Chapter 1: Sansa

I knew something was coming to change our lives soon, I could feel it in the sharp Northern winds that played with my fiery tresses. I knew Father was on his way back from an execution and that Bran would need me when they returned. I waited, feeling the songs of ice wrap around me. Winter truly was coming.

Father came riding up with Robb and Theon close behind. Jon was with Bran further back, I could see the change in Bran but he was stronger for it, maybe he wouldn't need me like I thought he would. Jon looked up at me and nodded as he always does. I know I'm cool to him but he is not my brother. Not because he is a bastard, no, I can feel it. He is a Stark, but there is a fire in him. He is not Ned's son, but he belongs at Winterfell.

Robb pulls me out of my thoughts, "You came to welcome us back, Sansa?"

"I finished with my lessons early and thought I might welcome you back. How did the execution go?"

"As well as ever," Father said. "We brought you something."

"What is it?"

Father pulls out Direwolf pups from beneath his cloak, as do Robb and Theon. I was drawn to a snow white pup with bits of steel grey fur along her back. She was to be mine, and I was to be hers.

Her name came to me then, "Lady," I said as I went to claim her. Her ears perked up and she willingly accepted my touch and nuzzled into my cloak as I held her tight. She would be safe with me, I would make sure.

"Now, you will feed her and train her yourself, Sansa." Said Father.

"Of course, Father," I would not dream of having it any other way.

We receive news that the King is coming North with his family. This must be the change I felt. On the day before their arrival I took Lady with me into the Godswood to pray. I always felt more at home amongst the weirwood trees and the Old Gods. I heard him before I saw him, Jon came through the trees with Ghost. He stopped, wondering whether to stay or leave. Ghost came over to Lady and they began to play, they liked each other very much.

"You can stay, Jon." I said with a smile he could not see.

"I didn't mean to disturb your prayer, I just…" He was always uncertain around me.

"I was done praying. Come, sit with me, unless you'd rather I leave so you may pray?"

"No, no! I… I'll sit for awhile."

"You all must have gotten a cut and a shave for the King," I said as I made room for him next to me. "It looks nice, though I like your hair longer."

"I… Thank you, Sansa." He runs his hand through his hair, "I don't know why we had to get all dolled up for the King."

"Father just wants to impress, you know how Southerners are with their finery." I smile at him as he finally settles down next to me.

We look of at our wolves, yipping and rolling around. Lady only plays like this with Ghost, they are the closest siblings. I feel now might be the best time to tell Jon how I feel about him. We may not see each other for a long time.

"Jon?" he nods in response and looks at me. "I know that I have not been the best sibling to you but its because I don't see you as one," he opens his mouth to protest but I cut him off, "No, not for the reasons you think." He looks confused now but I must continue, "I… have always had these… feelings, thoughts that seem to come from no where that usually end up being correct. You have never felt like a sibling to me. You have Stark blood, yes, and you are a true son of Winterfell but… you have this fire in you that makes me think you are not Ned's true son in that he sired you." I touch his hand now, looking into his eyes and willing the confusion to go away, to understand that I do not mean to be cruel. "He is the man that raised you, that will never change, but I feel that there is more to your story than we know." I look at him fiercely now, showing my steel, my strength, "You will always be a Stark though."

He looks shocked but calm and happy in a way I haven't ever seen. "Thank you, Sansa. I know we have never been close but don't let others call you a Trout, you are a Wolf. Please don't forget that." The fire I have seen in him seems to flare and I feel his skin warm under my touch.

I laugh, then turned to Jon, becoming more serious. "I don't know if I'm ready for the King to come, Jon. It feels wrong."

"I thought you always loved the Southern songs and stories?" He says, confused at my confession.

"Yes, well, those are stories aren't they? I belong in the North and I fear I will be taken from it soon." I shiver but not from the cold, my words hummed with truth.

Jon looks at me with his deep, sad eyes and says, "You may be taken South, dressed like a Southern doll, but you will never truly leave the North behind. I'm not looking forward to the visit either, but it will be over soon, those Southerners never stay North of the Neck long." He smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

I laughed again at his statements. He is a true gentleman and his smile seemed awkward but truly genuine.

"Come, let's go back to the Keep, Father will be wondering where we are." I say, and brush off my shirts. We walk back together.

The day the King came my mother did my hair in true Northern braids and I wore my best dress, I knew that Father cared greatly about how we appeared to his long friend King Robert and the Southern Lion Queen. I even convinced Arya to dress like a Lady, hoping Father would be proud of us.

King Robert came in all his Southern finery with Queen Cersei, looking quite beautiful but with a sourness that marred her fine features. The two youngest children, Princess Myrcella and Prince Tommen, were gentle and kind, but Prince Joffrey had an evil just aching to be released. King Robert was fat and loud but I liked him enough. He could have been a Northerner but up close he smelled to much of wine for my liking.

Father was asked to be Hand of the King, which he graciously accepted, and it was suggested that I be betrothed to his son, Prince Joffrey. I hated the idea but I knew father was too noble to decline his King and I must make the best of my situation. I knew I would be married off and I must play my part as a Stark daughter. Mother helped me again for the feast, fixing my hair and picking out a new dress to impress the Sour Lion Queen.

"The Prince is quite handsome, is he not Mother?" I asked in my best imitation of joy.

Mother could see through it, though she said nothing, "Ey, he is, little one. But I will miss you when you are gone." I knew she was sad to lose her husband and eldest daughter at once.

I hugged her and smiled, hoping to be strong for both of us, "But I will be queen."

At the feast I was sat next to Prince Joffrey and Arya. I was glad to have the chance to get to know my betrothed before we left the North. I could feel the eyes of Queen Cersei and Prince Joffrey on me, I know I must make the North and my father proud.

"Lady Sansa, I have been informed that we are to be married," say Joffrey with what he assumes to be a charming smile but it is too cruel to do anything for me.

"Yes, Your Highness, I have been told the same. I hope to be a good wife to you and to the Kingdom." I smile sweetly, hearing Arya gage a little next to me. I try not to laugh, I feel the same way.

"You are quite lovely, I can't wait to get you in some fine clothing befitting my queen to be, these rags will not do." He says scornfully at my dress. I keep my smile in place, he is cruel, I feel it more and more, but he must be kept happy. I can tell that if I appeal to his cruel view of the world I will win in our marriage.

Arya choices that moment to throw food at me. I'm glad and know that she could sense that I want to leave. I see Joffrey's eyes gleam and make a choice. I get angry and chastise Arya and leave as a Lady. Cersei and Joffrey are pleased, they think they can take me away from the North and make me a pawn, little do they know I will be no ones pawn.