The Maester came and went for days. I had asked that Jojen be kept in my room, under my protection, until he was well. Not so much asked as demanded. He lay in my bed, while I sat at his bedside hardly sleeping. I turned away the sleeping draughts the Maester tried to give me.
Mother refused to let Theon know of Jojen and his presence in my chambers. She told lie on top of lie, and I complied, too tired to do anything else. Her excuse for the Maester constantly entering my room was that I was not sleeping well. This lie worked to explain the dark circles under my eyes and my hollow cheeks.
I still had to keep up appearances with my betrothed. It was the only time I left Jojen's side. He would talk and I would smile politely, sometimes asking a question I didn't care to know and answering those he asked of me. It was a sad little cycle, and I was afraid that it would become my future.
Theon was not like all the awful stories I had heard, although people do change over the years. He was courteous, if a bit forward at times. I still dreaded our marriage. He was closer to my parent's age than mine, although I remember learning about old man Walder Frey marrying his daughters and granddaughters. Maybe Lord Baelish's idea that I marry Bran Stark wasn't all that bad.
My mind wandered to Jojen. He was fairly young, and from the North, though his House was ridiculed for being frogeaters. Not to mention the whole imprisoned-for-witchcraft thing. Marrying him would be out of the question. For the Princess of the Seven Kingdoms, I had very little power over my own life.
I was with Jojen when a knock came. Figuring it was the Maester, I bid them enter. My parents entered the room instead. The King looked disappointed, but I knew he loved me more than anything.
"Lehna," he said quietly. "You need to leave this room. You have an impatient guest to entertain. When he awakes, you will be the first to know I promise."
"I can't leave him," I mumbled. "It's all my fault."
My mother came and put a comforting hand on my arm. "Honey, it's not your fault. Your father and I don't quite know how to take care of prisoners. But now we do. I promise this boy will have the best care available. Now wash up, put on a nice dress, and go see Theon."
My parents made to leave, but I bid my mother stay. I loved my father, but this was a conversation I would rather not have with him. "Mother, were you ever scared to marry Joffrey?"
"Lehna dear, you have no idea. When my mother told me I was next in line to marry Joffrey after Sansa Stark's banishment, I hurled my breakfast out the window. It wasn't always easy, but I had to play the game of thrones. And you either win or you die. I chose to win, even when your father shot a crossbow bolt into my thigh. You're strong, Lehna. I know you can do anything." She stroked my hair and I took a shaky breath.
I looked over at Jojen to make sure he was still sleeping soundly. "Were you not scared to....bed him?"
She let out a small laugh. "I knew we would be having this conversation one day. Lehna, most girls have had two children by the time they're your age. I was wanting to ask you this at a different time, but in some Northern Houses, it is custom that the consummation be....watched. Are you okay with this?"
I reeled. Nothing disturbed me more. I had to think of the Realm. My Realm. If I followed through with this tradition, it would greatly improve relations with the North. "I'll do it," I said solemnly.
"I'm proud of you," the Queen whispered. She kissed my head and left me alone with my thoughts.
Jojen stirred. I ran to his side and grabbed his pale hand in mine. "I wish you wouldn't," he whispered before he sunk back unconscious.
