On the morning of the wedding Eddmina was woken by a group of handmaids coming into her room to prepare her for the day ahead, bringing a bath in with them for her. She felt numb as she got out of bed as if she was not in her own body, allowing the handmaids to strip her from her nightgown and help her into the tub. As they washed her with rich soaps and oils, she couldn't quite figure out how she felt, but she soon realised she wasn't really nervous at all. Her excitement didn't quite match that of the handmaidens fussing over her, but as she laid in the hot water, she felt almost content.

Any nerves she did feel, she realised, were not out of duty. Perhaps if she was marrying anyone else - anyone who wasn't Willas - she might feel different, seeing the ceremony as something just for the good of her family, but she wasn't marrying someone else. She was marrying Willas, and he was someone she cared about. The night before had been evidence enough for their feelings, and for a moment she almost forgot she was marrying out of betrothal. Their pairing to her felt more like an amicable deal of convenience, one that would make them both content, though that might be because if she thought hard enough she could still remember how warm she had felt in his arms as he kissed her. The memories of their kisses by the fountain seemed to surround her, a smirk impossible to fight whenever she thought of how his lips had felt against hers, how his tongue had ran across her bottom lip, how she'd bit his lip gently in an act of passion. She wasn't usually one for daydreaming, and she found herself amused at how vacant she was to what was happening around her, not even realising when the handmaidens were helping her out of the bath, towelling her dry and wrapping her in a thin robe.

She was shaking a little though as she sat down at the dressing table, thinking about the day ahead of her. It was then that she remembered her duty, and no thought of how kind Willas had been or how good of a friend he was could take her mind off the worry of what lay ahead. She didn't usually like a lot of attention, preferring to keep to herself and keep quiet, but as the bride attention was unavoidable, evident through the crowd of handmaids attending to her. It felt odd, considering she didn't have a maid back in Winterfell, refusing any sort of help much to her mother's annoyance, but she sat there and let them get on with their work, watching through the mirror as one of them laid her dress out on the bed, another brushing through her long dark hair.

"Are you cold, my lady?" the handmaid brushing her hair asked gently, mistaking her nervous shakes for shivering.

"No," she shook he head. "I haven't been cold for months,"

The handmaid let out a small laugh, and just as she finished brushing out her hair, a small knock came at the door. Not waiting for anyone to answer it, both Margaery and Leonette entered, both of them already dressed in their finery ready for the wedding, with Margaery wearing a grey and gold dress with her signature plunging neckline, whilst Leonette wore deep green. The two of them squealed excitedly as they saw her, both of them running to hug her, though their excitement made Eddmina nervous, especially considering she was wearing only a robe.

"You both look beautiful," she said honestly to both of them.

"Not nearly as beautiful as you're going to be," Margaery grinned, taking a seat on a stool next to Eddmina as she held something out to her. "A present from my brother,"

With unsteady hands, Eddmina took the present off Margaery, seeing it was a wedding veil, with something like a crown wrapped into it. As she unwrapped it, she found herself gasping as she saw it was a crown of Winter roses, mixed in with posies of wildflowers and white roses. It was a work of art, and it made her insides ache knowing that it was a gift from Willas. Resting in the middle of it was a folded piece of parchment, her name written on the front of it, and she carefully picked it up and began to read.

'My dearest, Lady 'Mina,

One last note before you are my wife. The anticipation to make you my Lady Tyrell is almost too much to bear, though you will always be the wild Winter wolf I found in the north.

I'll be waiting for you in the sept.

Yours, Willas.'

Unlike his other letters that sent her insides into a wild flurry of confused admiration and wonder, this note left her feeling content with herself and the day ahead of her. He clearly respected her, maybe even falling for her, which led her to believe that their marriage might end up being successful. With a small smile, she set the note aside, adding it to the ever-growing pile of letters on the end of the table, putting the flower crown onto the desk as well to focus on what Leonette was doing with her hair for the time being.

She was doing a similar style to what she'd done the night before, except all of her hair was pulled into the halo braid around her head save the few stray hairs left either side to frame her face. It surprisingly didn't look too southern, and part of her actually thought she suited it. Her hair was never completely up, either always down or in a normal, simple braid, but as Leonette finished braiding and began weaving small flurries of delicate white wildflowers and forget-me-nots into her hair, it began to look rather elegant.

"Heavens forbid anyone forget you're marrying into the house of flowers," Margaery joked with her usual smirk as Eddmina admired Leonette's work.

Eddmina didn't get the chance to respond as a small knock came at the door, though before she had the chance to call for whoever it was to enter Arya had burst in, looking unlike herself in a dress, her scowl suggesting their mother had made her wear it, Sansa behind her looking a little more excited, beautiful as always.

"You don't look like you," Arya said bluntly in place of a proper greeting as she saw Eddmina's hair, her comment making the three girls laugh whilst Sansa seemed offended.

"Neither do you, you've brushed your hair," Eddmina responded quickly, flashing her sister a small grin before she looked at Sansa. "Pretty as ever,"

"At least mother doesn't have to force me into wearing a dress," Sansa muttered darkly at Arya before sitting down on the stool next to Margaery's. "All the boys have gone to the wedding breakfast, even Jon,"

Yet another southern wedding tradition, the groom's family and the men of the bride's family meeting together the morning of the wedding for breakfast. Eddmina found the idea of Jon, Robb and even Theon having to sit and eat with the other Tyrells made her want to laugh, the harsh contrast between the two's lifestyles unavoidable in situations like that.

"Should you not be there too?" she asked Leonette and Margaery with a small frown.

"Probably, but we wanted to be with you," Leonette said with a small shrug, squeezing her shoulder supportively. "We've both been to plenty Tyrell breakfasts before, we'll not be missing out on anything I'm sure,"

"Plus Leo's still angry with my grandmother so she wants to avoid her for as long as possible," Margaery attempted to joke, but it only reminded Eddmina of what Leonette was angry about; Amariah. She realised this quickly, hence her continuing with, "Maybe we should go to eat?"

It was Margaery's words that reminded Eddmina that whilst they'd been talking the handmaidens had set out breakfast on the balcony, and as the other girls headed out, with Leonette talking enthusiastically to Sansa about something, Eddmina stayed sat down, staring at the flower crown in front of her. The roses were pretty, and she found it sweet that Willas had used winter roses, as if he was trying to show her that she would always remain a Stark, always representing the North even when she was expected to be a Rose of the Reach. Deep in thought, she felt a gentle hand rest against her shoulder, and she immediately looked around, her eye's meeting with her mothers.

"How do you feel?" Catelyn asked her daughter, trying to see beyond her stoic expression to work out her feelings.

"Fine," she answered simply, getting up from the dressing table, and before she could stop herself, forgetting the usual tension, she fell into her mother's embrace. "How am I meant to feel?"

"You're allowed to be nervous, but this is meant to be a happy occasion," her mother reminded her softly, stroking her back, and Eddmina was both glad and relieved for the affection. "I was terrified on my wedding day,"

"Yes, but you were on the brink of war, marrying your betrothed's brother," Eddmina remarked before she could stop herself. "You'd be a fool if you weren't terrified,"

"Maybe so," Catelyn replied simply, mostly because she had no idea how to respond. "But I think its normal to be nervous, especially given how different this place is to home. Come, we should eat something, you'll need your energy,"

Eddmina nodded, following her mother out onto the balcony, taking a seat at the breakfast table between Leonette and Sansa. Looking at the food in front of her made her feel sick though, her stomach twisting dramatically, so instead she poured herself a glass of water, sipping it carefully as the group made conversation. When her appetite did return she helped herself to one of the bread rolls, still warm in the middle as she tore it open and began to spread the strong blue cheese onto it, though as she ate she felt as though her stomach was made of stone. Maybe it was too optimistic to think that she wasn't nervous.

"I've never even seen a Sept wedding before," Eddmina confessed truthfully after a moment of silence, feeling all eyes fall onto her and struggling against flushing bright red as she heard her mother sigh disdainfully. "I don't know..."

"It's all rather simple, there's nothing to it really, nothing to be too scared of anyway," Margaery shrugged as she picked at the strawberries on her plate. "Your father will hand you over to my brother, and he'll wrap you in his cloak, bringing you under his and house Tyrell's protection,"

"The Septon will say a few things, wrap both of your hands together and you'll recite the names of the gods in a vow," Leonette continued, making Eddmina realise how clueless she actually was; she wasn't even sure she could remember all the names of the Seven, not that she was going to say that in front of her mother. "Then the two of you will kiss to finalise the marriage,"

"Well, that doesn't quite finalise it," Margaery joked teasingly, raising her eyebrows suggestively, and Eddmina held back a smirk as she heard Arya snort out a laugh, one that made Sansa and mother scowl at her.

"No, you're right, but it's the ceremony that Mina was worried about," Leonette forced a smile, biting back a glare at Margaery just in case her words had caused Eddmina's to panic even more about what was to come. "I've never seen the High Garden sept for a wedding either, Garlan and I got married at Cider Hall, he said it was the best way to avoid all the spectacle of a Tyrell wedding,"

Eddmina wished she and Willas could avoid the spectacle too. She'd be more than happy just riding off back to Winterfell and saying their vows by the weirwood under the watchful gaze of the old gods, and she was certain Willas would prefer that too. It was yet another reminder that this wedding was a thing of duty, something for their Houses to use as a symbol of power and alliance. She aways thought she'd be okay with a wedding for that purpose, but now she was marrying a man she actually liked, things seemed a little different.

She managed to eat a little more before the handmaids came back to tell them it was time she finished getting ready. Leonette noticed the subtle way her hands seemed to clench out of nerves, so she vowed quietly to her furute sister that she would remain with her, even when the others were ushered out of the chambers by the handmaids. Even the other Starks left, after final hugs and remarks, Margaery led them out telling them that she'd show the way to the sept, though the way Eddmina's mother gave her a small glance of regret stuck in her mind, even as the handmaids laced up her corset.

"What is it? Is it too tight?" Leonette asked as she sat on the stool of the dressing table, noticing the slight grimace on Eddmina's face.

"No, I just..." she took a deep breath before meeting her future sister's eyes. "I don't want to disappoint anyone,"

"I don't think you could ever disappoint, Mina," Leonette reassured, leaning over and taking told of one of her hands, squeezing it tight. "Not us Tyrells, not your family, no one,"

Leonette was probably right, she usually was, but Eddmina couldn't help but mentally disagree. All her life she felt like a disapointment, even if the words weren't said to her directly, she still felt as though her character let the family down, the look her mother had given her a perfect example. Maybe her mother regretted the choice of Eddmina's betrothed, or maybe she was regretting that it was her getting such a good match considering Sansa was far prettier and far more ladylike. Either way, Eddmina was determined to make it so that her mother's only regret was not having more faith in her eldest daughter, especially as she caught her reflection once she was fully dressed.

After only seeing a first cutting of the dress at the fitting, Eddmina hadn't been sure what to expect, but now it was complete, now she was wearing it, she felt as though she was wearing piece of art.  A white-ivory bodice and skirt, the dress was buttoned at the back with long sleeves and a 'V' neckline that was the fashion of High Garden though a little more modest. Though the dress was lace, there was delicate embroidery running up and down the skirt, golden swirls and roses decorating the dress. Pulling her waist in tightly, the skirt flared out in an A-line cut making her feel almost regal.

"Do I look a southerner?" She asked Leonette out of habit.

"Never," Leonette grinned at her, getting up from the bed and taking hold of Eddmina's hands, squeezing them encouragingly. "I'm so glad you're marrying Willas,"

Eddmina didn't get chance to respond, as a knock came at the door. One of the handmaids went to answer it, curtseying at the entrance of Lord Stark, and Eddmina had never been more relieved to see her father. As soon as Leonette dismissed herself with the remaining handmaids, she practically fell into her father's arms, only realising that she was shaking as he held her in his tight grip. Careful not to mess her hair, he pushed a reassuring kiss to the top of her head.

"It's not too late if you want to back out? If you truly don't want this we can work something out Edda, I promise," he told her, hating to see her so nervous when she was usually so confident.

"I never thought I'd see the day that the right honourable Ned Stark would dare break a deal," Eddmina joked, enjoying the way her father chuckled quietly. "I'm okay, I promise. I like Willas enough, I'm just nervous, but I'm okay,"

"There's no shame in that, Edda," he reassured her. "There's no shame in being scared or nervous. It's only when someone is scared that they can truly be brave, and you're a very brave woman. I'm proud of you,"

Her father wasn't someone who complimented or expressed pride often, so Eddmina wanted to cry. She loved and respected her father beyond words, he was the greatest man she knew, save Robb or Jon, and she knew that she had no reason to be scared if he thought her brave enough.

***

Willas always knew Eddmina was beautiful, but when he saw her walking towards him down the aisle of the sept with her father, he realised just how lucky he was to have been matched with her. The heavy grey cloak of House Stark wrapped around her shoulders didn't seem to be weighing her down at all, and with the crown of winter roses she looked almost like royalty. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw her nearing him, realising just how real it all was, that he was about to marry such a lovely woman.

She looked stoic as always, lacking any sort of fear or nerves. He imagined that saying vows in front of Gods that weren't hers took the pressure off the situation slightly, not that he could relate. He'd been fine all morning, but now he could see her he was fighting against feeling flustered, to the extent he refused to even look down at the crowd where his and Eddmina's family were stood. He imagined her siblings wouldn't look too happy, he was about to take Eddmina away from the Starks after all, and his own would probably catch on to how nervous he'd suddenly become.

Maybe if he'd have not kissed Eddmina the night before he wouldn't be such a mess, but he'd given into his impulses. He'd been up all night thinking of her, trying to understand how he felt, but now she was approaching all he could think was how desperate he was to not disappoint her. He cared for her a great deal, even if he'd only known her a few months, and he was certain that he never wanted to hurt her. He wanted to protect her from the terrifying world they lived in, which just seemed to add on pressure for the marriage. He had no idea how to be married, but he'd have to learn quick if he wanted to look after her, if he wanted to do right by her.

Thankfully before he could overthink anymore she was there, looking just as relieved as him, neither of them a fan of the grandeur of the ceremony. Her father, stoic and serious as always, offered one last protective glance over Eddmina before he handed her arm to Willas, nodding his head at them as he stepped back to the rest of the crowd. Willas couldn't help but think just how similar Eddmina was to her father, both of them serious and duty driven, yet careful and caring about the ones they love.

"Hello," Eddmina whispered to him, smirking again as if to reassure the both of them about what was going to happen.

"Good morning," he smiled back at her, trying to find the words to tell her just how lovely she looked.

"You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection," the septon instructed, and they were both reminded what they were actually there for.

Eddmina nodded gently, turning her back on him as she waited for him to wrap his cloak around her.  When he did, carefully shrouding her in the rich fabric displaying a thousand tiny golden roses against a green backdrop, he noted just how much his house colours suited her. She turned back to face him, offering him a small smile that he returned, looking into his eyes, practically unaware of whatever else the septon was saying. It was unimportant anyway, all that mattered to him was the woman standing at his side. He could see she was taking in deep breaths, and he had to fight to not take hold of her hand and reassure her that it was all going to be over soon. She didn't seem nervous though, not even as the septon intructed them to place their hands together and he wrapped a ribbon around them, joining them together.

It was time for them to say the words. The two turned to face each other, and Willas instantly noticed the slight panic in Eddmina's eyes, remembering the fact that she followed the old gods and not the faith of the seven. Surely she knew the names of his gods, she was smart enough to know them regardless of her own religion, but the nerves of the occasion might have wiped them straight from her mind. He squeezed her hand reassuringly, and began to speak, gesturing for her to copy him.

"Father, Warrior, Smith, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger," they spoke, Eddmina's eyes meeting his as she desperately tried to keep up with vows she'd never learnt before. "I am his, he is mine, from this day until my last day,"

She let out a small sigh of relief, so slight that only Willas noticed it, but it made him let out a quiet laugh regardless. He could feel her hand shaking against his and he stroked his thumb against hers, wanting desperately for the whole thing to be over with so he could talk to her properly, but the septon had begun to speak once more and the two turned their attention back to him.

"Let it be known that Eddmina of House Stark and Willas of House Tyrell are one heart, one flesh, one soul, from this day until their last day," he vowed, untying their hands, though they did not separate.

It was time for him to kiss her, they both realised, and as if asking for permission he squeezed her hand, raising one of his eyebrows. She nodded gently, edging closer to him. It was then that he dropped her hand, instead placing it on her waist, feeling her tense up slightly before relaxing into his touch.

"With this kiss I pledge my love," he told her, trying to fight a smile. "And I take you for my lady and wife,"

Willas moved down to her, pushing his lips against hers. It was gentle and soft, a kiss that lasted no more than a few seconds, but that was enough for him, knowing he was probably making her feel anxious. It was as if he had ignored everything that had happened the night before, treating her as if it was their first kiss and wanting to be are careful with her as possible. What he didn't know was that for Eddmina was that it was the perfect first kiss for starting out her marriage. It wasn't driven by sexual desire or longing, but it seemed caring and kind, the sort of thing she wanted from her marriage.

The witnesses in the sept were applauding, and Eddmina was almost certain she'd heard Garlan let out an entusiastic cheer, but none of that mattered. She was just glad the ceremony was over, showing her gratitude by pulling Willas into an embrace, placing her forehead against his. For those watching it seemed rather endearing, as if the couple actually liked each other already, even more so as Willas placed another kiss on her cheek, but in reality it was just the two expressing their relief to the other that it was all over.

"Eddmina Tyrell," Willas tried teasingly, kissing her cheek once more, making her blush ever so slightly. "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"Thank god it's over," she breathed out a sigh of relief, looking into his eyes before letting out a rather loud laugh. "Shitting hell, we're married,"

"We're married," Willas repeated, giving her hand a squeeze. "Have I told you yet how beautiful you look?"

***
Word count: 4040
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