Jon.
He had looked on stunned as his uncle declared for him, he couldn't help it he bid his uncle to rise and once he did Jon grabbed him and held him tight, he didn't even try to fight the tears that fell. His uncle whispered in his ear and Jon couldn't even make out the words, when he calmed enough they spoke a little on his mother. His uncle told him about the letters and journal he found and Jon did his best to keep his anger in check, his mother's letter was right, he had always known it to be true, but this proved that she may not have known just how deep this conspiracy went.
"We need to find them uncle, all of them." Jon said and his uncle nodded.
"Aye we do, but that's something we can talk about later, you need to get your rest Jon, tomorrow is a big day."
"Aye Uncle, thank you." he said as he smiled and they both left the crypts together.
He walked back to the keep with his uncle, both of them walking silently, behind them Jory and Alyn had given them room should they need to speak more, but Jon could tell his uncle was just like he, drained. So they bid their good nights and he went to his room, opening the door he quickly undressed and got the eggs from their hiding place before he lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. His heart raced when he saw her sitting there on the grass hill, it had felt like forever since he'd last seen his sister.
" Rhae. Where have you been?" he asked as he moved towards her.
" I was flying Jae." she said smiling before she reached her hand out and he took it.
They walked down the hill and Jae saw it then, the large dark burned walls of Harrenhal, he saw the tents lined up and the banners waving high. The black bats on a yellow field and the leaping silver trout on red and blue, both either side of the red three headed dragon on black, his house's banner raised far higher than the other two. Excitedly he moved with Rhaenys through the castle he saw squires scrubbing armor and polishing swords, saw horses being decked out in barding being made ready for upcoming jousts.
When they reached the castle Rhaenys led him to the largest of the halls, the famous hall of a hundred hearths. Inside the revelry had already begun and as he looked around he saw her sitting there with his uncles, all four of the Stark children together for perhaps one of the last times it was so. His uncle Brandon was just as he'd imagined him, larger than life and louder than his siblings combined. Ned was quiet and Jae grimaced at the figure sitting beside him as Robert towered above them all, the Demon of the Trident indeed.
His uncle Benjen looked so very small in comparison and even his mother seemed larger and more imposing than he. As for his mother Jae stood and watched, whether or not tears registered in this place he knew not, but they fell down his face all the same. She was lively and he watched as she glowered at something Robert said, as she chastised Brandon for some unknown reason and then spoke softly to Ned. She laughed with Benjen and then a hush came over the hall and Rhaenys drew his attention to the high table.
" Look Jae, Father." she said and she smiled as he looked to where she pointed.
On the high table he saw him and he was everything he had heard, he sat beside Elia and in her hands she held a newborn babe, Jae looked to Rhaenys and saw her nod as she looked at her younger self. They stayed for a moment and then Jae found himself outside the halls yet again watching as his mother put armor on.
The knight of the Laughing Tree in full gear was small and slight and yet Jae knew from the tale Jaime told that she defeated three knights, he longed to see the joust itself but instead he found himself by a stream and watched as his father held his mother in his arms. It wasn't but a moment later that they were in a glade and Jae saw two men wearing white cloaks stand by while in front of them kneeling facing a Heart Tree his father and mother whispered softly.
" Jae come we have more to see." Rhaenys said grabbing his arm and yet he found himself unable to move, he looked as his father and mother kissed and he saw it there in their eyes, the love his mother wrote of was undeniable.
As he closed his own he then found himself in a large room with colored glass on the windows. At the front stood a man holding a book and in front of him his father and mother stood facing each other. His mother was draped in a cloak bearing his house's colors and she had a piece of cloth over her and his fathers hands, as he moved closer he heard them speak.
" Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger. I am hers and she is mine, from this day until the end of my days.
As Rhaenys led him out of the room he looked back and a part of him wanted nothing more than to shout at them, to scream out a warning, to let them know how things would be. He opened his mouth to do so but before he got the chance to speak he saw the clouds and the images began to change. At first it was random images, his uncle Brandon kissing a beautiful woman, his mother shouting at Robert, his father and Elia speaking softly, but then he felt Rhaenys's hand grip him tight and the clouds fully darkened overhead.
He saw a silver haired girl walk into a fire as a large dog whined as the flames drew closer, he saw the girl walk out unharmed while three small dragons crawled over her shoulders. In the distance he saw a pale dragon fade in the sun while a black wingless dragon ran as fast as it could towards her.
He saw a sword with a white blade cut through a net and a hand grab a lion with a scorpions tail, he saw the beast being tied to a stake before it shriveled and faded away.
He saw a snake poised to attack only to turn it's head as it heard the hisses of smaller snakes. He saw the snake as it was grabbed by a giant, he saw the giant smile as he brought the snake to his mouth only for a screech to force him to look up, where a white dragon flew close to him it's blue wings unfurled and the giant dropped the snake as a white wolf came up from behind.
He saw a huge grey wolf howl as it looked to a silver wingless bird, it's steps purposeful as it was joined by smaller hungrier wolves.
He saw a three eyed raven try to fly as a tree burned only for a white wolf to jump and catch it in it's mouth.
When he turned to Rhaenys he saw her smile and she pointed as the dragon landed in front of them, he watched his sister climb on the dragons back and hold out her hand.
" We can fly together Jae." she said as the dragon flew off.
When he woke that morning he felt the heat from the eggs, he felt the sweat run down his chest and onto the sheets of the bedding and as he jumped up he felt his head spin. He steadied himself and placed the eggs back in their hiding place and after drinking some water he sat down and began to draw.
Robb.
Theon had stopped him on the way to break his fast and Robb felt guilty he'd been ignoring him these last few days, but he found he was still annoyed at him too. During the spar against Loras he had seen Theon leave him to face the boy alone, his friend had been hurt but not that badly and yet he didn't come to his aid. Had he then Robb wouldn't have taken such a bad beating, but rather than admit it or apologize, Theon had instead wanted them to make up stories about Jon and Loras or to try and get their vengeance some other way.
Even had his father not called them in to punish them, Robb had already begun to question how things had gone since Jon arrived. From his turning down of the gifts Jon offered at Theon's suggestion, to him trying to bait his brother to spar and allowing Theon to insult his sister to do so. After his father had brought that up Robb felt more shame than he could ever remember, he had been at best a bad brother and at worst a terrible one and just seeing Jon with his sisters showed him how far he had fallen short.
"So you're not speaking to me then, too busy with your new friends?" Theon said annoyedly.
"No, you know we're not allowed to speak together, father made that clear."
"So, since when do you care about what your father says."
"He is my father, I always care." Robb retorted angrily.
"So what, that's it then, your bastard brother is here and that's it for me, we were supposed to be brothers." Theon said a note of sadness in his voice.
"Aye we were, but what happened during the spar Theon, where were you? Brothers don't leave each other to be hurt, where were you?" Robb said shaking his head.
"I was hurt, I.." Theon said and Robb could see the truth in front of him.
"No you weren't', you'd just rather protect yourself than me." Robb said as he walked away.
He felt terrible doing so, but after being punished and told he and Theon would no longer be allowed to spend time together his father had kept him behind while he sent Theon off with his new guards.
" You're not happy I've forbidden you from being with Theon are you?"
" No father, he's my friend."
" I wanted that for you, since Jon left I wanted it so badly, but I was wrong Robb, it was never supposed to be Theon, it was supposed to be your brother, but with him gone, I..I allowed Theon take his place."
" But why now father? Why all of a sudden have you decided that I'm not to spend time with him?"
" What happened with your sister Robb?" his father asked and he looked down to the ground the shame clear on his face "That's why son, what have I told you about the pack?"
" That we must stick together, always."
" Aye, Theon is not a wolf Robb, he's a squid, should his father rise up one day I may be forced to take his head. I've forgotten that, forgotten how the North sees him. Forgotten he's a hostage Robb, not a ward."
" But he's my friend father."
" Aye, but he shouldn't be. One day you'll be Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, what happens if when that day comes our bannermen see you as best friends with the family who've reaved their lands, the people who've stolen their property and attacked them all their lives?"
" But would it not be better if we were friends father, maybe Theon would be different than his father, maybe the Iron Islands and the North could be allies." Robb said and his father shook his head.
"I thought that son, but I didn't realize that he was insulting my daughters, that he and you were behaving badly towards visiting lords, no don't give me that look boy, I saw how you both looked at the Reeds, at Howland's children, what have you I told you about Howland son?"
" That were it not for Howland Reed you'd not be alive today."
" Aye, so how do you think I feel seeing his children disrespected by mine own heir."
" I'm sorry father."
" Aye I know that Robb."
" What happens when Jon leaves again father, who'll be my friend then."
" I'll think of something son I promise."
Now as he headed to his brother's room he hoped he'd accept his apology, they had spoken and being friendly since the night the Manderly's arrived, he and Loras had spent some time together too. But while Jon had taught him some moves in the sparring yard and while he and Loras had japed with him, there was something not right about it. Compared to how Jon acted with his sisters he was still an outsider and he knew it was because as of yet he hadn't spoken to him about things.
He knocked at the door and looked down at the scratches he'd made when he'd tried to sneak inside, it had been a stupid idea but he had been embarrassed to ask his brother for the gifts he'd already turned down, so he had tried to steal them. Thankfully he'd not been able to open the door, how he'd have been able to deal with things had he taken the gifts, he didn't know.
"Robb?" he heard his brother say as he opened the door.
"Jon, can I come in?"
"Aye." his brother said and he walked in.
His brother's room was cold and a little damp and yet not once had he heard him complain, looking around it though he wondered how it compared to his rooms at Casterly Rock. Surely Jaime Lannister had him stay in better rooms than this, he looked to the table and saw some drawings before Jon motioned to the bed and he sat down while Jon sat at the small table.
"Jon, I wanted to say I'm sorry." Robb said looking down at his fidgeting hands.
"For what?" Jon asked his voice even.
"I should have welcomed you better, you're my brother and I…"
"Robb I don't care how you welcomed me, I'm used to it, I was annoyed at you over Sansa, over Theon." Jon said shaking his head as Robb looked at him.
"I.."
"Allowed your friend to insult our sister, that's all that bothered me Robb."
"I'm sorry."
"Tell Sansa."
"What?"
"Speak to Sansa, Robb, tell her you're sorry, she may not show it but it hurt her." Jon said.
"I will." Robb said determinedly.
"Good, now come brother, lets spar, properly this time." Jon said and Robb laughed before he stopped.
"Jon, I did something stupid."
"Well Arya would say you are stupid." Jon said and they both chuckled.
"I… ehm tried to sneak into your room." he said embarrassed.
"Why?" Jon said his voice rising.
"I, gods, I wanted the gifts." he said and Jon laughed before he got up and walked to his chest and picked up the bow and pendant.
"You only had to ask brother."
"You mean it, I can have them?" Robb asked surprised.
"Off course, they were always for you."
He placed the pendant around his neck and held the bow out, as he stood up he saw the picture Jon had been drawing fall to the floor and bent down to pick it up.
"Who's this Jon?"
"That's Uncle Brandon, Benjen, Lord Stark and your aunt Lyanna." Jon said and Robb didn't notice the odd choice of words as he looked at the picture.
"Why did you draw this?" he asked curiously.
"It's a gift." Jon said as he took and placed it back on the table "Now come on, or I'll make you face Meera and her spear." Jon japed and he laughed as they left the room.
Maege.
She looked on as her daughters readied the dress for Dacey, it was a beautiful thing and out of all her daughters it was her oldest who she knew would appreciate it the most. While Jory and Lyra would wear dresses tonight it was not their preferred outfits as for Alysanne well she was like her, there wasn't a reason big enough to wear a dress in either of their opinions. She smiled though at Lyanna and how she looked at her own dress, her little bear cub's face a picture as she looked annoyed at the straps of the thing.
Dacey sat on the bed laughing and joking with her sisters and Maege was about to say something when there was a knock on the door that Jory answered, she was surprised to see Wyman standing there.
"My ladies, forgive the interruption, Maege I was wondering if I could speak to you." Wyman said and she nodded.
She followed him outside and he motioned for her to follow him some more, as they walked through the keep and out into the courtyard she wondered where he was bringing her. A few moments later she got her answer, they walked past the Broken Tower and she saw Jon Snow play with the white wolf, while holding one of the pups in his hand. To see them here finally in the heart of the North was sight she'd not soon forget and it was no surprise to her that it was Jon to be the one to bring the wolves back where they belonged.
She followed Wyman onward and through the small gate into the Godswood, it took them a few more moments until they finally saw the Heart tree and Ser Wylis and a couple of Manderly guards standing by it. It surprised her he'd brought her here given his own view on the old gods, although she knew he respected them all the same.
"Make sure we're not disturbed son." Wyman said as he stood before the tree.
"What's going on Wyman?"
"What think you of the lad Maege?" Wyman asked.
"What lad?" she said though she knew of whom he spoke.
"Jon." Wyman said and she noticed he didn't use the bastard surname.
"Seems like a good lad, did a lot for both our families did he not?" she said raising an eyebrow.
"Aye, that he did, he's just like his mother isn't he?" Wyman said and she gasped for a second.
"I wouldn't know Wyman." she answered evasively.
"Really, remember where we are Maege." Wyman said and she cursed the man.
"No one's ever mentioned his mother." she said and Wyman smirked.
"Yet we both know who she is."
"Do we indeed?"
"Aye, he's the she wolf's babe of that I've no doubt, neither do you Maege."
"And so what if he is?" she asked.
"Then that makes him our king." Wyman said and this time she needed to sit down.
"Careful Wyman what you speak now is treason."
"Is it, I never swore an oath to the stag, did you Maege?"
"I'd rather slit my own throat than swear to that man, how he behaved, love of his life indeed." she said as she spat on the ground.
"Indeed, I heard the stories, though did not see for myself, but I remember Harrenhal Maege, he shamed her there too."
"That he did, but does the boy even want it Wyman?"
"I believe he does, I think he sees how the realm has been run and he wants to change it, that's what he's doing is it not, who else has done as much for the North as he?"
"No one." she said smiling "You think that's why Jaime Lannister took him as squire?"
"Aye I do, I think he knew, I've seen him with the boy watched him closely, did you hear what happened the night we arrived?"
"No?"
"The fish saw fit to seat the lad in the low tables, his young friend, the Tyrell boy immediately sat beside him, when Jaime Lannister came in he called out Ned on it, when he refused to change the seating, the man sat with him. That's not something a knight does for a squire is it?"
"No it's not." she said smiling broadly.
"It's also not the first time, when they arrived she tried to have the wolf placed in kennels, a Direwolf Maege here in Winterfell and she wanted it locked away. The lad just nodded, got back on his horse and said he'd stay in Wintertown, young Loras and Jaime jumped on their horses and did the same."
She pictured the scene in her head, he was his mother's son all right and the laugh she let out was loud and genuine.
"You think Ned will support the lad?" Maege asked.
"He better, that boy is of the North, Maege."
"Aye that he is Wyman."
Dacey.
She allowed her sisters to fix her hair, Jory especially working hard on it, she put the dress on and stood in front of the looking glass, she had never looked better than she looked tonight and she was as ready as she'd ever be. Her mother smiled at her, before coming over to whisper how proud she was of her, how happy she was for her and Dacey did her best to hold her tears at bay. Her sisters went out to take up their positions and her mother stood beside her, waiting to be called.
"Do you like him mother?" she asked nervously.
"He makes my girl happy does he not?"
"He does mother, very much so."
"Then I like him, should he not then he'll feel the full fury of me and your sisters though." her mother said and she laughed.
She stood nervously on her toes waiting for the knock at the door to tell them it was time, her mother for the first time she could ever remember looked just as nervous as she did. It took what felt like an age but when the girl knocked at the door she almost ran to open it.
"It's time my lady." the girl said.
She walked out with her mother slowly, the walk to the Godswood taking them past servants and small folk. Jaime had ordered celebrations in Wintertown that he was paying for, he'd invited some of the people to the feast itself and she loved him even more for it. When they entered the Godswood she saw the lanterns hanging from the trees, little lights which looked like fireflies in the night, the place itself was full of people and she shivered as her mother led her to the end of the pathway.
Standing in front of her leaning against a tree was her betrothed and he looked even more handsome than ever. He wore a black leather coat which came down to his knees, underneath she could see his shirt was blood red. His leather breeches were form fitting and she found herself inevitably drawn to how tight they molded against his arse, he caught her looking and she smiled as he winked at her.
"Who comes before the old gods this night?" Ned Stark said loudly.
"Lady Dacey Mormont of House Mormont, a woman grown, trueborn and noble." her mother said loud and proud "Who comes to claim her?"
"Lord Jaime Lannister, of House Lannister. Jaime said and she smiled at the simplicity of his answer "Who gives her?" he asked.
"Lady Maege Mormont, her mother." said as they walked forward and she stood beside him.
"Lady Dacey will you take this man?" Ned Stark said.
"I take this man." she said her smile only outshone by his own.
He took her hand in his and they knelt, her eyes closed she prayed she'd make him as happy as he did her, that they'd spend their lives together, grow old together, have children and be as one. As they stood up and she felt him remove her cloak and hand it to Loras she saw Jon move forward and hand him her bridal cloak. She felt it's warmness as he tied it to her shoulders and then he leaned forward and kissed her to cheers she imagined, though she only heard them after the kiss. Within in the blink of an eye he had her cradled in his arms, her hands wrapped around his neck as he carried her to the Great Hall.
"My love." he whispered in her ear "My life." he said softly "My wife." he said and she felt her heart flutter.
"My husband."
Jaime.
Seeing her as she stood there he had never in his life seen a more beautiful sight, the dress was a white as snow and embroidered on it in little bits of black and red stone a bear curled up against a lion. Her hair was tied up and two little ringlets hit her shoulders, brushing against the soft skin and making him jealous of them both. When he'd knelt down to pray in front of gods he didn't really understand he just asked for the strength to make her happy, to keep her safe and to bring her the joy she brought him.
When he kissed her it felt different somehow, this wasn't just a woman he was kissing this was his wife, from this day to his last day, this was the woman he'd spend his life with. Carrying her into the hall he had been sorely tempted to just change direction, to just head to their room, their room, no longer his alone. But he resisted, hard though it was, she deserved to enjoy the festivities, for her family to see her and celebrate their wedding and so he carried her to the high table and placed her in the seat beside his own.
"How'd I do?" he whispered.
"It was acceptable I suppose." she japed and he couldn't help but laugh as he leaned forward to kiss her.
Once everyone took their seats, the dishes began to arrive, in the West he knew there'd be course after course, one wedding he'd heard about in the Reach had seventeen courses, here in the North is was a more manageable nine. As the dishes came out he took a bite and began sending them to other tables, the deer he sent to his good family.
Elk he sent to the Manderly's on and on the dishes went and though he wasn't hungry, he ate from each of them. Beside him his wife spoke to her mother and Lady Cerwyn, while he spoke to Ned Stark and the Greatjon, he drank sparingly and had to laugh when the Greatjon stood up and called Jon to the table. He saw Ned Stark look at him in confusion and he just shrugged his shoulders not knowing what the large Umber lord was up to.
"Jon lad, why have these drinks no ice in them, have you not shown the good men and women of Winterfell along with your father, the way of the future." the Greatjon's voice boomed over the room.
"I haven't my lord." Jon said smirking.
"This won't do, Ned you have to try this." the Greatjon said as he nodded to his son.
Jaime just looked at the confused face of Ned Stark and waited until the Smalljon came back into the room carrying a large chunk of ice and bringing it to the table.
"Go on Jon, show 'em." the Greatjon said grabbing the jug of ale and two mugs.
Jon began chipping away at the ice and placed it in the mugs, a third one added when Maege saw what was going on and turned to Dacey to ask about it. Once he was done Jaime watched as the Greatjon filled the mugs and handed one to Maege and to Ned Stark, he saw Wyman chuckling from the side as the mugs were raised.
"What is this Jon?" Ned Stark asked as he licked the ale from his lips.
"The Ice my lord, this is just one of the uses for the ice in the south, don't drink it so fast." Jon said as Ned raised the mug to his lips and the Greatjon looked disappointedly at them both.
"You're no fun lad." the large man said loudly before a cry was heard to his left.
"My head, gods my head." Maege said and the Greatjon laughed loudly.
"Ah, see it's not just us giants that make mistakes Jon, even the she bear can't handle it."
"Damn you Jon Umber if I had my mace I'd make your damn head hurt.
"Maege if you had your mace I'd have held my tongue." The Greatjon said to laughs.
After that more and more ice was sent for and brought in, he noticed Ned looking at Jon proudly while his wife glowered as she spoke to Lady Sybelle, her eyes never leaving them even as she nodded along to what the other woman was saying. He turned to Dacey to see her smiling as she explained to her mother about the ice and watched on happily as more and more people added it to their drinks. Jon walked back to his table and he gave the boy a sneaky wink getting a smirk in return.
After that it was time to hand out gifts to him and Dacey and Jaime was surprised to see how many of the northerner's brought some. Wyman gave him a beautiful dagger and his wife a matching one which she appreciated greatly. The Glovers gave some northern linens so Dacey would always remember what home felt like. They got some furs from the Umbers for those cold nights the Greatjon said as he winked and when Ned Stark and Lady Stark approached Jaime looked on nervously.
"My Lord, My lady, from my wife and I and from all the Starks." Ned said as he handed them two items covered in cloth.
As he unwrapped it he was stunned to see them, they were matching bows made of the white wood of the Weirwood tree, along with some wooden arrows tipped with fierce curved points, they were fantastic, absolutely otherworldly in their beauty. He could see Dacey's face was just as stunned as his own, though she was far quicker to smile than he.
"I thank you my lord, my lady, for such a wonderful and thoughtful gift." Jaime said
"I do too my lord, my lady, they're truly incredible." Dacey said smiling at them both.
Ned and Lady Stark nodded and took their seats and then Maege and her daughters presented them with gifts, once again mainly weapons and had it been anyone else he was marrying Jaime would laugh at the nature of things. But he knew all the gifts they'd been given were one's his wife would appreciate and these northerners knew that too. He shook his head to hide the laugh that was building at the thoughts of what gifts she'd receive in their other wedding.
"My lord, my lady." he heard a soft voice say and looked to see Jon's sister Sansa standing there holding a piece of fabric.
"Lady Sansa, there was no need." he heard Dacey say but he smiled at the girl reassuringly when she began to look embarrassed.
"But it is most appreciated my lady." he said and she smiled back at him as she handed him the fabric.
Opening it up he unfolded it and what he saw was truly a work of beauty, the girl had made them a covering for their bed, embroidered it with black bears and golden lions around the edges. It had a golden castle and an island on the top and bottom of it and at it's center a black bear embraced a gold lion. Written in gold and black were the words 'Here we Stand, Hear us Roar.'
"My lady, this is absolutely incredible, truly." Jaime said as he stood up to hold the fabric up so the rest of the room could see "My lords, my ladies, please, join me in thanking Lady Sansa for such a wonderful and thoughtful gift." Jaime said as the girl blushed some more and the room starting to cheer.
As she ran back quickly to her table, he saw Jon lean over to whisper in her ear when she sat down and the large smile which appeared on her face. He turned to look at Ned Stark's face and this time his proud look was even fuller, he looked to see even lady Stark who'd looked miserable all night seemed full of pride in her daughter. Rightly so, he thought as he passed the fabric on to Dacey's family who looked at it in wonder.
It was a few minutes later when Jon and Loras stood in front of him, he had spoken to them earlier and had told them there was no need for gifts, of course though this was Jon and that was a pointless conversation. Though he still expected them to wait until they reached Casterly Rock and the second wedding, but as his squires approached he saw Jon hold a piece of parchment in his hand and he looked at him inquisitively.
"My lord, My lady, from myself and Loras." Jon said as he handed him the parchment.
The drawing was incredibly detailed, his hair was golden as was his armor and Dacey looked fit for battle, they stood together his sword in his hand, her mace in hers, both caught almost as if they were about to strike. He could see the smirk on Dacey's face both in the drawing and as she looked at it, identical and unbelievably captured, her fur almost seemed to wave in some unseen wind as the mace looked ready to move through the air.
"Jon, when did you do this?"
"I've been working on it since we arrived, Loras got the parchment and the colors." Jon said.
"I thank you both." Jaime said and Dacey added "It's wonderful Jon, Loras thank you" however as the two boys walked away Lyra and Jory spoke up.
"That's you're only gift Jon, I had hoped for a song at least." Jory said.
"Aye Jon, surely you're not going to deny us your voice." Lyra said.
"Aye, Jon, you must sing, that one you sung at the wall was a good one." Jory said and Lyra nodded in agreement.
Jaime saw the panicked look in Jon's eyes, he looked around to see Ned Stark wearing the same look, while Wyman and Maege Mormont looked on curiously. He saw Jon look to the table where his sister was clapping her hands, Sansa making her choice perfectly clear. He nodded to him when he saw him look to him for guidance, it was no use, he'd not be able to back out not here, not now.
"As you wish my ladies" Jon said as he nodded to Lyra and Jory though when the harp was sent for he ignored it making Jaime look at him curiously.
"My lords, My Ladies, for the happy couple." Jon said as he began to sing without music.
My love said to me
My Mother won't mind
And me Father won't slight you
For your lack of kind
Then she stepped away from me
And this she did say
It will not be long love
'Til our wedding day.
She stepped away from me
And she moved through the Fair
And fondly I watched her
Move here and move there
And she went her way homeward
With one star awake
As the swans in the evening
Move over the lake
I dreamed it last night
That my true love came in
So softly she entered
Her feet made no din
She came close beside me
And this she did say
It will not be long love
Till our wedding day.
The song was haunting, the lack of music only made it more so, he looked to Dacey who he could see was smiling though her eyes glistened, as he looked around the room, he saw that while she'd kept her composure, others had not. At Jon's table Sansa was wiping tears from her eyes while beside her one of the Manderly girls and another dark haired girl did likewise. He saw Maege look at Jon with an odd smile on her face and Wyman also looked on with a beaming one.
Ned Stark was looking at him with a look that was hard to identify while Lady Stark looked angrily at him before she caught Jaime looking to her and her face took on a more neutral look. Jon bowed to him and Dacey slightly before turning to walk to his table and that was when the clapping began. By the time he'd sat down the music had stared and as Jaime took Dacey's hand to lead her to dance he saw Jon smile at him.
Sansa.
The wedding had been everything she'd dreamed it would be, the lights in the Godswood were almost magical and the weather had stayed pleasant. She had feared it would rain or snow but it seemed the gods wished to see this marriage as much as Sansa did. Lord Jaime looked so handsome as he stood there and she knew she was not the only one who thought so, given the looks he was getting from some of the older women.
Beside him both Jon and Loras had dressed up too and she had been surprised to see her brother matching Loras's style as he'd worn much plainer blacks since he'd arrived. Tonight though he and Loras had matched, black long coats, white shirts, with a dash of red on both outfits in the shape of scarves, a nice touch for Lord Jaime no doubt. When Dacey had arrived Sansa like all the girls with her couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked, how incredible her dress was and how they'd all wish they'd look so good on their own wedding days.
The wedding itself was simple and elegant and when Jaime had picked Dacey up to carry her, Sansa was not alone in almost swooning. At the table during the feast she and the other girls had spoken of the dress and the time had passed quickly, when it came to gifting things she was nervous. She had worked long and hard on her gift but what if they disliked it? what if it was silly? before she could back down though, Jon had whispered in her ear.
" It'll be fine little sister, your gift will be the nicest they receive, I promise."
Jon had been right and wrong, her gift had been incredibly well received, Lord Jaime had been so gracious, so kind, even if he had embarrassed her some and when she sat back down wanting to hide her face, it was Jon who spoke to her again.
" Told you, it was incredible little sister, so beautiful, I'm so proud of you.". she couldn't help but smile.
She had thought Jon's drawing to be a much better gift, but it was when they began to speak of Jon singing that her interest had been perked.
"Jon sings?" she asked Meera who was sitting beside Arya and Lyanna Mormont.
"Aye, he's really good, he sang while we were at the wall."
"He never sang in White Harbor." Wylla said her annoyance clear in her voice.
"No one asked him." Jojen said and he and Lyarra Umber giggled.
"Who's singing?" Arya said as she finished the extra dessert she had somehow managed to get while giggling at something Lyanna Mormont said to her.
"Jon." Wylla said while Sansa looked to see Jon look to her, she couldn't help but clap her hands excitedly.
She looked on with confusion when Jon turned down the harp, was he not going to have music she wondered, though when he began to sing she realized he didn't need it. The song was beautiful, it was sad and yet if felt right, she felt the tears before the song had ended and by the time it had she needed her handkerchief. When he came over and sat beside her she couldn't help but lean in to whisper in his ear.
"That was amazing Jon, thank you for singing it."
"You're welcome little sister. Now my lady would you do me the pleasure of the next dance." he said as he stood up and bowed with his hand out making her giggle.
"Why of course gallant Ser." she replied as he took her hand.
She saw Loras shake his head before he reluctantly took Wylla's hand, Robb asked Wynafred and she said yes while Jojen was practically dragged onto the floor by Lyarra. The music played and she saw Lord Jaime and Lady Dacey dance and smile at each other. Loras it turned out was a terrible dancer as she saw Wylla grimace at him numerous times, Jojen surprisingly was a good one given Lyarra laughs, though she towered over him.
Jon though was really good and she found herself smiling more and more, they danced two more songs, before Jon asked Meera and then Alys to dance. She had one dance with Loras and one with Robb before she sat down to rest for a moment, when Jon tried to get Arya to dance she found herself almost tearing up with laughter.
"Please little wolf, you can't not dance with your brother, why I'd be heartbroken not to dance with you?" Jon said his voice feigning hurt.
"Go away stupid."
"But little wolf, I'll be so sad." Jon said putting on a sad face.
"Gods, you really are stupid, fine, I'll dance, but only one and only with you Jon, I'm not dancing with any of these other stupid boys."
"Why I thank you my lady." Jon said and Sansa had to choke back her laughter as Arya glowered first at him and then her.
She did see the little smile on Arya's face though as she danced with her brother and when he came back she giggled again when Lyanna Mormont said "Never ever." to him while shaking her head, Jon then held his hand out to her and so she danced with him instead.
"Have you enjoyed yourself tonight little sister?"
"Aye Jon, very much so."
"Good." he said smiling at her.
When they got back to the table though it was to find her mother waiting for her, her father too, it was time for the children to go to bed and though she'd have loved to stay, she was actually quite tired. Jon and Loras led her back to her room, Arya and Lyanna already having gone to their own. Jojen, Meera, Lyarra and Alys were also already gone and Robb had left to escort Wynafred and Wylla, when they left her at her door both of them took her hand in turns and kissed it making her smile. As she climbed into bed she felt happier than she had for as long as she could remember, but she also had to quieten the little voice at the back of her mind which was saying that they'd all be leaving soon.
Cat.
She had outdone herself with the preparations for the wedding, she had organized the feast and the decorations in the Godswood and at least Jaime Lannister had thanked her which was more than could be said for his bride. She had to admit Lady Dacey did make a striking looking bride, but surely when they got back to the West her manners and upbringing would prove a problem. While here in the North she may pass for a lady, in the south she would certainly not, especially given her propensity for fighting alongside men.
However it was not for her to judge who Jaime Lannister chose as his bride and so she held her tongue, something that was getting harder and harder to do especially when it came to the bastard. Her husband had insisted the bastard be treated with more respect than he was due and so she kept away from him, when she could. But it seemed as if he was following her wherever she would go, almost mocking her by how he behaved around his betters.
She had managed to keep Brandon away from him mainly, Petyr's warnings though vague were enough to make her worry. But the rest of her children seemed drawn to him, even her precious boy Robb seemed to want to spend time with him now, though that was his father's fault for taking away his friend. But so far at least the bastard hadn't tried to harm any of her children, at least to her knowledge, though she knew it was only a matter time.
"It's a wonderful occasion is it not Lady Stark?" Lady Sybelle asked.
"Aye my lady it is." she said.
"You've done an incredible job here my lady." the woman said and Cat felt her pride flare up, she really had.
As she watched the children get ready to give gifts, she thought back to her own, she had fought with her husband over the bows, bows as a gift for a wedding the very thought of it. But he was as stubborn as ever and so she had swallowed her shame and thanked the gods this was here and not in Casterly Rock. As she watched her daughter move forward she smiled, Sansa looked resplendent tonight, a true lady, though she would need to speak to her daughter about spending so much time with the bastard.
Something that was proving difficult to do as Sansa seemed to lose her senses when it came to that boy, Septa Mordane had told her of the things her sweet girl had said and if there was ever proof needed of the duplicity of bastards that was it. She was only thankful that they were all still so young, had her girl been a maiden flowered, she shook her head of the thought. Instead looking on as Lord Jaime praised her daughters work.
The gift was wonderful and Cat was so proud of her girl, she would make a Lord or who knows perhaps even the prince an incredible wife one day, her daughter surely deserved to be considered by the crown especially given Ned's friendship with the king. When the bastard stepped forward with his drawing she shook her head, it was bad enough he had done that thing with the ice earlier, but now he was interjecting himself once again where he shouldn't. She didn't hear what was said next, but when the boy began to sing she fumed, was there no end to it, was there nothing else the boy would do to garner attention.
"He has an incredibly voice does he not?" she heard one of the Mormont girls say to her and she nodded while struggling to hold a smile on her face.
"Aye he does." She said as she turned to see the girl's mother stare directly at her.
Despite every fiber of her being demanding her to say something to these women, these savage women, who had come to her home and made it clear just how little they thought of her, she instead smiled politely and returned to her conversation with lady Sybelle. She held her tongue as the bastard danced with her girls, though she couldn't help but smile when she saw how graceful Robb was with the Manderly girl. A good match perhaps, but she had hoped for better for him too, a southern rose or perhaps even the princess, if Sansa didn't marry the prince.
Once the dancing was done with and the children sent to their rooms she knew it wouldn't be long now until the bedding. Thankfully though she wouldn't need to be around for it and so she bid Lady Sybelle, the other guests, Lord Jaime and Lady Dacey her farewells and kissed her husbands cheek. The first real physical contact they'd had in over a moon, though that was his fault and not hers, she walked to her room and as she sat down she fumed.
Her life, her home had all been perfect until the bastard had arrived, even after everything he did in Kings Landing her husband had not only not punished the boy, but taken up for him every chance he got. Her plans to put him in his rightful place had all been interfered with or foiled somehow and she could see his corruption swelling in her own children, it couldn't be allowed to stand. Petyr could help but it would take far too long for both her letter to reach him and for him to be able to do anything about the boy. She would need to speak to her brother, they needed to act now, or it would be too late, hopefully given his own encounters with the bastard Edmure would act quickly.
Jaime.
As it got closer to the time he wondered how they could get out of this, a bedding at the best of times was not something he enjoyed, when it was his wife who would be getting manhandled it was going to be something he hated. But tradition was tradition and when he'd suggested it to Dacey she had insisted everything would be fine and for him not to worry about it. Something that was far easier said than done, but he drank his ale slowly and waited for the time to arrive.
"My lords, we've drank, we've feasted, it's time to bed them." the Greatjon shouted and Jaime could have guessed it'd be him and not Stark to do so.
"Bed them. Bed Them, Bed them." he heard the chants around the room.
Where so many people came from he could not tell, he had not seen that many women at the wedding, he was surprised though that none of Dacey's sisters were near as he was grabbed and shoved and parts of his clothing torn from him. He looked around to see his wife surrounded by her sisters and then both Umber lords backing away, trying to focus as one woman's hand went to a very private area, he saw the reason and couldn't help but laugh.
"Thank you Jon." he whispered as he saw the white wolf stare down any man who dared get too close to his wife.
Though as he felt his britches being torn from him, he for a moment wished the white wolf was guarding him too. On and on it went and they dragged him down the hall, his coat long gone, his shirt and undershirt torn to pieces, his britches had thankfully not been torn much, though they were almost off him now. He turned to see where they were and was glad they were close to his room, when he finally felt his britches fall he had made it to the door. His small clothing was basically gone, he grabbed some of the ripped material and jumped into the room.
Outside the noise was louder and louder and as he looked around the room to find something to cover himself with the door opened. His wife entered fully dressed and Jaime couldn't help but laugh at the look on her face, she eyed him up and down before she too began to laugh.
"Unlike you I didn't have a wolf to protect me."
"Ah, poor little Jaime, has your squire abandoned you for me." she said softly,
"Actually, I think he was doing me a favor actually, now I get to tear your clothes off myself," he said as he jumped towards her.
"Jaime Lannister." she shrieked.
"Dacey Lannister," he said as he grabbed her.
He kissed her softly at first and then more passionately, moving her towards the bed, he began to slowly undress her, they had waited so long for this, he had waited so long for this that now even as nervous as he felt he took his time.
"Relax my love we have the rest of the night." she said.
"We have the rest of our lives." he whispered back as he kissed her neck.
Dacey.
As she woke up she felt his arms around her, her head resting on his muscular chest, when they had finally succumbed to sleep she knew not, only that she was tired and fulfilled. It had been everything she had dreamed it would, everything she had hoped, as she felt him stir beside her she smiled and kissed his soft lips.
"Mmm, I could get used to being awakened like this."
"Well don't, I intend for you to be the one who wakes first." she said as she bit his lip softly.
"Good morning wife." he said looking into her eyes.
"Good morning husband."
"Do we really have to get up?" he sighed.
"We do, I'm hungry." she said.
"Me too." he rolled on top of her.
"Jaime."
"Dacey." he replied matching her tone and making her giggle.
"Come we must get up, gods knows what time of day it is."
Reluctantly he agreed and they got dressed, though she did spend most of the time watching him, his arse was a thing of beauty, old gods, new gods, whomever made it should be most pleased with their work, she certainly was. Shaking her head she dressed and they both left the room, walking down the corridor to the great hall to break their fast. When they arrived she was dismayed to see it was far earlier than she had imagined, the hall was full and the cheers and japes began immediately.
"Didn't expect to see you for the rest of the day."
"Surely you're not tired of each other already."
"Well he does look worn out."
She could have sworn the last one came from her mother, she looked to the children's table and saw looks of confusion mixed with the odd smirk, both Jon and Loras would pay for that later if she had her way. Sitting down beside her mother and sisters, Jaime sat opposite and both of them hungrily ate, giving yet another reason for japes to be made at their expense.
"How are you feeling my love?" he mother whispered to her.
"I'm good mother, better than good, great," she said smiling back at her.
Once done with their meal she had enough, it was time for some of these men to be put in their place, jape at her expense would they, lets see how they liked a mace across their thick skulls.
"Fine who's up for a spar?" Dacey said and looked to see Jaime smiling broadly at her, my husband she thought and felt her heart was complete for the first time.