Dark Sister, Dark Nights

Part 2 - Books and Quills

Part 2 of Dark Sister, Dark Nights

Sansa

The castle had grown quiet, Sansa's daughters had been put to sleep in their beds. The people of Winterfell finished with their work. She moved through the halls, searching for her lord husband. He was not in his solar where she expected to find him. Sighing to herself, she assumed he was busy with the many duties that fell on both their shoulders. There was trouble in the east. Turning away from his solar, she made her way back to the chambers they shared.

It had been another long day. That morning while she brushed her thick auburn hair, she thought to hide away in her rooms. She was tired of the duties, burdens wishing she could stay all day in her room reading the books, no one bothering her, requiring her presence. Maybe Jon would join her. They could waste the day away. It was a pretty picture. An impossible one. There was too much to do. Running a castle, governing the realm, caring for her daughters. Now, with the problems in another continent, trade from the three Free cities had slowed to a near standstill. It would be some time before another shipment of much-needed goods came let alone a shipment with books.

There was one book, a certain book, that happened to be found in the bottom of the crate. It had made its way back to her. The thought made her smile that morning while she dressed. She thought about it again while she walked the quiet castle halls wondering where her husband had gone. Yawning as she turned the corner to the hall that leads to her own rooms. When had she become so tired? It causes me to neglect my poor lord husband, she worried. Most nights for the past few moons he worked late into the night. She had taken to reading the books that came from Essos. On nights when Jon could not join her, she was quite eager to read those books or even dream up her own stories. Reaching the heavy wooden door to their rooms, she sighed and supposed they had both been neglecting each other as of late.

She was surprised to find him in the room when she opened the door to their chambers. There was a fire blazing in the anteroom's hearth. Her husband, her lord, and her King sat at the table with papers littered about. The firelight cast shadows across one side of his face. His hair pulled back, dark beard trimmed. She admired him, his strong shoulders hunched over the table.

"I decided to work here tonight," he said glancing up at her with his intense grey eyes. "There are messages that must be sent."

"I see," she said wringing her hands together. Another late night. He's spent so many nights by candlelight trying to prevent the quarrelsome free cities from blocking Westerosi ships. Jon set down his quill and held her gaze. Her breath caught for a moment, imagining his lean graceful form underneath his grey tunic. A form she had not seen enough of in the past three moons. She turned away.

Crossing the anteroom to the door of the bedroom, she could feel his eyes follow her. Perhaps he was angry she had not been helping him late into the night. She helped him when she could but by the time evening fell, her mind wanted to think about easy things, wanted her books and stories.

Leaving the door to the bedchamber ajar, she undressed. Nights were cool even in the summer in the North. Still, unlacing her gown, letting it fall to the floor, she took her time. Slipping a sheer white shift over the curves of her body. She wasn't as thin of she used to be. Though, her form was attractive. Wrapping a velvet dressing robe with delicate vines embroidered on the sides, she returned to the anteroom.

"Sit," he said pointing to a chair by the hearth. She thought to pick up her sewing basket. It would give her something to do while he finished the messages.

"Haven't you been reading in the evenings?" he asked returning his eyes to the papers on the table. His quill stopped moving while he waited for her answer.