Monster // Petyr Baelish

20. Old Flames

"I mean things could have gone worse." Reika offered. 

"I understand your fathers... hesitation." Petyr remarked. 

"You are not still holding a flame for my mother right?" Rieka asked even though she was almost confident she knew the answer already, she just needed to be 100% sure. 

"No." Petyr agreed. "I was a boy, in close proximity to your mother for years... feelings grew and were not reciprocated. I have long since moved on." Petyr remarked and it was only a half lie. 

"Great." Rieka agreed nodding along. 

"I know it might seem strange, our age difference... being knowing your mother-"

"Mother was a kid when she married my father." Rieka reminded him. "Younger than sansa is now, and I'm the eldest so if you think about it, the age difference its that bad." Petyr smiled back at her but as he opened his mouth to reply one of his spies caught his eye. 

"I would love to continue our conversation," Petyr remarked taking her hand in his, "But i have just been notified that I am needed elsewhere. I'm so sorry."

"No problem." Rieka assured. "I'm an independent woman, I can find ways to entertain myself." He pressed a delicate kiss to her cheek. "I will see you later then." Rieka offered and Petyr saw the little blush creeping up her cheeks. 

"Yes. I can hardly wait." Petyr agreed. 

+

 'Fewer eyes back here, my Lady. But still too many.' Rodrick Cassel reminded

''It's nine years since I've set foot in the capital. And no one knew who I was the last time I came either.' Catelyn reminded him. Maester Luwein had advised against this little mission but Rodrick promised to keep Catelyn safe.

'My Lady.' Rodrick agreed

''Welcome to King's Landing, Lady Stark. Would you mind following us?' a guard said and Catelyn hesitated

''I would. We've done nothing wrong.' Catelyn assured nervously and Rodrick saw her eyes flickering.

''We've been instructed to escort you into the city.'' The guard told her

''Instructed? I don't know who's providing your instructions, but...' Catelyn said defensively her arms started flying around, punching at the air ready for an attack.

"It's alright." Rodrick assured holding to her elbow.

'Follow me, Lady Stark.' She took hesitant steps her fists clenched as she walked through the city only to see Petyr Baelish.

'Cat! Go on. Go upstairs.' Petyr told her

'You little worm! You take me for some back-alley Sally you can drag into a...' Catelyn hissed

''I meant no disrespect to you of all people.' Petyr assured, he ran a few brothels and having Catelyn here was better than anywhere else in his mind. He was grateful most days that he didn't win Catelyn's heart seeing as though RIeka was more his speed, his attitude and passions, Petyr thought Rieka and himself would get along great but there was something about a first love that you never get over, he always would have a soft spot for Catelyn.

'How dare you bring me here! Have you lost your mind?' Catelyn spat

'I did not want you mistreated." Petyr corrected. "No one will come looking for you here. Isn't that what like you wanted?' Petyr countered 'I'm truly sorry... about the locale.'

"I am not accustomed to being summoned like a serving wench," she said icily. "As a boy, you still knew the meaning of courtesy." Petyr sighed. 

"I've angered you, my lady. That was never my intent." Petyr assured. The look brought back vivid memories for Catelyn. He had been a sly child, but after his mischiefs he always looked contrite; it was a gift he had a gift for mischief. The years had not changed him much. Petyr had been a small boy, and he had grown into a tall but slim man. She looked him over curiously. 

''How did you know I was coming to King's Landing?' Catelyn questioned hesitantly.

'A dear friend told me.' Petyr told her kindly.

"Who?"

"Varys." Petyr answered surprised she had yet to bring up Rieka.

"So it was the King's Spider who found me." Catelyn sneered and Petyr winced back a step.

"You don't want to call him that. He's very sensitive. Comes of being an eunuch, I imagine. Nothing happens in this city without Varys knowing. Ofttimes he knows about it before it happens. He has informants everywhere. His little birds, he calls them. One of his little birds heard about your visit. Thankfully, Varys came to me first." Petyr offered. But he had his own spies as well. But best keep that pretense hidden. He could seem the good and honorable man that her daughter would love.

"Why you?" Catelyn hissed. Petyr shrugged.

 "Why not me? I am master of coin, the king's own councilor. The rest of the council is elsewhere, leaving only Maester Pycelle and me. I was the obvious choice. I was ever a friend to your sister Lysa, Varys knows that. He also knows him engaged to Rieka." Petyr added and Catelyn's gaze turned sharp. 

"Rieka is not engaged to you." Catelyn hissed. 

"She seems to think so. She had proposed to me after all. I'm quite honored." Petyr corrected. 

"Does Varys know about ..."

 "Lord Varys knows everything ... except why you are here." He lifted an eyebrow as he took a step closer. "Why are you here?"

''Lady Stark.'' Varys said stepping forward and Petyr took a step back. 

''Varys.' She retorted sharply.

"To see you again after so many years is a blessing.'' Varys remarked fondly.

''How did you know I was coming?' Catelyn asked defensively.

'Knowledge is my trade, my Lady. Did you bring the dagger with you, by any chance?' Varys questioned and Catelyn stared at him a moment longer. 'My little birds are everywhere. Even in the north. They whisper to me the strangest stories.'' Varys told her as she held it out. 'Valyrian steel.' He remarked.

'Do you know whose dagger this is?' Catelyn demanded. 

''I must admit I do not.'' Varys answered

''Well, well, this is an historic day. Something you don't know that I do. There's only one dagger like this in all of the Seven Kingdoms. It's mine.'' Petyr remarked turning it in his hand.

' Yours?' Catelyn spat taking a vicious step towards him. 

''At least it was, until the tournament on Prince Joffrey's last name day. I bet on Ser Jaime in the jousting, as any sane man would. When the Knight of the Flowers unseated him, I lost this dagger.'' Petyr informed her raising up a hand in surrender.

'To whom?" Catelyn demanded

''Tyrion Lannister. The Imp.''

+

"Hello Avalon." Petyr coed as she followed him. "Where is your gorgeous mother?" Avalon yipped and Petyr smiled. He had never been a fan of dogs, they didnt seem to like him but Avalon was sweet. People always said dogs were a good judge of character, perhaps Avalon's detector of that was broken. Or maybe she did sense the good in petyr, the part that did want to Protect Rieka.