When Winter Comes

by Ardenwyn

It is time to grow from a pawn into a player in the Game of Thrones: Sansa never married Ramsay, she stayed in the Vale. The Blackfish sought help from the Vale to retake Riverrun, and she was in the middle of it all. Jon is proclaimed King after retaking Winterfell with the northern lords and Sansa's army. And now the Dragonqueen is coming and Willas Tyrell searches new alliances.

4. Jon I

I don't own anything that has something to do with ASOIAF or Game of Thrones. It is all the work of GRRM Martin and D&D, seven blessings upon them.

See the end of the chapter for notes.

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To the lady Sansa Stark of Winterfell.

My dear niece,

I pray you and his Grace are of good health and well protected in the North. The armies from the Vale and those left to guard Riverrun reside here still, awaiting any attack from the Lannister's part. His oath to you is of more importance to him that one would imagine from a kingslayer.

When the recruiter of the Nightwatch- I forgot his name- returns to the north with the men of the Reach, I will send along with them the armies guarding Riverrun and the Twins.

'Beron…' Jon heard Sansa mutter as she read the letter and huffed with amusement.
'Maybe forgetting people's names is a trait from my Tully side- Even I am surprised that I remembered it.'
Jon knew Uncle Edmure had to spend much time with Beron two moons ago, sending the captured men from the Twins and Riverrun to the Wall. They even had to send for another man of the Night's Watch to escort them there, so that Beron did not have to take a small army of Frey- and Lannistermen throughout the southern region to recruit men for the Wall.
Beron was reported to have been stuck around Bitterbridge back when it was still unsure who the Tarly's would side with, and Sansa had told Jon how she ordered Podrick to send the letter to Willas by raven from Riverrun, guarding it from Petyr until he left Fairmarket.
All so that Littlefinger wouldn't notice, Sansa explained one night, as they both sat by the fire in his chambers. All so that he wouldn't know.
That is why he thought Sansa would be angry with him now, he read her letter from her uncle Edmure without her permission. But the page handed it to him while he was praying, and Jon had been hoping to receive a confirmation for weeks, of the Tully- and Vale forces returning north. So he read it any way,

Sansa didn't seem to care much about it though. The message from Edmure Tully seemed good-spirited overall, providing them with promising words. He was glad that their uncle was familiar enough with them to make japes- it only meant that they had a strong bond- something that made them Sansa and him both feel somewhat less worried.
But there was more in the letter.

I have taken the freedom to send a messenger to Jamie Lannister. The messenger bears offerings of a truce between the abandoned Lannister-army he has taken to Casterly Rock, and the Riverlands.
I have thought of your need for more men, and I concluded that Lannister-men not under the command of Cersei would be a valuable addition to our armies, ready at his Grace Jon's command to go North.
The truce-offerings for Jamie Lannister and those under his commands, are thus agreed upon if these conditions are met:

-Jamie Lannister and his army will return to Riverrun, unarmed and white banners raised, to kneel before the Lords of the Riverlands, and surrender, acknowleding Edmure Tully and his heirs as their Liege, setting all able fighting men under the command of their new Liege, as well as all the harvests, weapons, and gold that can be spared to aid the Riverlands, as well as the North and the Vale.
-In exchange for this, No soldier will cross the Westerland borders to seek any conflict- with the exclusion of passing judgement to any who disobeys an order from their Liege, and to aid in restoring damages of war- at the start of next Spring for as long as the mentioned conditions are met.
-In addition, The lords of the Riverlands will acknowledge Jamie Lannister as Lord of the Westerlands and Lord of Casterly Rock, which entails their Liege will not personally attempt to exercise authority over the Westerlands, for as long as the conditions mentioned are met.
-If Jamie Lannister agrees with these conditions, he will have a moon's turn to send a raven to suggest a match for a marriage to seal these agreements, or any counterconditions from his part, and to inform of their travels to Riverrun to bend the knee.

I shall make an effort to send a letter each sennight regarding the affairs here. I pray you will do me the same kindness.

His Grace, and you, Lady Sansa, if you are attempting to seek an alliance with Jamie Lannister, please inform me of this as I have done for you.

Lastly, my men have reported to me about Lord Willas Tyrell and a portion of his army, they are said to be travelling in the direction of Oldtown. They also report seeing guarded litters of carts, raised with Tyrell banners, on the King's Road, going North, in case you wish to know of these things.

I beg of you to send word in case you are considering settling an alliance with the Tyrells, it would be an honor counselling his Grace on this matter, as his kin and ally.

You will hear from me soon,

Edmure Tully, Lord of Riverrun and the Riverlands and Lord-Paramount of the Trident.

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'Your uncle Brynden will punch him if he reads this,' Jon commented when he noticed Sansa had finished reading. She set her lips in a thoughtful pout.
'It seems to me good uncle Edmure wants to have an army of his own, even if it would consist of Jamie's men. I can imagine he would want that, to humiliate Ser Jamie a bit further…' Sansa frowned.
'Under ''His grace's" command, my arse,' she said. Jon almost choked in his ale and turned over to her.
'He is expecting retaliation from Cersei Lannister, trying to collect Jamie before it happens and keep him as a hostage.' Sansa looked at her lemoncake and took a bite from it as if all was normal.
'If Edmure is even a bit cunning, he would anyway.'
'But if Jamie Lannister were to accept these terms, it would be safe to assume Cersei broke with her brother officially.' Jon placed his cup down in front of him. 'We could get him North to help us.'
'Unless he has gone to Casterly Rock on the Queen's command,' Sansa thought out loud. 'You reckon the queen might have forgiven Ser Jamie? Maybe she sent him to Casterly Rock herself.'
'Is the Queen the sort of woman that would send a large part of her dwindling army right by her enemies without doing anything?' Jon shook his head.
'That's a huge risk to take. If the Reach or your uncle hadn't respected the truce -banners when they granted them save conduct, their army as well as her brother would have been destroyed by a hundred to one already.'
'Not a hundred to one!' Sansa laughed at his exaggeration. He watched Sansa as she gave him a small push. It all seems almost funny to her.
'But yes, they would be obliterated. For now, it is best we wait for uncle Edmure's messages regarding him. As far as Cersei Lannister goes…' Sansa gave him a smile that made her eyes glisten.
'If Daenerys Targaryen goes straight to King's Landing, Cersei will be roasting in dragonfire before the year is done.'

Jon frowned a bit at hearing his sister talk this unladylike, something he noticed that changed in his sister's behavior. During court or small council meetings, she would voice her opinion loud and clearly, and a bit more crudely than he would have expected from Sansa. But then there had been a times that he gazed at her from the other side of the Dining Hall or while eating their meals together in his chambers, where Sansa would stare at her plate with an unnerving smile around her lips. As if she was planning things in secret, silently bemused.
Then again, ever since their reunion she had been lovelier to him than she'd ever been. It were her smiles and glistening eyes that distracted him from his broodings as she shook him out of his thoughts and spoke to him. She entrusted with him gossip and her schemes, and she touched him in a fashion that he's never dreamt of when he was a boy. Back then he had to look at how she glanced at him with disdain, reminding him of his blood and huffed as she turned away, her skirts waving behind her.
But all those memories faded away however, when he walked onto the courtyard in Mout Caillin and spotted her auburn hair in the distance. He could only outstretch his arms as she ran over to him from the courtyard. Light snowflakes danced in the air and melted on their faces, hot and teary from emotion. Sansa clung to him, shaking and crying from grief and joy as he kissed her forehead and held her tight.
From that moment she has treated him like her closest companion. She invited him to sit next to her each night since then, and kept eachother informed of their plans. They had grown into close siblings, a team as they tried to rule the North together. He trusted her with his life as she trusted him with hers.
But ruling together came with being honest too, even if he had to be skeptical for it.

'He could use a bit of slyness, yes, but after Daenerys Targaryen takes King's Landing?' He asked. 'I don't think the Dragon Queen will appreciate Edmure just handing over the Westerlands to the man that killed her father.'
Sansa kept silent while re-reading the terms for their truce.
'For that part, both ser Jamie nor the dragon queen will not take their acknowledgement very seriously, I think.' She said, following Edmure Tully's handwriting with her finger.
'Uncle Brynden will smack him twice more for feigning to be in control over who rules the Westerlands, as if he has any say in the matter.' Sansa sighed as she rolled up the parchment.
'I shall write uncle Brynden today, to let him talk some sense into the man.'
'Good. Thank you, Sansa.'
He did not know Brynden Tully well, but even he knew the Blackfish would not come up with such a short-sighted offering of peace. Jon chuckled at the thought of Edmure Tully getting slapped by the big, stern-faced Brynden. He took a large sip of his ale, as he momentarily enjoyed himself. The great hall was warm and smelled like food, a bard played in a corner as many knights and lords were seated at long tables.

They both resumed their dinner, consisting of black saucages, sweet potatoes and leek soup.
The meal was simple but savory, the candles lighting the greal halls and chambers. They only burned in between certain hours, a way to save up on their resources. It meant for the most part that the inhabitants of Winterfell shared their daily routines, resulting in precious body warmth and food to be shared equally among them. It made for a cozy atmosphere in Winterfell, the people sharing laughter together, where it was warm. Sansa did a good, efficient job at taking care of the Household as he tried to raise armies and prepare for winter and war. Every day, after a long day of discussing defenses and preparing for army of the death, he'd come into the castle, tensed and worried. But then he would walk into the great hall- and it felt like coming home for a moment.

Jon was about to take the last bite from his black sausage when Maester Helliweg interrupted him with a letter. He stood behind him, the maester's hand wrinkly and shaking as he handed over a sealed parchment. Jon immediately recognized the sigil.

The three-headed dragon of House Targaryen.

Jon swallowed as he took it from his hand. He saw Sansa staring at it from the corner of his eyes. He looked at the maester, his eyebrows slightly furrowed in worry.
'This came with a raven a moment ago, your Grace.' Jon sighed and handed the parchment over to his sister.
He felt Sansa smiling slightly as he turned over to Maester Helliweg to thank him. 'I will call for another council meeting first thing tomorrow.'
He heard Sansa broke the seal right as he breathed in. 'I would like you to join the meeting, Maester, to provide us with the knowledge of the Citadel as well as the Vale's if necessary.'
Helliweg bowed at once. 'It would be an honor to advise you, Your Grace. I shall stay close by for your announcement.'
Jon nodded and greeted the man as he walked away from him. He looked over at Sansa to ask her what the letter was about, instead he remained silent when he saw the parchment rolled close as she held it tight and looked at her table. He leaned over to her and whispered.
'Are you allright, Sansa?'
Sansa nodded, her cheeks reddened and lips tight in a smile.
'Tyrion Lannister,' She whispered so softly he almost couldn't hear. She stood up then and excused herself, taking one sip of water before she all but ran out of the hall. Brienne close behind her.
Jon swallowed hard, his heart picking up in speed.
He could only imagine what that meant. He knew that Tyrion Lannister served as hand of the queen… who knows what could be in there. A peace offering at best, a chance to surrender and bow or be burned by dragonfire at the worst.
He had to know it.

He stood up, about half of the crowd following behind a they bowed their heads until Jon walked out. He walked the narrow steps and along the passageways to Sansa's chambers. He knocked and waited for Sansa to call him in.

It was she who opened the door for him and motioned him inside, without saying a word.

'Sansa, what did he say? What do they want?'
'Shh!' Sansa held a finger to her lips as she closed the door. Once they were inside, they both took a seat on the couch in front of the hearth, still burning in ashes.
Sansa sighed deeply.
'What is it, Sansa?' he asked as he placed a hand on her arm. He thought a quick prayer to the old gods. They needed an alliance. They need to speak, at the very least.
Sansa looked at him then, her eyes free from tears, to his relief, but she looked stricken all the same.

'Tyrion Lannister sends his best wishes…' She said as she looked down at her parchment. It was slightly crumpled from her tight grip, so he gently took it from his fingers.

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To Jon Snow of Winterfell,

Queen Daenerys Targaryen, first of her name, invites you to Dragonstone. We seek an alliance to join the forces of the north and those of my Queen. The Seven Kingdoms will bleed as long as Cersei sits on the Iron Throne. Together we can end Cersei's tyranny. My queen commands the combined forces of Dorne and the Reach, legions of Unsullied, a Dothraki horde and three dragons.

We request you to raise banners of peace, and the willingness of your men to disarm upon arrival at Dragonstone. Our men will do you the same courtesy.
With this raven I also send my greetings to the Lady Sansa, I pray she is doing well.
I appeal to you, one bastard to another — for all dwarves are bastards in their fathers' eyes.
Tyrion Lannister, Hand of the Queen

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An invitation to dragonstone? She's already in Westeros?
They seek an alliance. Jon breathed out. An alliance. It's a place to start.

'It's an invitation to the king in the North,' Sansa said.
'Yes.'
'Are you…' He heard Sansa swallow audibly. 'Do you plan on going?'
There was a pause where Jon folded his letter, to gain some time to think about it.

It could be dangerous. It could be a trap.
But then again, they need to let them know.
The white walkers. The army of the death that will kill them all if they breech the wall. He thought back of Hardhome. The blue eyes of hundreds of people blinking open, as they all stood up.

So many losses. So much death. He could barely think about it.

Whatever it takes, they needed to be ready when they come. He needs to protect their home. He needs to do all he can, even if it would cost his live again.

'Yes…' He sighed. 'I'm afraid I have no choice.'
Sansa looked up at him. 'Jon… That could be dangerous. Who knows what they would do if you don't kneel if she demands? What if you are going to be held hostage?'
Sansa shook her head then, her eyes filling up with tears.
'We can't risk it, Jon! I will not lose you again.'
'Sansa, what else should I do? Wait until she comes here with her dragons?'
Sansa paused for a second. Then her eyes widened with an idea.
'Yes! Then she would see the army for herself and defeat them on her way. Dragonfire would kill them, wouldn't it?'
Jon's mind flashed back at Ygritte's pyre. He nodded, thinking back of Sam's words. Only fire will stop them.
'It would, surely. But do you suppose she would burn them before or after she burns us first for refusing to kneel?' He stared into the fire. 'it's best if we go to her do negotiate an alliance before she can turn her army and dragons against us. Only together we'll have a chance to defeat the Wights and the White Walkers. I need to go.'
'I can go in your place!' she repeated as she rubbed her eyes. 'Tyrion Lannister would protect me. I'm not valuable enough to be held hostage, anyway. I can broker terms of an alliance, Jon.'
Jon shook is head.
'Never. You are valuable to me, Sansa. That would be enough for them to take you hostage.
Sansa smiled at him as she wiped her tears away.
'I… I… The Tyrells, too. I have contact with them. I know Olenna Tyrell…'
'There must always be a Stark in Winterfell.' Jon smiled slightly. 'I am not a Stark. Oof!' He brought out as Sansa gave him a light punch in the stomach. He chuckled as he rubbed his chest, the scars still hurting.

I will not be fooled again.

'Sansa, you need to stay here and rule the North in my stead. I will let everyone know in the morning. I will also take some of the best men from the Vale and the Karstarks to join me.'
'Are you going unarmed?' Sansa asked worriedly. 'Think of what they did to you at the wall! You can't walk into another trap like that!'
'Didn't you just spoke out your trust in Tyrion Lannister?' he asked her teasingly. 'Remember, I have travelled with him for weeks. He wrote these words,' he regarded the last sentence of the letter, 'as a sign of recognition and familiarity.' He hadn't spoken much about his time with the little Lannister-lord, afraid that it would take Sansa's mind back to the abuse she received in King's Landing, by his family and that little shit Joffrey and the Kings Guard.

If Sansa hadn't assured him that Tyrion never touched her, he would do anything to make sure to take vengeance to save Sansa's honour. She had told him of the time he saved her by stopping Meryn Trant from beating her further, and how he was nothing but kind to her throughout their sham of a marriage until their sudden departure.
Fortunately, his opinion of him remained good-natured because of that.
Jon put an arm around Sansa's shoulder and pulled her to him for a second.
'You shouldn't worry about me too much. Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister seek an alliance with the North. The least I can do is hear them out.'
'But the danger…'
'The real danger is beyond the wall. That is what matters the most. I need to go there, show my good faith towards them, and convince them to go north before taking on Cersei.'
'And what about me?' Sansa sobbed quietly.
'Jon, I can't lose you again, not after seeing you for all these years. We've lost everyone. You're the only family I have left after mother and Robb… Rickon… And Bran…' Tears spilled over her cheeks as she buried her face in her hands. 'Arya…'
Jon stood and spread out his arms to invite her for a proper hug. 'Come. I will talk to the other lords tomorrow, and the Maester too. Their opinion matters, too. But there is one thing I can promise you, Sansa.'
Sansa buried her head in his shoulder, sniffing softly. Jon raised his hands to stroke her hair.
'What is it?' came a muffled sound.
'I will make it back to you. I promise I will succeed and protect you.' Even from Tyrion Lannister.
There was a pause.
'And what if they betray you?'
Jon placed both of his hands on her shoulders as he gently shoved her at arm's length.
'Then I will run as fast as I can outside the walls of Dragonstone…'
Jon looked at her directly.
'…And steal one of her dragons to fly back to you.'

Jon smiled as Sansa chuckled through her tears.
Anything to protect us.

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Notes: Thank you for reading. Sorry again for not updating. My 17 year old dog died, and I'm still heartbroken, that's why this chapter is so short. Will follow up soon. Leave a review !