Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or anything related. It belongs to George R.R. Martin, the creator of this wonderful universe and David Benioff and D. B. Weiss who created the show.
03x09: The Rains of Castamere.
Chapter Forty-Five: The Red Wedding.
"He complained about this marriage the entire ride from Riverrun, now look at him," Robb mused from his seat beside Sanira, his eyes watching his uncle who was happily talking to his new bride. He had never thought that the man would look this happy after marrying Roslin, yet now there would be no denying that Edmure would be rather happy with his new wife.
Sanira laughed softly sipping on her drink, her brown eyes watching Edmure and Roslin closely; they were seated up on the front table with Lord Walder and the man's much younger wife. Servants moved around the hall serving food and drink to the celebrating lords that were there, Robb frowned spotting when Roose Bolton refused more wine that was being served.
"Is Lady Bolton not joining the feast my Lord?" Robb asked taking note that Walda was missing from her seat at her husband's side, he hadn't seen her since the wedding was over. Walda Bolton was one of Sanira's new ladies and it struck Robb as strange that the woman wasn't with her husband now when there was such a large feast going on. Roose Bolton stared at Robb for a moment, his blue eyes flickering from Robb to Sanira for a moment; he couldn't wait for this night to be over with what was planned.
"She was not feeling well… so I insisted that she retired to our chambers," Roose Bolton replied calmly, he hadn't been expecting Robb to notice that Walda was missing but he had thought it best to keep his new wife away from the feast with what was planned. Robb nodded his head stiffly, he didn't know what it was but he didn't trust Lord Bolton for a moment; he was glad to have the man somewhere where he could see him right now.
His attention turned back to Sanira when she took his hand, she offered him a small smile knowing that everything was going to be fine. Robb leant forward and kissed his wife, he didn't care who was watching him when everything was so calm; he hadn't forgotten the danger that seemed to linger around them and that Sanira's dreams had warned them about. He had taken extra precautions to ensure that they were safe and Robb knew that if anything happened to his wife then he was going to have every man's head that was responsible for it.
"Your Grace…" Walder Frey called from his seat, his eyes moving across the hall knowing that it was time; the crowds didn't need to take much of a hint about what was too come. Sanira felt a little nervous, she recalled this moment from her own wedding and she was still relieved that Robb had forbidden it when Theon had suggested it. Roslin smiled as Edmure whispered reassuringly in her ear before she turned her attention to her father when everyone was silent.
"The Septon has prayed his prayers, some words were said and Lord Edmure has wrapped my daughter in a cloak, but… they are not yet man and wife, a sword needs a sheath," Walder Frey announced making people laugh and Sanira felt even more glad that she hadn't had to deal with that at their wedding. Robb brushed his fingers over the back of her hand, he doubted that he would have been able to cope with anyone else touching Sanira in that way or the idea of people watching them when she wasn't ready for that.
"The wedding needs a bedding… what does my King say?" Walder Frey asked knowing that no one could say no to that, everyone around them seemed to get excited about the idea. Robb chuckled leaning forward in his seat, he didn't trust Walder Frey for a moment no matter how much the man tried to act like there was nothing going on here. However, he had to agree that it was time for Edmure and Roslin to retire to their chambers; people banged their goblets on the tables chanting for the bedding to happen.
"If you think the time is right Lord Walder by all means let us bed them," Robb said getting to his feet, he moved around the table knowing that he would have no part in this and he wished his uncle and new aunt luck. Sanira noticed the look of pure panic that seemed to fill Roslin's face, she couldn't help but feel that wasn't just about the bedding when the woman's eyes snapped her way.
Edmure looked rather pleased with the idea of getting into bed with his new bride, he didn't even notice how scared Roslin looked about what was happening. People moved forward to lead the couple away from the feast and to the chambers where they would spend their first night as man and wife; Roslin was quickly pulled to her feet by men and was started to be lead away from the feast just as women started to approach Edmure. The remaining people clapped at the scene as quickly Edmure and Roslin disappeared from sight; Robb clapped his hands before he returned to where Sanira was.
"A tradition that I am glad that we avoided," Robb whispered softly, he couldn't imagine how that would have played out and he knew that it was not something he would have enjoyed. The fact that they had waited for their first time had made it special for him, the last thing that Robb had wanted was to force him on Sanira when she had been frightened.
"I would have punch any man that had touched you like that," Robb said taking his seat, he doubted that he would have been happy that anyone had touched Sanira in a way that should only be done by him. The fact that he was the only person to ever touch Sanira in an intimate way pleased Robb and he dreaded to think what would have happened if he had agreed to a bedding.
"Thank you," Sanira said brushing her fingers through Robb's curls and kissing him softly, she ignored the look that Roose Bolton seemed to offer to her; she didn't care what the man thought about any of this. Robb kissed her back, his fingers gently moving to brush against her stomach; the idea that their unborn child was in there made him even more determined to keep them safe.
"For what?" Robb asked his eyes searching her face, they had been through so much in the last two years and Robb had no doubts that they would have many more to celebrate with one another. Soon Karlon would have a baby brother or sister that he could play with and Robb hoped to have a couple more children with his wife; he had rather enjoyed coming from a large family.
"For being so patient with me when we first married," Sanira replied, she couldn't imagine how things had worked out so well for them and she couldn't help but hope that whatever happened tonight that they would make it out alive. Robb smiled, he would have never dreamt of forcing himself on a woman that was frightened no matter what was expected of him; he doubted that she would have ever forgiven him if he had. He kissed Sanira again and brushed a hand against her lower stomach, things had worked out well for them so far and he couldn't imagine a future without her.
"Boy or Girl?" Robb asked searching Sanira's face, he didn't care what they had as long as they were okay; the past weeks hadn't been easy and he feared it would get worse. Sansa had been married off to the imp, there was still no word on Arya and there was no sign of this war ending soon but Robb could only hope that everything would be alright. It was hard to deal with this now and Robb would do anything to keep the family that he could safe.
"I don't know, but if it's a boy I know what we should call him," Sanira said smiling, she honestly didn't mind what they were going to have and she just hoped that Robb would like the name that she was thinking about. She had considered using the name when she was having Karlon but Sanira had decided against it feeling that it might have been too soon to name her eldest son that. Robb chuckled, he didn't care who was watching them right now when things felt so calm; he was curious about the names that Sanira was considering for their unborn child.
"Oh do you… It seems to me like the father should have some say in the naming," Robb teased her, he played with her fingers while the music played softly around them and the lords continued to enjoy the feast. It helped that he had spoken to men that he trusted about his concerns and they were all prepared in case something happened and if any trouble should arise.
"Eddard," Sanira replied watching Robb's face, she felt it was right that they name their son if they had one after his grandfather. There had been a moment where she had concerned naming the child after her own father but the time didn't feel right; Rolan had just passed away and she'd not been able to be there for his funeral. Robb was completely silent while he stared at his wife, he was surprised that she would want to name their unborn child after his father but it brought a smile to his face after a moment.
"Don't you want to teach little Ned Stark how to ride horses?" Sanira asked him continuing to smile, she could picture it now and it warmed her heart and gave her hope. The picture of Robb teaching Karlon and their unborn child how to ride was something that she would hold onto until this horrible war was over. Robb leant forward and kissed Sanira, the action causing him to miss one of the Freys closing the doors to the hall where they were feasting and ensuring that no one could leave.
"Your Grace," Walder Frey called drawing Robb's attention away from Sanira, he got to his feet and lifted his goblet as he stood; his eyes focused on Robb as everyone was silent at the sound of him speaking. Robb moved away from Sanira warily, he was glad that he had been able to convince his mother to stay in Beckton when they had no idea what to expect here and now.
"I feel I've been remiss in my duties," Lord Walder mused watching Robb, his eyes swept from the King to the Queen and Sanira felt like everything was slowly starting to fall into place. The atmosphere started to grow tense and Sanira could only watch knowing that Robb had taken precautions in an attempt to make sure that her dream didn't come true.
"I finally get to meet my Queen and I owe her a gift," Lord Walder mused making the tense grow in the hall, Sanira felt sick realising what was coming and wondering just what Robb had planned for this moment to prevent them all being slaughtered. Just as she was about to get to her feet, Sanira was grabbed from behind by Lame Lothar while Roose Bolton fled from the hall before all hell broke loose. The man repeatedly drove his dagger through her stomach making Sanira cry out, she was didn't even notice when Lame Lothar was pulled away from her by Rickard Karstark and killed.
"No," Robb shouted horrified at the fact that this was actually happening, he took a step forward in an attempt to get to Sanira only to find an arrow suddenly fired at him and through his shoulder. Others followed and Robb dropped to the floor, a little relieved that he had put on some chainmail to protect himself from further harm.
Sanira stumbled back and collapsed onto the floor, her hands pressed against her stomach trying to stop the bleeding as her world started to go dark; just before she passed out, Sanira heard the doors to the hall burst open.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Author's Note:
This is the end of Lady of Winterfell... please keep an eye out for the sequel.
Thank you to everyone that has read, followed and favourited this story, I couldn't have done this without any of you xxx