Catelyn and her party are being escorted by Ser Donnel Waynwood and a party from the Vale. Two more of Catelyn's men, Lharys and Chiggen, died in a second clansmen attack, and Morrec died soon after when his wounds festered. When Ser Donnel approached, they drew up for a last stand before realizing who it was. The clans have been bold since Lord Jon died, and Lysa has pulled all her men into the Vale of Arryn, refusing to let them leave, even for the Hand's tournament. Catelyn asks for Maester Colemon to tend to Ser Rodrik's wounds, but he is commanded to stay at the Eyrie at all times and care for Lord Robert. They approach the Bloody Gate, and Ser Brynden Tully rides out to greet them. They pass through the gate and leave Ser Willis and Ser Rodrik, both wounded, before continuing on. Marillion and Bronn ask to continue on with her and Tyrion and she allows it.
On the way, Catelyn tells Brynden all that has occured. She thinks how her uncle was always a good listener, except when it came to her father, whom he quarreled with often. When Catelyn was eight, Lord Hoster called Brynden the black goat of House Tully, and Brynden retorted he should be a black fish since the Tully symbol is a trout. He took a black fish for his personal emblem and has been known as the Blackfish ever since. They continued to fight until the day Lysa wed and Brynden left to take service with Lord Jon. Brynden is worried by Catelyn's story. The nobles of the Vale are angry that Jaime Lannister has been named Warden of the East and many suspect Jon was murdered. Lord Robert is sickly and weak and many feel that Lord Nestor Royce, who ruled the Vale for fourteen years as High Steward while Lord Jon was serving as Hand, should rule until he comes of age, while others believe Lysa must marry again. She has already rejected a dozen suitors. Brynden also says that Lysa may not be helpful. She is changed by hard years, including two stillbirths and four miscarriages. They ride to the Gates of the Moon, where Lord Nestor greets them. He says that Lady Lysa has asked that Catelyn be sent up right away despite the fact that it is after dark. A young woman, Mya Stone will take her to the top. Tyrion is escorted to a cell at the Gates.
Catelyn starts her climb, which takes her past three waycastles as the journey continues, Stone, Snow, and Sky. Mya talks as they go, telling Catelyn how she is in love with Ser Lyn Corbray's squire, Mychel Redfort, and that they are to marry when he becomes a knight in a year or two. Catelyn thinks to herself that House Redfort is one of the oldest houses in the Vale, tracing their lineage back to the First Men, and that a son of the house would never marry a bastard.1The path gets narrower and windier on up, and by the time Catelyn reaches the last waycastle, Sky, she is too nervous to continue and has herself hauled up from Sky to the Eyrie in a basket. She is greeted by Ser Vardis Egen and Maester Colemon, who take her to Lysa. Her sister is all smiles until everyone leaves, at which point she turns vicious. She is furious that Catelyn brought Tyrion to the Vale and dragged her into the quarrel with the Lannisters. She had never meant to fight them, only to hide in the Eyrie. Lord Robert comes in as she shouts, and he is very sickly. He gets scared, and Lysa breastfeeds him. She wonders what to do with Tyrion, and Robert asks if they can make him fly.2
