Flayer

41.Edda

One of Walker Frey's many sons blew a horn to call upon them Lord Tully as I stood in front of the gates with Willard in my arms. The afternoon was beginning to become night, and my skin felt cold in the shade of the castle.

The Blackfish must've been called upon many times with threats for it took 7 blows of the Frey horn and some increasingly vile words for my mother's uncle to finally appear.

His hair was greying, and he wore all black. Of course he wore all black. Last I'd seen him was before the Red Wedding, and a pang of sadness hit my heart.

"Seven fucking hells, why humor me when it is nearing night?" Brynden chuckled "Y'not gettin' in lad."

"Perhaps he is not the one who wishes to enter!" I shouted from below. As soon as Lord Tully looked down... his entire face changed.

His eyes widened "Gods be good...Little Edda," he was aghast, "I had hoped the rumors to be untrue... Well don't just stand there!" He yelled at his men, "Open the gates! Open only for her and her child!"

...

As soon as I entered the warmth of his palace I was embraced by him, given a kiss on my forehead.

"Oh my sweet child," he was in tears as he led me into the meeting room, sitting me next to the fire "Oh you poor little girl." He looked down at my baby "He's already forced himself upon you, hasn't he? That brute. That monster. That flaying bastard took your childhood as well as your ancestral home." He knelt before me and kissed the bump of my belly, wiping the tears from his eyes "I should've tried to save you."

I swallowed, suddenly unable to speak. The Blackfish extended his arms for my son. "May I hold him?"

"My... my good Lord, this is Willard of House Bolton. My son and heir." I presented him.

The aged man picked him up into his arms, holding him tight. "Dear Gods...he looks just like the fucker that killed your brother. He has Roose Bolton's face! Seven hells, I bless the man who put a knife through his throat."

I stared into his blue Tully eyes, lifting myself to my feet as I proclaimed "I accept the blessing."

And now he was speechless.

"My lord and husband Ramsay Bolton aided me. He is on my side, dear uncle."  I explained, "House Bolton is in charge of Winterfell now. Align yourself with us against those who killed our family and my husband's army will slaughter the Freys outside of your palace-"

"House Bolton?!" He hollered, his voice shaking the room and startling my baby. Willard cried intensely, but when I tried to take him back in my arms Lord Tully pushed me away.

My voice grew cold as I commanded "Uncle-"

"Nay, traitor!" He spat at my feet, his eyes filling with tears. "What of family, aye? Have you any shred of honor left in your heart?"

"Uncle I've won back my ancestral home, and by being my ally you'll win back yours." I stepped forward, tears also forming in my eyes and I begged and urged "If you do not accept the Bolton army will aid the Freys and lay siege on the palace, burning it down and feeding the young men who helped you regain it to Ramsay's dogs!"

He slapped me, making me yelp as I fell onto the floor. "Begging me to ally with those who killed my family- YOUR family!" The Blackfish tried to calm, pacing around the room as I stayed on the floor with a hand on the side of my face that he'd struck, shocked. "He's done something to you, hasn't he? You're afraid of him! I must keep you away from this cruel man,"The Blackfish called upon his men to enter. "Seize her! Take her to the dungeons for now, where she'll be safe!"

I struggled against his men, weakened by the child inside of me. As they dragged me away, kicking and screaming, I called out for Willard.

"He will be safe! I will not harm him," My uncle declared. "He will be my heir. And once I chop off the man who has manipulated you's head you will reside here with me for the rest of your life, praying to the Gods to forgive you for sleeping with the enemy."

"Uncle, please, he will kill you!" I warned, my voice croaking as I
sobbed, "I don't want him to kill you!"

He turned his back to me as I was pulled down into the dark dungeons.