I sigh after leaving fathers office. "Ugh," just the thought of my new responsibilities fills me with both anxiety and dread. I have never been in charge of anything. In fact in my last life I was never trusted with anything. This was new and I can't say I like it. Worry consumes my thoughts as I walk away down the hall and I stop to take a deep breath to push all stressful thoughts out of my head.
Distracting myself I think about the things I wanted to get in Winter Town. Henry's will probably be my first stop. It will take him a while to finish painting a family portrait for Jon to take with him. After that I should check in with Carla on the clothing I ordered a week ago. I should have her prioritize the ones for Robb and Jon and maybe even ask her to leave in some extra growing room. Honestly those two are outgrowing their clothes faster then it's being made.
Establishing my mental to do list I look down at myself. I take a look at my outfit and debate a wardrobe change. The rim of the skirt had a layer of mud from my time outside with Asha. Oh! That's right I sent her and Bran to sneak snacks for later tonight. They should be done with that by now. Hmm they'll find me if they want to.
Arriving at my room I enter to find Cregon seating beside the fireplace whittling wood.
"Hey! Missed you." I say excitedly as I walk to the wardrobe to get a new pair of underclothes. I pout in remembrance of when I tried to change them to be more modern. Father saw them and literally burnt them in the fireplace. All my hard work was gone within a matter of seconds. It had taken me days to get the cut just right where it didn't give me a wedgie. I cried as he did it and I didn't speak to him for a week.
Collecting the necessary items and putting them in my shower basket I head back out. During this time Cregon just whittles before looking up in curiosity.
"Are we going somewhere?" Cregon asks brows furrowed.
"Yes I need to see Henry and stop by some of the other shops." I smile at him as I pass by. He makes a face, lips pulled back in disgust.
"Didn't you just go yesterday?"
"Yep" I say walking out and heading to the end of the hall where father had the bathing room built fully installed with a floor tub and a shower head. It has been remodeled several times over the years as improvements were made at my request. It took several attempts before they got it right. In the beginning the pressure of the outcoming water was too much to be able to shower comfortably then the pressure was too low. It was honestly a nightmare living here for a while and we had to relocate to the guest wing for a month during one of the renovations. Catelyn was not happy especially since Arya had just been born and the nursery having been the closest to the bathroom got completely wet.
Closing the door behind me and putting the latch in I undress quickly and tie my hair so it wouldn't get wet. I'm actually forbidden from wetting my hair during the day. In fact Catelyn is constantly nagging me about my habit of needing to shower so much especially right before bed. I honestly can't help it. A nightly shower is necessary. I like being fresh right before bed. Also if I don't wash my hair I will feel dirty and I will scratch my head in anxiety throughout the night.
I twist the lever on the wall to turn the water on and tilt my head away from the water. I carefully wet my body before stepping away to lather my coarse rag in a scented soap to scrub all the grime out. Finishing washing myself I turn the lever off and dry myself putting on my under clothes which just looked like modern day loose pants and tank top. Dumping all my items back in the basket I head to my room.
When I get there I see Asha sitting on the bed reading a letter. "Theon?" I ask. She hummed an affirmative. "I'm going to town, would you like to come?"
"And see all them weirdos bow at your feet and beg for prayers. Yeah nooo. I'm good." I pout as I look through my wardrobe and decide on a cream colored dress with stitched vine like patterns of the same color.
"Fine I'll ask Aly." I say once I pop my head out of the top of the dress. "Where's Bran?"
"Your mother took him. Said he was to attend a lesson with Luwin today since he didn't go yesterday." She says absentmindedly as she flips the letter. Adjusting the dress I walk to Cregon who is still whittling on a piece of wood. I frown when I see his creation. Something must have happened since it was clear he truly wasn't concentrating on it.
"Can you tie me up?" I ask him, he looks up and puts down his items. Turning around he makes quick work of the ties. As I brush out my hair and rebraid it to the same braid as earlier today Asha continues to speak.
"By the way I don't think Aly will be accompanying you."
"Why not?"
"Because gossip already spread about Jons new lot in life around Winterfell and she along with all the other wards of House Stark are writing to their families about the development. Especially Alys."
"Why especially her?" I ask confused as I begin to put on my brown boots.
"Because, my dear Sansa, Alys has been mooning after your brother since the first day she saw him beat all the other boys in the training yard." Cregon inputs. I watch him get up and stand by the door. A smile of his face as he gave the small tidbit of information.
"But she has been clearly after Robb. In fact I think she is Mother's favorite as a future Lady Stark."
"Of course she was going after Robb, she wasn't going to go after Jon. He didn't have anything to offer." Asha says, placing her letter down on the side table and scooting down to a lying position clearly planning on taking a nap.
I frown as I get up and take my brown cloak with the Stark Direwolf stitch on the right breast. I didn't really like what I was hearing but I understood. In times like this many women had no choice in who they married and many of them had to pursue people they had no interest in. Though I felt bad for Alys because I know for a fact that none of my brothers would ever go for her. She may have been Catelyn's favorite choice but she was too quiet and she blended into the background very easily.
"Okay but I don't think she's Jons type. Bye Asha." I say walking out the door.
"Bring me a roll from Bre's shop!" she yells as Cregon closes the door behind us.
"Kay!"
"Oh and we are all meeting at the broken tower once everyone's asleep!" When I hear this I stop mid step before turning back and poking my head back in the room.
"Cover my tapestry and don't let anyone see it."
"Ugh but I wanna take a nap."
"Please, it's going to be a gift for Jon. I don't want him to see it."
"I thought it was for your dad?"
"It was but now with Jon leaving I thought he would appreciate it more."
"Fine but now it's three rolls."
"Kay. Love you. Bye. So which gate will we take?"I ask, turning to Cregon as I close the door.
"South."
"How hectic?"
"Not bad there's a woman waiting there, most have left figuring you wouldn't go out today. Probably due to the late hour."
"Yeah. We should probably hurry before it gets dark. I hate being out at night."
As we step out of the gate I spy a short blond curly haired woman I've met once before. She was dressed in a well kept brown dress and was excitedly bouncing on her toes.
"Lady Sansa!" She exclaims joyously before running the short distance between us. I see a child being dragged along by his hand. He looks about 6 or 7. Brown unevenly chopped hair that looked as it would be curly if it weren't for all the grime on it. He was covered in layers of raggedy clothes that clearly wasn't enough for the Northern weather but he seemed to endure. "I am so glad I have met you. I've been waiting to catch you for a week now." She smiles brightly letting out a breath.
"It was Maggie right?" I ask with a smile.
"Mage but thank you for remembering me."
"Of course it's hard to forget hair like yours." She blushes touching her blond ringlets. They really were very pretty, gently bouncing with every movement she made.
"Thank you."
"So how have you been?" I ask politely, I can feel Cregon shift restlessly next to me clearly wanting to move on.
"Good I was able to find work at a Tarven on the outskirts of town." she interlaces her hands together suddenly shy. "It's all thanks to you."
"Well I didn't do much. All I did was pray but it's good to hear you are doing well." I quickly moved on before she could try and convince me otherwise. "What can I do for you?" At my quick change of subject she startles and remembers the boy in her company. She brings him forward by the shoulder.
"This boy can't speak. His tongue has been cut out." Out of the corner of my eye I see Cregon stiffen before relaxing once more but losing the earlier restless movements. In the distance I see Wolf hidden between some buildings stepping slightly out of the shadows to make his presence known to me. I push away my confusion at their reaction in favor of paying attention to the boy.
"Oh? Let me see." I look at the boy who is a head shorter than me. His eyes are cautious, more calculating than anything else. They are wrong. Eyes like that should not belong to a childs but sadly it's something I see in many children I have come across here.
They have the eyes of someone who has seen too much. They are eyes that know more about the cruelty of the world than me. I feel my eyes burn but I push back the feelings of sadness. It would do no good if I cried here.
Children have always been a weak point for me. I can't bear the thought of them suffering. It fills me with despair as well as anger. I wish I could protect all the children in the world but that is a feat I can not achieve. But this boy is in front of me now. And God is with me. I can do something now. I can do this one little thing. I can make him believe. I can make him whole. Here in this world I can help the broken. Whereas in my old world I was powerless and watched them suffer.
The boy opened his mouth which was empty of a tongue. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
"You know I can't do anything about that." I say looking into his eyes. He shows no emotions and just stares at me. "But I know someone who does." I glance at Mage who has stepped closer to see. She looks surprised at my words being different from the way I treated her. With her it was simple. She was desperate and ready to believe in anything. Most people who come to see me are. They have reached a point where they were ready to do anything, sacrifice anything, believe anything just so they could be healed. But this boy, he isn't here to be healed. No he is here to observe. Simple prayer will not heal him or maybe it can but I'm not ready to try that. Something tells me that it's not time for that yet. To make miracles happen on people who don't believe. The boy needs to believe.
"Do you wish to know who he is?" I ask. He looks me in the eyes before nodding. I smile at him than glance at Mage. "Is he your family?"
"No, milady." She shakes her head immediately.
"Do you have any family?" I look at the boy in front of me and he shakes his head. "Okay then let's go. I'll tell you on the way. Mage, I will be taking him with me. He will be placed in the orphanage." She looks disappointed as if she was wanting to see the miracle before her eyes but does not protest.
"Good day Lady Sansa." Nodding my head at her I stretch out my hand to the boy.
"Come."
I followed her as she made her way to her destination. She didn't look like much. The way people talked about her I expected someone who glowed and looked beautiful. She wasn't ugly I just expected more. I listened to her as she spoke about a god. Her god. The things she said were nonsense in my opinion. I don't believe in gods. The higher beings that grant miracles and contain vast amounts of wisdom too dangerous for mortals to hear. These gods with large, pristine castles on clouds and glittering gowns. I only believe what I can see with my own mortal eyes. Gods can never and have never been seen by mundane eyes. Therefore, do these gods really exist? If they do exist then why haven't they been sighted? Better yet, why aren't they granting the miracles that their followers have sung about? The only miracles and entities that I see are brought by man.
I study her as she gives the tall skinny man an order for a painting. The crannogman had stayed outside so as to not be crowded in the small shop. We have come to what has been labeled Sansa's square by the residence of Winter Town. I have previously tried to get in this area several times but it is tightly guarded by Stark men. I can never get past the guards with my looks. In fact, anybody who isn't covered in fine furs, twinkling jewels or clean clothes are not allowed in the square. I assume this was done so the girl with me could shop in peace without anyone disturbing her.
It made sense. For the past week Mage tried taking me to see the girl and I have encountered many people who want to get her attention. They were waiting desperately at every gate almost everyday. Even those who didn't need healing still went to see her. They wanted to watch her perform like Mage. The minute she found out I had no tongue she had grabbed my hand and dragged me to the gate of Winterfell. I did not object after all the girl was the reason I was here.
That and according to the bald man the North is becoming more and more isolated from the rest of the Kingdom. He needed someone to send him information and confirm some of the rumors that have been able to reach his ears.
I become distracted from the girl though when I take in the man's work. The man, Henry, was talented or I believe he is. Never have I seen such an amazing thing as capturing a human in the moment. I can't truly compare them to others like him, never having had the opportunity to enter places holding such things but he must be talented if I can imagine the moment in the painting. The parchments scattered around were full of quick sketches. Many of them clearly belonged to the girl's family but some of them included others. But the one piece that captured my attention was the one hanging on the wall. It was large, almost the size of the entire wall. It showed a forest which exuded a mysterious aura. Amongst the trees there were people popping out three boys and two girls. One of them was clearly the girl I was currently with whose red hair called attention amongst the dark greenery. She was a bright mix of red and gold. This image honestly was what I expected to find when I met her. This image showed how people described her. So focused on the painting I didn't notice the girl walk up to me.
"What are you looking at?" she asks before her focus turns to the painting. "Wow! Henry. What is this? When did you do it?" the man comes forward to look at what she was referring to.
"Oh that? Your father asked for it three weeks ago. He picked out the sketch from amongst the ones I did last you requested a family portrait." he says smiling proudly as he admires his own work.
"It's so beautiful. It looks like an enchanted forest."
"Thank you. It's my biggest work yet and all possible because of you." Here I see the girl roll her eyes.
"Would you stop giving me credit? All I did was like a sketch you did of me. If you weren't good you wouldn't be here." she says as she steps closer to the painting and runs her fingers over it. "Asha looks amazing. Like a fairy princess. And Jon and Robb look like fairytale princes. And Bran looks like a pixie." She is on the tip of toes now trying to see more of the painting. Searching for every detail she can find. "God, this is beautiful."
I look back to the picture and take a closer look and once I stop looking at the girl's ethereal image you see the other girl, Asha. She was nothing much compared to the other worldly image the girl was depicted in. No, Asha, although pretty with her delicate features and big eyes, was bland compared to the brilliance of the redhead girl depicted in the painting. Every person in the picture was painted to perfection and though beautiful individually when put together next to the glowing girl they were nothing. So lost was I in the image trying to imagine that day that I didn't notice the girl calling me.
"Hey come on."
As we walked to the next destination she began explaining about the orphanage she would take me to once she was done and what I should expect. "You'll like it there. All the children are very nice." She says the word children as if she herself wasn't a child. She paints a pretty picture of the orphanage with her words. I have yet to see the place because it was located on the opposite side of town. I still preferred this topic then the earlier one about her god. She pauses, looks at me and smiles. "Come on, let's go see Carla. I think she'll have some spare clothes you can use. The orphanage has a specific set of clothes so the children can be recognized and Carla is in charge of providing them with those clothes."
I follow her and we go into a shop full of fabric and a manikin on display with a blue dress.
"Carla?"
"Lady Sansa? Please don't tell me you have more orders. I have yet to finish the ones from last week." A woman comes out from under a dress skirt she was working on. She was of average height her most prominent feature aside from her straw colored hair was her breast which was barely contained by her unique green dress. I truly have never seen one like it.
"Haha no I came to get a spare uniform for…" she stops speaking with a protruded face before looking at me. "Huh? You know I didn't ask for a name? Do you have a name?"
I shake my head. We never have names.
"That's not right." She whispers to herself before shaking her head and looking at the woman. "Well I need a standard uniform for the boy. He'll be in the orphanage from now on."
"Hmm. I think I have spare ones in the back. Give me a moment." She leaves.
Left alone the girl turns to me with a head tilt and gives me a closed smile, simple, it was soft unlike all her smiles till now. "So would you like a name?" I stare at her taking a while to process what she asked. I don't need a name. I will continue to be what I've always been. A name is unnecessary. My life will continue to be a spy for the short fat bald man. I shrug my shoulders. I see her eyes tighten and moisten before becoming fierce.
"You will have a name. Everyone must have one. I will give you one before I leave you." At that moment Carla comes back with a set of clothes.
"Come on, let's get you changed." the woman says laying out the clothes on the table to the side.
"No, I want him to take a shower first. Please wrap it so we can take it with us." the girl says. I did not know what a 'shower' was but clearly the other woman did.
"Oh very well. The trousers might be a little long but Sara should be able to adjust them herself."
"Okay, thanks." She takes the clothes and then proceeds to ask for other things to be done to her previous order. It seems that her older brothers will be leaving soon. Finally, useful information. As we step outside the crannogman rejoins us from his spot on the wall.
"Cregon, do you think you can pick up some sweet rolls from Bre's while I take him to the orphanage? You can meet us there later."
"No." he answers without hesitation.
"Oh please. It's getting late and I want to get him settled before it's time for me to go home." Seeing him about to reject the girl again she quickly adds. "Plus Wolf will accompany me." I frowned wondering what or who the wolf was but it was quickly answered by a large shadow hovering over me from behind. Startled I turned quickly and fell on my ass. There before me almost the size of a horse was a white wolf with grey eyes.
"You stupid dog dont you tire of scaring people. Come," She grabs me by the arm lifting me up. "Don't worry about the mutt, it's harmless unless you threaten me and I don't see that happening."
"Oh he's back." the crannogman smiles. "Good it was getting difficult keeping track of you."
"Excuse me, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. In fact, the only reason I keep you around is because I like company. Now let's go." She drags me off by my hand, the beast following after us silently. Making not a sound. It was truly unnerving. I stuck close to the girl. Who just smiled and brought me closer to her. I blush at my cowardice but I do not draw away from her.
"Anyway, let 's think of a name, hmm". She looks at me studying me. " Oh I know how about Juni?". I look at her confused at the name she suggested. "No hmm how about August? Yes, you look like an August." I wanted to sigh in frustration but I also needed to know more about her. I truly don't need a name. I also didn't want to be here longer than necessary. I hate this place, it's too cold. "Now for a last name?" I stare at her in shock stopping in place. She is giving me a last name. That cannot be done. I was born nameless and here in Westeros, family names are important; they just can't be given out. If I did have a last name it would be Waters. This girl is giving one out like it was nothing. "August Highmore, hmmm no that doesn't sound right. How about August Summers?" Here she giggles at what seems like her own inner joke. She has stopped with me and turns to look at me. "Well what do you think?" What do I think? I honestly truly believe you are crazy and a nitwit.
"A nitwit well that hurts." I pause in shock. How did she know? But I get no answer instead she tugs my hand and proceeds to the destination. She continues talking the whole way, not once keeping silent. When we arrive. I am met with a big building made of stone and a gate made of iron sectioning off some land. Past the gate I see several people my age laughing and running around. They stop when they see us or rather when they see the girl. Several yells of 'Sansa' and 'Lady' fill the area. As we entered we were surrounded by children of various ages. "We weren't expecting you for two more days." what looks like the oldest of the crowd says.
"I know Ed but look who's with me?" She lifts our held hands, drawing attention to me. "This is August. He will be joining you from now on. I hope you all will become friends. Now, I must leave to help him settle in but I will come back later" She pushes past the crowd with a smile and the children disperse with a few staying close and following us inside. At the door a woman with pale red hair tied in a braid greets us.
"Lady Sansa, how wonderful it is to see you."
"Matron Lya, I came to give you a new ward." The woman looks at me, her eyes a warm brown.
"Hello and your name is?" I can't take this anymore there's too much attention on me. The children, the matron, the large wolf whose stare I could still feel. Just having the girl's attention was bad enough already. But this was unbearable. It's too much. Suddenly, I am pulled back into reality. The hand holding mine becomes tight. I look up at the girl. She looks at me and smiles.
"Come let's get you cleaned and in new clothes." my heart stutters and I feel my cheeks redden before I could shake myself. I don't know how long I was in my head but it was enough to get everyone to clear out leaving only the Matron, the girl, and I. I follow her as she leads me inside the building to a room bare of everything but a rack of towels and a metal rod sticking out of the far wall.
"Okay you will shower here. Strip and…" she is interrupted by Matron Lya.
"How about I take care of this? We don't want you getting wet."
"Oh well I guess but make sure you scrub him good behind the ears and the neck and between his butt cheeks. I want him squeaky clean and make sure he watches you do it so he knows for future reference when he showers by himself."
"I know Lady Sansa. I do run this place, you know." the woman smiles indulging at the girl.
"Oh well of course. Sorry. I'll leave now." I watch her leave and look at the woman. I feel a chill go up my back. Suddenly, I felt cool air touch my skin where it was previously covered and then I felt myself drowning. I scream and try to run but the woman has a tight grip on me as she uses her other hand to scrub me with a soaped rag. She left no place untouched. At the end of my soapy torture my skin felt raw and burned a bright pink from the harsh scrubbing. My scalp throbbed from where the Matron dug her nails and scraped the dirt out. I'm glad I had taken a knife to my hair ten days ago otherwise this would have been ten times worse.
"Done, let us get you changed." I glare at her. The woman stood there as if what she did to me wasn't anything more than a simple scrub. "Come." she says after taking one of the towels and using it to dry me. I follow her out of the room to one full of beds. "This is the boys room. This bed will be yours." She unwraps the package that must have been left by the girl and pulls out the clothing. "Put these on." Taking the new clothes I quickly dress. "Hmm the cut is too long but it will do for today. Sara will fix them tonight." She bends down and rolls up the pant hem. "I think we have an extra pair of shoes. Yours are falling apart." I watch as she goes to a large wardrobe against the wall on the side of the door. Opening a drawer and taking out some shoes which are slightly beaten. "Sit." she says as she bends down taking my foot she puts on socks which seem in perfect condition before putting on the boots. "There. A perfect fit. They should last you a good while before we have to get new ones." I stare at her. She acts as if obtaining a new pair of shoes wasn't a big deal. Not even the orphanage in Kings Landing is like this. Many of the children there don't even have shoes. "Lady Sansa pays for all the clothes. It's how we can afford it. It's what you were thinking right. Many think the same thing when they first come here. Of course we try not to take too much advantage of her generosity. We do have the older children give their things to the younger ones when they outgrow them. These were just left by Sanders last week. Now come August, let's brush your hair. Lady Sansa is probably waiting for us with Mera. She is the other Matron." I am startled at the use of the name but follow nonetheless.
It wasn't long after that we were making our way towards the front of the building and to a closed door off to the side. Before Matron Lya could knock on the door an angry yell is heard from behind the closed door.
"If I say his name is August Summers his name is August Summers!"
"Lady Sansa, that is clearly a false name, there is no such name as Summers. You cannot be giving out names of your own choosing."
"I can if I want too. There will be no debate."
"Ugh. If we were going to give him a name that wasn't bastard in origin you should have gone with something more believable." I feel a snort from beside me. I look up to the matron next to me.
"Seems like Lady Sansa is doing as she pleases again." Before I could register the meaning behind her words, she pushed the door open without preamble. As we enter, the conversation stops. Sitting behind the desk was a stern looking woman with an unpleasant frown on her face and an equally nasty glare. In front of the desk sat the girl, who turned her body to face us.
"I knew you were an August. Just look at those beautiful wavy curls you have and the color looks like gold in between the brown strands."
"Well, August Summers, welcome to Winter Town's Orphanage. We will be happy to give you shelter and a home until you are old enough to take care of yourself." I stare in shock at the woman behind the desk.
This isn't what I expected when I came here. This isn't anything like I imagined. In fact I didn't expect or imagine anything. I didn't expect to meet a girl who can't seem to keep quiet. I didn't expect to see art so amazing that it seemed like I was there rather than looking at a painting. I didn't expect to be cleaned and given clothes that have never been worn before. I didn't expect to be given a name. Especially a name that wasn't bastard in origin. I didn't expect to feel so warm. Am I dead?
"No silly. You are alive. August, you are not dead. Your circumstances have changed." There she goes again. How did she know what I was thinking? I look at her. I feel my heart beat fast. She is beautiful. She looked like she did in the painting, full of life and warmth. Like a bright fire burning on a cold dark night. Illuminating her surroundings and bringing a gentle heat. This is the Lady Sansa that everyone praises about. I now understand why they desperately worship her. I too, would place my unwavering faith in her.
Shock consumes me. It's not possible. I look up from where I looked down once more staring at the creature before me. Yes creature because I don't believe she's human. A human can't do the thing she has just done.
"Isn't God amazing." she states. I don't believe in gods. I don't believe in that which is not in front of me but I believe in her. Is that enough? I lift my hand slowly and bring it to my mouth and slowly ever so slowly I push the heavy limb that I long forgotten the feeling of out between my lip and with my hand I touch it confirming its existence. I continue to stare at her and rethink. Maybe I can believe in a god as long as the god in question is her.
I stretch my hands over my head pulling at the stiff muscles to give relief from their fixed position. I was in the broken tower which had been turned into a room filled with furs and pillows with a short circular table at the center which had previously been filled with cakes, cookies and juice but now only contained leftovers and crumbs. At the moment everyone was sleeping having exhausted themselves staying up well past their usual hour of sleep.
I myself am wide awake and working on the tapestry that was originally going to be fathers but will now be gifted to Jon instead. So that he can have something that I hand crafted. I was positioned opposite of the rest with my back to the open window and the tapestry blocking my view of the room. Taking the needle I was using I replaced the tread with a new color and continued once more working on the tapestry. It was almost done but I have to dedicate more time if I want it done in time for Jon's departure.
I sigh at the thought. They were leaving and I didn't know when I would see them next, especially Jon who would not be returning to Winterfell.
"Hey." A quiet voice comes to my left.
"Robb, what are you doing up? Did I wake you?"
"No. It wasn't you. I just…" he takes a seat on the floor next to my chair. I can see him twitching his hands, opening and closing, head searching for something.
"You just…what?" I asked after a while. He startles before stilling altogether.
"I am worried." He states.
"About the trip to Sea Point? Or whatever it's called. Don't be so worried everything will be fine. You-"
"No. That is not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about you?" I look at him taken aback by the confession.
"Me? Why on Earth are you worried about me?" I look at him waiting for a response. When I don't get one and all he does is look upset, eyes averted I begin to get annoyed making my own conclusion. "Please tell me you are not taking after dad and Cregon thinking I'm incompetent? 'Cause I assure you I am perfectly capable of-"
"Sansa." He cuts me off. "I had a dream."
"What? A dream?" I ask putting the needle and thread down on the table beside me.
"Well more like I skinchanged accidentally with Wolf."
"Oh did you eavesdrop on dad?"
"Yes. Dad and Cregon."
"What were they saying?" I am curious as to what they might have said that made Robb worry.
"They were talking about an attempt on your life."
"An attempt?" Someone tried to kill me? I try to look back to anything that could possibly be a threat but come out blank. "Are you sure you warged and not just had a dream?"
"Yes I'm sure. Dad even caught on to me being there and kicked me out." I look him in the eye and conclude that what he says is true. I look away to the tapestry in front of me and contemplate what this means for me. If I'm honest I'm not that shocked and it explains why dad has been more and more agitated as of late. Cregon too has become more tense and upset. He has also been voicing objections to me going outl. I thought it might have been because of the increase in people seeking me out but that conclusion always seemed wrong to me.
I recall his reaction when he found me hiding in the whore house. It was a mix of relief and anger. I was slightly frightened by his angry reprimand. He was always chill and would laugh at my antics. I thought it would have been no different that day. Gathering my thoughts I focus back on Robb.
"Look, I'm perfectly fine. Dad and Cregon must've gotten rid of the threat. So don't worry about me. They have it covered."
"But Sansa…"
"Shh. I'm fine. I will be fine. Don't worry your beautiful red curls over me." I pat him in the head with a smile.
"I hate when you do that."
"Do what?"
"Treat me like I'm the younger sibling. Sansa I'm your eldest brother. You are my little sister. It is my job to look after you. So if I hear about an assassination attempt of course I'm going to worry." I stare wide eyed at his serious declaration before smiling.
"Thank you Robb for loving me so." I gently wrap my arms around his head bringing it closer to me. I kiss the top of his head, something I had stopped doing and rest my head on his. "I will be careful from now on. I won't go anywhere outside the castle without someone always being with me. I won't sneak out either. How does that sound."
"You promise?" he whispers.
"Yes I promise. So go on your trip without any worries over me." He stays by me, even after we part from the hug, with his head resting on my lap watching me work until he falls asleep.
"And where do you think you'll be taking that?" A deep voice from behind me asks as I took out the egg from the tomb I had hidden it in years ago. I turn around and I am met with the silent visage of my husband standing a few meters away from me being only illuminated by the light of the torch I brought that is laying on the ground.
"Ned you scared me." I breath out standing up on nervous legs.
"Where are you taking the egg Catelyn?" His stare is nerve wrecking and his entire attitude reminded me of when he would speak to the children when they were in trouble.
"I'm giving it to Jon while I am at Sea Dragon Point." I state straightening myself out to give me a more confident look.
"I don't think so."
"He needs to know."
"Do you think now is the best time?" he continues in the same tone infuriating me.
"Why not? He is to become a lord of his own castle and he will be living apart from his family. He needs to know."
"He is too young yet." He tries to reason but to me it came off more as an excuse.
"Oh please he will always be too young in your eyes. Now is the best time for him to be told. He is old enough to understand the consequences if this gets out and still young enough that he wouldn't feel like we were hiding something from him his whole life." I tell him, not allowing him to hide behind the half-assed excuse. Then I think about how he is discussing this as if he had already known I knew. "How long have you known that I knew?"
"Luwin told me the day after I arrived with Sansa from Moat Cailin." Anger builds up in me at his answer.
"And you didn't deem it necessary to discuss the matter with me?"
"What's there to say?" I look at him in pure rage. There were so many things that could have been said. Reassurance that everything would be alright for one thing. I was living in constant fear of being found out. Everyday that passed. Every month, year, I grew more paranoid. I worked endlessly trying to please every lord and lady in the North. Took on wards from major to minor houses just to make stronger connections. I juggled so many social visits on top of doing my regular duties as Lady of Winterfell. It would have been nice to have someone to talk to about my fears concerning the boy. I didn't bring up the topic because I thought it would add stress to him. He had so many projects going on that I kept these feelings to myself but all this time he knew that I knew. He wasn't worried, not one bit. He left me alone with these thoughts and fears brewing in my head. My heart was boiling with anger, frustration and sadness at the thought. I took a deep breath before I lost my temper.
"I'm telling him. Now if you'll excuse me." I say calmly before beginning to walk around him. He grabs me by my arm and pulls me to him.
"You will not."
"Let go of me Ned." I say pulling away from him. He attempts to take the egg from my hand but I extend my arm away.
"Give me the egg Catelyn."
"No." I try to kick in the shin but miss. It continues like this for a while before we are interrupted.
"Umm. Hiii." lifting my face I see Sansa standing there with a torch in her hand.
"Sansa, what are you doing here?" Ned asked while letting me go and composing himself.
"I was in the broken tower working on the tapestry I've been making when I saw you guys being sneaky and wanted to know what you were up to."
"Well nothing is going on now, go to bed. This is why you always wake up late." I tell her already walking towards her, going to use her as a way to escape Ned.
"Really, I was going to be on your side and say I think it's a good idea to tell Jon now." I pause before turning to Ned.
"See, even she thinks it's a good idea. Wait, how did you know?" I turned back to her.
"And you still think it's a good idea." Ned asks me.
"Well she can have smart ideas too."
"Oh my Gosh. Why does everyone think I stupid? I'm awesome."
"Awesome is not the same thing as smart but that is not the point. Jon needs to know Ned and we are not debating the matter. Goodnight." I turn to walk away.
"Wait." Ned calls, stopping me once more. "I'll do it before he leaves. It's better if he hears it from me."
"Fine." I told him.
"Give me the egg."
"No."
"Catelyn."
"Goodnight."
"Can I have the egg?" Sansa asked me. Her blue doe eyes beaming up at me begging earnestly.
"Here keep it hidden and don't give it to your father."
"Yay!" I heard Ned sigh loudly but I chose to ignore it.
A/N: Hi, Thank you for reading hope y'all enjoyed the chapter and thank you for the reviews. beccahyuga03 proofread this chapter big thanks to her.
Disclaimer: I don't own Game of Thrones.