Redfork Menace

"A Real Beating heart"

Benjicot came into her room that night victorious, with a smile so big it was like to break his face. He'd picked her up and spun her around laughing. To say her mood was less jubilant was an understatement. She'd spent the better part of an hour consoling Martyn who was utterly baffled that he might be used as a political pawn as an eleventh son. Royce had been pleasantly surprised and amiable towards his match once he saw his betrothed. For that she was thankful, one less headache to deal with. It was clear Benjicot had not spent that same time trying to reassure his aunt. If anything he had probably avoided her, afraid of showing his hand and gloating too loudly.
But he would hear none of her complaints when she tried to voice them over his joyous celebration which included laughing himself silly and booping her on the nose when she grew irritated. It was maddening but she'd eventually dissolved into laughter herself at his antics. He was a man grown acting worse than someone half his age, running around her room like a chicken with its head cut off.

"Stop it! Have some self respect would you?" The sting was taken out of her words by the giggles still escaping her.

"We'll be married on the morrow. We're the only ones using the godswood. Gives us the best time slot."

He winked at her but all of the laughter had died inside her throat. Noting her sudden frown he inquired about her sudden change in mood. His own excitement dwindled down to smolders. He approached her slowly before grabbing both of her hands.

"Surely you're not still shocked at this?" He smoothed out her wrinkled collar before laying a hand on her cheek. Delicately rubbing the skin beneath her eye with his thumb. "I couldn't have spelled out my intentions any plainer than this. What troubles you?"

What wasn't troubling her? She was not so sure that mass forced marriage would absolve the riverlands of generations of grudges. What guarantees did they have that upon returning home the same attitudes wouldn't start back up? How was she supposed to respect a marriage sanctified by gods she didn't recognize? How could they make a successful family together if his guardsmen made nasty jabs about her children's cousins or uncles? It seemed to her this issue was more nuanced and complicated than the solutions proposed. Sure it would take time but it would also require a conscious effort on their part to ensure change was made.
As she contemplated this the answer came to her quite simply. If she wanted to ensure a change in the values of the people around her, she had to embrace that same change within herself. Now was not the time to rock the boat. The marriage would happen all the same regardless of her behavior. She knew it would be best to raise her complaints once they were gone from RiverRun. She did not intend to sit idly by and allow Benjicot to rule her life for her. She would insist on a sept at Raventree. And that was all there was to be done about it. Compromises were going to have to be made to bring this new chapter to life in the riverlands but Shanda knew when to push and when to pull.

"I'm just lamenting my last hours as a free lady. I should check on Alysanne, as I'm sure she's experiencing a similar feeling. And you were no help, no doubt." She huffed pulling his hand from her face and walking away from him.

He caught her hand and pulled her back, grabbing her shoulder when she turned back to face him. She hadn't expected to leave that easily and it was nice if nothing else that he was predictable to her now.

"I did check on her, I'm not an animal. But believe me you don't want to be around her right now. She's been giving Lord Elmo an earful for hours by now." He rolled his eyes and poked her in the side, unhappy with the scowl plastered on her face. "I'm not worried for her, you should visit your brother if anyone."

That was probably true but she knew Alysanne was actually plotting a revenge attack against the Lord Elmo. Nothing too crazy but a tad dangerous and definitely something Shanda wanted to get in on. If the Lord wanted them all to spend more time together, to get on like a proper family, then a prank was the perfect way to cement the bond. Shanda was not going to let Benjicot in on that or any other man if she could help it. She'd already clued Bellena in and was assured that meant the rest of the women would follow shortly after.