Author's Notes – According to my Googled research, medieval dancing was not done in couples, but in formations where all joined in. Some dances differentiated males and female formations in the dance, but it was not done in pairs or couples. The introduction of dancing as we see done in period pieces such as Pride and Prejudice came much later and would have been considered scandalous to many in medieval culture.

- Added Jan 11th. A very astute reviewer reminded me that Eddard danced with Ashara Dayne, and it was implied as a couple in ASOI&F. It would be easy for me to say, "This is AU and . . . " but I goofed. Still, GRRM sticks to a lot of medieval customs for his universe and such were the customs of the time. I merely ask forgiveness and go on with my story:)

Stannis

When Stannis rejoined his wife and daughter in the chamber where they usually spent the rest of the evening after supper, Shireen and Sansa were discussing dancing, of all things. Normally, he wouldn't listen to such a conversation or be expected to. Sansa had developed a way of letting him know when he needed to come back to a conversation without making it too obvious that he wasn't paying attention beforehand. Now, he was giving them his full attention to see if Sansa was alerted by his being summoned by Ser Lambert after dinner. So far, she seemed to not have given it a second thought.

"The Braavosi merchant's daughter said that they are dancing as couples in formation rather than just dancing as a group," he heard Shireen remark. "I can't imagine how that is done."

Looking at his wife, Stannis found it amusing the way her forehead screwed up in thought as if contemplating a very complex problem. "I have to assume the formations are designed around couples moving together within the form. Did she say whether only betrothed or married couples danced this way? Surely a maid does not dance with a man or boy she is not at least betrothed to."

Before Shireen could answer, Stannis found himself commenting, "What difference does it make? In our dances, males and females interact by the joining of hands or in other ways. I hardly see how it is different if two people are merely paired up to do so?"

Once the words were out of his mouth, Stannis realized he had quite possibly made a grave mistake. Both Sansa's and Shireen's eyes were wide with astonishment, not having expected him to be paying attention. "Influences from other cultures are of importance to the realm," he groused with a shrug, feeling his scowl increase. It was a poor attempt at a recovery, but it seemed to be effective.

"You are quite right," Sansa began diplomatically, smiling at him as if to try to appease him, "both in the importance of outside influences and that couples in formation is not all that different in reality. What is different is the possibility of perception. In our dances, those who wish to dance join in and there is no possibility of someone becoming jealous or assuming an alliance because of whom one is partnered with."

"From what I was told, there is also a difference in how couples touch one another," Shireen added, her voice strangely excited. "A man may put his hand on a lady's waist or they may hold hands and only the two of them for a longer duration than what happens in our dances ."

While Stannis had to admit he had started listened to this conversation to judge Sansa's reaction to his leaving, he was finding that his earlier statement was valid and Sansa's assessment of it was correct. As ridiculous as it sounded in his mind, wars could be fought over something as simple as a lady from a noble family dancing with the wrong man from the wrong family, or even worse, one not of a noble family. In his mind, he had an image of Sansa standing before the court of King's Landing with Sandor Clegane leading her with his hand on her waist and cringed. Were such a thing to happen, he would undoubtedly draw Lightbringer and blood would be spilled. It would sound silly to bring up such a matter to the Small Counsel, but it was worth mentioning to Davos. On the surface, a law banning a certain type of dancing sounded petty, but when you thought about it in more detail, it might be a prudent thing to do.

He was pulled out of this thoughts by Sansa's reply. "It does sound far too intimate for a couple who are not attached in some way."

"Yet, we in noble families marry perfect strangers and are expected to immediately do the most intimate thing imaginable," Shireen argued, her dark blue eyes showing an unusual agitation.

Stannis and Sansa both looked at each other before returning their gaze back to Shireen. "That is undoubtedly true,"Sansa tried soothe her with more diplomacy, while also trying to make a point. "But it is not for all to see."

"Is it not? Is it not the usual custom, granted not my father's, to allow men to undress a maid to present her to her husband on their wedding night? How can the Braavosi dance be worse than being pawed by drunken men after a wedding feast?"

Stannis tried to remember if he'd ever seen his daughter argue with such passion; he was used to her using logic. He was also surprised that his rather reticent and shy daughter approved of such a form of dance and wondered if she were picturing herself dancing in such a manner with anyone in particular. That was something to think about another day. At the moment, he needed to get through this evening until he and his queen were alone where he would have to try to explain the grim news of her mother being alive, yet not as she was. Getting through this evening meant conversing with his ladies as if all was well.

"You will not be pawed by those in attendance at your wedding and King's Landing is not Braavos," Stannis stated firmly, knowing is comments were really not relevant to her argument, but also knowing his harsh tone would signal his desire for this particular conversation to end. He glanced at the candle and knew there was another hour before Shireen would retire. Needing to move the conversation into safer waters and realizing Shireen would be the most difficult to lead, he went for her weakness. "Davos tells me Alysane is well, although I have not seen her in a fortnight. Has she grown much in that time?"

It worked. Shireen brightened and was perfectly willing to leave talk of new dancing styles in favor of a discussion on the latest baby in their midst. "Oh Father, she is still so tiny, but growing by the day. She is so sweet natured . . ."

The remaining hour passed quickly and required him to say little as Sansa and Shireen waxed on and on about the children in Maegor's Holdfast and the Tower of the Hand. All too soon, the nightly rituals were over and he stood before the door to her bedchamber, bracing himself for that which he could put off no longer.

Sansa sat on the edge of the bed waiting for him, her luxurious red hair down along her back and shoulders and, as always, showing up brilliantly in the firelight against the white of her linen nightgown. It seemed an offense to spoil such beauty with news of tragedy and he wondered if he could delay it somehow, but that option was taken away from him as he sat beside her. "Now you may tell me what news the latest raven regarding my mother brings," she said quietly, reaching for his hand and interlocking her fingers in his. She didn't face him, but looked downward toward their hands.

"Your Uncle Edmure found her," he started, his voice barely above a whisper to take the harshness out. "Whether she actually died and was brought back to life or whether her current state is the result of the condition she was left in is hard to say. What your uncle reports is that he met with a woman who physically resembled your mother, but who was altered in ways hard to fathom."

She still did not face him. "In what ways?"

Stannis squeezed her hand lightly as if trying to give some comfort in the face of such bizarre tidings. "She cannot speak, her skin has taken an extremely pale pallor, and he says what little hair she has is white. The wounds she sustained do not show any signs of healing. Yet, he is certain she was formerly his sister. Her appearance was not what startled him the most from this account. Lady Stark is now leading the Brotherhood without Banners and is bent on revenge against the remaining Freys and Boltons. When asked whether she intended to continue her journey to Winterfell to reunite with your younger brother or to return to Riverrun, she communicated, he did not say how, that she would not be doing so. Your uncle reports her first priority is that of vengeance and that they have given her the name Lady Stoneheart."

He watched her bowed head for tears, but they did not come. Sansa merely seemed to be taking in what he had told her. After what seemed like an eternity, she raised her head and looked at him. "What you are saying is that this . . . Lady Stoneheart . . . does not show an interest in her family?"

"Not for the present. That may change or merely be your uncle's interpretation." It was time to tell her more he had been hiding from her. "Your sister also spent time with this Brotherhood and their leader after she fled from King's Landing. Your half-brother has relayed that Arya believes the story of her mother's resurrection, but also added that Dondarrion told her each time he was resurrected, his emotions were changed or I believe the word he used in the rave was that they were 'numbed'."

"I see," she replied biting her lip. "So I have lost my mother, yet there is no body to bury in the crypt at Winterfell and there is a . . . a creature resembling my mother who still walks and has my mother's memories, but only has feelings of vengeance for her older son and none of her duty to her younger son." Sansa let go of his hand and placed both of them on her increased belly. "How does a mother stop being a mother to her children?"

Stannis realized he was grinding his teeth and that every muscle in his body was tense. She was not crying. He hated to see her cry, but at the moment, it seemed worse that she was not shedding tears. Not knowing what else to do, he answered the question, even though he knew it was rhetorical. "If she is a loving mother, she only stops in death and that is what looks to have happened."

"Was Winterfell been informed of what my uncle learned?"

"Yes."

Sansa nodded, as if that was something that needed acceptance. "Arya must remain with Rickon for now. I will write to her to ensure she knows her duty. It is not the business of the Iron Throne, but I would appreciate help in finding a good steward and maester to send to Winterfell, one who can educate Rickon properly to take over as Lord Stark."

This matter-of-fact demeanor of assessing what needed to be done was a way of dealing with her grief . . . he knew it, but found it unsettling. It was as if she, too, had developed a stone heart. "After you have had time to grieve the loss of your mother, we will see to what is needed for Winterfell and your family."

Sansa moved away from him to crawl into bed and underneath the bedclothes. Stannis had not expected to bed her this night due to her grief, although he strangely felt the need of such comfort. As it was, he was grateful when she settled her head on his chest after he lay beside her and put her arm across his waist. He lay awake for hours holding her knowing she was also awake. He waited for the tears he thought would come and when they did not, he wondered if she was waiting to grieve alone or if she merely had no more tears left to shed.