chapter 179 part 1
Chapter 179: The Bloody Gate and the Eyrie
Hearing the still-familiar voice, Catelyn Tully felt as if time had flowed backward twenty years, bringing her back to her childhood.
Travel-worn, she revealed a smile from the bottom of her heart. "Uncle, aren't you also far from home?"
Brynden Tully pointed to the castle of the Bloody Gate and said, "Cat, my home is here."
As long as Catelyn could remember, Uncle Brynden and her father had been at odds. When she was six, the two brothers had a huge argument. Her father accused Uncle Brynden of being the black sheep of House Tully, but Uncle Brynden laughed and said that the sigil of House Tully was a trout leaping from the water, so he should be the black fish, not a black sheep. From that day on, he took the black fish as his personal sigil.
Their quarrel didn't end until the day she and her sister were married. It was at the wedding feast that Uncle Brynden announced to her father that he was leaving Riverrun with his younger niece, Lysa, to serve her new husband, Lord Jon Arryn of the Eyrie.
"Your home is in my heart..."
Catelyn's hands clenched, her gaze fixed on her uncle. "My uncle, take off your helm. I want to have a good look at you again."
During Catelyn's youth, whenever her father was too busy and her mother too ill, the children of Lord Hoster shared their joys and sorrows with Uncle Brynden.
Whether it was Catelyn and Lysa, or Edmure Tully and her father's ward Petyr Baelish, Uncle Brynden would always listen with great patience, cheering for their successes and sympathizing with the troubles their childishness brought.
"I'm afraid after all these years, I'm not much to look at..."
Although Ser Brynden said this, when he lifted his helm, Catelyn thought he was lying. His face was weathered, and the years had stolen his auburn hair, leaving only gray and white, but his smile remained, as did his thick eyebrows, like caterpillars, and the joyful glint in his deep blue eyes.
"Child, you shouldn't be here at this time."
"Uncle, I'm not a child anymore."
"Little Cat, you only look like you've grown up..."
Ser Brynden turned toward the direction of the Bloody Gate. He continued, "You need a hearth and hot tea."
Catelyn spurred her horse and followed after Ser Brynden.
The long curtain walls were built on two precipitous cliffs. The mountain path narrowed until it could barely accommodate four riders abreast. Two watchtowers clung to the cliff faces, connected to each other by a weathered, grey stone enclosed bridge.
Catelyn could feel silent faces watching them from the arrowslits in the towers, from the battlements, and from the stone bridge.
Before the thick castle gate, Ser Brynden halted his horse. He looked at Catelyn's party and announced, "In the name of the Lord of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, and true Warden of the East, Robert Arryn, I grant you passage through the Bloody Gate and demand you keep the peace in his name."
Catelyn declared loudly, "I, Catelyn of House Tully, wife of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, pass through the Bloody Gate in the name of the Lady of Winterfell and pledge peace."
After Catelyn finished speaking, a faint smile appeared on Ser Brynden's face. "Let's go."
Catelyn rode beside Brynden, her Winterfell guards following closely behind.
...
The Vale was bathed in the morning light.
Passing through the shadow of the Bloody Gate, Catelyn came to the far side of the stone fortification. The landscape suddenly opened up before her. The green fields, blue sky, and white, misty mountain peaks suddenly appeared, a sight so beautiful it took her breath away.
The valley stretched out before them, extending toward the hazy east.
The Vale was a peaceful and serene kingdom, protected on all sides by mountains. Within lay fertile black soil, broad and gentle rivers, and hundreds of lakes, large and small, that shone like mirrors in the sun. The fields were heavy with barley, wheat, and corn.
Catelyn and her party continued to ride.
...
In a stone house at the western end of the valley, Catelyn stood by the window and gazed out. The northern mountain range was within arm's reach, so close it seemed she could touch it.
Firelight danced in the hearth, adding warmth to the room.
Sitting before the hearth, Ser Brynden turned his head to look at Catelyn, his eyes smiling. "Little Cat, you only look like you've grown up."
Hearing her uncle's teasing, Catelyn's cheeks flushed slightly. She left the window and sat down before the hearth.
"Uncle, the Vale is beautiful."
Brynden's voice was low and hoarse. "Beauty is only skin deep. I have recently come to recognize much of the ugliness hidden beneath the beautiful scenery."
Catelyn held a cup of hot tea, her blue eyes filled with confusion.
"Cat, you should have sent a raven ahead. The Vale is not at peace."
Catelyn's face showed a trace of sorrow. "Uncle, I have indeed learned a painful lesson. The wildlings at the foot of the mountains harass us day and night. We lost six people in total. I nearly thought we were done for."
"They are the mountain clans from the Mountains of the Moon. After Lord Jon died, these wildlings have become more and more audacious."
"Hasn't Lysa sent soldiers?"
Ser Brynden gazed at Catelyn for a moment, then said, "Cat, it seems you haven't received your husband's letter."
Catelyn's eyes were a mixture of anger and unease. "Uncle, I have come for my husband and my children. The Lannister queen is a madwoman. Not only did she frame Eddard for treason... she also forced Sansa to write a confession..."
Her eyes grew moist. "To rescue Eddard, Robb has already summoned the bannermen of House Stark. The northern army is marching south. I came to see Lysa for the knights of the Vale..."
Catelyn looked at Ser Brynden with a determined gaze and continued, "Uncle, I will rescue my husband and daughter from Cersei's grasp."
After Catelyn finished speaking, Ser Brynden nodded slightly. "Cat, rest assured. The armies of House Tully and House Stark can guarantee the safety of your husband and children."
"Uncle, I want to see Lysa as soon as possible."
Ser Brynden said slowly, "Cat, not long ago, all the important lords of the Vale received a letter in your husband's own hand. He has discovered who murdered Lord Jon Arryn..."
Catelyn's eyes flickered. "The murderer, is it a Lannister?"
Ser Brynden shook his head. "Cat, your husband says that Lysa Tully poisoned and murdered Lord Jon Arryn."
Catelyn was shocked. She looked at her uncle in disbelief.
Ser Brynden continued, "When the letter was written, Robert had not yet passed away, and Eddard was still living in the Tower of the Hand."
Catelyn's face turned pale, and she whispered, "How is that possible... How could it be possible..."
Ser Brynden said in a low voice, "It is indeed impossible to believe, but everyone trusts Eddard's character. Cat, you know your husband better than anyone."
"Oh, gods, why is this happening!" Catelyn's pupils dilated. Her lips trembled slightly. The terrible news made her feel as if the world was spinning.
"Little Cat, are you alright?"
"Has my sister gone mad? How could she do something so cruel?! Gods, what is she to do?!"