the sword in the darkness
DISCLAIMER: Every character mentioned and anything in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire belongs to George R. R. Martin. I own nothing except the writing.
A/N: In which Jon is legitimized by Dany as a Stark (per his wishes to favour his mother's family) and is the de facto Lord of Winterfell until Rickon comes of age.
35. demand
"Jon." Arya's demanding voice came from the doorway, and he looked up to see her staring at him defiantly, with that blacksmith friend of hers - Gendry - standing at her shoulder, a touch of nervousness on his face. "Gendry's asked me to marry him, and I said yes." She lifted her chin and glowered at him.
Jon tried to keep his face straight. "And you want my permission, is it now? When have you ever asked anybody's permission for anything?"
Her stance relaxed, and she looked surprised. "I... I thought -"
"You thought that I would disapprove, I suppose," he sighed. "D'you think I hadn't anticipated something like this?" It wasn't like they'd been terribly subtle. Even Sansa's noticed. Jon stood, the chair's legs screeching on the wooden floor as he pushed it back. He walked around the table and smiled when Arya launched herself at him, and hugged him tight. He patted her shoulder when she pulled away, and made his approach towards the door to leave the two in his study, but not before touching Gendry's arm lightly and saying, "If you hurt her, Ghost and Nymeria will tear your guts out for the crows to eat."