AUTHOR'S NOTE: Ever since I played Robb on an RP site, I have been in love with the idea of him and Margaery. She wants to be Queen, but he sure as hell doesn't want to be King. It just kind of happened. I would go on about them, because I have a lot of feelings on the matter, but I hope I can express them in the story. So, this will be my AU story of Margaery and Robb.
I do not own these characters, or this world. The plot is my own, but the history I 100% credit to George R. R. Martin.
ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE: Robb never died at the Red Wedding. He married Jeyne and kept powering on in the war. Things were not going well after he lost the Frey's. When all hope seemed lost, Jeyne died during a miscarriage, and another offer arose. The Tyrells offered the hand of Margaery, and an alliance in the war. Unwilling to give up on justice for what happened to his father, Robb accepted the offer. Two years later the war has ended, and the remaining Stark's are back in Winterfell. But now it's time to fulfill promises made to win the war.
There are as few changes to the actual plot as I can manage. But I'm not perfect and I do forget details. If any readers want to correct my information, I'd welcome it. I know I'll mix things up here and there, but I hope labeling this AU will save me from humiliation there. You will find out later on who is still alive, and who is on the Iron Throne.
I hope you enjoy the story! Reviews are most appreciated! I'd love to know what you think about the story, and if you have any suggestions. It's easier to write with ideas being thrown in, and people to bounce plots off of. So feel free to hit me up!
CHAPTER ONE
Twice she'd been in this situation, and twice the man her father gave her to wound up bathed in flames. This was her third marriage, surely she shouldn't be anxious. Still, her nerves were high – more-so than they had been the previous two times. That was primarily due to the groom. She'd been in Winterfell for over a week now, and he had yet to so much as smile at her. Robb Stark regarded her with frigid formality. He wasn't unkind, really, but he wasn't gentle, either. This marriage was as arranged as the past two had been. But in the days leading up to the ceremony she'd managed to get Renly and even Joffrey to warm up to her. But for the life of her, she couldn't figure out Robb.
Surely he can't still be upset over the Westerling girl. Margaery assured herself, as she stared at her reflection in the long, gilded mirror. It's been over a year since she passed. When Robb looked at her she felt like some nasty obligation that came along with his crown. His mother was kinder, but not by far. Is this what I can expect of life in the north? She asked herself. A lonely ache formed in the pit of her stomach. She longed for Highgarden, and the familiar faces in The Reach. She longed for warm smiles and pretty pleasantries. Northerners were a different breed, and that fact was made abundantly clear in no time at all. You don't belong here. That nagging voice reminded her as she focused on her brown eyes reflected back at her in the mirror.
Her melancholy was shaken when the door bust open. Standing in the doorway was the familiar withering face of her grandmother. She was a prickly woman, to be sure. Even so, Margaery felt a relieved smile fall onto her face. She moved over, slipping into the arms of her grandmother - a woman who scarcely liked anyone, but embraced her warmly. The warm greeting didn't last long. Olenna disengaged in no time, stepping back, and holding her granddaughter at arms length to survey her appearance.
"You look beautiful. If the boy doesn't fall in love with you on the spot he must be deaf, dumb, and blind."She observed shrewdly.
Margaery smiled grimly, and glanced back at the long mirror. Her gown was made of pale gold material, with a wide neckline and sleeves that sloped off her shoulders. The bodice hugged her ribs tightly, accentuating her already impressive chest. At her hips the gown flared out. The top layer of satin was hitched up high at her waist, several silken roses holding it in place. Beneath there were layers upon layers of beaded lace and sheer material. The gown was covered in white and clear gems. The only color aside from the darker gold embroidery were the red roses woven into her dark curls.
"Thank you, but I doubt it, Grandmother." Margaery answered with a wry smile. "I believe this arrangement was just a means to an end for the King." Her hand shifted to her unsettled stomach, pressing against it through the tight boning containing her torso.
She wasn't stupid, by any means, even if others might think she was just some air-headed girl. Margaery knew that Robb Stark only agreed to marry her because of Tyrell troops. The arrangement was made just days after his wife died in the wedding bed. The war was not tipping in his favor at the time, but everyone was wearing so thin, that the Tyrells joining the north tipped the balance. Barely two years later the war had settled, and peace had been negotiated.
"Perhaps, but why should that mean fondness will not grow?"She pointed out shortly. "This is still what you want, is it not?"Olenna inquired as she steered her granddaughter over to a plush sofa.
Honestly, Margaery didn't know any more. What little girl didn't want to be a princess? Grow into a Queen some day? She's always insisted that this was her dream. She was convinced that she could win over any man. But was that really her dream, or was it her family influence in her life? Were they doing this for her, or did she just want this because they'd been telling her that she did for as long as she could remember? Stop thinking like that! She ordered herself sternly. You won over Joffrey, didn't you? He just doesn't know you yet. She reminded herself, before turning to her grandmother with a confident smile.
"Of course it is! Just wedding jitters getting to me." She insisted, her voice confident, at last. Inside there was still that sinking doubt. She wanted to be Queen, but did she want it at the cost of her own happiness? She always felt that her life as Queen would be filled with smiles and entertainment. But Robb Stark didn't seem like the sort of man she would ever get to lighten up.