How're you guys? Good? Good!
The next morning arrived a little too quickly and Delilah forced herself from the warm embrace of her husband. She made her way to the bathroom and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair had darkened during her time in the cloudy North and her skin had lost much of its tan. 'Mother is going to throw a fit.' She thought with a smile bringing a hand up to brush her hair out of her face.
She quickly washed herself and ran a brush through her hair until it had a nice shine to it. She dropped the brush into her trunk as she moved back into the bedroom and saw Jon leaned up on his elbows. "Good morning." She greeted with a smile as she pulled on a navy blue dress that had been a gift from Ned. It had quickly become one of Jon's favorite pieces; it clung to her body in all the right places.
"Come back to bed."
"Love, we are going to be in the canal in like an hour."
"That's an hour we could be in this bed."
Delilah grinned and walked to his side of the bed. She cupped his jaw and kissed him lightly. "Get out of the bed." She mumbled against his lips before kissing him again. She dodged his arms. "You have me every day for the rest of my life. You can take not fucking me at this very minute."
"But I want to!" Jon whined.
The sound of a knock at their door caused Jon to collapse back against the blankets with a groan. Delilah laughed at his obvious frustration but moved to the door. She glanced back to make sure Jon was covered in case it was Arya. Seeing the sheet pulled to his chest, Delilah swung open the door to see the ships captain.
"We are starting into the canal. We should reach the port in about twenty minutes."
"Thank you, Gibbs." She said earning a nod before he stalked back down the hallway. Delilah shut the door and then looked back to Jon. "See? Now get up. I'm going to check on Arya."
"Fine." Jon sighed.
Delilah eventually found Arya on the deck, her eyes moving rapidly to take in all the sights of the rarely seen city. "What do you think?"
"It's beautiful!" Arya gushed. "I can't even imagine what it must have been like to grow up here."
"It had it's good points." Delilah said with a smile. She looked out over the familiar islands jutting up from the water. She could see the ornate stone bridges decorated in the rich purple her people were known for. Along the bridges and canals, Delilah could make out confused faces slowly followed by recognition as groups of children and teenagers began to run towards the harbour.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist and soft lips dropped a kiss to her shoulder. Delilah looked up to see Jon staring down at the green tinged water, a hundred emotions written across his face.
"Just breathe, my love." Delilah whispered, lifting her head to kiss his chin.
Jon forced a smile but before he could speak, the sharp blowing of a horn echoed around them. Delilah looked beyond the helm to see the Purple Harbor getting closer. She felt her heart skip a few beats when she saw the familiar docks. "Arya, is your stuff ready to be moved?" Jon asked.
"Yes." she told him, the lie clear in her words as she still stared in awe at the hundreds of bridges and stone buildings. "What is that?" she asked pointing at a massive building in the near distance. It's white walls and towers stood out against the cloudy backdrop.
"That is the Moonsingers Temple. Once we get settled, I'll show you everything." Delilah said with a laugh.
"Who are the statues of?" Jon asked staring at the large statues lining the canal.
"Former Sealords. We remember the past, whether good or bad. For instance, that lovely rock is for Sealord Meghist." Delilah explained pointing at the approaching statue. "He was probably one of the greatest Sealord's in our history. He is carrying a book entitled, 'The lies are worth the progress.'"
"What does that mean?"
"Well, dear Meghist was not in fact a lord." Delilah said with a smile, "She was a lady. Women aren't allowed to be Sealord's but the council needed her as she was the best tactician any of them could hope for. Thus Sealord Meghist was born; she lived a lie for the progress her people needed. But then that statue beside her is for Sealord Janil. He nearly drove the city into the ground before he was killed and replaced."
"It's not passed by blood?"
"No. They are chosen by the high councils. It's a messy time but usually the Sealord's protector is the only natural choice. My father was the last Sealord's First Sword and his transition was relatively easy."
Jon nodded but his focus was now on the dock getting closer and closer. Delilah tugged on his shirt pulling his eyes back down to her. "Can you see my heart beating through my shirt?" he whispered with a small laugh.
"Just a little." she said standing on her toes. "Kiss me."
Jon obliged happily and met her lips in a sweet kiss. The sound of mock retching forced them apart. Jon rolled his eyes at Arya's disgusted look. "Go get your things ready. We will be docking soon."
Arya sighed and practically stomped across the deck and disappeared down below. Delilah could now make out familiar faces beginning to line the dock. Her father's broad frame stood tall at the head of the crowd, his eyes already narrowed in just passed Delilah to her husband. The slight frame of her mother was next. Her red locks were pulled back in a high braid, her gold circlet gleaming in the sunlight.
"Jon!" a voice yelled from just behind them. Delilah looked back to see Arya standing at the top of the stairs. "I need help." Jon shook his head, pressed a kiss to Delilah's temple and followed his sister into the belly of the ship just as the captain yelled for the dock crew.
Delilah's heart was racing in her chest as she felt the ship glide against the dock and then the tug as the ropes were tied down. Her body moved on its own accord and soon she found herself in her father's embrace.
"You got gray." she whispered into his ear earning a squeeze.
"You worried me." he whispered back. "We've decided you'll never leave home again."
"Father!" she said rolling her eyes. She pulled back only to be pulled into her mother's arms. She could hear the snivels as her mother tried to hold in the tears threatening to leave her dark brown eyes. "Mother, I'm fine."
"You've had us sick with worry. You should've come home sooner."
"I was preoccupied."
A snort from her father broke the hug with her mother. "Evidently." her father said nodding his head toward the dock. Delilah turned her head to see Jon hoisting Arya up and over the railing. He was saying something that made the girl laugh. "Did you somehow manage to birth a ten year old while you were gone?"
"She's nine, actually." Delilah corrected moving to intercept them at the base of the relatively short dock. "Father, Mother this is Lady Arya Stark. Arya this is my mother, Lady Arsinoe Nymerious and my father Joaquin Nymerious. She's come to learn from our best teacher."
Delilah felt a hand fall to her lower back and knew the nerves were eating at Jon. She reached back and took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently while her father knelt in front of Arya. "Hello there, Arya Stark." He said holding out his hand. Arya took it hesitantly, clearly unsure if he would shake it or kiss her knuckles. Joaquin gave a firm shake.
"H-h-hello."
"So you've come to learn from us?"
"Yes, sir. If it's not too much trouble to find a teacher, sir."
"I think we can find someone suitable for you." Joaquin laughed and stood upright, his gaze falling on Jon who stiffened beside Delilah. "And this?"
"Is my husband, Jon Snow." Delilah stated her tone letting her father know now was not the time to play games with the Northern born man.
"Snow?" Joaquin asked.
"Yes, sir." Jon said firmly. Delilah squeezed his hand.
"Strong name." Joaquin said with a small smile. "Please, no more of this 'sir' business from either of you. Joaquin is fine; you are, after all, part of my family."
Before anyone else could speak a sharp gasp erupted from somewhere in the crowd followed by a few women whimpering and men's whispers. Delilah followed their wide eyed stares to see the cause. Ghost and Nymeria had made it off of the ship and were cautiously walking toward the large group, the hair on their back up at attention.
"Don't be afraid." Jon said quickly as the direwolves came to stand beside him.
"What are they?" her mother whispered, obviously terrified by the massive wolves. Even though they were still puppies they were larger than an average wolf. Definitely much larger than a dog which was the closest thing the Braavosi had ever seen.
"Direwolves." Delilah said reaching out to pet Ghost softly between the ears. The wolf tilted his head into the pressure and his hair lowered to his back. "This is Ghost and Nymeria." she said.
"Nymeria?" Joaquin laughed.
"She's a hero of mine." Arya said quietly.
"Mine as well." The Sealord said with a wink. "We should probably move this party to the palace."
"We will have to walk with the dogs." Arya said looking at Nymeria.
"I think Jon and I can handle that." Joaquin said.
Arsinoe wrapped an arm loosely around Arya's shoulder and led her towards the waiting purple carriage speaking softly to her. Delilah didn't release Jon's hand but looked between her husband and father. Joaquin raised an eyebrow, "You're going to leave that poor girl alone with your mother?" Delilah sighed and looked to the carriage and then back to the men. "How am I supposed to get to know my son-in-law if you're hovering?" he teased.
"I'm not hovering."
"A little, love." Jon said with a laugh earning a sharp stare.
"Fine. I'll 'hover' somewhere else." she said with a roll of her eyes. She shook her hand from Jon's and began to move toward the carriage only to be tugged back against Jon's chest.
"I love you." he whispered then kissed her softly.
"I love you." she mumbled and kissed him again.
She took a breath before turning to walk towards the carriage. 'Just don't scream at her.' she thought when she realized how long she'd be with her mother in the enclosed space. 'Just don't scream, just don't scream.' she thought over and over allowing the mantra to calm her as she climbed into the carriage.
"So that's the man you chose." her mother began before the carriage door closed behind her.
Delilah sighed and brought a hand to her face. 'So much for my mantra.' she thought.