What if Catelyn Stark Died Giving Birth to Robb

Discord:   / discord   YT:    / @threeeyedtheorist   Voice Acting & Narration: Steven Waters @bobablackfly602 Writers: Myself, @quadeong7453 , @lordinquisitordunn336, and @cdsflash7420 Dunn's Amazon Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/... Catelyn screams as she tries to push the baby out. Something had gone wrong. Maester Luwin was doing his best, but he knew the signs. At this point, it was either the mother or the babe. Crying, Catelyn looks up at him. Catelyn: (weak and in pain) It's going to be the baby or me, isn't it? Maester Luwin: My lady, at this point, it is the babe or both of you. There is nothing I can do to save you. Fear spikes inside Catelyn, then she looks down at her belly. She felt the life inside her, she'd been so excited to see him grow up, but now she had to make the ultimate sacrifice to make sure he lived. Steeling herself, Catelyn nods to Maester Luwin and tells him to save her baby. Regretfully, the old man goes to his surgical instruments. A few minutes later, Catelyn lies limp in the bed. Edmure shakes as he holds little Robb, vowing to always keep him safe for his big sister. When the word reaches Ned at Storm's End, the newly made Lord of Winterfell collapses to his knees. Shaking, Ned lets the letter slip through his fingers, tears dripping onto the paper. Not wanting to lose Lyanna like he had Catelyn, Ned scours the area until he hears about the Tower of Joy. When he arrives, he sees the Kingsguard and glares at them. Ned: Where is my sister? Arthur: Lord Stark. We're here on our prince's orders. Ned: Ser Arthur, he's gone, the war is over. Arthur: Not while I live, Lord Stark. Ned: Ser Arthur, why are you doing this? Rhaegar is gone. Please, I've lost my wife; let me take my sister home. Arthur: I can't do that, Lord Stark. Ned: What… Oh, I see, she's pregnant, and you're protecting his son. Arthur draws Dawn, but Ned backs away and motions toward his men to do the same. Ned: Are there any assurances that you would need from me? I won't harm the child. I'm not like Tywin Lannister. Please, I can protect him. I just want my sister back. Arthur considers, then slowly nods and lets Ned pass. The same crushing grief that had hit him with Cat's death comes again tenfold when he sees Lyanna in her bed of blood. He was going to lose her, too, and there was nothing he could do. Shaking, he holds her close, and she whispers into his ear to protect him and gives him a name. Aemon Targaryen. When Arthur and Howland Reed find him, Ned is holding his sister's corpse and crying. He felt so powerless. All he'd done, all the battles he'd fought, all the men he'd killed, and he'd failed. Taking a long breath, Ned stands up and takes the baby. After discussing the best course, Ned and Arthur decide that the ideal option is to simply claim that the Kingsguard has died and allow them to flee to Essos to protect the other two Targaryens. Arthur, however, stays, not wishing to leave, and he has his own suggestion. Arthur: Lord Stark, my sister is unmarried, you could claim that the boy is your son and hers from the Tourney at Harrenhal before the start of the war. I know you danced with her, and she liked you. Ned: I can't dishonor Ashara like that, Ser Arthur. Arthur: Ned, we're Dornish. Besides, what other option is there? You two could simply get married and claim Aemon (catches himself) I mean Jon, is your illegitimate son. Besides, she already has a girl. Ned: What? When? Arthur: As I said, we're Dornish. Come with me to Starfall, and she can explain everything. Mind reeling, Ned accepts the offer. When they arrive, Ashara comes out to meet them and embraces her brother. Once they're in private, Arthur and Ned explain what has happened and the plan. Arthur: So, would you be willing to help us? Ashara: I'd like to talk with Ned alone, Arthur. Please. After the knight departs, Ashara takes Ned's hands. He has a look of pain in his eyes, a haunted, broken look. Gently, she strokes his fingers. Ashara: Ned, I imagine that you have a number of questions. Ned: Brandon, I know. I surmised at least. Before or after? Ashara: Before. We knew it wouldn't work, but he wanted to do something for you, so he introduced me to you. Ned: (sigh) So I'm the second choice as usual. #gameofthrones #gameofthroneswhatif #whatif