Few and Far Between

[Sansa Stark]

To hear him say those words filled the princess's heart with immeasurable joy. She had heard of countless marriages turning sour, becoming more of a "toleration" than a marriage, but deep within her Claryse knew it would not be that way with the honorable Lord Stark, acting Warden of the North until his father returned to Winterfell. She trusted him wholeheartedly. It was strange, how so much can change in a day's time.


For a moment Claryse thought Robb was going to kiss her, the feeling of his hands in her hair made the pit of her stomach turn with delight, but as he pulled away she couldn't help but smile. Such is the honor of a Stark. The princess giggled softly and shook her head. "It's quite alright. I so appreciate your concern for my virtue. But as it stands, I must go to our carriage and wait for you, perhaps say goodbye to your dear mother and speak with your little siblings some more. I do so admire your sisters, both of them are very lovely in their own way. I would consider myself very lucky to have daughters like them."





The young Baratheon felt no shame when she stepped on the tips of her toes, just to reach her intended to place a small kiss on his cheek. He was certainly tall, and strong, and handsome and noble. With such an action the girl became more and more excited about their wedding night.


"I will see you within the hour, Robb." She offered a small curtsy and beamed up at the man before gathering her skirts and exiting the room.

 

[Akeira]

Robb looked at her with embarrassment, though he was reassured when she shook her head, knowing she found the entire matter comical. "Your virtue is of the upmost importance to me." He admitted with a gentle smile, as it was the fidelity and the honor of House Stark that was valued above all else. He nodded at her words about going down to the carriage, finding himself smiling a bit wider when she said that she would be waiting for him there. Though a small detail, it was significant to him, as she would be waiting for him and no one else.


"I am sure my sisters greatly admire you, though probably for different reasons, I might add." Robb chuckled, knowing that Sansa would be drawn to Claryse's grace and poise, while Arya's joy laid in the princess' intrigue in armor, wine, and very tasteful conversation. "My mother will adore you, if she does not yet." He promised with a smile, knowing that Catelyn Stark would approve of a lovely young woman whom was gentle and looked to be a devoted mother and wife. "I am sure that if we have a daughter, she will grow to be lovely like both my sisters, and her beautiful mother." He smiled gently.


The young lord raised an eyebrow in curiosity when Claryse approached him, smiling softly and waiting for her to approach him. When she pressed her soft lips to his cheek for a light kiss, Robb could not help but look down toward her green Lannister eyes. It took all of his willpower not to kiss her properly, as he was afraid to alarm her in any way.


"I look forward to it." He replied with a grin, bowing softly and standing tall, as she exited the room. Reflecting on the small kiss to his cheek, as he walked out of the chambers in pursuit of the armory, the young lord silently wished that he had done more than kiss her right then. When he arrived at the armory building, Robb went to where Bran's special bow and arrow were being kept to make sure the younger Stark sibling did not find them by accident. Holding it in his hands, the auburn haired lord began to journey back toward his chambers where his little brother would still be waiting for him.


"I've got something for you." Robb stated with a smile, as he walked through the open door, hoping his brother would approve of the parting gift.

 

[Sansa Stark]

Down she rushed with a smile as wide as the Trident on her fair face, out through the castle gates busy with preparations and immediately into their gilded carriage. The princess and her intended were to have one all to themselves, most likely because her father and Ned Stark wanted the two to further acquaint themselves before their wedding day. Claryse sat on the plush seats and bounced her legs a bit, nervous and excited and breathless all at once.


"Claryse," came the soft voice that made the princess's hair stick up on end. Her body froze. The blonde queen stepped up to the small window of the carriage and touched her daughter's hair a bit, letting the long black curls fall from her fingers. "Beautiful, it is. The color of your father's but the thickness of mine. I'm sure your little Robb Stark will like pulling on it."


"What do you want, mother." Claryse's voice was tense as she talked through her teeth. "You're not supposed to be here. You should be with the King, preparing for tomorrow's leave."


"Of course not, Little Dove. A lady does not help with those things. A queen cares for the little princes and princesses, tends to her husband when he wants her, and never lifts a finger." Cersei waved dismissively to the servants who were loading crates of things onto the carriages Robb and Claryes were meant to take. Claryse knew that her mother despised most people in the world, and to be talked to so straight-forwardly made her question Cersei's motives. "Do you want that, Claryse? To be a Stark wife? I promise you, the winters up here are very cold. Perhaps you won't like it at all."


"I already like it," came her reply. "The charms of Winterfell have given me more pleasure than a castle full of liars on a red hill."


The queen's smile immediately turned sour. Claryse knew that look all too well, a look that meant anyone in her presence should feel the danger creeping up their backs like spiders. "You will not marry the Stark boy. I will make sure of that."





The princess only smiled. "You can try."

 

[Akeira]

Robb watched as his younger brother's eyes lit up dramatically when the elder Stark pulled the bow from behind his back. He held it up for him to see while he walked forward, chuckling when Bran raced toward him and met him halfway. It was a self bow, one made of magnificent oak wood from a large tree cut down at the far edge of winter town. It was shaped in an arc with cravings symbolizing their House on its edges. "For me?" The little Stark asked with hopeful eyes.


"This is no toy." Robb said simply, raising an eyebrow and looking down at his younger brother. "Be careful you don’t stick yourself. The head of those arrows are sharp enough to impale you." Robb chuckled, though the warning did not go unnoticed by either Stark brother. "Yes, it is yours. I hope you like Mikken's work." He murmured with a large grin.


"It's brilliant, Robb." Bran said in admiration, taking the bow from his elder brother and staring down at it in awe.


"You must promise to continue your lessons with Maester Luwin and not shoot all day while I am gone." Robb smiled softly with a chuckle, knowing that his younger brother was much like him and would prefer to be in the armory or climbing rather than studying. "I will miss you, little brother."


"I promise." He nodded slowly, looking up at Robb while he held the bow close to him. "I wish I was coming with you to King's Landing." He sighed.


Robb gave a hearty laugh and got down on his knee, looking at Bran at a more appropriate height. "I am sure there will be plenty of time to visit once Claryse and I are wed." He promised, reaching forward to clap his brother on the back and engulf him in a quick hug. He smiled in return when he felt little arms around him. "Thank care, Bran." Robb smiled warmly, pulling away from his younger brother and standing up to his proper height.


Robb Stark nodded to him gently, ruffling his hair teasingly and turning to exit his chambers. When he approached the door, he turned to see Bran admiring the bow once again, chuckling to himself and thinking on the good he did before walking out into the corridor. He bounded out of the castle quickly, swaggering toward the gilded carriage that he and his bride-to-be were meant to ride in alone on their journey to the King's Landing.

 

[Sansa Stark]

The road was long, but not hard. The month spent traveling the King's Road was one filled with deep connections, star gazing, long walks and peaceful greetings wherever they went. Word of the marriage had gotten out faster than Claryse would have imagined possible, and each time they stopped at an inn for the night instead of camping under the stars they were greeted with parties and night-long celebrations, so many that the princess found herself sleeping on her intended's shoulder for the day after. Claryse was never sick of the travel, especially not with Robb, and by the time the voyage was coming to a close the princess was confident that the pair knew more about each other than anyone else in Westeros.


"We received word yesterday that the tailor has already finished my dress. Already! Can you imagine?" It was becoming harder and harder for the girl to contain her excitement; marrying a man she loved was every woman's dream, especially one as loyal as a Stark. "I can't wait to try it on. Oh! I can take you tours of the gardens and the dungeons where my father buried the dragon skulls, or the Great Sept, or Maegar's Holdfast or the iron throne, or the--" She cut herself off with a giggle, resting her head back on his strong shoulder. "Sorry, I've gone and blabbed again."

 

[Akeira]

The month traveling the King's Road was a pleasant and intriguing experience for Robb, as his eyes were opened to much of the South throughout their journey. For a lord whom had never visited this area of Westeros, it was magnificent, especially so when traveling with someone as lovely as Claryse. He finally embraced the warmth of the South after a reluctance to give up his furs for much lighter clothing. He heartily enjoyed the many feasts and celebrations planned for them along the way, laughing joyfully and joining in the merriment of his impending wedding in the Great Sept. It was a fantastic experience, laying under the stars for much time until they fell asleep whispering to each other. This trip alone confirmed in Robb's mind that he and Claryse were meant to be.


At the current moment, Robb Stark smiled softly while the princess rested on his shoulder, keeping a gentle arm around her and chuckling as she talked excitedly. While she spoke, his eyes lit up in admiration, as she talked of her wedding dress and touring King's Landing. "I am sure you will look absolutely beautiful in your dress." He chuckled genuinely, rubbing her arm softly with his calloused hands and relaxing against the lavish seat. "All eyes will be on you that day, I swear it." He continued with a smile.


When she cut herself off, the auburn haired Stark chuckled, listening to her lovely giggle as light as air. "I enjoy it when you babble on like that. It's quite nice to listen to. Go on." He murmured to her gently with a laugh, rubbing her arm again and smiling while she rested on his shoulder. "Will we have enough time to tour all of the kingdom before the wedding?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow, a glint of mischief roaming in his eyes.

 

[Sansa Stark]

"Nice?" Claryse chuckled. "If you say so, Robb." She slowly pushed herself up from his shoulder and looked at him in the eyes, catching his mischief, knowing he had something planned. Since they were both the oldest children in their households it was hard to get up to anything suspicious without their parents knowing, but here, with both the Stark and Baratheon houses a few days behind them, the kingdom would be theirs to explore.


"I believe so," she grinned. "I'm sure everyone will want to meet you. I like to tour to the orphanages in Flea Bottom and visit the children, I hope you don't mind that. Oh! And there's this lovely view from the hill, away from the castle and the city that looks out over Blackwater Bay. It's beautiful. I think you'd like it."


Claryse had to remind herself that they were not yet married, and some of the gestures and things she desired to say would not be appropriate. At least, to others. Perhaps he wouldn't mind as much with how close they had gotten over the past several weeks.


"Is there anywhere inparticular you wanted to visit?"

 

[Akeira]

"Nice." Robb nodded simply with a smile, looking down into her green eyes and raising his shoulders up and down in a little shrug. "It is rather intriguing to see you talk freely rather than holding your tongue. I enjoy it far much more." He spoke earnestly, as he was never keen with a female whom never spoke in the presence of a man. Though it was commonly believed that gender roles existed a great deal in their society, the young lord believe those were erased thoroughly behind closed doors.


He matched her grin in mention of being able to see much of King's Landing before they were wed. "I do look forward to meeting everyone. Of course, Claryse, we may tour all of the orphanages." He nodded with a smile, admiring her kind heart once again and rubbing her arm softly. He thought on the hill looking out over Blackwater Bay and smiled softly, imagining himself spending time there with his betrothed, perhaps at sunlight. "When is the best time to visit the hill?"


Robb found himself wanting to stroke her hair once again, something he became more comfortable with, as they grew closer over the past several weeks. Seeing as they were alone, he gently raised his hand to her thick, dark hair and softly ran his hands through it while he looked out at the road ahead.


"May I see the Iron Throne? I have heard it was forged from one thousand swords surrendered to Aegon in the War of Conquest. I fear this number might be a fool's tale."

 

[Sansa Stark]

"The best time to visit the hill is at sunset. The entire bay sparkles like peridots and diamonds and rubies, as far as the water extends. It's absolutely beautiful." Claryse smiled at him as he touched her hair, wishing she could kiss him, but she didn't want to cross the honor of a Stark. They did promise to respect each other after all, and she thought it might have been a bit early to discuss what was alright and what wasn't, especially when the wedding was days away.


"The Iron Throne...hmm, I've never actually counted the swords, but it seems much less than a thousand. It's a fearsome thing really, and terribly uncomfortable. My father and I used to joke about how the Mad King went mad because if the pain of sitting on his throne." She gave a small chuckle and rested her hands on his chest, toying with the laces on his tunic just for something to busy her hands with. "You look so much different without the furs, you know."

 

[Akeira]

"Then perhaps we shall visit the hill at sunset?" He suggested, smiling at her lovely words and picturing the bay sparkling like diamonds as Claryse described. "It could be a perfect way to end our evening together." Robb continued , wondering if she would be alright with the suggestion. As a Stark, Robb was accustomed to being reserved around others, particularly women whom were not of his House. With Claryse, however, the need to reserve his true emotions was fading quickly, as he found himself becoming more and more comfortable in her presence.


Robb gulped slightly when the princess mentioned that the Iron Throne was more fearsome than anything else. A strange object, the young lord had a fascination to see it at least once, a life accomplishment perhaps. "Does your father enjoy sitting on the throne?" He asked suddenly, biting his tongue seconds later in fearing the question was entirely inappropriate. "Forgive me, I do not mean that without respect, but I merely meant in terms of it being comfortable to rest on throughout the day." He continued, trying to clear up his words.


He found himself smiling softly when he looked down to see Claryse's polished hands toying with the laces of his tunic. Stepping a bit closer to her, he watched her hands twirl back and forth before looking back up at her. His bright blue eyes caught her Lannister green eyes, staring at her for a few moments and nodding in understanding her statement. "I hope it is different in a way you find favorable. Unless you prefer my furs." He admitted.

 

[Sansa Stark]

"Both ways are favorable," Claryse chuckled as she stroked Robb's cheek with her thumb. His stubble was beginning to grow after having been on the road for nearly a month, but she liked it. Facial hair like his pleased the princess greatly. It complimented his strong jaw and cheekbones, and his soft eyes which contrasted the rest of his face.


Gods, how handsome he is.


It wasn't long before the noises of city life reached her ears, and Claryse knew exactly where they were. It was late in the day which meant the people of King's Landing were busy cleaning up their shops, preparing for sunset and the end of yet another day, and all of them cleared as the royal party began to make it's way down the streets. In a sudden change of her mind, Claryse ordered the carriage to stop and opened the door, turning to her intended with a playful grin.


"Shall we go to the hill now, then?"

 

[Akeira]

"I am glad you think so, Claryse," Robb chuckled, smiling softly and touching her hand slightly when she stroked his cheek. Though he had no such contact in the past besides what his mother gave when he had a smudge on his cheek, he quite liked the touch of his betrothed. A thought that passed through his mind is the gratitude that she was not too particular about what he wore or how he looked. Though it seemed she took a liking to his facial hair, Robb knew that he could change his appearance slightly, and she would still find him favorable.


The feeling was returned, as Robb found her positively lovely. Very lovely indeed.


The young Lord of Winterfell waited while his intended ordered the carriage to stop, raising an eyebrow in curiosity when she opened the door. He smirked softly and nodded in response to her question, glancing out the door to see the sun beginning to set in the sky. "I believe that is a brilliant idea." He murmured, stepping out of the carriage first and extending his hand to hers to help her down. "Shall we walk there?" He asked, wanting to enjoy King's Landing with his bride-to-be, something he thought they would both enjoy on this lovely evening.

 

[Sansa Stark]

When Robb offered his arm to the princess, she took it without a single second of hesitation. The gathering crowd looked on in admiration and inspiration as they offered gestures of goodwill and joy towards the intended couple. News had spread fast it seemed, and though Claryse was always popular among the masses of King's Landing, such appreciation for the strange Northmen warmed the girl's heart. They accepted her future husband because she loved him so. She felt confident the Starks would find no problems here.


The path was cleared for them as they ascended the stairs to the tall hill and continued to greet this person and that, small introductions and brief conversations dotting through the end of their day. As the couple reached the peak of where Claryse wanted to go, she let go of Robb and situated herself on the grass just as the sun was beginning to set, patting the ground beside her.


"Sit with me?" she asked, smiling up at him. The guards had turned their backs to the betrothed teens to offer them privacy, which she much appreciated.

 

[Akeira]

The young lord's heart warmed when the princess took his arm without a hesitation, helping her down from the carriage, as a crowd began to form around them. He smiled at Claryse then the people of King's Landing, chuckling softly and enjoying their welcoming gestures of fellowship toward the couple. A Northern man, he was surprised, yet elated, that these people welcomed him so into their community after short knowledge of his betrothal to the lovely princess. Robb admired their strength, particularly their love for Claryse, as it was very evident that they loved their princess, as he did the same.


When the pair reached the peak of the hill, Robb smiled softly when she let go of his hand and watched her sit in the grass. Patting the ground beside her, he chuckled gently and nodded, walking forward and sinking to the ground beside her. "Of course, my princess." He murmured to her softly with a smile, resting beside her and looking out at the bay. "It is truly inspirational how much they adore you." He voiced moments later, looking over at the princess with a smile.

 

[Sansa Stark]

His princess. Though she wasn't his yet in titles or names or in the eyes of the gods, her heart belonged to his, and his to her. She smiled and wondered what other names they would begin to call each other as husbands and wives were ought to do.


"Look familiar, does it?" she chuckled. "I'm no fool, Robb. The entirety of the North admires you and your father. Tales of such loyalty reached here long before our engagement. I simply think a lot of them are happy to see me off to such a noble, honorable family. Much unlike what my mother wanted."





Claryse smiled and curled her hair behind her ear as she looked out on the bay once again, drinking it in and committing it to her memory. When she and Robb were wed, would the princess see such a view again from atop her special hill?

 

[Akeira]

He chuckled at her words and shrugged lightly beneath his tunic, resting beside her and looking over at the princess. "I will admit that my father is greatly admired in the North for his loyalty to both his men and the crown here in King's Landing. I truly wish to live up to his expectations, and be a good man like him." Robb admitted with a soft smile, looking out into the bay and thinking it was as beautiful as the young woman sitting beside him. "I am sure the people of the North are elated that I am to marry not only into a prestigious House, but to a woman known for her grace and kindness, among others."


When Claryse smiled, Robb looked over to her and gently watched her curl her hair behind her ear, drinking in its richness and beauty. He observed her overlooking the bay, seeing how much she enjoyed its beauty hue at sunset. "When we are wed, I know we will not be able to visit often, though I promise we shall come to King's Landing when we can." He murmured to her. "I'm sure you will want to see your father and siblings...perhaps even your mother on occasion."

 

[Sansa Stark]

Robb had such a way with words, a way with her emotions, mixing both to comfort her when she had yet to voice her concerns. She beamed and sat up from her position beside him, sitting on her knees as she faced her intended with a bright smile.


"When we're wed, we'll flee the Capital and the Lannisters and their rules and ride for the North. We'll get to Winterfell and have a large feast to greet us, we'll sleep by warm fires, we'll play with Bran and Rickon, maybe visit your brother up at the Wall. You can teach me how to shoot an arrow. We'll listen to all the needs of our people and help them accordingly. I can sew with your mother. Perhaps we could travel to other cities in the North as well, to befriend your bannermen and form stronger friendships." She giggled a bit at her little rant. "...and we'll bring honor to your mother and father, to your House. We'll be happy, Robb. I know it."

 

[Akeira]

Robb looked at her in admiration, nodding as she ranted and chuckling in pleasure. He found it enjoyable to hear her promises, knowing that they would be fulfilled once they were wed. He beamed down at her , letting her go on and smirked at the mention of teaching her to shoot an arrow. "I would have taught you whilst we were still at Winterfell, but unfortunately, we ran out of time before setting out on the King's Road." He sighed with a smirk, knowing there would be much time to do so in the future.


He smiled at the mention of forming stronger friendships with their bannermen, nodding softly and knowing that these relationships were fading away at the moment. "Bringing honor to my mother and father, to my House... It is all I can ever ask for." He admitted with a small smile, looking down at her while the fading sun hit her in a way that made her appear even more beautiful. "That and to bring honor to you, Claryse. I do believe, as you say, that we will be very happy together."

 

[Sansa Stark]

Claryse gave Robb the fondest of smiles, content just to keep eye contact with him as the sun set. She knew the guards would want them to leave soon enough, to head for the Red Keep and await the arrival of their families in the morning.


"Come on," she told him with a grin, pushing herself to her feet and offering a hand to her dear Robb. "Tomorrow before our parents arrive, I hope that maybe I can introduce you to my brother. He's a bastard too, like Jon. But I love him dearly and hope you'll like him as well. Maybe I can convince him to come to Winterfell with us..."

 

[Akeira]

Robb could not help but smile in return when Claryse smiled at him. Her joy brought him the same, something that he was beginning to realize more with each passing day. Though he knew they could not stay at both the bay and King's Landing for many days, the heir to Winterfell never took a moment with his betrothed for granted, despite knowing that that they would be spending the rest of their hopefully long lives together.


He chuckled when she got up, taking the princess' hand and rising as well. Standing beside her, he looked at the sunset over the bay before glancing down at the beautiful woman beside him. "I would be delighted to meet your brother, Claryse. Though a bastard, Jon can be brilliant." He said, surprising himself somewhat in speaking so highly of his brother. "I'm sure I will like him, if he is any bit as lovely as you are. Perhaps speaking with both of us will convince him to join us in Winterfell." He suggested with a raised eyebrow.

 

[Sansa Stark]

Claryse was relieved to know that he would still encourage Gendry coming with them, despite his bastard status. "Really?" she giggled. "Oh, I would love that Robb. He is a wonderful smith, and can work a blade better than anyone I've ever met. He's a good man, too. You'll like him."


The sun was beginning to dip low and disappear behind the crests of mountains and sea. The princess laced her fingers with her betrothed's and walked with him down the hill, away from the romantic scene.


"Come. I'm sure you're tired, I know I am. Tomorrow will be a very busy day, and I don't fancy being exhausted through all of it."


And the day after, we wed.

 

[Akeira]

The sun rose gracefully into the sky on the morning of the royal wedding. In the city of King's Landing, much of the people were bustling, eager to be introduced to the newlywed couple after the ceremony. It would be a grand day, containing the breakfast, the ceremony itself, the wedding feast, and the consummation in the night. In the Red Keep itself, many of the servants were moving hastily throughout the halls, making sure everything was prepared for the union between Princess Claryse Baratheon and Lord Robb Stark.


The latter rose early in the morning, blinking his bright blue eyes and glancing around at his large chambers. A look of confusion marked his face for a few moments, though realization soon hit, and a smile crossed his face. I will be wed today. He thought to himself with a reserved grin, thinking that beginning this evening, he would spend the rest of his days with the beautiful princess. He internally thanked the gods, knowing that he was blessed with a betrothal to a young woman he truly cared about, rather than a far off lady.


The young lord was drawn from his thoughts moments later upon hearing a knock at the door. He raised an eyebrow, wondering whom would be knocking at this hour. Considering who was awake, it must have been a matter of importance. "Come in." He said with authority, fixing his clothing and turning to face the large door, as it opened.


A female servant entered and bowed softly, glancing in the direction of the lord and avoiding eye contact. "Forgive me for disturbing you at this hour, my lord, but I was told to inform you that the breakfast will be held in the Queen's Ballroom." She stated with a shy expression.


Robb grinned slightly in return, nodding and looking at her for a few moments. "Thank you. You may go." He said gently, to which she responded with a nod before exiting his chambers the way she came. When the door closed, he sighed, knowing it might be hours before he could see his lovely bride.

 

[Sansa Stark]

There had to be some weakness to this Robb Stark. There had to be.


When the female servant entered the Queen's chambers and told her of Robb's innocence, that the gentle lord had made no lustful look in her direction or advance towards her virtue, Cersei was bereft to hide her disdain. Ned Stark was asking too many questions. Catelyn was too concerned with making the princess comfortable so far from her mother and, gods forbid, Robb appeared to actually love Claryse. Nothing could be more threatening. Though the queen held little affection for her only true-born child, love was a curse that would only lead her to an early grave if the Mother Above was merciful. Marrying her off to the Starks was a decision made by a blind, drunken fool as far as Cersei was concerned, but she knew she was powerless to stop it now. The assassin she had hired to smother Robb Stark in his sleep was caught by the Hound--the dog seemed to have a soft spot for the Lady Sansa, and wanted to see the future queen's brother protected--and was slaughtered at the door. Thankfully she as able to silence the dog before he spoke to the Starks about the attempt on their eldest's life, but she would rather swallow poison than sit at a table with the Northerners and call them family.


The queen had to act, had to claw for some sense in her daughter's brain before it was too late. She left her chambers shortly after receiving the report from her spy and rapped softly at Claryse's door.


"Come in," came the happy voice from the other side.


As the heavy door swung open, Cersei's eyes were greeted by several handmaidens fussing over her daughter's wedding gown, along with Sansa Stark, who appeared to be fixing Claryse's hair. "My brother loves long curly hair," she told the princess excitedly, "but not as much as he loves you. At least, I think so."


"Do you really? Oh Sansa, he's so handsome and kind and gentle, I've really been blessed to be integrated into your wonderful family. I can't wait to finally be--oh!" Claryse's face flushed a bit as she noticed her mother in the doorway, and when Sansa came to the same realization the girl bowed low to her queen. "Your Grace," she said with a smile. "I was just helping Princess Claryse get ready."


"So I see, sweetling." Cersei gave the smallest, most falsified smiles, but she knew the Stark girl would fall for it. "Would you all mind giving me a moment alone with my daughter? Simply wait outside, she'll need you again when I'm finished."


"Of course, Your Grace." Everyone who was not Claryse Baratheon exited the chambers, leaving mother and daughter alone.


"Do you like it, mother?" The princess looked down at her dress, the colors of her house, black and gold with embroidered crystals the color of rubies outlining the shape of lions along the skirt while the stag of Baratheon wrapped around her torso. Jet-black curls bounced and reached to the base of her spine, half-up in an elaborate bun and dotted with golden gems. The only thing missing was a little tiara, resting on the table beside her. Even her face was painted, eyelashes extended, thick and black, her skin an even tone. She looked the spitting image of her mother had she been born with black hair and gifted with a much kinder demeanor. Cersei almost envied her.


"Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful." The queen smiled and approached her daughter, gently grabbing her wrists and holding them out to better view the dress. "Fur on your sleeves," she chuckled, "how appropriate. You'll be wearing a lot of that in the North. Come. Step off that stool, I have a gift for you."


"A gift?"


"Mm. Can't a mother give her daughter a gift on her wedding day?" Cersie read the plain confusion on Claryse's pretty face, but said nothing of it. She turned to the girl's closet and pulled from it her maiden cloak, half black, half red, with gold filigree creating the stag and the lion on the left and right side, respectively. It draped across the floor when she placed it over the princess's shoulders and stepped back to take her in.


"Oh, Claryse. You are stunning. If Robb Stark doesn't fall on his knees and weep when you walk through the doors of the Great Sept, he's as much as fool as any."


The young girl laughed. "I hope he doesn't. I would feel terrible to embarrass him so. Thank you for the gift, it's lovely." A maiden cloak was necessary on a girl's wedding day, but Cersei had designed it specifically, which made it as much a gift as she was capable of.


"Indeed." Cersei noticed a necklace around her daughter's neck of onyx, parading a roaring direwolf in place of lion upon her chest. "Who gave you that?"


"Lord Stark," she replied, "erm. The Hand, Lord Eddard. Uncle Jaime gave me that tiara this morning, and uncle Tyrion said my gift has to wait until after the ceremony. I wonder what it could be, he always has the best gifts."


Cersei tried not to make a negative comment. It was difficult. "Mm. Well. All of them pale in comparison to you, sweetling. You're ready. I'll let Sansa and the maids complete their finishing touches, and then I suppose I'll see you in the Great Sept."


No hug, no well wishes, the queen simply left. It was hard to admit the affections she had for her eldest child. Cersei loved her children, that was her one redeeming quality, but Claryse did not come from the man she loved and as such the queen had trouble connecting with her. She was always Robert's favorite, after all. Cersei felt Joffrey's cruelty was due to his father's preference for his sister. But though she had originally entered Claryse's chambers to ask her to rethink her decision to marry Robb Stark, to plant a cruel seed in the young woman's mind, it simply couldn't be done. The princess had an opportunity Cersei never had--to marry the man she loved, and who loved her in return. Such rarity could not be spoiled, even by Cersei, for the sake of her first-born.


When the queen entered the Great Sept and took her place, she put on a false smile to greet the Stark family and await the entrance of her son-in-law, hoping no one had noticed the tear that had fallen.

 

[Akeira]

Today is a grand day.


Eddard Stark sat in his own chambers, satisfied and secretly thanking the gods for this day. Though reserved on most occasions, he felt blessed that his eldest son would be able to marry a woman he seemed to care for, perhaps even loved. Sitting in a grand chair in the middle room of the chambers, he scribbled a quick note to his family still in Winterfell, promising to write once more after the day's activities. The ravens would have it there in no time, as he was sure that little Bran and Rickon were most anxious to see what was occurring in the grand King's Landing of Westeros.


After finishing the letter, he pocketed in his light tunic, sauntering across the room and out of the chambers. Once in the corridor, a sly smile crossed his face, as he saw many servants hard at work for the wedding at noon. He had been informed earlier that morning by a servant that breakfast would be served in the Queen's Ballroom, knowing that it would just be the men for the time being. King Robert Baratheon would be boisterous as always, though Ned truly welcomed it for once. Though it was still early, the Hand of the King made his way toward the ballroom, stopping at his eldest son's chambers along the way.


The said son, Robb Stark, paced around his chambers, thinking on the wedding once more and the ceremony to take place after the feast. Seemingly confident, part of him could not help but be nervous. His love for Claryse was in full bloom, wanting to please her as best as he could. He wanted to show her all that he had to offer, including bringing her happiness and a long, full life together. He only hoped that years from now, he would be successful in his tasks. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a knock on the door, clearing his throat and standing tall, as his bright blue eyes focused on the large oak. "You may enter." He breathed out slowly.


The young lord was surprised to see his father swagger into the room, thinking that he would not see him outside of the ballroom meal. "Father." He remarked with a slight smile, nodding his head to him and waiting to see his purpose.


"The gods have blessed our family with this day." Ned began, proceeding further into the room and eyeing his son carefully. Dressed in rich onyx clothing from head to toe, Robb wore a long, black cloak to symbolize House Stark. "I am sure your mother's heart aches to miss it." He continued slowly with a sigh, as it was obvious that he was missing his dear Catelyn. "I wish you and Claryse many happy days together." He breathed out, a flicker of emotion appearing in his dark eyes. For a moment, he thought on Claryse's happiness when he had presented her with the onyx necklace, seeing the true joy in her eyes to be joining their family. He simply cleared his throat moments later, stepping back and crossing his wrists behind his back. "Come, the breakfast will be served soon."


Robb simply nodded in response, taking in his father's words and letting a small smile cross his lips. "Yes, father." He replied, moving after the elder man toward the large door of the chambers. Just as they were about the exit, Ned turned around and faced his eldest. "I should advise you to keep an eye on the Lannisters." He stated vaguely, gazing at his son for a moment before opening the large door and continuing into the corridor. He let on nothing more, as the Hand of the King was still trying to gather information about the poisonous family.


Eddard Stark reasoned that his son would be confused, however, all would be revealed in due time. For now, he simply kept his distance, waiting for the proper moment to continue his quest for the truth. After the grand breakfast, the Hand of the King arrived with the processional at the Great Sept, casting the supposed evil of House Lannister to the back of his mind. Exiting the carriage with his daughters, he proceeded up the grand steps and into the holy place. These thoughts, however, lingered for another moment when he entered, making his way to his place near the altar and letting his eyes rest upon the Queen.


"Your Grace." He said stoically to Cersei Lannister, nodding to her out of duty, rather than respect. Awaiting her response, Ned turned his eyes toward the entrance of the Sept, smiling when his son made his way toward the altar. Robb Stark entered the Great Sept, nodding to the many people gathered in the grand hall. There he stood, his arms hanging reverently at his sides, head turned toward the door, as he awaiting the arrival of his beloved.

 

[Sansa Stark]

"Lord Stark!" came voices from the crowd, offering greetings and well wishes and tidings to the young Warden of the North. King's Landing admired their beloved princess--the Jewel of the South, they called her--but to see the girl so happily wed brought a kind joy that made Cersei sick. The poor shouldn't smile as far as she was concerned, nor the lords or ladies of the court. She wished it was all a facade, but there was a joy that was uncrushable throughout the wedding guests and the city as a whole. The queen would give anything to see this day over with.


"You look very handsome," she told both Stark lords, Hand and Warden. "I won't have to pray for beauty for my grandchildren, that much is certain. Though one can only hope they don't die in the cold." Her eyes flashed up to Ned in particular. "Strange, how often I've heard that happens."


Arya didn't like the queen's tone. "I'm not dead," she said bluntly. "Neither are my brothers or my sister. Six of us, and we all grew up happy and healthy, even my brother Jon. Babies don't die in the North because of the cold."


The queen looked spitefully down at the small girl, an animal in her eyes, and wished to make a reply but was cut short by the sound of trumpets. The crowd turned towards the doors of the Great Sept and watched as the swung open dramatically. Only silhouettes in the light of the sun, King Robert and Princess Claryse stood atop the steps, very slowly beginning their descent.


From close-up, one could see the king fighting tears.