Chapter 14: The Long Road

A/N: thanks for your patience on this everyone. This chapter took ages to write. I'm a perfectionist and I think I wrote this chapter no less than four times haha. So forgive me if the instalments don't come as fast as my previous story which I always had ten chapters already written in advance! We see the development of the Starks powers here...they're quickly changing :) as always...enjoy!

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Staring up at the cold, lifeless likeness of her stirred many emotions in Robert. Years had rolled past him like an endless wave and yet the feelings he felt for Lyanna Stark had not subsided. She was the only one that got him, after scores of women, mistresses and whores her grey eyes burned in his very soul. The crypts were a dreary, wet and miserable place for the remains of such a vivacious and vibrant woman to lay in rest. It caused an uncomfortable sensation in Roberts chest that she was here, in some form. Breathing in and out deeply he reached for a candle, his hand trembling a little from the built up emotions. Grasping it he lit the candle on the torch protruding from the wall and internally prayed to the Seven for her, his lost love. Foolishly he realised after he placed the candle to join the others burning for her that he hadnt prayed for her in her own religion. Admittedly he had no idea how the Northerners prayed to the Old Gods in the first place. He watched the flame from his candle dance in the darkness and replayed all the foolish things he had done in the flush of his youth.

Ned approached Lyannas resting place and observed Robert shakily place a candle to burn with the others that had been placed there. He paused for a moment, he could've sworn he saw Robert in some kind of prayer. This surprised Ned, he had never known the man to be particularly religious. Ned was apprehensive to be alone with Robert, this was the first time they would speak privately since he stormed out of Kings Landing so many years ago. The King had come to Winterfell and it was something Ned could not ignore any longer.

Resuming his approach Ned glanced up at Lyanna and then at Robert, who had turned to watch him. Robert sighed and glanced up at Lyanna, "After all these years Ned, I still think about her. Her face may have faded from my memory but the feelings she stirs in me are as fresh as the day I first laid eyes on her"

Ned didn't reply he came to stand by Roberts side and looked up at the statue alongside his former friend. Ned chose not to speak, the men stood side by side for what felt like the longest time. Robert turned to look at Ned after the long silence.

"Ned," he started, "you were right. I put the idea forward to have Elia murdered, and I alone paid the Mountain to carry it out"

Heat rose in Neds face as the memories of that horrible day rushed to the surface, her body laying there burnt and broken was a source of anger and pain for Ned. He did not speak in return, he was too angry, even after all this time.

"I know it doesn't make a difference at all," continued Robert, "what I did..." his voice trailed off.

Again Robert turned to Ned with a look of desperation on his face, "Ned please, please forgive what I did. I was a young fool looking for revenge-"

Ned clenched his jaw as the image of Elia burned in the front of his mind.

"Why are you here?" was all Ned could manage to speak, the fury Roberts words invoked within him was bubbling quickly to the surface.

"I need you Ned, I need you in the capitol. Jon Arryn deserted me, refuses to answer my call, my wife is bringing more Lannisters to court by the day. I need someone I can trust-"

"I can't go to the capitol Robert, my family was attacked my children almost killed! If I leave the North I'm inviting my enemies into the castle to take what my family has held for generations!" seethed Ned still refusing to look at Robert.

Robert looked to the ground and then back up at Lyannas statue, he stepped forward and brushed his hands on the statue.

"I'll give you some time to consider my offer Ned, I will assist you in putting these rebels into graves if need be. Whatever it takes, I need you by my side again"

Ned let the words wash over him, there was no way in seven hells he would go South, not even if there was peace in the North. Wisely in the moment he didn't angrily blurt that out like he initially wanted to.

"I will think on it," he replied curtly to the King, and swept abruptly into the darkness his wolf cloak billowing as he hastily exited the dark crypts. Robert watched his exit a look of sadness on his face as he still had a hand resting on Lyannas statue.

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The brook happily bubbled away through the copse of trees where sunlight fell across the ground in dappled patches. Overhead birds danced and sang their merry tune, Sansa and Robb lay side by side in the grass looking up at the world around them. This was the farthest either of them had ventured in their lives and the most time they'd spent together alone.

"How do you feel about warding at House Lannister?" queried Sansa as she stared through the branches above at the blue sky.

Robb shrugged, "Father knows Tywin is the best leader in Westeros, I must have to learn something from him to lead our people"

Sansa looked at her brother with her piercing blue eyes, he turned his head and looked through blades of grass at his sisters face.

"You didn't answer me Robb, how do you feel about that?"

Robb sighed, "I've no idea what to expect and that makes me nervous. We've all heard the stories about Tywin, I'll admit it I'm terrified of that man"

Sansa laughed a light, pretty laugh to which Robb smiled widely in response.

"Why are you laughing at me Sansa?"

"I'm not laughing at you Robb. If someone had told you, had told us we would be lying here basically on the run from our own people seeking refuge with these houses would you have believed them?"

Robbs face grew serious as talk of the North surfaced, "No I wouldn't have believed them"

He looked back up through the branches at the sky and sighed, "I hope whatever Fathers plan is for us works, I just want peace in the North and our family to be safe"

Sansas smile slowly faded as she nodded solemnly and absentmindedly picked a white flower from beside her and spun it around in her fingers. Neither wanted to admit to their anxiety for their family's safety was never far from the front of their mind.

"Well we are on this path now that Father chose for us. Now it's in our hands. He obviously trusts us to succeed"

"He didn't have a choice but to trust us," said Robb darkly, "we have to succeed. If we fail we lose our family allies"

Robb instantly felt anxiousness grow in his gut, so many uncertainties lay ahead for them both and it made him feel sick. His mind ticked over all of this for several minutes. Suddenly he felt Sansa's hand grasp his through the grass, she held his hand tightly and he returned the grasp.

"We are part of a pack Robb, and we were raised to be strong. Whatever happens to us we will survive and so will our House"

Robb didn't reply for a while, he just closed his eyes and heard the sounds of the forest and the breeze blow over his face. Without opening his eyes after a while he spoke, "I'm glad Father put a sword in your hand Sansa"

Sansa chuckled slightly, "Why?"

"Because," smiled Robb, "somehow holding that blade made you softer and kinder"

Sansa turned her head and smiled at her brother, as they lay amongst the grass and flowers under the tree canopy birds danced between the branches above them.

The wind picked up slightly and Sansa breathed in deeply, catching multiple scents on the breeze which made her stomach grumble loudly. Robb laughed.

"Somebody's hungry" he said sarcastically with a wide smile.

"Come on," said Sansa dragging him to his feet, "I smell a rabbit nearby"

Quietly she grasped her bow and arrow and slowly and silently crept through the trees following the scent of the rabbit. Robb followed just as quietly, they made virtually no sound and not too long after came upon the rabbit.

Slowly Sansa pulled a bow from the pack strapped to her back and aimed the arrow, pulling back the string she aimed at the rabbit. Her heart rate slowed and she breathed with her whole body, once she felt absolutely ready she let the arrow loose and watched it sail towards the target. The poor rabbit dropped and they had dinner, she went to step forward and claim the prize but Robb grasped her hand suddenly pulling her back.

Confused she turned and looked to her brother, he simply pointed with his mouth gaped open up to the canopy. She followed his gaze, she saw the distinctive red waving leaves of a weirwood growing wild. She smiled, those leaves reminded her of home and safety, without hesitation she loped forward and grasped the carcass making her way towards the weirwood tree. Robb followed not sure what he should be feeling.

Several paces through some rough underbrush they emerged in the shadow of the Weirwood. Both siblings immediately felt reverence, they knelt in front of the tree and silently prayed to their Gods. The rabbit lay at Sansas feet some of its blood smearing over the white roots that snakes along and through the ground. The tree drank up the blood which splashed over its roots while the Starks prayed. When she finished Sansa opened her eyes and looked up at the tree feeling potent energy coursing through her body.

"Let's move our camp here Robb"

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Robb collected firewood while Sansa brought over the bags they had each taken from Winterfell in haste. Neither had packed adequately in the hurry and it showed when Sansa rifled through her bag. While Robb collected wood Sansa hid the bags among the roots and walked all around the tree, looking around the wood in awe. The reverence she felt for the old gods swelled within her as she seemed to feel the heartbeat of the ground pulsing through her feet and out from the tree itself. In that single moment she felt connected to every living thing around her, it was a euphoric feeling. The trees rustled as if trying to speak to her, eager to whisper their secrets in a language entirely different from her own. Curiously she put her ear to the trunk of the tree and felt an energy suck her through time and space. The world lurched and spun, she heard voices speaking to her but their words whizzed through her mind barely able to catch and hold them to remember. Her pulse rose quickly as she felt overwhelmed and as she began to feel nausea bubble in her stomach she wrenched her head away from the tree and shakily knelt amongst the roots as her vision made the world spin. Sansa heard Robb crashing around collecting wood and steadied herself before walking back around to sit underneath the tree.

"Maybe next time I won't be so keen to hear what the tree is trying to tell me" she mumbled to herself as she sat amongst the bone white roots.

At that moment Robb stomped into the clearing, his arms laden high with branches of varying sizes. Sansa looked up and watched him awkwardly approach, she smiled as she watched him struggle to contain the bundle of sticks. He dropped them across from Sansa and began to sort through them, he glanced at his sister and immediately looked worried.

"What's wrong? You've gone all pale"

Sansa shook her head, "Nothing, I think I'm just- I'm hungry" she replied as her stomach growled loudly again, she placed a hand over her stomach and looked at it as it turned and growled.

Robb laid the wood as he looked at his sister with a scrutinising gaze, "Not for much longer, we will have that rabbit of yours cooked in no time"

He placed another piece of wood on the fire but Sansa leant forward and held back his arm.

"Robb, no not that piece please"

Shocked at her action Robb looked at the piece of wood he was holding, it was long, straight, and bone white. A fallen piece of Weirwood. He retreated his hand from placing it on the fire and placed it carefully to the side.

"There's another piece there Robb," pointed Sansa to the pile by his side it was hidden amongst other branches. Robb removed the second piece and laid it beside the first. Sansa picked them up and sat them on her lap looking intently at the wood as Robb continued to build and light the fire.

"Do you have a blade in your bag?" asked Sansa without looking up, her fingers traced barely visible patterns in the branch.

"I think so, look in the pockets" answered Robb absentmindedly as he laboured to get the flames happily burning.

Sansa pulled Robbs bag closer to her and easily found the blade, with a deep breath and several thoughts of how she might be going crazy she began to work on the wood.

Time seemed to fly, Sansa etched intricate patterns in the two Weirwood branches, the rabbit was cooked and the grumbling in their stomachs subsided for the time being. Robb nodded off by the fire and Sansa sat in the moonlight entranced by the progress she was making. When the moon was high in the sky and her body was wracked with fatigue the blade fell from her hand and she fell into vivid dreams.

The following morning Sansa fluttered her eyes open and groggily sat up, twigs and leaves littering her long, cascading auburn hair. Rubbing her eyes she felt a wave of fatigue roll over her like she had run from Winterfell to Kings Landing and back. Robb sat across the fire skinning a fresh kill and smiled when she rose, he did not speak though as he was in the midst of preparing their breakfast. It was almost like a prayer to Robb, a ritual that does not need words to ruin the process.

Putting her hand down to rest on the ground Sansas hand grazed against the carved wood, immediately her gaze was drawn down. Slowly she picked up the two wooden branches and was immediately struck by their detail and beauty. Both were completely unique, one was decorated with a wolf and delicate flowers while the other was a flaming wolf with unusual symbols she had never seen before. Turning them over in her hand she was astonished at what she had created, and while she marvelled at them Robb spoke without looking up.

"What have you made Sansa?"

"I don't really know," said Sansa sleepily, feeing slightly confused, she held them out in front of her upright, "they look like staffs. But for what?"

Robb glanced up for a moment before going back to threading meat on a skewer he had carved.

"They don't look finished whatever they are"

Sansa turned them over her hands again and noticed the designs stopped abruptly. Without a thought she grabbed a blade and continued the carving. She only stopped when the rumble in her stomach growled as the food crackled on the fire next to her, and ate gratefully of the tasty meat Robb had caught for them.

Crunching on a bone Robb looked thoughtfully at the staffs now resting against the Weirwood tree.

"They need something on top of them," he mused, "like a stone"

Sansa looked at her creations, then at Robb and smiled, "Where am I going to find a stone?"

Robb shrugged, "Was just a thought. We need to leave today. If we stay too long in one place we risk being found"

Sansa pulled the tasty fire roasted meat from her skewer and chewed thoughtfully. Birds chirped over their heads and flitted between the trees, the flowers surrounding the clearing swayed cheerily in the wind. This was the most at peace Sansa had felt which was ironic considering they were on the run from homegrown enemies.

"Before we leave let's pray," replied Sansa indicating the tree above them, "it wouldn't be right to leave without it and who knows when we will find another tree the further south we go"

Robb considered Sansa from across the smouldering embers while he devoured his breakfast, casting a brief glance up at the tree waving its branches above them. After a moments consideration he nodded.

"You're right, it was my favourite part of the day back home. All of us coming together, unified, strong…."

His voice trailed off as homesickness washed over him, his face turned melancholy. Sansa leaned forward with a reassuring smile.

"We are still strong Robb, just because we are apart doesn't weaken us. Come, you'll feel better once we pray"

While Robb had carefully packed their bags, Sansa bathed herself in the cold stream nearby and braided her hair, then brother and sister stood beneath the wild Weirwood. Sansa smiled while looking up at the tree and Robb looked to her. The sunlight dappled her face and made her ice blue eyes shine bright, he felt her warm hand grasp his and she drew him closer to the tree. Kneeling together they released each other's hands and spread them among the roots and bowed their heads in prayer. Several minutes passed as they silently prayed, the trees around them grew silent and even the birds seemed to hold their breath. The Stark siblings continued their prayer and slowly light began to radiate from beneath their fingertips. The light streamed forth and slowly entwined along the gnarled roots under their feet. The light from Sansa was emerald green and from Robb was fire red, on and on the light from their fingertips radiated and swirled throughout the entire tree engulfing it's entire form in green and red shimmering energy. At the point the tree was brimming with powerful magical energy there was an explosion of power from the tree which rippled outward and sent waves of energy throughout the clearing around them. Shimmering, glittering flecks of light rained down on Robb and Sansa, at this point Sansa opened her eyes and watched in amazement. Robb slowly stood and held out his hands as the energy rained down on them. Both were lost for words.

Slowly Sansa stood and looked around in amazement as a chorus of birds exploded into song, serenading the Starks as they stood, alone under the shimmering Weirwood tree.

Robbs mouth gaped open as he looked all around, his eyes fell on something laying underneath the tree. Gently he grasped Sansa's shirt and directed her to look in the same direction.

"Sansa, were those there before we started prayer?"

Sansas eyes lit up and she smiled widely in disbelief as she threw herself back to the ground to cradle the glowing stones in her hands. As she enclosed her hands around them, the weirwood roots opened themselves slightly allowing Sansa to remove them.

"The tree has gifted these to us Robb, they're to go on top of our staff, just like you said"

Reverently Sansa looked up to the tree and gently placed her delicate hand on the tree.

"We will return to you one day, thank you" she whispered and the leaves above her swayed softly on the wind as if replying to her.

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They travelled far over several days, stopping only during the day as the sun peeled over the horizon to hide and sleep in caves or in hollowed out trees. It was uncomfortable to travel this way, but it was the safest. The worst of the bandits lurked during the day, and majority of travellers carried out their passage during the day also. The less people to spot them, the better. The extent of Sansa's shape changing was known to none other than Robb, and he wanted to keep it that way. It would after all help conceal her identity when she was to travel alone. And a woman travelling on her own, even if she can fight was a dangerous thing.

After riding all night the sun had begun to lighten the sky in front of them, Robb pulled up Sansa with a thought. She snorted in reply and stomped her foot, she wanted to continue on.

"No," said Robb quietly, "we stop here Sansa, for this is where we must part"

Silently he slid from her back and patted her long slender neck. Slowly the horse disappeared into the forest surrounding them and shortly after, Sansa emerged in her human form.

"We need to find somewhere to rest" smiled Robb tiredly as they looked around, "but where?"

"Use your wolf senses," said Sansa tiredly, "a wolf would be able to find the right place"

Robb nodded and closed his eyes, he had never gone into a wolf dream on purpose before it just happened when he was dreaming. Sansa pressed a staff into his hand and stepped back.

"Use the magic in this Robb, I know you can"

His hands clasped around the bone white carved wood, it felt welcoming and comforting to touch. Immediately his senses heightened and he smelt prey on the wind, he heard men camped over the ridge and the dirt beneath his paws. Cantering the terrain around them he found a cave with a fault in the rock ceiling providing them an opening so they can have fire. Satisfied he returned to his body and grasped Sansa dragging her up a rocky ridge.

They collapsed from exhaustion when they found it, and Sansa began to close her eyes. The exhaustion was different for her because she was the one physically running in another form for the entire night. Robb watched her slip easily into a deep sleep and he slid down further using his bag as a makeshift pillow and felt his eyelids shutting rapidly. In moments he was in a deep sleep.

The pair were woken once the sun had been long set by a long, mournful howl of a wolf when the moon was high in the sky. Sansa stirred and poked her head out of the cave to be greeted by a flurry of fur, Lady and Greywind had rejoined them after they disappeared on a hunt. Sansa cried tears of joy having been worried for their wolf companions since they had departed. After many tearful hugs with their animal companions the small group settled in the cave.

"I feel like they're here now for a reason," said Robb sombrely, "tonight is when we part ways Sansa"

They were huddled in the cave which was crowded now with the two large dire wolves by their side. Sansa's fingers entwined Lady's fur as she looked the most serious she had since the night they escaped.

"Yes I know," she said quietly, "but I also feel like Lady and Greywind are here for another reason too"

Robb turned his head in question, unsure of what she meant.

In answer, she drew the stones out of her bag and held them out in her hand.

"We need to put them on our staffs before we part ways. I saw something in my dream state, I don't understand what it means exactly but I think-" she breathed out a deep breath, "I think our staffs and the magic within them will keep us connected somehow. So even though we will be apart we can stay connected to each other with our magic"

"I have no idea how this all works," said Robb with a confused smile.

Sansa chuckled, "Neither do i, we are learning as we go along. But this is what I saw, and eventually when the others have theirs…."

"The others?"

Sansa nodded, "I saw us all with our own staff, each unique but they will connect us all somehow and strengthen our magic. We don't need them to wield our magic but they will strengthen us in ways I don't understand"

"The old gods," muttered Robb in response, "they live in the Weirwoods, we pray to them every day and we will each hold a piece of them with us. That must be it?"

Sansa shrugged, "I don't really know, I just know what we must do next"

Grasping the staffs resting against the cave wall Sansa held Robbs up to him.

"What do we do?" questioned Robb with uncertainty as his eyes grazed along the intricate designs of flames and wolves on his staff.

"We can't stand up to do this and we have to stay hidden, we can't let anyone see us using this magic," said Sansa seriously, "people despise what they don't understand, it will put us in danger. We will do it here, make fire Robb"

Breathing in deeply and exhaling loudly Robb opened his hands flat in front of him. Within seconds a flame sprung from his palms and danced happily, lighting up Robbs face with a strange red glow. Sansa had no idea what she was doing but followed what her vision was showing her, she held the staff in her hands in front of her and released it. To her surprise it remained mid air, floating in the space between her and Robbs flame. Without hesitation she produced the flame red Ruby which glittered in the fire light. She held it in her palms and again released her hands and it too remained in mid air. Smiling in disbelief and encouraged by what they had achieved so far Sansa watched unsure what to do next.

Nothing happened, the staff and the stone just floated in the air, the flames on Robbs hand crackled and danced. Sansa closed her eyes and felt the energy of the wild Weirwood rush through her again. She prayed to the Old Gods, head bowed, one hand on Lady, one hand on Greywind. Suddenly the flames on Robbs hands leapt into the air and burned brighter, the staff and the stone began to gravitate towards each other. The stone twirled as it approached the staff, sending prisms of light dancing along the walls of the cave as the light from the flames reflected all around them. Robb watched in awe as the stone connected with the staff as Sansa prayed, at the point of contact Robb heard a loud click and a spray of sparks shot out from the staff. The flames in his palms immediately retracted into his skin and he reached out and grasped the staff, he felt a wild, powerful rush of energy run through his body making his hair stand on end. He shivered with a jolt and Sansa opened her eyes, they glowed an otherworldly blue, piercing and icy. Robb was taken aback at her strength and ability.

"How did you know to do that?" he breathed in shock, she simply smiled and shrugged.

"Now do as I did, exactly as I did" replied Sansa pushing her staff and emerald stone to Robb.

Gingerly he took them, while Sansa held out her hands and flowers grew from her palm and magical butterflies flew all around them. She smiled encouragingly to her brother, he put his staff in his lap and followed her actions.

To his amazement the staff and the stone floated in the air for him too, he bowed his head and silently prayed to the old gods. Sansas staff and stone twirled towards one another in the same manner, and clicked together loudly causing a flock of butterflies to emerge from the staff and fly around the room.

Sansa exclaimed in surprise and grasped her staff with excitement, Robb opened his eyes and exclaimed in surprise. The flowers growing from Sansa's hands entwined the staff and blossomed into luscious pink and white flowers. The butterflies danced around the lush foliage before the flowers, vines and butterflies slowly faded and retracted into the staff. The siblings each looked over their staff with wonder, how would they use them?

"What now?" asked Robb.

"We will learn how to use them, but we have to do that alone. It's time I left, Highgarden is waiting for me"

Robb looked somber, "And Casterly Rock for me"

Sansa placed her hand on Robbs leg reassuringly, "Father wouldn't send you there if he didn't think you could handle Tywin Lannister. There's something you need to learn there Robb, embrace it, you have a piece of home with you, don't be afraid"

Robb traced his hands over the patterns of his staff while he stared at Sansa, he smiled slightly.

"I never thought I'd see the day my little sister would tell me not to be scared"

Sansa laughed louder and shoved him playfully before getting serious again.

"I am going to miss you," for a moment she also looked unsure.

"I'll miss you too Sansa, like you said though we won't really be apart"

He indicated to their staffs, "Even though we have no idea how to use them, we will be connected"

Sansa used hers to hoist herself up, "Yes you're right. Come, we must leave. I can smell a group of strangers and I don't think they're the kind we want to encounter"

Slowly they edged out of the cave and climbed down the rocky wall to the darkened forest floor. Sansa was right, a short time later some men crashed loudly by their hiding spot. Luckily, they weren't seen and remained very quiet. The wolves had bared their teeth but remained silent as well, another sign these were men they didn't want to be seen by. When Sansa was sure they were gone she led the way out onto the road which waited for them to journey on alone. The siblings stood bathed in moonlight as they said their goodbyes, they each had their staff to lean on and the light of the moon made the stones on them glitter with unearthly light. Reluctantly Robb hugged Sansa before whistling to Greywind and trudging along the River Road towards Casterly Rock. It would be a long lonely journey, but one he had to embark on. Sansa watched him for a moment, Lady sat at her feet until the dark of night engulfed him and he was gone. After several minutes Lady looked up at Sansa and whined enough for Sansa to hear. Sansa gently patted Lady and smiled.

"Yes we will be on the move now, there are more people approaching"

She slipped into the trees and a moment later emerged as a large chestnut direwolf, Lady ran towards her and nuzzled against Sansa's wolf head. Together the wolves ran into the dark of night, disappearing into the darkness.

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Jon lay in his hard, cold bed and stared at the ceiling. Sleep would not come easily to him tonight, his entire body ached, his mind was fatigued but he was still awake. He turned in frustration and heard his room mate stir, the soft, round noble born was grateful to be paired with Jon. And so was Jon he felt some level of protectiveness towards him, he had been targeted by Ser Alliser and the other recruits since his arrival. Jon didn't think it was fair. Yet as Samwell tossed in his bed, he was still asleep and in that moment Jon envied that. Huffing in frustration he sat up and swung his legs out from his bed and braced his aching head with his hand. He still didn't know if coming here was the right choice but the vision was still clear in his mind and deep down he knew these difficulties would eventually give him the answers he desired. This did not make his current reality any easier, constant taunts and attacks by Ser Alliser Thorne sapped at Jon's energy making constantly fighting and defending himself tiring. He refused to give his bullies the satisfaction of giving in, or worse deserting. No, he would stay and he would show them, all of them. Ghost lay on the ground by Jon's bed and looked up at him with strangely expressive eyes, he reached up and licked Jon's hand reassuringly. This made Jon smile, he wasn't alone not really, not when he had his direwolf and the Old Gods. He still prayed to them every day, he didn't have a Weirwood but he felt them all the same. The further north he travelled the deeper his reverence for them became. Sitting for several minutes reflecting on his arrival to the Watch was enough to tire Jon, lots had happened and he was sure many more things would happen. Especially as the time to take his vows drew ever closer, which made him nervous, butterflies rose in his gut when he thought of this happening. And he didn't know why, all he knew was he had never taken such an oath before and that was scary for him. Swinging his legs back into bed he laid down again and closed his eyes trying to sleep, but thoughts of his vows kept creeping in. He saw himself kneeling in the snow under the Weirwood North of the Wall, saying his vows. He is interrupted by a gust of wind and snow which cuts him off from sight, as quickly as the snow comes it swirls away and Jon is no longer watching himself. Instead, a woman is sitting with her back to him, a woman with long dark hair.

Cautiously he picks his way forward and marvels at how he can really feel the snow crunching under his feet and the cold of the North biting his skin. Snow falls lightly around him as he approaches her, his heart is pounding in his chest and he feels anxiety through every part of his being. Is this who he thinks it is? Jon walks around the woman and comes to stand in front of her, he looks at the woman and she slowly raises her head to look up to him. The smile that breaks across her face exudes nothing but relief and love, which does nothing to reduce the anxiety brewing in the bottom of his gut. He steps forward and gingerly speaks.

"Who are you? Why are you here?"

The woman smiles even wider, and holds out her hands, "Jon, it's me. Your mother"

Jon steps forward again, and reaches out to touch her but as he encloses his hand around hers and opens his mouth to speak he is abruptly pulled from the dream.

A shock of cold brings him back and he sits bolt upright in bed screaming in agony, laughter rings all around Jon as he sees the culprit. Ser Alliser grinning down upon him, the hatred barely contained in his malicious smile. Jon was dripping wet, Alliser holding a now empty bucket, the other recruits sniggering around him.

"Wake up call Snow, get up" sneered Ser Alliser as he stalked from the room hurtling the bucket to noisily clatter on the ground, leaving Jon to seethe in his bed. Samwell hastily stood and made his bed before kindly handing Jon some spare cloaks.

"They'll be much too big for you Jon, but it's the least I can do" he smiled shyly and quickly scurried from the room. Jon stood and felt anger rise in him like a furious flame, he huffed deep breaths of anger and fury. He was so close, he was touching her and she was ripped from him...again.

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Willas Tyrell spent his mornings tending his hawks, hounds and horses. It was almost a morning ritual for him and he didn't feel right without it. His fondness for animals and other living things was a blessing for a Tyrell. He was encouraged to become familiar with the animals around him and the plants that brought them gold. Unlike his brother Loras he didn't put much stock into fame and glory from tourneys, although he didn't begrudge his brother for his fame. He supported his endeavours and wished him all the best, while the attention was on Loras it gave him the chance to focus on his own interests. In some ways Loras' fame relieved Willas of pressure to be the same, and so Willas spent his days in the gardens and with his animals.

The sun was rising low in the sky, bringing another warm and pleasant morning which would bring the perfect conditions for their crops. The yields in the fields had been diminishing of late and with winter on the horizon this was not good for the Realm. So many depended on their crops to survive, and the pressure was mounting that this years yields wouldn't be enough and many would starve.

Making his way high up on the walls of Highgarden castle Willas enjoyed the feeling of the sun on his skin and the sweet scents from the gardens below. He often spent his mornings here enjoying the quiet and peace before his grandmother started ordering him around. He knew she meant well but her schedules were exhausting, useful for learning to rule his region, but exhausting all the same. These moments to himself were precious, and too short. Leaning on the battlements he gazed out across the fields which undulated into the horizon. Soon the workers would flood the fields to harvest and turn over the soil. Inside he hoped, he prayed, it would be enough.

All of these thoughts swirled in his mind and uncertainty gripped his heart while he gazed across the fields to the horizon. He often stared at the same point, where the long road that winds through the fields reaches the castle. That long road, which brings the gold from the crops and the workers from the field who harvest the crops. So many have traversed this road, including his ancestors, kings and queens alike. He stared and stared, lost in his thoughts. Despite fixing his gaze there for several moments he didn't notice the darkening of the fields, the swaying of the crops as they bent towards the road seemingly with a mind of their own.

A lone figure was walking the long road, a dark speck at first which began to take shape. This is what caught Willas' eye, every step the figure took the fields flourished and reached out to touch them. Birds flew overhead singing a melodious song, vines and flowers began to flourish all over the castle walls. Willas stepped back in surprise as the wall he leaned on exploded with blossoms and butterflies. He had never seen something so intense and beautiful in his life, heady scents of flowers filled the air and he leaned forward straining to see who the figure was. He was still too far away to see, all he knew the figure was a woman. Something rose within him like wildfire and he found himself unable to remain in his favourite spot. He hobbled at haste to the castle gates as fast as his crippled leg would take him.

The approach to Highgarden was beautiful, the rolling hills of crops eager to taste her magic and the creatures of the forest and fields who, attracted to her magic, chose to follow her. Sansa walked towards Highgarden feeling reverence for the earth, the crops grew at an unreal pace as she walked by. The emerald atop her staff shining brilliantly in the sun, her blue eyes twinkling like shining stars from the brilliant sun. Hundreds of birds flew overhead singing a hopeful, joyous melody filling the air with the sweetness of their song. The enormous flock flew ahead of her and circled the castle, Sansa could see people peering off the battlements in wonder and she smiled. This was one way to make an entrance.

Coming to a stop at the bottom of the hill which lead up to the castle gates Sansa stood and smiled, and slowly placed her staff in front of her. Wrapping her hands around the staff she closed her eyes and began to pray to the Old Gods. An emerald shimmering wave of light emanated in all directions from her as far as the eye could see. In response, the crops doubled and then tripled in size, fruits grew before the workers eyes, vegetables and grains swelled like none had ever seen before.

The castle gates opened and Willas gazed down at Sansa, watching her intently, and even before she opened her eyes his heart had blossomed to love her. Olenna slowly stepped out from behind him, her mouth gaped open in shock as she looked at the birds flying overhead singing in joy, the fields with more yields than they'd ever seen and this Stark girl at the centre of it all. Flowers rained down from the sky at the crescendo of the birds beautiful song, and the people watching from the battlements unable to contain themselves any longer erupted in a cheer.