Thank you all for the great reviews on the last chapter. Sansa is beginning to feel for Stannis, something she never really felt before. She's had crushes, etc, but this is new. At near 14, she is beginning to grow into learning how to truly "LOVE". In this chapter, Stannis will talk with Sansa of the past events, he explains so she understands. We finally hear about Robb and Catelyn as well!

...

No one had heard from Sansa for nearly two days after the sacrifice of Selyse. Stannis did not try to talk with her and although promised, Melisandre did not bother the girl. Finally, during the night of the third day, the door to her chambers opened and she stuck her head out into the hall, making sure that no one was around. Upon taking her first few steps down the hall, however, Ser Davos came around the corner holding a tray of food for her. Both paused and stared at each other for a long moment, "Good evening, my Lady. It is nice to see you out of your rooms." Sansa smiled and whispered, "Thank you, Ser Davos. Is that my dinner?" He nodded,

"Fish that has been freshly caught."

Sansa nodded, "That sounds quite good." He sighed, "Lady Sansa, would you mind joining me in the hall for dinner?" Sansa looked around, "Here?" Davos smiled and placed the tray on the floor before moving to a spot against the wall, "Yes, I don't see why not. We are not disturbing anyone." In a matter of seconds, Sansa was sitting on the floor across from him, enjoying a plate of hot fish with lemon.

...

"And after I was found on that rock, Stannis made sure I was taken care of. The sunburn took forever to go away, but I shall never forget the taste of salt water upon my lips."

Sansa smiled and leaned her head back against the wall, "Thank you for telling me those stories, Ser Davos, you have taken my mind off of that night." Davos' smile slowly disappeared, "My dear, I know it is hard to understand, but Stannis if faithful to the Lord of Light. I will agree that it was unexpected, but it is done."

"What of the princess? Poor Shireen must feel so lost and confused-"

Davos shook his head, "No, actually, Shireen and Selyse were not very close. She does not feel sadness, but understanding. The child is very bright and smart." The two shared a smile before either heard Melisandre speak, "Well, this is something new." Davos and Sansa looked up at her and the two quickly stood, "No, please, don't allow me to interrupt." Davos cleared his throat, "I was about to return to my work anyway. Lady Sansa, Lady Melisandre." As he left, Melisandre looked at Sansa and how she looked, "You look much better than that night two days ago. I thought you had fallen ill." Sansa shook her head, "I was understandably shaken, my Lady. I-I did not expect-"

Melisandre sighed, "None of us expected it, Sansa. The Lord of Light decides who shall be sacrificed for the cause of Stannis getting to the throne." At the look of confusion, she gestured for the young woman to follow her and they began their trek down the hall. She continued, "When I was a young children, I was lost, starving in the city, and was near death before the Lord of Light found me. I cannot explain how, but I was found and I saw the truth in the world. In turn, as I grew, I found Stannis and his wife just after their marriage. He became fond of me and my beliefs."

Sansa was confused, "Fond?" Melisandre chuckled, "Yes, fond. Sansa, Stannis and Selyse were in a loveless marriage. He never loved her, although he tried. It was after she miscarried his first child, a son, that he began to grow distant. Child after child, mostly boys, were miscarried or stillborn, he thought his marriage cursed. It was then I realized, perhaps the Lord of Light saw that Selyse was not for him and that is why their children never took."

"Shireen was born healthy, wasn't she?"

The woman in red nodded, "Of course, she was born healthy and happy. The King was solemn she was not a son, but he loved her all the same. Selyse loved her daughter until she caught greyscale. Both parents grew distant from her, but it was Stannis that kept his love for her although she would never be Queen." Sansa listened closely to what Melisandre had to say, "I know you have many questions about what happened the other night." Sansa said nothing, but gave a hum as she continued to walk.

"Sansa, what you don't understand is that Selyse is not the first sacrifice. She was ill, Sansa, the Lord of Light knew of that and he asked for her blood and soul. "

She stopped them just outside a set of large wooden doors and turned Sansa towards her, "She was holding Stannis down, Sansa. You must not blame him for this." Sansa finally looked at her and shook her head, "The way she looked at me while I stood with Stannis, it was of hate and sadness. Like-Like she thought I took her place-"

Melisandre opened the doors and Sansa realized they were in the throne room. She walked away from Melisandre towards the two thrones at the end of the room, her eyes never leaving the smallest of the two. It once belonged to Selyse and now she was gone, leaving the chair vacant and collecting dust. Melisandre sighed and grasped Sansa's shoulders from behind, "Someday, both thrones will be filled again and for good." She eyed Sansa and saw that she had closed her eyes. Melisandre sighed, "As I said, do not blame the King, Sansa, for he has done nothing wrong."

...

Sansa sat upon the three steps that led up to the thrones before her. Melisandre had left her there nearly two hours ago and she simply stayed on the steps, torches bringing light to the room. Stannis, who always would rise several hours before sunrise, quietly made his way past the throne room, but paused when he saw the door was open. He slowly pushed it open further and what he saw made his breath catch in his throat for the first time in nearly 15 years. Sansa saw sitting upon the steps, her long white sleeping gown making her look small with her red hair in a braid down her back. She looked as though she was praying,

"My Lady?"

She turned and looked up at Stannis, "Your grace!" She went to stand, but he stopped her, "Don't. I didn't mean to disturb you-" Sansa shook her head, "It is alright, truly. I was just praying." At those words he arched an eyebrow, "Praying?" She smiled and bowed her head, "I am praying for Robb's victory and my mother's help. I am also praying that my sister is safe. I know I don't speak of them often, but I worry about them every day." Stannis nodded, "The Starks have survived for generations, my Lady, no doubt they are well." Sansa shook her head, "Robb and my mother must think me dead by now. Lord Baelish would not write to them and tell them of my whereabouts, he does not think it wise."

Stannis thought it a good moment to apologize for all that has happened since she arrived on Dragonstone. He cleared his throat, "Sansa, I don't do this often, but I wanted to apologize for what you witnessed the other night. I-I understand it may have been too much-" Sansa smiled sweetly, "Please, don't apologize, your grace. I spoke with Melisandre and Ser Davos and I have come to understand what happened."

Both were silent, Stannis unsure of what to say in that moment, "Your grace, I was hoping that you could escort me back to my chambers so I may get some sleep before breakfast?" Without another word, he helped her stand and escorted her to her chambers, her arm wrapped around his own and his hand slowly holding onto hers, which did not go unnoticed by Sansa.

She wore a smile on her face for the rest of the day.

...

More to come in the next chapter!