Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones. Any similarities in dialogue or storyline originated with the show or book.

Kindred Spirits

Rowynn bit her lip as she stared at herself in the tall mirror. Her eyes grazed over her bare body one last time before allowing her Ladies in White to help her into the wedding dress. While there was a part of her that was nervously awaiting the actual wedding, a larger part of herself was anxious about the bedding that would follow the feast. She had never been naked with a man before and the thought of having to be undressed by the men of her court was nerve-racking. Then there was Jon.

She knew he had been with a woman before so at least he knew what to expect. He could walk her through it, but that didn't help her nerves much. This would still be her first time. Rowynn would need to give Jon her maidenhead without much hesitation. She knew it would hurt. She had heard all the stories from the married women at court, but hearing about the pain and experiencing it were two different things altogether.

Her Ladies in White started to work on her hair and face, making her up for the ceremony awaiting her. Rowynn went over the vows in her head a few times. She'd be the one to forget them as they stood before her people. Somehow, she knew Jon would be fine.

"You're ready, Ro," Eadaoin murmured once they finished with her hair. Rowynn stood and stepped in front of the mirror again.

She had on an elaborate white gown, laced and corseted, with a silk overskirt and draped layers in the back. The ladies braided her hair back into a ponytail, and a winter rose pinned behind her ear. Pearls line the choker wrapped around her throat. Her eyelids were coated with glittering white powder, her lashes bathed in snow. Almost everything about her is stripped of color except for the blue rose and her lilac eyes.

Rowynn smiled at her dear friends. "Thank you for all you've done."

Each of them gave a simple nod and smile in response before moving around to clean up. Freyja stopped suddenly and turned to Rowynn, her head held high.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Freyja asked, causing the other women to look at Rowynn.

"Do what?" Rowynn questioned in response.

"Marry Jon," Freyja answered. "I understand that you need him for the alliance, but you should be able to be happy. I know you still care about Matthias. So, I am asking if you are certain you want to marry Jon?"

Rowynn clenched her jaw as her gaze dropped to the floor. She looked at her reflection again, this time raising a hand to touch the rose tucked behind her ear. "I love Matthias, that is true, but I am a queen and I need to do my duty to my kingdom." She turned to her Ladies in White. "And I have begun to care about Jon just as I care about Matthias."

"You love them both," Macaria sighed and gave her a small smile.

"I love them both," Rowynn confirmed with a nod.

Freyja stepped forward and handed her a bouquet of flowers. "Then let's get you married."

Rowynn smiled at her friends. "Lets."

Jon sat on the edge of his bed as he waited to be called to the sept. He sighed as he began to fiddle with his hands in his lap. He was anxiously waiting for the moment he would become Rowynn's husband. Jon realized shortly after his feelings for the girl began to develop that he wanted to become hers, and wanted her to become his. There was just something about her that drew him to her, something that was going to draw him to her for the rest of their lives. He couldn't wait until they finished their vows and he would be able to place a kiss on her perfect lips, sealing their union.

The part that was to come afterwards was the part that was making him anxious. He was prepared for the bedding, but he didn't want to hurt Rowynn like he knew he would. It needed to be done, though.

"Jon," Sansa murmured as she opened his door to peek her head inside. "Is this a good time?"

"A perfect time," Jon said, standing from his seat. He needed someone to talk to, to pass the time before the ceremony, and his sister was the perfect person to do that with.

"Are you excited?" Sansa asked. She stood a foot or so in front of him and folded her hands together in front of her dress. Jon noted she was dressed fancily for the wedding.

"Yes," Jon admitted, "and a bit nervous."

"I was nervous before my wedding," Sansa told him. He had forgotten that she had been married to the youngest Lannister. "It's only natural."

"I shouldn't be, though," Jon said. "I want to marry her. I want to be with her. I don't understand why I fear it at the same time."

"You fear what comes after, I think," Sansa thought aloud. "After you're married we have to go to war, and war is a scary thing to face. Even with the woman you love at your side."

"I haven't told her that I love her yet," Jon told his sister.

"Then tell her tonight," said Sansa. "It'll ease the tension."

Jon smiled at her. She had grown so much from the last time he had seen her at Winterfell. They were both children back then. Now, they were grown and matured and headed onto a dark path of war and violence. He wished he could shield her and his other siblings from the things to come, but he knew it would be impossible.

"You should make sure our other siblings are ready for the ceremony. Knowing them, it will be a task to get them to sit still," Jon joked. Sansa smiled in response and nodded.

"I'm up for the challenge," Sansa said. She hesitated to leave, though.

"What's wrong?" Jon asked as he stepped towards her.

"Nothing," Sansa said as she wiped a tear from her eye. "It just gives me hope to see you and Rowynn happy together."

"Hold onto that hope, sister," Jon instructed as he cupped one side of her face.

"I will," Sansa said with a nod. She didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around his neck and Jon didn't hesitate to hug her back. They stayed in the embrace for a few moments before separating.

"I will see you at the ceremony," Sansa said as she backed out of the room.

Jon smiled in response before she shut the door behind her. He let out a deep sigh and ran a hand through his dark curls. He was certain this day was going to be one of his happiest. The thought expelled the nerves from his body and gave him a certain confidence he had never felt before. He was going to marry Rowynn Lilyas Nyrs of the House Nyrs, the First of Her Name, the Seer of All, Queen of Bellaronia, Queen Beyond the Wall, Warden of the Haunted Forest, Heir to the Great Dragonlords, and the Keeper of the Dragon Fleet. He was going to marry the woman he loved.

"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger," Jon recited as he held Rowynn's gaze. "I am hers and she is mine from this day, until the end of my days."

"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger," Rowynn recited at the same time. "I am his and he is mine from this day until the end of my days."

"With this kiss, I pledge my love," Jon announced. He stepped closer to her, placing a hand around the back of her neck to pull her into a long, heartfelt kiss.

When he pulled back, Rowynn was smiling sweetly at him. They turned together to face the crowd gathered in the sept. The audience clapped strongly for the newly weds while Rowynn gave Jon a sidelong glance. He met her gaze and nodded slightly. Jon took her hand and they left the hall side by side, hand in hand.

"How do you feel?" Jon asked over the grand feast that night. The glow that radiated from Rowynn's haze of happiness seemed to make her all the more beautiful.

"Perfect," Rowynn answered as she held his hand. She was doing this not only because it was her duty, but because she honestly cared about Jon and his family. With him by her side, she would be stronger than ever. He was going to help her reclaim the North and unseat the Lannisters from the Iron throne. Then they would be able to rule Bellaronia and the North together. Rowynn just wanted to make things right for Daenerys, and with Jon, she had found that opportunity.

"Do you think it's time?" Jon queried, caressing her hand softly. He knew she had never made love before, but he wanted her to be comfortable with him. Rowynn licked her dry lips and nodded, pushing herself to her feet. Immediately, the young men and women were on their feet, overcome with excitement.

"It's time for the bedding!"

Rowynn laughed nervously when the men swept her up and out of the room. It was always cold in the North, but she couldn't help but feel comfortable amongst her people. She allowed them to undress her and was led into a large room where Jon was already waiting for her. The men and women left a moment later, leaving the couple alone for the first time since the day prior. Rowynn allowed herself to relax and Jon let out a quiet sigh.

"Are you okay?" Jon asked as he walked towards her. Rowynn was aware that he was naked, but kept her eyes from wandering too far down. Her own nakedness caused her anxiety, but she fought the urge to cover herself with blankets and whatever else she could find. The young queen knew that Jon was surveying her body, taking in the contours of her figure. Jon placed a hand under her chin and lifted her face.

"I am," Rowynn said. "Just a bit nervous."

"As am I," Jon admitted quietly.

He kissed her softly on the lips before moving back. Rowynn looked at him for a long moment as she gathered all the courage she could find and stepped in front of Jon. She could feel their bodies graze each other as she kissed him passionately. Jon kissed her across her jaw then down her neck and along her collarbone, making Rowynn breathe shakily. He pulled his new wife back towards the bed and Rowynn went along willingly.

"Are you okay?" Jon asked again as he guided her back onto the pillows.

Rowynn nodded and smiled a little. "I'm just glad one of us knows what we're doing."

Jon smiled back and lowered himself on top of her. He looked into her lilac eyes and pressed soft kisses all over her. Rowynn reached up and undid her hair, letting it cascade over the bed. Jon ran a hand through her silver waves as his other hand ran down the middle of her back.

"I love you, Rowynn," Jon said breathlessly as he looked her in the eyes.

Rowynn hesitated, searching her heart for the truth. "I love you too, Jon."

"You didn't have to say it if you didn't want to," Jon assured her quickly.

"I wanted to," Rowynn told him. "And I meant it."

Jon's lips curled up into another smile as he leaned down to kiss her again, this time his hands moving to her breast, fondling them softly. Rowynn started to relax beneath him, moving her hands over his bare chest. He ran a hand up her leg and over her thigh. She gasped when she felt his fingers inside of her.

"Are you alright?" Jon asked.

"Jon?" She returned.

"Yes?" Jon said, stopping his motions.

"Stop asking me if I'm okay," Rowynn told him with a small smile. "I'm here with you. I'm perfect."

Rowynn bucked her hips against his and moaned when his hand went back between her legs.

"Are you ready?" Jon asked. He had positioned himself between her legs, gently gripping her thighs so he could spread them apart. Rowynn felt the fear and anxiety fill her, but she nodded nonetheless. She wanted this. She wanted Jon, more than anything.

Jon pushed into her slowly and Rowynn bit down on her lip. She had expected pain, but nothing like that. She held onto Jon's shoulders as she tried to relax beneath him. The sharp pain faded and was replaced by the feeling of him inside of her. She could see he was sorry for causing her pain, but once she was no longer tense, he began to move.

Rowynn moaned at the new sensation rising inside of her, ignoring the slight discomfort. The more Jon thrust into her, the more she began to enjoy it. She kissed him along his neck and shoulders as he continued to move. Jon groaned out of pleasure, moving her legs around his waist. Rowynn worked on rocking her hips in sync with his thrusts, causing Jon to groan louder.

Rowynn ran a hand through his dark, curly hair. She arched her back as her own pleasure intensified. It was a strange fuzzy feeling rising in the bottom of her stomach. Her own moans grew as Jon's pace quickened and lost control. She held onto him as he pumped into her a few more times, grunting as he reached his climax. He flopped onto her in exhaustion, their sweat-slick bodies pressed together. Rowynn felt herself start to come down off her pleasure-high as she untangled her legs from Jon's waist. After a few moments of just their breathing filling the silence, Jon rolled off her. Rowynn moved over so she was at his side so their bodies were pressed together, and placed a hand on his quickly rising chest. She smiled when she looked up at her husband to see him already staring down at her.

"I have to ask," Jon paused, "are you okay?"

Rowynn smirked. "I'm perfect."

"I love you, Rowynn," Jon said tiredly.

Rowynn stared at him for a long moment before placing a kiss against his lips. "I love you too, Jon."

Rowynn knew that she would always be Rowynn Nyrs, a queen by her own right, but as she lay beside Jon she thought of herself as Rowynn Stark, Queen of the North.

And it felt so right.

Rowynn woke to find herself laying in the middle of a hallway. It was dark outside and the torches lining the walls provided only a small amount of light. The young queen stood slowly, wiping her hands on the skirt of her dress as she looked up and down the hall. She recognized it as the one that led to the Great Hall. It was usually busy with people, but this night it was completely empty. There wasn't even a guard in sight.

The silence broke when laughter erupted somewhere in the distance. Rowynn could tell it belonged to several children, and soon enough a number of children came running down the hall; five of them, to be exact. Her gaze followed them as they ran towards her, giggling and smiling. Suddenly, she felt an unprecedented amount of love for these kids. It was as if she'd known them from somewhere.

The children stopped in the middle of the hall, kneeling down as they began to play with some toys. Somehow, Rowynn knew that the eldest was ten years of age. He had silver hair and violet colored eyes. The next was nine years old. He had dark curly hair and indigo colored eyes. The middle child was seven years of age. The girl had silver hair and lilac eyes, just like Rowynn. The next child was five years old. He had dark hair and dark eyes. The youngest was four. She had dark curly hair and lilac eyes. They each looked like dolls in the moonlight. Rowynn smiled lightly when the children got to their feet and started towards her again, laughing and pushing each other playfully. They rushed past Rowynn when they reached her, unlike she had expected. She faced them.

"Cyprian, Obryan, Lyanna, Eddyrd, Eleayna," the names came spilling out of her mouth without thinking about them. "Wait."

"Mommy. Mommy. Mommy." The sound of children chanting softly filled her ears. Rowynn knew the kids she'd just seen were her children. She had to see them again.

She hurried after them as they disappeared into the Great Hall. She followed them into the room, but stopped cold in her tracks when she saw the scene that lay before her.

Jon. Her children. Jaymes. Sansa. Arya. Her Ladies in White.

Everyone she loved and cared about was lying dead in a puddle of their own blood, eyes empty of life. The entire hall was filled with bodies of her loved ones. She started towards them slowly, tears stinging her eyes as she placed a hand over her mouth. Rowynn stifled a sob and dropped her head into her hands. She looked up quickly when she heard a soft cry.

"Mommy," a small voice cried. Rowynn hurried towards it without hesitation. She found the only other living person in the room. It was Lyanna. Her daughter.

"Oh my. Gods, please save her. Please!" Rowynn sobbed as she pulled the blood-covered girl into her arms. "She's all I have!"

"You could have saved us," Lyanna whimpered and Rowynn looked down at her. She cupped the side of her daughters face as she held her gaze. "Why didn't you save us?"

Rowynn pursed her lips as more tears made their way down her face. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"You could have saved us. You could have—" Lyanna stopped suddenly as she coughed up blood. Rowynn watched, helpless, as her daughter continued to cough violently, blood spewing out of her mouth.

When the coughing stopped, the life faded from Lyanna's eyes and her body went still. Rowynn sobbed, dropping her head, as she shut Lyanna's eyes.

She stared at her daughter's body before looking up at the rest of her loved ones. They were all dead. All of them, and there was nothing she could do to save them.

Rowynn inhaled sharply before letting out a long frustrated scream.

With a start, Rowynn woke, gasping as she sat up quickly. She held a hand over her racing heart as she tried to calm down.

"Are you okay?" Jon asked as he sat up beside her, placing a hand on the small of her back.

Rowynn raked her hands through her hair and pulled her knees to her bare chest. "I'm fine. It was just a bad dream."

"About what?" Jon questioned.

Rowynn looked at him. "Death."