Northern Conqueror

Chapter 40: Returns

Chapter 40: Returns

The courtyard filled as two thousand men joined their army, their banners a mix of fish, suns and flowers. When the lords made their way through the gates, they found Jon stood at the front of the welcoming party with Sansa and Daenerys at his sides.

Jon was glad to see new faces among those familiar to him.

"Uncle, Granduncle," Sansa said with a smile to Edmure and Brynden Tully.

Edmure stared at her for a long moment, sorrow painting his face before he stepped forward to hug her. Sansa seemed surprised while Brynden rolled his eyes and shook his head as though annoyed at the display. Once Edmure stepped back he flashed an apologetic smile at Sansa, but she shook her head.

Turning to Jon, Edmure gave him a look and snorted, a smile tugging at his lips. "Your grace."

"I'm glad to see you safe, Lord Edmure."

"Thank you," Edmure nodded. "I've been a prisoner so long it feels a relief even to ride for war, especially one this important."

Once they moved aside, Jon turned to greet a short, buxom dornish woman who wore a coy smile as she looked him over. Beside him Sansa and Daenerys shared a look as the lady curtsied.

"It is an honor your grace," she said in a silky voice.

"It's mine, Princess Arianne," Jon assured with a welcoming smile. "I'm glad to see you make the trek safely."

"I may not be able to fight on the front lines but if we're to fight back death then I would stand with the others come to face it."

"It seems you're as brave as you are beautiful, my lady."

Arianne smirked, clicking her tongue. "Don't tease, your grace. I know you have two wives to be." She added with a laugh, "Unless you're looking to take a third?"

"Two's more than enough," Jon assured. "I know it's different in Dorne, more open for women, but should you like we've been training women as well. You're free to join them."

Arianne nodded. "I'll think on it."

Daemon at her side gave them a nod as he followed Arianne away, letting Garlan exchange a handshake with Jon.

"I'm glad to see the Reach still has men ready to fight."

"I only wish we were even half of what we had been," Garlan sighed.

"The Reach may be trampled, but when spring comes Highgarden will bloom," Jon assured.

Their guests seemed shocked to find a new batch of valyrian steel weapons had been made. They were also shocked to find that Jon planned to not only given northern lords the weapons but the southron lords as well.

The great hall was packed as they took supper using some of the supplies the southron houses had brought to bolster Winterfell's stock. Jon even made a round of the hall after he'd eaten, speaking with some of the lords gathered, sharing japes with them. By the time he returned to his chair Daenerys had left with Missandei.

Sansa squeezed his hand and got to her feet, leaning to his ear. "Come to my chamber."

Jon glanced up at her with a smile, turning to watch her leave before finishing off his mug of ale. If the days training and preparing for war hadn't exhausted him his nights did. It seemed like he'd gone back and forth each night between them. Some nights they took to bed, others they sat and talked. He hadn't woken in his own room in a week.