Sansa has known the moment she has seen dragon queen, that she can not be allowed to have Jon. It felt too much like losing him to a better version of Cersei Lannister.
Sansa has given up too many of her dreams, too many of her morals, too much of herself to just scoot over and let her family, her home or her freedom to be taken away again. She skulked about second floor as noiselessly as she did in red keep. Tried to avoid every one's gaze, lest they discern her anger.
Sansa stayed away from touching family reunion that did nothing but remind her she is the least loved sibling among Ned Stark's children.
She could understand why that is. She has been awful in the past. She can easily forgive Arya for being beloved little sister, Bran, cherished baby brother, but she will rather die than let Jon be seduced by Daenerys targaryen of all people.
Thus, she skulked about in forgotten corridors, stealing glances, staying out of general eye sight, yet keeping busy. How could she turn him away from dragon queen?
Daenerys Targaryen is the prettiest woman she has ever seen. A Lady needs to be just as beautiful, if not more to even draw Jon's eye away from dragon queen. She is not even sure just beauty will be enough to turn Jon's head.
She despaired as she put one woman after another against the queen and all of them fell short. It is then Jon's eyes met hers across the hall and she smiled involuntarily at him. Jon smiled back looking apologetic and happy at the same time.
The dragon queen glanced at him all of a sudden, then followed his gaze to Sansa. she smiled politely at her, nodding towards her. Sansa nodded back equally politely. She left the hall before she could be approached, either by Jon or the queen. As she fled from great-hall, she saw Jon turn towards her from the corner of her eye.
Then it came to her, as if lighting a torch in the dark night. There's only one other woman that has drawn her brother's eye, other than dragon queen. Sansa herself.
While she probably is not more beautiful than dragon queen, she is almost as beautiful. Comparable, at the very least. How ever, he is my brother, she thought furiously. I am no Cersei Lannister. she told herself.
Her very victory is not becoming bitter like Cersei. More she rejected the idea, more firmly it has taken root in her mind. It is then Sansa had an epiphany.
Monsters have a taste for Sansa Stark, Sansa Stark has a taste for monsters. Sansa always believed it is because she is easy prey. She is wrong. It is because a monster lurked deep within her and all monstrous people she met saw straight to her core, seen her for the wicked monster that she could be.
They knew, while not immediately, sooner than later, she will be just like them. She has always known this deep in her heart. She ran from the fact from as long as she can, she could not anymore. Knowledge, once known, however much we wish otherwise, can not be unknown.
Sansa almost chickened out at every turn and corner as she made her way towards hot springs. The last one was particularly hard, as she shed down to her small clothes. Her original plan was to shed them too, but she could not bring herself to do it. By the time she entered the hot springs, she only has her shift on.
This is not how she imagined her entrance. For all her scheming skills, new realizations about her inner monster, she is pants at seducing. Jon yelped upon seeing her.
"Sansa! I am not decent." he said sinking deeper into water.
Sansa's contingency plan involved taking off her shift to reveal her naked body, slowly sashaying to him. All those plans went out of window once she has seen his face. What the hell was she thinking, believing she can seduce Jon?
He is as honorable as they come. Worse yet, her body is riddled with scars, there is no way it's more beautiful than Dragon queen. She sighed. Since her seduction plan sank right to the bottom of hot springs, She decided may as well take a bath. She must have momentarily gone mad to think it even possible.
"I know." she said, slowly easing herself into water, shift and all.
She eased the wet garment off her body, placed it on one of the it will be dry by the time she finished bathing. She slowly eased back onto a stone, let the hot water soothe her tired muscles. As she did so, she looked at Jon. He is still watching her with the same bewildered expression, which is slowly turning into uncomfortable. Sansa felt tired of all the deceit and schemes all of a sudden. What is the point of being in home if she had to stay on guard and on top of her game all the time? Jon is family. She will show her true self, he deserved nothing less. If he runs, so be it. She is daughter of Ned Stark, she will be no less honest than her own father with her family.
"I came here to seduce you." she told him.
Jon's expression shifted from bewildered to incredulity now.
"Then I realized how stupid that idea is." she added lightly.
"I don't think I heard you correctly." Jon asked, tilting his head to the side, pulling on his ear as if to dislodge something from it.
He could not radiate incredulity more if he action is so purely Jon of old times, Sansa cracked a smile.
"No, you did not hear me wrong. I came here to seduce you, but now I just want to bathe. I will surely not get this much time to myself again. " Sansa said, her eyes closed, enjoying feeling of hot water on her skin after so much of cold.
She has been well and truly tired before coming here. She let her hands float on to top of water, moved them around, creating ripples around her.
Jon still stood there gaping at her. The water did strange things to her cleavage, in light of candles, Sansa looked like a goddess. Jon is already having hard time controlling himself. If Sansa continued moaning like that, sister or not, he is going to snap. He moved to leave before this can get ugly.
"Don't go." Sansa ordered without even opening her eyes.
Jon Stopped involuntarily. Sometimes it scared him, this power she has over him. He could see her expression clearly, though she probably thought he could not see a single thing. Sansa is bracing herself for rejection. She opened her eyes after a moment.
"I dismissed the guards. Told them you will be here to guard me if needed." she stumbled over her explanation, even as Jon went back to where he was.
"I am your brother, Sansa." he said, addressing her earlier words. We are not Lannisters nor Targaryens, the words remain unsaid.
"You are my half brother Jon. Even Starks married half brother to half sister before." Sansa said, sidling up to him, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I know what you mean though. we are still children of father." she added.
Jon did not speak. There is no point. There is definitely something Sansa wanted to tell him and she will in her own time. However, he is a hot blooded young man. All his senses are ridiculously heightened, he will not be able to stay here long doing nothing, if Sansa continued to drape herself all over him like this.
"I saw the way dragon queen is looking at you. I saw the way you are looking at her. Don't deny it. It may or may not be love, but you feel something for each other. If not for this war, I think she would have already asked for your hand. I will not stop you from love. We need every last bit of it, if we are to survive this winter. When you have a family of your own, what is to become of us? Of Starks? Of Winterfell? We do not know if Bran can have children, I will not force Arya into marriage. That will be a disaster we do not need at the moment." Sansa stopped here, and gazed at him. Jon could read what she did not say. That only leaves you and me.
"Is .. there some one?" Jon asked slowly. He had no idea why the thought filled him with such rage and feeling of loss.
"You are the only man I will ever love." Sansa said. It is not a confession, just a statement of the fact. So matter of factly, in fact, Jon almost thought she is japing, until he saw her face. Then it dawned on him this is one time Sansa is being absolutely honest with him. Why now, of all times? he asked himself.
why is she saying these words now? he could never look at her the same way again, not any more, after knowing the truth of her heart. He would have been better off not knowing. He had Dany now. He would have latched on to these words like a parched man otherwise. He so desperately needed something good in his life. Loving his sister is … not good. That's how Lannisters got into this mess. Hell, that's how Targaryens got into this mess too. Now, when it is most inopportune for him to even think of acting on her feelings, she is telling him. Why?
He will never be able to marry her. She will never be able to marry him. The conditions are not so dire that northern lords will forgive marrying half brother to half sister, especially when one of them is king who bent the knee.
A part of him desperately wanted to beg her to take back her words, just so he could prove he is every bit as honorable as his father, while another almost forgotten part of him roared into life at knowing Sansa liked him as a man. Jon always had difficulty seeing her as his sister, given he is not close to her at all as a child. After castle Black, How much ever they tried to regard each other as a sibling, there's always an undercurrent of something between them. They both tried their damndest not to name it, not to address it, hell not even see it. So it remained there, between them, smouldering like a fire made of wet wood, not enough heat to call a fire, too much smoke to ignore it as nothing. Now, Sansa has put a name on it, there's no way to ignore the blaze. No way to ignore the passion he felt for her. Heedless of turmoil on his mind, Sansa continued on.
"I had been a foolish and stupid girl once. Life taught me so many painful lessons, I have given up all dreams. Now that I have given up all my dreams, I have no hope left."
"That is not true, Sansa." Jon tried to desperately convince her. Yet, he could not add any more words other than the blunt denial. How could he? The army of dead is coming for them. Aye, they now have two dragons and a passing Army, but it did not give them great odds. He has seen few young men in his time as commander. Not ollie, but others, who gave in to darkness, lived on the edge so near to death, just so it can take them one day. He thought it's a state of affairs specific to men, seemingly not. Mad crows, they used to call them. Yes, that is it. the fight for their home has been so hard, Sansa has just broken when she realized they could still lose. How could this behavior be explained otherwise? Sansa is the most proper of all his siblings. Lady Catelyn will turn in her grave if she saw Sansa now, enticing her bastard half brother.
"I don't have to find love. I don't want to find love. I wanted something special, like what mother and father had. I can't have that anymore. I am much too broken for that…" Sansa choked up even as she said the words. Then she gathered herself and continued.
"All I need is a moment, a moment I can look upon in years to come and say, for that moment alone, I have lived and I have loved. Something warm and pure, to brace against during long winter. I don't think I will survive this winter otherwise." Sansa finished earnestly, laying her head back again on his shoulder. There is hot water running down his shoulder.
Jon knew even with all the heat in the springs they are tears. Then he came to a decision. He turned towards her slowly, took her face into his hands. Then he taught Sansa Stark what a true kiss feels like, for as long as he can.
They both parted from the kiss only to breathe. Sansa's blue eyes shone with an eerie silver light, whereas Jon's dark grey eyes gleamed even darker, almost as if they are letting out his inner beast.
"we should stop here." Sansa is the one to speak of the sense. Yet she made no effort to move away.
"We are supposed to stop here." Jon added, tightening his hold on her.
They both considered the other person curiously, as if they did not for the life of them understand why they said what they did, and why they did what they did. At the moment, indeed they can not understand the other person. Sansa, for the life of her, could not understand how she is actually succeeding. Jon, for the life of him, could not understand why Sansa is actually letting him do all he is doing to her.
"You are in love with dragon queen. You may even marry her." Sansa said.
"You are my sister. we are not Lannisters." Jon said.
"Night king is coming for us. all of us may not live that long any which way." Sansa quipped.
"All doom and gloom... So befitting of Starks." Jon said most solemnly.
then their eyes met, they both laughed and retreated to the edge of the pool, to rest against it. Just like that, the charged air broke and easy comfort they built returned. they stayed silent, far from each other, just reveling each other's presence.
"I still want to do it. I want to know what making love feels like." Sansa said all of a sudden.
"There's no coming back if we do so." Jon said, looking into her eyes seriously.
the very air between them felt electric. Almost as if there's something otherworldly in the air, inspiring wickedness and debauchery. Yet, in hidden depths of their hearts, both of them couldn't feel more right. While their heads screamed alarms and warnings, their hearts couldn't be more eager.
Sansa thought for a moment. she has truly deliberated over it. Then she answered Jon's Question and warning.
"Growing up, as a girl, my favorite song is Florian and Jonquil. I loved romance of that song. I understood naught of their pain, nor the wrongfulness of the deed. Now, I know better. I would rather be Florian, who takes the kiss from Jonquil. For even if entire world curses him and what he's done, he still has the memory of Jonquil's kiss to live by." Sansa answered seriously.
"Am I the innocent maiden now?" Jon smiled lopsidedly at her.
"Jonquil's no innocent maiden. She has Florian's youth, her lord husband's wealth at the end of it all. If any one's cursed, it's Florian, for he will never find the happiness or glorious release he found with Jonquil again." Sansa answered back.
"Doesn't excuse their behavior though." Jon said, even as his hands caressed her waist.
"Aye, it doesn't. Funny thing about behaviors. The more power you have, more outrageous behavior is forgiven." Sansa added darkly, thinking of Cersei. it is almost enough to kill the mood, but it did not.
Jon is already sucking on her neck, how much ever she wanted to resist the feeling to continue her tirade, she couldn't help but moan in pleasure.
Jon pulled back and smiled at her.
"You did that purposefully." Sansa glared at him in mock anger.
"Aye." Jon answered, even as he caught her lips in a kiss.
Sansa definitely had a witty comeback, but she could not remember what it is any more.
They kissed each other slowly and languidly, as if they have all the time in the world. Jon continued trailing a line of kisses down her throat, between her breasts, then further down yet. Before Sansa could so much as predict what he is doing, he lifted her up and sat her on a ledge.
He spread her legs apart, even as she tried to close them. He nuzzled between her thighs, in her womanly place, then turned his face and sucked at her inner thigh. Sansa, for the first time, felt an inexplicable need for something, anything to be touching her between her legs. Even as she brought up her hands down there, Jon caught hold of her hands and pulled them to the side. Sansa couldn't help but buck her hips up, in hopes of it alleviating the infernal need she is feeling. Jon stopped what he is doing and looked up at her, his eyes full of mischief. Sansa glared at him in response. Then he slowly ran a finger over her clit. Sansa trembled in response.
She is not a stranger to fingers in or over her clit. Ramsay did enough of that. Yet, the sensation is utterly different. Sex is a double edged sword, she understood now. This can be used to give a woman as much pleasure, as it can be used to give pain. Jon, it seems, is a master at giving such pleasure. Sansa let herself go and enjoyed the feeling shamelessly. Jon grabbed her by waist and lowered her into the water. Sansa looped her legs around him, grabbed his cock and guided it to her center. It is Jon's turn to moan, as she guided him to bury to the hilt inside her. It completed a part of 's like peace that she has not felt for a long time, like a freedom she has never been brave enough to grasp.
Their eyes met as Jon sank into her. She has never seen his eyes this close. It is like black flames racing towards edges on a winter sky. Forever running towards edges, with unparalleled ferocity, only to be frozen and fall back to the burning volcano in the center only to start all over, in a hypnotic repetitive cycle. Jon looked at Sansa's eyes equally captivated, by the intricate circle of silver and deep blue intertwined like rivers and glaciers each nudging other to an intricate and ever moving knot. Like moths drawn to a flame, they both leaned towards each other catching other's lips in a kiss.
Their tongues danced together, just as their bodies did, meeting and separating only to meet again with more ardour. Jon's hands roamed around Sansa's skin, trying to feel every inch of it, while Sansa's did the same. They came at the same time, her muscles clenching at him, her legs tightening around his hips, even as he thrust deeper into her. Jon did not even notice he spilled inside her in the high. They both continued kissing other, they separated only when both of them lost ability to stand.
They laid besides each other in post coital bliss. They could have spoken, yet, speech will only break the magic in the air. So, they did not. They both lied on the rough stone ledge, half in embrace, as their bodies sang in sweet relief. Sansa lied wide awake, with Jon's arm as pillow, while Jon dozed off with his hand still on Sansa's waist.
Sansa is thrumming with too much energy to fall asleep. It is as if she can feel the entire world around her, all of it's fluttering heartbeats felt by her. She let herself go, and let herself feel. As walls she has built around her heart crumbled, so did the walls around her mind. For the first time in her life, Sansa let herself view the world as is. It is glorious.
She could see the snow falling gently on walls of winterfell, hear the guards on night shift shuffling. She could feel the rustling water in the pipes, making sucking noises as they go up. She could see the moonlight reflected in the pool under heart-tree. She could feel the despair of a mother shrouded in darkness and snow. 'No' Sansa told the mother. 'Survive' she commanded. She had no idea how, but she knew that command will be heeded. Happy that she saved someone, she moved on, only to open her eyes and look at what looked like a white fluffy snow. A strong icicle in the wind seemed to be coming just for her, but Sansa swatted away at it mentally. No cold will touch her or her subjects to day. She is too warm, feeling too glorious for that.
Jon opened his eyes soon after, they made love to each other again, this time, even more slowly, remembering every scar, every groove in other's body that can bring them pleasure. They spoke no more on the act or how it made them feel, for putting into words is impossible. One can use thousands of words, still fall short in describing the bliss they felt. They both fell asleep on the stone ledge together.
Sansa is the first to awaken between them. She directed Jon to his rooms. She herself made her way to Arya's. She has a whole lot of things to say to her sister. If she missed the timing, she will loose lot more than just her home and family now. True to her training, Arya is awake before Sansa could so much as step a foot in her room. She looked up at Sansa, her very expression asking her sister what the fuck she is doing here, just as rudely if she were to voice it, as only Arya can.
"You once asked me who I am." Sansa said in answer.
Arya's expression couldn't express 'can't you find the fucking answer in the morning' better if she tried. That, more than anything emboldened Sansa. This is the Arya she knew. This is Arya her sister.
"I am a Stark of winterfell." Sansa told her.
Arya raised her eyebrows at her.
"I am Stark of winterfell. There is no hardship above me, there is no deed below me. I will see me and mine through this winter and all the winters to come. This I vow, as Stark of winterfell." Sansa told her with her eyes shining with determination.
Just like that, Arya understood. Her sister has done what she thought to be impossible once more. The world has chipped away at Sansa Stark, broken her into thousand little pieces, scattered them away in thousand different places. Sansa gathered all thousand little pieces, forged them into a person once more through sheer will. Yes, she is like a broken doll with thousand cracks and sharp edges, yet, she is whole. She is Princess Sansa, once more. Not Little doe, not Alayne but Sansa Stark. Then Arya corrected herself. Not princess Sansa, but queen Sansa.
"A truth." she said.
Sansa waited for her to say more, but Arya did not. She sat there, in her bed, quietly contemplating her sister. When she realized Arya is not going to speak more, she settled down on bed opposite side Arya.
"I have come here for advice and assistance." she told her.
"Anything for you, your grace." Arya answered back.
"Your grace?!" Sansa asked in surprise.
"You are a princess in your own right." Arya answered cheekily.
The conversation almost felt like treason, but consequences otherwise will be far worse. Or, so Sansa believed any way. Sansa knows Arya wouldn't betray her, not even to Jon. Thus, she continued. At the end of it all, all Arya did is thank her for coming to her. No more, no less. However, Sansa knows Arya will follow through with her plan, even if she is far more loyal to Jon than her.
Jon is informed at hour of bat that all the lords are ready and waiting for him in great hall. It struck him odd that they were able to assemble and be ready for him at such an early hour, almost as soon as he asked. The uneasiness only grew as he approached the congregation. He could sense there is something or someone else at play here, but for the life of him, couldn't pinpoint who. He could only play by the ear, and hope it will not get him killed as it did Robb.
Everyone in the hall rose as Jon entered. Jon went through the formalities quickly, soon, all the lords are waiting to hear him. This is the moment he will tell them. He knew rumours were rampant, not a single one that put dragonqueen and him is well received by north. He could only hope they will come around to see that they need the dragons and her army. As he expected, pandemonium broke out once he informed his lords he has pledged his forces to dragon queen's campaign.
He expected Sansa to take initial control. He is not blind, he has seen sometimes lords went to her before they could so much as think of him. She has settled well in to her role as warden of North. Yet, it is Arya who calmed the lords.
"Your grace, When I say this, I do for every lord and lady assembled here. We do not wish to bend to a Targaryen again. If you are going to kneel, then I ask you now, lay down your crown, I will gladly don it. North will not bend again. Not now, not ever." Arya said clearly, and with purpose.
Jon could feel her determination. Robb fought for northern independence. The very thought being on their own as they were is what roused the entire north more than the justice. There is now way he could convince the lords to kneel now. Even so, he has to try.
"My lords! Winter is here, we need help of the south! … When I was north of wall, Stannis Baratheon asked Mance Rayder to kneel to him. Mance refused, fifty thousand of his people died for his pride. I could not help but wonder, had he given up his pride instead, how many of his people would be alive? … Daenerys Targaryen has full grown dragons. We need her help to fight the walkers." Jon stopped looking for his lords reaction. They all have frowns on their faces, not liking where this is going. He turned to Arya, expecting her to interrupt at this point and interrupt she did indeed.
"If we need Dragon queen's help, we ask for it. In return, we come to her aid, when she conquers south. North will be glad to call her a friend, but we will not kneel." Arya ended it.
Jon thought about it. Seriously, it has merit. Yes, Daenerys will be spitting nails, but he could probably placate her. Plus, she has lost one of her dragons to night king. It's personal for even her now. So, even if north were not to bend, she will fight the coming war.
"I will not go back on my word, you do not wish to obey your king. We are at at impasse, my princess." Jon said, stalling for time before he can think of something to say.
"There is a way to break this impasse, Jon." Arya replied back.
The entire court is focused on Arya. They did not miss the lack of the honorifics.
"Abdicate to me." Arya said.
The whispers that broke out at her words are like hisses of a thousand snakes. Then it slowly ebbed away, yet, there is no one scolding arya for her impertinence, worse yet, there is no one speaking in his defense, either. It suddenly dawned on him this meeting could very well have been pre-planned.
There is naught to be done for now, Jon concluded. He can most definitely fight her to keep the crown, but that would accomplish nothing. He had faced this kind of opposition once before. When he ploughed his way through, it resulted in a stabbing in the back by brothers. He had never wanted to be a king in the first place. All he wanted is to protect his home, unite south before night king comes. So, he may as well stick to that.
"Under one condition, princess Arya. I need your complete and unconditional support in fight against night king. Promise me this, I will lay down this crown for you any time." Jon answered her.
The entire assembly seemed to collectively let out a sigh of relief. What did they think? That he will fight his sister for the crown at this crucial moment when every last man and woman are needed?
"I promise you, Jon, you shall have my unconditional support in fight against night king and his Armies." Arya answered solemnly.
"Then I will be glad to call you my queen." Jon said, moving aside to give her the center space to Arya.
All the lords and ladies rose when Jon moved aside. Arya took the center chair and sat down. A moment later, all the northern lords sat down. There are no cries of joy, nor is there any one shouting hails of Queen Arya. Just like that, it dawned on Jon this is entirely planned and there is more to this spectacle.
"Any who wish to speak against me speak now, or forever hold your piece." Arya spoke loudly and clearly.
Silence ruled the roost. Everyone is looking at each other, but no one quite came forward. Jon realized even they haven't been told quite all the details, this did not quite match what they are expecting for them to act. They are also too scared of his little sister to outright speak against her. It brought a smile to her. All of five feet and his sister has grown men taking a step back before they gather courage to face her.
"Lord Mallister, please come forward." Arya called.
Lord Mallister stepped forward, holding the scroll as if it's going to vanish any moment now. He held up the scroll gingerly to Arya with both his hands.
"Your grace! I present to you last will and testament of Robb Stark, king in the north." Lord Mallister intoned clearly.
The whispering started again.
"I thank you, my lord for bringing it to us at danger to your person. You have done a great service for house Stark." Arya nodded at him, indicating he should take his seat back. He did without much fuss, Sansa thanked her lucky stars nothing went wrong as of now. They still have more to do.
Arya read the will out loud to the audience. The whispers increased in volume, yet there is no one speaking aloud. By now, Every last one in the assembly is absolutely sure that there is something going on beyond their perception and best they can do is go with the flow. The questions are quite visible on their faces. Jon found to his amusement, they are not looking at him, but Sansa for cues.
By the gods, how much of a grip my sisters have on winterfell? He thought amusedly, though he did his best not to show his amusement out loud. Yes, he is glad for the legitimization by Robb, but he was informed of that separately already. Rest of the will is news to him, and by all means, this will threw more obstacles in Arya's path than in his.
"My lords! Do you all agree part of king Robb's will is already kept, by prince Jon's being hailed king in the north?" Arya asked aloud.
All of Vale turned to Sansa, most of north did the same. She nodded her head, so, they nodded their heads. Jon nodded too, noticing rest of the north is looking to him. By and all, they all agreed. Arya continued.
"At the time this will is written, my brother the king did not know of my survival. Even if I were alive, I was to have married a Frey." Arya stopped there, letting everyone focus on her.
"Winter came for Freys." she said with relish, letting those words linger in the air.
More than one eye widened at her words. Half the court already wondered if Arya stark killed Freys, no one curious is brave enough to ask her, no one brave is did not care who did the deed.
"As such, I am next in line. Since prince Jon abdicated to me, my being queen is rightful. With this, King Robb's will is considered executed, will not be called upon ever again." Arya said with a finality to her voice.
Sansa and Jon both nodded. Cleaner this way. Winterfell could not afford any kind of political plots, they could not show cracks here.
By now, smarter of the lot figured most of this is practised, whatever else may happen, they are going to have a Stark liege and relaxed.
"Now that is out of the way, I bring my sister's marriage to the court. Lady Sansa, your marriage to Tyrion Lannister is annulled, is this true?" Arya asked.
"Yes, your grace." Sansa answered in her icy court voice.
"In that case, you are considered once more a successor to winterfell, north, any and all titles that belonged to King Robb Stark. Any objections?" she asked the larger court.
Obviously there are none. Entire vale relaxed. Entire north let loose a breath. Now, they watched only with mild interest, as if greatest theater in the world is going on. Perhaps it is, Jon noted sarcastically, not showing a hint of it on his countenance.
"Maester, please bring the decree."
Documents are brought and signed by the lords of vale and north.
Arya is not done yet. By now, the tension leaked out of the court, and they are looking at arya with open curiosity.
"In times of war, there is no guarantee for the lives of men. The impending war may be the one may be the most dangerous one yet. On that note, I, Queen Arya of house Stark decree that any children of Ladies Sansa Stark, Meera Reed, Lyanna Mormont be known as Starks, Reeds and Mormonts, may they be born with in or out of wedlock. I extend this boon in perpetuity for in all winters to come." Arya finished.
Sansa seriously expected backlash. Yet, all that happened is Alice Karstark and Manderlys bristling, former quite aware this is one reward she will not be getting until she proves herself, later disappointed they will not be able to push for a marriage. Yet, they took it with good grace. It is a testament to either their belief in Starks, or their fear of Arya. If there were any grandiose ambitions in heads of lords, they all died a quick death after seeing Baelish die. They all are only too aware that neither of Stark sisters are to be taken lightly. The agreement and signing happened only too quickly. Arya gave a meaningful look to Sansa and nodded.
"Now, all of that is taken care of my lords, we are but one deed short of bringing back lawful order. I abdicate my crown to Sansa Stark, as it should have been." Arya declared, making a show of placing the crown in front of Sansa and bowing to her. Sansa just watched her apathetically. Arya retreated back to her seat. Lords in the hall waited patiently. Just as the silence is about to become unbearable, Sansa stood.
"Princess Arya, you do me a great honor." Sansa nodded to her.
The lords are silenced, and they are looking at her as if the greatest show in westeros is going on down here. Perhaps, it is indeed greatest show on this side of blackwater, Arya thought sarcastically. Yet, she waited with bated breath for her sisters words any way. Sansa stood and looked all of them in the eye.
"When I first came to you for help in defeating Boltons, some of you called me a Lannister, some, a Bolton. I did naught but insist I am none but Sansa Stark at that time. To be truthful, I wasn't sure. I was not sure I am not a Lannister, for I craved power and wealth with same zeal. I was not sure I am not a Bolton, for I was just as willing to stab in the back as Boltons." Sansa paused and looked at her audience. The Lords are completely focused on her.
"The Lannister girl who loved all things gold died on sept of Baelor, along with her father. The girl who could stab any in the back vanished in this court, along with Petyr Baelish. Now all that I am, is a Stark. I will be a Stark and Lady of winterfell with or without your approval. Yet, I will not call myself Queen of North without you doing the same. Daenerys Targaryen is here under the belief Seven kingdoms are hers. I can promise you this much. I will not bend my knee if you call me queen in the north. Yet, if you are to call me not but Lady of winterfell, I will never hold it against you. The decision my lords, is yours." Sansa finished. It is at this moment she noticed Tyrion Lannister gearing up from the side.
"If I may, My Lady." Tyrion began.
"No, you may not." Sansa cut him off, using the exact same inflection Tywin Lannister did. The tone startled Tyrion so much, he is shocked into silence for a moment. Sansa acted before he can recover. She gestured to two guards and sent Varys and Tyrion off to east glass garden for breakfast, which meant they will not be released from gardens until and unless she sends for him. As they opened doors to direct Tyrion and Varys out, a lord's party from vale entered, along with Harrold Hardyng and another man covered in a cowl. The man uncovered his cowl just as they have seen last of varys and Tyrion.
"Robb!" Jon is the first one to notice him.
Sansa looked at him in shock. Arya moved before rest of court can so much as twitch, held needle to the man's throat.
"Move and die." Arya threatened. The man did nothing but raise his hands in surrender.
Arya is giving orders to guards to hold his hands and legs, started searching behind his head, ears, neck and shoulders when she couldn't find anything in the former. She moved back and gestured for the guards to release him. The whispers are running rampant in the court.
"Silence." Sansa spoke in her coldest voice. It is the voice of queen delivering justice, it is a voice that promised seven hells and more to any who crossed her. It's amazing how fast she is obeyed. The two lords who just entered both turned to her in awe. The first thing Sansa noticed is there's no recognition in Robb's face upon seeing her. Yet, he looked at Jon as if he could not quite place him.
"Who are you, My lord?" she asked Robb.
"Robert Baelish, At your service my lady." Robb answered.
The entire court is shocked into silence at his words. For the first time, she saw all the pieces Baelish held and all the deals he has orchestrated. For the longest time, she has blamed Lannisters for Red wedding. She wondered often how petyr thought he could control north when she goes south. Yes, North is unfailingly loyal to Starks, but north always followed strength first and foremost and Starks have always been that unfailing strength. Had she not run, had she stayed and birthed the Bolton bastard a son, Petyr Baelish would have pulled rebellion of the century with Robb at helm. Then there she would be, newly widowed and a squalling brat with no one to turn to. All he would have to do is promise his son that he will take care of deposed queen, just like that, second strongest fiefdom in north would be his. Hell, with Robb at head of an army, conquering south will be child's play. Sansa is again first to recover from the shock.
"Lord Robb, please forgive us for our response. You resemble a man dear to us all too much. Please understand, when I am asking you what I am about to ask, it is not an insult but only our dire need to confirm the truth. Could you please take off garments of your upper body." Sansa asked. Those who fought with Robb himself gathered around Sansa and Jon looking as if they are seeing a ghost. For his part, Robb looked utterly bewildered. The expression is so like Robb, all Sansa wanted to do is run forward and hug him, but she resisted. They need to get to bottom of this. In short order, all of Robb's wounds are confirmed, yet, it is one Jon recognized from their childhood misadventure that sealed the deal.
Sansa has given them all an hour to reconvene, escorted Robb to Godswood. What she learned made her blood boil. Robb was in care of some kind of qarth mages. His memories are all jumbled. He recognized parts of winterfell as his own home, yet, the names he associated with people changed. Maester wyllis, who accompanied them informed them it is a rumored qarth blood magic, similar to ones used by faceless men, only it allows for control of a man like a puppet. Stronger the man's will, longer the converting process. 'By the gods! Slitting his throat is too easy death.' Sansa thought to herself, yet, she is all the more glad she did it. Arya held her hand in distress, which is as much as she could come near old Arya Stark. Eventually, they explained to Robb what is happening. Robb is silent on his walk back to the great hall. Robb is the first to move when court reconvened. He kneeled in front of Sansa.
"You tell me I am Robb Stark and it is only magic that's making me think I am Robb Baelish. If I were Robb Stark, my lady, then I failed in doing all I have set out to do. I did not get justice for my father. I did not get independence for North. Worst of all, I did not rescue you. You saved yourself, you saved north, you served Justice where it's due. I will be proud to call you my queen from now till my last breath." Robb said, and remained kneeling.
It is Lord Glover who talked next.
"My lady, When you came to me for help, I was all too stubborn to see. I only resented a king who was to have led us into glory days, died for that cause. I failed to see the rot among us pulling him down. It is you who has seen it. It is you, who cut it down. Without you, we would have walked to our death all the same. With or without dragons, you are my queen, now and forever." Lord Glover knelt to her.
It suddenly dawned on Sansa why Lord Glover was so dismissive of her. He loved Robb. he blamed her, because without her, her mother would not have set Jaime Lannister free, tipping odds against Robb. At the end of the day, all the lords and Ladies knelt to her, and this time, the oaths felt far more personal than ever. It seems she is not the only one who made connection between Red Wedding and Lord Baelish. By the end, Sansa knew two things beyond doubt. Lords of North loved her father and Robb far more than she predicted. At the same time, they hated Targaryens far more than she predicted too. How could they be swearing to bend knee to her after seeing a fully grown and bloody scary dragon?
That, is a story for another day. For now, she is the queen North, and she has no intention of bending knee to any one other than gods.