Everything in A song of Ice and Fire belongs to George R. R. Martin.

Myrcella Baratheon: Bride of a Northern Savage


Chapter 9

Bran Stark

Of all of the youngest Stark children currently living in Winterfell, Bran Stark was the most eager to wake up early. He woke up at the same time as his parents did. Putting on his current clothes after washing himself, Bran whistled for Summer who eagerly followed him to the guest chambers.

The reason for him to wake up so early was the impatience Bran had. He couldn't wait to spend some quality time with his betrothed, Myrcella Baratheon. Walking down the corridors, Bran admitted to himself that he fell in love with the princess. Father was right, this was really a chance to get close, and he didn't regret it. Myrcella was beautiful, but also kind, sweet, intelligent, and also brave after she stood up for Arya back then.

He found the door of Myrcella's chambers and gently knocked.

"Bran is that you?" the girl's voice was heard through the door.

"Yes."

"Come in, I'm almost ready" he heard her. Still, trying to be careful, the boy entered the door and froze. The princess was changing into a dress. Although curtains were covering her, Bran managed to get a glimpse of Myrcella's bare back. As a gentleman, Bran turned around. Soon, Myrcella came out, fully dressed into a local dress, created specifically for the climate of North.

"Good morning, Myrcella." he blushed furiously. "You look beautiful."

"Good morning, Bran, and thank you" the girl smiled back. She then greeted the direwolf before playfully stroking his furs. The two then went straight to the Great Hall, holding their hands.

"Good morning." he said once they entered the hall. His parents, Eddard and Catelyn have also just entered the hall to break their fast.

"Bran, your early" Catelyn said, before addressing the princess. "Good morning, Myrcella."

"Good morning to you too, Lady Catelyn." Myrcella politely nodded to her.

"You can just call me Cat, darling." his mother told her, smiling.

"Did you sleep well, Myrcella?" his father then asked as he and his wife sat in front of the two youngsters.

"I slept wonderful, thank you, Lord Stark."

The servants began serving them with food. In thirty minutes, Robb Stark came with his heavily pregnant wife. Bran's mother immediately asked Alys about her condition. Alys smiled, answering. Arya then came in, and while Myrcella giggled, Bran only rolled his eyes as he was already used to the state Arya was in every morning. Arya had her brown hair undone and unbrushed, while she had a sleepy look as she yawned across the hall.

"Arya!" mother gasped at the sight. "How many times do I have to tell you to not to come down the Hall in such state!"

"Arya, listen to your mother." his father stood with his wife.

Arya just ignored their mother as she sat beside Bran. As he took his mug, Bran noticed that Arya froze for a moment, as if she noticed that something was missing. Bran deduced what she was thinking about; Sansa. Arya looked at the place where Sansa usually sat. Of his two sisters, Sansa was the one who woke up early and was the first to break her fast.

One of the things Bran disliked was the feud between Sansa and Arya. Sansa was more feminine just like their mother, while Arya was tomboyish. After Sansa stopped bullying Arya after being reprimanded by her parents, while also accepting her betrothal with Domeric, the fighting stopped. However, there was still tension between the sisters. Bran supposed that the sisters didn't sort their things out.

When Sansa was leaving Winterfell, she shared a tearful hug with every member of her family, but when it came to Arya, the sisters had an awkward farewell. They barely hugged.

Brushing these memories off, Bran faced Myrcella and began offering her various food. Myrcella blushed as he did so. Rickon came next, wild as ever. He literally flew into the hall, riding on Shaggy. Bran, Myrcella, Arya, Robb, Alys and Eddard laughed at his antic, while Catelyn gasped. Osha then entered, catching up with Bran's younger brother.

The whole family began eating. Arya groaned as Ned Umber entered and joined her at the table. Bran literally felt sorry for the poor boy. If only Arya could give him a chance.

As he ate, Bran noticed that two people were absent. One of them was Sansa, which was obvious since she left to Dreadfort. The other person was Theon Greyjoy. Of all people, he was the one to come late to break the fast, and Bran already knew why, since he learned what did the words brothel and prostitute meant. It was then, Bran also learned that Theon had a habit of visiting the brothel at Wintertown. He had a habit of spending the night over there, surrounded by undressed women. Theon would then return either from a hangover, or not, after having another session with the prostitutes, in the morning.

Robb also visited the brothel with Theon. The two were close friends. However, when Robb was betrothed to Alys Karstark, Bran saw his brother becoming more responsible and stopped visiting the brothel at all. While this made their parents, especially their mother, proud, it made Theon unhappy. Bran assumed that the Ironborn felt lonely, and abandoned. Speaking of him, Theon just entered the hall. Bran was right; the Greyjoy boy was drunk after another fling with the prostitutes he slept with at the brothel.

"Oh, the whole wolf pack is already here" Theon hiccupped, the smell of ale coming from him at a long distance. Bran tried to brush it off. Theon turned to face Robb. While he smiled at his friend, he scowled at the sight of Alys.

"Oh," he muttered. "The bitch who stole my friend away."

"Theon!" Robb yelled.

"What? I didn't do anything," the drunk young man. "You're the one who left me. We've been together, Robb, before we went after her."

"Theon," Robb spoke to her, barely holding his anger. "I understand you feel lonely, and I promise you that we'll spend time together. But the sake of our relationship, don't you dare insult my wife."

Theon, meanwhile, turned his attention to him, Myrcella and Arya. "Horseface!" he yelled. "Bran, have you fucked the golden-haired princess yet? If what, I can help you…"

As if provoked, Bran stood up and punched the Ironborn in the face. Theon managed to fall onto the floor, losing his cup of ale as it smashed. Bran then turned to Myrcella, immediately tending to her. At that moment, Theon stood up, raging.

"You fucking runt!" Greyjoy snarled. "You'll pay the iron price now…"

Theon was quickly apprehended by the Stark bannermen. Holding the boy as he resisted, ranting around, the soldiers looked up to their lord.

"Take him to his chambers" Lord Eddard ordered. "Once he wakes up, I'll deal with him."

As the guards took Theon away, Bran spoke to the princess. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." Myrcella answered. As they finished their meals, the family dispersed. Bran joined Robb and father for his lessons in running a house. Catelyn went off to run the house while also helping Alys with her pregnancy. Myrcella decided to join them.


After finishing his lessons, Bran arrived to the kitchen. He approached one of the cooks.

"Is it prepared?" he asked in worry.

"No need to fear, Lord Bran." the cook answered. He placed a picnic basket on one of the tables. Bran beamed as he took it. He then left the kitchen, calling Summer, who managed to quickly snatch a peace of meat. With the direwolf following him, Bran entered the courtyard, where Rickon was doing his archery lessons. He smiled when he saw Myrcella observing the lesson. Noticing him, Myrcella ran towards Bran and joined him. The three headed towards the Godswood, where they sat at the Weirwood. Placing the basket on the ground, Bran opened and took out a blanket, which he covered the ground, before placing food on it. The two teenagers sat and began their picnic. They ate meat pies and lemon cakes while Summer swam in the pool. Bran entertained the princess by using his warging abilities. He formed various formations of the ravens that were flying nearby. Myrcella found these formations impressive.

"Whoa…" she managed to breath out. "That was so beautiful, Bran."

"Thank you." Bran replied, smiling shyly. He continued to sit still while Myrcella took a piece of a lemon cake. Once again, he felt the urge and desire to kiss her. By pure luck and coincidence, the princess was about to face him when Bran pressed his lips against his. She was shocked just like the last time, but then also melted into the kiss.

When they broke apart, Bran immediately apologized. "I'm sorry… I just…"

He was cut off when Myrcella suddenly pulled him into another kiss. When they broke, Myrcella looked up at him.

"You were saying?" she asked.

"I… I love you." Bran finally found the courage to say it. "I admit, at first I wasn't fond of our betrothal, but as we got to know each other better, I began to see what you truly are. You're a beautiful, sweet, kind, gentle, but also clever and strong-willed girl, and I don't care if you are a princess or, no offense, a baseborn, I love you."

"Bran," Myrcella replied, almost tearing up. "I want you to know that I wasn't happy of our betrothal too. In fact, I was very scared. Of my future. Of you. Of being away from my family. Not to mention the numerous rumours people in the South spread about the Northmen. But I was wrong. And so are the Southerners. You, your family, and your people are not savages. In fact, they are far more better than most of the so-called noble lords from the other six kingdoms. You have a great father, a caring and attentive man. You have a beautiful and good-hearted mother. Your older siblings are good people too. And you, Bran. Any girl would've been lucky to have you as a fiancé, and I am happy that you are mine. I'm so happy that Tommen has you as his best, if not only, friend. You've shown me what the North truly is, and I would be more than happy to have a life here with you as my husband."

As if reading each other's minds, the two teenagers were about to kiss when suddenly a huge splash was heard. Turning around, both Bran and Myrcella saw Rickon's direwolf Shaggydog swimming around in the pool. It was clear that it was he who made a huge splash. Rickon was nearby with Osha, laughing at his wolf's antics.

"Rickon!" Bran almost yelled, annoyed that his younger brother ruined the moment. Rickon, however, continued laughing. Coming up with an idea, Bran smirked and warged into Shaggy, driving the direwolf away from the Godswood. That caught Rickon's attention.

"No, Shaggy! Come back!" he cried. "That's not fair, Bran! I don't warg into your wolf!"

"That'll teach you how to ruin someone's privacy!" Bran boldly answered once he returned to his body. Biting his lip, Rickon ran after his direwolf, with a laughing Osha running after him. Myrcella also giggled, being joined by Bran.

"I love you" Bran told her once they were alone again.

"I love you too" came the reply and the two began kissing again. They made out, forgetting about Summer and the food they left on the blanket. For them, nothing mattered now, only that they were together. As they stopped to catch their breaths, both Bran and Myrcella noticed that they were not alone again. Looking up, their eyes widened in shock and embarrassment when they saw Bran's parents standing together. The two teenagers blushed as both Eddard and Catelyn smiled at them.

"Um… father, mother…" Bran began.

"No need, Bran" his mother immediately cut him off, smiling. "I see you're having some good time together. I know you wouldn't force yourself on her."

"Thanks." the boy answered, blushing. Catelyn, however, continued to embarrass him.

"Oh Gods!" she exclaimed in joy. "My little boy is in love!"

"I can assure, my lady, we only kissed." Myrcella spoke up for Bran. "You have raised him well."

"I know, sweet child. Thank you." Catelyn nodded.

"Is there something you want to tell us?" Bran then asked. The expressions on his parents changed as if they just remembered something.

"Oh yes," Eddard spoke before facing Myrcella. "Princess, I have received two ravens, one from Castle Black, the other one from King's Landing."

"What is it?" Myrcella immediately asked, full of emotions as Bran's father gave her the scrolls.

"You're Uncle Tyrion is very well. He is already on his way to Winterfell" his father told her. "From the South came a raven from your brother, Prince Tommen. From what I understood, he's also coming to visit you with a small entourage."

"Tommen is coming here?" Myrcella asked in a mixture of surprise and hope. Bran watched as Myrcella's smile widened while she read the letters. She then squealed in happiness, before hugging Bran. Bran eagerly returned the hug.

Sometime later, the four left the Godswood, with Bran carrying the basket and holding hands with Myrcella. Before they left, both Bran and Myrcella shared another kiss. He then watched her walking off with his mother dreamily as his father put a hand on his right shoulder.

"You were right, father." he told Eddard. "This really was a good chance to get close to each other."

"Yes, I can see you two are close." his father replied.

"I love her." Bran firmly stated, causing Eddard to smile at his son. "Thank you father for this betrothal."

"I am so happy for you, my son." Eddard messed with his hair. Bran then looked up to face him.

"Father, I don't want to rush things, but when's our wedding?" he asked.

Ned Stark chuckled. "Cannot wait, eh?" he asked, causing Bran to blush as he looked down. "It will be around in a month."

"Will Myrcella's family come?" Bran asked, though he didn't really want to see the king, the queen and Joffrey ever again.

"I'm afraid only Lord Tyrion and Prince Tommen will attend the wedding, Bran." his father answered. "Robert instead, decided to throw a lavish party and a tournament as a way of celebrating."

"No offense, father, but the king is nothing what you told us about him." Bran then honestly told him. "It is as if the only thing he cares is to have a party, or a tourney, whatever gives him the reason to get drunk and surrounded by women."

"I'm afraid you're right." Eddard muttered. "I even fear to think of how he gets all the gold for his entertainments."

Soon, Eddard left to tend to the affairs of the North, leaving Bran alone with Summer. He leaned against the wall of the courtyard, where Myrcella's window was seen and began staring at it dreamily.

"I know that look."

Bran quickly fazed out of his daydreaming when he saw Arya standing across the courtyard with Nymeria, smirking at him.

"Sansa had the same look when she stared at Domeric and the crown prince." Arya then continued. "Someone is in love."

Bran mentally groaned in annoyance. Of all people, Arya now had to troll him with his feelings. She already did that with Sansa when she finally fell in love with Domeric, Bran was not going to allow his sister to do to the same to him.

"Yes, you're right" Bran admitted. "I love Myrcella, and she loves me. You've got a problem with that?"

"No." Arya raised her hands, her blade, Needle, was seen attached to her belt. "It's just you once didn't want to marry, just like me, and now you can barely wait when you'll replace her maiden cloak with the cloak of our house. What made you change your mind, brother?"

"At least I gave us a chance to get to know each other better." Bran told her, observing her from head to toes. "Apart from someone."

"What are you talking about?" Arya asked, baffled.

"About you and Ned Umber!" Bran exclaimed. He didn't want to lecture his sister right now, like Sansa and mother, but he had the feeling he had too. "Since he arrived here to Winterfell, you've been treating him as if he was your enemy. He's not! He is your betrothed!"

"I don't want him!" Arya argued. "I don't want to be married off to some lord. I'm not a lady."

"Being married to someone, doesn't mean that you have to be a lady." Bran continued to lecture her. "When me and Myrcella were brought before father and the king, and were betrothed, I didn't like it. At all. One of the reasons was because I wanted to be a knight. But by marrying the princess doesn't mean I cannot be a knight. Yes, I won't be able to join the Kingsguard, but not all dreams come true. Sansa wanted to marry the prince and become a queen. Yet, she is a wife of a liege lord, no to mention with a negative reputation, but she's happy."

"When our parents married, they didn't even know each other, because mother was betrothed to Uncle Brandon initially before he and grandfather were killed by the Mad King. Father liked someone else, and mother possibly didn't even wanted to marry a Northerner. But that didn't stop them from making a big family, and to have us. When we were betrothed, I didn't know Myrcella very well, but this betrothal and the time we had, and still have before the wedding gave us a chance to get to know each other. I discovered Myrcella to be a very nice person."

"You, on the other hand," Bran continued. "Immediately began antagonizing Ned. During these two years after he arrived to our home, all of us get to know him as a sweet and good boy. All of us, except for you. You've been ignoring him, being rude to him. As if it was his fault you were betrothed to him. It's not his fault, his father and our father decided to join House Umber and House Stark together you know. He was shocked, just as you were. But then, he got to like you."

"Well I don't like him." Arya grumbled, remaining stubborn.

"You cannot say that Arya" Bran reprimanded her. "You don't even know him. Maybe he would want you to teach his children how to fight, including his daughters. You didn't even give him a chance to reveal himself. I'm not saying that you have to get to know him better so that he could marry you. What I am saying is stop being cold to him and get acquainted. Who knows, maybe you won't get married, but at least, you two would be good friends."

Arya froze, unsure of what to argue back. "I…"

"Think about it, Arya," he told her before leaving. "Think about it very well."

Arya Stark

Arya remained standing still as her brother Bran left her with Nymeria. Her direwolf sat beside her, licking her left hand, seeking attention. As if returning to reality, Arya looked down at Nymeria and petted her. Bran's words still filled her mind. Was she really so rude and cold towards Ned? Arya felt her throat burning as this greatly reminded her of when Sansa and her friends, Jeyne Poole and Beth Cassel, bullied her during the sewing lessons.

Arya had to be honest to herself, today she didn't feel like herself. Usually, every time she woke up in the morning, she would see her sister's bed tidy, with Sansa's belongings nearby. Today, however, Arya saw an empty bed, which was obvious since Sansa was now married and slept with her husband. Still, Arya felt lonely, and as if something was missing.

She felt the same when she came to the Great Hall. Usually it was like this; she came in, both her mother and Sansa chastised her for her look. Arya would ignore them and sit between Sansa and Bran. She was so used to this that she was at first surprised that Sansa was absent, since her sister was the first of them to arrive for breakfast. As she sat, Arya felt odd.

Still feeling as if something was missing, Arya then went to the courtyard. Absentmindedly, she arrived to where she and the other girls had their sewing lessons. Once inside, Arya hallucinated Sansa, Jeyne, Beth and the other girls already sitting with their needles, with Septa Mordane instructing them. But that hallucination was immediately gone like a mirage in the desert. Arya had the feeling as if something was off with that. It was as if, she missed all this. Trying to improve her mood, and to avoid her betrothed, Arya grabbed Needle, the sword Jon Snow gave her before leaving for the Wall, and began shadow sparring.

It was after that, she found Bran dreamily starring at Myrcella's window and her brother gave her a lecture. Arya lowered her head as she felt miserable. Once, she made a vow that she would never become a bully like Sansa and her friends, only to discover that she was behaving like one. Maybe she needed to give Ned a chance?

Still wary, Arya quickly found Ned Umber. Her heart suddenly broke when he almost cowered at her sight, as if fearing she was going to lash at him.

"Lady Arya." he quickly bowed.

"Hi, Ned" she answered. "You can just call me Arya."

"Sure, La- I mean, Arya."

Arya nodded. The two stood in awkward silence, unsure of what to say.

"Um… would you like to take a walk? Together?" Arya finally found the will to ask.

"Yes… why not?" Ned asked in hesitance. Still with an uncomfortable silence, the two went to the Godswood.

"It's beautiful" Ned suddenly broke the silence.

"What?"

"The Godswood," the boy answered. "It's beautiful. We have a Godswood at home, but yours is far more beautiful. And larger."

Arya nodded, even though she never visited the Last Hearth.

"Is that Needle?" he suddenly asked. Arya looked up.

"Your sword," the boy gestured at her thin blade. "You call it Needle, right? Bran told me a lot about it."

"Yes, it is" Arya proudly claimed, taking it out of her belt and holding it in display. "What else did my brother tell you about Needle?"

"It was made by Mikkel, the keep's blacksmith," Ned answered. "But it was your older brother Jon who gave it to you."

Arya looked at him surprised. He knew very much. Not to mention she was surprised that the boy called Jon brother, not half-brother, or bastard. Still, she decided to test him.

"Well then you know my brother is at the Wall and he is…"

"That he is not the son of Lady Catelyn, I know." he interrupted her before biting his lip. "Sorry for interrupting."

"No, no. I am the one who owes you an apology," Arya was shocked by her own words. "I was very cold and rude to you. You're a guest, you do not deserve this kind of treatment."

"I understand," Ned answered. "You're not happy of us being betrothed."

"Yes."

"I can assure you, I have nothing to do with it." he told her. "My grandfather Greatjon Umber proposed this to your father. I was shocked just as you were."

"Still, that does not give me the excuse to treat you like horseshit." Arya replied.

"You're afraid that by marrying me, you will not be able to use a sword?" Ned suddenly asked.

"And that too." the girl answered as she attached Needle back to her bed. "To be honest, I never thought that I would marry for two main reasons. One was that I didn't want to marry and become a lady. Two was that I thought no one would want me as a wife?"

"Because of your views and likes?" Ned asked with caution.

"Not only, but also I am not very attractive." Arya answered honestly. "People say that I now resemble my late Aunt Lyanna, but I don't see how. Lyanna was beautiful, I'm just Arya Horseface."

Suddenly, Ned Umber stopped, and Arya did so too. The girl noticed that the boy clenched his hand in… anger. Ned, however, calmed down.

"Remember this, Arya Stark," he turned to face her. "whoever calls you this is nothing more than a jealous fool. You are a very beautiful girl, and a strong and healthy one. The way you move around with your blade is the most impressive technique I 've ever seen."

"Thank… you…" Arya muttered. She blushed furiously. So it's true, Ned really did like her.

"I know this will not make you change your mind on our betrothal" Ned then added. "But if we marry, I swear by the Gods, old and new, that I will never force you to become what you do not want. In fact, if we had children, I would like you to teach them how to fight. Especially our daughters."

Arya froze. "Ned… are you…"

The Umber boy nodded. Touched by such revelation, Arya hugged him. Arya mentally reprimanded herself for her blindness. Bran was right; Ned Umber was a very nice person. They continued walking around the Godswood, agreeing to spar tomorrow. As they parted at the entrance to the courtyard, Arya found her mother waiting for her. Arya immediately tensed.

"Mother?" she asked with caution.

"Arya," Catelyn greeted her. Arya was confused. It was as if she heard sadness in her mother's voice. "Can you please come with me?"

Not really wanting to have another lecture with her mother, Arya hesitantly followed. Soon, the two women and the direwolf entered Cat's private chambers.

"What is it, mother?" the girl asked, frustration in her voice. Instead of answering, Cat asked her daughter to sit on the bed. Baffled, Arya did so. Once she sat, Catelyn joined her. The two sat in an uncomfortable silence until Arya's mother spoke.

"Is that your sword?" she suddenly asked.

"Yes, that's Needle" Arya firmly answered. She was very tired from her mother's constant lectures about ladies not having swords. Arya was then shocked from what Cat said next.

"It suits you well."

Arya eyed her mother suspiciously. "Mother, what's going on?"

"Arya," Catelyn took a deep breath. "I have a question for you, and I want you to answer me honestly. Are you miserable?"

"W-what?" Arya asked, hoping that she misheard.

"Please, Arya, tell me!" Catelyn begged. "I really need to know!"

"I don't know what you're talking about." the girl honestly told her. Taking shallow breaths, Catelyn once again spoke.

"For years," she began explaining. "I've been blind when it came to you. I thought I was raising you both girls well. I've brought Septa Mordane for you to learn to sew, to dance, sing and run a house in the absence of your husband. At first I thought that you were the one who was causing trouble, and constantly reprimanded you. Until I learned about the bullying, and Mordane ignoring it."

"Mother, what's going on? You're scaring me!" Arya interrupted her.

"We don't connect over many things, and we don't spend much time, apart from Sansa, with whom I spend, no spent much longer." Catelyn continued. "No wonder you may believe that I prefer Sansa to you."

Arya shivered once she heard that. It was as if her mother read her thoughts. Was she really that obvious?

"I'm sorry…" Arya muttered. "For being a bother to you."

"Oh, Arya, you're not!" Catelyn gasped. "I know you may find it hard to believe it, but you are very dear to me. You may be wild, and have the spirit of a wolf in you, but you are my daughter, and I love you. I love you all equally; Robb, Sansa, you, Bran and Rickon. I'm the one who's at fault. I tried to raise you to become what you are not, and made your life miserable."

"Mother, no…" Arya wanted to calm her mother down. "You were just… trying…"

She was cut off by Catelyn who pulled her into a hug. Arya felt awkward until something inside her broke. She returned the hug, sobbing as she was held by her mother. She couldn't remember when was the last time she and her mother hugged. She really missed them.

Once they parted, Catelyn spoke again. "Arya, about the betrothal, if you want to, I can ask father to cancel it…"

"No, no," Arya stopped her. "Don't do it. For now. I want to give Ned a chance."

"I understand." Catelyn smiled. "If what, you can come to me."

"Thank you, mother" Arya genuinely answered. Her smile faded as it suddenly hit her what was off in the morning.

"What is it, darling?" the woman asked in concern.

"It's Sansa," the girl answered. "We didn't have a good farewell when she left for Dreadfort, and… I miss her. I miss my sister."

"It's alright, little wolf." Catelyn gently called Arya by her nickname. "I can assure you, Sansa loves you too and dearly misses you. How about we write a raven to her. What do you say?"

Arya smiled as she hugged her mother once again.