Chapter 44

The sky had turned dark, but the Keep and its surrounding city had no intention of sleeping anytime soon. Aerys had retired early, both tired and paranoid. He told Arianne that he was not approving of her charity to the common people and that their grain was special. Arianne did not mind though, her and Rhaella had planned far too long for her to change the promises that she had made via messengers to the common people. They were promised food and wine, they would receive it. Besides, she was sure many of them were going hungry and what would really happen to the leftover food?

Aerys had made sure to remind Rhaegar and Arianne, however, that he would be visiting them in their chambers come time to consummate their marriage. "You are to send for a servant," he said before shuffling off. Arianne couldn't help but remember Rhaegar telling her of Aerys sitting in and watching his wedding night with Elia as well. She decided the best thing to do was get as drunk as possible.

Rhaella had also retired early, congratulating the young couple by kissing them both on the forehead. "I'm very tired, I hope you enjoyed your day though." Her behaviour had been very odd recently. Interacting well with Arianne as they planned for the wedding but during the wedding feast, she had avoided most contact and kept to herself.

"Thank you, mother it was beautiful," Rhaegar smiled, placing one hand over Arianne's shoulder.

Arianne stood from her seat and hugged Rhaella, "yes thank you. You have been far too kind to me."

Throughout the long night, many people came to sit by both Rhaegar and Arianne, denying the two any time to have a private conversation. Lyanna was first to come to Arianne, complaining of Robert.

"I'm going to run away. I can't take his whoring and his drunkenness," Lyanna proclaimed, looking out into the crowd and watching as Robert groped a woman. "He talks of making the eight like that is some sort of achievement. I can't believe he is to be Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. I can't believe he is who father has chosen for me. I refuse."

"Oh Lyanna, don't be ridiculous!" Arianne said, rolling her eyes, the wine reaching her head very quickly. "Robert is a handsome man and I'm sure has good nature. Besides perhaps whoring will keep him from your bed ... if you hate him so much."

Lyanna sent her a scowl, "it's easy for you to say, your life just fell into place. And thank you for your advice, I'll try to remember it when I'm in Storms End, alone, in a cold castle, with that." Lyanna turned once more to look at the laughing Robert.

"Find a lover then," Arianne snapped back. This was her wedding day and somehow Lyanna had managed to make it about herself. Lyanna scoffed and rose from her seat, leaving in a huff. A part of Arianne told her to call her back, but she chose against. She sat back in her seat and overheard her foster father muttering to Rhaegar.

"The North stands with you, whatever you need of us, we will serve it."

"What are you two conspiring?" Arianne asked, placing her hand on Rhaegar's shoulder.

"Just letting Rhaegar know that if he ever needs to get away from you, we are with him," Rickard responded moving closer to Arianne. "Lilia sends her best wishes as well; I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier."

"Thank you. How is she by the way!?"

Rickard contemplated whether to tell Arianne of her lost babe but decided not to. This was her wedding day, there was always time for that. "She's good, missing you greatly. I'll be sure to send her to you once I arrive home. She doesn't send too many letters though, I think she's too bored to even write now."

"Oh, I've missed her so much," Arianne said pouting. She was clearly a lot drunker than she was trying to let out.

The next person to approach her was Olenna Tyrell, who properly introduced the shy Mimi once again. She sat down next to Arianne, who was having trouble blinking and spoke about how she was also almost married a Targaryen but managed to escape. Olenna also spoke of wanting to marry Julian to Lysa or having him knighted as a Kingsguard.

"I know he is a drunk, but he cannot hope for better. Well I mean, you are an exception who has shown us the rags to riches story better than any fairy-tale," Olenna said, raising one brow. "In saying that ... my nephew couldn't guard a cat without having it killed in some way or another."

"Thank you, aunt and dear sister, you can leave now," Julian said, taking his seat back from his aunt. "Go, go find me a wife," his words came out drunkenly as he shooed her away. "And go find Mimi some friends."

Olenna tutted, indicating for Mimi to follow her. "I'm excited to be your lady," Mimi squeaked, curtseying to both Rhaegar and Arianne.

...

Rhaegar was sure by the time the night was at its peak it was time for him and Arianne to leave. "We're leaving," he told Julian, struggling to get his words out clearly thanks to the loud music being played by the musicians.

Julian's eyes lit up! "To bed! To bed!" He shouted, hollering for others to join him.

"No, no, no, wait," Rhaegar said. It was too late. It was like they were waiting for those words to be said, he saw a hoard of hands rush his way and pull and tug at him from all sides. "Hang on," Rhaegar repeated as he was pulled from his seat and pushed towards the royal suites.

Arianne was pulled up from her seat and onto the shoulders of unidentifiable men. She recognised Julian, Stannis, Roose Bolton and a few Dornishmen – but she could not tell who the blonde-haired one holding her up by her leg was. She didn't care though if this meant she didn't have to use her legs to climb up the steps, she did not mind in the least.

She looked behind her to see Rhaegar being pulled, pushed and prodded every which way as he protested. Arianne laughed at him, not caring who was around him and focusing on the man she could now call her husband.

There was a stout maid behind them, who rushed by towards the King's quarters. Someone had either informed her of his words before or she was a very avid listener.

They reached Rhaegar's chambers, Julian kicked the doors open and helped Arianne down. "They're about to undress us," Rhaegar said calmy.

"I know," Arianne responded, liking her newfound confidence. She was pushed to the edge of the bed and Rhaegar to the other side. "But there is only one man who is to touch me."

Rhaegar smiled back at her, unable to contain his own excitement. In all honesty, he had been waiting for this day since the tourney. In his eyes, that was a very long time to wait. "Look at me. Ignore everything else."

The door swung open and the King made his way inside, sitting on one of Rhaegar's large sofa's. He had changed from his wedding attire to his sleeping robe and looked as if he had been awoken.

Arianne moved her gaze from watching the unknown man behind her unbuttoning her dress in a rush to Rhaegar. She felt like a little girl with a crush and was unable to her gaze for too long. She remembered Rhaegar's words, look at me, so she did just that and refrained from turning her gaze to the King.

The women around Rhaegar, of which Arianne recognised a few, Cersei, Penelope, Lysa and Alyse, managed to take Rhaegar's tunic off, leaving him shirtless.

The men working on Arianne were much quicker, having her standing naked in front of Rhaegar and waiting impatiently. Her dress was discarded at her feet and kicked to the side of Julian. Rhaegar, now growing restless with the slow hands of the ladies, slapped whoever they belonged to away from his trousers. "Get out. Everyone." They did as instructed, bowing to the King as they left.

He moved one leg onto the bed and pulled Arianne on the bed. "Don't look at him," he whispered, covering her body with his own. "It's a happy day."

"It's a happy day," Arianne repeated after him, she now lay beneath him and tried with all her might to focus on only Rhaegar. She couldn't help it though, what was meant to be the perfect day was ruined by Aerys' perverted instruction. Why would you want to watch your son have sex? She thought to herself, feeling her cheeks and nose get hot. I am not going to cry. She repeated to herself, watching as Rhaegar knelt and took his trousers off.

Maybe Lyanna was right, Rhaegar was soft and kissed her shoulders, neck and cheeks. Maybe Robert wasn't good for her. Why was she thinking about Robert and Lyanna whilst losing her virginity? She brought herself away from her thoughts, wrapping her legs around Rhaegar's body. It wasn't like she hadn't played around with Julian, and Lilia had made sure to educate her. She knew a little about somethings. Her eyes flickered to Aerys, who was still sat on the sofa.

Rhaegar grabbed her face with his hand, "no, at me."

"Okay, sorry," Arianne whispered, leaning up to kiss him. "Happy day."

..