First meeting

Jane was sitting in the carriage, staring out the window at the landscape. The two maidens that were travelling with her had fallen asleep, but she didn't mind: she actually needed a moment of silence. She would have slept herself if she could have, but the butterflies in her stomach didn't really allow her to do so.
After almost two years, she was finally going to meet the stranger who would become her husband. It was just matter of hours, and she would meet in person what until that moment had been only a name. John Tully. A name she loved because of all the promises it held, a name she feared because of the mistery his owner represented. She had tried so many times to picture him: the only thing she knew about him was the color of his hair: blonde.
She had written a letter to him, almost one year before. He hadn't replied, but she wasn't expecting him too, although maybe now she would have appreciated to have something his to hold, something that would have made him less of a stranger.
She was trying with all herself to be happy for this, and a part of her really was, she was really looking foreward to be a bride, but on the other hand she couldn't hide her fear, a fear that had grown every day for the past two years, making her feel more and more aware of all her flaws and weaknesses.
She was scared of marrying a perfect stranger, she was scared she wouldn't suffice, even more, and she didn't even want to say something so rude out loud, she was scared she wouldn't like him. Wha then? The marriage would have had place no matter what and she would have had to stay for the rest of her life with a man she didn't even like?
With a chill she distracted herself from the thoughts, realizing by the change in the landscape that much time had passed by: it was almost dark now. She didn't notice the gates of Riverrun until they passed them. Suddenly her heart started beating faster and her head felt lighter: if she could, she would have run away.
Her maidens started to wake up but she barely noticed them. Pure panic was possessing her now and she had to close her eyes to stop tears from wetting her cheeks. She felt her maidens's hands on her shoulders and on her arms, she herd their voices like they were coming from afar, she knew they were trying to comfort her but once again she ignored them. The carriage stopped. Swallowing she opened her eyes and bravely put on the happiest smile she could. This was a happy moment, a happy moment... she had to convince herself about that...

John let his gaze fly over the hills and water that laid the landscape of Riverrun. Had it really been two years since his betrothal? No matter how much he seemed to ignore the thought of it, the days kept flying by at an alarming pace. By sundown she would have arrived, standing before him gleeful and full of life. John was afraid he would not be able to mirror her own happiness. He had never wanted this, yet he had never said a word against the arrangement. He knew what was expected of him, and abandoning his duty would be a harder loss for him.
His eyes fell to the letter he must have read a hundred times before. He had nothing against the woman. This Jane was most likely as frightened as he was. "Jane..." he said into thin air, trying her name on his lips. He wondered if it would ever sound less strange.
Her written words made him frown. It seemed odd to him to call anyone dearest before their meeting. He was glad the dress had brought her happiness, but he could not take responsibility. The gift had been entirely his father's idea, and though he had been made to sign the card, he had no other ties to it.
His tension made him want to pace the room, but his anxiety would not allow for it. Instead he stood still, watching the sun fall behind the hills until it was almost dark. It was then he saw the horses emerging, followed by the carriage that held his fiancé. House Mormont was a good, strong house he reminded himself. His parents would never have put this on him if it was not for the greater good, and consequentially for his own good as well. With that in mind he carefully placed the letter back in the top drawer and left the room.
John's heart beat hard to every step down the long, spiraling staircase. He braced himself as he opened the doors to the courtyard and watched the carriage pull up. Duty, family, honor. It was all he repeated in his head, purposely not thinking of what the second word would mean for him soon. As one of her twin brothers dismounted his horse and walked over to the carriage to help his bride-to-be out of the carriage, John closed his eyes and took a deep breath, preparing for what was to come next.

As soon as the carriage door was open she felt like someone had just poured ice on her back. It was time. No temporising. No running away. The moment she had looked for and feared in the same time for the past two years had come and now the anxiety had dissolved the happiness. It remained only the fear.
Who was he? Would he like her? Would she like him? Was he a nice guy? Was he violent? Was he happy about this union? Was he scared?
All the doubts she had nourished in the years reappeared suffocating her.
And even more, her mother's advices to make a good impression managed to take away the little breath she had left.
*Be nice Janey. Remember to smile. Be sweet. The first impression is what counts. Don't be clumsy Janey, we surely don't want your husband-to-be to see you in an embarassing moment at your first meeting! Smile Jane, this is a happy moment for you. Remember to bow Jane. Careful not to fall, Jane. Jane, for once, be carefull in what you do...
With a trembling feet, she rose up and, helped by one of her bothers, she stepped outside the carriage.
She was so nervous she didn't even realized who of her brothers was standing next to her. So nervous that she didn't even manage to look at John, focused as she was on herself in an attempt to 'make a good first impression'.
Her brothers had seen her nervous for the wedding in the past, but she had always been so carefree, childish and optimist... it wasn't like her to be so scared, and still and yet she couldn't help it.
She was pale but she was smiling, as her mother wanted her to, and as soon as she was in front of John she managed to bow graciously and greet him in a sweet even if trembling voice "My lord, is a pleasure to meet you"

(( Here I am! XD Sorry! ^^'' ))

The sun was slowly fading at the horizon, they were almost at Riverrun. Garrett and Cedric were leading Jane's carriage, in silence: both of them knew that it was a point of no return, Jane was about to meet his future husband and then she would be married to him. In the past few years they have joked about it, tried to not think at that day, but now here they were. They were accompanying Jane to her new life.

As they finally arrived in the courtyard and the carriage stopped, Garrett dismounted from his horse and helped Jane to go out of the carriage. He wanted to reassure her, it was clear that she was really nervous and scared, but he didn't know what to say; the only thing he could do was to tighten his grip on her hand to tell her that both of them were there with her.
They followed her in front of John and bowed with her.

[OOC: What are you appologizing for? I thought you were quick ]

John opened his eyes to look at his bride-to-be as she stepped out of the carriage. A thousand thoughts and emotions ran through him at once. She was indeed beautiful to look at, so in that aspect relief and joy washed over him, but his worries were far from over.
She looked so shy and nervous, which made him feel guilty about the arrangement although it had been none of his doing. He couldn't even smile at her, the knot in his stomach was too hard. Once she courtesied, he bowed to show respect for the strange woman and her brothers.
"The pleasure is mine, my lady," he replied, though he was sure it was all dumb nonsense on both of their parts. Empty phrases that had been taught to them since they were still in cribs. It meant nothing.
"I'm sure you are all very tired from your journey. Your handmaiden will show you to your chambers," John said to Jane. "After you have unpacked, I would be delighted to share a hot meal with you, if you please." He quickly turned his gaze to face her brothers, not daring to look at her for too long.
"If I may, I shall have the honor of escorting you to your chambers. I am sure we have a lot to talk about."

OOC: I totally agree with Ylva, no need to be sorry at all x3

Jane felt a new shiver as she heard for the first time his voice. He replied with the same courtesy she had used, empty phrases that just had to be said. She still didn't manage to look at him in the eyes, keeping her glance down, unable to raise it. Her curiosity was overshadowed by her fear.
Tired... no, she wasn't tired, she wasn't tired at all, and if a part of her wanted that meeting to be over as soon as possible another part was just longing to stay, to talk to him, to finally get to know the stranger that her been in her thoughts for the past two years. What she was sure of, though, was the fact that she wouldn't have been able to rest, not even a second, and she surely wouldn't have been able to eat, but, following the rules of courtesy, she replied, still smiling.
"Thank you, my lord. I'd be happy to."
It took her some moments to get that her brothers wouldn't have come with her. She bit her lips, trying to contain her frrustration. She didn't want to be left alone, she just didn't...

((  ))

The tension was palpable in the air, the couple looked really nervous and none of them stared at the other for too long, like they felt guilty for only trying.
Garrett exchanged a quick look with Cedric before turning again to John and Jane.
"Thank you." Garrett simply said; not that they were tired, but if it was to relax the tension between Jane and her husband-to-be he was glad to help.
"Jane.." he turned to his sister, hesitant to let her go in that way "We'll see you after you unpacked.."

Cedric, who just stayed in silence, came closer to Jane to gave her a soft hug.
"In the meantime we'll look after him.. don't worry." he whispered in her ear trying to cheer her up a little "See you later." he smiled freeing her from the hug.
Then both of them turned again to John, waiting him to escort them to their chambers.

John started walking towards the brothers, having to pass them to continue towards their chambers. A quick look over his shoulder revealed that Jane's handmaiden had reached her already, beaming as if this was the happiest of days. He wondered if she were truly oblivious to the tension, or if it was a heartly attempt at easing it.
John walked with the brothers for quite some time without saying anything, lost in his own thoughts, but as soon as they reached the castle and stepped inside, John knew it would be rude not to speak up. "Your sister is lovely," he said. This time it wasn't an empty phrase, but he was still nervous. How soon was it expected of him to bond with this stranger? What if he couldn't?

She smiled nervously at Garrett and nodded, even though she just would have wanted to scream 'Don't leave me alone!'. But that surely wouldn't have made a good impression on John so instead she just kept smiling.
As Cedric hugged her, he hugged him back, tightly, as she wanted to cling on him like a child, but when he let her go she was forced to do the same
"S...see you later" she greeted both her brothers and her husband to be, never stopping to smile.
Only when they started to walk away and he wasn't facing her anymore she finally gathered the courage to look at John's face: he surely was a handsome man... And yet this detail wasn't comforting at all, if anything, actually, it made her even more nervous: could she be enough for him?
As the handmaided came to escort her to her chambers, followed by some servants that would have taken care of her luggages, Jane had no choice but to follow the lady.

After watching Jane leave, Garrett and Cedric followed John towards their chambers. They walked in silence having one of their eye-conversation a thing that only the twins were able to do.
Both of them turned to John as he spoke, it was the first time that he was actually saying something in a more natural way, even if it was clear he was nervous.
"Thank you." Garrett smiled "We are sure she'll be a beautiful bride." for her age Jane was indeed a beautiful girl and she wasn't outdone for him.

[OOC: Sorry I'm so late, was driving home xD]

"I'm sure," John agreed, but beauty didn't automatically equal love. Their meeting had been nervewrecking enough, but now he was beginning to think of their wedding night. He had duties that would need to be fullfilled, but he was unsure whether or not he would be capable of going through with it. The girl seemed terrified of him.
A while went past with more of the heavy silence, and they reached a staircase going upwards. At least the twins would be granted a beautiful view for their stay here.
"You truly are quite extraordinarily alike. I've heard tales, but the resemblance is astonishing." It was more empty smalltalk to take away from what was really on his mind, although John couldn't say he was lying. He did not know if he would ever be able to tell them apart.

Jane was escorted by the handmaiden to her room where immediately two servants started unpacking for her. She didn't really see the point, since she wouldn't have been in that room for long...
She bit her lips trying not to think where she would have slept in just a few days.
So that was Riverrun. Could she ever get used to this new palace? Could she even manage to call it home? The sudden realization she would have never see her home again hit her hardly.
She walked toward the bed and sat down. She bit her lips but it was no use: soon tears started pouring from her eyes.
She felt sad and lonely.
She covered her face with her hands and started sobbing

Garrett and Cedric watched him as John continued to walk till a stair. Other moments of silence between a chat and another, even Cedric seemed to have lost his speech.

As John spoke again they raised their look, but if Garrett found the topic a little annoying, Cedric saw the opportunity to relax a little the nerves.
"A lot of people actually say it!" he chuckled "But once you get to know us better, it becomes easy to distinguish us!" he smiled coming closer to John "Just remember that Garrett is the boring twin.." he whispered at John, trying to not be heard by his brother.

For the first time in a couple of days John let himself smile. It didn't last long, but it was something.
"I hope you will find your chambers to your liking," John suddenly said, stopping at the top of the stairs by two large wooden doors close together. He gestured to show these were the chambers in question.
"Servants will be up shortly at your service. I am looking forward to seeing you at dinner." They all knew the lack of meaning behind John's words, but he tried to hide his sinking mood to the best of his ability. He did like this family. They were all kind and good people, as were rumoured, but being forced upon them made him more hesitant than he otherwise would be. He knew himself that, had he been a single, free man, John would not hesitate to courtesy Jane. Perhaps it was the knowledge he could not escape her later on that made him weary.
With that he took a few steps back towards the stairs, signalizing it was time for him to leave them for now.