Northern at Heart [ GoT ]

T W E N T Y O N E

queen marla ashwood

"Gods be good, this night will run smoothly and we will be on our merry way by sunrise," Marla said, eyeing Robb in the mirror, who was buttoning up his undershirt in preparation for the wedding.

Robb chuckled to himself slightly and shook his head, "That's if and only if the Gods decide to be 'good,' whatever that means anymore."

Marla's handmaiden was braiding her hair intricately out of her face, but let the rest of her dark locks flow over her shoulders. She then added some rouge to her cheek bones and lips to bring some color to her pale features. After she was finished, Marla turned to face the handmaiden and gave her a soft smile, "you may leave us. I'll dress myself tonight."

"Is something wrong, dear?" Robb questioned his queen once her handmaiden had left. He noticed a concerned look twisting on Marla's face.

Marla shrugged and sighed, unsure of how to answer. "I'm not entirely certain. The conversation with Lord Frey earlier...it didn't sit well with me. Your mother said he is a vengeful man, yet he seemed so easily swayed to forgive you. I thought it'd take a little more convincing. I don't know, I could be overthinking. My emotions are running high lately."

Robb paused for a moment, "Your words have some truth to him. I've had the same worries ever since our conversation with Frey earlier in his great hall. But we mustn't let our fears get the best of us, especially in a time like this. Hope is stronger than fear, my love. Don't worry yourself over this. This will pass and none of it will matter once the war is won."

Marla nodded slowly. She wanted to believe her husband's words, but deep down in her gut, she felt as if something awful could come from this.

_______________________________

Marla and Robb stood side by side at the wedding ceremony, impatiently awaiting the bride to come down the aisle. Gods, she knew Lord Frey was old but how long could it take? The King and Queen in the North glanced up at Lord Edmure, who tapped his foot anxiously while staring at the doors in anticipation. Finally, the creaking of the doors echoed through the silent hall, and a veiled woman accompanied by Frey began walking down the aisle. She floated down the aisle like a ghost without a face. Edmure looked awfully impatient to see the looks of his bride to be. And Marla was curious, too.

After what felt like an eternity, the bride to be was finally facing her future husband. The veil was pulled back and it revealed what everyone was least expecting—a beautiful face.

"I hope I'm not a disappointment to you," she spoke softly. Edmure chuckled, "You're a delight to me, my lady."

Marla felt relief wash over her. She didn't have to listen to Edmure whine and moan about how he had to marry some wretched Frey woman anymore. He seemed very pleased.

They two looked upon each other's faces with awe, and spoke the words that would forever intwine them with marriage. The words Marla and Robb had so recently just spoken to each other. Marla smiled at the thought of her own wedding.

Robb also felt relief flood his body; no more bad blood between the Freys and the Starks. And his uncle was happy with his bride. Now he could get back to worrying about what's most important, winning the war.

————————————————————————————

The celebratory feast began shortly after the ceremony, and it was filled with hearty laughter and cheers from the drunk men, the band was playing lively music, as Edmure sat at the main table with his young, pretty new wife, feeding her treats while she giggled.

Marla and Robb were seated close to Catelyn and the Blackfish. Marla listened in on their conversation. "He complained about this marriage the whole ride from Riverrun, and now look at him," Catelyn said cheekily, staring up at the newlywed pair.

"The gods love to reward a fool," the Blackfish quipped, and Catelyn smiled. "Uncle," she scolded playfully.

"What? He's my nephew, I love him. And he's a damned fool."

Marla focused her attention over to Roose Bolton, who was seated next to Lady Catelyn. The joy of a wedding seemed to have no effect on Lord Bolton's stoic personality, and she noticed he wasn't drinking.

"Don't you drink, Lord Bolton?" Marla asked curiously. This question sparked Catelyn's attention. 

"Never do, my lady. Dulls the senses," he replied. Strange, Marla thought.

"That's the point," the Blackfish said. "Didn't you marry one of these Frey girls?"

"Aye," Roose confirmed, "Lord Walder let me choose any of his granddaughters and promised me the girl's weight in silver...so I have a fat young bride."

The Blackfish chuckled, however Catelyn pursed her lips together at the comment. As did Marla. Poor girl, she thought. "I hope she makes you very happy," Catelyn added.

"Well, she's made me very rich," the Bolton lord replied.

"Pardon my lord, my lady. I need to find a tree to piss on," the Blackfish excused hisself. Marla had the urge to urinate herself—being with child made her have to go way more often than usual.

"I think I need to go as well," Marla piped up, planning to join the Blackfish.

"Why don't you wait, my love? I'll go with you in a little while. I don't want you going without me," Robb said as Marla stood up.

She nodded her head in agreement, "Alright then."

————————————————————————————

A/N:
Long awaited chapter! So so sorry for the wait. I'm getting back into writing and I'm hoping to finish this story over the next few months. I know you guys know what's coming next at this point of the GoT storyline... I'll have the next part out soon. Love you!