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A ray of sunlight from the eastern window fell atop her face, waking her from her deep slumber. Slowly she opened her eyes revealing emerald green eyes that struggled to adjust to the incoming heat. Her head rose and fell with a rhythm, one of a man peacefully breathing in his sleep with her head atop his chest. She couldn't help it as a smile made its way up to her lips as she looked to the sight below.
Beside her lay her husband, her prince, her love, her life….
Slowly she snuggled deeper into him, her slim and nimble arms tightening her grip on him as her face squashed against his neck. Slowly she laid a kiss atop his neck. While her hand ran about his torso, committing every inch, every muscle, every scar to memory just as she did a thousand times.
Despite being well over forty he still possessed an impeccable body only made better by his chiseled northern face, brown black curls and gray Stark eyes.
She was as good as he, if not better. In his own words she looked as beautiful as she did when she was sixteen. Despite having two children, two beautiful babes, made and born out of their love for each other.
And she couldn't help as her mind went back to that fateful day years ago as she traveled North.
………………
The North was a cold harsh land much like her mother had said, with miles of open field covered in tundra with a few trees scattered across. Several hills and mountains lay in their path to Winterfell adored by deep green vegetation or forests as dark as the night. Lichens grew atop the various bare rocks that stood by as they had for a thousand years. Yet there was beauty in them, she saw it and wondered how was it her mother could not…
" A cold land of savages ", she had said, thanking the seven that the heir to Winterfell was already married ," Your father would have shipped you off to be his whore if he was unmarried ", she had said referring to Lord Robb Stark.
She smiled and nodded.
Yet in her mind was another thought
," Perhaps it wouldn't be that bad ", she thought. This was her destiny, married to some lord to suit her father's needs. She only prayed to the seven that the person would be closer to her in age, one that would understand her and not wed her to be a bloodmare. Robb Stark was a lucrative offer and one she would definitely have taken, considering what she had heard of his character.
Throughout her life she had spent hours in the library, much to Grandmaesters disapproval. Reading of faraway lands in Essos, the ruined cities along the Rhoynar, The Black Stone, The remnants of Old Valyria in the City States of Mantarys, Tolos and Elyria, The Five Forts that guards the Empire of Yi Ti, Of the Jade Gates and the ancient cities beyond the Shadowlands. Since she could read and understand she had an urge to learn more about these places, to visit them… alas a mere dream.
She was no Princess Aerea and she had no Balerion…
Her uncle Tyrion encouraged her, taught her many things and treated her the best while her mother was busy coddling Joffrey. Uncle Jamie was an enigma, she knew he loved her but yet something was often off about him, she just couldn't figure out what.
Her father was Robert Baratheon, the first Stag to sit on the Iron Throne, a hero to some and an usurper to others. To her, he was the man who sired her. He was never involved in her life, never in all these thirteen years that she had drawn breath.
Yet as they drew nearer to Winterfell he boasted and told stories of how he and Lord Stark were in their youth.
The journey North was quite pleasant, she enjoyed throughout the way through a major factor in this was the absence of her brother.
Joffery had been fostered at the Rock with their grandfather at lord Arryn's suggestion. Her mother had screamed and raged for days locking herself up in an attempt to change her father's mind yet he had not relented and Joffery had been shipped off to the Rock.
Upon arrival they were greeted by Lord Stark along with his family, consisting of his lady wife Lady Catelyn Stark née Tully, his son and heir Lord Robb Stark with his wife Lady Wynafryd Stark, his daughter Sansa Bolton and her husband Lord Domeric the heir to the Dreadfort, followed by the two younger boys. Lord Stark's youngest daughter had been fostered at Starfall where she was betrothed to Lord Edric Dayne. But her eyes immediately found their way to Jon Snow.
The Bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark, fathered on some camp follower or a tavern slut. The boy was an enigma. Aside from his immaculate good looks, he was the one living the life she wished for. Everyone heard stories of how the Bastard of Winterfell ran away five years ago and went on to travel throughout Essos only to return with gifts of great value for his family.
He was tall and handsome. With a strong yet slender build, his hair long with black curls that flew freely down his chiseled face that had a delicate touch to it. He was dressed in full black yet it brought him out in a way that she couldn't place. By his waist lay his Valyrian Steel Bastard Sword, Chimera.
Their eyes met.
Stark Gray and Lannister Emerald.
Yet it was only for a fleeting moment as they immediately broke contact and moved to go their own separate ways.
That day passed by real fast with her kingly father going to the Crypts while she and her mother settled in, accompanied by Lady Stark and Sansa. Soon she found herself at the feast, a lively one at that, especially with her father groping every servant he could get his hands on. Yet for some reason she didn't let that distract her as her eyes scoured the audience until she found him at the lower tables. She stole several glances at him, trying not to stare and much to her surprise found him doing the same.
Soon she found a friend in Sansa and they spent most of their days together, talking of the North and exploring the ancient castle of the First Men. Often the conversation went on about each of their brothers and while Myrcella praised Tommen for who he truly was, she made sure Sansa knew the truth of Joffrey.
Sansa told her of Robb, a perfect heir, Bran an aspiring knight and Rickon their little wild wolf. Yet throughout these talks she wished to hear of the bastard brother and in the end she had to ask her of him. And thus a entirely new world opened up, Sansa was reluctant at first thinking talks of a bastard may offend her but relented later telling her of the many stories he had said, of the Yearly Celebration that occurs at Braavos, Of his travels across the Dothraki Sea, Of his run-ins with pirates and so on and so forth.
And with each tale her interest in him increased.
The first time they ran into each other would be at the Godswood. She had often read of the ancient weirwood that lay here in Winterfell, one of the largest and oldest in Westeros and wished to see it for her own . She could have taken Sansa but she clearly was busy with her husband and she had no intentions of disturbing them.
Moving through grounds she would stumble down, or better yet be pushed down by a ball of snow white fur that would later mount her licking her until it's master came.
" Ghost ... Gods What are you doing, god's I am so very sorry my lady… he isn't like th.. Oh my gods princess Myrcella I am so very sorry… please forgive me ", he said falling to the ground as recognition flashed upon his face.
" No… no harm done my lord ", she replied between laughs as she caressed the white wolves head, " You are Sansa brother I presume "
" Half brother your grace, and I am no Lord ", he said and unlike most bastards she had met there was no shame, his voice was confident and strong.
" Half or full I don't care, however would you be kind enough to direct me to the central Weirwood tree, I would feel much safer to walk amongst the Godswood having a guardian as ferocious as your companion over here "
" I… princess I don't think you having a bastard as a guide would be approved ", there was a tinge of bitterness in his voice, though not at her, she noted.
" Like I said I don't care, now would you please lead the way "
And thus he did, he showed her around the Godswood, across to the hot springs and finally to the Glass Gardens. Throughout their journey they chatted away and she found him not to be afraid or detached like most bastards. Something she attributed to his years of travel.
She asked him of his travels referencing something Sansa had told her and immediately regretted as she had just informed him that they talked of him. Yet he only laughed and indulged her, telling her some tales that she committed to memory. These were experiences that she wished were here but would never be….
By the end of the day she even managed to convince him to call her by her name and not your grace.
But the most important event of the day occured in the Glass Garden and would be one that she would cherish all her, when he picked up a Blue Winter Rose placing it atop her hair by her ear, with her permission of course.
Her mind went blank as he placed those roses, her heart skipped a beat while blood rushed to her cheeks lighting them up as they burned and all she could do was thank him, as he escorted her back.
Locking her room, she hid her face into her palm, they still burned while her heart beat faster than ever and a smile that spread from one ear to another adored her face.
The next day she accompanied her fathers party hunting, much to her mother's disapproval. So much so that she sent uncle Jamie to guard her.
The hunting party rode through the Wolfswood, while she often stopped, dismounted and studied the flora and fauna of the area. And that's when it happened, her father had called uncle Jamie up for some reason and she was left behind, alone...
She was alone, studying a flower when she heard a growl turning and she faced a bear cutting her off from access to her horse, as it made its way over to her. With her back faced to a tree there was no way out. This was it she thought, she was foolish to be alone, there would be no second chance after this, no knight would come riding out to save her and as she grit her teeth waiting for the creature to pounce upon her yet it never did.
Only thing that came was a throwing knife that captured the beast's attention to another. She did have a silent guardian, her own Dragonknight one that had known better than to leave her alone, subject to the dangers of the Wolfswood.
He rushed in, he unsheathed sword in his hand as he moved around the beast moving skillfully and elegantly, he had clearly fought more of such creatures before. He moved about with short swings keeping the animal at bay while it desperately tried to attack. She screamed as the bear hit him, clawing at his left arm yet he didn't relent and wormed his way out of its grasp before plunging his sword into its skull.
With his left arm still covered in blood he made his way over and offered her his right hand, she took it before collapsing into his arms and that was the moment she knew she was hopelessly in love with the Bastard of Winterfell.
The entire afternoon was a headache for her with her mother screaming and chastising her for her recklessness and this time both her uncles and father joined in only for her mother to start blaming her father, gods it was one bad afternoon with only thoughts of Jon being the thing that brought relief
That night she cried herself to sleep knowing much like her other dreams, this one could never be. Once she considered begging his father, Jon was the son of his best friend… mayhaps… no her grandfather and mother would never allow it…. So she did the only thing she could, cried. All the while dreaming of babes with brown black hair and emerald eyes.
The very next day her very world is torn apart when her mother is found abed with her uncle…. No father… her real father. The king kills her mother in rage and it is only lord Stark's intervention that saves her father, herself and little brother.
Three days she is left, locked up in her room with servants bringing food and water as the only company. It is only in the evening of the third day lady Starks visits her, informing of her upcoming marriage to Jon Snow.
She doesn't know how to feel about it, had it been a few days ago, she would have been elated. Yet now she didn't know. Why was he marrying her, a bastard born of incest… yes he was a bastard but still, there were much better matches for him.
The next time that talk was at their wedding feast, it was a short ceremony with just the northern lords and those who had accompanied them from the south in attendance with uncle Tyrion giving her away. She learns that Tommen has been made a ward to house Stark while her uncle Jamie is still a prisoner and uncle Tyrion and Lancel hostages . As for Lord Tywin and Joffrey no response has come off from them yet. Lord Stark has called the banners. She is no fool, she knew war is on the horizon.
Very soon they called for the bedding and she looks around in fear, studying each lord as they look to her their eyes filled with lust as if she was a piece of meat to be put on display, she feels cold yet that I'd only for a second as his hands grasps her own enveloping her fingers in his own and a wave of warmth washes over her as he speaks
" There will be no bedding ", he announces, his voice loud and strong, his eyes fixated upon the person who had called for the bedding, the king. " I would not let anyone put my wife on display and shame her before any host of men "
" You forget your place boy, I am the king ", Robert Baratheon replies, yet his resolve is unbroken
" True enough but even a king has no authority over another man's wife, and if anyone wishes different they can have a word with my companion ", he say as Ghost ascends from his spot under the table and takes his spot by her side growling to the assembled audience as he lead her away to their bedchambers hand in hand.
As they walk across the hall, she feels safe. Safer than she had ever felt before. Every fear that she once had is gone and a dark part of her mind is secretly happy that her mother was caught, she almost lowers her head in shame at such thoughts as they enter their chambers.
" This was it ", she thought.
Yet not a moment later once again she felt her heart breaking as he refused to bed her.
" Of course ", she thinks cruelly ," who would wish to bed a Lannister bastard born of incest " yet his next words puts her mind at ease and she warms up to him more than she thought possible, falling for him once again.
" You are but a child Myrcella, I would not bed a child and even if you weren't I would never bed you should you not wish it "
And thus she does the only thing she can, leaps into his arms hugging him, she would be lying to herself if she wasn't scared about it, about bedding someone. Her mother and the septa's description had been vague
In truth they had successfully demoralized her with their tales of how bad it felt with no pleasure involved for the woman, how a woman must let her husband indulge in his lust and take pleasure from her body. She had often found it stupid that woman that took pleasure in bedding their partners were labeled as whores and harlots by the Faith but that is a tale for another time.
Soon the fact that most likely their bedsheets would be checked on the morrow comes to mind and he answers by taking out a knife and, slicing open a small cut in his hand and swearing the bedsheet in his own blood.
They talk for hours into the night, laughing at the tales of his adventures, of their ambitions and dreams and he promises that one day they would go to see every place that she desires to see and she keeps him to that.
Hours into the night they drift off to sleep.
The next day is not what anyone would expect from a newly married couple, it is mid day when they set out, riding North for the wall, as they tell everyone. Yet she knows of his plans.
" We will take a ship east from Eastwatch By The Sea ", he says " I have no wish for either of us to be caught up in this upcoming conflict and used as pawns in the game "
She knows what they are doing is selfish, both of them are abandoning their houses and running away in a way, yet she doesn't care.
As they sat aboard " The Sea Singer " a merchant ship heading from Braavos, she takes one look back at Westeros before looking outwards, this is the start of her… no their new life.
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As thus it had begun, a new life that had led both of them here.
" Good Morning Cella ", she hears him in his morning voice, " morning ", she whispers stealing a soft and quick kiss.
They take their morning bath together much like they have for years, it feels so natural, so right. Their hands wandering across the others bodies while they stole soft kisses, each full of promise just like it had been years ago. The fact that even after twenty and two years of marriage they couldn't keep their hands off each other says something. As time went on their desire for each other only increased manifold. " Our bodies aged like fine wine ", he had once joked while they were in the middle of a round of lovemaking.
" Good morning Muna, Kepa ", two voices draw each of their attention as they sit chatting by a table.
Her eyes travel to the door where stood two of their proudest creations, their beautiful girl and boy, Baela and Baelon.
The two were twins with characteristic Targaryen features. Long ringlets and curls of silver gold hair adored their temples respectively. Both possessed mismatched eyes, Baelon had one lilac and the other emerald whilst Baela had one deep violet and other gray.
They were the perfect mixture of herself and her husband.
She spied Baelon's had around her sisters waist whilst her's lay upon her visibly pregnant belly.
Both of them took a seat with her boy stealing a quick kiss from his sisterwife," He really was his father's son regarding this ", she thought, smiling.
As breakfast was served and they indulged, she couldn't help but smile, here she was married to the man she loved, she had lived a life fulfilling every on of her dreams, here she was with her two beautiful babes who had also married the person they loved and cared for the most and with a grandchild on the way. She couldn't ask for anything else……..
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Authors Note:-
So there you have it, first chapter done.
I was really busy this month's so no upload for the other stories.
I love Joncella as a rarepair.
The story will mostly be in dual timeline with flashbacks into the past through Myrcellas eyes.
As for her falling for him so soon, she is an inflatuated 13 year old.
Comment your thoughts down below
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