randomosity | [For Will - Westeros AU] Northern Hounds and Southern Flowers

[For Will - Westeros AU] Northern Hounds and Southern Flowers

"I don't see why hunting hounds should be of any interest to me," Margaery Tyrell took a bite out of the apple tart she'd procured from the kitchens. "That's Loras's game. Loras and Willas are the hunters, you know father never approved of my learning to hunt."

"It gets you out of the Red Keep and away from the lion's den," Olenna Tyrell pointed out. "Can't say no to that, can you?"

"True enough," Margaery had to admit, popping the last bit of tart into her mouth. "But all the same, I don't know the first thing about hounds."

"Then it's a bonus," Olenna laughed. "You'll get out of the Red Keep, and you'll learn something new. Now, go on, get down to the courtyard, I'm told the Kennel Master from the North is setting up his hounds as we speak."

"You're not coming?" Margaery's question was answered by how the older woman shooed her off. She all but swatted Margaery in the rear to get her to go.

Margaery rolled her eyes, but smiled all the same and made her way down from the gardens and through the halls of the castle. Finally she made her way to the courtyard, following the sound of dogs barking. Jaime Lannister was already there, looking at a few hounds, pointing out what he was looking for in a hound and what he expected for his nephews' hunt. Margaery, in the meantime, took to looking over some of the pups that had been brought along that were tumbling over each other and nipping and yipping aloud. Margaery smiled as she reached down and stroked her slender fingers over the soft fur of one of the female pups. "Hello there, aren't you sweet." She laughed softly.

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Will wanted so badly to capture her lips, to draw her near and hold her there among the pretty flowers. He wanted to stay like this for the entire time that he had left, there was no thought of preparation for his hunt tomorrow, no thought on why he'd been called to the Queen Regents council. No, right now, there was only one thing Will was thinking about, one thing he desired, and it was her.

His eyes flit from hers to her mouth, then to her eyes again. Taking in how beautiful she looked in this moment, remembering it in the back of his mind so that he could close his eyes later and see it all over again.

She was right, though. There was no way Will would be satisfied with just a taste. When Will set his heart on something he wanted, he'd find a way to make it his, no matter the cost. With his hand still cupping her chin lightly, his other delicately took her small hand in his, raising it to his lips and kissing the back of it, yet still, his face was so close to hers. "If I were to capture your lips... Would you think me a fool?" Husky and low, an octave deeper than earlier, talking with pure primal desire now, yet at least he was decent enough and respected her enough to ask.

Will wasn't stupid, he knew her name and who she was sworn to wed. That didn't stop his heart from yearning for her thought. It might have only been a day that they had known one another, but Will was convinced they were supposed to meet for a reason. The anticipation was almost too much for him to bear and Will almost moved of his own accord, stopping himself just as he'd closed his eye and leant in for a kiss.

Before the kiss could connect, Will spoke, breathless and true. "Stop me... Before I can no longer stop myself."

Margaery's breath was caught in her chest, for a moment she forgot to breathe, with how close he was. When he lifted her hand to kiss the back of it, her eyes watched, studied his movements as he did so. He asked his question, but she didn't hear him. It didn't register at first.

But then she realized she had paused a little too long. Margaery swallowed hard to quench the dryness in her throat, to allow herself to speak. "No. I wouldn't think you a fool..."

She was anxious now. Did he mean to kiss her? Was he going to close that gap between their lips and partake of her taste? Margaery couldn't bear the waiting. But she wasn't about to move first. She wanted to see how he meant to proceed.

Then he leaned in closer and her heart skipped a beat. Her chest swelled just a bit, a sharp intake of air as she began to close her eyes, as soft pink lips began to part. But then he stopped. He didn't close the distance. She was disappointed for a fleeting moment, then his words came. So close...

"What if I don't want you to stop?" She whispered, her tone a bit more desperate and needy than she intended. "You won't take anything I will not give you." She would make sure of that. If he moved to take too much, if he became too bold indeed, she would find the willpower to make her displeasure known.

But for now, there was nothing more she wanted than to feel the warmth of his lips over hers. To taste the heat of his mouth and to feel his stubble scratch against her face. To feel the strength of his arms around her and the pressure of his chest against her own.

That was all Will needed to hear. He could feel the warmth coming from her skin as the heat in her blood rose. A moment's thought of doubt bloomed in his head, but Will shot it down before it could fester and spread. He'd been guilty of letting opportunities pass, of just stepping back and watching as others claimed the things he'd longed for. Not this evening.

Will gently set both palms to her hips. The shape of her curves felt easy under his large hands and within a few seconds of having set his hands in place, Will lifted her up off her feet. One hand slide up and over the small of her back to support her, the other skillfully hooked under the bend of her knee to hike her up and set her softly onto the small wall behind her.

It was bold but Will made sure that he only touched her on top of her clothes... Though he did inadvertently impose between her legs, causing them to spread a little to house his body as he moved in as close as their bodies would allow. The hand that had lifted her knee was now set protectively and possessively at the side of her on the wall, he didn't want her to go anywhere, he wanted her right there with him.

"I can't think clearly around you... You cloud my mind..." Speaking against the corner of her mouth as he pressed his lips lightly there, his nose grazing the side of her nose, the corner of his bottom lip sticking to hers for a second. Will inclined his head, letting his cheek rub across hers, his breath passing hot by her ear. He licked his lips in anticipation, the tip of his tongue smoothed onto hers briefly from the action. That was it. That was when he finally kissed her.

Opening his mouth slowly and bringing it down over hers. His tongue darted out and pressed flat against her lips before his bottom lip pulled it back in and across hers. Will wasn't like the typical men from the North, no, instead of ravaging here there and then, he wanted to savour her. He wanted to marinade his lips with the taste of hers, he wanted his juices to stew and overflow. Raising the hand from her back to rest at the back of her head, tangling fingers in her thick curls, his teeth bumped lightly against hers as the kiss opened up while he deepened it as much as he could, feeling for her tongue with his as he invaded her sweet, warm, mouth.

Margaery had not been expecting him to lift her so suddenly. She gave a sharp gasp when he lifted her, but rather than squirming to get away, her hands shot up to grasp his shoulders, fingers pressing insistently against him, gripping to keep her steady. But he was strong; a true son of the North. Will handled her with ease, Margaery blushed at how his hands moved over her body, but in truth, she enjoyed it deeply. She wondered how else he might move her or hold her.

But she could focus on her fantasies later. For now, she had the real thing, and she intended to enjoy him. Her legs spread for him, accepting him between them easily, as Margaery brought both hands to trail over his vest and shirt. Deft fingers traced the intricate hound patterns, leading up to the clasps, trailing over them and flirting with the idea of opening a few. But she refrained. For now.

"Have I bewitched you already?" she couldn't help chuckling softly as he stood so close. She couldn't stand the waiting, she was almost trembling from anticipation. How badly she wanted to feel his lips move, just ever so slightly in the opposite direction - wanting to feel them close over hers.

Until finally he pressed a kiss over her lips. The feeling of his tongue moving across her lips and the soft, slightly rough nature of his kiss - Margaery wanted to melt. Her hands moved up, soft palms gently cupping either side of his jaw to keep him there; to keep him right where she wanted to deepen the kiss. She welcomed the pressure of his tongue, and her lips parted to squeeze his lower lip softly between them. While his tongue retreated, Margaery suckled softly on his lower lip before letting her own soft tongue pursue his. Her body arched against his as his hand carded through her hair and his tongue tangled with her own.

He tasted faintly of the tea and honey cakes they had eaten. But beyond that, Margaery could taste the musk of the North on him. She couldn't help moaning softly into the kiss.

Most people don't expect Will to do the things he winds up doing, so it would have been no surprise to him when she was startled by him lifting her. Will was strong, he had to be. Working outside in the North did one of two things to you; killed you, or made you who you were. Will was lucky in that his jobs outdoors both involved with physical labour.

Margaery felt like a woman who never had to work, and that was how it should always be. She was too fine and elegant to be put to work, she would make a wonderful Queen someday, a thought that was probably best not floating around Will's head right now, with all things considered.

If Will could talk now, he would answer 'yes' to her question about her having bewitched him, yet his actions spoke volumes louder than any word could. As they kissed Will noticed little things about her that he would otherwise not have. Things such as how soft and small her tongue were. As it followed after his back into his mouth, Will sucked down hard around it, then playfully trapped it with his teeth, a laugh escaped on a breath at that.

His hands, for the most part, remained gentlemanly enough, only touching her in places that could be touched, though he craved to feel those that would have been forbidden for now. The feel of her warmth rising up through the soft silks and cotton of her dress. Will leans in more so, his knee pressed a little too keenly between her legs. It was only natural, he was lead in by the heat from between them. Oh how he longed to push her back over that wall, tumble with her into the grass behind it and have his way with her.

A deep tingle pulled at the base of his spin and the very same formed in the pit of his stomach. He was aroused and pretty soon would have no way of hiding it. Will broke the heated kiss in a gasp, pressing his forehead to hers and placing smaller kisses to her lips. "I can't draw back..." He panted. "You taste so divine..." Opening his dark eyes, glazed over with lust as he stared at her. Will would say that the eyes give too much away and yet not enough at the same time, so he stared into Margaery's seeing his own heated reflection in them and knowing then that she was the one he wanted, there could never be another.

Margaery could feel that Northern strength within him even beneath his clothes. Her fingers grasped and pressed insistently against his shoulders. It was a strength that she had never felt from Joffrey, or Loras, or even Renly. No, there had been no other man that Margaery had known that could match Will's strength. True enough, Renly and Loras had been capable and even excellent fighters, but there was a more primal need in Will's strength. Something they never had.

His actions said more than his words ever could, eloquent though he was. The pressure of his teeth upon her tongue made her nervous, and Margaery did tense a bit. But she trusted him, he wouldn't hurt her. It was that sort of exhilaration that made him so alluring; there was a danger in him, but deep down she knew he wouldn't hurt her. When he released her tongue she returned the favor, pinching his lower lip between her own teeth; not quite hard enough to break the skin, but just enough to give him a jolt, and remind him that there could be a slight delight in the pain her thorns promised.

Feeling his knee between her thighs was met with a soft sigh. Margaery could feel the heat rising in her body, up from her core along her spine and down to the tips of her fingers and toes. It was easy to feel temptation, to let her fingers do more exploring than she would normally permit. As it was, they were already carding through his hair, grasping slightly at his dark curls while the kiss deepened and grew more heated. But Margaery resisted the temptation to let her fingers slip beneath his shirt and vest, to explore his skin beneath and feel for herself more directly the muscle and strength beneath his skin.

In time, perhaps. But not now. This was not the time nor place.

She was almost disappointed when he broke the kiss, but she remembered then that she needed to breathe. Margaery's chest heaved up and down as she recovered her breath, and she looked up to his gaze when his forehead pressed to hers. Each kiss he peppered upon her lips was met with a returning kiss, puckering of her own soft, warm lips. Margaery smiled at the lust in his eyes, unaware that the same look was in her own dark doe eyes.

Rather than reply just yet, Margaery brought a hand to the side of his jaw and leaned up to kiss him again, capturing his lower lip between hers and suckling slightly upon it for a long moment before pulling back and breaking the second kiss.

"I told you, a mere sampling wouldn't satisfy you," she whispered with a knowing smile. She pressed a smaller kiss again to the corner of his mouth. "But a sampling is all I will offer you...for now."

Why had she said that? What had possessed her? 'For now'? What could she offer him that was not already promised to Joffrey? She didn't know, but she didn't want to think of consequences now; she just wanted to bask and enjoy the moment while it lasted.

Will chuckled a little bit at her words. She'd offer him more? When, later perhaps? Or was that her way of blowing him off? Her way of letting him down, deciding she'd made a mistake? Will was used to being a mistake, he'd only ever loved one woman and she toyed with his heart. Was Margaery going to do the same? Well then, if that was so, he might as well enjoy it while it lasted.

Her little sucking and nipping of his lip were well welcomed, a rose, true to her name, sweet and delicate yet with a little prick of thorns hidden under her petals. What else did she have hidden under those pretty petals of hers? Will cupped her face with both hands, pulling his own back and staring into her large, doe eyes. "How is it that something as pretty as you, could wish to let something as rough as me touch you?" He was amazed by her, by everything about her. Such a beautiful spirit, if he closed his eyes he wold swear she would still be there, lighting up the darkness.

Will leans in for another kiss, he'd found a new candy and couldn't get enough of it. Taking her lips, again and again, all the while softly caressing the back of her neck, to the small of her back. He imagined other places he'd like to kiss her, places that if spoken would make one blush. As his arousal grew, stronger and harder, Will had to pace his kisses, he didn't wish the embarrassment if it was discovered, though he doubted she would mock him, but still, it grew uncomfortable for him and as he pressed his body flush against hers, there was no way he could hide it.

A finger trailed down the back of her neck, feeling the slight bumps and spaces of her spine to the neck of her dress. Smoothing hands over soft as silk skin, over her shoulders down and taking her arms. Will murmur into the kiss, need and desire pouring out into their mixed wetness, tongues lashing and twisting in a dance with one another.

He knew this couldn't last forever and that soon enough he would have to escort her back to her Grandmother and himself back to his chambers. He didn't want this moment to end. Will fantasies in his head about sneaking out and seeing her in the night, like a lovesick boy, foolish with desire. Yet he knew better than that... Still, Will was unpredictable and nothing was ever entirely impossible when it came to him.

Breaking the kiss, but leaving his lips resting against hers. "I don't believe in love at first sight... I think we were meant to meet for a reason."

Margaery would not have kissed him again in such a manner were she trying to blow him off, nor would she allow him another kiss after. Her fingers wrapped around his vest and pulled him in a bit more. She could indeed feel the pressure of his erection between her thighs, but rather than shy away, she reveled in it. She enjoyed it. She wanted more of it, and the thought of that made her blush.

When he pulled back and posed his question, Margaery smiled and brought both of her hands up to squeeze gently over his shoulders. Slowly she leaned in and let the heat of her breath touch over his lips as she replied. "Maybe I like rough. Maybe I enjoy it when a man shows his strength."

She met his kiss and returned it, her lips pressing into his, her own hands sliding down his chest and pausing at his hips to hold him fast there. She wanted to keep him close, and feel his arousal. While in the back of her mind, she heard Olenna's voice yelling at her to stop - that these sorts of touches should be reserved for her husband-to-be, not some lesser-born lord of the North. But Margaery was not about to heed such words. Not now.

Margaery wondered how Will might attempt to continue showing his feelings for her, after that confession. Would he come to her in the night? Would he try to do more with her during their hunt? Would he take her on horseback and spirit her away to the North like a solitary invader claiming the spoils of war?

"The Gods brought you here," she replied. "The Gods brought me here. Then they put us together. I agree, I think it was for a reason." She smiled and pressed her forehead to his again.

There would be time enough for this again come morning, or whenever he stole another moment with her. "We still have our hunt tomorrow, do we not?" Margaery couldn't help herself, or her mischief. Her hand splayed across his lower abdomen, just above his manhood and pressed slight pressure. "Will you teach me to handle that knife of yours?"

It was hard to pull back from something as sweet as Margaery. Will could have very easily taken her back to his sled and set off until they were hidden away in the cold of the North. No, no he couldn't think like that, such an act as that could be the cause of war and Will was more of an observer than a fighter.

He smiled warmly at her, enjoying every little touch and sensation she graced him with. It wasn't fair! Why couldn't he have been highborn? More than just a lord from the North? If Will had his way, he would have asked for her hand and started courting her properly, yet desire and temptation tugged at his heart.

Her confirmation that this was supposed to happen only deepened his ever growing feelings for her. How was he suppose to concentrate on the hunt tomorrow? How was he suppose to concentrate on anything now that he'd had a taste of true beauty? Smiling, kissing her again, this time lighter and with more feeling. "Tomorrow then... My Lady. " Kissing her cheek, smelling the delightfulness of her perfumed hair. Will was about to suggest he should escort her back and out of the gardens, yet when he moved his mouth to talk, Margaery moved her hand to touch.

A deep hue coloured his cheeks as he felt her fingers splay over his abdomen. A soft little twitch pulled at the base of his arousal, just from her being so close. Was she talking about the knife he'd used to peel her plum? Or was there more suggestion hidden in her words? "I will. And if at first, it's too much for you to get a grip on... We can keep trying, again and again until you get it." There it was again, that low gravel in his voice, he couldn't help it, she made him want to purr and moan.

Margaery was happy to see such a reaction from him. Already he seemed to be addicted to her, and she to him. Only too willingly would she have allowed him to carry her off to the North, to hide away and work off the cold of the North together. The fact that he wasn't highborn was...well, it would not be accurate to say that Margaery didn't care - she did. But not as much as her father, not as much as her grandmother. She wanted to be queen, but she wanted Will too. A true regal attitude, she wanted her cake, and she wanted to eat it too.

She saw that he had been about to speak when she touched him. That made her chuckle. She leaned up and kissed him back, that quick, playful peck that sealed their affection. That low rumble in his voice made her sigh in delight - but it was a conflicted sound; so badly she wanted to give in to that rougher side, to let his more primal instincts take over and let him do as he pleased with her.

In time, she thought to herself, in time.

"I'll be careful in my grip," she replied. "Not to hard, not too soft..." her fingers pressed more insistently, moving ever so slightly, inching down, but not by far. And soon enough she pulled her hand back from his body and chuckled up at him.

Once more she kissed him and let her tongue drag over his lower lip. Slowly she leaned back again and let her fingers play over the clasps and ties of his shirt. "We will see," she purred and gave him a playful wink. "If we stay here much longer, we may never leave."

She knew her grandmother would be wondering where she was, and what was keeping her. If they were gone for too long, they would draw suspicion before they were even able to enjoy what time they had together.

"Well then, shall we?" Will pulled back from her, but as he did so, he heaved her up and into his strong arms. Carrying her as one would carry their new bride... Something Joffrey wouldn't be able to do, what with his small and pathetic stature. Will lifted her up and off of the wall he'd placed her to sit upon earlier. Giving her a little playful spin, watching her hair splay out and twirl around her before bounding back. He kissed her once more, how could he not!? Before setting her to her feet.

His mind recorded every encounter they had, from the little teasing touches of her hand to his body, to the smiles and slight glances she'd passed him over the table at tea. Will was afraid to admit it to himself, but he may have been smitten.

"Which was did we come from?" He turned around looking a bit lost in the beautiful maze of flowers and hedge. "I feel like we've only shared a few passing moments... Though I bet your Grandmother is ready to send out a search party of squiers." He laughed and took her hand gently. Would she permit him to hold her hand as they made their way back through the maze? or would that be too much? Will thought it cruel of his heart, to fall for someone he knew he couldn't possibly have, yet his brain was convinced that they could somehow find a way.

Margaery smiled but as he lifted her into his arms she cried out sharply in surprise. He lifted her with such ease! Renly had done so when they were wed, but not with much enthusiasm. This was so much better. She wrapped her arms around his neck to stabilize herself in his arms. When he spun her so playfully, Margaery laughed and her head tilted back as her hair flourished all about her in the air. She was only too willing to kiss him back before he set her down, savoring the taste of his kiss.

She was almost disappointed when he released her. But she smiled all the same and kept close, reluctant to truly admit that their encounter had to come to an end. Margaery just wanted to forget everything else; let the whole world melt away and leave them for each other.

Margaery glanced about their surroundings and tilted her head in one direction in particular. "This way," she replied, her fingers lacing with his when he took her hand in his. Margaery smiled, happy for the contact. "Our time here was indeed far too short. But, luckily for us, we have future plans, and we will be able to spend such time together again."

Margaery did indeed hold his hand, her fingers remaining laced with his as she reluctantly tugged him after her. She started back the way they had come and slowly, very slowly, went back towards the courtyard where her grandmother would await her.

As she pulled him along and lead the way out of the gardens, Will looked around. It was indeed very pretty, he could see why she liked it here so much, far better than some of the gardens he'd been to in the North.

Will looked down at their hands as her they walked. It was a bittersweet feeling that washed over him and took root in his chest. Their time together truly had been wonderful and he didn't wish it to end, yet her telling him that they had future plans pained him the most. Oh, he knew she was talking about the hunt and possible trips to the North with her family, but Will couldn't help thinking that the future was a more permanent thing and he knew that she could never truly, solely be his.

"You'll have to try not to scream like you did just then. "Smiling and placing a finger to her lips. "Whatever will you grandmother think caused you to make such a sound?" He was playing, poking at her side to see if she would laugh, he just enjoyed touching her and found any excuse to do so. Pulling her close and waltzing a few steps with her, turning them around to walk backwards then sidewards. He was so merry, felt such joy and wanted to get lost in her eyes as well as the maze so that they would have longer.

Margaery smiled, giddy and smitten and overwhelmed with happiness. She hadn't felt this way in so long. Margaery was reluctant to let it end. But she knew it had to, so that new memories could be made for them. Raksha followed close behind, silent and obedient as they returned. Each way he spun her and turned her made Margaery smile and grin.

She smirked playfully at Will and pursed her fingers against his finger. "Mmmm, she'll think the truth, I presume. That I encountered a wolf in the maze."

For he was a wolf indeed, and she his willing prey. When he took her in his arms and did the minor dance steps through the maze. "So light on your feet, my lord. We should have a dance of our own before you return North."

Margaery didn't want to think about him leaving. She wanted to savor all the time they had together.

The thought of Olenna possibly saying something about what she felt they had been doing, troubled Will. He was good at hiding his emotions normally, but he'd never felt like this before and so suddenly too! Would he be able to play it off and remain composed? Watching the way Margaery smiled and laughed, her clothes billowing out and her sweet hair swishing around her bright face, made him doubt that he'd be able to keep poised and proper.

"Oh did you? And this wolf you encountered, did it hunt you down and take you for its own?" Will made a snarling face, yet his smile was still seen behind it. Playfully snapping his teeth close to her face before biting his own bottom lip, looking lost as he stared into her deep, pooling eyes. A deep smile and a sweet sigh, she was so pretty, such a beautiful thing, Will wanted to keep her.

As they came near to the hedge section that leads to the entrance, Will tapered the dance steps off, so to let Margaery's dress and hair settle back down. "You have to be light on your feet when hunting in the snow. My father used to say, that when I was only knee high to a horse, I walked so delicately that you'd think I was walking upon the top of the snow itself." Curling a finger under her chin, and brushing her hair back over a shoulder. Closing his eye instead of kissing her, they were too close to the start of the maze, too close to getting caught.

Margaery was not troubled by the idea of her grandmother making her remarks. The woman was well-known for speaking her mind, that was not about to change anytime soon. Margaery was used to it. Besides, Olenna wouldn't do anything to jeopardize either one of them. Likely, if she was displeased with the pair of them, she would only bring it to Margaery's attention. Then it would be up to her to carry out her grandmother's orders of either ceasing the affair, or ignoring Will outright.

Not that Margaery intended to heed such commands.

She laughed softly at Will's snarl and playful snapping. Damn their proximity to the maze entrance, Margaery leaned in and kissed him again, savoring the feeling of his rough lips between her soft pair, the scratch of his stubble at her cheek. She held the kiss for a long moment before pulling back slowly and smiling up at him.

"The wolf still hunts me, I think - for I have not fully yielded to it, not yet," again she whispered and carded her fingers through his dark curls.

She waited a long moment, reluctant to leave. They could run right then, away from the Red Keep and the glaring eyes of the Lannisters. But no, truly they couldn't. Not yet. Margaery smiled as he recalled his father's saying and his prowess in the snow. "I've never seen snow, even at Storm's End. I've always been curious about it," she admitted. When he held her so close, Margaery just looked up into his eyes, smiling at the wild look of his curls against his forehead. "Show me, one day?"

With that, she reluctantly pulled back, her fingers releasing his hand, putting space between them. "Shall I meet you in the stables tomorrow morning?" She bit her lower lip.

Why did this moment have to end? Will cursed in the back of his mind that he could have spent more time with her, that he could have said more things, kissed and touched her more! her kiss was addictive and Will knew he wouldn't be able to find a suitable distraction to fill his need for it in the meantime. She made him feel alive than he had in years. She lit a spark in him that had been burnt out for far too long.

Her comment about still being hunted by the wolf was adorable, it confirmed what he wished to hear, that she wasn't done with him, that this affair had a chance of continuing longer and that was all the joy he needed to know. "Maybe it won't truly take you? Maybe you'll be able to tame it, with your small, tender hands and curious nature?" Feeling her hands in his disheveled curls was bliss, every second she touched him or her sweet, cool breath passed his face, Will was in heaven. He could give up his life, his title in the North if it meant he could stay here with her.

Being as sensitive to emotions as Will was, the moment her fingers slipped through his, like sand in through a net, his heart started to break and Will knew it would continue to hurt and long for her until they were reunited again in the morning. Just before they passed into the clear and through the open, Will took her by the shoulders lightly, turning her to face him, talking small and softly. "When you're alone tonight, before you slumber... Turn your gaze to the full moon... We might not be together in the room, but we'll both be under the same stars, each laying on one side of the moon..." A sweet smile in place of a kiss as Olenna could possibly see them from this distance.

Margaery smiled and again her fingers pushed through his hair and tussled his curls a bit. "Tame a wolf? Oh I should hope not. The wild and beastial nature of a wolf is one that should never be stifled. If I do tame it, I should hope I never tame it completely, should it present itself to me again."

She could almost feel his disappointment as she moved away from him. It melted over her own heart and she wished deep down in her heart that she didn't have to leave. But then he took her in his arms again, hands grasping around her shoulders as he pulled her back closer to him again. Margaery's eyes widened as she looked up to him. His words made her smile and she leaned into him a bit, her smile just as big and sweet as his was.

"Then I'll tell the moon my sweet words for you, and hope that somehow they pass to you before I see you again in the morning," she smiled, her fingers coming to his arms and squeezing gently at his upper arms. "To the moon, and to the quiet stars."

Margaery looked down to his chest, then back up to his eyes again. The morning couldn't come soon enough, she couldn't wait. Her eyes said what her lips were reluctant to say, that they should part ways soon, otherwise they never would. Margaery brought a hand up to lace her fingers with his once more, squeezing his hand softly. "I'm curious...do you suppose that you will you think of me tonight? Before you see me in the morning?" She smiled and chuckled softly as she pulled back and started to put distance between them again.

Her comment about the wolf drew a silent chuckle from his lips, a smile wide and easy upon them too. "We will have to wait and see. I've heard it's been done before, however, a wolf always gives in to its wild nature in the end..." His eyes and the rough grit in his tone said it all.

Watching her pretty, sweet face before and after she returned the comment about the moon and stars, Will thought to himself about just how perfect she was. This must be a dream? There was no way such a beautiful flower such as Margaery could possibly be interested in a rough and tussled animal like Will. Though, he was happy to go along with the thought, happy to pursue her for as long as it took to become a reality.

The way she looked at him, touched his hair and held his hand, it was all so very delicate, all so perfect. Her words on the other hand? She spoke so softly and yet what hidden meanings she masked with those plump, full lips. Will smiled and tilted his head aside before answering, as if he was almost coy. "I can assure you, you will be the only thing I can focus on while I avoid slumber... How could I ever imagine to sleep when your face, your words, and soft lips haunt through my mind?" His hands were rough and weathered but he would still think of her as he comforted himself tonight when he was all alone and missing her.

Margaery smiled playfully and nodded her head. Indeed they would see - time would tell if the wolf would yield to her, or seek to consume her completely. Not that she would easily give in to him.

There was a soft blush that tinted her cheeks when he answered her. She couldn't help but imagine him alone in the dark, thinking of her as he whispered her name. But she didn't linger long on that vision. "Well...I hope you're able to get enough sleep to properly enjoy our hunt in the morning - don't forget."

She teased playfully, winking and turning to return to the table and to her grandmother. Olenna was no fool either, they'd been gone for quite some time, and the gardens in this area were not so vast that they should have dallied so long. But she said nothing, only giving an analytical look to the pair as they returned.

"Did you enjoy yourselves?" Olenna asked dryly.

"Yes grandmother," Margaery nodded as she popped a small piece of cheese into her mouth, then followed it with a mint leaf.

"And you, young lord? How did you enjoy the grounds?" Olenna focused on Will, though she could likely guess the answer for herself.

It took Will a moment to realize Olenna was indeed addressing him. He was besotted. Watching Margaery as she sauntered over to the table, so graceful and beautiful, like a rose petal falling on a sweet summers breeze. Blinking, Will turned his head to face the older woman, tongue moving behind his lips as he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat.

"I enjoyed them very much. I should, in fact, wish to see more of them." Worded carefully, though he thought at least so that Margaery would know he was talking of her. "I have the sweet perfumed scent of flowers in my lungs now and like the hounds I breed, I simply must follow it until I have my fill. We don't have anything like your gardens up in the North, I feel myself captivated by them" A polite nod as he neared where Olenna sat. "But if you'll excuse me, I have a long day ahead of me and an early morn to rise for."

Will considered kissing their hands again, but instead, he favoured a very polite and noble bow, to both women individually. One of the house hands came and escorted Will back towards his carriage that waited and as he left the small pup he'd left behind gave a small, playful howl.

The pup yipped happily when they returned and Margaery smiled as she went up to her. She picked up Raksha and stroked her affectionately. Indeed, when Will spoke, she knew exactly what he meant, and smiled as his words sank in. Her eyes flashed to him briefly to avoid detection by her grandmother.

"Indeed, your exploration seems to have loosened your tongue considerably," Olenna sipped her tea nonchalantly.

"Grandmother!" Margaery blushed. "Thank you for joining us today, Will. It was very good to see you, I am quite looking forward to tomorrow."

After Will left, Olenna looked to Margaery, chuckled and said nothing. They finished tea and soon enough Margaery was back in her chambers at the end of the day, preparing for the hunt in the morning. Raksha toddled around after Margaery and yipped when she wanted attention. Margaery would pet her before stepping to her balcony and looking out at the night sky. She couldn't help herself, replaying the afternoon in the garden with Will over and over in her mind. Margaery was indeed curious what the hunt would be like tomorrow.

What would they do? What could they get away with? Margaery giggled to herself at the mischievous feeling she got. Her fingers touched over her lips as she recalled his kiss.

It took Will longer to get back to the Keep than he had liked. All he wished to do was bathe and ready his gear for the morning. The driver, instead pulled up closer to the Castle than Will had originally thought he'd be dismounting. There, he was met with two of the Kings Guard.

"Lord Graham, you were called for an audience with the Queen Regent. The meeting has been pushed back until tomorrow, after your hunt." Confused, Will nodded awkwardly, avoiding their eyes and trying his best to seem as small and inconspicuous as he could. "Er... Thank you, I'll be sure to attend." Scratching the back of his head and turning to watch them leave. He'd been dropped off further away from the Keep than he'd have liked, however, it was just a short walk around the outside of the Castle to his chambers. Strolling past the Royal tower rooms and trying not to glance up as he noticed candle flickering in there dome windows. Cersei Lannister herself, standing looking down with a glass of red wine in her hand, Will would swear he could feel her eyes boring a hole into the back of his head as he passed her by.

Once he had reached his chambers, Will bolted locked the door and started to de-robe of the heavy, warm layers of leather and fur that he was donned in. The chambermaid had been kind enough to leave water heating in his tub via boiling hot stones. His head was full of questions and curiosities, nothing a good soak wouldn't ease. Opening the wooden blinds that covered the window so that he might look out upon the same sky, the same moon Margaery may have been watching too.

Falling asleep in the metal tub was not what he had planned for the evening, so when Will finally pulled himself from the now cold water, he was sodden through, wrinkled and pale. Setting down to rest on the bear fur rug sprawled out and naked before his chambers fire. Will felt more at home on the floor, surrounded by fur, it reminded him of his hounds back home and the nights he'd spent sleeping by their sides during labour and illness. He missed them, having them looked up in the Castle's kennels seemed so cruel. Soon his thoughts drifted from his beloved animals to the beautiful Margaery instead, as his mind wandered so did his hands.

Soon it was the early hours of the morning and Will slowly started to rise. Collecting his belongings and grabbing a small fresh baked loaf of bread and fruit for his breakfast on the go. The rest of the Keep was still slumbering and Will almost made it by the guards without detection. It was suspicious to be leaving so early and so quietly, yet no one opposed him. He was on his way to meet Margaery as they had planned, a private rendezvous before the hunt itself.

Margaery had eventually laid down in her soft bed - unafraid of Lannister mischief thanks to the Tyrell guards stationed outside her door. Olenna would pay them a thousand times more than any Lannister to protect her granddaughter - so they could not be bought. Besides, Tyrell soldiers had a degree of loyalty that went beyond monetary value. Still, the idea that Cersei wanted to see Will...didn't bode well.

Something was wrong.

Of course Margaery had no way of knowing that Will's meeting had been rescheduled, so when she awoke in the morning - far earlier than usual - she had her maids dress her in a teal-green riding gown, with a slit up the center to allow her to ride easier, and auburn hunting leathers with the golden Tyrell rose carved and painted over her breast. Just because she had never been on a hunt didn't mean she didn't know how to dress for one. Loras would have mocked her for being both overdressed and underdressed at the same time. Her grandmother would have been sour over her granddaughter hunting at all.

Once she was ready, Margaery went down to the stables where they had said they would meet before the hunt. She didn't try to sneak around, but nor did she broadcast her presence. Margaery made her way to the stable and smiled upon seeing Will there preparing for their private hunt. She stepped up slowly, quietly - much like a doe through the wood. Ironic, given that she had married into the Baratheon clan and was set to do so again - effectively making a doe of the Tyrell rose.

"Good morning," she smiled as she stepped up close, hoping he wouldn't be like Loras and think she looked foolish. Margaery reached up and tucked a lock of her brunette hair behind her ear.

At least today she had opted for close-toed lace-up boots rather than her usual stylish shoes. This time opting for the more practical use rather than fashionable application. "I hope you slept well."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[For Will - Westeros AU] Northern Hounds and Southern Flowers

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Yaaaay!! <3 <3 Glad to see you again!

<3!

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