Version 2.0
"Elinor," Brandon said as he wrapped her in a hug as he entered the orphanage.
"Bran." She said wrapping her slender arms around his waist. "I missed you." She mumbled as he rubbed her face into his neck.
They basked in the moment before smiling at one another before the crises and running of the kids came around as they barrelled into the two creating a group hug.
"Picknick time." The kids screamed as they dragged the two of them out of the house and into the large garden, they have which looks out onto the Stark farmlands.
They quickly sat on a clearing cleared of snow and sat in the light sun and felt the cool breeze on their skin as the kids started to play.
"When are you going to tell me what's wrong Bran," Elinor asked. "You've been so quiet these few days." She grabbed his hand intertwining their fingers.
Brandon sighed. "This conflict between the Old Gods and the Celtics has got me worried and confused. Every conversation and meeting with the Old Gods has been so lovely, the people are always kind, free, and great people, and every time I meet a Celtic, they are angry, rude, and violent. I know that is not what they are all like but that is all that I see. I don't want to hurt my people, but they need to be stopped."
"Oh, Brandy." She said rubbing his hand. "Don't be so worried about what people think, they make their choice on what they think. Just be happy." She said as she smiled sweetly up and Brandon.
Brandon stared deeply into her eyes before smiling. "Ok then, I want to convert to the Old Gods, and I want us to get married and do it before the Old Gods."
Elinor smiled brightly before leading up and kissing Brandon. "I would love to. I don't have my parents anymore, but I think your sister can lead me down to the tree."
"Sounds great," Brandon said before the air was knocked out of him by a little flying girl asking for him to play princess with her.
/
The ceremony took place beneath the great heart tree in Winterfell, red leaves rustling in the wind, its face watching the gathering with silent eyes. The snow had fallen lightly that morning, dusting the ground like a white veil for the occasion, but the sun now peeked through the clouds, casting a faint glow.
Brandon stood tall below the blanks of the tree branches, his hands at his side as his dark hair ruffled and his eyes set on Elinor's. Around him, Edric and Jon grinned along with Theon who stood still and blank-faced but with a slight smile. Jocelyn and Lyanna stood on the other side with Elinor who smiled with fondness for Elinor as they shared a look.
Around them, gathered in a wide circle huddled in their cloaks, were the children from the orphanage, as they tried their best to stay quite but were struggling as they rolled on their heels and bounced on their feet.
Also, on Elinor's side were her friends from the village, with their husbands on Brandon's side they smiled and shared looks as they had been waiting for this moment forever. Glad that Brandon has finally decided to marry her.
Finnly Alys stood next to Elinor having brought her down, despite being heavily pregnant, to the tree whilst Benjen had done the same for Brandon.
In between the two was a village elder, with a light hunched back he started the ceremony. His gravelled voice broke their air.
"Before the Old Gods, under the eyes of the weirwood, we stand," the elder said. "Please state who you are."
"I am Elinor of the lands of Winter. The Bride of Brandon Stark."
"I am Alys, sister of Brandon and friend of Elinor. To give away Elinor."
"Then before the Old Gods do you Elinor of the lands of Winter accept Brandon of the Royal House of Stark and take him as your husband."
"I take this man." She said as the winds stilled and they both linked their hands before kneeling before the heart tree. They then bowed their head to the tree as a single red tear fell down its face.
The grove stood silent as all prayed at that moment for them before they rose from the ground. Finally, Brandon removed Elinor's cloak and placed the cloak given to him by Benjen which he wrapped around Elinor before kissing her.
"Wooo" Suddenly Brandon picked up Elinor and carried her in his arms back to the castle as everyone cheered, the children clapped and whooped, before they marched back to the castle to enjoy the feast.
The news of Brandon Stark's marriage to Elinor spread swiftly through the North, reaching the ears of the kings.
The Celtic kings did not take kindly to the union sanctified before the Old Gods. The Fisher King sent no word at all. The Blackwood King, however, made no such effort to mask his fury. He marched some of his men into Winter lands and raided before running off when Brandon reached him with his army.
The Barrow King sent a threat, expressing a rather vivid displeasure in Brandon's changing of religion saying the North is no place for non-Celtics and like many messages he had sent to other kings of such belief he promised when the time was right the Gods would punish him and so would he.
However, not all kings of the North shared in anger as the Kings who followed the Old Gods were delighted. The Glover King sent a message of congratulations, welcoming Brandon and his bride to the faith. "The Old Gods will watch over you now and bless you with a full life and healthy children" his letter read. The Marshe and Warg Kings also sent their congratulations with the Marshe King saying he can see that their marriage will be a full and fruitful one bringing greatness to the North.
However, the Greenwood King despite being and very strong believer in the Old Gods did not congratulate Brandon and instead sent nothing.
Of all the congratulations Brandon received, the personal ones from the Umbar, Frost, and Slate Kings carried the best. These were not merely political niceties, but heartfelt messages. Harmond Umbar, demanded that the Starks create great and powerful children and many of them even having asked his messenger to laugh for him in his place. Frost sent a simple congratulations with a promise that his lands would always be open to Brandon and his wife which was brave for a man in a waring North. The Slate King gifted Brandon one of his prized sheep for him to eat and be merry.
In the flurry of messages that arrived, none came from the Red King, there was nothing. No letter, no messenger, not even a token. It was the same for the Ryder King it would seem they are busy, up to something, or hate Brandon.
/
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