Sansa didn't like to see animals hurt, that much Jon knew.

He didn't like to see her upset, either.

The dog was wounded from hunting, a long, fat gash stretching down its side. It was whimpering in pain, and its wet brown eyes were staring up at Sansa in agony. Sansa was crying already, so Jon had to physically restrain himself when Theon said bluntly that they should kill it.

'NO!' she wailed, 'You can't! Oh, Robb, the poor little thing!'

'Sansa,' started Robb, looking sorry but knowing as well as Jon that the dog would be better off put out of its misery. 'Jon, could you-?'

Jon took the hint, putting a light hand on Sansa's forearm and trying to guide her away, murmuring something soft. She shook him off immediately and planted her feet firmly on the ground.

'No,' she said, her voice confident, 'I want to stay. It deserves a peaceful death.'

With that, she knelt down by the poor old dog's side and stroked its head. She began to sing, in a clear, pure voice, some sweet folk song Jon vaguely recognised.

Robb shared a sorrowful look with Jon and then quickly drove his sword through the spot where the dog's heart was. It stopped whimpering instantly, and Sansa's lovely voice cut out.

Sansa sprang to her feet, and, to Jon's complete surprise, flung her arms around him. She buried her head in his chest and Jon felt her tears soaking through his shirt. He lifted his arms to wrap them around her, quite stunned that she had turned to him. Sansa was a good girl, and had soaked up her mother's attitudes, particularly that towards Jon. She was usually cold towards Jon, not rude but cordial, and she never, ever touched him.

Jon almost didn't want to return her embrace, almost wanted to let her cry and not comfort her. But he didn't. Her sweet red head was rocking against his chest and the little whimpers that came from her mouth wrenched his heart. He lifted his arms, wrapping them tightly around his little sister, holding her close. He rubbed her back gently and whispered shushing noises in her ear, trying to calm her.

Robb and Theon carried the dog's body away and Jon stayed there, holding her, until her sobs stopped.

Years later, Sansa still remembered that day: the horror of the dog's death, and the warmth of Jon's arms holding her tightly. His arms were home to her then, and she longed for home now.