Dragons and Thrones: Rising Tensions – Healing the Breach
Chapter 50 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 smiled softly as she sat, along with the other girls in Winterfell; including Jeyne and Beth. This time it wasn't a typical lesson about being a proper lady, rather it was more a lecture about life skills that was essential to everyone. As such, while no longer having to attend any of the other lessons, Arya was present in the room, sitting next to Sansa.
Understanding the importance of this lesson, Arya at least was making the effort to focus and pay attention. Sansa almost wanted to laugh, observing her sister, listening carefully, occasionally writing down. However, Sansa couldn't help but note that Septa Mordane was still looking rather put out, especially whenever her gaze turned to Arya.
Glancing around, Sansa couldn't be sure if anyone else had seen it, but if so they gave no sign or reaction.
'Just what is wrong with Septa Mordane, when she heard that Arya was no longer going to be marrying Hostor Frey, she was as happy as the rest of us, but, but now she's...' Sansa wondered. 'Never mind anyone else, has Arya noticed…?'
Sansa glanced at her sister and saw that Arya's expression, while still one of concentration, also showed confusion and Sansa guessed she had indeed seen the way Mordane was acting.
Finally, after a heavy sigh from Mordane, Arya looked up.
"Septa." She said, at once everyone looked up and Mordane turned, startled. "What's wrong, you keep sighing and I can't help but notice you keep looking my way."
Mordane stiffened but then shook her head. "I am sorry Lady Arya, but this isn't right, you shouldn't be..."
Arya rolled her eyes. "Ah, this again, the betrothal is now official Septa, it doesn't matter if you like it or not, I am marrying Gendry."
"Even so, you should still learn to be proper; I heard about your 'plans' for the wedding, this is highly irregular and..." Mordane began.
Arya shook her head but, unable to just sit by and watch, Sansa decided to say her piece.
"Septa, if I may?" She spoke up, again drawing everyone's attention.
They had all be watching Arya intently, so they were surprised by Sansa's interruption.
Mordane was surprised too. "Lady Sansa...Of course, what did you want to say?"
Sansa took a deep breath and explained. "Septa, Arya is a proper Lady, a proper Lady of the North, a Stark, a wolf. That is something to be proud of. She is a Stark of Winterfell, through and through, he betrothed loves her for that, as he should. That is all that should matter."
Mordane looked shocked and the girls all gasped, Arya's eyes widened and she then grinned.
"Sansa, that's...thank you." She said at last.
Sansa smiled back, Mordane looked even more put out, but gave up and continued the lesson.
Later Sansa smiled as she took a walk through Winterfell; she had to admit, something puzzled her. She knew all about Hostor Frey's efforts to ruin Arya and Gendry's happiness, to force the issue of Arya marrying him.
'Yet, despite what we suspected, he never seems to try anything...' She pondered; thinking of possible ways he could try and force things. 'But then, what about those times he, or someone suspicious has been seen in the corridors.'
It suddenly dawned on her that Hostor had in fact been trying to use any illicit means to get what he wanted. But something kept thwarting him, she had only heard about it, but apparently there had been an assassination attempt against Gendry.
Thwarted when, inexplicably, the assassin failed to even gain entry to Gendry's new chambers within the castle.
A sudden suspicion occurred to Sansa then. 'Then again...Solas always seems to know when such an event is happening...Could he, have something to do with Hostor's plans failing? His magic?'
She had to admit, she still didn't know what to make of the Elf Mage. Out in the courtyard, Sansa spotted Arya outside the forge, Gendry was with her, presenting something to her. Sansa grinned as she drew closer, noting Arya's look of joy.
Sure enough, as she thought, it was Arya's sword, Needle. For at that moment Arya drew it out and examined it; grinning widely. Sansa noted that the blade looked different, true she had never properly seen Needle, but she had seen other swords and knew Needle was made out of similar metal, steel.
But this blade looked different, it was shiny white and Sansa couldn't be certain, but there seemed to be small veins of blue through it.
"So this is..?" Arya asked curiously.
Gendry nodded. "The blade is now made from Silverite, Needle will be much stronger now and it won't break again, I promise."
Arya grinned at that and sheathed Needle again, Sansa grinned as, showing uncharacteristic behaviour, she responded by actually kissing Gendry.
Looking away Sansa almost laughed; things were certainly getting interesting in Winterfell; she could hardly wait for Arya's wedding, things had been planned carefully and now they had even set the date, a rather interesting and special date.
A few days later however, Sansa found herself facing something rather unexpected. She was seated in the great hall, along with her parents. She didn't know where the rest of the family was; but it didn't mater really, as there was no time to consider it.
They soon found themselves facing a formal visit as the doors opened and in stepped King Stannis Baratheon and his wife, Queen Selyse Baratheon.
'What brings them here, why are they…?' She wondered.
She soon got her answer and found herself and her family already on the defensive.
"Lord Stark, what is the meaning of this?" Selyse burst out.
Stannis rolled his eyes and shook his head, but said nothing.
She continued. "You dare do this to us, we cannot accept…?"
Sansa bit her lip worried.
Her father spoke quickly. "Your Grace, what is wrong? I don't understand what you are worried about?"
"Your daughter, Lady Arya, you are trying to marry her, to a bastard!?" Selyse snarled. "What's worse, that bastard is, you are trying to usurp us!"
Sansa cringed, realizing now what the issue was, Selyse was talking about Arya and Gendry.
"Your Grace, this isn't what it seems. We have no intention of usurping you, Gendry does not know about his blood; nor would he care." He explained.
Selyse glared and Sansa knew that this wasn't the end of it.
Selyse remained irate.
"You honestly think that matters; he's a bastard, he has no business marrying your daughter. Besides, she is to marry one of my cousins." She snarled.
Ned sighed. "Your Grace, I am sorry, but no message or word of this was ever sent to us."
Selyse shook her head. "All the same, she shouldn't marry that boy, I am offering a far better solution."
"Why are you so insistent about this; why Arya...I have more than one daughter?" Her father asked.
Sansa wasn't sure what to say about this; she had no intentions of being put into an arranged marriage again, so soon. But she had to admit, her father did have a point.
Selyse reply shocked her however. "Yes, yet your older daughter's fruit ha already been tasted, nobody would want to touch Arya's, she is hardly comely after all."
Sansa glared, shocked at the blatant disrespect Selyse showed, not to mention the fact she insulted Sansa herself, inferring she was no longer a maiden.
"Enough, Selyse!" Stannis suddenly burst out. "You will not speak to our allies that way. Contrary to what you claim, no such arrangement was made."
Selyse looked shocked by this sudden outburst but Stannis shook his head and stepped forwards.
He cleared his throat and spoke.
"Now, Lord Stark, I will explain the true reason for our visit." He stated. "First of all; while I trust you in regards to your choice for Lady Arya to marry this boy, Gendry, I am aware of his status as a knight. I would meet with this young man."
Sansa bit her lip, before finally unable to hold herself back. "Your Grace, I'm sorry, I must ask, what do you wish to speak to Gendry about."
"I merely want to talk to him, there are a few matters I must discuss, in regards to his future." He stated. "Now, despite Selyse's intentions; there were in fact no plans to marry Lady Arya to a Florent."
As he said this he glared at Selyse who looked outraged and tried to interrupt. But he ignored her.
"Instead I wish to make the alliance between us stronger...and secure the future of both our Houses. I understand you have one remaining son who is not married or betrothed."
"Rickon, yes." Catelyn replied.
It was clear that everyone in the room, herself included Sansa noted, knew what he was about to say.
"Stannis, no..." Selyse growled.
He ignored her. "Then that is what I seek; to deepen our alliance, by having your Rickon, marry my daughter, Shireen."
Sansa knew that this was just the beginning, it was clear there was still a lot to do, more complications to overcome.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
