Chapter 41

"The Northern bannermen have reached Moat Cailin and more men advance to Deepwood Motte." Tyrion told her while he wrote to Benjen. Cersei still refused to believe there were such things as white walkers. She refused to send more men to the wall until Benjen came back once more. Tyrion send men and welcomed the

They dined late; Tyrion, Cersei and Benjen remained in the small hall. "We need men."

Cersei shifted uncomfortably. "We don't have men Benjen. They are all south; fighting for Jon and my father."

"Our master at arms traveled South to the queen too. The Wall needs protection. There are things out there Cersei. I have seen them, they are dangerous and only the wall and its men defend us from them. We have to stop the wildlings from attacking us. Ned would agree with me."

She dropped her utensils and looked at the man in front of her. "Not once have you asked about your brother and now you use his memory." Her voice trembled with fury and sadness.

Benjen stiffened, as did Tyrion. "Forgive me." The man said.

Cersei stood up, "Do what you consider best brother." She looked at Tyrion and then left the rooms.

She looked at Tyrion once more. "Have you heard from Robb or Jon?" She asked her baby brother.

She looked at the grounds. Bran and Osha were training Summer or so they said.

"Nothing. I would have told you if I had." Her brother waddled out of his seat and motioned to one of the chairs. They were alone in Ned's study. Maester Luwin left to teach Bran and Osha.

She left her place by the windows and sat by her younger brother. Her valonqar, for years she thought the prophecy referred to him but it wasn't Tyrion. It was Jaime, her twin who brought her destruction. He failed to protect Ned and Tommen.

"The girls are fine. You know this. We have news from Dragonstone. They will be returned to you once this is over." Tyrion said and then looked at her with wary eyes. "The boys prepare for war and it worries you. I worry too."

Cersei watched as Tyrion struggled for words. "It isn't my place to tell you this but you have to stop mopping around." She glared at her brother.

"Watch yourself brother mine." She hissed. She hadn't glared or hissed at him in years it seemed.

He smiled a little. "Your daughter in law seems to like the tittle of Lady of Winterfell. She prohibited Osha from entering the main castle. She also has dictated the meals and what to feed Bran and the rest of us."

Cersei's mouth twitched, "is this your idea of riling me up? I confess they are pitiful. Let the simpering girl believe she is lady. I do not care in the least. I care about my sons going to war. I care about my girls so far away from me. I care about my Tommen." Her voice broke a little at the mention of her son.

"Well then. Lady Stark shall rule as she decides. I'm afraid we will all be eating pease soup and lamb until the rest of our days."

Suddenly it was all overwhelming. She cried in front of her brother. She was sobbing uncontrollably in front of someone else. Cersei Stark had cried herself to sleep every night for five weeks now. It was all too much when Tyrion referred to another woman as Lady Stark. 

She had been lady Stark for almost two decades and now her husband was dead. She didn't have his bones. She didn't have anything, nowhere to mourn him. She felt unprotected, alone. Proud Cersei Stark, a lioness of the Rock crumbled and trembled with fear.

The sobbing woman felt Tyrion's hand in hers. In another lifetime, perhaps a year ago she would have rejected that same hand but she couldn't afford to do so now. She cried even more.

"Why are you holding my hand?" Her breath hitched a little. She was glad Bran and Rickon did not see her so undignified.

"Isn't that what one is supposed to do when one's sister is distressed?" He was uncomfortable so was she. She had hated Tyrion for so long it was almost impossible to believe she could have another feeling toward her baby brother. She looked at him and thought about what could have happened if he hadn't told maester Luwin to keep her alive for three more days.

Cersei would have died, drugged with milk of the poppy. Bran would have grown up to hate Rickon like she had Tyrion. The mere idea of that shook her to her core.

Her brother fumbled by her side. "It wasn't my intention to cause you pain. Not this time." He said and proffered a handkerchief.

She took it and wiped her tears. "Thanks."

He looked so surprised and she could tell he was pleased.

"Would you like to see the finances for the castle?" He asked trying to defuse some tension.

Lady Stark rose and shook her head. "Later perhaps. I'll be in my quarters with Rickon."

She strode past the doors and turned her head to him. "Have Osha come to me when Bran is done with his lessons."

Tyrion nodded at her. The woman walked to her quarters. Old Nan was by Rickon singing some old song. Lan was curled by her feet.

Cersei entered the room, "Sweet child." Old Nan said and then left the room without many words.

She took Rickon from his crib and touched his little cheek. He was so beautiful, so delicate, unlike the rest of her boys. She kissed his forehead gently.

The baby squirmed and opened his big grey eyes. He had Ned's eyes, so big and beautiful. He looked like him, just like him. Cersei wiped her tears and fed her child. Rickon was the last piece she had from Ned. "My sweetling, you deserve so much more. You deserve to have your siblings and Ned around."

Cersei decided not to cry anymore. Rickon wouldn't have a father but he would have her. She would have to be enough for him. The woman smiled when Rickon let out a burp. "You're done. Aren't you my pup?" She burped him and placed him back on his crib. Rickon slept peacefully, unlike never before.

"M'lady you called." Osha entered her quarters unannounced. The woman couldn't be groomed to be a proper maid but Cersei didn't need a maid. She needed an ally and a spy.

It was time to rise from the pit she had been. She couldn't afford to be idle and mop around the castle as her brother stated. Eddard was dead and nothing would bring him back to life. She had to survive, for her, for her children and for revenge. They would all pay and then Cersei would sleep easier, perhaps the knot in her stomach and the impulses to cry and sleep would lessen.

"Draw a bath for me. Call the maids." She waited until the maids filled her tub with hot water. Once the tub was full and to her liking Cersei sent the maids away but for Osha.

"Hand me the rags. Brush my hair." She commanded. Osha followed instruction and started to comb her hair. "Gently, not so hard." Cersei hissed when the woman yanked at her hair.

Osha combed easier, "What have you heard or seen?" Cersei went straight to the point.

The woman kept silent for a few seconds before speaking her mind openly. "Luwin worries about the Castle."

Cersei frowned. "He does not trust my brother."

Osha pulled a face. "He dislikes all of your kin. He believes they are not trustworthy."

She hummed, the hot water soothing her sore muscles. She wasn't sleeping well. Luwin would always worry about Winterfell and them. It was his job after all.

She would have to check Tyrion's involvement in the North. "What else?"

"The new lady don't let me in the castle." The wildling added. "I can't look after the pups if she don't let me in."

Cersei nodded calmly. She would have a few choice words with the new ladies in her home in a couple of hours.

"What do you think of my brother?" The woman wanted to know whether she could trust Tyrion. She knew he loved her children. It was obvious when he went and searched for Jon at that brothel months ago but she wanted to know his movements. It seemed that he wanted her more involved in the estate affairs.

"He's a half-man." Osha shrugged her arms and concentrated on a particular tangle in her hair.

Cersei rolled her eyes. "What is your opinion of him?"

"He listens to Luwin but decides on his own. Luwin don't like that. He chose to keep more men in Deepwood Motte. Bad decision, the old man is right. The castle needs protection. There are things behind the Wall. That Wall won't keep the free folk or the white walkers away for long." Osha warned once more.

"The wildlings have never won. They have tried but the North is too well protected for them to succeed. My brother sent more men to the Wall. The Night's Watch always drives them back." She wasn't too interested in her ramblings. "Benjen and Mormont have a good army. My husband always sent men. I am sure my brother in law is exaggerating to recruit more men." The Wall withstood many wildling attacks and would continue to do so for a very long time.

"Tell me about my brother and the ladies." Cersei encouraged.

"The Half-man could be trusted." Osha declared after rinsing her hair.

"I need details. What does he do? How about those ladies?" She was growing exasperated with the wildling, perhaps she was mistaken, this woman was not as bright as she expected.

"He wakes up, eats a lot, and drinks too much. The Half-man likes to fuck too but not his wife. He visits the local brothel every night. He likes redheads it seems but he also has a whore of his own in the castle. She is not from here. She speaks funny. The Half man speaks to the man he brought too. They speak a lot, friendly with each other they are." She continued. "The redheaded lady does not leave her quarters much, only for her meals. The other one threw me out when she saw me in the kitchen when she saw me with the pup."

Cersei opened her eyes. "You will be my personal maid; my eyes and ears when I'm busy running the castle."

Osha nodded, "You'll take better care of your person. Be clean, and dress better. I will give you dresses." Cersei said absentmindedly.

Osha was quiet. "M'lady. You should pay attention to the signs. The war isn't in the south, it's up North."

Lady Stark rose from the tub and asked for a clean robe. "Do not concern yourself about the Wall Osha."

The woman helped her dress. She wore black dresses, she was still mourning for Ned and would do so until Catelyn and King's Landing fell. She put on jewelry, a golden necklace with lions. "Call for Maryam. She will braid my hair."

Two hours later Lady Stark was ready for dinner. She walked out the room and felt like herself for the first time since Jon left for the Neck.

She instructed Osha to take Rickon. "You will stay in the kitchens with my son and attend to him until dinner is over."

Cersei climbed down the stairs. She made an entrance since she was fairly late. Bran's eyes lit up when he saw her. Luwin looked relieved. Tyrion smirked. Sansa looked confused and her new daughter in law averted her eyes when she entered the hall.

"I hope I'm not too late for dinner." She said casually and sat in Eddard's seat. Tyrion hadn't occupied it out of respect or so it seemed. Sansa and the Frey girl gasped. Cersei fought the need to roll her eyes.

Her brother welcomed her. "Dear sister. How wonderful to have you grace us with your presence."

"I am feeling much better sweet brother." She smiled sweetly while Tyrion gave her a smirk.

The servants served the first course. Cersei looked at the pease soup with disgust. "Have the cook set Bran's favorite meal. We'll wait until is served."

Tyrion smiled behind his napkin. "So they tell me you're Jon's wife." He addressed the brown haired girl.

"I am." The girl stuttered and gave her a weak nod.

"Welcome to Winterfell." Cersei said with a smile.

"Thank you." She replied dutifully.

Cersei looked at her daughter in law once more. She was plain, the girl paled in comparison to Sansa seated next to her. That same girl however ruled in her castle for a few weeks. Not anymore. This was her home. Winterfell was hers and would remain hers until she died.

"I appreciate you taking care of my household but that will not be necessary anymore." Cersei said a little more warmly.

The girl blushed. "Of course Lady Stark."

Cersei smiled. "Dear, I'm so sorry but you must understand. Surely you do, with all of this happening I have not had the opportunity to even learn your name."

The Frey woman trembled like a leaf. "Roslin."

"What a beautiful name. I am sure you will find my home to your liking dear."

The servants poured wine. The Arryn girl refused, "Dear Sansa welcome again. Welcome to the family sweetling."

Roslyn glared at Sansa then. Cersei hadn't welcomed her daughter in law. Lady Stark knew her son deserved better, more than a Frey. She was sure the girl was lovely but she wasn't enough for her son. Jon deserved more.

Sansa was a lady. Highborn but bred to be queen as Cersei once had been. Sansa Arryn was the perfect choice for the royal marriage. Lysa and Catelyn surely raised her to become the next queen at least when Catelyn harbored the hope to bear a son.

"Thank you lady Stark." Sansa said demurely.

Cersei decided to stop all conversations with the hens. She needed to know more about Winterfell and Tyrion's management of her estate.

"Tell me how are we on grain." She addressed her brother.

"We have enough for a season. I wanted to consult with you. We have enough men to employ them. Do you remember the cultivation systems we have in Casterly Rock?" He asked politely.

Cersei frowned, "vaguely." She replied.

The Lannister siblings spent thirty-five minutes speaking about how to implement those systems in Winterfell. Luwin interjected here and there more comfortable now that she was making decisions around Winterfell.

Tyrion explained more about what he had done and how they were on supplies since the last time Benjen asked for men and supplies.

"I will write to Jon. Tell him about Benjen's concerns." Tyrion said as the courses were brought.

"I agree. Father's men and Stannis's army are more than enough to bring Catelyn to pieces." Sansa gasped from her seat.

"I apologize lady Stark." The girl said while looking down at her plate of food and looked green.

"May I be excused?" She said with a shaky voice.

"Of course Sansa. You may do as you please." Tyrion spoke gently. There wasn't a hint of sarcasm of bitterness in his tone. The girl didn't look at him and fled after a hasty curtsy.

Roslin frowned a little but kept eating her meal. Interesting, her daughter in law disliked her new sister.

Cersei looked at Bran who frowned at the adults. "Sweetling, is the meal to your liking?" She smiled at her son.

"Yes mother." He said sweetly.

"Care to tell me about your day dear?" She asked trying to get into Bran's good graces. She needed to resume her duties as his mother too. She was remiss but not anymore.

Bran chattered excitedly about the woods. Osha and him explored today and they saw a mare giving birth.

The rest of dinner was pleasant at least for Cersei. Roslin retired after her course was half eaten. Osha brought Rickon for a feeding. She fed the child and walked alongside Bran who was supported by Osha to the smaller hall.

Bran frowned but lit up when Rickon was fast asleep and he could curl by her in one of the big chaises by one of the fireplaces.

She kissed his forehead and told him a story about the Age of Heroes. Bran fell asleep quickly. "Take him to bed." She told Osha.

"I like her." Tyrion said as he poured wine in his cup and handed her one.

There was a silence before her brother decided to speak again. "You took my advice."

"You are clever; not as clever as you think you are but clever nonetheless." She said with a smile.

"There's the Cersei we all know." Tyrion replied while taking a sip from his cup.

"Goodnight brother." Cersei saw him leave the hall.