srslygxlden

[srslygxlden]

Winter’s Reckoning | Jon Snow

PART 2

Pairing | Jon Snow x Rhaenys Baratheon (OC)

Summary | Jon struggles with the weight of Rhaenys' pregnancy, torn between his love for her and the fear of what this means for their future. When he finally tells his family, he is met with a mix of disappointment, worry, and unexpected support. As Winterfell braces for the storm that will come when the truth reaches the South, Jon and Rhaenys must stand together.

Word Count | 4,000

Warnings | Family conflict, fear of rejection, mentions of political consequences, emotional intensity.

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Jon stormed through the stone corridors of Winterfell, his heart hammering in his chest. The cold night air bit at his skin, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging inside him.

Robert Baratheon had banished him.

Banished him from Rhaenys. From his own child.

The sheer unfairness of it burned through him like wildfire. He needed guidance—needed someone to tell him what to do, to help him find a way to fight this.

There was only one man who could.

Lord Eddard Stark.

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Ned Stark sat by the fire, reading over a parchment, but as soon as Jon entered—his steps hurried, his face pale—he set it aside.

"Jon," he said, his deep voice calm but observant. "What's wrong?"

Jon stopped a few paces away, his fists clenched at his sides. He had never been afraid of Eddard before, but shame was a heavy weight on his shoulders now.

“I need to speak with you,” he said, his voice tight. “Alone.”

Ned studied him for a moment before nodding. He gestured for Jon to sit, but Jon remained standing, too restless, too full of turmoil.

“Tell me,” Ned said.

Jon took a breath. "Rhaenys is with child."

The silence that followed was unbearable.

Ned blinked once, slowly. “You’re certain?”

Jon nodded. “Yes. She told me herself. And Robert—he knows.”

At the mention of the king, Ned’s expression darkened. “And what did he say?”

Jon’s throat tightened. “He told me to leave. To never see her again.”

Something flickered in Ned’s eyes—anger, perhaps, though it was well-contained. “And what do you want to do?”

Jon’s jaw clenched. “I want to be with her. I want to do right by her.” He looked down, shame twisting in his gut. “But I don’t know how.”

Ned was silent for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. Finally, he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Jon…” His voice was heavy. “This is not a small thing.”

“I know that,” Jon snapped.

Ned raised a brow, and Jon immediately regretted his tone. But he was desperate.

“Please,” Jon said, voice quieter. “I love her.”

Ned exhaled slowly, leaning forward. “If Robert has commanded you to leave, then he means to keep you away from her.”

Jon’s stomach churned. “Are you saying I should give up?”

“No.” Ned’s eyes locked onto his. “I’m saying this is dangerous.”

Jon stiffened. “She’s carrying my child.”

Ned nodded gravely. “And for that reason, she is more vulnerable than ever.”

Jon’s hands curled into fists. “I have to protect them.”

Ned studied him for a long moment. Then, finally, he stood. “Come with me.”

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Robb, Catelyn, and Maester Luwin were already gathered when Jon and Ned arrived. Jon’s stomach twisted—he wasn’t ready to face them.

Catelyn’s expression was unreadable, but Jon knew this would not go well.

“What is this about?” she asked, her sharp blue eyes scanning Jon suspiciously.

Ned was the one to speak. “Jon has found himself in a difficult position,” he said carefully.

Jon swallowed. “Rhaenys is pregnant. With my child.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and irreversible.

Robb’s brows shot up. “What?”

Catelyn’s face darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line.

“You got the princess with child?” she asked, her voice cold.

Jon braced himself. “Yes.”

Silence. Then—

“You bloody fool.”

Jon turned to see Robb glaring at him, arms crossed over his chest. “Are you mad?” Robb snapped. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

Jon’s temper flared. “Of course I do.”

“You sure about that?” Robb stepped closer. “Because this isn’t some tavern girl. This is the daughter of the king. The daughter of Cersei Lannister.”

Jon clenched his jaw. “I know.”

Catelyn scoffed. “Then you must know that this child will never be accepted. You have ruined her. Ruined yourself.”

Jon flinched. He had expected her disdain, but hearing it still stung.

“I will marry her,” he said, standing tall.

Catelyn let out a bitter laugh. “Marry her?” She turned to Ned. “You cannot allow this.”

Ned’s expression was unreadable. “It is not my decision to make.”

Jon swallowed hard. “I won’t abandon them.”

Catelyn shook her head in disgust. “You are a bastard, Jon. And now you’ve made her a ruined woman. Do you truly believe Robert Baratheon will allow this?”

“I don’t care what he allows,” Jon snapped.

Robb groaned, dragging a hand over his face. “Jon, be reasonable. The king will never let you near her again. And if you defy him, he’ll have you killed.”

Jon’s blood ran cold.

He knew that. He had always known that.

But hearing Robb say it—hearing it spoken aloud—made it real.

“I don’t care,” Jon said, voice tight. “I won’t let him keep me from them.”

Ned finally spoke. “Jon.” His voice was firm, but not unkind. “If you wish to fight for her, you will need more than stubbornness.”

Jon’s breath caught.

He looked up, meeting his uncle’s eyes.

“What do you mean?”

Ned exhaled, as if deciding something. Then he turned to Maester Luwin. “Write to Stannis Baratheon. And Renly. I want to know where their allegiances lie.”

Jon frowned. “Why?”

“Because Robert will be difficult to sway,” Ned said. “But his brothers… they may be more reasonable.”

Jon felt a flicker of hope.

Robb still looked unconvinced. “And if that doesn’t work?”

Ned’s expression darkened. “Then we will have to find another way.”

Jon’s heart pounded. He didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was certain—

He would not lose Rhaenys.

No matter the cost.

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MASTERLIST

PART 1

PART 3

[srslygxlden]

MASTERLIST

WINTER’S RECKONING | Jon Snow

Summary | Rhaenys Baratheon, the only daughter of Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister, finds herself carrying Jon Snow’s child after a secret romance in Winterfell. With no way to hide the truth for long, she must face the consequences of their love, the reactions of Jon, and the future that awaits them both.

PART 1.

PART 2.

PART 3.

PART 4.

PART 5.

[srslygxlden]

Winter’s Reckoning | Jon Snow

Pairing | Jon Snow x Rhaenys Baratheon (OC)

Summary | Rhaenys Baratheon, the only daughter of Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister, finds herself carrying Jon Snow’s child after a secret romance in Winterfell. With no way to hide the truth for long, she must face the consequences of their love, the reactions of Jon, and the future that awaits them both.

Word Count | 3,500

Warnings | Pregnancy, anxiety, secrecy, minor mentions of shame regarding bastardy.

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Winterfell, Year 298 AC

The first snowfall of the season had come early, covering Winterfell in a pristine white blanket. The cold seeped through even the thickest furs, but for Lady Rhaenys Baratheon, it was nothing compared to the chill settling in her bones.

She sat at the edge of her bed, fingers gripping the rough fabric of her cloak, her mind racing. The midwife had confirmed what she had already feared.

She was with child.

Jon’s child.

Her breath came in shallow gasps as she stared at the wooden floor, her stomach twisting painfully. She was barely fifteen, Jon only a year older. The thought of telling him, of telling anyone, made her chest tighten with dread.

Her mother would kill her.

Her father would disown her.

Her brothers—gods, Joffrey—he would never let her live to see the birth.

A soft knock at her chamber door startled her. She knew who it was before he even spoke.

“Rhaenys?” Jon’s voice was quiet, hesitant. “Are you awake?”

She squeezed her eyes shut for a brief moment before answering. “Come in.”

Jon stepped inside, dark curls tousled from the wind, his grey eyes searching hers the moment the door shut behind him. He had always been able to read her too well.

“You look troubled,” he said, crossing the room. His voice was gentle, but concern lined his features. “Did something happen?”

Rhaenys parted her lips, but the words caught in her throat. She had imagined a thousand ways to tell him, but now that the moment was here, she was paralyzed.

Jon frowned and reached for her hand. “You’re trembling.”

She forced herself to speak. “Jon,” she whispered, looking up at him. “I’m with child.”

The silence that followed was suffocating. Jon’s grip on her hand tightened for a fraction of a second before he slowly pulled away. His face paled, his jaw tightening.

“What?” he breathed.

She swallowed hard, her nails digging into her palms. “I—I wasn’t sure at first. But the midwife confirmed it today.”

Jon took a step back, running a hand over his face. “Seven hells…”

Rhaenys felt her chest constrict. She had known this would be difficult, but seeing the panic in Jon’s expression made her want to break apart.

“You’re sure?” he asked, voice strained.

She nodded. “Yes.”

Jon exhaled sharply, turning away. He paced across the room, his boots scuffing against the stone floor. “This is bad, Rhae,” he muttered. “Your parents—your brothers—”

“I know,” she snapped, her fear morphing into frustration. “You think I don’t know that?”

Jon flinched, then cursed under his breath. He turned back to her, his expression conflicted. “I—I didn’t mean it like that.” He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. “We need to think. We need a plan.”

Rhaenys felt her eyes burn, but she refused to cry. “There is no plan, Jon,” she whispered. “Even if we wed, do you think my mother will allow it? Do you think my father will?”

Jon’s face darkened. “I’ll speak to Lord Stark. Maybe he can help us.”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “And what will he say? That his bastard son got a princess pregnant? That I should stay in Winterfell and bring shame upon my house?” She shook her head. “There’s no way out of this, Jon.”

Jon clenched his fists. “There has to be.”

Rhaenys felt a tear slip down her cheek, and before she could wipe it away, Jon was kneeling before her, cupping her face with both hands.

“I won’t abandon you,” he said firmly. “No matter what happens, I’ll stand by you.”

She wanted to believe him. Gods, she did. But they were young, and the world was cruel.

A sharp knock at the door made them both jump.

“Rhaenys.” The voice was cold, commanding.

Her mother.

Panic surged through her veins. She barely had time to react before Cersei Baratheon strode into the room, golden hair glinting in the candlelight, emerald eyes scanning the scene before her. Jon rose to his feet immediately, his face a mask of forced composure.

Rhaenys’ heart pounded.

Cersei’s gaze flickered between them, her lips curling ever so slightly. “I see,” she murmured, stepping forward. “So it’s true.”

Rhaenys felt the blood drain from her face. “Mother, I—”

Cersei’s hand shot out, gripping her chin with cold fingers. “Quiet,” she hissed. Her eyes were sharp, calculating, as they moved to Jon. “And you,” she sneered. “The bastard of Winterfell.”

Jon held his ground, his shoulders squared. “Your Grace,” he said stiffly.

Cersei’s grip on Rhaenys’ chin tightened before she released her, stepping back with a look of utter disdain. “You’ve ruined yourself,” she spat at her daughter. “Do you have any idea what this means?”

Rhaenys swallowed the lump in her throat. “I—”

“You are my daughter. A princess of the realm.” Cersei’s voice was like ice. “And yet, you allow this—” she gestured at Jon, “—to stain your name with his filth.”

Jon stiffened but said nothing.

Cersei exhaled sharply. “Your father will hear of this. And when he does, there will be no mercy.” She turned her gaze to Jon, her expression venomous. “As for you, boy—”

The door slammed open once more.

“What’s this?” The booming voice of Robert Baratheon filled the chamber. He was drunk, as usual, his large frame unsteady. But his sharp blue eyes locked onto his daughter, then onto Jon, and his expression darkened.

Cersei turned to him, a slow smirk curling her lips. “Your precious daughter has been defiled,” she said silkily. “By the Stark bastard.”

Robert’s face twisted with rage. “Is this true?” he demanded, his gaze burning into Jon.

Rhaenys stepped forward, her voice shaking. “Father, please—”

Robert’s fist crashed against a nearby table, sending goblets tumbling to the floor. “You dare?” he roared at Jon. “You dare touch my daughter?”

Jon clenched his jaw. “I love her.”

Robert let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “Love?” He turned to Rhaenys. “And you, girl? You think this is love?”

She lifted her chin. “Yes.”

Robert’s face twisted with fury. “You stupid, foolish girl.”

Jon stepped between them. “I’ll take responsibility,” he said firmly. “I’ll marry her.”

Cersei let out a mocking laugh. “Oh, how noble.” She turned to Robert. “Shall we let her wed a bastard, then? Shall we let the realm laugh at us?”

Robert’s nostrils flared. “No.”

Rhaenys’ stomach dropped.

He turned to Jon, his voice like thunder. “You will leave Winterfell, bastard. And you will never see my daughter again.”

Jon’s eyes widened. “No—”

“You have no claim to her, no right to my blood,” Robert growled. “Leave. Before I have your head on a spike.”

Rhaenys’ breath hitched. “Father, please—”

But Robert had already turned away, and Cersei’s smirk widened.

Jon looked at Rhaenys, his face pale, his eyes filled with desperation.

“I will come back for you,” he swore.

But as the doors slammed shut behind him, Rhaenys felt the walls closing in.

And she knew—her battle had only just begun.

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MASTERLIST

Part 2.