Winterfell
Arya is having a sword fight with Quentyn Martell when they hear a loud croak. Arya swiftly turns around and Quentyn takes the most of it to slap her butt with his wooden sword.
"Hey!" Arya protests but he just laughs and runs to the raven. Arya runs with him and is the first one to reach the bird. She swiftly takes the message from him and gives him food as she reads the message. A huge grin enlightens her face and her eyes shine brightly.
"What is it? Is it Stannis?" Quentyn asks insistently.
She nods and runs away to find Sansa. She climbs up the stairs two at a time and rushes in her room. Sansa is sewing and the noise of the door opening and smashing against the wall makes her startle violently. The needle cuts her finger and she starts bleeding.
"Arya! Look at what you've done!"
Without a word, Arya runs to her and hugs her tightly, her little arms squeezing her big sister's body. She starts shaking and Sansa realizes her sister is crying.
"Arya, what is it? Tell me!"
She stays stuck against her sister for a second and moves away, looking at her with tears streaming down her face.
"Stannis won. He won the Iron Throne. The Queen is dead. She poisoned her children before poisoning herself."
"How do you know that?" Sansa asks, her eyes widening.
Arya hands her the message written in a haste. Sansa gets closer from the window and reads:
"Children,
The Lannisters are defeated. Cersei poisoned Tommen and Myrcella before poisoning herself. The Kingslayer has survived and will be hung. Joffrey's body was found among the soldiers. Your cousin is alive. We need to marry you as soon as possible so join us, as soon as you have received this message.
King Stannis I"
Sansa feels tears running to her eyes and she looks at Arya before hugging her tight.
"Let's pack", Arya says, excitedly.
Everyone is soon warned in Winterfell and Arya decides to take a walk before leaving her castle. Gendry had stayed inside and she hardly realizes that in a few weeks, she is gonna get married to him. She hardly realizes that it's over, that they're in peace. But, no, she thinks. It's not over. There is still Daenerys, and the White Walkers. She follows the river, the river where, a long time ago now, she threw Joffrey's sword in it. It was a sunny day, she remembers, and Sansa was wearing one of thos beautiful dresses of hers. She sighed thinking about Micah, and looked around her. The grass was covered by snow now, and the river had almost frozen. She turns to the woods bordering the river and she freezes suddenly: in front of her, a wolf stands, showing its fangs. Arya's heart fastens its pace. She knows it is not any wolf. The eyes, these golden eyes… Arya slowly kneels down and startles when the direwolf groans loudly, as to warn her.
"Nymeria…" she whispers. "It's me… You remember me… right?"
Nymeria stops groaning but her ears are still leaning against her skull, her teeth shining. From time to time, her tongue would lick her fangs. Arya takes a step forward, but Nymeria jumps out and runs away in the woods. The young girl is about to follow her but she hears people calling at her and she guesses it's time for them to leave. She joins them all, and tells Sansa, on their way to King's Landing that she has seen Nymeria. As they leave the castle, Shaggydog trots by Rickon's horse. Suddenly, the horses neigh noisily and panick. Shaggydog groans and, from the woods, a wolf jumps on him and attacks him. The men accompanying the Starks and the Martells grab their bows. Arya shouts:
"No! No don't kill her! It's my wolf, don't kill her!"
For a moment, they cannot see anything but a snowstorm with black and grey hair flying all around them. Rickon yells at his wolf, but none of them stop. Until, as soon as they had attacked each other, they stop. Shaggydog goes by Rickon's side again, and Nymeria joins Arya. She feels so happy to have her back, but, as they stop to eat and sleep for the night, Nymeria insistently looks at the forest. Arya can hear wolves howling and she knows they're calling at her. She sits by her and gives her a piece of meat. But Nymeria doesn't eat it. She is not Arya's direwolf anymore, she is a hunter, a wild beast, an alpha female in a pack. Arya wraps her arms around her and snuggles her nose in her fur to smell her one last time. She whispers in her ear:
"Go join them, Nymeria. You belong to them now. I'll never forget you, and we'll meet again in my dreams. Go and be happy."
The direwolf stares at her and licks her face, making Arya giggles. Then, slowly, Nymeria walks away from the procession to go back to Winterfell's woods. Arya's giggles turn into sobs when she can't see her anymore and she cries herself to sleep, Gendry's strong arms comforting her as best as he can.
Highgarden
Margaery reads again and again the message her husband sent to Highgarden. Next to her, Davos has sit, crying his eyes out.
"Come join me, my Queen. Your new home awaits you. Tell Ser Davos his boys Dale and Maric fought bravely. Tell him I'm sorry to give him the saddest news a father can hear Loras is well. We cannot wait to see you again."
At first, she had thought of a trap but they had both recognized Stannis's handwriting. Her heart is like torn into two, between the immense happiness of knowing he's alive, and the awful news about Davos's sons. How awful war is. Men and women lose fathers, brothers, sons. Matthos first, then two others. Of seven sons, only four are still alive. Margaery folds the letter and sits by the Knight, taking his hand in hers.
"I am so sorry, Ser Davos."
He sniffles and squeezes her hand with his.
"I know, your Grace. Thank you."
Davos wipes his tears away and stands up:
"You should ask your servants to pack your things. We'll leave tomorrow."
She nods smiling slightly and leaves to see Shireen and the children. They are all in the castle's garden, chasing each other. Their laughs echo among the birds singing and the sounds of the cicadas. When they see her, they run to hug her:
"Mother!" they all shout laughing.
"Children, please calm down. I have something important to tell you."
She leads them to a bench and sits down, the children facing her. Shireen, her dark hair shining with the sun, her breasts starting to show under her dress; Ryanne and Davos, the twins, now able to run and to talk; and Marnis, the last one, the one Stannis has never even seen, never felt in his mother's womb, who has started to walk clumsily. They are all staring at her, waiting for her to talk. Shireen, impatient, asks:
"You had news from Father?"
Margaery nods slowly:
"Has he won?" Shireen simply asks.
Margaery nods again. Shireen bellows with joy and picks Marnis up, turns on herself holding him. The little boy can't stop laughing and the twins run around shouting excitingly. The Queen looks at them, tears of joy filling up her eyes. She remains quiet tho, remembering the sacrifices of Davos's sons. Shireen lets Marnis walk and joins her:
"Is there something else?" she asks.
Margaery doesn't feel like lying and she nods slowly:
"Ser Davos has lost three sons in the battle."
Shireen gasps and puts her hand on her mouth:
"Oh no! Where is he now?"
"In the castle, getting ready to leave to King's Landing."
Before Margaery could add anything, the girl runs back in the castle. She passes by Mace and Olenna, who join Margaery:
"We heard about the good news", Mace says smiling.
Margaery stands up and hugs them both:
"I'm so happy he won. And, at the same time, I don't want to leave. Highgarden is my home."
"It will always be your home", Olenna says. "But your place is with your husband, my Queen", she adds with a soft smile and Margaery feels a bit better.
"Daenerys is not dead yet", she whispers so the children don't hear.
Mace walks with her away from the kids:
"He has defeated the Lannisters. All Westeros is behind him. Daenerys has a smaller army, and Stannis had thought about the dragons. Enjoy your time with your husband, my daughter. Enjoy those times of peace."
Margaery nods and stays quiet but she knows those times are not gonna last. Daenerys will soon be in Westeros, and the White Walkers are still the biggest threat. She tries to let happiness overwhelming her, the relief to know Stannis and her brother are alive and not injured, but it just lasts a few minutes before worry knots her stomach again. She decides to go help the servants packing her clothes, at least she won't think about anything while doing so.
She barely sleeps at night, and falls asleep as soon as she gets in the chariot. The road will be long and tiring, but at least she'll be with Stannis. A whole year apart… Sometimes she cannot remember the shape of his body, the color of his eyes. But every night, she would dream of him. Sometimes he would be fighting in front of her, sometimes they would be cuddling, and sometimes he would be walking, holding Shireen's hands. She wakes up at the sound of a crowd cheering. She opens her eyes and looks by the window: simple people, peasants and small folks would greet her and the children. She smiles and waves back at them, but a part of her would wonder who among them had always supported Stannis and who was cheering for them to avoid being killed. Will Stannis ever be loved among the people of Westeros? He was stern, and grave, but he had never hated his people. Margaery never understood the hate most of them radiate towards him. Maybe it's because Robert killed the beloved prince Rhaegar. But Stannis was far from being like Robert. She just hopes one day, they would see him as she sees him: a noble and just man, willing to sacrifice himself for Westeros.
King's Landing
Stannis waits for Margaery and Davos to join the capital. He knows the Starks are on their way, but the travel is twice as long as Margaery's. As he waits, he prepares the crowning, passes the first laws he feels necessary, and prepares for Daenerys's arrival. He organizes the defense of the city, welcomes Lords coming to bend the knee. He asks Sandor to stay a bit longer, until all the enemies are dead. Sandor takes a few days to think about it and ends up agreeing. Stannis also spends hours organizing the weddings he had promised, and decide they would all take place in King's Landing, as it is more convenient. The two Stark girls would marry the same day, in a common ceremony, as their mother before them. The day is long, nights short and soon is the day when Margaery should be there. A guard announces the arrival of the procession, and Stannis dresses up before waiting in front of the Red Keep. He plays with his tongue, his teeth nibbling it gently: he feels weirdly nervous, as if he was expecting awful news when they would get there. The escort gets in the city and rides to the Red Keep. Stannis hears the crowd welcoming its Queen. He holds back a smile and waits. His heart skips a beat when he sees the chariot. Here they are, a few meters from him. Davos is riding by the chariot's side and he stares at the red Keep, at the small shadow he knows is the King. The chariot gets closer and closer before stopping in front of the king. The door opens suddenly and Shireens storms out of it and rushes in Stannis's arms. At first he doesn't even recognize her. She wraps her arms around his neck:
"Father… I've missed you"
Stannis hugs her back:
"I have missed you too, Shireen. Let me look at you."
She gets back on the ground and takes a step back so he looks at her. His eyes stare at hers:
"Last time I saw you, you were a child. Now, you look like a woman."
Her cheeks turn pink and she smiles:
"You haven't changed, father. Come on guys, get out" she tells to the chariot.
Davos and Ryanne are the second ones to leave: they had grown up too, and talk fluently now. Stannis hugs them both before looking back at the chariot: Margaery steps out, holding Marnis in her arms. A huge grin is locked on her face, her eyes sparkling with emotions. Stannis slightly gasps when he sees the boy she is holding: her bump was not even seeing when she left. Now, a one year old baby is staring at him. A baby who looks more like him than all the other ones. He takes two steps to join Margaery. She curtseys in front of him, and he slightly bows. They exchange a look which says more than a thousand words and she gives him Marnis.
"What's his name?" Stannis asks.
"Marnis", Margaery smiles and kisses the baby's head.
She turns at the crowd who followed them and waves at them. Stannis does the same, pretty clumsily and they walk in the Red Keep, followed by Davos.
As soon as they're alone, Stannis officially names Davos as Hand of the King and tells him Allard should rule in Cape Wrath as his wife should join him here with Steffon and Stannis, his two last sons. Davos sends a message to his wife immediately. Stannis spends an hour with his children, works with Davos about Daenerys and the White Walkers. Davos is glad to see Jon, Renly, Loras, Asha again. Renly and Asha had already been married but are staying to help Stannis. As long as the White Walkers are still alive, the war is not over, Jon repeats.
They enjoy a feast at night but soon, everybody feels tired and goes to bed. Margaery feels a bit lost in this giant castle: she had loved Winterfell, she had loved Storm's End. She could love King's Landing. Her servants have prepared the royal room for them and she dismisses them, wishing to be alone for a moment. From her window, she can see the sea, she knows Daenerys is gonna come from there. She shivers, knowing what will happen, and startles violently when she feels arms around her.
"It's just me" Stannis whispers.
She turns to him and wraps her arms around his neck:
"I've missed you so much…"
He places his hands on her hips and his thumb strokes her skin, making her shivering even tho it's through the fabric of her tunic.
"I did miss you too…" he replies, staring at her.
She bites her lip, almost willing to tell him she knows, that Davos told her, but she feels he would not like that, so she keeps the secret and kisses his lips.
"My King", she whispers before deepening the kiss, leaning against the wall by the window. A sweet wind picks up and she shivers again, her nipples getting hard. Stannis kisses back, and she swiftly slides her tunic off, guiding his hands to her breasts. She is still breastfeeding Marnis, and they're filled with milk, round and heavy. He stops kissing her lips and runs his lips to her neck, gently, eager to taste her again after so many months apart. She gasps and moans loud when his lips take her nipples, sucking them gently, licking the darker skin of her areola. Margaery closes her eyes, enjoying his kisses, his strokes, stroking his hair. He had turned more grayish than when he left her, but he's still very handsome in her eyes. It's the King's turn to bend the knee, and Margaery can't help smiling huge looking down at him, his lips now smothering her belly with kisses. She spreads her legs and a loud moan escapes her lips when his tongue slides on her slit. Stannis had never done that to her and she doesn't know where he got the idea from, but she loves it. Her nails dig in his hair and she hears her groaning with pain. She mumbles "Sorry" and strokes his hair instead, with the same rhythm of his tongue on her. She feels herself getting very wet, and she's torned between begging him to come in her and begging him to make her come this way. She closes her eyes again, leans her head back, her bare throat, her lips half opened. Stannis's tongue follows her moans, insisting when she is louder and soon, she pulls on his hair and he sucks her clitoris. Margaery's legs shake hard as she comes, her body jolting violently. Stannis lays sweet kisses on her pubis, and goes wash his face with water before coming back to her. He kisses her again, Margaery undoing his undergarments and wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. She winces slightly when he gets in her, it has been so long, and she needs to get used to his size again. Stannis stays still in her for a moment, enjoying the feeling of her around him, and he starts thrusting gently. He supports her with his arms, squeezing her skin when the pleasure is too intense and kissing her deeply, his tongue stroking his lovingly. He strokes her thighs and her breasts as he thrusts faster, unable to restrain after such a long time. His eyes lock hers and his thumb gently strokes her lips, his own lips curling into a smile when she licks and kisses his thumb. His hands run back to her butt and he squeezes it, moving away from the wall to hold her and thrusting faster again. Margaery throws her head back and he licks and nibbles her throat. She groans and strokes his hair intently, and he feels her tightening around him. He sighs loudly with pleasure at this feeling and Margaery whispers in his ear: "I'm close…" He keeps her against him, his strong hands holding her and he thrusts as hard as he can. Margaery's moans turn into yells of ecstasy and she comes, her body shaking violently against his. He groans and bites her shoulder when he comes too and they stay like this, sharing kisses and strokes, until Stannis lies her down in bed. Margaery immediately curls up against him, her leg on his, her hand stroking his chest, as if they had left each other yesterday. She looks at him, stroking his face. How happy she would be to have another child with him. Another dark haired boy, or maybe a girl, for Ryanne and Shireen. She sighs with happiness and keeps stroking his chest until tiredness overwhelms her and she drifts to a dreamless sleep.