The Love We Never Had

Chapter Five

The hustle of the servants and even the Lannister family the last three days leading up to the wedding was impressive. Lord Tywin had managed to arrange the most spectacular wedding Westeros had seen since his own to the late Lady Joanna, in only three days, whereas his had taken more than two weeks to plan. Arya had not been allowed to be involved in any of it, Jaime said that she wasn't the Lady of Lannister yet, and that when she was she would have to do everything then, so might as well relax while she could. So the past three days Arya spent with her future brother-in-law, Jaime spent most of his time making arrangements, using the first day making sure that Cersei managed to get on the road to Dragonstone, and last two days making sure the wedding was perfect. Arya had thought he would be more upset about Cersei leaving, but he seemed perfectly fine with the whole thing.

"My lady, it's time for you to get dressed." Krystine had not spoken to Arya very much since Arya had yelled at her about judging her and Jaime when Krystine found them in bed together. And normally Arya would care, but she couldn't find it in herself to. He would be her husband in less than five hours, why did it matter that they simply slept in the same bed?

"Very well, have they brought in my gown yet?"

"No my lady, they said they will in about an hour, they are just finishing up everything, but we need to get you into a bath and then do your hair before you put it on anyway." Arya nodded and allowed Krystine to lead her into the bathroom where the tub was already filled with water. After removing her nightgown she carefully climbed into the lukewarm water, she preferred it that way. Not to hot, not to cold.

"What time is it?" Arya asked quietly, as she had noticed it was still dark outside when she was woken for breakfast which they had delivered to her in bed. Jaime had insisted that they slept apart last night since it was the night before their wedding, and that they not see each other today before the ceremony, he thought it was bad luck.

"It is still several hours before dawn my lady. My Lord Tywin has arranged for the wedding to take place at dawn, as a representation of the beginning of your lives together." Krystine looked tired, which makes sense as they had all gone to bed only four or five hours previous. Arya nodded, realizing how excited she was for her wedding. She was only going to do it once, so she was glad that Lord Tywin had put so much care into making it perfect.

"Alright my lady you can get out now. Its time to do your hair." Arya stood up and held her arms out as Krystine rubbed her dry before allowing Arya to put her nightgown back on. They then walked over to Arya's vanity where they spent over an hour. Arya's scalp ached but when she looked at her hair she couldn't help but be amazed at the beauty of it.

After finally finishing her hair, Krystine applied some rouge to her cheeks and painted her lips a light pink color. Then there was a knock on the door. Krystine rushed to retrieve Arya's robe and helped her to put it on before going to answer the door. It was more maids, and they were holding a wooden box between them.

"Yes?" Arya asked.

"We have your wedding dress my lady, we put it in the box so that if Ser Jaime saw us, he wouldn't see the dress my lady." The older looking maid said, in a voice that sounded like she was used to telling lords and ladies things. The younger girl looked shy.

"Very well, bring it in and place it on that table please." They nodded and did so quickly before leaving. Krystine closed the door and then walked over to the box. She glanced over at Arya who nodded, and so Krystine opened the lid. It was beautiful, even more beautiful than she could have anticipated.

"Will you help me put it on please?" Arya asked with tears in her eyes. Krystine looked over at her, she was also crying and nodded.

"Of course my lady." She said, choking back sobs.