This story came from a few places. One was trying to figure out Sansa's thoughts as Jon was being proclaimed King of the North (couldn't tell if she was pleased or annoyed), the other was just the sheer awesomeness of Lady Lyanna Mormont. It's also been gestating more since a comment was made on about another one of my stories.
And it was originally conceived as a one shot. I put it aside and came back to it the following morning thinking of other characters and how they can fit the title, even if they don't know or mean to. So, the pov will mainly be Sansa's as she interact with others. I'm planning on those interactions being mainly with secondary characters.
The timing will probably stay between "The Winds of Winter" and "Dragonstone". And, depending on how it goes, I am also considering doing a similar story with Daenerys.
I do hope I can offering a way of clearing up some of the issues people seem to have with the sixth season. Let me know what you think, I love to hear from my readers!
Sansa practically fled from the Godswoods, wanting desperately to get away from Petyr Baelish. Everything she had ever feared about him, he had just confirmed for her. He wanted the Iron Throne and her. He used her as a pawn, trying to play the game. Now, all Sansa's mind was trying to figure out how to beat him at his own game. If not permanently, at least place what he sought out of his hands more.
For all she knew, she was her parents' last trueborn child. Robb and Rickon were dead and Bran and Arya were lost, may even be with her parents and brothers, with the Stranger. She was the most valuable piece on the board right now, and her importance had only increased with her and the aid she had brought with her during the Battle of the Bastards.
She had hated that she had been forced to turn to Littlefinger for help. She hated that she had never brought that option to Jon in the first place, but she was trying to do anything to avoid Lord Baelish. However, after she had left Jon's tent, after the final strategy session, she knew her brother was right. They needed to attack now. But she also knew she was also right, they needed a larger force. And the Knights of the Vale had the numbers they needed.
Her decision made, she snuck away from the encampment, spurring her horse to Moat Cailin, where Baelish had brought his forces. He was overly courteous, pledging his devotion to her. She had corrected him, saying his forces were fighting for House Stark,and would be under the overall command of Jon Snow. Littlefinger had smiled and nodded, playing at understanding the agreement. But even as he was doing that, she could almost see the wheels turning in his head, how he could extort more from it than just an alliance.
And how he was at it again, wheedling his way to his side, hoping for an opportunity to take control, of her, of Winterfell, of the North. And she had to figure out a way to stop him.
"Lady Stark," a voice called out once she reached the inner halls of the keep. Sansa turned and saw Lady Lyanna Mormont approaching her. "A word, if you please."
"Of course, Lady Mormont," Sansa replied, taking the guise of a great lady, while trying to hide the face of a scared girl. As they walked to her solar, Sansa calmed herself even as she hoped for some privacy from any ears that could hear, and report back to their master. Once inside, Sansa turned to the young girl as she sat at her desk.
"I have received a raven from Bear Island. The Master of the Household has set off with provisions to add to what we have here. He says that he is bringing bushels of grain and plenty of fish to get us through the next few moons, at least," Lyanna reported.
Sansa let out a breath. "I thank you, Lady Mormont. The provisions will be gratefully appreciated, with all the extra mouths to feed." The wildlings and the forces from their allied houses that had survived were not great numbers, and House Arryn had brought plenty with them, but whatever the other houses could spare was needed, and thankful for it. "I will inform my brother of your contributions."
Lyanna had nodded and was about to leave the room when a thought hit Sansa. She wasn't sure if it would work, but looking at all her options with Baelish under her roof, it was a solution, at least. "Lady Mormont, stay. I wish to have you counsel on a matter I have been thinking on."
"Whatever I can do, my lady." She sat back down, across the desk from Sansa, waiting.
Sansa was trying to decide how best to couch her idea. "What do you think of my brother, Jon Snow?" she asked at last.
The young girl blinked, seemingly not expecting such a question. But after a thoughtful minute, she replied, "I think he is an honorable man, just as his father was. He is willing to die for his people, if it comes to that. He has great respect amongst the Lord Hornwood and Lord Maizen. From comments I have heard from him, it seems Lord Reed speaks especially highly of him and sees great leadership in him."
Sansa noted her comment about Lord Reed in particular. The Lord of of Crannogomen had sent a raven that he would try to raise an army and fight beside them, but they had arrived the day after the battle. He was now in Winterfell, along with many of the Lords of the other bannermen of the Starks. "And do you agree with Lord Reed? Do you think he has the qualities to be a leader amongst our houses?"
Lyanna cocked her head once again, considering. "He came to me with nothing, but his honor, as a son of Lord Eddard Stark. He knew what was at stake for all of us, had this battle not been fought. My men told me of your brother's death." Sansa closed her eyes, remembering Jon telling her how Rickon had died. She had wanted Ramsey dead for everything he had done to her, but playing with Rickon, playing with his very life... But Lyanna's words brought her out of her terrible memory. "They told me that he rode out into the middle of the field, willing to risk his life for the chance to save his brother, how he had nearly been killed by the rushing of the Bolton's calvary. They told me how he fought, even as all hope seemed lost. But he was willing to die with his men, to his last breath." With a knowing smile, she nodded her head. "That to me is the mark of a true leader, willing to sacrifice all."
Sansa smiled back. "Do you know of Lord Petyr Baelish? What is your impression of him?" she asked next.
"May I speak plainly, my lady?" came her own question.
"Always."
"I am grateful for the Knights of the Vale. They were the deciding factor in this victory. They came to our aid, even though there are few ties between us," Lyanna answered, but added, "Despite this, I am...uneasy around the Lord Protector of the Vale. I do not know him well, but I also...don't think I want to know him at all."
Sansa smiled back, pleased with the answer she had been given. Now for the next step. "Lady Mormont, you know there are still more battles to be fought. We need strong leadership if we are to defeat the Night King, and the forces of the South. Your mother proclaimed, with our other bannermen, my brother Robb as King of the North. Do you think it is right we do the same for Jon?"
Lyanna gave her a perplexed look. "You are the trueborn daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark, my lady. Would it not be more fitting that we declare for you instead of a bastard?"
Sansa used to revel in that word, in that point about Jon. But in the years since fleeing King's Landing, in surviving her way back home, she always knew the first step would be reaching Castle Black, reaching her brother. She had been scared at what she would find if she ever got there. He had never had the relationship with her that he had shared with Robb or Bran or Rickon. And she was certain that he would rather had been reunited with Arya first, above her.
But when he had come down the steps, had seen her, any cruelty on her part during their childhood was forgotten. It became more distant a memory with each passing second of being in each other company. Reminiscing about their child, their mutual regret about leaving Winterfell, then, later, with their determination of retaking their home, had bonded them stronger than Valyrian steel.
She didn't want the power, truthfully. Even if a little mockingbird were not perched on a branch, watching her every move, she would not want it. She had seen what power was when she was in King's Landing. She had learned at the feet of a master at how power worked. She never feared becoming Cersi Lannister. She knew her own code, instilled in her by her father. But she had seen what power had done to him, and to Robb. And she did not want to tempt fate a third time.
"I do not wish it," she said at last, speaking honestly with every word. "It was never anything I aspired to and I have seen what it can do to people. I was not born for politics, or diplomacy, or war. But in the last few moons, I have seen something in my brother…" She didn't know how to describe it. He had a bearing about him that was humble yet regal. Mayhaps it was what he had gone through, just before they were reunited. Dying and returning to life, it had changed him. "I have seen in him the ability to navigate all three. I do not believe he wants power, but I think a crown would sit better on him than on me."
Lyanna seemed to ponder her response. "You said you sought my counsel and I shall give it to you. I believe that you should follow your instincts. If you feel he would be the person to lead us into the Long Night, I will stand by you against any opposition. No matter what his name is, he is Ned Stark's son. He is a Stark of Winterfell."
Sansa let out a breath, feeling relief for the first time since her encounter with Littlefinger. She knew it was not a foolproof plan, and that Jon might not agree with it. But she had to see if it would take, if the other lords would do as Lyanna Mormont and stand by Jon Snow, the Bastard of Winterfell, as King of the North. "We will be holding a council with the lords within the next fortnight. If you see an opportunity, would you put it before them? Before or even during? I do not want to broach it myself. They may not take kindly to an idea I am abdicating in favor of him."
Lyanna nodded her head and offered a small smile. "When I see the opportunities, I will put it before them."
Sansa returned the nod. She got up and went to a table where a jug of ale sat there if she needed it. She poured two cups and handed the other to Lyanna. The young lady took it and, together,raised a silent toast to her co-conspirator.