Author's Note: same disclaimers. I seriously need a Beta. Anyway here I cried when I typed this. ENjoy. Thank you to all who followed, faved and reviewed. The real story unfolds after this, the suffering and despair. Oh yes and Jon's knighting. As I said this game of thrones, tears, sex, deaths oh yes. This is no fairytale.
Face Claim:
Barbey Dustin: Alyssa Suthernland
Chapter 9
Only You
They had arrived at Dreadfort Rhone was amidst of feeling excited, nervous and scared. She had looked at Domeric who was more than excited and happy. The structure is a sturdy fortress, with it's high walls and triangular merlons that made them look like sharp stone teeth. There were thick stone walls and huge towers. But nothing like her home. It was colder than Winterfell, but she was willing to stand the ice cold weather of the North with how Domeric had often warmth her heart.
She was taken to the great hall to meet with Lord Roose Bolton and Lady Barbrey Dustin, who was handling the preparations, the little light had only met the woman once, but she stood as the mother figure of the heir of Dreadfort when Lady Bethany Bolton had passed hall was dim and smoky, with rows of torches grasped by skeletal human hands jutting from the walls. Rhohe had understood why Lord Bolton had not raised Domeric within the fortress nor did he want his grandchildren raised here. Long tables stand before a dais with a high table. The hall has a vaulted ceiling and wooden rafters turned black from had thought this was no place to raise a family but if Lord Bolton lives a long life like her grandfather perhaps she and Domeric could prolong their stay at Braavos until their younget child could be a paige or squire. She had thought the lower parts of Hightower were eerie but the Dreadfort had set it to a new level.
"I'm certain the Dreadfort is nothing like your home in the South, but one day you will come to call it as your home one day when my grandchildren are old enough to roam this fortress." The strange pale lord had told her.
She had felt her betrothed snake his hand at the small of her waist, "I am sure she will sire me many sons and daughters with dark and fair hair. Her mother still pops children out, I am sure she will do the same. Perhaps twins one day?" He had looked at her with hopeful eyes that melted her and made her forget how horrific his house seat is.
"Young love, so impassioned. Congratulations to the happy couple, not a lot marry for love. Your story had been heard from the South to the North, mayhaps songs will be heard after you wed." They heard the middle aged darkes haired woman comment.
"Thank you, Aunt Barbrey. We appreciate you taking care everything for the wedding." He had embraced his aunt with a smile on his face.
The aunt had looked at her nephew lovingly, "Of course, your mother would have done it for you. She would have been so proud and happy to see you now." Lady Barbey had smiled at Domeric.
"You have helped Lord Roose Bolton raise such a good man. I also have you to thank for that Lady Dustin." Rhone had shyly smiled thanking the northern woman.
She had smiled at Rhone slightly bitterly, "Come, sweetling we must talk about some details about the wedding, after all we only have four more days to prepare.
She nodded her head "Excuse me, my love and Lord Bolton I believe I have lady duties to tend to." She had politely excused herself.
Domeric had grinned at the little light before leaving.
The Dreadfort is ill omened, Rhone had read that it is said the Boltons keep torture chambers and a special room where they hang the flayed skins of their enemies, including several Kings in the North. Rhone had easily shrugged it off since every castle had it's share of murders and death.
She was in Rhone's chambers with Lady Dustin. The middle aged woman was checking a list of items sitting down by the desk.
"Lady Rhonda had sent so much items, and goods, four different wedding dresses, and capes to choose from." The woman had told the little light without looking at her.
The little light was kneeling on the floor feeling the laces and silks of the dresses sent, "Two of my siblings are just babes, far too young to travel, and news that my mother is with child yet again when we had arrived in Braavos." Rhone had shared her mother's fertility.
"Perhaps, you will be the one to fill this wretched place with children. But I would prefer you would not sire and raise them here while they are small and fragile. This fortresses is obviously not a place to raise a family for a wonderful lordling like my nephew." Lady Dustin had frowned.
"I do hope my ancestor, Garth Greenhand blesses me with such ability , Lady Barbrey. Yet, just a few fortnights ago your nephew had insisted for us to residing here until I had some important business at Braavos he had agreed to his lord father's suggestion of not living at Dreadfort until our children are old enough to live here." She had shared with the northern woman.
"Then thank Gods for your own endeavors then. Live far from the North, your sweet children may not survive Roose's bastard alive." Lady Barbrey had solemn expression.
"A bastard son? I have only heard stories, is he truly that cruel that even Lord Roose would not advise that it would be unsafe for us to live here in the marital years?" She had asked the bitter woman.
"Perhaps not even grey rats could save any of child from that monster." Lady Barbrey had looked hostile.
"I'm sorry, grey rats?" She had asked.
"Maesters, I apologize I know your family had been associated with them, but I despise them very much, when they took Brandon away and attempted to marry him off to the South." Rhone had felt concerned, and had assumed this was the reason why Domeric refused her bed many times.
"You are right, I have grown up asking them, challenging them, and looked upto some of them. I liked their stories over my nannies'. But I understand, Lady Barbrey. I do not take it against you if some maester back in the past had slighted you. But I want you to to know that not all of them are rats. They also have their own will and intentions. You as well have the will and right to despise that old man." She had given the woman a small smile.
"I had my doubts about you child, your southern nature, sunkissed skin and fair hair. I had preferred my nephew to wed a Nothern Lady, but when I saw the way he looked at you and the way you had returned it even. When you saw how awful and gloomy this place was. You had both immediately lit up the great hall with your happiness. It had given me hope for Domeric, I do think you would do him some good. His accomplishments within the past two years show that." The woman had confessed to the little light who had slightly teared up. She had felt that no one had ever touched her heart with such words or she had never noticed the positive effects she had with the heir of Dreadfort. She had felt guilty that she would often be so infuriating towards him.
The northern woman stood up, "Oh no, child. Do not tear up on me. Your lady mother is not here to take care of you" She helped Rhone to stand up and light gave her a hug.
The southern lady had returned the embrace, "It's just I had never felt so glad in my life. I never put marriage any thought until your nephew courted me. No one has ever told me such touching things about your nephew, Lady Barbrey. I'm sorry if you have to see me like this." She apologized.
"I did not think for you to be so sensitive either. You had always looked so cold and firm." Lady Barbrey described the young woman.
"Only when your nephew is involved." Rhone grinned.
Ser Baelor, Ser Otto, Ser Gerold Hightower and Jon had arrived from settling trade related business from New castle. They had also met with the Ser Loras, Lord Renly, the Hightower twins and Rhone's handmaiden, Gael. They had also brought some more Hightower servants who would help with the wedding. Ser Gerold did not think he would see the day that his sister would willingly wed.
That night they had all sat down at the feast they had been drinking at the Great hall which all of them had found creepy, the additional lights had helped to light up the place. They all laughed drunkenly sharing scary ghost stories as if they were children, it had seem that it was only proper, perhaps it would have been more effective if Archmaester Marwyn had not been busy with his duties but the mage had promised to arrive before the wedding or for the reception.
Everyone but Gerold, Jon, Rhone and Domeric had retired that night. They had stayed up being nostalgic, Domeric had been holding his betrothed's hand the whole time. Gerold did not think love truly existed, but the couple in front of him had proved otherwise.
"I have always enjoyed Lord Redfort's sons' company, I had always envied relationships between siblings. The Hightowers siblings, even Jon with his half brothers and sisters." The heir of Dreadfort confessed.
"Troublesome, if you ask me. We are all up into each other's business." Gerold had given his opinion on the topic.
"All of my brothers are nosy." Rhone said flatly with a grin.
"It does not matter if we had different mothers in my case, Robb, Arya and Bran had always been good to me. I'm afraid Rickon was a babe when I left. Sansa was indifferent. Robb and I do get a bit competitive at times." Jon had told his share of sibling relationships.
Domeric had smiled at the lot "I heard I have a half brother around the Weeping Water" The heir of Dreadfort had been fiddling with Rhone's fingers. "I was planning to meet him in the morn and invite him to our wedding." The little light had immediately extracted from Domeric's hand.
The Southern lady had glared at her betrothed, "That vile man, has no place in our wedding." She had voiced out quite angrily which had surprised Everyone present at the table.
"He is my brother, still. You have no qualms about Jon's baseborn status neither should you for Ramsay." The heir of Dreadfort argued.
"No Domeric. Only good things are said about Jon despite his status. Your half brother…" Rhone had a troubled look on her soft face, "I hear the whispered rumors about your half brother, he hunts, flay and rape innocent people. Please Domeric do not risk your safety I beg of you" she had pleaded.
"I know my father had advised against it as well, but I need that closure before we leave Dreadfort." The Bolton heir had told them.
Gerold had furrowed his eyebrows "I heard horrific things about him too back when I was at Wintertown. think it is best to listen to your lord father and your lady of course." The brilliant knight had agreed with his sister.
Jon had looked concerned, "If many had already confirmed, I think it is wise to heed everyone's advice it sounds unsafe, Ser Domeric." The white wolf had given his opinion.
The next day Domeric had been nowhere in sight during the morning. She had been pacing back and forth, asking around until the afternoon that Domeric had returned riding his horse. The Bolton son had indeed met with the bastard brother but did not invite the man to the wedding to avoid slighting the brides and guests. Gerold's sister had been calmed down and they had a feast with lord Redfort and his son's arrival.
The feast had ended and Rhone and Domeric had sneaked into his chambers, Domeric had often excused himself with trips to the toilet chambers. She had thought that it started to become to frequent. He sat down on the chair near his desk.
She had sat on his lap facing him,"You worried me this morning. I had looked everywhere for you! You are fortunate your half brother has not killed you!" She had pouted at him.
He had kissed her chin trailing down her jaw as he had slipped his hands on her hips, "I'm here, alive, breathing. Do not fret my love." He had reassured.
She smirked at him as she had starting unbuttoning his leather vest "You would have to make it up to me. I had almost flipped the Dreadfort upside down, your crypts had been almost untombed." She placed her arms around his neck as his mouth had been leaving soft bites on her neck.
She had moaned his name and grinded her hips against his as he had slid the low neckline of her dress open revealingher teat slightly. "Do you not think it is bad luck to see eachother before we wed?" He had asked her before suckling on her revealed teat.
His hand grabs her bosom and she squirms, "Have I ever come off as I superstitious to you?" She had asked him and giggled.
His lips had met hers passionately deepening their kiss. His tongue had danced with hers. It had started to become very moist in between her thighs. He had carried her and placed her on the desk. He hiked her skirts up as her legs locked him in. She did not want him to escape any longer. He had ran his fingers through her thighs and looked at her suprised, "no small clothes?" He had asked her looking shocked.
She smirked, "I had thought you wanted easy access tonight just in case." She told him
It was getting more heated between the two, "Gods, I want to be in you, I cannot take it any longer." She had heard her betrothed whisper.
She smirked "You know I have no objections. They would not notice anyway if it was only one night before, love." She had whispered as her hands ran through under his shirt feeling his hard sculpted body from training.
"They will probably not." She had reassured the bolton heir as she had released her legs and helped him unlace his breeches to release his hardness.
He lifted her thighs, it was like he had been relieved as he had entered her slowly. She had bit her lower lip as a foreign sensation pain and pleasure had entered her, she did not want to make too much noise. "It feels so good to be inside of you, love. Are you alright?" He had asked her.
"It's a bit sore, but yes, please continue." She had pleaded.
He had passionately locked his lips with hers as he had started rocking as the desk had been creaking with every thrust.
"Gods, Dom." She had called out to her betrothed who was making hard thrusts into her with his eyes darkened. She would never forget this day and it would be the start of many other days to come for their love making.
He had suddenly looked uncomfortable and extracted himself out of her before neither of them could finish. "I need to go to the toilet." He had looked like his stomach was in pain.
"What's wrong? Could it not wait?" She had asked him, she did not want to complain. But she had waited so long for this.
He shook his head , "it had hurt since this noon, after Breaking my fast with Ramsay. It was bearable then and a few hours ago but-now." He had explained. She had felt suspicious about the Bolton Bastard.
She had kissed his lips "Hush, my love I will help you to the toilet chamber and fetch the maester. We will make sure you will be fine before the wedding" she had looked at him with concerned eyes and assisted her betrothed to the toilet chambers.
She had quickly freshened herself up and brushed through her hair and fixed her dress and headed out she ran as fast as she could until she had bumped into Jon, Ulthor, Manfryd and Gerold.
"A damsel in distress!" She had heard her brother, Ulthor teased her.
She had scowled at the older Hightower twin, "It's not funny, Ulthor. Domeric is not feeling well" she had stressed and felt irritated by the older twin.
"Could we spread out? Fetch Lord Bolton, Lady Dustin and the maester? Gerold, could you find every book you can on diseases and poisons?" She had designated tasks with her adrenaline.
"Poison?" Gerold had let out.
"I do not trust anything that Bolton bastard serves for breakfast. He is a monster." She gritted her teeth. " Anyway, Let us all spread out. Jon, come with me. Let us look after Domeric." She had pulled Jon's arm as everyone had quickly moved to do their tasks.
Moments later the maester had observed the heir of Dreadfort's condition. Lord Roose Bolton and Lady Dustin had told Rhone to rest but she had declined and insisted to stay and help tend to her betrothed. They had felt concern since the young southern lady had refused to rest nor eat. Every hour the bolton heir has been getting worse, and every time she notices it her stress had grew as well. It did not help that the Maester had fell asleep on the job which had upset her.
She had been scanning through every book that Gerold had relayed to Jon and Otto Dawn was already arriving, "Rhone, l-love." She heard him call out.
She had smiled at him happy that he was concious now holding on, his fever had just recently spiked up. She held his hend tightly, "I don't think we would be having the wedding soon, nor will I be able to fulfill the rest of my promises to you." He had told her
"Dont say that! Will postpone it for a day or two. Hold on we'll get to the bottom of this I have sent a raven to The mage, we will wed and he will help you be back in shape." She had kissed his forehead.
"We don't know if I have that long. Maybe the Gods have cursed us for not waiting.." he had whispered weakly.
"Gods! Gods! Don't be silly. Many other men had sinned worse than you are. You are all that is good incarnated. The world needs more men like you. You have been feeling this way since that morning. Just hold it out longer, please." She had felt her tears running down her cheeks.
He had hushed her and wiped her tears, "listen to me Rhone, if I do not make it out. Promise me do not mourn my death forever." He had given her a smile, his tears had started to pour out as well.
She kept running her fingers through his smooth hair "No Dom. Please just hold on, we've gone this far. We still have a long beautiful future ahead of us, you want children remember? I will give you twins, even triplets, we'll have over a dozen children if you want!" She could no longer control her sobs.
"Rhone please, you had always talked about reality, and if I do not get through this please, move on with your life marry, have children, chase your dreams. Do not hold yourself back. Because I know you if I do not tell you this, you would stay so angry at life. I do not want you to live a life with so much regret because you could not save me from my fate." His tears were uncontrollable they had poured as much as hers did.
"I cannot live my life without you. Because I had only truly felt I lived my life when you came. I never wished to have children nor did I want to get married. Until you came and made me want it. If you will cease to exsist, I refuse to live without you."She had tried so hard as if she could convince the sickness to leave his body.
"And you will marry, you will have children, but if I do not get better today, you need to be strong for me, I cannot die with knowing you will not at least give yourself a chance to be happy again. Live, my love. I am just one man, but you see the world differently, you have greater things ahead of you." He had sobbed as their foreheads were against each other.
"Then haunt me til we are reunited. There will be hardships that I may not survive without you." She taunted in tears.
"Do not say that. Your spirit is strong. I've made you promises to you and I made most of it true except this last one. I am only asking you one simple thing if I pass could you please stop being stubborn and at least grant me my dying wish?!" He had scolded her.
She had bit her lip and nodded as her sobs got louder. He had embraced her locked her in his as and she had never wanted him to let her go.
The sun has risen, the contrast of how it was sunny in Dreadfort and the sadness had lurked within it's walls. Jon had entered to look after his good friend who was resting but it had seemed his life force was fading. Lady Rhone had talked to her father outside of the hall, begging to conduct an investigation once that Marwyn the Mage had arrived to prove her theory that Domeric had been poisoned.
Several of Domeric's friends had visited him this morning hoping his condition would get better.
She had been so adamant, never did she look so tired, angry and sad. Anyone to see how the beautiful maiden had fought a sleepless night. Her sobs were heard through the halls all night, the white wolf had pitied the little light that he could not even sleep with hearing her outside the Bolton Heir's door.
Domeric had stirred, "Rhone.." he had called out to his lover.
Jon had approached the heir of Dreadfort, "It's I, Jon. Lady Rhone had stepped out to have a word with her father and yours." He had informed the bedridden man.
Domeric had smiled at him weakly, "I see the way you look at her. Longing, and yet so distant. You do not look at her other men do." He had heard his friend say this weakly.
Jon had smiled at the Bolton heir, "All she sees is you, her heart and smiles belong to you. Only you can make her happy." He had confessed his thoughts to the Bolton heir.
"And yet you did not attempt to take her from me nor challenged me." Domeric had weakly chuckled in struggle.
Jon worried, "You should not move so much. Lady Rhone had strictly ordered me to keep you in good condition until ArchMaester Marwyn arrives. Hold on, my friend." He had told the Bolton heir.
"I don't think I have that much time, my friend. I want you to know that you are the only man I can trust with her." Domeric's voice had been getting weaker.
"I have no right, I am only a bastard, it is better if you trust my brother with her instead for I have nothing offer to her." Jon had drew the line.
He had heard Domeric scoff, "Robb stark? He is far too green, call it Hierarchy competition if you will. But the Hightowers had chosen you even with your status, that is something, Jon. Do not belittle yourself. I could die in peace knowing you would be the one there to protect her and somehow ensure her happiness." Jon was troubled by Domeric's words, he was giving a dying will.
"Lady Rhone, would not like you saying that. Just be patient. It is said that The mage is on his way here from New Castle's port. Do not lose hope." He had reassured the heir of Dreadfort.
The bedridden man grinned weakly, "even at my deathbed you insist about Rhone's well being and not my poor soul's peace. I admire your loyalty, Jon." Domeric had bitterly jested.
Jon had scratched the back of his neck, "I will promise to protect her and ensure her happiness, if you pass on Domeric. But please do not let go." Jon had pleaded as he heard a ruckus outside of the chamber doors.
"Thank.. you.. Jon.." Domeric had been growing weaker, the door slammed open. Ser Baelor, Lord Bolton, Lady Dustin and Maester Tybald, Marwyn the mage had entered.
Lady Rhone had ran to Domeric's side and took his hand in hers, "Marwyn is here my love please. Just a little more, we'll exchange our vows and raise little children of our own" Jon's heart was breaking at the sight of the sobbing little light.
Maester Marwyn had been preparing some antidotes. "Keep speaking to him child, do not let him lose his focus!" The mage had ordered.
The bedridden smiled at her, "Out of every thing in the world, I only love you, Rhone." He had weakly said his words as his eyes were drifting.
"I have never loved anything as much as I love you, please do not leave me yet." She had begged as she kept touching Domeric's hair.
As the mage had inserted the antidote, Domeric had already closed his eyes. It was too late. The Bolton heir had already passed. The little light had lifted his lifeless body as she had cried his name, denying his passing, bawling. Jon could not stand to see her in such a horrible condition he had to leave the chambers.
"Oh Marwyn could you not bring him back, please." She had pleaded her friend.
He had patted Rhone's head as she held a lifeless Domeric in her arms, "I'm sorry I had been too late, sweet child. I could make him rise, but he will never be the same. It will be like torturing the both of you."
She had shot the Maester a glare, " YOU. If you were not such an incapable maester, if you would have not slept then you could have done something. I should report you to the rest of the archmaesters and take away your chains!" She had threatened.
Lady Barbrey had stepped close to the Maester, "Lady Rhone has a point, what is the point of him staying here if he could not even do his only role in this house properly!" She had spat at the maester.
Lord Bolton had tried to stay stoic but she had seen the man feeling distressed as he had been placing leeches on his skin the entire night non stop, unable to sleep, "You had cost me my heir, you had cost me grandchildren, you had cost me a heavy dowry, do you not understand the weight of your incompetence? You should pack your belongings and never return to Dreadfort." He had ordered the maester.
"I am sending a report to the citadel for your replacement. We could not even prove that the boy was poisoned due to your vague findings you had prolonge it enough until he had duty is to serve this house and you could not find your way into poisons?" Marwyn the mage had questioned the Maester's principles.
"We cannot even justify his death? GET OUT. I cannot even look at your face! Do not wait for me to strangle you with those chains!" She had threatened the maester.
The wedding had turned into a burial instead. The little light had cried and bawled as Domeric's corpse had been kept in Dreadfort's crypts. She had been drugged with the poppy so that they could return her to The South without a fight.