Northern Conqueror

Chapter 11: Shared Secret

Chapter 11: Shared Secret

After she left his room Sansa tried to think of what to do with what she'd learned and what happened. He wasn't her brother but her cousin. He was was rightful heir to the Iron Throne. He'd kissed her back. What she wanted and what would happen would be different, but she still found herself hoping, just like that naive girl with a head full of songs.

It was easy enough to avoid him the next day. Jon spent most of his day riding around the camp and checking supplies with the lords while Sansa, Brienne and Podrick met with those Jon had assigned to her guard. To her surprise she found mostly women and two men, spearwives and free folk she recognized. Ones Jon was closer to, ones he trusted, so she trusted them as much as she could.

Supper was somber, quiet compared to some of the others they'd had. Eventually they all retired for the night, and though she'd contemplated going to speak with him she decided to let him rest before they marched out early in the morning. To her joy she found Ghost waiting beside her door to join her for the night.

Dawn came and she rode beside Jon with the other lords, keeping with him until they settled for the night. Podrick and some of her guard took to raising her tent before she had even dismounted, setting it beside Jon's. After thanking them all she and Brienne joined them around the fire for supper.

She was laughing at one of their crude jokes when she noticed Jon stride over to Davos and Tormund, pulling them from their conversation for a quick word before departing. Her smile faltered, but she pushed it back as she turned her attention to her guards and laughed at Laul's rude gesture to a passing Thenn.

Once they'd finished eating, Sansa made her way toward her tent and heard voices from inside Jon's. Curiosity got the better of her and she tried to listen in but their voices were quiet until Tormund scoffed.

"Don't see how it changes anything. You're still a southron prick."

Jon laughed. "Thanks, Tormund."

Realizing what was happening, Sansa called into the tent. "Jon?"

After a moment he called back. "Come in, Sansa."

Opening the flap to enter she found Jon stood with Davos, Tormund, Melisandre, and Howland Reed. Sansa looked to them all before turning to Jon. "They know?"

Jon seemed pleased she'd put it together while the others seemed shocked she did. "I just told them. I was thinking of telling Brienne as well, but I felt it wasn't my place to call on your sworn sword."

"Why make it a secret?" asked Tormund. "What does it matter whose cunt you came from or whose prick planted you there? S'not as if knowing means you haven't lived the life you have, become the man you are. Crow, free folk, southron shit, it doesn't matter. You're Jon Snow."

Sansa had never appreciated Tormund as much as she did then, seeing Jon's lips quirk into a smile, casting a brief glance her way before he nodded. "Thank you, Tormund. Truly."

Tormund gave him a firm nod, seeing it had affected Jon. "Still have a little prick for a god."

Jon sighed, shaking his head and looking to Davos and Melisandre. The Red Woman wore a smug smile, as though she'd always known the truth. "King's blood flows through your veins, Jon Snow. It's no wonder not even death could stop you. Men will tremble before you, earth will quake because you demand it, the sun will rise because you make it. You are the Prince Who Was Promised, hidden by a lie."

Davos sighed as though he agreed with her but wished he didn't. "This could work either way. They may turn against you in the end, fear you'll be another southron king come to take what isn't his. Or they could see all you've done for them, see how much you take from your mother and the man who raised you as his son. I can't say I know which they'll think, but I believe only a fool would deny the man you are."