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Sansa sat by the weirwood tree she and Jon came to see anytime they needed some peace and quiet.
For whatever reason, Jon let Ghost come with them this time. He have been avoiding Ghost since the Red Woman brought Jon back to life. She heard others whispering. Sansa could think of why.
Sansa knew Jon wasn’t loved, and there was talk of wargs and beasts. She thought it was all madness. Ghost was friendly. Sansa loved him. He reminded her of her Lady.
And there he was; shaking the now off his furs, after Sansa stopped praying to look at them.
Jon did not pray. He said he was there to keep her safe.
But Sansa knew he felt as close to Winterfell as she did whenever they found a Godswood on their way home.
“He remind me so much of Lady,” she said. “I wonder if the direwolves miss the brother and sister they had lost.”
“Oh, they do,” said Jon. “Ghost knew that Lady and Greywind were dead.”
Sometimes Jon sounded like a mad man. That worried Sansa. People were already scared of him for being a man who came back from death. And that was something Sansa could not deny. No one would have survive those wounds.
“Jon, you must not speak of such things,” said Sansa. “It’s not safe. And Ghost must be always by your side. He will keep you safe.” Sansa approach Ghost and started to pet him.
"There is no one here to hear us." Was all Jon said.
+
Sansa hugged Ghost. Ghost licked her cheek and Sansa giggled. A warm smile crossed his face. He didn’t remember the last time he left this hopeful. Perhaps the day when she came to him on a dying mare.
Sansa makes him feel as though he has a place to belong.
A thought Jon hadn’t had until now.
“You’re lovely,” Jon heard himself speak. He felt his face burn. He must be blushing like a maid. “I- I will keep him close. If that makes you feel better.” Jon said. “He will certainly be on my side when I finally see Bolton and his monster of a son.” The rage feeling his thoughts.
Sansa approached him. “I meant keep you safe from those who want to harm you.” She placed a hand on his chest. Right where one of the knives stabbed him. “I cannot lose you. You’re all I have.” She whispered and kissed him softly on his cheek. Jon felt his face burn once more.
“They will perish and we will endure. Remember?” Sansa said. He nodded. We must go home and prepare for Winter. We have to keep our people safe. Jon had said that to Sansa when she wept once Lady Brienne told them both that the girl the Bolton’s had, was not Arya, but Sansa’s friend, Jeyne.
If she wept for Arya or Jeyne, Jon couldn’t tell. Perhaps both.
“Let’s go back to our tends, it’s too cold.” Sansa nodded and entwined her arm to his. Jon tried not think of her warm so closed him. Since they reunited, Sansa kept giving him hugs and kissing him on the cheek. Jon had become more than used to all this attention. He realised.
He didn’t let his thoughts dwell on it.
Instead, he thought of his other sister.
Arya could still be alive or dead, Jon thought. He didn’t what was worse. Arya being dead or alone in this cruel world...She’s just a little girl.
There was nothing Jon could do about it. All he could do was take the future of house Stark to her home.
Sansa left Winterfell years ago to become a Queen someday. She will still be one, but from a different kingdom. Jon thought. But he could not be happy with it. No matter how good of a Queen she will make. She’s still married to Tyrion Lannister. Jon thought bitterly.
Being king had killed Robb. As Jon becoming Lord Commander had killed him. Jon fought every day the urge to take her somewhere else, however, Winterfell was the safest place for her. For both of them. Or so is what she kept telling him.
He’s no longer Lord Commander, or a brother from the Night’s Watch. He’s not even a man anymore.
He’s a Ghost. He’s all Sansa has.
And he's taking her home.