Game of Thrones: Trials of Marriage

Chapter 8 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Shayran16: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; yeah, they were.
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Now onto the story.

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

Rumours

Jeyne Poole smiled to herself; she wondered if her father would arrange a match for her soon. While still a maiden she had learned all sorts of tricks, thanks to Theon. Their meetings had grown more clandestine and more difficult to pull off due to Winter setting in. As she walked she heard something up ahead; she quickened her pace, curious. She stopped and scowled; it was her, Bran's wife. The girl who kept trying to act like a boy; even right now, sharpening her knife with a casual air.

'Ugh, just the sight of her sets my teeth on edge.' She thought as she began to approach. 'What is wrong with her; why can't she act properly?'

Meera looked up from her work and smiled.

"Jeyne; something wrong?" She asked; casually.

Jeyne stepped forwards. "I wonder Meera; did you and Bran really consummate your marriage."

Meera straightened up, looking somewhat surprised. Jeyne then spoke up again.

"I noticed that you've always kept quiet about what happened, avoiding questions." She paused and then stepped even closer; "Prove it to me, are you a maiden or not?"

Meera raised her hands defensively. "Relax, what's wrong with you?"

"I'm curious that's all, I mean seriously, why would Bran even want to be around you, when you act like such a boy all the time."

Meera rolled her eyes; she had heard this before; it seriously got on her nerves.

Before she could counteract Jeyne's statements Jeyne continued.

"Honestly Meera; I don't get why you dress and act like this. It doesn't do you any favours." She explained. "It's no wonder you're still a maiden."

Meera scowled. "That's little more than your opinion, you don't know for certain if I'm a maiden or not. Besides, I fail to see how the way I dress or act factors into my marriage to Bran."

Jeyne sighed and shook her head.

"Well, just look at you, you know if you really want to make things better…Wear a dress or something; you know; show some skin; be a little revealing." She explained; gesturing to the cut of her own gown which bared the tops of her breasts. "Show something; not that's it much…"

As she said that she critically eyed Meera's flat chest and lack of curves.

"…Do that and maybe your husband will pay more attention to you, and less to the kitchen wenches?"

Meera started at that; shocked at the sudden accusation. She knew right away it was a lie; Bran wouldn't cheat on her, he was far too shy to even think about it. But she was shocked at the audacity of Jeyne to even suggest it. Also her comments about her body struck home; doubt crept into her mind, was she really that unattractive. She shook her head.

"I don't have time for this Jeyne; I have work to do, now, excuse me." With that final statement Meera stalked off.

However in the days that followed Meera found that her conversation with Jeyne hadn't stopped there. Now rumours were spreading that she was apparently still a maiden. She realized the rumours were spreading where she heard two women in the castle talking about it; before staring at her curiously. She turned to glare at them and they looked away. She was getting tired hearing people talking about this; worse she feared the effect it would have on Bran. He was still lacking any confidence in consummating the marriage; however if he felt their ruse was falling apart; it would make him panic and feel pressured to carry out the act, even if he didn't feel ready. Despite knowing Bran wouldn't cheat on her, Meera's doubts had led to watch him carefully at meals; praying for confirmation. Sure enough she got it; Bran's gaze didn't even flicker from her when the kitchen wenches served them. What still disturbed her however was her own self-consciousness; did Bran not sleep with her just because he lacked confidence? What if he truly didn't find her comely enough; due to her misfortune to be flat-chested and lack a womanly figure? While certain that Jeyne was behind the rumours; she lacked proof. Still, she hoped there was one person she could talk to about this; hopefully Sansa could help her out.

Jeyne had just finished her evening meal and was heading back to her chambers in the castle. Suddenly she found herself face to face with Sansa; she noted immediately that her best friend seemed angry.

"Sansa?"

"Jeyne…" There was an edge to Sansa's voice that she couldn't quite place. "We need to talk, this way."

Curious and concerned Jeyne followed Sansa as she led her to a quiet room in one of the castle towers. Once there Sansa turned to face her.

"Jeyne, I want you to be honest with me, understand." She remarked.

Jeyne was surprised by this but nodded. "Okay, Sansa what's wrong, you've got me worried."

Sansa then suddenly exclaimed. "I know you argued with Meera a few days ago; insulted her, made obscene suggestions…Now everybody is talking about rumours regarding Meera's maidenhead. Are you responsible for that?"

Jeyne stared in shock; Sansa noted how much she paled by what she had said and that was confirmation enough for her.

"You are responsible." Sansa growled. "Do you realize what you've done…?"

"I was just saying…"

"You said something without thinking Jeyne; you keep doing this." Sansa declared. "Can't you stop and think about how your words might affect others. You've put Meera under a lot of stress; upset her; not only that, you could end up upsetting Bran too."

Jeyne shook her head; this wasn't what she intended when she started to speak about her suspicions; she had hoped Sansa would help her figure out the truth, and then figure out what to do. But instead Sansa had just lost her temper with her and was blaming her for the mess. She didn't have any malicious intent after all; it didn't seem fair to her.

Sansa shook her head and began to leave; before she did she spoke back to Jeyne.

"You need to fix this; don't spread any more rumours; and apologize to Meera; understand."

Before Jeyne could reply Sansa left; leaving Jeyne to ponder her friend's words.

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