The Warriors of Winterfell

by black dragon

For thousands of years the people of the North had been known as barbarians and savages. People who know nothing of the culture and traditions of the south. But what if they are not as dumb or naive as you think? What if they are only hiding their true resourcefulness? Major AU you have been warned.

17. The Girl with Red Hair

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GAME OF THRONES THEY BELONG TO HBO AND GEORGE R MARTIN.

A/n: Oh man the response! You guys are awesome! Over 500 follows! I squealed when I saw this I wanted to cry so badly! Oh man * fans myself * oh man I am so happy! YES! Ok, ok enough of that. I am just excited that season eight is finally here! I have all my DVD's out to re-watch and binge on my days off. So I wanted to let you guys know that this is a moment of epicness for me.

Ok, ok I'm good so anyhow thank you all for your response with the last chapter of W.O.W. it means a lot to know that people do in fact like this story. This is a first for me. So that shows how much I've improved over the nearly 20 years I've been writing fanfiction. It means a lot. Thank you so much and as always please leave a review but no, FLAMES, LORE MONGERS OR BASHINGS PLEASE!

Thank you

THE WARRIORS OF WINTERFELL

Chapter 17: The Girl With Red Hair

LANNISPORT

The busy streets of Lannisport were full of traders, sailors, and merchants of all sorts. Arya had never seen a city this busy since Wintertown. But she managed to maneuver her way through the city without any problems. The wolves remained at her side as she walked through the streets and allys. Asha, Theon, Ramsey and Mira all had accompanied her on this journey so far. But in a day or so they will have to part ways. Asha agreed to take Mira to Donstonbury where she can ride back to Highgarden. The Forrester Girl had been a good companion to Arya and even helped her in some of her more difficult subjects.

Even as far away as Lannisport, Arya still had lessons to learn. One of the things she has learned was the way people dressed. Arya was used to the way people dressed in the North with thicker wool clothes because of the cold weather. Here in Lannisport further south people dress in more ornamental clothes to show their status. So reluctantly in order to blend in she had to dress as a girl. It was a good thing that the Septa insisted she learn womanly skills as part of her training. Even though she hates it, the lessons given to her proved useful in blending in.

The wolves on the other hand where kept to her side refusing to remain on the ship. She would occasionally stroke through Nymeria's fur to sooth the wolf who was not used to the noise of the streets. But even then it drew some stares as people had never seen a direwolf before. Lady being a more mild mannered wolf ignored the noise as she kept to the rear. The saddle on Nymeria was a dead giveaway seeing as Arya needed her for travel so she kept the saddle with her bags on Nymeria's back while Lady carried Sansa's.

Sansa has to be here, she thought as she tried to keep an eye out. Still the bright colors of the many silk skirts and banners of Lannisport can be a bit disorienting for someone who is not used to it.

"My young lady aren't you far from home," someone said to her.

Arya turned to find a youthful figure in front of her dressed in fine silks. His golden locks splayed across his face in a golden shower. Yet the very roots are dark as if his hair was dyed to look golden. Arya knew in an instant that this Lannister Imposer one who would use this as a means of luring people in before stealing from them...or in her case raping them.

She could smell such vile people from a far off. She gave a silent whistle. The man suddenly became aware of hot breath on his face. He turned to find himself in the face of a snarling wolf. Backing away in fear he ran for his life with his pants wet. Smirking Arya gave Nymeria a good pat before going off into the crowds once more. She began to explore the town going from place to place in hopes of finding information on Sansa's whereabouts.

The people of Lannisport parted ways after seeing the wolves giving Arya a wide berth as she looked through the many stalls of the street vendors. She even paid for a bag of dried meats and pasties before walking further into the streets. But as she walked she was unaware of the person following her until she heard something.

"Excuse me," said a soft voice.

Arya turned her head to look at a boy in rags. He was dressed as any beggar on the street. His dirty face and unkempt hair as well as his nearly rotten teeth make up for the appearance.

"Can I help you?" asked Arya.

"Can you spare some coin so that I can eat," he begged.

Arya reached into her pouch and pulled out a few dragons to hand to the boy. As she did so the boy beckoned her to follow. Giving a silent command to the wolves she made her way through the alleys towards a rundown building near the edge of the city. When she got there the boy looked both ways before whistling. Before her a group of children appeared all of them in rags. They looked at Arya in awe before the boy who led them turned to her. Feeling apprehensive she pulled on her knife ready to defend herself from these children. But the boy who led her here only raised his hands in a peaceful manner showing that he did not wish to cause harm to Arya and the other children did the same.

"Who are you?" Arya demanded still not wanting to put the knife away.

"I am Aaron and we do not wish to harm you Arya Stark," he replied.

"Why did you lead me here?" Arya demanded and with that the wolves approached from either side growling a warning. The other children backed away in fear but the boy in the front answered.

"The Spider wishes to lend his assistance to Arya Stark of Winterfell. He says to tell you that we help you find the whereabouts of your sister." the boy said.

Arya smiled it was the first ounce of good news she had today.

SOMETIME LATER

The Lion's Den is an inn located along the docks of Lannisport. Held in the more populous area the inn is a place where traders and passing sailors go to rest before moving on towards either inland or further along the coast. It was here that Theon Greyjoy sat in a chair enjoying a few drinks. Being careful to slowly sip his ale he waited for his sister and her three companions to return.

"Finally I am tired of looking at this shit hole!" a voice called.

Theon looked up from his drink to see a man enter the inn. A large smile came to his face when he recognized the figure. Dark curly hair at shoulder length greeted his ghostly white face. But his dark gray eyes were what sought him out as he moved towards his table. Ramsey Snow sat down right in front of his companion. His face clean shaven without a trace of facial hair. A trait from his Bolton heritage.

Theon on the other hand was sporting a goatee that grew from his journey from Ironrath. Both men looked at each other before laughing.

"It's about time you got here!" Theon said offering him a drink.

"Sorry had to deal with some shit faced loser in the streets out to steal my gold," replied Ramsey as he sat down and laughed at him. Theon smirked as he handed him a mug full of ale. Taking a drink he was surprised by the taste.

"Is this?" he asked.

"Aye, this is Bogmire Ale one of the finest from the Neck. The man there trades with the Crannogmen so he has a readied supply on hand for those who want it. And believe me it is quite popular here in Lannisport," said Theon.

"Well shit me silly I want a swig!" said Ramsey as he took another cup of the ale that came to them. Theon luckily paid the tab early on as they drank. But they both knew that drinking too much would not be good for them in the long run. So with some hesitation on their part they stopped drinking the ale and ordered water to help sober them up.

When it was done they both ate a hearty meal before going back to business at hand.

"So Greyjoy where is your lovely sister?" Ramsey asked as he leaned back on his chair.

"Making final preparations to sail in two days time," Theon replied as they ate their meal.

"Really? Leaving so soon?" asked Ramsey.

"Yeah, that is the plan we leave in two days time. Arya said she is going to head out on land while the rest of us head out by sea. Mira said she would send word to Highgarden about the latest news in the North. Lord Tyrell wanted a full report upon her return. After all she is Lady Margery's handmaiden till she is in her twenties," replied Theon.

"Shit! So what are going to do till then?" asked Ramsey.

"Well we can do what we came here to do; gather information," Theon said as he leaned back in his chair. Ramsey joined him not wanting to lose a bet or two to his best friend.

TWO HOURS LATER

It was getting dark when Arya returned to the inn that she and the others were staying in. Already the noise was overpowering as she walked in. The wolves unfortunately due to their size has to stay with the horses in the stables. The innkeeper has a special room for the hounds of lords and ladies alike. But the wolves were too big for the dog pens. So the direwolves were kept with the horses instead. With some reassurance that they will be alright Arya headed up the stairs towards her shared room with Asha and Mira.

The Forrester girl had been with them since leaving Ironrath and since arriving in Lannisport she was very good in getting the route needed to return to Highgarden. Asha offered to take her to Dunstonbury which is the town closest to Highgarden. After agreeing Mira agreed to get Lord Tyrell to help in the search for Sansa.

"He feels responsible for allowing such a bitch to travel on foot out of the Reach. According to him Lord Hightower banished her from his house with nothing but the clothes on her back. It would not surprise me that she had to whore her way to get some money. But who knows at this point. The main thing is to find Lady Sansa and return her home," Mira said to Arya and Asha that night.

"The Spider is helping us in locating her. And his information has shown me a direction the men had gone." Arya said as she produced a map. Pulling it out she unrolled it out for them. As they looked at it, it was a map of Westeros but more important it was a map of all the main trade routes.

"These roads connect to Lannisport here so the thieves didn't come here directly. From what the Spider told me the two men who kidnapped Sansa had made their way out of Lannisport quickly and towards the east," said Arya pointing to the road map.

"That's the Gold Road, but they have to go south first before they reach it. Bringing the dangerously close to Clegane Keep." said Asha.

"Clegane Keep?" asked Mira curiously.

"Home of the Mountain the realm's most dangerous knight. He is not known to be very friendly and the one person he fears is his liege lord. So they must have risked quite a bit to travel there," said Arya.

"Maybe not," said Asha as she looked at the map better.

"What is it?" asked Arya.

"I think they didn't go south. The two men must have information about Clegane Keep so the only alternate route is just as risky but not as dangerous. That is to go north towards Casterly Rock which would bring them closer to Tywin Lannister. But then again Tywin would probably ignore the pleas of the Starks. If they had gone past Casterly Rock onto the Gold Road then chances are they are heading east." Asha said.

"Why would they go east?" asked Mira.

"Think about it where does the Gold Road lead?" asked Asha.

"King's Landing?" Arya replied in realization.

"Exactly, I think they are trying to get across the Narrow Sea. They can't use the Sunset Sea for it is too dangerous. Not with Ironborn looking for blood. So they have to across the land towards the capital and hopefully take a trade vessel to Essos." said Asha.

"Then we need to get to the capital," said Arya standing up.

"No, you need to get to the capital. Theon, Ramsey and I will remain on this side to secure it after we take Lady Mira to Dunstonbury. Euron Greyjoy is still out here and we need to find him. Chances are he might be at the Sunset Isles biding his time. Who knows what is going on but we need to ensure that no more attacks happen here," Asha said to her.

Nodding in understanding Arya leaned back on her chair, "I will leave just before first light, that way I can avoid any suspicious guards," she said as she moved to where the plate of food was and tucked in.

"We will leave tomorrow night when the tide is good. I need to make sure that supplies are checked properly before we depart," replied Asha as she leaned back into her chair.

"We will continue checking for word on Sansa, but if your information is correct then the men who took her are probably already in King's Landing. The only trouble they would be having is that the ships have to go through some heavy inspections before departure. That is something that not even the King can stop," said Mira.

"The King can stop it, but it is against Westerosi law to smuggle any slaves to Essos. So if they are planning to smuggle Sansa out of King's Landing they would have to know someone on the inside who can do it," replied Asha as she leaned in.

"Well I can look for that. I've already told the kid to inform Lord Varys that I would be needing his help to find my sister." Arya replied.

"Can we trust them?" Mira asked as he took a bite from her plate.

"What choice do we have?" Arya replied, "Besides Sansa could be well on her way to Essos by now. So as long as we are sitting here we are wasting time!" as she shot up she wanted to do nothing more then to grab Nymeria and head off to King's Landing, but a gentle hand landed on her shoulder. Startled she turned to see Mira smiling sadly at her, "Before you go off to instant danger Lady Arya, perhaps it is best to rest your wolves before you travel. After all they will need their strength if they are to make the journey."

That seemed to calm Arya down for now as she sat back down at the table. She wanted to chase after her sister, but things are as they were. It was then that Arya had remembered that the wolves are not yet fully grown yet. Though they are the size of small horses they are still young. And they will need to gather their strength if they are to grow larger.

"Alright I will tend to them after I have eaten. God's know that they grow fast," with that she started to dig into her plate of meat and cheese.

LATER

It was dark outside when Arya went into the stables. The Lion's Den has an adjacent building which houses the horses of the many nobles and traders that come through Lannisport. The branch of house Lannister that runs the port has been making good coin in trade alone. If by chance the mines in the Westerlands run out then trade would have been the only other option left to keep the coin running. And in order to do so House Lannister of Lannisport would house stables at their inns for traders to use at their leisure. The horses are for rent and when they are used the people who rent them are charged a fee. If the horse is killed then another fee and jail time would be added.

But the stables are also for rent if one brought their own horse. The Innkeeper didn't know how to charge for wolves but Arya paid the standard fee to house the direwolves. Since the wolves had grown quite a bit since leaving the North they are now the size of small horses. According to her book these direwolves are special because once bonded to a human they will be larger then their wild cousins.

As she walked through the stables she could hear the sounds of the many horses in the stable. Some of them were a bit unsettled by the presence of the wolves but Arya assured the Innkeeper that the wolves are trained. They will not kill a horse unless Arya commanded them. As she neared the stable where Lady and Nymeria were kept she could hear the whimpering of Lady as she entered the stable. Arya knew it was because the wolf missed her master. Kneeling down she began to stroke the direwolf calming her down as she whimpered her distress.

"Don't worry girl we will be with your mistress soon," she said and offered her some meat that she had gotten from the butcher earlier in the day for the wolves. Though she preferred to hunt her meat Lannisport is no place for direwolves to roam free. So with a heavy heart she has to provide the meat till it was time to leave. As she got up Nymeria whined for attention. Arya giggled as she stroked her wolf Nymeria rolled her tongue out as Arya knew her sweet spot. As she felt the chill of the air she rose from her spot. Nymeria whined once again.

"You get some rest girl tomorrow we will head out to find Sansa," she said and headed towards her room.

THE NEXT MORNING

It was well before sunrise when Arya woke. She had prepared her supplies long before she went to bed. Rising early she did her morning routine before checking on the wolves. As soon as she had done so she saddled up Nymeria once again. The others were asleep when she rode out with the predawn wind. The guards didn't notice her as she rode Nymeria out of Lannisport and faced north towards the looming figure of Casterly Rock. The seat of the house of Lannister looms ever so close to the sea. But Arya didn't notice it one bit as she urged Nymeria and Lady on wards towards the northwest and onto the Gold Road.

The passing guardsmen didn't notice her or paid her little mind until they noticed she was not riding a horse. By the time they turned around Arya was far enough ahead that they didn't bother to chase her down. The girl in question loved it as she headed towards King's Landing and the hope of finding her sister.

KING'S LANDING

The sun had barely shown above the horizon when Sansa woke from her slumber. Her red hair was dark as the darkness in her room. As she got up she realized that the fires had gone down and so went to rekindle the fire in her room. When the blaze was bright she rose from her sitting position. Determined to get some training in before her time in the forge she did a few warm ups to wake up her muscles. As she did so she also practiced a few forms to keep her skills sharp. After her warm up Sansa quickly gotten dressed in her in the clothes she borrowed from the maid and went out onto the rooftops to see for herself the rising sun of King's Landing.

Often times when she rises from her slumber back in Winterfell she would train with the other girls. As they did so she would see the sun rising just above the horizon far in the distance where the faint shadows of the forests and the mountains beyond lay. This time the sun rose from the Narrow Sea just beyond the Red Keep home of the King. As the first light touched the red stone walls, she rose from her crouched position and made her way downwards towards the forges.

When she got there she was not surprised to see a few apprentices already at work on the latest orders. The forge fires have to be kept hot so some apprentices had to work throughout the night to keep it that way while working on the latest order for some lord or another. Sansa smiled when she saw the few that were there and greeted them upon entering. They in turn greeted her back with a wave of their hammers before returning to work.

Finding an empty forge that was just starting to cool Sansa quickly heated it back up again using the charcoal from the nearby pile and some fresh wood to bring the fire back up. When the forge was hot again she set about to read what needed to be done. All smiths needed to know the basics in reading in order to know what the lords wanted. So she saw for herself what needed to be done.

Hmmm this sword looks like it has been well used and the dents could use some work. But the steel is bent our of shape! Look at that dent and those chipped edges I bet someone needs to really work to bring this steel back, she thought as she looked at the sword in question.

It was a rather large great sword of immense size. The sheer size of it was too big for anyone else to wield if they weren't strong enough to work through it. But Sansa knew that she has to build her strength back up again and what better way to do it then to work through steel. Septa did say that one's body would become as hard as steel if they work the forges enough times. So she picked up the sword at first and felt the weight.

It definitely needs work! The sword is off balance! By the Old Gods and the New! She said looking at it.

Then with a determined look she added more wood to her forge before beginning to heat the sword.

MEANWHILE

Gendry was the first to come down to the forge. Hoping to relieve the night time apprentices after breakfast so that they can get cleaned up and head off to bed for the day. When he gotten to the main forge he was surprised to see Sansa already there working the forge as if she was a master at it.

To the Gods old and New! For a high born lady she can wield a hammer, he thought and remembered the events of the night before while eating supper with Master Tobho.

LAST NIGHT

"I am Sansa Stark of Winterfell," the girl said to both master and apprentice smith.

At her words both men looked at her in stunned surprise and both rose from their seats to show respect, "Forgive us for making you work m'lady we didn't know," Master Tobho said to Sansa. Gendry was stunned to silence when Sansa revealed herself. His voice was stuttering when he realized that this girl here before him was a woman of high status. And as such she should have been at the Red Keep not here in Flea Bottom on the Street of Steel forging weapons.

"I didn't reveal myself to you if I had not felt you could be trusted. I am not here of my own free will. I am here because of what had happened to me back in my own home," Sansa replied.

"M'lady we had heard rumors of your abduction we didn't know," Gendry finally spoke though his voice was broken and shaking for this was the first time he found himself in the presence of a highborn woman who did not belittle him. Sansa smiled, "How old are you Gendry?" she asked.

"I am ten and seven years m'lady," he replied.

"I am ten and three years and not yet flowered and yet you treat me as if I am going to step on you why?" Sansa asked well aware of why she was treated this way. It was a known fact that the highborn of the south do not put themselves in the same shoes as the lowborn. Gendry looked down at his feet and she heard it shuffling before he replied, "Please forgive me m'lady but a woman of your status is usually not found forging steel in a forge. Most often we see the highborn women in their wheelhouses and carriers being weighed on by men and servants alike. You are the first I've seen wielding a hammer as if you worked the forge before," Gendry was sure that Sansa would start retorting him.

But the only thing that came from Sansa was a soft smile, "Please forgive me Gendry but when has a lady used a forge?" she said amused.

"Never m'lady," he replied nervously.

"Well women in the North differ greatly to those here in King's Landing," with that she then moved towards the hearth where the maid was cooking the evening meal.

"May I?" Sansa asked. The woman nodded as Sansa tasted the soup. The taste was spicy to say the least but she knew this dish well, "Curry?" she asked the maid. The woman nodded, "I acquired the recipe from a traveler a few years ago," The maid replied.

"Well it could use some thing hold on," Sansa said as she looked around till she spotted the jar she was looking for of dried beans. Now when she took this she crushed the beans and threw them into the pot. Stirring it the fragrance that came from the pot was irresistible. The maid even looked longingly at the pot as Sansa handed her a spoon.

"Go ahead try it," she said to her. The maid dip her spoon in and after blowing it to cool it down took a sip of the broth. Her eyes lit up instantly at the taste that came from it. Sansa smiled at the woman her gray eyes shown with mirth.

"Coca beans add flavor to the broth and bring out the texture of the contents," she said. The woman nodded as she put the jar to the side to be used later. Sansa then turned to see the two men staring at her in utter shock.

"A Northern woman must know how to cook for winters up in the North are a lot harsher then those in the south," Sansa replied. That gotten a nod from Tobho and a surprise look from Gendry.

"I've heard stories like that of how the North is the as cold as the deserts of Dorne is hot. So tell me Lady Sansa how are you planning on hiding your identity should someone inquire of it?" Tobho asked a serious expression on his face.

Sansa laughed, "I've already thought of it and if they ask tell them my name is San it is a Northern Commoners name and it is close enough to my real name that not many people would put the dots together." the two men reluctantly nodded.

END OF FLASHBACK

Sansa nearly laughed at the thought as she waited for the steel sword to ripen to the right color before taking it out to pound on the anvil. The men were also surprised when she told them the culture of the Starks and how Northern Women learn how to cook, clean and mend the weapons of their men because Winters are harsh and the climate is harsher on its people. So she told them that they needed to adapt and so the women sometimes take up the mantle of men's work to help the menfolk out. Here the women either clean, cook, sew or entertain their menfolk to procreate with them.

This seemed to get them into thinking things a bit different as she checked the steel to see what needs to be worked on. Putting it back in the fire Sansa then cut her thoughts and returned them to the forge at hand. The sword that she is working on was in a desperate need of being maintenance. So as she pounded the steel Tobho returned with Gendry and watched as Sansa worked. They were just as surprised as the rest of the apprentices that walked in that a woman could work the forge.

Sansa paid them no heed as she worked her mind on the steel and the impurities that she pounded out of the metal. The great sword that she forged began to take shape once the sun rose to its zenith and then started to dip into the west. But still Sansa worked the sword her mind on her training. The only time she stopped was to allow the sword to heat up again as she took a quick bite to eat from an apprentice which was nothing but bread and some meat. Then washing it down with some water. Getting back up again she checked on the metal before beginning the process again till all the impurities were gone from the metal.

When she was done she let the metal cool in the oil vat that Tobho had laid aside for her. She learned that oil works better then water when cooling the metal as it does not cool as fast. Even though the vat lit up in flames it did not last long as they quickly dissipated before going back to checking the steel in the light.

Perfect she thought as she saw the sword a bit better. Then going over to the grinder she sat down with the sword and began to polish and sharpen the blade. The sparks that came from the grinder gave her the satisfaction that the sword would be better once she was done polishing it up.

It took about six hours but Sansa managed to finish with her work adding a new leather hilt to the sword she then placed it in its scabbard. Just as a dark shadow appeared over her head. Sansa turned her head and looked up, and up to the largest human she had ever seen.

He could have easily been mistaken for a small giant she thought looking up at the man.

"Ah San this is Ser Gregor Clegane he is here to pick up his sword," Tobho said to her though his voice quivered in fear. Sansa looked up at the mountain of a man and knew who he was instantly by reputation.

He is the Mountain! The one who killed off Princess Elia and her brood! By the Old Gods and the New I just repaired the sword of Gregor Clegane! She thought as she presented the sword to him. The man stared at her with a gaze that normal men would back away from but Sansa showed no fear. She is a wolf and wolves do not show fear even if she was terrified. So instead she smiled gently at him before presenting his sword. Large beefy hands took the sword from Sansa and unsheathed it revealing the now shining blade. He looked at Sansa's icy gray eyes as he bent over to get a better look at her.

"Girl," he said to her.

"Yes, m'lord," she said making sure to add a bit of a quiver to her voice.

"The old man there said you were the one to repair my sword is it true?" he asked.

Taking a deep breath Sansa nodded, "My father taught me how to wield a forge sir for he had no sons. Go ahead and try it on that dummy over there," Sansa said pointing to the wooden dummy off to the side. The dummy has seen many hacks from lords and customers testing their steel but the Mountain rose. Taking the sword in hand he walked over to the dummy. The with a mighty swing cleaved the dummy… but nothing happened.

He stared at it in shock but before he could say a retort the dummy slowly but surely began to slide in half and then fell in one clean slice. The very center of the dummy was seen and everyone in the forge looked at the cleavage in shock. Ser Gregor looked in amazement at the steel that was forged in front of him before storming up to the girl in question.

"No one has been able to lift my sword much less work with it girl. You must have some strength to you," with that he tossed the sword to Sansa who easily caught it in one hand on instinct. To the shock of everyone else she was able to hold the sword up without flinching or wilting. Gregor walked closer to her his interest piqued.

"Girl what is your name?" he asked and Sansa said to him, "San,"

"Well San you do good work, I like," he said and she watched as a man struggled to bring the heavy plated metal into the shop.

"Those bastards at the Red Keep can't work my armor for the steel is too heavy to work with. But then again they said the same thing about my sword. The only ones who could work on it had been the old man and this one here." he said pointing to Gendry. "But for you will make an exception little girl." he said.

"This will be your test I have armor that needs to be worked do you think you have the balls to work on it?" he said daring her to say something. Sansa knew this was a test of aptitude and so she raised her chin up to accept the challenge.

"How old are you girl?" Ser Gregor asked.

"Ten and three," Sansa replied to him. He laughed when he heard it. His bellow could be heard from the people outside. Those who peered in quickly disappeared for if they could hear the Mountain laughing then bad things are going to happen.

"Have you flowered yet little girl?" he asked.

"No," Sansa replied.

At this point Ser Gregor laughed harder and his laugh was deep, "A child commands the forges like a master! That is something new! So tell me girl if you truly forged the sword and lifted it up to present it to me shows that you have strength, I like that," he said and called for one of his many squires to bring his armor. The man who was just as beefy as Ser Gregor struggled with the armor plating. Gendry had to walk outside to help the man with getting it into the shop. Sansa watched as they placed it on the table to be worked then he walked towards the door but not before paying Tobho.

"I will be back in three days to collect my armor best get to work," with that he was gone.

As he walked away the other apprentices turned to look at Sansa and she suddenly felt herself in the center of all the eyes staring. It was finally the master smith himself that cleared his throat. "That is the first time I've heard Ser Gregor give a complement like he did you San," he said.

Sansa was still shaking from being in the presence of the man who killed her friend's sister-in-law and her children. She held up her hands to stare at them for a bit before looking down at the armor.

"San?" Tobho asked.

"San?" asked Gendry feeling concerned for his newest friend.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to cause a fuss," Sansa said finally coming to her senses. The feeling of fear suddenly escaped her and she found herself on her knees to the ground of all places. Gendry could feel her shaking as he held her shoulder.

"San?" he asked.

"Gendry take San back upstairs for a while I will make sure the armor is placed where she can work on it when she is ready," he said. Gendry gently lifted Sansa up from the floor and carried her up the stairs towards the area where the guests sleep. There he placed in on the bed in the room that Master Tobho has assigned to her.

"Lady Sansa?" he asked. He was met with nothing.

"Lady Sansa?" he asked again.

Sansa this time reacted as she was jerked back into the realm of the living by Gendry. She smiled sheepishly as she looked at him with embarrassment and shame, "I am sorry I am acting like such a child Gendry," she said.

"None taken m'lady but if it means something to you Ser Gregor scares everyone in King's Landing," Gendry replied.

Just as he said it the door opened and Tobho came in with something in his hand. Taking the cup Sansa sipped it and found that it was in fact an herbal tea of sorts.

"It will help you to relax Lady Sansa. It is a tea brewed for such occasions back in my home of Qohor." Tobho replied as he too sipped some of the tea.

Sansa sipped the tea and instantly knew the ingredients. She remembered the same tea the Septa drank after a hard day of training and drank the contents to allow her to calm her nerves. When she was done she could feel herself getting better at being calm.

Pull yourself together Sansa you are a Warrior of Winterfell for Old God's sake! She thought.

"I am quite surprised that you picked that particular sword to work. Normally I would have my apprentices work on far easier swords and I work on the larger harder metal ones to appease my customers. But you not only worked the steel like a master smith but you sharpened it to that of a Valyrian blade. Girl who truly taught you the art of steel?" Tobho asked her.

"A smith named Mikken back in Winterfell taught me how to mold steel. My father insisted that the girls in the castle help out with the servants as much as they could since fever took most of them last year," Sansa lied. She knew better then to reveal too much information about the North and what it is capable of.

"You have learned quite a lot for one year?" said Tobho as he sat down on the nearby chair.

"I was taught since I was young at father's insistence. My sister Arya and I would fight over what girls should do. I wanted to be like my lady mother and learn about what the ladies in the south would do. However Arya wants to be a knight knowing that she can't and so father had enough of our fighting and made us learn how to forge steel instead. It was punishment for destroying his solar in one of our many quarrels." Sansa said which was partially true. In a bid when they were younger both Sansa and Arya wanted to practice their lessons and chose the solar as a practice ring. What started as a simple practice turned into destroying the solar. As punishment Lord Stark made them work with Mikken for a few months to fix the broken weaponry around the solar.

It was with luck that the weaponry was not the major weapons such as swords or spears. Instead it was minor knives made from dragon-glass and shields that were on the wall that the girls broke. Sansa remembered that memory well and she cringed every time she thought about Mikken's punishment for them.

"So you took up smithing afterward to pass the time?" Tobho said.

"I actually grew to love it as well as sewing. There was so many things you can make with steel, silk and leather. My sister and I begged our father to let us keep learning how to make steel work. Our mother was furious of course saying that metal work is no work for a lady. But Father allowed us to learn saying that it may come in useful someday." Sansa replied.

"Your mother is right of course learning to smith is no work for a lady. However your craftsmanship shows through your steel. I've seen it and so has Ser Gregor. The girl with the red hair forging steel for the strongest, most savage knight in the Seven Kingdoms. It was a work of art to inspire him to allow you to do his armor. But here is your test girl prove it to him and show him what a girl from House Stark can do," he said.

Sansa smiled at those words as she rose up from the bed. The shaking quelled when she did it and she thought it was something to see as she turned towards Tobho and Gendry. She walked out towards the forge to look at the armor that sat on the table. It was heavy that was for sure and the nicks, dents and tears in the armor were obvious. Still she could see the worn leather underneath. As she walked over to the armor she heaved it up without much trouble. Strength training helps when it comes to heavy lifting.

As she looked at the armor and the leather underneath she could not help but laugh at the sheer wear and tear the armor has. How many men have worked this armor, none from the looks of it. Either that or he has been working a lot, she thought. From the firelight she could see the obvious tears in the armor that need to be repaired. The gauntlets especially look as if they had seen a lot of combat.

There was evidence that it looked like it had gold plating underneath and the front looked like three hounds on it. Probably his house sigil for the Cleganes are a recently new house for the Westerlands. Taking a rag she rubbed the gauntlet and sure enough signs of gold and black could be seen.Well looks like I have my work cut out for me, she thought as she started to work on the metal.

The first thing she did was take apart the glue that held the leather padding to the armor. When she done so the damage done to the leather and the armor became more apparent to her as she looked at it. Turning to Master Tobho she asked, "When was the last time someone worked on the Mountain's armor?"

Master Tobho was calm when he replied, "Not since it was forged. The metal is heavy and the armor even more so for someone of the Mountain's strength. I think the last blacksmith that worked on it died because he was not able to complete the work to Ser Gregor's satisfaction," he replied.

"So why does the armor have leather attached to the inside? Doesn't the metal have to be separate from the leather under-padding?" Sansa asked.

"That was one of the mistakes of the previous blacksmith. He put leather padding inside hoping it would help protect the knight better but instead it only angered him. That was because you are not supposed to glue the leather into the armor. The leather is supposed to come off separately as I am sure you've already known. So I hope when you reforge the armor that you don't make the same mistake." with that he got up and walked out followed by Gendry.

That had Sansa swallow at the story told to her by the master smith. But she looked at the leather and shook her head. Knowing that it had to be replaced she got to work on making the leather come out of the armor. As she did so she wondered why the previous blacksmith would put so much leather under the armor. That was just plain stupid on all counts. But she shook her head clearing her thoughts and began to work on the metal in front of her.

The first thing she started to do was pound the metal on the armory table. Using a hammer she started to work on the many dents and tears in the armor. Then she took a large pair of thongs and placed it into the forge fire to heat it up so she start could start repairs.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER

Sansa wiped her arm on her brow at what had to be the umpteenth time she did so. When she looked at the armor she was satisfied at how the repairs were coming along.

"Not bad," said a voice and she turned to see Gendry at the forge staring at the armor she had on the table.

"Thanks, but this is just the beginning stages I still need to reshape it. I only repaired the worst of the tears to the chest plate. I still need to work on the legs and the arms before the helmet," Sansa replied. Impressed Gendry lifted the now cooled plating to see for himself the breast plate. It was massive to say the least just like its owner but the deep gauges he saw earlier are now gone. The only ones are the minor holes and several dents here and there.

"You know I would had just made a whole new armor," he said smirking.

"I would have too only Ser Gregor does not look like a person who would deal with a whole new set of armor," Sansa replied. Again Gendry nodded his head agreeing with what she said, "That is true, that is so true," he replied.

"Anyhow I better get back to work this armor is not going to repair itself," she said as she went to get her hammers to work on the armor once more.

LATER

It was well into the night when Sansa called it quits. Her arms hurt from all the pounding of the hammer, but she was glad that she managed to get the breast plate done. All the repairs to the plate had been finished but now it needs to be polished but that will come later. She set her station to be ready for the morning when her arms are relaxed and her tools are ready for the rest of the armor. The breast plate had to be one of the most damaged of all the armor next to the gauntlets but at least now it is done. Tomorrow she can work on the rest of it given that there are only minor things needed to be done to fix and maintenance them. As she started to get ready for the night and turn things in to the night apprentices she walked towards the pile of wood on the side. Slipping them into the small kilt on the bottom she made sure that the excess charcoal was taken out and the new wood put in.

"Ya know for a lady that is good armor you are forging San," said an apprentice. Sansa turned and smiled at the man in the corner. He was one of the men that was apprenticed to Tobho that comes in only at night. As part of his job he does the easier stuff as well as keep the fires going. A forge can't be hot enough without someone to take over at night to ensure that the fire remains hot.

"Thank you, it was a pain to get out the worst of the damage from the breast plates, but tomorrow I can do the easy stuff," Sansa replied as she set to go to bed to rest. The first apprentice of the night set to work on the swords that he was supposed to work on, while his partners went to work on another knight's armor. Sansa knew that she had to practice before bed or else she would get rusty. So getting up she walked out towards the rooftops like she normally would to practice her swordsmanship.

Looking around to make sure no one was following her she started on the simple movements. As she done so she did her usual warm ups and cool downs. When she was done she was sweating still but ready for a nice bath and bed. Walking down towards the bathing area Sansa knew the maid had made her a bath when she could smell the oils from the steaming water. Rosewater was relaxing but Sansa insisted on mint because it opens the lungs and allows for her skin to breathe again.

"The water is ready for you m'lady," the maid said and Sansa thanked her before slipping into the water. The hot water felt good on her skin and it is one of the luxuries that Tobho has brought with him from Essos. The North also treasures such baths for it keeps one clean and prevents illness from ravaging the towns and villages.

Here in King's Landing however only the privileged are able to afford baths. Most common folks either don't bathe at all or go to the ocean to clean themselves of the nasties of the day. Still as the water relaxes her Sansa felt her worries slip away as she took a rag and washed herself of the dirt and grime of the forge. The water turned to black as she rinsed out the muck. When she was clean again she rose to the surface and once again gave a good rinse before leaving the tub.

Later when she was in her bed she untied her hair letting it fall past her shoulders down her back. It ended in her mid back but Sansa didn't care. As she took her time brushing it with the brush provided by the maid she spent sometime combing out the tangles that had gotten into it. When she was done she carefully got up and walked over to her simple straw bed. It was all the guests could get in King's Landing. Unlike the soft feather beds of the palace or the fur beds of the North here she has a straw bed. Luckily for her the bed was lined with soft linen sheets to absorb sweat and make it more bearable to sleep on hot summer days.

But summer is ending Sansa thought as she felt the cool winds of autumn coming through the window. It was a sign that winter is coming and that the Starks are always right.

Getting into bed Sansa curled herself up and felt the cold air coming in through her window. The feelings of home race through her as she dreamed of Winterfell and playing with her wolf.

THE NEXT DAY

Sansa was hitting hard once again on the metal of Ser Gregor's armor this time she started to sing. As she did so a song came to her one that Mikken the Smith taught her as she was learning.

FLASHBACK

"So why are you singing to the metal Master Smith," a young nine year old Sansa said to Mikken. She was learning how to forge steel as was required by all Starks when they are beginning to train.

"Ah, the song of steel, a man or woman who takes up the smithcraft often sings this song. It is meant to call forth the steel as it is being shaped and formed into something new. To bring out the strength of Crom the legendary God of a world long forgotten. It is said that one who sings to steel helps to make it stronger. Forge it to be better and the steel listens to the song and wants to be stronger just to hear it one more time," he said making Sansa smile, "Will you teach it to me?" she said.

"Of course I teach it to all my students," Mikken replied.

END FLASHBACK

Sansa struck the hammer against the steel as she was reshaping the broken grieves of the Mountain's armor. Someone gotten lucky and completely mangled it. But Sansa was not afraid of the metal as she had to reforge the entire thing once again. But as she done so she started to sing towards the armor. It started as a hum which was quickly turned into something new. Those who were near her could hear the song and stopped what they were doing to listen.

This did not go unnoticed as Gendry who was monitoring the day shift quickly took notice as well as he too stopped to listen.

"Oh hear my words oh mother of steel,

who comes to us from within the earth.

From the Mountain's heart, I picked your stone,

An Ore so warm it touched my soul.

With a hammer in hand, I sing my song

forging it to the armor for one.

With a hammer in hand, I sing my song

Forging a sword for a warrior's great hand.

With a hammer in hand, I sing my song

remembering the earth's great call.

Taking stone and making steel

forging fire by my side

I turn this ore into great steel,

The Enigma's riddle on my mind.

With a hammer in hand, I sing my song

I forge great swords and I forge great shields.

Make the armor against the Ice

for winter's cold you will defend.

Hear my prayer mighty smith,

steel's great riddle on your lips.

Sing of the Enigma's gift,

Let the earth give you the warrior's soul."

When she was done singing she had finished the grieves as she placed them on the side with the breast plate to be polished. As she was started the next one and the song began again she stopped when she heard clapping. Turning in surprise she saw Gendry along with a few other apprentices. Embarrassed she put down her hammer and looked down towards the grown sheepishly.

"Don't stop San that was great. I didn't know you could sing," said one of the apprentices.

"Well I was taught to sing by my mother back home. The my father taught me the song he said that since we in the North worship the Old Gods it is our prayer to the Gods of the Earth thanking them for giving us this gift," she said.

"Prayer is good when forging steel," a new voice said and the men turned away to greet their master who had just come down the stairs. As he came down the apprentices quickly returned to work. Gendry being the senior apprentice stood by his side.

"You did well San," he said as he picked up the finished breast plate. It was clearly repaired but he was surprised by the seamless repairs on the armor. He was also surprised by the newly mounted hounds on the front of the breastplate. The metal was clearly welded to the breast plate but the hounds had dark eyes and so finely crafted that he had no idea when Sansa did the crafting. But as he picked up the newly finished grieves he was even more surprised by the size and the shape of them. They were just like the old one only shaped more for the mountain's legs then the original.

"How do you know how Ser Gregor's legs are?" he asked her.

"I took a guess," Sansa replied.

"Hopefully your guess is correct for Ser Gregor will be here tomorrow to collect his armor," said Tobho as he examined the metal.

"This teacher of yours was he from Essos?" he asked.

"No sir, he was from the North like I am. His name is Mikken he learned from his father who passed it down to him. He knows not how his father learned the smithing craft but perhaps one of his forefathers came from Essos," Sansa replied.

Nodding his head Tobho examined the armor and found no flaws. When he put it down he examined the piece that Sansa was working on part of the side protectors and the arm guards. He noticed the small flakes of metal there on the side.

"What is this?" he asked.

"Just some steel patches for the armor. I would have reforged the armor but it would take too long so I used Master Mikken's technique of repairing armor. Using pieces of steel forged into the metal," Sansa replied.

"I've only seen such technique in the area east of Yi-Ti on my travels to learn the Smithing craft," Tobho replied looking at the work in progress. He was impressed by the technique to repair the metal using outside materials. That would explain why Sansa was working at the forge twice as long as normal. The metal has to be extra hot to wield to the breast plate. Such techniques are often thought of as magic but Tobho knows better.

"Is that how you got the three hounds to remain on the breast plate?" he asked.

Sansa nodded and having a look of impression he turned towards the boys, "Well what are you doing gawking get back to work," he said and they quickly scrambled to get back to their duties. Turning he saw the smirk on his face, "When you are done and he comes to inspect the work I would assume that you will take some time off," he asked.

"Probably, I do need new clothes," she said indicating the current clothes she wore. They were borrowed from a few of the apprentices since dresses are not suited to smithing. The apron she has on is a bit large for her smaller frame but Sansa knew that she would one day grow into a tall woman. So that meant dealing with the apron until the time came.

As she took her piece of armor once again and began to work out the dings her mind went back to the old song as she hummed it one more time. It was an old song and one that she loved to sing when she was working on metal. Singing it she worked till late in the night when her hands could no longer work. Piece by piece she worked till at last she could not work no more. As she looked down her hands were filthy and her brow sweaty. Her red hair was no longer red it was dark with sweat and grime from the smoke and coals and the braids she wore to keep it up were starting to come out. But Sansa was satisfied that everything was done. Now all the armor needs is a bit of polish.

As she worked on the metal she decided to forgo the usual cleaning solutions the smiths had. Instead she went for the more practical solution by grabbing some sanding paper that the smiths had to the side and then going to the nearby well for some water. Sansa became aware of danger as soon as she put the bucket into the well. It was like a foul taste in the air as she slowly turned to see several men dressed in tattered garment staring at her.

"Well, well what do we have here," one of them said.

"Well pretty thing what are you doing out here in the dark of night?" asked another. She could hear several people quickly running away from the situation maybe someone to get the city watch. Most she knew only wanted to hide in their homes away from danger. But Sansa was not afraid and she knew that one day she would run into riffraff on the streets. Asha warned her of such ilk back in Winterfell. The street smell she had gotten used to as well as the sight of people defecating just outside the smith's halls. Tobho insisted some of the boys make sure that no one does so for it is bad for business. But there are those at night who would love to do so when they think the smiths are asleep.

But these characters are not here looking for a place to defecate they are here looking for trouble. And from the smell they are drunk which means they were probably at the local pub down the street. Sansa slowly turned towards them making sure to keep her head and her body looking meek and scared. It was a way of showing that she was harmless. But if these thugs are looking for what she thinks they are looking for then they are in for some trouble.

"Well, aren't you a sweet thing. Tell me doll what ya doing out here this dark of night?" the first man said. From what she could tell there was four of them all of them looking for trouble.

"I was just getting some water," Sansa replied making her voice sound weak and timid.

"Is that so?" said the first man as he and the other three came closer surrounding her from all sides. In the light of the moon Sansa could see that they were scrawly men meaning they probably live off the streets. The stench of alcohol is clearly present on their breath.

Yep clearly drunk, she thought.

"Yes," Sansa replied adding a quiver to her voice to make her sound meek and scared.

"San?" a voice said and the men turned to see two of the Smithing apprentices looking for her.

"I'm over here by the well," Sansa called and they were seen with a torch. All four men turned to look at the two young boys holding the torch.

"Go away lads there is nothing for you to see," the first man said.

"I don't know it seems like you are picking on one of Master Tobho's apprentices," said the first apprentice who spoke.

"I said go away there is nothing for you boy," the second man said.

"Want to start something," said a third voice and this time Gendry and Master Tobho came marching out of the smithy. Both of them with angry looks on their faces. And all of the recent party carried weapons.

"Hey man we don't want to start nothing we just was out looking for a good time," said the first man.

"Well good times are over now get lost before I send you straight to the Stranger," said Master Tobho. The men quickly dropped what they were doing knowing that they were going to be trouble and fled leaving Sansa there breathing a sigh of relief.

"San are you alright?" said the first apprentice as he ran to help her from the well. The second apprentice helped to get the bucket of water from the well and the others quickly rushed to her side.

"I am fine, I was just getting water when these men came out of nowhere," Sansa replied.

"The streets are not safe at night. This place is crawling with scum and next time ask the boys to show you were the indoor well is. The smithy has one," Tobho said.

"Sorry sir I didn't know," Sansa replied.

"Not to worry you are still new to the shop and don't know where everything is yet. How about we head on inside and you take a break for now before finishing your armor. Ser Gregor will be in that afternoon due to his duties with the Queen's guard," said Master Tobho.

"Alright thank you," Sansa replied as they guided her inside.

Once back into the shop Sansa quickly took a cup of water that one of the boys handed to her. Taking quick sips she thanked him before looking at the armor she was polishing. She already had the rough grit out and just started on the legs and arms since they were the worst that needed polishing. Looking at her rough hands she could tell that she can easily blend in as part of the common people of King's Landing. Her time in the capital shows her how dangerous the streets are at night. Something she should have noted her first night here. It was a stupid mistake and one she would never repeat. The other mistake was forgetting to take her knife with her. The Valyrian steel blade had become a part of her the whole time she was here. Ever since the master gave it to her she was willing to take it everywhere until she could forge weapons on her own.

Until then she has to work to pay off the debt she owed the master smith for the knife. Putting the cup back down Sansa walked back towards the smithy where her armor was waiting. It was almost finished it just needed to be polished. So getting to work Sansa began to polish the armor to its original form.

TBC

A/n: Wow this took a while to write up considering I was not feeling completely well these past few days. I had just gotten out of the hospital. Anyhow I am going to make this brief since I am recovering from surgery so I am not feeling 100 percent as of late. So I am going back to bed and for now please leave a review but no BASHINGS, FLAMES OR LORE MONGERS PLEASE anyone degrading the writing will be reported so constructive criticism only! Thank you!

P.S. the Song was one hundred percent made up by me.