(Sansa is sitting in front of the fireplace of the Winterfell hall with all the nobles present. She has become the de facto leader of the North, as Jon has traveled with Danaerys to Kings Landing, Arya is not a lady or much of a leader, Bran can never be lord of anything, and Rickon had been warging so much into Shaggy Dog he's more wolf than human. Still, Sansa is hoping that Rickon can be rehabilitated and eventually continue their Father's legacy and the Stark lineage. In the meantime, no one disputes that Sansa is the interim leader of Winterfell. They have just received word that Danaerys has executed Theon Greyjoy and thrown Jon Snow into the dungeons and she has invited Sansa to bend the knee in Kings Landing. The nobles are discussing what they should do, and many, hurt that he left them for Danaerys, and others who are suspicious, are telling Sansa not to go, to leave Jon. Arya is there listening in the corner, to Sansa's right.)
Nobles had been squabbling until one yells over all the rest: Lady Stark, remember what the Targaryens did to your grandfather!
Nobles: Your own Lord Father when he left-
Nobles: Starks go South and they don't come back!
Sansa: I did. [she stands and addresses the Hall with authority] I am not father, or brother. I am not my grandfather, or my uncle Brandon. Most importantly, [she looks sideways at Rickon's empty chair] I am not the lord of Winterfell. We are Starks, we do not turn a blind eye when one of us needs help. My lords, my ladies, I ask you to trust me. [She dismisses them all before they start questioning her more and she leaves. Arya follows closely behind.]
Arya: What are you going to do? [They turn down a hallway.]
Sansa: I'm going to bend the knee, assure her our alliance is as strong as ever. And then I'm going to kill her.
Arya: [Arya stops for an instant, not sure she heard those words come from her sister's mouth, but glancing Sansa's face, she can tell she's not lying] ...You should let me do it.
Sansa: Yes. You would be better at the killing part. [They turn down another corridor and they are out walking along a balcony] But I suspect the hardest thing will be keeping her army in check once she's gone, which will require no small amount of diplomacy and negotiation. [She slows to a stop and softens her voice.] I know Jon is your favorite, but he's my brother too. And she is my fight.
Arya: Then I'll come with you.
Sansa: [Sansa smiles sadly because it would be easier with Arya, but Winterfell would be weaker.] Our family made the mistake of leaving Bran and Rickon unprotected before. I don't think we should make that mistake again.
Arya: [Arya can't deny it, but she still doesn't like it.] This is backwards, they'll kill you.
Sansa: Perhpas. [She's looking into the training yard] I know it's not in your nature to stay in one spot, but if I don't come back; [she turns to Arya and lays a hand onher shoulder, like father used to do] I would ask that you stay until Rickon comes of age.
Arya: [Arya scoffs, eyes wide, and voice is sarcastic] And be the Lady of Winterfell?
Sansa: [Sansa studies Arya's face with a mixture of guilt determination and something else.] You don't have to be me. Or our mother. You don't have to be the lady they expect. Be your own lady. [She motions for Arya to look into the training yard where Rickon is practicing] We are Starks. [Rickon is disarmed and begins snarling at his opponent like a wolf.] We don't turn a blind eye when one of us needs help. There is more to you than vengeance, Arya.
Arya: [It's a haunting sight, and eventually Arya nods. Sansa starts to leave.] Sansa...[Arya embraces her tightly. Then they part and Sansa leaves.]
