
Lady Catelyn stood up, saying, "My uncle?!"
Petyr stopped in front of Catelyn, and he teased, "He was very worried I would lead your eldest son astray."
Shrugging, he added, "The Blood Gate Knight just left without a care, and it took me a lot of effort to find a relatively reliable new Blood Gate Knight."
This was truly good news! Catelyn's eyes sparkled with joy, her lips curved slightly upwards, and her smile was like the morning sunlight, warm and bright.
Looking at Catelyn at that moment, Petyr couldn't help but be momentarily stunned. Her smile seemed to take him back to his childhood, making him want to get closer to her.
Petyr clenched his hands behind his back. He was no longer that impulsive Riverrun youth; he told himself he needed to take it slow, to approach her gradually.
....
Petyr's lips curved upwards, saying, "My Lady, you seem very pleased that Uncle Brynden troubled me. I detect your schadenfreude."
He feigned a look of fear: "He's still so strong, I didn't dare refuse him. I could only obediently let him arrange things."
Lady Catelyn then realized Petyr was very close to her. Her smile immediately faded, and she quickly stepped back.
Petyr's eyes gleamed, his smile unchanged, as if he hadn't noticed Catelyn's recent action.
Petyr's lips curved upwards, saying, "I have another even better piece of news... well, good news besides Uncle Brynden going south in my place."
Even better news?!
Catelyn seemed to think of something, her eyes trembling slightly, and she quickly asked, "What news is it?"
Under Lady Catelyn's expectant gaze, Petyr nodded slightly, saying, "News of the two Miss Stark."
As Petyr's words fell, Lady Catelyn actively leaned closer, grasping Petyr and anxiously asking, "Tell me, how are they?"
"This is accurate intelligence I managed to uncover with great difficulty..."
Petyr spread his hands, continuing, "At least reward me with a hug first, won't you?"
Catelyn's response was a cold voice: "Little...finger..."
Petyr immediately withdrew his hands, clearing his throat slightly in embarrassment, saying, "Apologies, I just..."
Catelyn glared at Petyr, repeating, "Little...finger..."
"Alright, alright."
Petyr shrugged, saying, "Sansa and Arya have safely returned to Winterfell."
He smiled, continuing, "This news is very reliable, I guarantee it."
Upon hearing this, Lady Catelyn was first slightly stunned, then murmured, "The gods be praised..."
Soon after, crystalline tears streamed from Catelyn's eyes; she was crying tears of joy.
....
Catelyn wept silently, motionless. Littlefinger's hoarse voice sounded: "No hug, then I'll ask for the kind of reward from when we were children..."
With that, Littlefinger suddenly kissed Catelyn, lips touching lips.
Lady Catelyn's eyes immediately widened, her pupils dilating. Just as she was about to push Petyr away, his body retreated first.
Petyr's smile at this moment was like that of a boy who had just secretly eaten candy: "Still as sweet as ever."
"You..."
Catelyn's voice was filled with rage: "There will be no next time!"
After speaking, Catelyn left directly. On her way, she anxiously glanced at Lysa's balcony, and seeing it empty, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Had it been before she heard the news of her daughters, Catelyn would never have easily forgiven Petyr's offense. He understood her; he knew her heart was now filled with joy. He was no longer the clever youth; he had become a cunning man.
As she walked, Catelyn smiled again... My children, I will find a way to reunite with you as soon as possible.
Catelyn's smile was both gentle and charming, and this smile happened to be seen by Lysa, who was standing behind a window.
....
....
That afternoon, Lysa's attendant arrived at Catelyn's room.
The attendant bowed and said, "Lady of Winterfell, Lady Lysa requests your presence in the great hall."
Perfect... Today, she must persuade her sister to let her leave!
Lady Catelyn lightly nodded her chin: "Tell Lysa I will be there shortly."
Upon hearing this, Lysa's attendant did not leave. He said, "Lady Lysa ordered me to escort you to the great hall."
Catelyn frowned slightly, a flicker of anger in her heart. Is my sister treating me like her prisoner?!
Looking at the respectful attendant, Catelyn chose to yield. This was just a small matter; her children needed their mother's embrace, and that was what truly mattered.
....
Under the attendant's "escort," Lady Catelyn descended the tower stairs, crossed a bridge, and arrived before the intricately carved wooden doors of the great hall.
Two guards, clad in sky-blue cloaks and holding spears, stood on either side of the entrance.
As Lady Catelyn entered the great hall, and the large doors closed behind her, she vaguely heard the attendant's voice.
"During Lady Lysa's conversation with the Lady of Winterfell... no one is to disturb them..."
....
On either side of the Eyrie's great hall were rows of slender, spear-like columns. The floor and walls were made of milky-white, blue-veined marble, and faint, lazy, pale sunlight streamed through the narrow arched windows on the east wall.
Lady Catelyn walked on the blue silk carpet, which muffled her footsteps. Outside the windows, the cold wind howled lonely.
Catelyn found her sister, whom she hadn't seen "for a long time"; she was the only one in the entire great hall. Lysa sat on a high-backed weirwood chair on the dais, with a massive Arryn Family banner hanging behind her.
Lady Lysa wore a milky-white velvet gown and a necklace of sapphires and moonstones. Her reddish-brown hair was braided into a thick plait that hung over her left shoulder.
Lady Catelyn stopped before the dais. She looked up and spoke directly, "Lysa, we need to talk properly."
Lady Lysa's heavily powdered face was flushed and plump. She watched Catelyn coldly.
Seeing that Lysa did not respond, Catelyn said again, "Listen, I need to return to my children."
She paused, then raised her voice slightly: "Lysa, did you hear me?!"
After a moment of silence, Lady Lysa suddenly said, "Petyr kissed you!"
Her nostrils flared, and she shrieked, "Why did he do that?! He already has a wife who loves him with all her heart! You seduced him, Catelyn!"
Catelyn frowned and said, "Lysa, it's not what you think, I..."
Lysa interrupted, "Return to your children? Trying to run away? Are you feeling guilty?"
Catelyn suppressed her irritation and explained, "Petyr took advantage of my distraction and stole a kiss..."
Lysa interrupted Catelyn's words once more: "Are you taking me for a fool? Are you? Are you? It seems you really are taking me for a fool! Don't think you can win Petyr's heart with a lewd smile; he's mine! He's mine!"
She suddenly stood up: "You all want to steal him from me, my father, my husband, especially you. You used to love kissing Petyr!"
Her stubby finger pointed at Catelyn, who stood below: "Catelyn, don't act so innocent. For all these years in Riverrun, you treated Petyr like a toy, toying with his feelings with your smiles, soft words, and lewd glances."
Her voice was tearful: "Poor Petyr... sleepless nights..."
Soon, she shrieked again: "That night at the feast, you and Petyr danced six dances, six! I counted them clearly! He wanted to kiss you, but you pushed him away, and you even laughed at him. His expression was so hurt, my lungs nearly burst with rage!"
Her expression was both sweet and proud: "Later, he got himself drunk, and that night I went to his room and gave him... the comfort you could not give. I bled, but it was sweet pain. He said he loved me, he said he only loved me, but he called me 'Catelyn'! He fell asleep after saying it... Even so, I didn't leave before dawn. You wronged him, he dueled Brandon Stark for you... You wouldn't even give him a token, but I will give him my token, I will give him everything..."
She said, furious, "Now, he is mine! Not Catelyn's! Not yours! Not yours! Not yours!"
Catelyn was seething with rage upon hearing this, and she shouted, "Enough! You stupid, fat Trout! I don't want Petyr! He's yours! Yours!"
Lysa's wide, plump figure quickly descended the steps. Her angry and distorted face appeared before Catelyn, and her breath carried a strong scent of wine.
Lysa's plump hand gripped Catelyn's slender wrist tightly, saying, "Father said I should thank the gods above that a renowned Duke like Jon Arryn would marry a woman who had been *opened*, but in reality, all he wanted was Father's army. I had no choice but to marry Jon, otherwise Father would have cast me out, just like he did to his own brother, Brynden!"
Catelyn said coldly, "Enough! I'm not interested in hearing your love story! Let me leave, I don't want to stay here for another moment!"
Note:
Happy Lunar New Year 2026!
First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for always being by my side and supporting me throughout this journey.
To ensure the quality of upcoming stories, I've decided to take a week off during the Lunar New Year (February 15th to 22nd) to rest and spend time with my family.
I will return on February 23rd, 2026. During this break, I will prepare many new chapters to post regularly upon my return. So please look forward to it!
Wishing you a warm, joyful, and wonderful holiday season!