32. LYANNA XI
I thought it was ridiculous for all the southern lords to be brought back to the north in less than three months. Couldn't the wedding be a simpler affair with only family and northern lords in attendance? But as it wasn't up to me, we spent the last few days in a haze of receptions and ceremonies. I felt so tired, the queen caught me sleeping twice during such receptions. She chastised me mildly for it though. The whole wedding preparation was taking its toll on all of us.
The return of Arya improved the mood of all the Starks including Jon of course, we even dined with the family on their table once. I was quite worried about it but no one wants to anger Arya, they all play nice in front of her. Maybe they even felt charitable indeed with the bliss of their reunion. The pack as they said. I don't know, Jon was so hopeful, I wasn't half so. I doubt the fierce princess could change the king's mind. I even dare to say, she will definitely clash with him soon if she knew his intention of marrying her to prince Trystane. We barely managed to squeeze her in an outer robe for Sansa's wedding just to cover her boy trousers. I will be happy to see this encounter.
After our initial misunderstanding, I came to like Arya. She purely loves Jon. Apparently the only Stark to do so. She seemed genuine but she scared me when she talk about her list, her killings. How can a girl almost half my height to be such a ruthless killer but I saw her besting Ser Brienne of Tarth with this dancing style, Can you imagine it? Ser Brienne was taller than men!
Her stories of the last few years were both heart breaking and breath taking at the same time, sometimes I couldn't believe it was even possible. Many things I thought were not possible and now they are facts in front of my eyes. I cornered Jon once till he took me to see the dragon, it was real!It was terrifying and glorious. How anyone can have such a reckoning force and threw it like this? This was beyond my understanding. But this was Jon, dear Jon, with his stupidly loyal heart. If anyone would have told me, I was going to be so attached to him in such a short period, I wouldn't have believed it. He urged me to come and ride the beast with him but I was skeptical, maybe some other time. He laughed, took me in his arm, kissed me passionately then accompany me back to Winterfell despite the dragon obvious annoyance. What was the green beast annoyed about? That I took his mother's place or that Jon ditched him to accompany me.
Jon started to kiss me every now and then, sometimes out of nowhere. He was so tender, starting shyly as if asking for permission. We were a real man and wife in all but our bed. It was still awkward. I don't know why, I thought I was clear in my feelings but Jon always seemed afraid of my response. I wanted to reassure him but I didn't know what else to do. I wanted to go all the way with him. The urge inside me was increasing with every day, I don't know if it was because I was increasing or because I became so fond of him.
If only he would listen to me, to spare our child this curse, to save us from this daily struggle, to live the way we deserved but he wouldn't hear it. That was frustrating but I was eager to maintain peace, so I didn't push for it again. I was waiting and hoping, he may come to his senses before my due day come. I was still fairly flat and no one could have guessed what I was carrying if it wasn't announced.
The groom was the first to arrive. He was such a charmer, and extended his gallantry to me and Jon, He congratulated us heartily on the child to come and said he would hope to follow our lead soon. I thought it was a strange way to put it but I wished him the best. I was astonished to see Tormund Giantsbane, I thought he wouldn't come, actually I am not sure if he was invited in the first place! Val as usual was more than friendly to Jon but she took me aside and asked how I was faring and gave me some advices. I didn't know what to think, I am sure she fancied Jon and I don't know if wildling live by the same morals as us. Jon once told me, that you have to kidnap a woman in order to marry her and that how he was considered to be married to that spearwife Ygritte, at least in the eyes of the wildling. I don't know if he considered it a marriage also or not.
Jon was so happy to reunite with Tormund and Ser Davos. You would think he parted with them years ago though it was only three months with Davos and much less with Tormund. Tormund was not in his usual happy boisterous manner. I think he came for something totally different from the wedding. Ser Davos bowed needlessly to me and looked intently into my eyes, apparently to make sure I don't torture his boy at night!
It took ages to get the queen ready and finish all the chores and ceremonies and I finally could go to our room to finish dressing myself. Then I saw Arya and Gendry coming out with Ghost and they greeted me cheerfully, they must have been visiting Jon. They were always in each other company. When I asked, they said they knew each other from years back. Quite strange, what kind of circumstances would have put them together?
Just wait till Lady Stark finish this wedding business and she will flay us all alive!
It strike me the difference between the two sisters, Sansa was very "prim and proper" as Arya would say. She was also very pretty. She looked a vision in her wedding dress but Arya was boyish and crude, not exactly ugly but not as pretty as Sansa. What did they called her? Horse face? Well she was definitely prettier than a horse. Sansa was demure and Arya was lethal but I would rather entrust Arya with my life at any given day. I still remember Jon's words to Arya
"And whatever you do, don't…tell…Sansa"
The marriage was to be by the old Gods and a smaller ceremony will be held at the sept on the next day. A week of celebrations was ahead of us. It was cold and windy but not dark, the lanterns everywhere took care of that. Jon put his hand on the small of my back and pull me closer to him. I felt safe, warm and for a while I forgot about our troubles with Robb Stark. It was the happiest and grander occasion I witnessed in Winterfell, merrier than either the king's wedding, which was a gloomy occasion at best, or ours which was a rather sad small feast. The couple looked handsome, what we "highborn ladies" were always taught to dream of. If you could only ignore the mild limp of Lord Tyrell. As usual we sat at the bastard table with the addition of the wildlings and Ser Davos. Arya was at the main table looking at us in wonder, then she left her place and came sitting by us. Jon and Gendry looked alarmed, Ser Davos started to bow!
"Arya, this will not do, go back" Jon urged her in worry
"I prefer it here, why are you sitting so low like this?"
"I am not a Stark, you are, go" he huffed at her
"Milady, your mother will be furious" Gendry tried to make her see reason
"Fuck off!"
"Gods Arya, don't talk like this in front of others" Jon was looking nervously at Robb who was glaring at us. They never reconciled after their last fight, they just faked camaraderie for Arya's sake
Anyway, no one could deter Arya from staying where she wanted. The royal table sent several servants requesting her return but to no avail. And then Ser wylis Manderly came with the Waynwoods to sit with us and the table kept getting larger and larger, noisier and noisier.
The king stood suddenly, I thought, he would reproach us but he only stay silent till the whole hall fell silent then he spoke in his strong voice and heavy northern accent "My lords, my ladies, I have a happy announcement to make" I looked at Arya in anticipation, would he announce her return while she is rebelliously sitting with us?
"The north is once again a united strong family, I am happy to introduce the newest addition to our royal family" Jon looked with a small smile to Arya but it was such a surprise when we hear what came next "Lady Amarylis Manderly is now betrothed to my dear brother Prince Brandon Stark, an alliance I am proud to have with Lord Manderly, our new Master of war" the hall erupted in cheers and wild toasts were made.
It was a wise decision of Robb which I didn't know whether I should be happy about it and hope he would extend the same treatment to us one day or be threatened by his growing power. Jon seemed both happy and astonished, too happy in my opinion. He went to congratulate his brother who was as cold as ever. I sympathized with the poor girl but I said nothing. Jon made a toast in honor of the happy couples. Both lord Manderly and Lord Glover raised their cups to us in toasts. There was abundance of wine, northern blackberry wine, summer wine, red arbor, gold arbor, even dornish. I didn't indulge, I thought it wasn't good for the baby to drink in so young age but Jon imbibed happily, apparently he decided to celebrate the happy occasion with more and more wine. He was half in his cups already when the music started and he took me to the dance floor with this smirk on his face and a wicked glint in his eyes "Come, peach" he said. Peach?
They were singing the Dornishman's wife, his hands were everywhere and he whispered the song huskily to me but with "the Northman's wife" instead, I laughed heartily at this
The Dornishman's wife was as fair as the sun,
And her kisses were warmer than spring.
But the Dornishman's blade was made of black steel,
And its kiss was a terrible thing.
The Dornishman's wife would sing as she bathed,
In a voice that was sweet as a peach,
Arya drew a half reluctant, half eager Gendry to dance but we were the two drawing every eye to us. Jon was taking me in his arms and leaning to my mouth whispering suggestively "And I've tasted the Northman's wife!"
Gods, how can I resist this drunken Jon, and I leaned to his kiss. I heard the "Hoaaaa" from Tormund and Lord Glover. Arya shoved him playfully "Get a room you two". He looked sheepish at her rebuke but his eyes never left mine for the rest of the night
Brothers, oh brothers, my days here are done,
The Dornishman's taken my life,
But what does it matter, for all men must die,
And I've tasted the Dornishman's wife!
And that night, I tasted the Northman too…
*The Dornishman's wife song