Wolves Will Come Again

It is common knowledge since “the letter” circulated the internet that Jon Snow and Arya Stark were meant to be the main romantic pairing of A Song of Ice and Fire x. Five books later and the story has diverged from its original intention, but still there are so many clues that point to an underlying romanticism to their relationship (able to be picked up, even despite anyone’s personal shipping preferences).

Jon and Arya are the epitome of redamancy, a love returned in full. It is the purest and most unconditionally loving of relationships shown in the books; there is nothing that taints their love for one another, unlike, say, Cersei and Jaime or Ned and Catelyn or even Jon with Robb.

They begin close, both emotionally and geographically, together in Winterfell. But, as time and story demand, they are separated, and their hearts are tested time and time again, leading eventually to the end of A Dance with Dragons: Arya figuratively split down the middle by the opposing Needle and the Faceless Men, and Jon, bleeding out on the snow at the Wall, just after his decision to break his vows for Arya.

This meta is split up into several parts, and thoroughly considers every aspect that makes up Jon and Arya’s unique relationship, as well as exploring the romantic undertones of their thoughts and actions.

ARYA STARK APPRECIATION WEEK 2024 || Day 6: Parallels with other characters

"Your sister," Iron Emmett said, "how old is …"

Needle was Jon Snow's smile.

The memory of her laughter warmed him on the long ride north.

He wanted to believe it would be Arya. He wanted to see her face again, to smile at her and muss her hair, to tell her she was safe.

Jon will want me, even if no one else does

needleheart winter → brides and marriage

she wondered if he would still call her “little sister.” i’m not so little anymore. he’d have to call me something else.

…

The heart is all that matters... Your sister is not lost to you.

ARYA STARK VALENTINE’S DAY CHALLENGE || Day One: Foreshadowing

“I know where we could go,” Arya said. She still had one brother left. Jon will want me, even if no one else does. He’ll call me “little sister” and muss my hair. It was a long way, though, and she didn’t think she could get there by herself. She hadn’t even been able to reach Riverrun. “We could go to the Wall.” – Arya XII, A Storm of Swords

~*~

Jon (AGOT) and Arya (ASOS) knowing they would be unconditionally accepted by one another

Jon (ADWD) and Arya (AFFC) seeing each other as home

needleheart winter → songs and stories: the winter rose

“now as it happened the winter roses had only then come into bloom, and no flower is so rare nor precious. so the stark sent to his glass gardens and commanded that the most beautiful o’ the winter roses be plucked for the singer’s payment. and so it was done. but when morning come, the singer had vanished … and so had lord brandon’s maiden daughter. her bed they found empty, but for the pale blue rose that bael had left on the pillow where her head had lain.”

…

you told the world you burned the king-beyond-the-wall. instead you sent him to winterfell to steal my bride from me.

…