A/n: interactions from this chapter onwards.
Chapter 3: We are together and that's all matters.
Jon summoned a council meeting the next day of his kingship. Lords of some of the Northern houses, Ser Davos, Maester Ben were already present when he entered the hall. Maester Ben was a kind and decent man whom Jon could trust with many important issues.
Everyone got up to pay their courtesies which made him feel awkward as all those were so new to him. Jon searched for another person who seemed to be missing, Sansa, the Lady of Winterfell. How could he ever start the council at her absence? She was the true heir of Winterfell, starting the council without her would be betraying her.
"Shall we start, Your Grace?", Maester Ben asked politely.
"Where is Lady Stark, did anyone sent for her?", Jon asked without answering the Maester.
Just then he heard footsteps approaching and there she was! Jon looked up, she was wearing a vivid green dress embroidered in silver, her hair was rope braided and half tied up, as her Lady mother. Her cheeks looked porcelain soft and her lips had a tinge of pink color. Jon could realize the fact that her beauty was gossiped all over the Seven Kingdoms.
"Your Grace", she bowed, "Forgive me. I kept you waited", she smiled while her eyes met his. He tried to smile at her but she turned her gaze to the other members which made him feel like a fool.
"That's alright, My Lady", he spoke looking at her as she adjusted herself to a chair. Referring him as 'Your Grace', and asking for his forgiveness was the last thing he expected from her. These courtesies were getting ridiculous to him.
"We can begin now", Jon said placing his hands over the table.
"Your Grace, though we know winter is coming but since the northern houses are united once again, most of Northern families suggest we need to celebrate together and have a feast together after the battle. And they want to hear what you have to say." , Maester Ben put forward an suggestion.
"Aye, that would be a refreshment to start everything anew, but not to forget the real war is yet to come", Jon smiled warmly to the old man. "And we don't have sufficient food and beverages to properly feed them all.", Jon silently looked ahead.
"That's totally right, Your Grace but some Lords have something to say", Maester Ben answered.
"Your Grace, May I speak?", Lord Cerwyn interrupted the conversation.
"Sure, Lord Cerwyn. Go on." Jon answered.
"House Cerwyn would like to offer a gift of apology to express their remorse for not being supportive on the battle and would like to provide food and beverages if his Grace is planning on having the feast. House Cerwyn would also like to provide refreshments for the coming winter as long as possible. We will be honoured much if you accept it with your heart, Your Grace."
"Thank you, Lord Cerwyn. We'll be happy to accept your apology. I'm will be very grateful for your help and House Stark will make sure to help you whenever in need", Jon spoke and turned his gaze towards Sansa.
"Do you have anything to say, My Lady? ", Jon asked Sansa which made her eyes glittering with joy.
"A feast? That would be totally great, Your Grace! But we need to make sure everyone is fed enough properly", Sansa spoke with such excitement that Jon would swear he never saw her happy after their reunion. Jon smiled.
"Since, Lady Stark consent on the celebrations, it is confirmed that there will be a feast very soon", Jon turned to other members,"What's next, my Lords?"
"Your Grace, House Manderly, also, is remorseful for not fighting by your side and would like to offer help", Lord Manderly spoke.
"I would love to hear what you have to offer, my Lord"
"Your Grace, Lady Sansa is now the Lady of Winterfell, daughter of the last true Warden of the North, we would like to provide some good handmaidens for her cause. Also we would like to provide some maids who will be helpful in the kitchens and laundry. I hope you will accept this apology as well. Thankyou"
"That will be very helpful my Lord. I'll be forever grateful. Can we have their service sooner?"
"Of course, Your Grace. I'll make sure they will be here by sunset"
"Is that all", Jon asked looking at everyone.
"Yes, Your Grace. That is all for today", Maester Ben answered him
"Then the council is over now", Jon spoke silently.
Everyone got up and bowed and turned to leave.
"Sansa, stay", Jon said without looking at her. His voice soft yet commanding.
"Your Grace", her eyes questioned.
"You don't have to call me that, you know..", Jon got up from his seat and walked towards the window, "..when no one is around!" he continued.
"Yes", Sansa nodded.
"Are you happy about the feast? Do you think we can do something extra for it?", Jon asked her looking out of the window. He could've asked her on the council meeting, but he didn't know what made him choose to ask her in private.
"I think we can add a dessert", her voice was so low that Jon wouldn't have heard her if he wouldn't have been paying full attention.
"And what dessert do you think would be good?", and he knew what she would reply.
"Lemon cakes?" They said it together. He saw her face lit up.
"Aye, I'll make sure of it", Jon said staring at her auburn hair moving in soft air. Suddenly her eyes went sad. And she lowered her eyes to the ground. Jon didn't know what did he said to make her sad.
"Sansa", he came closer and he could smell the scent of her hair and feel her warm breathing. "What is it", he was looking at her closely.
"You still remember what I like.. and I was always a stupid girl dreaming stupid dreams and I can never forgive myself for being indifferent to you... ", Sansa said continuously as tears slowly came rolling down her porcelain skin and disappeared on her soft pink lips.
"Sansa, that is not true.", Jon's voice was sad.
"Everyone is gone, I was forced to watch father's head on spike and Septa Mordane and Jory's and I blame myself for everything bad that ever happened.. I still regret the day we left for Winterfell, maybe we all would have still eating and laughing together if we hadn't.", with that Sansa began to weep.
"We are home, Sansa.", Jon's face sorrowful, "Not all of us. Only two of us but we are together and that's all matters. And no one can take that away from us." Jon pulled her into a tight embrace. Sansa hugged him back fiercely, letting her tears fall on his shoulder. How many times did he dream of holding her like this after their reunion? The feel that it makes her feel safe on his arms gives Jon hope to live. Jon wanted Sansa to be happy, she deserved to be happy. He wanted to protect her from every harm.
Sansa pulled apart and looked at him with her vivid blue eyes. Jon saw himself on them, and automatically his hand touched her cheeks and placed a kiss on her forehead. He could saw her closed eyes were as equally beautiful as those of opened. When she opened her eyes, she was still looking down, which gave him more time to stare at her. When she slowly brought her eyes to look at him, she caught him staring at her. Jon was sure that send shivers down his spine.
"Your Grace" A sudden voice interrupted everything and Jon broke the closeness. Ser Davos was standing on the door.
"Yes?"
"There are two carts from House Manderly, the guards need permission to open the gate."
"Yes, those must be the handmaidens and the maids. Let them in", Jon told him.
"Yes, Your Grace", Davos bowed before leaving.
"Mm.. I need to leave now", Sansa waited for his permission.
"You don't have to wait for my word, you know", Jon joked and let out a small laugh.
"Yes, Your Grace", Sansa smiled and bowed. Jon looked on as she departed.
