Lady Arabella straightened her back as she moved through the crowd, knowing full well the effect she was having on the men - if they could be called that- around her. This was a Wildling army, she reminded herself, trying not to let her disgust show as she glanced about at the mass of rough, bearded, dirty men ogling her.
She'd come North with the Lords of the Vale, and they'd recently saved an army of northerners and wildlings, led by the brooding Jon Snow, from the annihilation by Ramsay Bolton.
The Knights of the Vale had learned long ago that trying to keep the lady home when the Vale's forces went to war was an impossible task - even her betrothed understood her skills were better spent with the army while he attended to the affairs of their estate. The Knights had come to rely on her organizational and medical talents, which helped their camp run smoothly, and appreciated her legendarily sharp wit.
And of course, it didn't hurt that few could wear a dress like she could.
A particularly brutish wildling with grease and mutton in his beard stalked forward, belching loudly, "Aye lads, now that's a fine lil thing now aint it!" he slurred, staring at her with drunken eyes "You're the woman of my dreams, can't you see? Come over here and I'll give you a glimpse."
She motioned her guards to stand down as they reached for their swords, staring past the wildling as she walked by him. "Your dreams?" She asked sardonically, " funny, this feels like my nightmare." The wildlings around her erupted in laughter.
A young, wildling with long dark hair and boyish features called from behind her, "Now that's an arse that needs a spanking!"
She glanced back at the wildling "boy, you'll need to learn to handle your mother's teets before you could ever dream of handling this."
More laughter from the wildlings, who descended into taunting one another and yelling jokes as she continued to press through the crowd, weaving her way with masterful wit, tavern waitress savvy, and a lady's elegance. She knew exactly the impact she was having on these beastly men; Lady Arabella's beauty was as legendary as her wit. She had flowing brown hair, piercing clear eyes, and sultry lips that tempted the imagination. She fit her bursting personality into a figure which defied all logic - petite, fit and small, with breasts perkier than a maidens, but somehow combined it with her famously curvaceous behind, which drew the fascination of men of all walks across the Vale. Hers was a special kind of power, and she wielded it with skill.
She'd worn one of her renowned form fitting dresses today. It was light purple, and flowed around elegantly around her legs, but clung seductively to her breasts, hips and ample ass. She needed to tame these beasts around her, and she would see them organized soon enough.
But she had her work cut out for her. The chorus of voices were growing more raucous, drunk with the challenge of the Lady Arabella presented them. And just as they reached a fever pitch, a gruff voice called out from just ahead of her, cutting through the din and silencing the crowd.
"Enough! Leave her be! This one will make mincemeat of you dogs faster than the Bolton's did."
The interlocutor stepped forward, revealing a stark, powerful figure dressed in furs from shoulders to his toes. He had a fiery red beard and flowing hair to match. He stared at her intensely, his eyes blue and hungry, confidently devouring her. The eyes of a beast barely restrained. He left her breathless.
"Besides," He continued, crossing his arms and leaning back cockily, "there's not a man in this rabble who would know how to properly fuck this one."
She took a moment to let her breath return, before responding to him. She raised her chin in defiance and met his gaze. The nerve of this man! She chose to ignore his comment.
"I presume you're Tormund Giantsbane, then? I heard your mother was a giant and your father a pig. It appears you take after your father."
Tormund's eyes widened at the insult, before his face broke into that cocky grin of his and he laughed uproariously. She studied his strong calloused hands and imagined them running over her body. She wondered what he was hiding underneath all of those furs. She blinked the invasive thoughts away as he responded.
"Enough of this. Why does this southern wench with her sword of a tongue march into my camp?"
"I'm here on behalf of the Lord of the Vale, who is otherwise occupied," she responded
"To help you...organize.... your provisions and to discuss our your travel plans."He pierced her soul with those wild eyes of his, and a thought occurred to her.
"Perhaps there's somewhere we could speak in private?"
***********
Lady Arabella laid in her padded lounge chair as she awaited Tormund's arrival. It had been several weeks since their initial meeting, and they'd come to respect one another. Over time she'd discovered that behind the gruff exterior was a man who cared deeply about the well being of his people, was loyal to a fault, passionate about his beliefs. Most of all, hidden behind all the lude jokes was a man that deeply respected women, and that fascinated her most of all.
Despite the respect, there was a certain tension between them that felt absolutely electric when she dwelled on it. She often found herself fantasizing about him when he wasn't around. Occupying her thoughts now, for instance, was a conversation she'd overheard a few days ago. She'd happened upon Tormund giving sex advice to another wildling. She might have laughed at the thought if the reality of his descriptions of how to properly fuck a woman hadn't left her dripping wet. She found her nipples hardening again at the thought, and she bit her lip. A voice startled her out of her reverie."
"I hope I'm not disturbing anything." Surprised. She turned, seeking the source of the voice. A man gazed at her with curious eyes from the entrance of her field tent. It was Tormund! Candles bathed the space in a dim light. Shadows played across his hard features.
"I see you still have some manners to learn, walking in on a lady without warning," she responded.