“I am Marcellina. It is nice to meet you, Josh. Is that short for something? Is it just Josh?”

She smiled a bit. Her motives had changed so drastically and so quickly. Her real assignments meant very little. She now needed to know the truth about herself and everyone she has met. Olenna was still a stranger to her, and she didn’t want to know her just yet. Being Marcellina had worked just fine for her. Ned already didn’t trust her, and Kate was just the same. She wanted to change that, whether Olenna would like it or not.

“I...It’s short for Joshua.” He didn’t understand why this stranger would care about his name.  “Why do you care?” 

His parents had taught him to be wary of strangers, but he’d never actually met one worth worrying about.  He hoped she would be the same.  Wanting to just get home, he debated if just leaving would be socially acceptable at this point.  He tried to think of an excuse.  

She shook her head. She supposed she didn’t need help with anything at the moment. She had already put the young lad through a bit of unnecessary trouble. 

“No, I don’t need help with anything. I dare ask, what is your name?”

She felt as if she’d seen him somewhere, or she knew him. However, she wasn’t sure if she had seen him or heard of him.

Slightly confused as to why a complete stranger would want to know his name, he answered hesitantly.  “Josh.  I...I’m Josh.”  He didn’t dare give out his last name, not to her.  Not until he figured out what she wanted it for.  He might be a fifteen year old boy, but he wasn’t stupid.  

“Your turn.  What’s your name?” He figured that if he gave his, she should be willing to give hers as well.  It also supplied him with a way to find her if anything ever happened.  She made him slightly weary, though he couldn’t tell why.  

Love Actually || September

“You needn’t look at me like that, Edmure,” Catelyn protested with a laugh when her brother seemed only to stare at her in silent shock, as though struck dumb by the confession. “I know I’m not as young as I once was, but there were a few years yet before my child-bearing days were entirely behind me…..apparently” She added after a pause. In truth, she had thought them completely behind her already; the change might be a few years away, but surely it was close enough to make chance one-night pregnancies a thing of the past. Apparently not.

“And I take nothing back; there are enough toys in this house to fill a shop,” She reasoned, and even as she looked about the room, she saw one of Eddie’s toys sat upon the kitchen side. She looked at her younger brother and offered him the brewed tea. “I know the timing could hardly be worse….” She said with a sigh

Edmure hadn’t realized that he was looking at her like that, and he looked away quickly to try and mask it.  He didn’t wish to make her uncomfortable.  

“Do you have...some sort of plan?” he asked finally, when he felt he could make his face look more appropriate.  “You could sell some of the other children’s toys, or a yard sale?”  

He took the tea from her, nodding in thanks.  “It’s alright.  I’m sure everything will work out in the end.”  Then, he decided to change the subject.  “Do...do you know when?  Did they tell you?” 

He was trying to help, but he wasn’t sure what to say.  In past years, she’d always been the one to comfort him, not the other way around.  And as they’d grown up, neither of them had really needed it.  He hoped he sounded positive.  

She wasn’t looking where she was going. She was walking toward to school in hopes of seeing Kate-Catelyn. Her name was Catelyn. No, not Catelyn. Kate Kate, Catelyn, Kate. She couldn’t take it. She wasn’t paying attention. Someone bumped into her. It was a young boy. She didn’t recognise him. She felt terrible when she saw all his things fall. 

“Oh, no no! It was my fault. I wasn’t paying attention.”

She bent down to help him pick up his things.

Grateful that the woman didn’t seem upset with him, he let her help.  He didn’t see how it was her fault, as he wasn’t paying attention either.  

“You’re alright,” he assured her as he gathered the things that she hadn’t.  “I’m not mad.  Do you need help with anything?  I mean...you’re helping me, so I might as well help you back right?”  He wasn’t sure that was a normal protocol when talking to a stranger that you walked into, but he thought he might as well try to be polite.  

Love Actually || September

“Heard that something might have been—” Catelyn paused as she realised to what precisely her brother referred. She was becoming so very tired of the media, spreading the word before she even had a chance to spread the word herself. She led Edmure through to the kitchen and immediately flicked the kettle on and set about making the tea. 

“There’s nothing wrong,” She assured him, “I mean sside from our company and my husband’s being under investigation, with you and my husband watched as closely as Tywin Lannister…there’s nothing wrong” She set the biscuits out in an almost automotive nature, old habits. She took a breath as she went to retrieve the cups and saucers from the cupboard. “I’m…..I’m pregnant, Edmure” She paused. “Again. That’s why I was at the doctor’s”

Edmure followed as he was brought to the kitchen.  He knew that she would have tea and biscuits, as she always seemed to when he came over, so he got out of her way and let her do it.  Leaning against the counter to make sure he wasn’t blocking her stove, he watched her walk around.  He wanted to see for himself if she looked alright.  He examined her form, trying to tell if there seemed to be anything different about her. 

He honestly didn’t expect it.  He knew that she loved children, but it had been so long since the last one.  It hadn’t occurred to him that she would still be able to have children, let alone that she would want to.  Not wanting to say something rude, but also not sure how to sound not surprised, he said the first thing he could think of that didn’t seem like a reaction either way. “So, does that mean you take back the comment you made last month about me not bringing children’s toys into your house anymore?” 

Love Actually || September

It seemed as if the door never ceased with knocking and doorbell ringing, and Catelyn was beginning to truly tire of the sound which heralded a new arrival. She was never certain whether it might be another journalist, or a family member, or someone who she would really rather not currently see. So, when she opened the door to find her baby brother stood before, she smiled with relief. 

“Edmure, thank goodness it’s you. Come in, sweetheart, it’s just me and Bran at the moment”

As the door opened, Edmure stopped rocking, trying to look at his sister.  He’d heard that something was wrong, but he knew nothing aside from what he’d read.  He followed her inside, having no problem with most of the family being out.  

“Hey,” he said as they moved into the house.  “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.  I heard that something might have been wrong.” He didn’t want to say word for word what had been written, in case she hadn’t seen it.  He didn’t want to scare her with news of a new rumor if it turned out to be just that.  

edmuretullyofriverrun

Taking a sip from her wine skin, Lyanna lowered it with a disgusted expression on her face, she wanted nothing more then to spit out whatever she’d just drank but she felt as though many of the Lords and Ladies around her would complain, so she managed to refrain. But she couldn’t stop turning to Edmure on her right and ask, “What is this? It’s so strong, do you usually drink this kind of wine here?”

He laughed softly at the girl’s inquiries.  Edmure hardly knew the young girl, and the only reason they happened to be together now was one thing: their siblings.  His sister and her brother were meeting for the first time, and it had been the cause for the family gathering.  

“It’s just wine,” he responded coolly.  “I’ve never noticed it as particularly strong, though I’ve also not tried others very often.  Is northern wine not as strong?”  He realized that he didn’t remember the girl’s name off the top of his head, as he had only been thinking about her as his future in law.  

Leaning slightly close to the male in response she asked him in a hushed tone “Can I tell you a secret?” Then without waiting for a response she continued “I think they used to give me lighter wine, afraid of what I’d do if I got a little drunk,” and at that she laughed, showing for a fact she was joking.

Although she’s just made all that up, who knew it might have been true as who did know what she’s get up to drunk? Likely even her brothers wouldn’t be able to stop what ever mess she was getting into. Then she realised that she could not remember the Tully’s name and after a moment or so added “I’m Lyanna,” in hopes he’d reply with an answer.

He laughed at the joke.  So, she had a sense of humor?  That definitely gave hope for how his sister’s marriage would turn out, if it happened to run in the family.  “I don’t think you would be capable of causing much harm,” he answered in the same manner. 

Slightly relieved that he didn’t have to admit that he couldn’t remember the name of the new addition to the family, Edmure nodded politely.  “I’m Edmure,” he answered calmly.  Then, in case she for some reason could remember even less than he, he elaborated.  “My sister is the one marrying your brother.”  

edmuretullyofriverrun

Taking a sip from her wine skin, Lyanna lowered it with a disgusted expression on her face, she wanted nothing more then to spit out whatever she’d just drank but she felt as though many of the Lords and Ladies around her would complain, so she managed to refrain. But she couldn’t stop turning to Edmure on her right and ask, “What is this? It’s so strong, do you usually drink this kind of wine here?”

He laughed softly at the girl’s inquiries.  Edmure hardly knew the young girl, and the only reason they happened to be together now was one thing: their siblings.  His sister and her brother were meeting for the first time, and it had been the cause for the family gathering.  

“It’s just wine,” he responded coolly.  “I’ve never noticed it as particularly strong, though I’ve also not tried others very often.  Is northern wine not as strong?”  He realized that he didn’t remember the girl’s name off the top of his head, as he had only been thinking about her as his future in law.