Time flew by so fast. I was happier than ever, which everyone assumed was because of Theon. I kept up appearances with him, but I always met with Jojen in private afterwards. Before I knew it, it was time for my marriage to Theon. My mother was constantly tittering around me like a bee. The dress that was chosen for me was golden and the sleeves hung off my shoulders. The handmaidens had curled my blonde hair to fall delicately around my collar.
"Gold? Doesn't that seem a bit like bragging? Shouldn't I wear maybe silver, for the Iron Islands?" I motioned for the necklace Theon gave me.
"No, my dear. You are the future Queen. Theon is simply to secure good feelings between the Baratheons and the North. The power lies with you, and he would do well to remember that." My mother put rosewater on my neck and wrists. "To honor the Tyrells," she whispered.
I smiled meekly at her. All these houses, all these politics, and all I cared about was Jojen. "Mother, I don't know the first thing about ruling."
"You needn't worry about that now, Lehna. Your father and I plan on living quite some time," she laughed. "But if you're so concerned, I'll ask Jojen to teach you."
"Why Jojen? What does he know about ruling?" I could feel my face flush at the mention of his name.
"A good Queen listens to her people," she winked. Queen Isabel kissed my cheek and embraced me. "I'll see you at the Citadel. I love you, Lehna."
"I love you too, Mother."
As soon as the door closed behind her, Jojen knocked on the tunnel door. His cute blond head popped up and he practically leapt into my room. He immediately wrapped his arms around me and dipped me almost to the floor.
"You look stunning, my love." He breathed, his voice full of awe.
"I wish it was you I was marrying," I sighed and he lifted me back up.
"I know, Lehna. It kills me as well, but I must keep up appearances. I must attend your wedding and pretend that I am not madly in love with a beautiful princess that I will never get to claim as mine own." He brushed a curl back behind my ear and I leaned into his touch.
"I hope you are good at acting," I gave a small laugh. "It will be so difficult to focus on Theon when you're there. But my mother had a proposition."
His eyebrows rose. "And what might that be?"
I kissed him on the nose. "You teach me how to rule."
Jojen scoffed. "Fun, because I've ruled twelve cities across the sea."
"Really? That's wonderful!" I said.
"No, my love," he laughed. "You're wonderful. Not to mention gullible."
I lightly hit him in the arm. "Don't talk like that to your future Queen!"
"Or what?" He challenged.
"I'd say torture but seeing your pretty face hurt would hurt me too." I cupped his cheek. "I love you, Jojen."
"And I love you, Lehna." He kissed me and for a moment everything else melted away. "Now go get married," he said and disappeared back into the tunnel.
When the trap door had closed, my father opened the door. "Ready, Lehna? You look beautiful." The King was dressed in red and gold as always.
"Ready," I took his arm and he escorted me to the Citadel under heavy guard. When we reached the doors, I took a deep breath and nodded a reassurance to my father. He motioned for the guards to open the door.
We walked through and I saw Theon standing there in black and silver. He looked very handsome, but he wasn't the man I had given my heart to. He wasn't Jojen. I wanted to look for him in the crowd, but I knew I had to keep my eyes locked on Theon.
Joffrey released me when we neared the altar. I looked to my future King and gave him a gentle smile. The High Septon began the speech. "You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection." Theon removed his black fur cloak and placed it around my shoulders.
The Septon then took a piece of ribbon and tied our wrists together. "In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one, for eternity." In that moment, I knew my freedom was gone.
"Look upon one another and say the words," the Septon told us.
Theon spoke first. "Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger, I am hers and she is mine from this day until the end of my days."
My voice came out strong, but it was all part of the act. "Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger, I am his and he is mine from this day until the end of my days."
Theon leaned in towards me and I tentatively held his hands and kissed him with what I hoped appeared to be love, or at least admiration. We then turned to face the people and I made eye contact with a stone-faced Jojen. He and I both dreaded what was to come next.
