This little fishy's gonna keep swimming while she still can! Giving myself the extra push to write so I could have this out before my holiday's over, enjoy!

Margot

She did not cling to her brother the way she had always done as he walked her to the altar. Finally, she had now accepted that their shared blood meant little to him, and Margot Manning would no longer mean anything to Jon Manning. Not that she had meant much more than a distant nuisance to him in the first place. "Far too much trouble than you're worth" he had said.

Whereas Addam Marbrand and his family had accepted her in whatever form she had come in. They had looked past all the sheltered walls she had put up around herself and she had seen them try. She had not been afforded with much time to know Addam before their wedding, for her brother wanted to be on his way as soon as possible. But in the time she had spent with him, which was surprisingly far more than she had expected to get, their relationship thus far had promise. She had wanted him to be handsome, of course. She had wanted him to be nice and gentle, which she supposed he was. But she had not thought to find someone as strong as him. Strength of character was an expectation Margot could not afford to have for her future prospects. They still had a long way to go, but if she was asked whether she was fond of Addam Marbrand an affirmative nod would not serve as a complete lie, for she did like him. At first, the more she liked him the more she disliked herself and found herself unworthy. For she saw him carry her through time and time again when she was too weak to give anything in return. She had even thought that he may have pittied her and was thus only humouring her and her little mind. But that afternoon in the solar in front of the lazy sun and her new easel, she had bared herself to him and he had let her know that it was alright to do so.

Addam was different. She saw it in the way he held himself and how people responded to him. She saw it time and time again in the way his sisters adored him and how he treated them like they were the apples of his eyes. And she saw it that afternoon when he had held her and promised her in his deep voice that he would protect her, and she had believed him. She still did. She believed now, with all her heart, that if anyone was to keep her safe and help her build herself it would be the man she now stood facing with their hands joined, and their vows spoken.

Her hands had not stopped shaking since the morning, and only steadied themselves when Addam had taken them in his own. And now it was done. Somehow, she had recited her vows in some hazed state and with those words she was Margot Marbrand. Thankfully, he had not kissed Margot on the lips as she had witnessed at his sister's wedding. She was fond of her now husband but knew she would get too flustered and muddled before he had even reached her lips, Margot settled for a chaste kiss on her cheek instead. It was still enough to turn her a brilliant shade of pink, but she did not mind so much. That was all good and well, but she knew it would not do her much good pretending like she would not be bedded by the end of tonight. She had somehow fooled herself that it would not happen to her, that Addam would not touch her that way yet. When the time came she knew she would drift off into that place she did sometimes when times were dark and she could not escape her reality physically. She would pretend she was not her, that she was not inside herself.

She shook those thoughts away and forced herself into denial, nothing could hurt her tonight. She sat next to Addam on the dais whilst her brother begrudgingly sat on her right. She had barely been spoken to anyone since sitting down, and her nerves kept her from being able to speak without being addressed. But a part of her eagerly awaited for the opportunity for her to do so. Somehow their union had liberated her from her old self. And though she had not braced herself enough just yet to become someone she knew Addam would be proud to have, she took pride in the little steps she had taken for herself.

Addam excused himself then, telling her he would share a quick celebratory drink with his men. She nodded and regarded his tall frame leaving her with a genuine, albeit weak, smile. His presence near her had soothed her, and she had almost even forgotten that she was sat next to her vengeful and petty brother the entire time. She felt a strong grasp of sharp prickly fingers on the wrist of her hand that had been idly resting on the table and look to her right in alarm. Her eyes were wide again, they way they usually were in Stillwater Keep, and he in return wore a disgusted frown on his face -as if something had left a foul taste in his mouth. Ever since arriving in Ashemark, this is the first time Margot Manning had felt fear.

But I am not Margot Manning anymore, she told herself, I am Margot Marbrand. She lifted her chin in defiance and tried to calm her shaky breath as she steadily returned Jon's hateful stare.

"Is something the matter, brother?" She started, and his eyes in turn widened in horror and anger most of all. This is the part where you would slap me, isn't it? But you can't hurt me anymore. Addam won't let you. I won't let you.

"Do not embarass me, girl." He looked away then, but still had not let go of her wrist. Instead, he dug one of his long fingernails into her skin in retaliation to her and instead of feeling hurt and harassed for the first time Margot could only pity his pettiness.

It was a few seconds before she noticed just how painful the pinch of his nail could be and she tried to pull away without causing a scene but he kept her firmly in place. That was until she heard a firm clap of a hand on a shoulder and a looseing grip on her hand. She looked back at her brother to find Addam towering above him, still in his seat, with his hand clasped tightly on one of his shoulders and a forced smile filled with obvious contemt on her husband's face.

"May I ask you leave my wife, so that I may have the pleasure of dancing with her, Lord Manning?" Her brother looked back at her, still disgusted and spat out.

"You can have her all you like, Ser." Addam extended his hand to accept hers and she had never been so ready to dance in front of so many people before in her life. At this moment all she had wanted was to be away from the man that had caused her so much pain. Addam wrapped his other hand around her waist protectively, and just before they had fully made their way down the dais he stopped and turned to say,

"I do wish you a pleasant journey back to Stillwater Keep, my Lord. You will forgive us if we can not personally be there to see you off."

She did not even wait to hear her brother's response, she knew what Addam had meant. From this night on, she would never have to set eyes on her brother ever again. And for the first time that day, Margot Marbrand felt happiness. Small, but true.

Addam

He could not do everything. He had taken it upon himself that on his wedding day he would make Margot a priority. Help her feel comfortable, make her smile, soothe her, protect her. But there were still the guests he had to take care of, Elaine and Duncan he had to keep a constant eye on, and distantly survey Lord Jaime and Lorraine.

Though he did not truly have to feel alarmed at any mischief those last two could be up to, for there had been some distance between them since news of Jaime's uncle had arrived and Jaime's subsequent departure. Jaime had assured everyone he meant to return, and they had all nodded in understanding. For he was one of the last lions standing, and it was his duty to ensure Ser Kevan had a respected funeral. But Lorraine was Lorraine, and the last time someone had left her to go to King's Landing they had not returned for several years.

And even though he had managed to keep everything at peace he still felt disappointed in himself that he could not fully protect Margot from her brother. A part of him hoped that some sane part of Jon Manning would allow his sister one day of happiness, but his heart was malicious and Addam should have known that. He was surprised to not find her cowering to him, she had found the strength to defy his abuse. That in itself had been a change since her arrival and Addam assured himself that with time she would forget all that she had suffered at her brother's hands and grow in Ashemark to the better.

They were dancing now, again. He hoped he would get away with not having to dance at all. But it was his wedding, their wedding. She looked up at him and smiled shyly as she usually did, and he could not even look her in the eye as he returned her smile. He was nervous, for he knew what was to come.

He could not lie to himself; he was attracted to Margot. As in, he could see himself taking pleasure in doing his duty with her. But he would have to be gentle, and considerate for she was the shiest of all maidens, surely. Regardless of how gentle he could ever be, he knew it was bound to hurt for her, and he did not want her to associate laying with him with the pain that would follow the first time. How in the world could he get Margot to relax around him, with no clothes on? In foreplanning to this Addam had requested there be no bedding ceremony, for he knew it would keep her on edge and they could both use less embarassment when it came down to it. But the downside to that meant that Addam would have to say it. Addam would have to tell her at some point that it was time for bed, and she would understand what he meant. For he knew she would not instigate, and if she had it her way would probably sit in ignorance till the dawn came.

Nevertheless, he waited. He waited until her brother had excused himself to his rooms for the night. He waited until the guests were too drunk to notice their movements. He waited until Margot had had just enough wine to loosen up. He waited until most of his siblings had retired save for Lorraine who was still dancing closely with her betrothed.

He moved out of his embrace with Margot and held her gently by the shoulders, regarding the vision in red that she was. Her wedding dress still had the same high neck that her other dresses usually did, but it clung to her differently. And Addam could daresay that she wore it differently.

"Don't you think it's time for bed, my lady?" He ventured. And just as he expected the haze that the wine may have had on her disappeared and she looked back at him in shock before shying her head away,

"If it pleases you, my lord." She took her arm in his and lead her out of the hall, rousing as little attention as he could.

The walk to his chambers was as dreadfully silent as he could think, and he tried to stop himself from stopping and reassuring her that she would be fine, and that things will be alright. But he knew reassurances were bound to push her deeper into her shell when it came to matters such as these. Addam was no woman, and therefore could never truly understand what that intimacy would mean to her.

He opened the doors to his chambers, and motioned for her to supercede him at the entrance. When he entered after her he took great caution not to lock the door so audibly, afraid to frighten her further. Somehow that made him angry once more, for he knew he would remain patient but did not wish to have a wife he would always have to be careful not to frighten for the rest of his life. The sudden passion found in his anger roused him to speak suddenly,

"I know that you probably don't want to do this, Margot. And I trust you know I do not wish to push you, but we must." He chided himself for the way it sounded, commanding.

"Do I..displease you...Addam?" She asked suddenly, eyes wide and looking for an answer. He twisted his face to match his incredulous expression and began to answer her,

"Of course not," He moved closer then to cup her cheek, "you please me very much."

She turned her cheek into the mould of his hand,

"Tell me how." She plead with her eyes closed. He nodded as they stood so close he could feel her breath dance on his skin. He moved his hand down to her cloak and unclasped it, removing the first layer surrounding her. He moved to kiss her neck then, the same delicate neck he had been around for the past week he now wanted to smother with his lips. She jerked at the contact slightly, but stood still nevertheless and let him kiss her. But he did not want to kiss her in places, he wanted to kiss her fully on the lips and make her truly his. He moved back up to face her and found a dazed look in her eyes, somehow she did not look really there. Addam placed his hands on her cheeks once more and held her head to face him, shaking her slightly in the process.

"Look at me, Margot." She did, and he felt it.

"Stay with me. Promise you will stay with me." He plead.

"I promise" She said in a breathless whisper. And with that, Addam bent down to seal his lips on hers. She had returned the kiss, clumsily at first, but had the good sense to let him lead.

They were both undressed within moments and stumbled to the bed as awkwardly as their differing heights would allow. She gripped his sharp shoulders as he felt her confidence grow and her body relax. She lay bare underneath him and he gently rubbed her smal breasts in his large hands in an attempt to explore her. As expected, she stiffened at first, but he would not quit. His lips had not left hers, and he could tell she was beginning to enjoy it. His hardness grew at the knowledge of that, and he tried to keep it from touching or alarming her in anyway as he was still trying to get her to unwind. Nevertheless, his own passion and haziness grew and he could not stop himself from wanting her. For he had never seen her this way, finally free, a slave only to her desires. He moved his hand farther down, cupping her intimately in a place he was sure she had never been touched before. Even he was surprised at the moisture his fingers found, and it only served to excite him even further and ignite his passion. He pinned her down by the waist then, tearing himself away from her lips that had only grown intoxicating to him in the time he had spent delved in them. His eyes bore into hers, hoping to ask for permission without having to utter the words. Her hands remained on his shoulders and attempted to return his body to hers once more before he could stop her. He reached his other hands up her neck to caress her cheek and looked at her,

"Are you ready?" He asked, gulping down hard. For he knew what her answer would be and that she would not deny him. He waited for the crushing turn of her head and for her to look away from him in shame, but it did not come. She looked back up at him, tenderness in her eyes and she lifted her hand to his own cheek and whispered,

"Make me yours, Addam."

Jaime

Finally, he was afforded with the privilege of walking Lorraine back to her chambers that night. Mostly it was because everyone else was too drunk to move and Duncan had retired with Elaine earlier. She had spent much of their time during the wedding dancing with him in silent closeness, and he had been so entranced by the mere smell of her hair that he had not noticed the hall empty out. Tomorrow he would be leaving Lorraine and all she smelled of for the filth that awaited him in King's Landing. Nevertheless, it was his duty to return and investigate. If not to honour his uncle, then to assume his rightful place as the Lannister heir.

As he walked Lorraine to her chambers in silence he thought of his upcoming journey. He and Duncan would initially be traveling with Jon Manning and Reina and her husband. Jaime and Duncan would stop at King's Landing whereas then the new Trants would also separate from Jon Manning and head to Gallowsgrey in the Stormlands whilst he headed to Stillwater Keep by the Blackwater. He already pitied himself, and imagined Lorraine did as well, for the fact that he would have to suffer Jon Manning's company even longer. But seeing as he was not bound to be hospitable to him in the slightest, he was under no obligation to treat him with anything more than indifference.

It was a fitting night to have as his last with Lorraine before leaving. It had been a long night, but a cheerful one. Addam had been content and had danced -much to Jaime's surprise, all night with his new wife. Duncan had barely left his sister's sides, even Jaime felt at some point in the evening he wished to shoo him away to have a moment alone with Lorraine. Elaine's betrothal had been announced, to some Farman, and Jaime had heard the inaudible sigh of relief that though she would be off to Fair Isle, she would at least be close. "I've never lived by the sea before!" She had said in excitement to mask whatever she had felt at that moment, and consolated herself by repeating that at least she would be incredibly close to Lorraine at Casterly Rock. "I'll visit you all the time!" She had said.

Lorraine tried to be cheerful, as cheerful as she could be considering everyone was leaving her. It made him a little happy knowing she would be affected by his departure, but angered him far more that it gave her room to doubt him. He had promised himself to her, and she had immediately assumed that he had rescinded his word. It stung him at the time, but he had been doing his best to understand her since. And she had fallen so broken in his arms, he had felt so needed. He was surprised how even today at her brother's wedding she could piece herself together and enjoy it. How can one go from being so sad to so happy? She was so alive, with her family and in his arms, life had radiated around her and she thrived in it.

As much as Jaime may have liked being there for her, he enjoyed her happiness more -even if she did not need him during. Watching her twirl in Duncan's arms he could finally pinpoint who she had reminded him of the most. The way her dark hair spun around her, the way her delicate laugh seeped into everyone surrounding her, it reminded him an awful lot of Ashara Dayne, a lady in waiting and close friend to Princess Elia Martell and sister to his Kingsguard brother, Ser Arthur Dayne -the deadliest knight in the Seven Kingdoms.

He couldn't believe he did not call it sooner, for the more he looked at her now after making the connection the more sense it made. The same dark hair, the shining fair skin, the same lips, the same energy. Save for the Ashara's violet eyes, Lorraine stood as a sort of ghost of the woman hailed the most beautiful in all of the King's court. He was glad for a moment that Ser Barristan, his previous lord commander, was not there to witness the sight his betrothed was in front of him. For he was deeply infatuated -even in love, with Lady Ashara, and it was obvious for anyone to see. She had taken her own life out of grief after Ned Stark had informed her of her brother's death, and jumped off the cliffs by Starfall. Hopefully being married to me won't drive Lorraine to the same end. Or at least I hope.

Now that they were alone she had grown ironically quiet, and so had he. He was thinking too much, and he knew she was probably thinking too little, she had had quite a lot of wine. Even her steps seemed to sway to an inaudible song and Jaime had to stop himself from taking her over his shoulder and carrying her to her room. For her pace only slowed their journey, and he felt like this would be there good bye.

Finally they had reached her door and a part of Jaime wanted to bow and exit the scene before anything could be said, he had always preferred ripping the dead skin off the wound. It was faster, less messy. But Lorraine leaned back on her door, signifying that she did not yet wish to enter, and he stood straight trying to think of something appropriate to say.

"Will you be seeing us off, my lady?" She nodded slowly, her eyes not leaving his. Suddenly he did not feel at all comfortable standing there with her staring at him like that. It was dark, they were alone again, and they had both had quiet a bit of wine. He could no longer trust himself to not give in to the very blood that pulsed through him and the constant thought that wrung in his mind; he wished to kiss her. At least once, would she have let him? It had been so long since he had been that desperate for a gesture as small as that from anyone.

But it was not a risk he could take right now. Especially when he could not be sure she would even remember it in the morning. Maidens and their kisses, he thought, I will wait to give you yours, my Lady.

In a motion to wrap up the heated contest the two of them seemed to be having, he took her hand and kissed it.

"Sleep well, my lady." He announced, hoping she would accept it and turn in. He reached to open the door then to send her on her way.

She leaned back into him just as he had reached the latch and set her lips once again in the slight dent in his jaw. His knuckles grew white on the handle and it took strength he knew he did not yet have to remove himself from their close proximity to face her.

She smiled, more wicked and enticing than he had ever seen her. Remind me to supply you with as much wine as your heart could desire when you are my wife.

Planting a very small kiss on her straight nose her wicked smile was replaced with one of warmth as her nose scrunched up and her eyes glimmered up at him.

"I'll see you tomorrow, my lady." She finally nodded in response and entered her room. He heard a yawn escape her as she closed the door, her lids already drooping.

Once again since staying in Ashemark, Jaime Lannister did not find sleep easily that night. Instead his jaw burned, and his heart had burst.

Duncan

The sun seemed to be scorching as he stood in the yard ready to depart, which seemed strange since Winter was surely coming.

His father had spoken to him earlier on that morning for a more private farewell. As expected, he had given him the same lecture on duty and honour and court manners he had expected to hear. Though he had rolled his eyes, as he always did, he knew he would miss it beyond words. The previous night he had retired and done something he had not done since he was a little boy, he had asked to spend the night with Elaine. Well, it was Elaine at first. They eventually found their way into Lorraine's room and each slept by her side, he did not know when he would be able to be near them again.

He loved his sisters, and he didn't feel embarrassed about loving them the way other boys had tried to make him feel. He had heard his fair share of ridicule, both directed at him and his sisters. Some said he was a pansy, they whispered about Lorraine and called Reina and Elaine ugly and monstrous because they had not been married yet. But Duncan knew they were all wrong, he wouldn't be the man he was without them. The strength he'd seen in the safety they created for one another was something he was sure nothing in King's Landing could shatter. So saying goodbye to them, was especially awful.

He still had time with Reina on the journey, of course. But there was still Janyne, who had been their mother when she herself needed one. She held him close for a moment and slapped him away before he could see the tears threatening to spill. There was Elaine who was very much his partner in crime, who laughed with him when no one else could. She told him to come back big and strong. To come back at all. His neck almost hurt at the pressure she had inflicted on it while she hugged him and for once she cried in front of strangers, and told him she would miss him. There was Lorraine, who he told all of his secrets to. Lorraine, who combed his hair from time to time and knew exactly what his nightmares were about. Lorraine only looked at him before kissing his cheek, and her expression told him exactly what she meant to say,

"Return to us, brother." He held her close and whispered back how he will not be long. How his heart will be with them. It almost sounded the way Addam had before he had left the last time, but he did not care. It was all he could give.

He turned and mounted his horse, waiting for Jaime Lannister to say his farewells. They were all fairly quick, everyone had wished him a safe and happy journey. Except for Lorraine.

Lorraine looked at her Lord Lannister in a way Duncan noticed was a little shaky, troubled. She tried to look commanding, like she was in control. But she wasn't, and when her betrothed took her hand to kiss it she stopped him.

Everyone was quiet as they looked on at the both of them. Duncan could only the see back of the Lord's head but could imagine he himself was confused at Lorraine's actions. She instead stepped over and closed the space between them, bringing her arms up from underneath his and wrapped them around his shoulders. He could no longer see her as she buried her face in the nook where his neck met his shoulder. When she finally looked up, her face was blank and unreadable, and Duncan wondered not for the first time in his life just what exactly was going on in her head.

The couple looked at each other once more, still lost in an embrace until they realised that it was finally time to go.

Once they were all mounted and ready to leave, Duncan took one last glance at Ashemark, the only home he had ever known. The only home he had been raised to fight for. No matter what was coming or where he would be going, he was sure of one thing.

King's Landing could not hold a candle to you. He thought. It was not just a statement, but a promise.

Hope this was good enough! After the coming chapters you will find that the chapters will be more Jaime/OC-centric. Please, please review!