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Here it is what you feared the most. Sorry about the cliffy...
Chapter 34 : Black Wedding, Pt 1
After the victory over the Lannisters which left them with complete control over the West, the men were extremely content. Dany understood it was logical and did not fight it but it upset her when Edmure, Robb's uncle, announced the wedding with Roslin Frey, that would be held at The Twins as soon as it could.
Daenerys did not want to leave Dacey's side, even if her friend was already stable and better. The secret she had confided in her was too big and important, and the Queen of the North feared of what could happen if that information landed in the wrong hands. The only hope she had was that Robb would protect the heir of Bear Island, if not because Dacey had been loyal to him, then because she was Dany's closest friend.
As Irri carefully arranged her clothes and things, Dany sat on the bed preparing her cincher. Mikken had given her a few more of the small knives to replace the ones she lost in battle, and so she was doing exactly that.
"Will this be like your wedding, khaleesi?" Irri asked, provoking a smile in Dany's lips.
"No, it won't. My wedding with the Wolf was different because we were not supposed to be married. People fear us both, and even more together."
"Is it like dothraki weddings?"
"No. No one should die." Dany stood up and folded her cincher to put it away with the rest of her belongings. "But we should dance, eat and celebrate the union of the couple. Even so, I do not wish to go."
"Something wrong?" The worry in Irri's eyes was noticeable. Daenerys did not know how she would ever repay her hand maidens for everything they had done for her, for their dedication and service. They were the first and most loyal servants.
She could not admit that she felt something was not right. It was just a hunch.
"No." She shook her head. "Nothing. Mayhap I'm just tired."
And so Irri proceeded to prepare her a bath before bed, also a bath for Robb who hadn't had one properly readied for a very long time. After combing her hair and braiding it, Dany sat next to the tub, watching her husband soaking in water, relaxing his tired muscles and cleaning all those wounds he hid under his heavy clothes.
She twirled a finger on his reddish brown hair. In return, he sighed and let his head rolled backwards. His eyes fell closed and she smiled.
Robb Stark was no longer the boy she had met their wedding day. Not only his demeanor had changed but he also looked more like a man, a king and the warlord he had become. His hair had become wild and he had forgotten a proper shaving long ago.
Dany rubbed her palm against the coarse hair on his cheek and grinned when he sighed.
"Does it feel nice?" she asked softly.
"I missed this. A good and long bath."
Leaning forward, she pressed a teasing kiss to his nose, making him laugh. That deep and joyous rumble in his chest made her heart flutter. It made her think about days in which that laughter, mixed with the ones belonging to their children, would fill the empty rooms in a castle. She knew that day would come, but she still felt anyone could take it from her hands. The doubt, the fear of losing everything she had fought for found its roots in what she had already lost; this time she was the only one in control, though.
Her hands kneaded his shoulders and soon drifted down his chest, feeling the hard muscles that now clung to his bones. Gone were the remaining traces of boy, she was married to a king.
"Don't fall asleep," she murmured and he only smiled.
Indeed, he was exhausted. Dany knew he wasn't too keen of celebrating a wedding when so close to put an end to war. But they also knew the men needed reasons to celebrate and to lift their spirits, even if for that they would drink more wine than necessary.
Robb's hands reached for her, behind him. She moved away, gently pushing his hands off herself. Standing before him, she smiled. There was something about their games, about the chase, because sometimes one was the predator and next day, the prey.
It was clear for her that tonight the wolf was the one feeling like hunting.
Robb pushed himself out of the tub and stepped out, reaching for her with wet hands, making her chuckle and shiver. The sheer silk of her nightgown was no barrier for his touch or sight, she knew it perfectly well. He kissed her neck and let his hands explore her body over the thin fabric. He had no shame when being naked but he certainly seemed upset when in the middle of his caresses Irri decided to show up.
The handmaiden giggled at the sight of them, no bothering to demonstrate any surprise or embarrassment; things like that happened all the time in a khalasar.
"Leave," Dany gasped as Robb gently nibbled at her neck. "Just leave us."
-o-
She tried by all means to make clear she did not like the idea of going to the wedding, but he explained that it was his duty as king and because it was his family. Edmure might not have been his favorite uncle, but Robb needed to show his respect to him and to the deal made with Walder Frey.
Arya had not seemed happy either when Irri forced her to take a bath and look like a lady. The deal was sweetened when she was told her mother would meet her at the Twins, and she would go home to see her sister and brothers.
Still, Dany did not enjoy those days of travelling north, not like she usually did anyway.
"Daenerys?" Robb asked while they ate.
She looked up into his blue eyes and huffed. "I did not wish to leave Dacey behind."
"She is better," he dismissed. "Besides, she does not want to be near the Kingslayer now. I thought it would be better than to bring her, given her condition."
Her eyes narrowed as he grabbed the roasted leg of a chicken. Of course she knew quite well the situation was not of his liking. Robb had made his hatred for the Kingslayer well known, but since she had asked, he agreed to bring him as her personal guard; that way Dacey would rest more peacefully. Daenerys had asked to bring her friend and leave Jaime behind, but Robb convinced her that it was too dangerous for the woman of Bear Island.
"You do know that after this we need to travel far into the South, don't you?" she decided to comment, only to see him squirm on his seat. She smirked because the further he went into the South, the more uncomfortable he felt. "I'm sure Randyll Tarly and the Prince of Dorne will be waiting for our visit to plan the next step of our offense."
"That will be after the wedding. Meanwhile, we should let the Lannisters and Stannis weaken each other's armies," he muttered back. When he lifted his gaze he slammed both fists on the table. She hadn't eaten much, only picking on the little profiteroles she had been craving. "What's the matter with you?"
She startled and soon sighed. "I have a bad feeling," Dany whispered, shaking her head as if to erase her words.
"Dreams again?"
"No. Yes." She closed her eyes and looked away before settling her gaze on him. "What's the difference between allies and enemies? When do they take one side or the other?"
Robb frowned. "When they stop sharing the same ideals we have. When they no longer respect us."
"Do you believe Walder Frey is loyal to you?" She linked her hands together in front of her and her violet eyes held his icy blue ones. "You said it yourself, that man only serves to his best interest. He never decided to take a side until the last moment. What changed now?"
"I offered him marriages, blood ties to us."
"Do you want that for your family? For our family? A leech that only takes in consideration his well-being and wealth and nothing else, that is what he is," she spat with anger.
"Do you want me to get into a war now? In the middle of another? I cannot call off the engagements." His hand looked for hers and his thumb rubbed over her knuckles. "Dany, understand my position."
War presented dilemmas and obstacles. She knew how hard life could be during and after a war. Sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. If they wanted to prove themselves as rulers and have commoners on their side, fighting the war, they sometimes had to sacrifice a bit to win more in the end.
She took the napkin between her fingers before dabbing at the corners of her mouth. She gracefully stood up. "I hope everything turns out fine. If you excuse me, now." Not waiting for permission, she walked away and let Irri follow her.
As always when she was upset and did not want Robb near, he still managed to be close by sending Grey Wind to do his bidding. The direwolf walked by her side, nuzzling her hand and softly grumbling when she patted his head. Robb's dear companion's head already reached her shoulder, and when he snarled, Grey Wind could have scared the bravest of knights.
Dany smiled as she held onto Grey Wind's head. She pressed her forehead to the top of his head without an ounce of fear. Just like in her dragons, she found peace with him.
With more calm she thought maybe her fears were misplaced. At least she hoped so.
-o-
They arrived at The Twins at night. It was raining but she could see the large amounts of people gathered outside, men ready to celebrate and get drunk on sweet wine and hoping to bed a woman after torturous weeks.
"Your Grace, I'm afraid I must ask you to leave your… companions in the kennels," one of Lord Frey's man said to Robb just as she was making her way out of the carriage, pulling on the hood of her cloak to cover her head.
"No," she interrupted, surprising the man and Robb with her angry tone. "I personally take care of them and I'm sure Lord Frey does not wish to have his Queen sick or upset about ruining my dresses and shoes in the mud."
"Your Grace," the man said and curtsied.
With a haughty look directed at Robb, she told him everything she had to say. She would not give in and if he tried to fight her about it, she would make a scene about it that wouldn't serve his reputation.
"I'm sure you can find accommodations for our companions. After all we've been fighting a war that has kept Lord Frey quite comfortable and warm in his seat. He'll certainly know how to show his appreciation as a good host," Robb interceded, at which the man only smiled tightly and nodded.
"Of course."
Climbing down the last step, Dany slipped her arm through Robb's. They watched the man move away and giving orders.
"You behaved like a spoiled woman," Robb hissed with mild amusement and a pinch of fury. She knew that a challenge in front of people would not have been taken kindly by her Wolf, but she had reasons to do so.
"They do not know how to deal with wild animals. I don't want them hurt by careless men."
"You're playing with fire," Robb uttered without looking at her.
Smirking and ducking her head, she fell into step with him. "It's what I do best."
After the journey, she found herself comfortable sleeping on a bed in the arms of her Wolf. Many found surprising that she refused to have her own and spend the night apart like many lords and ladies did, but she happened to enjoy Robb's warmth. In return he had no qualms about sharing his nights with her.
When they woke up, it was all about preparations for the wedding that would be held. People in their best clothes, servants running around to fulfill their tasks and soldiers already buzzing outside the walls thanks to copious amounts of ale, Dany could feel the excitement in the air.
The simple grey silk dress she had chosen for the occasion allowed her to wear her cinch of scales like an accessory. The high neck only served to frame her face, as Irri said while she pulled Dany's hair into an up-do.
"You look beautiful, khaleesi," Irri praised.
Daenerys could not help but to smile at her. Since their arrival to Westeros, Irri and the rest of her handmaidens had started to wear warmer clothes and now she was in a wool dress that hid all that beautiful tan skin of hers. Of course, she wouldn't be near her during the wedding; Irri had no right to be there.
It would be a lonely time since Robb would be speaking to his bannermen and Catelyn sharing with her family, undoubtedly dealing with politics the way northmen did.
During the feast, Jaime sat at one table between two loud and obnoxious men who were clearly bothering him, which made Dany chuckle. Next to her, Robb tried to speak to her often but most of the time he was entertained by the news Roose Bolton shared with him about the Crownlands.
Every time she felt the pale man's gaze on her, she felt her skin crawl. Not even Theon had managed to make her feel disgusted like that man did. Roose Bolton was almost threatening in the way he expressed himself but always kept himself serious and distant, not even joining the room's laughter when someone made a crude jape about the newlyweds.
"Are you feeling well?" Robb asked with concern, but smiling thanks to the happy buzz of wine, food and jokes.
"It's fine. But you'll need to dance with me, it's the one thing I ask for," she replied leaning into him.
It was only then that in the corner of her eye she saw Walder Frey's men blocking the doors, and the Lord himself whispering with Roose Bolton.