"So maybe I wanted to give you something more than a catalog
of non-definitive acts,
something other than the desperation." – Richard Siken

Chapter 2

"I've heard that Dornish cunts are the hottest in all of Westeros. In fact, they're so hot that in King's Landing men have to pay double for Dornish whores. I'm just saying, you're going to be one lucky man. What I wouldn't give for a fiery Dornishwoman underneath me every night." Theon Greyjoy stated as he finished off his mug of ale.

"Theon, please stop talking." Jon Snow pleaded to his father's ward while his face turned a bright shade of red from embarrassment. The three youths of Winterfell had decided to go to a tavern in nearby Winter Town to celebrate Robb's betrothal, but the only one who seemed to be in a celebrating mood was Theon.

"And she's a princess," He continued with a raise of his eyebrows not even acknowledging Jon's pleas. "Of course, she's only a princess of Dorne, but still, any man would kill for a princess as a wife. But with your luck, Robb she's most likely dead ugly." He finished with a drunken laugh.

The heir of Winterfell glared darkly at the Iron Islander. He had been nursing his first mug of ale for the past hour while Theon was already on his seventh and Jon was steadily working on number three. Ever since it was announced that Robb would marry Prince Doran's youngest daughter, Mal, the ward of Winterfell took every opportunity to tease Robb about his upcoming nuptials. Robb laughed along with Theon the first couple of times but now it was starting to become annoying.

Theon snorted at his friend's look "Don't give me that look, why else would a Dornish princess come all the way here? She should be married to a prince either here in Westeros or in the free cities. At least she should've been sent to King's Landing to play tea party with the Queen. So either her father's insane, or the girl is as ugly as the crone and the stranger combined and shipping her off to this frozen tundra is the last resort."

"Have a care about what you say, Greyjoy. This 'frozen tundra' as you so eloquently put it has been your home for more than a decade." Robb stated with a frown as he pushed his half-finished mug away.

Theon checked and then smiled "Come on, Robb buck up. It's one of the last nights of your freedom. By this time next week you'll be married, enjoy yourself." He chuckled and patted Robb's back.

"I'm not in the mood for celebrations tonight." Robb soberly replied.

Jon looked at his half-brother with pity. "Robb, it'll be okay. Theon is just teasing, I'm sure that she'll be pretty. It's known that her sister is a great beauty."

Robb sighed before turning to look at Jon "It's not that. It's the whole idea of marriage. Will she like it here? Will she like me? I'm going to be a husband; soon I'll have a family. I'll have to take care of her and of any children we may have. Before you know it I'll be Lord of Winterfell. I don't think I'm ready for this."

Jon smiled sadly, while Theon shouted loudly at a tavern wench to bring him another mug of ale. The tavern in Winter Town was starting to become rowdy as the night continued. Whores were parading around the tavern advertising their wares and blowing kisses to all three of the young men.

"I've got it." shouted Theon, a couple more decibels louder than necessary.

"Got what?" Jon asked annoyed as he rubbed at his damaged eardrum

"I know what'll cheer you up, Robb," Theon made a wild gesture to the scantily clad women. "Whores! Whores make everything better; at least that's my philosophy. One night with one of these fine ladies and you'll feel better in no time. Besides, it's high time that you lost your virginity. How do expect to be a good husband if you can't satisfy your wife? Even if she is as ugly as a shadowcat, she's still from Dorne. She'll be a hot, little minx in the bedroom." He finished with a lecherous grin.

Robb shook his head and stood up from the table. "I'm for my bed; I've had enough of your teasing tonight, Theon. The princess will be here tomorrow and I need a clear head for it, my mother would have my head if she knew I was out here and my father too. So I'll see you two in the morning."

He left a couple of coins on the table and strode out of the tavern. A light snowfall was starting around town. The stillness of the town along with the snowfall made Robb feel infinitely better. Robb took a big breath and released it, this is what he needed. Not whores and alcohol, this- the North. There was nothing that made him feel more relaxed than being surrounded by the North, everything about it: the sights, the sounds, the smells it all made him feel comfortable, safer. As he made his way back to Winterfell he heard his brother call out to him. Robb turned and smiled as he watched Jon made his way to him.

"I'm glad I caught you, I've only just gotten away from Theon. He's causing a lot of trouble in there with a couple of girls, father will hear about it from the tavern owner in the morning." Jon said as he caught his breath.

Robb laughed for the first time that night before shrugging his shoulders "He's not our responsibility if father asks we'll tell him that we had no control over him. And in the morning I can get my revenge for all his teasing tonight, think about how sick he'll be tomorrow. He'll hardly be able to get through the day."

The brother's shared a laugh before quieting to enjoy the calmness in the air. "It's a beautiful night" Jon offhandedly stated as he started up into the clear, dark sky.

Robb looked up as well before replying with an affirmative. "I wonder if the skies are this clear at night in Dorne." Truth be told, Robb wondered a lot about Dorne. When he learned of his betrothal he read everything he could get his hands on about Dorne and its culture in their library. He didn't want his soon-to-be-wife to feel like an outsider when she arrived. Even if she was as ugly as a shadowcat, Robb still wanted to be cordial with her and maybe in time they would be friends.

Jon grinned at his brother. "Well, tomorrow you will have an answer to that."

"A part of me is excited to meet her and another part of me is terrified shitless." Robb confessed as the brothers walked slowly back to the keep.

"I think that's expected. She's probably terrified as well, but I think it'll work out for the best." Jon knew his brother better than anyone else. And while his fears were justified, Jon knew that Robb would make a fine husband, father and Lord of Winterfell.

"You better be right, or else when everything goes wrong I'll know who to blame." Robb joked as he wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulders.