Dragons of Wolf and Sun
Toxicfireball
Chapter 8: Union of Wolf and Sun
Summary:
The Martells arrive in Winterfell and the wedding happens
Notes:
In the last chapter, I wrote that Jaime was married, to clarify, he's NOT. I apologize for this error, as I write my story, I often go back and change parts of it if I feel I am not capable of writing that or feel it makes no sense or damage the themes of ASOIAF. I missed that part out.
Warning: This chapter has some mild smut in it, you will know once you come close to it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Rhaenys
Her family had arrived a moon's turn before the wedding, Arianne was freezing when she entered Winterfell, her cousin had grown far more beautiful than the last time she saw her. She was buxom and beautiful, her cousin lit up when she saw her. Her mother also had arrived though wearing heavy fur cloaks.
She hugged her mother tightly when they had arrived at Winterfell's courtyard. Much to Catelyn's displeasure, Jon had been allowed to stand with her. Her mother had hugged Jon and Oberyn was glad to see him and her. Arianne looked at Jon with curiosity as she alighted her horse. She had heard from Lord Stark that he had requested Wyman Manderly to provide the dornishmen with as many fur clothes as they could spare.
Ashara who had arrived days earlier also hugged her mother. They had been very close friends in their youths and had gone through so much. The Martells greeted Lord Stark warmly and he did the same. Despite being on the opposite side of the continent, her family had arrived the first, no doubt wanting to help in the planning of the wedding
"How have you been Rhaenys?" Her mother asked once they were inside Winterfell great keep. Her mother looked frailer, she had heard that her mother was not a particularly strong woman, nevertheless in Rhaenys eyes, she might not have been strong physically but she was definitely strong enough to go through all she had been
"I have been fine mother, I have missed you," She said
"So have I, how is your betrothed?" She asked as Rhaenys opened the door to her mother's room.
"Well, he is a rather nice person. A decent husband in the future." She could not help but smile, which her mother noticed.
"From your smile, I can tell more than decent. I see you have even grown more beautiful. You might be the most beautiful maiden in the seven kingdoms" Her mother said with a smile on her face as she say down on a chair "You are still a maiden I hope, Oberyn told me your betrothed refused to bed anyone even when he offered,"
She blushed "I still am mother," Truly, she knew she had been growing more and more beautiful, Theon gave her lustful looks every time he saw her and even Robb had to pry his eyes off her. Her mother laughed at her words.a sound she truly missed. It was then she realised how much she missed her mother. The way she used to sing at her while she brushed her hair, the way she used to play with her.
"Rhaenys, I married your father when I was far younger than you. I understand if you have some..desires" Her mother replied
"Mother…" Her mother laughed. Rhaenys had to admit her betrothed was rather good looking, he could not talk as well as Robb, bur while Robb had a strong built, Jon was rather slender and had a rather handsome face. Rhaenys couldn't say she desired or loved him but she had to admit that she rather liked him and that he was easy on the eye helped.
"Well, how has the north been treating you?" Her mother asked.
"It was a strange place when I first came, but it has its charm,"
Her mother nodded "I see the north has treated you well Rhaenys, I am happy to see you wed to a man that will love you."
Rhaenys soon left her mother who wanted to go talk to Lord Stark. She went to see her s, Arianne. Arianne had been pudgy; she had prayed to the gods for beauty and now apparently the gods have answered her call.
"Arianne, it's good to see you!" Rhaenys said cheerfully as she entered her room. She had missed her cousin and her wit. Though she had exchanged letters throughout the years, they had longed to meet each other once more.
"Rhaenys! I don't see how you can live in this freezing wasteland! It's so bloody cold!" Arianne said as she settled into her room, "I have to wear all those thick furs and can't wear any of my dornish dresses!"
"Dornish dresses were not built for this weather, well you call this place a frozen wasteland but many consider Dorne a scorched wasteland, I suppose the North and Dorne have more in common than I thought," Rhaenys replied.
"Pfft, how can you live here? Your furs are half as thick as mine!" Arianne exclaimed.
"I suppose my dragon blood keeps my warm," Rhaenys said "And ten years here made me got used to here,"
"You practically are a Northerner now aren't you?" Arianne jested "You even worship their gods!"
"Their gods feel more godly than those of the Seven." Rhaenys replied, "Don't worry I know my roots."
"Your roots in Dorne? Are you still a maiden?" Arianne asked cheekily Why does everyone ask me this?
"I am Arianne," She said while rolling her eyes.
Arianne gave her a feigned shocked look and said amused "Oh dear my cousin has become a prudish Northmen."
She recognised the tone of her voice and replied: "How many?"
"How many what?" Arianne replied innocently. She raised her eyebrows and Arianne laughed replying "Oh I don't know, I lost count. Your betrothed has such a pretty face, especially for a prudish Northerner. I would try and seduce him if he was not your betrothed,"
"I see you have been using your newfound beauty to find...fun," She replied. Arianne had written to her when she was fourteen that she had bedded her first men, in the time between then and now, she couldn't imagine how many men Arianne had taken to bed.
"You should be using your beauty! Even I pale in comparison to your beauty. I am pretty sure half of Winterfell lusts after you…" Rhaenys snorted, Arianne wasn't even wrong.
"I am to be married and bedded on the moon's turn," Rhaenys replied, she found the thought of bedding Jon to be rather amusing. Jon could not even stare at her for long before he started to blush and stammer.
"A month?I suppose you waited for years that a month is nothing." Arianne before she said softly "My father is anxious for the marriage to be done. He says the longer we wait, the more likely the Lannisters or Baratheons will call for your head."
She snorted, she knew that the Lannisters feared that she was a threat to the Crown prince, a boy called Joffrey. "If they do, the Starks hold their honour close to them, they will go to war and so would Dorne. The North is protected by Moat Cailin and Dorne the Prince's pass. The Lannisters will bleed themselves trying to break through. I don't want the throne anyway, little good it has done to those who sat on it."
"You don't want the throne?" Arianne asked, surprise clear in her voice "It's your birthright!"
"It is, but I don't want it. It would be horrible, Robert can have it. He isn't mad like Aerys which is a good thing I suppose, he and his descendants can seat and rot their soul away on the cursed Iron throne." She replied
"You are content with being just a lady when you could be Queen?" Arianne asked her.
"I rather be a lady I suppose. The Iron Throne has harmed the people who sat on it more than it helped. I would not sit on that cursed chair." Rhaenys replied, Ashara had told her how horrible it was at King's Landing. Schemers and plotters everywhere. No doubt a queen would have the deal with all of that.
Arianne nodded "I suppose that makes sense, I am betrothed to Cletus Yornwood. We will be wed soon, he will be Prince-consort."
"Oh! Congratulations I suppose," Rhaenys replied, she was not exactly sure how Arianne would respond to marriage as she has always been more like her uncle, Oberyn than her father.
"Well he is rather handsome and is a good friend of my brother, Quentyn," Arianne replied. The match between House Martell and Yornwood did make sense. The Yornwood were the Martells most powerful bannermen. They were not loyal like the Manderlys were to the Starks. They had fought against the Martells in three of the five Blackfyre rebellions.
"It's a good political match," Rhaenys replied "I hope you find happiness in your marriage,"
"I hope you find happiness is yours to cousin," Arianne replied with a smile on her face.
The Martells stayed in the great keep of Winterfell, she supposed due to how warm the castle was thanks to the hot springs. Arianne spent most of her time reading in Winterfell's library or with Rhaenys mother. She did not stay in the cold weather for long. Oberyn spent a lot of his time at the practice yard with Jon,Ser Jamie. Oberyn however disappeared a lot of the time, leaving the castle to wander the North.
Her mother constantly helped with the arrangements of the wedding alongside Ashara. Benjen, Jon's uncle also helped a lot in the wedding preparation. Hunting parties were sent out to gather food, fish had been sent from white harbour. Sansa helped in the wedding plans, helping sew up banners of her new house. Arya grew frustrated that she could not do anything and so Rhaenys decided to take time off to help her in archery.
As the date of the wedding drew closer, the Northern lords began to arrive. Maege Mormont and her heir, Dacey, were the first followed by Ser Wylis and Ser Wendel Manderly of White Harbour. The Hornwoods were next, Halys Hornwood of Hornwood was next. The Tallharts of Torren square with Helman Tallhart and his son, Benfred, were shortly followed by the Dustin's with Ser William Dustin and his wife, Lady Dustin. Next were the Karstarks with Rickard Karstark and his daughter, Alys Karstark. The Umbers of Last Hearth and Glovers of Deepwood Motte arrived with Greatjon Umber and Galbart Glover.The Locke's and Flint's followed. The Northern Lords were unique among the seven kingdoms. While other lords would hide behind false smiles and scheme. The Northern Lords were a proud stubborn bunch who would argue for hours with their loud proud voices. She had quickly learned that being blunt and honest was crucial when dealing with a Northern lord.
The Lords when they arrived each of them had their own goals, she knew the Karstarks were there to try and get Alys to marry the heir, Robb. The Manderlys were aiming for a match with either Sansa with Wendel Manderly or marry Wynafrad Manderly to Robb or Bran. Yet all of them were here to take stock of Jon and her. Their house would be sworn directly to the Starks and their likely influence with Dorne and potential Targaryen sympathies would make them a great ally. Greatjon umber was loud and boisterous yet Rhaenys could tell he kept a close eye on her. The Manderlys were more discreet in their approach, trying to find an opportunity to give White Harbour great trading relations. The Glovers would spend hours with her and Jon, trying to take stock of them. The strangest one was Ser William Dustin who would give her strange looks.
She felt that she would need to impress the Northern Lords, thus she proposed to Jon to meet them the same way Jaehaerys the First would during his mother's wedding . Jon had accepted and he declared that any Northern Lord who wished to meet him were free to do so. Naturally many came, while she would often respond to the Northern Lords with enthusiasm and honesty, Jon would respond more cooly and bluntly. Jon remarked that she had great wit once, thanking her for her help. Within a few meetings, Rhaenys felt that they had impressed the Northern Lords.
The wedding drew closer as Winterfell became more and more crowded. Yet to her surprise, Ser Arthur had left Winterfell shortly after her family arrived. When she told Oberyn that, he laughed and replied "The Northerners loved Lyanna Stark, he will not have an easy time here with so many of them. He feels that we have not forgiven him over his part in the kidnapping of Lyanna Stark which shamed your mother. He has ran away like a coward most likely."
Yet she did not feel it was the case. Ser Arthur had bore the brunt of insults before in Winterfell, him fleeing did not make sense. When Rhaenys asked his sister, Ashara replied that he had urgent matters.
She continued sparring with Jon more often with Ser Jamie, an ever-present companion who drilled the both of them endlessly. With Ser Arthur gone, he sparred more often with her. Jon improved daily and she could no longer beat him in a duel much to her frustration. He learned to counter me rather quickly. Arya and Oberyn would join them with Jon and Rhaenys herself enjoying tutoring her, with so many Northerners, Lady Stark did not say anything and Arya was even happier that she did not need to do as much embroidering. Oberyn, however, was annoying to both Rhaenys and Jon. He constantly teased them which made her annoyed and Jon stutter and blush which annoyed her. We have known each other for so long, while he can handle himself with the Northern Lords with me yet he stutters when Oberyn teases him about me. I will have to put a stop to that.
Even Ser Jaime noticed and would also tease Jon endlessly about it. He even told her "Your betrothed is a good lad, but seems unable to interact with women." Rhaenys had laughed and replied
"If he acts like that one more time I might actually have to knock some sense into him."
"Oh dear, I would like to see that! The fierce dragon girl knocking sense into him!" Jamie japed. "It's not sense he lacks, he is just to shy around women"
Rhaenys snorted "The only women he isn't shy around is Arya and sometimes Sansa but they are his sisters, I am not his sister!"
She expected Jamie to laugh or jape as he always does yet Jaime strangely seemed lost in thought for a moment, his face had a distant look before he grimaced. What's the matter with him? "Maybe you want to talk to him and figure out why he is acting like that. He never had much chance to interact with women after all."
"I will, or I fear the wedding will be a torture,"
A few days before Rhaenys' wedding, after she finished sparring with Jon late in the night in the godswood. Ser Jamie had teased him again on her. Jon had once again blushed and stammered and tried desperately to change the topic. Rhaenys had rolled her eyes again. When they were done, she dismissed Ser Jamie who left with a smirk on his face.
"Follow me, Jon," Rhaenys said as she led him to a weirwood tree. Jon had confusion and some apprehension on his face.
"What is it Rhaenys?" Jon asked.
"Could you stop blushing and stuttering whenever someone teases you about me. You seem unable to act normally if I am in your presence! What's the matter with you?" Rhaenys asked with frustration in her voice
Jon seemed to flinch a little before looming at the dirt, he seemed lost in thought for a moment then he replied..
"I cannot..., I don't understand. You are a Princess from a three-hundred-year-old dynasty of Kings, queens and Dragonriders. I am a bastard, born probably from a whore. Yet you seem open to the marriage! I also don't know how to please you, Rhaenys. You are just going to be married to me and you will no longer be a Princess, it just feels...wrong. I didn't mean to make you unhappy…" Didn't we go through this nonsense a while ago?
Rhaenys rolled her eyes and replied "Didn't I yell at you a while ago not to give me the I am a bastard horseshit? You have worked hard on Sea Dragon Point, that pleases me very much. If you want to make me happy, stop acting like a shy boy every time I am mentioned! Or just averting my eyes everytime I look at you! My mother, uncle and Ser Jaime praise you so for the old gods' sake please act like Jon Whitefyre not whatever you are now!" She kicked a bunch of snow at him "Do you understand?"
Jon was silent before he nodded "I know. It's just... I just don't want to make you think I am lustfully boy like Theon. I don't want to stare at you too long and make you think all I want to do is… I promise you Rhaenys, I will do everything I can to make you happy."Rhaenys smiled. I look forward to our time in Sea Dragon Point.
"Promise me Jon, we will be equals in this relationship, I will not dominate you and will not dominate me. Is that understood?" When Jon replied "I swear it by the Old Gods," She continued "And everyone stares at me Jon, it would be odd if my husband doesn't even stare at me. I know I am beautiful Jon, but you're not some ugly freak, you look even more handsome than your brother,"
Jon looked surprised and Rhaenys rolled her eyes. He still doubts himself.
"Jon, can we promise each other something?" Rhaenys asked "After we are wedded and bedded, I want there to be no secrets among us, we will hide nothing from each other. I want us to trust each other"
Jon was silent for a moment before responding "I swear I will never lie to you."
"And I swear I will never lie to you too," Rhaenys said.
"I suppose now it's time we head back to the castle. The last thing I want is Ser Jamie to rush in thinking I am taking advantage of you" Jon said and they collected their tourney swords.
"Pfft, let Jamie think whatever he wants." Rhaenys replied "We are to be wed soon, it does not matter,"
"It does not matter? That's dishonourable! I will never do such things to you!" Jon replied in shock.
Rhaenys burst out laughing before replying "Honour means less the more you go south. I do appreciate your self-control, Jon."
Jon laughed to her pleasant surprise. I think he is less shy now. "I must admit Rhaenys I do like your spirit,"
"My spirit? Well, I am sure you will enjoy the years in Sea Dragon Point" Rhaenys replied with a smile on her face.
"Rhaenys, I hope in time you can love me. I will strive to be the best husband that I can be" Jon said earnestly. While she did not love Jon, she admitted that she rather liked him and hoped love will follow.
"You promise?"
"I do"
With that statement, Rhaenys felt a strange desire to kiss him, she felt herself lean forward and kissed him full on the lips.Jon was frozen for a second before he responded, kissing her fiercely and with passion. She felt something stir inside her, something she never felt before and it felt good. They would have kissed for a long while if not for the coughing sound of someone nearby.
She spun around and saw Ser Jamie with a smile on his face which made Jon confused.
"Excuse me, Princess, I need to vomit," Jamie japed as he pretended to vomit. Jon looked slightly embarrassed but Rhaenys laughed.
Jon
Finally, the day had arrived. His name and his wedding day. The day he was to be wed and become a Lord. He had looked forward to this day for years yet as he woke up, he was extremely nervous. He feared what would have happened if he messed up or something horrible happened.
The weather was rather sunny as he got dressed. He wore full black with the exception of his blue cloak. He had woken up extremely early for the day and had been unable to sleep the whole night. Finally, it was time and he left his room and headed to the Great hall.
With his hard racing, he entered the great hall. The banners of the Northern houses were everywhere. The Mermen of the Manderlys, the Glover's iron fist, the Karstarks sunburst and many others, among them, stood proudly the direwolf of House Stark. Yet a large banner had been added, one displayed prominently, the two-headed ice-dragon of his house, House Whitefyre.
All the Northern lords were there and looked on. Jon had interacted with all of them. With his betrothed help, he had talked to most of them. Greatjon Umber had said at the end of the meeting "The Stark blood flows strong in you". Most of them looked on with curiosity and even some with approval. I think Rhaenys and I charmed them.
Among them, he spotted Rhaenys who smiled at him brightly which made his heart flutter slightly. He still remembered the kiss they shared at the godswoods, the memory or it still lingered in his mind. Ser Jaime looked on with a smile on his face while his uncle smiled at him reassuringly. The Martells were also there, Arianne was talking to her uncle when he walked by and she gave him a small smile. Elia gave him a warm smile while Oberyn gave him a genuine smile, something he rarely saw.
He moved towards Winterfell's throne, his eyes found Robb, who smiled at him, he returned the smile to him, Arya who was grinning at him. Sansa gave a small smile, Bran also smiled at him while Rickon was silent. Lady Stark looked at him with a neutral expression. She did dare not give me cold eyes in front of so many people.
Finally, his father, Eddard Stark stood up and said in a voice normally reserved for addressing his bannermen
"Ser Jon Snow, Do you swear to protect your land and your people against any threat that might wish to cause them harm?" His father asked.
"I swear it."
"Do you swear to be fair to your vassals, to only ask of them what they can offer, and protect them and their families from enemies and famine?"
"I swear it.
"Do you pledge your loyalty to House Stark, to the Warden of the North, to serve as our bannermen and come to our aid whenever called upon?"
"My sword is yours, my loyalty is yours, now and to the rest of time.I swear it by the Old gods and the New gods"
"Do you swear fealty to your King, Robert of the House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm?" The person who wants my wife dead
"I swear it."
"Now arise, Lord Jon of House Whitefyre, Lord of Sea Dragon Point and the stony shore,"
There was a round of applause as everyone in the great hall started clapping. Soon everyone started offering his congratulations to him.
"Congrats brother! You are now a lord! I do need to call you Lord now, Lord Whitefyre this, Lord Whitefyre that!" Robb exclaimed as he slapped Jon on his back.
"Don't, just call me Jon" He replied with a smile.
The congratulations lasted for a long period of time as different Lords came to offer their congratulations. Lord Manderly said he was looking forward to a long time of relations with him. Lord Umber hit him on the back and congratulated Jon, saying that he looked forward to having him as a neighbour. Lord Dustin shook his hand saying he would make a great lord. One after the other they offered their congratulations.
Eventually, there was a short lunch. Rhaenys had gone to eat with her family and he did with his own. Lunch was mostly filled with Robb congratulating him, making japes on him. Then, he had to get ready for the wedding. Unlike weddings in the south, weddings in the North were relatively simple.
They had waited till the sun began to set. The Northern lords were gathered in the godswood of Winterfell. They waited patiently and so did Jon. The Martells were also waiting there wearing thick furs. His father smiled at him as he approached the godswood and waited. Jon felt his heart raced as he waited.
Finally, Rhaenys appeared, she wore a long white wedding dress with hints of red and blue. It has a rather shallow neckline and her back and shoulders were somewhat exposed. She looked like out of a dream, he had never seen her so beautiful. She was escorted by her mother, Elia Martell. They walked towards the Weirwood tree while Jon waited.
Finally, when they reached the weirwood,
"Who comes before the old gods tonight?" Jon said with all the confidence he could muster.
Elia answered "Rhaenys of House Targaryen comes here to be wed. A woman grown and flowered, trueborn and noble, she comes here to beg the blessings of the gods. Who comes to claim her?"
Jon stepped forward "Me" he said "Jon of House Whitfyre, Lord of Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore. I claim her. Who gives her"
"Elia of House Martell and Targaryen, who is her mother," Elia Martell said She identified as a Targaryen and a Martell. She was a Targaryen after she married Rhaegar I suppose. "Princess Rhaenys, will you take this man?"
Rhaenys raised her eyes and met his. Her purple eyes looked straight at his and she smiled.
"I take this man," She answered confidently.
Elia stepped back and Jon took Rhaenys hands and knelt before the heart tree, bowing their heads in submission to the old gods. He closed his eyes and prayed for a good marriage and for Sea Dragon Point and the Stony shore to be prosperous. Rhaenys also closed her eyes and prayed silently.
Finally, they rose once more. Jon silently undid the cloak Rhaenys wore. A black and red cloak that bore the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen. In its place, he fastened the two-headed ice dragon of House Whitefyre. The ice dragon stood there, strong and proud. Then he stepped back, the wedding ceremony was over.
As custom dictated, he tried to gently scoop up Rhaenys who giggled slightly as he did so. Then. He carried her towards Winterfell's Great hall, where the feast was at. His father and his wife, Catelyn Stark followed, they were followed by Elia and then Oberyn and his uncle, Benjen.
The feast was loud and as crowded as Jon had ever seen it. Men sat crammed knee to knee on the benches, so tightly packed the servants had to squeeze between them. The knights and lords enjoyed less space than usual. Oberyn Martell and Greatjon Umber were yelling at each other no doubt something small and petty. Knowing Oberyn, he was doing it to amuse himself and the Greatjon was likely doing it to defend his honour.
The musicians that the Martells and Manderlys had brought were playing their music loudly, much to Sansa's delight. "The bear and the maiden fair" and "Jenny of Oldstones" played loudly and so many times.
Along the walls the banners hung, the mailed fist of the Glover, the sunburst of the Karstarks, the mermen of the Manderlys, the moose of the Hornwoods. The banner of the Stark was prominent among them all. Yet behind Jon and Rhaenys hung the two-headed ice dragon of House Whitefyre and the three-headed red dragon of House Targaryen.
He sat at the right side of his father, a high place of honour. To his right sat Rhaenys who seemed to be enjoying the feast. Jon ate and drank little, he was too nervous to eat much and feared drinking too much could make him drunk.
"Are you happy Rhaenys?" He asked in apprehension
Rhaenys gave an unladylike snort "I should be asking you that question, ever since this feast started, you have had your brooding face. You have barely touched your food!" She noticed me, I told her I would be less nervous around her.
"I am fine," Was all he could manage, he was extremely nervous, anxious about what was to come after the feast.
Rhaenys was about to reply when Eddard Stark got to his feet. "My loyal bannermen and friends from House Martell," A hush swept throughout the hall. My father can command men's attention. "Today marks the day the Pact of Ice and Fire is restored. The North and the Targaryens have fought against each other but those responsible are long gone! I urge you to welcome this new house among you, the sins of the father do not pass down to his children."
Then, Greatjon Umber got to his feet, yelling "House Umber has always stood with House Stark. I have seen the Targaryen girl for myself. She is a true Northerner, she follows the old gods and fights like a Mormont! The proud Stag and his child murdering lion allies have tried dishonouring House Stark but the North remembers! The boy is a bastard but yet feels every inch his father," That's..very high praise "If the Lannisters or Baratheons feel the need to call for her head! The North stands with her, Lord and Lady Whitfyre are now one of us!"
"Hear!Hear!" Galbert Glover yelled, "The North welcomes House Whitefyre!"
Oberyn Martell got to his feet, a drink in his hand "House Martell has always owed the Starks a debt! After Lord Eddard Stark saved my sister and my niece from the Lannister's mad dog and dwas the only one who defended her! We owe the Starks more now, they have raised a castle for my niece who is supposed to be dishonoured with this marriage! Yet her supposedly bastard husband saved my sister's life from sellswords in Dorne! We owe House Whitefyre and the Starks a debt and I wish my niece and her husband a long and prosperous marriage."
Jon bowed his head in thanks while Rhaenys smiled at him "Cheer up Jon, don't look so glum. Everyone is praising us,"
Jon smiled back "They are also praising you,"
"Do I look so glum? You could smile more often, anyone would be grinning if they got a chance to be married to a Targaryen. Smile" Rhaenys hit him on the back playfully.
"Not Robert Baratheon," Jon said than smiled "I am not Robert though, I shall smile more often for you my lady wife,"
"That's more like it," Rhaenys replied.
The feast went on for hours, stews and grilled meat was served. The wedding guest began to give their gifts. Uncle Benjen was the first to give, giving a beautiful weirwood longbow. The longbow was beautiful and expertly made, equipped with a back quiver made of bleached white leather and a dozen weirwood arrows that were tipped with obsidian heads.
"I hear the Princess loves Archery, this is House Starstarks gift to House Whitefyre," Benjen said with a smile. After thanking Benjen, the next came Greatjon Umber who gave them a longsword. Rickard Karstark gave them a heavy battle-axe, Ser Wylis and Ser Wendel Manderly walked up to them and gave them a large silver chalice with ingrained golden dragons from volantis. Ser William Dustin gave them two large warehouses which he said "Princess, your father was a great jouster and for you Lord Whitefyre your uncle, Brandon and...aunt, Lyanna were half centaurs, I am sure you two will be great riders,"
Soon gifts began to pile up, Oberyn Martell gave Rhaenys a long spear which glimmered brilliantly and gave him a set of armour, "Armour fit for a knight, use it to protect my niece as you protected her mother,". Yet his father stayed silent, simply observing. Ser Arthur had disappeared the entire wedding, he's always so close to me and Rhaenys yet he is gone for our wedding...
Finally, just when all the different Lords had come and gave their gifts, Ser Arthur burst into the hall, carrying something wrapped in cloth. When he reached the high table, he removed the cloth, revealing a long sword that glimmered beautifully yet had an edge to it. The metal was not any castle forged steel he had only seen it before in one sword, Ice.
"Is that…?" He asked while in the corner of his eye he saw his father's eyes widen.
"Valyrian Steel, that is dark sister Lord and Lady Whitefyre. Maester Aemon Targaryen at the wall wrote to be asked to give me to you, as this house will be the house in which House Targaryen remnant will be; this house, he wishes to pass the sword there." Dark sister was thin and long with an edge to it.
"It's beautiful.."Rhaenys said in awe. "The blade is for us?"
"Us?" Jon asked in confusion " I am not a Targaryen, the sword is yours Rhaenys"
"It is for your House, Maester Aemon was quite insistent on it," Ser Arthur replied.
"The sword is for House Whitefyre Jon not House Targaryen," Rhaenys replied "Thank you, Ser Arthur, for your troubles,"
"It is my pleasure," Ser Arthur replied before bowing and went to sit down.
"The sword is yours Rhaenys, the sword is a Targaryen heirloom, it is not mine," He reaffirmed. I cannot take Rhaenys family's sword.
"Jon, the sword is House Whitefyre. The sword is ours, not mine or yours." Rhaenys said. Jon was about to reply when his father interrupted.
"Jon, Rhaenys, I need to give you my gifts but it has to be...discreet," His father said in a mysterious tone. What gift could that be?
Rhaenys
Rhaenys and Jon followed Ned Stark as he let them pass the great hall. Certain lords looked at them with mild curiosity as they were leaving despite the feast still going on. Ned Stark led them out of the great hall and towards the old keep and the crypts of Winterfell.Ned Stark silently lit a torch and guided both of them down and down the steps, to the deepest part of the crypts.
The crypts were quiet and eyrie, she had read how the spirits of dead Starks roamed the crypts, being inside it made her almost believe it. The statues of dead Starks with their iron longswords on their lap.
Yet, Ned Stark led them as they descended more and more downwards, down towards the deepest part of the crypts. What gift does Ned Stark have inside these crypts that he cannot present to us in the open?
They continued to descend for a rather long time until they seemed to reach the bottom of the spiral staircase. Ned Stark produced a shining key with a metal that looked like the same steel which made up Dark Sister.
"That's Valyrian steel," Rhaenys said.
Ned Stark simply nodded his head as he opened the lock of the room. The heavy iron doors groaned as the doors opened. Ned Stark walked into the room, using his torch to light a few candles on the wall. Rhaenys observed the room was rather small, with a few boxes. Ned Stark walked towards the centre and brought a large box towards them. He opened the lid slowly, revealing two egg-like objects, only they were huge and despite the dark, shone beautifully.
"Jon and Rhaenys, this is my wedding gift to you, Dragon eggs from Jacaerys Velaryon when he visited Winterfell during the Dance of the Dragons. The eons have turned them to stone but they are still beautiful. You can see why I have to bring you to such a place to give you this." Ned Stark said as he held his torch over the eggs.
"Dragon eggs," She said in awe "Winterfell has dragon eggs, if Robert knew…"
"Robert never knew, I didn't even know until I found this key in my father's chambers all those years ago. I had found these two eggs. I had no idea what to do with them and decided it was only right the last Targaryens had them." Ned said Targaryens? There's more than one Targaryen in Westeros, me
"I am the only Targaryen in Westeros Lord Stark, I am no longer a Targaryen." She replied, Ned Stark looked uncomfortable for a second but he simply replied: "I apologise, I misspoke."
She found his reactions confusing but she did not spend her time dwelling on them. Instead, she looked at the dragon eggs, the first egg was blood red in colour with Amber and gold streaks across it. The second was a silvery blue in colour with purple and amber swirls. They felt like something out of this world, she picked up the red egg, it was rather heavy, it felt like carrying a block of stone, she handled it delicately, fearing if she dropped it.
"Father, I am not a Targaryen," Jon said quietly
"Your house sigil has a two-headed ice dragon, there two eggs here and there are two of you. One egg for each of you," Ned Stark said. "You should get back to the feast, Me and Benjen will help you carry them to your chambers."
"Father, we can do it, you are the Lord of Winterfell, the gift is ours, we should carry it," Jon said as she continued holding the egg, looking at every inch of the egg and its beauty.
"If you are seen carrying a large wooden box to your chambers, everyone would wonder what is in it and know it is your gift. If one busybody finds out, we could be in trouble. Let me carry it." Ned Stark said.
Jon looked he was about to protest but Rhaenys quickly said, "Thank you,"
Ned Stark nodded and Rhaenys put the eggs back into the box. Then, they followed Ned Stark as he brought them out of the crypts and back into the great hall. Ned Stark upon arriving in the hall gave Benjen a look and he quickly left the hall.
The great hall was booming when they got back, they resumed the feast and soon more and more food flowed. Rhaenys drank and ate but was careful not to overeat or get drunk, she knew some of the Lords were still watching them. It was best not to get drunk, her mother looked happy throughout the entire wedding while Oberyn looked bored as it progressed.
Dishes after dishes were served, a thick Venison Stew, roasted pork with corn, bread served in a thin vegetable, smoked fish with mussels and clams, rabbit soup and a fruit pie filled with wild berries.
"You look beautiful today Rhaenys," Jon said halfway through the meal.
"That came out of nowhere, was that something that you just realised?"She teased.
Jon laughed and replied "No, I wanted to say that throughout the feast but didn't know when. I suppose I just say it now."
"Well thank you, Jon, you look rather handsome today," Rhaenys replied which made Jon blush slightly. As the rabbit and vegetable soup was served, Ned Stark and his brother returned. The gifts had been presented and toast after toast had been served. By the time the fruit pie was served, half the wedding guests were drunk.
As they were working on the fruit pies stuffed with wild berries. Someone she swore was Theon shouted, "It's time for the bedding!"
Normally, in the North, the bedding ceremony was not part of a wedding in the North. The bride and groom were usually left alone to be in their chambers. But no doubt Ned Stark and her mother knew the wedding must be consummated, it was the best way to keep her out of danger. Only when it was consummated was the Targaryen name dead in Westrose. Jon had protested when he was told about it but Ned Stark and her mother had been adamant it was the best way to prove that the marriage had been consummated. She had not been pleased by it, the idea of being stripped down and bundled up into bed by a bunch of strangers did not appeal to her but she knew this day would come and she simply accepted it.
The call for bedding seemed to make all the drunk guests sober again. Jon beside her seemed to have paled slightly "If I catch whoever said that he would be the first victim of Dark Sister in nearly a decade," He said darkly.
"It was going to happen anyway," She replied simply "Try not to do anything stupid, will you? My uncle will keep me safe. See you in our chambers."
"Bedding! It's time for the bedding!" Someone shouted as different Lords and Ladies stood up and rushed towards the high table. Her mother flashed her a reassuring smile while Oberyn rushed forward. If anyone touches me, I am sure that man's body will be cold by tomorrow morning. Ned Stark gave her a look of concern but she gave him a small smile, he nodded simply and smiled back.
"Alright, lads! Let's give them a proper bedding!" Greatjon Umber yelled.
Oberyn ran towards her and told her darkly before she was swarmed "If anyone touches you in a way you dislike, tell me who he is and I will make sure he cannot sire any children,"
The Northerners ran towards her and carried her up. They carried her out of the Great Hall and towards the Great Keep. Rhaenys and Jon's chamber were located on the second floor and had been recently converted for this purpose. As they carried her up the stairwell, she felt hands begin undoing the laces of her wedding dress. It was not before long the dress fell off her, then her bodice fell off in quick succession. She was in her small clothes and she felt hands roaming over her and undoing her small clothes.
"Enough! Just carry my niece to her chambers," Oberyn said in a quiet but harsh tone. Even in the North, Oberyn's reputation was well known and none of the Northern Lords wanted to incur the red viper's wrath just so they could remove all her clothing. She was then carried to her chambers and left onto the bed, Oberyn quickly took the beds blanket and threw it over her to cover herself up. Truthfully, she did not mind, they had already stripped her of all her clothes and her small clothes were so loose that she was as well naked.
"I will now chase the men away, enjoy your night Rhaenys,I will see you in the morning!" Oberyn said cheerfully and went to yell at the men who carried her to leave the room.
Jon arrived a few moments later and was fully naked, the women threw him onto the bed giggling and laughing.
"Out!" Oberyn yelled and the women immediately left the room. Oberyn yelled at the two of them "Enjoy the night!" He laughed and shut the door.
"Rhaenys...I" Jon said slowly as he sat on the bed, unsure of himself "You are so beautiful, I…"
"Am I the first woman you will bed?" She asked, somewhat amused as she unlaced her small clothes, leaving both of them naked
When Jon nodded and said "I would not father a bastard," she laughed, most men would start bedding women before their marriage. Apparently Jon would not, she was unsurprised, many of the Starks were a grim lot and were honourable, not prone to bedding every woman they fancied. The exception were the wild Starks like Brandon Stark, yet Ned Stark was one of the most honourable men she met. Which made Jon's mother such a mystery. Rhaenys felt her eyes wander over Jon, Jon's body was well-muscled and slender. Rhaenys curiosity got the better of her and she looked and Jon's manhood for a second, she had seen other man's manhood before, mostly in the Water Gardens in Dorne but not so close and personal.
"Rhaenys…."Jon muttered shyly as he looked away from her. She groaned internally to herself.
"Let's make a deal Jon," Rhaenys said "When we are together, alone. We can look at each without any shame. We can say anything to each other and touch each other if you wish. We are a pair now."
Jon hesitated before nodding "Okay," said slowly.
. "Do you know this works?" Rhaenys asked. He should, if he doesn't tonight might become even more awkward.
Jon's face became redder "I do."
"Good," Rhaenys said. She started off by rolling over to kiss him, trying to provoke Jon lust. . To her surprise, Jon did not resist and kissed back fiercely. She rolled on top of him, she noticed Jon's eyes widened a bit but she ignored it. She could feel his stiff manhood.
She slowly glided his manhood in between her legs, she was surprised at their wetness as Jon entered her. Jon moaned softly while they continued kissing. Rhaenys felt the same thing she felt at the godswood a few days ago but if that felt so small, so insignificant to what she was feeling now. She felt like a full-blown dragon had awakened inside her. She felt Jon's manhood enter her and she moaned involuntarily. She yelped in pain when Jon's manhood went in deeper but the pain was soon replaced by pleasure she never felt before.
Jon seemed to have noticed his pain "Rhaenys, are you okay? Do you want me to stop?" He asked anxiously. Stop? I want to be like this for the rest of my life.
"Don't you fucking dare stop," She replied breathlessly.
Jon did not stop.
Jon
The sun brilliantly shone through the windows as Jon opened his eyes. Rhaenys slept peacefully next to her, fully naked, her face looked so calm and peaceful. Jon remembered last night, when the two had consummated. I am a bastard and I bedded a Princess. A voice whispered in his head. Yet there had been no voice inside his head, no doubts. All he remembered was the passion in her eyes when she had laid on top of him. She enjoyed it as much as I did. Jon had never felt something like that, he seemed to have lost all sense of time than. It had felt good, too good and Rhaenys must have felt the same. I am a bastard. A voice whispered Not anymore. Another whispered.
Rhaenys seemed to stir and she opened her eyes. She smiled "Good morning Jon,"
"Good morning " He replied tentatively as she rolled around on her bed. He looked away from her body, it still felt wrong to look.
Rhaenys gave him a lazy smile as he rolled on the bed under the furs. "Did you enjoy it? Last night?"
Jon felt himself blush "I did." He admitted.
Rhaenys gave a grin "So did I.A lot more than I thought I would."
Then Rhaenys climbed out of bed. Rhaenys had an olive-skinned body when she came to the North but the time here had made her body a lighter shade of brown. Jon averted her naked body as she threw the windows open, letting the cold morning air into the room.
"You like the cold morning air?"Jon asked as Rhaenys climbed back into their bed.
"No, but the cold air makes it feel warmer under the blankets," Rhaenys replied as she slit back under the blanket. "You can look at me Jon, I thought we agreed on this?" Rhaenys moved her body under the warm furs closer to Jon. "Or am I not beautiful enough?"
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met," Jon admitted. Their eyes met for a second, her violet eyes against his as his. Jon felt his manhood stiffen. I want her, I want her like how I had her last night…
Rhaenys smiled at him as her hands under the fur ran over his body. "Your cock backs your word up." Rhaenys jested as she ran a hand over his manhood. Jon felt himself turn slightly red. Jon cursed his own body.
"I can't control that Rhaenys… I'm sorry."
Rhaenys giggled, "You can't,". Jon was aware of Rhaenys hands on him and Jon could not help but tentatively do the same for her. I want her. Rhaenys eyes held something then, it was daring Jon. Jon moved his face and brought their heads in for a kiss. Their lips met and Rhaenys did not resist at all. Jon could not help then, the kiss grew stronger and more passionate. Jon had never kissed anyone but Rhaenys before, his actions began to feel like instinct. Finally, for a brief second, they broke apart.
"Do it," Rhaenys commanded huskily and Jon did not even have to be told. Their lips and tongues met as Jon rolled on top of her, he forced himself to carefully enter her so as to not hurt Rhaenys. Rhaenys released a moan into his ear. "Finally," Rhaenys mumbled in between their kisses as pleasure exploded.
By the time they were finished again, both of them were left sprawling on the bed with the cold morning air washing over them. "We have to go" He said "We need to get out of bed. The lords are expecting us!"
Rhaenys giggled "Do we have to Jon? I could stay here the whole day."
Jon stared back at her and fought the urge to just take her again then and there. He climbed out of bed and began to dress for the day. Rhaenys groaned in agony "Can't we get out of bed late? It's our wedding, they will understand," They will understand we have been fucking the whole time instead of meeting them.
"We cannot Rhaenys, we have to go," He replied firmly and Rhaenys got out of bed and grabbed a thin bedrobe from her closet. "You go first Jon, I need a bath." He simply nodded and put on his cloak and left the room. He knew it would raise eyebrows if they did not appear together for breakfast and thus Jon decided to check on the dragon eggs. The gifts had been brought to their chambers but the eggs had been put in Rhaenys chambers. He opened the door of her chamber and closed it behind him.
He inspected the dragon eggs. The first one was the first egg was blood red in colour with Amber and gold streaks across it. The second was a silvery blue in colour with purple and amber swirls.
They are beautiful. He grabbed the silvery blue egg in awe, looking over every inch of the egg. He felt something inside the egg, like a creature inside. I must be imagining things, the eggs have long been fossilised. The egg felt cold and hot at the same time. He looked at the egg, nothing had changed but yet he kept feeling something. Something is odd. Jon decided to put the egg down and leave it as it was. He went back to his chambers and began gathering his belongings as they were to move to Sea Dragon Point.
After a while, Rhaenys was done and together, they left the great keep and headed towards the Great hall where breakfast was served. He decided to ask Rhaenys later to see if she felt the same about the eggs. They entered the hall together to find most of the guests were there. His father was there along with his wife, Robb smirked at him when he entered which he rolled his eyes to. Arya grinned at him, Sansa smiled while Bran was in a conversation with Ser Wendel Manderly. Oberyn was laughing with Greatjon Umber, when Jon and Rhaenys arrived Oberyn gave him the biggest smirk he had ever seen.
They settled to eat at one of the high benches. Oberyn was the first to walk over to them. Grabbing a jug of ale, he sat down next to them and smirked.
"Ah, how was it last night broody boy? I am sad that there weren't screams, I did wish there were, that would have made things more interesting." Jon felt himself blush count on Oberyn to tease me. Rhaenys rolled her eyes "Mind your business uncle"
"Oh no. Did Jon please you yesterday? I fear he is a green boy, not one to make maidens scream like I can…" Oberyn replied in his usual arrogant voice.
"Uncle…" Rhaenys deadpanned. "Leave us alone if you only want to talk about sex"
Oberyn laughed before asking "You are prepared to travel to Sea Dragon Point? Your mother was awfully insistent on travelling there but it's even more North than here. I fear in her health she cannot take it,"
Elia Martell had grown sick over the years, the trauma during the sack had also not helped. While Elia was mentally strong, her physical health could not be helped and being in such an unfamiliar climate did more harm than good.
"Is she travelling to Sea Dragon Point?" Rhaenys asked in concern "I hope not! She has to be wrapped up in furs over here, Sea Dragon Point is even colder!"
"Thank goodness Doran and I persuaded her, she will leave soon once you depart for Sea Dragon Point." Oberyn replied, "Which is in a few days?"
"It is" Jon replied.
"Ah, I see," Oberyn said and he left the table.
The dag when by as usual. Arya had begged him once again to teach her on how to use a sword which he obliged. Rhaenys has said she wanted to take care of matters pertaining to their departure. Jon taught Arya how to use a sword for the better part of a day. Then, Lady Stark had appeared and told Arya to go back to her lessons, Jon had let Arya go.
He spent the rest of the day sparring with Ser Jamie, Ser Arthur and the different guests who came to Winterfell. He had debated for a long time if he was to fight at his best but in the end, he decided not to, he would put up a good fight but he would rather not embarrass them. He sparred with Ser Wendel Manderly who he let win despite that, Ser Wendel was a good fighter. Yet when he practised with Ser Arthur Dayne, he gave it his all. Yet he lost again, as always.
"Damnit Ser Arthur, I always lose," Jon grumbled after laying on his back again.
"Don't complain, Jon, get up. You will beat me one day, you have a Valyrian steel sword now, don't embarrass yourself with it." Ser Arthur said as he picked Jon up again.
Jon never figured out why Ser Arthur always paid so much attention to him. While he was technically one of the knights in Winterfell to train new soldiers, he spent lots of time on Jon. Jon knew how Ser Arthur came here, once the deadliest of Aerys Targaryen's kingsguard and the sword of the morning, Ser Arthur had revealed the location of Lyanna Stark to Ned Stark which allowed him a pardon. His father had taken him Winterfell as a hostage of sorts but he never felt like one as he was free to move around the North. He suspected he wanted to make him a worthy husband of Rhaenys, the daughter of the man it was said he was close to. Jon never asked Arthur Dayne about his pass and he suspected he did not want to say either.
He got up, gripping his tourney sword. He moved forward to attack, yet Ser Arthur blocked every hit and within a few minutes, Jon was laying in the snow again
"You are attacking too rashly. Watch where I am attacking, analyse your opponent." Ser Arthur chided, Jon grumbled in frustration.
"That's what I did," Ser Arthur picked him up and replied.
"Yes you did that but once I started attacking, you lost focus and did not use your brains anymore." Ser Arthur said as Jon gripped his tourney blade again.
"I know, but you attack too fast and I can't predict your attacks," When Ser Arthur attacked him, his attacks were lightning fast and were a blur, Jon could only barely hold him off for a few minutes before he would end up on the ground.
"Watch closely Jon, you are improving. Soon you will be one of the best swordsmen in Westeros if you continue at this rate." Ser Arthur said with a smile. Then Jon continued training until the sky went dark, then they left the godswood together, Jon finally plucked up the courage and asked Ser Arthur.
"Ser Arthur, why do you pay me so much attention? You spent so much of your time on me. I thought the sword of the morning would spend time training the heir to Winterfell, not his bastard brother," Jon asked. Ser Arthur stopped and there was longing and sadness in his eyes. He looked at Jon for a long while, before he shook his head and answered.
"Aren't you now a Lord? I train you because I saw so much potential in you. Ned Stark's children will get so much attention but you will not. So I decided to help you." Ser Arthur replied but Jon knew there was something he was not telling him. Ser Arthur seemed to have noticed and sighed. "Rhaegar Targaryen was my best friend. He was the perfect prince, he was beautiful, was intelligent, great with arms and one of the best jousters in all seven kingdoms. I thought I knew him, but some madness inflicted him when he lay eyes on your Aunt, Lyanna Stark. I thought it was something to do with his father."
"The mad king," Jon said quietly.
"And mad he was. Aerys was a horrible person, he burned thousands with wildfire. He raped Rhaella, his wife. In front of the whole court, he said Rhaenys smelled dornish. Worst of all was when Tywin Lannister turned his cloak and sacked the city Aerys wanted the city burned to the very ground. Thank the gods Ser Jamie put a stop to that. I suppose the madness from Aerys affected Rhaegar in some way towards the end." Ser Arthur shook his head sadly "I liked you as I saw you grew up here, you had lots of potential in many things. You were to marry my best friend's daughter and I took it upon myself that you would be able to defend and be good to her. Which I now know you would be"
Jon had suspected all of that and the confirmation of that did not really affect anything yet the way Ser Arthur said it was like he was hiding something. But he knew better than to continuously question him. Yet he decided to ask one last question "Ser Arthur you were with my father when he travelled through Dorne and up to Winterfell. Do you know who my mother was? I heard rumours.." That your sister was my mother.
Jon knew that likely wasn't true having asked Lady Ashara all those years ago, yet Ser Arthur seemed to freeze, his eyes were filled with frustration, anger, sadness and guilt. He knows.
"I don't"
"You do, please Ser Arthur even if she was a whore. I just need to know." Jon pleaded, he just wanted to know who she was. The question had haunted him for years and he was so close to getting an answer.
Ser Arthur's face was twisted in guilt and frustration but he replied in a sad tone "You are very observant. I do, but the truth is for Ned Stark to tell."
With that, Ser Arthur said simply in a voice raw with emotion "Let's get back to the great keep."
They walked back to the great keep in silence, passing by the training yard which was empty by the end of the day. Jon walked back into his chambers, passing by his sisters sewing. He entered his and Rhaenys chambers, to find Rhaenys clutching one of the dragon eggs.
"Hello Jon, how was your day?" She noticed his expression and asked in a concerned tone "What happened."
"I asked Ser Arthur about my mother" He replied dejectedly. "He knew who she was but he didn't say who,"
"Oh…" Rhaenys said "Jon come," She said gesturing to the dragon eggs. "Do you feel anything inside the eggs?"
Jon touched the blood-red egg Rhaenys was holding "They are warm" He said. How can a stone be warm? "It cannot be, the eggs are fossilised!"
Rhaenys also looked slightly confused. "I felt the same too! The blood-red egg is very warm, the silvery blue is more..strange, it's cold and hot at the same time," That's what I felt.
" The eggs are stone Rhaenys," He said more to himself. If they are not stone, we could be in serious trouble.
"I know, it's just that it feels so.."
"Alive?" Jon finished and Rhaenys grinned and nodded her head. "Perhaps eggs are like this, we could ask someone else to feel the eggs too, but we cannot trust anyone with the knowledge of it…."
"We can trust Robb," Jon quickly replied.
"Robb? Sure but he is too close to Theon for my liking. If he tells Theon, it's only a matter of time before half of Westeros knows we have dragon eggs."
Jon didn't like keeping things from Robb but he accepted Rhaenys logic. Theon and Robb were as close as he was to Robb and Theon could not be trusted to keep his mouth shut especially when he was whoring.
"Are you ready for tomorrow? We will leave for Sea Dragon Point tomorrow." Jon asked.
"Oh I am more than ready!" Rhaenys replied enthusiastically "I want to see every inch of the castle,"
"I hope it will please you,"
"Oh, I am sure it will, with all the work you and your uncle put in," Rhaenys smiled at him. "I look forward to seeing the castle in its full glory."
Notes:
I have never written smut before so please be kind to me on it. I have been really busy these few weeks though I will try and upload twice a week, II am really unsure on some plot decisions in this chapter so any feedback is welcome. I would like to mention that while Show! Jon is an idiot post-S4/5, Book! Jon is far better than Ned and Robb when it comes to politics which you can see some here in this chapter. Really hope you enjoyed it! I would love your feedback as they really help motivate me to write more. This chapter is the longest yet so I am considering if I should release the next chapter tomorrow.