"I'm having the lord's chamber prepared for you." Jon said as he stood beside Ronnika, watching Melisandre ride south. Ronnika didn't even ask Jon as to why he sent her away as soon as she got to know she was a witch who resurrected him. The only thing she said to Melisandre back then was, you can only disgrace the dead so much.
Jon didn't know what she meant by that and for some reason he found himself not wanting to know. Just maybe because he was tired, fighting wars that weren't his but he got dragged into them anyway. All he did was fight and maybe he just wants breathe, for now. Maybe just for a moment.
Ronnika pursed her lips as she didn't say anything, watching the white cold snow fall. It was pretty, really pretty to her, and it was only then when she made a decision." You should take it after I leave."
"I'm not a Stark." Jon couldn't help but protest, she was the rightful heir to Winterfell and he was just a snow. The facts wouldn't change no matter what.
And for the first time in the while she smiled as she glanced sideways at him," You are to me." Her dark eyes were deep and warm, they made him feel warm inside. She looked at him like he was family and that made him glad.
"You're the Lady of Winterfell. You deserve it. We're standing here because of you. The battle was lost until the Dornish soldiers rode in. They came because of you." Jon said as his hands tightened its grip on the rock wall." Even after that, the Knights of Vale rode in because of Sansa."
"Sansa told me Lord Baelish sold her to the Boltons." Jon added in the silence where Ronnika didn't answer but looked in front of them at white endless sea on ground, everything looked so pure and good. The same ground which was covered in blood, death and gore shone whiteness and purity.
Jon was taken aback by her blank look and cold voice as she said, "He did." He wasn't able to tell whether it was a statement or a question as he glanced at her," Only a fool would trust Littlefinger but you don't have to worry about him anymore Jon. I'll take care of him."
"I will not let anyone hurt my family anymore." Her eyes shone the determination of her promise and Jon couldn't help but nod in agreement to her, he knew she would keep her promise no matter what. Just like the promise she had made him years ago, we will meet again, Jon. I promise.
They stood in silence watching the white wilderness ahead of them. The cold winds were blowing through their hair, yet somehow the cold comforted them, both of them. It felt nice to just breathe in, let their minds wonder about after the noble war they had won because it wasn't the last war they were to fight. They knew there would be other wars to come, they both knew it and for that reason alone, they breathed in the beauty of freedom and peace. Just for a little while.
Their silence and thoughts were broken by Sansa as she entered in the balcony or the outer wall. She walked in, standing by Ronnika who didn't say anything on her arrival and was looking straight ahead, so did Jon." A raven came from the Citadel." It was only after those words did Jon and Ronnika faced Sansa, waiting for her to continue." A white raven. Winter is here."
Winter is here, the words echoed into her mind. That raven meant Tommen Baratheon was dead. Her nephew was dead. Tommen was a sweet boy, not like his brother. Tommen was dead. Her hands clenched into fists and it was safe that neither Jon or Sansa noticed it. It also meant that Cersei Lannister was the new queen, she was the one sitting on the iron throne.
Jon looked up at the blue sky that had snow falling out of it before he looked back at Sansa, "Well, Father always promised, didn't he?"
And all three of them stood there in front of white wilderness with different thoughts, some in joy and some in sorrows. They stood together.
"That dress looks great on you." Ronnika heard a familiar voice from her doorway, too familiar to her ears. She was getting ready for the meeting of northern lords, all of them were called on her request and none of them refused once they found out it was the call from the Lone Wolf. After all, North Remembers.
Oberyn came inside her childhood room, standing behind her in front of the floor length mirror. "Though I'd would have preferred red or yellow."
Ronnika glanced at him through mirror, for once he wasn't wearing yellow, red or golden. He was wearing a silver white tunic and black pants, he looked aesthetic and beautiful in her eyes. "Well, I'm not representing Dorne here. I'm here as a Stark," she said to him as her own eyes fell on her dress. It was detailed design stitched dress with long sleeves, in color of white and grey with fur border in the end. It was one of the most beautiful dresses she had ever seen and it was her new favorite. And a thought occurred to her as she gazed into those ethereal black eyes of his," Do you see a queen?"
"Yes." He answered earnestly as he gazed back into those warm brown eyes," You are queen. Of my heart and my being." And his leaned forward, pressing his chest against her back as he put his arms around her, one hand trailing up to her lip as he swiped his thumb ring finger over it," You are the queen of Winterfell."
Her passion and blood burned inside of her, just for him as she looked at him through the mirror. She felt his other arm go around her waist, feeling his hot breath over her ear. She had to restrain herself from shivering as she heard his husky voice filled with desire," You've got a heart as loud as lions, so don't let your voice be tamed." Referring to gaudy feast tonight with northern lords, it was there she would crown herself the queen she rightfully was.
"Never," she whispered back.
She stepped into the hall with Jon, Sansa, Rickon on either side of her as Wild walked in front of her. The dining hall was lightened only by the side window that casted almost a white light and torches by sides of the hall and large candlestick on both sides of the high table, illuminating the grey room. The dining hall was filled all the northern lords and wildlings as they entered. Ronnika didn't spare any glance to any lord as she walked her head held high, her dark eyes trained on the high table. She saw Oberyn and Daemon standing on the side of high table, still waiting for her. No one sat on high table without lord or in this case a queen. The murmurs had quietened as she walked among the lords who bowed as she walked by, everyone was in awe of her. Her grey fur of the dress followed her as she walked, her eyes cold and her hair fashioned into high bun that gave her a sharp, cold look. She looked regal.
She sat in the lord's seat without hesitation, wild in front of table by her feet. Jon and Rickon sat by right side of her and Sansa by her left. Their dark eyes, their mannerism and their honor, all of those spoke for their Stark blood. The lords sat themselves into their seats as she and her cousins took the seats, her eyes running through the entire hall. All the northern lords or their representatives, the representatives of Knights of Vale, the Tully's and the wildlings were all present in the dining hall. Tormund, the wilding representative and Davos, the pirate, she had come to know were sitting among the wildlings. Petyr, her eyes slightly narrowed at him was standing off to the side, watching and observing. She had no doubt.
The silence of the dining hall was broken by a knight of vale," You can't expect Knights of the Vale to side with wildling invaders." Ronnika didn't even have hint of the idea of what they were speaking about, the only thing she knew for sure was there was an argument before she and her cousins entered.
Tormund, the red-haired wilding spoke up, "We didn't invade. We were invited."
Ronnika sat there as her eyes filled with amusement as the vale knight continued," Not by me." She had to stop herself from laughing, they were arguing like they were little children but her mood dampened as she recognized the situation could turn into brawl of fists any moment. This wasn't the time for amusement or brawls within themselves. Winter was here.
Ronnika stood up from her chair, her chair scraping in the process and the two men silenced themselves from her actions. "The free folk, the northerners, Tully's and the Knights of the Vale fought bravely, fought together, and we won. My uncle use to say we find our true friends on the battlefield." Her voice cut through the silent air, clear and sharp.
One of the houses' representatives stood up," The Boltons are defeated. The war is over. Winter has come. If the maesters are right, it'll be the coldest one in a thousand years. We should ride home and wait out the coming storms." Ronnika had half mind to stab the foolish idiot, the problem coming was far bigger than Boltons or anything. It even outweighed Cersei if Jon had told her was right. Whitewalkers were coming and they were bringing storm like none other.
"The war is not over. "Ronnika said as breathed in deeply and looked at the slimy man," And I promise you, friend, the true enemy won't wait out the storm. He brings the storm."
The men begin to murmur among themselves. Talking and discussing among themselves as she stood there above all of them. She was a Stark, yes, but she didn't know how to deal with this. She had never seen them or known them and back at Westerlands, every house was loyal to Lannisters. That meant even her and in the north Boltons only captured power when the Northern houses disunited within themselves. And war was coming, far bigger than anticipated and she needed Northern houses to unit as they once were.
Lyanna Mormont, the girl with dark hair and darker eyes with fierceness of a bear, Ronnika noticed stands up. She had acquainted herself with her before the dining hall. Lyanna was fierce and admired by her. And Ronnika didn't say anything because she knew Lyanna Mormont had her back, she trusted her just as she trusted the Mormont house who helped Jon and Sansa. So, Ronnika sat down and nodded back at Lyanna, to take the forefront." Your son was butchered at the Red Wedding, Lord Manderly. But you refused the call." The little girl said in sharp voice, directing it to a burly man in silver hair.
She then turned her side, facing another half bald man," You swore allegiance to House Stark, Lord Glover, but in their hour of greatest need, you refused the call." Jon exchanged a glance with Ronnika before she looked back at Lyanna," And you, Lord Cerwyn, your father was skinned alive by Ramsay Bolton. Still you refuse the call." And Ronnika couldn't help but smirk as the shaggy haired lord casted his eyes down in embarrassment and regret.
"But House Mormont remembers." She said loudly before she connected her eyes with Ronnika," The North remembers." And Lyanna looked away she directed words to all present there, as the hall hushed," We know no ruler but Queen and King in the North whose name is Stark. I don't care if she is a half Lannister or Martell now. Brandon Stark's blood runs through her veins." She then looked to Jon from Ronnika,"And I don't care if he is a bastard, Ned Stark's blood runs through his veins." Then she glanced at Ronnika and Jon, her eyes lingering on both of them," They are my queen and king from this day until their last day."
The men resumed murmuring among themselves and Jon beside her was amazed by the little girl, who took her seat and he just looked at her with wonder and amazement. Suddenly, the burly man with silver gets up. Lord Manderly, Ronnika noticed as Lyanna said," Lady Mormont speaks harshly and truly." Lyanna pursed her lips as the lord continued," My son died for Robb Stark, the Young Wolf. I didn't think we'd find another queen and king in my lifetime." Lord Manderly faced them both, Ronnika and Jon," I didn't commit my men to your cause 'cause I didn't want more Manderlys dying for nothing. But I was wrong. Ronnika Stark, the Lone Wolf, upheld her rule by her birthright and royal decree. Jon Snow avenged the Red Wedding. He is the White Wolf." Lord Manderly then unsheathed his sword, rests it point-down before he kneeled to them." The Queen and King in the North."
Silence once again filled the room before a man stands up, a man with silver beard and medium built, Lord Glover if she was correct." I did not fight beside you on the field and I will regret that until my dying day. A man can only admit when he was wrong and ask forgiveness." His words were directed to Jon.
"There's nothing to forgive, my lord." Jon said courteously, and Ronnika had hold back a scoff. They had broken an allegiance, they had been disloyal but she knew her petty childishness didn't belong here. Lord Glover did what was best for his house and she couldn't blame him.
Lord Glover then looked at all lords," There will be more fights to come. House Glover will stand behind House Stark as we have for a thousand years. I will stand behind Ronnika Stark......The Queen in the North! And I'll stand behind Jon Snow... the King in the North!" Lord Glover drew his blade, resting it point-down on the ground as he kneels." The Queen in the North! The King in the North!"
A moment passed before everyone in the hall stood up and drew their blades, thrusting them in the air. Pledging their loyalty once again as the calls and chants begun," The Queen in the North! The King in the North! The Queen in the North! The King in the North! The Queen in the North! The King in the North! The Queen in the North! The King in the North!"
It was an overwhelming feeling, her blood ran warm in her veins, she was finally home. She was finally the queen of Winterfell and she finally had her family together. Ronnika met Jon's eyes and they both stood up, knowing it was a responsibility they had to carry. It felt good as she looked down up her people, northers and everything she had ever wanted. And she gazed at the hall, watching all men before her eyes caught onto Littlefinger who she saw was looking at Sansa, they were sharing an eye contact, her and Petyr. She made a mental note to take care of Lord Baelish before he slipped away from her fingers. She still had to take revenge for Joffrey's death, he was her nephew while he also sold Sansa to Boltons and nobody hurt her family and lived. No matter what.
In one of her many encounters with Littlefinger, he had once said to her," There's no justice in this world, not unless you make it." And that was her plan exactly, she was going make justice for wrongs he had done to his family members. She was going to kill him for better or worse.
She quietly yet slowly sipped her red wine as her bloodthirsty eyes pinned themselves on Lord Baelish, thinking of the blood red wine she sipping and blood she will spill and she comes to a conclusion, she likes the taste of blood just fine.