The next morning Lysa seemed unusually cheery. She hummed as she went about her tasks and cooked them all a large breakfast. Sansa found it unnerving but said nothing, better she be like this then sobbing in the yard. Afterwards they sat on the porch discussing if they should go to town to get an update, check on their uncle and possibly gather additional rations.
Their discussion ceased as they saw Petyr's car come to a stop in the yard. He made his way to them and greeted them warmly. It seemed to Sansa everyone on this island was either in denial or had simply lost their minds.
"Have you seen Uncle Brynden?" Sansa inquired.
"Aye, the old buzzard is fine, though he's telling anyone who will listen that he'll fight the Nazis in the streets when they arrive."
"Are the Nazis here?" Arya asked in response.
"Not yet, but rumors are swirling it'll be any day now. The docks are destroyed, sadly there were some casualties. There'll be no further evacuations," he informed them.
"How awful. Anyone I would know?" Lysa asked as she rang her hands.
Petyr glanced at the open window to where Robin sat inside on the parlor floor and lowered his voice. "Aye, Gyles Grafton and his father."
Lysa sucked her breath, "But he's Robin's age."
"I know dear. Try not to think about it," Petyr soothed taking her hands. Arya felt sad too, she'd seen Gyles playing with Robin at school last spring. She hadn't really known him but he had seemed like a nice kid.
"There were a total of fifteen that died, the undertaker is quite overwhelmed."
"That's so sad," Sansa said.
"Mayor Royce and Councilman Hunter were among them as well. That means everything falls to me. I'm going to be very busy in town making preparations for the Germans' arrival."
"Do you think it's safe to be in town, I was going to send Sansa to get whatever rations she can but..." Lysa asked.
"Don't worry Lysa, she'll be safe enough, I can take her if you prefer."
"No, that's quite alright, I want to check on Jeyne and Uncle Brynden. I don't want to take time away from your preparations. You have a duty to the town," Sansa interjected.
"So, what do you mean by preparations exactly?" Arya suddenly asked, "Are you planning to roll out a welcome wagon to the Nazis?"
A look of annoyance passed over Petyr's face. "And what would you have us do Miss Stark? The army has left us and taken practically every able bodied young man, do you recommend we start a defense with old men, children and pitch forks? We are all going to have to start being more practical in the months ahead if we all wish to survive."
Heavy silence hung in the air now. "I'll never stop resisting," Arya said quietly.
"That's the type of mindset that gets people killed. I recommend you keep your head down and listen to your elders. They dropped leaflets this morning, if we put up no resistance and follow orders the Germans have promised to be fair and treat us with respect. I guess we'll know soon enough," Petyr countered and gave Arya a hard look.
"Enough of this talk. We just need to focus on today. Sansa dear, best get going before everything is gone," Lysa interrupted them. Sansa nodded and stood.
"Are you sure you want to go alone?" Petyr asked looking at her.
Lysa spoke before she could answer. "Petyr can you stay for some tea please? It would really help soothe my nerves. I promise not to keep you long."
He tore his gaze from Sansa and smiled at Lysa and nodded.
Sansa promised she would try to be as quick as possible and ran inside to fetch the keys and headed for town before anyone could say anything further.
Upon arrival she found the town was bustling, it seemed everyone had the same idea to stock up provisions. She made her way to the grocery and waved to Jeyne who was busy behind the counter. She found many items were already in limited supply so she gathered what she could and made her way to the register line. When it was her turn she greeted Jeyne.
"It's insane in here," she said as Jeyne rung up her purchases.
"Been like that all morning. How's your hearing? I think my left ear is still half deaf."
"Seems to be ok. Petyr says they are preparing for the invasion." Jeyne paused briefly and gave her a worried look.
"Preparing? What does that even mean? Fighting?"
"No, no fighting. Petyr says we should make ever attempt to get along, that the Germans will be merciful if we obey. All I know is that I'm very thankful for the farm right now, I know we'll at least be able to eat," Sansa responded gesturing to the emptying shelves.
"Well be careful out there alone, people are getting insane around here. If food were to run low who knows how long it will be till they decide to look elsewhere," Jeyne whispered as she handed Sansa her change back.
Sansa nodded and left the store, she had not considered that, for now all she could hope was that the distance from town would keep them safe. Maybe she should see if Uncle Brynden might want to join them out there, but then she reminded herself that she should probably consult Lysa before she started making decisions for the household.
She stopped by the post office but Master Aemon told her nothing had come in yet. She made her way to her Uncle's next. She found him moving about his house in a flurry, hiding his shotguns and other weapons under the floorboards.
He thrust a revolver at her, "You should take this out to the farm, hide it somewhere. Make sure to keep it loaded."
"I won't even begin to know what to do with it."
"What's to know, point it at a Nazi and pull the damn trigger."
Sansa blanched, she didn't like the idea of the pistol, she knew Lysa kept a small rifle for scaring the foxes or other nuisance animals but she had never bothered with it. Arya had used it a few times to target practice when she had taken up a war with the fox a couple months back, but that was all. Brynden handed her a cigar box containing bullets, it was large enough to hold the gun as well.
"Take it girl, hide it, you'll need it soon enough, mark my words."
Sansa decided it was best not to argue and agitate him further, so she took the box and loaded it into the car. She told him to come by the house if he wanted dinner or to get out of town, but he waved her off; it appeared he had his own ideas about preparations.
She made her way back to the farm. Arya and Robin were on the porch. Arya came down and helped her unload the car noticing the box from their uncle in the truck.
"Provisions?" she asked, her eyebrow raised in a question.
"Is there a place we can hide it?"
"I'll take it to the barn, bury it in the root cellar," Arya told her. "Later," she added looking up. Sansa followed her gaze and saw Lysa had come out on the porch.
"Agreed, I don't want her to have another reason to panic."
XXXXXX
The Germans arrived the next day and Oakenshield officially surrendered the day after that. They now found themselves ruled over by foreign invaders. Uncle Brynden came out stay in the cottage despite the fact it lacked running water and electricity, he said he had no plans to make it permanent but he couldn't stand the saluting and the marching near his home as the Nazis attempted to make a show of force for the islanders. Lysa seemed calmed by his presence which Sansa was thankful for.
At dinner that night Petyr assured them that since they had surrendered peacefully the Germans were letting them keep what remained of the town council, with him now as the lead. He again reminded everyone that it was best to work to get along for now. His comments only worked to lower Arya's opinion of him even further.
The Germans moved quickly, within a week they handed down several decrees and regulations. A curfew was instated from 11pm to 5am. They were to turn in any and all weapons, radios were only to be turned to German broadcasts, the use of any boat, even for fishing, now required registration and a special permit. All communication with England or non-Axis held countries was cut off and forbidden.
Brynden, Sansa and Arya had been dismayed. Petyr's response was to encourage them to focus on their cows, gardening and fruit trees. He warned them it was likely that new rationing restrictions would be put in place. He also offered to turn in their contraband items. Uncle Brynden started to call him Herr Von Petyr behind his back much to Arya's delight.
Sansa now took Arya to town when she went. Lysa insisted they travel together, warning them that soldiers at war were prone to rape and all manners of horrible things against women they found alone. Sansa had agreed, not so much due to fear of the Germans but to keep peace in the house. Lysa's mood swings had returned and became increasingly erratic and Arya's reaction to the occupation was to lose all sense of propriety and speak whatever came into her mind.
They had not received a response from their parents and did not expect to since communication to England had been cut off the day the Germans landed. They never had been able to locate the telegram Master Aemon mentioned the day of the bombing. They had searched the house and found nothing and given Petyr's new position of power they hadn't wanted to risk angering him with accusations, but they often wondered if they had missed their chance to go home and if he had kept them from it.
They were now nearly a month into the occupation. On their trip to town today Ayra had run off to play with Mycah while Sansa queued the ration lines. She knew it would be more efficient if they both queued but Arya would be thirteen in a few weeks, and Sansa felt some sense of duty to let her enjoy the last fleeting moments of childhood.
As she joined the line outside the bakery she noticed people seemed more agitated than normal. She tried to listen to the conversations going on around her but there was too many and the sound of the German trucks rumbling up and down the street was not helping.
She collected her bread and headed to the grocer, when in doubt Jeyne usually knew what was going on. Sansa waited outside for the soldiers inside to clear out, they were smiling and laughing with Jeyne. Sansa watched through the window unsure of how she felt about this. They finally wrapped up their conversation and left the store. They greeted Sansa warmly but she merely gave them a nod and did not smile back.
She stepped into the shop and greeted Jeyne. "Mum, I'm going to take a quick break," she called to the back and then came around the counter and followed Sansa outside.
"How are the rations today?" she asked looking at Sansa basket.
"Worse than last week but not as bad as Monday," Sansa shrugged in response. "Everyone seems upset today, do you know why?"
"There's a rumor they are going to start seizing people's vehicles, furniture, livestock, whatever they deem fit to help their war effort," Jeyne responded looking around them nervously.
"That's terrible, what are we supposed to do without the car? We're over four miles out of town. And winter is coming, we are going to need all the animals since they are cutting rations."
"Don't know, could just be a rumor, but then fuel's going to be rationed more tightly as well from what I hear, so maybe having a vehicle won't do you any good soon enough. As far as the food, I'd start thinking about a winter garden, have you planted one before?"
"We didn't plant vegetables much in London. I imagine I could ask Lysa. She's is going to pitch a fit about the car."
"I haven't seen Lysa in town in months, I doubt she cares."
"She's too nervous to leave the farm, but she doesn't like me to be gone long either, if I have to walk eight miles anytime I come to town she won't like it."
"Maybe Petyr can help, he's the main liaison to the Germans; if anyone can pull some strings for you it would be him."
"I don't want to owe any debts to Mr. Baelish." Jeyne gave her an odd look due to the formality of her words.
"Do you think he's terrible for working with the Germans?" Jeyne asked her quietly.
"I'm not sure how I feel about it, Arya and Brynden are furious though. I can't help but think about the fact that my brother is fighting them and they won't hesitate to kill him. They are not our friends," she answered with warning.
"Sansa Stark are you judging me because I was talking politely to those soldiers?"
"I just, well, they are the enemy. Don't you resent their presence?"
"They are just following orders, they aren't all bad. And in case you haven't noticed we are all going to be here together for god knows how long. I would think it's better to just get on with them at this point, it's not like we are going to be able to fight them off. I'd prefer to not spend all my time tense and angry."
Sansa just looked at her. It couldn't just be that easy, there was a reason they were on opposite sides of the war wasn't there?
"I don't want to fight with you. I just -, just be careful Jeyne. They are still our enemy, no matter how handsome they might seem."
Jeyne rolled her eyes. "I think you need to get off that farm more, I think Arya and Brynden are rubbing off on you a touch too much. If you talked to them you would see they aren't all bad. In fact one of them invited me to a dance out at the Umber's estate next weekend."
"I thought the Umbers had evacuated?"
"They did, but the Germans are using the house for many of their officers."
"And you're ok with that?"
"You sound like you are you judging me again. We're young, we should be allowed some fun. Just think about it, ask Lysa if you can go. Hey, I gotta get back, but let me know next time you are in town. Seriously Sansa, it's ok to have some fun."
Sansa watched her go back inside and then headed to the butcher's to collect Arya. Her patience had worn thin and she snapped at Arya that they needed to go now. They drove back to the farm in silence, Arya knew better than to press Sansa's mood.
Petyr came to dinner that night, despite what she had heard in town he seemed unconcerned or worried. Sansa normally tried to steer clear of topics that would upset Lysa but tonight she had little choice.
"So I heard something upsetting in town today," she began.
"Oh?" he responded.
"Someone said they are stealing vehicles, animals, furniture. That the Germans are commandeering whatever they want from people."
Lysa gasped and looked at Petyr expectantly. "Well stealing might be a bit strong. They are offering a fair price for the vehicles and paying the owners for them. The other things, well they are requisitioning what they need to carry on their occupation, yes."
"Can we refuse to sell?" Lysa inquired. "I need the car, Sansa needs the car. How will I get Robin to school? He can't walk that far Petyr, my sweet boy, he'll be too tired. And the animals, well I'd prefer to keep them as well."
"Well…." Petyr began.
"It seems like calling it stealing still sounds appropriate to me," Arya countered, "Or would you prefer "forced relinquishment'?"
Petyr seemed exasperated with her. "No Arya, it's neither. Maybe you can take Robin to play while the adults talk."
Arya shot Sansa a look. Sansa tipped her head indicating Arya should go. With a huff she got up and directed Robin from the table.
"What I was going to say is I'll see what I can do about the animals, maybe keep it to the cows over on my land, but you should prepare to lose some, everyone has to contribute. As far as the car, well they are going to start restricting fuel more, so the vehicle will soon be worthless, better to just get a good price for them now. Do you still have our old bicycles in the barn?"
"Actually I do, they might need a bit of work but I'm sure Brynden could help with those," Lysa answered.
"Splendid. See, problem solved. I'll get you a couple of nice baskets for them and if you ever need a ride to town you need just ask," he finished, his gaze falling on Sansa.
She looked away from him and took Lysa's hand. "Petyr's right, we'll be ok without the car."
Lysa smiled at them weakly. "I should get Robin to bed. Can you clean up dear?"
"Of course," Sansa replied and began to clear the dishes. Petyr followed her to the kitchen.
"Thanks for your support with Lysa, it's important we all work together to keep her calm."
"Agreed."
"But I meant what I said, if you need a ride anywhere you just need to ask me." He was moving closer to her as they spoke. It made Sansa's skin crawl, she wanted him to back off.
"I'm sure the bicycle will be fine but thank you."
"Well if you ever need anything just ask me," he repeated.
"Thank you Petyr, but really we can manage. You don't need to do us special favors. We can handle ourselves; getting to town, shopping, pick up our own mail, things like that." For a moment she saw something flicker in his eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came. She continued, "You should probably head out, curfew and all."
He glanced at the clock, it was only 8:45 but he said nothing other than to wish her goodnight and left her standing in the kitchen.
