Chapter Text
The letter was carefully folded, and the silvery grey wax-seal was stamped over a carefully dried flower.
The boy turned it in his hands a few times before opening it.
Dear Prince Aemon,
I thought it was appropriate to introduce myself to you. Since our betrothal was finalized between our parents in my absence from King’s Landing. I would have preferred to accompany my father and older brother, but I was asked to stay behind.
So, far you only know me in titles and relations.
I am Sansa Stark, eldest daughter of your Uncle Eddard Stark and his wife Catelyn, sister to Robb his heir. Niece to the second Queen Lyanna, as well as granddaughter of the Lord of the Riverlands.
With those verses I do intent to tell you a bit more about my personality and daily life. And hope that you might to so too occasionally, so that we aren’t complete strangers when we do finally meet.
Robb told me numerous stories about you, my prince, and the time you two have spent together. I can assure you that my brother has in no shape or form prettify your character to me. I do assume that he would have gladly done the opposite, if only to sway me away from the idea of building a relationship with you.
According to him, I am too young to get attached to a male or the idea of marrying a specific person. And in some way he is right, betrothal break, allegiances change and priorities differ, but the fact that he had little to exaggerate fills me with joy and anticipation.
Hopefully soon I can make my own judgment about what kind of person you are, your Highness.
Robb tells that you enjoy history and legends. I presume that it is a passion we share, Even tough I do confess my interest lies more in songs of romance and adventure than military history for example.
I do enjoy reading, painting and playing the harp as well.
And I hope that I can improve my dancing when I finally am permitted to visit the court. Robb tells me that you don’t enjoy feasts and balls at all. Robb tells me to be careful about my expectations regarding them because of it, but I do hope we might find at least a little enjoyment in them together. Maybe we could dance together some time?
I don’t know how much, her majesty, aunt Lyanna has told you about the North and Winterfell, but when it comes to entertainment it is lacking in comparison with courts located more south. (Father only holds a small court half a year at a time.)
Don’t misunderstand me, I love my home and my family and friends, the Land is beautiful. But there is only so much a girl can do up here, when she does not enjoy riding horses.
If you take after what my father tells us about your mother and you do enjoy riding as much as her, I will indulge you of course, but I note that you might rather take my other siblings on longer rides. Robb, Bran and Arya, all love it.
My little sister can be too wild to be contained in the castle and my brother Bran, Brandon, wishes to serve as knight one day.
Arya is a lot like her Majesty according to my father.
It makes her very excited to meet her and you soon as well.
But I digress, I assume you would like to meet the other Starks in person too, rather have me tell you about them in my letters.
Hoping that you are inclined to hold correspondence with me and are well,
Your cousin,
Lady Sansa Stark.
The boy felt giddy every time he read the lines of loopy letters. His siblings liked to tease him about his crush, unfortunately his mother joined them way too often. Answering in a manner that satisfied his wish to reciprocate the effort, had taken him a long time and advise from many different figures in the Keep.
Soon the whole court whispers about the youngest prince’s correspondence with his intended.
What the boy did not know was how impatiently the girl waited for his answer. The younger sister took the opportunity gladly to tease the older for a change, relishing in the bashful silence that followed. Their oldest brother seemed uncharacteristically broody, and their father was just concerned it seemed, while their mother smiled secretly into her sleeve. The youngest was confused with the new dynamic establishing itself.
But when an especially black raven arrived Nort, she was swearing it was more black and prettier than the others, her tension dissolved into joy. He had answered her. Whatever the letter was saying, he read hers and answered.
Dear Cousin Sansa,
Dear Lady Sansa,
Dear Sansa,
your letter was a welcome surprise.
I wanted to let you know immediately that most people I am close with call me Jon. I offered that to Uncle Ned and Robb, so naturally that extends to you and all your other siblings as well. Jon is the Northern Name my mother picked for me and it’s what I am most comfortable with.
Even though I do admire and respect my namesake ancestors. Why wouldn’t I feel honored to be named after Aemon the Dragon knight?
Do you have a favorite song?
I’m afraid I haven’t inherited my father’s talent for singing, but I am sure Rhae will sing for you if we ask her very nicely.
Truth be told, I do not know what to write you that you already learned from Robb. We have only spent so may weeks together, but it feels like I have known him my entire life.
I do share the sentiment that I hope we can meet and get acquainted properly soon, but I do need you to know that I am not the gallant prince that you might envision. There is little of my father in me according to most. I look and act more northern than my father’s counsel would like me too.
Aeg is the charming and perfect crown prince.
That had never been me.
But I would love for you to visit me at my home. I could show you all the hidden places in the Red Keep, as well as all the historic sights and monuments. I would even dance with you, even if what you know is right and I do not enjoy it nor do I believe myself to be very good.
In turn I would adore to finally see the North, see Winterfell, the God’s Wood, a real one and I would love to take mother because I know how much she misses it.
Would you show me all the special places too?
Even if our ride would be a short one, I like to see the land with you.
If little Bran is just half as quick and smart as Robb he would make a fine knight.
Uncle Ned also mentioned to mother that Arya is a lot like her in her youth. I know already that I would love to be her friend. She is my cousin and future good sister after all.
Please write me more about yourself.
What are your favorite foods?
Your favorite stories?
I’m curious and waiting for an answer.
Yours,
Jon Targaryen
This was just the beginning of a long and extensive correspondence between the prince and his fiancé.