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It was a relief to retire for the night and change into a nightgown as that was the only garment that fit her comfortably for the time being. Her whole body ached and so much as walking was a chore.
Maester Luwin had predicted the babe would be born within a week, though Catelyn believed it would be sooner than so. All through the day there had been light cramps and so she would not be surprised should her labour begin before the sun had risen. Though she had not told Ned yet. He would not sleep once he knew and it was better for the both of them if they could get some rest before it was truly upon her.
Ned appeared deep in thought where he sat on her bed. His elbows resting on his knees and his head bent down, his hair hiding his face from her. He had been tired the past few days, though who was Catelyn to blame him? Entertaining guests was a tiring ordeal and he was on edge due to the birth drawing near.
“Are you going to consider what Lord Karstark wants?” Catelyn had to ask.
Often she was not gifted a glimpse of his thoughts though she asked all the same. She appreciated it when she was allowed to be part of his many considerations.
Ned raised his head to look at her.
”Hm?”
”He wants his daughter to wed Robb, otherwise he would not have brought her here. Do you find it a suitable match?”
As he had many times before Ned sighed and raised his shoulders in a shrug.
”It will be many years before both Robb and Rickard Karstark’s daughter are of age. We are in no hurry to find him a suitable girl to wed.”
It was no surprise that he would give that answer, though Catelyn could not help but being frustrated with him. The question of Robb’s betrothal had been of great importance ever since his birth. His hand in marriage was a valuable resource as there was no lack of lords and ladies who wished for their daughter to be Lady of Winterfell.
”Even so we should consider our choices” Catelyn insisted. ”When the time comes we want a beneficial match.”
It was the same with all their children. She would not settle for less than they were worth.
”So we wait and see what will prove most fruitful.”
”Should we wait too long we risk that the best girls are already betrothed.”
”Robb is a Stark and so I am not worried. Now come to bed, my lady, you are in dire need of rest.”
Catelyn did as she was told and moved to get into bed, though was in no mind to let him abandon their conversation.
”We could turn our attention southwards” she suggested as she sat on its side.
Ned began arranging her pillows to make her more comfortable and quite pointedly ignored her words.
It was with great effort she managed to sit back against the headboard, somewhat breathless by the time she was in position. The babe was especially difficult on her, more so than she remembered Robb, Sansa and Arya being.
“Our land is an isolated one, strengthening our bond with the south is no poor idea” she continued.
”You should try to sleep” Ned said softly.
”I have not slept through the night in weeks, Ned” she scoffed. ”Entertain me.”
Ned grimaced and pulled back to sit beside her, crossing his arms over his chest.
”I cannot comprehend your urgency. The boy will be seven this year, he is a child.”
”I am aware, but what benefit would there be to waiting? What is your reason?”
It was not the first time Ned hesitated to act for reasons she did not understand. He could be a fool.
”Must you question everything?” he muttered.
“Oh Mother have mercy.”
If nothing else then perhaps she would be able to sleep for once considering how tired he was making her.
Though rather than continuing with speaking sourly Ned reached out and placed a hand on her thigh, suing for peace. She recognised the gesture.
“Would you consider a southern alliance, my lord?” she asked all the same.
It was obvious then that he was as tired of her as she was of him. He sighed deeply in a way that was unique to him.
“I believe there may be… objections should Robb not wed a northern girl. It would make two southron Lady Starks in a row.”
In that belief they could find common ground. Catelyn had received a warm welcome from the northerners, though she was aware of that not all of them had been appreciative of Lord Rickard’s southern ambitions. It was not an uncommon thought that it was better to build and uphold a northern strength within the northern borders. People would not look kindly upon them if they believed House Stark were forsaking northern girls for the sake of appealing to southern houses.
“Even as it was your father that began down this path you have done much to allow the south into Winterfell.”
”In building you the sept, you mean?” he asked.
”Partly.”
”I have a southern wife, is all. I have little interest in looking south.”
So she had gathered. Initially she had not quite known what way he would choose for his country, but it had soon been plain for all to understand that Ned had not inherited Lord Rickard’s ambitions. He preferred to keep his attention on the north and on the northern houses. Only once had he returned south after the rebellion and that had been when King Robert called the banners during Balon Greyjoy’s uprising. That despite having been raised in the Vale.
”And if we have to?” Catelyn questioned.
His hand remained on her hip but Ned gave another exasperated sigh, though if Catelyn was not mistaken there was a trace of fondness in his expression. At least it was similar to what she had come to recognise as fondness.
”Then I will warn Robb of how endlessly obstinate those southern women are.”
He might not have chosen a southern wife for himself, though when the time came Catelyn could only hope she would be able to persuade him into making the right decision.
”Then perhaps I will tell his poor betrothed about how you Starks would in every situation rather stick your heads in the snow than see reason” Catelyn hissed.
And was there not a small glint in Ned’s eyes then? Did Catelyn’s eyes deceive her or were the corners of his mouth slowly turning upwards? Surely not.
”It is unfair to judge my entire house because you find me irritating, my lady” he teased.
”I have birthed three members of House Stark and soon I will birth a fourth, I have earned my judgement!” Catelyn exclaimed. ”My lord.”
Ned shifted closer to her, sneaking an arm around her shoulders and pressing a kiss to her temple. Even with how unreasonable he was being she appreciated his warmth. It was pleasant to have him close.
”Robb will one day have a strong and clever wife that can give him all he needs” he said softly. ”You need not worry.”
”You are impossible” Catelyn had to say. ”We must look ahead.”
Ned kissed her temple a second time.
”Not tonight.”
Arguing with a wall would have been more efficient.
Even though they were both still sitting upright Catelyn let her eyes close. She could not deny how weary she felt. It was a good thing the Karstarks had set out for Karhold that morning, she would have had a hard time being a gracious host for yet another day.
”Alys Karstark seems a sweet girl” she mumbled. ”Though very thin.”
”Hush, you stubborn woman.”
Perhaps he was right. It would feel so good to fall asleep and she would need it. It would be easier to bring forth the child if she was not entirely exhausted. With Arya she had not been able to sleep before the birth and then she had laboured for two days. Though at least that time Ned would be in Winterfell. She would not have to worry about that he would be struck down on a cold shore or that he would drown after falling off a ship. He would hold the babe once it was born.
She remembered there being a small popping sensation before, but that time she only felt the wetness. It did not gush forward, though she suspected that if she were to stand up more would come. As if as soon as all tension had left her body the babe knew that the time had come.
”Ned?” she said quietly, still not opening her eyes.
”What now?”
He sounded as tired as she felt and he had yet to know that it would be a very long night. Likely followed by a long day, and if it was a repeat of Arya it would then be another night and another day.
”I need Luwin” she told him.
She felt how he moved a little further away from her. Likely so that he could more easily look at her.
”Are you not feeling well?”
She imagined he frowned as he said it.
”Your child has decided it wants to be born.”
”Is it time?”
He sounded much more awake that time and so Catelyn forced herself to open her eyes and meet his gaze.
”I believe so. Will you send for the maester for me?”
Ned nodded before leaning forward and kissing her. A quick, gentle kiss.
”I shall be back soon” he promised.
Never before had he so quickly left her bedchamber. Hopefully Luwin would examine her and decide that it was not yet urgent so that she could sleep a little before the hard work began.