Everything in A song of Ice and Fire belongs to George R. R. Martin.
Myrcella Baratheon: Bride of a Northern Savage
Chapter 08
Bran Stark
Adjusting his gloves, Bran Stark walked down the courtyard of the keep, heading towards the stable, with Summer following him. He had finished his lessons with father and Robb, and both he and Arya decided to go horse riding with Domeric before he left for Dreadfort with Sansa. He then saw Myrcella Baratheon leaving the Godswood, with Osha walking with her. Feeling the urge to do it, Bran called out for the princess.
"Um, Princess Myrcella," Bran spoke. "I was going horse riding, would you like to join?"
"I've never rode a horse before," the girl answered.
"Would you like to try?" Bran asked. After some hesitance, Myrcella nodded. Gently taking her hand, Bran led the golden-haired princess towards the stable. Arya was already inside, placing the saddle onto her horse, with Nymeria sitting nearby. Seeing Rickon, Osha went to help him with his pony. Bran, meanwhile, was busy picking a horse for Myrcella, until he found one. It was a white stallion with brown spots, and it behaved well. Bran smiled as the princess was enthralled by the horse, gently stroking the animal while he was adjusting the saddle for her. After helping her to get on, Bran got on his own horse, which was black and stopped right beside Myrcella.
"Stay close to me, I'll show you how to lead her," Bran told her. Soon, they were joined by Domeric and Ned Umber, much to Arya's annoyance. Soon, the six of them rode off, passing the gateway of the keep. They began riding across the Wolfswood. Bran smiled as he saw Myrcella being infatuated with the forest. It was a beautiful image as the trees and plants were fully covered in snow. As he watched, Bran almost felt that he was liking what he was seeing. He had admitted that Myrcella was a nice girl, but now there was something more about her.
'Gods, she's so beautiful,' he thought as he saw her sweet smile. Her golden hair was illuminating the dark stables. Bran was so hypnotised by her look, that he didn't have time to look away when she looked back at him. Feeling the tension, Myrcella nervously smiled in return. They remained like this for some time until Arya called them both. Bran saw Arya riding her horse, with Nymeria following her. Rickon was also followed, by Osha and Shaggydog. It was clear that his little brother was enjoying horse riding, even if he missed the times when he was small enough to ride Shaggy. Two minutes later, Rickon challenged Arya to a race, which she accepted and his two siblings dashed off. Bran hoped that Arya would allow their younger brother to win, his pony wouldn't be able to outrun Arya's stallion. Now, it was the two of them left, if you don't count Summer.
"So," Bran began. "I know I haven't asked it for a long time, but what do you think of the North?"
"Well, a lot," Myrcella answered, thinking of an answer. "What can I say? It's cold, obviously, I guess. King's Landing is warmer, but there's something wonderous about these places," she nodded to the Wolfswood. "Something magical. Also, the air. The air here is so fresh, unlike in my home."
"Listen, Myrcella," Bran mentally blamed himself for addressing the princess by her name. "I don't know how to start this, but I'll try. When our betrothal was announced, I was shocked, and just like you, a bit disappointed." Bran looked at Myrcella, who just stared back at him. "It's just I guess you too had different expectations of the future, right?"
"You're right," the princess agreed. "I wasn't expected for this to happen. Well, I knew that I would have to marry sooner and later, but I didn't expect to marry someone from the North, who follows a different religion and whose customs are far different than the ones in the south. I always thought I would be married off to one of the Southern lords. To be honest, when I was twelve, I considered marrying Ser Loras Tyrell, the Knight of Roses they call him. But he didn't really pay much attention to me during the tourneys. Not to mention he spent more time with Uncle Renly. What about you? Were you expecting to marry someone from one of the Northern houses?"
"Well, I would have married someone from House Mormont," Bran answered. "Lady Maege of Bear Island has many daughters, and is the only one with the offspring. Her brother Lord Jeor is now the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, while her nephew, Lord Jorah Mormont, the previous lord of Bear Island, is cowardly hiding from justice."
"What did he do?" Myrcella asked out of curiosity.
"When he caught some poachers, he was supposed to send them to Castle Black at the Wall. Instead, he sold them into slavery," Bran explained. "When father discovered this, he went after Jorah to bring him to justice, only for him to escape, disgracing his own family."
"Anyway," Bran continued. "I assume marrying a Mormont would be a possibility, but I personally have other plans. I always wanted to become a knight. Father and Old Nan always told us stories about various knights, especially the ones who served the Kingsguard during the time of the Targaryen kings. Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Barristan Selmy are my most favourite. So, when the king, your father, came to Winterfell, I really hoped that my father would take me to King's Landing and have me squire for Ser Barristan, so that I could become a knight, and maybe even join the Kingsguard. I already picked a name for myself: Ser Bran Stark the Brave."
"Nice name," Myrcella genuinely complimented. Bran thanked her and the two continued to ride in silence before Bran heard the girl's voice again. "Listen, I know that you wanted to be a knight, and I understand why, but to be honest, I am beginning to be glad that we are now betrothed."
"What?" Bran asked. He couldn't believe what he just heard. Yes, he was also glad that they were betrothed, but he feared that Myrcella wasn't.
"Well, at least I'm glad that you did not go to King's Landing," Myrcella explained. "I know you heard the tales of knights being honourable and mighty warriors, but I'm afraid I have to tell you truth; it is not like that. Well, at least in these times. There may be some knights that are true knights, such as Ser Barristan, whom I respect, but sadly, people like him are a minority. Today, knights are cravens, cowards, rapists, oath-breakers, kinglsayers, kinslayers, thieves, in other words, criminal scum."
"You mean, your Uncle Jaime?" Bran asked, recalling from what father told him about the son of Tywin Lannister. "My father doesn't refer to him by name, but by his nickname. No offense"
"No offense taken. Yes, but not only him," Myrcella explained. "Literally, all of the Kingsguard, except for Ser Barristan and Ser Arys Oakheart, are nothing but a bunch of scum. You do know that the knights of the Kingsguard are sworn to protect their king and the royal family with their own lives for life and are forbidden from owning land, taking a wife, or fathering children?" Bran nodded, of course he knew that, or else he wouldn't have wanted to join the Kingsguard, that's why he wasn't really interested in girls. "Well, despite swearing for life, the other knights are breaking their vows all the time. Ser Meryn Trant always sided with my mother and Joffrey. One day, Joffrey was bullying me and Tommen. Despite being assigned to protect me, Meryn Trant ignored my pleas and orders to protect me and my brother, instead enjoying the sight. Not to mention he constantly stares at me with that look as if he wants to do something sick to me," Myrcella hissed his name in disgust. "Ser Boros Blount is a coward, and from what I heard from Uncle Tyrion, he constantly visits brothels of the city. Not to mention he is also Joffrey's lap dog. Ser Mandon Moore is possibly the scariest one. He has eyes of a fish, and no one really knows what his intentions are."
"And not only the Kingsguard are like this," Myrcella continued. "I once visited Casterly Rock with my siblings and mother, and grandfather held a tourney there. One of the competitors was Ser Gregor Clegane."
"The Mountain that Moves?" Bran asked. He heard about the absurdly giant knight in service to House Lannister.
"That's him." Myrcella confirmed. "The thing is, Bran, he's a monster, literally. The way he treated his opponents, was unworthy of a knight. I heard he even treated the ones who could not defend themselves, women and children, far worse. I highly doubt that he is human at all. What horrified me was that grandfather allowed a person such as this to be in his service, not to mention he wanted Clegane to be knighted, while mother thought of having him join the Kingsguard, possibly."
Bran stared at her in shock. So that's what knights have become today. Dishonourable oath-breakers and cravens? Bran felt horrified with the idea of becoming one like them. Of course, he could have been a squire for Ser Barristan, but the old knight could one die, and who would have him? One of those cowards who called themselves knights?
"Also, I'm glad that we're not in King's Landing," the princess continued. "Trust me, it is not worth your attention. It is a shit hole. The whole city is rotten. The streets are dirty, far more than any other city. When we were in Casterly Rock, we visited Lannisport, and it was far more cleaner than the capital. We spent our days in the Red Keep, but even there we catch the smell of urine, alcohol and shit coming from the city. There are brothels and spice dens in every street. Not to mention the city is filled with thieves, rapists and murderers, but the City Watch does nothing to bring order to the streets, instead sitting in brothels and take bribes, especially their commander, Janos Slynt."
"What about your father, the king?" Bran asked, though he already knew the answer. "Shouldn't he be dealing with this?"
"Bran, you've already seen what my father truly is," Myrcella answered. "He is no king, he does not have the guts nor will to be a true one. He has no interest in running the kingdoms. Instead, he either spends days and nights in one of the brothels, or organises feasts and tourneys, anything that will allow him to drink himself to death. I admit to you Bran that I am very jealous of you."
"Jealous?"
"My father rarely cares for me. Seven Hells, I even doubt he even regards me as his daughter," Myrcella answered. "Apart from yours. It was on the day after our arrival, I already saw that Lord Stark is something my father would never be. A caring father and a wise ruler. Your father runs the North and works extremely hard, putting huge effort, and managing to run it successfully, despite the North being the largest kingdom of all the seven. However, he also finds time to be with his family; with Lady Catelyn and you and your siblings. I would've understood if my father didn't spend much time with me and brothers, since he is the king, but he does not work at all."
"No to mention you have a better family than me." Myrcella then added. "My father has no interest in me, nor does he have for mother, Joffrey and Tommen, and his brothers. My mother is a cold and selfish woman. I tried to reject this for a long time, but every day I see the truth. Mother may love me, but she only cares for Joffrey, her precious golden lion, who would one day become king. She even ignored my pleas and cries when Joffrey bullied me for the first time. Same she did with Tommen. Joffrey is a monster. I never met the Mad King, but I heard some women whispering that he is behaving like him, and I cannot blame them. He is the most horrible person I've ever met, even if he's my brother."
"Grandfather Tywin," Myrcella continued. "I cannot say much about him, as he never smiles, so I cannot say if he cares about me or his other grandchildren. He is constantly cold towards everyone, including my mother and uncles. Still, I don't want to be like him. I despise him for wiping out a house and innocents by trapping them in the caves, and for ordering the murder of the children of Prince Rhaegar."
"Uncle Stannis is the same. He doesn't talk to me. Always has this stern look. Maybe it is because father always argued with him and Renly. Not to mention Aunt Selyse. I do not know her well, but I hate the way she treats my cousin, her daughter Shireen." Myrcella talked about the Baratheons. "Uncle Renly is a kind man, but just like the others, he rarely spends time with me. Maybe because he is also the Master of Laws, or maybe because he is at odds with Robert just like Uncle Stannis."
"The only true members of my family who really are nice are Tommen, Uncle Tyrion and Uncle Jaime," the princess then finished. Bran listened to what the golden-haired girl told him. He never thought that Princess Myrcella had such an unhappy life. When he heard this, he felt pity for Myrcella, and before he could stop himself, he suddenly wrapped his arm around Myrcella and pulled her to him, having her head lean on his right shoulder.
"I'm sorry that you had to live like this," Bran softly spoke to her. He never thought this would happen, but now he wanted to marry Myrcella. Not only out of love he was now experiencing for her, but also out of want to keep her safe and protected.
"Don't be, it is not your fault," Myrcella answered back, suddenly not resisting, but allowing Bran to hold her. Merging his nose, Bran felt the warmth and softness of her golden hair. He was more and more infatuated with her kindness, sweetness and beauty. A true princess from Sansa's favourite tails. He heard Myrcella slightly giggling as he nuzzled her hair, tickling her. They rode like this for a long time, with their horses strolling alongside each other, while Summer was lurking somewhere in the woods, hunting for prey. Silence reigned, only the crunch of snow heard as the stoves crushed it on every step. Bran was enjoying the pleasant time they're having together, and sensed that Myrcella was enjoying it too. He suddenly felt the want and urge to kiss her. It was unclear who started it. Myrcella looked up at Bran after leaning and Bran suddenly felt that he needed to do it, and without thinking pressed his lips against it.
He feared that the princess would try to push herself away from him, but he sensed Myrcella melting into the kiss, accepting it as she wrapped her right arm around his neck. Their eyes were close, and it was as if nothing in the world mattered to them right now, so, they did not see nor hear when someone approached them. Only when someone threw a snowball at them made the two 14-year-olds finally return to reality. Bran quickly grabbed Myrcella as she almost fell from her horse. Turning around, Bran groaned in anger as he saw who it was. Across the forest were Arya, Nymeria, Ned Umber, Rickon, Osha and Shaggydog. Rickon was roaring with laughter, barely holding himself onto the pony, while Arya gave a mock bow, immediately revealing herself to be the culprit.
"Arya!" Bran yelled in annoyance.
"What, you should thank me for stopping you from taking's the princess' maidenhood before the wedding, or else father and the king would kill you!"
"Yeah, to stop you from doing what Mother and Father do at night," Rickon said before bursting into another laughter, as Bran blushed in anger. It was a sweet and wonderous moment. Their first kiss, and to Bran's surprise, it was a good one. He never kissed anyone before, but he liked it. But his sister had to ruin everything.
"Shut up! Let's go back!" he yelled back and the two turned their horses back to the direction of Winterfell, with Summer coming out of the woods, while the rest followed them as they were joined by Domeric Bolton.
"I'm sorry that they ruined it," Bran apologised to Myrcella. "Sometimes Arya can be so irritating. Now I understand some of Sansa's complaints."
"It's alright, Bran," Myrcella answered. "But to be honest, I really liked it."
In return, Bran smiled as he then allowed the princess to lean on his shoulder again while they rode back home.
Myrcella Baratheon
When they returned to Winterfell, it was nearly time for supper. Myrcella could already smell the hot and tasty food coming from the kitchen. Still, she decided to not go straight inside, instead decided to spend some time outside in the courtyard, enjoying the snow and fresh air. Dancing around the courtyard, Myrcella yelped in happiness, as for the first time in her life, she felt free. Free from her mother's influence and grasp over her. Free from Joffrey's abuse and Meryn Trant's perverted looks. Free from the flirting southern lords who want her hand in marriage just because she was the princess of Westeros. Free from the strict and harsh teachings of the Seven. Free from the stink and heat of King's Landing.
As she circled around, Myrcella felt slightly dizzy and allowed herself to collapse on to a pile of snow. Standing up, Myrcella soon noticed Bran Stark approaching her. He helped her to get up. Once she stood, Myrcella noted that she could watch him for eternity.
'He is so handsome, so gallant and kind,' Myrcella thought. 'Mother was terribly wrong, the Northmen are not savages. Especially the Free Folk, at least Osha isn't. They are intelligent and civilized people.'
Just then, Myrcella noticed Arya leaving the kennels with Nymeria. Bran was called by his Ser Rodrik Cassel, and so he left. Still having the desire of fun, a mischievous grin formed on Myrcella's lips. As she never saw snow in the south, thus never had a chance of playing a snowball fight, Myrcella still decided to try make a snowball. Lowering down and picking up some snow, Myrcella made quite a fine snowball, and with Arya's back facing her, the princess threw her snowball with a large force, straight at Arya. The snowball immediately hit straight into Arya's brown hair, causing the Stark girl to turn around.
"Bullseye!" Myrcella cheered. To her surprise, Arya wasn't angry at her at all. In fact, she was at first surprised, but then she grinned as she began creating a snowball of her own. Seeing this, Myrcella quickly began creating another one. The two girls threw their snowballs at each other, with Myrcella missing this time. Still, they did not stop, as they immediately began creating more. In a minute, the two began an intensive, but innocent snowball fight, throwing the balls across the courtyard, while trying to dodge the opponent's shells. The courtyard was filled with feminine laughter. However, a shriek in the middle of the fight ruined the fun.
"Princess Myrcella!"
Lowering her snowball as she was about to throw it at Arya, Myrcella turned right and saw Septa Eglantine glaring at her with rage. Using the opportunity, Arya Stark threw her snowball at Myrcella, only for someone to call out to her too. It was Septa Mordane.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Eglantine asked imperiously.
"We're playing," Myrcella simply answered.
"This is no game suitable for a princess or lady!" Eglantine declared. "In fact, it is not a game at all. Lady Arya here could kill you!"
"I agree, it is not a pleasant activity at all," Mordane added. "It is dangerous."
Myrcella heard Arya grumble something while rolling her eyes, causing the two septas to look at her with rage. Eglantine was far more than outraged, from what Myrcella could say. She never saw her septa like this.
"You savage!" she raged. "You dare to attack the princess?! A member of the royal family?! The queen shall have you punished for this!" With these words, Septa Eglantine suddenly approached Arya and slapped her hard in the face, causing Myrcella to gasp. "I'll teach you what a true lady is, and I'll teach your brother, her fiancé," she pointed at Myrcella. "To follow the true gods here!"
"Seven Hells," Arya hissed in return, causing Eglantine to slap her again. Mordane did not do as she stood there watching. Suddenly, Nymeria growled as she leapt at the septa, knocking the woman down. Only then, Mordane took action. Taking out a metal stick, she approached her fellow priestess and the direwolf, and began hitting Nymeria.
"Get off, you unholy beast!" Mordane shouted as she continued to hit the direwolf.
"Leave her alone!" both Arya and Myrcella cried. Arya attacked Mordane, and began tackling the old woman. Mordane got distracted from the direwolf, trying to hit Arya, but Myrcella grabbed her arm, twisting it, forcing the old septa to drop her weapon. Mordane, managed to push Arya away before hitting Myrcella hardly. Seeing this, Nymeria left Eglantine and leapt at Mordane, defending her human counterpart. Standing up, Septa Eglantine suddenly drew out a knife and ran after the direwolf. Guessing what her intentions was, Myrcella leapt at the septa, but Eglantine hit her.
"You were supposed to educate those animals, not become a wolf's mate!" she yelled. She was about to stab Nymeria, who grabbed Mordane's arm with her teeth, when suddenly Summer appeared out of nowhere, grabbing her arm, forcing her to drop the knife. With that, Bran's direwolf left her, while he wailed from the injuries as her arm was covered in blood. The canine approached Myrcella and suddenly she felt something familiar about the eyes. It wasn't the eyes of a direwolf, but of a person she already knew.
"Bran?" she asked. As if understanding her, Summer nodded, much to her amazement. Before she could ask more, the eyes changed and soon, Bran stormed into the courtyard with Lord Stark, Robb, Theon, Rodrik, Jory and a few Stark guards. Bran immediately dashed towards Myrcella, pulling the princess into a hug, while his father ran towards Arya, doing the same. The two septas were wailing, calling for help.
"Arya, get your wolf off the septa," Lord Stark asked. Reluctantly, Arya called Nymeria and ordered her to leave Septa Mordane. Turning to his men, Lord Stark gave orders. "Take the septas and the girls to Maester Luwin. Have him inspect their injuries."
As the guards carried the injured septas, Bran led Myrcella to Luwin, holding her hands. Myrcella was touched as she saw the fear and concern on his face.
It was soon after being inspected, she and Arya were brought before Lord Stark at the Great Hall. Lady Catelyn immediately ran towards her youngest daughter, pulling her into a hug. Bran gave her a reassuring smile. Myrcella smiled back. Soon, the two septas were brought before the Lord of Winterfell, and Lady Catelyn had concern on her face.
Rising from his seat, Lord Stark spoke, while Robb continued to sit to the left of him. "I've gathered you here to know the truth. Arya, what happened?"
Taking a breath, Arya spoke. "Me and Myrcella…"
"That's princess to you!" Eglantine shouted.
"Silence!" Lord Stark roared, causing Myrcella to jump. He turned to Arya, telling her to continue.
"Me and Princess Myrcella, after we returned from horse riding, began playing. We threw snowballs at each other, but it was just a game. Then Septa Eglantine and Septa Mordane came. Eglantine called me, Bran, you and every one of us a savage." Arya spoke reluctantly. Myrcella knew that Arya did not want to tell on the septas, but the glare on Lord Stark made the Stark girl to continue. "She… she hit me. And the Nymeria came to my defence. Mordane began hitting Nymeria with a stick, and we fought her. Then Summer came to save Nymeria from being killed, and then you came."
"That is a filthy lie!" Septa Eglantine yelled. "That girl," she pointed at Arya. "Was attacking Princess Myrcella by throwing snowballs and rocks at her. When I tried to defend the princess, your savage daughter set her beast on me, then on Septa Mordane and on the princess."
"Liar!" Arya yelled in return, as she was trying to attack Eglantine, but was held back by Jory Cassel. Lord Stark turned to Myrcella.
"What happened, Princess Myrcella," he asked. Myrcella thought that she would try to defend Septa Eglantine, who raised her, but what she did with Mordane was unforgivable to her. She finally and simply answered.
"Arya speaks the truth, Septa Eglantine is lying."
Turning to Bran, Myrcella saw the boy smile. She then saw Arya's surprised face, while she ignored the septa's raging. Lord Stark ordered the septas to be brought to the sept. Lady Catelyn meanwhile, stood in horror.
Sometime later, as the day was slowly descending into evening, Myrcella sat in her guest chambers, resting from today's incident. Septa Eglantine was nowhere to be seen, nor that did she care. It was clear that the woman was serving her mother, Queen Cersei, and her mother left her here with Myrcella in order to keep controlling her.
Her thoughts on Eglantine vanished once she heard a knock and Bran Stark came in. "I came to see if you're alright," he said.
"I'm fine, thank you." Myrcella answered. "Can you please stay here?" she then asked.
Smiling, Bran sat beside her on her bed. The two sat in silence before Myrcella decided to ask about him controlling his direwolf. "Bran, back then, during the fight, when Summer saved me. Was that you?"
She felt the hesitance coming from the boy before he finally answered. "Yes."
"But how?" Myrcella answered.
Taking a deep breath, Bran sat there, while she waited for an answer. He finally spoke. "I'm a warg, Myrcella."
"A what?"
"A warg," Bran said it again. "Well, for those who follow the Seven-Pointed Star they are known as skinchangers."
Myrcella finally understood what he meant. He was a skinchanger, which meant he was capable of possessing any other living being. From what she learned, the Seven viewed this practice as heresy and dark sorcery. That changing one's skin is an unclean thing. However, no matter how scary it sounded, Myrcella did not find it dark or evil, as she now already lost all her faith in the Seven-Pointed Star. From what she heard the skinchangers were the First Men, the ancestors of the Starks and most of the Northmen.
"You can do that because you have the blood of the First Men?" Myrcella then asked.
"Not only," Bran answered. "The thing is, House Stark was found by Bran the Builder, my namesake, who also built the Wall and Winterfell. According to legends, in order to fight the White Walkers and the Undead during the Long Night, he made a pact with the Children of the Forest and married one of them. That's how the Starks inherited their powers and abilities."
"Warging?"
"Not only," Bran continued. "There's also an ability called greensight. The ability to have prophetic dreams called green dreams."
Myrcella's eyes opened wide as she listened. The lore of the North and First Men was for more interesting and mysterious than the lore of the Andals. "Can you tell me more?" she asked. Blushing, Bran began telling her stories of Old Nan. As time went on, Bran told her many stories, especially about the North, the Kings of Winter, the Long Night, the Night's Watch and so one.
When he finally finished, as he was tired, just as she was, Myrcella grabbed his arm before he was about to leave. "Bran, can I ask you one more?"
"Yes."
"I want you to teach me how to convert to the Old Gods and pray to them," she said it and she meant it.
