A Wolf In The Lions Den

Chapter 8

 After the couple sat down, King Robert and Queen Cersei took their seats and everyone followed. Lord Eddard walked to the middle of the room facing the main table with the couple and spoke. " I wish to toast my beautiful daughter and her new husband. I wish them both a lifetime of happiness. May the Gods bless them with healthy children and may they always have love and laughter. I remember the day my daughter came into this world moments before her twin brother. She was small but mighty. She has grown into such a beautiful lady and I know she will be a wonderful Lady of the Rock. Ser Jaime is a good man I entrust to provide and care for my daughter but also love her. And if he doesn't. The North remembers." He finished with a chuckle and raised his goblet to his daughter who was almost in tears. Everyone began to dig in on their feast. Jaime turned to his new wife admiring her, she turned to him "Is something wrong?" She asks furrowing her brow, he chuckled at the sight. "No, my dear everything is perfect." He took her hand and kissed it.
         From the table with her family, Sansa watched her sister interact with her now brother-in-law and said to Robb, "She's lucky he seems infatuated with her. Maybe it is a love match after all." Robb nodded taking a rather large sip of mead, "She's happy that is all I care about." Caitlynn was merely picking at her food as all she could think about was Brann "I'm happy for our daughter but I wish to go please Ned." He nodded and she rose from her seat quickly leaving the dining hall. Erina watched her smiling falling as she remembered her younger brother's condition. Jaime knew there was nothing he could say it wasn't until the musicians began to play music from Casterly Rock he thought of something to say.
" Would you care to dance with me?" He asked hesitating on every word but to his surprise, she nodded and quickly they made their way to the dance floor.

               After all the younger children were sent to bed and the elders retired those left made a night of merriment with music and dancing. The king and lord of Winterfell laugh loudly as they share stories from their lifetime.  Jaime engaged in humorous stories from his little brother and Erina danced with Robb and Jon. Everyone was in one room united for one night. The only person who looked mildly displeased was the queen she rose from her seat with a full goblet of wine and snuck away while everyone was distracted. It was almost two hours past midnight before the newlyweds retired. Jaime escorted his wife out of the dining hall to their now combined chambers. The door shut behind him as Erina let out a much-needed sigh. "I can not wait to be rid of this gown. I love my mother truly but this weighs more than a direwolf." Jaime chuckled "Do you require assistance?" He asked carefully not wanting to push her or make her uncomfortable. She paused and then nodded so he walked over and began removing the cloak and then unlacing the back of the gown. When he reached the bottom of the laces she gently slid it off only leaving her in the slip. Jaime studied her and smiled " You're gorgeous." She laughed and turned to pour a glass of wine for him and herself. She sipped from it and watched as Jaime began to remove his shirt but paused. "I want to make one thing clear Erina, you will never be forced with me. If you do not wish to spend the night together I will sleep on the sofa and I will not push you." Erina smiled at him as he was looking down at his hands twisting his fingers mindlessly. "Jaime. I wish to experience our wedding night fully." She walked up to him and began kissing him he immediately wrapped his arms around her and they made their way over to their bed. Jaime paused one last time "Are you sure?" she nodded. They spent the night making love to one another falling asleep short of dawn. 

                                                                             Three days later

Erina was packing her belongings when there was a knock on the door. She opened it to her brother Robb standing in the doorway. " I can't believe you're truly leaving" his arms were crossed as he walked in. "Robb I'm married now I have to leave." "I know it's just not how I expected it that's all." He picked up a quilt she had since they were born he shared a matching one. "I will visit when I can brother I promise." he hugged her " You better, your name may be Lannister now but your blood is still stark don't forget that." with that, he left her to finish packing her trunks. All the wagons were packed and were ready for the trip to Kings Landing. Erina said goodbye to her family with her sisters but her goodbye was different it was more final. She entered the carriage with Jaime already inside. " I thought you rode on horseback" "Well I did but now as I'm no longer in the king guard I ride with you if that's alright" "Of course it's alright I was just wondering" At that moment the door opened and little Arya was at the door. "My lady come down right now" "Erina don't make me ride with Sansa please!" Jaime was trying to cover his laughter as Erina had to think of a response. " Arya you have to ride with her" "My lady my lord I apologize Arya come here right now." Her septa yelled "It alright Septa she can ride in our carriage for today if she wishes" Jaime said much to Erina and Arya's surprise. "Jaime, are you sure?" Erina asked "Quite" he responded to which Arya gleamed and sat next to Erina. All the carriages were now ready and the party departed Winterfell. The trip south was going to be long but a new life awaited Erina.