Inspired by the song "Skyfall" by Adele (lyrics at the end of the chapter)
I do not own these characters or lyrics.
The wights fell. All of the them. The chaos within the crypts died with them. Sansa clenched the dragonglass dagger in her hand, Tyrion by her side, catching her breath through the shock.
She had been up on the battlements with Arya as the battle began. They silently stared into the darkness as the Dothraki charged into it and they silently watched as each flaming arakh flickered out. Dread set in, she could feel it all around them. There was an uneasy quiet as the people bravely faced whatever nightmare was coming next; they all stood tall against the unknown together. The unstoppable wave of the dead that swarmed the front lines was worse than a nightmare. The roars of death began to rage below. Suddenly, lines of dragon fire poured from the sky, trying to beat the wights back. Sansa could glimpse Jon on his dragon and the sight gave her both strength and worry. Jon's out there, he will protect us. Jon's out there, vulnerable. Arya turned to her and she shook off her thoughts. Arya begged her to get to the crypt. She pressed the dragonglass dagger into her hand with the specific instructions to stick them with the pointy end. Once Sansa reached the ironwood door to the crypt, she held her breath and counted to 10, collecting herself and replacing her fear with a calm courage in hopes to ease the women and children. They watched her as she came in, she knew they feared the worst for their fighting loved ones now that Sansa had joined their safety. It was a false safety; the dead rose and clawed their way out of their final resting places. The thought of arming the crypt with weapons had never been a thought in their planning. In the chaos, Sansa found refuge behind her father's tomb with Tyrion. The screams that echoed around the crypt were devastating. Sansa never wanted to be useless. Even though she was frightened and panicked, she pulled the dagger from her cloak and Tyrion reached for his. He sweetly kissed her hand and offered her his small smile, giving her whatever strength he could. They slid out from their hiding place, Sansa giving one last glance up to her father's stone face. She followed Tyrion and stabbed at whatever she could with the pointy end.
And now the dead had fallen. Streaks of blood were scattered across Sansa's cloak and dress. Not her own blood and not the blood of the long dead and dusty Starks. It was the blood of her people, the women and children she could no longer help as she struck the dead that attacked them.
They could hear the heavy door creak open to the outside world. They filed out into the chilly air to find themselves surrounded by bodies.
Arya, pushing Bran in his chair, came into the courtyard from the godswood. Sansa's knees nearly buckled from the relief of seeing her siblings alive. Jon, she thought with worry. But then there he was, walking in slowly behind Arya and Bran. Once he caught sight of Sansa, he ran to her and gathered her into his arms. He noticed the raggedness of her and her crypt companions, the blood and the smaller number of them.
"What happened?" Jon anxiously asked as he held Sansa at arms length, fully taking the sight of her in, and eased the tightly clutched dagger from her hand.
"The dead were already with us."
The night sky began to lighten as what was left of the battle leaders met in the Great Hall to discuss what had occurred. They had lost many people. Sansa mourned for Theon and the brave little bear Lyanna. She felt a hint of pride swell within her, learning her sister had been the one to stop the Night King. And relief flooded her every time her eyes fell on Jon.
Daenerys was in deep mourning for her trusted Ser Jorah and dismissed them all to rest before she swept away to her quarters. Sansa and Arya brought Bran to his room and they continued up to theirs in silence. At Sansa's door, Arya paused and gave Sansa a quick, unfamiliar hug before she walked off to her own room. The corners of Sansa's mouth lifted in a small smile as she went in and built a fire in the hearth.
Sansa stripped off her clothing, tempted to throw it in the fire in an attempt to forget what had happened that night. She instead threw them into the corner, washed blood off of her skin, and pulled furs around her body. She tried to lay in bed and fall asleep but was unsuccessful. She wondered where Jon was. She wondered if this world would let them be happy together. Sansa gave up on sleep and sat in front of the fire. Soon, there was a soft knock on the door. When she opened it, she found Jon's weary eyes. She wordlessly moved aside to let him in and Ghost limped in behind him; the battered wolf came to a tired rest in front of the fire. Jon's arms once again wrapped around Sansa, his lips finding hers with a gentle kiss.
"You came back to me," she whispered.
"I had no idea I was so close to losing you down there. I told you you'd be safe there, I begged you to go there," Jon said quietly, angry with himself.
"Jon, this isn't your fault. It was safe until the end. I'm still here."
"I just don't know what I would have done if I came back and you were no longer here."
"But I am here. And you're here with me."
He kissed her forehead, her lips, her jaw line as he still held her tight. She wrapped her arms around his neck and saw him wince in pain.
"Have you not tended to your wounds?" Sansa asked sternly.
"I cleaned what I could of Ghost's wounds and then I came here. I needed to be with you, I couldn't let it wait any longer."
Sansa peeled off his cloak, tunic, and undershirt, revealing the plethora of lacerations across his skin. She sat him on a chair, grabbed a bowl of water and a clean rag, and gently cleaned and dressed the cuts. Once done, she removed his pants as he stared into the fire and went to work on the wounds that ran up and down his legs.
"You need to sleep," Sansa lightly suggested as she finished.
"I don't think I can. I close my eyes and see the horrors of last night."
"Come. We both need to try. The door is barred, no one will bother us here." She offered him her hand. He took it in his and kissed it before standing up and walking to the bed. They lay under the covers, holding each other. The comfort eased them both into a light sleep.
Later in the day, the battle survivors honored their fallen. Their bodies had been gathered on funeral pyres. Sansa cried over Theon's broken body. He was her fellow Ramsey survivor. Theon got her out of Ramsey's clutches. He had grown up with the Starks and even though he had made horrible decisions along the way, he came back to them and protected Bran. Despite not being born with the name, Theon was a Stark at heart, and Sansa adorned him with the Stark direwolf pin before she lit his pyre.
Now they had a celebratory feast. The drinks flowed and Sansa was grateful to see the people joyous once more. Even Jon was smiling, drunk, as he sat on the table in front of her. Tormund and other wildlings surrounded them and teased him. She smiled as she watched him. But her smile faded as she turned to see the dragon queen smiling at him and he smiled back at her. Without thinking, Sansa quickly stood and walked away. She kept herself busy talking to others and checking in on the Northmen. Eventually she made her way to her room and forced herself to fall asleep in order to stop thinking of Daenerys and Jon being together.
She woke to a voice whispering her name and a rough hand brushing her hair off of her face.
"Jon?" she asked sleepily at the dark figure sitting on the edge of her bed, framed by the light of the fire.
"I told her. I told Daenerys who I really am. It didn't necessarily go over well." Sansa could still smell the ale on his breath as he continued. "She thinks I want the throne. It didn't matter how many times I told her I don't. She thinks people will want to see me on the throne instead of her. I repeated that she is my queen."
"She is not the North's queen," Sansa said firmly.
"I know, Sansa. But I still have to appease her. She's still here and I fear for what she might consider if she thinks the North will betray her. I promised her the North would help her win the throne if she helped us, I cannot go back on that."
"I'm tired of hearing her say she came here to help you fight your war, the North's war, Winterfell's war. The Night King and his army was not just a threat for the North, it was a threat against all of Westeros. If she didn't come to help us, we may have lost and the dead's army would have grown and marched right down south. I can't stand her thinking she did us a favor."
Jon smiled a soft smile at her fierceness and trailed his fingertips from her temple and down her cheek. "Sansa, listen. I need you to be careful with what you say to Daenerys or any of her followers. She knows your disdain for her and I worry what she might consider doing to you in her current state of mind. She lost almost all of her Dothraki, a large portion of the Unsullied, and one of her most trusted friends. She's feeling quite alone right now and she's doubting the North's loyalty. She could become dangerous. Please promise me you will watch what you say."
"Fine," Sansa said stubbornly.
They were once again gathered around the table map of Westeros. This time the sigil figurines around Winterfell had shrunk considerably in number while Cersei's grew down in King's Landing. It took a noticeable effort from Jon and Tyrion to dissuade Daenerys from attacking the capitol and it's population of innocent lives with dragon fire in order to bring down Cersei. She finally reluctantly agreed to their plan to just lay siege to the city.
"The men are exhausted and many are wounded. They would fight better if they had rest," Sansa spoke up. She didn't mean to make the dragon queen angry, it was a legitimate concern for her people. But anger flashed within the queen's eyes and Jon quickly turned to Sansa, a quiet warning covering his face.
"How long would you suggest?" Daenerys asked, the calm in her voice wavered.
"I'm not sure, I would have to speak with the officers."
Daenerys' calm began to break at that. "I came North to fight alongside you, at great cost to my armies and myself. Now that the time has come to reciprocate, you want to postpone?"
Sansa's patience with this queen was waning. Daenerys once again alluded that it was only the North's war and concern that she helped with. Before Sansa could open her mouth and anger the queen more, Jon spoke up. He turned to Sansa as he spoke, his expression one of frustration and warning. "The North will honor their promises and their allegiance to the queen."
After the war meeting, Sansa briskly left and walked out to the middle of the godswood to find a quiet spot. She stood at the frozen pond and closed her eyes, trying to release her pent up anger.
"Sansa, I am trying to keep you safe," Jon said, coming up behind her, his frustration with her shining through.
"It was a legitimate concern, Jon! I didn't realize it could anger her so much. And she once again acted like she did us a favor."
"We would have lost without her and her forces, Sansa. There was no way Arya or anyone could have gotten to the Night King before we all fell. Her numbers made us stronger, the dragon fire held back at least part of the onslaught of wights. We needed her and I worked hard to bring her here and earn her trust."
"I know that. But she needs to realize if she wants to be queen of Westeros, she has to protect her people. It was not just the North that was threatened, it was all of the Seven Kingdoms. And our men need rest and time to heal, Jon, you know that."
"I can't make her postpone any further. She is determined to destroy Cersei. I don't want her determined to destroy you."
"When do you leave?" The realization that they would soon be separated and he'd be off to fight another dangerous battle softened Sansa's tone.
"Tomorrow." Jon's weary voice broke her heart. Sansa reached out and grabbed his hand, not daring to get closer to him in such an open place.
"Where is she?" Sansa quietly asked.
"Who?"
"Your queen."
"Stop referring to her as my queen, Sansa. Why do you need to know?" Jon asked suspiciously.
"So that I may make peace with her. Whatever peace I can manage."
Sansa walked towards the Great Hall. She didn't want to be fake, she didn't want to be nice, she didn't even want to talk to Daenerys before she flew off on her dragon the next day. But if Sansa didn't, there was absolutely no chance the dragon queen would grant the North their freedom. Sansa figured it couldn't hurt to ingratiate herself to the queen.
Daenerys sat at the head table, surrounded by Missandei and Tyrion.
"Might I have a word, your grace?" Sansa asked, slightly bowing her head.
Daenerys gave a nod and her companions left her side. Tyrion gave Sansa a confused look as he passed her.
"What can I do for you, Lady Sansa?" Daenerys asked, coolly.
"I wanted to thank you for the help you brought us. We wouldn't have won the battle without it."
Daenerys gave her a calculated look before gesturing for Sansa to take a seat next to her.
"I also would like to apologize for my coldness towards you. I don't trust easily and you're family destroyed some of my own." Sansa disliked apologizing to her, but she had to admit she hadn't made it easy for Jon with how she treated this queen the moment she walked in the gates.
"What did you say to me when I first spoke to you privately? 'Families are complicated'? It looks like both of our families have become more complicated recently. Aegon Targaryen."
"He doesn't want the throne. You know that, don't you?'
"Yes. He said that, over and over. And I truly believe him. However, that doesn't take away the fact that he has the better claim and that others may want to see him on throne instead of me. It's obvious the people of Westeros are wary of me."
"Save them from Cersei's rule and you'll earn their love." If this was to be the queen of Westeros, she needed to know the people. Sansa swallowed a gulp and decided to forge on. "Forgive me for speaking boldly. When you came here, the people could only see a stranger, someone claiming to be queen and feeling entitled to their loyalty and love. You must earn it. Your aid in this battle certainly helped."
"And yet, it's still Jon who has their loyalty and love."
"Jon is of the North. But they see you differently now. They saw your braveness. They saw your forces fall alongside their own, the first charge of the Dothraki, the Unsullied protecting the retreat. The North is hard to win over for strangers, but they appreciate what you've done."
"I did drop my priorities to fight the North's war."
"That's another thing." Sansa knew she was toeing the line but continued anyways. "You must understand that this wasn't just the North's war. If the North fell here in Winterfell, the Night King's army would have marched farther and farther south, growing their number with the unprepared people along the way. This was Westeros' war, it just happened to take place in the North."
Sansa could Tell Daenerys didn't like being talked to like this. As sincerely as Sansa could word it, it could still be seen as her trying to educate this queen and point out her faults. But, to Daenerys' credit, she seemed to be acknowledging Sansa's words calmly.
"Yes, that is true."
"You were helping the North protect all of Westeros. The stories will spread. Not all the Southerners will believe the tales, but some will. Free them from Cersei's cruel rule and they'll have to believe in you."
"You still feel that the men need rest before we travel?"
"I do. I expect they would fight better if they had time to recover from their wounds."
"My enemy grows larger by the day," Daenerys said, frustrated.
"I understand, and Jon and the North will do as you command. I didn't mean to challenge you in the strategy meeting, I had just thought it might be a concern."
"Such as when you brought up the issue of feeding my forces and dragons when I first arrived here?"
"During my time in King's Landing, under Joffrey's rule, the people were starving. They rioted and attacked the king's procession. I was nearly raped and, more than likely, killed. I would have given them food if I could. I don't ever want to see my people hungry." Sansa sat a little straighter in her chair. "I've learned things along my hard journey home. Looking after the people is one of those things."
"And what of your people? Of the North? You still wish them to be free of the Seven Kingdoms?"
"Yes. The North fought hard to win it back and I wish to see it stay free." There was no reason to lie. This queen could hate her if she wanted. "But that is not my decision. Jon has bent the knee to you and I follow Jon."
"You love him." It wasn't a question, Daenerys stated it as a fact.
"He's my family," Sansa cautiously said.
"Yes. But he is no longer your brother. Ever since I stepped in Winterfell, I could tell you love him. The cold looks you gave me had more meaning than you just not trusting me."
For the first time, Sansa didn't know what to say to her. She thought to deny it, but she knew the other woman would know it to be a lie.
"I understand. He is a good man. I thought I had been in love with him myself."
"You are not?" Sansa asked, thinking back to their first private talk when Daenerys had told her she loved Jon and came here for him.
"No. At least not anymore." Daenerys paused and looked into the fire before turning back to Sansa. "Thank you for your honest consult, Lady Sansa," she said, making it clear that their conversation was now over. "I'm glad we spoke. Tyrion was right about your intellect."
Sansa stood, bowed her head slightly, and walked out.
After dinner that night, Sansa spent time with Arya by the pond in the godswood. They didn't talk much, Sansa just sat against the weirwood and watched Arya practice twirling her weapons masterfully. She wanted to spend time with her sister before Arya left for King's Landing. Before long, Sansa spotted Gendry coming towards them and a small smile lifted the corners of her mouth.
"I'll miss you, you know," Sansa said as she got to her feet.
Arya just shot her an annoyed look that, for one split second, melted into a tiny smile. Sansa walked away, leaving Arya alone with Gendry.
Sansa walked to her room, opening the door and once again finding Jon sitting at the roaring fire with Ghost sleeping at his feet. Jon turned to her and offered her a tired but grateful smile.
"She doesn't seem to want to burn you with dragon fire so I gather it went well."
"As well as it could," Sansa said, shedding her cloak and walking towards him.
"You don't mind that I'm here?" he asked, taking a hold of her hand.
"Of course not," she smiled sweetly.
She bent down, kissed his lips softly, and he pulled her down to sit on his lap. He kissed her temple and cheek, her jawline and ear.
"I don't want to leave you," he whispered, his breath gently moving the strands of hair near her ear.
"I don't want you to leave. The men of our family don't do well down south."
"I've come back once from it. I'm determined to come back again."
"You better, Jon Snow. The North needs you. I need you."
His eyes bore into hers. His hand wove into her hair and he reached his lips to hers. His kisses were strong like his hands. Once they finally broke apart, Sansa stood and led him to the bed. He silently undressed her, lovingly kissing her shoulders, chest, and stomach as he did. As she slid into bed, he quickly undressed himself and followed her.
His lips found hers again as his hand explored her body, caressing her breasts, teasing her nipples. Once he had her panting, his hand slipped lower, grazing her soft skin until he reached between her legs. He found her wet and he moaned at the feel of her. His fingers traced a soft line up and down her slit as Sansa's thighs spread wider for him. He gently rubbed at her sensitive clit in circles, watching her try to not moan too loud. She began to lift her hips, pressing harder onto his hand. Suddenly she felt his lips on her breast and he eased his finger into her opening. He was bringing her closer to release as she bucked her hips toward his hand. Jon slid another finger inside her, making Sansa gasp in pleasure. Her breathing became jagged as he moved his fingers within her until she came.
"I never thought I could feel this kind of pleasure, Jon," she whispered, her body humming from the euphoria.
"I"m glad I could give it to you, my love," he whispered back as his kisses ghosted along her shoulder and neck.
Sansa turned towards him with a sultry smile. She reached out and lightly brushed her fingers along his hard cock before taking it fully in hand. She enjoyed watching Jon's eyes widen in pleasure. His eyes closed as she rhythmically moved her hand up and down. Once she began to move her body down his, kissing her way down his chest, his eyes jolted open in surprise.
"You don't have to do that for me," he whispered.
"I want to make you feel good," she smiled up at him and slid the head of his cock into her mouth as she watched his eyes close and mouth drop open. She slowly took him in her mouth, inch by inch. His hand flew to the back of her head and his fingers entwined in her hair as her mouth moved up and down on him. Her tongue twirled around the head, making him moan and curse in pleasure. She took him as deep as her mouth would allow and she could tell he was getting close.
Sansa slid her mouth off and moved her body until she knelt over him, straddling him. Jon's hands grabbed her hips as Sansa guided his cock into her wetness, slowly lowering herself on him. Jon's grip on her hips tightened as she rode him, their moans, grunts, and groans getting harder to keep quiet. She leaned down and kissed him as he guided her hips up and down. Each thrust felt deeper than the last and she gasped with each one.
"Sansa -" It was Jon's warning that he was getting close. She bit his lip and slid off of him. She took him into her mouth and he almost immediately came. His breaths were rough and his eyes closed tight as she swallowed and released him from her mouth. "Gods, Sansa," he muttered and pulled her down into his body.
They fell asleep in each other's arms, small, satisfied smiles still on their faces.
Early the next morning, Jon woke up Sansa with a kiss and left to prepare for his departure. She laid in bed, once again brought to the realization that this could be the last time they see each other. She was safe, but Jon would be far from safety in the south. She shook the worries from her mind and dressed. Ghost was still by the fire. Sansa bent and ran her hand along the wolf's fur, avoiding the many wounds.
"Come, Ghost, let's get some breakfast."
He walked by her side as she headed down for the kitchens. After eating, she came back out to the courtyard. The Northmen were preparing to leave and saying their farewells to loved ones. Sansa knew Arya would already be gone, preferring to travel alone. She watched as the Unsullied marched out the gates, followed by the remaining Dothraki on their horses. She came to a stop when she saw Varys boarding a carriage with Tyrion behind him. She caught his eye and her first husband came to her, taking her hand in his and kissing it gently.
"My lady," he said with a small smile.
"Stay safe, my lord."
As she watched his carriage roll through the gates, the two dragons and their mother flew over them. Sansa and Ghost walked up to Jon's quarters, finding him collecting a few of his belongings. He stopped when she walked in the door.
"I'm leaving Ghost with you. He won't do well in the south and he'll keep you safe."
"You're the one that needs to keep safe." She flew into his arms and he held her tight. "Come back to me, Jon," she whispered in his ear.
He kissed her. It was a different kind of kiss than the others they had shared the past few days. It was strong yet vulnerable, filled with love and filled with worry. They both knew it could be the last time they would feel each other's lips on their own.
"I love you, Jon."
"I love you, Sansa."
He knelt to give Ghost a gentle hug and then he was out the door.
Sansa and the direwolf walked out to the battlements and watched as Jon, her Jon, rode off down the road with his men. He turned and saw her, giving her a crooked smile and a small wave. She returned with her own smile and wave then watched him go until she couldn't see him anymore. No matter what happened, she would never let go of him.
Skyfall by Adele
This is the end / Hold your breath and count to ten / Feel the Earth move, and then / Hear my heart burst again / For this is the end / I've drowned and dreamt this moment / So overdue, I owe them / Swept away, I'm stolen
Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall / Face it all together / Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall / Face it all together / At Skyfall / At Skyfall
Skyfall is where we start / A thousand miles and poles apart / Where worlds collide and days are dark / You may have my number / You can take my name / But you'll never have my heart
Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall / Face it all together / Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall / Face it all together / At Skyfall / Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall / Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall
Where you go I go / What you see I see / I know I'd never be me / Without the security / Of your loving arms / Keeping me from harm / Put your hand in my hand / And we'll stand
Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall / Face it all together / Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall / Face it all together / At Skyfall / Let the sky fall / We will stand tall / At Skyfall