"My lady, you are shivering" Shae scolded as she braided Rebekah's hair.
"I'm not" Rebekah denied, but Shae was right. No that the wedding was finally there, she was constantly worried. The Hound, Cersei, Mycah – the horrid things they said about Bronn had never effected her until now.
"It's only natural to be scared, Rebekah. You are still a maiden, are you?" Shae asked softly in her melodic accent, a hand leaving her hair and resting on her shoulder.
"That is not what scares me... Bronn is very experienced. What if I do not please him?"
Rebekah aksed, trusting Shae with her fears. Actually, Sandor Clegane was the cause of it. As soon as you have born an heir and the rat grows tired of you, he'll dispose of you the same way my brother would have. Those were his words. And although Rebekah had learn to trust Bronn to a certain extend, the Hound's words caused a sting in her heart.
What if she wasn't able to make him happy? Bronn had saved her life multiple times, and beside his sarcastic comments, he was rather nice most of the time. Would his behavior towards her change if she could not keep his interests? Was it wrong to even give in into those thoughts?
"Rebekah? Stop thinking" Shae said loudly, as if she had heard her thoughts. "You are a beautiful women. Your strongheaded and witted. There's no reason you should not please him. Let him guide you, he will know what to do"
"My Septa told me what to do" Rebekah replied without thinking, but met Shae's grin in the reflection of the mirror.
"Oh yes. Your Septa certainly knows best" both women bursted into laughter.
"To be serious, my lady, Bronn will make sure you learn everything he wants you to do. There's no reason to be scared" she repeated and Rebekah nodded.
„I believe he loves you. He would never say it out loud, but I can see it. And you will grow to love him too, my lady"
Rebekah stood up to see the women in the mirror. The dress was creamcolored and close fitting at her waist but wider at the bottom. With a square neckline and short sleeves, it showed enough of her white skin. Green leaves were embroided on the nude fabric, trailing from the top down to the bottom of the dress.
Shae was right, Rebekah thought and took a deep breath. She was ready.
OoOoO
"Yes I will take care of her, no I won't be so offending and rude like usual, no I won't harm her, no I won't be drunk in her presence and yes I will behave like a worthy knight at the feast. Maybe you should write that down, because it's seems I'm incapable of remembering it even after you and her brother repeated it countless times." Bronn said annoyedly and Tyrion sighed.
"What do you expect? We want to protect her"
"Oh really? That is really a surprise now, Tyrion" Bronn sneered and looked himself in the mirror. With Rebekah's dowery, he had bought fine clothes, modest compared to some Lord's, but still expensive leather and fabric. His hair was cut, his face washed – to sum it up, he looked like a stranger to himself. But Bronn did not dislike his new looks. The outside would never be able to change the inside anyway.
Bronn could not deny he was quite excited for the wedding. For the wedding night especially. He would be named Ser Bronn Waldorf of the Blackwater, a mix of Rebekah's name and his newest addition for his role in the battle. With a few words, a simple commoner, a shrewd bastard like himself would marry into a family of wealth and power and bed the prettiest woman of the Westerlands.
"She's a delicate girl, Bronn" Tyrion added before pouring wine into his cup.
"Delicate? The stepfather with the broken nose and both Cleganes would agree on that"
Podrick Payne entered the room.
"It's time, my lord. Ser."
OoOoO
"In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words" the high septon said.
Rebekah smiled at him widely, showing her dimples. „Father. Smith. Warrior. Mother. Maiden. Crone. Stranger. I am his, and he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days" she recited at the same time as him. Bronn never believed in the gods, but it did not matter.
Bronn softly took her maidencloak, dark green with a shadowcat embroided and handed it to Dewan who stood closest to the pair. He replaced it with his own cloak. Their new sigil was divided into half. The top showed a black bow upon a green smoky field, a tribute for his actions in battle. The bottom part was the usual Waldorf sigil. Since Bronn was of lower birth than Rebekah, she would still be named Waldorf, so Bronn had only thought it would be fitting to display her house's power on his own sigil.
"With this kiss I pledge my love and take you as my lady and wife" Bronn said coarsly and pressed his lips onto hers. Unfortunately, he had to wait until after the feast for more.
The crowd clapped as they walked down the aisle hand in hand, some just polite, like Queen Cersei, King Joffrey, Tywin Lannister and Sansa Stark, others cheerful like Tyrion, Dewan and Margaery Tyrell, who had decided to attend the wedding as well.
The feast was nice, but way too long for Bronn. The heat in the hall tainted Rebekah's cheeks pink and she kept beaming and sending him sweet smiles. Dewan had put a crown of leaves and colorful flowers on her head, apparently another family tradition. Tyrion laughed, joked and drinked, while Dewan Waldorf was entertaining Margaery Tyrell and her cousins. The girls could not leave their eyes from the mischiefous, handsome brother of the bride.
The guests were getting drunker as the evening went on, and Bronn asked Rebekah to dance. This time, he could shamelessly press her against him, placing his hands on her hips. Unlike everyone else, they had not drunk as much wine, so his mind was very clear when he kissed her again, only to have a little taste of what to come. She was responding and opened her lips eager to let him explore her mouth. Apparently, his wife was getting more comfortable with his touch.
"The bedding will be soon, kitten. Is it alright for you?" he asked after they parted. Bronn was sure his young wife was still innocent. For some time, he hadn't thought it to be possible, since she was beautiful, adventurous and Tyrion's friend. He ignored how a girl like her had managed to stay untouched, but it would not have mattered to him anyways.
"It's the common tradition" Rebekah simply said. They were mostly surrounded by friends, so she would be able to make it through.
"I don't want anyone to touch you, kitten. A cutthroat like me can afford to be rude"
"Then it's decided, Ser Waldorf of the Blackwater" Rebekah smiled gratefully, "If you excuse me, I will catch some fresh air before the bedding" the air was truly getting hard to breathe with all the wine and food, so Bronn nodded. "Come back soon, kitten" he said with a blink.
OoOoO
Rebekah breathed in the cold, saltened air and took the crown of leaves from her hair to play with the flowers between her fingers. The calm was soothing for her nerves, since the bedding was near. But Rebekah admitted the ceremony and the feast had been very close to perfection. Dewan had walked her down her aisle, and although she was thankful, she still wished her father or Roran would have done it. Shae had prepared her hair and told her about her wifely duties, but Rebekah whished her own mother could have been there.
"I envy your husband"
Rebekah was almost used to Oberyn showing up in the most unexpected moments.
"Good to see you, Oberyn. You have been busy lately" Rebekah greeted him. He wore a red robe which was outcut to see half of his chest.
"You've been even more so, love"
Oberyn watched her playing with the crown of leaves.
"Why was I not invited to your wedding? I'm the Prince of Dorne after all" his tone was without accusation, but still Rebekah felt sorry for offending him.
"It was not my decision. But Tyrion and my brother wanted to avoid troubles. My apologies, Prince Oberyn" Rebekah muttered and Oberyn smiled reasurringly.
"I understand, love. The sellsword is not very fond of me, and I admit it is my fault."
Rebekah frowned: „Why? Because of the tourney or your... advances?" she asked and Oberyn's smiled again.
„No, that's not the reason. Not long ago, I made him a great offer, giving him the opportunity to a big castle and a lordship in Dorne."
Rebekah thought of a way this could possibly offend Bronn.
"I asked only for one thing in return" Oberyn glanced at her, observing her reaction.
"But he did not want to give it away, not even for the promise of gold and land"
Rebekah could not speak it out loud.
"I wanted your hand, Rebekah. The sellsword could have had a much more uncomplicated life in Dorne, away from the court and the intrigues, with women and wine until the end of his days. Yet he chose to wed you anyways... what does that tell us about him?" he asked quitely while Rebekah tried to process what he just told her.
When she didn't answer but simply stared into the garden, Oberyn turned so that he faced her.
"First I thought he was selfish, forgetting you could be much happier with a Prince. Princess Rebekah Martell..." he cupped her face with his hands and Rebekah met his dark eyes.
"Your sellsword loves you more than everything I offered him. You should appreciate that."
"Then why do you tell me if you just admitted you wanted.. want... to marry me?" Rebekah whispered. Oberyn removed his hands.
"Because I don't stand in the way of love. It is rare enough these days. The sellsword can marry you" the Viper said, like he was giving her permition. Rebekah stared at him, his revelation causing her head to hurt.
"Thank you for your blessings" she quickly said, and grabbed both of his hands, "I value you as a friend, Oberyn."
This caused the Prince to laugh, and Rebekah couldn't help but feel mocked.
"I'm sorry if you don't feel the same."
Oberyn kept laughing and pressed her hands. „Sweet girl, the fact I let you marry him doesn't mean I give up on you. I consider you as friend, but don't think I would prefer to consider you as my lover. For us in Dorne, marriage is not a line that can't be crossed."
With that, Oberyn turned around and walked away, letting Rebekah alone in her confusion.
OoOoO
„TIME FOR THE BEDDING!" a drunk cityguard roared and the crowd began to cheer.
Tyrion sighed and whispered in Rebekah's ear: "The less you worry, the better it will be. From what I heard, Bronn is quite talented and you are more than radiant."
Rebekah blushed and Tyrion grinned at her. „I'll go find the Viper in the garden, see what Oberyn is doing in King's Landing again. Good night."
Before anyone could start to undress her, Bronn slammed his knife into the table and said quitely, but still loud enough for everyone to hear: „There will be no bedding. No one touches my wife exept her husband"
The men made sounds of disappointment while the women began to chuckle. "You can't deprive us that pleasure! It's tradition" someone yelled but Bronn smiled smugly. „I can and I will." With that, Bronn joined her and pushed his arm under her knees and shoulders to lift her up.
„To Ser and Lady Waldorf of the Blackwater!" Dewan roared and raised his cup, the crowd imitating him. While they clapped, Bronn carried Rebekah to their chambers.
FINALLY the wedding :D Hope you like it! Thank you for reviewing! :)