bakerstreet | Arranged

Arranged

Arranged Marriage

Marriage for love is a such a modern concept. In the past, marriage was
recognised as a social contract. Unions were entered into for many
reasons: to obtain property, to unite families, to carry on a bloodline,
et cetera. Whatever the reason, congratulations, you're getting married!

How to Play:
Post with your character | fandom | and any preferences.
Be sure to mention any scenarios you are interested or not interested in playing.
Tag Others.
Be awesome to each other.
Have fun!

POSSIBLE REASONS:
STATION: You come from a royal, noble, or otherwise distinguished family who has chosen a suitable spouse for you.
FEUD: You are being married to put an end to the bitter enmity between your two families.
ECONOMICS: Your economic state and/or your station will improve through the union, though one of you may be marrying down.
EMPIRE: You and your spouse are merging your businesses and/or property to create something more influential or profitable.
TRIBUTE: You have been offered as a gift or appeasement, alternately you're the spoils of war.
BLOODLINE: Carrying on your distinguished family name has fallen to you and the equally well-bred spouse of your family's selection.
DISAPPROVAL: Your marriage has been arranged to keep you away from the person with whom you truly wish to be.

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS
FIRST MEETING: This is the very first time you're meeting your future spouse.
COURTSHIP: To get to know each other and encourage affection, your family has approved of you going on dates.
ENGAGEMENT PARTY: Be it a huge, formal affair or a small, intimate get together, you're celebrating (or pretending).
WEDDING DAY: The big day!
RECEPTION: The big party!
WEDDING NIGHT: Every meme needs a smut prompt, right?
HONEYMOON: Where will you go with your new spouse and what will you do there?

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"We certainly will appreciate the help. Any assistance we get is welcome at this point." He's been having trouble getting anyone to agree to help, so this chance had been a blessing. And he's aware that both sides will want to get something out of this alliance, which is why he had readily agreed to allow the Grisha to make the North their new home, and take one of them as his wife. (It means, also, that he's not risking offending any of his lords by choosing someone else's daughter or granddaughter over his.)

He opens the door to the garden and escorts her inside. The steamy air carries the scent of dirt, and a few rows of vegetables peek out. It's much diminished from when Jon grew up here, after the years of strife.

"The garden sustained some damage in the battles that have been fought here, but this was among the first places to be repaired, so that we could begin growing food for winter." He comes to a stop in front of a spot where a rose bush grows, empty of any flowers, but still clinging to life despite everything. "There's a legend of a bard whose singing so impressed the lord of Winterfell that he was offered whatever he wanted as a reward, and all he asked for was the most beautiful flower growing in the gardens. Lord Stark offered him one of the winter roses from the gardens, and the next morning his maiden daughter had disappeared. In her bed was the rose the bard had received from her father." He looks longingly at the bush. Perhaps one of the Grisha can revive it and bring the roses back to Winterfell. "It's said that my aunt Lyanna loved the scent of them."

Genya hopes that with his and his sister's approval, she can begin delegating the Grisha to different tasks required around the keep. Jon needs soldiers first and foremost, but she can spare enough of the Materialki to nurture the gardens. She's been told the supplies are limited. Rationing has been commonplace. She hopes she can ease some of that if she can. Part of her wishes he's ability was something more useful than Tailoring a person's appearance. It serves her little here in a keep that requires actual resources.

She steps into the humid glass garden and sees what they're working with. She knows that Oleg and Irina will be excited about this project. He'll be able to have this garden flourishing if given some time. She joins her betrothed before a bush. She sees it like she sees anything else here in Winterfell. It's a survivor. All it needs is a chance.

"I've not seen winter roses before," she remarks. She sees a quiet longing in his eyes. King Jon carries so much upon his shoulders. He is a man of mystery, perhaps not simply to her, but his people as well. She places her hand lightly on his arm. "I will send my people here first thing in the morning to begin their work. They can assess what they can do and how long it can take."

There is the coming battle to consider, of course, which is why he had agreed to an arrangement that would gain him soldiers and coin, but that's not his only concern. The North needs to be looked after too; the Warden of the North has become the King in the North. The winter village is filling up as smallholders flee the coming winter and the gathering threat. Those families will all need to be fed, especially if he wants the men and boys to be strong enough to join in the battle. Assigning some of the newcomers to ease the food situation makes sense, especially since they're not all needed for fighting at the moment, and there isn't yet any dragon glass to fashion into weapons.

"The cooks used to tend these gardens. They will be glad to have the help in restoring them, especially since there are fewer of them than there used to be, and more mouths to feed."

"Excellent. I hope that within the week you will see progress," Genya replies warmly. She knows how much is at stake here. She will be his Queen, but she also needs to show him that the Grisha are useful. If the North accepts them then it will only help them prosper. She brushes her fingertips along the leaves of different plants. She can imagine it all thriving and blooming.

She takes his arm again. "What else do you need assistance with?" she asks. She wants to provide solutions.

"That would be a good start." Then it will be possible to start providing more food, and also he hopes that the smallholders knowing that it's the Grisha who made it possible will help them accept the Grisha more easily.

"Some repairs have been made already, to the boardwalks around the battlements, for the purpose of defense, and the great keep, as you must have noticed when you went to your quarters, wasn't damaged, because the Ironborn and then the Boltons were using it as their residence. There are some buildings that will need to be rebuilt." He escorts her back out to the courtyard to point them out. "The guest house, some of the pathways, some of the stables. I don't know if any of your people can assist with those, but as long as everyone has shelter, I think the gardens would be the first priority, along with fashioning weapons from any dragon glass we may obtain."

She'd noticed the repairs and how there was still more to be done. It was progress, progress that she could help with. She knew the Durasts would have their hands full with the glass gardens, but they could begin making a list of things that needed to be fixed.

"I'll begin writing down what needs to be fixed, so we can see to them accordingly," she answered. A light snow began to fall as they walked. They clung to her hair and lashes. "Where did you say we were sourcing dragonglass from again?"

There would be a lot of work for the Durasts given their small science. The Tidemakers and Inferni could help with keeping everyone warm and keeping the snow from building up too much.

"Is anyone in immediate need of a Healer?"

"I'll see that you get parchment and quills to begin with your list." Sam surely has one too, but this way she'll know what to discuss with her people. "There is no one in dire need of healing at the moment. Perhaps it would be better for them to save their energies for what is to come." Undoubtedly there will be many in need of healing after the battles ahead.

"It it my hope that we will be able to get dragon glass from Dragonstone, which is currently under the control of Daenerys Targaryen."

There's a snuffle from off to the side and Jon smiles as he sees a giant white wolf approaching. "Ghost. You said you wanted to meet him."

Daenerys Targaryen, the Dragon Queen. From what Genya had learned, the young woman commanded three dragons and descended from the Targaryen king that had been usurped decades ago. So far, she'd seem more concerned with the Iron Throne than any threat to the North. Genya thinks it would've behooved her more to propose a marriage alliance with the Stark King, but she supposes having dragons gave her a certain confidence most lacked.

Her loss is Genya's gain along with the rest of the Grisha. They had no concern with the Iron Throne. The North is a suitable place for them. They thrive in a similar climate in Russia. They take the threat of the White Walkers more seriously because they understand there are things much bigger and stranger than them.

"We'll have to treat with her, won't we?" she asks thoughtfully. She hopes that they do it after they married to secure her position better. It would also present a more united force to everyone else. She stills as the breath is stolen from her at the sight of the marvelous direwolf before them. He is much, much larger than a mental wolf with blood red eyes that stand out against his white fur.

"You've given him a fitting name," she teases as she remains next to Jon. She knows better to approach. It is up to Ghost whether he wants her close or not. "He's magnificent."

"I intend to send an emissary. There's too much needing to be done in the North for me to go myself." Plus, despite having the support of the North in general, he knows there are some who would take an opportunity when they see it, and it doesn't seem wise to him to leave the Northern throne vacant for that long. He can keep a better eye on the situation beyond the Wall if he here, too.

"He was the runt of the litter, too, if you believe it." Strange to think that this hulking creature could ever have been a runt of anything, and he's known Ghost since he was a pup.

"Come," he says to Ghost, seeing that Genya isn't afraid of him, and the wolf approaches at a trot.

"Perhaps Ser Davis? And one of my Heartrenders?" she suggests to him. His most trusted man and one of her Grisha that can detect lies and defend themselves more offensively if needed. It will present to Daenerys Targaryen that the King in the North is not without powerful allies of his own. The Grisha may not be dragons, but they are a formidable people with Inferni that can manipulate fire too.

She laughs at the idea that Ghost had been the runt. It's strange to think it considering how massive he is. She doesn't fear him, but she has a healthy respect for his power and ferocity. He is no tamed, domesticated creature. Slowly, to ensure none of her movements startle him, she extends a hand out in offering for him to scent her.

"You two are very close," she remarks. Ghost listens to Jon without hesitation. There's a deep bond there.

"Sansa, as well." Having a woman along may make a difference. He can't say, but he trusts Sansa as much as he trusts anyone, and knows that she understands as well as he does how important it is to get all of the assistance that they can.

"We've been through a lot together." Almost as much as he and Sam have been through. And then as well there's whatever Ghost went through on his own when he and Jon weren't together.

Ghost approaches slowly and reaches out to sniff at her hand.

"And Sansa," she agrees readily. She thinks his sister would be an excellent emissary, but she has an understanding that the Stark lady wishes to remain close to home. Genya wouldn't suggest sending her away unless her betrothed think it's appropriate. Sansa has a keen mind and sharp political acumen. She would do well treating with Daenerys Targaryen in her brother's stead.

She smiles at Ghost as he sniffs her hand. Slowly, she cards her fingers through his thick fur and scratches behind a large triangle ear. She chuckles softly at the way he seems to like it.

"He's lovely. I wish I could offer him a treat of some sort," she says ruefully. She imagines he hunts for his meals. He's no pampered, domesticated dog.

It's not a decision that needs to be made at the moment. There's the wedding to tend to first, among other things. Once the ceremony is done, and the agreement is official, then they will hopefully have the leverage to make an appeal for aid.

"You can." He pulls a strip of dried beef out of his pocket and offers it to her. "I keep them around just for him." For the moment, anyway. There may come a time when they all rely on dried meat.

Her expression lights up. She takes the strip of dried meat and offer it to Ghost. The direwold is surprisingly gentle when he takes it from her fingers. He eats it quickly then leans into her hand in thanks. She's thrilled by it. She dotes on him with affectionate scritches. She wishes she'd had something like Ghost protecting her back home in Ravka. Perhaps the king might have thought twice about touching her.

"Thank you," she tells her betrothed. Jon is amiable and kind. She thinks they can create a good marriage together, one based on trust and support, even if it isn't a love match. "You're blessed to have him."

"He's certainly useful to have around." Aside from his ability to alert Jon to danger, he can also help defend against that danger. Or avoid a threat in the first place because no one wants to go up against him or the man who commands him.

"Shall we continue?"

"Yes, please," she nods. She gives one last scratch to Ghost's ear before she takes Jon's arm once more. There's still more to see. She's trying to make an internal map in her brain, so she wouldn't get lost in the future. Winterfell is sizeable, much like the Little Palace, but in a more austere sort of way. "What else do we have left to see?"

"The crypt, though I suspect that wouldn't be particularly interesting." They're his ancestors, not hers, after all, and he doesn't expect that she'll care to visit them. "The stables, the library tower, I believe there are some parts of the Great Keep that you haven't seen yet. Some of the outbuildings were destroyed, but there are men working on repairs now."

"I understand you keep your dead down there. I'm told next to the Godswood, it is a sanctuary of reflection for the Starks," she remarks. She doesn't mind if he refuses to take her down there. It's a familial spot. She is a foreigner and not yet his wife.

She instead focuses on the other places he's offered. "We've brought some fine horses as well from the General's stables. He raises a fine line," she explains. It's part of the dowry she comes with along with the supplies and the Grisha. Anything to show the Notherners that they are an asset to have on their side. "Will you show me where you do most of your work? I'd like to familiarize myself with the duties expected of us."

"We do. The bones of many a Stark lie at rest in the crypt." Including the latest, poor Rickon, a pawn in a fight that had started when he was too young to understand. "We're having to do some repairs to the stables, but we'll find room for every horse." The Northerners pride themselves on their skill at riding a horse, because they're the only one of the seven kingdoms with the space to do it for more than just transportation.

He turns them back in the direction of the great keep. "Aye, there are a few places you're likely to find me. The library is in that tower there, though it's used mostly by Sam, and I'll show you the private areas of the keep."

"What are the private areas of the keep?" she wondered. She assumed Lady Stark had her own private rooms to host or do her work as lady of the keep. She also figured that the siblings would work side by side with one another to expedite the work. "Aside from the crypts, is there anywhere I should keep away from?" she asked courteously.

She didn't want to overstep her boundaries. She was to be his wife, but she also knew that she was still a newcomer. With time, she hoped to be a familiar and trusted face amongst his people. For now, she'd tread carefully.

"This is to be your home. You will be allowed wherever you wish to go." As the queen, he doesn't intend to keep her out of any particular areas of Winterfell.

He leads her into the great keep and up to the level above the great hall. "You've seen some of this area already. The quarters for the family are here. As well as," he opens a door into a room just down the hallway from his own chamber, "my solar, which is where I spend much of my time, at least when I'm not tending to business in the hall below."

"Will I share your solar to conduct business as well?" she wonders. She would learn from him and Sansa on how Winterfell needed to be run. She does the think it was necessary for her to have her own solar just yet. Not when there is still so much to learn. Genya is more focused on what she could do once she is crowned to help the keep and their shared people. What hasn't fully sunk in is that she would be a true Queen, crowned and named. It is still an abstract to her in a way.

"Do you hear petitions in the great hall?" she continues to ask and learn. Perhaps Jon will weary of her questions before long.

"You may, if you wish, though we could certainly find you a space of your own." Lady Stark had had rooms of her own, of course, and although they're currently occupied by Sansa, that could potentially change. That will all be determined once Genya has a new role at Winterfell. "This is also where I take meals in private." Like his father had done.

He leads her into the room and pulls out a chair for her. "I use the great hall for matters involving others from the North. Anything that isn't strictly private family business."

"Perhaps in the future. I would like to learn how to rule and run the keep from you and your lady sister," she replies. She feels as though that's the best course of action to educate herself about the North. Who better to learn from than the land's liege lords? "I would not want to impose my company on you too often, but perhaps if you are amenable, we can share some meals together in private?"

To better get to know one another. It is customary for them to dine in the great hall to show the united force between them, but that is no place to really get to know someone under so many watchful eyes. She takes a seat in the proffered chair with a nod of thanks.

"You have a beautiful home. There is damage, yes, but still it stands. It endures," she compliments. "Much like your people. And my own."

"There's a reason that the North was the last of the seven kingdoms to be united under the Iron Throne. We're independent, and people tend to underestimate us here." And now the North is independent again, and won't be easily brought back into the fold.

He sits in a chair across from hers. "I take breakfast here every morning, like my father used to do. You are welcome to join me any morning you wish." Perhaps they'll have other private meals as well, but there's a guarantee of at least one a day.

sorry for the delay!

eyarazrushost - 2024-06-04 17:29 (UTC) - Expand

it's fine

king_inthenorth - 2024-06-08 02:45 (UTC) - Expand

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Arranged

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sorry for the delay!

it's fine