The timeline of the wedding had been pushed forward after the rumours of the Princess' escapades in Flea Bottom.

She had been lucky enough that it had been postponed until after Tyrion and Sansa's wedding.

Part of her felt bad for enjoying her extended freedom, when it cam at the expense of the young Stark girl.

She had spoken with her husband to be, who had been shocked to learn that she had similar preferences to him.

They agreed to do their duties to their families and marry. But once they were bound together, they would each dine as they saw fit.

However, Aelinor made it very clear he was to be discreet in his relations at court.

She couldn't risk being another Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Aelinor had insisted on having Eleanor there to help her prepare for the big day.

They had been accompanied by a few handmaidens who her mother had sent, insistent they help her prepare.

Today, she had decided to let her natural curls, that she had inherited from both of her parents, shine. She was so used to using heat on her hair, simply because it made it more manageable.

One of the maids had done two small braids halfway and a large braid in the centre, pulling it together with a hair tie, leaving the rest of her curls to cascade down her back. (A/N: Think Lagertha from Vikings, played by Kathryn Winnick, who could have been an amazing Targaryen if Daenerys wasn't the last pure Targaryen, or as Visenya from a prequel about Aegon the Conqueror.)

Next, it was time for her dress.

Her dress was rather simple. It was ivory. The corset was laden with beading on the bodice. She also had a lace choker which held together her maiden cloak, that had been designed specifically for her. Ivory to match her dress with the sigils of both her parents houses in silver.

The skirt was the same ivory material as the corset, simple, with the front center being accentuated with silver beading.

Aelinor didn't feel the need for an over the top wedding gown. She wasn't the Queen (yet?), and the marriage was something neither party looked forward to.

Once she had finished, she dismissed the handmaidens, leaving only herself and Eleanor.

They joined hands, foreheads resting against one another, trying to take in these last few moments together before Aelinor became a married woman.

"So..." Aelinor began.

"So..."

"This is it. In a matter of minutes, I will officially be married and the futuire Lady of Higharden."diane

"Yes you will. You look beautiful."

"Please know this changes nothing between us. You will soon marry and have children of your own."

Eleanor's father had been quite pleased with the match. Though the Velaryons had fought for Stannis, this was viewed as a positive. To keep them from involving themselves in the war, especially on the side of the "Usurper", Stannis.

Her wedding was set to take place shortly after Aelinor's. Lord Whent had insisted, and Aelinor agreed. To her, it would provide Eleanor with another layer of protection.

The ceremony would take place on Driftmark, naturally, Aelinor had convinced her mother to allow her to attend. Though it would be with a heavy guarded presence.

Her mother feared her being abducted at sea and she wasn't going to take any chances.

"I love you," Aelinor said.

"I love you too."

The pair shared one final kiss.

"I should leave before I start to cry."

"Don't cry. This is not the end of our story. 'Tis simply a chapter. I have spoken to Loras and we have come to an agreement. We will still be allowed to be together. You will marry Jacearys Velaryon and the agreement he reached with Daemon will continue as planned, so long as you want it."

"I do."

There was a knock on the door.

"Princess?" A voice said. "It is time."

Eleanor gave her another peck before walking to the door. "I will see you there."

With one last smile, she exited, leaving Aelinor alone with her thoughts.

This was it. Honestly, the timing was perfect. As much as she would rather marry for love, it was now one of emergency.

A few days ago, Aelinor had been feeling unwell.

She knew there were a few things that could have caused her to feel this way.

But, knowing she had not drank the moon tea provided to her, she suspected she was with child.

Meaning she needed to marry Loras as soon as possible to be able to pass the child off as his.315 3015

She had secretly gotten a maid to call a natural healer, because she knew she could not trust the Maestars in the castle.

They would report straight to her mother and grandfather.

The healer had confirmed her suspicion. She was with child.

Now, here she stood, about to enter married life, with a man who had not fathered her child.

She has already told Loras, who appeared relieved. They would not have to consummate their union. He was even more relieved she had been smart enough to lie with someone who looked strikingly similar to him. It would help in the event of rumours regarding their parentage.

Aelinor released a deep breath, taking one last look in the mirror, before opening her door and stepping into the hallway.

She was met by two guards whose duty was to escort her to the Sept of Baelor to be married.

Which is exactly what they did.

When she reached outside, there was a carriage waiting for her along with two horses for the guards.

She carefully made her way to the carriage, the footman holding her hand as she entered, waiting for her to be seated comfortably before closing the door.

Moments later, the carriage was in motion.

The ride to the Sept was not long.

In fact, she had drifted off, and when she came to, she realized they had arrived.

"You can do this," she whispered to herself before exiting the carriage, again with help.

The servants stood at the door preparing for her entrance.

After a few deep breaths, she nodded at them and they pushed open the doors.

All eyes were immediately on her as she entered.

From the corner of her eye, she saw her insufferable brother approach, as he had Sansa at her wedding.

"You're to be married sister. You ought to thank me. I could have sold you to a fat old Lord like Walder Frey."

"Thank you," she said through clenched teeth.

"Ah, good. You're learning to respect your superiors."

Aelinor had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. Superior? Yeah right. He was only a vicious spoiled bastard cunt with no real claim to the throne.

But something told Aelinor his claim would not last much longer.

Joffrey offered her his arm, which she was forced to take.

The pair made their way down the steps, passing the audience who stared in awe at the Princess.

He led her to the steps where her soon to be husband stood.

Letting go of his sister's arm, Joffrey joined his mother, brother, grandfather, uncle and Sansa.

The Tyrells were on the opposite side, in support of Loras.

Aelinor made the last few steps to join her husband on the platform.

First the Septon asked if there were any objections to the marriage. Of course there was not. No one would dare incur the wrath of the young King or his grandfather.

"You may now cloak your bride and bring her under your protection." The Septon instructed.

Loras removed her maiden cloak, handing it a nearby servant, before wrapping the cloak baring the Tyrell sigil across her shoulders.

The Septon wrapped the ribbon around their conjoined hands.

"In the presence of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one, for etiernity." He faced the pair, saying, "Look upon one another and say the words."

"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger..." The pair began in unison.

"I am hers and she is mine from this day until the end of my dais."

"I am his and he is mine from this day until the end of my dais. "

"With this kiss, I pledge my love, and take you for my Lord and husband."

"With this kiss, I pledge my love and take you for my lady and wife.

It might sound sad, but they had discussed the kiss beforehand.

Even if none of them felt anything during it, they at least needed to make it convincing enough, to quell any possible rumours when it came time to have children.

Another arrangement they had discussed.

Both of them leaned in, allowing their lips to touch for a few seconds. Not short enough that it was embarrassing, but not long enough, it was awkward and obvious.

When they pulled back, the Septon smiled at them before gesturing for them to face the crowd.

Both plastered smiles on their faces as they searched the faces in the crowd.

Aelinor's smile grew larger as her eyes met Eleanor's who had a blissful smile on her face.

"Let it be known. Princess Aelinor of Houses Baratheon and Lannister and Ser Loras Tyrell of House Tyrell are one heart, one soul, one flesh. Cursed be those who seek to tear them asunder." The Septon said, looking out at the crowd.

Much like Tyrion and Sansa's wedding, a feast had been arranged.

Everyone had returned to the Red Keep and the feast was held in the same room as Tyrion and Sansa's.

The feast was as one expected. They ate, drank, danced.

The newlywed couple joined hands to cut their wedding cake, a mixture of nightingales and songbirds flying away.

Hoping to placate their audience, they grabbed a slice and fed it to one another.

Then came time for the bedding.

"Time for the bedding!" Joffrey exclaimed.

Being he wasn't able to hide behind this ritual to embarrass his uncle Tyrion and new aunt in law, his former betrothed, Sansa, Aelinor expected he was that much more determined this time around.

"Joffrey, dear. She is your sister. What of her honour?"

"What honour? Besides, it is tradition. Ladies, gentleman, I'm sure you know what to do."

Seeing as Loras was holding their slice of cake, it left her hands free. Free to grab the knife they had used to cut their cake.

"Any of you who dares lay a hand on me, your wives will have me to thank for making them widows." She turned to Joffrey, lowering the knife. "Brother, I think we have it from here."

She grabbed the slice of cake from a shocked Loras, setting it down on the table, before grabbing his hand and pulling him to leave.

They soon arrived at their new shared chambers, alone.

Thankfully, there would be no witnesses as there was no need to consummate their marriage. Aelinor was already pregnant. She would simply have to wait a while before announcing it.

Entering, she closed the door behind them and turned to him. "Give me your hand."

"What? Why?"

She grabbed it, before leading him over to the nightstand where a vase of flowers sat. Knocking it over, it shattered.

Picking up the largest piece she could find she offered it to him. "Use this. They will check the sheets, especially after the rumours. They will want to prove I was still pure before the act. Which we both know is not true. Take this and make a small cut, smear the blood to let them believe it was from me."

"Why me?"

"Your're a knight. You can pass it off as a sparring injury. Me, since returning to the capital, I have neglected my training. If I suddenly show up with a cut on my hand, people will be suspicious."

Loras shrugged and did as she bid. Hissing, he used the cut to make a small cut and let the blood pool on their bed.

"Good. That is enough. Here." She handed him a towel to wrap his hand. "I'm not sure how you want to handle pur sleeping arrangement. At least until my pregnancy becomes more visible, we'd be expected to share chambers. After that, I could move back to mine, at least until I give birth."

"Uh, sounds good. I'll just sleep on..." He pointed to a small setee, just long enough for him.

"I'm not that big yet. There's plenty of room."

"Right."

Together, they lied down on the bed, and pulled the sheets over them.

Thus was the first night as a married couple.