I promise this will be the last chapter I write about music, but I just love this song so much and wanted it to be part of this story.
Full moon
As the last of the guests departed from Winterfell, Sansa found herself with more time to focus on the pressing matters of the kingdom. The quietness of the castle allowed her to concentrate on her duties as a queen and gave her the space to think deeply about the various challenges that lay ahead.
She spent her days attending to courtly matters, hearing petitions, and overseeing the training of the new soldiers that had recently joined her ranks. She also took the time to catch up with the lords and ladies of the North, making sure that they were satisfied with her rule and addressing any concerns they may have had.
Sansa's mind was still consumed with thoughts of Gwayne Massey, but she tried her best to push them aside and concentrate on her responsibilities. It was difficult, however, as memories of their passionate dance and the almost-kiss they shared continued to haunt her.
Despite her efforts to focus on ruling, Sansa found her thoughts often drifting towards Gwayne and the desire she felt for him. She wondered if he too was thinking about her and if they would ever be able to explore their feelings for each other.
As Sansa walked through the gardens of Winterfell, she couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and hope as she saw the bright greens and colourful flowers that had sprung up seemingly overnight. Spring had arrived with a sudden burst of warmth and life that was unusual for this time of year.
It was a welcome change from the harsh, cold winter that had just passed, but it also brought back memories of another spring, one that was tinged with sadness and grief. Sansa thought of Margaery Tyrell, the woman who had been her friend and ally, who had been so full of life and joy.
She couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as she thought of Margaery. Spring was her favorite season, and she always looked forward to the blooming of the flowers and the singing of the birds. Sansa remembered how Margaery used to twirl around in the gardens, her long hair flowing behind her as she laughed and danced.
But now, Margaery was gone, and Sansa was left to rule alone. She missed her friend dearly, and often found herself thinking of her in quiet moments.
Despite the sadness that lingered in her heart, Sansa was grateful for the arrival of spring. The warmer weather meant that the people of the North could begin planting crops and preparing for the coming harvest. It was a time of new beginnings and fresh starts, and Sansa hoped that the new season would bring good fortune to her people.
As the days went by, the snow melted away and the landscape began to transform. The once frozen streams and rivers began to flow once more, and the animals of the forest emerged from their winter hideaways. Sansa could hear the distant sound of a wolf pack howling in the night, and it made her smile to know that nature was returning to its natural state.
With the arrival of spring, Sansa found herself feeling more hopeful and optimistic than she had in a long time. She knew that there were challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them head on. She would rule with kindness and compassion, and do everything in her power to ensure the safety and well-being of her people.
Sansa found herself longing for any reason to be near Gwayne Massey. She would find herself daydreaming of their moments together during the feast, wishing for more of those moments. She longed to spend more time with him, but she knew she had to be cautious. After all, She was the Queen, and he was one of her vassals; She couldn't let her feelings for him get in the way of her duties.
But despite her best efforts, she found herself seeking out opportunities to be near him. She would linger in the hallways, hoping to run into him. She would ask him to attend council meetings, even when she knew it wasn't necessary, she would invite him to her chambers to discuss matters of state, and then find herself struggling to focus on anything but his presence.
Sansa knew it was dangerous, but she couldn't help it. Gwayne Massey had a way of making her feel alive and free. He listened to her when she spoke, and he understood her in a way that no one else did. He made her laugh, and he challenged her to be her best self. She found herself drawn to him, wanting to be near him, to touch him, to kiss him.
But she couldn't. She was the Queen, and he was her vassal. She couldn't let her feelings get in the way of her duties. So, she tried to bury her feelings, to ignore the ache in her heart when he wasn't near. She focused on her duties, on ruling her kingdom, on being the Queen she needed to be.
Gwayne couldn't get Sansa out of his mind. He found himself thinking of her at all hours of the day, marvelling not just at her beauty, but also her determination, dedication, and sharp intellect. He admired the way she ruled her kingdom with a steady hand, always putting her people first.
Every time he was around her, he felt like he was in a dream. He cherished every moment they spent together, no matter how small. He found himself longing for her company, for the sound of her voice, and the way she looked at him with those piercing blue eyes.
Whenever he was away from her, Gwayne found himself constantly yearning for her company. He would seek out excuses to be near her, whether it was attending a council meeting or simply walking through the gardens where he knew she liked to spend her afternoons. And when he was in her presence, he relished every moment, savouring every word that passed between them and committing every detail of her smile to memory.
But despite his growing affection for her, Gwayne was careful not to push too hard. He knew that Sansa was a queen, with responsibilities and obligations that went far beyond their blossoming friendship. He also knew that she had been through more than her fair share of heartbreak, and he didn't want to be the cause of any more pain for her.
As Gwayne mustered up the courage to speak with Sansa about his feelings, he found her sitting in her study perched over thick tomes and books. Taking a deep breath, he approached her and cleared his throat.
"Sansa, there is something I must tell you. I have come to care for you deeply, and I can no longer keep these feelings to myself," he said, his voice steady but laced with emotion.
Sansa's heart skipped a beat as she turned to face him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Gwayne, I... I don't know what to say," she stammered, caught off guard by his sudden confession.
"I understand if you cannot reciprocate my feelings, but I had to let you know how much I admire you. Your strength, your wisdom, your beauty... they have all captured my heart," he continued, his eyes locked onto hers.
Sansa felt her cheeks flush as she listened to Gwayne's words. She had known for some time now that her own feelings for him were growing stronger, but the idea of acting on them was daunting. She took a deep breath and met his gaze.
"Gwayne, I... I feel the same way," she said softly, a small smile forming on her lips. "But we must be careful. We are both rulers of our own lands, and any alliance between us could be seen as a threat to others. We must keep our courtship discreet, at least for now."
Gwayne nodded, understanding the weight of Sansa's words. "Of course, Sansa. I would never want to cause any harm to you or your people. But I cannot deny my feelings for you any longer. I hope that we can find a way to make this work, despite the challenges that may arise."
Sansa smiled at him, her heart full of hope and longing. "I believe we can, Gwayne. With a little bit of patience and determination, we can overcome anything that comes our way."
As Gwayne finishes speaking, there is a moment of silence before Sansa takes a step towards him. She looks up into his eyes, searching for something, and then suddenly she throws her arms around him in a tight embrace. Gwayne is taken aback at first, but then he wraps his arms around her, holding her tightly as if he never wants to let go.
They stand there for what feels like an eternity, holding each other tightly, feeling the beating of each other's hearts. Sansa can't believe she is feeling this way, and she doesn't want the moment to end. She feels safe and warm in his arms, like nothing in the world could harm her.
Gwayne, for his part, is overwhelmed with emotion. He had been holding back his feelings for Sansa for so long, and now that he has finally confessed them, he feels like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. He holds her tightly, feeling the softness of her hair against his cheek, breathing in the scent of her perfume.
After what feels like an eternity, they finally pull away from each other, but they still stand close, looking into each other's eyes. Sansa feels a sense of calm and happiness wash over her, knowing that she can finally be honest with herself and with Gwayne.
"I never thought I could feel this way again," she says softly, breaking the silence. "But you make me feel alive."
Gwayne smiles at her, his eyes sparkling. "I will do everything in my power to make you happy, Sansa," he says, his voice filled with sincerity.
Sansa nods, a small smile spreading across her face. "I believe you will, Gwayne," she says. "I believe you will."
As they pull back from their embrace, Gwayne looks deeply into Sansa's eyes and sees the same desire he feels reflected at him. They both know they have been dancing around their feelings for far too long. Gwayne takes a step closer to her, cupping her face with one hand, and leans in to place a soft kiss on her lips.
The touch of their lips is tantalizing, igniting a fire within them both. They part for a moment, looking into each other's eyes once more, and then they embrace again, this time with an intensity born of their shared passion. Their arms wrap tightly around each other, and they pull each other closer, lost in the moment.
Sansa can feel the heat of Gwayne's body against hers, and she feels a longing within her, she's never known before. She's always been the proper Lady of Winterfell, but with Gwayne, she feels free to let her guard down and be herself. As they hold each other, she realizes that she wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with him.
For Gwayne, holding Sansa in his arms feels like coming home. He's been drawn to her from the moment they met, but now that they've kissed, he knows that he can never let her go. He feels a deep sense of gratitude and admiration for the strong and capable woman in his arms, and he knows that together, they could achieve great things.
Eventually, they break apart, both a little breathless, but with huge smiles on their faces. Gwayne takes Sansa's hand and leads her outside to the gardens, where they walk hand in hand, enjoying the sunshine and each other's company.
For the first time in a long time, Sansa feels truly happy and content. She knows there will be challenges ahead, but with Gwayne by her side, she feels ready to face whatever comes their way.
As they part ways, Gwayne looks back at Sansa with a soft smile on his face. "Meet me in the gardens after our evening meal, Sansa," he says, "I have something I would like to share with you."
Sansa's heart skips a beat at the thought of spending more time with him, and she nods eagerly. "Of course, Gwayne. I look forward to it," she replies.
As she sits down for the meal that evening, Sansa can barely contain her excitement, knowing that she will soon be with Gwayne again. After the meal, she quickly excuses herself and makes her way to the gardens, her heart pounding in her chest.
As she approaches the gardens, she sees Gwayne sitting on a bench, his harp resting on his lap. He looks up at her with a warm smile and stands to greet her.
As Sansa enters the garden, she sees Gwayne sitting on a bench with a harp in his lap. She approaches him with a curious expression.
"Good evening, Gwayne," she greets him.
"Good evening, Sansa," he replies, patting the space next to him on the bench. "Please, have a seat."
"Sansa, I'm so glad you could make it," he says, taking her hand and leading her to the bench. "I've been practising an old song that I would like to share with you."
Sansa sits down next to him and looks at the harp in his lap. "Is that yours?"
Gwayne nods. "Yes, it is. I used to play it a lot when I was younger, but I haven't touched it in years."
"Why not?" Sansa asks, genuinely curious.
Gwayne sighs. "Life got in the way, I suppose. I had to focus on supporting my father and the family. But after the tourney of singers, I realized how much I missed it. So I asked the minstrel 'The Last Unicorn' for some help, and he taught me an old song I think you'll like."
Sansa smiles. "I'm sure I will. I didn't know you played the harp."
"It's been a while, but I hope I still remember how to play it," Gwayne says, chuckling nervously.
Sansa takes his hand. "I'm sure you'll be wonderful."
Gwayne takes a deep breath and starts to play a soft melody. His fingers move nimbly over the strings, and soon, the garden is filled with beautiful music. As Gwayne began to play the harp, Sansa's heart began to flutter. She had always loved music, and there was something incredibly romantic about a man playing an instrument for her.
Close your eyes and trust in me
Together we'll fly across the sea
I'm so desperate for your love
It's like my blood's been drained enough
The day has vanished without a trace
As you undress and light up my space
You're my evening woman, with roots and fur
And my eyes widen when the moon occurs
The trees grow lush in the springtime,
No need to be lonely in this clime,
As you bask in the gentle light,
I hold you close all through the night.
All through the night as the moonlight glows,
We'll dance under its silvery throws,
Your white dress on the ground below,
As we hold each other, letting love flow.
Come, come, come and trust in me,
Together we'll cross the vast, open sea,
With you by my side, my heart's complete,
And in your arms, I'll find my retreat.
Despite a few mistakes, Gwayne played with a passion that was infectious. Sansa could see the joy in his eyes as he played, and she couldn't help but smile.
As he finished the song, Gwayne looked up at Sansa with a nervous smile. "I know it's not perfect, but I wanted to play something for you. I hope you liked it."
Sansa couldn't help but laugh. "Gwayne, I loved it! You don't have to be perfect for me to enjoy your music. The fact that you took the time to learn this song and play it for me means more than anything."
Gwayne's face lit up with happiness at her words. "I'm glad you liked it, Sansa. I just wanted to do something special for you."
The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, listening to the sounds of the garden around them. Without thinking, Sansa slips her hand into Gwayne's and he responds by wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
They stand there for a moment, lost in their own world, until Gwayne leans down and whispers into her ear, "I love you, Sansa."
She feels her heart skip a beat at his words, and she looks up at him with tears in her eyes. "I love you too, Gwayne," she whispers back, before reaching up to kiss him tenderly on the lips.
As they continue to gaze at each other, the moon casts a soft glow over the gardens. Gwayne reaches out to brush a strand of hair behind Sansa's ear and she leans into his touch. They both feel a strong desire to be closer to each other, to express their feelings in a physical way.
Gwayne's hand moves from Sansa's hair down to her cheek, and she closes her eyes as he leans in to kiss her. Their lips meet in a gentle and chaste kiss, but it is full of longing and passion. As they pull away, they both open their eyes and look at each other, feeling a deep connection.
They kiss again, this time more eagerly, and Sansa's arms wrap around Gwayne's neck. He pulls her closer, his hands on her waist, and they lose themselves in the moment. The kiss is slow and tender, but it is also intense and filled with desire. They both know that they have found something special in each other.
As they finally pull away, they look into each other's eyes, both feeling overwhelmed by the emotions they have just shared. They both know that they have taken a step forward in their relationship, and they are excited to see where it will take them.
"I must retire to my chambers," Sansa said, her voice soft and breathless.
"Yes, of course," Gwayne replied, his hand still resting on her waist. "But before we part ways, I have to say, Sansa, tonight has been wonderful. I've dreamed of being able to play for you and share my feelings with you for so long."
"I feel the same way, Gwayne," Sansa said, her eyes shining with joy. "I never thought I could feel this way again, but with you, it's as if my heart has been reborn."
Gwayne's hand moved up to cup her cheek. "I promise to cherish your heart, Sansa. I will do everything in my power to make you happy and keep you safe."
"I know you will," Sansa said, her hand covering his on her cheek. "I trust you with all that I am."
They shared one more tender kiss before parting ways for the night, both filled with an intense joy and hope for what the future might hold.
I will start picking up the pace of the plot a bit for this story, also there is some lemony mature/explicit goodness on the horizon.