Game of Thrones: Trials of Marriage

Chapter 2 of my Game of Thrones Bran/Meera story, enjoy.

Reviews

Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; glad you think so.
Shayran16: Thanks, glad you liked it :)
SweetImagination15: Thanks, glad you liked it, well, wait and see, Meera's husband will be revealed in this chapter. I'm not that cruel, I've already proved that with Ned still being alive.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Reflections and Revelations

Eddard Stark leaned back until he was back was against the back of his chair. After Robert had dismissed him as Hand of King Eddard had ensured that he and his family all returned to Winterfell. His main concerns had been getting his daughters to agree to leave; Arya had been easier to convince than he thought. All she wanted was for her Water Dancing instructor, Syrio Forrel to come back with them. Eddard spoke to Syrio and the Braavosi agreed to accompany them, mainly as he refused to leave Arya's training unfinished. To his surprise Sansa was also willing to leave; it seemed the incident at the Trident had shattered whatever illusions Sansa had about Joffrey. As it was Eddard left an official notice, annulling the marriage proposal and once Robert found out there had been a flurry of messages between Winterfell and King's Landing. In the end Robert accepted Ned's decisions; the marriage was annulled and Eddard remained as Warden of the North; Robert refused to call him back to King's Landing to answer for what he had done. Instead he returned to ruling the Kingdom in his own way, leaving the North alone. Ned guessed that this was Robert's way of trying to make up for the rift he had caused due to the incident involving the Targaryen girl. Joffrey was not happy with the incident and sent Sandor Clegane; the Hound, to bring her back by force. Sandor however refused those orders; he came to Winterfell but instead of forcibly bringing Sansa back, he swore his sword to Winterfell and her in particular. In the intervening years; Sansa and Sandor grew closer and were now married. The pressures of dealing with that wedding were still fresh in his mind, but now he had to plan another.

He heard his wife's footsteps before he even saw her approach him. He smiled and stood up, walking over to her, closing the gap between them. Ned noticed that she looked apprehensive.

"Cat?" He didn't need to ask what was wrong, she already knew.

Catelyn sighed, closing her eyes before opening them again, looking up at her husband. "I'm worried Ned; what will he say, when we tell him?"

Ned took her in his arms and gently kissed her. "It will all be fine Cat; he'll understand."

"Are you sure?" She asked; her voice soft. "You know how much Bran cares about Meera; you know…what his feelings for her are."

Ned smiled. "I know, I don't want things to be awkward for him; but I'm sure it will all work out."

Catelyn managed to smile lightly. "I…I suppose you are right; have you…?"

Ned shook his head. "Not yet, but…Howland?"

Catelyn stepped back and both turned to face the Crannogman as he walked up to them. They noticed he was smiling.

"My wife and I told Meera about the marriage proposal." He explained. "She was very happy about it and agreed almost instantly."

Eddard nodded and Catelyn seemed to be slightly less apprehensive. The squeak of one of the wheels on his chair announced Bran's arrival into the room. Bran stopped his chair when he saw them.

"Oh, I'm sorry father." He said hastily. "I'll just…"

Eddard shook his head. "No it's okay Bran; please, I'd like to talk to you."

Bran nodded and wheeled up until he was next to them.

There was a brief pause before Catelyn spoke.

"Bran, it was due to guilt, about keeping a secret from us, that made Rickon tell us." She explained. "But we know you heard our conversation earlier."

Bran bowed his head. "I'm sorry but…"

However they didn't seem angry. Howland simply nodded.

"So you know then, about Meera getting married." When Bran nodded Howland continued. "Well I spoke to her and she has accepted the match."

Bran felt his heart sink; now he was more curious than ever as to who this man was. Catelyn then explained.

"If you are willing then we can begin making preparations for the wedding."

Bran froze, why were they asking him; he knew they were aware about his feelings for Meera, were they asking him to put them aside; and he still didn't know who was to be Meera's husband.

"Wait." He said, trying to keep his voice from shaking. "Who…Who is Meera getting married to; I… I didn't overhear that part." He admitted.

He saw the three of them smile and finally his father revealed the truth. "We are asking if you are willing to accept; so we can begin preparations for the wedding, yours and Meera's wedding."

Bran froze, shocked by this; he couldn't believe it. His family and Meera's wanted them to marry, what was more, Meera had accepted; she accepted; she wanted to marry him?!

Almost immediately thoughts and worries began to whirl through Bran's head; the most prevailing of them was his concerns he wouldn't be able to please Meera, physically at least.

'I can't even get aroused; and even if I could, I wouldn't be able to move.' He thought sadly. 'How could she possibly accept, knowing that? I can't give her children; so why.'

However the more he thought about it, the more he felt refusing on those grounds was foolish; he loved Meera and for her to eagerly accept to marry him, surely she felt the same. So finally he smiled.

"I accept, thank you."

They nodded and he was permitted to leave. He wheeled out of the room; his head pounding, his heart almost exploding with joy. He couldn't believe it; he was going to marry Meera. However his doubts then returned and he sighed.

'What if…What if she finds out I can't do that; then she realizes she's made a mistake?' He thought. 'Ugh, everything's changed, just because of this.'

He pulled himself out of his gloom, but the doubts continued to linger in the back of his mind. He sighed and began to wheel himself outside; when he did he found himself almost running into Jojen.

"Oh sorry." He said quickly.

Jojen shook his head. "It's fine Bran; um, can I…talk to you in private for a moment."

Bran was confused by this but nodded, so they headed over to the Godswood; the whole time Bran wondered what Jojen wanted to talk to him about.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.