Tyrion held onto the parchment in his hand, reading it over and over with a smile. Tormund was sad that he was leaving. He'd grown fond of there talks. He had never thought it possible, but he was gonna miss the Hell out of his new friend. He got up and walked towards the door causing Tyrion to come out of his reverie. "Leaving?" he quipped. The Wildling chuckled, "I thought I'd leave you two alone." he said nodding to the parchment Tyrion had finally placed on his desk. He got down from his chair and extended his hand out to the large man, "Well, Giantsbane. I have truly cherished our time here at the Wall. I think if it weren't for you, my experience would have been fucking dreadful. I am honored to know you." Tyrion thought he saw tears in the man's eyes. "Ah, never thought I'd get so attached to you, wee man, but shit, I'm gonna miss the piss outta yeh!" Tormund grasped Tyrion's hand and felt like picking him up and hugging him but thought better of it. "If you ever find yourself going North, stop on over to my village. You'll always be welcome among the Free Folk, Tyrion." He smiled at him then opened the door to leave, tyrning briefly for one last smile at his friend then left the room closing the door behind him. Tyrion smiled as well. He would be leaving for Winterfell in a few hours. Then, he will be reunited with his beloved Sansa.
"My lord?" Bran turned his head toward the doorway and saw Josiah Tallhart waiting for acknowledgement. "Good morning, Josiah. Can I help you with something?" Josiah stepped closer, "My lord, there is someone just arrived asking for entry into the castle to meet with you. A young woman." Bran knew she was close because last night, before he slept, he warged into his crows and found her tending a fire getting ready for her own slumber. "Could you have Hilda come here to help me wash up and dress so I will look presentable for my guest, Josiah?" The young man disappeared and Hilda arrived within minutes.
Meera sat in a beautiful sitting area next to a warm fire. 'This must be his sister, Sansa's, sitting room.' she thought to herself. She got up and threw another log on the fire then sat back down. She started feeling nervous. She had not laid eyes on Bran Stark in years. She wondered if he was nervous to see her as well. The door opened and a lady brought in tea and biscuits; setting them down on the small table in front of where Meera sat. "Lord Stark is on his way down now, m'lady. I am Hilda. If you should anything at all, just ring this bell here on the tray. Shall I pour you some tea?" Meera nodded and watched as the older woman poured a hot cup for her and a second for Bran.
"Lady Meera." she jumped up as she heard a man say her name. Not just any man though. Bran. He looked so regal, so grown. No longer the child she'd left those years ago. "Please, sit." Bran said softly while watching her intently as Josiah pushed his chair next to wear Meera Reed sat. "Thank you, Josiah...Hilda. That will be all for now." Once the door was shut and they were alone, he'd felt himself losing his nerve. He busied himself by reaching for his tea. Meera reached over to grab it for him and their hands touched causing them both to blush crimson. He felt his heart beating faster and looked up to see her staring at him. Her beautiful dark eyes watching him caused another sensation, but luckily his cloak hid his excitement.
"Meera, thank you for coming all this way. I hoped it would be sooner, but I understand why after the way I treated you when we parted. I was indifferent towards you. You and Jojen. Y-you sacrificed so much to help me and all I could say was 'thank you'. It has bothered me ever since that day. I hope you can forgive me." Meera moved to the edge of her seat, closer to Bran, and grabbed his hand. She felt like electricity surged through her body at the touch.
"Lord Stark. Bran. I thought you would have had more to say and I was hurt...at first, but then I spoke to my father. He made me understand that although it seemed like a simple thank you wasn't enough, it probably held more meaning in your mind than gave the effect." Bran absently stroked her thumb as she spoke. Meera brought her other hand up to his face and stroked his cheek. "Our time together," she began, "I cherished the memories of it all these years." Bran stared into her eyes. She felt herself pulling toward him and he leaned closer until their foreheads touched. Bran's heart was pounding. He'd never kissed anyone before and he wanted to kiss Meera. As if reading his thoughts, she softly kissed the corner of his mouth causing him to smile.
"Sorry if that was too forward, but I have been waiting a long time to do that." she said with humor in her voice. Bran smiled, "Me too. Can we do that again?" he asked. She nodded and he motioned for her to sit on his lap on his wheelchair. "I don't want to crush you." she said with a laugh. "Nonsense." Bran said to her while grabbing her hand to pull her over to him. He knew what he was doing though. He dreamt of this moment. Meera was bright red but wanted this as well.
She sat acrossed his lap and put her arms around his neck as he held her waist. "Is this okay?" he spoke softly into her ear driving her mad with desire. She nodded yes in reply and began to plant soft kisses on his cheeks as she made her way to his waiting mouth until he captured her lips with his. Bran felt his entire body aflame with desire for her. He wanted more but knew he had a long way to go before then. As they kissed, he heard a moan escaped from Meera's mouth and that's when it happened. "Oh!" she jumped off his lap and looked down wondering what just poked her in her leg.
Bran turned red from embarrassment and began to apologize. "I...well...I don't know what came over me. I am sorry, Meera." Meera had walked over to the fire. She stood there quiet and staring into the flames. Her heart was beating fast. She heard him apologizing, but didn't know what to say. "Meera, please look at me." he implored. She turned around and could see his eyes glistening. She gave a small smile and walked back over to him, kneeling in front of his chair. She clasped his hands in her own, bowed her head and kissed his knuckles. "How long have you been regaining your use of everything, Bran?" She knew that he could not have shown his arousal as he did if he was not gaining the use of everything below his waist. "I started feeling it a while back. Only the Maester and myself know. well, and you now." Meera smiled then got up and wrapped her arms around Bran in a loving embrace. "And now, I must tell you why you are here."
Meera sat back on the chair next to him and waited. "That day you left, Merra," he started as she nodded wanting to know more, "That day. I saw the hurt in your eyes. I never wanted to hurt you. I was young and still trying to wrap my head around being the Three-Eyed Raven. After you left, my heart began to ache for you. I had never had that feeling before. It took me years to realize just what that feeling was. It was love. I love you, Meera Reed, my huntress, my warrior. If you do not feel like I do, I understand." She silenced him with her lips then pulled away. "I love you too. My father has tried marrying me off to different men, but I have always refused because there was only one man I wanted. You, Brandon Stark. I want you to be mine forever." They talked for what seemed like hours until Hilda and Josiah came to take them down to eat dinner. They would announce their betrothal via Ravens to Storm's End and Dragonstone in the morning.
Sansa walked along the stony shoreline with Faerys. She talked of her beloved Tyrion. They would marry and most likely settle at Casterly Rock. She asked Faerys if she would accompany her or if she wished to stay in the North with her family. Faerys said she would most likely stay at Winterfell although she had enjoyed her time as Sansa's handmaiden. She understood, but would still consider her a friend welcome to visit her new home whenever she was ready. They stood arm in arm watching the storm clouds roll in and the waves crashing around their barefeet.
"Lady Sansa!" they heard someone yell out so they turned to walk beck toward thd caves. It was Yara Greyjoy coming towards them. "Lady Sansa. The Queen and Lord Stark are looking for you. Your brother, Bran, sent a Raven. You must come at once." Sansa looked worried so Yara calmed her. "It's nothing bad. Sorry to scare you. Lord Stark told me to find you. He says to let them tell you." Sansa and Faerys wiped the sand off their feet and put their sandals back on then made their way hastily into the castle.
Jon and Dany were sitting comfortably on a chaise when they entered the room. Dany jymped up and took Sansa's hands and brought her over to the desk. "Read this! It's most exciting!" she chirped. Sansa grabbed the parchment and read:
Dearest Jon, Sansa, and Queen Daenerys:
I write to you with what may seem like surprising news. I am to be wed. I have been most aggrieved these past few years. Yes, from not having the use of my legs but also because my heart was taken away with a beautiful huntress to Greywater Watch some years ago. Turns out, she had not forgotten me and has loved me from afar. My lady love, Meera Reed, has come to me at Winterfell and wants to be my wife.
This is not the only news. Over the past 6 months, I have been regaining the feeling back into my legs. The Maester is going to help me with building my strength up. With luck, I pray to be able to walk one day and possibly have children. Hurry home. We want to wed as soon as possible!
Safe journey,
Your Brother, Bran
Sansa had tears streaming down her face. Could this really be happening? Everyone seemed to be getting their happy ending; just like in those silly fairy tales she read so many years ago. "Oh, how wonderful! Bran is getting married! And to one of our father's friend's daughters. And, he may walk again! Arya is going to lose her shit. Oh, excuse me. I am just so happy right now!" Jon took his sister in his arms and hugged her tightly. Dany sat back watching them secretly wishing she had siblings to share such a bond with. Yara walked over to her Queen. "It is beautiful. The closeness of the Starks, isn't it. I lost so much time with my brothers. I was too bust trying to prove myself better, stronger than them." Dany took her arm in hers. "Well, we must be each other's family, huh. I do not have any living siblings either. I think of you as more than just my Hand, Yara. You have been on my side since the moment we met." Dany smiled and Yara felt her heart swell. "Thank you, my Queen. That means so much more than you know."
There was a sudden hard knock at the door and the room became quiet. No, not a knock. A bang. Yara walked to the door and her another bang and a thud. She drew her sword and slowly opened the door. A tall figure slumped into the room. It was the Dothraki that kept watch over the Queen's chambers. She saw 10 Unsullied standing in battle stance. "What is the meaning of this!?!? Who slayed this man?" Greyworm stepped out of the shadows. "We are done playing house. We were brought to fight the Queen's enemies, not play happy family." Dany went to confront him, but Jon held her back. "He will not hurt me, Jon." she stated. "I wouldn't be too sure about that." Sansa interjected. "He had this look of utter disgust the other night during our celebration feast. I got a very uneasy feeling."
Dany pushed herself forward. "We are not currently at war. There is no fight, yet, that is all you know. Greyworm, my friend, I know that you are loyal. Why do this?" Greyworm looked lost to her. "The death of our beloved Missandei was devastating to us both, but the Lannister Army and Cersei are dead now. We must now celebrate a new beginning." Greyworm shook his head, "There is nothing for me here. The Unsullied must leave." Dany sighed, "If that is what you wish. I told you before, you are free. Go start a new life. A ship will be given, but please, no more blood shed." He looked past her into Jon's eyes. "If anything happens to her, we'll be coming after you." With that he bowed his head to Daenerys and left the room.
Sansa let out the breathe she hadn't noticed she was holding in. Dany turned to face Jon and he rushed forward to pull her into his embrace. He kissed the top of her head as she buried her face into his chest. Yara spoke first, "My Queen, shall I make arrangements for a ship for The Unsullied?" Dany nodded her head as she looked up from Jon's chest. Sansa could see the pain in her eyes but knew this was for the best. The Unsullied were becoming a threat and they needed to leave.
Arya stretched as she got out of bed. Gendry must have let her sleep in. They were making the journey to Tarth for Lady Brienne and Podrick Payne's wedding. She had received a Raven from Bran that he and Meera were engaged to be wed but they could not make the long trip to Tarth and sent their regards. She had not heard from Sansa since the news of Jon and the Queen's betrothal was sent. "Ah, you're awake! Lord Baratheon said not to disturb you, but I had a feeling that you would enjoy a spot of tea and some of the treacle tarts Cook made this morning." Arya liked this one. The other handmade was too timid. This one, Hildebrand, was brash, but Arya liked that. She also called Arya by her first name. "Oh dear, Arya. You look like shite. What do you do in your sleep? Eat up and I'll draw your bath. Gotta make you at least look human before sending you down with your Lord Husband."
Arya smile and took a big bite of her tart. The baby kicked happily in her ever growing belly. They had discussed baby names at length, well, Gendry had. Arya did not wish to settle on a name until they put the child in her arms. She secretly hoped for a boy but knew it would be a girl. A stubborn girl her mother had wished on Arya on multiple occasions. She finished her meal and settled into her bath as Gendry entered the room. He knelt down next to her and gently began to massage her shoulders. That was Hildebrand's cue to leave. "Mmm, that's nice. How was your morning my Bull?" Gendry smiled at her pet name for him. "Good. Ser Davos says we are in great shape. Your handling of the accounting for Storm's End has put everything right as rain. He plans on leaving after we return from Tarth. Not forever though. He promised to return with his wife and children after the baby comes."
Arya was sad for Gendry. She knew how much he looked up to Ser Davos as a father figure. Turning in the bath, she touched his face gently and gave him a small smile. Gendry leaned into her hand then turned his face and kissed her hand. He did sweet things like this. She always felt he was too good for her. "I love you, Gendry." It was a simple sentence but with so much meaning behind it. She didn't say it often, but he knew it all the same.
After helping her out of the tub, Hildebrand came back into the room to dress Arya for the journey to Tarth. She was more excited to be around another pregnant woman warrior. Lady Brienne was an excellent swordsman and former knight. Arya was sure they would have loads to discuss since they both loathed dresses. Thankfully Tarth was relatively close to Storm's End. One day across the sea and they would arrive at Evenfall Hall and watch Podrick Payne and Brienne of Tarth wed surrounded by their friends and family. Arya hated to admit it but she really did miss her sister, Sansa.
That's all for now.