[Privat] Game of Thrones - Winter Love

A small smile twitches on Jon's lips. "I am glad to be back, Your Grace. Aye, mostly unharmed seems accurate"
The men scatter as the raiders are taken to the kennels, leaving Jon and Sansa somewhat alone in the courtyard , save from the guards. "May we speak in private, Your Grace?" he winces as a yip comes from his cloak, the same spot from where Ghost's eyes have never left.

Jon's smile seems to widen slightly and his eyes meet hers, dark grey on blue. He opens his cloak , revealing a Direwolf pup, golden eyes looking up at Sansa."Ghost led me to the litter and I thought you may like to have her" hoping that he hadn't made a mistake, opening up old wounds again , it hade seemed like the right thing to do at the moment.
He keeps the pup in his arms , waiting for her reaction.

Once again it seemed as a vision, he imagined the courtyard filled with people and children, teeming with life as it had been years ago, with her at the center of it all. After blinking a few times he's back at the present, staring into the sky blue eyes once more, wondering why the Gods had felt the need to be so cruel to her. Mayhaps all of the roads truly did lead them back here even with all of the horror and heartbreak.
A maid has stopped to watch the exchange, she is quickly ushered away by a woman.

Ghost nudges Sansa's leg, looking up at her with red eyes, eyes that seem to know and understand more than what you might think. Truly a gift from the Old Gods as was the pup. One might say that it was a sign of things to come, what could be, the Old Gods and the North are smiling at the wolves once more.

Sansa glanced at Jon, she had wished for him to say that he was completely unharmed, but that had been to much to wish for. And Jon had at least returned to her, that was all she could ask for. And she followed him as he wished to speak in private, fearing that he may say that his wounds were more servare than he cared to admit in front of the others.

But the words she expected and feared to her from Jon never came, instead he hold out a dire wolf for her. She only blinked, more or less staring at it, as she believed it was an illusion. The dark wolf with golden eyes caught all her attention making her forget about Jon and Ghost. It was as the wolf saw into her soul, but without judging, as it understood her completely. Sansa barely felt when the tears started falling as she reached out for the young one, carefully taking it into her arms. The pup snuggled herself into her chest and Sansa carefully hugged it, scared that it would disappear or that she would harm it. The pup closed it's eyes as it felt at home, and she felt the same. She had missed Lady every day since she lost her, and it was like the Gods gave her another chance and she finally took her eyes of the wolf when she felt Ghost touch.

She looked down at the white wolf who seemed to be as pleased as she was, and she carefully patted the large wolf before turning towards Jon, whipping away her tears before hugging him as well as she could, holding the young one.
"Thank you so much" her voice is full of joy as she whispers the words. She really want to show him how much it meant to her, but all she could do was hug him and hold him tight. The pup lifted it's head a bit, but didn't move much, sensing how she felt, and it made her press it closer to herself as well. Her emotions were taking over, and she could barely think as she started crying again, together with a happy laugh, hoping she wouldn't scare Jon.

He had planned on giving her the pup in private, but the little thing had other plans. The squirming pup had calmed the moment it layed eyes on Sansa as if his arms were not enough. Jon noticed the worry in her eyes. He had promised to come back alive and that he had done, apart from some wounds and broken ribs, he was well, better than he had been for months or even years.

"She -" he winces at the sudden embrace, his ribs can not withstand such things yet but he returns the hug, careful not to harm the pup. "Sansa, I hope I did the right thing, she seemed to belong with us, Ghost took me there. I pray that she will make you happy. Jon cups Sansa's face in his hands, rubbing her cheeks. "Please do not cry, Sansa" sudden dread came upon him, she seemed happy but he could not help but to feel guilty for making her cry, no matter the reason. The action was loving and warm, her skin felt warm under his palms. Such things seemed natural, to comfort her, keep her close when need be.

Another smile shines through at her joy, the feeling in his chest is something he never wishes to be rid of. If only he could make her this happy every day, until his last day. He suggests that they head inside, to her solar, giving them the opportunity to discuss what do to with the raiders. The pup is happily nestled against Sansa's chest, golden eyes looking up now and again. As Jon slowly limps towards the solar he can't help but to glance at her with warmth and love in his eyes. Gods, had any of he Starks seen his face now they would have surely had him executed. The newly woven tapestries that adorn the rebuild walls of Winterfell bring life to the place again, the large leaping and growling Direwolves are where they should be to display what house the castle truly belongs to.

In the privacy of the Queen's solar he finally speaks again. "The castle certainly has improved, it feels warmer" he begins, with the small smile which is only for her. The small rays of sunlight seem to favor her once again, making her radiant. Sansa's red hair is cast in a glow, making her look divine, pale skin and red hair, is she a gift from the Old Gods as well? No, he would not be so lucky as to be gifted or earn such a thing, such a woman.

She noticed that Jon winced when she hugged him and she gave him a serious glance, but she chose not to comment it. If Jon wish to say more to her he could, asking once more would not be beneficial, and she had also learned that if you continued asking people would either understand how worried you could be and use it, or stop listening to you. She knew Jon wasn't like other, yet she couldn't stop herself from thinking like that. She applied everything she had learned on everyone around her.

Sansa has her eyes on the wolf when Jon speaks and she looks up with a small laugh.
"You did the right thing Jon, there is no reason for fear, I am simply overwhelmed. I never thought I would see another direwolf besides Ghost during my lifetime, and especially not one that would be mine" she patted the pup, who carefully licked her fingers and she smiled, as long as it wasn't biting, she would allow it.

Sansa smiled once more.
"The south may not be a place for a nordling, but I longed for the warmth I felt in their castles, and I wished to chase away the ghosts from the past, making Winterfell my home, as I want it to be" the old decoration only reminded her of her dead family, a time long passed and sadness. There was true that she had found memories in the castle, but those memories weren't lost simply because she changed some things. Sansa placed the pup on the floor, giving her a chance to explore, while keeping an eye on her before turning towards Jon.
"I have missed you dearly" she took a step closer and placed a hand on his cheek before slowly kissing him with warmth, before leaning her head against his shoulder. "I think this is how mother felt every time father went away"

She couldn't imagen the worry her mother felt when they went to the south. Or she could compare it to the worry she had felt when Jon left with Dany, yet her mothers must have been worse, seeing her father took herself and Arya with her. And her mother never got to see them again. Sansa had only seen Jon left and that had been hard enough. She could almost laugh, she needed to get her worry under control, she couldn't feel like this every time Jon may leave her. He wasn't her prisoner and could ride away as he saw fit, nonetheless she wished to have him by her side all the time, words she would never express, not wishing to utter words people had said to her, as she was their property. She would simply enjoy every minute she could spend with Jon.

Jon smiled at her words, slowly shifting his weight to his good leg. "You're a wolf, it would seem that the Old Gods wished to give you a new pup" he reaches up to cup her cheek, his hands are still cold from the long ride, the fur gloves didn't help too much. Hearing her words put his fears to ease, but the North will always be harsh, taking more if you are not strong enough. At least he made her happy, after the unfair killing of Lady, thinking of it only made him more disgusted with the old Lannister Queen. Ned Stark had sent the bones of the Direwolf back to Winterfell, claiming she was a Stark, in a sense she was, it was their sigil , allowing the pack to be separated only brought the hurt.

"It does help , it feels less bare , like home." The kiss took him by surprise , Jon gladly returned it, placing his hands over hers, "I've missed you too, Sansa" Jon wraps his arms around her, resting against the top of her head, not moving. Her words were unepexted, he knew how close his father and Lady Catelyn had been, hearing Sansa utter those words sent new thoughts into his mind. How deeply did she truly care? enough to have such a longing for him. Jon places a chaste and loving kiss to the top of her head , holding her closer, not careing about his sore and aching arm or ribs.

A low chuckle escapes his lips, the irony of this situation is always strangely amusing, as if the Gods themselves had put them so far apart only bring them together in a similar tale as her parents. "Are you alright?" he asks, the tone of his voice is laced with worry as he steps back to look at her face, examining it closely. "you should not pressure yourself , Sansa. They love you, and as Queen you do not need to do everything. I would not wish to return some day and find you ill from fretting and overworking" his hands are once again at her cheeks, lovingly stroking her soft skin with his thumbs.

In the light his dark grey eyes seem to reflect a hint of amethyst , just barely noticable. The worry is etched on his face. The look in his eyes speak volumes of the love and care he has for her, the touch is never posessive, just warm and gentle as if any harsher touch would turn him into a monster. Once again as so many moons ago, his lips find their way to her forehead, lingering too long before grey eyes meet blue.

Sansa laughed, following the pup with her eyes. She was far from sure if she believed in the Gods anymore, but maybe they existed and have given her a second chance.
"I am going to name her Hiems" she told Jon, and as she said it the girl pup turned towards her and wagged her tail. "She seems to like it"
Sansa could barely understand that she had a new direwolf, it seemed unreal and she turned towards Jon once more.
"I am so grateful" she giggled, almost feeling that she was losing it. It had been a long time since she had all those emotions. The first thing that came to her mind was when her father had told her that they would go to the south, the happiness she felt, with surprise and fear was all bottled up in what she felt now. She could barely describe it.

"I am glad to hear you say it. I couldn't stand staring at the bare stonewalls anymore, feeling the coldness and emptiness. However, I am sure that our ancestors is turning in their graves" that thought made her smile once more. None of them were here, and none of them could have talked her out of it. Winterfell was hers and she could change it as she pleased. Sometimes she forgot that it was hers, and she thought her parents would walk in any moment, but maybe this change would hopefully change that. And when Jon says he had missed her, she can't do anything else than smile, pleased to hear it. And seeing how careful he was really showed how much he cared, and she couldn't be happier.

"I am alright, I have simply been worried" she gave him a reassuring smile. "And I only pressed myself to avoid thinking and worrying about you. And I will try to prevent myself from worrying as much."
It was true that she worked hard for her people, the North had a long way to go before it was back to it's former glory, but she normally didn't work this hard, she still took care off herself, and avoided having as dark circles under her eyes as she had now.

Sansa closed her eyes, enjoying his touch and warmth. Simply having Jon close made her feel better and revealed. All her worry disappeared with him by her side, almost to the extent that she got worried, realising how dangerous that could be, yet she ignored it at now, only enjoying the moment.

"it is a good name" He smiles with her, still keeping his arms around Sansa. He follows the pup with his eyes, the little thing did seem to enjoy the name and her new home. The smile on her face reminded him of when they first got the pups, those little creatures. The giggle and laugh was a sweet music to his ears, such a sweet sound, he wished to hear it all the time, everyday if possible.

"It is still Winterfell, nothing is overly changed, they would enjoy it, I'm sure" He smiles "you have done what you need to, make the home as you need it to be" Jon stays close to her, still gently resting his chin ontop her head, simply enjoying the much needed closeness and warmth. Some of the older Starks might have said that certain things were too colourful for the North, everything has always been with blues, greys and whites, as those are the colours of the North, besides for the Weirdwood. The large tapestry was torn down after the Iron Islanders and Boltons took over as they did not have any care for anything the Starks stood for.

"I did promise that I would come back to you" Jon strokes her cheek again, frowning at the dark circles under her eyes. "you need to rest, Sansa, I do not wish for you to be sick" the worry on his face is apperent, Jon wouldn't want her to be ill or worry about anything about him but he could not force her not to worry. "I only wish for you to be happy" Sansa deserved some peace and quiet, something to make her happy if he could be of any help or Gods, even the source of that, he would consider himself very lucky.

Lost in his thoughts the smile turns to a melancholic frown. Could she truly be happy with him? all of the women he had been around had suffered some horrid fate, he did not want that for Sansa. He wanted her to be warm and happy. To have a life full of love, with plenty of children to brighten her days. A smile cracks as he once again imagines her to look down from the balcony at him and a red haired boy training in the yard. Robb, the name was always Robb in his dreams, for his brother and closest friend. Not wishing to move, Jon stays almost motionless until Sansa decides to break away from the embrace.

Sansa almost felt pain from smiling as much as she did, placed in Jon's arms with a new wolf. The relief she felt from having Jon by her side again, she couldn't describe it. But he hadn't only returned to her, he had found a direwolf for her, something she never thought she would have again. The pup kept looking back and fort at her and Sansa smiled even more when it did.
"It seems like Ghost are pleased as well," Sansa studied the older wolf, who kept his eyes on the pup as well, barely looking at her when she said his name. "He must miss having a pack around him as well, human's aren't the same thing after all."

Sansa could relate to Ghost almost more than she wished. When her family shattered the others had someone. Rob had her mother and his men, Jon had the Nights watch before they betrayed him, yet he had Ghost and Sam. Brann had Rickon for awhile, and later his friends who took him to beyond the wall, and when he lost some of them, he wasn't human anymore, and he didn't seem to care anymore. And Arya, she had a hard time as well, but she were strong in a way Sansa never was, alone in the south without any in her pack. Arya walked her own way, finding her own pack of assassins, then leaving them to continue on her own. All Sansa had found were snakes, and as her father said, the lone wolf died, while the pack survived. She was baffled that she had survived on her own, maybe because she fead on the snakes, until she could return to the north, a place where she could find a pack.

Sansa turned towards Jon almost rolling her eyes.
"You are far to kind, I enjoy it, they wouldn't, father would say it resembles the south to much, and that it's not the nordic way of doing things," she remembered her fathers have whispering arguments sometimes over southern and north habits and traditions, and she understood how difficult it must have been for her mother from time to time.

"It's a dangerous thing to promise, but I am pleased that you did return," she closed her eyes when he touched her, as to assure her that Jon was by her side. "I rest as much as I can Jon, and I have been trough far worse things than a few nights without proper sleep and it that couldn't sicken me, there is no reason for you to fret"

Sansa placed her hand over his, meeting his eyes with steady look.
"I know Jon, and I wish the same for you, and I am happy now when you have returned, especially with Hiems!" Her lips touched Jon's, soft and sweet before backing away when she heard something fall and she turned towards Hiems who had started chasing her tail, walking into her table and knocking over a goblet and Sansa sighed, walking over to see if anything was damaged.

A soft chuckle echos in his chest. "No, I doubt that we are. The pup is , from what I assume, his daughter, how could he not be protective of something that he loves." He and Ghost are more alike than anyone would assume, mayhaps from behing bound together for years. The warging was at time draining, Gods knows how Bran does it so often.

Their pack had been broken up, Ghost must have missed his siblings are much as Jon missed his. He couldn't even understand how Sansa survived in the South, he was nearly killed , that could be the lot of Stark men, south of The Neck isn't a place they belong. The Lions had been cruel and dangerous in the most foul way. had Robert had the balls to stand up to his golden wife then things may have been different. Jon couldn't help but to feel some odd bitterness for the fat King, the Stag who set things in motion. Not that his parents were innocent in any way, we are all responsible for our actions, some men are praised while others are hung.

"They may not but father built Lady Catelyn a Sept, that is the most southron thing there is" regret came across his face, mentioning such things were a sensitive subject, Jon truly meant nothing ill by it. "but you" he takes Sansa's hands "you are northeren, a Stark" the words come easily as he motions to the Weirdwood tapesty. "From what I have seen , the Old Gods are on our side" his lips twitch into a smile under the rather unkept beard. Shaving wasn't always beneficial in the cold climate.

"I can't help it, my thoughts go to you, your health and wellbeing , Sansa" he begins before turning his attention to the thud, feeling relieved knowing it was only a curious puppy. Jon lets out a breath he had not realized that he was holding. The former crow searches the room as if something would jump out at them was he not paying attention. "Did anything break?" he asks , gaze snapping to her.

"Then I know that she will be well looked after when I can't" Sansa patted Ghost, who seemed to nod, proud of it and she smiled. Fathers looked after their daughters, her's had as well as he could. She could blame him for not playing the game, being stupid enough to to trust Petyr and Cersie, but her father had been to good for that, and she had acted the same, before she learnt. Her father didn't have the time, besides none of them could have predicted that Robert were to die, and how bad off Joffrey would become.

"He may have built it for her, but it didn't turned the whole castle in to a southern one, not like I did. Or rather a pretend version of it. Hopefully it won't upset to many noblemen or so, cause I have no interest in reminding them of whom's castle it is, and who is their queen. And yes Jon, I am a northeren, and a Stark, nothing can change that." If she were to stand correct she was a Lannister and a Bolton, yet those were names she would never use, she was a Stark nothing else!

Sansa looked up from the papers, some of them were possible to save, others weren't. Sansa turned towards the pup.
"We are careful in here!" she chastised her and the pup looked down at once, but Sansa wouldn't budge. The young one needed to know to be careful, playing was something you did outside. Sansa turned towards Jon.
"Nothing broke, but I have to rewrite some documents," Sansa sighed before walking over to fetch a cloth to wipe up the mess. Hiems had yet to move, but she was looking up, following Sansa with her eyes, but she ignored the wolf for now, knowing that if she comforted her, it would never learn what was right and wrong.