"Lynn!"
Greatjon Umber's drink-flushed face nearly pressed against Lynn's, his voice booming like thunder.
"Congratulations! Congratulations!"
His huge hand came down hard on Lynn's shoulder. An ordinary man might have been knocked flat by the force.
Lynn sat steady and merely smiled.
"Thank you."
"What for? Don't be so formal! This is wonderful news!"
Greatjon grinned broadly.
He looked around and raised his voice another notch, making sure more than half the hall could hear him.
"Ned just said we're all one family here in the North!"
"Since we're all family, I'll give you my opinion too."
"If you don't want to hear it, just treat it like a fart!"
Crude laughter rose from the crowd.
"As for Lord Lynn and Lady Arya's marriage, I say we should strike while the iron's hot!"
He slammed his hand on the table.
"Everyone's here anyway, and the Godswood's right inside the castle. Why not hold the wedding today?"
Greatjon's proposal landed like a boulder in a vat of boiling oil. The entire hall fell silent for an instant, then erupted in an even fiercer response.
"Lord Umber is right!"
"We northerners don't bother with all those fussy southern formalities!"
"That's right! In the Godswood! Marry before the Old Gods-that's the way of true sons and daughters of the North!"
"We'll all bear witness!"
The lords were fired up. They liked this simple, direct approach.
War was looming, and no one knew what tomorrow might bring.
Sealing this happy union would undoubtedly give every warrior about to march south the strongest possible boost to his spirits.
Somewhat stunned, Lynn looked toward Ned Stark at the high table.
A muscle twitched in Ned's cheek.
He had not yet managed to wipe away his stiff smile, and now he looked even more torn between laughter