Chapter 28: Fall
Maybe it was exhaustion from having a baby, but I was almost sure Brandon was perfect. He had decided to make himself the gate keeper of my labor bed. Catelyn, Benjen and Luwin were the only people always allowed in he had to have told the children the must be good when visiting because they were all little angels. Brandon was loving and devoted to me, but he was also so incredibly happy by the birth of our daughter. He did not care in the slightest she was not a boy. Rhaegar had been disappointed Rhaenys was a girl until he decided it was all part of the plan and he actually needed another daughter though he never apologized for how he reacted to the first. Right after giving birth for a moment I was terrified Brandon would be disappointed to and to disappoint him was something I could not bear in that moment not after I just brought forth the labor of our love.
Rhaenys and Aegon were both made out of duty but Alarra was conceived in love and Brandon's heart sored every time he held her. I even heard him sing softly to her one night when she fussed. He adored his baby, he was a good lord, he was a loving husband to me, and best of all he still was a wonderful father to my own children.
It took over half a year to heal from giving birth to Rhaenys and I was sick the entire time, it took even longer to heal after Aegon's birth, and I could hardly move for most of that pregnancy. Though the beginning of my pregnancy with Alarra was troubling but that was because of Roose Bolton, aside from normal strains of pregnancy I was well enough, at the least as well as usual.
After a week of rest, I found myself up again to Brandon's panic his concern was sweet and I could not find it irritating not when his own mother died of childbirth. So, I easily agreed to take things slow at first.
Besides, I could spend hours staring at my beautiful baby girl, Alarra looks so much like her father and already I can see his strength in her. She has my black hair and eyes. I look up from my daughter to see Brandon proudly watching us from the doorway.
I pat the bed next to me and he comes over. "Watch this." I tell him with a quite giddy.
I look down at my baby. "Alarra, Alarra! Alarra!" I called and she smiles at my voice.
"Who wouldn't smile when they hear your voice." Brandon said kissing my head while moving Alarra's blanket up around her.
I had worried Rhaenys would be jealous of a baby sister, but she was thrilled to have another girl and often I would watch Brandon with Rhaenys on his lap helping her hold the baby.
The children had all started calling Brandon papa which I loved.
The tables have turned and now Benjen goes on walks with me to make sure I am okay we talk and laugh and discuss Benjen and Berena's letters. Live is slowly going back to normal.
Brandon must show the children the white Raven when it comes.
"Its hair is like yours!" Jon tells Aegon making Brandon laugh.
"It means the seasons changing my love. "I tell Jon kissing his head. "It's falls now."
"But winter is coming." Brandon, Eddard, and Benjen say in unision making me smile and turn to Catelyn.
"Stark men will always be stark men." Catelyn teases.
"I have been waiting to hear you say that." I tease Brandon and he smiles.
"Isn't that bad papa?" Aegon askes worried, Brandon messes his hair.
"The Starks have survived a thousand winters, and we will survive thousands more." Brandon promises. Aegon takes him at his word but Rhaenys looks nervous so Brandon pull them into his arms. "I would never let anything happen to either of you."
Ned soon leaves again for the moat his goodbye with Catelyn is less teary this time, they are fighting because she knows he keeps things from her. I cannot blame her for her anger, but Brandon says it is not our place to get in the middle of their marriage and I believe he is right.
When I do to much in a day and do not stop or take breaks he just swoops in and picks me up in his strong arms and carry me back to bed.
"I had the baby a month ago." I remind but it is hard not to find comfort in Brandon's arms.
"You need to rest my love." He soothes as he lays me down in bed.
"Will you rest with me." I ask softly his eyes look tired he has been being lord of Winterfell, caring for the children, the new baby, and me.
"Anything you want." He promises as he lays next to me, I move into his arms, there is a mild soreness still between my legs but I am happy to be held by my husband again.
It all seems to be going so fast. Brandon begins leaving early every morning to prepare for the coming winter. I feed my baby every day it takes longer to soothe her hunger. After words she coos for a little while before falling to sleep, I carefully set her on the bed where the maids coo over her.
Myla helps me get settled into the bath when the door opens, and Nan comes through.
"I am to see how you are feeling." She says simply.
"I am alright." I promise.
"We will see about that, your breasts look good, are you often tired?" Nan askes.
"Not more then normal." I admit.
"Does your womanhood hurt when you touch it?" she asked.
As odd as her questions are, I decided it is better her then Luwin and I try it and feel no pain. "No." I tell her she moves to where the maids are playing with Alarra.
"The baby is thriving; I see no reason to not resume."
"Resume what?" I ask.
"Your task of providing lord Stark a son and heir of course." She says as though it is an obvious answer.
Brandon has barely even kissed me since our daughter was born I was sure it was to soon, I knew if I touched by womanhood six moons after I had Rhaenys I would scream out in pain, and I doubted Brandon would want to. My breasts swelled with milk and were sore, my nipples were chapped, my stomach was still soft with a roundness to it I did not really mind being to skinny most my life but I understood though it was an easy enough pregnancy my body was a wreck afterwards like my first to.
"It is your most important duty and cannot be put off." Nan reminds before she leaves.
Brandon had said Alarra could be the lady of the north and the dornish in me quite likes that. But I know I surely alone in thinking my daughter is Brandon heir when most would pick his brother and his brothers' son after him. Catelyn ever congenial is already discussing the possibility of Alarra marrying Robb when they are older.
I am dried off and dressed and sat down so my hair can be fixed. I think of how I would not mind terribly having another baby another little piece of Brandon, I always wanted a big family and he is such a good father. Neither do I dread the idea of Brandon bedding me again in fact I long for it. As odd as Nan may be, she has seen a lot of woman have a lot of babies and I find myself believing her.
Brina rushes in out of breath. "My lady-their early!" She says panting.
"Who is early?" I ask.
"The-prince's-of-Dorne!" She finally gets out.
My eyes widen in shock. Myla quickly finishes the simple northern braids.
"There, I will take the baby to the nursery." She promises before going back to ordering the girls around. "Gara get Lady stark her cloak it is snowing out."
She wraps me in the grey fur line cloak as Brina puts on my boots. Myla takes my baby and I cannot help rushing out the door.
I look over the terrace to see them in the courtyard they are both dressed warmly and uncomfortable. Brandon is greeting them, and it does not appear to be going well Brandon and Oberyn appear to be measuring each other up as I come down the stairs.
"You will not come to Winterfell and make demands!" Brandon assures.
"We did not travel all this way for the pleasure of your company, where is my sister!" Oberyn snaps back.
Its Doran who sees me first He looks older, wise as ever, but an odd fragility is in his tired eyes.
"Elia!" He cries as I go to them Oberyn turns at the instant of my name his eyes widen and he smiles he pushes passed Brandon to hug me twirling me around in his arms we have not laid eyes on each other since Harrenhal.
"I thought I lost you." He whispered in my ear quietly.
"Even from very far away you found away to take care of me." I remind softly trying not to cry.
"You like my letters?" He muses.
"Very useful, and entertaining though you have never been a great poet." I tease just so happy to see him.
"You wound me." He teases as Doran comes to join us, I notice his very prominent limp.
"I thought the sun would never shine in this bleak place but here you are." He says as he hugs me Oberyn joins in too the three of us united after all this time is a miracle and it bring joy filled tears to my eyes.
"Don't cry love." Doran says gently.
Oberyn shivers and pulls his fur cloak closer. "How do you survive in such a god forsaken place stark?" He torments Brandon with a smirk I hit his arm.
"We find plenty of ways to stay warm." Brandon says back with his own cocky look that practically has Oberyn hissing I give Brandon a little glare, but I cannot really be mad at him for standing his own. Brandon has never known how to back down from a fight of any kind.
"I already do not like him." Oberyn muses.
"Try not insulting his home." I remind but Oberyn is not one to easily change, Doran shakes his hand.
"Thank you, lord Stark, for your hospitality it has been a very long time since I have seen my little sister." Doran says kindly.
"Welcome to Winterfell prince Doran." Brandon said respectfully he could be the most congenial lord when he wanted to be.
We went in and Doran wanted to talk to Brandon which meant I had an opportunity to try and convince Oberyn everything was good as I lead him through Winterfell by the hand he told me different ways he could kill Brandon.
"Oberyn stop it!"
"I am just saying done right it looks like a belly burst."
"Don't even joke about him dying, I don't know if I could live without him." I tell him.
"Don't even joke about that, what's so great about him anyways, what can he do for you?" He whines to annoy me as I open the door, he walks through it and sees Alarra in her cot.
"Doran said you had a baby, boy or girl?" Oberyn asks but he is already smiling at my baby.
"She is obviously a beautiful baby girl!" I scold I did not know how much I missed scolding my baby brother.
He laughed. "They all look like monkeys at this point. May I?" He askes and I nod and he picks her up.
"Her name is Alarra." I told him proudly.
"She is lovely but don't let your love for her be confused for love with him." Oberyn says and it hurts but it is not without justification after all I did the same thing with Rhaegar.
"This is not like last time, I loved him before we had Alarra and unlike Rhaegar Brandon loves me too." I assure him and my brother looks sad.
"They should have let you come home to us." He says painfully it was always easier for Oberyn to get angry then to deal with his feelings.
"I know, but if it was not for Brandon Aegon would still be in Kingslanding. Brandon once had a bad dream that Aegon ended up like Aerys, Brandon loves Aegon like he is his own and immediately dismissed it for nonsense, but I keep thinking what would of happened to my sweet boy if he was still in Kingslanding." I admit he kisses my cheek before sighing.
"Do you really love him?" He asks.
"With my whole heart. I know he comes off as gruff, but he is loving and attentive and protective." I promise and my brother nods. "As long as you are happy." He admits.
The door opens and Benjen enters with the children, Oberyn hands my daughter over to me so he can grab Aegon and Rhaenys in his arms tossing and catching them as he would his own daughters. Rhaenys giggled along but Aegon does not do well with people he does not know touching him.
"PAPA!" Aegon cries I go over to settle him but Brandon comes running in shortly after determined to get to his child. He takes Aegon into his arms.
"It's okay silver, this is your uncle Oberyn, he is your mama's brother." Brandon tells him in that gentle voice he saves for the children and me. He glances at Oberyn and I am sure he does not want him to see him like this but I know Oberyn he is a father too and he only respects Brandon for it, he even smiles while my husband gently rocks Aegon soothing him.
"Your good with him." Oberyn says finally which is as much as an apology as Oberyn will give and Brandon nods.
"Do you have children?" Brandon askes which as much of an acceptance as he will give.
"Four daughters." Oberyn muses he bounces Rhaenys. "You remember me, don't you?"
"MMMMhhh I don't know." Rhaenys says making us laugh.
"I am you best most favorite uncle." Oberyn promises.
"No." Benjen says quickly making Brandon laugh.
"Oberyn this is Benjen, Brandons little brother." I introduce.
Brandon mutters something under his breath and kisses me. "I abandoned your brother when I heard Aegon, I should find him." He says he takes Aegon with him.
"Who is the boy hiding behind you?" Oberyn asked.
"This is Jon Snow." I say leaning down to kiss Jon's head.
Benjen was worried about Oberyn's reaction but I knew better Oberyn had four bastards of his own he would not be angry at a innocent child for being a bastard.
"What about you? Do you want to be tossed by you uncle?" He askes and Jon goes running to him.
We play with the children and chatter for awhile until it is time for the feast. Brandon is cautious to watch how much Oberyn is flirting with Catelyn while I get to speak to my big brother.
"Will I have to convince you of my love for Brandon as well?" I ask him and he smiles.
"No, I can tell by how you look at him. I knew he was inlove you by how he talks about you, he cannot even say your name without smiling. I was a little worried about Rhaenys and Aegon until he ran to your sons aid at his cry, I am so glad you are happy Elia." He promises as he takes my hand.
"And how are you and your children and wife?" I ask.
"The children are well my wife has resigned herself to different chambers then mine." Doran admits.
"I am so sorry."
"Do no be you are a wonderful sight for sour eyes, I am so happy to see you safe and well I will take the joy home with me." He promises.
We watch Oberyn dance with different northern girls as they all but make a line. Benjen and Brandon are talking to my brother's head guard and examine his spear talking about the craftsmenship and it makes me smile.
I turn to my brother who moves his goblet of northern wine away from him.
"What did you and Brandon talk about for so long?" I ask.
"You of course, your happiness and how much we both love you. He apologized to me for what happened with that horrible man."
"What did you say?" I asked nervously Brandon felt terrible about that and I would hate for it to become worse.
"That it was not his fault but I did expect him to learn from it and of course I have decided to give him a dowry for you because I appreciate him protecting you and your children when I could not." He admits.
"That is very sweet." I tell him it would help with the costs of the moat as well and could be the answer to our problems.
"I asked if he would use it to build the rest of his fortress and he said though the money would free him up to spend his money on the fortress without worrying about bankruptcy he wants to keep this gold for Alarra so he will not leave his daughter bankrupt for her own rule." Doran said and my eyes widen.
"He considers Alarra his heir?" I asked softly.
"Why should he not? Even in these less educated parts of westeroes the law clearly states a man's daughter will inherit before a mans brother." Doran wisely reminds.
"That law is overturned more often then it is upheld." I remind we did not have to worry about such things in Dorne no one thought Dorans son the heir because Arianne was older and that was that.
"I believe that husband of yours is not any ordinary man." Doran says.
We leave the feast as it gets late Doran has already retired and I assume Oberyn is probably off with a new lover.
"I think I am too thrilled to sleep!" I admit to Brandon as he carries me up the winding stairs. My hand runs against his firm chest the other around the back of his neck rubbing it gently.
"I thought you would say that." He tells me as he puts me down I am confused he usually carries me into our rooms but he puts me down outside the door, then I realize this is not the outside of our bedroom I was to lost in his wild eye to notice before he smirks though I am skeptical I open the door to see my brothers sitting by the fire Benjen is also there with a pitcher of wine. Sitting by a chair another one sits empty waiting and I am so happy for the chance to talk to them away from all those other people I kiss Brandon's cheek.
"You must sit down at least." Brandon said worried as ever about me tiring myself out, I knew he was happy to stand in the background, but I wanted him to join in on the fun.
"You sit down, I will sit on your lap." I tell him he looks at me skeptically but follows as I gently tug on his hand to follow me. No doubt Brandon would have killed a man for having Lyanna on his lap but we were Dornish and used to passion and affect, I was pretty sure Doran and I saw the beginnings of Sarella and when we were children Doran and Melliaro were so in love they could not help steal touches and kisses. It always brought a smile to Oberyn and I's young faces we were happy he was so in love we wanted that ourselves.
Brandon was hesitant at first but relaxed seeing my brothers were not offended in the slightest soon his arms wrapped around me. We all laughed and told stories by the fire and had a wonderful time. We talk for hours late into the night. Benjen's favorite stories were Oberyns. Brandon and Oberyn discussed battles and fighting, Doran told riddles and puzzles we had to decipher, Benjen liked best to talk about his brothers and their many achievements while I always ended up talking about my children, which lead Oberyn, Doran and Brandon to do the same. Benjen was the first to retire tired of all the baby talk.
"I am not sure any other child has ever been such a gifted rider but Rhaenys has the natural talented for it and the heart she truly loves every animal she sees." Brandon tells my brother as I tiredly cuddle into his chest my eyes are heavy
"You let her ride would you let her fight?" Oberyn asked.
"I would teach her if she wanted so she could protect herself but she is so good hearted I don't think I could take her into battle I don't think I could even bare to see her married I might kill the shit who tries to take my little girl." Brandon says making them laugh. "Your both fathers you must understand?"
"My girls can do anything they would like and anyone." Oberyn says with a shrug.
"It is a natural part of life growing and young love, I find joy in it. I want my daughter to be as happy as you two, I see you holding my little sister like you are two parts of one whole and I am so happy for it." Doran says.
"Well your better men then me, I am liable to head-butt the first man to touch Rhae." Brandon admits.
"I sort of like this about you." Oberyn laughs.
I am happy and comfortable listening to the men I love talking and bonding as I am warm in Brandon's arms feeling his heartbeat against my chest.
I hear snippets Doran wants his chief to make a traditional Dornish meal for everyone before they go to Kingslanding, Oberyn wants to take Benjen to a brothel, Doran would like us to visit Dorne. This thought stays with me as I drift off.
Images fill my head of watching Brandon, and Benjen play with the children in the water pools, showing my children the beautiful proud land I come from, seeing my nieces and nephew again and all the wonders of Dorne. Then it changes to thoughts of Brandon and I, showing him how we would lay on the marble floors to keep cool when it is really hot, having him taste the fruits we grow in dorne he would find exotic, showing him how easy it is to undo dornish dresses, taking a bath with him to fight the heat. I could see him there kissing me again touching me again making me call out his name in utter bliss and then he began saying my name.
"Elia, Elia, Elia!" huskily as we get closer it makes me cry out his name all the more and hold onto him so tightly.
"Elia!" I hear mixed with gentle shaking wakes me up I see Brandons concerned face. "My brothers!" I say mortified until I realize I am back in my bed in our chambers.
"We said good night I carried you to bed long before you began…dreaming." He says with a light chuckle he is turned on his side with messy hair I want to touch his face as he shaved before the feast and I am not used to seeing him without his beard. "They might be alright with you snuggled into me, but something tells me that they would mind more." He says with that perfect smile.
I cannot help myself anymore I have to touch his smooth face to see how it feels.
"Do you like it?" He askes it makes him look so young but not as rugged.
"I actually like your beard; I had not thought I would at first." I admit softly.
"No?" He askes with a grin we could barely stand each other at first a marvel how far we have come by both just giving a little bit and growing together.
I blush and look down before looking back at his curious eyes and saying." I like they way it looks…and feels." I say feeling the deep heat in my cheeks there is something in his eyes I cannot quiet tell in the dark what it is.
"Well, there will be time for it to grow back before I can touch you again." He says finally and I feel a deep disappointment in my chest.
He must have seen my disappointment he starts playing with my hair soothingly before kissing my head which only frustrates me more. "Are you hungry, thirsty, cold?" He askes helpful as ever and I cannot be angry with my sweet husband I shiver a little bit without my stark baby in my belly I am no longer constantly hot.
"I am a little cold; would you cuddle with me?" I ask softly.
"Anything for you." He promises carefully moving me into his arms. I sleep on Brandon's chest all the time, but I cannot find any rest. I look up at him to see he is staring down at me completely awake.
"Brandon?" I ask softly.
His hand touches my face. "What is it sweetheart?"
"Will you kiss me, please." I ask softly I feel an unexpected vulnerability at this request, but I do not want him to say no. I do not know what to say if he does.
"Alright." He says he easily pulls me high up on his and I almost want to sigh at the feeling of his hand on my thigh. He leans up as I lean downs are lips gently meet his kiss is soft and innocent and ends as quickly as it starts but that is not what I need from him and instead of saying so I decide to show him. I move down to him slowly my lips part a little before even reaching his. I start by sucking on his lip between mine. His hand goes to my cheek keeping near to him as my head tilts to what I know to be the best angle for me to kiss him at. His tongue curls in my mouth and his kiss is hot and warm and just what I want we kiss for so long I wonder if our lips will be bruised in the morning.
Brandon finally pulls back. "My love this is uncharacteristically cruel of you." He muses confusing me as I do not understand his meaning. "It is cruel to kiss me and make me mad with desire when I cannot have you." He sighs one hand rubs my thigh. "Its bad enough to hear you calling my name in your sleep wanting enough to make me burst."
"You can have me." I counter trying to kiss him again, but he stops me.
"As badly as I want you, I will not take you to soon after you gave birth to our daughter. I am not Rhaegar I will always do right by you." He says softly.
"Nan said we could begin to try for a baby again as long as it did not hurt when I put my hand against my womanhood." I told him softly
"What if putting another baby on you to soon is what made you almost die with Aegon? Besides, I am happy if Alarra is our only child I have every confidence our girl can rule the north." He tells me so sweetly.
"I want to give you more children Brandon, I want you to have a big northern family of our dreams, our daughters birth was easy perhaps so will the next besides it took a while to conceive Alarra it will take time for the next." I say I see that look in his eyes again and closer I can see it is lust.
"Alright just promise me to tell me if you hurt." He says.
"I promise I promis-" I begin as I lean down to kiss him again to have that wonderful sensation but Brandon is past the point of kisses he needs more. He flips us so he is over top of me careful to hold his weight on his knees as his hands go to my loose dress, he already undid the lacing of my corset so I could sleep comfortably.
First his hands move over the silk slowly making my breath hitch in expectation. His hands grasp the light grey fabric lined with white fur, his hand move past the blue beading to the proud direwolf. "I love it when you wear Stark colors." He whispers in that husky voice of his.
"I do it for you, when I get dressed I think of how you will look at me if I wear this or that, I love the way you look at me." I admit quietly as he slowly pulls the fabric from my body.
"Go on." He growls his eyes locked on me as he gives a good yank that has me gasp.
"I like the way your eyes follow me when Catelyn and I are dancing. I like the way you bite your lip when I first come into a room when you want me."
"I always want you." He promises throwing my dress to the floor examining me I should be nervous I just had a baby and he has not seen me naked in awhile but the look of desire in his eyes tells me I have nothing to fear and the way he licks his lips bring heat to between my thighs.
"You're so beautiful Elia." he mutters against my neck. It makes me realize my direwolf necklace is not their I have to feel over to the side table to make sure it is there happy to feel it against my palm. Brandon brings my hand to his chest.
"I am going to need all your attention love."
"I had to make sure its safe, I love wearing your sigil against my chest when I touch it I think of you, sometimes I think it evens gives me some of your strength." I tell him I would not let them take it off of me when I gave birth.
Brandon smiles sweetly for a moment before his eyes go to my chest. His hands move around my body one moves up my thigh the other goes to my breast before I move it down to my butt without thinking, Brandon is happy enough with it he squeezes it lightly as I attack his lips once more. Brandon kiss me for a time before stopping I feel his hand rubbing against my ribs.
"Please?" He askes hoarsely.
"Gently." I tell him softly deciding it is unfair to keep him from my breast while I still have them, they are just painfully sensitive lately. I am surprised how nice it feels when his hands gently rub them it makes the tenderness feel better and more pleasurable to me than ever.
"Don't stop." I mummer softly with that he brings his lips to one thoroughly rubbing the other.
"Careful." I warn him he seems to take that as softer and does so but as I fear my breast start leaking on him.
"I'm sorry I can't control it-" Begin frantically trying to sit up to grab something to cover them but his firm hands stop me as he lick the milk up not startled by it at all the feeling relaxes me.
"I must admit." He begins leaving little kisses all over my breasts. "I found it wildly unfair to have to watch you take these out and not be able to touch them, don't get me wrong I find it heart warming to watch you feed my child but as ridiculous as it maybe I found it thoroughly unfair I am the one unallowed to touch them." He says making me giggle as he continues his kisses before looking back up at me.
"A little more?" He askes and all I can do his nod my approval he goes to the other breast sucking hard enough to get more milk to run out and he laps it up once more. "It's sweet like you." He whispers softly.
Brandon goes away from my breast making me make an absurd whiny noise that makes Brandon smirk.
He is back up on his knees and moves between my thighs, he looks over me carefully as he inserts his fingers looking for any sign of pain. He starts with two which has me gasping in pleasure as he pumps them in and out of me. My hips move in rhythm with his thrust, I lean back as the orgasm hits me.
"That's my girl." Brandon says huskily adding a finger as come out of a maddening hot orgasm I struggle to catch my breath as he continues, he watches my breasts heave but never lets up on his rapid pace.
"Now you." I tell him desperate for him.
"Not yet love." He tells me making me pout. He removes his fingers.
"I need to taste you Elia its been so long and the sent alone is heady." He says getting down and throwing my legs over his back. My feet rub against his strong back and my fingers pull at his hair as he feasts between my thighs.
"Brandon, Brandon Brandon!" I cry out I cannot stop my hips from thrusting at him as I feel the heat rising and know my climax is near. Brandon practically encourages my hips rolling using it to deepen his tongues thrusts.
It feels like something breaks inside me but there is no pain only pleasure as it washes over me I babble incoherently as he finishes lapping at my arousal. Once I catch my breath I grap his wrist getting his attention as he begins undoing his trousers.
"Lay down." I instruct.
"Are you alright do you feel alright?" He asks worried.
"I am better then alright but before we start I want to-"
"Elia I need you or I will explode." He almost growls I cannot help but giggle.
"I want to make you feel how you make me feel, please." I say with a pout Brandon struggles to say no to me when I pout at him.
"If I am spent-" He begins.
"I will revive you." I promise and with that he lays on his back I undo his trousers giddy.
I lick the tip hard before engulfing it making him groan, I suck on it with force while my hand messages his sack, he moans my name. He is entirely tense as though forcing himself to be utterly still, I decide to see how much of his impressive girth I can take in which makes Brandon howl like a wolf.
He can no longer stop himself and thrusts into my mouth at first it makes me gage and move up a bit but I am curious about it and begin bobbing my head to see if I can get him to do it again he does this time it is much more manageable his hands tangle in my hair as he does so again and again as slowly as he can force himself before he climaxes and the peculiar taste fills my mouth.
"Sorry." He says breathing as I move off of him.
"I kind of like it, it's sour like a dornish red." I tell him making him smile but he groans when I lick him off my lips.
"Come her love." He says with half lidded eyes I move to cuddle him deciding if this is all we do tonight it is more then enough but I am happily surprise when he grab my torso and pulls me up so my breasts are to his head he buries his face there. I moan at his many kisses and this seems to help him so I call out his name he groans and kisses at my breasts encouragingly, so I continue.
I decide to admit a little secret to him. "When I touched my womanhood I though of you how good you make me feel there." Brandon makes no noise and stops kissing my breasts and I begin to feel embarrassed when he flips me on my back.
"Is this how you want it?" I asked longing to have him any which way so he might as well decide.
"The first time at least." He says and rubs is hard member against me until I scream.
"You say things like that to me love and we can go all night!" He promises before pushing inside of me we both make pleasured noises, but I cannot help but think who right and whole I feel when we are together like we are two parts of a whole. I am so overwhelmed with finally getting what I have long desired and dreamed about I the rush of my climax hits me so quickly and roughly I spasm in Brandon's arms clinging to his body.
"I got you." He promises in my ear he gets me to my peak again before he changes positions turning me onto all fours and pushing back into me after my last orgasm he has to practically hold me up as he finishes we collapse onto the bed tired. Brandon laughs saying it must be morning but we lay down anyways.
He pulls me to him, and I smile as I warn him. "I am all sticky."
"I predict I will be all sticky soon." He teases and I am sure he is right my legs are already snaking around his leg.
"Will you take a bath with me in the morning?" I ask softly.
"As soon as your maids break down the door." He teases as I lay my head on his chest.
"It's snowing." Brandon says softly he says he can hear it but it is still surprising to me how he always seems to know.
"I love you Brandon."
"I love you too Elia." He promises before we drift off only to be interrupted soon after by my maid knocking on the door.
The rest of my brothers stay is wonderful, but they eventually must go to Kingslanding before the weather gets bad. It is a very hard goodbye because we were only just reunited but Brandon promises they can come to Winterfell anytime they like. I was very sad to see them go but Brandon held me for hours and kissed away my tears.
In the months to come Brandon explains the harvest feast and why all his lords must come for it. It is at this event he names Ned the Lord of the moat and gives him the duty of protecting the north from its south boarder. In the end he is given the name Greystark as a younger Stark brother has taken before.
Benjen is sits by his lady Berena all night talking and laughing Lord Hornwood told Brandon he would be honored to marry his sister to Benjen Stark, his wife Donella offers Benjen to stay at new castle with her brother lord Manderly and though I will be sad to see him go Brandon decideds Benjen needs to see more then just Winterfell.
The feast is lively and the northern lords are in high cheer seeing their lord proudly show them his daughter. Alarra slept in her papa's arms as if soothed by the northern lords cheering for her. The children ran around merrily playing as lord after lord professed their love and loyalty for the Starks.
"TO LORD STARK!" they cheer loudly.
"To Alarra Stark may she be a strong healthy Northern lass!" Other cheers and they all join in chanting her name.
I stood proudly at Brandon's side my dress showed the little bump of our new child Brandon had been terrified when I told him I was already pregnant again but I reminded him we are the Starks and we will survive this Winter and many more to come.
I took Brandon's hand as a large man called the GreatJon shouts. "To Lady Stark a true and noble lady who blooms again with our Lords child and if the gods are good a son and heir!" He shouts and the others chant for me.
"We may survive winter, but do you think we can survive all this unnecessary praise?" Brandon teases in my ear.
I squeeze his hand lightly. "With you by my side I think I could survive anything." I promise him and he kisses me there infront of all his lords with our baby girl in his arms and another babe in my belly, the lords hoot and holler but in that moment we are the only ones in the great hall.
Its a really gushy chapter and I am ok with that!
The Martells are united!
To me Doran would be easier to see Brandon's good qualities where Oberyn would need to be convinced by Elia.
Had to throw in one more love scene before the time jump!
Please let me know what you think and thanks for reading!