Robb
As his Father had requested he exited with Lady Desmera. He thought it strange that he was asked to show her the capital when she had been here longer than he had, so it ended up her doing most of the leading. This was a troubling situation he had put himself in, but he knew with his father's help back there everything would be fine. But he was still unsure of how to exactly explain his situation to her. So instead he just choose silence, allowing her the opportunity to begin.
"You must be happy for your cousins." she spoke up, her voice catching him off guard.
"Hm?" He grumbled turning to her." Yes, yes very happy. I'm…sure they'll be happy together."
"Do you think you'll be as happy on your wedding?" Not the kind of question he wanted to answer. He instead puckered up his lips and looked down at her.
"In all honesty… I haven't given it much thought."
"Oh." She responded with a slight pout, twirling a finger in her long brown hair. Silence overtook them once more all the while Robb trying to figure out what exactly to do and say.
"You said the other night that you had sailed before my Lord?" she asked moving her hand behind her ears, probably to show off the pearl earing that dangled there.
"What? No, no, Well yes actually. Yes I have once. "He held his index finger up." On my journey down here. The First Ranger of the Night's Watch allowed him one of his ships to travel south faster."
"That was generous of him. I'm glad you made it here on time" She said smiling." I've been on ships most of my life. But living on an island I'm sure you already knew that. I'm fact I'm going to be the one to present your cousins with the model as a gift during the ceremony" Robb simply nodded causing her face to turn red." That's my Father's ship there." she pointed out over the battlements and to the nearby harbor. Docked there was the largest ship Robb had ever seen and probably would ever see. With three sails painted purple, hundreds of banks of oars and a shining color of white and gold all around it.
"Very impressive." Robb told.
"Those smaller two next to it are my brother's ships. They designed it themselves for they're fifteenth name day." she pointed to the two 'smaller' ones though they looked just as gargantuan in size. "That one is Hobber's. He called it 'Blessed Bounty'" she pointed to the farthest of the three. The most distinguishable aspect of it was a mermaid with purple tail and blue hair, placed at the bow with an exposed and very large chest. Carved along the sides were schools of fish, sharks and whales of various shapes and sizes in the colors of purple, gold, red and white against the blue hull. It had purple sails and hundreds of oars to match the others. "The other is Horas' and he named it 'Sweet Victory'" she pointed to the ship between the other two. It had a white hull with alternating rows of gold and purple carved on each side to resemble rows of wine fields. On the bow instead of a mermaid was a large whale, looking as if it was erupting out of the water despite it being still and tied off to the dock. "He says with that he'll be like Aegon the Conqueror, only he'll have ships instead of dragons."
"So what does that make you? Rhaenys or Visenya?" Robb quipped and she laughed.
"I'm not sure. I always thought I'd be like Alysanne Targaryen. Beautiful, kind, intelligent, loved where ever she went." it sounded like something Sansa would say. The two of them might get along well together " Horas wants to be a great warrior, but he hasn't been in a real battle yet. All of his idols are men like Aegon or Randyll Tarly-he's set to marry his daughter later this year"
"What about Theon Stark? I imagined he'd like some one like him" Desmera paused for a moment thinking it over.
"I'm sure he does" she eventually answered. "He has a squire like you, only he doesn't do as good a job I think"
"That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"
"He's a sweet boy, but he still can't tell my brothers apart so one will often ditch him for the other without the poor boy even knowing. They think it's funny, but I keep saying they have to teach him about honor and duty."
"I couldn't agree more. If he's to be a lord he should know these as more than just words" Desmera enjoyed seeing them agree on something, before her attention then went back to the ships " So that's his now, but Horas will get the Arbor Queen when he becomes Lord. For now they each have a ship and a sword to themselves. Horas' has a sword with the hilt in the shape of a ship while Hobber's is in the shape of a wine chalice. 'The best things to come out of the Arbor' my father told them." Before she could continue Robb cut in.
"There's an awful lot for your brothers. Has your Father presented you with any such gifts?" Her hand moved down towards her chest and Robb's eyes bugged open in shock. That was until she reached for her necklace; gems and large sapphires carved purple and fastened to look like grape clusters." Very beautiful." He commented. Desmera's face turned red again.
"I've designed my fair share of ships too, but they're back at the Arbor" she squeaked "Would you….like to sail on my Father's ship my Lord?"
"Sometime perhaps-"
"How about tomorrow?!"
"Well uh tomorrow?" He stammered but she continued to gaze at him in amazement." That might work." He said hoping to keep his answer ambiguous. But she didn't see it as that.
"Wonderful!" she cheered. The longer this went on the worse it got, he was going to have to end this and soon. "Did you enjoy the gift my father presented you last night?" she asked.
"The dinner. Yes it was very courteous of him" he answered quickly
"That's good. We should meet again some time" she proposed happily "But I meant the wine". Robb had to think for a moment before remembering he was in fact given a personal casket. He also remembered passing it along to his bannermen who were so disgusted by the taste that they marched to the highest tower in the Red Keep and hurled it over the ramparts.
The Gold Cloaks were still looking for the men responsible.
"I indulged some of my bannermen, though they were not very fond of the taste" he admitted politely. Perhaps the first truthful thing he was able to say.
"It's an acquired taste I know. Believe it or not I didn't like it all that much when I first had it"
"Really?" he asked "I thought you'd be the most accustomed to it"
"It grew on me." she admitted "When I was younger my brothers and I used to sneak down to the cellars and have a few cups. They were older than me and could drink more and coerced me into having more than I could handle. My father was so angry with them when he found out" she let out a small laughed at the memory" but not me. I swore I'd never drink that again"
"I suppose you've reacquired the taste?" She nodded.
"Some of earliest and fondest memories were down there. My mother says in some winter's some of the wine down there would even freeze in the barrels. When we were younger we would always play down in my father's wine cellars" she told "There so many rows and caskets-some were even bigger than us- that two of us would hide and the other would try to find us. One time" she started up again without even taking a breath "I stayed down there for an entire day. They came down looking for me, but never found me" she laughed "They caught me later that night taking deserts from the kitchen". Robb hadn't realized it, but he was laughing with her too. Some of that sounded all to familiar. It reminded him of a place he felt he'd ignored, a place he'd been away from for far too long. It sounded like home.
"The cellar, the games.. reminds me a lot of home." he admitted "A lot about the crypts". She looked at him with genuine interest and asked for more "The crypts are the tombs even larger than Winterfell, where all the members of my family are. They go as far the back to the age of heroes and are just as deep. My brothers and sisters would always try to go as far down as we could, but we'd always get scarred and come back up. Some say they're ghosts still walk about down there" she leaned in closer with every word he said and clutched his arm tightly in hers.
"My Lord?" she questioned." Could I see the wolf you spoke about?"
"The what?"
"The wolf you said rode with you into the City." All this talk of ghosts and monster must have reminded her of Grey Wind.
"Uh.. well I… I don't see why not."
So Robb led her back to his camp. He himself had been given a room inside the Red Keep, but Grey Wind did not like the city at all. He instead stayed with Olyvar and the others.
His friends and future bannermen greeted him with the appropriate "My Lord" as he walked by. Some casted sly glances at Desmera, Ser Marq Piper even calling her "Lady Stark" making her blush even more. Robb was quick to leave them all behind.
The Direwolf jumped to his feet at the sight of his master returned. But his quick movement caused a gasp from Desmera and she jumped behind Robb in fright.
"He won't hurt you." He assured." Grey Wind, come boy." Despite the great size of the beast he slowly made his way over to them. As he did Robb put out his hand to scratch him atop his head and behind his ears." Good boy." He said while doing so. Slowly gaining courage Desmera took one step out from behind Robb.
"Can I…." she said getting his attention." Can I pet him?"
"Of course." He smiled. Despite her statement she was slow bend down to offer her hand. To help her Robb covered her hand with his own. Grey Wind slowly moved in sniffing at it. Desmera was turning a light shade of white, afraid the wold might take her hand off. But he didn' he stuck out his tongue and began licking her hand like his Master's. That caused her to let out a sheepish giggle.
"I…I think he likes me." She cheered. Grey Wind moved forward and began liking her face.
"I'd say so." Robb smiled." Easy." He said grabbing him by the neck. "Down boy." Grey Wind did as his master commanded but was still happy with his eyes on Desmera. Her eyes quickly went to another item in the room.
"Is that your sword?" He leaned over and grabbed it.
"Ice." He unsheathed it slightly, dazzling Desmera with most likely the only Valyarian steel blade she's ever seen." The Blade of my House."
"It's beautiful." She said in awe. Carelessly she moved forward to touch it.
"Careful." He advised getting her attention. She picked up her head and looked him in the eyes." Nothing cuts like Valyarian steel."
"Of course." She nodded intently." Of course how silly of me." He pushed the blade back into it's scabbard. He turned his back to her to put the sword back where he'd found it.
"And this?" Desmera questioned. Robb quickly turned around to see her looking into his closest. And right now she was pawing at the Ice Bear skin he'd picked up at the Wall. The gift he'd meant for his bride.
"Oh um… that's uh a gift." Desmera's eyes shined for a moment. "For my cousin on her wedding day."
"Oh." She said letting go of it." It's very big, I've never seen a bear this big. Was this from the Wall?"
"Yes." He said clearing his throat and walking up beside her.
"I'd like to see the Wall someday." She said turning around to face him, now with only a few inches between them.
"Well…uh" The freckles on her face seemed to really brighten right now. And he hadn't noticed until just now how blue her eyes were." Someday….maybe."
"Maybe." She repeated daring to press herself closer to him.
"Desmera I…." he said in a hushed breath." I have to go meet with someone very important."
"Oh." She said taking a step back." Alright." She stood there awkwardly for a moment, fumbling with her hands. Robb turned to the door, and as he did she did with him." Will I….get to see you later?" she questioned when she stood in the doorway. He looked again into those deep drown eyes accompanied by those shining freckles.
"Later perhaps." he said. He couldn't bring himself to say 'no'. She turned away from him, struggling to do so. He imagined that would be the last time he saw her. She would go back and her father would tell her what his father had said.
With Desmera gone Robb had to turn his attention to a new matter entirely. In truth he had nearly forgotten her in all the excitement over the past day. But before he could go forward he'd need a clean conscience, and he would have to go back to the beginning.
There was a blue tent and the image about it was of a Merman with a green beard wielding a Trident. He took in a deep breath before approaching the armed guards outside.
"Sers." He said." Please inform your Lord I would like a word." One of them disappeared into the tent only for Ser Wylis to return in his place.
"Lord Stark." He nodded.
"Ser Wylis." Robb nodded." I wonder if I might have a moment of your time."
"Certainly my Lord, certainly come in please. "Robb followed him inside. And sitting right there before him was the young Wynafryd Manderly, heiress to White Harbor. But she quickly turned away from him choosing instead to address him with her back to him.
"Wynafryd!" Wylis snapped.
"That's alright Ser." Robb said." I can understand her resentment. And so I come here to beg forgiveness form the both of you." Wynafryd shifted slightly in her seat to face him over her shoulder." With my Uncle's passing I was named my grandfather's heir. It was he who" He paused a moment to consider his next few words. No need to mention Margaery's name and cause even more problems." Arranged my marriage. I had my father's wishes on one hand, my grandfather's on the other's. So I beg your forgiveness for being mixed up in this." But Wynafryd turned away from him once more.
"You are forgiven Lord Stark. "Ser Wylis said instead." Come." He said putting an arm around Robb's shoulder." I'll walk you out." They exited the tent side by side. "I have no sons of my own." Ser Wylis told." When I die White Harbor will pass to my eldest daughter. I only ever wanted what was best for her as any Father would." Robb simply nodded his head." Everyone looks to you now hoping for Winterfell and Riverrun but I had hoped for this long before your Uncle's passing."
"I never meant for any of this to happen." Robb said.
"I believe you." Wylis nodded." You're a good lad Lord Stark. " He faced Robb with open arms." Now hug me like a son would." And certainly after everything that Wylis had done for him Robb could definitely give something back to him.
The two embraced for a few moments before Wylis broke it off, Robb doing the same shortly after.
"I only hope all of this ends up behind us rather quickly." Robb said.
"And I hope you find happiness Lord Stark with your young bride. And you are always welcome at White Harbor." Robb moved forward and laid a hand on the fat knight's shoulder.
"Someday I will repay the kindness you've shown me Ser. I promise that."
Margeary
While her Father tracked down her uncle Lord Paxter, Margaery took it upon herself to track down her cousin. Her Father was a headstrong man, but in a situation like this that boldness may not work out much like they'd hoped, though the Redwyne's would no doubt see the error of they're ways soon enough. So as a back-up plan should her Father fail Margaery would change Desmera.
Margaery knew exactly what to do. Her cousin had always been a delicate little thing even when they were little girls. Always coming from the Arbor to visit her, always following Margaery's lead, doing whatever she did. So she'd have to break this to her softly.
She found her on a balcony overlooking the harbor, a small helping of food before her as she ate along with an open book as she did. There were four guards standing around her with Desmera was naturally dressed in the purple of her house, but with a crown of blue roses still atop her head. Her cousin had always been a fragile thing so matter what Margaery had to try and not upset her too much. She put on her best smile and walked over to her kin.
"Desmera." She said getting her attention.
"Margaery!" She answered jumping to her feet. There was a sing-song sound to her voice and a spring in her step. She jumped up and put both arms around her cousin's shoulders." I'm so glad to see you."
"And I you." She responded. Her eyes flashed up to the roses on her head. The roses meant for her.
"Come sit with me" Desmera invited cheerily as she lead her to the table and they sat down together. Margaery couldn't taker her eyes off of the roses.
"Still wearing those I see" she commented. Desmera said nothing, but beamed when she mentioned them "You look very pretty with those on." Desmera's smile grew and a slight blush appeared on her face.
"Thank you." She answered." I've met him you know. Lord Stark-Robb Stark." She quickly corrected." He's very handsome."
"I had noticed." Margaery said. "But what about Devan Lannister?" she asked and Desmera stirred in her seat, dropping her eyes.
"He wasn't unkind to me" she said " My father told me it was a better match for him than it was for me. He only agreed when I consented as well.. but" she perked up "I don't think I have to worry about him. Since I'm to marry Robb Stark"
"He's asked permission?" Margaery looked at her strangely.
She shook her head "Not yet, but he will" she said so certain of the conclusion, but Margery was relieved to hear that because it was definitely not going to happen "We had dinner together last night"
"So you've seen him often?"
"Nearly every day since the tourney." she said though it's only been a day "I've been to the godswood with him, he introduced me to his direwolf, showed me his sword."
"His sword?!" Margaery let out.
"Ice." Desmera told." The Ancestral blade of the Starks. Valyarian steel you know, only a few left in the world." That was the last Margaery would hear of Deserma's little fantasy, it was time to break it to her. She put on another smile and a small chuckle to go with it.
"Thank goodness. I had thought you'd been implying something indecent."
"Me?! No, never." She laughed. Margaery laughed with her, but reached out to hold Desmera's hand in both of her's. "Look at you" she said softly "You're so happy" she paused "Which makes me all the more sorry this had to happen." Desmera's laughing stopped.
"What do you mean?"
"Robb Stark-"
"Is he hurt? Is he alright?" she asked frantically.
"No no no" Margaery managed to calm her with her beautiful soothing voice "That crown." Margaery pointed to the pedals atop Desmera's head." Those were meant for me." Desmera raised a curious eyebrow at her.
"I don't think so." she forced a smile and a laugh.
"It's true." She nodded." Robb Stark as well. My father made the pact with his grandfather after he'd become heir to Riverrun." Desmera still did not look convinced.
"W-why hadn't I heard this before?" Now she was getting it, the poor girl. It took a bit longer than Margaery had expected, but that was natural for some one like Desmera.
"It was going to be a surprise. Here at the royal wedding." Desmera pulled her hand away from Margaery's.
"That's... very convenient for you isn't it?." She spat.
"What?"
"You've always been like this. You always thought everything was meant for you!" She pointed a finger in her Margaery's face." That everything revolves around you! That you always put yourself above every one else" she stood up and her voice rose with her "You couldn't become Queen and now your trying to get the next best thing. And you can't stand that some one else- that I have it over you!"
"How do you know any of that?!" Margaery raised her voice back and jumped to her feet.
"Your father told my father everything. How he meant for you to be Queen. But he never mentioned any of this." Margaery couldn't believe this. Desmera couldn't ride as well, sing as well, talk as well or do anything as well as Margaery could. How could any one mistake the two? But this newfound development was filling her head with air. If Margaery was going to gain control of the situation she'd have to do it quick.
"Desmera" she lowered her voice, regaining her composure "think for a second. Winterfell is not the Arbor. You don't know if you'll like it up there-"
"Neither do you!" she yelled gaining the attention of those around them. This was getting out of hand very fast." I don't care about Winterfell, I don't even care about Riverrun! All I care about is Robb Stark!". That was it for Margaery, how dare Desmera talk to her like this? She didn't care about breaking her feeble cousin's spirit now, all she wanted what was rightfully hers.
"Desmera I-"
"NO!" she screamed." I don't want to hear anymore of your lies, just leave me alone!" Before Margaery could say anymore Desmera marched away. And before Margaery could follow after her she was stopped by two Redwyne men at arms.
Well this was a new development; rejection and failure were entirely new things to her. But she would have her way soon enough, Margaery knew that. One way or anther this would end as it should; with Margaery on top and Desmera wallowing beneath her. She returned to the chambers of the Master of Coin; her father's residents while he remained in the capital.
There was her Father hunched over in the chair, his right hand covering his right eye. His wife, two sons and mother close by.
"Father?" Margaery chirped as she made her way into the room." What's happened?" She let out a gasp he showed her. Lord Tyrell sat up and removed his hand showing a big purple bruise on his right eye.
"Damn Paxter." He grumbled." Damn Paxter and damn the Redwynes!"
"I couldn't agree more." Margaery agreed with equal spite.
"Make a fool out of me will he?" He grumbled sitting back." I'll show him. I'll-I'll put a heavy tax on anything from the Arbor."
"We could take the Island." Loras spoke up.
"Yes!" Her Father agreed." Take the Arbor and banish the Redwynes, I have the King's ear I can do it!"
"This seems to have turned into a right mess." Her grandmother called. Although the only one who seemed to have heard her was Margaery as she turned to her. Everyone else continued their conversation of War against the Arbor and Redwyne's. But Margaery went over to Lady Olenna. "But things are not as bad as they seem." She told.
"I beg to differ, Grandmother."
"True." The Queen of thorns agreed." This isn't the best of circumstances, but there is still time to change that. And you're the only one to do it." Margaery raised a curious eyebrow at her.
"How?" Olenna reached a slender hand down and laid it on her Granddaughter's face.
"Did I ever tell you of how I met your Grandfather?"