Chapter 3: Promise me, Ben.
The next few weeks passed quickly. The wedding was to be held just a month after the meeting with Tywin. Robert often talked with Benjen about what it meant to be a man and the cautiousness he had to exhibit in a wedding with such a high attendance. Most lords of both the Westerlands and the North would be there, any misstep could cause the men of both sides to jump at each other's throats. Lyanna warned Benjen time and time again about the treachery of the Lannisters. "They may seem like fair princely folks. But don't believe it one bit, they'll betray even their deepest of friends if it means a tighter hold on profit. You've seen how Tywin reacted when his son died, young wolf: He decided to give away his daughter to his enemies to avoid trouble." Benjen would grow fearful of the beautiful blonde-haired Lannisters. He had not seen his betrothed yet, but he wasn't as excited as he might've been when Robert flaunted of this Cersei's beauty.
The time of the wedding came and Benjen was becoming ever more nervous. Benjen had his hair cut and dressed along with his short beard, this didn't bother him much, but the light grey doublet did, the hosens and their tightness as well, and the knee-high dark grey leather boots were uncomfortable to walk in. The old maids kept on complaining about how Northmen were brutes and smelled like sheep, Benjen felt ashamed, but Robert found it dreadfully laughable. In the end, when Ben looked at himself in a mirror, he questioned if that man was really him. He hoped it wouldn't bring Cersei's hopes up. Robert told him they were doing the same with Cersei, "The first time your wife takes off her 'face paint', you'll get what I mean." He told him in hushes, so the curious old maids wouldn't spread gossip.
The Great Sept of Baelor was used for Kingly weddings, but Robert commanded this exception to be made. The High Septon was a considerate and humble man, he posed no complaint. Many smallfolk were gathered outside, curious to see what these powerful Lord Paramounts looked like. They wished him well, praised his House and his name, it was all quite exhilarating for Ben, knowing the entirety of King's Landing had him as their focus. Ben felt as if he were in a dream, Lyanna was accompanying him, and she was as beautiful as he had ever seen her with a dark blue dress that fit her body perfectly, their bodyguards were clad in grey steel armors with the Stark emblem upon them. Ben knew that behind them would be the Lannister's parade, he had even heard a few chants directed to them. As they were to enter the Great Sept of Baelor, Lyanna took a tighter hold upon Ben's arm. "Remember our words." Ben looked forward, remembering that this was a mere daydream.
Winter is coming, he thought to himself.
Benjen forgot his foreboding thoughts instantly as he had to repress his laughter, in the right side of the sept were the attendees from the North. They were so fancily clothed, it seemed like a mummer's play. The younger noblemen who knew Ben also had to stop their own laughs at the sight of the well-dressed Benjen, their ordeal was made easier by slaps on the back of their heads and admonishing stares from their respective wardens and parents. In the left stood the men of the Westerlands, awaiting their liege lord and the bride.
Benjen paid little heed to the left side, he knew none of the lords there. But he felt a certain awe when he saw one of them towering over the rest in both heigh and width, his sister saw this. "That is Gregor Clegane." she whispered to him, "Do not get on his bad side.". Ben gave a wide smile to Lyanna, hoping to relax her mood. Life could cruel, but it doesn't have to -always- be so. But the she-wolf was ever wary, her only remaining pup was at her side and the sole thought of letting go of him for the ceremony filled her with dread.
As Benjen arrived to the altar, he was welcomed by the High Septon bowing his head. Benjen bowed in response. And now came the wait for the bride. Benjen looked back and waited with a certain anticipation. The doors opened. "Lady Cersei of House Lannister!" announced a man at the door. A woman with a long, beautifully crafted red and gold dress came into the Sept, Tywin Lannister at her side, they both walked with elegance towards the altar. Their every move seemed calculated, Cersei's most of all, as the long dress behind her dragged what Ben imagined to be a bothersome weight to be walking gracefully with. As they closed in, Ben felt his heartbeat increasing, unlike other noblemen, this marriage wasn't decided since he was born. And he was never supposed to marry into a powerful family, being third in line and all. Tywin let go of the bride and she went to Ben's side. The High Septon tugged Ben, whispering to him that he could not look at the bride so intently. Ben obeyed at the instant and looked forward, his face reddened.
The rites went on quickly in Ben's mind, as he felt his most feared moment approach. The exchange of cloaks. This seemed like a petty affair, but with a quarter of the Realm's nobility looking on, it was an entirely different ordeal. Ben walked as graciously as he could to the back of his wife, again he heard a few slaps coming from the North's aisle, he succesfully took off his bride's cloak, a giant thread of red velvet with the Lannister lion emblazoned upon it. He handed it out to a servant and another gave him the Stark cloak, white with the stark direwolf upon it. He clasped it succesfully on Cersei's back, there was no way he could fail, they even made him practice with faulty clasps a few days earlier.
Now came the moment for the kiss, Cersei took her own veil away from her face. Ben looked at his bride's eyes and she looked at his.
By the gods, he thought,
she's beautiful. The woman did not seem to flinch when she looked at Benjen.
I'm not that ugly, after all? he thought. The High Septon cleared his throat, which resounded quite a bit in the silent hall, and Ben reacted, wiping a dumb smile from his face. "With this kiss I pledge my love, and take you for my lady and wife." he said. His words resounding through the entire sept. Cersei answered, her eyes fixed upon his, "With this kiss I pledge my love, and take you as my lord and husband."
Ben leaned in and gave her a short, undaring kiss. The High Septon lifted a crystal, light penetrated it and came out as the seven colors of the rainbow, shining upon the two. "Here in the sight of gods and men. I solemnly proclaim Benjen of House Stark and Cersei of House Lannister to be man and wife, one flesh, one heat, one soul, now and forever, and cursed be the one who comes between them."
After this, cries erupted in the Sept. The northmen yelled "Stark! Stark! Stark!" while the westermen yelled "Lannister! Lannister! Lannister!". The bride and groom slowly left the Great Sept, the next step was the parade through the capital, then the feast in the Red Keep.
In the parade, Benjen and Cersei waved to the many smallfolk cheering them on and throwing all manners of flowers at them. Ben did not know what to talk about with Cersei, he kept his mouth shut for most of the voyage and waved at the people gathered around them. He thought they wouldn't exchange words on the way until Cersei uttered in an empty tone "This feels like a dream, doesn't it, Lord Benjen?". Benjen was surprised at his bride's sudden comment. "Oh, yes. It quite does, my Lady." he replied. The woman did not smile much, and when she did it was sly and weak, her eyes shone no light. Ben worried.
In the feast, wine and meat flowed left and right. The Westermen and Northmen forgot their old rivalries and the few fistfights that ocurred were met on with glee from both sides. Robert took the protagonism away from the pair which sat at his left. "Get to know your wife, lad." He told him, "After the feast comes the bedding, I say it all with that." Ben heeded his advice and tried to converse with Cersei, who did little else than look at her wine cup and give a smile to some cheerful women calling her from other ends of the dining hall. "Well, my Lady, I hope to be of your taste." He said to her. She replied with an uncaring "Of course, my Lord.".
Ben was growing desperate, he drank from his cup while looking on to all of his vassals and to Robert, to see if any of them had his back, but they were all very much busy with their laughter and drinks, some even with the serving girls. Ben was about to give up, but Cersei's voice reached Ben's ears. "I am sorry about your brother, my Lord." she said, her stare still lost in her cup, which was now empty. "Thank you for your condolences. I must say the same about your own brother, he was a brave man and a skilled fighter." He replied, unsure of how she wanted her comment to land. "He was a Kingsguard, he did what he had to do." She said, with the same voice of a child that repeats what he was told. Ben bent towards her and stared at her intently. "Pray tell, my Lady, of the adventures you had with your brother." Benjen asked as he petitioned a refill of both cups. Cersei seemed uneasy at the question, "He and I were twins, wherever we went we would be together, as one." She replied, then took a sip of her cup.
"Ah yes, Brandon and Eddard were the same, they had an age difference, but Ned admired Brandon so much he wouldn't stop following him." Ben said while looking down at his cup. "I was stuck following my dreaded sister, the she-wolf." Ben commented, a wide smile appeared on his expression as he fondly remembered the past. Cersei let out a small chuckle. Ben felt this laugh of Cersei's was his most resounding success in the entire day. Ben decided to press on, spurred by the wine, "Do you not have any specific tales? I'd love to hear them." he said. Cersei smiled, her eyes brightened up and she looked at Ben like a giddy young girl, "There was this one time, Jaime and I went off to visit a greenseer. You would not believe the things that old hag said. First..."
The conversation trailed on, they exchanged laughs, dances, and passionate thinkerings together. Hours went by and soon the feast became a mess of noblemen from all Houses dancing and singing together. Young married couples exchanged merry looks, the older ones danced slowly and single noblemen retired with serving girls, enviously praises of many of their friends.
The drunken Robert gave the married couple a look from the corner of his eye, they were dancing slowly and exchanging light kisses. Seeing this, the man was filled with glee, he gave out a thunderous laugh. He looked on to Tywin, who had also noticed the merriness of the bride and groom, even the stonefaced old Lannister was smiling at the sight, after that he looked at Lyanna, who was talking with a Kingsguard, unaware of the happenstances. He got up, cup of wine in hand and bellowed: "And now, I, as King of all of Westeros, declare that it is time for the bedding!". A hundred voices started yelling and cheering together, and soon both bride and groom were separated. Ben felt a moment of bliss as he heard his many young vassals cheering him on during their charge to the bedroom. When they arrived, they opened the door and threw a naked Benjen inside before slamming the door shut again. The same happened on Cersei's side, entering through another alleyway, she was pushed in and the door was shut again as many squealing girls wished her luck. The two were full of drunken confidence, and the night was young.
In the morn, Ben woke up to see his wife wide awake, yet obviously suffering from a dreadful headache. In a pained, tired voice she told him that Robert had asked for his presence whenever possible. Ben nodded, as he got up he felt the first hints of his own, well deserved headache hitting him like a wild horse. He stumbled for a bit as he got his clothing and started getting dressed. Cersei paid him no heed. Ben felt embarassed, without alcohol, she couldn't say much the woman of the golden locks. He prepared to leave the room shoddily dressed as he had little knowledge on how to put his fancy garments on. "Lady Cersei." He said, "If you are unwell, please go see the maester while I take care of matters with the King." Cersei nodded and waved him off, her hand still rubbing her pained forehead.
Robert patted Benjen on the back and congratulated him on the night's work, to which Ben replied with a smile. After this, Robert announced that he would declare Benjen Warden of the North, a title traditionally held by Starks. Benjen agreed, the title was more of a tradition than anything. As he left off to go back to his bride, Lyanna stopped him, taking him to her room.
"Ben, there is something I must tell you." she said in a hushed tone as she latched on to his arm. Her serious tone did not go well with Benjen's headache. "Can't this wait for tomorrow?" the young man replied while massaging his forehead. "No." she replied in turn, "In a week, I'll be leaving for Pentos."
Ben grew wide eyed and looked at Lyanna, "What in the southern seven hells are you talking about?" he angrily whispered.
"Listen, I- In the Tower of Joy, I-" She doubted. "Pup, I am so sorry." she said. Ben saw the sadness in his sister's eyes and wrapped his arms around her. "I am your brother above all else, Lyanna, tell me what happened." He said with a delicate tone, his headache grew worse, his head thumped.
A single tear came from the cheek of his dear sister, and she finally said the words. "I had a son. Rhaegar had a son with me." she confessed. Ben's eyes widened again, surprise filling his face. "What? But Robert-"
"Robert does
not know, he
must not know. I thought about running away without telling anyone, but I simply couldn't leave you like this, pup." she said, emotion overcoming her, her hug grew tighter.
"This child, where is he?" Ben asked. "Ser Arthur Dayne and the White Bull took him to Pentos. I've named the boy Harwood, he's inherited the dark hair of the Starks." Lyanna told him, tears slowly streaming from her face. "I must ask you for two things, Benjen. Please heed them." She said while letting go of the hug, her eyes fixed on Ben's.
"I shall, Lyanna. Anything for you." Ben replied. Lyanna nodded and a smile appeared on her face. "Robert is- He is unstable as a King, fit for warfare, not for ruling. And with Ned dead, Jon Arryn too old to help for long... I fear for Westeros, pup." Lyanna said, looking down in shame.
"The first promise:
never tell anyone of this child, let him be a rumor." she looked at Ben intently. Ben looked back at her, doubt filled his mind, but this was his sister, he could not doubt. "I promise." Ben replied. Lyanna let out a relaxed sigh. "The second one is a bigger duty." she doubted, biting her lower lip, "When Harwood reaches his tenth nameday, I want you to ward him. Say that he is a young boy of promise that would get along well with your children. I won't tell the boy who his father is. Promise me, Ben. Promise me you'll take care of him. I can not give him a good man's life in Pentos, please, I beg of you, do it for me."
Ben looked down, "Lyanna, that is-" He doubted, who could say what would happen in ten years time? But, this was his sister. She was desperate, he could not abandon her now. He was all she had. He raised his eyes and looked at her. "I promise. I will take care of the boy and make him a man of the North. But why in ten years?"
Lyanna took a few steps back, her face was filled with a teary happiness. "Ten years because, by then, the rumors of the bastard child of Rhaegar will have dissipated. If I were to send him to you now, or in five years. Doubt would settle in your court, moreso with that Lannister." She nearly gave a hiss when she pronounced Lannister. Ben nodded, yet he remembered something. "Lyanna, what about you? What are you going to do?" He asked, deep in worry.
"I'll be with Ser Arthur Dayne, Sword in the Morning. You've seen me with a sword, haven't you? We'll become bodyguards for some rich family of Pentos. I do not wish to enter courtly politics." She said. "If you ever have need of me, send a messenger, I will leave everything behind to help you."
Ben nodded, yet a few tears began to spring from his eyes. Too much in too little time. He would become the only Stark left in Winterfell. Lyanna gave him another warm hug. "You'll do well, young wolf. You're as strong, if not stronger, than your brothers." She let go of him. And Ben slowly recovered from his sadness. "I will miss you, dear sister. Please be safe in Pentos." He said.
"I shall. And thank you, my dear pup." she replied, the two had a final parting hug and Ben left his sister's room. All he could do now was reassess his feelings, and go back to his lady wife. In less than two days they'd have to leave for the North. He could already see the servants of the many Houses going left and right to prepare the ride north, for some, and west, for others.
The North, home of the last wolf. The lone wolf.