Winter Roses

"The King in the North!"

Echoed the cry sealing my fate that could be heard without doubt throughout all the walls of my home.

It was too much.

Too overbearing.

How was one supposed to feel when everything you've ever aspired to want, something you've long accepted to never get, proclaimed itself in thunderous fervor and knees on the floor in front of you?

King in the North.

"Jon?"

"Jon!"

I caught her just in time as she launched herself at me, her skinny arms tight around my neck, letting out a deep breath of relief – both hers and mine.

"You found me!"

I twirled her around before setting her down, quickly assessing to see if she was harmed in any way.

Robb and I have been looking all over for her when we lost her at the Wolfswood. We have been playing knights and maidens when suddenly we were attacked by two wildlings.

With only our wooden training swords, Robb and I straightened our backs and swallowed our fears. The two wildling men had knives and arrows out and we knew they could easily overpower us but with one shared look and a glance at our trembling sister, we had to stall long enough to at least let her escape.

We were young.

But we knew what terrors could happen to a stolen little girl.

"What are you doing in our lands? Is it gold you want? Or iron? Food? There is no need to bide your time and steal from children," Robb said as calmly and as authoritative as he could.

The wildlings snorted and cackled. "We know ou' fates, yer can drop the prissy tone, young wolf."

Our eyes widened. They knew who we are and a surge of panic was threatening to spill out.

"Aye. We know who ye lads are. The lil lording an' lady wolf cubs o' dear ol Ned Stark an' his bastard. Best come quietly the lot o' you," the bigger of the two growled.

"Sansa," Robb said still in his dangerously calm voice.

I stole a glance at Sansa who stopped shaking, looking to her brother for orders.

Then before I knew it with a growl Robb launched himself towards the bigger of the two wildlings shouting over his shoulder to Sansa.

"Run!"

I saw her hesitate but was quickly distracted when I heard the other moving towards her.

Without thinking, I gathered up all the strength I could and tackled the wildling to the ground and just kept hacking at him with the practice sword while I shouted to Sansa once more.

"Run! Sansa, run!"

If there ever was a time Robb and I regretted sneaking out and not having at least one guard for Sansa, this was it.

I prayed to the old gods as I took the first hit and the next and the next for Sansa to make it back to the castle safe.

Robb and I could surely die but we would gladly do so, die for her honor, die for our princess' life like knights from the songs.

I kicked and punched and retaliated as much as I could to my last breath if it ends. And from the background I could hear that Robb was trying his damnedest too.

Just as I was about to black out as my attacker was bent over me, punching my guts out, the hits stopped coming.

My right eye was swollen shut but with my good eye I scanned the scene.

Ser Rodrik Cassel held the skinny wildling by the throat, while at the other side I saw Ser Rickard Karstark supporting a battered Robb to his feet, the bigger wildling next to him on the ground was unmoving and bleeding out. Dead.

"My lord, your command," Ser Rodrik spat enraged and it was only then did I realize that our lord father was there.

I looked at him and never before did I see rage in his eyes despite his calm demeanor.

I watched him move heavily to face the wildling who was still struggling against our Master-at-Arms.

"He knew who we were, father," Robb called out, his voice a bit muffled as he spat out blood.

Something flashed in father's eyes then, his mouth a grim line.

"State your purpose," he demanded of the wildling.

The wildling jeered at him and spat.

Ser Rodrik hit him then. "Your lord asked a question."

"I'm all but dead an' I ain't no kneeler."

Ser Rikard spoke up then, his hand to his hilt, waiting. "My lord?"

Lord Ned Stark was unfazed and he asked once more.

"State your purpose."

After a long eye to eye, the wildling stopped fighting and talked.

"Yer an honor'ble man they say. Eddard Stark. But there is no place fer honor north of the Wall. Not if we were ter survive the long night. What we be needin' are resources. Resources ye would hand o'er us after we stole yer princess."

My blood ran hot and cold as it did for Robb and father I would bet. At the look of surprise on father's face, we knew then that he hadn't realized that Sansa was with us.

And then it hit me.

Where was Sansa?

Ser Rodrik tightened his hold on his neck.

Save for his tightly clenched fist at his side, my lord father was still calm or feigning it well.

"Numbers. Are there more of you here?"

The wildling only grinned cockily but that grin was easily wiped off when our lord father grabbed him from Ser Rodrik and shook him with a force only a father enraged with the threat of his daughter could muster.

"How many?"

"Us. Just us two." The wildling squeaked.

And that was all it took for father to drop him on his knees to take his head.

He then looked at Robb and at me. "Where is your sister?"

Robb and I looked at each other before he answered. "When they approached us, we told her to run while we stalled for as long as we could. I thought she came to you that's why you found us."

No.

What if the wildling was lying?

What if there was more than two of them and they took her?

No.

Ned Stark did not waste time as he barked orders to search for Sansa. "I want every available men searching for her. Now!"

Then he stopped and appraised Robb and I.

"Father – we're sorry! If – if anything happened to Sansa I –" Robb started and I was about to second him when father held his hand to silence us.

"We'll talk about that later. For now, the two of you need to go see Maester Luwin," he said with finality.

I shook my head. "I want to look for her."

"I do as well, father."

"I have no time for this. But do as you will but you will not go unguarded." He called for two men to go to us before taking his leave on his own search.

It took some time but I was the one who managed to find her.

A thought occurred to me that not that long ago, near the Godswood which wasn't that far from here, she found me in one of my hiding spots where I used to go to when I wanted to be truly alone. I didn't know how she found me, but then again it was a gift of hers.

And that was where I found her, shivering inside the hollowed out heart tree.

"Sansa!" I cried out.

"Jon?"

"Jon!"

As we held each other I asked her. "Are you okay? Why didn't you run towards the castle? Why did you run here?" I asked with urgency, relief quickly replacing the panic that quelled in me as I scanned her, searching for signs of any injury and finding none at least physically.

"Is Robb okay?" she asked ignoring me, looking past my shoulder searching.

I brought her gaze back to me and nodded. "Robb is alive and looking for you as well. But Sansa, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. A little cold but fine. I ran as far as I could and I saw a stable boy – I forgot his name – I told him to call Father and the guards! I must've shocked him a bit because he ran away so fast I couldn't keep up, Jon! And I got scared that I won't make it or get caught so I ran here." She explained hurriedly.

"This was closer and I knew in my heart if I hid here you would find me," she whispered then nuzzled at my chest. I winced and she noticed.

"I'm sorry! You're hurt!" She apologized with her big blue eyes were wide and brimming with tears unshed as she tried to contain her trembling.

"I'm just glad you're safe, princess." I used Robb's nickname for her to set her at ease while gingerly patting the top of her head.

She huffed then smiled warmly.

"And if anything, you were the true hero here. If you didn't send for help, we might not be talking right now," I grinned at her.

Her eyes shone for a minute before she shook her head.

"You saved me, Jon. You're my hero. The moment you and Robb told me to run, you both decided to save me. But now, you found me. "

I was almost glad I was bruised so to hide my blush then. "Robb was the one who was truly brave, I just followed his lead my lady."

She nodded at that. "As a true crowned prince should, he was all that and more. And you are too – brave. You let me run and you didn't leave him until he was safe then you looked for me right away even if you are injured, my brave knight."

I brought her head to my chest and held her tight. I was already warm from her words but became warmer still with her small lithe body against me.

"Aye, we saved each other then."

She laughed and nodded at my chest.

"Father always said the pack survives!"

I was King in the North.

Warden of Winterfell.

A Stark.

It was all I've ever wanted and more.

Yet the taste of fulfillment tasted dry in my mouth for many reasons.

But one reason to rise above all.

I shared a look with my sister and her encouraging smile did nothing but drive the dagger deeper than any thrust of betrayal I received.

It was for her. It was all for her.

Everything.

Before I could do anything, I found that I was not alone in this thinking. As after the voiced died down and the cheers turned to murmurs of approval, and all who kneeled were now seated, a lone person emerged from the shadows.

"Begging your pardons, your grace," came the firm voice and the hall was ushered at once in silence but not without every man touching their hilts at the ready.

I raised a hand to caution my…men and nodded at him to approach.

From the looks of it, he could've been someone's squire or a former soldier or possibly a knight. He was built it. His cloak was dirtied and tattered, his hair long and unruly as was his beard but despite his limping gait, there was knowledge and age in his eyes as he approached. He wasn't simply just a squire.

I looked at Sansa and her brow too knitted as she tried to recognize him, then her features smoothened and I could guess she may have an idea. She nodded at me to proceed.

I nodded back then gestured to the man. "You may approach closer and speak, my lord."

He walked no closer, leaving a great distance, before one knee fell to the ground, his head and eyes with it.

"I do not wish to take this moment from you, your grace for I too believe in you and your cause. I believe that a great right must be given to House Stark to which I will until my last breath, give my loyalty to. But I feel that more than my sword and more than my words and more than even my life at your feet, there is one more wrong that needs to be righted at this moment," he declared firm and with the tinge of shame in his voice, eyes still to the ground.

"Arise and speak of this wrong, my lord. So that we may correct it as you say," I found myself saying.

He rose slowly then beckoned at someone from the shadows. It was a girl. Jeyne Pool, I remembered, and with her she pushed a cart that was filled with overflowing blues. Winter roses.

He took what we saw was a garland of winter roses from the lot before slowly walking over to Sansa, presenting her with it, a knee to the floor once more, but eyes on hers.

I saw the surprise on her face that mirrored mine and then I understood. The people were all muttering about but were immediately shushed to silence when he spoke once more.

"Forgive me, Lady Stark. If there was someone who was more wronged in this room, it would be you, my lady."

If the silence was great before, now it was deafening. And I saw almost every head turn down in shame.

I felt a hand grab mine under the table. I looked at her and despite her face still and smooth, eyes steady at the man, the shaking hand gripping mine betrayed her.

I turned her hand over and laced it with mine, my thumb stroking circles at the back of hers.

Then I looked back at the man and urged him to proceed.

"Before you speak and do with me as you will, my lady, I wish to address all who are present. Would you allow me, my lady?"

"Jon?" Sansa whispered but no matter how soft it was everyone in this hall heard her, heard the first sound of her voice in this hall.

I squeezed her hand and she returned it before answering. "I have an idea what you mean to do my lord, and I'd have you know you don't have to… Lord Howland Reed."

Gasps were audible, mirroring my own surprise. Howland Reed was if not the most loyal to my father it was said, but once they've returned from the South years ago, he has chosen to retire and stay isolated at the Neck where he became a recluse. People hardly remember what he looked like but apparently, Sansa did.

The man smiled tightly and his eyes glinted with pride. "Your wisdom precedes you, Lady Stark. But before anything else, I know I do not have to do this my lady, but I think myself wretched and with even less honor if I do not address this injustice."

I looked into her pleading eyes and smiled at her willing my eyes to tell her that she was going to get her well deserved recognition at last. I gave her hand one last press before nodding at her. "Yours is the power, my lady."

Her eyes widened and I could see both her protests and her desires welling in her eyes.

She tore her gaze from mine then bid the man proceed.

He bowed before turning around and eyeing each and everyone in the hall.

"Three moons ago we were all living in fear until that day when the face of a Stark graced Winterfell once more. With her arrival came both fear and foreign hope. But fear overrode all, fear for Lady Stark. No good things could ever come from this meeting with the family that betrayed hers - from the very man who killed her brother, the young wolf, the fallen King in the North. We knew that if she was to arrive as was promised, she did not do so willingly and we could hardly begrudge that - even praying that she run as far away from here as she can.

Yet she came. Our lady has returned. As I watched from the side with fear and pity for her all that vanished when I saw the look in her eyes when she greeted Lord Bolton. Her eyes were steady, her smile courteous, and I knew. Only a true Northerner can recognize what her eyes were truly saying beyond her steel mask. 'The north remembers. I remember.'

I knew that whatever it was that compelled her to come back, she knew. She knew what she was coming back to. She knew of the possible horrors she would be facing. She knew whom these men were, both the warden and her wretched intended. She came here with eyes wide open. Yet she came here willing still."

Then he paused and looked back at Sansa, arm raised in her direction.

"She came for what was taken from her. She came for Winterfell," he all but growled before continuing his passionate plea, addressing the people once more.

"And what price did she pay to be lady of the house once more?" He looked accusingly around the room, daring anyone to answer and meet his eyes that filled with rage.

"Tears. Screams. Blood." He shouted over clenched teeth. But he wasn't done yet.

"Where were we when she was forced to marry her brother's murderer's bastard son? Where were we when her innocence was taken in the very place she was brought into the world? Where were we when she lost any vestige of childhood here in the very place she grew up in? Where were we when her screams and her cries echoed long and loud through every wall of this castle? Asking for help that never came? They say the North are different. Loyal."

Then he softened his stance a bit as he said his last question.

"Yet where were we when she was imprisoned in her own home? Where were those pledges then?"

No one could say anything, but every head was hung in shame. The man shook his head then looked proudly at Sansa who was all but trying to keep herself from trembling.

I myself wanted to both weep and shout with rage for it was only now that everything I feared and more was sinking in at what hell my beautiful and strong sister has been subjected to.

The man walked closer to Sansa and looked at her with nothing but pride and awe before speaking once more. I don't know how much more I could take but everyone needed to know this.

"And when our lady escaped I felt relief beyond myself that she is far from this hell. Yet here is and here we are. She left to come back. She left to take back what is hers. The North remembers, my lady. And it will never forget our failing and your sacrifice."

He knelt before Sansa. "Lady Sansa Stark, my life is at your disposal. I am not even worthy of your forgiveness but bid me what you will and it shall be done. I pledge to the king in the north, but I also fight for its rightful lady, its rightful queen. Eddard Stark was many things, but to me he was my one true friend for what it is worth. And the time has come for me to prove worthy of that claim."

He once again offered Sansa the wreath of winter roses and placed it on her feet.

"It doesn't amount to much but of everything I am, I, Howland Reed, Lord of Greywater Watch, offer my apologies, and with it my life my lady."

Before Sansa and I could react the men were quicker. One by one with eyes lowered and heads bowed low, every last person in the room, took a rose from the cart and laid it on her feet all declaring firmly but with softness never imagined would come from hardened Northern men.

"We have wronged you lady Stark, never more. The North remembers."

And from Sansa's shaking hands I knew that she did all she could to stop from crying. But her eyes were soft. Soft for the first time in a long time.

I didn't know the full extent of her horrors, just whispers and what little she allowed me to know…and show. If there was one person who didn't deserve a touch of dirt on her, it was Sansa. But she was a Stark. She is more than porcelain or ivory, she was steel. She is winter herself. Beautiful, unrelenting, strong, and unstoppable.

And I never felt more proud of her in this moment.

I stood up and led her to stand in front of the high table before letting her go.

Slowly I bent and took the crown of winter roses and placed it on her head. I cradled her face, kissing her forehead and her cheeks before taking her hand once more and presenting her to all.

"The Queen in the North!" I proclaimed.

Again all swords were raised and proclamations followed quickly.

Brienne, who had just returned aised Oathkeeper before kneeling, "Long live the Queen in the North!"

Ser Davos did as well. "Long live the King and Queen in the North! Long live the Starks!"

"Long live the Starks!"

Hand-in-hand with my sister, we stood straight and proud, accepting our destiny. We were the King and Queen of the North. We were Starks.

We shared a look before addressing them.

"When the snows fall and the white winds blow – when winter comes, the lone wolf dies…" I started.

"…but the pack survives." Sansa finished.

"Winter is here," we declared in unison.