DAGGERS TO THE HEART Part 1 - GAME OF THRONES

Jon XVI

The rain persisted for two days, a relentless downpour that cloaked the world in a watery veil. Jon and Sansa sought refuge within the walls of their temporary shelter, the air heavy with the scent of damp earth and the crackling warmth of the firepit providing a comforting backdrop.

Amidst the ceaseless drumming of raindrops on the roof, the two found solace in each other's company. Discussions of the realm echoed within the chambers, interwoven with the clinking of utensils as they cooked and ate simple meals together.

As the rain poured outside, they immersed themselves in shared baths, discussions of the realm and Queenscrown. But mostly, it was spent with their bodies entwined. Sansa's trust in Jon unfolded like petals, revealing a resilient bloom beneath the storm of her past. The physical exploration between them became a language of its own, hands and mouths, tracing uncharted territories. Jon marvelled at her newfound openness, a stark contrast to the shadows that once haunted her. They coupled more times than Jon cared to count.

The dragon egg still rested within the heart of the crackling flames. Jon, drawn to its mystical presence, sensed a connection that transcended mere curiosity. Though logic argued against the possibility of hatching, an inexplicable knowing whispered in Jon's soul—an unspoken understanding that a dormant dragon waited within.

The passing of two days in the cave, marked the cessation of the storm. Jon and Sansa, reluctant to abandon the cave that shielded their newfound intimacy, waited until the following morning to leave, as the mud would be treacherous during the day, lethal at night.

Emerging from the cavern's mouth, Jon surveyed the aftermath of the relentless storm. Nature's wrath had left its mark on the surrounding landscape—trees felled by the ferocity of lightning and gusts of wind, lay strewn about. An unintentional harvest of timber, Jon decided, as he planned to repurpose the fallen giants for the ongoing reconstruction of Queenscrown.

In the distance, a hill betrayed the scars of a mudslide, a testament to the tempest's unrelenting force. The silent hills bore witness to the tumultuous dance of earth and water, leaving Jon contemplative of the challenges that lay ahead. How badly affected would Queenscrown be?

Amidst the echoes of the storm's toll, a more personal tragedy unfolded. One of their horses had succumbed to the treacherous terrain, a casualty of the slippery ground. The creature, lay broken and suffering. A painful decision weighed heavily on Jon's shoulders as he, shielded from Sansa's gaze, spared her the heart-wrenching sight of him ending the creature's misery. It was one of Sansa's own steeds, a companion in countless rides.

Ghost stood guard over the fallen horse. In the harsh reality of their world, every resource mattered. The horse's demise, tragic as it was, wouldn't be in vain; its meat would nourish the dogs and anyone else who ate horsemeat, that roamed the halls of Queenscrown.

Left with only one horse and a sturdy mule, Jon and Sansa faced the waterlogged ground with a resolve born of necessity. Though the terrain bore the imprint of the recent deluge, it was navigable for a horse. The comfort of the cave and the embrace of solitude were reluctantly abandoned, for the impending arrival of Robb and Lady Stark compelled them to return to Queenscrown.

On the return journey to Queenscrown, Jon and Sansa, faced with the shortage of horses, shared the remaining steed. The mule dutifully bore the supplies salvaged from the cave, with Jon safeguarding the dragon egg nestled within his saddlebag. The secret of the precious egg was shared among Jon, Sansa, Ghost, and Lady alone.

Lady, once a vision of pristine fur, now bore the marks of their journey – filth, matting, and mud. Jon observed her, seemingly in her element amidst the rugged terrain. Sansa, however, voiced her concerns about the impending mess her direwolf would create, anticipating the inevitable lengthy bath that would follow. Their conversation, though seemingly trivial, served as a tactical diversion from the growing worries about the aftermath of the storm as they approached Queenscrown.