Willas POV

Sometimes, Willas wondered whether he was truly a good man. He always tried to do the right thing. But there was also this part of him that was dark and hungry for recognition and success.

The first concrete plan he'd ever had was becoming a knight. Part of it was because he believed in what knights stood for but there was also the glory and his father whom he'd wanted to make proud. He liked to think he had his pride and arrogance beaten out of him by the accident, but while it was true he was less confident and imprudent than before he was no less perfectionist and praise-seeking. In fact, it had worsened.

He didn't just want to protect his people from the harm of winter. He wanted his people to survive winter the best. He wanted his father to be impressed and for the rest of Westeros to come begging him for advice.

He was sure if he hadn't been so desperate for recognition and a chance to assert himself, he wouldn't have been so impatient to come while Leonette was about to give birth. But he wanted to be the one to swear the Reach's allegiance. He wanted to contribute to the plans. He wanted the other lords and ladies to see him. Perhaps that was even why he indulged his feelings of anger by beating up Peake, to show he wasn't just a weak spineless lord.

He tried to ignore that voice of him that whispered he was just doing this council meeting out of glory and ego. Then he tried to bargain with himself by reasoning that everyone was here to reach both personal and political goals. He had to admit some were better than others at hiding it.

After Aegon and Connington left, Arianne took over. She would wrap all deals and plans up with a pretty bow so that they could immediately jump into war while all details were taken care of. He'd never seen a more proud set of shoulders than hers, bared and bronzed as she strutted through the hall, striking up conversations with lords and ladies here and there.

Aegon had been excited for the war, but Arianne Martel was clearly excited to show her political ideas. It was both clear and logical that she wanted to impress everyone present. Willas looked down at the letter he was writing for Sansa, his book for coding beside him.

'Telling her?' the Blackfish asked.

'I believe she'll be very relieved to know justice has been done. The sooner the better', Willas smiled.

Yesterday, the Blackfish had gotten word from Edmure. The war of succession in the Twins was finally over. Not only that but the last person standing who took over the reins from old Walder Frey's corpse had bent the knee to Edmure.

Aegon Bloodborne Frey was outlawed over a decade ago for the murder of a man and had not been heard of since, apparently just living out his days as a normal man until the war broke out and the Lannisters butchered his family. He had picked up his killing ways again to protect the famish-wracked smallfolk in the riverlands, becoming the Mad Huntsman, a member of the Brotherhood Without Banners. He'd actively participated in the killing of Freys along the Kingsroad, and had even worked under Stoneheart without revealing his identity until now.

The Freys had been weak, the few remaining so busy battling each other they had not been prepared for him. He was the last standing grandson coming forth from Walder's first marriage. He had helped Edmure in his ascension by aiding in the Feast of Freys. And now, for the first time in a century, there were a Lord of the Twins and a Lord of the Trident who got along.

"The Father – or rather irony – has delivered justice. All the Freys who actively participated in the Red Wedding have been killed by one of their own family members. Your mother and brother are finally avenged."

'Ready for the final day, Lord Willas?' Arianne asked when she appeared before him.

Willas closed his book, the letter between it, and smiled at her.

'Excited for what's coming and excited to be heading home.'

'Such a homebody? Have you as much as left your high walls since you departed Oldtown? One would think you were glad to finally see another part of Westeros. I know I am,' she said, resting her hip on the table they would soon be negotiating around.

'I'm afraid I didn't travel since. I was kept busy.'

'It's an honour we were able to lure you away from your home for the first time in a decade. Although I admit I had hoped when we voiced our need of more council members…' she said, leaving her sentence unfinished and instead tacking on a sweet smile at the end.

She wasn't playing subtle. But perhaps she didn't want to?

'I'm very honoured you placed such a belief in someone you never met', he replied without answering her obvious question.

'My uncle always talked most favourably of you, as you can imagine. He didn't do empty flattery.'

Willas felt his cheeks heating, and was glad of his beard.

'Well, consider me very flattered indeed. Whatever I'm capable of, he was double as skilled at.'

'Oh I'm sure, my uncle was very skilled in everything he put his mind to', she smirked. 'King's Landing was the end of too many very skilled statesmen.'

'I agree wholeheartedly. Which is why you'll undoubtedly understand my desire to withdraw every one of my family for now.'

'But if we are the ones leading it, we can make it as safe for our families as we want. Don't you trust us to make it a safer place?'

Now he knew he had to answer carefully.

'I would not give my sister so willingly if I did not trust your family. Who my father gave my sister to was politics, but I won't let politics trump the safety of my family. It has nothing to do with you or King Aegon, it has to do with that the place now only holds bad memories for me. Fear after what happened to my wife and sister over there. My hatred for the people ruling it seeped over into my feelings about the place. In a few moons, perhaps, I will see it differently. See a good city led by a kind king instead of a corrupted rat nest.'

'I think everyone hates that city by now. Perhaps we should burn it down and rebuild it anew. A new castle for a new era', she suggested with a smile.

'If we could but do that', Willas agreed.

'How's your nose?'

'You tell me, I barely see it', Willas said.

She swung her hair over her shoulder and bent her head to examine his face.

'I think it looks like a properly proud and defiant nose. But then I always liked men who showed their combativeness. Tell me, do you still practice, Lord Willas?'

She really had Oberyn's expressions when she was going after something she wanted. He was sure many men would crack for those dark eyes.

'I'm afraid I gave up the practice once it became clear I could never do anything with it.'

'I'd say you were wrong about that. You clearly did something with it despite your sedentary lifestyle', she winked. She stretched her arms out above her head, undoubtedly just as much to show off her breasts as to stretch her body. 'Perhaps you'll come back on some of your other decisions as well. Anyhow, better get down to work, don't we?' she smiled before sliding off the table.

'All right, gentlemen, let us get started. Shall we?' Arianne cried as she sat down.

The conversations died down with everyone taking place at the table.

Willas stretched his bad leg and winced. It would be another week of milk of the poppy and dreamwine for him. He was really getting too old for his temper.

As Arianne introduced the topic, Willas absentmindedly rubbed his face, wincing when his hand came near the sensitive tissue around his nose. He found his mind drifting back home. His letters should be arriving today. How would Leonette react to the news? What would Sansa do? She would comfort Leonette, of that he had no doubt. Would they be angry with him? What would happen when he came home with Lord Fell? He didn't enjoy the possible reactions, so he cut off his thoughts and looked up.

The lords of Gallowgrey, Tarth, Penrose, Saedmon, Haystack Hall, Bronzegate and Grandview were arguing with Arianne, but a lord from Dorne defended her decisions. It was Ryon Allyrion, with his yellow hand on a gyronny of red and black. He found it amusing one whose words said "No Foe May Pass" was actively playing a blockade to critical questions and critiques aimed at his future ruler. He took his words to heart.

'A little bird told me some of you doubt our chances of success in attacking King's Landing', Arianne said. 'Luckily for all of you, the proof of why we will succeed is here now. There is only one military man left in the capital and the rest are old toothless lords and meek women appointed by our mad lion queen. The proof for it has arrived today.'

Arianne waved at the figures of a dark woman and a worried looking man. The Merryweathers, Willas recognized.

Taena began explaining how she'd managed to earn Cersei's trust, and how quickly the deranged woman started abusing it. She described Cersei forcing her to do "unspeakable" things, making clear just what kind of relationships the two had engaged in. Willas averted his eyes. Some other men coughed out of self-aware shame or disgust. She then proceeded telling how Cersei thought about Margaery and this was too much for Willas, who had to dig his hand in his breeches to grab the ball Sansa made for him and kneed it less he screamed murder. She genuinely thought a maid of six-and-ten was capable of turning the court against her, making her dresses shrink and manipulating a three-and-ten and seven year old. Wasn't it clear to Cersei that her draconic temper and cruelty had made the court turn against her? Apparently not.

Taena continued with how Cersei feared Tyrion Lannister was hiding everywhere, trying to kill her. She went on saying how Cersei ordered to have almost every dwarf executed, and didn't believe a single thing anyone from the Reach or Dorne did or said. How she could then accept and trust Taena was anyone's guess. Lord Merryweather described how the court gossiped behind her back since her walk of shame, how a mysterious knight Ser Robert Strong had appeared who looked exactly like the Mountain but always hid his face. He recounted how everyone looked with fearful eyes at the connection Cersei had with a disgraced maester who may-or-may-not be capable of necromancy.

The queen was delusional, and her paranoia had made her send away all capable men because she feared they'd limit her power.

'So please my sceptical lords, give us the credit of being able to take the city from an inexperienced lonely crazy queen who doesn't even have the support of her court', Arianne said.

'I don't know', Taena said. 'I think she will not have a good battle strategy, or the superiority in number, but… She scared me sometimes. There was nothing she wouldn't do for power. She stops at nothing. No trick is too low for her to use.'

'What can she use that will stop us? Is she working on any weapons?' Arianne asked.

'Not that I know', Taena said. 'Aside from Qyburn torturing people for her and having something to do with that creepy Strong. And… Although… Well I don't know if that's possible now but…'

'But what?' Arianne asked.

'She burned down the tower of the hand. I don't know if she'd do such a thing again.'

That did make Arianne hesitate.

'Well. I suppose that is important. I'll inform Connington of it. I'll ask whether there's a way to avoid fire if it is thrown from the walls or into the Blackwater. There's still enough time to take it into account. In any case, I believe it's wise we all spread this truth. It'll help us with our legitimacy and show the people why we needed to step in', Arianne decided. 'Because we will not stand for cruelty, delusion and torture. We are to be the regimen of peace, the restoration of order', Arianne said.

She took that as a good way to conclude the speech of the Merryweathers and went back to the council foundations she was trying to greenlight.

'So I believe our first foundation, with some disagreements and blanks in the how, is solid. We'll prepare for winter and put the people first. They've been through enough war. We can't rule with them dead, so every lord and lady needs to take care of their people. Happy people are also people who don't riot. The only reason a thing like the Brotherhood Without Banners gained traction was because of major dissatisfaction and anger', Arianne said, nodding at the Blackfish who had spread the news that the last big beacon of Lannister support in the riverlands had fallen.

'Second is that we'll promote peace and stability through diplomacy and economic tactics instead of war. An obvious one, one that technically is already how things are supposed to be but you know… It looks good on paper and it hasn't always been abided in recent years. We really want this to be a document that looks good in the eyes of the people. I doubt anyone takes issue with this?' she asked, letting her eyes slide across all the faces around the table.

'Good. If any of you still harbour resentments with other lords present, arrange it like adults. If they're not present here well… wars always have bounty', Arianne shrugged with a smile.

Some men chuckled and whistled.

'Alright, now this one will probably be necessary I was told by the riverlords present… We will need to spend money to rebuild to ensure regions hit hardest by the war won't depend on outside help the entirety of winter. Nobody has enough grain and vegetables to feed an entire part of the realm for months or years to come. We need to get the Riverlands back on track because usually, in winter, they provide the Vale and the North with food and currently they can't even care for themselves. If we don't deal with this, we'll threaten the food provisions of the parts of the realm that do have enough in storage. So we will ask money for that. But it will be nothing compared to the money that will be needed to important large ships of food from Essos.'

This got some lords growling and muttering. They believed local lords should take care of their local people. Willas thought it was logical in an economic way. It made no sense to spend money on people that weren't yours. But he also knew the Reach would be first in line to see lords knocking on their door to buy food, and there simply wasn't enough to feed everyone. There wasn't even enough to feed all lordly households, never mind the smallfolk. But perhaps a certain something could be arranged that the local lords paid for the instalment of greenhouses with the rest of the realm only having to pay for seeds and trees, if their treasuries hadn't been depleted by Lannister men who burned down their keeps.

A long two hours of arguing followed to detail the specifics, but Willas found it hard to focus. The dreamwine was not good for his focus, and he found his mind wandering to the greenhouses in Highgarden. Sansa with her hands in the dirt, hair still dark as she pretended to be Alayne. Sansa, her hair auburn and looking out of the window in fright as she heard the ceiling had partially collapsed in one. The fear he'd felt when a pane had fallen and injured her. His mind went back to that small room where he'd kept vigil after the maester had told him about her scars. The anguish he'd felt at the thought of losing her. He'd never realized just how alone and isolated he'd felt since the war began until he'd had her companionship, and then threatened to lose it.

The next topic, the punishment of war criminals, came. Willas found himself saying that examples had to be set, but also that useful people who were honestly willing to switch sides were essential. They needed not only warriors, but also lords and ladies in the westerlands and the north they could depend upon. They couldn't punish everyone just for obeying a certain king at one point. He found himself making a list of people who would have to be tried.

Cersei would get a state execution in front of everyone. The way she'd let her son order the murder of Sansa's father. That would be justice. Pregnant or not, hating King's Landing or not, he'd take Sansa to watch it. She deserved to watch the woman that tormented her for years die. Sansa was kindness incarnate, but he knew she held grudges like any mortal.

Then there was all those who sided with King Stannis. Alekyne Florent was still a sore thorn in Willas' eye. The weasel had first fled Brightwater Keep, leaving a guard to defend it while he ran to his sister Rhea Hightower. And then ran from Oldtown when the Battle of Oldtown neared. His family had betrayed the Tyrells thoroughly, hindered Garlan and Leonette from taking the keep that by royal decree belonged to them and was even now still siding with Stannis. He didn't want there to be mercy for them.

He heard names and families being thrown around. Calls for forgiveness, calls for death, calls to siege their lands and have them live in exile.

'I've kept the most difficult one for last, because I knew many of you would take issue with this. Don't see this as me enforcing my Dornishness on you all, but see it as a practical solution to an issue many noble houses will struggle with', Arianne announced.

'I propose we instate the female right to inherit. Not by instating inheritance based on order of birth, but based on what branch of the family is ruling. Men will inherit before women, but women will inherit before the title goes over to another branch of the family. This because many have lost their sons, but not their daughters. Letting the daughters rule will guarantee a more stable rule, as the rule remains within the same family. We've seen men made lords who were five family branches removed, just for the sake of their gender. These men have never been involved in ruling. They have no connections to the lands. By giving daughters the possibility, we will prevent noble houses from going extinct, we prevent instability and we prevent faraway knights from ruling regions they know nothing about.'

Arianne was right. It was the most difficult point. The whole room exploded in arguments. The riverlords had to admit the necessity of it. Said it was already de facto happening there and in the North, but the southron lords balked at the thought. Willas thought about it. Thought about what it would have changed in his family. Nothing, there'd always been enough boys. But then he thought of Leonette, and what would have happened if she'd birthed a girl. They would have lost Brightwater Keep. It would have gone to Willas, and to Willas' future sons. He as Lord of Highgarden would never have even had the time to visit it. Knowing how much time went in managing his own lands, he knew that would have been horrible.

He thought on it even more. Should Sansa never get a boy, the ownership of Highgarden would go to. Willas only had two aunts. Janna only had girls up until now, and Mina had the Redwyne twins… He winced unappealing. He couldn't imagine Hobbar ruling Highgarden.

If he had to go back into the family tree to the first descendant in male line aside from his father, he arrived at Theodore Tyrell, Elinor's father. Gods, that meant the lordship would go to the youngest Tyrell son of three generations ago. He really rather have the title go to his own potential daughter instead.

'I agree', Willas found himself saying, loud enough for some to become silent.

Arianne cocked her head, a small smile growing on her lips.

'I come from a family of many men, yet in just one year I've lost both my brothers. My father was the only son my grandfather had. If I were to die without male heirs, the title would go to my uncle twice removed, the oldest son of the the fourth child of my great-grandfather. While I love my family, I much rather see my heir being someone who actually knows Highgarden.'

'Indeed, just look at how my brother Olyvar became Lord of Rosby through sheer luck. In no normal world would he have gotten that castle', Perwyn Frey said. 'Our mother was the niece of Lord Gyles who died without issue despite marrying twice. And we were the closest, Olyvar being his ward. The others who claimed Rosby were through the male line, but at least three times removed from Lord Gyles', Perwyn Frey said.

'Needless to say, we too would have been in deep shit if Minissa hadn't birthed Edmure at the very last possible moment. We just didn't have anyone left, not even many family lines removed', the Blackfish said.

Stories started coming forth of many currently fearing their line of succession, or how their line of succession had almost been ruined during Robert's Rebellion.

Finally, an accord was reached, and a large scroll was given, written by the maester who'd been present during the meeting and had drawn up all clauses.

As one by one, all present signed the document by stamping their insignia on it in wax, Arianne slid through the room towards a messenger by the door. Willas, who had just pressed his signet ring in some hot wax, watched her expression transform into disbelief, and then rage.

She stormed out. No one followed her. Curiosity tickled, he went after her. Arianne was pacing through the next room, hand pressed against her mouth, eyes brimming with tears.

When she turned around and spotted him, she froze.

'I hope Aegon's arrival didn't go wrong?' he asked. He knew it was probably a wrong guess, but it was meant more like an invite to start talking about the news she'd actually received.

Arianne shook her head, turning around again.

'What is it?'

She waved with the letter she held, as if that explained it.

He came closer and recognized the Martell seal.

'Is your father well?'

'My father is never truly well', she bit, but her voice was stuffed with emotion.

'I hate him. I hate him. Who sends a boy of eight-and-ten on a solo mission to another continent with a barely proper escort?' Arianne asked. 'He's so… He always so slow. Never did a damned thing while the Lannisters destroyed this fucking continent and now he suddenly decided he wanted us to go and get the Targaryens. And now Quentyn's dead.'

'Dead?'

Willas knew just what that felt like, losing your younger sibling to things you didn't want them to do. Unable to protect them.

'Dead. Killed. Butchered. Burned to a fucking crisp by a bloody dragon!' Arianne cried, turning around and throwing her arms around Willas. Willas didn't know what possessed her, but he was far from able to judge what one did out of grief. She was alone here without her family or friends, trying to rule the bunch of men inside like a queen. She couldn't show them weakness, but when receiving such news, she could not remain stone-faced either. He wondered whether she'd have hugged anyone, or whether she trusted him more for some reason.

He put his hand on her back.

'Dragons? D- did your brother go to – '

'Meereen to try and propose to Daenerys Targaryen? Yes. It was before Aegon. I – I first thought father was trying to dump me, his failed heir. I thought he sent Quentyn to Meereen because he had more faith in him. I thought Q… No, I shouldn't say. It doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that Quentyn is dead. Murdered by Daenerys Targaryen's dragons.'

That could signal a whole lot of trouble in the future. If Daenerys ever decided to come here, she would bring those dragons, of whom it was now confirmed they could kill people. That was a very dangerous weapon.

'Did she deliberately kill your brother? Whatever for? He's her cousin.'

'My brother's friends returned with his body and said it wasn't her fault. Apparently Quentyn was refused by her because he arrived the day before her marriage to someone else. We, her family, offered her to come to Westeros as a princess and future queen. Even if you're engaged… You should see a good deal when one is proposed. What could her betrothed's money measure against family and a throne? Clearly, whatever she saw in him she was tired of within hours of her wedding. She disappeared on her wedding day on the back of her dragon –'

Willas tried not to freak out at the idea of the dragons being so big they could be ridden, stories of the time of yore of Targaryens burning entire villages from the backs of their dragons flashed by him.

' – but the other two dragons remained in Meereen. Quentyn apparently tried to see if… If he could get them to trust him. He thought he could make father proud. If he couldn't get Daenerys, he wanted to get father the dragons.'

Willas swallowed, that kind of burden sounded awfully familiar. He wasn't sure whether he would have done differently.

'She can rot on Essos. I don't want her to ever come here seeking acceptance and family after the way she refused Quentyn. And those dragons of hers are a threat to Westeros. They kill innocents. They and her should stay away.'

Willas thought that stealing a dragon wasn't exactly innocent, and that he was sure that if someone broke into his kennel, his dogs would try attacking them too. But this wasn't the moment.

He just held her, and then tried to encourage her to disappear upstairs for a while so the others wouldn't see her like that.

Arianne smiled sadly, but agreed. She disentangled her and moved to the door.

'Fathers, I've yet to meet a useful one. They make the most stupid plans. Apparently even lethal plans. They don't trust their daughters. They push their sons into dangerous ventures… Our fathers would have made good friends in another world', she smirked.

Willas couldn't help chuckling.

'All humans are flawed, no?' he asked, not wanting to insult her father or reveal too much of his feelings.

'I think mine's getting senile. And from what I've heard, yours is a power-hungry oaf who uses his children to realize his ambitions, and thinks everything will always play out the way he wants… And so far that resulted with your sister being thrice married, of which not a single time to a good husband, and your brothers dying in a rash war because he didn't impress upon the Small Council enough the need to send men south. Come, don't tell me you don't agree because you're going behind your father's back as we speak because you think you are better at predicting the future.'

Alright then, she did know enough. His father was no idiot. But it was true that he had tried to use all his kids to realize his ambitions. All had been in positions in which they could have died. Willas in the tourney when he wasn't ready. Margaery when she was married to a king who got killed and Loras and Garlan had been in danger during every battle they fought. Willas was just lucky that after failing to become a knight, the only thing he had to do to help his father's ambitions was play steward in Highgarden so his father could focus on King's Landing.

'Or perhaps I just think this side is better.'

'You wouldn't side with us if you thought we'd fail. You're a Tyrell, you're all very self-preserving. If we lost, your family would have to disinherit or kill you for rebelling. You wouldn't take that risk.'

'That's true, but I also think this side is better for all', Willas said.

'I think we'll do better than our parents. This time I chose my husband. I make the plans. I take care of my future. And I will be a lot happier for it, I know it. Aegon's a good man. Young and inexperienced, but good. And our armies are strong.'

'I did the same things. Choosing my own wife, my own future,' Willas admitted.

'Did you? I admire that. You know, I admire that. Vision and determination. We could have used a brain like yours in the Small Council. Or even just the war. Not all military functions are standing, you know? You could do something, help our cause', she suggested.

'After the war's over, you will be my brother. Without your military support we wouldn't have been able to win this war. As family, and enabler of our success, you should be there to taste victory with us. It's only right for you to see the fruits of your own labour. We'll do what our fathers couldn't: successfully erase the Lannister presence from King's Landing. You'd be able to oversee the safe extraction of your family, and take them home with you yourself. Think about it.'

There was something about the way her eyes almost seemed to lift, though the rest of her face remained neutral, that told him his face had given away how tempting the idea sounded. She closed the door, finishing the conversation for him, and leaving him with the ghost of their conversation echoing in his head.

He'd told her no before. He'd accepted where his destiny laid. He had even come to be glad of being in Highgarden all the time, safely tucked away with his wife, away from all the intrigue and vile corruption of King's Landing. But if he was happy, then why did it sound so tempting?

He arrived back in Highgarden three days later, with a pleasant surprise for Sansa and a probably unpleasant surprise for Leonette, but neither were at the snow-covered docks.

'The lady sends her apologies, my lord. She isn't feeling well enough to ride out in this weather', a servant explained.

It had Willas worried. Aside from complaining a little about her exhaustion, she hadn't felt unfit before he left, and as a daughter of the North he hadn't thought she would suffer that much under the inch of snow that was strewn out over the roads and fields.

'I hope it isn't because of me', said Lord Fell.

'I hope for you it isn't', Willas said.

They needn't have feared, at the castle entrance the three ladies formed a welcoming committee. All three in green velvet gowns decorated with gold. He noticed both Sansa and Leonette were wearing gowns that were quite loose below the breast again. Their expressions became clearer upon proximity. His mother serene, Sansa shocked, and Leonette pale and unsure.

Willas was helped off his horse, and Sansa was immediately beside him. He held out his arm and she pressed herself against him, her cold nose buried against his neck.

'You alright?' he whispered.

'Uncomfortable, lightly headache-y, but fine. And you, my lord?' she replied, voice equally soft so none overheard.

'Very well.'

He took her face in his hand, studying her expression. He detected darker circles under her eyes. Exhaustion and nerves were etched on her face. Her eyes dropped to his nose, and widened, but she said nothing.

'We'll rest early tonight', he said.

She nodded. And then with a blink her emotions were wiped off, a dignified smile appearing on her face as she turned towards the others.

'My lady Sansa, may I introduce you to Lord Fell, and Ser Brynden Tully.'

Sansa greeted the first, and stared at the second.

'Niece', he said, a sardonic grin on his face.

Sansa retrieved her grace, sinking into a curtesy.

'It is so good to meet you, ser. I have long since been looking forward to seeing you.'

'Ha! A proper little lady indeed, Cat told me so.'

Sansa blushed and glowed alike.

'She talked plenty about you while we travelled', he explained, understanding the question in her eyes.

'She talked a lot about you too… back when she was in Winterfell.'

'I should hope so. Ha! And what did she say about me?'

'Only good, ser, uncle – '

'Uncle, Brynden. No sers, please. I get ser-ed enough by my soldiers every day of the year. Can't hear it anymore.'

Sansa tried to hide her amused smile.

'As you wish. Uncle Brynden. But perhaps… We should let my lord husband introduce you and Lord Fell to the others.'

Willas smiled at his little wife, who so quickly shoved aside what had to be her years long desire to meet her uncle.

Introductions were made.

Willas watched Leonette as he introduced Lord Fell, dread pooling in his stomach. It didn't sit easy with him that he had to give Leonette over to someone else. It felt like disrespecting Garlan. He was giving Garlan's most prized possession away. And Willas knew Leonette still saw herself as Garlan's wife.

Willas remembered the first time he was at a tourney, galloping towards his opponent. He remembered the fear he felt when he realized – despite that he knew that was the whole concept of the sport – he had to collide with the equestrian coming at him. It was unavoidable, and the whole point of the tourney, but the inescapability of the situation had filled him with dread. Leonette's expression must have mimicked his from years ago. Fear, acceptance and doubt all pooling together on her face.

He looked at Fell, trying to put himself in Leonette's shoes. He took in his length – taller than Garlan -, and his width – broader than Garlan – and his face – older than Garlan's – all of it making him intimidating and foreign. He wondered if she appreciated his size as cause for concern or reason for comfort. On one hand he could easily dominate a woman, on the other he could protect her. His age could make him harder to relate to, or it meant he better understood her.

Lord Fell knelt, kissing Leonette's hand. What would he think of his good-sister?

Her lovely face was still round from pregnancy, her cheeks rosy from the cold, her brown curls comely as they escaped her hairstyle. Her face was easy on the eyes, open-looking and sweet even when she didn't feel well. But her body… the cut of the dress instantly drew the eyes to her bosom, but it couldn't hide that beneath the breasts, there used to be a perfectly round orb that had now deflated into a sloping hill that was still pronounced even though she wore a loose fitting dress.

His face was tense as well.

'My lady.'

'My lord, we are glad to welcome you.'

They sat together in the nice reception room with the painting of the four seasons on the ceiling. It was a reception befitting a high guest. The entire family was gathered for it: Elinor, Megga, Alerie, Sansa, Leonette were all there in their fine clothes, a line of servants waiting on them as they had some sweet confections to celebrate their return. But no one actually derived pleasure from it. Willas wanted to talk to Sansa. Raymas wanted to talk to his sister and Leonette wanted to be with her child whom she'd left behind with the nursemaid. And the guests of honour? Brynden Tully tried to fill up the silence with jokes while Olenna tried to get up-to-date with everything in Highgarden and Lord Fell tried to be as inobtrusive as possible.

The farce lasted half an hour, then a servant came in to whisper something in Leonette's ear. She jumped up and excused herself.

'Everything alright?' Willas asked.

'Oh yes, fine, it's just Chrysan. No one manages to soothe him like I do', Leonette smiled proudly.

'Could I… meet him?' Lord Fell asked in what had to be his first couple of words when he wasn't just responding and asking the required pleasantries.

Leonette's eyes grew wide.

'No no. He… He would just be confused. I'll be back as soon as I can.'

Willas looked at Sansa for a clue. She subtly laid her left hand on her right wrist, making it appear as if she was just rubbing an itch. Of course. Leonette probably worried what he'd say about the babe.'

'Just take the time you need', Lord Fell replied.

'You ready for that?' the Blackfish asked Sansa.

Sansa's eyes grew wide. Some of the others in the room didn't know about it yet. Willas tried calming himself with the knowledge that one needn't be pregnant to get teased about future children. His joke didn't have to mean something in the ears of the others.

'I don't know. I suppose… I wouldn't mind spending time with my own child. I think I would like that. Though I don't think I'd be very happy if it were crying', Sansa confessed.

'Pray it'll be like your mother, and not Lysa. She was a weeper for sure.'

'I'm afraid it's cursed on our side, they all loved demanding attention', Alerie confided.'

'Have for generations', Olenna nodded.

Sansa threw her great-uncle an unhappy smile.

'Be happy, you'll be drowning in maids. Alright now, could we talk in private somewhere?'

Willas was surprised at his bluntness, and then not at all. Sansa's eyes flickered to Willas, who nodded. It was fine. He was tired of this tense useless get-together anyways.

When the two blue eyed people stood, they paused and looked at him.

'You as well, of course', the Blackfish said.

Willas had never been in Sansa's place. He couldn't say what he would've done and said during his first meeting with a great-uncle. But he was sure asking about the future of the continent's politics wouldn't have been the first question. But it was.

'Right, so what are you planning on doing with the North?' the Blackfish asked, cutting out all potential sentimental questions.

'Well', Sansa said, blinking. 'Without being preposterous and thinking I would ever get it… We made plans. But those are… irrelevant now.'

'Irrelevant? You're the heir to the North!'

'I was', Sansa replied. 'But I'm not anymore. I hardly know how to say this but… Rickon is alive and in Winterfell. King Stannis' Hand retrieved him in exchange for the support of some Northern lords to his cause. And according to Stannis, Bran could also be alive in the North. Him and Rickon weren't killed by Theon who is his hostage. They escaped the castle before he ever took it.'

That was new information. When had that arrived? Now he really wished he could have spoken to his wife. This changed so many things. She was no longer the key to the North. No longer would their children, if they ever conquered the North in Sansa's name, be split up between the second-most-southern and the farthest-northern part of the realm. On top of that Sansa had a part of her family back after she'd felt alone for years.

But it also had a very clear disadvantage: if someone else ruled the North Willas and Sansa could no longer use their influence there as a bargaining chip. He'd used Sansa's status as the proper heir to the North as a way to ensure they'd become loyal to Aegon in turn. But now a new heir had appeared, heavily under the influence of another king from the start.

'You're certain of this?' the Blackfish asked.

Sansa nodded.

'I don't know what to do. Just not even thinking about politics. This is my brother. My baby brother of just five. He's been without us since he was three, raised for half of his life by the Mother knows only who. He needs his family. And he needs to be raised properly. And I can't go to him right now to make sure he's okay. And that's not it. Jon and Rickon are both alive in the North, and we know for certain that beyond the wall, monsters are waiting to attack. They're both in direct danger and I can't help them… Not truly. And it kills me.'

He should have been home. Guilt wacked him in the gut with a Warhammer. This was what Sansa had been occupying herself with while he was off playing matchmaker between rich people. Arianne's honeyed promises of glory turned into vinegar in his mouth.

'Right well, I'm going back home tonight. Since I'll be making my way up north past the most important noble houses of the Reach for this war, I might as well go all the way and see what I can do.'

'You would – for me?'

'For who else would I go freeze my arse off than my family?'

'I can't ask that of you.'

'Neither can I', Willas said, although he knew he had very little input in this conversation.

'Well I didn't hear either of you ask. I'm going to see how much trouble my grand-nephew's in and whether he needs help ruling. I have some experience in handling nephew Starks who need to rule.'

'Rickon is… something else though', Sansa smiled. 'He was wild, even as a toddler.'

'I'll see what I'm dealing with when I get there. Now, what's this business of monster beyond the wall?'

Thank you everyone for your kind reactions, I'm sorry I'm slow to update on FFnet.