Eddard
It wasn't the first time Ned had given away a bride. After the Rebellion there was Queen Lyanna Baratheon, back then just Lyanna Stark's marriage to the new King. And being Lyanna's olding living relative it was Ned himself who gave her away instead of their father.
And now nineteen years later Ned was doing all over again with his eldest daughter. With Sansa around his arm he escorted her out into the Godswood. Sansa had always been more partial to her mother's Gods, as Ned had seen her praying there more times than in the Godswood. But here she was, ready to take her marriage vows before the Old Gods of her Father's house. After all the southern influence recently, Ned enjoyed that.
He'd married Robb to Margaery Tyrell and now Sansa to Harrold Arryn. Foriging strong alliances no doubt he still had his bannermen to please, and for thousands of years the Starks had married their own bannermen and very few times married outside. Arya, Bran and Rickon would all marry in the North. He had already heard Margaery talk about different Lords and Ladies across the continent for his younger children to marry but there Ned would put his foot down.
Sansa was on his arm dressed in the grey coloring of the Stark's. On their left were the familiar faces of their family. Catelyn had already begun to cry. Margaery had her arm around Robb's, a smile on both their faces. Robert and Lyanna close by. No doubt the four smiled, fondly remembering their own wedding days.
On the right were the bannermen of the North and other royal guests. Ned could see Mace Tyrell's face amongst the crowd but tried not to stay on him for too long.
And standing before them in the bright blue colors of his House was Harrold Arryn "The Young Falcon". A bold looking figure, he took a step forward as the Starks approached.
"Who comes before the old Gods this night?"
"Sansa of House Stark." Ned answered." A woman grown, trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessings of the Gods. Who comes to claim her?" The Young Falcon did not miss a beat.
"I do. Harrold of House Arryn. Lord of the Eryie, Protector of the Vale and Warden of the East. Who give her?"
"Eddard of House Stark, her Father." And then he felt Sansa's slender grip fade, as she walked away from him to stand beside Harrold. With one move he replaced the Stark Grey with the Arryn Blue. And then came the words. Catelyn had tears pouring down her face like a river.
"I am his and he is mine." Sansa said.
"I am her's and she is mine." Harrold said with her.
"From this day until the end of my days." The finished together. And then came the big closer, the Kiss. Claps and cheers rang out all over Winterfell, and it wasn't Catelyn alone who cried now.
Ned couldn't help but remember when he'd given Lyanna away to Robert. He hoped Sansa would be just as happy with Harrold as Lyanna with Robert. This Night would be Sansa's last night in Winterfell, her last night as Sansa Stark. In the morning she would depart for the Eryie and her new life as an Arryn.
After the vows everyone shuffled into the Great Halls of Winterfell. There everyone drank and sang to commerate this new marriage.
To his right was his Lady Wife, who was simply delighted tonight. She hadn't looked this happy since Robb's own marriage. But to his left was a seemingly less interesting character, Lord Mace Tyrell.
The man gobbled down everything that was infront of him, no matter what it was. He hardly even looked at it, he just shovled it in. But Ned did not want to cause any trouble, not tonight. So he tried to make the best of it.
"Tell me Lord Tyrell." He said leaning over to him." How goes the Harvest in the Reach?"
"Ah!" Mace said with a burp." They say it'll be the best time for Red Grapes in half a century. My favorite." He bundled in excitement, his fat jiggling." I'll be sure to send the Arbor's Finest to you when it's ready." Ned wasn't much of a wine drinker, but his son apparently was as Margaery kept having it delivered specially for him. Speaking of which Margaery suddenly got up from her seat at the table. She put both hands out, taking Robb's. Then she pulled him up from his chair and guided him away to dance. "Ah" Mace smiled." There she is, my prized flower." Ned turned his head and watched as she led Robb away." Such a beautiful girl."
"Aye." Ned nodded she is.
"It's a shame though, about this predicament."
"I beg your pardon?" Ned asked. He had been so preoccupied with Lord Tyrell he hadn't noticed Sansa.
"Sansa!" Lyanna said with her arms out. Before her neiece knew it both arms were already around her." I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you your Grace." Lyanna didn't correct her and instead turned her eyes to the newest member of her ever-growing family.
"And look at you." She smiled." Quite a catch this one Sansa. So Handsome." She said giving a playful push to her neice before turning back to Harrold." If you will Lord Arryn, will you give me the honor of being your first dance?" she held out her hand. Harrold's jaw dropped, his eyes shifting between his new wife and the Queen.
"Well I…uh" Eventually Sansa gave him a reassuring nod." I-I can't refuse a Royal Command." He took the Queen's hand and walked away with her to the middle of the room.
"What are you saying?" Ned demanded his eyes narrowing.
"I mean no offense Lord Stark. I'm simply stating a fact."
"You've said nothing yet." He growled.
"You and I made a deal to unite our two Houses. Uniting them through our children. But after three years of marriage, there has been no fruit for the seeds we've planted. I fear perhaps maybe your son is uncapable of 'sealing' the deal, if you understand." Ned's hand began to ball up into a fist. And one good hit would knock Mace clean out of his chair. He wanted to get up and yell about how the fault might actually be in Margaery. But then something else came up.
"Ned." Catelyn said in his ear. He turned and faced her." Look Ned, Lyanna's dancing with Harrold. How wonderful." Ned quickly went from angry to worried as he scanned the crowd for his sister and his son-in-law. It didn't take him long. And he could see Lyanna's head resting against Harrold's shoulder. Ned quickly kicked up his legs, jumping out of his chair and marching into the festival.
He ducked past dancers or moved them aside until he came upon his sister who's back was to him. But Harrold's face was pure white.
"And another thing." He heard Lyanna growl in a low whisper.
"Lya." Ned said putting a hand on her shoulder and prying her away. Lyann turned back to him still angered but not totally unsurprised at his appearance." Harrold." Ned turned to the boy." Go on and have a seat now, I'm sure my daughter misses you."
"Y-Yes, Lord Star- I mean Father, yes Father." Harroled mumbled as he walked away. Once he was gone Ned turned to his sister. Her arms casually crossed over her chest with a care-free look in her eyes as she scanned the room.
"What was that about?" He asked.
"Good Old Harry has a bastard. Did you know that?" Ned's silence was the answer. Lady Waynwood had told him when the marriage was first being talked of. A lowborn girl in Lady Waynwood's service had given Harry his first child, a bastard girl named Alys. When Ned did not speak Lyanna continued. "Robert, You, and now Harrold." She said shaking her head." What is it with the Stark women and their men?" Now that cut deep. Bastard or not Jon was his son. And nothing would change that or the love he had for his mother. He took a step forward.
"Now wait just-" But he stopped as Lyanna held her hand out before his face.
"Spare me the lecture, Eddard." She sighed." I've made my point with Young Harrold. I think we'll have nothing to worry about."
"I-" Ned began but could say no more as Lyanna turned and began walking away. All he could do was save his breath and turn it into a relaxing sign, deciding that now it was best for him to return to his seat. But he didn't like what he saw upon his return." Oh No." He groaned.
Robb and Margaery had also returned to their seats and were now talking to Mace Tyrell.
"On my ride up here I finally got the chance to get a look at your country." Mace told them." And I had the chance to see Moat Callin. It's a good thing you didn't hold up there in the last war." He said placing a hand on Robb's shoulder." The Fortress looks nearly run-down."
"It is run down." Robb agreed." But it is just as formidable as it ever was. Though repairs are needed, I agree."
"Well repairs aside, I don't believe ruin stands up to it's repuatation."
"The only way to the North by land is through the Neck." Robb told." The swamps, marshes and whatever else they hide in there has to be crossed if you want to hold any part of the North. And all that's before Moat Callin. When whatever army remains after that arrives to Moat Callin a properly garrisoned fortress they won't be able to withstand it. The only time it ever fell was when the First Men overwhelemed the Children of the Forest with their numbers." There were also no swamps to stop them at that point. Mace snickered while Margaery had a strange smile at Robb's last sentance.
"An old wives tale." Mace chuckled." A story for the children."
"It's not a story." Robb replied." It's the truth." Mace leaned back in his chair, a strange look on his face as he comprehended what Robb had said. But he must have dismissed it just like the Children of the Forest as he replied with
"All things considered you'll find no shortage of armies South of the Neck, the Reach most so."
"There's a reason the First Men are still prominent North of the Neck. But it's good we don't have to worry about the Riverlands or the Reach." When he mentioned the Reach he leaned over and put his arm around Margaery. Mace's eyes shifted between the two of them as this happened, lingering on his daughter at the mention of the Reach.
"Hm, Indeed." He agreed. Ned noticed he paused." Well you have a lot to be proud of." He continued." You drove the Iron Born from the West something not even Tywin Lannister could do alone. You know my son Garlan achieved the same when the drove the Ironborn from the Reach singlehandedly and that was without the full power of the Reach. " Robb simply nodded.
"I guess we have shared experience then." Margaery spoke next.
"But Garlan didn't kill Aegon Targaryen or his dragons."
"I killed no dragons." Margaery clutched herself tighter to him.
"You killed the last one."
"It must have been a glorious feeling, putting your sword-"
"Greatsword." Robb corrected.
"Of course." Mace nodded." It must have a great feeling that with one swing of your sword you ended a line of Kings." Margaery leaned over and rested her head on Robb's shoulder.
"Oh I always loved that story." She smiled." Tell it please." Robb always thought defending the Wall had been his biggest accomplishment, and it was that battle he liked to talk about. The rest of Westeros thought ending the Targarygen line was better and always asked about that. Robb would never deny that but he also never like to talk about it. If anyone wanted to know what happened they could ask someone else who was there.
"In all honesty." Robb answered." I hardly remember."
"Oh too much wine, my love." Margaery said picking up Robb's cup and putting it out of his reach." Don't worry you'll remember all by morning."
"Well didn't you fight him earlier?" Mace asked.
"Twice." Robb answered. Despite him not remembering their final encountering apparently Robb did remember how many times they fought, curious.
"Well." Mace said as he leaned over the table." It's a good thing you didn't try to hold up in Moat Callin. With those dragons I don't think you would have lasted."
"That's exactly why I didn't." Robb told. Ned had known at that point that the Targaryens were Robb's last concern, considering at the time the Iron Born had taken Winterfell." That's what I would have done." Robb accomplished more in the last war than Mace had in the last three.
"Oh." Robb said picking his head up. "Their giving out gifts." Wylis Manderly accompanied by his wife and children were approaching Harrold and Sansa. In Wylis' hand was one challace in Lady Leona's hand was another, both pure silver. Robb turned to Margaery." Let's go and get ours." He put his hand on Margaery's and led her away.
As they Lord Umber approached with his own gift, a big two sided battle ax. With one hand he placed it down infront of Harrold, rattiling the delicate silver just put there.
"I know you have problems with Wildlings goat-fuckers just like I do." He said." So I hope this serves you well." Harrold reached out to take the ax but had to use both hands, and even then it was hard." I hope I got the size right."
"My Lord and Lady." Lord Ryswell said." I too have a tremendous gift on your wedding day." He raised up his arm and pointed outside to the courtyard." Sitting down there are two of my bests horses. A big black stallion for the Lord." He motioned to Lord Arryn." And a Red one for the Lady." As expected from Lord Ryswell who own the finest Horses in the North. And a generous gift indeed. Ned could remember the last person Lord Rodik's stallion had been given too. He could only bow his head in meloncoly remembrance.
Margaery
Winterfell was nothing like the great Halls at HighGarden. With it's high towers and levels, it allowed for glorious fews. It's surrounding lands allowed for perfect riding.
Having everyone cramped inside, shoulder to shoulder like chickens in their coop, then squeezing them in another hall were they all get drunk wasn't Margaery's idea of a good time nor a good wedding. But it was sadly what Sansa had to deal with.
The gifts had been better at her own wedding. Lord Ryswell gave them two horses which they still owned. Rodrik Forrester gave them a shield or Ironwood the same he gave to Harrold Arryn, the only difference was the sigil carved on it. It currently hung in their room above their bed. Her Father gave them a challace with all the Major Houses of Westeros painted on them, She had gotten that at Renly's wedding, so she was destined to have it. She and Robb drank out of it at their wedding, now at Sansa's wedding and other special occasions.
"A drink, my dear?" Robb asked already handing her one cup. But she reached up one hand and stopped him.
"No thank you." She smiled.
"But it's from the Arbor." Robb said confused. It was the only wine they had that night." It's your favorite." She pushed the cup away even more.
"I'm not thirsty." Robb did not argue and set the drink aside. Margaery now moved closer to him, wrapping one arm around his and resting her head on his shoulder." My love."
"Hmh?" Robb responded as he drank down his wine.
"Look there." She pointed." Do you see what I see?" Robb followed her gaze and there he saw Eddard Karstark." I think now might be a good time to talk with him like you promised, don't you?" Robb only nodded his head. He took another sip and then moved across the room.
The music got louder as she watched Robb move into the crowd. Sansa was giggiling like a girl as Harrold ate grapes out of her hands.
Margaery watched Robb take Eddard Karstark off to the side. There was a serious look on their faces, no doubt as Robb began to talk to him about a marriage to one of her cousins. And although she couldn't hear their voices she could still read their lips. Robb twirled the wine in his cup while the Karstark listened. And Margaery smiled as she saw Eddard's mouth open beneath his fierce beard as he threw his head back and let out a great laugh. And like that Margaery thought it was done, but when she looked from Karstark to Robb she thought otherwise. There was a small, almost embarrassed smile. Eddard rested his hand on Robb's shoulder, thanking him before walking away and laughting further.
Margaery watched as her poor husbnd stood embarrassed in his spot, swirling the wine in his cup before guzziling it all down. That was one option down, but not the last. Robb turned back to see his Lady Wife across the room. She gave him a reassuring smile. He had given it his best shot with Eddard Karstark, now we would try with Lord Cerwyn.
"I'm sorry." Robb said as he approached her, a sad smile on his face." He politely declined." Margaery reached up and ran her hands through his hair.
"As I said, all you have to do is try." She smiled. Before they could even breath the two were joined by another couple.
"Lord Stark." A voice sang. Looking over there was Wynafryd Manderly and her husband Lucas." May I have this dance, my Lord?" she held her hands out.
Margaery had visited White Harbor before. It was the only place in the North that reminded her of HighGarden. And she'd met all of House Manderly before, at her wedding and in the years after. Lucas Blackwood now Lucas Manderly was very out of the ordinary and she knew a lot of Northern Lords laughed at him because of it, but she liked him. And whether anyone else knew it or not it was more than obvious to Margaery that Lady Wynafryd had a soft spot for Robb.
"I was actually hoping to talk to you, Lord Stark." Lucas spoke up.
"That's wonderful." Margaery jumped in." Because I was hoping to talk to you, Lady Wynafryd." The heiress to White Harbor turned to her with a sour look." We can have some girl talk like I used to have with my handmaiden." The sour look intensified. Hoping to lighten the mood Robb spoke.
"I'll dance with you, when you get back my lady." Wynafryd's sour deminor quickly melted away to branish a great white smile at the Young Wolf. Margaery didn't really like that. But she put on a smile and taking Wynafryd by the arm walked away.
"Ser Lucas." Robb greeted when they were alone.
"My Lord. More wine?" He held out the glass.
"Yes, please." He stood back as Lucas began to pour. Margaery continued on with Wynafryd, until they were across the room and far away from Robb. Looking over her shoulder to see the safe distance between them.
The conversation between Lucas and Robb had clearly escalated since the ladies leaving.
"What do you think their talking about?" Margaery asked.
"Whatever men talk about. "Wynafryd answered. The two were some distance away but Margaery could still make out some of the conversation.
"Once she screamed out your name during sex." Lucas told." I didn't think much of it at the time. But then she said when we have a son she wants to name him Robb. These two separate I don't think much of, it's together that concerns me." Robb rolled his eyes.
"There will enough Robb's in the North as it is. Please pick another name."
"She's going to pick Brandon then. But regardless of the name she wants him fostered at Winterfell." Robb sighed and rubbed his eyes, no doubt cursing under his breath.
"Oh look at our two great husbands." Margaery said." The Heir to Winterfell and future Warden of the North talking with the Future Lord of White Harbor." Wynafryd scoffed.
"He'll never be the Lord of White Harbor. He'll be in name but I'll be the one running that city."
"You don't think he's up to the task?" Margaery asked with a raised brow.
"I like him well enough but that's not what he's suited for. There's a reason he took my name."
"But for a second son to rise so high is truly remarkable." She scoffed once more, whether at her husband or Margaery herself she didn't know.
"You know a lot of people would want to be in your place."
"Well a lot of people are." Margaery smiled." Here enjoying the wedding of my sister."
"I mean IN your place."
"Well I'm grateful it's me." Margaery concluded with a smile. Wynafryd returned the smile, just as devious.
"I'm not." Margaery didn't skip a beat.
"Well the Manderly's originate from the Reach, but now your one of the strongest in the North. Aside from the Umbers, Glovers, Karstarks, Boltons and" she finished putting a hand on her chest." The Starks." She paused a moment to see the spite in Wynafryd's eyes." You have all these privalegeds, lands and titles. It would be shame if you were to lose all them….again." She enjoyed watching the way Wynafyd's mouth twisted in annoyance.
"I'm going to go dance now. By your leave Lady Margaery." She turned to leave but Margaery had one last thing to say.
"Stark." She corrected." That'll be Lady Margaery Stark." Wynafryd said nothing as she continued to walk off. But Margaery had one last thing to say." Lay Wynafryd." The heiress of White Harbor turned back to her with a slight snarl." I hope one day you and Lucas have what Robb and I have." Wynafryd quickly turned and walked away. And Margaery watched as she step infront of her own husband to get Robb's attention. Margaery couldn't help but roll her eyes.
She was ready to watch but instead she would be sidetracked. Looking ahead of her was her Lord Father, his arms extended out and a happy smile on his face.
"Margaery." He laughed. He stepped forward and put both arms around her. He'd gained a few pounds in these past few years, she could feel it. Once he was done embrassing her he stood back with that smile still on his face." Come." He said taking her hand. "Walk with me."
So Margaery allowed herself to be lead away. She hoped it wasn't for too long though. Robb looked like he was having fun and Margaery still wanted a dance with him.
Her father led her away and didn't address her until they were well away from the crowd.
"Oh Margaery. "Mace said when he let his daughter go." My sweet little Flower. I think perhaps we moved to quickly with you." Though confused Margaery still smiled.
"What do you mean Father?"
"I only wanted what was best for you. All I ever wanted was the best for you. Your mother, your brother, your grandmother thought this the better option. I'm thinking now I shouldn't have agreed so easily. Loras feels strongly about this and his mind hasn't changed." Loras had always been upfront about his discomfort about Margaery's situation." I think if I had waited alittle longer and thought harder I could have found you a more suitable match."He turned his head to Harrold Arryn. A strapping young man with blonde hair and broad shoulders. A lot of young ladies from all across Westeros turned their attention to the young Warden of the East. Redwyne, Bracken, Frey, Connington, but the Starks clearly were the best offer. No doubt the Bronze Royce and Lady Waynwood pushed him to accept.
"Harrold?" she couldn't help but laugh. But it wasn't her usual laughter. Instead of a song-like giggle this was a snort, almost like a pig. She'd never had done this before.
Half a smile came from her bemused father. Margaery had been, still was the prized flower of the Reach. She had the makings of a Queen and was one in all but name in her Father's eyes. She was a ray of sunshine, a golden rose sent to wither in the frozen North.
Sansa had always wanted something like this and she got it but Margeary never expected anything less than being the Queen. But Margaery was now a Stark and Sansa was now an Arryn.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Others girls may find him handsome sure. But I find him a pale comparison to my Wolf husband." Mace followed Margaery's gaze to Robb Stark in the center of the room. His head bobbed up and down as he danced back and forth around the hall. First with his newly bethrothed sister, then with Domeric's Fat Wife.
"Well does he um, does he do his husbandly duties? Or is he like your brother?" Margaery turned back to her father with a devious little smile.
"Of course." She smiled. Mace continued to give a confused smile. He reached down and took both of Margaery's hands in his.
"Just tell me your happy here. Put a Father's fears to rest and tell me you're happy." Margaery shifted her head up to look into her Father's eyes. He had always told her she would be the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, it was every little girls dream. However it didn't come true for Margaery but that was alright. The North was good to her, the Starks were good to her, Robb was good to her, and the best part about her living here. This was her Family now. She smiled a big toothy smile.
"I am happy here." Mace's smile finally went from confused to delighted. And she though she could see a faint trickling in his eyes." Stop it." She giggled as she reached up to wipe his eyes. "You're making a scene. People are starting to notice." Mace took her hand and held it in his.
"Margaery, may I have this dance?" The last time they'd danced wsa at her own wedding, she smiled as she remembered. Her Father wasn't the most graceful man but that didn't matter.
"Of course." She smiled. So the Father and daughter turned and began walking back to the center of the room.
Her Father held out his arms and she took them. She smiled as he spun around, making her feel like it was her own wedding again.
She turned her head to look for her own husband. She had hoped he'd save a dance for his own wife. He'd had his fun with Walda Bolton and Wynafryd Manderly, but he'd save the best for last. She found him alright, still dancing. But it was who he was dancing with that concerned her.
Dacey Mormont.
Margaery had never had the pleasure of meeting the heir of Bear Island. Not at her own wedding, or any of the weddings after, or the Harvest's feasts. But she knew her face better than any others. If the rumors were true Robb and Dacey had kissed before the Trial by Seven, and did more than that as other rumors say. Years ago Margaery had tried to find out for herself of such things were true.
She and Robb had talked in length about her prior Marriage to Renly. And Robb knew all the little details about, however short it was. He accepted them since there was nothing for him to be upset over however Margaery knew very little of Robb's prior experiences. In fact he never talked about them at all.
Whenever she asked the Lords of the North they all responded the same 'No'. But when she asked some of the Westermen present they all said "Yes." And the Rivermen seemed to be divided on the subject. So she therefore had to form her own opinion.
But she never asked Robb directly so she never got a direct answer but after a while it started not to matter. She loved him and he loved her, so the thought left her mind entirely. But seeing Dacey for the first and seeing the two of them together only rekindled that thought.
There was a certain way the two moved, the way Robb moved. His hand around her back, the smile on his lips, the twinkle in his eyes. She'd only seem him look at one other like that, herself.
What's more was Smalljon Umber and Domeric Bolton were standing nearby. Looking like two eagle eyes sentires making sure nothing about the dance was suspicious. To the untrained eye it probably wasn't, but after growing up around her grandmother Margaery was keen on the small details.
She took a step forward, ready to meet Robb. But the second she came into view the sentry that was Domeric stepped out to meet her.
"Lady Margaery!" He said in a silly voice. There was a sudden twist in his step, a redness in his cheeks." May I have this dance?" Before she could answer he stepped forward, ready to initiate the dance himself.
"Hold on there Domeric." Robb laughed as he suddenly appeared. He put both hands around Domeric's shoulders and moved him aside. Margaery turned away from Domeric as he ws led away by Smalljon to see Robb standing before her. Dacey Mormont had gone, vanished like the wind." May I have this dance Lady Stark?" Robb asked extending his hand. He was smiling at her, but it wasn't the same smile he had for Dacey.
"You may Lord Stark." She smiled taking his hand. He then stepped forward and put his other arm around her and moved her around the room." Are you having fun my dear?" she asked.
"Of course." He answered. He turned his head to look across the room to see his sister, now Lady Sansa Arryn." And Sansa looks like she's enjoying herself."
"I bet she is. Though I don't think this was as fun as our own wedding."
"No." He agreed shaking his head." It's not."
"I'm glad for her though." Margaery said." What a pretty little maid she is up there." Robb only nodded his head agreeing." And you know after the bedding ceremony she won't be a maid anymore."
"That's right." He nodded once more.
"You know." She said." I married Renly before you but our marriage was never consummated. I came to you a virgin. Was it the same for you?" There was a confused almost startled look that appeared on Robb's face. And that short pause was enough for her know everything.
"Of course." He answered with a soft smile. Now it was Margaery's turn to pause as she listened to his answer. But more importantly watch his face. The small smile and dimples that appeared on his face. But it was her eyes that caught his attention.
"Your lying."