Game Of Thrones : Merchant of Two Worlds

Lady Catelyn was taking stock of the food supplies after the recent celebration, making plans to purchase more and store them for later use.

Just then, Maester Luwin approached at a steady pace, bowed slightly, and announced, "My lady, a letter has arrived from the Eyrie."

Hearing this, Catelyn turned swiftly, her blue eyes filled with curiosity. "Maester Luwin, if it's a letter from the Eyrie, shouldn't it be sent to Eddard? Why bring it to me?"

Maester Luwin glanced around instinctively, ensuring the nearby servants were at a distance. Then, lowering his voice, he explained, "My lady, I believe this letter is from your sister, Lysa, the widow of the late Lord Jon Arryn."

Catelyn's first reaction was disbelief.

Lysa's husband, the former Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, had died recently. As his widow, she should still be in King's Landing with their son. Why would she be sending a letter from the Eyrie?

A sense of unease crept into Catelyn's heart. She instructed the servants to continue the inventory while she stepped aside with Maester Luwin, heading toward the distant porch.

The maester's aging face showed signs of uncertainty. He, too, was puzzled—was Lady Lysa still in King's Landing, or had she returned to the Eyrie?

The answer was important.

Handing the letter to Catelyn, Maester Luwin watched as she opened it without hesitation, her curiosity outweighing her doubts.

Feeling it improper to intrude, Maester Luwin lowered his gaze and said, "My lady, if you permit, I shall take my leave."

Catelyn had been about to nod in agreement when she caught sight of the letter's contents. Her breath hitched, and her expression turned grave. The words on the parchment sent a chill down her spine.

The words she had meant to say shifted into something else entirely. "Wait, Maester Luwin!"

Her grip tightened on the letter, her blue eyes now filled with anxiety. "You must stay. We need to see my husband immediately. This letter... its contents are disturbing."

Seeing Lady Catelyn so visibly shaken, Maester Luwin frowned in concern. What could be written in that letter to unnerve her so deeply?

Still, he nodded and followed her to Lord Eddard's study.

Inside, Eddard Stark sat behind his desk, engrossed in his duties. When he saw his wife enter, accompanied by Maester Luwin, he raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What's the matter? Has something happened?"

"Ed," Catelyn began, trying to steady herself. "You must prepare yourself before reading this letter. It's from my sister, Lysa..."

Seeing her husband's calm and steady expression eased some of her panic. She took a deep breath and handed him the letter.

Eddard accepted the parchment, glancing between his wife and Maester Luwin, puzzled by their distress. What could be so dire that it warranted both of them coming to him together?

Maester Luwin, like Eddard, was still unaware of the letter's contents.

Opening it, Eddard began to read.

As his eyes moved down the page, his already serious face grew even grimmer. When he reached the end, he exhaled sharply, a rare sign of shock. "By the Old Gods..."

Maester Luwin, standing respectfully to the side, observed his lord's reaction. The letter had clearly rattled him. The maester's curiosity deepened, but he remained silent, awaiting further instructions.

Eddard looked up at him. "Maester Luwin, have you read this letter?"

The maester's fingers shifted within the folds of his robe, his chain of office jingling softly as he swallowed. "No, my lord. I delivered it to Lady Catelyn immediately upon receiving it. I have no knowledge of its contents."

Eddard gave a small nod before shifting his gaze back to his wife, who watched him anxiously.

After a long moment of thought, Eddard made a decision. He extended the letter to Maester Luwin. "Read it."

The maester hesitated. As Winterfell's maester, he was not entitled to read private correspondence between lords and ladies.

"My lord, I..."

Eddard met his eyes. "Maester Luwin, you have served the Starks for over thirty years. I hold you in the highest regard—as both an advisor and a friend. Read the letter. I need your wisdom."

At those words, Maester Luwin no longer resisted. With a deep breath, he took the parchment and carefully read it.

The letter was not long, but its message was alarming.

If its contents became public, it could plunge the realm into war.

Lady Lysa Arryn, widow of the late Jon Arryn, had written that she suspected her husband had been murdered—on the orders of Queen Cersei Lannister. Fearing for her own safety and that of her son, she had secretly fled King's Landing and returned to the Eyrie.

In the letter, she implored her sister, Catelyn, and her brother-in-law, Eddard Stark, to be wary of the Lannisters and to uncover the truth behind Jon Arryn's death. She urged them to seek justice for her slain husband.

Even though Maester Luwin had expected the letter to contain something significant, he had not imagined it would be this dire.

Lady Lysa, the wife of the late Lord of the Vale, was openly accusing Queen Cersei of murder.

Whether true or not, such an accusation was a direct challenge to the royal family—and to House Lannister of the Westerlands.

No wonder Lysa had fled. If her words were true, she had every reason to fear for her life.

If this accusation led to conflict, it could ignite a war between the East and the West. The Lords of the Vale would be duty-bound to avenge their fallen liege. Meanwhile, Tywin Lannister, Warden of the West and father to the queen, was known for his ruthlessness. He would never tolerate such an accusation against his daughter.

This situation had the potential to tear the realm apart.

Moreover, it was common knowledge that many of the Red Keep's servants, guards, and staff were loyal to House Lannister. If they had played a role in Jon Arryn's death, uncovering the truth would not be easy.

The implications of this letter were staggering.

Eddard Stark remained silent, his mind deep in thought.

Catelyn watched him anxiously, waiting for his decision.

And in the flickering candlelight of Winterfell's study, the game of thrones had begun in earnest.

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