A Lion's Heart [Game Of Thrones] [Robb Stark]

VII - Two Hearts Into One

Gazing into the mirror made Lyra feel as if she were in a fairy tale. Surely, this was just one of her daydreams and soon she would wake from it.

It was no dream.

Her hair was shaped into a half-up and half-down style, resembling a Lady of the North. The back of her golden locks sat twisted into a braided pattern, decorated with small red and white flowers.

The dress hugged her body until it reached her waist, where it then cascaded around her feet in waves of white fabric. Lace sleeves wrapped her arms from shoulder to the wrist, bathing her in gold.

And her face, well, was beaming with joy. Lyra could not believe it was truly her wedding day. She never thought such a day would come, let alone a secret marriage unbeknownst to her father.

"Wow," Bran said.

Rickon agreed. "You look pretty."

Lyra's smile was infectious. "Thank you, boys. Are you ready?"

The couple decided to have their wedding overseen by the Old Gods. They were the Gods Robb and his father prayed to, and the ceremony would be more personal. Though Lyra did not worship them, she was content with being married under the watchful eyes of the Gods her future husband praised.

However, such a wedding did require specific roles. In substitution for Ned Stark, Theon would present the ceremony. And in the place of Twyin Lannister or Lyra's brothers, she chose Bran to give her away.

The boy took his task very seriously, and practiced his lines for a week. He was beyond excited to be included in the wedding. He would have to be carried by Hodor, of course, but he was to be the one escorting Lyra to the Godswood.

Trailed by Rickon, the wedding party walked out to where Robb and Theon were waiting.

Their path was lit by small torches that brightened the darkness around them. Other than the moon, those were the only source of light in the night. Along the way, flower petals had been spilled by Rickon earlier in the day.

When he finally saw her, Robb felt his lungs tighten. Suddenly, he couldn't breathe correctly. Her magnificence was too much to take in all at once.

"Don't get too excited yet," Theon whispered in his ear. "Save that for later tonight."

Robb shoved him away with his shoulder. He only had attention for Lyra, and didn't need the teasing.

The party stopped in front of the weirwood tree, with the Old Gods watching over them.

Finally, Theon began the ceremony. "Who comes before the Old Gods this night?"

"Lyra, of House Lannister, a woman grown, trueborn and noble," Bran spoke up. He made them proud, reciting his lines perfectly. "She comes to beg the blessings of the Gods. Who comes to claim her?"

"Robb, of House Stark, heir of Winterfell." He felt proud saying the words. "Who gives her?"

"Bran, of House Stark."

"Lady Lyra, do you take this man?" Theon asked.

"I take this man." Her smile was infectious to Robb, who took her hands in his.

The two knelt in front of the tree, for the Gods to witness. They all sat in silent prayer for a few moments, until Robb cloaked Lyra in the sigil of House Stark.

It was Robb's eyes, however, that held the greatest assurance of protection. They told the words he did not speak: he would be there for her until his dying day.

***

The hall was decorated almost as well as it had been when the King arrived. It was not everyday the heir of Winterfell took a wife.

Lyra and Robb sat at the head table together. Though they were meant to be enjoying the festivities, they were too preoccupied with each other.

The newlyweds did not care for the festivities nearly as much as they did each others company. They whispered privately to themselves, rather than engage in group conversation.

"You are still such a mystery to me. Lyra, tell me, when the dust settles, where do you want to be?" Robb asked. It was, after all, the time to discuss the future.

His wife grinned at the images she had been daydreaming of. "Here, in Winterfell, with you. I want us to be happy, and have a large family."

"I thought you said you're likely to die in childbirth?"

"I also thought I would never marry, but here we are." She placed her hand over his. "We will never know what is possible unless we try it ourselves."

As the night went on, the guests--particularly Theon--got drunker and rowdier.

"Go to bed already!" Theon shouted from two tables away. He had quite enough of their lovey-dovey shit. They had better just go fuck before he lost his mind.

The couple took that comment as their sign to sneak away.

***

In Robb's chambers, just the two of them, their hearts pounded as loudly as a feisty storm.

They were riding the high of being wed, but they were also nervous.

They fell into one another, craving each other. Lyra leaned into him, wrapping her thin arms around his neck. His hands were set firmly on her hips, pulling her closer.

Lyra tasted like sweet summer rain, and Robb was as inviting as a fireplace after a day in the snow. The two fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

Soon they had to pause to breathe. The pause was just long enough to rekindle their fears.

"Lyra, I have never slept with anyone," he admitted quietly.

"Neither have I," she whispered. She cupped his face with one hand. "We will figure it out together, my love."

With those words, she disrobed. Taking in the sight of her naked body, Robb could not believe how beautiful she was. Even more shocking was the fact that she was now his wife.

"Lyra... I love you."

She looked him in the eyes. "My heart is yours."

Robb Stark was going to spend the rest of his life with the kindest, most beautiful woman in all of Westeros.

With the brightest mood he had ever felt, he made love to his wife on his wedding night.