Chapter 18

The next month goes by quickly, each day being mostly the same. The men sparred to stay in shape and prepare for the war. The women mended clothes, made new ones, and did whatever was needed around Winterfell. The days grew shorter and colder. Snow fell every day now. One could feel the atmosphere changing around them. Everyone was on edge, the tension in the air was palpable.

They heard them before they saw them. Jon, Sansa, Petyr, Tormund, and Davos stood on the battlements looking through the ramparts to the South and saw black line of men and horses descend on the horizon. Sansa yelped and grabbed onto Petyr's arm when she heard the screech of the dragons as they flew towards Winterfell.

"My Gods!" Sansa exclaimed.

"I never thought I'd see the day." Davos said.

Tormund just laughed, and Jon watched them come to him with awe in his eyes. As the great flying beasts got closer, they all walked down to meet them just outside the walls of Winterfell.

They stood in a line with 30 men in full armor at their backs. Petyr looked behind him at the odd collection of soldiers gathered behind him. Wildlings stood beside Northmen who stood beside Knights of the Vale. Though he would never ask them to leave, he knew the men were defenseless against fire breathing dragons.

The dragons landed a ways away and for a moment nothing happened. They could see a silver haired woman on the back of the biggest one. She appeared to be talking to the dragons. After a while, 5 riders came to a stop next to the big black dragon. The fantastic creature lowered itself closer to the ground and the Mother of Dragons slid off of him. She climbed up in the saddle of one of the riders and they rode towards them.

They came to a stop just in front of Jon, who had stepped forward. Daenerys dismounted and walked up to him.

"I am Daenerys Stormborn, you must be Jon Snow." She said as she stopped in front of Jon.

"Yes, your Grace. That I am. You have some fine dragons there. Never thought I'd ever see one in person."

The beautiful Queen looked back at them and laughed. "They are quite something, aren't they?" She looked back to Jon and a man with strawberry blonde hair dismounted.

He walked right up to Jon and held out his hand and said "I am Jorah Mormont, son of Jeor Mormont, and cousin to Lady Lyanna Mormont."

"I trained under your father." Jon said, shanking the man's hand. "He was a good man." Jon said. He may not have agreed with everything the man did or let be done, but he still thought he was a good man.

Jorah nodded in agreement. Lyanna walked up to him and stuck her small hand out to him and said "Cousin." Jorah just laughed and brought her in for a strong hug. The young Lady looked a bit uncomfortable at the gesture but returned the embrace.

"Come inside, we have much to discuss." Jon said to Daenerys.

Jon, Petyr, Sansa, Jorah, Davos, and Daenerys walked into the room Jon used for battle discussions and closed the door. Jon had asked all others to stay outside for a moment.

"Please, take a seat. I have something we need to discuss." Jon said. Just as he had taken a seat the door opened and Meera walked in with a soldier close behind her carrying Bran. The man sat Sansa's brother down in a chair and walked back out of the room, closing the door behind him. Daenerys looked at Jorah curiously and then back at Jon.

"Now that everyone is here, there is something I need to tell you." Jon looked between the two strangers before him, not knowing how to begin.

Bran spoke up instead. "I am a Greenseer." Everyone looked to the young Stark. "Do you know what that is?" He asked the Dragon Queen.

"Yes." She said in a serious manner.

"I saw something in a vision that you need to know about." He told the Queen. She nodded her head for him to continue. "In one of my visions I was brought to the Tower of Joy during Robert's Rebellion. I saw my father there. He was told his sister, Lyanna Stark, was inside the Tower." He paused, letting it sink in. The silver haired Queen did not let her face betray her thoughts. Bran continued "I saw her, my aunt Lyanna, on a bed. Dying. There was blooded everywhere. She had just given birth and asked her brother to protect her son. The son she had with her husband, Rhaegar Targaryen." At this the Queen did speak.

"My brother had a son with Lyanna?" She asked, confused.

"Yes, your Grace. They had a son and my father raised him as his own bastard." Everyone looked to Jon. "Jon is not a Snow. He is a Targaryen. He is your nephew." Bran finished.

Daenerys stared at Jon for a long moment before she spoke. "How long have you known this?" She asks.

"Not long, two months perhaps." Jon replied.

"Why should I believe you? What are you wanting to gain from this?" She asked in an accusing tone.

"I want nothing, your Grace. I intend to keep my word to step down as King in the North for your aid in the war to come. I do not wish this information to change anything. You needed to know, though." He said. "Also, no one outside of this room knows of my true parentage. The Northerners are not fond of the Targaryen name and I do not wish to lose support before the fight has even begun. This must stay between us." He said.

Daenerys thought to herself for a moment, looked to Jorah who seemed to communicate to her with his eyes, and she responded. "I will not tell a soul what you have told me. I will aid you in the war and accept your resignation as King after we have won. After all, we are family. Nephew." She said, smiling at the last word. Jon smiled in return and looked very relieved.

"Thank you. Anything you need is yours. Anything you want, just ask." They stood and let the others in to discuss logistics on where everyone would be staying, how they would be cared for, and what to expect with the White Walkers.

...

Much later into the night everyone departed the room for their own chambers. Petyr looked to Sansa in the hall and told her "I need to pay a visit to our little bird, can you make it to our chamber alone my love?" He asked her. She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. "I'll be waiting for you." She said with a wink and walked down the hall.

Petyr soon found himself in a busy kitchen and managed to quickly grab the girls attention. He motioned for her to follow him and he lead her out into the darkened hallway. She looked excited and confused. Petyr had hardly talked to her in the past 2 months. But she hadn't forgotten him. She still remembered the way his fingers felt as the brushed hers. She remembered the smile he would give her when she had pleased him. She wondered what he needed her for and praised the Gods he had finally come to her again. But she wasn't going to be so easy this time. If he wanted her help, he was going to have to work for it. She didn't want to just be some stupid girl in his eyes. She wanted him to be surprised by her. To think of her at all times. While he walked the halls, while he ate his midday meal, while he made love to his wife. The distance had helped her gain more confidence.

He lead her to a dark doorway at the end of the hallway and he looked both ways before he opened the door to the room and let her go in before him. He closed the door behind him and she almost slipped up. Almost smiled with excitement and lost the upper hand.

"My Lord, how may I help you." She asked, her face a mask covering all emotions she had.

Petyr could tell she was trying to be tough, trying to control the situation. Her eyes gave her away, however. He sighed internally, he'd have to let her think she had him in her palms if he expected her to do as he wanted. It was his fault. He had neglected the bond they had developed as of late. He had been careless. He figured he'd see what she had in mind before he made any decisions. "I am sure you are now aware of our new guests?" He asked, leaning towards her slightly. He was impressed, she only faltered for a brief moment before her serious face was back.

"Yes, I am aware." She said as she stepped back a step. He smiled at her and she almost melted. Why did he have to be so handsome?

Petyr reached out between them and grabbed one of hands in his as he stepped up close to her. "You still agree to our arrangement, don't you little bird?' He asked her, circling his thumb over the top of her hand.

She angled her head up to his and stared straight into his eyes. She had gotten bold over the past months, Petyr noted. "Aye, we do. But it'll cost something now." She said. She couldn't believe she had gotten the words out. His scent was intoxicating her and it was hard for her to keep her focus.

He leaned in closer to her, his minty breath washed over her face as he asked "And what will it be costing me?" He raised an eyebrow to her and smirked.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she leaned up and kissed him on the lips. She hadn't even had the chance to enjoy the feel of his lips on hers when he had pulled away and turned her around swiftly and pressed her front up against the stone wall. He pressed his body against her back and she was gone. The feel of him against her body was more than she could handle. He had her again. Completely.

"You're young and not quite familiar with the ways of the world. I will cut you some slack, but just this once. Do you understand me?" He asked in a harsh whisper against her ear. She nodded quickly. "Good girl. You will never cross that line again. You will not kiss, touch, or talk about me. I prefer to have a pleasant relationship with my little birds but I am not above threatening, and following through with those threats, to get what I want. We tried it my way first. You were unhappy with that arrangement. This will be how it is now. You will listen to everything you hear and once a week I will check in with you and you can tell me everything you've discovered. If you hear something that I need to be made aware of before our next meeting, you will come to my chambers under the guise of bringing something sweet to my wife. This is how it will be. You will do as you're told or face the consequences. Any questions?" He finished.

"No my Lord." She said quickly. He could hear the fear in her voice. Oh little girl, it could have been so easy, but you had to go and make things difficult. It didn't really matter though. Either way he would get what he wanted out of her or someone else.

He released her and walked out of the room, not turning back to see the state he had left her in. She kicked herself. Why did she have to go and ruin everything? She had played her hand much too soon and now he was mad at her. It would never be as it was before again. With a crushed heart she walked back to the kitchen to finish her nightly duties. As dejected as she felt, she couldn't help the small smile that formed on her lips. She lightly brushed her fingertips along her smile, remembering the brief moment they had touched his.

...

Petyr almost slammed the door shut in his frustration. He stormed into the room and began to undress.

"What's the matter?" Sansa asked, putting down her sewing and quickly walking into their main room to him.

"Nothing my love." He said giving his wife a painted on smile.

"Petyr, do you forget I know you? Tell me, love, what is the matter?" She said as she moved his hands away and began to undress him. He was going to rip the fabric with how rough he was being.

"The kitchen wench might not work out for much longer." He said as he watched Sansa undress him. She didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue. "She kissed me." He said. At that she looked up into his eyes, only pausing for a moment before she looked back down at her fingers as they undid buttons and ties. Petyr continued. "I had to threaten her. I prefer to have a pleasant relationship with my spies. It's much easier when they think you like them. They get careless when they are fidgety and nervous. I told her that under no circumstances was she allowed to touch me again. We still have an agreement but it won't be like it had been. Things are changing quickly and we needed her." He said.

Finally, Sansa replied "My love, why were you so harsh? She is just a young girl and doesn't know any better."

"What would you have me do? Kiss her in return?" He asked, confused by her reaction. He had expected her to rage in a jealous fit. But when had Sansa ever responded like most women? That is why he loved her so. She was unexpected and unlike anyone he had ever known. Even her own mother would have acted out in jealousy. Sansa was truly a remarkable woman.

"Maybe not return the kiss, but perhaps you could have been gentler in your rejection. To preserve the relationship." She offered.

"You surprise me every day, Sansa. You never say or do what I expect. I'm ashamed to admit I usually underestimate you."

She helped him out of his clothes and turned her back to him, brushing her hair over her shoulder. "You better find a way to make it up to me then." She said as she looked back at him over her shoulder, her eyes smoldering.

He undid her dress and took every stitch off of her. He grabbed her hand, kissed it, and lead her to their bed. She laid down in the middle and he laid down beside her, propped up on his side. He let his left hand travel over her body. He hadn't kissed her yet, and he wouldn't be for a while still. At least not on her lips. As he gently stroked her body he watched her eyes close. He moved over her and started kissing her neck. He kissed her there like he would if it had been her mouth. He traveled down to her collar bone and swirled his tongue in the dips and curves of her body as his tongue slowly found her nipple. Her hands moved to his hair as he tortured each of her breasts with his tongue and lips and teeth. Sucking and flicking his tongue over her, causing her to whimper.

He let his mouth travel further still until he could burry his nose in her hair that covered her sex. He inhaled deeply, desire mounting as her scent filled him. He used both hands to gently part her legs and she obliged him. He ran his fingers gently down her folds and her breath hitched as he let his tongue slide languidly up her slick lips. She tasted of the sweetest nectar. Opening her to him with his fingers he let his tongue assault her most delicate area. He swirled it up and around and back down so he could taste her from the inside.

He worked his mouth over her at a torturous pace, not wanting her to reach her climax too quickly. Her nails dug into his scalp as he slowly brought her to the edge. While his lips sucked on her, focusing on one spot, he inserted two upward facing fingers inside her and massaged her on the inside. Almost instantly she screamed out and bucked wildly under his mouth. She broke like a weak dam under his touch and exploded all around him. He stopped his motions as she incoherently mumbled to herself. He settled between her legs and sank into her easily. She arched her back to him and moaned softly.

He cradled her head in his hands and slowly made love to her until she opened her eyes. She looked up into his soul and he saw tears that were moments from falling. Without stopping he asked her "What is wrong my love? Why do you cry?"

She touched his face gently and blinked. Two tears fell from her eyes and she reached up to kiss him. He rocked deeper into her as she let his tongue into her mouth, tangling with hers.

When he broke the kiss she whispered to him. "I love you so much it scares me." He kissed her again and moved inside her at a faster pace. Her confession driving him towards the finish. She trembled in his arms and he filled her with his desire as her walls shuddered around him.

He rested his forehead on hers after they had settled back on earth. "I love you Sansa. I love you more than you can imagine. More than I thought possible. You are mine, and I am yours. Completely." He kissed her tenderly and rolled to his side. Holding her to his chest, they fell asleep.

Outside their door, in the shadows, he listened. He stood there and listened as she gave herself to him. He had been walking to his chamber and heard her soft moans. He had only stopped when he realized the sounds had affected him. He didn't know what to think. What to do. He had never thought of her this way. As the sounds behind the door ceased he continued on his way, wondering what the hell he was supposed to do now.