Chapter 1
"Open the gates," a cry that was all too familiar. Only this time, it was welcoming.
We've taken back Winterfell. House Bolton is gone.
Sansa felt a chill run down her spine that had nothing to do with the falling snow. A knock at the door came as she pulled on the hooded cloak. The leaf embroideries had taken forever, but it was well worth it. Making things in her spare time helped keep her mind off things.
"Enter."
"Lady Stark," Maester stood in the now open doorway. "Forgive my intrusion, but Jon Snow is home."
Ghost was already running through the halls. Normally, the Direwolf hardly made a sound. In that moment, however his cries echoed through the halls.
"Jon! Excuse me, Maester I should go greet him."
"Of course, My Lady," the elderly man nodded, and stepped out of the way.
"Have Bran brought to the great hall," Sansa called over her shoulder. Arya's boots echoed loudly as she took three steps at a time. Sansa smiled. Things had been doing better between the two of them over the past few weeks.
I hope Mother and Father are proud. The thought came as she descended the stairs, not as quickly as Arya. Sansa knew better than to get in her little sisters way, particularly when it came to Jon. Arya should see him first. There would be plenty of time for her to speak with him later.
What Sansa did not expect to see was the Targaryen Queen.
"Jon?"
"Sansa," he nodded, grin fading as he placed Arya back down on her feet.
Her eyes found Dany, scanning her over. This was not the homecoming she'd anticipated.
Jon glanced from Dany to his sister as they stared at one another in stunned, awkward silence.
"This is Daenerys."
Sansa looked about the hall. The men obviously uneasy, possibly a little angry by the newcomer in their halls.
"Hello," She strode over, eyes not leaving the queen's as she sat down across from them. "If I knew we were having company, I would have had a first prepared."
"Oh, there's no need-" Dany began before Jon held up a hand to silence her.
"I tried to send a Raven. It didn't arrive in time. I apologize."
Arya sat between the two. They could all sense some sort of tension in the air. She just couldn't quite put her finger on what it was just yet.
Negotiations were held, and a reluctant alliance was made. It took some time to calm the Knights of the Vale, but it was evident that they trusted her.
"I'll make sure a room is prepared for you, your grace." Sansa turned to leave, but Jon called out to her before she could leave.
"Can the two of us speak alone?"
Sansa turned back to him, and nodded.
"I'll meet you in your bedroom, if that's all right?"
"Of course, Jon." Sansa nodded curtly, and made her way back up the stone steps.
Jon wanted to speak alone. What couldn't be said in front of everyone?
She sat on the edge of her bed, and continued her most recent project, a new cloak for Arya. Embroidered across the edge was her sword, Needle. The silver and gold threads shimmered in the candle light. A wolf pelt lined the mandarin collar.
Two knocks sounded at the door, and a moment later creaked open. Jon entered, and shut the door behind him. Sansa smiled at him, and placed the project aside.
"You wanted to speak with me?"
"Yes," Jon's dark eyes glanced over the room before he fond a chair, Ghost trotted behind him. Tail wagging as he moved it closer to the bed, and sat down.
"I saw Theon."
Sansa's eyes went wide, and her lips parted slightly. The last she'd seen Theon was in the snowy wood. Shivering, and sniffing as he rode away on the horse. She had hoped that maybe he'd write to her. Let her know what happened.
"How was he? How'd he look? Did he make it home?"
"Yes," Jon answered a bit too quickly for her liking.
"But?"
Sansa's hands clenched the blanket, expecting the worst. Her heart sank, and tears stung at her eyes.
"He's on his way to rescue his sister."
"Rescue?"
What had she missed?
"Theon's Uncle, Euron took her prisoner after attacking their fleet."
Her hand found her mouth.
"Oh gods,"
"Theron's fine, Jon assured. He has some men loyal to Yara who will help him."
"And after he rescues her?"
Jon's eyes glanced down at the floor.
"I don't know, Sansa. But Yara made an alliance with Dany. Theon seems to be willing to uphold that alliance. I assume he'll come back here, Gods willing , he'll come here once Theon frees her."
Sansa nodded, and took a deep breath in an attempt to stop the tears that ran down his cheeks.
The chair scraped against the wood floor as Jon stood. She felt his hand on her shoulder, but couldn't bring herself to look at him.
"He asked about you. It was practically the first words out of his mouth. He seemed worried about you. Wanted to know if you were alright."
Sansa smiled to herself. Surprised by the watery laugh that escaped her.
"That sounds like him."
She could feel Jon's broody eyes on her as he returned to the chair.
"I hadn't realized the two of you were so close?"
"He saved me. He saved us, really." Sansa drew her cloak up and around her. She closed her eyes at the memory. She'd been so cold, Sansa could hardly 'd embraced her. Tried to get her warm even though he was probably just as cold and wet as she had been. Heat rose in her cheeks, and she had to fight the urge to shield her face with the hood of her cloak.
"He's the only one that really understands Jon." Her voice scarcely above a whisper. She finally looked at her half brother.
"Theon would never hurt me"
Jon's eyebrows flicked upwards briefly, as if something had just occurred to him.
"You sound like you're in love with him."
"Don't be ridiculous."
But could she dismiss the thought so easily?
