A boys night out, a surprise guest or two, special wedding gifts, a wedding and the planning of a bedding.
Jon
"You want to do what?" Jon looked at the two women incredulously.
"We give him what he wants. A bedding." Sansa clasped her hands in front of her. Jon recognised she was being protective of herself, yet she was agreeable to the idea.
"Aye, I heard you the first time." Jon snapped. "Our wedding night is meant to be private."
"Not for kings and Queens." Sansa reminded him.
"I wasn't born into that type of world." Jon began to pace up and down in front of the hearth.
"The only surviving son of the crown prince..." Sansa started. "You are more highborn than anyone else in Westeros. You most certainly were born into this type of world."
"Dead crown prince. The Targaryen's were conquered." Jon reminded her.
"But the Baratheons took the throne using Robert's Targaryen bloodline as a reason for him to be King. You were still in his line of succession. You are next in line to the Iron Throne after Tommen." Margaery nodded. "You are the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms."
"Tell me you want this. Even then I won't believe you." Jon stopped pacing.
"Not particularly no. But it's either that or the Dragon Queen. Unless you want to marry her, then go ahead. Relinquish your crown and marry her." Sansa snapped.
"Your grace, Lord Tyrion is going to find any loophole to annul the marriage. It seems the Dragon Queen has her eyes set on you. She will use any means possible, blackmail, a marriage alliance to save lives. The may even threaten Sansa." the made Jon stand up and listen. " And considering your upbringing, it would be expected for you both to have issues consummating the marriage."
Margaery told him, and Jon couldn't deny the truth. According to Sansa, Daenerys had set her sights on him before.
"She might not even want me when she meets me." Jon knew it was a futile argument, but he had to try.
"Pardon me for being forward your grace." Margaery took a deep breath and looked to Sansa before speaking. "To your credit, you are not a vain man. However, that means you might not see you how others see you. I specifically mean women and ladies. You are a most handsome man who would command the attention of most ladies, from queens to smallfolk. I have heard how the women of the north speak of you, although it is not for the most delicate of ears." she blushed.
"Of course they see me like that, I'm a King." Jon shook his head.
"Trust me your grace, the Dragon Queen will be more than interested in you. King or not, you attract the attention of most women." Margaery insisted.
Jon sat down and put his head in his hands. Sansa and Margaery were sat on her bed, like wolves cornering their prey. "This is not fair on Sansa. And how can we be certain that we can... you know." he felt uncomfortable having this conversation, especially in front of Margaery. He couldn't even understand why she was involved.
"I understand your concerns your grace." Jon was confused what Margaery was speaking instead of Sansa. "I have experienced three royal marriages. One couldn't be consummated as the King had a greater interest in..." she looked down with shame. "He preferred the company of my brother for intimate pleasure." Jon looked to Sansa who simply nodded. "Nothing would have helped. My second husband died before we even had the chance. My third husband was too young for us to have a bedding. The decision was made on the day. He was willing, and so was I. I even prepared myself for it. But Cersei wouldn't let it happen. Not that I blame her, I wouldn't either." she sighed.
"Where is this going?" Jon raised an eyebrow.
"As I said, I prepared myself for a public bedding. You see, in Highgarden we have a love tonic. It is to help people consummate marriages, specifically for those who do not wish to perform the act in public." Margaery told them.
"I've never heard of this." Jon frowned.
"Of course you haven't. We don't exactly tell the rest of Westeros of our special tonic. Gods, can you imagine the harm that could be done with something like this?" Margaery gave a terrified look. "It will ensure you are both capable of performing the act."
"Why didn't Renly use it?" Sansa asked.
"It is used as a last resort, and would have of been little use." Margaery explained. "You will not be able to conceive until after your next moon blood. So if the only issue is not being able to perform in the presence of others, then it will be perfect. If you try using it to produce an heir, then it is of no help. The tonic helps with pleasure whilst preventing pregnancy."
"Useful in whorehouses." Jon sighed.
"And expensive. So no it is not used in whorehouse. Only highborn ladies of Highgarden are allowed to use it or give it to friends." she smiled.
"Do you have enough with you?" Sansa asked.
Margaery nodded. "There is enough for one more bedding. Not enough for me to use if my next marriage required one."
"No northern marriage would require any consummation witness. Even if it did, there are ways around it." Sansa agreed. "Would you be prepared to let us use the tonic you have left in return for your own privacy when it comes to your next wedding, should there be one?" Jon couldn't believe they were even considering this stupid course of action. Jon had wanted their wedding night to be beautiful and special, now it was being turned into a mummers farce.
"I would be honoured." Margaery gave a coy smile, and Jon wanted to pull his hair out.
"We'll have to pick the witnesses carefully." Sansa said in a matter-of-fact voice. "Of course, you'll need to be there, to make sure nothing goes wrong with the tonic. We also have Lord Tyrion. But what about the third person?"
"It will need to be someone who is detached from you, when it comes to those matters." Margaery warned. "The tonic can make you act... passionately. It is probably best a woman, to make things easier for the Queen and harder for Lord Tyrion."
"She needs to be the Lady of her house." Sansa agreed. "That leaves us a choice between Lyanna Mormont, Lady Karstark and Lady Dustin."
"I think Lady Mormont and Lady Karstark are not of the right age to be witnessing such an act. It requires someone with experience." Margaery said, as if Jon wasn't there. He just wanted the ground to swallow him up.
"Lady Dustin it is." Sansa nodded.
"I'll leave you two ladies to finalise the details, while I go and organise my last night as a man with dignity." Jon huffed, leaving to go and find Ser Davos.
"Your grace." Margaery stopped him. Jon turned around. "I know you wanted your first night together to be private. Just because your first time together will be public, it doesn't mean it needs to ruin the rest of the evening."
"What are you suggesting?" Jon sighed.
"The amount of tonic I have left should last around twelve hours for you both, maybe more. The night need not be ruined by Lord Tyrion and his desire to discredit your marriage. The tonic is my wedding gift, I suggest you enjoy it." she smirked. Jon said nothing, instead he left, slamming the door behind him, although internally he was intrigued by the effects of the tonic.
Jon and Sansa had made up the night before Margaery returned from Castle Cerwyn. However, part of their plan was that they would continue to appear angry with one another. By putting on a passionate show during their bedding, despite being angry with each other, would provide proof to Tyrion that their bond was far stronger anyone had than imagined; and the Dragon Queen didn't stand a chance with him. This was more than just a political match, it was a union borne out of a mixture of fondness and lust.
The night before the wedding, Jon, Ser Davos, Pod, Edd, Dickon and Tyrion were in the Winter Town Inn, and Jon was getting very drunk.
"I don't envy you." Ser Davos said. "A public bedding."
"It is necessary." Tyrion sighed. "They were raised as siblings, nobody will believe the marriage is real unless there is proof. And there are only proof is a bedding."
"I think its perverted, watching two people fuck." Edd shrugged. "Not that Jon is a stranger to public fucking. After all he did live with the Freefolk."
"Do they really fuck in front of each other?" Tyrion genuinely interested.
"Aye." Jon nodded, taking a large swig of ale. "What choice do they have?"
"He fucked his wildling lover in front of them. Tormund told us about it. Said it kept them awake all night, the way she used to scream his name. Ooh Jon..." Edd japed, in a fake womanly voice.
"I'm surprised she agreed to it." Tyrion shrugged.
"It's because her grace loves him." Podrick told them. Jon had insisted nobody was allowed to refer to him in any royal of kingly manner for the evening. Tonight he was simply Jon Snow. "She'll do anything to make sure no other woman can touch him, even if it means losing her dignity."
"Pod, when did you become so wise to the hearts of women?" Tyrion asked.
"When he fucked a brothel full of whores who didn't want to be paid he was that good." came a voice from behind. Jon turned around and saw an unfamiliar man wearing black. His hair was dark and greasy.
"Bronn!" Tyrion grinned. "What are you doing here?"
"I've come to see the King in the North. Any idea where I can find him?" the man called Bronn asked. Jon screwed his face up.
"Him!" Edd pointed to Jon.
Bronn bowed. "Your grace. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater."
"Not tonight. I'm Jon Snow and enjoying my last night as a single man." Jon told him. "And what can I do for you...Ser Bronn?"
"I've been sent by Ser Jaime Lannister to offer his best wishes for your marriage to Queen Sansa." Bronn smirked, suddenly putting Jon on edge. He put his hand to Longclaw, although he knew he was too drunk to be of much use. But between him, Ser Davos, Dickon and Pod, in their drunken state; he was sure they could take him on.
"Is that just from my brother or is my sister sending her good wishes too?" Tyrion asked.
"Nah, your sister went one step too far when she blew up the Sept of Baelor. Ser Jaime will be here in a sennight, he wants nothing to do with Cersei. He's come to swear fealty of the Lannister forces to Queen Sansa and King Jon, or is it King Aegon? Although mainly Queen Sansa."
"Looks like those Seven Kingdoms your Dragon Queen wants to conquer is getting smaller by the day." Edd japed. "By the time your done, you'll the King of the Seven Kingdoms and the Freefolk without stepping a foot outside of Winterfell."
Tyrion looked at Bronn in shock. "Why would he align with Jon and Sansa instead of his brother?"
Bronn ignored Tyrion's question. "Can I join you?" he didn't wait for an answer. Instead he sat, picked up a spare tankard and filled it with ale.
"How many men does he have?" Ser Davos asked.
"About twenty thousand camped out at Moat Cailin. No fucker is going to get north of the Lannister army." Bronn told them.
"If Jaime comes to Winterfell, who is in charge of the Lannister army?" Tyrion asked.
"Genna Frey." Bronn replied. "She's pissed off with you though." he nodded to Tyrion. "You killed her favourite brother. Jaime is pissed at Cersei for causing Tommen's death. He knows Queen Sansa tried to save the lad. You've now got the largest army in Westeros, that's if I'm right in thinking you've got the Reach on your side." he looked to Dickon, who lowered his eyes.
And hopefully three dragons, Jon kept that thought to himself. "I don't want it." he complained.
"Good. Finally a King who knows how to rule but doesn't want the power. Maybe Westeros might do better with you as King." Bronn grinned. "So what were we talking about before I arrived?"
"What it's like to fuck in front of other people. It seems our King here is an expert in the matter?"
Tyrion laughed. "He lived with the wildlings."
"The King fucking his sister cousin. Now that's something I'd pay to see." Bronn grinned as Jon nearly choked on his ale. Bronn turned to Tyrion. "Although your brother and Lady Brienne, now that would draw an audience."
"Do not speak of my Lady like that!" Pod warned.
Bronn began to examine his fingernails. "Remember the last time we met Pod? How many times..." he suddenly slapped Pod around the head. Jon sat bolt upright, his hand back on Longclaw. "See, no point in defending against someone who would kill you..." he stopped as well as the entire inn, which fell silent. Ghost made his way to Pod and sat down next to him before baring his teeth towards Bronn. "Good doggy." Bronn swallowed as Ghost snarled and Pod grinned, gingerly stroking Ghost in a show of strength. "Alright, maybe I'd best save my money for the Winter Town brothel. I have it on good authority that it is an entertaining place." Ghost backed down and laid down next to Jon's feet, bringing a sense of comfort to the group.
The rest of the evening was full of japes and mirth, although Jon ended up very drunk. Bronn ended up at the Winter Town brothel, along with Edd, which surprised Jon, but he couldn't blame him. By the end of the night, Dickon, Pod and Ser Davos had to almost carry him back to the castle. Jon was just grateful Sansa and Margaery were having a girls night and he was sleeping alone. He was too drunk and the chances of vomiting were too high, to spend with Sansa.
The afternoon before the wedding, a very hungover Jon sat on the stump in the godswood next to the tree. He had suddenly felt an urge to talk to Bran, wanting his consent to marry his sister. Bran had told him to place his hand on the tree, which he did, hoping he wasn't going to go back into some strange past again. Closing his eyes, he placed his hand on the trunk. Suddenly he was on Bear island, standing in the clearing of their godswood. Bran stood in front of him.
"You were expecting me?" Jon looked at his brother in shock. "You can walk."
Bran smiled. "Of course I was expecting you. When I am the three-eyed-raven I can walk like anyone else."
"Why did I suddenly feel the urge to see you?"
"Because I willed it." Bran replied. "There is something you must do. But you have to believe me, you cannot be afraid. If you are to beat both fire and ice, the sword needs to be awakened. Wear Dark Sister for your wedding. Take it to the bedding chamber. Sansa will help you with your task. Do not fear it. You must be together as one. Take the paste with you to the chamber, it will keep you both from harm. You'll know what to do with it when the time comes."
Jon was scared. "What is it you ask of me?"
"I ask you to marry my sister as is foretold. You will be bonded for life. You are the son of ice and fire. Only you can restore the balance". Suddenly Bran looked more like the younger brother he once was. "Look after her. She needs you and you need her. Bran Stark loves you both and wants you to be happy."
Suddenly Jon was back in the Godswood, alone except for Ghost who was sat by his side, nudging his hand, the conversation with Bran had confused him. The only thing he could do was wear Dark Sister and see what happened later.
By the following evening, Jon had recovered from the horrendous hangover, incurred by the drinking games Bronn had introduced them to. It had eventually turned out to be an entertaining evening, once the conversation turned away from the wedding, the bedding and Daenerys. Bronn was quite a fun man to be around, although Pod did warn Jon not to trust him. The man was a cut throat who worked for the highest bidder. Bronn might have been there on Ser Jaime's orders, but if Cersei sent him an offer of more money, they'd all be dead in their sleep. Deep down, Jon suspected Bronn was a betting man and had decided Jon had the best chance of keeping him wealthy.
To ensure Jon and Sansa's marriage would be valid in the south, they had decided to wed in the Godswood firstly following a typical wedding in the style of the Old Gods, then they would marry in the style of the Seven. They had even discussed including a Targaryen ritual, but neither Jon nor Sansa were in favour of cutting the palm of their hands. The last few days had been difficult, them both having to pretend to be angry with one another, he was glad that after tonight, things would return to normal.
Jon stood in front of the weirwood with Edd and Ser Davos by his side; his heart was racing, although he had no idea why. All he had to do was say a few words and place a cloak over Sansa's shoulders. Yet he was as nervous as a green boy. The Godswood was full of Lords and Ladies from the north, and all over the Seven Kingdoms. Jon wore a double sided cloak, one side was black featured the red three headed dragon sigil of house Targaryen, on the other side, the cloak was grey with a white direwolf which had red eyes, which was his Stark sigil. The clasp was an exquisite piece of silverwork, with a dragon on one side and a direwolf on the other. Sansa had worked hard on this cloak, which had incorporated original Targaryen embroidery patterns, which she'd found from the clothes sent from Dragonstone. Jon knew he would not only keep this cloak to his dying day, but it would be passed down the generations to ensure the family history would be remembered. Inside the cloak, he had the paste which was to be included into the ceremony. As per Bran's request, instead of Longclaw, he had Dark Sister strapped to his waist.
The crowd silenced, Jon knew Sansa had arrived. He faced forward, not wanting to see her until she was right next to him. Due to the lack of family, Lord Royce was the one to escort her to him, although Tyrion had argued it was his right as her ex husband. Jon had over-ruled him; Tyrion had already gotten too much of his own way for Jon to offer any benevolence towards him.
When Sansa was finally stood next to him, Jon's jaw nearly dropped through the ground, for she looked far more beautiful than he could have ever imagined possible. The gown was a pale silver grey taffeta, with tiny burgundy Targaryen sigils brocade along the bottom of the dress. The outer layer was a white voile which had intricately embroidered snowflakes and white direwolves sewn into it. Her maiden cloak was off silver with a white wolf pattern embroidered into it, and an ermine fur collar. Sansa's hair was mostly loose, with a crown of blue roses on her head, in a nod to Jon's mother; they also made her blue eyes shine even brighter. Her cheeks were pink from the cold and she'd added a touch of make-up to her lips and eyes, although in truth she didn't need it.
"Who comes before the Old Gods this night?" Septon Walfred called out.
"Sansa of the House Stark. Queen of the North. She comes here to be wed." Lord Royce called out.
"A woman grown, trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessings of the gods."
"Who comes to claim her?" the Septon asked.
Jon stepped forward. "Aegon of the House Targaryen, First of Name, King in the North."
"Who gives her?" Septon Walfred asked.
"Bronze Yohn of House House Royce, Lord Protector of the Vale."
"Queen Sansa, will you take this man?" Septon Walfred asked as Jon and Sansa faced one another.
"l take this man." Sansa nodded.
Jon and Sansa knelt beside the tree for a few moments and prayed to the old gods. The tree rustled in the wind as if acknowledging their union. After a moment of silent prayer, Jon and Sansa opened their eyes and Jon produced the pot of paste. They both removed their gloves and placed their index finger into the pot, drawing out a small amount of paste. Sansa placed her finger in Jon's mouth and wiped the paste onto his tongue, then Jon did the same to her. The paste initially tasted metallic, like blood. But when he closed his mouth and stood up, it began to taste just like summerwine. They returned to their feet. As they were combining the ceremonies, the cloaking would take place in the fashion of the Faith of the Seven. The ceremony for the old gods was over, next it was for the Faith of the Seven, despite not being in a Sept.
Jon and Sansa turned towards Septon Walfred. "You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection." he said, as Jon removed Sansa's cloak, handing it to Lord Royce. Then Jon unclipped the silver direwolf and dragon clasp of his own cloak and turned it inside out, where it was emblazoned with a white direwolf of House Stark which he placed upon Sansa's shoulders.
"My lords, my ladies, we stand here in the sight of gods and men to witness the union of man and wife. One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever." Septon Walfred announced quietly. "In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity." he unravelled held a thick grey silk ribbon. Jon held out his right hand and Sansa held her left next to his. Septon Walfred tied the ribbon around their hands. "Look upon each other and say the words"
Jon turned to face Sansa, who did the same."Father smith warrior mother maiden crone stranger I am hers and she is mine from this day until the end of my days."
"Father smith warrior mother maiden crone stranger I am his and he is mine from this day until the end of my days." Sansa said at the same time.
"I challenge any man or woman to speak against this marriage." Septon Walfred called out, a resounding silence echoed throughout the woods.
"Let is be known that Sansa of House Stark and Aegon of House Targaryen are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder." the Septon closed his speech.
"With this kiss, I pledge my love and take you for my lord and husband ." Sansa said.
Jon and Sansa turned to one another. "With this kiss, I pledge my love and take you for my lady and wife." Jon stared at her, still in awe of how beautiful she looked. He placed a chaste kiss upon her lips, wishing it could be more.
After the marriage came the crowning ceremony. Jon hadn't seen the crowns as Sansa had been in charge of the design. The crowns were brought forward on two cushions, his slightly larger than hers, but other than that identical. They were silver bands which housed three square rubies and three square pieces of dragonglass. On top of the band were two silver direwolves facing each other. Sansa had told Jon these were the coronation crowns, their daily ones would be far more simple. Once done with, these crowns would be put away for the next coronation. The crown was placed upon Jon's head by Septon Walfred.
"Do you, Aegon of House Targaryen, vow to protect to govern the peoples of the North, the Vale, The Riverlands and to any future lands to which you may preside over; according to their respective laws and customs?" Septon Walfred asked.
"I solemnly promise so to do." Jon replied.
Septon Walfred turned to Sansa. "Do you, Sansa of House Stark,vow to protect to govern the peoples of the North, the Vale, The Riverlands and to any future lands to which you may preside over; according to their respective laws and customs?"
"I solemnly promise so to do." Sansa nodded.
"Will you both, to your power offer Law, Justice and Mercy, to be executed in all of your judgements?" the Septon asked.
"I will." they answered in unison.
"In accordance to the faith of the old gods, you will now be forever known as the King and Queen in the North." he bowed. "Your graces." A roar of cheers rang out throughout the Godswood, as Jon picked Sansa up and carried her back to the castle.
The great hall was full to the rafters for the wedding feast. This was the first celebration, a second one would take place later on for those who worked in the castle, most of whom would have the following day off to recover from the excesses of the party. As winter had arrived, the feast wasn't as opulent as the one which had been held for King Robert, however the food was still of a higher standard than usual, with more of it. Of course, Lord Manderly had gifted them plenty of wine, which made the night far more entertaining for all. The official toast to the happy couple was made, which involved wine and for Jon and Sansa, the tonic which had been provided by Margaery, which tasted of aniseed. Once the feasting was over, the musicians from Winter Town began to play familiar songs, which led to much singing and dancing in the hall. Sansa took to the floor with Dickon, Lord Royce and Ser Davos before she finally pulled a reluctant Jon to his feet, his protestations in vain.
It had been two hours since they'd taken the tonic, and so far nothing had felt any different, although Jon could feel Margaery's annoying smirk as the floor cleared for the King and Queen to dance. The music to the The Queen Took Off Her Sandal, the King Took Off His Crown started. Jon wasn't a proficient dancer, but he was still better than most of the men in the hall. The song was a lively tune, and Jon had a lot of fun dancing with his wife. When the song ended, the room clapped,, then the music started up again, this time to Let Me Drink Your Beauty a slow romantic song. Jon pulled Sansa into him as they moved to the song in a far more intimate manner than was required for the other song. It didn't take long for Jon to realise the tonic was starting to take effect on him.
"Shall we tell our perverts we need to leave to prepare?" Jon asked.
"Why don't we sneak off, enjoy this tonic and hope they forget?" Sansa smirked as they both noticed Lady Dustin and Tyrion eyeing them, on the other hand, Margaery was busy dancing with Dickon for a fourth time, both looking equally smitten.
"I wonder if she slipped him a couple of drops." Jon laughed.
Sansa slapped him on the arm. "I don't think she needs to. She can be very charming, most men would do anything to bed her."
"Not me!" Jon shook his head, he liked Margaery, although he found her too cunning and calculating for his liking.
"Good." Sansa whispered into his ears. "You'll be warming my bed all night." she turned to him and they stared at each others lips, but realised they were in public, so they pulled apart and walked up to the dais.
As soon as the song was over, Jon held his hand up to stop the musicians from starting another song. "My Lords and Ladies, this has been an incredible evening, one my wife and I will hopefully never forget. Now we shall leave you to enjoy the rest of the night, while we shall retire." he bowed his head to his subjects. He and Sansa left the room followed by Lady Dustin, Margaery and Tyrion.
"We shall meet you in half an hour at the king's bedding chambers." Sansa told them.
"The King's Bedding chambers?" Tyrion frowned.
"It is a special room which was used for beddings of the kings of winter. The bed is a four poster made from a weirwood tree with special voile curtains, said to be woven by the children of the forest themselves. It allows the viewers to see just enough to confirm the bedding without imposing too much discomfort and undue embarrassment on the happy couple." Sansa explained. "It is was only ever used for that occasion and hasn't been used since the wedding of Torrhen Stark."
"Why do you need half an hour?" Lady Dustin asked.
"I wish to ensure my wife does not find the process unduly difficult or unpleasant. So I will put her at ease before the bedding starts." Jon turned to Margaery. "lady Margaery, will you lead our other two guests to the correct chambers?"
"I know where they are your grace, I helped prepare them." she smiled sweetly.
"Thank you." he bowed his head. ""I will see you all shortly." he turned around and led Sansa to the bedding chamber, where suddenly he didn't feel nervous at all about what they had to do. He only cared about one thing, Sansa.
