Chapter 38 – Samwell – Wedding

Sam stood in the Godswood, next to the crying tree with the red leaves. Jon stood on his other side and whenever he gave him a nervous glance, his best friend smiled at him reassuringly.

It was snowing, and the white crystals fell on the already think layer of snow that covered everything: the ground, the trees, the stones, the grass. It was beautiful, especially when the snowflakes shimmered in the flames of the torches that lit the way from the beginning of the Godswood to the weirwood tree.

Sam couldn't believe that this was actually happening. He, a man that was taunted his whole life by his father that no woman would ever want him, he, who had taken a vow in both the Night's Watch and the Citadel that he would take no wife, was going to marry. And not just anyone but the only woman he loved. The only woman he had ever loved and would ever love, the mother of his children and joy of his life, the only woman who ever saw more in him than a clumsy, fat boy, but a hero and a vast storage of knowledge. With her, he could be who he really was, and he still impressed her. His lovely Gillyflower.

They had decided to participate in a Northern wedding, although Sam was born in the South, but since Gilly was born beyond the Wall and Sam had already taken his Night's Watch's vow before the Old Gods, they were both more comfortable with a Northern wedding, especially in Winterfell. Besides, Sam had told her, the Old Gods had answered his prayers, obviously, when the New Gods never had.

"There they come," he heard Jon murmur and looked at the beginning of the path where two women slowly walked towards them. He gave Jon another nervous smile. This all was only possible because of him, for the King in the North had revoked his vow of the Night's Watch (for the first time in history), so here he was, free to marry his soulmate.

"We could all be dead in a few weeks," Jon had told him gravely when Sam had asked him of this favour. "Of course, I want you to be as happy as possible."

Now Sam could finally see the two women more clearly. His sister was wearing a green dress, her favourite one if he recalled it correctly. She probably had her hair in a wonderful fashion as well but all he could look at was the lovely girl beside her.

Gilly wore a white gown with white fur on top and silver flowers sewn all over it. She had made it herself with the help of Sansa, and he was very curious to finally see it, for he had not been allowed to before. Her hair was braided in a southern style and he could detect his sister's work at once. But it was nothing of these things that made her such a beauty, it was her shy smile that lit her eyes brightly and made him feel like the worthiest man alive.

Gilly and Talla stopped a few metres before them and waited apprehensively.

Sam felt the same suspense, and his heartbeat accelerated quickly. This was it. This was finally the moment he had secretly dreamed of since he met Gilly at Craster's Keep.

There was no one else around, no other witnesses or guests, and it felt even more special, more intimate. Only these four people – and Ghost, of course – together in the snow, in front of the Old Gods – it couldn't be more perfect.

Jon stepped forward. "Who comes before the Old Gods this night?" he said the ritual text in a solemn manner. Who better to carry out this ceremony than the King in the North himself?

Talla looked up and Sam could see her gulping nervously. His sister had been quite excited by the news of his and Gilly's wedding and had promised to learn her lines properly, but he knew that she had always trouble speaking when it was important. "Gilly of House-," she stopped abruptly, and her eyes widened in shock. She glanced at Gilly who nodded at her reassuringly, so Talla continued, calmer now. "Gilly, of no House. A wildling girl from beyond the Wall with no last name. She is here to be wed. A woman grown, trueborn and noble none the less. She comes to beg the blessings of the gods. Who comes to claim her?"

Now it was Sam's turn, so he stepped forward as well. "Samwell of House Tarly. Lord of Horn Hill." When Jon had freed him of his vows, he had suddenly inherited his childhood home. He had been concerned about Talla's reaction since it had belonged to her before, but she had been glad. "It has always been yours," she had smiled warmly. "Besides, I have no idea how to rule."

"Who gives her?" Sam continued with the wedding ritual.

Talla smiled at him with all her sisterly affection. "Talla of House Tarly, who is her best friend." Now her smile glided over to Gilly who returned the gesture with all her heart.

Sam was so glad in this moment that his sister and wife-to-be got along so well, that he almost forgot that now the most important part would come.

"Lady Gilly," Jon announced officially, and Sam was glad for his best friend's acceptance of his choice, although technically Gilly was not a lady. Not yet, anyway. "Will you take this man?"

Gilly smiled at Sam, and he could see tears of joy in her eyes. "Yes," she announced firmly. "I take this man, for this winter and all the winters to come."

Sam wanted to rush to her and kiss her with all his love, but it wasn't over, yet.

"Lord Samwell," Talla spoke. "Will you take this woman?"

"Yes," Sam wanted to say as firmly as his Gilly had but the words stuck a bit in his throat in all these emotions. "I take this woman, for this winter and all the winters to come."

"Then," Jon declared, and Sam could hear the joy in his voice, "I pronounce you husband and wife for this winter and all the winters to come."

There Sam was finally allowed to embrace his wife and kiss her with all his love and all his joy, and he thought he couldn't be happier but then he felt all of his love returned by his wonderful Gilly and there never had been a more perfect moment in his life.