Author's Notes: Hey everyone, this chapter will be a short one but afterwards things will pick up again. As always I own nothing.
After she had given her oath and received her titles and honors Sansa rose to her feet. Having committed herself she was not sure what would happen now and what role she would play. The King looked at her for a moment then turned back to the map.
"I shall have a counsel tonight after the evening meal, you are expected to attend." With that he turned back to the map, the interview clearly at an end. Sansa and her uncle bowed and wordlessly took their leave. As they descended the stairs her uncle turned to her.
"Well done Niece, you handled yourself well."
"Thank you Uncle." Sansa replied.
"Congratulations on getting your father's titles, even if they are not worth much at present."
"What do you mean Uncle?" In response he gave her a wiry smile.
"Well, you are Lady of Winterfell and Wardeness of the North while I am Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Riverlands. However; it is the Frey banner flying over my lands and the Bolton over yours. The King may grant us as many titles as he likes but unless we take them they mean nothing. Also, even if they are taken, if the lords of the North and the Riverlands do not accept us then the titles remain meaningless." Sansa considered this. She had known, of course, that the lands in question would have to be retaken but she had not considered that the lords would oppose them after the Freys and Boltons were dealt with. If they were dealt with. She knew nothing of military matters but she could tell that the army here was far smaller than what their enemies could muster. Her father had said that Stannis was a brilliant soldier and she hoped that it was true. Never the less, it was clear that they might lose and there was something that she wanted to do before the end.
"Uncle, before the meeting tonight I would like to see my brother." Her uncle nodded and led her to another tower. A young boy was there, dressed all in black.
"Is the Lord Commander within?" Her uncle asked.
"No my lord, he is observing the archers at practice." Would you kindly inform him that his sister is here and wishes to speak to him?" The boy nodded and sped off. Edmure led Sansa within and set her down in a chair.
"He will be here shortly. I have duties to attend to. Have him walk you back to my tent when you are done speaking with him." Sansa nodded and he departed.
His prediction proved true and not long after he had left the door opened and Jon Snow entered. He had changed since Sansa had last seen him, he had put on muscle and carried himself with an assurance and confidence that he had not had at Winterfell. It was his face, however; which showed the greatest change. His face bore lines where worries and the burdens of command had edged them and his eyes had lost their youth and were now far harder than they had been. But when he looked at her he broke into a smile. He came up to her and took her in a fierce embrace as he had never done at Winterfell.
"Sansa!" He exclaimed. "Gods be good! When they said that you were here I hardly believed them! How did you come to be here?"
"That," she told him; "Is a long tale." He poured them two mugs of ale and they sat by the fire and she told him of her adventures, though she left her strange abilities out of it.
She found herself hesitant to talk of the deaths she had caused but in the end she told of some of them, mainly Walder Frey. He stared at her for a moment and then to her surprise he burst out in laughter.
"What?!" She demanded.
"Sansa, I never thought that I would say this, but you have more of Arya in you than I ever thought possible!" She smacked him on the knee.
"You take that back!" His only response was to laugh harder.
"And how did you come to be Lord Commander?" His face became grim but told her. He spoke of ranging beyond the Wall, of his capture and of the Wildling women Ygritte. He told her of climbing the Wall, the battle that was waged there and of his election to Lord Commander and what had come after. Sansa was especially pleased to hear of how he beheaded Slynt, she still remembered him for his role in her father's downfall. But also heard the pin in Jon's voice when he spoke of the girl.
"You loved her didn't you?" She asked softly.
"Aye." He said after a moment; "I did." She felt something and after a moment realized what it was.
"I never thought that I would say this, but I envy you." He looked at her in astonishment.
"What?" Was all he could say.
"Your love was brief, it was painful and was real. You loved her and she loved you.
"I loved Joffrey, or thought I did, but he was a monster. I was married to Tyrion Lannister and there was no love there, though there was kindness. It is likely the King will marry me off to some lord or other to cement the man's loyalty and I doubt that there will be love there either. You had something I will likely never have and so I say that I envy you." They sat in silence for a moment before he spoke again.
"Thank you." Was all that he said. After another pause he spoke again.
"I wish we could have spoken like this before, at Winterfell."
"I wish we could have too."
"Why couldn't we?"
"The fault lies with me. I was a silly girl who dreamed of knights and fair maidens." There was more but she paused for a moment before saying. "Also, I saw how Mother disliked you and I always wanted to be like her. I may not have been as bad but you are my blood and I wish I had treated you better." She paused and then asked the question. "Can you forgive me?"
He smiled a smile that was both happiness and sadness there.
"I do and gladly. Winter has come and we have foes enough. I have few enough friends, I would not spurn a sister." For a moment there was a look on his of great loneliness.
She remembered what Father had once said, that a lord may love his men but could never be their friend, Jon had clearly learned that and if they triumphed and regained Winterfell so would she. She pictured what it would be like, there would be servants and soldiers but no Father, or Mother, or Robb, or Bran, or Rickon or Arya. Even in her mind her home seemed cold and empty. She shivered at the thought. Fortunately, Jon stood at that moment.
"Forgive me, but there are duties I must attend to."
"Of course," Sansa said as she too rose. As they walked to the door a thought occurred to her.
"Uncle said that you were watching the men practicing at archery. Might…might you teach me?"
"I would be happy to." He told her. They walked in silence the rest of the way. At the tent he turned to go but she stopped him.
"You know, when I first saw you, you looked like Father." With that she turned and entered the tent.
Author's Notes: Well, what did you think? Not too mushy I trust? I don't know if it would work like that if they actually met but I am writing it here? Yes, I know Arya is alive but I wanted this to just be about them. If it seemed depressing in places it was meant to be, this is Game of Thrones. They each got what they wanted, Jon to have respect and Sansa to be a great lady, but each came with a cost, almost Greek when you think about it. Till next time please pray for those missing in a ferry accident in the Mediterranean, those persecuted for their faith, victims of trafficking, kidnapping and ISIS, the sick and all who need prayer. Bye and may Jesus bless you.