Flowering branches created a dome over the bed. Flower petals had fallen on the sheets. Lit candles stood on a bed stand table. Moss and leaves created a soft floor. This was the dock house. This was where they would spend the night. This was where they would finally be able to have each other.

Meera's dress whirled around her legs as she pulled her husband through the door. It closed behind them, locking everything else out. The sounds from the feast, the noises of the swamp, the carnage of the war. It was only them, and they could do whatever they wanted.

Suddenly they didn't know where to begin. They just stood there for a moment, at the end of the bed. Lingering close to each other but not touching. Nervous, excited, and taken by the moment. Unsure of whether they should slow down and savor the moment or give in to their urges right away

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I've never been more sure of anything," she replied. "You're my husband and I want you."

"I want you too, Meera. But what if you become with child?"

"Then I'll have your child, Gendry."

He nodded and smiled at her. A nervous but sweet smile. She smiled back and reached out her hand towards him. As it met his hand a current streamed through the both of them. Through their entire bodies. A current of desire and lust.

And then they couldn't hold back any longer. All the urge, lust, and need suddenly washed over them all at once.

His other hand went on her hip and he pulled her close. He leaned in to kiss her. Soft lips, grazing tongues, vibrating bodies.

She pushed herself against him, wanting to be as close as possible. Everything was touching. Their lips, their chests, their hips. Every slight touch turned into flames radiating through her body and converging at that one spot. The spot between her legs where she wanted to feel him so badly. She wanted him inside of her. She couldn't wait any longer.

He started fiddling with the buttons on her dress but seemed unsure of how to get it open.

"How do I do this?" he asked. "I don't want to break the dress."

"Just pull here," she said and put his hand on the strings holding the waist together.

The dress flowed out around her as he opened it and pulled it over her head. Once again she stood before him only wearing a thin nightgown, just like on their wedding night.

Once the dress was off they couldn't hold back any longer. It all happened in a feverish frenzy. Buttons went flying and seams ripped as they undressed each other. His shirt flew off and she fumbled with the belt of his pants. He reached down to help her and soon the pants were gone as well. Her nightgown didn't stay on for many moments after that as he pulled it over her head and threw it to the side.

Still kissing. They hadn't really stopped kissing.

Skin against skin. Lips against lips. Needing each other.

Her hands reached down to touch him because she wanted to feel how much he needed her. As soon as her hand grazed him he let out a moan.

She pulled him even closer, her hands on his back to press their hips together, and she moved against him to egg him on further. The moaning grew louder and she slowly pulled him with her towards the bed.

She could feel him between her legs as they landed on the bed. So hard. So warm. Wanting her so much.

Entangled in each other. Kissing, touching, exploring.

She felt his hand between her legs, making her shiver with desire. A moan escaped from her mouth.

He sat up and positioned himself between her legs. The anticipation for what was to come flowed over her. It excited her but scared her as well.

Suddenly Gendry halted himself for a moment.

"Can I-" he asked.

Meera interrupted his question by pulling him down for another kiss. The movement made him almost push inside of her.

"Just shut up and take me, husband," she replied.

His body vibrated under her touch. Warm, pulsating, tense. She knew he wanted to. That it was the only thing he wanted to do.

He nodded and repositioned himself. One more deep breath. One more moment of anticipation. One more kiss.

Then he thrust inside of her. She felt a jolt of pain and a flood of pleasure. Pain but pleasure at the same time. It was overwhelming. A muffled scream escaped her lips.

"Am I hurting you?" he asked in a concerned tone.

She shook her head. It did hurt but she didn't want to tell him. Because she didn't want him to stop. She never wanted him to stop.

He thrust again, getting deeper inside of her. It was a weird feeling, a pleasant feeling, an overwhelming feeling. Like her body was making room for him and shaping itself around him.

Everything was blurry, hazy, unclear. Everything that mattered was the feeling of him inside of her. Everything was them.

Gendry still seemed to be holding back a little, scared of hurting her. But she could feel his desire inside of her. She could hear it in his labored breath. She could taste it on his kisses.

She twisted her legs around his waist, pulling him in further. Wanting him as deep inside of her as possible. She didn't care if it hurt.

This made him finally give in completely. Made him let go of the fear of hurting her. He thrust again and again, rhythmically. Harder each time. Discovering more pleasure each time. Letting go more each time.

Letting go of everything else. Everyone who had hurt him. Everyone who had tricked him. Everyone who had left him. They didn't matter. Only he and Meera mattered. It was them now. They were one.

The pleasure now radiated from that one spot through her entire body. Everything was tense and charged. Her body and his body. They moved as one. One movement, one body, one soul.

Every time he got deeper inside of her she gasped and the gasps soon turned into screams. She could hear him moaning, almost screaming too.

He pushed against her and she pushed against him. Wanting to be so close. Wanting everything. Wanting each other. Wanting nothing else.

Then release came. Of all the tension, emotion, and pain. Everything suddenly flushed over them at once before washing away.

Muffled screams and gasps and then it was all over. Everything was calm. A light kiss on her lips.

Gendry laid down beside her, taking her hand. Panting. Smiling. Handsome as always.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Meera nodded and rolled over to kiss him. He pulled her in with his arm and she snuggled up to him with her chin on his shoulder.

"I'm yours in every way now," she said. "And it's all I ever want to be."

"And I'm yours," he replied. "Forever."

Flower petals floated down on them from the domed ceiling as they laid there. Embraced by love and satisfaction. Falling asleep in each other's arms.

He was hers and she was his. There would never be any doubt. No other love.

But they would still have to fight for their love. When the world shattered around them. When she was taken away from him. When he would have to become his father.

One day he would have to rise up and say words he never thought he would say. He would do it for her. For their love. For their children.

***

Gendry awoke early the next morning, as always. Still accustomed to the life of a blacksmith his eyes opened when the first rays of sunlight flooded the dock house.

Half asleep he patted the bed next to him. It was empty. His wife wasn't there.

Suddenly he felt a poke in his side and looked over to his other side. And there she stood. Already dressed. Not in the dress she had worn the night before but in her usual attire of tunic and pants. But just as beautiful.

"Are you awake, husband?" his wife asked.

"Almost..." he said while rubbing his eyes and trying to figure out exactly where he was.

"Then get up. I want to show you the swamp."

He sat up slowly in the bed.

"I've seen the swamp," he said. "I've fallen in it and been attacked by leeches in it."

"You haven't seen the swamp like I've seen it though," she replied. "I want to show you my lands. My way."

Meera threw his pants and shirt on him and Gendry realized there was no use arguing. So he got out of the bed and dressed himself. Although upon putting his shirt on he realized that all the buttons were ripped off. Their activities the night before had not been gentle on his clothes.

He tucked the shirt into his pants and put his jacket over, figuring he could deal with the problem of the broken shirt later.

Everything was quiet as they exited the dock house. Quiet like only early mornings can be. The water was still and the sun barely peeked over the horizon. The light yellow sun rays reflected in the dark green water, creating streaks of gold on the surface.

She took him on paths that no one else could see, jumping so easily between rocks and tufts of grass. He had trouble keeping up but she stretched out her hand to help him whenever needed. Making sure that he didn't fall in the water or got attacked by leeches this time.

They walked away from the parts ravaged by the war, towards where all the animals had gone. Deep into the swamp, where people rarely traveled. Through thick brush and high grass.

At the end of their trek was a big cypress tree. A platform was built on top of it, obscured by the branches. They climbed up and sat down on the edge of it. Side by side, holding hands. Together.

Below them was a dark pond, lined by high ancient cypress trees on all sides. Branches stretched out far over the water, creating a cave in their shadow. From the branches hung curtains of moss, wrapping the place in a pale cloak. Floating water lilies created pink and purple dots of color in the murky water.

This was where the animals gathered. She pointed them out to him as they sat there. Crocodiles, beavers, squirrels, storks, and many more. Chattering among each other with different sounds.

"I used to spend nights out here," she said. "Just watching the animals. Far away from anyone else."

"It's very peaceful," he replied. "I understand why you would rather be here than anywhere else."

"I wouldn't, I'd rather be with you."

She squeezed his hand and leaned over and kissed him. Kisses turned into lust and soon she climbed on top of him.

They united in lust and pleasure once again. Consuming each other. Scaring all the animals of the swamp.