As he pulled her close and she didn't stiffen or try to pull away, again, Gregor wondered what caused her to be so brave. His Lady wife only sighed contentedly and wrapped her arms around him, stroking his hair and pressing her body into his. "Little Doe..." He said softly, closing his eyes for a moment, he feeling the throbbing in his head lessening. "Your head, it hurts you, my Lord?" She asked,him, her voice quiet, soothing. He nodded, raising his head to look into her eyes. "Aye, it does." He answered, and her brow furrowed with concern. She caressed his face with her fingertips. Her touch was like feathers brushing against his rough beard and he sighed. Melicent leaned closer and laid tiny kisses on his forehead, then, her lips moving to his temples. Her kisses made him think of warm summer rain, falling gently, almost imperceptibly onto his skin. Gregor turned his head slightly to capture her lips with his own, and she gave a tantalizing littl
Nella's mind raced as Ser Reglas led her from the Hall of the Hundred Hearths. Shaking, heart pounding in her chest, her eyes stung with tears and she could feel her cheeks burning. How dare he? How could that horrible man treat her so badly? How dare he humiliate her in front of everyone in the Hall? He was so smug, so dismissive, so quick to write her off as some stupid, helpless woman. She would show him that it was a mistake to underestimate her. He would be sorry for treating her so badly, for hurting her sister, for everything... Steering her ahead of him up the winding stairs, Ser Reglas led her through the long halls, holding her just above the elbow, gaunleted fingers tight around her arm, but not tight enough to hurt her. Stupid man, she thought. So blindly loyal to his Lord, so proud to have been knighted by that monster. "Let go of me, I can walk on my own." She spat over her shoulder at the big man, attempting to jerk her arm away from him. Reglas chuckle
The next several days were a whirlwind of activity, yet passed excruciatingly slowly for Melicent . Wedding preparations were fully underway. Melicent thanked the Old Gods and the New that her mother was feeling well enough to take things in hand, with the help of Septa Rohanne, Maester Alaric and Ronal the Steward. Her little sister Jeyne & her cousins Sarra & Emma were a great help, being involved in planning the wedding was something they thoroughly enjoyed. Even Nella grudgingly pitched in to help. Melicent had always thought that planning her wedding would be a thrilling experience, but now she found she couldn't concentrate on the task. She just wanted the day to arrive. Each day, they all gathered in the sitting room to sew. The wedding gown needed to be cut, sewn and embellished. Gowns for the younger girls and Lady Sylva needed to be selected and altered. Menus needed planning, guest lists needed to be prepared, armour needed to be polished until it shone.