randomosity | [For Hannibal] Alliance of Fire

Margaery was surprised when Hannibal stood up so suddenly and excused them from the table. Ramsay snorted and took a long drink from his cup, but said nothing. Margaery stood and when the maids put the cloak of fur about her shoulders she looked to Hannibal with grateful eyes.

She followed him out, and when they were out of the castle and into the courtyard Margaery leaned into him. "Thank you..." she whispered.

Though once they were in the kennels though, she was afraid. She looked to the dire wolves with wide eyes. They were beautiful, but terrifying. When he exerted such control over the wolves, Margaery looked at him in awe. It was not any man who could control those animals so fully, even more impressive that he wasn't a Stark.

When the alpha came forward Margaery held her hand out strongly, but cautiously. When he licked her she sighed in relief. When he spoke, she looked up to him with her dark eyes wide. "...will you show me? The commands you give them, will you teach me?"

Hannibal gave her a hint of a smile at her show of gratitude. He saw how she handled herself around the wolves. He felt a stronger sense of attraction towards her when she requested to learn.

He gave a nod of his head, "I can teach you. However, until they trust you...it might not work as effectively as you desire." He said. He knew that once his scent was on her the wolves would obey. However, now was not the time for that.

He taught her simple things to command them such as sit and stay. She had limited success with the females, but many of the males went along with her commands. He saw how they wagged their tails and he mused quietly in his mind that she might be in heat and not even know it.

He led her towards the small pups who eagerly bounded over to lick over any part of them they could reach. "Would you like one to train?" He asked her. Tying her to a small dire wolf pup would likely open her heart to staying here quicker than him only seducing her.

Margaery nodded in understanding. And when he taught her some basic commands, she was overjoyed when she was successful. She praised the wolves when they listened and couldn't have worn a bigger smile if she tried.

She was almost disappointed when he led her away, but when she saw the pups Margaery couldn't help crying out in delight. She knelt down to run her fingers over their little heads, giggling when they nipped and licked her fingers. Then when he made her the offer, Margaery looked up with wide eyes.

"Really? You mean it?" She grinned from ear to ear. "I would love that!" Having a pup she could train for herself, Margaery loved the idea. She might train it to pester Ramsay and bite his kennel girl.

Hannibal saw her delight and stood behind her with a smile of his own. Most women would have run away in terror at being surrounded by a pack of dire wolves. She was quite strong, like the reports of her grandmother. Hannibal found himself growing more attached to her as the day wore on than he should be.

He gave her a nod, "I truly do. We can even take the one you pick up to your chambers tonight. There are a few that are weaned from their mothers and ready to come inside for training. I take them in small groups of three at a time." He said. Some of his men were waiting outside to collect the pups he would choose and assist by carrying two while Hannibal carried the third. He motioned at a group of four. "These are the ones who are ready for training. Which one would you like My Lady?" He asked her.

Margaery thought long and hard about how to make her selection. She tilted her head at the four pups and examined them. Margaery had never dealt much with the Highgarden hounds. That was for Loras and their older brother.

But she knew what she wanted in a dire wolf. Strength, fearlessness, but affectionate and obedience at the same time. Margaery stood before the pups and loomed over them two whimpered and stepped back, another sprang forward and barked. The fourth sat down and wagged his tail up at her. Margaery smiled and reached down to pick up the pup.

She turned and looked over her shoulder to Hannibal. Margaery smiled. "He'll do nicely."

Hannibal watched as she chose her pup. He collected the other three and gave her a nod before chuckling. "That is a female pup, but she is the leader of this small pack of four." He said in amusement.

He kept the one that had barked at her and gave the other two to his guards to carry as he led her back up towards the tower they were staying in. They passed by Ramsay and all four pups growled and bared their teeth at him. Hannibal trained them to hate his brother from the moment they were born.

Once they were at the top of the stairs there were two small fish, a chicken, and a small side of beef. All were dead and skinned. "What would you desire to eat My Lady? I will cook the food for you personally over the fire in my chambers so you." He offered. He said a command to quiet the pups from the sight and smell of fresh meat.

Margaery was embarrassed, she hadn't examined the pup closely enough. She'd made herself look foolish, as though she couldn't tell the difference between male and female. But she said nothing and cradled the pup in her arms as they walked. She noted Hannibal's choice in pup. When the pups growled at Ramsay, there was satisfaction in her gaze.

Margaery wasn't expecting the meat when they returned, and it only dawned on her then as to how hungry she was. She blushed at the slight rumbling in her stomach. "The chicken looks good."

Hannibal saw how she reacted to the pups growling at Ramsay. He continued to walk alongside Margaery and set the pups down in the corner of the room. When she chose her meat, he signaled for the guards to take the remaining meats away. He did slice off a few chinks of the beef to feed the wolves. He closed the door to his chambers and moved to begin seasoning the chicken. He set the meat to cook before washing his hands off in the basin near his bed.

He removed his cloak before setting it across a bench and moved to take her cloak as well. "The fire is quite warm My Lady. There is no need for this cloak here." He said as he took the cloak.

He set two chairs before the fire and motioned for her to take a seat. He whistled for the pups to sit around them. The one Margaery had picked rested its head upon her feet. "She likes you." He noted.

He stayed still for a moment before turning to look at her. "Would you like some ale? Or perhaps water. I am afraid we do not have wine to offer. Our stores are quite low from the war." He explained.

Margaery watched with interest as he expertly seasoned the chicken. She was impressed. It wasn't many lord who could prepare his own meal. She rolled her shoulders and let him remove her fur cloak. Then she settled in the chair next to him and smoothed her skirts beneath her in the chair. She watched with delight as the pups toddler over one another and sat down at their feet.

Margaery smiled down at her pup. "I'm glad. I shall have to think carefully of a name for her." She reached down and smoothed a hand over the pup's head. She considered her choices of drink and smiled to him. "Ale will do, thank you."

Margaery watched as the chicken cooked over the fire. "Do you often cook for yourself here?"

Hannibal nodded as he stood to pour them both ale and brought the flask back to easily refill their cups. He gently touched their cups together before taking a drink from his cup.

He watched the meat cook for a few moments before shifting his chair to look at her better so that they could hold a conversation. "I have gone on many hunts. The men who travelled with me as protection taught me how to cook over an open fire. I don't often make my own meal. However, there are times when stew is not appetizing and I desire something better." He said.

Margaery touched her cup to his in turn and brought it to her lips to drink the ale. When he adjusted his chair, Margaery turned as well to face him. She nodded in understanding before taking another sip.

"Well, that's a great deal better than I am able to do," she admitted. "I can dress and undress myself as necessary. And I can sew well enough and other womanly things. But nothing like this."

Margaery had been raised and groomed to be queen, but not anything she deemed truly useful, like swordplay and hunting. She could be arm candy for a hunt, but not participate. She envied her brothers, that they had been taught such things.

Hannibal watched her as she spoke and there was a brief glint of amusement in his eyes. "With how complicated those gowns are, I suspect that is quite a skill. There are many noble lady's who do not possess such a skill, so I've heard." He said.

He saw the spark of jealousy in her eyes as she thought of the things she couldn't do. "You are very different from other women My Lady. Your eyes focus on a target and you are very driven to reach your target. I believe you would be quite the hunter. I would be willing to teach you out in the woods. Can you ride a horse?" He asked. In the North it was better for the women to know how to hunt and cook. Snow storms could cause death if all of the hunters were out to war.

Margaery gave a crooked smile and rolled her eyes. It was a skill, to be sure, but not one that was worth praising so. At least in her mind. But she inclined her head in thanks for the compliment all the same.

His offer made her pause.

Learning to hunt in the forest with a Bolton. It seemed like a...very bad idea. But at the same time, Margaery trusted him. More than the other two Boltons, anyway. Slowly she began to nod.

"I think I would like that, my lord. I can ride very well," though after her older brother's accident that left him crippled, Margaery was reluctant sometimes to get in the saddle.

Hannibal watched as she considered his offer. He checked the chicken before turning to her with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I always take a few of my wolves with me." He said. "We have a few days before the storm hits or we find ourselves on the road. Would you like to go tomorrow?" He asked her.

The chicken was soon done and he pulled it from the fire. It would take a few moments to cool before she could eat it.

Margaery smiled and nodded slowly. "I'd enjoy that, yes. Could we still see the crypts before we leave as well?"

When Hannibal pulled the chicken from the fire, the pups lifted their heads. Margaery's pup wagged her tail and let out a soft whine. Margaery softly scolded the pup, and she lay her head back down on Margaery's foot. The scent of the chicken made Margaery's mouth begin to water.

Edited 2016-06-15 12:53 (UTC)

Hannibal gave a nod at that. "We can indeed. We can go out for some hunting practice in the morning and visit the crypts upon our return. Whatever the strength of the storm should be here by nightfall, that is when we will know if we must stay a bit longer before travelling or not." He said.

He sliced off a piece of chicken and set it on a plate he had nearby. He passed it to Anne along with a fork. "Here you are My Lady." He said as he passed her the plate. He would wait for her to have her fill before eating any himself.

Margaery smiled, though in truth she was sad at the idea of visiting the crypts. She felt terribly for poor Sansa and the treatment of her father and family. She'd lost almost all of her kin, and now she was alone in the world; gods only knew where. Margaery was conflicted about going to the crypts with Hannibal. He was an invader, and likely if Sansa returned, he would kill her.

That frightened her.

But she took the offered plate and smiled all the same. She took a few bites and looked up to Hannibal in admiration. "It's very good my lord, thank you."

Hannibal was more like his father than his brother when it came to dealing with enemies that were female. Hannibal would treat those from noble houses with the respect they deserved while being captives. However, if pressed to do so, he would execute them if there was sufficient proof. He was slow to strike in that manner, unlike his brother who saw anyone other than himself as beneath him.

He gave a nod and there seemed to be a pleased look in his eyes from her complement. He sliced off a small portion for himself as she ate. He would offer her more as she finished each portion until she seemed satisfied. Once he too was satisfied, he tossed a few scraps to his three pups and gave Margaery a scrap to feed her pup.

One the food was consumed, he poured them both a bit more ale as he looked her over once again. "Other than the rumors you have heard and the marked history of my house. What is it that displeases you so about being my wife? In the North the Lady of the house holds an equal amount of power as her Lord. You would actually have more authority up here than you would in the south with those inbred Lannister's." He said. There was quite a bit of distaste in his eyes at the mention of those mangy lions.

Margaery ate her fill and was happy to be able to reward her pup with a treat. She held the chicken to the pup after making her sit and lay down. The pup eagerly ate the treat and Margaery took a drink from her cup.

When his question came so bluntly, Margaery nearly coughed. She wasn't used to people being so forward and blunt, aside from her grandmother. Honestly, she didn't know what to do.

"What makes you think I'm displeased about our betrothal?" She tilted her head. He had a point though, she could have been wedded to a Lannister, a thought that disgusted Margaery to her very core. But his other words...she would have equal power to him? How much of that was honeyed words and false promises, she wondered.

Hannibal watched her strong reaction to his simple question. So she was not used to people being direct with her outside of her family. That was something he would indeed keep in mind.

He motioned to the young pup at her feet. "Until I offered you that young pup, you did not seem interested in claiming anything I had offered you as truly yours. You feel as if they are shallow attempts to win you over and you have every intention of remaining in Highgarden once we return you there." He said simply. He did not seem upset, just stating his observations.

"I enjoy watching people interact with each other My Lady. It is a past time of mine and I am very good at seeing past masks to find the genuine emotion behind a persons actions." He explained further. He finished his current cup of ale before continuing.

"I am not trying to play you as a fool. I have given you far more trust than I have in the past with anyone. I have been trying to give you a genuine glimpse of what your life would be like here in Winterfell with me. My father will leave Winterfell in my command and my brother will be dragged back to our ancestral home with my father. I am similar to my father, but I spent a great deal of time with the Starks when I was young. They were a strong house that would shield me from my brother when I was too small to protect myself. The Starks were brave and strong and I respected them. I do not agree with how my father allowed them to walk into a trap and get themselves slaughtered. However, I had not yet earned my father's trust and respect so I held my tongue on the matter. I killed Theon Greyjoy slowly for how he betrayed the Starks we had both grown up with." He said as he opened up to her a bit.

He paused for a moment before continuing on, "Catylin Stark had just as much power and authority as her husband. That is what kept the North from crumbling when that whore Cersei allowed herself to be drunk on power and put that bastard of a son on the throne. I would offer you the same power and authority as I hold. The exception would be that you would defer to my commands, but any commands given by you are equally strong to those that would serve us. You are not simply a wife to dress in fine clothes and parade around to make the other Lords jealous. You are intelligent and clever. I cannot think of a better woman to be my bride." He said honestly.

He knew it was dangerous to show her a majority of his hand. However, she was not a pretty fool that could be seduced and convinced. She needed honesty to make a true decision.

Margaery swallowed a gulp of ale rather hard. Was she that transparent? Her grandmother had taught her carefully, and she had learned to be guarded and mysterious with her true feelings. But he'd found her out so quickly, how? There was no point in denying it, he obviously knew, as he had nailed it down so accurately.

"Forgive me, my lord, but that is indeed my thought," she admitted. "I am in a strange place, with men of a clan whose reputation is one of brutality and barbarism. I have no one here that I am certain without a doubt that I can trust."

The maid's words echoed in her mind again. That Hannibal was a good man. So badly Margaery wanted to believe her. This man had protected her from Ramsay, taken her out of an uncomfortable situation at dinner, and made her genuinely happy when they'd visited the kennels. Even so, her grandmother's voice echoed in her mind. How could she trust him? The Boltons were clever, and knew how to be patient.

"Your father issued the killing blow to Robb Stark," she whispered. "He served the King in the North faithfully, and waited a good long while before executing him. How am I to know for certain that a similar fate does not await me? When the Tyrell army backs the Boltons, when the Tyrell treasury is emptied in this alliance, what use am I? What obligation is there in keeping me alive?"

She leaned closer to him. Trying to assess his character by observing him. Growing up raised and groomed to be queen, of course Margaery knew how to read people too. She was naturally suspicious. "How do I know I can trust you?"

The pup at her feet gave a low grumble, which drew Margaery's attention. She smiled and ran her hand over the pup's little head. He had given her a dire wolf pup, allowed her to establish some level of dominance among the elder wolves - rather than feed her to them. That said something of his character, did it not?

Hannibal saw how she reacted and waited for her to say her piece. He listened as she listed off a variety of reasons on why his father and his actions intimidated and frightened her. He poured himself another glass, but his dark eyes remained fixed upon hers as she spoke.

He leaned forward as well to speak lowly so that any listening ears would not hear him over the roar of the fire. "I am not my father. If I were, I would not have lifted a finger to keep my brother away from you nor would I have rescued you from that dinner. You would not be staying in the most secure chamber in the castle if I had not insisted upon it."

He took another large sip of his ale before continuing. "I fight and protect my men and my wolves. As my wife, you would be protected even more than any of those. There would not be an obligation to keep you alive, it would be my duty to keep you alive as your husband. My father has his plans of what will happen after we are wed. I know better." He said.

He leaned in even closer and spoke even softer. "Once we return to Winterfell, my brother will have some sort of sick display to greet us. My father will punish him and drag him back to the Dreadfort. My brother will find a way to kill my father and then make an attempt to come and kill us. I have a secret ally in the Vale that promises me their army to defeat my brother. I have heard that the whore is going to re-arm those begging priests at the sept once again. That will end in disaster for her. Once those priests have convicted her and the Lannister army is spread thin amongst the seven kingdoms. It would be a simple task to overtake the red keep with the soldiers of the Vale, the Bolton army, and the Tyrell army." He said.

He would not yet reveal his ally, but his overall plan was very clever indeed. He sat back in his chair slowly. "I cannot accomplish that without a strong, intelligent wife by my side." He said.

He had just laid out for her his plans that he had not breathed a single word of to anyone, other than that sneak of a man Littlefinger. He just may one day kill that man for being too clever for his own good.

To his first points, Margaery nodded and agreed. He was right; if he were a true, cruel Bolton, he would have left her for his father and brother to do as they liked with her. He hadn't. He'd protected her; scolded her in fact when she jeopardized her own safety.

Would he truly have done that if he was only concerned about keeping her alive just so he could marry her?

No.

Margaery listened carefully to his plan. He laid all his cards out on the table. She was surprised, in all honesty. But she was very, very quiet as she listened intently. When he revealed an ally in the Vale, he needed say no more.

"Littlefinger," she whispered. Her dark eyes turned grave. "If you're truly intending to trust him, I'd be wary of him as an ally." She'd seen what he'd done to Sansa, and she'd always found him creepy, in truth.

Margaery considered his plan, and looked up at him again. He considered her strong and clever - a worthy bride for him. Margaery couldn't help smiling, a crooked little grin on her lips. "And if I had still been married to Renly, who would you have chosen for a wife?"

Hannibal watched as she listened. He could feel her attitude changing. His gamble seems to have gone in his favor for the time being. There was a dark glint in his eyes when she named his ally. "His price is fair for his assistance. However, I know what his hidden card is and he thinks I am unaware. I intend to offer this card more than what he demands. The card is more powerful than that clever weasel. I do hope he gives me a reason to end him one day." He said as a hint to her that he did not fully take Littlefinger at his word.

Hannibal found that smile to be quite attractive on Margaery. At her question he chuckled. "I would have simply waited until I completed my plan to see which houses still had something to offer. Although, it could have been quite the lonely life for me. I do not think there is another woman in the seven kingdoms to match you My Lady." He said as a genuine complement. He even raised his cup to her before drinking.

Margaery smiled and raised her own cup to him before taking a sip and finishing her ale. "And you ser, I don't think there's a man in the Seven Kingdoms like you. The man who trains dire wolves and attempts to outwit his own kin. Truly you are a Bolton."

But that wasn't so terrible. Not anymore. She could do far worse.

"I thank you, for your honesty, my lord," she smiled. Margaery looked up to him with honest eyes. "You plan on taking the Red Keep? How long have you had that plan in mind? And once it is yours, what do you plan to do with it?"

She knew what she wanted, what she'd been raised to be. But she was curious his intentions.

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