Chapter 8
Ramsay had glared at the wolf pups for growling at him. He added that annoying smirk from the bitch to the list of things he would pay her back for slowly and painfully. He spat in the snow as they went past him and up the tower where his brother had her well hidden away. He may have been out-planned this time, but he would make them both pay for the insults he had suffered in these past few days.
Hannibal led her to the top of the steps and into his chambers. Some of his trusted men were guarding raw fish and chicken taken fresh from the kitchens. Hannibal motioned to the two options. "What would you desire to eat, My Lady? I will personally cook your meal here for you so that you know for certain that it is safe to eat." The wolf pups began to whine at the smell of the fresh meat. He gave a command that silenced and stilled the young pups.
Margaery wasn't expecting the meat when they returned, and it only dawned on her just then as to how hungry she was. She blushed at the slight rumbling in her stomach. "The chicken looks good."
Hannibal set the pups down on the ground, then they sat and waited for him to give them a command. When Margaery chose the chicken, he signaled for the guards to leave. He sliced up the fish and tossed the chunks to the eager pups. He then closed the door to his chambers and moved to begin seasoning the chicken. He set the meat to cook in a small cast iron in the fireplace before washing his hands off in the extra basin near the door. Margaery watched with interest as he expertly seasoned the chicken. She was impressed. It wasn't many lords who could prepare their own meals.
Hannibal removed his cloak before setting it across a bench at the foot of his bed and moved to take her cloak as well. Margaery rolled her shoulders and let him remove her fur cloak. "The fire is quite warm, My Lady. There is no need for this cloak here."
Hannibal then set two chairs before the fire and motioned for her to take a seat. He whistled for the pups to sit around them. Margaery moved to settle into one of the chairs he had set up and smoothed her skirts beneath her in the chair. She watched with delight as the pups toddled over one another and sat down at their feet. The one shehad picked rested her head upon Margaery's feet.
"She likes you." Hannibal noted.
Margaery smiled down at her pup. "I'm glad. I shall have to think carefully of a name for her." She reached down and smoothed a hand over the pup's head.
Hannibal nodded in agreement. "The name is greatly important for such a companion." He checked the chicken briefly before returning his attention to her. "Would you like some ale? Or perhaps some water? I am afraid we do not have wine to offer. Our stores are quite low from the war."
Margaery considered her options and smiled to him. "Ale will suit fine, thank you."
Hannibal nodded as he stood to pour them both ale and brought the flask back to easily refill their cups as needed. He gently touched their cups together in a toast before taking a drink from his cup. Margaery brought her own cup to her lips to drink the ale. It wasn't her preferred drink, but it tasted fine.
She watched as the chicken cooked over the fire. "Do you often cook for yourself here?"
"It is not often that I cook for myself. However, I do find myself cooking whenever I am not in the mood for stew. I was fortunate in my youth to go hunting with wise men who taught me how to cook over an open fire."
Margaery nodded in understanding before taking another sip. "Well, that's a great deal better than I am able to do," she admitted. "I can dress and undress myself as necessary. I can sew well enough and other womanly things, but nothing like this." Margaery had been raised and groomed to be Queen, but she had no skills in anything she deemed truly useful like swordplay and hunting. She could be fair and lovely company for a hunt, but she could not participate. She envied her brothers, that they had been taught such things.
Hannibal watched her as she spoke and there was a brief glint of amusement in his eyes. "With how complicated those gowns are, I suspect that is quite a skill. There are many noble ladies who do not possess such talents, so I've heard."
Margaery gave a crooked smile and rolled her eyes. It was a skill, to be sure, but not one that was worth such praise. At least in her mind, but she inclined her head in thanks for the compliment all the same.
Hannibal saw the hesitation and could read the faint frustration in her eyes. He decided to extend an offer to her, curious how she would react. "You are very different from other women, My Lady. Your eyes focus on a target and you are very driven to reach it, regardless of the potential dangers around you. I believe you would be quite the hunter. I would be willing to teach you what I can before we begin our journey South. I trust you can ride a horse?"
In the North it was important for the women to know how to hunt and cook. Snowstorms could cause death if all of the huntsmen were out to war and no one who could hunt was left behind.
His offer made Margaery pause. Learning to hunt in the forest with a Bolton. It seemed like a…very bad idea. At the same time, Margaery was surprised to find that she trusted him. More than the other two Boltons anyway. Slowly she began to nod. "I think I would like that, My Lord. I can ride very well." Though after her older brother Willas had his accident that left him crippled, Margaery was sometimes reluctant to get into the saddle.
Hannibal watched as she considered his offer. He checked the chicken before turning to her with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I always take a few of my wolves with me on a hunt." He said. "We have a small amount of time before the storm hits or we find ourselves traveling. Would you like to go tomorrow?"
Margaery smiled and nodded slowly. "I'd enjoy that, yes. Could we still see the crypts before we leave as well?"
Hannibal gave a nod at that. "We can indeed. We can go out for some hunting practice in the morning and visit the crypts upon our return. Whatever its strength, the storm should be here by nightfall tomorrow, that is when we will know if we must stay a bit longer or not."
Margaery smiled, though in truth she was sad at the idea of visiting the crypts. She felt terribly for poor Sansa and the treatment of her father and family. She'd lost almost all of her kin, and now she was alone in the world; gods only knew where. Margaery was also a little conflicted about going to the crypts with Hannibal. He was an invader, and likely if Sansa returned...he would kill her. That idea frightened Margaery.
But Hannibal was more like his father than his brother when it came to dealing with female enemies. Hannibal would treat those from noble houses with the respect they deserved while keeping them as captives. However, if pressed to do so, he would execute them if there was sufficient proof of crimes committed against his house. He was slow to strike in that manner, unlike his brother who saw anyone other than himself, as beneath him.
Once the chicken was done, Hannibal pulled it from the fire so that it could cool for them to eat. Once the chicken was pulled from the fire, the pups lifted their heads. Margaery's pup wagged her tail and let out a soft whine. Margaery gently scolded the pup, and she lay her head back down on Margaery's foot. The scent of the chicken made Margaery's mouth begin to water.
Hannibal sliced off a piece of chicken and set it on a small plate. He then passed it to Margaery. "Here you are, My Lady." He would wait for her to have her fill before eating any himself.
Margaery took the offered plate and smiled. She took a few bites and looked up to Hannibal in admiration. "It's very good my Lord, thank you."
He gave a nod and there seemed to be a pleased look in his eyes from her complement. He sliced off a small portion for himself as she ate. He would offer her more as she finished each portion until she seemed satisfied. Once he too was satisfied, he tossed a few scraps to his three pups and gave Margaery a scrap to feed her own pup.
Margaery ate her fill and was happy to be able to reward her pup with a treat. She held the chicken to the pup after making her sit and lay down. The pup eagerly ate the treat and Margaery took a drink from her cup.
Chapter 9
Daenerys held the head of her once strong husband. He was no longer the great warrior she had grown to love. He was a pitiable creature that could not even ride a horse that was so sacred to his people. She had sacrificed her son to save her husband…only to lose both. The witch had lied to her, there was no other explanation.
Daenerys knew what she needed to do. She ordered that a great funeral pyre be built. It was time to say goodbye.
As the food settled and the dishes were cleared away, Hannibal looked directly into Margaery's eyes. He had noticed how she was continuing to remain distant. She did not seem open to the idea of giving him a chance to gain her trust.
"Other than the rumors you have heard and the marked history of my house, what is it that displeases you so about being my wife? In the North the Lady of the household has an equal amount of power as her Lord. You would actually have more authority up here than you would in the South with those inbred Lannisters." He asked bluntly.
When his question came so abruptly, Margaery nearly coughed. She wasn't used to people being so straightforward, aside from her grandmother. Honestly, she didn't know what to do. Hannibal watched her strong reaction to his simple question. Clearly she was not used to people being so blunt with her - that was something he would keep in mind.
"What makes you think I'm displeased about our betrothal?" She tilted her head. He had a point though, she could have been wedded to another, lesser Lannister, a thought that disgusted Margaery to her very core. His other words…she would have equal power to him? How much of that was honeyed words and false promises, she wondered.
He motioned to the young pup at her feet. "Until I offered you that pup, you did not seem interested in claiming anything I had offered you as truly yours. You feel as if they are shallow attempts to win you over and you have every intention of remaining in Highgarden once we return you there," he said simply. He did not seem upset, merely stating his observations.
Margaery swallowed a gulp of ale rather hard. Was she that transparent? Her grandmother had taught her carefully, and she had learned to be guarded and careful with her true feelings. Yet he'd found her out so quickly…how? There was no point in denying it, he obviously knew, as he had nailed it down so accurately.
"Forgive me, My Lord, but that is indeed my intention," she admitted. "I am in a strange place, with men of a clan whose reputation is one of brutality and barbarism. I have no one here that I am certain without a doubt that I can trust."
The maid's stories echoed in Margaery's mind again; that Hannibal had saved them when there was no need. So badly Margaery wanted to believe that he could be kind. This man had protected her from Ramsay, taken her out of an uncomfortable situation at dinner, and made her genuinely happy when they'd visited the kennels. Even so, her grandmother's voice echoed in her mind. How could she trust him? The Boltons were clever, and knew how to be patient.
Hannibal finished his ale as he watched her battling her own logic. He gave her a few moments before adding more information for her to consider.
"Catelyn Stark had just as much power and authority as her husband. That is what kept the North from crumbling when that whore Cersei allowed herself to become drunk on power and put her bastard of a son on the throne. I would offer you the same power and authority as I hold. The exception would be that you would defer to my commands, but any commands given by you are the same as if I gave them to those that would serve us. You would not simply be a wife to dress in fine clothes, parade around to make the other Lords jealous, and bear children. You are intelligent and clever. I cannot think of a better woman to be my bride," he said with blunt honesty.
"Your father issued the killing blow to Robb Stark," Margaery murmured. "He served the King in the North faithfully, and waited a good long while before executing him. How am I to know for certain that a similar fate does not await me? When the Tyrell army backs the Boltons, when the Tyrell treasury is emptied in this alliance, what use am I? What obligation is there in keeping me alive?" She leaned closer to Hannibal, trying to assess his character by observing him. Growing up groomed to be Queen, of course Margaery knew how to read people too. She was naturally suspicious.
"I am not trying to play you as a fool. I have been trying to give you a glimpse of what your life would be like here in Winterfell with me. My father will leave Winterfell in my command and my brother will be dragged back to the Dreadfort with him. I spent a great deal of time with the Starks when I was young. My father sent me here as a young boy to keep me safe from Ramsay. The Starks taught me many lessons my father did not. I did not agree with how my father allowed them to blindly walk into a trap and get themselves needlessly slaughtered. I tried to change his plan of betraying them. However, I had not yet earned a place of honor with my father so my plan was ignored. When I caught the traitorous squid Theon Greyjoy, I made certain he died slowly and painfully for his part in the Stark betrayal."
The pup at Margaery's feet gave a low grumble, which drew Margaery's attention. She smiled and ran her hand over the pup's little head. Hannibal had given her a wolf pup, allowed her to establish some level of dominance among the elder wolves – rather than feed her to them. That said something of his character, did it not?
"How do I know I can trust you?"
Hannibal leaned forward and spoke lowly so that any listening ears could not hear him over the fire. "I am not my father. If I were, I would not have lifted a finger to keep my brother away from you, nor would I have rescued you from that dinner. You would not be staying in the most secure chamber in the castle if I had not insisted upon it. I fight and protect my men and my wolves. As my wife, you would be protected even more than any of them. There would not be an obligation to keep you alive, it would be my duty to keep you alive as your husband. My father has his plans of what will happen after we are wed, but I have better plans."
To his first points, Margaery nodded and agreed. He was right. If he were a true, cruel Bolton, he would have left her for his father and brother to do as they pleased. But he hadn't. He'd protected her; scolded her in fact when she jeopardized her own safety. Would he truly have done that if he was only concerned about keeping her alive just so he could marry her? No.
Hannibal dropped his voice even lower as he decided to give her a glimpse into his plans for his play at the Iron Throne. "My brother is quite vexed with both of us. Once we return to Winterfell from Highgarden, he will likely have some sort of sick display to greet us. My father will punish him and drag him back to the Dreadfort. My brother will find a way to kill my father and then make an attempt to come and kill us. I have a secret ally in the Vale that promises me their army in order to defeat my brother. I have heard that the whore Cersei is going to re-arm those begging priests at the Sept. That will end in disaster for her. Once those priests have convicted her and the Lannister army is spread thin amongst the Seven Kingdoms; it would be a simple task to overtake the Red Keep with the combined soldiers of the Vale, the Bolton army, and the Tyrell army."
Margaery listened carefully to his plan. He laid all his cards out on the table. She was surprised, in all honesty. She was very, very quiet as she listened intently. When Hannibal revealed he had an ally in the Vale, he needed to say no more. "Littlefinger," she whispered. Her dark eyes turned grave. "If you're truly intending to trust him, you'd be wise to be wary of him." She'd seen what he'd done to Sansa, and she'd always found him creepy, in truth.
Hannibal watched as she listened. He could feel her attitude changing. His gamble seemed to have gone in his favor for the time being. There was a dark glint in his eyes when she named his ally. "His price is fair for his assistance. However, I know what his hidden card is and he thinks that I am unaware. I intend to offer this card of his more than what he demands. The card is more powerful than that clever weasel. I do hope he gives me a reason to end him one day." He said as a hint to her that he did not fully take Littlefinger at his word.
"I cannot accomplish all this without a strong, intelligent wife by my side," Hannibal added.
Margaery considered his plan, and looked up at him again. He considered her strong and clever – a worthy bride for him. Margaery couldn't help smiling, a crooked little grin on her lips. "And if I had still been married to Renly or to Joffrey, whom would you have chosen for a wife?"
Hannibal found that smile to be quite attractive on Margaery. At her question he chuckled. "I would have simply waited until I completed my plan to see which houses still had something to offer. Although, it could have been quite the lonely life for me. I do not think there is another woman in the Seven Kingdoms to match you, My Lady." It was a genuine compliment. Hannibal even raised his cup to her before drinking.
Margaery smiled and raised her own cup to him before taking a sip and finishing her ale. "And you, I don't think there's a man in the Seven Kingdoms like you. The man who trains wolves and attempts to outwit his own kin. Truly you are a Bolton." But that wasn't so terrible, not anymore. She could do far worse.
Hannibal gave a nod of his head in gratitude for her compliment.
"I thank you for your honesty, My Lord," she smiled. Margaery looked up to him with honest eyes. "You plan on taking the Red Keep? How long have you had that plan in mind? Once it is yours, what do you plan to do with it?" She knew what she wanted, what she'd been raised to be. She was curious of his intentions, and if he would share them with her.
Hannibal nodded in agreement to her. He listened to her questions carefully, this was the opportunity he needed. "I have had that plan since this war began. I intend to rule as it should be done; with absolute authority and fear, but with the soft touch of a strong Queen by my side so that the people do not tremble in absolute fear. The kingdoms would be safe and then the armies can be prepared and built up for the true dangers these Seven Kingdoms face. The other lords and houses are so wrapped up in themselves that they are not unified to be prepared for the two battles to come. I do not know which will happen first, but both will end every house in the Seven Kingdoms if they are not unified and prepared." Even his own father ignored the threat north of the Wall and the whispers of what lay beyond the sea in Essos.
Margaery listened carefully and nodded slowly. Her eyes lit as he spoke with such conviction and authority. He was a man who clearly intended to win when he set a plan in motion. Margaery was confident he would win if he set his mind to it. She found herself even more attracted to him.
"Considering I was married to Renly and Joffrey, you must know my desire," Margaery's voice dropped. "I want to be the Queen. Queen of all Seven Kingdoms. If we are married, will you make a promise to me?" She leaned in very close now, her dark eyes alight with passionate fire. "Will you make me Queen?"
He saw how her eyes lit when he spoke so plainly to her. His dark eyes were locked on hers as he leaned in. His hand gently cupped her chin as he brought their faces close enough to nearly touch.
"I will make you Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. The people will love and fear you more than any other pretender to the throne. You would possess the power to continue a legitimate royal line of the kingdom for years to come."
Margaery blushed as he held her chin in place and drew so close to her. She could feel the heat of his breath. Her dark eyes focused on his. His words stirred something inside her, and her eyes lit. Something in his words made her believe him without question. He would make her queen, and they would rule over the Seven Kingdoms together.
Hannibal dropped his voice so low that there was a slight growl in the pitch, he was curious how it would affect her. "Will you promise me that you will not act foolishly or impulsively?"
When he asked her to promise him in turn, Margaery nodded slowly and smiled. "I promise. I will be more careful. I will not move too quickly or jeopardize anything, I promise." She felt mischief blaze inside her again. Margaery leaned forward just a bit more. "Shall we seal it properly, with a kiss?" She chuckled teasingly.
Hannibal's hand shifted to cup the back of her head. He closed the gap between them and pressed his lips to hers in a firm kiss. He shifted his lips over hers in a sensual manner that typically caused women's knees to go weak. He held the kiss until air was necessary for both of them. He suckled on her lower lip until his teeth could graze over the soft flesh and pull the lower lip away from her jaw briefly as he pulled back from the kiss slowly. He released her lower lip and opened his eyes. Hannibal was confident that she had never been kissed like that before.
Margaery kissed him back. As he moved so sensually against her, Margaery moaned softly. Joffrey had kissed her. His kisses were rough, arrogant, and unpracticed. Renly had kissed her. His kisses were fumbled and lacked passion. This kiss was unlike any she'd ever had.
Her lips parted and both her hands came up to frame his jaw, holding him in place to make the kiss last longer. She matched his passion and sensual movements. Margaery suckled his lip in turn and nipped hard at it. She wanted to prove that she was not some weak girl or prude maid. She would be the best he'd had. Come seven hells or high water. Margaery moaned softly against his lips to send soft vibrations to them before pulling back, letting her teeth pinch her own lower lip.
Those soft, heated moans were all he needed to hear to know that neither of her prior husbands had kissed her in such a manner. Hannibal's dark eyes showed his desire as he slowly stood. The pups moved away from their feet and walked happily to their corner. Hannibal then pulled Margaery up and out of her seat. He pressed her body up against his so that she could feel the solid muscle beneath his thick clothing. His hand shifted into her long hair to tilt her head back so that they could look eye to eye. He moved in to speak lowly into her ear. His lips brushed over the soft skin. "I will wait until you are truly ready." He rumbled lowly. His lips and teeth teased over her ear and along her jaw. He would wait, even if that meant waiting until their wedding night. She had been married before, so it was not necessary for her to prove her maiden hood. However, if she still possessed it…maintaining it until their wedding night would make their future children legitimate without any doubt from even the most suspicious of people.
Margaery gasped softly as he pulled her so tight to his body. Indeed, beneath the furs and thick wool she could feel his lean muscles. It would have been so easy to give into him just then. She nearly did. When he whispered and rumbled in her ear that way, Margaery moaned softly against his ear. She could have surrendered to him, but she wasn't going to make it easy on him. She wasn't going to give in and surrender her maidenhead. Partially because she thought it would be worth it and proper to wait, but partially because she was a little afraid. Margaery leaned back and pressed a single finger to his lower lip, then dragged it down along his neck, and pressed it against his chest. "Worth the wait. I promise." That didn't stop her from leaning up and kissing him softly again. Her tongue dragged over his lower lip and she suckled hard upon it, even letting her teeth pinch over it.
Hannibal heard those moans and locked what caused them away in his memory for later. He could feel her body wanting more, but found himself happy that she desired to wait. He allowed her the kiss as his hands slowly moved down to her hips. He easily lifted her to set her on her feet closer to her chambers and about a foot away from him. It was meant to show her exactly how strong he was and that he could easily lift her.
Margaery gasped softly as he lifted her. She giggled at that show of strength, wrapped her arms around his neck and felt the muscle beneath his clothes and skin. As he set her down, she smiled and let her hands rest against his chest for as long as he was near.
Hannibal took a step back to take her hand and kiss the back of it. "In that case I will bid you goodnight, My Lady. I will knock four times in the morning for us to leave for our first hunt together."
When he kissed her hand Margaery bowed slightly. "Goodnight, My Lord. I look forward to the morning." She smiled and turned, looking to the pup and whistling for her to come. "Come, Mab."
The pup followed, a bit more pep in her step at being given a name. Before Margaery closed the door, she undid the clasps and buckles of her dress and let it fall to the floor. Giving Hannibal a brief glance of her bare backside once again before closing the door.
Hannibal watched as Margaery turned to retire for the evening. The young pup was indeed thrilled to have a proper name. His eyes revealed his lust for her body when she gave him another brief glimpse of her very fair form before shutting the door behind her. He turned to lock his own chamber door and summoned his three pups to the bed. He gave them each a name and ordered them up onto the foot of the bed. The stone floor would be too cold for them to sleep on tonight.
Chapter 10
The next morning, Hannibal roused himself early. A hearty breakfast had been prepared for the pair of them and was sitting in his chambers. He was dressed in black hunting leathers with fur linings. His clothing did not have the appearance of being bulky, they were exceedingly warm and did not hinder his mobility in the least. He had tall, black boots upon his feet. There was a thick cloak of black fur and black leather gloves sitting on the bench at the foot of his bed for him to put on after eating breakfast.
On his bed were clothes for Margaery. There was a black leather dress with fur lining, the cut of the dress had a solid back, but the neckline did dip slightly like she seemed to prefer. There was a pair of soft, fur-lined pants for her to wear beneath the dress to keep her legs and hips warm while hunting on horseback. They had also found a pair of black leather boots that should fit her dainty feet. The fur cloak he had for her had a hood upon it if she felt it necessary. She also had a set of gloves to keep her hands warm. All of the clothing had great flexibility to allow the maximum amount of movement possible while also keeping the wearer warm. Once everything was prepared, he went to the door and knocked four times.
In the morning, Mab licked at Margaery's face. Margaery giggled, but gently scolded the pup for waking her. It was only shortly thereafter that she heard Hannibal's knock. Margaery set Mab on the floor and wrapped the furs tight about her naked form – it showed off her slender figure, but also kept her covered and warm. She opened the door and smiled up to Hannibal.
"Good morning," she greeted him. Mab toddled up and sat beside Margaery, her tail wagging and she yipped a soft greeting to Hannibal.
"Good morning." He greeted in turn. Hannibal looked down at the young pup with what some might consider a scolding face. However, his eyes showed a light of amusement. Young Mab's brothers all yipped back after hearing her.
Margaery could smell breakfast and smiled at the scent of good food. "You've been hard at work I see." She chuckled.
Hannibal looked up at Margaery as he motioned to the clothes that had been set out. "The food is still quite hot. You have time to get dressed before it is cool enough to eat. The maids made these specifically for you, My Lady. They will indeed keep you warm and comfortable on our hunt."
Hannibal moved to sit with his back towards the bed to give her privacy. There was a place for her to stand where he could see her dressing out of the corner of his eye. He was curious if she would continue in her boldness and start dressing where he would see her.
Margaery approached the bed and looked over the dress and garments. Her fingers ran over them and she smiled. "So lovely, and they match your own trappings as well, how appropriate." When Hannibal sat down she smirked to herself and dropped the fur she'd had wrapped around her. First she donned the leggings, but made sure to pull them on slowly, teasingly; she knew he was watching. Then came the boots and finally the dress. Margaery turned to Hannibal. "My Lord? Would you mind tying my laces at the back? I want to make sure they're secure." It wasn't a total lie, but in truth she just wanted him close. She wanted to feel his hands on her body again.
Hannibal was indeed watching her from his seat, but without fully turning his head. He paused for a moment before standing and walking over to her slowly to tighten the laces of her gown.
"How does the cloth feel, My Lady?" He asked lowly in her ear. He knew it was partially a game, and he was willing to play along now that he had more confidence that she was beginning to trust him and that she would agree to a wedding once they arrived in Highgarden.
Margaery leaned back into him a bit as he laced her dress. She glanced over the dress once he was finished. "Soft, light – I can easily move in this." Margaery made a mental note to thank the maids later with some manner of reward from the kitchen, or from her limited jewels. Margaery turned slowly to face Hannibal. She took a step back to let him see her fully, but not enough to put a great deal of space between them. "How do I look? Like a proper huntress of the Dreadfort?" She longed for the day when Roose Bolton returned to the Dreadfort with Ramsay in tow.
Hannibal watched as she moved freely and easily. He smiled as he motioned to her chair. "Indeed you do. I daresay you look quite deadly with how gracefully you move, My Lady. To be a proper huntress from the Dreadfort, we must first bring back some game," he pointed out. He picked up a plate of food to break their fast and offered it to her.
Margaery smiled, but inside she was a bit nervous. She'd never loosed an arrow before. Joffrey had showed her how to handle a crossbow, but it had never felt quite right. "I hope I'm able, I can't say as I've ever participated in a hunt before," Margaery admitted as she sheepishly took the plate. "Father never thought it proper for a lady." She had accompanied the men on hunts and had seen how they used the weapons, but she'd never wielded them.
Hannibal gave her a slight smirk as he watched her sit down in her chair and begin to eat. He settled into his seat to eat with her. "I will make you a proper Lady of the North and teach you hunting tricks the Southern Lords have never heard of."
Margaery nodded her head in agreement. "I look forward to that, my Lord."
Once they had finished eating, Hannibal set his plate with scraps down for his pups to eat from. "Are you ready My Lady? I will assist you with your furs," he offered as he stood and moved to hold her fur cloak up.
Margaery followed his lead and set her scraps down for the pups. Mab of course licked and nibbled at the scraps first, only letting her brothers at the plate when she was content and satiated.
"I am ready, My Lord," Margaery replied, straightening her dress. Margaery moved to stand beside him and let him put her furs on. She was slowly getting used to wearing more clothes than she usually did in Highgarden. The furs felt luxurious and soft as her silks against her skin. She slipped her gloves on as she waited for Hannibal.
Hannibal armed himself with his sword and short knife on his belt. He had a hidden knife he placed in his left boot. He slid his riding gloves on before reaching to don his cloak. Once he was finished, Hannibal offered his arm and gave a command for the pups to stay. There were two guards outside his chamber door that were left to keep the chambers secure while they were out.
Ramsay knew his brother was taking his little bitch out hunting. He wanted to ruin that plan with a little game once they came outside. Ramsay was waiting with his long sword strapped at his waist. There was a dark look of amusement on his face as he waited in the courtyard.
Chapter 11
Hannibal led Margaery down to the open courtyard. His five best wolves were waiting alongside two horses for the pair of them. He had spotted his brother lurking around out of the corner of his eye, but Hannibal ignored him for the time being.
Margaery had no weapons on her person yet. She was content to wait for something once Hannibal began to teach her in his own way. Margaery smiled upon seeing the horses and wolves ready and waiting. The sight of Ramsay, however, unsettled her. The way he was looking at them as they walked into the courtyard…there was nothing good working in that dark mind of his.
Ramsay smirked as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You can dress up a flower in furs and fine jewels, but that doesn't make it anything other than what it is," Ramsay sneered. "Lovely, frail, delicate…breakable."
Margaery pulled back her upper lip in disgust and stuck her nose in the air. "And even if you change a bastard's name, that doesn't make him anything other than what he is…illegitimate and unwanted."
Hannibal's face darkened. He shifted to ensure that Margaery was behind him while his brother was in front of him. The wolves began to growl as they shifted to stand by their master and Margaery.
Ramsay's eyes narrowed. Oh, he didn't like that. The glare melted into a smile as Hannibal got between them. "Going hunting brother? Give me but a moment and I'll have my horse ready to join you!"
Hannibal gave his brother a hard look. "If you best me in a fair spar I will allow you to tag along. The Maester will judge the victor."
Ramsay paused for a moment, but didn't falter with his grin. "It has been ages since we last sparred, brother. I would love the opportunity."
Hannibal took a step away from Margaery as his guards came up to remove his cloak and disarm him before handing him a blunted sword. The Bolton men did not use shields when sparring. Hannibal was taller and stronger than his brother. One would presume he would win, if Ramsay fought fair.
Margaery stepped back and let the wolves gather between her and Ramsay. She bit her lower lip and felt her stomach turning – she knew though, there was no way Hannibal would lose. He couldn't possibly!
Ramsey allowed the guards to disarm him as well and looked at the blunted sword with disappointment. "Tch…such swords are not worthy of a Bolton sparring match. Come brother, we're not children, we should be using real blades!" He held his arms out from his body, giving a smile that was likely meant to be innocent, but came off more unsettling than ever to Margaery. "Don't you trust me?"
As if on cue, Roose stepped out into the courtyard and heard Ramsay's childish prattle. "I will not have you two maim each other with real blades! Hannibal has his wedding to attend soon. Blunted blades with no shields is an acceptable Bolton challenge." He commanded.
Margaery was almost startled when Roose Bolton approached. Truly he knew his sons well. She bowed her head and inwardly thanked the gods. Then she looked back to the two younger Boltons.
Hannibal gave a bow to his father before taking his fighting stance. He stood tall and would have been absolutely menacing if his opponent was any other man; however, his muscles were relaxed as he awaited the first attack from Ramsay.
"You still have a blade upon you that my men did not remove because of where you keep it hidden, do you not? Why would I give you another sharp blade to fight dirty with?" He was no fool, Ramsay would have to try much harder to get inside his head.
A few of Hannibal's guards shifted to circle Margaery, to keep her safe from Ramsay trying to throw that hidden blade. They would not let her get hurt; they had been told very plainly what would happen to them should they allow the Lady Margaery to be injured on their watch.
Rather than look alarmed at having been found out, Ramsay smirked when Hannibal mentioned his hidden blade. "Ah, guilty as charged. What Bolton man wouldn't keep an ace up his sleeve?"
Hannibal tilted his head as a nod of agreement, he still had a hidden blade in his own left boot. Ramsey knew this. His goal was to kill Hannibal with a quick stab into his throat or heart before Hannibal could draw his own sharp blade. Hannibal was always prepared for Ramsay to attempt to kill him. Unfortunately for Ramsay, Hannibal knew where he hid his secret blade. He would be watching very carefully if Ramsay made a move to grab it from the sheath on his hip, hidden beneath his breeches.
Ramsay dragged his blunted blade along the ground and brought it up to tap against Hannibal's blade. A taunt. Then he brought the blade up higher and smacked the side of it against Hannibal's before stepping back and putting space between them to allow Hannibal to react.
Hannibal allowed his blade to swing wide from the strike. He made no move closer, but a smirk crossed his face. "I think my fair flower can strike harder." He wanted to enrage Ramsay to push him into charging.
Ramsay frowned when Hannibal mocked him. His lips pulled back in anger and disgust. "She can, I'm sure. But she likely lacks the head for battle and strategy." He brought down a barrage of slashes and strikes on Hannibal's blade. His goal was to push Hannibal back and gain some ground.
Hannibal absorbed the blows and stood his ground firmly. A few of his counter strikes landed across Ramsay's arms hard. Those hits would leave bruises, but not cause any serious injury - nor did they cause the bastard to drop his blunted blade. Hannibal waited patiently until Ramsay made a mistake and lunged forward too quickly. Hannibal saw an opportunity and swung his blade with enough ferocity that, upon hitting Ramsay's dominant right hand, there was a loud crack as some of the bones within were broken.
Margaery gasped when she heard the sound. Ramsay howled in pain and dropped his sword immediately. He stumbled back a few steps, his eyes lit with furious fire.
Hannibal stepped closer and brought the blunt sword down hard on Ramsay's left arm until the bone in his upper arm gave way with a loud crack as it too was broken. Hannibal then stepped in close enough to punch Ramsay hard enough in the face to break his nose and send him toppling to the ground onto his back. Hannibal strode to Ramsay and stomped his foot down on Ramsay's chest to knock the wind out of him. He knelt down and pulled the hidden blade out from the sheathe Ramsay wore beneath his clothes. He then stood and waved the sharp blade teasingly in front of Ramsay.
"Perhaps next time you will finally get to stick this in me, brother," he said before handing the blade to a guard.
Ramsay coughed up a mouthful of his own blood as Hannibal taunted him with his own blade. He had foolishly fallen into the trap. He would be sure to pay his brother back for the pain he was currently in. "Sooner than you think…" he muttered before Hannibal got too far away – but too softly for anyone else to hear.
Throughout the entire scene, Margaery never covered her eyes and never looked away. Her dark eyes widened each time Hannibal laid a blow, each time she heard that sickening crunch of Ramsay's bones breaking. Ramsay was ruthless, but Hannibal was more skilled - almost elegant, even in the way he fought. Margaery smiled when Hannibal emerged the victor, and she again tilted her head to Roose Bolton. "You've chosen a good, strong husband for me, Lord Bolton."
Hannibal moved to collect his real sword once again and tossed the blunt blade to a young squire. He put his cloak back on and offered Margaery a hand to assist her up and into the saddle. "I do apologize for the delay, My Lady."
Margaery took Hannibal's hand and slid gracefully into her saddle. "No need. You fought well, My Lord," she praised as she took the reins. If nothing else, Margaery was a skilled rider. She would not be completely hopeless on a hunt.
Hannibal gave a nod as he swung up into his own saddle. He turned his horse and led her out towards the woods. The wolves followed, as did four guards. There were Wildlings to worry about in these woods, after all. Margaery nudged her horse with her heels and rode after Hannibal, the Bolton banners before and behind them, carried by guards.
After they had left, Roose moved to look down at Ramsay in disgust. "That is why he is marrying the Rose of Highgarden, and you only have your kennel whore," He then went back inside to oversee the preparations of the caravan.
Ramsay's eyes filled with hate. He was going to kill them all once he had healed - nice and slowly. He was only sad he wouldn't get to ruin his brother's wedding night by cutting off his cock before the bedding ceremony.
The kennel master's daughter, Myranda, came out with a few torn rags to help wipe the blood away from Ramsay's face. She beckoned a few of Ramsay's men to help him back to his feet. They helped Ramsay inside so the Maester could set his broken bones to heal properly.
