Author's Note; SORRY! SO SO SORRY for not updating in so long. I hate to offer any kind of excuse but since my last chapter life has become hectic for me. Many of those reasons are quite personal and I shall not bore you with details but I have had some time recently to finish this chapter and get it posted. From here on out I cannot promise regular or frequent updates but know I am not going to forget this story and will EVENTUALLY get to writing a chapter. So please don't give up on me!
Thank you all all how have read this story and are joining us now. Especially thanks to all those who reviewed or faved this story. You love means a lot!
Once again the great hall of Winterfell was filled to the brim with people celebrating. Wine and ale flowed heavily; laughter and cheers saturated the air. The Northern men had lightened up once it came time to the feast, any of those who had once held reservations about a Stark marrying a Lannister seemed to have dissipated. Alcohol and food had a way of softening the objections of men. Jaime observed the Starks, the younger children of Eddard and Catelyn seemed jovial and spoke animatedly with Tommen and Mrycella, the ward – Theon Greyjoy was busy chasing serving women around the room. Eddard's heir, Robb Stark was looking rather brooding as he sat with his half-brother, the bastard – Jon Snow. Jaime had since learned that it was Alysanne's insistence that her bastard born cousin be seated with the family. His presence at the wedding feast did not bother Jaime in the least though he was sure Cersei might turn her nose up at the bastard's presence.
As thoughts of his twin sister passed through his mind he turned his head and looked towards where Cersei was seated. She seemed to be stewing as she cradled the goblet of wine in her hands and occasionally was shooting daggers towards every merry-maker in the hall but especially towards him and his new bride.
Jaime turned his head and looked to his wife, seated by his side. She wore her wedding dress of grey still, her hair was braided back and she was smiling openly as she looked out over the feast. The first few courses had come and gone and both had, had their fill. The feast was lavish, with Lannister gold to repay the cost of the wedding, few luxuries had been spared. Now platters of cheese, fruits and pastries were being brought out for the guests of the feasts to pick at. Music had picked up and some dancing was starting. Yes, there was much merriment to enjoy at the feast. Jaime however continued to stare at his bride, she was a vision already many times he noticed men looking up longingly at her, likely Benjen Stark had, had many options for suitors for his daughter's hand, but Jaime had one against all these Northerner's even if it was by the King's desire for this union that had prompted him to be considered.
Naturally Jaime had been apprehensive, especially when he had gone to visit Alysanne between ceremonies. They were already married by the sight of the Seven but Jaime would have been the first to admit that he was anxious for the Northern ceremony and all that came after. What would their marriage be like? Of course his father expected it to be a fruitful one, he would demand no less than a couple little Lannisters to be running around by a couple years' time. Yet the golden knight was worried, would theirs be contentment like he had seen between Lord Eddard and his wife or would they have a turbulent marriage like what Robert and Cersei had? Jaime's perspective on marriage had always been pessimistic, never one to believe in true love or happiness between a man and wife however memory of the ceremony at the Godswoods seemed to have had an effect on him…
There was a gathering around the large white tree with blood red leaves, Jaime had never paid much attention to the worship of the old gods, never visited a Godswoods until this day. He stood though at the large protruding roots of the tree and stare at the face that appeared to be weeping blood. Off to the side stood the Lord Stark and King Robert at his side, both were waiting for the arrival of the bride who was being brought by her father. Jaime heard the footsteps, the crunching of leaves and he turned his head.
The sun was mostly set and the Godswoods was lit by many lanterns that had been staked into the ground, but even amongst the sea of people who were gathered there he found his eyes directly locked onto Alysanne. She walked with her arm in Benjen's. At first her head was tilted downwards but as if sensing that his gaze was now on he, her head lifted and her Stark grey eyes locked with his. Jaime felt stunned in that moment – maybe it was the soft glow of the lanterns, or the way her hair flowed around her face, as wild as the North or the form fitting grey dress that she wore which seemed to hug her womanly form… but the very sight of his bride resonated with him and nothing in the world could have torn his eyes from her.
Alysanne seemed liked she was floating over the fallen leaves to him, already she was his wife but now he was going to take her in the Northern tradition, binding them together in every ceremony that was possible it seemed. Once Benjen guided his daughter to the Heart Tree, Robert Baratheon stepped forward – usually Eddard would be the one to officiate as the Lord of Winterfell but for this instance the King would have this honor.
"Who comes before the old gods this night?" the king said, his gruff voice rather even as he spoke.
In response Benjen spoke; "Sansa, from house Stark comes here to be wed." Jaime could see that he gripped his daughters hand a little tighter as he said those words. Alysanne only then turned her head to look at her father as he spoke for her – announcing the intent for the ceremony.
"-A woman grown, trueborn and noble. She comes here tonight to seek the blessings of the gods." Benjen continued on and then looked down to his daughter and Jaime witnessed them share a look. The look is quick put strong and then the father looks up to the man who he is to give her away too and speaks again, "Who comes to claim her?"
Jaime knows that this is his part now. All eyes turned to him, but Jaime only paid attention to the way Alysanne's eyes turned to look at him before her head followed suit. Looking only at her he stepped forward – leaving but a short distance between him and where she stood with her father.
"Jaime of house Lannister – heir to Casterly Rock." He said his part and then breathes in deeply, "Who gives her?" he does not look away from his bride.
"Benjen of house Stark – her father." Benjen replies.
Robert shifts from where he stands looking between the two parties before his dark eyes settle on Alysanne. "Lady Alysanne… do you take this man?" he then asked her – only then was the bride asked in the Northern ceremony and only then would she speak for the first time. The brunette breathed in deeply, it was a long breath but she inclined her head ever so slightly before her smooth, melodic voice sounded.
"I take this man." She spoke those words before she left her father's side and placed her hand into Jaime's as he extended his arms to her and they then stepped in unison to the Heart tree to complete the ceremony.
Those four words still echoed in Jaime's hand. The wedding ceremony before the Seven never had a bride or groom say more than the well-known vows that they made to each other. Somehow having a woman stand before him and openly accept him, agree to be his wife… it was a potent experience. Jaime had never had the chance to be public with the only other woman in his life that he had given his heart, care and attention. Now staring at Alysanne he found it oddly comforting to new think of her as his wife, someone he wouldn't have to share with another. He was staring at his future and Jaime was surprised with how at peace he was with the change… a chance to start fresh and a new chance for honor – a way to redeem himself.
"If there something on my face?" a hushed feminine voice whispered to him and Jaime blinked, he had been lost in thought and hadn't realized Alysanne had turned and spoken to him.
"No." he quickly recovered. "I was simply admiring you and your dress."
Alysanne blinked at him but an easy smile came to her lips. "It was my mother's wedding dress. My father saved it for me." She explained sounding proud as her hands smoothed over the front, lingering on the embroidered depictions of wolves that ran along her sides.
"It looks lovely on you." Jaime said and watched as his new wife blushed a little and ducked her head. In that instant he decided he quite liked the sight of her blush. Music playing in the background was starting to change and Jaime thought of asking her to dance, he remembered how good of a partner she had been to dance with at the feast that had been held for the arrival of the royal caravan. It seemed impossible that it had only been a few short days ago.
Jaime then noticed that little had been touched on his bride's plate. "Are you not hungry?" he asked lowly and looked her over to see if there were any signs that she was unwell. Alysanne turned and looked back out over the feast but she nodded her head shortly.
"I am not." She responded her voice little more than a whisper. "In truth… I am nervous." The brunette said and suddenly in made sense to Jaime. She was anxious, too anxious to eat with the thought of the bedding ceremony looming overhead.
"If you weren't nervous I might have to wonder… but we could try and make an escape before they call for that." Jaime suggested.
"I think everyone would notice if we tried to leave." Alysanne said, and that much was true. To leave the hall they would have to cross it entirely and surely gain the attention of everyone in the hall. Jaime drummed his fingers on the table in thought – the bedding ceremony was an ancient practice, outdated to be sure but still wildly popular.
"I can go speak with the King and your father and try to dissuade them from calling it?" he offered and Alysanne chuckled with a shake of her head.
"No doubt you could get my father to agree but I don't think that the same would be said for the King." She replied and Jaime had to admit to himself that she was right. His green eyes looked over the room to find the King with a serving girl flustering about him, his cheeks were tinged red from the drink. Robert Baratheon no doubt would enjoy calling for the tradition and would not hear of dismissing of it.
"I'm sure many women survived the bedding ceremony and I have every confidence that I will as well." The brunette said and then Jaime said no more on the subject.
He never did get to take his bride for a dance, soon enough she was claimed for a dance by her father, then her uncle and bastard cousin stepped in. Jaime spent his time receiving congratulations from various Northern Lords and men of the Stark household. Even the bastard boy came to Jaime and spoke words of good fortune for their marriage. It was noticed by the Lannister that the heir to Winterfell seemed to avoid Jaime like he was sick with grey-scale. He tried to get to his bride and have a dance with her but as the hour grew late the music was suddenly called to a stop as Robert Baratheon stood and raised his hand – the room quickly fell silent.
Just as Jaime anticipated the King called for the bedding ceremony, but unlike in the South it was not a hugely boisterous affair. Alysanne's male cousins went to her side, as did some of the men working for the Stark house – likely all those who knew the bride well. They did not holler, jeer or joke but were rather polite in their escort of her from the Great Hall. Eddard's eldest daughter joined the few women who went to Jaime to escort him, they all were chittery and blushing as they took their job a little more seriously they offered him compliments as they guided him up from the feast and towards the chambers that were his during his stay at Winterfell.
When he arrived at the room the men who had brought Alysanne up were leaving and Jaime ducked into the room. Since he saw no abandoned clothing on the floor outside in the hallways he wasn't surprised to find his bride fully clothed inside. A silence fell over them as husband looked to wife and vice versa. Jaime bolted the door – not that he worried that any would try and enter their chambers that night.
A servant had already prepared the room, candles were lit in their holders and in sconces on the wall. A fire was set into the hearth and a tray was placed on a table with a pitcher of wine, two glasses and some fruits to serve as refreshments should they need them. He observed Alysanne looked to him and he could see the nervousness written clearly across her face. He was biting on her lower lip and her hands were clasped together, one hand was apprehensively pulling at one of the fingers on her other hand – perhaps it was a nervous habit of hers? Jaime himself had only ever been with another woman and it seemed so long ago… but he knew how to deflower a woman. Still he knew what she was afraid of, the pain that came with losing her innocence.
"Would you like some wine?" Jaime asked her as he moved across the room. He would ease her into this, no need to frighten her by going right at her the moment the door was closed.
"No thank you." Alysanne replied lowly.
"You need not be afraid Alysanne…" Jaime then said as he turned away from the tray and looked to her. She was standing near the fireplace and in that moment she looked quite young – sometimes when she spoke he forgot just how young she was. Not even seen twenty name-days … naturally she would be apprehensive about truly becoming his wife – in the physical way. "- there will be some discomfort, but I am not going to hurt you."
He closed the distance between them and he looked her over. He hid it well but Jaime was nervous, in his own way. He had only ever been with Cersei… he had believed for so long that she was who he was meant to be with, that they only felt that way for each other. He feared that somehow he would be inadequate for her, that somehow he would fail. A sigh escaped him, he had to put all thoughts of Cersei and what had been from his mind. Tonight he had a duty to fulfill, a job to do…
Reaching his hand up he brushed against the side of her face. Her cheek felt warm against his palm. Alysanne's eyes were wide and round when she looked up at him, her visage looked beautiful in the warm amber glow of the fire light.
"Trust me." He said to her before he lowered his head to hers. He leaned over his wife and his mouth captured hers, much like earlier when he had kissed her she felt a rush of heat flood him. Alysanne tasted so sweet, but she could still taste a hint of the summer wine that she had drank at the feast on her tongue. She had felt tense at first but as his mouth moved against hers, Jaime felt his bride ease into his arms.
Jaime did not allow himself to think too much, he allowed some naturally instinct take over as his arms surrounded her and pulled her petite frame in close. The kiss was consuming and he would find himself surprised by how easily it was to get lost into her. His fingers brushed at the laces of her dress and his hands knew what to do. Slowly he eased the tightly strung laces and her dress started to come undone. Her hands grasped at his clothing like an anchor.
Only a few steps were needed to pull the brunette to the edge of the bed which was covered in thick, soft furs. Her grey dress was stripped from her and pooled to the ground leaving her in a white chemise, the glow of candlelight allowed him to see her silhouette through the thin fabric and when Jaime stepped back to start removing his own clothing his eyes landed on the tightened peaks of her breasts that poked through the fabric. Her dark hair was tousled and already he felt his body respond at the lovely sight before him, responding to Alysanne as he once had only responded to the sight of Cersei.
Removing his doublet and then his undershirt he stood before his bride half bare and once again was able to see her rosy blush on her cheeks as she took in his form. Jaime was proud of his warriors physique and was pleased to see that she was as affected by him as well.
They didn't share awkward words in that moment – each knew what they had to do. Alysanne put her trust into him to show her the ways of man and wife and Jaime drew up his confidence as he swept his bride back into his arms and then carried her into the bed. Their bed.
Huh? Soooo? Married at last!
Please leave a review! Tell me if you guys WANT me to write a lemony chapter, I am split 50/50 on whether to fully write out the wedding night so please give me your input of whether it is something you want to see included in the story.