She woke up to the startling sound of leaves rustling very hard. Her eyes opened in shock and she stayed very still, trying to identify the sound. As soon as she heard the wind again, she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. She wanted to go back to sleep, before deciding against it. If she fell asleep, the next day would come much faster than if she stayed awake. And after all, she'd probably need hours to fall back asleep only to be awaken by another bad dream.

She got out of bed and tied a robe loosely around her waist. Her body was full of stress and she needed to calm down. The confinement of the room was maddening. She felt like going to the God's Wood, closing her eyes and listening to the sound of the sea. She knew it would be unwise, but she just had to get out of that room.

She sneaked out very carefully, hoping only too late that they hadn't posted a guard at her door. As soon as the door was open, a pair of grey eyes stared into hers. She almost screamed, but ser Tobias gave her a sheepish grin.

"Can't sleep, my lady?"

She needed a couple of seconds to steady her breathing. "What are you doing here?"

"You truly thought they wouldn't have someone guard your door?"

"I- I just didn't expect you. The Lannisters accepted this?"

He laughed quietly and shrugged. "You think the Lannisters truly concern themselves with matters of guards and rounds?"

She stared at him in silence for a while, still half inside her room. His steady eyes calmed her. She noticed a little stubble on his jaw and felt a sudden urge to feel it.

"Where were you going, anyway?"

Her cheeks reddened and she felt caught, even though she knew he couldn't read her mind.

"I just wanted to get some air. That room is turning me crazy."

"I can tell you need to calm down."

Sansa didn't know if that was supposed to be offending, but she decided to let it go.

"Would you like me to escort you to gardens or to the God's Wood, my lady?"

"I want to hear the sea." She declared, and he offered her his arm, knowing what she meant. Even though she knew it was inappropriate for a lady to touch a guard, she took it. No one was going to see them this late anyways. Suddenly, she felt a flush of wind reach her dress and she realized how underdressed she was to be out in public. All she had on her was a slightly transparent nightshift and a thin robe covering her body. Looking down to her feet while they were walking, she realized her feet were bare.

"Nervous for tomorrow?"

She didn't want to talk about it. "Tomorrow will be the last day I wake up as a Stark."

"The Starkness won't magically disappear from your blood, though." She looked up at him, but he stared ahead.

"Where are you from?" She knew the basics, but she wanted to know what made him Tobias.

"My father is a lord from the Stormlands. We're not a very famous house." He was right at that. House Lance was a name she hadn't heard before.

"And your mother?"

"My mother was a northern merchant's daughter. One day, on their trade routes, he offered my mother to my father, whom he saw as a noble lord. My mother was quite beautiful, and my father didn't hesitate a second. He was a young fool at the time, and his family was furious at him for marrying such a lowborn girl. But nevertheless, he became lord soon enough, and she became lady."

"And she taught you the faith of the old gods."

"Indeed, she did."

"What did she look like?" Sansa wondered who had given him his good looks.

He smiled, like he enjoyed remembering her. "She was beautiful. She had long and thick brown hair she usually wore in a braid, a heart-shaped face and chestnut eyes. She died giving birth to my little sister 6 years ago."

"I'm sorry." Sansa said truthfully.

"Don't be. She loved her life. And she was quite tired of her 3 sons, she was dying to have a daughter." He laughed at his own choice of words and Sansa couldn't help but chuckle too.

"And which one are you?"

"I'm the third son. The oldest is dutifully managing our modest keep with my father and the second one is somewhere in Essos. He left when mother died, and we know little of him now. He married some local girl and he made himself a rich man. I believe he's in Pentos, or maybe it was Lys, or Volantis? No idea. I doubt I'll ever see him again."

"And tell me about you."

For the first time ever, she saw some crimson in his cheeks. "There's really nothing to tell about me."

"Oh, come on." She laughed. "Everyone has a story."

"I- eh- I stayed a while after mother's death. Father remarried soon enough. Loneliness doesn't suit him. I couldn't stand the new wife and she wanted to get rid of me. So they sent me to squire for a knight of the Vale. I didn't really mind. There, people acknowledged me. I did well in the Vale. But then Robert Arryn died, Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark. And I just thought; why not go down south where all the action is clearly at? In truth, I was just a bored knight wanting to prove himself. I didn't have much better to do."

They approached the God's Wood. It looked peaceful at night, with the moon shining down on it.

"I occasionally guard the Tyrells, and sometimes the Lannisters. I'm not really sworn to anyone. I could leave whenever I want."

"Then why don't you?"

He looked at her.

"You don't realize how lucky you are for having a choice."

He sighed. They continued in silence through the god's wood for a while until they reached the lookout for the sea. She let go of his arm and walked as close to the border of the dike as she could. She stared right at the water and breathed the smell of the sea in. If she could only hop on a boat and go north. She closed her eyes.

"I don't want to." he suddenly said.

"What?" Her eyes popped open.

"I don't want to go."

"This place is hell. You should go home. To your family. See your father, brother and sister again."

"There's nothing there for me. My life isn't as purposeful or interesting as yours, Sansa."

"You should consider yourself lucky. I wish my life was that simple."

Silence took over. She cleared her head and closed her eyes again. Wishing for anything but what she was going through. If only I could have been born a peasant's daughter.

"I don't want to leave you."

She opened her eyes again and just looked at him. What have you done, Sansa? You'll be his downfall. "War is coming to King's Landing."

"I'd never forgive myself."

"You do realize you'll have to fight for the Lannisters?"

"And you'll have to marry one."

At those words, she felt a sting in her heart. "The Kingslayer."

"At least it's not the Imp."

She looked at him, angry. "Does it even matter which one it is? They both carry the same name. My children will carry that bloody name as soon as he crawls on top of me."

His face flinched at what she said.

"I won't let him touch you." He whispered through clenched teeth.

She sighed silently. "Yes, you will." They all will.

He shook his head in denial.

"By this time tomorrow I'll be lying in Jaime Lannister's bed." she spit out.

He looked at her, hurt. What is his problem? He shouldn't be so attached.

"At least it's not Joffrey." she said. That was a terrible attempt at apologizing for getting him upset. But he just stared ahead towards the sea.

"I could bribe a fisherman to take us away."

She laughed weakly. "I'm quite recognizable."

"I could take you home." was his feeble attempt. He sounded like he didn't believe what he was saying.

"My home was burnt down by someone I almost considered my brother and proceeded to kill my other two brothers." Sansa knew she sounded bitter. "And the one coming could very well be killed soon. Joffrey will enjoy presenting his head to me." Only Jon would remain. "If that battle ends badly, no hope is left for me."

"Maybe they'd let you live in peace on Casterly Rock."

She smiled hopelessly. "I'd rather throw myself from the highest tower in King's Landing."

Again, they both stared in silence towards the sea. Sansa was starting to get chilly. The wind felt like it had come from the north. After a while, she turned her head towards his, still looking towards the sea. She observed his profile. His strong jawline with the gentle stubble, his straight nose, his playful caramel locks, his silver eyes, shining in the moon light, and his plump lips.

Tomorrow Jaime Lannister will kiss my lips. The thought made her want to hurl. His rough mouth was nothing she wanted close to her. Who knew where it had been?

Tobias turned his head towards her as well. Their faces were only inches away. She heard his steady breath and saw his eyes wander over her face too.

"Don't leave me." she whispered. She didn't know what came to her. Sounding desperate was the last thing she wanted to do.

His eyes searched hers. "I won't."

Those words were all she needed to convince her. She closed her eyes and lifted her dirty heels from the ground. Her hand rested on his armour and the other reached for the stubble she had been wondering about. At her gestures, she felt his arm slip around her waist and his other found his way to her hair. She wondered what he tasted like when he finally brought his lips to hers.

Vanilla. He tastes like vanilla.