It had been Jon's idea. News of the Dragon Queen's invasion of Westeros had reached the intergalactic space station, known as the Wall. Jon had come to her, explaining that the Queen had offered Dragon level ships to assist with his war against the Others; the Wall was no longer a safe place for her.
"You're the last known legitimate heir to the Iron Throne," he explained. "I swore to your father I would protect you. I'm going to send you in to hiding with your mother's men."
She only nodded, wondering if the bad news would ever stop coming. Her father had died the month before, her mother two weeks later. She was alone in the world and now she would be sent away from Jon.
"Putting you in hiding isn't enough. You won't be safe if anyone ever found you. I think I've found a solution," he said. "I plan to marry you."
Her heart leapt in her chest.
During her first week at the Wall, her mother had demanded Jon meet with her. The meeting did not go well. She could only look on in amazement. For the first time in her life, Shireen had seen someone stand up to her mother and she had fallen, helplessly, hopelessly in love with him.
In her wildest daydreams, she dreamt of one day marrying Jon. Of somehow finding a way to make him look at her, the way he looked at Val.
At his announcement however, her mother's men, including her Great Uncle Alester roared in outrage. They had all spoken over each other, barely listen to Jon explain that a marriage to him would mean no one else could get their hands on her without legal repercussions. No one could use her against her will.
"I'll not have a bastard marry my niece!" Alester yelled. "You would defile the Baratheon name, not to mention, she is only a child!"
"As if I would ever consummate the marriage," Jon said in disgust. "When she is of age and an appropriate match can be found, I'll quietly divorce her."
Her heart sank; he didn't want her. He would only marry her out of duty. She felt like crying but instead had slumped down in a corner while the men decided her fate.
Be careful what you wish for.
Shireen Baratheon wanted to laugh, but couldn't seem to muster the energy.
The following day found her being led to the large mess hall, it was packed with Wildlings and former brothers of the Night's Watch. Jon Snow stood at the center of the room with the Melisandre, the red priestess. When they reached Jon, the entire room quieted down.
"Two come forth today to join their lives, so they may face this world's darkness together," Melisandre said, raising her hands above her head.
Shireen stopped listening, instead turning to look at Jon. She suspected he thought the priestess was full of as much shit as she did, but he was doing a much better job at hiding it. Having Melisandre perform the wedding ceremony was the only way Jon could convince her great uncle to agree to the marriage.
The ceremony wore on.
She didn't know who had sewn the bride's cloak that now hung around her shoulder, but wasn't sad to see it go. Jon was gentle as he unfastened it, before carefully placing his cloak over her shoulders, leaning in to give her a kiss on the cheek, as was tradition. His cloak was still warm from his body, smelling of him, it trailed on the floor behind her.
Shireen had wished for this day a thousand times, never knowing that when it came it would be a falsehood, a mere mummer's trick.
They signed the official documents before Jon led her from the hall away from the wedding feast that would happen in her absence.
When they reached the loading bay, he pulled her away from the rest of the men as they boarded the ship waiting for him.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up in to his face. He looked tired, exhausted even.
"Shireen," he began. "I swore to your father I would do everything in my power to keep you safe. If you ever have need of anything write to me and I will come."
She nodded, an overwhelming feeling of sadness settling over her, wondering if she would ever see him again.
A look of sadness passed over his face as he observed her, before it was replaced with a smile. He leaned in conspiratorially toward her, "Would you do me a favor?"
"Anything," she said, quickly.
"As you know, my sisters are missing," he said. "I miss writing letters to them and receiving theirs in turn. When you're at the Wall, it's nice to know what is happening in the universe you're defending. Would you write to me?
"About what? I won't be doing anything exciting like you, taking on the Others," she said.
"Then I will write to you all about the Others. You can write to me all about your new home, which of your mother's men are your favorite, which are the most annoying. Tell me anything and everything," he said, smiling. "Trust me, it helps."
"I will. I'll write as often as I can," she said, glad to be able to help in whatever way possible. But happier that she would still get to hear from Jon, even if it was only in letters.
He then walked her back to the doors of the ship, telling her good bye, that he was looking forward to her first missive. Just as she was about to board the ship, she paused, running back to him throwing her arms around his middle. She wasn't sure what possessed her to do it.
"Thank you, Jon," she said, pulling back to look up at his face. "Please don't die."
He smiled down at her sadly before mussing her hair with his hand.
"I'll see what I can do," he said.
