randomosity | [For Hannibal] Alliance of Fire

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.

Hannibal nodded in agreement to her. He listened to her questions carefully. His dark eyes locked onto hers before he began his answer. "I have had that plan since this war began. I intend to rule as it should be done. With absolute authority and fear, but with the soft touch of a strong Queen so that the people do not entirely tremble in absolute fear. The kingdoms would be safe and then the armies can be prepared and built up for the true dangers these seven kingdoms face. The other lords and houses are so wrapped up in themselves that they are not unified to be prepared for the two battles to come. I do not know which will happen first, but both will end every house in the seven kingdoms if they are not unified and prepared." He said.

Even his own father ignored the threat north of the wall and the whispers of what lay beyond the sea in Mereen.

Margaery listened carefully and nodded slowly. Her eyes lit as he spoke with such conviction and authority. He was a man who clearly intended to win when he set a plan in motion. Margaery was confident he would win if he set his mind to it.

She found herself even more attracted to him.

Margaery glanced to her empty cup and looked up to him, her dark eyes focused on his again.

"Considering I was married to Renly, you must know my desire," she dropped her voice. "I want to be the Queen. Queen of all Seven Kingdoms. If we are married, will you make a promise to me?"

Margaery leaned in, very close now, her dark eyes alight with passionate fire. "Will you make me Queen? Will you give me such power that even the Dragon Queen will be no match for me?"

He saw how her eyes lit when he spoke so plainly to her. He watched as she leaned forward and lowered her own voice. His dark eyes were locked on hers as he leaned in. His hand gently cupped her chin as he came very close to her face. "I will make you Queen of the seven kingdoms. The people will love and fear you more than some dragon queen they have never met. One that is barren, so I've heard. You would posses the power to continue the strength of the kingdom where she could not." He said as a promise to her.

His voice dropped so low that it sounded like he was growling when he spoke. "Will you promise me that you will not act foolishly or too soon?" He asked her in return. She had opened the door to his chamber earlier without ringing the bell first.

Margaery blushed as he held her chin in place and drew so close to her. She could feel the heat of his breath. Her dark eyes focused on his. His words stirred something inside her, and her eyes lit. Something in his words made her believe him without question. He would make her queen, and they would rule over the Seven Kingdoms together.

When he asked her to promise him in turn, Margaery nodded slowly and smiled. "I promise. I will be more careful. I will not move too quickly or jeopardize anything, I promise."

She felt mischief blaze inside her again. Margaery leaned forward just a bit more. "Shall we seal it proper, with a kiss?" She chuckled teasingly.

Hannibal saw her eyes light up and felt his own light slightly as well. He saw that playfulness in her eyes and found himself smirking. "I knew you would be a good hunter." He said as his hand shifted to cup the back of her head.

He closed the gap and pressed his lips to hers in a firm kiss. He shifted his lips over hers in a sensual manner that was very effective in making women's knees go weak. He held the kiss before sucking her lower lip out and grazing his teeth over the soft flesh as he pulled back from the kiss slowly.

He quickly opened his eyes. He was confident she had never been kissed like that before.

Margaery leaned in as he closed in and kissed him back. As he moved so sensually against her, Margaery moaned softly.

Jeffrey had kissed her. His kisses were rough and arrogant and unpracticed. Renly had kissed her. His kisses were fumbled and lacked passion. This kiss was unlike any she'd ever had.

Her lips parted and both her hands came up to frame his jaw, holding him in place to make the kiss last longer. She matched his passion and sensual movements. Margaery suckled his lip in turn and nipped hard at his lip. She wanted to prove that she was not some weak girl or prude maid.

She would be the best he'd had. Come seven hells or high water. Margaery moaned softly against his lips to send soft vibrations to them before pulling back, letting her teeth pinch her own lower lip.

Those soft, heated moans were all he needed to hear to know neither of her prior husbands had kissed her in such a manner. His dark eyes showed his desire as he slowly stood. The pups moved away from their feet and walked happily to their corner.

Hannibal then pulled her up and out of her seat. He pressed her body up against his so that she could feel the solid muscle beneath his thick clothing. His hand shifted into her long hair to tilt her head back so that they could look eye to eye. He moved in to speak lowly into her ear. His lips brushed over the soft skin. "I will wait until you are truly ready." He rumbled lowly.

His lips and teeth teased over her ear and along her jaw. He would genuinely wait, even if that meant waiting until their wedding night. She had been married before, so it was not necessary for her to prove her maiden hood.

It took a great deal of self control for Margaery to focus on her husband-to-be rather than the pups that were toddling and tumbling over one another to get to their corner. They were too cute to ignore. But Margaery focused on Hannibal and moved up as he stood. She gasped softly as he pulled her so tight to his body. Indeed, beneath the furs and thick wool, she could feel his lean muscles.

It would have been so easy to give into him just then. She nearly did. When he whispered and rumbled in her ear that way, Margaery moaned softly against his ear. She could have surrendered to him, right then.

But she wasn't going to make it easy on him. She wasn't going to give in and surrender her maidenhead. Partially because she thought it would be worth it and proper to wait, but partially because she was a little afraid.

Margaery leaned back and pressed a single finger to his lower lip, dragged it down, along his neck and pressed it against his chest. "Worth the wait. I promise." But that didn't stop her from leaning up and kissing him softly. Her tongue dragged over his lower lip and she suckled hard upon it, even letting her teeth pinch over it.

Hannibal heard those moans and locked away what caused them to use later. He could feel her body wanting more, but found himself happy that she desired to wait. He allowed her the kiss as his hands slowly moved down to her hips. He easily lifted her to set her on her feet closer to her chambers and about a foot away from him. It was meant to show her exactly how strong he was and that he could easily lift her.

He then took a step back to take her hand and kissed the back of it. "In that case I will bid you goodnight My Lady. I will knock four times in the morning for us to leave for our first hunt together." He said.

Her pup was waiting by the door quietly.

Margaery gasped softly as he lifted her. She giggled softly at that show of strength, wrapped her arms around his neck and felt the muscle beneath his clothes and skin. As he set her down, she smiled and let her hands rest against his chest for as long as he was near. When he kissed her hand she bowed slightly.

"Good night, my Lord. I look forward to the morning," she smiled and turned, looking to the pup and whistling for her to come. "Come, Moanna."

The pup followed, a bit more pep in her step being given a name. Before Margaery closed the door she undid the clasps and buckles of her dress and let it fall to the floor. Giving Hannibal a brief glance of her bare backside once again before closing the door.

Hannibal watched intently as Margaery turned to retire for the evening. The young pup was indeed thrilled to have a proper name. His eyes showed his lust for her body when she gave him another brief glimpse of her very fair form before shutting the door behind her. He turned to lock his own chamber door and summoned his three pups to the bed. He gave them each a name and order them up onto the foot of the bed. The stone would be too cold for them to sleep.

The next morning, Hannibal roused himself early. He had prepared a small, but hardy breakfast for the pair of them and was dressed in dark black hunting leathers with fur linings. He had given the order to the young maid to fashion a dress in a similar style for Margaery. It would allow her freedom of movement, but would also keep her warm. There was also a pair of soft fur lined leather leggings to protect her legs from the saddle as they rode. There was a pair of leather boots for her feet, they should fit her quite well. The final touch were fur lined leather gloves to keep her hands warm. She would have a fur coat to wear about her shoulders with a hood on it. He strode to knock on her door firmly three times. He was fully dressed and ready and had her outfit lying on his bed.

Margaery picked up Moanna and put her in the bed, wrapping the furs around the both of them before curling up to go to sleep.

In the morning Moanna licked at Margaery's face. She giggled, but gently scolded the pup for waking her. It was only shortly thereafter that she heard Hannibal's knock. Margaery set Moanna on the floor and wrapped the furs tight about her - it showed off her slender figure, but also kept her covered. Margaery opened the door and smiled up to Hannibal.

"Good morning," she greeted him. Moanna toddled up and sat beside Margaery, her tail wagging and she yipped a soft greeting to Hannibal.

Margaery could smell breakfast and smiled at the scent of good food. "You've been hard at work I see," she chucked.

Hannibal looked down at the young pup with what some might consider a scolding face. However, his eyes showed a light of amusement. Young Moanna's brothers all tipped back after hearing her.

He then looked up at Margaery as he motioned to the clothes set out. "The maids from yesterday made these specifically for you My Lady. They will indeed keep you warm and comfortable on our hunt." He began. "The food is still quite hot. You have time to get dressed before it is cool enough to eat." He said as he moved to sit with his back towards the bed and facing the fire. He was sitting where if she was at the foot of the bed, he could see her from the corner of his eye. He was curious if she would continue in her boldness.

Margaery approached the bed and looked over the dress and garments. Her fingers ran over them and she smiled. "So lovely, and they match your outfit in turn, how appropriate," Margaery smiled.

When he sat down she smirked to herself and dropped the fur she'd had wrapped around her. First she donned the leggings, but made sure to pull them on slowly, teasingly, she knew he was watching. Then came the boots and finally the dress. Margaery turned to Hannibal.

"My lord? Would you mind tying my laces at the back? I want to make sure they're secure," it wasn't a total lie. But in truth she just wanted him close. She wanted to feel his hands on her body again.

Hannibal was indeed watching her from his seat. He paused for a moment before standing and walking over to her slowly to tighten the laces of her gown. "How does the cloth feel My Lady?" He asked lowly in her ear.

He knew it was partially a game, and he was willing to play along now that he had more confidence that she was his.

Margaery leaned back into him a bit as he laced her dress. She glanced over the dress one he was finished. "Soft, light - I can easily move in this," she made a mental note to thank the maids later with some manner of reward from the kitchen, or from her limited jewels.

Margaery turned slowly to face him. She took a step back to let him see her fly, but not enough to put a great deal of space between them. "How do I look? Like a proper huntress of the Dreadfort?"

She longed for the day when Roose Bolton returned to the Dreadfort, and Ramsay with him.

Hannibal watched as she moved freely and easily. He smiled as he motioned to her chair. "Indeed you do. I dare say you look quite deadly with how gracefully you move My Lady. To be a proper huntress from the Dreadfort, we must bring back some game." He said. He picked up her plate to offer her breakfast to her.

Margaery smiled but inside she was a bit nervous. She'd never loosed an arrow before. Jeffrey had showed her how to handle a crossbow, but it had never felt quite right.

"I hope I'm able, I can't say as I've ever participated in a hunt before," Margaery admitted as she sheepishly took a plate. "Father never thought it proper for a lady."

She'd accompanied the men on hunts and had seen how they used the weapons, but she'd never wielded them.

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