The Snow Keep

They cheered as the wedding processional passed through the Outer Ward. Cheered. Not for him, he knew, but for her. Their Lady, his wife. What was it about this little creature, he wondered. How did she win your heart without effort? With a look, a smile? She had charmed him, that was certain. He half wondered if she had some kind of magic about her. Not that he believed in such things, but still... he could not deny that she caused him to feel something strange and different, something damn near unsettling. This topic had occupied his thoughts since he first discovered her in the Godswood. He puzzled over it once more as he carried her toward the Hall of the Hundred Hearths. Perched in the crook of his arm, wrapped in his cloak, her arm around his neck, she was smiling. She was fragile, delicate, and that made him want to protect her, somehow. And yet, she was brave. Perhaps the bravest girl he'd ever encountered. In fact, he'd never before met a female who hadn't been a...

She lay curled on her side and watched him rest. He reclined in the big chair by the fire, long legs stretched out in front of him, eyes closed. After a while, he began to snore softly. His face, softened by sleep looked quite handsome, in a rough sort of way. He was not frowning and he looked almost peaceful in the firelight. Before long, her eyes grew heavy and sleep took her too. When she awoke, he was gone and Septa Rohanne sat by the fire. "You're awake then, my dear?" she said when she noticed Melicent begin to stir. She set down her needlework and came to stand beside the bed. "Your betrothed summoned me this morning. You must not see him today, not until the ceremony, but said he did not want you to be left alone." She looked at Melicent solemnly. "Luthor says your Lord spent the early hours in your bedchamber. Did he... use you? Last night?" Melicent sat up and shook her head. "No, he... kissed me. That is all." The Septa frow...