Run with wolves - Ramsay Bolton (Book 1)

Chapter 34

Over time the Stark girl's became prisoners in the city of Kings Landing. They were exhausted of it all, they just wanted to go home. Ava sat watching the boats in the dock, she wanted to jump on one, wherever it was going, anywhere was better than there. "Lady Ava." Jaime's voice was soft. "Will you accompany me in the gardens?" He held his hand out. She stood up and linked her arm in his. He was deeply in love with the young wolf.

They walked through the soft colours of the garden, it was the most beautiful part of the miserable city. They stopped at a gazebo. The table was covered with plates of different foods that the poor could only dream of. "Please sit my lady, we have important matters to discuss." Ava sat down, she was nervous, even after all that time, he still made her nervous. They had been at each other's sides for almost all of the time since her arrival in the capital. Jaime was the only person she had been intimate with, she wasn't scared of physical intimacy, not with him anyway. She was scared by feelings and emotions, and she was scared of Cersei Lannister.

She picked at some grapes and kept her eyes on the plate. But after hearing what he was saying, she looked up to him. "You've been here since you were 15 years old, you're now 18. We should have been married a long time ago, now you're finally ready, the preparations are being made." Ava had put off the wedding as much as she could, but now she knew that she was safest with Jaime, that's why she had asked him to marry her, to stop him leaving for the Kingsguard, and to stop him having to bring back Robb's head. "We will marry and then go to Casterly Rock. We'll leave this place behind, together." Ava felt sick, she knew Cersei would have her killed for marrying Jaime, he was the love of her life after all.

Ava didn't love him, yes she was grateful for him and she appreciated him, but she didn't love him. He helped pull her out of the deep depression after her fathers death, she trusted him. But she didn't trust anyone else in his family. She didn't want to be tied to them. "You do love me, don't you my lady?" She looked into his eyes, she didn't want to lie to him, but she couldn't tell him the truth, she didn't want to hurt him. "Of course I do." He slid along the bench towards her. He lifted his hand to her cheek, looking from her eyes to her lips. He pressed his against her own. "You don't need to be afraid of my sister, I can take you away from here, it'll be me and you." She knew Jaime loved her, but he also loved Cersei. She knew that it wasn't just Baelish that had held off the wedding over the years. If he married Ava, he wouldn't be able to love Cersei anymore. He wouldn't be able to have them both.

Part of him wished that he could be with Cersei, they had 3 children together. But none of that mattered. If anyone proved it, they could both be killed. The other part of him was happy with the thought of spending the rest of his life with Ava. He was torn between his own sister, and the shy northern girl. They both held pieces of his heart, deep down he knew Ava was his only option. She was the only one he could have all of. "That's what I want Jaime, me and you." She said to him, he smiled warmly at her and pushed his plate away.

"I know you did this already, but it is tradition for the man to do it." He paused for a moment and took her hand in his. "Lady Avalynn of House Stark, will you do me the greatest honour and marry me?" She was shaking to the core. She couldn't say no, it was too late for that, she was in too deep. She had already asked him once before, begged him even. She had to do this, she wanted to do this. She wanted more than anything to love him the way he loved her. "Yes." She whispered. He kissed her again, more passionately. He pressed his forehead against hers and let out a sigh of relief. "I hope we're not interrupting anything." The sharp tone of Cersei's voice rattled Ava to the core.

She pulled away from her betrothed. "No, of course not sister." Jamie stammered. Sansa stood slightly behind, she looked like a ghost. "We have a wedding to prepare for." She looked Ava up and down. Sansa looked very upset, like she had been crying all day. "Lady Sansa will be marrying Lord Tyrion. We thought we would come and spread the good word ourselves." Her voice dripped with sarcasm and venom. Ava took to her feet. "She can't marry him. She's jus-" She didn't get to finish her sentence before she was interrupted. "Who gave you the authority to question your queen?" Ava stayed silent. "Sit down." Cersei spat at her.