She said yes, obviously, and Qrow barely managed not to keel over from the stress. They took some time together to unwind and celebrate and then immediately planned an elopement. They would travel to Mistral and be wed and then honeymoon there until the ship ported there again. They shared their idea with Tai who just laughed.
"That's a great idea guys, I'll be sure to let you be the ones to tell Weiss and Ruby that they aren't invited." He raised his eyebrows and the pair sighed.
"A traditional wedding it is?" Winter asked hesitantly.
"Is anything ever traditional in this family?" Qrow grinned and kissed his fiancee.
The ceremony happened before the last frost thawed, on the anniversary of her rescue. The the flowers around the gazebo were beginning to blossom and the grass was greening. Various kitchen chairs were lined up facing the gazebo. Oscar stood at the front with a leatherbound book, looking nervous and awkward. Qrow stood next to him with Tai on his right. Ruby wore her nice dress and a white hood lined with red, suspiciously similar to Winter's skirt. She ran up the aisle and left a trail of red rose petals on the ground for Winter to walk along.
Blake and Yang sat together in front of Qrow and were joined by Ruby shortly after. Glynda sat in front, eyes on Oscar, ready to walk him through the wedding. Nora and Ren sat quietly beside her. Both Glynda and Ren each had a hand on Nora's shoulders to keep her still. They all turned to watch as Weiss walked Winter up the aisle. Qrow's exterior facade remained as cool as ever, though he couldn't conceal the grin. On the inside he felt like there were fireworks exploding and birds soaring, far more interesting a high than any alcohol he had yet to try. Tai's smile threatened to split his face open when he saw Winter approaching and he couldn't help the tears.
Winter looked beautiful in the dress that Weiss had made. His best friend was happier than he had been in a very long time and Tai couldn't help but feel like Summer was there too, watching her best friend get married to the love of his life. In a way, she really was there. It had been so long since he had seen that cloak and he knew that Summer wouldn't have wanted it any other way. He watched as Ruby snuggled into her hood and he wiped his eyes.
As the crowned prince of Vale, Oscar was far more qualified to officiate than anyone else they knew. Winter, of course, did not know this and Qrow couldn't help but chuckle at the confused looks that she gave him when Oscar was looking at the book. He had practised very hard for this and managed to only trip up once or twice. Finally he called for them to give their vows. He looked to Winter and Winter turned to Qrow, taking his hands in hers.
"You cannot possess me for I belong to myself. But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give. You cannot command me, for I am a free person. But I shall serve you in those ways you require. The honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.
I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night and the eyes into which I smile in the morning. I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care. I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine. I shall not slander you, nor you me. I shall honor you above all others, and when we quarrel we shall do so in private and tell no strangers our grievances.
This is my wedding vow to you
This is the marriage of equals."
Qrow smiled and squeezed her hands as she finished. She looked to Oscar to let him know she was done. Oscar turned to Qrow who didn't take his eyes off of Winter as he recited his vows by heart.
"You are blood of my blood, and bone of my bone. I give you my body, that we two might be one.
I give you my spirit until our life shall be done. I take you, my heart, at the rising of the moon and the setting of the stars, to love and to honor through all that may come, through all our lives together.
I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night and the eyes into which I smile in the morning. I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care. I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine. I shall not slander you, nor you me. I shall honor you above all others, and when we quarrel we shall do so in private and tell no strangers our grievances.
This is my wedding vow to you
This is the marriage of equals."
They pair intertwined their fingers and both turned to face Oscar. He led them through exchanging rings. Qrow grinned mischievously and took Winter's hand. He slid a gorgeous white gold ring with a large sapphire and the Schnee family crest onto her hand. Winter had held it together but couldn't help the tears when she saw the ring. It had been her mother's and her mother's mother's. It was the engagement ring that her father made her wear for her arranged marriage. It was the ring that she pawned off to afford a new life with Weiss. She was going to beat him. She gave him a simple band of silver, sturdy and strong. It may not be the most elegant or beautiful band, but it would last forever, through any weather, fighting or time, just like their love.
"With the giving of vows and exchanging of rings you have completed the marriage ceremony. By the power vested in me by my father, King of Vale, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Oscar finished, reading Glynda's lips as she mouthed the words to him.
Glynda smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up. He looked at the bride and groom and clapped along with everyone else in attendance when Qrow scoop Winter up and spun her around. There was no need for a receiving line as everyone charged forward and surrounded them in a group hug the moment Winter's feet touched the ground. Qrow pulled Winter close and kissed her head.
After signing the legal documents and fighting off the clinging children, Winter and Qrow escaped to the ship. Their trunks were already packed and stowed in the Captains' quarters. For the first time that she had seen, the bed was neatly made. Qrow walked up behind Winter and wrapped his arms around his wife's waist, resting his chin on her head.
"So here we are, alone at last. No one to interrupt us." Qrow practically growled.
"Yep." Winter said, popping the 'P' at the end of the word.
"You know what we have to do now, right?" Qrow asked, allowing his hands to slide down to her hips.
"Yes I do." Winter turned and wrapped her arms around Qrow's neck and looked into his eyes.
"The wall side is mine."
Winter grinned and grabbed her rapier before bolting out the door. Qrow drew his broadsword and chased after her. They met on the deck and Qrow leapt at her, bringing his sword down hard. Winter dodged the blow and spun around. She lunged at him with the point of her rapier and he used the hilt of his sword to redirect her strike. He was behind her before she could get her rapier out of the wood and before she knew it he hand untied her dress.
"I really don't want to ruin this one, at least, not yet." Qrow grinned and pulled the dress off of her, leaving her in her underdress.
Winter gave a final tug and freed her rapier and scanned the ship for Qrow. He had transformed and draped the dress over a miscellaneous barrel to keep it safe. He felt her eyes on him and he changed back into his usual form. He picked up his sword and went for an upwards slash. Winter barely had to wince to get away from the strike and she chided him playfully. He mocked her in an equally playful tone and she lunged at him again. This time he simply stopped the strike with his sword.
The two were barely inches apart, both equally fired up. They weren't yet at a stalemate but their blood was boiling too much to safely strike. Winter grinned evilly and leaned in closer, capturing a kiss from her husband. He blinked but quickly pushed in closer and kissed her in response. As much as Winter didn't want to pull away, she wanted the wall spot more. She swept Qrow's legs out from under him, kicked his sword out of reach and then pinned his arms down with her knees. She stabbed the ground beside Qrow's head to prove her victory.
Qrow wasn't really thinking about the competition any more. He looked up at his wife. She was flushed and breathing heavily, a victorious smile plastered on her face. Her hair was dishevelled and her eyes were on fire. This was just like every other time they fought, but it was different. They were tense and fired up, the fight sending adrenaline coursing through their body. Only this time, Qrow didn't have to deny himself.
Winter got off of his arms and sat back on his lap. He looked at her in such a way that all of the blood drained from her face. There were no words, they weren't necessary. They picked up their weapons and raced back to the captains' quarters as quickly as they raced out. Qrow threw both of their swords onto the chest at the foot of the bed and he swept her up, carrying her over the threshold with a shared grin.
They woke up early to a knock at the door. Qrow peeked out and saw a tray with some food on it but no person. The wind blew some errant rose petals past and he grinned. He brought the tray in and sat beside his wife. She was still sleep and he was not a brave enough man to wake her up. He read the note that was left, likely by Tai, warning him that they would be boarding at noon and to be ready by then. Qrow frowned. Looks like he didn't have a choice. He shook Winter gently.
"Wake up, darling." No response. "Winter…" Nothing. "Mrs. Branwen…" Qrow smirked when Winter smiled but remained asleep. Oh well, they were married but not much had changed.
"Ice Queen, food. Get up or I'm eating yours." He threatened.
Winter's eyes opened at slits. He could feel the rage burning into his soul but he ignored it. She grumbled but began to stir. Qrow held some toast out to her and she snuggled into him to eat it. She was grumpy but quiet now. Qrow told her that they were leaving soon and she bedrudging got out of bed and got ready.
After a lot of talking with Tai and Qrow, Winter decided that she and Weiss would join them together on the ship for the Summer but would remain on Patch come the beginning of school. Weiss was excited to start school but was reluctant to leave Ruby. Eventually Tai decided that, if Winter was willing to watch them, all of the younger kids should attend school. With the younger children out of the way they would be free to take more dangerous missions. One in particular Qrow looked forward to, but he could not tell Winter what it was.
For the summer, they would work on simple, peaceful tasks. Winter was unfortunately kept on the ship at Atlas for her safety but she was happy to see the place again. Qrow and Tai worked together to gain allies for their cause with surprising success. As they sailed along Anima they found additional allies, though not as many. Qrow and Winter stayed in Menagerie for their honeymoon while the others circled around once more.
The summer ended all too quickly. They all stayed ashore for a week or two to gather everyone together and to see the kids off to school but it was a hard goodbye for everyone. Tai, Yang and Qrow all fought over taking turns to say goodbye to Ruby. Blake hugged Ren gently and then was hug-tackled by Nora. Tai hugged Weiss and asked her to take care of Ruby for him. Oscar promised that he would also help and Tai patted his head. Tai hugged each of his children tightly and wished the best for them before leaving. Tai promised to bring them home something nice if they did well in their studies. While Tai kept the kids busy, Winter and Qrow snuck away to say their goodbyes.
"I'm going to miss you." Winter sighed. Qrow grinned at her.
"It'll be fine. We'll be able to spend the summer and winter together, and I'll stop by for a day or two between each trip. You'll be sick of me I'm sure." He put on a brave face, but she could tell his heart was breaking too. They embraced tightly and said nothing, enjoying their final moments together for at least a month.
"It's for the best. If all goes well this year then Tai and I will be out of a job." Qrow kissed his wife.
"Oh joy, I can't wait to have my unemployed husband laying about around the house while I take care of the children." Winter teased, but she knew what Qrow being out of a job implied, and the thought made her heart jump.
Qrow, Tai, Yang, Blake and Dr. Oobleck boarded the ship. The supplies were loaded and they would be away for 6 weeks. Winter and the children all waved their goodbyes, shouting their love and best wishes until the ship was out of sight. It was difficult to wrangle the five emotional children but Winter used her best militant voice to get them in line. They all walked together to the school house and Winter hugged each child before leaving them to their classes. She passed an interesting sign on her way home advertising hunting jobs. She took a flyer and headed home to check on the farm.
6 weeks flew by, to Winter's joy. The harvest was bountiful and Winter quickly learned how to preserve items for the winter. She even learned how to make jams and pickles. She was excited to make Qrow try her rhubarb chutney, already imagining the disgusted face he would make. The children were each given reports to bring home to their parents describing how they were doing in school. Aside from a few behavioral and attentiveness issues, they were all doing fairly well in their studies. Winter hung their reports up on the kitchen wall.
Winter also enjoyed her side work. She accepted a position as a huntress, helping cull predators that threatened farmers and families living farther from the town. She was paid per head and was surprisingly successful. She was able to summon her birds to lure in the predator and then strike from the shadows. Because of this she found herself to be quite well liked in the town. She was given gifts of thanks from the families that she helped and became quite friendly. She wasn't much of a talker but she was always pleasant in greeting everyone she saw. Everyone would always greet her with as "Mrs. Branwen." A new last name was one of the greatest gifts that her husband could have given her, it made her truly free. She even made changes to her family crest on her ring, obscuring the snowflake with a gear.
She would leave early in the morning and would return home for the evening before the children got home from school. She would help them with their homework and discipline them if they were fighting. She tried her best to be loving but she was strict. Ren would "help" her in the kitchen - though he did most of the work and was really just teaching her what to do - but they never went hungry. Sometime Winter would get an edible cull, such as the stag that threatened the corn farm, and they would have a hearty meat stew. Ren couldn't wait to show Yang how well he was doing in the kitchen.
Winter and the kids had developed an evening routine. Winter would gather the ingredients for dinner as the children did homework, Ren would join her and they would make a nice meal, Glynda would return home and they would all eat together. Afterwards the children would all wash up and get in their bed clothes. Together they would cross off the days of the calendar, counting down the day until the ship's return. Each night one child got to pick a bedtime story and they would read it for the others. Winter would tuck in each child and bid them goodnight before retiring to her bedroom.
She was adjusting well to her new life. She had a new identity, total freedom, a large and loving family, a job to do and something to look forward to each month. Still, she couldn't help but feel a bit lonesome. She enjoyed her time hunting as it kept her busy while the house was empty, but she was always alone. She loved spending time with her sister, but Weiss also liked spending time with the kids her age. Qrow was gone and Winter was really feeling his absence and she could feel Weiss slowly pulling away too. The children spoke of what they wanted to do when they grew up and this led Winter to think. What did she want to do? Did she want to hunt forever? Did she want to fight the slave trade? What would she do when Weiss graduated and became independent?
Worry was for another day. Weiss would still be around for at least three more years and Winter had time to wait. Today was a day for joy. Winter met the children at the schoolhouse and they all eagerly rushed to the dock, keeping an eye out for the familiar ship. Nora climbed onto Ren's shoulders and kept a lookout. She shouted as soon as the tattered sail came into view. Winter had to hold Ruby back from running, struggling to hold herself back as well.
There was a loud "Caw" and a large black bird dive-bombed Winter. Qrow transformed before hitting the ground and swept her up in his arms, spinning her around and around and kissing her sweetly. Happy tears pricked Winter's eyes and she threw her arms around Qrow. He put his wife down and scooped up his niece for a big bear hug. Yang and Blake ran down the gangplank and ran to their family. Yang hug-tackled Ruby and Blake greeted the others with a quiet wave. Tai carried a large sack on his back but he hurried towards the kids.
"I sure hope you're all doing well in school, because I have some awesome presents!" Tai cheered and hugged Ruby then was crowded by the other children, all telling him how well they're doing in school as they travelled home.