｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆
𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 + 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦
𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘈𝘳𝘮𝘴
｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆

Adrik had been right. The north was much further away than she had thought and the closer they came the colder it got. The road became longer and longer for the two girls and Aruna got the feeling that she would never arrive.

They hardly took any breaks and the three guards took turns, but it was not fast enough for Aruna. They had been traveling for three weeks now and she was tired of traveling. She finally needed an answer from Brandon about whether the trip was worth it. Slowly she could understand him more and more.

At some point she didn't get back into the carriage at a stop. She tightened her cloak and persuaded one of the guards to give him his horse. Aruna had to use all her powers of persuasion and she had to swear to the guard Ivar never to tell the queen about it.

Aruna gratefully took the reins and climbed safely into the saddle. In Highgarden she had almost ridden a horse more than she had walked on two legs. She had more than missed the feeling of being high up on a horse.

She did not wait for the carriage and quickly spurred the horse into a sprint. Erik, one of the other guards, had a hard time keeping up with the lady and so the two of them had quickly outrun the carriage with Ivar, Carlo and the maid Nia.

Aruna's only focus was the road and the wind, which was also getting cooler. It was a new and unfamiliar feeling, but she enjoyed every breeze and longed for more. Although she was freezing, she didn't care.

Day and night they rode along the old King's Path until, after days, they saw the first sign of life from other people.

Aruna and Erik had tied their horses to a tree when they saw smoke signals from far away. At first Erik wanted to turn back, but Aruna insisted on stopping. It was unusual to be the person with the higher position and therefore in charge.

But she liked this feeling of power. In the last weeks she had gotten to know her companions and she really liked the four of them. Nia was very intelligent and skilled with her hands. She had been sewing for most of the trip and Aruna was sure she was doing the same at this moment. The boys, on the other hand, acted like a gang of brothers. They had already known each other for many years and knew how to make each other laugh or make each other furious.

Erik went forward and stood protectively with his sword in front of Aruna. They slowly walked closer to the smoke and Erik gave his lady one of his swords. It was a light short sword and nestled well in her hand.

It was just like riding a horse, a thing she had not done since arriving in King's Landing. Earlier in Highgarden, she had often engaged in sword fights with her brother Adrik. She had never been very successful, but Adrik had deliberately let her win a few times.

The two southerners knelt in tall bushes and hid behind them, trying to be as quiet as possible.

Aruna tried to see through the branches and leaves, but was disappointed to discover that she could see nothing. Moreover, it was dark and only the fire of the strange group gave some light.

Erik told her to sit quietly, but Aruna had changed since her departure. She tried to be different, more self-confident and no longer the helpless girl from Highgarden. But her overconfidence made her go one step too far by standing up and holding her head high to see better.

Only too late Erik noticed her mistake, the group of strangers had already discovered the two. It does not take long and the two were surrounded by the men. Since hiding now also made no sense they stood up and stepped out of their hiding place.

"Weapons down!" a dark voice commanded.

Aruna couldn't tell from where it came. She stood back to back with Erik and both held up their swords ready. Not for a second did Aruna flinch, though her heart was beating incredibly fast.

"Lower your weapons! Now!" another voice now commanded. A voice Aruna knew all too well. It couldn't be!

The girl turned to face the voice and thus let her guard down as well. "Brandon?" she asked incredulously, taking off her hood so he could recognize her.

"Aruna?" Brandon Stark's voice sounded just as incredulous as hers. Immediately he put his sword down and raised his hand for his men to lower their swords as well. "What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you." She answered him. She didn't really know what to say. She had traveled here a long time and had had a lot of time to prepare for this moment, but now her mind was completely blank.

Erik stood protectively beside her his sword still clutched tightly.

"I'm here to apologize. I just didn't have the heart to say goodbye" Aruna then admitted and handed her sword back to Erik, then slowly walked towards Brandon.

"That's why you're traveling so far north after me?" Brandon wanted to know. He was still in disbelief and for him it was unimaginable to see her here. They stood surrounded by his men in the dark forest. Several weeks away from King's Landing. Brandon felt as if he were dreaming.

Aruna nodded. "Yes!" she answered him honestly. "I wanted to see you."

Brandon looked at the girl what he liked so much and smiled dreamily. "Really?"

"Yes really!" she also confirmed with a smile. "I really hope you can forgive me and we can start all over again? I never want to let you go again, Brandon."

Even in the dark and by the little light of the flames and torches, his beautiful eyes shone as bright as the stars in the sky. That fact again only made her realize how special Brandon was and how she desperately needed to hold onto him.

"What about your duties in the capital?" In his question, he especially emphasized the word duties. Aruna didn't have to think long about what he meant by that. "I have taken a distance from my duties and released myself from my services." She replied. Her services, which were actually not services, but only a lie. She still had not forgiven Rhaenyra for that lie.

"And I am willing to stay here, to stay with you, if you still want me too." Suddenly Aruna was all shy again as she looked at him hopefully with her big eyes.

Brandon's smile widened. His heart also beat faster at that moment. Slowly he realized that this was all reality and she was really here.

"Of course. I can't imagine anything better than having you by my side." Replied the Stark, putting his hands to her cheeks. "I'm so glad you're here."

As if automatically, Aruna's arms wrapped around his neck, at the same time she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. She kissed him overjoyed and did not let go. The men dissolved the circle around the two when they realized that they were no danger to the newcomers.

The group of Stark men had set up some sort of camp where they were resting. Brandon took Aruna's hand and led her to the warming fire. Erik stayed close to the girl at all time. Two men quickly brought their guests something warm to drink and some food. Two other men went and got their horses.

She thanked the men and especially Brandon. Her fears had been completely unfounded and she was glad and more than proud to take the long way.

Quickly the two feel the old familiarity between them and so she leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder. Brandon protectively put his arm around her and put a blanket over both of their bodies.

They sought each other's closeness and not just to keep warm. Brandon had his strong arms wrapped tightly around his girl and held her close as they eventually fell asleep by the fire.

Brandon and his men, along with Aruna and Erik, stayed until the next morning and then saddled their horses again.

Aruna surprised Brandon more and more the closer he got to know her and he was very happy to learn even more about her. Without any help, she mounted her high horse and rode off with Brandon by her side, heading further north and during the rest of their journey, neither of them lost a second of their smiles.

~~~

Aruna's mood was better than it had been in a long time, despite her exhaustion. Her body ached all over and it was uncomfortably cold for her.

She was all the happier when they finally reached Winterfell. The fortress could be seen from far away and it was very impressive. Everywhere were small towers and platforms, from which one certainly had a good view of the lands.

Unlike expected, there was no snow here, which honestly disappointed Aruna a bit. She had never seen snow before and was looking forward to finally seeing some.

When the gate was opened and the return of Brandon Stark was loudly announced, excitement rose in the southern woman. She pulled lightly on the reins to slow her horse so she could ride slightly behind the heir to Winterfell. She was not yet his wife or ranked as high to ride in beside him.

Immediately, Brandon noticed her behavior and looked back at her encouragingly. To him, she was everything and etiquette was not important to him in such a case, but he credited her with her respect for him and his family.

As soon as the horses of the new arrivals stopped, men came up and took the reins from the riders and took the horses away to take care of them there.

Leading by example, Brandon had stepped up to Aruna's horse and helped her dismount, then took her hand and led her into the fort. Brandon was greeted kindly by many people and he gave everyone his beautiful smile. Aruna watched curiously as everyone admired him and as he admired everyone. Brandon was a really down to earth person and was always trying to get along with everyone and be friendly.

The young Stark led his chosen girl directly to the Stark family premises. Aruna was so excited that she couldn't say a word until then and she tried to cover everything with a smile. She was afraid that Brandon's family would not like her.

"Bran!" a bright voice resounded against the walls of the cozy room. At the same time, a little girl ran up to her brother and immediately he took her in his arms. "Look at how big you've grown, little fighter."

Embarrassed, the girl smiled - Aruna guessed that was his sister - and leaned against Brandon. Together they walked further into the room and the rest of the family members greeted the young man.

"Mother, father. I want you to meet someone." Brandon looked almost excitedly at his parents and then at Aruna as he took her hand. "This is Aruna. My betrothed."

The whole trip she had been thinking solely about Brandon and how he would react, never for a second thinking about his family. It wasn't until they had ridden through the big gate that everything suddenly became so real. Aruna would really marry Brandon and live here with him forever.

Aruna curtsied and respectfully bowed her head. "It is my honor to meet you and marry your son, my lord, my lady." Cautiously, she then looked up.

Curiously, the four family members eyed her. Their faces were always friendly and it was Lady Stark who first spoke to Aruna. "The pleasure is all ours, Lady Aruna. Please call me Meyra, if you wish." Brandon's mother was a beautiful woman and carried an incredible elegance in her movements and in her words.

"Aruna this is my father Lord Rickon, my little brother Finley and my little annoying saw Ronja." Introduced Brandon to his family with satisfaction.

Lord Stark's warm smile was very similar to that of his firstborn, except that his smile was almost hidden by a beard. Brandon's siblings were a few years younger and therefore still children.

That same evening, Lord Stark had a great feast prepared in honor of the return of his son and his promised wife. Since the carriage with Aruna's maid and her dresses had not yet arrived, Lady Stark had been kind enough to give Aruna some of her own dresses.

The fabrics were so different from the ones Aruna knew from home or from King's Landing. They were much thicker and some were warmly brushed with fur, but they felt rather stiff than the thin clothes from her home.

Aruna even got her own room, which was smaller than the one in King's Landing, but all the cozier for it. Thick curtains hung to the left and right of the window and there were many soft rugs on the carpet. Also on the bed were many blankets and pillows, as in King's Landing, and on the beams of the four-poster bed hung many cloths, which reminded her of Highgarden.

When she entered the room, a maid was already preparing a hot bath. Aruna liked to be independent of a maid, but she was only too happy to be helped out of her heavy clothes today.

The hot water did her aching body good and she almost fell asleep in the tub from exhaustion. The maid helped Aruna to get out of the tub again and to put on a night robe when she noticed how tired the lady was.

Since there was still time before the feast in the evening, Aruna was able to sleep in the cozy bed for a few hours. After her journey and all the nights spent on the forest floor or sitting in the carriage, she felt as if she was lying on clouds and because of the many blankets and the warm fire in the fireplace, she was not feeling cold for the first time in weeks.

In the evening, the Tyrell girl was awakened and again dressed warmly in a beautiful dress from Lady Stark. The maid then led her into a large hall that was already well filled. Not only the whole Stark family, but also some lords and also servants as Aruna noticed. She had never seen a blacksmith or stable boy eat in the same room as a lord.

Brandon had introduced her to some people and she had also had a good chat with them. Aruna was anxious to make a good impression and know as many people here as possible, as was Brandon. After all, she would eventually be their Lady and Lady of Winterfell.

Her betrothed had been by her side the entire evening holding her hand. He was impressed by Aruna's open yet shy nature; while she spoke, she was curious and always attentive while listening.

Ronja, Brandon's little sister, was also with them the whole time, holding her brother's other hand. Aruna immediately took the little girl to her heart and it didn't take her long to warm up to Finley either.

At their first engagement party in Brandon he had promised to show her what real celebrating was and he had been right. Here in the hall of Winterfell there was a completely different happy atmosphere than in King's Landing.

People talked, laughed and danced together and drank the good wine, but they did not get drunk. It didn't matter what rank the men or women were. They all seemed like one unit. Like one big family without borders.

Aruna was touched by the open nature of the northerners. In the south there would never be such a thing.

She gave the first dance to her betrothed Brandon, the second to her future father-in-law Lord Rickon. After that, she lost track. She danced with men, with women, with children. In pairs or as a group. There were no real dance steps, the main thing was everyone had fun and laughed a lot.

Among all the Northerners, the Southerner immediately felt comfortable and well received. All her worries beforehand had been more than unfounded.

~~~

A few days after their arrival, Aruna's carriage also arrived. She was glad to see the three familiar people again and had hugged them all tightly. All three had been a little surprised, but had returned her embrace.

The three were also warmly welcomed and immediately given something warm to eat and their own rooms.

Aruna had come to know and love the Stark family over the past few days. There was not an awkward moment from the beginning and slowly Aruna arrived in the north. She felt really comfortable.

But most of Aruna's time had been spent with Brandon, they had also gotten to know each other once again in a different way here. He took good care of her and did everything to make her feel comfortable here, which he didn't really have to go out of his way to do.

With Aruna's carriage also arrived her wooden box with her belongings, which she unpacked immediately in her new room. She hung her clothes neatly in the closet and sorted her jewelry in the drawer of her table. The most important personal belongings she left in the box, which she placed in front of her bed.

As the box became less and less full, something else appeared. Carefully she took out the longish object and wrapped the soft cloth around it. Her first and only sword was revealed.

Immediately tears welled up in the girl's eyes, because it was actually her brother Adrik's sword. She had not known that he had packed it for her or that he had even taken it with him to King's Landing. Aruna had assumed it would still be hanging on the wall in her old room in Highgarden.

She carefully placed the sword on her bed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Her heart was heavy at the thought of her brother. She already missed him sorely.

Since her arrival, she had written him a letter almost every day, telling him about her day, and she had also received a long letter from him through a raven.

When she had calmed down again, she knelt down in front of the box and took out an unknown garment bag from which a letter was hanging. Carefully she put the garment bag on the bed and opened the letter first.

"Dearest Aruna,

I hope you have arrived safely in the North and everyone is treating you as you deserve.

I couldn't help but make a gift for you and for your wedding, because I know you will look just beautiful in it.

I promise to take good care of your brother. My thoughts are with you,

Yours, Alicent."

Aruna was touched by her friend's kind words. She put the letter on the bed and excitedly opened the cloth like a child and took out the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. It was a white long dress with golden ornaments. A wedding dress.

She wondered where Alicent could organize this dress so quickly and hide it in her chest. The girl decided to thank her friend as soon as possible by writing a letter and to wear this beautiful dress.

It was also the only wedding dress she had now and she would not have to worry about another one.

That same evening she sought to talk to Brandon and told him about the gifts from her brother and the Queen.

"That is really very thoughtful of them both. We must write to them." Brandon led Aruna through the nearby lands, showing her his favorite places and the Godswood. Aruna was impressed by the beauty of the north and the warm hearts of the northerners.

Especially a Northerner had done it to her very much and let her forget someone quite certain.

But she would never be able to forget Daemon and Rhaenyra, she was sure of that. She also sorely missed the two of them, but she tried to focus on the here and now.

"Brandon?" Shyly, she looked at the two hands and then into his eyes. "I don't want to wait anymore. I want to marry you."

Her words lit a true fire of joy in his heart and his lips formed into a smile. "You wouldn't believe how much I want that too, my love."

And then everything happened very quickly.

Brandon relayed the request for the quick marriage to his father. He couldn't find a word to say no to his son who was in love with her, and he arranged for the marriage to take place quickly.

Just as the two had wished, everything was also implemented. They wanted to marry alone with the family in the Godswood and afterwards celebrate a big feast with all of Winterfell.

Lord Rickon Stark personally led the bride to his son in the forest and put the ribbon around the two hands of the lovers.

"We stand here in the sight of the gods and men to witness the union of man and wife: one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever." Aruna didn't know who was speaking - and she didn't care - she only had eyes for Brandon and his beautiful blue green eyes at that moment.

Everyone was wearing their finest clothes, but neither Aruna nor Brandon noticed, because they only had eyes for each other in this special moment.

Brandon wore a festive cloak with black fur and the crest of his house emblazoned on his chest. Aruna herself wore the beautiful white wedding dress from Alicent. Her hair was tied in a typical southern style in many braids into a wreath and only single braids were over her shoulders. Both wore gloves to protect them from the cold.

The wounds on Aruna's hands had already healed and only a scar on her left hand reminded her of Daemon and the crown. The thought of him and how they had mixed their blood together gave her goose bumps.

The same hand that was connected to Daemon's was now connected to Brandon's as they said the oath together.

"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger." They held their joined hands and looked into each other's eyes as they said their vows, promising each other love, honesty and sincerity.

"I am his and he is mine."

"I am hers and she is mine."

Brandon wrapped his wife tightly in his arms and kissed her deeply. She returned the kiss with the same passion and had a hard time breaking away from her now husband.

The bride and groom were hugged tightly by the family and then greeted warmly in the courtyard of the castle.

Everyone rejoiced at the marriage of the heir and his chosen one, and it was the biggest and most heartfelt celebration Aruna had ever seen. Only with difficulty did she realize that this was her celebration. Her wedding.

She was now married.

As at the welcoming feast, Aruna danced a lot until her feet hurt. The food was excellent and the bitter Nordic wine flowed in streams. Not for a second did the bride and groom break away from each other that evening.

Not until several men lifted Aruna later that night. Brandon had already told her about this tradition and promised her that none of the men would undress her on the way to the chambers, as was usually the tradition.

Aruna trusted her husband and so did his - and now her - men. None of them touched her indecently or dared to undress her.

On the way to the chambers the men cheered and Aruna laughingly tried to keep her skirt down, her cheeks warm and red from all the wine.

The men handed Aruna over to Brandon at the threshold of his chambers. He carried her in laughing and then closed the door behind him after gently setting her down on the floor. For the first time in hours, they were completely alone.

Longingly they looked into each other's eyes and then fell on each other. The kisses were quite passionate and their hands explored each other's bodies as they undressed.

Brandon was quite careful and gentle with her. After all, he thought this was Aruna's first time.

She had not had the heart to tell him about the night with Daemon and had sworn to take this secret to the grave. It was already known to Rhaenyra and that was already one too many who knew.

Brandon covered Aruna's skin with kisses as they lay on the bed. They both had to giggle the whole time and then looked at each other dreamily.

And then Brandon thrust into her and Aruna had her first time as a now married woman.

Aruna's hands wandered over her husband's naked body as she moaned in pleasure. Brandon was bent over her, paying attention to her every reaction. She was for him the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and he came almost alone from her wonderful sight under him and her lustful moans.

After the consummation of the marriage, they lay side by side and talked about the events of the day. At some point Brandon got up, got dressed and left the room to quickly get some more wine and something to eat when Aruna got hungry.

When he was gone, she carefully lifted the blanket and searched in vain for a drop of blood. She was aware that a woman only bled on her first time, but still she was frightened when she saw the clean white cloth.

She was afraid of what might happen if neither Brandon nor a maid found a bloodstain. Everyone would know immediately that she had not been a virgin at her wedding.

With a beating heart she got up and went to the wall where some swords, daggers and other fighting utensils were hanging. She grabbed a dagger and carefully cut her foot, then put the dagger away and lay back in bed, making sure that the small wound did not leave any stains on the floor.

She spread the little bit of blood that came out of the wound on the white sheet and then covered herself again. Aruna had deliberately chosen the spot on her foot so that Brandon would not notice it and see through her game.

Shortly after Brandon came back and put the wine, cheese and bread next to the marital bed, then he undressed again and the two sat down on the fur in front of the warm fireplace.

When he then took the blanket from the bed, so that they could cover themselves additionally, since he knew how quickly Aruna freezes, he discovered with satisfaction the small blood stain on the bed sheet.

***

This is far from the end!

Have a good day! <33