It had been a couple weeks since Jon was named King in the North. I tried to help him as best I could but this was something he had to do and try to figure out. I advised him on some things, mainly when he asked. But I couldn't step into that role. He was King in the North, and I was a dragon princess. I couldn't just become his Queen. He told me he always welcomed my advice and wanted to know my opinion on things. But I tried not to give it. What if my opinion wasn't the right one? Or the opinion that needed to be said? Sure I helped my sister with some matters but she was doing most of the work. I couldn't lead people, I wasn't the ruler she was and I never would be.
I was a fighter. I was a warrior princess. Queen of Dragons. My place was in battle, not in a chair.
I was in the woods with my blade, Black Sister, practicing sparring with a tree in the snow. I didn't actually hit the tree with my blade but I needed an unmoving target and I was too embarrassed to practice in the courtyard with the dummies. My right leg was finicky and I couldn't trust it to keep me balanced anymore. So I came here whenever I could to practice with my blade. The maester looked at my leg a little while ago and said that it was likely to be this way for the rest of my life. Another parting gift from Ramsay Bolton.
I swung my blade left, right, lunge forward left, lunge forward right. But the moment I led with my right leg, I stumbled and fell to my knees. I groaned in frustration and tried again. I stumbled. Again. I fell into the snow. Again. My right leg gave out.
I groan even louder and tried again. This time when I fell I tossed away my blade and stayed there on my back.
"How's the training going?"
I sat up and saw Jon looking at me with an amused look on his face.
"Horrible" I grumble as he walks closer to me and offers me a hand up. I take it, my right leg faltering a bit when I stood on it. Jon steadied me as I regained my footing. Once I was steady he walked over and picked up my blade and handed it back to me. He was dressed like I was, wearing pants and boots with his shirt and leathers on top. But he wore a cloak where I didn't. My hair was pulled back in a single braid that fell down the center of my back. I was wearing brown leather gloves as well while he was wearing black.
"How's your leg?" he asks, looking down to glance at my right leg.
"It's useless is what it is" I grumble, trying to making it stand straight instead of being just a little bit higher than my other leg.
"You shouldn't overuse it or you're going to make it worse"
"I have to be able to fight with it. I need to get used to this new kind of balance" I tell him. He nods and steps back and takes his blade, Longclaw out of its sheath. He holds it up and points it at me.
"Jon"
"Come on, pick up your sword and let's test your leg," he says, flicking the point at me. I roll my eyes and hold Black Sister up to mirror his stance. He takes a step towards me to tap his blade against mine, to test me. I easily deflect it and take a step back as he advances. He starts slowly, testing my range of motion and my strength. Then he starts moving faster, testing my reflexes and agility and then he starts moving around me. My right leg stumbles a bit but I'm able to deflect all of his blows. We move about the field and it felt like we were kids all over again.
My leg was skaky but I powered through it and was able to fight with him like he was a true opponent. Towards the end of our fight, I lunge towards him and he moved out of the way, but not fast enough. My right leg gave out in front of him and I ended up tackling him to the forest floor. He landed on his back with a grunt as I fell on top of his chest, both of our swords falling to the side, forgotten.
He started laughing which made me smile. I couldn't remember the last time I heard him truly laugh. I missed it. We both sat upright and faced each other. Snow was falling around us and it was sitting in his black curls. I wished I could feel snowflakes on my skin again.
"I'd say you can handle yourself pretty well with that leg," he says, still a bit of a chuckle in his voice.
"Well if I can defeat a King in battle I'm sure I can handle myself against anyone else," I said with a bit of a laugh. He chuckled and raised up his right hand to cup my left cheek. I leaned into his touch and smiled. He smiled back.
"Yes, I'm sure you can" he mumbles a bit absently. He was drifting a little when he looked at me. I placed my hand on top of his and looked into his eyes.
"Where are you?" I ask, leaning towards him.
"Here, with you" he answered and leaned forward as well. Our lips grazed each other for a moment before I connected them fully. His lips were slightly cool to the touch and tasted of ale. I smiled at the feeling. We broke away and he moved his hand to tuck some stray hairs behind my ear. He got back to his feet and helped me up.
"I have to get back, there are things the other Lords want to talk about and a war to prepare for," he says with a heavy sigh.
"The work of a King is never done" I mumble back, leaning down to pick up our swords. I handed him his and grabbed my own, placing it back in my sheath.
"You should come with me"
"We've talked about this"
"I know we have but I still want to know what you think about these things, and it would be easier to ask you without explaining what happened"
"I'm not your Queen, Jon"
"Aye I know, but I hope you will be someday..." he tells me. I smile at that.
"Someday maybe, but I'm not now. Besides, you have Sansa there to advise you" I argue. He only smiles and shakes his head at me.
"What?" I ask.
"You're still stubborn, glad to see that hasn't changed," he says with a teasing smile that makes me laugh.
"Well hurry up my King or you're going to be late," I say readjusting the front of his cloak. He pulls me forward and places a kiss on my forehead.
"I'll see you later" he whispers before turning to leave. I watch him walk away and let out a deep breath I didn't know I was holding. He still made me feel like a girl. I fiddled with my ring a bit. Jon had given it back to me after he cleaned it and added a three-headed dragon engraving on the outside. He was wearing his too, with the direwolf engraved on the outside. He told me Tormund would tease him about it from time to time but that he didn't mind it.
I sat against one of the trees, trying to think of what I could do. I wanted to go to the stables but horses haven't been very fond of me. I suspected it was because they could sense the dragon fire within me. I could go to the broken tower, but Winterfell had gotten busy and the courtyard was filled with soldiers so it wasn't quite the peaceful place it once was. After a couple of minutes, I decided that the godswood would be best.
I rose from my seat, using the tree behind me to help me to my feet and made my way towards the wirewood tree. When I got there, Winter and Ghost were laying by one another near the pond. They looked up at me lazily as I stood a seat on the large snowy boulder in front of the tree.
I tried not to think about all of the other times I sat here, but this tree. When I was little I'd come here and sit next to Ned Stark as he prayed. Most of the time I would fall asleep next to him but sometimes I would manage to stay awake and he would talk with me like I was his daughter.
Sometimes I'd sit here with Robb, more so when I was younger. And sometimes Jon would follow me out here. We'd sit next to each other with our legs barely brushing against one another and we'd talk. We became best friends under this tree and maybe one day we'd be married in front of it. It was a silly thought and I tried to brush it from my mind the instant it popped in, but I couldn't shake it. I sat for a while, staring at the water, but there I heard a rustling coming from the trees.
I quickly looked over, wondering if it was Tormund again come to look over me. Jon never admitted it and I didn't ask but I knew he asked Tormund to keep an eye on me. Jon didn't trust that I could defend myself. I wanted to call him out for it, but I didn't really mind Tormund's company. It took me a while to get used to the man, but he wasn't the big scary man I thought he was. He was funny and fierce when he needed to be. We were becoming friends I hoped.
But I didn't see the red hair in the trees. I glanced at Winter who had her head raised in interest, while Ghost was watching Winter. I slowly pulled out my blade as the rustling grew louder.
"Princess?"
Out from the cover of the trees, stood Monell. He was dressed in dark clothing and his brown cloak and boots. He looked at me with relief in his eyes as I rose to my feet. He quickly moved towards me and pulled me into a tight hug. I was too shocked to move or speak. How was he here? How did he find me?
"I am so glad to see you're okay, do you have any idea what kinda hell you've put us all through?" He asks almost a bit of anger in his voice as he grabbed my upper arms.
"I-I...how did you find me?" I ask as he continues to look me over.
"Your sister sent me...I was going to stop here on my way to Castle Black but then I saw Winter wandering in the woods...are you hurt?" he asks, looking down at my leg.
"It happened a while ago, wait so are you telling me my sister returned? She came back?" I ask.
"Yes, she and everyone else is sailing for Dragonstone, she sent me to find you and bring you to her," he says, his eyes shifting over my shoulder to look around.
"Come on, we don't have much time" he mumbles, moving his hand to my lower arm and starting to pull me with him.
"No, Monell that's not necessary you see-"
"Take your bloody hands off of her!" Jon shouted from behind me. Monell quickly let me go and grabbed my sword from my hand and pointed it at Jon who stood behind me and had his sword pointing at Monell.
"Rhaella get behind me" Monell ordered.
"Emylea, you should move" Jon advised. Curse that man and that name. Monell looked at me confused but I didn't move.
"Will both of you please put down your swords? I'm not in any danger" I said calmly, turning so I could glance at both of them, my back turned to the tree.
"Who in the seven hells is this?" Monell asked, glancing at me.
"Watch your tongue" Jon spat back.
"Stop! Both of you! Lay down your swords and let's discuss this like rational people!" I snap, feeling the heat start to rise in my chest. I glared at them both. Monell was the first to lower his sword. I turned towards Jon who was still holding his up.
"Jon...please," I say, trying to convince him with my eyes. He glances at me and then Monell before he lowers his sword. I move to stand beside Jon who immediately moves his left arm around my waist in a tight protective gesture.
"Jon, this is Monell. Monell, this is Jon, King of the North" I said, introducing them. They said nothing.
"My sister sent Monell to come find me and bring me to her, in Dragonstone" I quickly explained with an awkward smile.
"She's not going" Jon stated, staring Monell down.
"What? Jon, can we discuss this?" I ask looking at him in shock.
"It's too dangerous and we have a war to prepare for"
"You mean you have a war to prepare for!" I snap at him as he turns to leave. I glare at him, feeling the anger start to radiate off of me in waves.
"We can talk about it later" he mumbles turning to look at me with an authoritative look in his eyes. It was his King look...he was ordering me.
"I don't take orders from you. You are not my King" I spit back, storming past him back to Winterfell. But out of the corner of my eye, I could see the once frozen pool of water by the tree, was boiling steam. I made my way back to my chambers and slammed the door behind me, the handle almost melting at my touch. I needed to calm down, but I couldn't.
Jon took a deep breath as he watched her storm off and the pool of water goes back to its normal state. He turned back around to access the man who stood before him. He was glaring at Jon. But Jon didn't care and moved to follow her.
"Don't" Monell called after him.
Jon turned around and stepped forward and glared at the man, making Monell take a couple steps back.
"I don't care who you are or what you are to her. But I suggest you leave" Jon snapped
"She needs time to calm down"
"I think I know what she needs. I have seen her angry more times than you probably have. Besides, who are you to her? Obviously not someone important or you wouldn't have let her go" Jon spat at the man.
"I did not let her go! Believe me, I would have done everything in my power to keep her from coming her!" Monell shouts in defense, trying his best to restrain his anger towards the man.
"You know if you loved her, and I mean really loved her, it would have been you and not me who's been by her side all these years. You don't love her, at least not how you should" Monell said, his anger turning into something more subtle.
"Don't you dare tell me how I feel about her. You have no idea how I feel. If you did you'd understand why I did what I did. Why I've endured all I have. It has been for her!" Jon says, continuing to glare at the man. Monell huffed in annoyance.
"Fine, go talk to her. But it better be an apology that comes out of your mouth or it'll be your funeral" Monell said sternly. Jon turned away from the man and slowly made his way towards her chambers.
I had taken off my shoes and stripped down to just my corset and pants. I was trying my best to calm down, but the fire still roared in the room and I had to stay on the stones. I was afraid if I walked on the furs they would catch on fire. It was a miracle that my clothes didn't burn off my body. There was a knock on the door, and I knew who it was. I didn't say anything, but the door opened anyway.
Jon walked in and looked at me. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, standing there half naked with my bare feet on the stones of the floor. He silently closed the door behind him and took off his cloak, then his boots, his gloves, and his leather jerkin.
"Can we talk?" he asks. I cross my arms in front of my chest. I could feel myself glaring at him.
"Depends, are you asking me or does the King demand it?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to react like I did," he says calmly, moving to sit on the edge of my bed. I keep my arms crossed but my gaze softens a bit.
"I am sorry I snapped at you, but it doesn't change how I feel about it," he says with a sigh.
"She's my sister, Jon. The last time I saw her she was flying away on the back of a dragon"
"I know"
"I'm the princess and her heir I have to go back-"
"I know all of that. But that doesn't make it any less dangerous" he says raising his voice a little.
"She would never hurt me"
"She wouldn't, but others might. It isn't a secret how much you mean to me. If you leave Winterfell I can't protect you"
"I can take care of myself Jon" I snap, feeling my anger start to return. He rises from the bed and gives me a sharp look.
"You're still hurt. You're still learning to fight with your right leg-"
"But I'm getting better! I can handle myself!"
"Can you?! If you could handle yourself you wouldn't have been taken by Ramsay!" he snaps back, moving to stand in front of me.
"So this is what it's really about..." I mumble dropping my arms back to my sides.
"Do you have any idea what kind of hell you put me through? I thought you were dead. Then I heard you came back and the next thing I know you're Ramsay's hostage. I thought he was going to kill you" he says, his voice wavering a bit. It was then I could see the fear in his eyes.
"You swore to me you'd never leave my side" he states.
"And you swore you'd never leave mine. So, come with me" I offer. The fire went back down to its normal size and the room was no longer uncomfortably hot.
"I can't. Not now. The North still needs to be secure and the war-"
"The war can wait, but I can't. Being here is making me crazy. I'm useless here"
"You're not useless"
"But I am. I'm no good at councils or dealing with people. I'm a fighter, I need to be fighting someone or planning a siege. That's what I'm good at. The only thing I'm good at" I admit, feeling the weight being lifted off my chest as I speak.
He smiles and lifts up his bare hand to lightly brush against my cheek.
"You're good at a lot of things. Why do you think I always ask for your advice? Because it's good. You are one of the most considerate people I know" he mumbles, tucking a bit of hair behind my ear. His hand lingers by my cheek.
"Thank you so saying so, but it doesn't change how I feel" I mumble back as his thumb slowly moves towards my lower lip.
"Just give me some time. Let me stabilize things here and then we'll both go" he offers, his thumb touching my lower lip and pulling on it slightly.
"Okay" I answer, surrendering.
The moment he moves his thumb away I jump onto him and connect our lips. It was a fast, hungry kiss. I couldn't get him close enough. There were too many layers between us. His hands wrapped around my back as my legs wrapped tightly around his waist. Our lips continued to fight as he carried me to the bed.
He laid me down and quickly climbed on top of me. He lightly bit on my lower lip and pulled it towards him. My hands tangled themselves in his hair, undoing his knot. I tugged on his curls making him groan against my lips. His lips then moved from mine to my neck, kissing and nibbling and sucking on my flesh.
I threw my head back and arched my hips towards his at the feeling. I let his hair go as his hands quickly moved to the laces on the front of my corset. He couldn't unlace them fast enough. As soon as he got the material out of the way, he moved his lips to my breasts. He started kissing and leaving bites on the tender flesh while his hand played with the other. I moaned at his touch and quickly moved my hands to his shirt. He sat up and pulled it off, tossing it aside and moved back to my chest.
His lips moved down my breasts and onto my stomach. His left hand moved down and started to tug down my pants. He pulled them off my hips, which I raised to assist him and tossed them aside. He moved so he was laying on his stomach with his head positioned at my entrance. He looked up at me for a moment as if asking permission. I didn't say anything as he placed his hands on my thighs and moved his head down. I moaned as he starting kissing and licking me. My hands moved down to pull on his hair. I tried to buck my hips or move them from the intensity of the pleasure, but he kept a firm grip on me which kept me still.
I cried out his name as I came undone from his touch. He kept his lips on me as I came down from my high and when he parted he was panting, with his lips glistening from my juices. I was panting, desperately trying to catch my breath as he moved to hover over me. His arms supporting his weight on either side of my head. I moved my hands down towards his waist, briefly brushing against his hardening manhood as I worked on the laces. After he caught his breath he pulled his pants down and kicked them aside.
He looked at me, moving his hand to gently caress my cheek and bring me into a sweet kiss. I broke our kiss with a gasp that turned into a moan as I felt him slowly enter me. My hands moved to his back, my fingers digging into his flesh. Once he was fully inside me he stopped and looked at me, lust and love clouding his eyes. I moved my lips to dance with his as he started to thrust his hips.
I held onto him tightly, but of us moaning and calling the others name. We were lost in one another. His lips moved to my neck, making me cry out in pleasure as I felt myself get lost in the high that was him. He groaned into the crook of my neck and pulled out of me as he came.
He laid his head and sweat-damp curls on my breasts. I cradled his head against my chest and ran my fingers through his hair as we caught our breath.
"I've missed having you in bed with me, like this" I mumble.
"I've missed it too" he mumbles back, rolling over to his back and pulling me with him so I was laying on his chest. I laughed a little as he smiled at me.
"Although I think I prefer you like this more," he says as he wraps his left arm around me, pulling me closer to his chest. I chuckled as he smiled at me.
The next day we were all sat around a table in the meeting room. A raven had arrived, from Tyrion in Dragonstone. It was asking that Jon and I travel to Dragonstone to meet with Daenerys and for Jon to bend the knee to her. Sansa didn't want us to go. She knew the danger that it posed and suggested that my sister would keep Jon as a hostage.
It was a bit of an argument but in the end, we decided to go. I wish it was I who convinced Jon to go, but it was the raven from Sam. The raven that said Dragonstone was full of dragon glass, a material that could kill the White Walkers.
We packed our things, Davos and Monell were accompanying us on our journey, but I didn't mind. I was excited to see my sister again. But I was also worried, worried for her to meet Jon. What would she think of him? Would his being a King make her think differently? Would I be asked to pick a side, between her or Jon? The dragon or the wolf?
And if I was asked to pick a side...what side should I choose?