A/N- This imagine has been requested by Wattpad user: @swoswokowalski. I decided to set it to the song (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher by Jackie Wilson, because I thought it would be cute, and because the song is pretty amazing.
"Why is it that you drag me along to these things every year?" you asked your brother, huffing as you stalked further into his tent, "you know I detest this city." Your annual trips to King's Landing had always been a cause of controversy in your household; Robert loved the tourneys and the pretty women that came with the journey, but you spent most of your time babysitting your drunk older brother and avoiding overly affectionate suitors who often found it hard to understand the word no.
He smirked as he watched you fold your arms, looking every bit the brooding little sister he had grown so used to. "That's exactly why I bring you," he chuckled, leaning more comfortably into his seat, and smiling as you rolled your eyes at him. "If you must know: I hope that eventually there will be at least one young man here who will not be so intimidated by you that he may actually take your fancy."
"I'm not intimidating," you spat back at him, and his eyebrows shot up his forehead in faux shock.
"Well, you could have fooled me."
You ran your tongue over your teeth, considering your response. "Why would you want a brother by law who is intimidated by his wife, anyhow? He'd likely be a coward and a fool."
Robert snorted, sitting up a little straighter in his seat and leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "I do not understand why you won't allow father or me to sort something out with Lord Stark; You and Benjen would be perfect for one another."
"We aren't having this conversation again," you sighed, listening as your brother grunted, climbing to his feet.
"But the boy is clearly doting on you, and since Lyanna and I called off our engagement, it would be good to join our family's elsewhere."
Robert was a good foot and a bit taller than you were, and any normal woman would have been intimidated by him looming over them as he often did with you, but you were no normal woman. You placed your hands on your hips as you glared up at him. "Benjen is a dear friend, but that is all. The same goes for all of the Stark boys; they are like brothers to us, it would be as strange as marrying Stannis."
"I would not push you on this if I didn't think it would benefit you, Y/N. Benjen would make a good husband, and he would keep you in comfort, which is more than can be said for some of the boys at court."
Your brow furrowed at his words, "I don't want any of those boys either; you know that as well as I do."
"But you must marry someone, and father is growing impatient."
"And you are of the belief that my best option is to, what, give in without putting up a fight? That's rather out of character for you, Robert."
He released a deep sigh and gave a short shrug. "It would be better for you to make the decision yourself, and soon, or father will have you married to some old bore of a man in some far off land. I don't want that for you."
The tent was silent for a moment, and you pursed your lips as you attempted to think. "Well," you started quietly, "thank you for your concern."
Robert nodded, one of his big hands patting your shoulder slightly and bringing a small smile back to your lips. "Keep Benjen in mind, it could lead to a wonderful life for you." You gave in, giving a short nod before moving away to one of the seats around the little round table.
You were still sitting there, working on some needlepoint, when the Starks arrived in King's Landing. Your brother's tent was always their first stop upon entering the city, and this year was no different. Within moments, the small area was full to bursting, and you were in the middle of the crush, greeting each of them in turn.
"Seven Hells, Y/N. How on earth do you get more beautiful each time we come to this wretched city?" Brandon Stark has always been one of your closest friends, going out of his way in an attempt to embarrass you whenever he got a chance, and today was the same as any.
You placed your hand on your chest, as though amazed by his flattery. "It seems the travel agrees with me, My Lord." You attempted to keep your face fixed in your sweet smile but soon dissolved into laughter as he drew you into a quick hug.
"That it does, girl," he laughed as he released you, quickly moving on to Robert who he pulled into a firm hug, their hands smacking at one another's backs as though they were trying to swat at a fly. You had always thought it was a curious tradition, but it never stopped them from doing it each time they saw one another.
You quickly turned your smile back to Ned, who still had his eyes focused on the two men embracing. "It's good to see you again, Ned," you told him softly, and his smile turned to you.
"Y/N," he uttered softly, holding out a hand for you to take until you scoffed.
"Am I not worthy of at least a quick hug?" you asked him, causing him to laugh slightly as you held your arms out for him.
He moved forward, pulling you into the offered hug. "How are you?" he asked softly, releasing you from his arms but keeping his hands resting lightly on your arms.
"I'm good," you told him with a smile, "but I mustn't keep you long or Robert will become restless." You had never understood your brother's friendship with Ned; they were such different people that it was a rather unsettling contrast to see them interact. But they so close that it didn't matter, and that became obvious as Ned gave you a quick nod and moved over to greet your brother.
Your smile only grew when Benjen stepped in front of you, his own smile looking so perfect on his lips that it almost turned your cheeks red. "Afternoon," he started softly, reaching out and taking your hand in his. He did this each time you saw him, and you continued to smile as he followed the usual procedure and brought the back of your hand to his lips.
"How was your journey?" you asked him softly, and he gave a short shrug.
"It was the same as any journey from Winterfell," he told you, pausing for a moment as you raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to finish his answer, "long." You chuckled, glancing down to where he was still holding your hand in his.
You jumped when Robert cleared his throat, quickly pulling your hand back and turning to face him. "Brandon asked whether we wanted to join them for dinner tonight," he pressed slightly, and you simply nodded, forcing your smile back onto your lips.
"Yes," you started, releasing a deep breath, "that would be lovely," you added, glancing around the group. You could almost feel your face glowing with the embarrassment of being caught unawares, and shifted uncomfortably as you watched Robert smirk.
"It's sorted then," he announced, quirking his eyebrows at you in a quick, almost unrecognisable gesture, "Y/N and I will join you tonight."
You were still in a daze as the Stark's made their way out of the tent and further into the city, leaving you and Robert standing along again. He was smiling when you glanced at him again, and you shot him a glare. "Don't start."
"I didn't say anything," he laughed, sitting down at the table and pulling a cup of wine towards himself.
"You don't have to." You followed him over, taking the wine from his hand and taking a deep gulp. "Your demeanour says enough," you added, placing it back in front of him.
"I'm just thinking," he started again, his smile wide, "since you are so clearly interested in Benjen, why you would insist on not marrying him."
You sat down, resting your elbow on the table and rubbing at your eyes in frustration. "I just," you paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, "what if he isn't really interested?"
Robert let out a loud laugh, causing you to jump slightly. "Have you ever met the boy?" You pursed your lips as you listened to him talk. "He is completely mad about you; he doesn't greet me with a kiss on the hand."
"You aren't a lady," you protested, shaking your head.
"But so many other women are, and I have never seen him give such a greeting to anyone but you."
A deep breath escaped your throat, and you recognised the smile creeping onto your lips as you finally accepted Robert's words. "Fine," you started softly, "I will speak with him regarding marriage, but don't get your hopes up."
*Time Skip*
Dinner had, indeed, been lovely. All of you sitting together around glorious food, sharing stories of the year you had spent apart. Brandon told you all about his new wife, Catelyn, and you had watched as Ned grew slightly uncomfortable. You had long known about his interest in the girl, but being the second son to a large house didn't allow for much in terms of affairs of the heart. Robert had dominated much of the conversation with mentions of hunting trips and of the rest of your family. But he had quickly driven the conversation in a direction you were unhappy with. "Father has decided that Y/N must choose a husband this year," he stated, quite matter-of-factly and the room seemed to fall silent.
"Robert," you started quietly, drawing his eyes to you. "Not now," you added, and he chuckled slightly.
"There is no need to be so embarrassed," he told you, and you shook your head at his words, letting out a deep sigh.
"So, this will be your last summer tourney?" Benjen uttered, his eyes fixed on you as you nodded.
You attempted to force a smile back onto your lips, but they quivered as you held back tears. No one had said so before, but you had known it as soon as Robert had told you of your father's intentions. "I'd rather not talk about it over dinner," you told them softly, wiping at the tears that gathered in your eyes. It wasn't so much the tourney that you would miss, and more so the company.
"Don't be ridiculous, dinner is over when better is there to talk about it?" All of the Stark's remained quiet as you fixed your eyes on Robert, who simply smiled at you.
"Seven Hells Robert, do you ever shut up?" you spat at him, regretting the words as soon as they fell from your tongue. He looked hurt, like a wounded dog, and you wouldn't have been surprised if he had actually begun to whimper. "I have an early start in the morning," you uttered, getting to your feet and turning to send each of the Stark's a small smile, "thank you for having me, it's been lovely seeing you after so long." And with that you were headed for the door, heading down the halls as quickly as your feet would carry you.
You hadn't noticed anyone following you until you got to your chambers, fumbling with your key, your hand shaking. "Let me help you," Benjen started, causing you to jump, the key dropping from your hand and clattering across the floor. He hurried to scoop the key from the floor, leaning past you and unlocking the door in one smooth movement.
"Thank you," you told him softly, sniffing back the tears that had already escaped.
"I know you don't want to talk about it, but if you ever change your mind and want anyone to listen, I'm here."
He seemed rather taken aback by your laugh, his face contorting in confusion as you bit the inside of your cheek to stop the chuckle from continuing. "You are so nice to me," you told him quietly, "in fact, Robert seems to think you've taken a fancy to me."
"Then your brother is far smarter than he looks." You fell silent, biting down on your bottom lip slightly as you tried to comprehend Benjen's words. "I was actually thinking, you would still be able to come to the tourneys each year if you were to marry me that is."
"Benjen," you started softly, reaching out a gripping his hand lightly in your own, "that's a lovely offer, but I could never ask you to do that for me."
"You aren't the one asking," he told you, leaning a little closer. "Marry me," he started softly, "and make me one of the happiest men in the Seven Kingdoms."
"I'd have to ask my father," you began quietly, "and your father would have to agree too." He nodded his response, smiling sweetly down at you.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes."
Benjen smiled as he leaned in, pressing his lips lightly to yours. "Come back to dinner," he uttered softly as he pulled away, and you nodded slightly as he tucked your arm through his, drawing you along through the halls back towards your family.
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