The Rise Of A Dynasty
Winterfell – 294 A.C
Later that night…
"So My Lady… what do you think of Winterfell so far?" said Ned looking in the direction of Margaery who was sat next to Jon on his right.
Ned was sat in the great hall enjoying his supper along with Ashara, their children, Edric, Theon, Lyarra and the Tyrells.
Margaery sipped her wine and turned to Ned with a small smile on her face.
"It is a lovely castle Lord Stark… though I am not yet used to the cold" said Margaery.
"You will get used to it soon" said Ned.
"Perhaps the Seamstress can make some Northern dresses for you, they will keep you warm" said Ashara.
"That would be most appreciated Lady Stark" said Margaery sweetly.
"We can go to the Seamstress tomorrow and she can take your measurements… if you are lucky she might have a dress ready for you to wear to the feast tomorrow night" said Ashara.
"My Daughter has several lovely dresses to choose from for the feast Lady Stark… your Seamstress need not hurry to make these dresses for her" said Alerie Tyrell causing most of the others to look insulted.
"Mother… if Lady Stark has a dress ready for me by tomorrow night the least I can do is be polite and wear it" said Margaery.
She turned to look at Ashara.
"I would love to wear one of those dresses for the feast if I had the chance Lady Stark" said Margaery.
Ashara managed a small smile and nodded.
"I am sure your Mother means well My Lady… but you may wear one of your own dresses if you wish" said Ashara.
Margaery smiled and sipped her wine.
"Jon did a very good job of showing me around Winterfell" said Margaery.
Jon was slightly surprised when Margaery placed her hand on his thigh underneath the table.
He drank some of his ale and nodded.
"You little minx" thought Jon.
He turned to Margaery.
"Lady Margaery was very keen to learn more about our family and Winterfell" said Jon.
Ashara smiled and looked further down to the table at Loras who was eating his own food.
"And what do you think of Winterfell Loras?" said Ashara.
Loras looked up the table at her and swallowed with a small degree of nervousness.
"It is a nice castle My Lady… very different from what I have seen before" said Loras nervously.
"We have never been anywhere this cold" said Alerie Tyrell.
"This cold is what we are used to on a daily basis in the North" said Robb.
"We have the blood of the First Men in our veins… we are born to survive the cold, like the direwolf" said Arya quickly.
"Alright alright… Robb, Arya, you have to remember that Lady Tyrell is not used to the North like you are" said Ned sternly.
Arya turned to her Father and nodded.
"Yes Father" said Arya.
Ned nodded and glanced at Robb who nodded.
Ashara watched Jon and Margaery smiling at how relaxed the two were with each other as they listened to the conversation.
They continued their supper with only mild chatter between the Starks and the Tyrells before they left the great hall.
Jon leaned into Margaerys ear before she could stand up.
"Come to my chambers in one hour" whispered Jon.
"One hour" whispered Margaery nodding.
She stood up and left the hall with her Brother and Mother.
Jon smirked and stood up.
He looked over to Arya who cracked a wide smile.
Ashara stood up and watched as Arya left the hall with Jon, Robb, Theon, Beric and Edric with a spring in her step.
"Is sword fighting all you think about Arya?" whispered Ashara.
"You know what she has wanted to do for years" said Ned causing Ashara to jolt slightly.
She turned to him and smiled.
"I just wish she would think about boys and other things as well as sword fighting" said Ashara softly as Lyarra took Brandon's and Elia's hands before walking them out of the hall.
Ned smiled and traced his hand on her arm.
"She is only 10… perhaps such things will interest her when she is older" said Ned softly.
Ashara nodded.
"You are right, perhaps I need to relax a little when it comes to Arya" said Ashara softly.
Ned smirked and leaned into her ear.
"Come on… let me take you down to the hot springs so you can relax and unwind in the steamy water" whispered Ned.
Ashara's breath hitched before she turned to him and smirked.
"Great idea, you need to help me unwind" said Ashara in a flirty voice.
Ned chuckled as she took his arm and allowed him to lead her out of the hall.
Meanwhile…
Arya walked over to the sword rack and pulled a wooden short sword out of the rack with a smile on her face.
She walked back over to the boys as Jon turned to Beric.
"Go on" said Jon.
Beric smirked and walked over to the training rack and pulled two bastard training swords out.
He handed one to Edric and kept the other one for himself.
Arya looked at the two and smirked.
"Who wants me first?" said Arya cockily.
Beric chuckled and moved towards her twirling his sword.
He gripped it in both hands close to his chest pointing it towards her.
Arya smirked and swung the sword at him.
Beric blocked her strike and tripped her up causing her to fall on her back.
She jumped to her feet as Beric stepped back and Edric stepped forwards.
"Patience Arya" said Jon sternly as she swiftly struck at Edric who calmly blocked her strike before pushing her back.
Arya nodded and held her sword in a defensive stance.
Jon watched and instructed her for the next forty or so minutes before bidding them farewell and heading back towards the castle.
He rolled his eyes at some of the comments aimed his way.
"Where is he going?" said Arya.
"To see his Rose" said Robb teasingly.
"He's in love Cousin" said Edric teasingly.
Jon chuckled as he walked through the doors.
Later that night…
Margaery smirked as she stood outside the door to Jon's chambers.
She knocked on the door and stepped back slightly.
The door opened a few seconds later revealing Jon who was dressed in his breeches and a silk undershirt.
"Come in" said Jon stepping aside.
Margaery smiled and walked past him through the door.
Jon closed the door and made his way over to the small table which contained a silver tray with two pitchers of Arbor gold and two glasses.
"Please, sit down" said Jon gesturing to the seat in front of him.
Margaery smiled and walked over to the table sitting down in the chair he pulled out for her.
"Thank you" said Margaery as he sat down opposite her.
Jon poured two glasses of wine and slid one across the table to her.
Jon sipped his wine as she picked her glass up and took a sip keeping her eyes locked on him.
"So… why exactly have you asked me here Jon, what do you want from me?" said Margaery in a teasing voice.
Jon chuckled.
"To talk… about you, and you can ask me anything you want to know about me" said Jon.
Margaery smiled.
"Ask away" said Margaery sipping her wine.
Jon smiled.
"Okay… tell me about what it was like growing up at Highgarden" said Jon.
Margaery smiled and proceeded to tell him all about growing up at Highgarden.
She told him about how protective her Brothers were when it came to her. How she grew up with other girls from the Reach who were sent to Highgarden to serve as her ladies in waiting. About how she learned how to rule from her Grandmother which slightly unnerved Jon having heard all of the stories about the Queen Of Thorns.
In return he told her all about his life at Winterfell and everything that came with it including squiring for his Uncle Arthur and shared some amusing stories of him, his siblings, Lyarra, Theon and Edric.
Unfortunately for Margaery the more they talked the more they drank and after a full two hours she was starting to feel slightly drunk causing her questions to take a rather naughty turn.
"Sooo Jon… how many girls have you fucked?" said Margaery sounding rather drunk as she drank more of her wine.
Jon smirked.
"Three, but none as pretty as you" said Jon.
Margaery winked at him and placed her hand on top of his.
"Smooth… did you enjoy fucking them Jon?" said Margaery in a sultry voice.
Jon chuckled and took her wine glass away from her.
"Very much, but I think you have had enough wine for tonight… come on, I'll take you back to your chambers" said Jon standing up and walking over to her.
Margaery giggled as Jon helped her to her feet causing her to lean into him until she was looking straight into his eyes.
"Back to my chambers… do you want to fuck me Jon Stark, are you going to fuck me like you fucked those other girls?" said Margaery in a drunk sultry voice.
Jon placed her arm around his shoulders.
"I want to… but not like this, you are drunk, and we are not married yet" said Jon teasingly.
Margaery batted her eyelids at him.
"Perhaps you should kiss me instead, come on… kiss me" said Margaery licking her lips and leaning up towards his face.
Jon gently held her away from his face.
"You are drunk… let me take you back to your chambers, we can talk more on the morrow" said Jon softly as he started to lead her towards the door.
"Of course I am drunk… and I want you to kiss me, up here and down there" said Margaery in a drunk mocking voice as she glanced down at her hips.
Jon laughed and turned a little red.
"Come on… you need to sleep this off" said Jon as he opened the door and led her out of it into the hallway.
She clung to him tightly as he picked her up and took her back to her chambers fortunately keeping quiet apart from the occasional giggle.
He opened the door to her chambers and carried her inside before placing her on her bed.
As he moved to stand up straight Margaery immediately lifted her head and clumsily kissed him on the cheek.
"Stay here Jon, I might get lonely without a big strong man like you" said Margaery giggling slightly.
Jon chuckled.
"Goodnight Margaery" said Jon amusedly.
"Can I have a goodnight kiss at least?" said Margaery sounding a little sleepy.
Jon chuckled and helped her get under her covers.
He pulled the covers up to her midriff as she looked up at him.
"You did not give me an answer" said Margaery.
Jon shrugged his shoulders and gave her a long kiss on the cheek causing her to sigh and giggle.
"I meant on the lips, so kiss me again, and do it properly this time" said Margaery giggling.
"Another time… now sleep this off, I will bring you some food to break your fast on the morrow" said Jon softly as he moved away from the bed.
"Come back to bed Jon, you need to keep me warm" said Margaery giggling.
"Fuck me" thought Jon as he fought back the feelings of arousal that grew stronger at her dirty talk as he reached the door.
"I'm cold Jon, come and warm me up" said Margaery in a sultry but tired voice.
Jon groaned causing her to giggle before he turned around.
He was slightly relieved to see her drift of to sleep before he walked through the door and shut it before walking back to his own chambers.
He went to bed that night thinking of how he was going to explain what she was doing in the morning.
The next morning…
Jon made his way towards the door to her chambers holding onto a tray with a plate of assorted fruits along with a pitcher of water and a mug.
He placed the tray on the floor next to the door and knocked on the door.
"Margaery, are you awake, its Jon" said Jon leaning against the door.
"Come in" groaned Margaery from within.
Jon chuckled before opening the door and picking up the tray.
He walked into the room and gently kicked the door closed.
Margaery was sat up in bed rubbing her eyes before she turned to face him.
"I feel like shit" groaned Margaery as Jon made his way over to the table near the hearth.
Jon chuckled and placed the tray on the table before walking over to her.
"No wonder, you did get rather drunk, and you had many things on your mind" said Jon.
Margaery turned slightly red.
"What did I say to you?" said Margaery sounding a little embarrassed.
Jon sighed.
"You might not want to hear what you said to me" said Jon as he pulled the covers to the side and started to help her out of the bed.
She placed her arm around his shoulders once she was on her feet and looked at him with a serious look in her eyes.
"Tell me" demanded Margaery as Jon led her over to the table and sat her down.
Jon sighed and knelt down in front of her taking her hand.
"Margaery… you asked me if I wanted to fuck you, in that bed, you asked me in my chambers and again in here" said Jon glancing at her bed.
Margaery eyes went wide before she turned red.
"And… what did you say?" said Margaery in a slightly worried tone.
Jon sighed and squeezed her hand.
"That even though I wanted to bed you, I refused… because you were drunk, and we are not married" said Jon nervously.
Margaery held a straight face for several seconds before flashing him a small smile.
"Well that proves you are a good man" said Margaery.
"How?" said Jon.
"You said you would only lie with me if I was your wife, even if you find me desirable" said Margaery softly.
Jon chuckled as Margaery laughed.
"Come on then… what else did I ask you to do?" said Margaery cheekily.
Jon chuckled and stood up before pulling the other chair closer to her.
"Tell me everything I asked you to do to me" said Margaery as Jon sat down in front of her.
Jon smirked.
"Very well, prepare to feel embarrassed, or feel regret that it did not happen, you were so eager for me to join you in bed" said Jon cheekily as he poured some water into the mug for her.
Margaery chuckled and took the mug as he handed it to her taking a sip.
"Out with it then" said Margaery teasingly.
"Well… you asked for kisses, in more than one place" said Jon.
To his surprise Margaery laughed at his words.
"Do you want to kiss me between my legs Jon Stark?" said Margaery still laughing.
Jon smirked.
"If you were my wife… I would do much more than simply kiss your cunt" said Jon huskily.
Margaery smirked.
"I bet you would, one day your head might find its way in between my legs, you never know what might be possible" said Margaery teasingly.
Jon chuckled and slid the plate of fruit across the table to her.
"Eat… it will get rid of what remains of your headache" said Jon softly.
Margaery smiled and picked up an apple before holding it out to him.
"Eat with me… there is more than enough to share" said Margaery.
Jon smiled and took the apple from her as she started helping herself to the grapes.
"Did I ask you for a goodnight kiss by any chance?" said Margaery teasingly.
"You did" said Jon before biting into the apple.
Margaery smiled.
"Did I get one?" said Margaery in a slightly flirty voice.
"You did… on the cheek, the same place you kissed me, rather clumsy on your part actually, you tried to kiss me on the lips" said Jon passively.
Margaery smirked.
"You can kiss me on the lips… right now if you wish, come on" said Margaery teasingly as she leaned closer to his face.
Jon smirked as he watched her tongue lick her lips wetting them in anticipation.
"Kiss me Jon, submit to your desire and kiss me, you know you want too, give this pretty young maiden a kiss, prove that you want me" whispered Margaery as her hands travelled up to his face and her lips got closer to his.
Jon chuckled and traced his finger on her chin teasingly.
"When you agree to be my wife… I will kiss you" said Jon huskily.
Margaery pouted and pulled away from his face.
"Why wait, its just a kiss Jon, a simple kiss, I know you want to kiss me, you certainly got close enough just now… so close that I expected to feel your lips on mine, now I am rather disappointed that you would not kiss me" said Margaery teasingly.
Jon chuckled.
"Good things come to those who wait… or you yourself could give in and agree to become my wife, then you can have all the kisses you want, wherever you want, I'll even kiss you down there if you want, I bet you would like that, I certainly would like to do that to you" said Jon huskily.
Margaery raised her eyebrow at him.
"Surely you do not think I am that submissive Jon, even if the chance of seeing your head between my legs is a tempting one" said Margaery testily.
Jon smirked.
"Nor am I Margaery, otherwise I would have given in and kissed you… and I was just seeing how much you wanted a kiss from a handsome young lord" said Jon cheekily.
Margaery smirked.
"Oh I would love a kiss from a handsome young lord very much… perhaps you could introduce me to one" said Margaery teasingly.
Jon laughed.
"You little tease" said Jon cheekily.
Margaery smirked.
The two ate the fruit with mild conversation for the next twenty or so minutes before the door opened causing them to look in that direction.
Ashara and Alerie Tyrell were stood in the doorway looking at them in surprise.
"We had thought you would be breaking your fast with us Margaery" said Alerie Tyrell stiffly.
Margaery smiled.
"My apologies Mother… I am afraid I had a little too much to drink with Jon last night, the poor boy had to carry me back here, so be brought me something to eat this morning so we could break our fast together" said Margaery glancing at Jon with a sweet smile on her face.
Ashara inwardly seethed when she saw Alerie Tyrell just manage to fight back the urge to further question Margaery about what happened between the two of them with a strained smile.
Ashara turned to Jon.
"Jon… your Father wants you in the courtyard… to accompany him to an execution" said Ashara sternly.
Jon nodded before turning to Margaery.
"We can continue our conversation later My Lady" said Jon.
Margaery smiled and nodded to him before he turned around and walked towards the door.
"My Lady, Mother" said Jon bowing his head to them and leaving the room.
Once he was gone Alerie Tyrell turned to Ashara.
"Could you await us in the hall Lady Stark… so I can help my Daughter get dressed?" said Alerie Tyrell.
Ashara smiled and nodded.
"Of course… your Son will be back with us soon, the men will not be gone for more than an hour" said Ashara.
Alerie Tyrell nodded and walked over to Margaery to help her undress.
Ashara turned around and left the room shutting the door on her way out.
Half an hour later…
Ashara led Margaery and Alerie Tyrell towards Myra the Seamstresses house and workshop and knocked on the door.
"Enter" said the voice of Myra from within.
Ashara opened the door and led them inside where Myra was sat near her hearth doing some light needlework on a small pair of riding breeches.
"Lady Stark, Lady Tyrell, Lady Tyrell, what can I do for you?" said Myra looking up from her work.
Ashara gestured for Margaery to step forwards.
"Lady Margaery needs to be measured and fitted for some Northern dresses Myra… and would it be possible to have one ready for the feast tonight?" said Ashara.
"Not for tonight Lady Stark… I am still working on your Daughters riding breeches, but if we get her measured up now I am sure I can have one ready by tomorrow afternoon" said Myra as she walked over to the desk to get her measuring equipment.
Ashara nodded.
"Up on the platform My Lady" said Myra with her back to Margaery.
Margaery walked towards a small platform near the hearth and stood on it waiting for Myra.
They stayed there for the next half hour as Myra measured Margaery and worked out which colours would suit her best before heading back to the castle.
Meanwhile…
Lyarra was walking through the Godswood with Jeyne Poole and Beth Cassel who were in rapid discussion with each other and with her.
"Lady Margaery is so lovely and pretty, she even promised to tell me how to do some of those fancy braids she had in her hair at her name day tourney" said Jeyne.
"Maybe we should ask her to do some needlework with us… so she can tell us all about the South" said Beth.
Lyarra rolled her eyes jokingly before she noticed Maester Lewin walking up to her holding a raven scroll in his hand.
He bowed his head and held it out to Lyarra after he stopped in front of them.
"My Lady… a raven for you… from Kings Landing" said Maester Lewin.
Lyarra thanked him and took it before looking down at the wax seal.
The Crowned Stag.
"Who is it from?" said Beth.
The three of them walked over to some of the smooth seat like rocks near one of the pools under one of the trees and sat down by the waters edge.
Lyarra broke the seal and unrolled it.
She managed a small smile as she began to read it.
Lady Lyarra
I admit I was not sure what to write when I started to write to this letter. But I cannot help but be intrigued by you and had to learn more about you. Life in Kings Landing is pretty much the same for me, boring as always. But I will not bore you with the details as it bores me enough. I hope to receive a raven or two from you in return.
Prince Edric Baratheon
Lyarra smiled as she rolled the scroll up.
"So who was it from?" said Jeyne.
"Its from the Prince" said Lyarra placing the scroll up her sleeve.
"Prince Edric" said Beth in excitement.
"What did he write?" said Jeyne excitedly.
Lyarra happily sighed.
"That he is bored in Kings Landing… and wants me to write back to him" said Lyarra with a smile on her face.
The two girls made noises of slight excitement.
"Are you going to write back to him?" said Beth excitedly as she shook Lyarra's arm.
"I do not know… maybe, maybe not" said Lyarra passively.
Jeyne and Beth looked slightly shocked.
"You should write back to him" said Beth.
"He is the Crown Prince" said Jeyne.
Lyarra sighed slightly.
"And I was born a Crown Princess… that does not mean anything" thought Lyarra bitterly.
She straightened up and smiled.
"Perhaps I should write back to him… he did tell me I was far more interesting than other girls when we spoke at Highgarden" said Lyarra smirking.
Jeyne and Beth giggled as the three continued talking by the pool.
Later that evening…
Jon walked along the hallway towards Margaery's chambers to escort her to the feast.
All of the other Northern Lords and Ladies had arrived in the late afternoon in the same two hour gap quickly setting up their campsites and preparing for the feast.
Preparing to see the girl who would most likely become the next Lady Of Winterfell.
Even if they resented the fact that she would be another Southerner instead of a Northerner.
Jon straightened up and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" said the voice of Margaery from within.
Jon smirked.
"Your escort has arrived My Lady" said Jon teasingly.
"Come in My Lord… and close the door" said Margaery from inside the room.
Jon smirked and opened the door.
He walked inside and shut the door.
Once he turned to face Margaery Jon was slightly stunned as he took in the sight of her as she stood next to the hearth.
She was dressed in a pale blue slightly revealing dress with a shade of pinkish purple blended into the blue with her long light brown hair done up into a complicated looking southern braid.
Margaery smirked as she noticed him looking her up and down.
"My Lord?" said Margaery innocently as Jon made his way over to her.
Jon composed himself and took her hand bringing it to his lips kissing her knuckles.
"You look beautiful My Lady… I feel honoured to escort such a beauty to the feast" said Jon softly keeping his eyes locked on hers.
Margaery blushed and smiled.
"Thank you My Lord… you look very handsome as well" said Margaery sweetly.
Jon smiled as Margaery moved very close to him.
"Perhaps, because you think I am so beautiful… you could change the deal you mentioned to me earlier just a little bit, I am not asking for much" said Margaery cheekily.
Jon chuckled and thought about it for a few moments while she watched him in anticipation.
He smirked and leaned into her ear.
"Perhaps we could come to a little arrangement" whispered Jon.
"And what arrangement would that be My Lord?" said Margaery innocently.
Jon smirked.
"Just how badly do you want me to kiss you?" said Jon in a sultry voice.
Margaery smirked.
"Very much… do not pretend that you can resist me My Lord, its just a kiss, a simple kiss" said Margaery in a flirty voice.
Jon chuckled.
"If I kissed you now… you would be forced to wait until you accepted my proposal before I kissed you again… ask yourself if that is something you are prepared to do?" said Jon chuckling.
Margaery batted her eyelashes at him and licked her lips teasingly.
"Maybe, maybe not… I think I better find out, so shut up and kiss me" said Margaery softly tilting her head up.
Jon tilted his head down and kissed her.
She sighed into his mouth and closed her eyes as he brought his hand up stroking her cheek.
Once they separated after several seconds Margaery locked eyes with him and smirked.
"See… that was not so hard, I knew you could not resist" said Margaery in a flirty voice.
Jon smirked and let go of her cheek.
"Of course… it was just a kiss" said Jon.
Margaery flashed him a flirty smile.
"But we had a deal… and you know what you must do if you want another kiss" said Jon cheekily.
Margaery pouted.
"You would deny me another kiss just because you want to me to be your bride, how cruel" said Margaery jokingly.
Jon laughed.
"I would… you did agree to that deal" said Jon cheekily.
Margaery sighed.
"Of course… but you know, I am still yet to decide, one kiss does not guarantee a marriage, even if it was a good kiss" said Margaery sternly.
Jon chuckled.
"Oh I know… but getting Margaery Tyrell as a bride is something every man can hope for, even myself" said Jon cheekily.
Margaery smirked and traced her hand on his arm.
"Then I wish you the best of luck My Lord" said Margaery softly.
Jon smirked and leaned into her ear.
"You know… I would like to kiss those lips of yours again, for you tasted sweeter than the wine we shared last night, a taste I could get used too… but alas I cannot enjoy that taste again, not yet anyway" whispered Jon.
Margaery blushed before smirking.
"You are a very impressive young man Jon Stark, maybe you will get what you want in the end" thought Margaery.
"Perhaps we should go down to the feast My Lady, before someone comes looking for us" said Jon snapping Margaery out of her thoughts.
She moved to the side of him and took his arm.
"Then lead on My Lord" said Margaery sweetly.
Jon smiled and turned to her.
"Jon… call me Jon" said Jon.
Margaery flashed him a cheeky smile.
"Jon… take me down to the feast… show me a good time, and it might just steer my mind in a certain direction" said Margaery softly.
Jon smirked.
"Of course… but prepare yourself, a northern feast is something that will be new to you" said Jon cheekily.
Margaery chuckled and allowed him to lead her out of her chambers.
The two of them walked down to the great hall arm in arm where most of the other Northerners were waiting for them along with Ned, Ashara, Alerie and Loras Tyrell who were seated at the head table along with Robb, Beric, Arya, Elia and Brandon.
Jon turned his gaze towards the centre of the hall spotting Lyanna, Lyarra, Theon, Edric, Jeyne Poole and Beth Cassel sat down on one of the tables near one of the large hearths.
The two sat down on Ned's left hand side so Margaery could sit next to Loras.
Jon poured some wine for her and some ale for himself while Ned waited until the last of their guests had taken their seats for the feast.
Once everyone was seated Ned stood up holding his mug of ale.
"My Lords and Ladies, I welcome you to Winterfell for this feast, as I welcome Lady Alerie of the House Tyrell and her two children Margaery Tyrell and Loras Tyrell" said Ned.
The other Northerners turned to look at the head table and started talking amongst themselves.
Ned waited for the chatter to quiet down before addressing them again.
"So tonight… you will feast and drink as my honoured guests, and I ask that you welcome the Tyrells to the North as you would any other guests" said Ned.
The chatter amongst the Northerners resumed as the servants placed the last platters of food on the tables before Greatjon Umber stood up with a mug of ale in his hands.
"Come on you ugly fuckers… lets show these southerners how to have a good fucking time" said Greatjon causing cheers and laughter to erupt around the great hall.
Jon smirked and leaned back in his seat while Margaery looked a little shocked.
"Welcome to the North Margaery… while most people south of the Neck believe us to be uncultured savages and peasants, the reality is that we know how to have a good time" said Jon as he sipped his ale.
Margaery turned to him and smiled.
"They certainly are a lively bunch" said Margaery sounding amused as Ned stood up.
"As long as you do not break any more tables after having too much to drink Lord Umber" said Ned amusedly.
Greatjon Umber looked at him in mild shock as laughter and cheers could be heard around the hall once again.
"Sit down Lord Umber… we have a feast to enjoy" said Ashara.
Greatjon Umber grumbled and took his seat.
Ned chuckled and turned to Ashara as the servants left the hall.
"You certainly shut him up" said Ned jokingly.
Ashara smirked and squeezed his leg.
"Do not tempt me to use similar tricks on you Eddard Stark" whispered Ashara cheekily.
Ned smirked and placed his hand on her leg slowly moving it up to her hips.
"If you try too… I will have to keep you in line, in any way possible" whispered Ned as Ashara mock glared at him.
"Any way possible… perhaps there are certain things about that that sound very appealing" whispered Ashara as she felt his hand stroke her leg.
Ned smirked.
"We can continue this later… for now we have a feast to enjoy" whispered Ned.
Ashara smirked and started helping herself to the food.
Only mild chatter and the sounds of eating and drinking could be heard throughout the hall as they feasted on their food and drink.
Half an hour later Ned stood up and had the servants remove what remained of the food.
Once the last of the servants had left the hall most of the Northerners stood up moving towards other tables to talk and drink to each other.
Jon turned to Margaery who was glancing between him and the rest of the hall in slight confusion.
"What do we do now then Jon?" said Margaery.
Jon stood up and held out his hand.
"Now we will drink and talk with each other and the other Lords and Ladies… and their children of course, come… you might be the wife of their future lord one day, its best you introduce yourself to them now" said Jon as Margaery took his hand and stood up.
They picked up their drinks before walking arm in arm around the table towards the other tables to socialize with the other guests.
Ned and Ashara stood up with their drinks and walked down towards the other tables as they watched Jon lead Margaery over to the Umbers.
"Do you want her to agree to this betrothal?" said Ned looking at Ashara.
"I do, look how happy Jon is with her… one could be forgiven for thinking that he might love her Ned" said Ashara softly as she watched Jon and Margaery talk with the Umbers.
Ned smiled.
"Maybe you are right… maybe he is like me, maybe he has a weakness for beautiful young ladies" said Ned chuckling slightly.
Ashara smirked and sipped her wine.
"She would make a fine wife for Jon, and a fine Lady Of Winterfell" said Ashara.
"Hopefully if she marries him, she would be as good a Lady Of Winterfell as you" said Ned cheekily.
Ashara kissed his cheek.
"Do you enjoy showering me with compliments Eddard Stark?" said Ashara teasingly.
Ned chuckled and kissed her.
"A Wife should always be showered with compliments by her Husband… especially you" said Ned cheekily.
Ashara smirked.
"Keep talking like that and I will ride you all fucking night Ned" said Ashara teasingly.
"Please do" said Ned huskily.
Ashara chuckled.
"Later then… for now, we have guests to attend to Eddard Stark, so put those dirty thoughts to one side for now" said Ashara.
Ned chuckled.
"As you wish Lady Stark" said Ned cheekily.
Ashara toasted to him before sipping her wine.
"Come on, talk now, fuck later" said Ashara.
"Minx" muttered Ned cheekily.
Ashara laughed as the two walked over to the Glovers and the Forresters.
The feast lasted long into the night as drinks were drunk and words were exchanged. To the amusement of most of the crowd bar Ned and Ashara, Greatjon Umber did indeed get drunk enough to throw his eldest Son Smalljon Umber through one of the tables after his Son somehow insulted him.
Margaery laughed before turning to Jon as she finished her drink.
"Would you be so kind to escort me back to my chambers My Lord, I am rather tired" said Margaery sweetly.
Jon nodded and held out his arm for her to take.
Jon chuckled slightly as he heard amused comments aimed their way as they left the hall.
He walked her back up to her chambers.
Once she opened the door she stopped in the doorway turning around to face him.
"That was a… rather interesting experience Jon, though I do wish there had been dancing and music" said Margaery softly.
Jon stepped towards her causing her to smirk.
"Hopefully we will have another feast with music and dancing before you have to return to Highgarden… maybe even a small tourney on top of it, I think you will find it slightly different than the tourneys you are used to in the south" said Jon.
Margaery raised her eyebrow.
"I look forward to it, should one take place while I am here of course" said Margaery.
Jon smirked.
"Goodnight My Lady" said Jon.
"Goodnight" said Margaery softly as she felt his hand encircle her waist.
Margaery smirked when Jon gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I will see you on the morrow My Lady" said Jon cheekily.
"Yes you will… now come here" said Margaery.
Jon chuckled and moved teasingly close to her face before she gave him a longing kiss on the cheek close to his lips.
"Farewell My Lord" said Margaery stepping away from him and taking hold of the door.
Jon smiled and winked at her as she closed the door.
He turned around and started walking back to the hall.
Later that night...
Lyarra was sat down at the table writing on a raven scroll with the scratching of the quill on the scroll being the only noise in the quiet room.
She finished writing and picked up the two part scroll.
My Prince
I too was rather curious as to why you wrote to me given that we barely know each other. I am back at Winterfell with my family since my fostership with House Manderly ended. Not much else has happened since our return except for Margaery Tyrell, Loras Tyrell and their Mother coming to stay at Winterfell as Lord and Lady Stark try and arrange a betrothal for Margaery and Jon. Anyway I hope your life in Kings Landing is better than you described to me and hopefully you will write to me again.
Lyarra Snow
As Lyarra blew air onto the scrolls quickly drying the ink there was a knock at the door.
"Come in" said Lyarra.
She turned to face the door as it opened and her Mother walked inside.
Lyanna shut the door and turned back to Lyarra noticing the scrolls in her hands.
"Who are you writing too?" said Lyanna walking over to Lyarra.
"A friend" said Lyarra.
Lyanna sent her a curious smile.
"And who is your friend?" said Lyanna curiously.
Lyarra frowned slightly glancing down at the scrolls before handing them to her Mother.
Lyanna slowly took the scrolls from her and read them with a passive face.
She turned to Lyarra and handed the scrolls back to her.
"Prince Edric… you are, writing to him?" said Lyanna passively.
Lyarra nodded.
"I received his raven this afternoon… so I decided to write back to him" said Lyarra.
Lyanna remained silent for several moments before smiling and placing her hand on Lyarra's shoulder.
"Well… I am pleased that you have found yourself someone else to talk to outside of the North" said Lyanna softly.
"So I should send it to him?" said Lyarra sounding a little puzzled.
Lyanna smiled and knelt down next to her Daughter.
"Of course you should send it… as long as you do not tell him anything that could be dangerous to us, send it to him, he is obviously quite taken by you" said Lyanna softly.
Lyarra paused for a few seconds before smiling.
Lyanna watched as her Daughter rolled up the scrolls into one and wax sealed it with the Stark sigil before placing it to one side.
"What was he like?" said Lyarra softly.
Lyanna locked eyes with her.
"Your Father?" said Lyanna.
Lyarra nodded.
Lyanna had a fond smile on her face as she stood up and took Lyarra's hand.
She led her over to the bed so the two could sit down next to each other.
"He was… he was the finest man I ever met, handsome, kind, charming, courageous, and he had a talent with the harp that could melt the hearts of every woman in his presence, including mine… and I loved him so very much" said Lyanna fondly.
Lyarra smiled.
"We all heard the stories of the Silver Haired Prince… how he would walk amongst his people giving money and food to the poor, how he would play his harp for coin and then give the coin to the poor after he had finished playing… he was all of that and more" said Lyanna.
Lyarra smiled and wrapped her arm around her Mothers shoulders pressing herself into her.
"How did you meet him?" said Lyarra.
Lyanna squeezed her Daughter.
"At Lord Walter Whent's great tourney at Harranhal… I was sat talking to your Aunt and Uncle when he asked me to dance with him… he kept his eyes on me the whole time as he led me around the dance floor, and when the feast was over he walked me back to my tent" said Lyanna as her cheeks turned slightly red.
Lyarra smirked.
"And you fell in love with him that night" said Lyarra cheekily.
Lyanna smiled.
"No… not right away anyway, I knew I had feelings for him, but I was not sure what those feelings were at that time" said Lyanna.
"What happened next?" said Lyarra eagerly.
Lyanna smiled and proceeded to tell her all about what happened between her and Rhaegar at Harranhal and the events leading up to their elopement and wedding.
After Lyanna finished telling her story Lyarra sighed.
"My Grandfather sounds like a monster?" said Lyarra.
Lyanna frowned and squeezed her shoulders.
"Yes… he was, and your Father, like everyone else in the Seven Kingdoms, prayed for his death" said Lyanna.
Lyarra was slightly stunned.
"My Father wanted him dead?" said Lyarra in slight shock.
Lyanna nodded.
"What he told me after your Grandfather had murdered my Father and Brother, was that his real Father, the real Aerys Targaryan had died many years before that, and what was left in his place was a madman who saw conspiracy at every turn… though some of his Small Council only made it worse, like Varys and Grand Maester Pycelle" said Lyanna bitterly.
Lyarra wiped traces of tears from her eyes.
"I wish I could have met him… Father I mean" said Lyarra sadly.
Lyanna sent her a sad smile.
"I know… but he loved you, you and Rhaenys, he loved the both of you and Aegon more than he loved me or Elia Martell, we were his wives and would have been his Queens… but you three were his children, his legacy, the future of House Targaryan, as was your Aunt Daenerys, the future of a dynasty that should have lasted a thousand years" said Lyanna sadly.
Lyarra frowned.
"Is that why you hate the King?" said Lyarra sadly.
Lyanna let out a small growl.
"The King is nothing but a whore mongering, drunken murderer… the Mad King may have destroyed part of our family, but the King destroyed even more of our family, he killed your Father, pardoned the men who were responsible for the deaths of Elia Martell and your Brother Aegon, he has hunted your Aunt and Uncle across Essos for years using assassins and sell swords" said Lyanna bitterly.
Lyarra frowned before hugging her Mother who held her tightly in her arms.
"And what about the Prince?" said Lyarra.
Lyanna looked down at her and smiled.
"A child should never be punished for the sins of their parents" said Lyanna softly.
Lyarra looked up at her and returned her smile.
Mother and Daughter stayed together on the bed for some time before Lyanna left her chambers bidding her goodnight.
The next day…
Jon walked towards Margaery's chambers holding a folded up dress in his hands.
He stopped outside her door and knocked on it.
There was no answer for several seconds almost causing Jon to leave before the door opened.
"Jon, come in" said Margaery stepping to the side allowing him to walk past her.
Jon made his way over to the bed and put the dress down as Margaery closed the door.
Margaery smirked as she noticed the dress as she approached him.
"Take a look" said Jon softly.
Margaery picked up the dress unfolding it and holding it against her body.
"So what do you think… do you think a dress like this would suit me?" said Margaery.
Jon smiled.
The dress was light blue in colour and covered all of her upper body and arms all the way down to her ankles.
"It would Margaery… I think you would look beautiful wearing it" said Jon softly.
Margaery smiled.
"How sweet… would you like me to wear it for you?" said Margaery moving closer to him.
Jon nodded.
"I would like that very much… and I want you to join me for supper in my chambers tonight, and wear that dress" said Jon softly.
Margaery smirked.
"I would like that very much My Lord… shall I come up to your chambers once the others have gone down to the hall for supper?" said Margaery.
"If you could" said Jon.
Margaery chuckled.
"And rest assured… I will go easy on the wine tonight, so I do not ask you to do any more naughty things to me, lest you lose control this time and actually do them to me" said Margaery cheekily.
Jon smirked.
"Good… for you do not know what such talk can do to a man when he is not expecting it, and I would not want to force myself on you" said Jon.
Margaery laughed and folded the dress up placing it on her bed.
"My Mother wishes for me to join her in her chambers, join us, she has a few bottles of Dornish Red" said Margaery.
Jon smiled and held out his arm.
Margaery smiled and took his arm.
Jon lead her out of her chambers closing the door behind them before walking along the hallway towards Alerie Tyrell's chambers.