Contemplations above the Narrow Sea

A/N: Well, here is the next chapter and we are back to Jon and Sansa. I hope you enjoy the important conversations in more ways than one that you will find within. But there is one thing I wanted to mention before we begin: I am interested in finding or commissioning some Game of Thrones fan art for the story.

To clarify, the rough idea I have right now is to get some art that I feel would be fitting in a future arc that deals with an anniversary of Jon's reign as king. I have some ideas of how I want that to go but for in-universe purposes, imagine that should any of you readers of mine like to make fanart or know someone that does, and are interesting in producing some for me, whether for free advertisement or for a reasonable fee, I would be incorporating the artwork you produced for the unveiling of said monumental artwork to commemorate some highlights of Jon's life and reign along with those his current wives by that point. So, if any of you have fan art experience or know someone that does that might be interested in reading this story, by all means, let me know. I would be most interested in checking out your previous work and talking about what we might be able to produce together from our joint vision.

Anyway, that's enough announcement for now. And like always...

Read, enjoy, and review!

Jon had grown silent while flying towards Braavos, the northern winds actually speeding his travels. He had been catching Sansa up with everything that had happened since he met up with the gathered Riverlords the day before heading out to Greywater Watch and of all the important details of his stay at White Harbor, both expected and not. By the time he was done, he had just left behind the easternmost island that was within the domain of the Vale, which meant there was only an open sea on his flying path until he reached Braavos; according to the maps he found on White Harbor and the magical orientation he gained through his wishes just in case.

Sansa stayed quiet for a longer moment than he would have liked but he supposed it was understandable given what they had discussed with what they were sure Margaery grandmother was going to require of him to consolidate a most useful alliance with the Reach, both in military and agricultural terms. And of course...there were all the details he had shared with her about his conversations with Sarella Sand and how he had asked her to join his new court as an advisor after she impressed him.

Eventually, he literally sensed the sigh that came out of his beloved sister's mouth, hundreds of miles away.

"Thank you for being honest with me, Jon," Sansa said through their mental link. "I can tell how nervous it made you, yet you wanted to keep no secrets from me all the same. That is certainly appreciated. Although, when we agreed to bring more women into our future marriage so that we could have the chance to resurrect some of our loved ones, I must say I didn't expect you to get approached by an excellent political match so soon after we last saw each other. And that's to say nothing of the intelligent woman that has caught your eye already," She added with a hint of resignation in her tone.

Jon closed his eyes, feeling ashamed. "I am sorry Sansa. I swear I was looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you and keeping the vows of our wedding night when the time came. But I never counted on getting such a condition on my powers to restore our family and more."

"Well, it is the card we have been dealt by the hand of fate, and we will both get miraculous things we want out of it, so even if it seems like you are breaking your singular commitment to me, remember that you are doing it for far, far better reasons than of any Lord I have heard off that doesn't get enough out of their lawful wife," The redhead reminded him.

"I know," Jon responded with a sigh. "And I am aware that I could technically find a way to use my powers to make our royal, polygamous marriage a lot more socially acceptable than it would otherwise be. But I still can't completely shake the feeling that this isn't an honorable approach and that bothers me, especially knowing that if you ever feel jealous in the future it will be completely justified and all on me."

"And I love you even more for being mindful of that, Jon, believe me," Sansa said softly, beaming out her thoughts to him in a soothing tone. "To be fair, however, I can't say I have much reason to complain about Margaery being an option, given that she was my closest friend on King's Landing."

Jon tilted his head in mild relief. "I was at least hoping that that would be the case, as that would make it easier for the two of you to get along if all goes well."

"Oh, I am sure it would still take an adjustment period on both our parts," His sister admitted. "But yes, I do think we might eventually manage. Especially if you remain the caring lover I know and love."

"I will certainly try to be," Jon said in agreement. "Even if we all get many benefits out of this polygamous marriage, I must strive my best to make sure I can make you all happy...which I imagine is hard enough with a single wife but I must try all the same."

"And that, my beloved brother, is why I have so much faith in you," Sansa said with a sweet laugh that echoed inside his mind. "There will be many difficulties ahead for all of us and many of them will be unknown to us until they are staring at us right in the face. But if you stay true to your best self, Jon, I am sure we will be able to thrive together, come what may."

Jon actually teared up a little at that, getting emotional at his wonderful sister's continued support, especially after what he had told her today. So, he decided to take inspiration from the last time they had a mental conversation and concentrated on all the feelings of love he felt for Sansa right then and there. Before long, he felt her gasp.

"I really do love you, Sansa," Jon declared. "No matter what happens, never forget that."

"I won't," She replied back across the distance, her tone choked up with the swell of emotions.

They remained silent for a long moment after that, and Jon patted the neck of his mighty she-dragon in the meantime, almost absentmindedly. He no longer saw islands ahead but knew he was getting closer and closer to Braavos upon the powerful wings of his huge companion. Eventually, Sansa broke the silence to ask him an important question.

"I know she was born very far from the North but do you think Sarella Sands may be related to you, however distantly, by your mother's family?" She asked. "That might be a boon if so. I am still not entirely sure how closely related by blood must the future mother of your children be so that the resurrection block is overcome but I have been doing some research while you have been away and if we limit to the families House Stark has married into around the North, we honestly don't have many options for brides right now that are of a suitable age for you, aside from Alys Karstark and Wynafryd Manderly, the eldest grandchild of Lord Wyman," She reminded. "Darcey Mormont might have been a good candidate but while it's good to hear Maege survived the Red Wedding, her eldest daughter was not so lucky. I even asked around at Ironrath to check if House Forrester might have Stark blood in their family tree somewhere because they do have two living, unwed daughters that are called Mia and Talia. The latter I even meet on King's landing a few times since she was one of Margaery's handmaidens when I was there and she certainly seemed pretty and around your own age at least. However, while Rodrick claimed that his father told him that there was a marriage between a Stark bastard and a second-born daughter of House Forrester over a thousand years ago, it was so long ago that they have lost the records for that section of their family tree, so I can't verify if there is a chance that their bloodline would have to lead up to the current generation of Forrester women, even though it would still seem unlikely as she wasn't even the firstborn daughter at the time."

"So," Sansa went on, "I guess I am trying to say that it would probably be helpful if we could finally find out who your mother really was, especially if she was of a noble House had surviving female relatives. Even if they aren't highborn, it might be the push we need to get to the bare minimum of 5 wives that share your blood. Otherwise, due to the bloodshed, the War of the Five Kings, and its aftermath caused to the North, we might end up falling short...even if we end up needing to include Arya on the list," She added with a blush.

Jon sighed, feeling awkward at the last point especially but understanding her arguments. "Yes, the thought has crossed my mind that we might need to ask Arya to join our marriage if we want to overcome the barrier around my resurrection powers, assuming she is willing. But to be honest, and I hope you don't take offense at this, I am still uncomfortable with the idea and that's probably because Arya and I were much closer as siblings growing up than you and me were."

"No offense taken," His betrothed assured him. "It makes a lot of sense. Regardless, we have always known that Arya was always going to be resistant to the idea of being married off to someone against her will so if we end up approaching the subject to her, we need to get her to agree on her own terms. It will take a while for her to adjust in that case, I am sure, but to be fair, since you were always her favorite brother, she may be less hesitant to the idea than we may think right now. I guess we will find out in due time.

"But my point stands," The Lady of Winterfell in exile maintained. "Do you have any reason to suspect this clever woman you have grown fond of, Sarella Sand, has any blood relations to you?"

"Well," Jon said slowly, "I guess that would depend on whether the rumor that Ashara Dayne is my mother is true or not. As far as I know, House Martell has some blood connections to House Dayne, although I am not certain of the specifics right now. If it was really Ashara, however, then yes, I think if Sarella were to bear some of my children then it would qualify as far as the resurrection wall is concerned. But I just don't know for sure."

There was a long pause then Sansa's mental tone turned delicate and tactful. "Do you...want to use your powers to find out who your mother was, or does the idea that the answer would be a disappointment make you hesitate?"

The new god sighed. "It did make me hesitate but I still had the idea in the back of my head for weeks. Still, it doesn't matter. I finally cracked while en route to White Harbor during the flight and the answer was silence. After some thinking, I realized that it had to do with one of the other rules placed by the god that gave me these powers that came to my mind in my sleep after one of our...intimate nights," He explained with a shake of the head. "It seems that since I don't know for sure who my mother is, she is regarded as a complete blank on my family tree, and as such, I can't gain the answer, not a direct connection to any of her relatives until I learn who she was from another source."

"That...must have been frustrating for you," His beloved sister said evenly. "But I guess it is what it is. Don't worry, I am sure we will find a way to get the answer eventually. But for now, well, focus on getting Arya back safely, will you? Remember that you are seeking her out because your powers warned you that soon she will be in mortal danger if you are there to protect her and if she dies not only will we grieve a lot once more but you will be unable to bring her back for the time being," Sansa stressed with urgency in her tone. "Best if we avoid that."

The young king had no reason to disagree with her assessment. "True that. Well, I think I have taken enough of your time. You should probably keep up with your preparations to withstand Ramsay's impending attack until I return. In the meantime, remember that you will receive reinforcements from the knights arriving from the Vale and White Harbor soon. So, just hold it together for a bit. We will soon give Ramsay the punishment he deserves," He vowed.

"I can't wait," Sansa replied with a hint of fierceness in her tone. "Fly safe, Jon. I love you."

"I love you too, Sansa. I will return as soon as I can. Stay strong, like I know you can be."

And with that, he closed their mental link with his sister through a wish, wording it in just the right way so that his Ice Dragon would recover much of his energies after the long flight thus far. She actually roared in surprise at the sudden feelings but her wings moved faster right then and there and Jon smiled as he caressed her neck.

"Don't worry girl, as I promise you before, I will try to take care of you.

A/N: Well, there you go. I will try to update the next chapter soonish within the next 20 hours, so stay tuned. Hope you enjoyed it and like always, feel free to leave your thoughts and comments down below. And again, if you are interested in checking out my fan art offer, then, by all means, let me know.

Until next time.