Inspired by the song "Long Live" by Taylor Swift (lyrics at the end of the chapter)
I do not own these characters or lyrics.
Months went by. Sansa tended to Winterfell and her people. She made sure food wouldn't become scarce. The parts of the castle that were damaged in the battle were being repaired. Winterfell was coming back to life, slowly but surely.
Even though much of the Northmen left for King's Landing, it was still bustling in the castle and it was nice to see the children playing as they should. Sansa was never truly alone. Loyal Brienne was almost always by her side. Ghost would come and go on hunting adventures but could often be found by Sansa's hearth. And even though Bran wasn't much of a conversationalist, Sansa would visit him in the godswood and they'd sit in a mostly silent reflection.
But she was missing Jon. News was sparse, but the few times the maester notified her of a raven from King's Landing, her heart would feel excitement and worry. It had been some time since Sansa had received word from the south. Last she knew, Cersei's ally had killed one of the dragons and captured Missandei, Cersei had her killed, Jon's forces had finally arrived, and the battle would soon be starting. Months later and still no word made Sansa uneasy but she refused to show it.
Sansa walked out to the godswood, finding Bran in his usual spot.
"Hello, Bran."
Bran looked up and gave her a slight nod. Sansa sat at the base of the weirwood and their comfortable silence grew. Ghost came to her and laid his head in her lap while she pet him. His wounds were healing and he was looking somewhat better these days, despite his one missing ear.
"I would like to go to the courtyard. Would you take me there?" Bran asked after some time.
"Of course," she replied, getting up and pushing his chair. They reached the courtyard and Bran raised his hand to stop her. She and Ghost stood next to him for a few minutes, listening to the builders working on repairing the castle wall.
Suddenly, an excited commotion began to grow from a few of the builders up on the battlement. Shouts of "They're back!" rang from above and they were repeated throughout the courtyard and into different areas of Winterfell. Women, children, and the elderly that were there came and gathered with Sansa and Bran. Sansa looked down at him curiously, he had known this was to happen. Her excitement grew but she couldn't quite chase out the negative thoughts. What if he's not with them? The seconds felt like hours as they waited. She almost broke into a run to the battlement to see if she could spot him. But just as she was about to, the castle gate burst open. And there was Jon on his horse, leading his men. Relief crashed through Sansa like a wave. Jon's eyes found hers and he jumped off his horse and ran to her, enveloping her in a tight hug.
"You came back to me again," she whispered in his ear.
"I always will," he whispered back and released her.
"Arya?" Sansa asked, looking around.
"She's not here. She's alive. But she's off on her Arya adventures with Gendry. She wouldn't say where she was going."
"Oh," Sansa said sadly. She missed her little sister but she knew Arya was restless and needed to be free from a castle. Hopefully she'd see her again someday. Sansa looked around, happy to see all of the reunions around her.
She walked with Jon to the godswood. Once they were alone there, he grabbed her waist, pulled her to him, and kissed her.
"You're not worried about people seeing us?" she whispered.
"No. I've missed you," he quietly said, eyes closed and leaning his forehead against hers.
"I barely heard from you, I had become so worried. And why did you not send word that you were alive and coming home?" she asked, playfully pushing him, pretending she was angry.
"I take it you haven't received Daenerys' raven yet?"
"No. Why would she send me one?"
"She's sending a notice to all the great houses. Announcing her victory. Announcing my parentage."
"She isn't worried the people will want you on the iron throne instead of her?" Sansa asked, confused.
"No. She liberated King's Landing, word will spread, along with word of the battle against the Night King. The people seem to be more accepting of her in the south. And because she now knows the North, she knows it would be difficult to hold, so it will remain free. We will be her ally but we will be free."
"She's allowing the North to be free?" Sansa asked, shocked. "What did you have to promise her in return, Jon? Please do not tell me you have to live down there with her."
"I promised her we'd be her ally."
"The North is free? Truly free?"
"Truly free," he said with a smile.
"And you truly are the King of the North again," Sansa said, returning his smile.
"Let the people decide that. They may not feel the same once they learn I'm a Targaryen as well."
"They know you, Jon, you're not a stranger to them."
"I did have to promise her one more thing," Jon said quietly. "It has to do with you."
"What?" Her voice was stern, worried for what he could say next. "If she dares to think she can marry me off to one of her lords, I will not have it! I will not be forced to marry."
Jon took her hands in his. "I would never force you to marry, Sansa, you know that."
"Then what is it?"
"She still believes the prophecy that she can never have a child. She had me promise my future child would be her heir, if I were to have one, to continue the Targaryen rule. And if I were to have one, my hope is that it would be with you." He pulled her closer and into his arms. "Would you be my wife, Sansa?"
"Yes, Jon," she whispered. She didn't cry very often anymore, but her eyes became watery with happy tears. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Does she know this is what you wanted? She can't be too happy with a possible future heir that is part Sansa Stark," she said with a smile.
"She knows. And she wasn't surprised. She hopes our children receive your intelligence and not mine."
Sansa smiled at that. But then it faded. "What if our people think it's wrong for us to be together?"
"I'm marrying you no matter what, my love."
The next night, they held a feast in honor of the returned men. The queen's raven had arrived earlier and Jon prepared himself to announce the news. Their people ate and drank loudly and happily as Jon, Sansa, and Bran sat at the head table. Sansa looked over at Jon and saw his nervousness. She reached out and placed her hand on his to ease him. He looked over at her, gave her a smile, and stood.
"We have received an announcement from Queen Daenerys," he spoke loudly to the people in the Great Hall. "She thanks the North for their help in her victory." The men raised their glasses and cheered from their seats. "She would also like to announce my own parentage." The room grew quietly confused.
"I have seen Jon's birth through the weirwood," Bran spoke up. Sansa still hadn't quite gotten used to Bran's special connection to the weirwood trees and it still surprised her that the Northmen never questioned his ability. "Jon is a Stark, but he is not my father's son. Lyanna Stark gave birth to him. Jon's true father was Rhaegar Targaryen. They had been secretly wed, making Jon not a bastard Snow. His birth name was Aegon Targaryen."
The hall was silent and Sansa worried.
"I know the lords of the North made me a king, let me lead the North, thinking I was Lord Eddard's son. I had not found out the truth until just before the battle against the Night King. Lord Eddard promised his sister to keep me safe from King Robert, so he named me his bastard son and it was a secret he kept the rest of his life. My true name may be Aegon Targaryen, but I do not wish to be called that. I will always be Jon Snow. I understand if you no longer wish for me to lead, seeing as I am not a Stark. That is a decision for the people of the North, not for me."
"But you are a Stark!" a voice rang out from the tables. "We know no king but the King in the North, whose name is Stark!" People began chiming in with their agreements. Jon's facial expression flushed with relief to hear the acceptance of their people.
"Queen Daenerys has notified the great houses of this. She wishes to keep the throne in Targaryen hands. If she were to pass without bearing a child, my future child will be her heir." The people cheered for this, liking the idea that one of their own may be the ruler in the future.
'However, I've saved her biggest announcement for last," Jon said, smiling his rare big smile. "She has decreed that the North is free from the Seven Kingdoms!"
A roar of happiness exploded around the Great Hall. A chant of "King in the North" grew louder and louder. Sansa smiled as she looked around the hall. The North was finally free and happy.
"Now, my lords, ladies, and Northmen, I have my own announcement. I hope you will be understanding." He looked down at Sansa as she sat next to him and gave her a small smile. "While Lady Sansa and I have grown up thinking we were siblings, we never quite treated each other so. Once we found out my true parentage, things changed even more for us." Jon paused, collecting his thoughts. "We have come to realize we are in love and wish to be together. I know this may be odd to some. However, she was never my sister and I wish to wed her." He reached out his hand and she took it, standing to her feet next to him.
They smiled at each other as their people cheered and called out "King Jon and Queen Sansa!"
Sansa and Jon's wedding day finally arrived. Lords and Ladies from all over Westeros had traveled to be there. Even Queen Daenerys came, with Tyrion by her side. Sansa was getting ready in her room when there was a knock at the door. She cracked the door to see who it was and then threw it open wide.
"Arya!" she exclaimed, dragging her little sister into a hug. "You came!"
"Well, someone has to escort you to your husband," Arya teased.
"Where have you been? How did you know to come? You think this is odd, don't you?"
"We were in Pentos, royal news does travel there. It's odd for me, but I always saw Jon as a brother, unlike you. And this isn't exactly surprising. I'm no fool, I could see the love the two of you had for each other before either of you recognized it yourselves."
"You're alright with this?" Sansa asked.
"Yes, Sansa." No teasing, just an honest answer with a smile. Sansa knew Arya was happy for her.
After the marriage ceremony in the godswood, everyone moved to the Great Hall for the wedding feast. The wine and ale flowed as the musicians played on and the people enjoyed themselves. Tormund and a few wildlings were getting Jon to drink more ale as they told him they were preparing him for his wedding night.
"Well, I am sad I'll never get to call you my wife again," Tyrion jested as he came to Sansa's side at the head table.
"You will always be my first husband, Lord Tyrion," Sansa smiled at him. "I am glad you came. Queen Daenerys as well."
"She is happy she came as well. The North seems to be more accepting of her this time."
"She let them be free, they are grateful. I am grateful." She looked toward the silvery blond queen and smiled at her. Daenerys offered her own smile and raised her cup towards Sansa.
Tyrion rejoined his queen and Sansa watched her people revel in the celebration, some even dancing to the music between the tables. She could see Arya sitting with the Hound and Gendry as they ate. Jon was conversing with Brienne and Podrick. Ser Davos was now in deep conversation with Tyrion, relaying their Hand of the King and Queen stories, no doubt. And Bran sat off to the side, quiet, of course. Suddenly, Jon was at her side and Podrick's handsome voice began to sing out the words for Jenny of Oldstones. Jon silently reached out his hand to her with a small smile. She placed her hand in his and stood. He wrapped her in his arms and they swayed, just barely, to the song as they had their first night together.
Thankfully, the Northmen didn't much participate in the silly ritual of the bedding ceremony. Even if they had, there would be no way Jon would allow it to happen. So at the end of the night, Jon gave his speech to thank their guests, then he took Sansa's hand and swept her away as they all cheered.
They laughed as they ran to Jon's quarters, now to be shared with Sansa, the torch lights of their little kingdom lit their way. He slammed the door closed and barred it. Sansa stood by their bed, the fire light flickering off her beautiful pale skin.
"My husband," she said with a teasing smile.
"My beautiful wife." Jon crossed the room and took her in his arms, kissing her lips. Sansa snaked her tongue in his mouth as she shed his tunic from his body. He spun her around, pushed her long red hair over her shoulder so he could undo the laces of her gown as he kissed the back of her long neck. He slid the gown slowly down her body, his lips teasing the length of her spine, until he knelt on the ground. He turned her around again and drove his tongue in circles around her sensitive nub. Sansa's moaning was no longer quiet. He lapped at her wetness as she stood and entwined her fingers in his dark curls.
"Oh Jon!" she exclaimed and her body convulsed with orgasm. "I need you in me," she said, sliding onto the bed, loving not having to keep quiet anymore.
Jon looked hungrily at her as he stripped off the rest of his clothing. He got on the bed, kneeling between her wide spread legs. She grasped his cock and slowly eased him into her, letting out a long moan as he stretched her.
"Does that feel good, my wife?" he huskily asked her.
"So, so good. Go deep, Jon," she managed to get out in between heavy breaths. He pushed deep into her, making her let out a little pleasurable yelp. His hands grasped her hips and he raised her bottom off the bed as he pounded into her over and over. Sansa's hands gripped the bedding. Jon eventually slowed his thrusts, diving deep in and out of her slowly, and it drove Sansa to another peak. She tightened around Jon's cock as she came and it brought him to the edge.
"Oh gods, Sansa -"
"Come in me, my love."
Jon obeyed, spilling his seed deep inside her. He collapsed on the bed next to her, tired and sweaty. Sansa turned her head to him and smiled. He held her hand and brought it up to his mouth and gently kissed it.
"I love you."
Five years later, Winterfell was fully repaired and bustling with Northmen going about their business in their kingdom's capitol. Without the long winters provided by the Night King, crops flourished and the houses of the North were prospering.
It was a pleasant summer day as the two toddlers played on the edge of the pond in the godswood, their feet making small splashes in the water. Sansa smiled down upon them as she watched, her back against the old weirwood. Jon came towards them from the courtyard, a small scroll in his hand and a small smile on his face.
"My love?" Sansa asked as he reached her. Jon handed her the scroll.
Queen Daenerys and the Prince of Dorne have been blessed with the birth of their daughter, Rhaella, future Queen of the Six Kingdoms. I hope this news finds you and your family well. - Lord Tyrion, Hand of the Queen
Sansa clutched the scroll to her chest with a grateful smile. Her children would be able to remain in the North now that Daenerys had an heir. Jon reached out and pushed back a few strands of her hair that the breeze had blown in her face. He placed a sweet kiss on her lips and then they stood, not letting go of one another, watching their little Robb and Lyanna play.
Long Live by Taylor Swift
I said, remember this moment, in the back of my mind / The time we stood with our shaking hands / The crowds in stands went wild / We were the kings and the queens / And they read off our names / The night you danced like you knew our lives / Would never be the same / You held your head like a hero / On a history book page / It was the end of a decade / But the start of an age
Long live the walls we crashed through / All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you / I was screaming, long live all the magic we made / And bring on all the pretenders / One day, we will be remembered
I said, remember this feeling / I passed the pictures around / Of all the years that we stood there / On the side-lines wishing for right now / We are the kings and the queens / You traded your baseball cap for a crown / When they gave us our trophies / And we held them up for our town / And the cynics were outraged / Screaming, "This is absurd" / 'Cause for a moment, a band of thieves / In ripped up jeans got to rule the world
Long live the walls we crashed through / All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you / I was screaming, long live all the magic we made / And bring on all the pretenders / I'm not afraid / Long live all the mountains we moved / I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you / I was screaming, long live that look on your face / And bring on all the pretenders / One day, we will be remembered
Hold on to spinning around / Confetti falls to the ground / May these memories break our fall
Will you take a moment? / Promise me this / That you'll stand by me forever / But if, God forbid, fate should step in / And force us into a goodbye / If you have children some day / When they point to the pictures / Please tell them my name / Tell them how the crowds went wild / Tell them how I hope they shine / Long live the walls we crashed through / I had the time of my life, with you
Long, long live the walls we crashed through / All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you . I was screaming, long live all the magic we made / And bring on all the pretenders / I'm not afraid / Singing, long live all the mountains we moved / I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you / And long, long live that look on your face / And bring on all the pretenders / One day, we will be remembered