From the Ashes {Game of Thrones}

Chapter 16: Arrangements

All around Veritas, people were preparing. There was so much to prepare for and so little time to do so. In a matter of hours the king and his party would be arriving once again at the castle gates. The tailors were busy making sure that Lady Karina's gown was absolutely perfect for the wedding tomorrow. There couldn't be a single mistake in the gown. A lady of a house as wealthy and respected as House Spyre needed to outshine all former brides. Maids were cleaning the castle from the roof to the tunnels down below. Each room in the castle not inhabited by the Spyres was to be filled by members of the royal family, important guests from the great houses, and the Lannisters. The chefs were hard at work to ensure only the finest of food went out. "One of the biggest castles in all of Westeros and yet we're filled to the max with all these guests," Maecy muttered as she and Karina perused the room assignments and seating charts. It had been so long since they had so many people in Veritas. The last time was probably when she and Aren married, a little more than a year before Robert's Rebellion. Though back then she hadn't been stuck with the duty of ensuring everything went peacefully. Kevan and Elayne's wedding had been just months earlier, but they had both wished for a smaller event. Only the closest friends and family of House Spyre had been invited.

"A lot of people, important people, are coming," Karina said moving the Tyrell rose to be closer to the high table and the Martell sun. "Each of them will want the best that we have to offer," she continued. "Question is whether we honor our bannermen and keep them near the front? Or do we honor the great houses and keep them near the front?" She asked.

"Neither," Maecy replied. "I invited some of the commoners and children from the orphanage. They'll sit in the front near the high table. Our bannermen will understand and the great houses will have no choice," she stated moving the pieces around so the front was empty while the bannermen and great houses were scattered around the rest of the tables. Houses Tyrell and Martell were the closest to the front of all the great houses coming. Though that was only due to familial relationships with she guests.

"The Lannisters are pushed to the side," Karina noted.

"Well you and the Kingslayer will be in the center as it is your wedding. Your father and I will be next to Jaime. Kevan and Elayne will be next to you. Camren will be next to Elayne. Next to him will be the honorary seat for your aunt Laena just like we did at Kevan's wedding. The king will sit next to your father and the queen next to him. That only leaves two seats for Tywin and Tyrion at the end of the table next to Laena's honorary seat," Maecy said justifying why the groom's family was sitting on the edges of the table. The two women finalized the new plan for the seating arrangements before moving onto the room assignments. "Who's Ned Stark bringing?" Maecy asked.

"His two daughters, Sansa and Arya," Karina replied. "Sweet girls," she added. She had spent time with both of them briefly while she was in Winterfell. Most of her time had been spent with Robb and Jon as they showed her the most beautiful sights Winterfell had to offer.

"Ned and Catelyn raised them," Maecy stated. The two women continued working in silence, occasionally talking here and there. "Go and get dressed," Maecy said once the two were finished making the room arrangements. Karina nodded before walking out of the hall and to where her chambers was. It was the last time that her chambers would just be her chambers. Tomorrow night, the chambers would be hers and Jaime's. It would be where they were to consummate their union. Where he would take her maidenhood and complete their bond as a married couple.

Walking into her chambers, Karina saw a beautiful red and gold dress waiting for her to put on. It seems as if everyone was adamant on her appearance screaming that she was to be a Lannister.