Wassup guys, this is my fourth chapter, no editing, just a disclaimer, bit longer than the last two, hope you enjoy it!
I pressed a cold cloth against my face as I sat on my bed, pulling at my dress in irritation. I had to change. I threw the cloth down, my cheek buzzed with warmth as I began to route through my chest of draws, slowly beginning to unpack as I looked for something suitable to wear. It had to be Dornish, my mother would not allow anything less. I went through dress after dress, folding and putting them into the draws, the wardrobe, trying to figure out what to wear. What did one even wear to a northern banquet? Who would be there? His siblings? The lords? Who?
I knew I had to impress the lords if they were there, I knew I had to be a model lady, to win their hearts, so they'd support our marriage. If I'd learnt anything from watching the Seven Kingdoms tear each other apart, it was that approval of marriage was vital. Just look what happened to Robb. His marriage was the cause of his downfall. I looked at my ore revealing clothes, and wondered if the King would appreciate them. We Dornish were renowned for showing off large amounts of skin, maybe Jon would find that attractive. I felt my cheeks grow even hotter as I thought about that, that I might see lust in his eyes, that maybe we would find something in sexual desire even if we didn't find love. I felt my smile grow as I stroked a dark purple two-piece edged in gold, the small crop top had a golden choker that fastened around the neck, a belt of roped gold fastened around the thin, knee length skirt. The golden sandals laid underneath it, its ropes tied half way up the calves, the golden head piece was bejewelled with small amethysts that would wind through my hair like crystallised rain drops. It was truly beautiful, my mother would definitely approve, and at the moment I needed her approval.
I shucked off my dress and donned the new outfit, fastening a thick golden band around my bicep and weaving the head peace into my thick hair. I ran my hands over the material, it was thin, but not too sheer, only the shadow of my curves showed through under candlelight. I felt beautiful, sensual, I wondered if the Northern King would feel the same way. I pulled my hair into place, before I headed out the room, to explore. I supposed I should get to know the place I was going to be trapped in for the rest of my life. I walked down the dimly light corridors silently, looking into random rooms. Most seemed relatively empty, minimal furnishings and animal pelts littered the floor, candles unlit. I turned a corner, allowing myself to get lost in the underbelly of this magnificent castle. I could hear voices, male, down the hall, and I found myself drifting towards them, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"… the ceremony will take place tomorrow night, Ser Davos will officiate... there is still time, my lord, to call it off." I heard the voice say, and I frowned, moving closer to the door. I identified the speaker as Yohn Royce, the Lord of Runestone, and I actually thanked Septa Cladin for her relentless grilling on the houses of Westeros. He looked troubled as he looked at Petyr Baelish, whose face was cast in thought. He wafted his hand in dismissal.
"The Dornish girl will do. Her sister, Neina, would have been more ideal, more manageable. I've heard the stories of Renei's iron will, how stubborn she can be. She may be a problem, but we need the Wylde family money." He conceded, his eyes narrowed as he seemed to focus on something far off in the distance. I felt instant dislike towards him. Of course he would have loved for my sister to be the one marrying the King, my passive, easily manipulated sister. I would not be so easily controlled.
"I do not like this. A southern girl, marrying the King. The last time a foreign girl wed a Stark... well, we know how that ended." Yohn continued, but it was clear Petyr was no longer listening, too lost inside the web of his own mind.
"Jon is not his brother, nor his father. The two will wed, and the preparation for war will continue." He said, a clear indication for Yohn to leave, and I quickly retreated, through the maze of corridors, trying not to get caught eves dropping. I ran into someone, and looked up into Sansa's eyes. I pulled back and straightened my clothes, trying to appear lady like. She looked me over, her eyes raked over my rather revealing clothes, and she smiled.
"You look beautiful, my lady. I was just coming to get you for the banquet." She said very politely, and I managed a smile, despite what I'd just heard. I couldn't let them know what I heard, I couldn't cause discord, not now.
"Thank you, you look beautiful yourself." I replied, observing her dark attire. She looked rather regal, powerful even. We began to walk, arm in arm, down the corridors, I tried to keep track of the turns and twists we took, but my mind became disorientated, everything looked the same. We emerged into a vast dining hall, tables dotted around the room, with the main table at the front of the room, Jon sat centre, Ser Davos next to him, my mother next to Ser Davos, eyes like thunder. When she looked at me however, a smile settled on her face, one I'd never seen before when directed at me. She must have been impressed with me appearance, and she didn't seem to be the only one. Jon's eyes settled on me, and I saw his eyes widen slightly, before he composed himself, standing for his chair, the rest of the men in the room followed his example. I felt rather self-conscious with so many eyes on me, but I simply raised my head a little, trying to seem confident.
"Lady Renei, we are delighted by your presence." He said rather charmingly, and I managed a graceful curtsey, a sign of respect, before I began to navigate through the maze of tables to Jons side. As I neared, I saw he was smiling, a soft kind a smile that made him look much younger, and I found it infectious, a smile pulled at my own lips as I reached the empty chair beside him. He held out his hand, and I took it, allowing him to graze a kiss along my knuckles, before he turned to face his waiting crowd, my hand still clasped firmly in his.
"The union of our two great houses will be sealed tomorrow night, and we will fight the Great War together. We will fight and we will live!" he exclaimed, and the crowd jeered as they raised their glasses, chanting 'The King in the North' loudly. Briefly, I wondered how Jon felt about that, if the name was painful for him, seeming as it had first belonged to his brother. I wondered if every time someone said it, he was reminded of the brother he lost, and if he bit down the pain and put on a brave face. I remembered the day my father heard of Robbs death, the tears in his eyes as he'd shook his head.
"Fucking Lannisters. I'll pay this debt, I'll pay this in their blood." He'd shouted, his face red with rage. He had loved Ned like a brother, had loved the Starks like they were his family. The day Rickon died our house grieved for a month, when Robb and Cat died we grieved for three, and when Ned died we grieved for a year. Still my father finds anger at the long dead Joffrey, his face turns murderous when he hears any news about Cersei. A part of me knows that's why I'm here, to bring them down, and it is one of the only reasons I agreed, not that I had much choice. To see the Lannisters suffer would bring me great joy.
"Please, be seated, and let the feast begin." Jons voice brought me back to the present, and I sat down in the large wooden chair, Sansa, Arya and Bran on my other side. My eyes zeroed in on the food as maids brought it in, the soft lull of music hummed in the background as my stomach growled. Legs of chicken, pies, potatoes, hot soup, they were all placed in front of us. I reached for a large slice of ham, but the clearing of my mother's throat made it clear that I was wrong to pressure I could eat normally again. My smile fell as I settled back in my seat, stomach growling, eyes slightly glazed as I took in all the marvellous food I couldn't eat. Jon already had a large plate in front of him, the smell of beef and rosemary made my mouth fill with saliva. Even Sansa had potatoes and chicken and greens stacked high on her plate. I just sat there, staring, my throat dry.
"You don't like the look of anything? I can ask the staff to cook you something special, if you like?" Jon asked, but I shook my head.
"No no, that's alright." I said rather flatly, and I felt bad that I was taking my frustration out on him, it wasn't exactly his fault. Out the corner of my eyes I saw his puzzled frown, but I ignored it, reaching for the bowl of salad, scooping a small spoonful onto my plate. I brought a bland leaf to my mouth, and chewed it slowly, finding no enjoyment in it what so ever. I tried to keep a smile on my face, I tried to keep my eyes bright, but with each mouthful I found myself drifting deeper and deeper into sadness.
"Do you drink?" Jon asked, and I turned, looking at the pitcher of ale in his hand. I quickly checked that my mother wasn't watching, before I thrust my cup forward, to Jons amusement.
"I'll take that as a yes." He grinned as he poured me a glass, and I gulped it down, enjoying the fact it didn't taste like vegetation. I realised too late that almost two weeks worth of empty stomach and ale were not a good idea. My head felt very light as I looked out at the people in front of us, and I felt rather giddy. My smile came freely, and I hiccupped quietly as I took another sip.
"You need to try Dornish wine, best thing you'll ever taste." I advised Jon, who seemed rather amused at my intoxication.
"Maybe I will, when we return to Dorne as man and wife one day." He offered, and I grinned widely.
"Oh you are going to love Dorne. It's so beautiful, and so warm, and the sea is so blue, and my home! Oh my home is lovely, a castle by the sea, the smell of salt and the breeze is just wonderful, and you'll get to meet my family! I think my brothers would like you, and of course my sister's would adore you." I babbled, my words flowed as freely as the alcohol. I reached for a warm roll and ignored my mother's glare as I devoured it.
"How many siblings do you have? What are they like?" he asked, and I meant back in my chair, a smile on my face as I recalled each and every one of them.
"Six all together. There are my elder brothers, Orwen and Bryer, they're both excellent swordsman, and my younger brother Ruban, he's the cutest little thing, he's so sweet and kind. Then there's my twin, Neina, and she's a massive pain in the ass. Always so proper and ladylike and completely insufferable. Then my younger sister Jaida, she's so beautiful and adventurous and funny, we used to climb together all the time, or swim in the caves below our castle. Finally there's Arrelie, she's... she's not too well. She was born with a sickness that made her hair white as snow, she's so fragile, and weak... The Maesters said she won't live to fifth teen, which only really gives her two more years." My voice trailed off as I thought of my sweet sister, her coughs in the night, her gasps and wheezes, her pale skin. I felt Jon take my hand and squeeze it reassuringly, and I managed to blink away the tears and give him a smile.
"They sound lovely." He replied, and I nodded, my head felt dizzy, my skin too warm.
"Would it be possible to get some air?" I asked, and he nodded, taking my arm and standing.
"Of course, I shall escort you." He answered as he lead me towards the exit. We walked through a few corridors before he opened a large wooden door, the cool night air rushed up to meet me, and I breathed it in heavily. We walked in silence through the court yard, only a few servants scurried around carrying large plates of desserts, and I stopped a young man carrying a tray of lemon cakes.
"Don't tell my mother." I said to Jon as I picked up a handful of the moist cakes, sending the young boy away. He chuckled as I bit into one, moaning in delight at the citrus taste.
"Is that why you ate nothing at dinner?" he asked as we continued to walk, and I nodded, chomping on my stash of cakes.
"'The King in the North is expecting a beautiful Dornish girl, not a fat tom boy covered in dirt' was what she said to me before she began effectively starving me" I recalled, before stuffing another cake into my mouth. Jon raised an eyebrow, a faint smile on his lips as he escorted me round a corner.
"Well as The King in the North, I can tell you that I didn't know quite what to expect, and that I definitely do not think you're at all over weight. I assure you once your mother has departed you can eat all you like." He stated, and I found myself smiling.
"You know, you're not quite what I expected." I admitted, to which he cocked a brow, clearly curious.
"Oh? How so?" he enquired, and I shrugged as we entered the gods wood. The moon light shone down in rays of silver, making the trees shine like glowing diamonds. The air was chilly, filled with the scent of leaves and water. It really was quite beautiful, the snow and frost that decorated everything like lace, the icicles that hung like great spirals of glass. The sound of snow crunching under foot was peaceful, calming, I felt weirdly at home in this completely foreign land.
"I'm not sure. I assumed you'd be some stuffy elder man. I half expected you to be cruel, I never knew you were you. I'd heard stories of a Jon Snow, but the last I heard Ned Starks bastard was at the wall, so I thought that the King in the North was some other man, some pompous rich Lord who fancied some power. Not someone who actually cares about the North." I told him, then cringed as I realised that I'd called him a bastard. However, he didn't seem to mind, he simply looked forward, into the distance, his mind clearly somewhere else. I wanted to know what he was thinking about, if I had triggered some memory that caused him pain, but I didn't want to pry.
"So I've surpassed your expectations then?" he asked finally after a long silence, and I nodded.
"Very much so. You seem... Kind, patient, fair, but also just and strong and loyal. I'm sure you'll make a good husband." I said as we neared the large Weirwood tree we were due to he married under tomorrow night. We both stared silently at it, our fates settled over the both of us briefly, and we stood contemplating our futures, our duty to our people. It was all happening very fast, our union, and I felt a little overwhelmed. What would being a wife be like? Would it be difficult? I wonder what Jon thought, if he was concerned too. I looked at him, his face cast in moonlight, his dark brown eyes seemed to be filled with the stars above as he stared at the face of the Weirwood tree, lost in thought. He really was quite handsome.
"And me? What... What do you think of me?" I asked, knowing that I sounded incredibly vain, but needing to hear the answer. He looked down at me, as if examining me, his eyes roamed over every inch of my skin slowly, making me shiver. He took the sign as that of cold, and again shucked off his large fur coat and draped it over my shoulders. As he did so, he tucked a stray hair behind my ear, his fingers tips on my face sent another shiver down my spine as I looked into his eyes. I saw conflict there, as if a war raged inside him, and I wondered what bothered him.
"I think you are very beautiful, the most beautiful woman I have ever met. I also think you are very polite, and you seem to come to life when you talk about weaponry. You seem very loving, you care a lot about your family, and I think that I'm very much going to enjoy getting to know you." He replied, his answer was rather sparse, but then again he had only known me a day, what else could he possibly say. I felt my cheeks grow red nonetheless, and I ducked my head in embarrassment, moving just a step away from him to gaze once again at the magnificent tree. How wonderful to think that it was carved so long ago, by people I would never meet. It had stood the test of time, and would be here long after I was dead.
"Are you scared? About tomorrow?" he asked, and I found myself nodding. Of course I was. I was frankly terrified. How did I know that the person he was now was who he really was? I was putting on an act, he might he too, and what if he didn't like the real me? The me who was loud and messy and strong willed and adventurous. Would we be happy? Would we ever feel anything?
"Its alright to be scared. I know I am." He reassured, and knowing he felt the same made me feel a little bit better. I looked up at him again, and how honest he was being made me want to spout some honesty of my own. I knew this could change things, that he could even refuse to marry me for it, but I could feel the words bubbling up like vomit, begging to be spewed.
"There was another. Before you." I blurted, and I saw his eyes widen slightly, and I rushed to carry on before he could interrupt.
"His name was Billon, him and I were best friends, and one day he kissed me, and it became more than that. We never laid together, I knew that I couldn't let my purity be marred, but I loved him. Love him, even." I admitted, and there was a very long pause, where Jon just stared at me, his eyes hard, his face unmoving, and I thought I really had done it. Why had I said that? Why had I felt the need to ruin something before I had began? Finally, he sighed, looking down at the floor.
"There was another for me too. Her name was Ygritte. I loved her, I laid with her, and I burnt her body when she died. I still hold love for her in my heart, I think I always will, but I won't let that stop me from trying with you." He said, and I took a moment to think. He had already laid with another? I knew men were allowed, but that made me a little anxious. What if I was not as good as her? I knew that was a stupid thing to worry about, but what if I wasn't? Would I ever stand up to this other woman? I took a deep breath, and realised that we were both united in our loss of love, though he clearly got the worse end. My love for Billon, though it had burnt hot, was fleeting, childish, and I knew that one day I would look back upon him with little more than familiarity, but for Jon, I could sense the pain in his voice, the love he had for her was more than childlike wonder. It had been real.
"I will not let the past have an effect on our future, I swear that to you." I replied, and I saw something similar to a smile creep back onto his face.
"It seems we have a lot more in common than we thought, my lady." He replied, before he took my arm.
"Come, it grows late. It's an important day tomorrow." He began to escort me away from the Weirwood tree, and I found myself feeling much lighter after what we had shared. I felt bonded to him, I felt a trust in him now, and as he lead me to my room I felt more than hope that we would survive this marriage. He stopped outside my room, and I shrugged off his cloak, handing it back to him.
"I already have one in there, if you'd like it back." I gestured to my room, but he shook his head as he pulled on his cloak.
"Keep it, let it keep you warm." He said kindly, and I nodded, standing rather awkwardly in front of my door, not knowing quite what to say.
"Thank you, your highness, for all the kindness you've shown me tonight." I thanked gratefully, to which he just waved a dismissive hand.
"My pleasure, and please, call me Jon." He asked, and I felt my cheeks grow warm.
"Alright, Jon." I amended, and he smiled.
"Good night, Lady Renei." He said softly before he kissed my cheek. I felt a little startled as his warm lips touched my skin, the bristles of his beard tickled my cheek softly, before he pulled away. I knew how I looked, flustered and surprised, but I didn't care.
"Good night, Jon." I replied, my voice rather breathy. Embarrassed, I opened my door and darted inside, closing it with a final frantic smile in his direction. I meant heavily against the solid oak as I listened to his retreating footsteps, then flopped down on my bed, wrapping the cloak he had given me earlier firmly around my body. I breathed in his scent and smiled. This was not going to be as terrible as I assumed.
Sooooo? What do you think? Yay or nay? Tell e your thoughts, i had a lot of fun with this.