The ceremony although small was meaningful , with only the most trusted and important people to Jon and Sansa there . The dinner afterwards had been arranged impeccably by Roslin and Catelyn .
Roslin and Catelyn had separately taken Sansa aside and asked her if there was anything she needed . Surely thought Sansa this was not going to be a typical wedding night . However , she knew she had to be ready for anything . In her gut though she knew Jon would never impose anything on her . But she also knew that if this was going to be a real marriage they would eventually have to consummate it . The thought made Sansa's head spin . What if he wanted a marriage in name only ? Yes , he was doing it to save Sansa and the honor of House Stark . But surely he wanted a child of his own . Every man wanted a a son , didn't they ? He was already giving his name to a child that wasn't his . Sansa did not not know what to think , but she knew this, she would not become a further burden to Jon . If he wanted to find love or happiness elsewhere she would look the other way , she would not make him feel guilty if he wanted another woman . He deserved love . She would not shackle herself to him , she would give him as much freedom as she could .The only thing she would ask is a little discretion , after all they were doing this to protect her name and she did not want to be the object of further pity from anyone including her family . She was getting shelter from this marriage for herself and her child , they already had a friendship , she thought that he respected her based on all the interactions they had . After all he listened to her and he never imposed his will on her . That was enough . All the love she had she would pour into her child ,and if she was lucky that child would love her back and that would be enough . It had to be. She was determined that that it would be enough. .
Jon stood outside the door , he wanted to collect his thoughts before he entered . He knew she would be nervous ,seven hells , he was nervous . He had a gift made for Sansa , with the help of Catelyn's jeweler . He thought it would be nice for Sansa to have something that was a bit ostentatious since the wedding ceremony and feast had been so simple . Surely today was not what Sansa had in mind when she thought of her wedding day . It was an emerald and gold ring with the House Stark sigil engraved on the back with a simple Always Jon engraved next to it . The stone was rare and the jeweler had informed him the quality of the stone and gold was unmatchable . He hoped that when she looked at it , it would remind her that he would always be there for her .
He knocked on the door.
Sansa : Come in .
She was still in her wedding dress .
Jon : You look lovely , I'm not sure I told you that today .{ Jon did acknowledge that Sansa was truly one of the most beautiful women he had seen. Did he always feel that way ? He doesn't remember . She was always a pretty girl , but now she was stunning .}
Sansa : Thank you , you looked very handsome today too.
There was some awkward silence . Then they started both at once .
Sansa : Go ahead .
Jon : No go ahead , you first .
Sansa : I just wanted to say something . I don't know how to start .
Jon pulled up a chair in front of the edge of the bed where Sansa had sat down . She was looking down at her hands . Jon tilted her chin up . They were looking directly into each other's eyes.
Jon : There is nothing to be afraid of . Speak your heart .
Sansa : I just wanted to say that I feel very fortunate that you married me ,and I realize that this is not...
Jon : Stop , we have gone through this before.
Sansa : No , please let me finish .
Jon : { sighing } Continue
Sansa : { getting up , just wanting to get it out , quickly, her back towards him now } I will not be offended if you found love elsewhere . I won't stop you , I won't stand in your way . { Sighing } There , I said it .
Jon : What ? I'm confused .
Sansa : { sitting back down , grabbing his hands } I said , you can find love elsewhere . I don't want to deprive you of that . I won't . You deserve to have that .
Jon : Sansa I would never dishonor you .
Sansa : Yes , I know . You did this for my honor . I know you would never dishonor me . But that does not mean that you should deprive yourself of love . I will look the other way . I just ask for discretion . I know you would never flaunt anything .
Jon : { Laughing } This is not the conversation I thought I'd be having tonight with my new wife.
Sansa looking serious .
Jon : Look , I don't know what is going on in that pretty head , but I would never break my vows to you .
Sansa : I'm just saying if you find love don't look away , I won't be the cause of you not having that in your life . Promise me !
Jon looking down .
Sansa : Promise . Promise.
Jon : Alright .
Sansa seeming satisfied { Even though her stomach was in knots } .
Jon : I have something for you .
Sansa : Really ?
Jon : Yes a small gift .
Sansa : You got me a wedding gift ?
Jon : Yes I wanted to give you something .
Sansa :[ Looking sheepish } I did not get you anything .
Jon :{ Chuckling} That's ok .
Jon pulls out the ring box and hands it to Sansa . She opens the box and a takes out the ring . A huge smile spreads on her face and her whole face lights up .
Sansa : { whispering , a small tear falls from her eye } It's, it's beautiful .
Jon : Not as beautiful as you my Lady .
Sansa : { cheeks reddening } Put it on . She gives Jon her hand.
Jon : There is an engraving on the back .
Sansa sees the House Sigil and Always Jon on the back , Jon slips on the ring and Sansa can't stop admiring it .
Jon : I will always be there for you Sansa.
Sansa : And I for you .
After they have changed , Jon comes back in the room from Arya's old chambers that will now serve as his until the rooms are configured into one suite and a joining one for the new babe.
Jon : Sansa , I know this will be awkward but we must sleep in the same chambers otherwise the servants will talk, and we need to let people think we have consummated the marriage . We need to be able for me to claim the babe. I will sleep on the chaise .
Sansa : Don't be silly , that is too small to sleep on . I can sleep on it .
Jon : That will be very uncomfortable for you .
Sansa : Let's just share the bed , you stay on your side and I will stay on mine .
They talk for a long while and then Sansa drifts off to sleep . Jon finds they can speak of anything and even the silences are comfortable ones. He looks at her and thinks of what Sansa has said to him . She still thinks that he did this out of obligation . He did do this to secure her honor, that is true. But Jon can't shake this feeling he is having looking at her lying next to him , facing him . He doesn't think he could bear to see her hurt . He bends over and kisses her head gently , then he turns and tries to fall asleep.
.
