Three moments of Shireen's life through her father's eyes. 3rd person POV, primarily focusing on Stannis. Rated T.

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones

Shireen Stark

The gods were against him, Stannis was sure of that at this point. Why else would they deem the wildest, most troublesome Stark boy to be fit for his Shireen? Preposterous, she was far too good for him.

Stannis stood quite awkwardly in the backyard of the Stark Estate. Guests were trickling in, offering him well-meant congratulations on his daughter's nuptials. He noticed Rickon standing with his brothers. The eldest, Robb he believed, was grinning mischievously and Rickon was glaring at him with cheeks nearly as red as his hair.

"Stannis," Catelyn Stark had come up behind him; she offered him a glass of wine, "Not long now I'm afraid." She took a drink from her own glass, "How are you doing?"

Stannis continued watching Rickon, "Cursing the gods." Catelyn did not take offense, not that she could after her reaction when Robb had gotten married in Vegas a few years ago.

She patted his shoulder, "Try to focus on Shireen. It makes it much easier." Stannis nodded, downing his wine in one gulp before heading upstairs.

"Did I ever tell you about the time Rickon punched Edric at Thanksgiving?" Myrcella giggled into her margarita, "Edric still refuses to tell me what he did to set your brother off?"

Arya scoffed, "Not much, knowing Rickon." Shireen sighed and Arya poked her in the cheek with the hilt of a make-up brush, "No moving. You know I'm not that good at this to begin with."

"Tell me again why I can't do your makeup?" Myrcella asked with a pout as she leaned against the dressing table in Sansa's old bedroom.

Sansa herself was adjusting her dress, trying to make the thing sit comfortable on her very pregnant body. "Rickon threatened to let Uncle Robert give a toast if we painted on a face," Sansa did her best imitation of her youngest brother's scowl, "Ridiculous."

"I think it's sweet," Arya smiled, brushing on a thin layer of eye shadow, "He wants to see Shireen's face." Myrcella crossed her arms defiantly, but Arya cut her off before she could speak, "And last time you did her makeup he managed to completely cover the grayscale."

Shireen smiled softly, remembering how upset Rickon was that she tried to hide any part of herself. Sansa laughed, "He walked around for a week muttering about how ridiculous makeup was."

"Fine, whatever," Myrcella gave in, returning to her assignment to finish placing the Baratheon tiara in the ringlets she'd curled into Shireen's hair.

Just as they were finishing a knock sounded on the door. Sansa opened to let Stannis in and the three women departed to let him have a moment with Shireen before the big moment. Shireen was surprised when she noticed her father smiling at her.

He was never one for words though and she wasn't surprised when he stayed silent before offering her his arm. Shireen felt every bit the princess as her father led her down the stairs. Tiara, beautiful dress, handsome prince. All the appropriate boxes were checked.

Stannis had wanted to cry when he saw his only child, his little girl, standing in that room. Her face was glowing with happiness he had never seen before. Selsye had certainly never looked like that in his presence.

She leaned into his side for support as they walked down the stairs. He knew it was the heels that her friends had talked her into wearing for the ceremony. Shireen had mentioned something about Rickon's height and photo aesthetics when she bought them. All the same, it was nice to be needed, if only in a small way.

When they walked outside the music changed. Sansa, Myrcella, and Arya stood in mirror to Robin, Tommen, and Gendry, flanking the man that Stannis found himself despising in that moment. Rickon was beaming, eyes glued to Shireen as they made their way down the thankfully long aisle.

When Rickon stepped forward to take Shireen's hand Stannis was reluctant to let her go. He kissed Shireen lightly on the top of her head before whispering, "No one will ever be good enough, but I suppose he'll do."

Shireen murmured a quiet "Thank you, Daddy," as he backed away to let Rickon lead her the final few steps. He tried his best not to glare at the back of the Stark's head throughout the ceremony, but Davos told him at the rehearsal he did a piss-poor job.

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