Dragons and Thrones: Rising Tensions – Healing the Breach

Chapter 26 of my crossover story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.

Sansa

Sansa sighed as she was once more walking through Winterfell, making her way through the castle and to the courtyard. She wasn't alone either, having seen her distress, Podrick had joined her and was attempting to help her stay calm.

All the same, Sansa's thoughts remained tense. 'It's been so long now, what if she's...no, I can't believe that, she survived almost a year out in the Wilderness, even being away in Thedas for part of it. It's not been that long this time. Arya is still alive, I'm sure of it.'

All the same she didn't know how long she could keep herself calm. It was hard, her mother always looked so distressed and careworn these days, her father had so much to work out, this was adding to it.

Bran it seemed was in the same position as her, doing his best to remain calm, despite his own worries. Meanwhile Rickon wasn't even attempting to cover it, it was clear he missed Arya and it took a lot of effort to stop him from going off in the search parties too.

'Oh Arya, where are you? We miss you...' She thought sadly.

She was relieved that arrangements had been made, quietly for now, between the family, nobody else in Winterfell knew, save Solas and Gendry, to begin making plans for Arya and Gendry, while also denouncing the Freys, word had already been sent revealing their treachery during the Red Templar attack.

As a result, the prestige of the Freys was damaged, everyone had begun to grow suspicious and angry with them. Lord Walder was apparently furious, but his protests all fell on deaf ears.

In addition, another blow for Lord Walder Frey, his own daughter, Roslin, fully embracing her new role as Lady of Riverrun, stood by her husband and denounced her own father, standing with her new Tully family instead.

"My Lady." Pod said softly, catching her attention.

She turned to him. "Yes Pod?"

He smiled and spoke gently. "You're worried, about Lady Arya right. I am sure she will be fine, she's a survivor."

"I...I know, thank you Pod." She replied.

She was grateful for his friendship, especially in her current state, the way things were right now. His reassurances helped her cope with her worries about her sister.

'I wonder though, has father already sent word about the end of Arya's betrothal too?' She couldn't help but think.

The sooner it was known Arya was free, the better in her opinion. They soon reached the courtyard and Sansa froze, gasping. Her eyes widened and Pod's reassurances had become unnecessary, although no less appreciated. For there, riding into Winterfell, was the search party.

She could see Robb, Gendry and Solas, along with the others. But most importantly, with them, riding alongside Gendry and smiling, was Arya. She was safe, she was back.

'She's...she's alright, but, Gods, what happened to her, she looks so...dishevelled, are, are those scars. She was hurt and her clothes are...Gods, whatever happened to her, she looks alright, happy at least...She's back, that's all that matters.'

Smiling widely she rushed over, the search party had dismounted by now and were all looking around. Arya let out a startled yelp, almost falling over Sansa embraced her.

"Oh Arya, thank the Gods, you're safe." She burst out.

Arya laughed softly, realizing who it was and returned the hug. "I'm alright Sansa, I'm...I heard that..."

She wasn't able to finish her sentence however, before Sansa stepped back, as they heard the shouts. She saw Robb, Gendry and Solas all smiling and nodded to them. Before long, Arya was being greeted and embraced by the rest of the family. Their mother was nearly in tears.

"Oh Arya, Arya we were so worried." She burst out.

Arya bit her lip. "I'm...I'm sorry mother, but I had to..."

Their mother nodded. "We know, Arya, we know."

It was then Sansa couldn't help but note, at roughly the same time everyone else noticed Arya's roughed up appearance, the locks of Arya's hair that had turned white. Seeing their curiosity, it was decided that Arya and the search party tell their story. So it was they all headed inside.

Some time later, Sansa was making her way through Winterfell again; this time with a different purpose. She was still smiling, although she was also amazed and horrified at the story she had heard, what Arya had endured, the Bloody Mummers, the Demon, thankfully the scars she had ended up with, the one one her back and the one on her neck being the worst ones, were her only physical injuries.

'I don't want to imagine what effect her suffering had on her mind, but she seems to be enduring well.' She thought.

She reached Arya's room, knocked on the door and carefully entered. She almost had to bite her lip to stifle a laugh. Arya had just finished having a bath, drying off, her chin length hair was straight and neat now, the white locks now clearly framed the right side of her face.

The reason for Sansa's almost laugh was due to the fact Arya was standing before the looking glass, glaring as she stood, clad in a dress. She clearly could not wear her breeches and tunics anymore, due to the damage they had taken.

So she was stuck in her current dress, thankfully a simple dress, the kind she used to wear before her training in King's Landing.

"You know the dress can't see you glaring at it." She remarked as she stepped closer.

Arya turned to her sharply. "Sansa...not funny."

She really couldn't help but laugh at that, appreciating that Arya wasn't truly angry with her, she knew it was a joke.

Sansa decided to become serious now, she had come here with a purpose, it was time for her to talk about that purpose.

"Arya, I know why you ran away." She said at last.

Arya tensed at once. "Sansa..."

"Hear me out." She said quickly. "I know you ran to escape betrothal to Hostor Frey, I don't blame you. I also know about you and Gendry. But running away wasn't truly going to solve anything, although I won't it gave us all the time we needed."

Arya bit her lip. "Sansa, what are you saying?"

Sansa smiled softly. "I am on your side Arya and I swear, on my honour as a Stark, you and Gendry will be together, your love will be realized."

Arya smiled widely, yet clearly didn't know what to say, so she simply embraced her sister, Sansa returned to the embrace, relieved. She meant her words, she knew that Arya was no doubt anxious about the family's thoughts.

She had heard from Solas that she had heard, and seen Robb's reaction, to her and Gendry's discovered feelings. She was determined to ensure Arya saw the family supported her fully. As they parted however, Sansa was reminded of an unfortunate matter. The family supported Arya of course, but outside the family, nobody really knew the full story. As what happened next dramatically showed.

The door at that moment burst open and Septa Mordane entered.

"Lady Arya, how could you?" She demanded angrily.

Arya shook her head. "Septa, you don't understand, I..."

Mordane cut her off. "I understand perfectly, there is no excuse for this. I cannot believe you'd be so childish, your selfish actions could have utterly ruined your family."

"Septa..." Sansa tried to intervene.

She couldn't let this happen, Arya needed support.

But Mordane it seemed misinterpreted Sansa's intentions.

"It is quite alright, Lady Sansa." She said. "I can handle this."

She turned to Arya again. "You have a duty to perform, you cannot just run off when something happens you don't like. You must do your duty, and marry..."

"That isn't me, you just don't…"

"Don't answer back, you need to learn..."

Sansa shook her head, this wasn't how things were supposed to go.

"Thank you Septa, that will do." Another voice cut in.

They all turned, startled, Sansa was surprised to see her father standing there.

"My Lord, I..." Mordane tried to explain.

Her father shook his head. "Yes I am aware, you have done enough lecturing. Arya, please come with me, I'd like to talk with you privately."

"Of course father." Arya replied at once.

They then left, Septa Mordane seemed surprised and a little put out, but Sansa didn't care. All she hoped was that, as she watched Arya leave, this was when things would change, for the better. She was hopeful, this was it.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.