[Musebox] - An Arranged Marriage

[thekittenqueen]

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.]

Comments

[wolfhead]

[ Robb simply doesn't it have it in him to be extensively political. It goes against his whole education. Unfortunately, that's what landed his father in trouble and will likely get him in trouble if he's not careful. Although so far he's actually managed without getting himself horrible murdered. That's all the furthest thing from his mind right now, though. His attention is all on Margaery at the moment. Despite the initial awkwardness, they're managing to warm up to one another (or at least he feels like they are).

That's certainly better than the alternative. His fingers have stopped drumming against the armrest now, but he still only has eyes for her for the moment. A smile ghosts across his features and he shakes his head. ]

Not disappointed. A bit stunned, perhaps. But not disappointed. It's just... We've moved very quickly and I'm still getting used to the idea.

[thekittenqueen]

[It's a relief to hear. While she didn't doubt that he wasn't displeased by the marriage or her, she hadn't been sure whether or not he was going to warm to her. Their lives and upbringings were different, possibly making them incompatible...only if they were unwilling to work for something more substantial.

The way he looked at her and the gentleness of his words, they were at least reassuring. She met his gaze warmly, turning away from the rest of the festivities and attendants. The noise disappeared and all she could see was him.]

We have and it meant that we haven't had the time to talk or get to know each other. [Then there was what was left to do that night. She hadn't considered that yet.] I want to make you happy.

[wolfhead]

[ Yes, there is that traditional wedding night event that's supposed to be coming relatively soon. He hasn't thought too much about it yet, but given time, he'll have to start considering it with a bit more immediacy.

Her response makes his gaze sharpen. That was not what he expected to hear. ]

That... I didn't expect to hear that from you, but... I- Thank you.

[ He's obviously a touch baffled by the response. It's not what he expected out of an arranged marriage. At least not at first. ]

I... would like you to be happy as well. I don't want this to be a prison for you.

[thekittenqueen]

[She wrinkled her nose in amusement. His response caught her off guard, as though there was any surprise that she would want them to be happy. Their lives were bound together, how could she want anything else? Her children would be his, their lives were linked now and her fate rested on his success.

What he felt mattered as much as what she felt.]

You didn't? I may be a lot of things, your gr- Robb, but I think I can be a good wife.

[She might not be the same as his mother, but her loyalty was ensured. She had never betrayed a husband, even Joffery.]

If you allow me, I could show you that I'm more than a product of King's Landing. I am just as much a woman as I am a courtier.

[wolfhead]

[ Well, that particular turn of phrase makes his ears burn just a touch. He coughs to clear his throat and glances out over the hall before he returns his gaze to her, a slightly sheepish smile on his lips. ]

And how do you plan on doing that? If I am allowed to ask.

[ This is the most comfortable he's felt in her presence since their first conversation. He's not sure why. Perhaps it's simply because she seems so genuine. ]

[thekittenqueen]

[She hadn't intended it to come out that way, but in seeing his reaction, she realized how it had sounded. Her face heated, not helped by his question or the intensity of his eyes. He would not be her first lover, yet she felt inexperienced and shy whenever the hint of the bedding came into her head.

If she were going to fall back on old habits, she would follow the path and seduce him, as she had other men. She wanted to be genuine, to let him see a bit more of her private side.]

In the ways that a woman can bring her husband happiness. [Beyond the obvious.] I would ease your mind with conversation, sit with you when you are ill, bear your children, share your troubles...

...and of course, share your bed.

[wolfhead]

I... would welcome that.

[ He's only a tiny bit choked up. He's not a blushing maiden after all. He knows what's expected. No, what's more important is that she's making this offer and that it seems entirely genuine. She seems to want to make this work. That's so much more then he was expecting. ]

And I would like to be a good husband to you. However I can be.

[thekittenqueen]

[What mattered more was that he stay alive. She couldn't lose another husband, especially one that she respected as much as she was learning to respect Robb. He was good in a way that none of the others had been and she knew that there could come a time when something deep and meaningful existed between them. It needed time and she didn't want to be deprived of the chance.]

I believe you will be.

[He needed to hear how much she trusted him and how much faith she was willing to place in him.

The noise of the room was starting to filter back into her senses. It was loud and heated, the wine long ago gone to the heads of those gathered. They would be celebrating long after Robb and Margaery retired...which should be soon.]

Tell me you don't want to have the bedding ceremony? [She'd rather not be manhandled and stripped on her way to the bedroom.]

[wolfhead]

[ Hearing that she trusts him is a bit of a relief. Even if it's a white lie, it helps me sit a bit easier. He doesn't want a marriage full of bitterness and recriminations. That would make his life much harder and make him a deeply unhappy man. He offers her a smile, about to comment on something else when she asks a question about the bedding ceremony. At first, he laughs. ]

It is tradition.

[ And then he notes that she doesn't seem that thrilled by it. ]

But if you'd rather not...

[thekittenqueen]

[Wasn't she the one to tell him that they didn't get to make private decisions? This wasn't a marriage between a man and woman. It was a political marriage between two noble houses. If they didn't follow tradition and let others see them to bed, there could be questions later about whether or not the marriage was consummated.

She glanced across the room, hesitant to let the bannermen paw at her. However, it seemed wrong to begin their night with a break of tradition, almost as though it were inviting bad luck.]

It would disappoint everyone if we didn't...[she smiled at him, returning to the amusement from before.] My handmaidens would never forgive me for denying them the fun.

[wolfhead]

[ Robb hates to make her uncomfortable on their wedding night, but they might not be able to avoid it. Either of them. It's a new experience and he's just as nervous about what's meant to happen as she is. Possibly moreso. He shifts his weight in his chair and settles his chin in his hand again, frowning. ]

I suppose not-

[ Wait, that was a joke. He catches himself and blinks sheepishly. ]

I wonder when they actually plan on carting us off.

[ Probably soon. ]

[thekittenqueen]

[She could see the men starting to eye them, knowing that their minds were working towards the same inevitability. There was nothing left to do in the feast and the men were growing restless. They would want a bit of fun before they continued the drinking without their King's presence.]

Soon, I suspect. [She offered him a brave smile, feeling a bit stronger with the knowledge that this was what was best.] I suppose they could use an indication.

[Pushing back her chair, Margaery rose to her feet. The hall seemed to fall silent as they looked towards her, curious to what she might say or do. With a bright grin, she removed the cloak from her shoulders and held her hand out to Robb.]

[wolfhead]

Ah. Yes. An indication would help.

[ Robb's a bit slower to move, but he does move. He stands and shrugs his cloak off as well, taking Margaery's hand with a smile that isn't entirely forced for the benefit of the feasting hall. He feels like he ought to wave or something, but he represses that notion, because this is really as much of a sign as everyone else needs and there's suddenly a very rowdy crowd moving toward them, cheering and apparently having a fantastic time of it. ]

Here we go... [ Rob has a chance to murmur before he he's surrounded by laughing (and leering, in some cases) women, who are doing an excellent job of stripping him out of his clothing. ]

[thekittenqueen]

[She has but a moment to feel singular solidarity before both she and Robb are pulled away from each other. Her cousins were giggling loudly, saying all of the things to Robb that had likely been lurking in their minds. 'How handsome he is!' 'Questions about the wolf lurking in his cage' and other suggestive comments meant to be exchanged during the night. It was only shocking to hear her maiden cousins know how to make him (and Margaery) blush.

It was the Umbers that had managed to surround her more closely. With a loud cheer, they lifted Margaery on their shoulders and began to tug at her gown. Fixing a pleasant smile to her face, she laughed at the jests that they made. The usual comments of 'inspecting the beauty that lies beneath the skirts', 'verifying her modesty for their king', 'readying a maiden for the wolf to feast on.'

She could see Loras among the company, his hand reaching out for her, but failing to get close enough. With shouts and laughter, her bodice was tossed behind her, falling in the path way of Robb and the women.

Suddenly it became a game. Her ladies and his men, pulling articles of clothing from Robb and Margaery, throwing them towards the bride and groom, seeing if they would catch the wedding clothes. Her skirts were next to fly, followed by her stockings.

Once they reached the bedchamber, she was in her small clothes, shivering from the draft and the feeling of eyes lingering on her. With a quick hop, she darted into the bed, sparing herself from being deposited by an Umber or another bannerman.]

[wolfhead]

[ Honestly, Robb is flushed a bright red almost the entire time. He thought he was prepared for this, but Margaery's cousins and the other attendants and hangers-ons had quite the vocabulary on them. Their innuendo isn't any less creative, although they also can't hoist him onto their shoulders either. He glimpses Sansa through the crowd at one point and his mother (his mother, that's awkward) and then they're tossing his jerkin and then his shirt. Somehow his boots get hurled into the air as well and in a few minutes he's being whirled away in his small-clothes, dumbly clutching onto a solitary stocking that he managed to catch.

He's unceremoniously shoved into their chamber (not really is, his real home is miles and miles away) and then bannermen and maids files out with a few more raucous comments (and even a few mock howls). The door is closed quite firmly and they're left alone. His head is still whirling and it takes him a moment to recover, even if his face still feels like it's on fire. After a moment to get his head clear, he walks over to the bed, rubbing at the gooseflesh that's popping up on his arms. He tugs the blankets up and slips under them with a little laugh. ]

Well, that could've gone worse. I didn't realize that your cousins had such a wide vocabulary...

[thekittenqueen]

[She bursts into laughter, covering her face with her hands as her embarrassment raced through her. Her cheeks were red and burning beneath her fingers, heating her entire form.]

I had no idea they were capable of that sort of language! [Though given the way they had been looking at Robb since his arrival, it shouldn't have been so shocking. Her ladies were all young and unmarried. Their imaginations likely wandered.]

The Umbers are rather enthusiastic.

[With the door shut, and the other guests away, Margaery pulled from bed to pour them both a glass of wine. They would need a bit more courage for all they had to do, and for all they had just gone through.]

They at least have a fire for us. We don't need to freeze through the night.

[wolfhead]

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.

[thekittenqueen]

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.]

[wolfhead]

[ 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. ]

[thekittenqueen]

[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.

[wolfhead]

[ 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. ]

[thekittenqueen]

[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?

[wolfhead]

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.

[thekittenqueen]

[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.

[wolfhead]

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.