(For those who don't like such things there is some lemon in this chapter, the first Margaery Pov covers the wedding night and not much else, so feel free to skip it if it's not your thing)
King's Landing 298 AC.
The Wedding Feast.
Tyrion.
He had been worried she'd not make it, that the ship would not reach King's Landing on time and that he'd be forced to sit through the wedding and the feast alone. Tyrion had even cursed his nephew for not letting him take Lygaron and fly to collect her, little knowing that Jae had already sent one of the Pinnacle ships to bring Arianne to the wedding. So the day before the wedding itself, he stood watching as the Lion's Claw pulled into the docks and Tyrion felt his excitement rise.
That it was him and not someone else who'd been sent to greet her, could in some ways be considered a slight, Tyrion not having a position on the Small Council and Arianne being both a Princess and the ruler of one of their kingdoms. Yet he knew she'd not see it that way and he was grateful that his nephew hadn't asked anyone else to be the one to welcome her to the capital. When he had seen her walking down the gangplank, the smile she wore was matched easily by his own, and try as he might he'd not greeted her perfectly as protocol had demanded. Both he and Jae having more in common in that respect than either had known, he thought with a smirk.
Unfortunately, he didn't get to spend the night with her. Arianne instead spending time with her family and bidding her brother farewell, and though he wished to go to her to offer her whatever comfort he could, Oberyn suggested he leave it to the morrow. During the wedding ceremony itself, as much as he tried to look to Jae and Margaery, his eyes were drawn to her more than once. Tyrion happy to see Arianne looking his way just as often as he did hers.
It wasn't until the feast was being readied that he finally got the time to be alone with her. Well as alone as anyone could be with a Kingsguard, her guards, the Royal Guard, and the room they'd soon be entering being full with the great and good of the realm. Still, he stood excitedly at her door, knocking and smiling when Jeyne Fowler opened it let him in. Tyrion seeing the smile the woman shot him and the playfulness in her voice when she turned back to Arianne.
"Princess, Prince Tyrion has arrived." Jeyne called back.
"Let him in Jeyne and perhaps you should hurry to ready yourself." Arianne said and Tyrion felt himself breathe deeply at the sound of her voice.
"My prince." Jeyne said with a curtsy as she left the room.
He stood there alone, waiting for Arianne to come out from her bed-chamber and when she did she took his breath away. Though not as revealing as some of the dresses he'd seen her wear, never did he think she looked as beautiful as she did right now. Absence did indeed make the heart grow fonder he thought as he stared at her. That Arianne appreciated the look he was giving her was clear by her expression, the smile a true one he believed.
"My lion approves?" she said and did a spin, Tyrion finding the view from behind just as appealing.
"Very much so, my princess."
There were no other words spoken, Arianne rushed to him and before he knew it they were engaged in a deep passionate kiss. Tyrion finding his hands roaming all over her back and only the wedding feast they needed to attend stopped him from going further. He felt her disappointment and was glad to see her understanding as their kisses became softer over time. Neither of them wishing to stop and both knowing they must.
"I missed you so much, worried so when I heard you'd gone into battle." Arianne said looking at him.
"I…your father, I'm so sorry." he said and she looked at him and tried to put a smile on her face.
"I..it is what it is Tyrion, that it was natural is the one comfort I take."
"Do you? Does anyone know what happened?"
"Maester Myles said his heart gave out. I think the reality of what he did, what he nearly had brought to Dorne was too much. I also think he feared facing Oberyn's judgment." Arianne said.
"You think your uncle?"
"What? Oh god's no, I mean his scorn, Tyrion, his disappointment." Arianne said.
"Quentyn, you saw him?" he asked taking her hand in his.
"I did. My brother is the same fool as he always was, while I wished him free I can see why it can't be so. He'd seek vengeance against Jae and my rule would never be secure as long as he was in the background. But come, we have a wedding feast to attend and to take issue with." Arianne said with a smirk.
"Take issue with?" he asked confused.
"Yes, take issue, I wish to see what pleases and displeases me, so I know what if there is anything I'll allow at mine own." she said, her smile full now.
"And how soon, would you like your own to be, my princess?" he asked with a smirk.
"Soon, very soon, my lion." she said kissing him again.
It was rare he enjoyed entering a room for a feast. Despite the fact he'd lost his father many years ago, Tyrion still remembered how he'd look when he walked into the Great Hall in Casterly Rock. Even though it had never been that way with Jaime running the West, it was a mark he still bore on his soul and one which over time he'd rarely been able to forget about. Tonight though he walked into the Throne Room and felt ten feet tall, he was a prince escorting his betrothed who was a beautiful princess, men would envy and for once he felt it justified.
He, Arianne, and Jaime, and Dacey sat close together. Aemon, Shiera, and Dany next to them, in the middle, sat House Tyrell and to their left House Lannister and Stark. Jae had seated Oberyn and Ellaria at the high table already and so Genna, Gerion, and Kevan along with their partners sat there tonight. Tyrion looked out to see that Willas Tyrell, Garlan, and Loras sat a little further down, along with the Stark children and Joy and his cousins. He smiled to himself knowing there was no way his nephew came up with these seating arrangements on his own.
"What's so funny?" Arianne said leaning in close to him.
"I was just thinking, my nephew if he had his way would seat everyone he cared for at the High Table, my family, yours, the Tyrells and the Starks, he'd even have some of his council there if he could."
"We'd need a much larger table." Arianne said with a chuckle.
"I know. I think he allowed the queen to decide the seating arrangements." he said and she looked to him.
"Why do you say that?" Arianne asked.
"My nephew is a smart man, he's not this smart." he said and she nodded, knowing what he meant.
Jae would see anyone not sitting at the High Table as a slight and in some cases, it could be taken that way, but Margaery had made it clear it was not. Her mother, father, and grandmother represented House Tyrell, Jaime, Genna, Gerion, and Kevan represented House Lannister and only Jaime had previously sat with the King at the High Table. Arianne as Princess of Dorne represented House Martell and Ned Stark and Lady Elle represented House Stark. While he, Aemon, Shiera, and Dany represented House Targaryen. The Four Great Houses of the realm shown off in their importance and leaving no one in any doubt. No slights offered or accepted and that required a different mind than his nephews.
"His Grace, King Jaehaerys and her grace Queen Margaery." the herald shouted and as one they rose as Jae led Margaery in.
They looked the perfect couple Tyrion thought, as they had at the wedding itself and even more so when Jae had crowned Margaery in front of the people. He had felt different feelings watching them wed, he'd been happy for them both and could see their own happiness was true. Yet he'd felt a little envious too, even now watching them enter the room Tyrion felt that just a little. Not that he begrudged them it or wished them ill, more he was eager to be at his own wedding and to have his day. Something that when he looked to Arianne as Jae and Margaery took their seats, she seemed to wish for too.
As the dishes began to arrive, Tyrion felt Arianne move in close and was surprised to feel her to be a little tense. Looking around to see what or who was making her feel that way he felt the dragon inside him begin to rise. He couldn't see anyone or anything which was causing her discomfort though, and so he turned to her and asked her outright.
"Ari, is there something wrong?"
"That woman, why does she look at me so?" Arianne asked and Tyrion looked to the room, not seeing anyone looking their way.
"Which one?" he asked and Arianne drew his attention to Dany who was staring at her suspiciously.
He felt a warming of his heart when he saw it and when he realized just what Dany was doing. Cersei had never cared for him and since he met her, he felt Dany to be what a sister should. Looking at her sizing up the woman her brother was to marry, Tyrion felt more like a brother than he had ever with Cersei. He felt warm and loved and loved her back for it even more.
"My sister, Dany, I believe she is trying to decide if my betrothed is worthy of me." Tyrion said and Arianne smiled.
"Then I had better meet this dragon and prove myself so." she said as she took his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing it and leaning in closer to him.
Willas.
His sister had never looked more beautiful and Willas has never seen her so happy. Both at the wedding itself and now as she sat at the High Table. His sister was now married and queen, looking to his grandmother he felt that she was maybe the only one other than Jae, who matched his sister's joy. When he'd seen Jae crown her outside the Great Sept he'd been shocked as much as anyone, Margaery most of all. He knew his sister, mother, and grandmother had planned the wedding, the feast tonight, and the tourney, and that a crowning had never been brought up once. That was something Jae did on his own and had he any doubts of how he felt about his sister, that would have been enough to assuage them all.
He sat at the table beside Sansa and across from Garlan and Leonette. Loras was sitting with Robb and Cregan and Arya sat with Gerion's daughter Joy and her cousins, and the girl from Bear Island who was named after Jae's mother. Though he was not a fan of what usually happened at these feasts, the dancing always making him feel the full extent of his limitations, tonight he found he cared not. It wasn't about him, it was about Jae and Margaery and he could handle a little sadness if it was to see his sister so happy.
"They look so good together, don't they?" Sansa said and he turned to look at her.
"They do, they look happy." he said with a smile.
"They are. Are you enjoying it here?" she asked and he looked at her, wondering for a moment if she knew how he felt about the dancing, before realizing she meant King's Landing itself.
"I am, being Master of Coin is interesting, helping Jae and Margaery put the realm to rights, to fix the things that Robert didn't care about, aye, I like it."
"And the city?" she asked and he smiled before shaking his head.
"Is a poor substitute for Highgarden is it not?" he said and she nodded.
"Yet one I look forward to exploring." she said and he looked at her oddly.
"I had thought.."
"Willas?" she asked seeing his expression.
"I had thought you would be heading back to Highgarden when father and mother leave, or perhaps even to the North." he said trying not to let his disappointment at either show too much.
"I'm to be one of Margaery's ladies in waiting, so it seems you and I will have to find new places for our walks." Sansa said with a smile.
He found himself smiling back, it had been one of the things he'd most dreaded about having to stay in the city from now on. Their walks, their talks, spending time with her was one of the highlights of his days and something he didn't wish to end anytime soon. Seeing how much she'd grown and come on since she'd fostered with them, the naivety and lack of insight into how the world truly was, something which over time had faded away. In its place, a practicality, a unique way of looking at things had taken root and he found she challenged him more than most with her way of thinking.
"I'm so very pleased to hear that." he said truthfully and the smile she gave him was blinding, his words having meant something to her, he knew.
"Oh, Dancing." he heard a voice call out and he looked to see Jae stand up and ask Margaery for her hand.
As he watched them walk to the floor, he found he didn't feel jealous for once. Instead, he enjoyed seeing the look on his sister's face, the smile she wore being so true making him feel nothing but happiness for her. Watching them both like the others in the room, he could see just how much they seemed to fit together. It was something he'd noticed ever since he'd been let in on things, they in some ways seemed to be two halves of the same whole. They complimented each other, both in their words and movements. Each of them bringing something the other didn't have and as he looked at them, he found his eyes also looked to the girl beside him over time too.
When the first dance finished, others soon joined the king and queen on the floor, Willas looking to see Garlan and Leonette and Robb and Lady Wynafred making their way to dance. The princess Daenerys danced with her uncle Aemon and soon enough most of the room were dancing away. Willas sitting back in his chair and waiting for the sadness he always felt to take a hold. He felt a hand take his and he looked to see Sansa sitting beside him, her eyes on the dance floor, and yet she never moved, never left his side. She just sat there holding his hand all the way through the dances which took place.
Over the course of the night, her brother, cousin, and some other men each asked her to dance, and yet each time she politely declined. Willas watching as Jae danced with Joy and with Ashara, with Lady Genna and with his mother. Yet not once did the king come to the table and not once did he ask his little sister to dance, Willas instead feeling her hand in his every time the dancing began. It took him a few moments to realize it and when he did, he looked to her again, seeing her eyes were on him all the while.
"Sansa, you didn't..you shouldn't." he said knowing now that she wasn't dancing because of him.
"I'm doing exactly what I wish to." she said, simply and firmly "There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
He felt it then, an almost pain in his heart as he looked at her, as he saw her and it became ever more clear. Willas would be lying if he said he'd not thought of it. He wasn't a fool and he knew politically how sound a match would be. His grandmother had hinted at such more than once, came out and said it clearly once or twice too. Yet he'd tried not to think of her that way, given the difference in their ages and the limitations in his physical ability too, he'd not dared to.
Sansa deserved a knight who could joust, a man who could dance with her and crown her the queen of love and beauty. She deserved a man closer to her age, one who she would be proud to be seen with and not a man who was crippled and thought of as he knew he was. So he'd ignored his grandmother's wishes, her suggestions and instead had vowed to her friend. That he'd loved his time with her only making him feel he'd made the right choice. She could never be his and he'd never doom her to a life with half a man, as selfish as he wished to be, he could never be that.
As he sat there, as the feast died down. After they'd spoken, laughed, and he'd found he'd enjoyed his night more than perhaps any other. When he heard her yawn, he escorted her back to her room and each step he took with her, he felt it even more keenly. Reaching the door he looked at her as he went to bid her goodnight and again felt that pain in his heart.
"I had a wonderful time tonight Willas, truly wonderful." Sansa said her smile beaming as she looked at him.
"As did I, I too got to do what I wished and there was nowhere else I'd rather be." he said and saw her look at him.
When she raised herself up and kissed him, Willas was surprised at her boldness. It was a simple peck on the cheek, nothing untoward, and yet there was meaning in to. Seeing the look of doubt in her eyes, Willas did likewise and saw her smile.
"Goodnight, Sansa." he said softly.
"Goodnight Willas." she said, her voice shaky as she turned to walk into the room.
Perhaps he could be selfish for once he thought as he walked away, his cane hitting the ground as he did so, lighter and more easily than it usually did. Aye, perhaps he should be more selfish and not deny them both something they clearly wished for. Willas resolved to speak to his grandmother on the morrow and to discuss something that he had dared not to hope for. Maybe Jae and Margaery weren't the only ones who were two halves of the whole, he thought as he entered his room.
Dany.
Her nephew looked as happy as anyone she'd ever seen, he and his new bride seeming almost obvious to the rest of the room. She'd been so pleased for him as she watched him wed. Given the life her brother had been denied, she was glad his son seemed to have found that for himself. As for Margaery, she found she liked her, as different as she was from her there were similarities too. That she loved Jae endeared her to her, knowing that it wasn't just his crown she sought making her relax some.
Seeing them stand in front of them all in the Great Sept, watching them declare their love for all to see, made her wonder if she would find someone for herself one day too. When she saw Jae crown his queen in front of the Sept, it made her so proud of her nephew, to know he was not a man like so many who'd come before him proving him true. That he respected his queen and listened to her, was something that Dany appreciated. She had wondered if as head of their house, he'd seek to marry her off one day. Something he had laughed at and she'd almost struck him for until he'd explained himself.
"You are Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, the Princess of Dragonstone, a Dragonrider and a Princess who wields a blade. I pity the man, king or no, who tries to tell you what to do. Aunt, but that man will never be me. You choose the life you lead, who you marry if you deem it, then as long as he's worthy of you, then who am I to deny you anything."
"Worthy, like a lord or a prince?" she asked, though she knew that wasn't what he meant.
"Worthy as in of good heart and nature." Jae said making her smile.
She had been contemplating on whether such a man was out there for her when she saw Tyrion enter. Her brother was walking with a beautiful woman and it took Dany a moment to realize who she was. Arianne Martell the Princess of Dorne, Tyrion's betrothed and Dany narrowed her eyes to take her in. When she had heard about Tyrion's upcoming marriage and how he spoke of the woman herself, she'd felt so happy for him. Yet the more she heard of Dorne, of their customs and even the reputation of the princess. The more she had wondered if her brother's betrothed may not be worthy of him, Jae's words reverberating in her head.
It felt odd to her, to be protective of someone, yet she finally had true family and so she would do anything she could to see they remained unharmed, be it physically or emotionally. She noticed that Tyrion and Arianne didn't dance and that the princess didn't dance with anyone else other than her uncle. Something which was a mark in her favor as far as Dany was concerned. Over the night she tried to both enjoy herself and to keep her eye on the princess to the best of her ability. Looking over at her when she danced with Aemon and then with Jae, something her nephew picked up on.
"Has someone drawn my aunt's attention?" Jae asked trying to see where she was looking.
"No, just someone I'm keeping my eye on." she said as Jae to her annoyance moved her so she couldn't' see Tyrion and Arianne.
"And should I be keeping my eye on this person too?" Jae asked and she smiled, knowing he was looking out for her as she was Tyrion.
"No, it's Tyrion's betrothed." she said and Jae chuckled.
"I don't think Ari's your type, aunt." Jae said making her stop dancing for a moment until she saw her nephew was jesting.
"That's not what I mean as well you know, nephew." she said pretending to be annoyed.
"She's a good woman, aunt, he loves her, and she, him, you should speak to her." Jae said looking at her.
"Oh, don't worry, nephew, I will." she said determinedly.
It took her some time to find the chance to do so, Tyrion either had the bladder of a much larger man or hadn't been drinking much, as he never seemed to find the need to use the privy. When he did leave, Dany got up from her seat and walked over to take a seat beside the princess. The older woman looking at her and sizing her up as she did the same to her.
"Princess Daenerys." Arianne said.
"Princess Arianne." she said, her voice not friendly but not outright hostile either.
"Are you enjoying the feast, princess?" Arianne asked.
"I am, my nephew and his new bride seem most happy, it makes me relieved to see them so. To see my family be loved so." she said looking into Arianne's eyes.
"As it does me, Tyrion too feels happy his nephew has found love." Arianne said.
"My brother is a romantic, I fear." she said softly.
"Fear? Why?" Arianne asked.
"Romantics can be so intrigued by the possibility of romance, they rush to it, not truly understanding the dangers they face. They risk leaving themselves open to being hurt, especially should they meet someone who seeks to take advantage." she said pointedly.
"Then it's just as well your brother hasn't found someone like that, is it not?" Arianne said looking to her, her own eyes narrowing just a little.
"Has he?" she asked more direct than she meant and was surprised to see Arianne's smile.
"You know when Tyrion came to Dorne it was as a Lannister. As you can imagine my people were never fond of the lions. Yet times had changed, a lion had seen justice brought for my aunt and her children, well at least that was how it seemed since we were unaware of the dragon that hid. Tyrion came with my uncle and Oberyn welcoming him so, intrigued me."
"Did it now?" Dany asked, wondering where she was going with this.
"Very much so, as much as it turned out that Tyrion did himself. I'm a woman who sought challenge, princess, a woman who got bored very easily and thought that to be the life she would lead." Arianne said her voice taking on a softer tone.
"Thought?" she asked.
"Until I met a lion who proved me wrong. A lion who pleased me more in every way than any man had ever come close to." Arianne said and Dany found herself blushing at the look on the princess's face.
They sat there, Arianne looking at something in the distance and Dany looking to the princess while trying to figure out the truth of the woman.
"With men, I used to play games. To amuse myself, to judge them, to keep myself from getting bored. I've never done so with Tyrion, I never would. I care not what others think, I may hope we get along for Tyrion's sake, but should we not, it matters not to me, he is mine and I am his. Not even a dragon would scare me away." Arianne said and Dany found herself smirking.
"Then we had best get along, for I'd not have my brother choose between us." Dany said and Arianne nodded.
By the time Tyrion came back, Dany was laughing as Arianne told tales of Dorne, telling the princess that she'd most certainly need to visit at some point and stay for longer than just the wedding when it took place. Her brother looked to them both nervously and then smiled when Dany did, looking to Arianne to see her smiling too.
"I was just getting to know your betrothed, brother." she said when Tyrion took his seat.
"I'm glad to see it." he said sounding much more relaxed now.
"I shall leave you both, brother, Princess, I look forward to joining you in Dorne."
She walked from the table and looked around the room, seeing Sandor and Belwas argue over what appeared to be a plate of something or other, and though it looked friendly she thought that perhaps she needed to intervene. The voice which said her name behind her though made her turn his way and she looked to see Aurane Water's standing there facing her.
"Princess Daenerys." Aurane said with a bow, Dany looking to see he was wearing much fancier clothing than usual.
"Lord Waters."
"Aurane."
"Dany." she said quickly in reply, surprising herself with the sound of her voice.
"May I have this dance, Dany?" Aurane asked and she nodded and allowed him to take her hand.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
He couldn't get enough of dancing with his wife, of holding her in his arms and moving across the floor. Seeing her smile as the rest of the room disappeared and the music seemed to play only for them. That he had to ask others to dance, irked him some, as had he his way then no one else would have felt his arms around them that night. But he knew he must and so he danced with Ellaria, with Ashara and Genna, with Joy and Shiera and with Dany too.
That his aunt was being so protective towards Tyrion boded well for the future and that people seemed to enjoy the feast showed the day had gone as well as he had hoped. Richard told him that the food had been distributed to the people of Flea Bottom, the feast shared as well as they could with the smallfolk, as well as with the lords. On Jaime's advice, Jae had tried to pay attention to the Lords and Ladies. He'd looked to see who if any seemed less than enthused, yet he found no matter how hard he tried, his eyes were drawn to his wife over and over.
Sitting with her at the table and trying to hold conversations with people around him was harder than ever. Each movement she made only brought up images of the night to come, her lips, her neck, a glimpse of her shoulder, Jae's mind on her and her alone. That others noticed his distraction he cared not for this night, Obeyrn's smirks, Ellaria's winks, Olenna's knowing looks. If people could see how he almost willed the night to end, how he almost wished for time to move faster, then so be it. Jae noticed how his uncle Ned gave him a polite nod and smiled far more than he'd known him to or how Tyrion glanced his way more than once.
There would be no bedding, he'd have no man look upon his wife but he and that Margaery felt the same way about him, was something that made him feel his jealousy was good and true. When the time actually came and Jaime gave him the signal, Jae could almost have run over and kissed his father by choice. Instead, he reached down and took Margaery's hand in his and raised it to his lips, kissing it and feeling her tremble slightly as she looked to her mother and grandmother. Jae stood up and helped her to her feet as the room quietened down to listen to him speak.
"My Lords and Ladies, Her grace, and I thank you all for sharing this happy occasion with us. The music will keep playing and the drink and food will still flow, however, it's come time for us to bid you all farewell." He said looking to Margaery.
"You have truly shown us great favor tonight and his grace and I are most appreciative of it. Please enjoy the rest of your night and we both thank you all for sharing this day and night with us." Margaery said.
He turned to lead her from the room, Arthur and Barristan taking up position as they made ready to leave the hall. Jae gave a small nod to Lady Olenna and to Jaime and then they walked far slower than they both perhaps wished. It felt like forever to get to the room, to open the door, and to step inside and once they did he turned to look to his wife. Margaery was flushed, nervous, and he stepped forward and kissed her softly, looking into her eyes once he did so.
"We can go as slow as we like, do only what we're comfortable with, no one else matters Marge, just you, just me." he said and she nodded.
They walked into the bed-chamber, Jae knowing the redness on Margaery's face was no doubt matched by his own. Once inside he reached up and took the crown off her head, carrying it and his own to the small chests they rested in. After placing them inside he turned to look at her, finding her eyes on him as he moved towards her.
"We should undress." he said softly and she laughed a full laugh.
"And I had thought we'd do this fully clothed." she said making him laugh too.
It was like a release of nerves and when she turned her back to him, Jae found to his surprise that his fingers deftly moved over the laces which tied the dress. He felt Margaery breathe a relieved sigh as the constraints of the dress were released.
"Was it really that tight?" he asked when she turned back to him.
"It was fine, Jae." she said and he nodded.
They stood there for some time, not moving, just looking at each other, almost as if they waited for the other to take the first step. Something he did as he began to take off his tunic and then his shirt. As he stood there bare cheated, he saw his wife take the sight of him in, the small smile on her face making him hope she found it pleasing. Jae watched as he slowly let the dress fall and as she stood there in her small clothes and stockings. Margaery stepping out of the dress and Jae reaching down to take it and place it over the chair, his wife smiling at him as he did so.
When he turned back to her, she was sitting on the bed, the stockings had been rolled away and the covers moved to one side. He watched as she slid underneath them and then saw her look to him when he began to remove his britches. That he did so slowly seemed to please her, though it was nerves which had caused his hands to barely move. As he stood there in his own small clothes he saw her look at him, a look of almost eagerness in her eyes and when he saw her hands move under the covers he looked on as her small clothes hit the floor.
"You should take them off." Margaery said and Jae had never heard her voice sound that way before, her eyes hungry now as she took him in.
Slowly he did as she bid, this time for her enjoyment and not from nerves. Her eyes were on him all the while until he finally stood in front of her naked. Jae watching as her eyes roamed down his body, as she took in the sight of him and as she saw his manhood for the first time. The widening of her eyes was something he hoped a good sign and not one of fear or disappointment. That he was almost fully stiff wasn't a surprise to him, though it seemed to be to her. For him, it was from the moment he'd seen her in her smallclothes that he'd felt himself begin to rise.
"Come to bed, husband." Margaery said.
As he lifted up the covers, he got the briefest glimpse of her own nakedness and as sorely tempted as he was to leave the covers up and take in her in all her glory, the shy look on her face made his choice for him. So instead he climbed in beside her and was soon laying on his back, barely able to look at her. Were it not for her hand reaching out to touch his face then he may have stayed that way for the rest of the night.
"Kiss me, Jae." she said softly and he turned to her, seeing her look into his eyes, and then before he knew it, she was in his arms and he was kissing her as deeply as he ever had.
Margaery.
Each feel of him when he brushed up against her sent a shiver down deep into her core. Her hands wanted to roam and touch every inch of his body and to have him do the same to her own. Seeing him so ready, that she pleased him so just by how she looked, had lit a small fire inside of her that she wished to see turned into an inferno. A dragon's flames she thought when she felt his hand reach up and move across her breast. The books, her grandmother, her mother, all of them spoke of the things you could do, but only her mother had truly spoken of the things you may feel.
"Jae." she said feeling him kiss her neck, her shoulder, and looking down to see him move towards her breast "Jae." she felt him kiss her breast and take her nipple in his mouth.
It was, she had never, the feelings something she had no way to describe. When he had touched her breast the other day, as she had felt his fingers on her nipple she had thought nothing could match how that made her feel, but no, gods his mouth. She arched her body up when he gently bit down, her nipple was caught so softly between his teeth, and she couldn't even look at him. Feeling him move away she almost wanted to pull him back but then she was feeling it again as he kissed her other breast and moved closer to the nipple there too.
She began to feel something inside and a shudder ran through her. Jae's manhood had brushed over the inside of her thigh close to her center and she looked to down to see his face and knew he'd realized it too. He moved up from her breast and brushed ever closer to her, her gasp only enhanced by the look in his eyes. Then they were kissing and she expected to feel his weight on top of her, only to find he was doing everything so it was not. She smiled between kisses and softly bit his lip.
"I..." he said and then she felt him brush against her once more, whatever he was about to say lost for now at least.
He kissed her again and then moved down once more, her neck he bit gently, and then he was back to her breast. This time as he kissed one, his hand reached out and took in the other, his fingers brushing over one of her nipples while his tongue did the same to the other. The dual assault soon had that feeling return once more. How long it went on for she didn't know, the feeling though seemed to level off and she found she missed the rising of it greatly.
Though whether he saw it in her eyes, felt it in how she moved, or whether he always intended what came next, only Jae would be able to tell as she felt him begin to kiss down to her stomach. His tongue reached out to taste her as he moved ever so slowly downward. She felt the cold air on her breast, the wetness from his kisses making her nipples stand out hard and firm. When he kissed her belly button, ran his tongue inside it, she gasped, and yet what he did next had her almost unable to move. He kissed her lower, beneath her belly button, on her stomach, and Jae just kept kissing her as he moved between her thighs.
"Jae?" she asked, nervously, surely he wasn't doing what it seemed he was.
"Trust me, my love." Jae said and then she moaned out loud as he kissed her and she felt his tongue move between her lower lips.
The feeling was like nothing she had ever imagined, nothing she ever dared to dream it could be. Each kiss, each sweep of his tongue only making her both want more and want him to stop. Thankfully he didn't seem in any hurry to do either, at first at least. His kisses were slow and his tongue almost savoring whatever it was he was tasting. Her legs opened of their own accord and then she felt him everywhere. His cheeks brushing against her thighs, his hand on her stomach, and his lips and tongue exploring everywhere in between.
She felt her breathing begin to rise, her hips move up from the bed. Jae's hand not allowing her to move away and his tongue now offering her no respite. Not that she wished him to, as she felt something begin to rise and rise and then break free when his tongue found a spot which almost had her crying out loud. That he recognized what he'd done was a gift from the gods themselves as he found that spot again and again.
"Jae." she said.
"Oh gods." she moaned.
It was like a release of energy, an explosion that rocked her whole body, she shivered, shook, and then she pushed him away, the sensations too much. When she calmed she looked and saw worry and concern in her husband's eyes, both for naught, and yet she found she could barely speak.
"Marge, are you? Did I? have I hurt you?" Jae asked and she shook her head as vigorously as she could, he'd done anything but hurt her.
When she calmed she bid him to her, Jae moved and she shuddered when he brushed against her once more, her eyes locked on his when he faced her. She brought him close to her face and kissed him, tasting something on his lips and then almost pushing him away when she realized that it was her. It wasn't unpleasant though and soon it was forgotten, the kisses turning soft and then Jae looking at her.
"I..that was." she said her voice breathless.
"It was good?" he asked nervously and she nodded, smiling at him.
"How?"
"Oberyn, he gave me a book." Jae said embarrassed and Margaery found herself laughing a little.
"We should, Jae, we must." she said and he looked at her, nodding.
"Are you?" he asked and she smiled reaching down between them both, her fingers finally finding him.
She ran her hand up and down his length, watching as he closed his eyes. The look on his face one which told her that she was giving him pleasure too. Remembering what the book said, she slowed her movements and did her best to move him between her legs, finding to her dismay that she could not.
"Jae, you need to." she said and he opened his eyes, looking into her own before he moved and she felt him brushing against her once again.
"Go slow." she said and he nodded.
It felt too big as if it could never fit and when he began to push she cried out a little, Jae immediately stopping and asking if she was alright. Though she wasn't, she knew they had to do this, that on the morrow people would take their sheets and look for evidence that they had indeed coupled. He pushed, again and again, she winced, before she cried out loudly when she felt something give. She didn't know if she'd passed out, or if it just felt as if she did. What she did know was that Jae was speaking softly, asking her if she was hurt, telling her how sorry he was and she looked to see him looking at her concernedly.
"It's, I think..it's fine, we can.." she said and he looked to her worriedly "Please Jae."
He began to move slowly and it hurt for some time. She could see looking to his face the effort it was taking him, his pleasure rising, and yet at no point did he push too far or move too fast and after a while, she began to feel a little numb to it. Reaching around to his back she almost pulled him into her and Jae looked at her to see her nod, his movements speeding up some and then some more when he saw she was not being hurt. How long it lasted she didn't know, though she saw him strain and felt something inside. She looked to his face believing he'd spent and heard him moan a little proving her right.
When he pulled out she winced again, and he again asked her if she was well. Her lips giving her answer for now as she kissed him and then moved from the bed. She felt a sharp pain between her legs and looked to see some blood both there and on the sheets, Jae jumping up to help her to the privy. After cleaning herself and having Jae change the sheets, they got back into bed and she rested her head on his chest.
"I'm sorry." Jae said and she turned to look at him.
"It didn't hurt as bad as I thought, Jae and I, that thing with your tongue, I felt pleasure too."
"I hurt you." he said sadly and she kissed his cheek.
"Did you feel good? Was I?" she asked nervously.
He kissed her and told her she was more than he ever hoped for, that he had never felt anything like it before. Soon enough they were sleeping and when she woke the next morning she felt a little uncomfortable and yet it was something else that was on her mind. Something the books and both her grandmother and mother had said.
"The first time may hurt, but it gets better Margaery unless it's terrible, it gets better."
As she looked at her husband sleeping beside her, she smiled, the first time was good, how much better did it get she wondered.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Ned.
Being called to see your nephew who was the king, the morning after he was wed, was not what he'd expected when he woke up today. He'd thought that Jaehaerys would have kept work light for the next few days and yet he was in a way glad he had not. If he was being honest with himself, he wished to see whether his nephew and his wife had a pleasant wedding night. It would bode well for the future if in this aspect they were just as in tune as it seemed they were in others and the first time could be difficult, Ned thought remembering his own.
As he walked to the King's Solar, he also found himself keen to make preparations to go back home. He knew he'd need to stay for the Tourney and that he needed to swear his featly in public. But he wished to be back in the North and for his child to be born in Winterfell. Each day they spent here increased the chances of his child being born in the South and though there was no shame in it, some would look down on them for it.
When she saw Ser Walder and Ser Loras he nodded, seeing the young Tyrell seem to be happy enough and so things had not gone disastrously anyway. He was glad of that and had no true fear of it if he was being honest. The way they looked at each other, how Jaehaerys had behaved at the wedding and the feast, only showing just how much he was in love with his new bride. Entering the room, he thought about the ceremony and though he had enjoyed seeing his nephew marry, a part of him had felt some sadness too.
Partly because it was this ceremony and not the one Jaehaerys and Margaery had in front of the old gods and partly because of who was not there. His mind had inevitably drifted to Lyanna and thoughts of how his sister may have felt seeing her son both crowned and wed. Trying to clear his mind, he looked to the table to see Jae and Jaime Lannister sitting there, the queen not in sight and he hoped that didn't mean he was wrong about the night before.
"Your grace."
"Please uncle, Jae." Jaehaerys said and Ned smiled shaking his head.
"Her grace not joining us, your grace?" he asked and saw Jae roll his eyes at his use of his title.
"Margaery is with her family, uncle. They no doubt like the realm wish to know every last detail of our wedding night." Jae said giving Jaime Lannister a side-eye look.
"I asked was it pleasant, that's all, you're lucky you've not met with Genna or Dacey yet, Jae." Jaime said and Ned chuckled at the panicked look which came over the king's face.
"Uncle, I've asked you here to explain my plans for the North." Jaehaerys said a moment later and Ned looked at him confused.
"Plans for the North?" he asked.
"Queenscrown, uncle, I intend to rebuild the keep and the lands around it including the village, and to name a new Lord for it and for Brandon's Gift" Jaehaerys said.
"The Watch?"
"Will be suitably compensated. As for the North itself, I will be returning the New Gift to the North under the Warden of the North, it is yours to do with as you see fit, other than Queenscrown of course."
"You intend to name new lords in Brandon's Gift?" he asked and Jaehaerys nodded.
"When my mother married my father, uncle, the Pact of Ice and Fire was enacted. It allows me to give the New Gift back to the North, Brandon's gift however has a caveat." Jae said.
"Which is?"
"Only a member of House Targaryen and House Stark can be Lord of it."
"You intend your family to be there?" Ned said stunned.
"One of my children or grandchildren are the only one who can rule it, uncle. You are a member of House Stark, not a member of both. So I can leave Brandon's Gift as it is or do with it what I must."
"My lords won't be happy with this, your grace." he said knowing there would be some who were very displeased.
"Why? They're getting back the New Gift." Jaime said.
"A strip of land 25 leagues across Lord Jaime." he said and Jae looked at him.
"From coast to coast and good land too, both the land in Brandon's and the New Gift's are some of the most fertile lands in the North and they're uninhabited, unused. The Watch has never fully utilized them." Jae said.
"With the men you sent." he began only for Jae to shake his head.
"Lords and people, uncle, that's who use lands to it's potential, Lords and people. I'll put both in Brandon's Gift, you'll no doubt do the same in the New. Trust me your lords will grumble but soon enough they'll be scurrying for favor from one or both of us, seeking to be appointed to the new lands."
"What compensation will you offer the watch, your grace?"
"I'll ensure the taxes are paid. Each region is supposed to give up five percent per year, from now on they'll do so. When the gifts were given to the Watch it was under the idea they'd use them to make themselves sustainable, they did not, I'll not see that land go to waste."
"Very well, another Great House in the North can only be a good thing." he said and saw his nephew look to Jaime before he looked back.
"House Targaryen swears directly to the crown, uncle."
"What?" he said annoyed forgetting his manners a little.
"House Targaryen, swears only to the crown, my child or grandchild will be sworn to King's Landing, not to House Stark." Jaehaerys said.
"You cannot mean..I cannot have a house in the North not sworn to mine own, your grace."
"Yet you can have the Night's Watch not sworn to you, uncle. On matters that refer to the North, House Targaryen will defer to House Stark, they just won't be obligated to. We are allies, uncle, not vassals." Jaehaerys said.
"And I'm just to accept this?" He said a little annoyedly.
"You won't be the only one who is, trust me, Lord Stark, the West too will be getting an extra House that isn't one of our bannermen." Jaime said.
"As will my wife's family, uncle. This is no slight to the North, if you wish to see what is, then pay close attention to what happens in the Stormlands and elsewhere. Here you're getting not just more land but an extra layer of protection between the Wall and the North itself. As I said on external threats House Targaryen will rise to protect the North, but I cannot, will not have any house but mine own as overlord over my blood."
He sat there and tried to think. Was he being obtuse? The extra land would raise coin and spirits and yes the extra layer of protection would be helpful. Having a Targaryen house in his lands would cause an issue, but then they were tied to House Targaryen by blood now, maybe he was being a bit rash.
"Forgive me, your grace, I need some time to come to terms with these changes and I may have spoken out of turn." he said looking to his nephew.
"Here, in private, uncle, I ask people to always speak their mind."
He bid his nephew goodbye and made his way from the room. No doubt there would be those who took issue with what Jaehaerys had done and he imagined his initial reaction would be more than duplicated by the other lords of the north. Still, they'd received a boon this day also and maybe he should just concentrate on that.
King's landing 298 AC.
Margaery.
Her grandmother and mother seemed pleased by the fact that her wedding night had gone so well, both of them relieved she'd not felt too much discomfort and more so when she told them she'd felt pleasure too. What was less pleasing to her grandmother and her father was the idea that they'd soon have a House Targaryen in the Reach somewhere. Though were that was to be had not yet been decided. That she also ended up arguing with them both had perhaps been unavoidable.
"Enough, the both of you." she said loudly.
"Your grace?" her father said.
"This is to be my child or my grandchild's seat more than likely. Your kin." she said looking at them both.
"Who is to be foresworn to another house, your grace." her grandmother said.
"My house. My husband's house. Jae has given you a queen, a seat on the small council, a Kingsguard for a son. Our house is more in favor than it has ever been. Yet you both quibble as if you have a choice in this as if you are not receiving far more than you ever wished for." She said angrily
"Margaery."
"No grandmother. This is happening, deal with it." she said getting up and walking from the room.
She barely acknowledged Willas and Sansa as she passed them, instead heading to her and Jae's room to find her husband and Jaime Lannister sitting there chuckling.
"Margaery?" Jae asked and Jaime got up to leave.
"Please Lord Jaime, stay, I know we have more meetings to come." she said walking into her bed-chamber and hearing Jae walk after her.
She drank down some water and turned to see her husband look at her concernedly.
"Marge?"
"It's nothing, father and grandmother didn't like your plans." she said with a forced smile.
"Neither did my uncle" Jae said and she laughed a little at that.
She felt him take her in his arms and she embraced him back tightly, letting him hold her for a few moments before she turned and looked at him.
"Who's first.?"
"Lord Tytos and Lord Jonos."
She nodded and followed him into the other room, taking her seat and given Jaime a smile as she did so. The Hand looking to Jae who seemed to reassure him even more. It took quite some time for Lord Jonos and Lord Tytos to come in and she wondered if it truly was that long or had her meeting with her grandmother and father been far shorter than she had thought. Either way, she looked to Jae who reached out and gave her hand a squeeze, and then she looked to the two lords.
"My Lords." she said.
"Your grace, your grace." they said one after the other.
"My Lords, the Riverlands are in need of change, with House Tully now practically no more, we find ourselves in need of lealer lords to be our Lord Paramount and a need for changes to be made." she said and the lords looked at her eagerly.
"His grace has named Lord Darry as the Riverlands Envoy, an extra voice if you will for the Riverlands in King's Landing. Lord Darry will also be regaining the lands stolen from him by the usurper."
"Of course your grace." Jonos said.
"Brandon Stark will be named Lord of Riverrun, in time he may choose a new name but House Tully is no more and my cousin's land's will be reduced." Jae said.
"He won't be lord Paramount, your grace?" Jonos asked and Jae shook his head.
"Lord Tytos, we would name you our Lord Paramount of the Trident, however, there are some conditions." Jae said looking at the lord himself while she looked to Lord Jonos.
"Conditions your grace?."
"House Blackwood and House Bracken have always had a fractious history. The rights and wrongs of it concern me not, only the ending of it. Something her grace has come up with a way to do." Jae said looking proudly at her.
"Lord Blackwood, your heir Brynden and Lord Bracken your eldest daughter Barbara, neither are wed nor matched and though weddings between your Houses have not gone through in the past, this one will" Margaery said and the two lords looked to each other and then her, neither arguing just yet "Your grandson from this marriage would be Lord Paramount of the Trident, Lord Bracken, regardless of any other claim."
"Regardless?" Tytos asked.
"Brynden and Barbara are to marry, my lords. But life is life, heirs fall, and should the worst ever happen then unlike with other rights of inheritance, it is to fall to the child of that union and not a second or third son." Margaery said as Jae handed her the proclamation.
"We seek to bring you together, do you accept?" Jae asked and she looked at Jonos.
"I find this acceptable." Jonos said and she looked to Tytos.
"Aye, I can live with this accord." Tytos said.
"Excellent, my lord, tomorrow we'll have your oath of fealty and name you our new Lord Paramount." Jae said and Margaery smiled when the lords thanked them before leaving.
They stopped for lunch, neither of them wishing to leave the room for now and Jaime instead heading off to speak to Dacey and spend time with his daughter. Margaery felt like she'd accomplished something good today, her idea had been proved to be a good one and she looked forward to doing more of this in the future.
King's Landing 298 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
Concentrating was hard, during the meeting, while eating lunch, just sitting in the room with his wife all of it was incredibly hard. Each time he looked to her, Jae couldn't stop thinking of the night before and what they had done. He'd been so incredibly nervous, as had she, yet it had gone far better than he feared and much better than even he had hoped. Both Jaime and Oberyn had given him advice which at times had him blushing like a green boy, which in this aspect of the world he truly was.
Oberyn had handed him a book that contained many things and then as if he couldn't be more embarrassed, the women in his life had spoken. Or Dacey, Ellaria, and Shiera to be more precise, each of them giving him hints and pointers most of which boiled down to the same thing, go slow and make it enjoyable for your wife. That he had done so had been very hard at times, holding back his own instincts and denying himself his own pleasure for as long as he'd been able. Though it seemed to have made the night pleasant for Margaery and that was worth anything.
Seeing her dress, breaking their fast, watching her as she went to speak to her family about their plans, and now seeing her as she dealt so adeptly with the Riverlords, Jae was in awe of her. Everything about her was perfect to his mind, her intelligence, her beauty, her grace, his mother, and father may have thought him born to be a king, there was no doubting that Margaery was born to be a queen. That she was his queen, his wife, and that they'd have their whole lives together, if Jae didn't believe in the gods, that would be enough of a sign they were true.
"Jae?" She asked looking at him.
"Sorry, I was thinking of my wife." he said with a small smirk which she soon returned.
"I'm right here you know." she said.
"Aye, still doesn't stop me thinking of you." he said and received a kiss.
The kiss was about to get far more intense when there was a knock at the door, Tommen telling them that Shireen, Lady Selyse, and Ser Davos had arrived to see them. Jae bid his squire see them inside and turned to Margaery who nodded at him. Ser Davos was an older man, born in Flea Bottom, and risen to knighthood for smuggling food into Storm's End during the siege. Something which had gained him a title and a keep and lost him the fingers of one hand. Stannis calling that justice for crimes that had naught to do with him and it was not something Jae agreed with. Lady Selyse was a Florent, her large ears though not even her most striking feature as Jae could see the hair on her upper lip and felt his wife's elbow as he stared at her too long.
As for his cousin, Shireen was a shy, timid young girl. She too bore the Florent ears added to the Baratheon blue eyes, and yet he knew it was the Greyscale that covered half her face that most would look at, so he did not. Instead, he offered her the warmest smile he could muster and saw the surprise on her face. More so when she saw Margaery do the same.
"Please sit." he said and after the exchanging of your graces, and my ladies, of calling Davos Ser, Jae was ready to speak to them on what he'd brought them here for.
He'd not spoken to them more than a word or two since they arrived here, though he'd allowed Ser Davos to speak to Stannis and would allow them all to spend some time with him before he was sent to the Wall. The plans he had for them would both be generous and restrictive and he wondered how they'd take them. Though first, he needed to do something to relieve some of the nerves that both women were showing and the suspicion that Ser Davos was.
"Do you know you and I are kin, Lady Shireen, cousins by blood." he said with a smile.
"I do your grace, my great grandmother was the Princess Rhaelle Targaryen, youngest daughter of Aegon the Unlikely and Betha Blackwood." Shireen said her voice sounding happy when she spoke of something she knew.
"She was indeed, cousin. Did your father tell you that?" he asked and saw her face darken for a moment.
"I read it your grace." she said softly.
"You like to read?" Margaery asked and the girl nodded.
"Then perhaps while you're here, you could spend some time with my uncle Aemon. No one knows more about the books in our library than he and he's your kin too." he said and the girl looked to her mother and then to him, smiling as she nodded.
"We've asked you, your mother, and Ser Davos here to speak on your future Shireen, to plan for it." Margaery said and Jae once again smiled at the girl and gave her mother and Ser Davos a what he hoped was friendly enough nod, seeing the knight relax some.
"You are to be the Lady of Storm's End, cousin." Jae said and he saw a relieved breath come from Selyse and Ser Davos.
"I thank you, your grace. May I ask after my other cousin, Edric?" Shireen asked and Jae smiled glad to see she cared for her family.
"Edric is to be given a small keep in the Reach, near his mother's family." he said and saw Selyse look surprised.
"Thank you, your grace." Shireen said.
"What of the Stormlands your grace?" Ser Davos asked.
"The Stormlands has now risen against my family twice Ser Davos. I offered Lord Stannis the chance to stand down, he refused and so he faced his own judgment, as for the Stormlands it too has been judged. Summerhall is to be rebuilt as the seat of our firstborn child, the loyalist houses are to be sworn directly to House Targaryen of Summerhall. The other houses will be sworn to a new Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, one who will face some stricter provisions." he said and Davos looked at him and nodded, seeming a little saddened by this.
"Actually a Lady Paramount, husband." Margaery said in a much softer tone than he used.
"Indeed wife. Lady Shireen I would name you my new Lady Paramount of the Stormlands, a reduced Stormlands but a kingdom all the same. Should you accept this and the Ladyship of Storm's End there are certain restrictions in relation to both though."
"Because of my family?" Shireen said softly.
"Aye."
"What restrictions your grace." Ser Davos asked.
Jae took the piece of paper and handed it to them, increased taxes, a regent approved by the crown, restrictions on armed men, and the final one, a crown approved marriage. He looked as Ser Davos frowned and then handed the paper to Selyse, Shireen taking it from her mother and reading it far more quickly than either Davos or Selyse had. When she was done she looked at him and Jae felt the girl looked far more than her nine namedays.
"We agree, your grace. I only ask that whatever husband you decide for me, that you give me a little time before we are wed." Shireen said and her voice was shaky but firm.
He didn't have to turn to see Margaery's expression and instead, he brushed his finger over her hand and allowed her to explain it more clearly, to allow the girl some comfort in what was to come.
"We would never decide your husband, Lady Shireen, more we wish to approve the match, just how your father or mother would. Should you find yourself wishing for a particular match, we would take that into great consideration, but rest assured we will not force one on you. Neither would we with a regent, we would ask you to make suggestions for both and while we may not agree, we would take your own feelings into consideration. You are my husband's kin, we'd both like for that to be where we start from, how we go forward from here." Margaery said and he saw Shireen smile a little.
"Could Ser Davos be my regent?" Shireen asked excitedly only to panic and look at them both "Your grace." she added making Jae have to move his head to the side to hide his smirk.
"I cannot, I'm not qualified, my lady, your grace's." Davos said.
"But I trust you, Ser Onion Knight." Shireen said "I trust him, your graces, I'd ask you to consider it."
He looked to Margaery and saw her approval in her eyes and then turned back looking to his cousin, were it not for her father's stubbornness than their relationship could be so different. Instead, he now had to think like a king and not as a cousin, he had no choice but to put restrictions on the Stormlands that only the Vale would be sharing in. Jae found himself cursing House Baratheon and wishing he'd gone with his first instinct of removing its name from the realm completely, though he knew he could not.
"There is no need to consider it, cousin. Ser Davos is a fine and worthy choice and you have our approval to name him Regent." Jae said and was rewarded with a blinding smile, even the greyscale couldn't diminish that he thought happily.
"Tomorrow, you'll be asked to swear fealty in the Throne Room, Lady Shireen, you, your mother, and Ser Davos can also if you wish, spend as much time with your father as you'd like before he leaves." Margaery said.
"Thank you, your grace." Shireen said.
They spoke for a few more moments, Ser Davos seeming more relaxed and Lady Selyse though quiet also seemed to be happier than she had been, though her face remained locked in the same expression. Dany had told him that the woman had formed a kinship with Lady Melisandre and was interested in the workings of the Red God, something which could prove useful in the future he felt. For now, though he listened to his cousin as she spoke, the girl was smart, seemed kind, and thoughtful and he wondered if there was anything that could be done about her face. Without the Greyscale scars, she'd be far more happy and far less looked down upon. Jae resolved to speak to his uncle and to Grandmaester Gormon, if something could be done then he'd see it done.
"That went well, I think?" he asked Margaery when they'd left, the day fading and night falling as he looked out the window.
"Aye, I think it did. She's a sweet girl, Jae, it's a shame her father acted so stupidly."
"Aye, it is. You hungry?" he asked and she nodded "How about we eat here, I'm in no mood for a proper dinner."
"Or you wish to be alone with your wife?" she said her lopsided grin on her face as she moved towards him.
"Always." he said as he took in her in his arms.
"Perhaps we should retire once we've eaten husband?" she said her smirk more pronounced and her eyebrow slightly risen in question.
"Now that my love is the best idea I've heard all day." he said lifting her up and carrying her to the bed, Margaery laughing all the way.
"I thought we were eating first?" she said softly.
"We have time until our meal arrives, I'd say we spend it abed."
"Now that's the best idea I've heard all day." Margaery said and he chuckled as he closed the door behind him.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up Next. The Tourney begins and the Lords and Wardens swear fealty to the new king and queen. Aemon meets a ghost from the past and Jae and Shiera have a conversation about magic. Willas speaks to his grandmother and in the Vale, Littlefinger and Cat run. While Jae spends time with his sister and flies.
Daryl Dixon: Within the next 3 or 4 chapters.
Supremus; Threats are important and work far better than actions, basically either Jae makes the threats or does the actions, given what the IB do and have done, to not do either would be dumb. We disagree about Theon, but even apart from that, his actions here leave no other option. Bloodraven doesn't care in the slightest about Cat/LF, he has far bigger fish to fry.
Irish Hermit: I really wanted that to be clear with Marge/Jae she has that effect, here he didn't mean anything by it, more it was this was something he was in control of, where a couple of other things about being King he feels a little uncomfortable with and so he threw himself into it.
The irreverence is needed to, which is why Arya, Joy, others are so important to him, people have to defer off course, but you need some grounding. As for Joy, I think that was perhaps the least spoiler thing ever. LF doesn't wish to deal with Cat's issues and while he's not drugging her constantly, he is doing it when he has now wish to deal with her, we'll learn more about the dreams soon.
VDWaede: No problem. I'm so glad you've enjoyed it, Stannis kinda belongs at the wall he'd be an asset, Quentyn not so much. Glad you liked the Sand Snakes legitimization, it won't make a difference with Oberyn's loyalty, but it is a nice thing for family. Jon A, had to die by Jae's hand, Robert got away being kin, Jon A certainly wasn't.
Scarila: Really glad you liked it.
Anja: So glad you enjoyed it.
The Spynx: Long may they Reign and long may the poems continue.
Jman: We'll see a Theon pov before his end,
Zyrus: Very few people in ASOIAF actually died in the wars/battles, it was the plotting by Tywin which pretty much set most people to death. Without him, it's kinda hard for the same effects and the battles were even more in favor of Jae here. Think about it, Robb's battles, Daryn Hornwood and the Karstarks are all who die, Battle of Blackwater Bay, no one of Note, Hardhome, BOTB, no one other than the Smalljon. Without the betrayal, it's hard to see who can die in a one sided battle. The Battle to come won't be.
Also, even though the Lannister's weren't' as heavily favored as Jae is here, none of them actually fall in battle either. I know I've only had the bad guys fall, but George kinda only had the good ones do the same.
Lady Octrarina: I know, unlike the unworthy his intentions are good, I think given his thoughts on family and being raised a bastard, even a far more privileged one here than in canon, he'd obviously Legitimise Joy and at least offer it to Oberyn and his girls. Now he won't legitimise Gendry or people like that, but his family yes.
Richard's lips are the ones who spy/gather info, the Bards are people like Bronn, they get their hands far more dirty, they're the muscle so to speak. I really wanted that to be a thing, the two sides of him, charm gets you so far, Renly had charm, intimidation gets you so far, Stannis had that, Jae has both. We'll see about Harry, he may accept but could he ever be trusted, we'll see.
Celexys: Oh we'll be getting to that, the Tourney is next, some more world building before they have to deal with other events.
Biohazrad: So glad you liked it.
Remi: On the debts, they're lesser here. The Iron Throne owes the Lannisters about 1 million, the Tyrelly, about 6 to 7 hundred thousand and the IB about half a million, Illyrio was bankrolling them for a long time. Euron we'll see, is it delusions of grandeur or is he smarter than he seems, we'll know soon enough.
Vssnake: We'll see Theon's pov before he loses is head, he'll have a couple of visitors, as for Olenna if she could dance a jig, she'd be doing it lol.
Ajgranger: He really did, he knows what people see when they see a bastard and so he'd not have them think that of those he cares for. Glad you liked the glimpses trough the Tyrell's eyes, I felt it a better way to show the wedding.
Bkshadow: You're more than welcome, I feel if someone is willing to take the time to read and review, then I should be just as willing to reply and I find it helpful both in explaining something that may be questioned and for the feedback. I had Ned here kinda think on the northern wedding, it's more intimate as you say.
HKt29: I want to thank you for your reviews, I've read them all and I'm glad to see you've stuck all the way through. On Jae's strategies, I think any Targ taking over post the rebellion had better come up with a way to change things, the Standing Army for me is a must, now obviously Dany doesn't have this problem in canon, since she had her forces, but even a Stark imo needs to rebuild a big force given what happened to them in canon.
On the debt, they have 3 million coming in from the Golden Company and owe maybe a little close to two. So taxes, increased trade and some other things will come up, Jae can also write some off against the future. But we'll see that become a big issue as we go forward.
Anarchichmind: I think that's how it was or used to be, most Dragons seemed drawn to it and so here it has to be the same. On the House Targaryen, that's one of the things, it needs to be a thriving house imo, Dany actually running it, rather than how it is where a crown prince splits his time between it and KL.
Jumpingmanatee: You need Delorean my friend lol.
Guest: so glad you liked the song, it's funny, I really had no intent for this turning out DSSS like and I've tried to make it a little different, yet when it comes to the realm, it's like this is the way or something lol. Hope you liked the feast, it's funny isn't it, Dany really is Visenya like, we'll see what that means as we go forward.
Dunk: Glad you liked the wedding, the Cat/LF/Richard thing will play out within the next 3 or 4 chapters, certainly by the end of the Tourney. On the children thing, it's actually me trying not to copy DSSS and feeling I rushed it too soon there, I want them to be alone together for some time and once the children are born it kinda becomes about them so to speak, also want it to become an issue that people speak of. On the Eyrie, it really should be a Targ keep, of course it can't be with an Arryn alive. Yeah no Jae competing, so instead he'll be a frustrated watcher lol.
Denoltdn: Here I'll do something a bit different with Dragon binder, yes. I kinda hope for that, a little throwback to the earlier chapters, yet obviously with the changed situation, a calm before the storms so to speak.
Spartan: So very glad you liked it, the coronation was something I wanted to do for some time.
Hunterofaremis: So very glad you liked it.
Silverglow: I think with the oldest Sand Snakes, their identity is wrapped up in them being Sands, so they should decide, Ellaria and the younger ones will accept, we'll see if the older ones do, Oberyn needed his paramour near him to get over things. Yohn is an honourable man, once he swears he more likely than not would keep his oath. Jae could just sit back and relax and not worry since he has dragons, but that would be a mistake, he needs to make it so even should happen to them, his family is as safe as he can make them.
Asha, kinda needs some help, we'll see more plans with the Iron Islands as for Olenna, she totally was a giddy girl here. So glad you liked it. Thanks for the typos, my friend.
Irish Hermit: All the way through I've tried to show the family bond meaning so much to him, that if he considers you family, then you mean everything to him. So here with Oberyn and the girls it was kinda the end result of all of that. You're right Oberyn may not have expected it, or dared to ask, but it is his dearest wish, both for the children and Ellaria. We'll see with Ned, he's gotten a big boon here and the North is in a far better position than it's been in years, so he'd done ok. LF/Cat are coming to the end of their road.
