A Song of Fire & Snow (GOT)(Jon Snow)

Chapter 34: Alarys

~Hearts Ablaze~

Alarys Martell strode through the courtyard of Winterfell, the cold wind not bothering her in the slightest as her inner five always kept her warm, the thick layers of Dornish wool and fur she wore only a facade for wandering eyes. As a child, she'd faced the blistering sun of Dorne with her head held high; now, she faced the frigid North with the same resolve. But being here—with Jon—was more than worth the cold.

Her thoughts drifted back to the waterfall, to the way Jon's words had filled her with warmth unlike anything the North could offer. "I love you, Lar. I want you by my side... always." Even now, hours later, his confession echoed in her mind, making her heart race as if she were still standing before him, as if his dark eyes were still gazing into hers with that intensity that made her knees weak.

Alarys was no stranger to love or desire—Dornish blood ran hot, after all—but the depth of what she felt for Jon Snow, and the sincerity in his words, had left her breathless. She hadn't expected him to be so open, so vulnerable, especially given the weight of what was coming. The Army of the Dead, the battle that loomed on the horizon... it felt almost surreal to think of love, of promises for the future. And yet, Jon had made his feelings clear, offering her a glimpse of something beyond the war, something more than just survival.

She hadn't had time to process it fully. After their ride back to Winterfell, reality had descended upon them once again—duty, responsibility, the whispers of the North.

The sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see Jon approaching, his expression tense. Beside him, Sansa walked with sharp, determined strides. Alarys could sense the storm brewing before either of them spoke.

"Jon," Sansa said, her voice low and accusatory, "why didn't you tell me you bent the knee to Daenerys?"

Alarys stopped in her tracks, feeling the weight of the question hanging in the cold air. She knew this conversation was inevitable, knew that Sansa had been waiting for answers ever since they'd arrived. The Lady of Winterfell was nothing if not perceptive, and it was clear from her expression that she wasn't pleased with the situation.

Jon's face remained calm, though Alarys could see the tension in his shoulders. He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Sansa, I did what I had to do to save the North."

"Save the North?" Sansa's voice rose, her anger evident now. "By bending the knee? By handing over the North to a foreign queen? The North has always stood strong, Jon! We've survived worse."

"This is different," Jon replied, his voice firm but measured. "The Army of the Dead is marching on us, and we need allies. Daenerys has dragons, Sansa. Her armies are loyal to her, and she has the power to defeat the Night King. This isn't about titles, or who rules over what. It's about survival."

Sansa crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "But did you bend the knee to save the North, or because you love her?"

The words came out sharp, like the crack of a whip, and Alarys froze, feeling the tension ratchet up a notch. Her heart skipped a beat as Sansa's accusation hung in the air. She hadn't expected Sansa to speak so plainly, nor did she realize the depth of her resentment toward Daenerys. Alarys had seen the way Sansa looked at the Dragon Queen when they arrived—cold, calculating, distrustful. But this... this was something more.

Jon's jaw tightened, and for a moment, the only sound was the wind howling through the courtyard. Alarys stood still, unsure of what to do or say. Her mind raced, wondering how Jon would answer. Did Sansa know about them? Had she picked up on the connection between her and Jon?

But then Jon did something that surprised Alarys more than anything. He took a step toward Sansa, his gaze unwavering, and spoke with a calm certainty that left no room for doubt.