thekittenqueen | [Musebox] - An Arranged Marriage

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musebox,
wolf king

[Musebox] - An Arranged Marriage

Set after this.

[Somehow Robb had defied her expectations and kept his word about the marriage. Despite what his council had said and his mother had feared, he had pressed on with the alliance. Strangely, it was the people that seemed to rejoice publicly once the news had leaked (though the source was never found.) She'd always been loved and admired by the populace, but it was the first time that it had been displayed before the Starks.

It was comforting, showing that she had value...beyond financially.

The Tyrells were naturally pleased at the match, offering more than a generous dowry. Harvests, money and men were given to the Starks, a small price compared to their sudden rise in favor.

Margaery had accepted it all in silence, coming whenever summoned by Robb and offered him a gentle ear and pleasant conversation. Despite the time they passed together, they had not yet breached the walls raised between them. They were unfamiliar to each other, strangers, yet soon they would wed. Sooner than they had imagined.

When the day actually arrived, Margaery felt out of sorts, lost in a daze. Once more she was placing her head on the block. She was going to be a queen again, facing discord and suspicion once again. As she approached the godswood, she found herself wondering about the man that Robb Stark truly was. She had seen the King and the shadow of his father, but who was the man? Who was he going to be when they were alone in his rooms?

She looked calm and collected, but inside, she was apprehensive and uncertain. Everything was out of her control...him and their marriage. She never had lost control before, but somehow, it was wrestled away from her.]

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Thoughtful of them. Be a bit awkward, wouldn't it, if the king and his newlywed froze to death on their wedding night?

[ He can't really think of this as 'freezing' though. It's far too mild for that. Not even any frost on the windows. He sits upright in bed and breathes out, trying to force the awkwardness and embarrassment away. His eyes track her movement and - for just a moment - take in her form.

She's certainly beautiful. He can't doubt that. ]

And the Umbers - well. They're a bit rougher around the edges, even compared to some other northerners. But they're good men. Loyal, too.

I think it was a decision made before the celebrations. I suspect that, had they brought us here during the bedding ceremony, they would have left it out and told us to warm ourselves.

[That seemed to be the implications some had given. When she would go North, she would need her husband to warm her.

Without the layers of her gowns and robes, with all the trinkets that made up a queenly appearance, she was left with nothing but her form to display. She was shapely and beautiful, something that she had grown up knowing. Strange to think that this was the first time that she had a husband that would be able to admire her features.

It was also her first true wedding night. Joffery died before theirs and Renly shared his wedding night with Loras. It would be the first time that a man warmed her bed since High Garden.

She offered him the goblet of wine, sitting on the edge of the bed beside him.]

I never had a bedding ceremony before. [It was a small admission, but one meant for him alone. Part of her hoped he'd be surprised and pleased. Whatever she did in her girlhood, he was the first husband to truly have her like this.]

[ Robb accepts the goblet with a grateful nod. He's also trying to keep his gaze semi-respectful, despite the fact that this is his wife. He's not a lech and despite being married, this still feels a bit more like a friendly chat. Despite his newly-wed wife (and him) being down to not much more than their bare skin. For all that, he keeps his eyes on her face. At least for now.

He takes a long, slow sip, considering. He's... well. He's going to have to admit this at some point, so he may as well get it out now. ]

I... I've never had one either. Or, well, bedded anyone.

[ His gaze drops away and he shifts his weight, feeling incredibly awkward. Like a small child. ]

[Her head whirled around to look at him, shock written across her face. While she knew he had never been married, she had at least assumed that he had bedded a woman. There were so few men that hadn't when they were younger, especially lords.

Though perhaps it shouldn't have been a shock. His father was known to be an honorable man. Despite having a bastard, he likely would press his son to follow his strict moral code.

She honestly didn't know what to say to any of that.]

Not for lack of interest, I imagine.

[ Robb coughs. This is not the conversation he anticipated having in this room tonight. He's been too busy dealing with the war and trying to be a king to bother with bedding a woman. It just hasn't been important. Nor has he had the opportunity. ]

Certainly not, I just - I've had other priorities.

[ He sounds stiff. Not in the entertaining way, either. ]

[She had never met a man that would admit to virginity, especially one Robb's age. While it was true that he fought a war, there were a number of camp followers that were eager to ease the troubled minds of a soldier. Robb, rather than succumb like other men, maintained his focus and intent on victory. The battle mattered more.

She couldn't think of anyone who would sacrifice their own desires for the sake of their loved ones.]

You thought instead of Sansa and defeating the Lannisters. It is why you succeeded.

[She wondered if she sounded as though she were patronizing him. For all her ability to read the desires of men, she had somehow failed to discern that Robb was inexperienced. He covered it well.]

Never? Truly?

Perhaps that's why. I would like to think that more of my own skill had something to do with it.

[ It's a bit of a poor jest, but at least it makes him smile. ]

But - no. I... have not had the opportunity. Well, more like I have not taken the opportunity. Other things seemed more important.

[ He shifts his weight on the bed and takes a long, slow sip from the wine. ]

I, uh, take it that... you've seen more. So to speak.

[She flushed, immediately embarrassed by his ability to guess and recognize her knowledge of these sorts of things. Save for Renly, most men were left in the dark, enamored more with her appearance and confidence. They didn't think about how much she might know about sex.]

Life in High Garden is much different than most of Westeros. We...we're not ashamed or put off by these things.

[She looked at her hands nervously.]

I doubt that is appealing in a wife.

I... suppose I cannot complain.

[ Robb offers a slightly weak smile. It's not as if she's born a child to another man. He sets his cup of wine aside and shrugs, trying to laugh. ]

It might be better that one of us knows what they're doing. Saves at least some awkward fumbling.

[His good humor manages to coax a relieved smile from her. She hadn't intended for this secret to ever be revealed, but he managed to discover it on his own. Perhaps it was better that way? They were going into this without any deceptions. Their marriage was one based on brutal honesty, it seemed.]

It shouldn't be awkward once desire sets in.

[It would be awkward at first. He'd be confused, they'd both be trying to rouse the other. But she could picture him becoming slowly drawn in to it all and letting his body take control.

He might even enjoy it with her, she hoped.]

We could wait if you prefer?

Wait?

[ A look of alarm crosses his features and he shakes his head, jaw working. ]

I - well. I would rather not wait. We don't want rumors about our marriage. Do we?

[ That concerns him. The idea that there would be talk of a loveless marriage or a childless one. Then this would get even more complicated. He's honestly not concerned with her experience or lack thereof. It's his own that he feels awkward about, not hers. ]

No.

[It would be unwise to wait, given that this alliance held together so much. The kingdoms were dependent on the union and peace and stability would not be achieved otherwise. It put a great deal of pressure on them both. They had to bear children, to further the line of succession and make certain that a rebellion would not find any foundation or support. With Stannis still trying to earn the throne, they were on precarious ground, certainly more firm in their hold, but not enough to ignore the importance of this union.]

I can't imagine this is how you pictured your first night to be.

[She drained the rest of her wine and set aside the goblet. Pulling away from the bed, she found a bottle of her rose scented oil. Gently, she dabbed a bit behind her ears, in her hair and along her bust.

If they were to bed each other, she would at least be appealing.]

[ Robb can't help but watch the way she moves as she carefully applie little dabs of scented oil to her skin. It's strange and just a little exotic, even if it all seems so matter-of-fact. He tears his gaze away after a long moment, not wishing to be crude or to stare, and makes a little 'hmm' sound. ]

I... cannot say that it is anything like what I pictured, no. But nothing has been as I thought it would be for a very, very long time. So why wouldn't that extend to my marriage and marriage-bed?

[ He shifts to make a bit of room and after a moment, extends a hand toward her. ]

We can just sit for a moment, if you prefer.

[She feels his eyes on her and knows that he is watching her movements with interest. It doesn't trouble her. The actions are a dance in a way. A part of her wishes to be pleasing to watch, entrancing and beautiful. It would be better than being hideous and undesirable.]

It's a grim assessment, but I understand what you mean.

[She had been forced to face the prospect of bedding Joffery. She couldn't imagine it being nearly as tender or calm as this.

She accepted his offer and his hand, slipping once more into bed beside him. This would at least allow them to ease into everything, rather than try to force it right away.]

Are you cold?

[ Cold? Robb shakes his head and gives her hand a little squeeze, as if it might somehow be comforting. He's not sure why, it just seems like it's something he ought to do. ]

No, not terribly. This is rather warm compared to how it can get up north at times.

[ He laughs quietly, cracking another smile. ]

I've spent my whole time here thinking it's too warm. Even the nights.

My first year in the North will be an amusing one, I imagine. I used to say that the Tyrell blood runs hot, but I don't know how it will manage against the snow.

[She would have to adopt the style of his people, not that it would be any great hardship. She never thought she would have to wear furs, not until winter had come.

His hand felt warm against her skin, soothing away the nerves that trembled beneath the surface. He wasn't her first, but somehow it felt similar to that first time. She didn't know what to say to him exactly or how to behave. It didn't normally matter, but with Robb it did.]

There are certainly some things you enjoy about the south, aren't there?

I'm sure you'll do fine. It's not as terrible as some people make it out to be.

[ Well, it does get cold, but Winterfell is usually kept warm. Pipes in the walls and all that. His thumb traces idle circles against her hand as he considers her question. It's not a hard one to answer, but he has to hunt for an answer. Perhaps it's because his heart is starting to hammer in his chest. He's nervous. ]

It has a charm to it, I must admit. It's much greener and lush then I'm used to seeing. Although I can't say I'm usually one for looking at flowers...

[She's becoming distracted by the caress of his thumb and the way it is making her heart flutter in her chest. Instinctively, she shifts closer to him, allowing her shoulder to brush his, seeking out that warmth that he spoke of a moment ago.

Her fingers curl around his instinctively.]

You may have to grow used to it. I have been around flowers for all of my life. I always wake to the smell of perfume in my room and I spend my afternoons in the gardens. Flowers soothe me.

If you let me, I would have them about me in every room in Winterfell.

[ It's a slow, soft feeling, having her brush shoulders with him. It's a close, strangely intimate contact and he finds tht he'd like it to last a little longer. So Robb leans into her, fingers tightening against her hand, and he brushes his temple against hers. ]

We have a greenhouse. You could probably grow some flowers there. Maybe even have some in your room, if you like. I wouldn't object - it might be nice, actually.

[She's overwhelmed by the tenderness and intimacy of the moment. It's good, pleasant. Her heart flutters once more as he leans his head against hers. It had been some time since a man had shown her any interest or affection.

Perhaps never like this.]

The changes in our lives shouldn't be unpleasant. I meant what I said when I told you I want to make you happy. I think that you have lived too harsh a life. You need someone at your side who could look after you and ease this burden.

[And she wanted it to be herself.]

We could be close. I would like to be.

I think I could be happy - even if I thought that winning like this would. But-

[ He pauses and his free hand runs through his hair as he thinks. Then he shakes his head. No. He can't go that far. Not yet. ]

I think I would like that. To be close, I mean. It would - I would not want an enemy for a wife. And I wish I could say something more than that, but that's the world we live in, isn't it? We don't know. We live the lives we are allotted and we try to do our duty.

Edited 2016-10-16 01:08 (UTC)

We have to make the best of our circumstances.

[She had said something along those lines to Sansa before. At the time, Margaery had been facing her marriage to Joffery. There was little hope at happiness, save for the kind that she created herself. Her only alternative was to be miserable and that simply wasn't how Margaery preferred to live her life.

He was going to say something else, it had been on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he seemed to turn to grim acceptance.]

But what? What were you going to say?

[ His thumb is still tracing small, idle circles. He could get used to this. Having her close and pressed against him. In another time and place, he might be awkwardly, embarrassingly trying to hide arousal, but right now, he's simply oddly content to sit and talk like this.

It makes everything easier. It makes him feel comfortable.

Robb shakes his head in response to her question. ]

It was nothing. Not important.

[It created an odd sense of peace within her, feeling his hand gently caress hers. The proximity of him filled her with warmth and comfort, as though she were in a safe place and at home. After the stress of the day and the anxieties of what their life could be, this was comforting.

She leaned her head against his shoulder, taking a deep breath as she began to relax and grow comfortable so close to him. The smell of leather was still fresh on his skin, a musk that she could grow used to and learn to love.

Whatever was on his mind, it piqued her interest now.]

No, truly. Tell me.

[ Leather and wool and sweat. Horses. It's the smell that men carry with them when they ride off to war and they bring it back. It never quite fades. She, on the other hand, smells of soap and oils and flowers. That's how it is, though. Men and women have different places in this world and that's how it will always be. Right? ]

I just-

[ She's managed to convince him to open up. ]

I thought winning the war would make me happy. Make things right. But I just feel tired. Tired and more alone than ever.

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