The day before her wedding, Aurelia found herself in a suspicious state. The evening was to be full of revelry in anticipation of the next day's events, but the day dawned quiet, and after breakfast Ramsay informed her he would be going hunting, and Roose stated his intention to spend the bulk of the day writing letters and completing other final tasks to solidify tomorrow's union. Aurelia, therefore, was left to her own devices. In this, she decided to test a few loyalties. After her morning prayers, she let a handful of servants to the lords know she would be in her chamber, preparing herself for tomorrow, but that any lord or lady was welcome throughout the day should they wish to impart any words before her marriage.
Maege of course was at her side or at her door all day. She had learned little of Mance's knowledge or plan, though he had asserted a desire to be free of his cage, to be free entirely. Beyond that, whatever plan he seemed to be undertaking, he appeared to be working alone, so far as Maege could tell.
"Do you think Ramsay knows what's out in the woods- what's beyond the reaches of Stark land?" Aurelia asked as she removed her small notebook from its concealed place.
"My lady, I think if he knew that he would have taken every able bodied man with him."
"Ramsay is arrogant," Aurelia replied, jotting a few notes on a page. "Though you may be right about the increased numbers if he really knew. Half the men, perhaps." She looked to Maege with a small smile. The woman nodded.
Aurelia was about to ask another question when a knock came at the door. It was Hother Umber, come to give his advice, as it was. After his visit came Talbert Glover, then one of the Manderly squires with word from his lord. Lord Manderly was not yet well enough to be moved from his room, though he had seen some improvement the last few days. It was still unknown if his voice would ever return in full, or if his hands would heal to a level to allow him to write again, but he seemed to be finding ways to communicate, at least simple things, effectively. Aurelia intended to visit him again, but time had slipped through her fingers. She did send his squire back with thanks for his good wishes and a promise that she would be back to see him within the next few days.
Lord Reed came next, and though they spoke little, Aurelia felt comforted by his presence. There was hope in his eyes, not for tomorrow, but for days beyond, and for that Aurelia endeavoured even more to ensure she knew who her allies were. Maege and Lord Reed would protect her with their lives, but she did not want it to come to that.
A handful of others visited her, some out of a sense of obligation, others to give words of advice on handling the Boltons. A raven was received with a note from Lady Dustin, wishing her a long and prosperous marriage. The woman had disappeared around the time as Theon, apparently returning to Barrowtown and settling herself in for the winter. Nothing wrong with those actions; though clearly selfish, they were understandable. Aurelia replied with her thanks and left unsubstantiated concern for another day.
As her visitors dwindled, Aurelia took time to start composing a couple letters in her notebook. Roose was preserving the announcement of the wedding until after the ceremony, he said to avoid any unwanted guests, but no part of his enigmatic delivery could hide that he wanted to ensure this wedding not only occurred as intended but that word of it was withheld from the realm until he was certain that news of a more bracing nature reached as far as possible. Instability in King's Landing was more troubling for the Boltons than more Northerners now. Should an uprising of any nature occur, currently there was absolutely no guarantee of assistance from the Capitol or the Lannisters. For this reason, Aurelia believed Roose kept Lord Manderly alive and attended to; he did not want to risk any lords' death until there was more unity among the Northern people. It may also be why Mance Rayder still lived. Should wildlings or Stannis descend on Winterfell, Roose might see him as an unlikely ally, or hostage. She did not know what Roose's messages would say when the ravens flew, but she had messages of her own to send.
The wedding went off with no issues, other than the snow. Another storm had begun, though tame, and it did little to dim the spirits of those in attendance. Roose desired a simple ceremony at the heart tree, and so it was. Servants were up early to clear a path for the guests and wedding party, and cleared it once again after the morning meal. When Aurelia proceeded down the trail, Howland Reed by her side, a passive calm overtook her. She went through the motions, spoke the words, took hands with and affirmed her commitment to Ramsay, and when it was done, heard her name proclaimed as Lady Aurelia Bolton, of Winterfell.
One word off, she thought to herself as Ramsay kissed her and the wedding guests cheered. One word that makes all the difference.
For the rest of the day and into the night, lords and lordlings, ladies and servants, all but Mance Rayder had the opportunity to celebrate the new wedded couple. Although even he was given a cup of mulled wine from the bride. When he received it, he raised the cup to her and she gave a small nod. Roose and Ramsay were preoccupied in conversation with several Freys, including Roose's wife, and Aurelia hoped the gesture avoided notice.
There was dancing and a feast, drinking and more dancing. Roose had already made it clear no bedding ceremony would take place, but that a small contingent could follow the couple to their united bedchambers. Hother went, as did Lord Reed, and Maege, along with two Freys and Walda in place of Roose. They watched as Ramsay carried Aurelia to the bed, then strode back to the door and closed it. Everyone returned to the feast then, though Maege quickly disappeared again, standing vigil in a safe place. There was little foreplay, and no talk afterward. Aurelia had let her mind drift away while it happened, and once Ramsay was spent, she turned over and feigned sleep. Yet during it all Ramsay was gentle, almost cautious, and while Aurelia was not entirely surprised by this it was not until the morning she understood why.
Roose had her body checked, head to toe, for signs of abuse.
"You could not keep your last wife," Roose remarked after he had called them into his chambers along with maester Medrick. "I warned you the consequences if you could not keep this one."
When the maester found nothing amiss physically, Roose approached Aurelia as she reassembled her clothing. "You were not hurt, my lady?"
"No, my lord. My husband was a gentleman."
Roose cast a glance to his son, and made a small hum. "I see." He dismissed Medrick before continuing. "Well, I suppose it is time to announce your union to the rest of the kingdoms, such as they are."
"Has there been further word, my lord?" Aurelia asked, genuinely curious. "I have been caught up in preparations these last few days and have been remiss in knowing anything going on outside these walls."
"There has been no further word from King's Landing, if that is what you mean. Nor of Stannis. A raven came from the Wall, a request for supply assistance, to which I replied they might consider such requests again once a suitable Lord Commander had been found, and until then rely on the grace of Selyse Florent as I understand her men are part of the reason they find themselves without a leader."
"It is a pity I did not get to face their bastard leader in person," Ramsay sighed as he flipped through papers on Roose's desk. "A Snow until the end. I can't think he would have shown much fight, but it would have been satisfying all the same."
Aurelia bit her tongue as she laced up her corset.
"The boy had skill," Roose remarked, moving to his desk and placing a weight on the papers, narrowly avoiding Ramsay's hand. "Skill in arms and enough in cunning to gain the position of Lord Commander even if his stubbornness led to his inability to keep it. You underestimate him because of a word, one that not so long ago was attributed to you. Take care you do not see a title, or lack of one, as a symbol of anything other than a name given by another."
"He was common trash," Ramsay sneered.
"He died in my arms," Aurelia said quietly. She raised her head to look at both Boltons. "He died in defense of one who could not defend himself, betrayed by others he only meant to protect. He may have been your enemy, but he was not trash."
Ramsay swallowed, reaching for the weight. Roose covered that hand before it reached the stone. "In your arms? That is a detail we have not heard before."
"It is a detail not relevant before. What's past is past, and I look now to the future. But you are right to caution my lord husband against making assumptions regarding those he knows little about. I may be one who overlooks remarks, slights, and even actions, but the North remembers."
Roose gave another soft hum before replying. "You chose your wife well, Ramsay."
Ramsay's gaze narrowed on her for a second, then he smiled. "Indeed I did. Apologies, my lady, if I gave offence."
Aurelia gave a dismissive wave of her hand and returned to tightening the last of her stays before putting her dress back on. As she did this, she sensed a look passing between father and son yet could not unobtrusively raise her head to see it. When she was dressed, Ramsay said he had some matters to attend to, and left her with Roose to review the messages to send out regarding their marriage.
"Your hands will be full with my son," Roose said after they had reviewed a small stack of notes. "You seem prepared well enough for it."
"Thank you, my lord," Aurelia replied, signing a note directed to the Vale. "I am grateful to have your influence present as well."
"That will not always be so."
"No," Aurelia said pleasantly. "But for now, as it is here, I hope you do not mind exerting it from time to time. There are valuable qualities to your son, and our union, or I would never have made the offer I did. You do not take me for the simpering child he married before. I trust we will both be educating your son on that fact."
A thin, grim smile greeted her as reply. They finished the notes, then Aurelia took them to the ravenmaster for sending. She took lunch in her private room, with Maege as company, before they moved the rest of her belongings to the shared chambers with Ramsay.
Dinner was a quiet affair in the hall. Ramsay was not in attendance having spent most of the day seeing to further fortification of Winterfell's outer walls. Aurelia remained amiable with all who continued to offer words of congratulations on her marriage, as well as those starting to make requests regarding her influence with her lord husband, and even Lord Roose. She took note of who made what requests, and gave polite replies regardless of her ability or intent to follow through on exerting any influence. It would, she hoped, make very little difference come the morning.
Aurelia bathed in the shared chambers that evening, and put on a simple nightdress over stays and chemise. She was pinning up her hair for the night when Ramsay came inside. He said nothing to her as he took his own bath, then pulled on smallclothes after drying. He tended to the fire, stoking it to a bright, heated glow, as Aurelia read a book perched on the edge of the bed.
"Is this to be our marriage, then?" He asked as he turned back and regarded her.
"Hmmm?" Aurelia replied, feigning distraction.
"Me working, toiling all day, you sitting around."
"I have not been idle, if that is your insinuation," she said, still scanning the pages. "Your lord father and I sent news of our marriage across the realm. I moved myself into these chambers for a proper show of our unity, and then dined with a hall full of lords and commoners alike, all of whom, now that we are wed, have requests for you and your father which I will be expected to assess as to which ones, if any, are actually worthy of your time. That is a fraction of the work I will perform as your wife and lady of this house, particularly since your father's wife seems to take little interest in doing what is expected of her as wife of the Warden of the North."
"Walda desires my lord father complacent, and with a new heir, and little else" Ramsay said as he flipped the poker in his hand several times. "Not all wives are as ambitious as you."
"Not all wives are," she agreed, closing the book and setting it down. "But you did not marry any other."
Ramsay grinned. "You have a sharp tongue, wife."
"I took you for a man of thick skin, husband."
"I am not used to women such as you."
"You mean not being afraid of you?"
He put the poker back in place as he laughed. "There is courage in you. Defiance as well. I hope neither you intend be used against me."
"You are my husband. I have pledged you obedience and loyalty until your last breath. I stand by that word, my lord."
He nodded. "Good. Strip."
Aurelia eyed him for a second, feeling the defiant urge rise. She pushed it down and stood. Ramsay moved closer as she slowly unlaced the front of her dress. He pulled her against his body and kissed her, hard and deep. As he did, Aurelia felt cold steel near the nape of her neck. She froze as the knife slid between her skin and the dress.
The dress ripped down the seam, and Ramsay threw her on to the bed.
"Take it all off. I want to see that pretty pale flesh."
Aurelia discarded the tattered dress off the side of the bed, then hastily tugged the laces on her stays. Ramsay ran the tip of his finger along the blunted edge of his knife.
"Faster," he purred, using his other hand to reach into his breeches. She could see him stroking himself as she worked the stays open. She tugged the laces more and they gave enough for her to slide the stays down over her hips and off her body. She tossed them aside as well while Ramsay stuck his dagger in a bed post. He shed his smallclothes and beckoned her with a finger. She eased toward the end of the bed and as soon as she was within reach he grabbed her legs and yanked her forward.
He slammed into her, and Aurelia whimpered. His hands gripped the top of her thighs, and Aurelia knew she would be bruised.
"You mewl as though you don't like it," Ramsay growled.
"Just not so rough," she urged, reaching for one of his hands and guiding it to her breast. He gave it a firm squeeze, then shifted to wrap the hand around her neck.
"You'll learn soon enough that rough is how I like it. So it will be how you like it."
"Last night-" Aurelia croaked before his grip tightened.
"I knew my father would insist on checking. Now you're mine, completely, and I will make you moan for me."
He slid the hand gripping her leg to her mound, rubbing hard as his hips slammed against her.
"Moan for me, my wifely whore," he grinned.
Aurelia opened her mouth to speak and he slapped her. When she turned her face back toward him, a gurgling sound came from his throat. His thrusts slowed as the knife point protruded from his neck. His arms flailed, reaching behind for his assailant. Aurelia shifted back and Ramsay reached for her, blood sputtering from his mouth onto her face. She grabbed his hands and flung him down on the bed. She reached for the knife and twisted the hilt in his neck.
Suddenly, blackness covered her eyes and she felt the strong tug of fingers tying the fabric behind her head.
"Enough," the voice attached to Ramsay's attacker said. He scooped her in his arms and carried her away from the bed, setting her gently on the floor. "Give me a moment."
She heard soft footsteps, then muffled coughing. A moment later all was silent.
"What's happened?"
A firm hand pressed over Aurelia's mouth.
"Shhhh," Jon urged. "It's done."
Aurelia stilled, then nodded.
"Are you all right?" She whispered.
Jon moved his hand from her mouth and gently cupped her face. She felt the blood coating it.
"Are you?" She repeated.
"I'm fine." He assured her. "Are you?"
She nodded, then took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I-"
"It's done," he repeated, pulling back. "He's gone."
There were no more words as Jon washed his hands in a basin, tossed the water on the fire, then took rope from one of Ramsay's trunks and tied Aurelia's hands behind her back. He gave her shoulder a soft kiss before standing. She shuddered and his chest ached with the thought of leaving her, bound, naked and abused on the floor. But they had a plan.
"Give me a good count of fifteen to get out."
"I will," she said firmly.
"I love you," he murmured. He dabbed a bit of the blood off her face before giving her cheek a gentle stroke.
"And I you," she replied, hearing him stand and back away from her. She silently counted in her head, slowly. She listened carefully to ensure there was no sound or movement in the room. Satisfied, Aurelia took a few deep breaths in quick succession, her hands pulling at the ropes behind her to give signs of struggle. With one final intake, she released a loud shriek and hoisted herself up and in the direction of the bed. She kept screaming as footsteps approached.
"My lady!" A voice called from outside the door. "My lord! What is happening?"
"Help us!" Aurelia squawked as she heard the men fumble to open the door.
"Move aside," she heard a calm voice come through, jangling keys. The door finally opened as Aurelia crumpled herself beside the bed, sobbing.
The footsteps stopped short and several gasps were heard. The questions began almost immediately, but were quickly silenced, Aurelia assumed by a hand up from their lord. A few seconds later, the blindfold was removed from her eyes.
Aurelia blinked through tears and looked at Roose Bolton. "My lord," she sniffed.
"Tell me," he said softly, without malice but also without compassion.
"We were… we were involved in… we were completing our union when the first blow came. Before my husband could turn to face the attacker a blade was thrust in his throat. I tried to cry out, to reach for him, but a hand closed over my throat. There was so much blood coming from Ramsay and I felt a knife on my cheek and then my face was covered immediately. I don't know what transpired after that but…"
She fought back tears for a second, trying to show the appropriate amount of misery. "My lord husband is… he has been murdered."
"You did not see who it was?"
"No, my lord. It happened very fast. The man concealed himself behind- behind Ramsay to keep me from seeing him and then I was blindfolded."
"Do you think he was an assassin?" Roose's voice remained calm, but had begun to tremble slightly.
Aurelia took a deep breath. "I cannot say, but he was certainly trained in killing."
"A wildling?"
"I do not think so- I have not met one with such stealth, but again I cannot be certain. Especially after what I have been told of those women who came with Mance Rayder."
"You give few answers decisively, my lady."
Aurelia's gaze narrowed. "My husband, your son, has just been murdered, as he was inside me. You will forgive me if the person who killed him and might well have killed me was scant on personal details. I was a bit distracted."
She straightened herself. "And as I am familiar with your lordship's sentences for those who offend him, I prefer justice to be delivered to my husband's murderer by knowing for certain their identity. Unfortunately, I have little evidence from my eyes to give."
"Then what can you tell me?" Roose's steely gaze had not softened, but his hand clenched at his side.
"He was strong, fast, knows how to truss someone up quickly." She gave a tug on her ropes behind her back. "He knew the room, the layout, and when and where to strike."
"You believe it was a man?"
"I - I assumed. But for certain, I do not know."
Roose eyed her for a moment, then sighed. He reached behind her and used his hip dagger to slice through her bindings. He pulled her to standing, took a quick glance at the scene and tossed her the tattered chemise.
"For the moment, to cover yourself." As Aurelia slipped into the garment, Roose turned to the men present.
"Return her to her previous room and find her some clothes," he gestured to one of the men.
"You two," he gestured to two more. "Clean this mess up and let no one else into this room."
He pressed Aurelia to take a few steps forward, past the bed and toward the door. "The rest of you, begin a search. Be observant, but cautious. I do not want it known what has happened yet."
He glanced to Aurelia. "His lady wife and I must settle a few matters first."
The men nodded to him, and the one Roose had ordered to lead Aurelia kept on their heels. As they exited the chamber, Aurelia rubbed her wrists together and took one look back at Ramsay's corpse on the bed. She repressed a smile and forced her joy into tears as she left.