Wife of the Wolf, Husband of the Sun

Chapter Six

Ned was sitting in the main hall to help his father and the servants in making sure that everything was ready for the feast and their guests, it wasn't just Robert and Catelyn Tully coming to the wedding after all. Several northern houses were coming as well, Umber, Karstark, Mormont, Reed, Manderly, Forrester, Whitehill and even Bolton.

The main had was going to under siege and he didn't like that it was mainly due to him, it was his wedding that was bringing this chaos down on to his home and he had hoped that the wedding itself would've been a quite affair but looking back he realised that had been somewhat of a naïve hope. Of course the other houses were invited, he may have been the second son but he was marrying a princess as well as the fact that this would create a link to Dorne were before there had been nothing at all.

Speaking of his bride he had been more than a little surprised, he had seen Elia Martell before but it was always across the way in crowded ball rooms. He had expected a woman dressed in the finest silks and dripping in gold and jewels. And while her clothes were obviously finely made and not something a farmer could buy for his daughter they were nothing that suggested royalty and were actually fairly practical, at least for a southern noble.

His bride to be was also stunningly beautiful, most men spoke of Cersei Lannister or Catelyn Tully or Ashara Dayne, which had been a surprise to Ned through not a completely unpleasant one, and while all these women were certainly visions of loveliness Elia in her own way was something else. Long curled black hair, dark olive skin and full lips with eyes so brown that they were almost black. Her beauty was different and contrasted beautifully with the pale greyness of Winterfell.

He hoped that he had not seemed to cold when they conversed, he did not wish for her to think that he was unhappy with her. He had simply been shy, was she happy with him? How could she be? She was a princess and she was going to marry him, not Brandon. Handsome Brandon, Brave Brandon, Brandon the heir. He was simply Ned and he could not see how that would be enough for her.

He sighed heavily, he imagined that most husbands weren't this depressed on the day of their wedding or at least they weren't depressed for quite these reasons. The sound of gentle footsteps and annoyed murmuring quickly drew him out of his thoughts.

Lyanna had a look of annoyance on her face and Ned had been dreading this, he had hoped that perhaps his sister would surprise him but it seemed that just like how she hated Robert for being her betrothed and how she hated Catelyn for being Brandon's betrothed, she now hated Elia for being his betrothed.

"Did you show Princess Elia and Lady Ashara to their chamber?" He asked as his sister stopped next to him and annoyed expression grew even darker.

"Why was I forced to do that? Isn't it a servant's work?" Lyanna asked with a huff and she played with a loose thread on her blue dress, it was an old dress and their father had been furious when she showed up in the courtyard wearing it, he had tried to send her back to her room to change but by then the Dornish host had arrived.

"I do not know if you have noticed Lya but they have been rather busy lately." Ned said as he tilted his head over to where a group of servants were laying down the plates on one of the great long tables and to where another three servants were having to work together to hand the chandelier. "Besides, it was polite and more respectful for you to do it. What do you think of my new wife by the way?"

"She's a snob Ned, just like all southerners. Did you see the look on her face when I didn't kiss her hand? Like I stabbed a puppy in front of her." Lyanna said with a roll of her eyes before she quickly snatched up a mug of ale from a serving girl who quickly ran by, the girl looked back and looked like she was about to say something before she ran off.

Ned could not keep the heavy frown off of his face, Ned loved his little sister dearly and he knew that she was a good person at heart but it was clear to him and quite a great deal of people that she had been spoilt rotten. When she had been younger their father had very rarely said no to her, neither had he or Brandon to be fair. The only person who ever told her no was their mother and it was clear to him that they should have followed her example more closely.

He missed his mother, she had been kind and gentle but with a strength inside of her that made a formidable foe to any who dared challenge her and a wisdom that made it clear as to why her husband had often sought her council. He still couldn't believe that she was gone, even the heavens seemed to weep for her as the day the interred her into the crypts there had been a snowstorm that even Old Nan had said she had not seen the likes of in her life.

"You should've kissed her hand Lyanna, she's a princess and it's tradition and I do not think she was judging you. Simply confused as to what she had done to upset you." Ned said and felt his frown deepen as Lyanna simply rolled her eyes and took a sip of her ale. "Try and be kind to her, she is in a strange land and far away from all she knows and loves. She does not need you to be cruel to her on top of that."

That at least seemed to have strike a chord, Lyanna sighed and placed her mug down on one of the tables. "Alright Ned, I will try and be nice to her but only if she is nice to me."

"I would expect nothing less." Ned said with a smirk, it was progress at least. Lyanna then gave him a quick hug and left the room, most likely to go and spar with Benjen. Ned shook his head to see if there was nothing to busy himself with until tonight, his father was sitting at the table on the dais working with Maester, clearly even with the size of the great hall it would be a problem finding room for everyone.

Just as he was about to walk over and ask if there was anything that he could do to help he was stopped by the sound of a bellowing voice filling the air. "Ned!"

Ned turned his head and couldn't help but grin at the sight of his best friend walking into the great hall like he owned it, Robert Baratheon was like something out of a maiden's fantasy with strong muscles, striking blue eyes and dark black hair with a full beard. He was always larger than life and he had a massive grin on his face as walked over to his foster brother and pulled him into a hug.

"Damn Ned, it's been too long! And you lucky dog you! Marrying a princess, not that I can blame you through who wouldn't want to be married to Elia Martell? She's beautiful and you know what they say about Dornish women, as beautiful as ladies and as skilled as whores." Robert said with a grin and Ned could only sigh, he loved Robert like a brother but it was clear that he hadn't changed much.

"Robert, would you please not call my future wife a whore?" Ned said and Robert raised an eyebrow in confusion, it was just a joke and it wasn't as if he could be that attached to the serpent already, they wouldn't even lay together until later on tonight anyway.

"Lord Robert." Ned and Robert both turned their heads to see Lord Rickard approaching with the master following behind. "Please forgive me for not coming to greet you, we have all been busy preparing for Eddard's wedding."

"Not a problem at all Lord Rickard, I only came with a few men your servants most likely did not notice me coming, looks like it will be quite an evening. You'll finally be a man tonight Ned!" Ned sighed again and he noticed that his father had a small frown on his face, clearly not liking Roberts bluntness. "And speaking of weddings, where is my lovely bride to be?"

"Why she's-" Rickard's brow furrowed as he looked around the hall, not seeing his daughter he closed eyes and sighed while rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Eddard." His father spoke, his voice equal parts tired and annoyed. "Where is your sister?"

"I am not certain Father, I believe she might have gone to spar with Ben." Ned spoke and his father let out a breath through his clenched teeth, he was clearly stressed and the Maester was clearly concerned about it going by the look on his face.

"Brandon!" Lord Rickard shouted and Brandon, who had been talking to a busty young servant girl with brown hair, turned to face his father. "Go and find your sister and bring her here, tell her future husband would like to see her."

Brandon clearly looked annoyed about being sent on an errand but he knew better than to argue and he soon left the hall, as soon as Brandon left the hall a servant walked in and walked over to his lord. "Lord Stark, forgive me for interrupting but the Tully host is coming up the road now."

"I see, Eddard I will be back in a moment." Rickard left the hall and the Maester followed loyally after him. Robert waited until his friend's father was out of sight and then he threw an arm around Ned's shoulder.

"So, I take it you're pleased with your new wife then Ned." Robert asked with a grin. "Already had a sample Ned? There's no harm in it after all, you marrying her tonight anyway, who cares if there's already a babe in her belly before you say the words in front of your crying tree."

Ned sighed again and was about to say something that he would probably regret later but he was spared when Brandon walked back into the great hall with Lyanna and Benjen following after him and then all of Robert's attention was on to Lyanna who looked furious through she seemed to be attempting to hide, however poorly.

"My lady." Robert breathed. "You're even more beautiful then I imagined." He gently took her hand and gave it a kiss. "I can not wait for us to bed wed, I ensure you that I will do all that is necessary to ensure your happiness."

"Thank you my lord, that is very sweet of you." Lyanna said even through it was clear by the look on her face that she didn't believe what he was saying, Robert didn't seem to notice however as he simply smiled brightly, clearly pleased that he thought he had pleased her.

At that moment Rickard walked back in with the Maester and Lady Catelyn as well as her sister Lady Lysa and several Tully men behind him, Lady Catelyn was truly stunning with her lovely red hair tied into a braid and her stunning blue eyes like a river and a warm smile on her lips, her was quitter and thus seemed to fade more into the background but she was no less lovely with the same red hair and blue eyes and an youthful enthusiasm which was quite infectious.

"Lord Brandon, I have missed you a great deal." Catelyn said softly and with a sweet smile. "Have you missed me?" For somereason the hope in her voice broke Ned's heart, perhaps because that he knew that whatever his brother said to her he knew the true answer, Brandon was utterly uninterested in the woman and had nothing kind to say about her.

"My lady, how could I not?" Brandon said with his typical smile, the one that charmed all the women and infuriated all the boys and was as false as Walder Frey's teeth. Few people had seen Brandon's real smile, Ned, Lyanna and Benjen were the only ones that Ned was aware of.

But Catelyn was blissfully oblivious and her lovely face coloured with a pretty blush, and again Ned felt a pang of pity in his heart. Brandon would not keep to one bed, he was certain of that. Poor Lady Catelyn would be forced to brunt that shame of her husband dishonouring her again and again and it would unfairly be considered her fault by the people, if she was a good and true wife then she would have no problem keeping her husband to her bed after all.

"Are you looking forward to your wedding Lord Eddard? Isn't it so exciting?" Lysa Tully cooed as she glanced around at the main hall, for a moment you would think that was to be the bride today. "I wish I was getting married, father wants me to marry some old lord that asked for my hand, apparently he's one of my father's trusted vassals."

"At least he's a lord, do you remember the look on father's face when you told him that you wanted to marry Petyr?" Catelyn said with a smile and a shake of her head at her sister's foolish behaviour, not noticing how her sister suddenly frowned darkly.

"Just because you think you're too good for him." She muttered so no one would hear her.

"At any rate, Lyanna please show the ladies Tully to their room for the night, Brandon please do the same for Lord Robert." Rickard commanded in his lordly tone that meant he was not to be disobeyed.

"You want me to show Lord Robert to their room?" Brandon said with a smirk and Robert guffawed with laughter and Lyanna grinned widely and while Lady Catelyn and Lady Lysa both tried to act scandalised it was clear to them that they saw the funny side as they couldn't keep the grins off of their faces, even Ned couldn't help but smile a little.

Even their father seemed amused through he was clearly trying to hide it behind mask of lordly and fatherly disapproval. "Please show Lord Baratheon to his own room Brandon and then and your sister come back here, there is still much to do before the wedding tonight."

"Yes father." Both siblings said and left the room with their guests following after them, as soon as they left Rickard placed his hand on his second son's shoulder. "I can see that you are nervous, don't be everything will be fine. I promise you."

"You can't promise something like that father, you can not know that everything will be fine." Ned lamented with a sad sigh, if only one could know the future then you would know if everything would be fine or at least you could take steps to prevent it, but such power was lost to them years ago.

Rickard sighed and shook his head. "Come, there is still much work to do." He walked back to the table on the raised platform with his son and the Maester following behind him.

"You look so beautiful Elia." Ashara breathed with tears in her eyes.

"Ful!" Little Lauryn said with a smile as she looked at her mother's friend.

Elia smiled and looked down at her wedding dress, it was a lovely red dress with gold embroidery and sleeveless, her forearms were covered in golden bracelets and her long black curls were contrasted lovely with several golden hair decorations which Ashara had expertly weaved into her hair and she was wearing a black clock with the sun and spear of house Martell. "Do you think my lord husband will approve?" She asked with a grin, mainly to try and cheer Ashara up. She didn't want her best friend to cry before she had even said her vows.

It seemed to work as the other woman laughed. "He should be lucky that I won't steal you away and marry you myself." She sighed. "Oh, I love you."

"And I you." Elia said as she pulled the other woman into a hug, kissing her long dark hair. "Why are we talking like we will never see each other again? I will see you tomorrow and every day after."

"Because things will be different, you will be a wife." Ashara said as she continued with the hug. "You will soon have children of your own to rear and a castle to help run and soon my father will want me to marry as well, we know that we will not be together forever."

"No, but we have a long time together still." Elia said before she gently pulled away. "Come, I believe it's time and it won't do to be late for my own wedding."

Ashara nodded and fetched them both two thick furs and handed one to Elia before she picked up her daughter and the three of them left the chamber and made their way to the great hall which a servant had volunteered to bring them to but Ashara had simply taken down the directions from him and told him that they would find their own way there.

It hadn't taken them long, even if they didn't have the directions the sounds of hundreds of men and women having a great deal of fun, shouting, arguing, laughing and telling stories both appropriate for a wedding and not would have guide them far better than any handwritten directions could have.

They walked into the great hall and the noise suddenly died, Elia had to resist the urge to groan as she noticed that a great deal of the northmen were staring at her with obvious lust. Despite how uncomfortable it made her she refused to let it show and she walked down the space between the great tables, being dimly aware of Ashara following behind her, down to where her new family had just stood to greet her.

Despite herself she felt her breath stop in her throat when she saw her future husband, earlier while he had not seemed unattractive by any means he was certainly nothing to write home about. Now he seemed even more handsome than his older brother. His long brown hair was brushed back and following down to the top of his back, his grey eyes seemed to twinkle in the light of the fire and burned with something that she could not recognise and his muscular body seemed to be more obvious to her in his wedding outfit, a black leather doublet and breeches with a long dark cape. His plain, stern face seemed to only added to the image of strength not harm it.

She could be married to worse looking men she had realised and now she realised that she was marrying a man that she was actually attracted too, and when his eyes landed on her and they flashed with an emotion that she knew very well she knew that he was attracted to her.

Brandon Stark was still as handsome as ever but now he had seemed to lose some his previous appeal, despite the fact that he was dressed no differently than his brother expect that he wore no cape. It was all for good however as his only seemed to glance at her before they landed on Ashara again.

Lyanna Stark was wearing a lovely black dress through it had no embroidery, she wore a small simple silver necklace and her hair been done in a simple plat. It worked for the girl however and she still looked lovely as ever.

Benjen was dressed similarly to his older brothers expect that his doublet was a dark blue instead of black, the boy smiled gently at her Elia couldn't help but smile back at the boy, she imagined that she and he would grow to be good friends and it was nice to know that at least one of the Starks liked her.

Lord Rickard stood, dressed the same as his two eldest sons, and spoke firmly, holding a goblet in one of his hands which he raised slightly. "I am not going to make a toast until after the wedding, but I will say that this is an historic day. Today is the day that House Martell of Dorne and House Stark of The North shall be joined for the rest of time. Now my lords and ladies, if you will excuse me and my family for one moment as we adjourn to the godswood so they can say my son and future goddaughter can say their vows."

The lords and ladies nodded and quite a few of them cheered, Elia got the feeling that would keep eating and drinking while they were gone. Lord Rickard came up to her with his children following him and gently took Elia's hand. "Princess Elia, in the absence of your father or elder brothers we will need someone to give you away, but I am unsure as to who. Is there someone in your host that will-"

"I shall do it." Ashara spoke and everyone turned to face her, most with looks of shook expect for Lyanna, who had a look of respect on her, and Elia, who had a look of delight on hers.

"It is usually a man who does it my lady." Lord Rickard said gently, not wanting to offend.

"I understand that, but Elia is my sister in all but blood and name. I am the closest thing she has to family here. I shall do it." Ashara said firmly, clearly not going to take no for an answer.

"Very well." Lord Rickard eventually relented.

Elia nodded more than happy with the way it turned out, she of course would have wanted her brothers to do so but Doran was not well enough to leave Dorne and was certainly not well enough to come all the way north and Oberyen had decided not to come as a form of protest, despite that he knew that it wouldn't do any good. Ashara was a more than suitable alternative.

The small group, as well as Catelyn and Robert who as Brandon's and Lyanna's future spouses had the right to attend the service even through it clearly irritated them, not that said future spouses noticed. Ned wanted Robert to be there anyway, he would like all of his siblings to be present for his wedding, soon left the hall and made their was the stables were they soon mounted their horses.

As they ride Elia felt the eyes of Lord Eddard upon her, he seemed to be impressed with how well she rode. She turned her head to face him and smiled gently, she couldn't help but laugh quietly as her future husband, the grim and serious Eddard Stark blushed adorably and turned his head to watch where he was riding.

It didn't take them long to reach the godswood and the group dismounted from their horses and began to walk through the thick thicket of trees, as the group walked through the dark and mysterious woods Elia noticed that Ashara, Lauryen who of course Ashara had brought with her, Robert and Catelyn all seemed uncomfortable and as much as Elia hated to admit it she was feeling quite nervous as well. There was a sense that she did not belong here.

The Starks did not seem to feel it, if anything they walked as if they were simply going to their bed chambers to turn in for the night. They eventually came to a small clearing where a large pale tree with a carved face crying red tears stood tall.

The feeling of not being welcome was stronger here and Elia had to the fight the urge to run back to the horses. Rickard and Ned nodded and went to stand by the weirwood tree and Ashara gently took her friend's arm and lead her over to her goodfather and her soon to be husband.

"Who comes before the old gods this night?" Rickard Stark asked, his loud voice ringing through the silence of the dark night.

"Elia, of the House Martell, comes here to be wed. A woman grown, trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessing of the gods. Who comes to claim her?" Ashara said and while the words were new to her she spoke them as if she had known them her entire life.

Ned stepped forward and spoke softly. "Eddard, of the house Stark. Who gives her?"

"Ashara, of the house Dayne." Ashara spoke firmly.

"Princess Elia, do you take this man?" Rickard spoke and everyone already knew the answer.

"I do take this man." Elia said and Ned stepped forward and gently took her hand, he lead over to the weirwood and they knelt in front of it and everyone was silent as the couple prayed to the gods. Elia was technically of the faith of the seven but she had never been a very strong believer of the gods in any event so she simply said her prayers to anyone who would listen.

The couple then rose together and Ned took of Elia's cloak and wrapped his own, one with the Stark direwolf sewn on to it, around her shoulders signifying that she was under his protection.

The wedding was over and the two were married and while there was no real reason or expectation too, man and wife shared a kiss and for a moment they both saw how this might be a good thing, if they worked at it they could one day, just maybe, be able to love one another.

End of Chapter Six

The next chapter is the actual feast and Ned and Elia's first night together. Keep in mind that Lyanna is a fourteen year old girl and a lot of her behaviour is the result of stupid teenage hormones, not liking her brother's new wife on principal and being spoilt rotten by a father and brothers who did not tell her no and losing the only person who ever told her no at a very young age. It doesn't make it okay I am simply trying to put her attitude in some context.