The Proposal

The Celebration

Things are in full swing at the Tarly residence . Gilly has gone all out for the small party . It's the Tarlys , Sansa and Robb , Brienne and Joanna and Podrick and Jeyne with their little boy Elmer . Everybody is in good spirits .

Sansa feels well today she is fresh after her bath and a change of clothes , but she is still quite thin and there  are dark circles under her eyes . Despite all this she is still a beauty and over the years there is a peacefulness that's developed in her that shows on her face . She's very happy that Brienne is with her . Podrick is the one that had informed Brienne of Sansa's poor health and the Lady of Tarth decided to come and help her friend recover . Sansa felt it was unnecessary after Podrick had informed her of Brienne's  arrival but Sansa had to admit it was nice to have Brienne and Joanna there after her long illness . There were a few days that she was so unwell that she was truly worried about her future and what would happen to Robb , but it seemed the worst had passed and she was slowly regaining her strength .
She had even written Jon a letter and kept it by her bedside with instructions to send it in case her health deteriorated further . Thankfully there was no need to send it .

Robb was happy to see his mother out and enjoying herself and instructed Ghost to sit next to Sansa for some warmth .Joanna just seemed happy to be in Robb's presence . Overall everyone was in high spirits .  Little Sam and Robb were busy teasing Ava but she seemed to be taking it all in stride .  Bran and Meera were due to arrive later .

Rhaegal landed just in front of the Gates of Winterfell . Jon slipped off its back and announced himself at the Gates to the Guards . He had come alone with no entourage . The guards gave the former King in the North all the protocol and courtesy they could muster . They wanted to escort him to the castle but he stated that he would prefer to go alone . He wanted to arrive without any fanfare .

It was surreal to be back at Winterfell . At once it felt as if no time had passed and that a lifetime had passed . He had no idea what he was going to say to Sansa , he could not even imagine how she would react to seeing him after all this time . Jon hoped  she had been happy and at peace. She had never married as far as he knew , but then again he really did not know anything about her life after he had left . They had truly said goodbye to one another that winter morning and neither had made any real attempt to contact the other . He selfishly did not know how he would react if there was another man in her life . He had always been a hypocrite in that regard . Well , he was here after waiting a lifetime to return and with stunning clarity he realized it was still home .

Winterfell was immaculately maintained . He had seen that the surrounding area had been heavily developed when he was riding Rhaegal . There were massive glass gardens visible from the sky . Windmills were abundant everywhere , in order to harness energy Jon supposed . The vast acreage around the keep that led into Wintertown was fully developed , previously it had been a barren wasteland .  There seemed to be small neat cottages dotting the landscape everywhere . There were sheep in enclosed pastures as well . There seemed to have been heavy development in agriculture and infrastructure since he had left . He knew that there had been an immense increase in trade from all areas of the Kingdom to and from the North for their lumber and wool and leather . He knew he would eventually discuss all this with Bran . He was proud of Bran he was a good King and a good steward to his people .

On the walk to the front of the castle either side of the walkway  were small flowers that seemed to bloom brightly even in this cold . They must have been a hybrid that he had not seen before . Gray Winterfell now had color . Jon approached the heavy doors to the castle , he announced himself to the guards and they escorted him into the castle . When he entered he asked the older  handmaiden if he could see King Bran . She recognized Jon and told him the family was gathered at Maester Tarlys cottage for a celebration . Jon politely asked the guards to escort him there . They readily agreed .

Jon had not seen his family or his close friends in over a decade and a half . He was nervous and excited to see everyone .

He approached the cottage , which was not really a cottage but a fairly large manor . It looked exactly like the place that Sam and Gilly would live . He knew from Sams letters that he had two children Little Sam and Ava . He knocked on the door and waited for an answer .

Ghost bounded off Sansa and headed for the door . Sansa was shocked at what had suddenly happened to Ghost, the old direwolf had not run like that in ages . Sam went to open the door and and soon as he opened it Ghost in his excitement almost knocked Sam over . Sam looked up and was shocked to see Jon on the other side  looking back . Jon bent down and Ghost was beside himself . Jon gave the direwolf  a long hug . Jon finally got up and Sam still seemed to be in shock .

" Jon what are you doing here?"Sam stuttered  while simultaneously trying to shut the door behind him , but Ghost nudged the door wide open and Jon could see there was a party going on . Sam was sweating profusely .

" Uncle Sam , Ava is waiting to cut the cake what is taking so long ?"

Jon looked up to see a tall , handsome,  broad shouldered young man with black inky curls , and striking blue eyes . It was almost like looking in a mirror except he was built as Robb had been . Jon was flabbergasted . He blinked a few times to clear his head .

Sam moved out of the doorway to allow Jon in . Jon walked in . He was in a daze but he could not keep his eyes off the young man . After getting his bearings Jon looked around and saw Sansa .

Sansa looked like she had seen a ghost too . Their eyes met and she knew that he knew .