SANSA

Her new direwolf, Ice was trotting happily beside Sansa´s horse. Sansa had decided to name her after her father´s Valyrian steel sword, in honor of his memory. Ice was looking so much better than she had been when Ghost had brought her to Sansa two weeks ago.

Sansa was riding beside Jon, who was chatting with Ser Davos about what they could expect from the lords of the North. Ser Davos was a little worried that the Northern lords would want to side with the Bolton´s. But Jon agreed with Sansa that they would need the lords of the North to hold the it against outside forces.

Sansa was a little worried about Ser Davos, she didn't think that he would betray them. But she had learned that his son Devan, who was serving as a squire to Stannis was one of the missing or dead after the massacre near Winterfell along with Shireen Baratheon. Sansa hoped with all her heart that they would find them alive and unharmed. But the odds were not in their favor.

They were surrounded by the men that had followed Stannis to the Wall and survived the massacre of the Baratheon army. After seeing Jon step out of the fire with four dragons, they had all sworn themselves to him. They were know calling him the prince that was promised and Stannis´s red woman, Melisandre was preaching that Jon was going to save the world from darkness. Now Sansa didn't put any faith in prophecies of any kind, but she was glad to have around hundred more men to fight for their cause.

They had taken of their Baratheon finery and put on clothes more suitable for the Northern climate. They had learned their lesson on the dangers on fighting in the Northern winter in their fine southern summer armor. Sansa and Satin had taken charge of making sure that they were well supplied for the journey. She and Satin had also made them new colors to signal their allegiance to Jon. They now were wearing emerald green and bronze. Sansa thought it a good an idea that while they weren't sure of Jon´s parentage, Jon should where Rhaegal´s colors.

Sansa had also made Jon new clothes in Rhaegal´s colors. She had to admit, he looked good in green and bronze. But she had also made him a cloak like Ned Stark had always worn. Sansa could still feel the blush heat her cheeks when Jon had smiled at her and thanked her for the cloak.

Jon and Sansa were almost to the holdfast of the Flints of the mountains, where they would meet the mountain clans, the Glovers and the Mormont´s of bear island. After that they would travel to White Harbor to talk to the Manderly´s, Reeds, and the Hornwoods. She was very nervous, but she had managed to hide it very well. Her heart also felt lighter than it had since her father had been arrested.

She had talked to Jon about everything that had happened to her in the past years. It had been terrifying at first, but when she had started to talk to him, she hadn't been able to stop. It felt good to have someone to confide in that she knew without a shadow of a doubt, would never break her confidence.

She looked up to the sky when she heard the shrieking of the dragons. Jon´s hatchlings had started to fly just before they had left castle black, much to Jon´s relief. He had told her that he didn't intend to put them in cages or anything of that sort. Sansa agreed with him, like direwolfs, dragons didn't belong chained up or in cages.

But the dragons hadn't been the only reason they had stayed for a few days at Castle Black. Jon had wanted to put his affairs and that of the Watch in order before he left. He had announced to the black brothers that since he had been murdered, he was now released from his vows and they would have to vote for another Lord Commander. His former brothers didn't seem happy with that. Jon was very well liked by the remaining nights watchmen, but they had consented and voted Eddison Tollet as the new Lord Commander. Much to Edd´s unhappiness, not that Sansa thought that Edd was happy about many things.

Jon had asked the new Lord Commander to write to the Lords of the North and tell them that Jon had been released from his vows, so that he wouldn't be beheaded on sight.

Sansa had decided to keep the pink letter, as it was now known as, so that they could let the lords of the North know of the letter´s contents. Sansa doubted that if they had any honor left, that they would ignore it. They would be honor bound to rescue Rickon, who was by rights their liege lord and to defend her own honor. Ramsay had threatened her, the daughter of the man they had loved and respected, the daughter of Eddard Stark. And now the Bolton bastard was holding his son a prisoner.

Suddenly there was a loud shriek from one of the dragons. Sansa looked up and saw the red, golden and black one, Charon, dive for Jon, who was sitting on his horse beside her. The dragons had grown so much in the last two weeks, that now only one of them could occupy his shoulder at a time.

Charon curled around Jon´s neck and gave a loud hiss at whatever there was in front of them. The others flew up higher and out of reach of any arrows that may come their way, but Sansa could see that they were ready to swoop down and breath fire on whoever was coming at a moment´s notice.

Sansa sat up straighter in the saddle. The former Baratheon men surrounded them in case they were being attacked. Soon, riders appeared on the horizon. As they grew nearer, Sansa recognized the sigils of the First Flints. Jon stopped their escort and waited for them to approach them. As the men of the Flints grew closer, Sansa could see their faces as they stared up at the sky. Their eyes were darting between the dragons and the Stark party.

The clan men stopped a few feet away from them, as custom dictated and Sansa, Jon and Ser Davos made their way to the delegation. The Stark party must have made a strange sight. A mismatch of former Baratheon men and Wildlings. Four dragons and one full grown direwolf and a direwolf pup. One of said dragons was still draped around Jon´s broad shoulders, and was hissing threats at the unknown men, and showing them his ink black teeth.

Sansa recognized Donnel Flint at the forefront of the Flint party, he was the oldest son and heir of old Torghen Flint. She had meet him once before at Winterfell, when old Torghen had been meeting with her father.

"Welcome, Lady Stark, lord Snow to the lands of the First Flints. My father and the other lords wait for you in his hall." The man seemed to have gotten over his surprise at the dragons, but he had not gotten over the wonder at seeing them. He had like most others in the world, never expected to see living dragons, as they had been gone for hundred and fifty years before Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow had hatch two different clutches of eggs.

"Thank you, my lord, my brother, our companions and I are very grateful for being able to meet with your father in these troubling times." She replayed graciously and gave him a gentle smile.

Lord Donnel nodded at her with a smile and bid them follow. Sansa looked down at Ice, to make sure that she was following them, and sure enough she didn't seem to have any problems as she darted around Sansa´s horse.

"If I may be so bold, Lord Snow, Lady Stark but where did you get dragons?" Jon had told her that he was very worried about how it would be taken that they now had dragons.

"It is a long story, Lord Donnel." That was the only thing Jon said in his gruff northern accented voice. Lord Donnel Flint nodded.

"And will we be hearing that story when we get to my father´s hall?" Lord Donnel tried to sound disinterested but failed miserably.

"Most likely, my lord." Jon had never been the one for talking on hours at an end. He would rather listen, than speak.

"My lady, my father and I were very relieved to hear that you and your brother were on your way to us. I will be the first in line to avenge King Robb and those who died at the Red Wedding." The young Flint heir spoke with pride in his voice and she was sure that he was being sincere. The First Flints had been loyal bannermen to the Starks for thousands of years. They would not take well to Bolton rule.

It didn't take them long to reach the keep of the First Flints. It was large, but not as large or grand as Winterfell. They arrived in the courtyard of the keep; they could see that the other Lords had arrived. She could see Lord Glover´s brother and heir Robett, Lady Lyanna Mormont was there as the acting lady of Bear island as her mother was missing along with Robett´s brother Galbart. The mountain clans had all come as well.

Sansa would never admit to anyone that she felt a little gleeful at seeing their openmouthed expressions at seeing the dragons. Charon was still on Jon´s shoulders in case something happened, but the others had landed themselves on the towers and battlements of the keep and were looking at the lords in suspicion. They were giving them the occasional hiss in warning just in case they would try something.

The Stark delegation dismounted their horses and Lord Donnel hurried over to her to give her a hand down from the horse. She accepted and gave him a courteous smile in return. As she dismounted, she couldn't help but to glance to where Jon was. Sansa noticed that he seemed to frown in their direction, but he quickly masked his facial expression.

But Charon did no such thing, the red dragon continued to stare at the Flint heir with his golden eyes, ready to defend her honor should the man try anything.

Sansa had grown fond of the dragons. So fond, that when Jon went to Rhaegal and Viserion in the evenings, she was the one to volunteer to watch them. Sansa was sure that the dragons had grown a little fond of her as well. Just before they had left Castle Black and after the dragons had started to fly, one of the more disreputable black brothers had come to her and started to bother her. Just as Brienne was going to step in, the blue and bronze one, Sycorax, had flown in and screeched at the man and started to spit fire in his direction.

Sycorax hadn't killed him or set him on fire, but he had effectively scared the man away, and after that incident none of the men dared to mess with her. Sycorax had certainly put the fear of the dragon in them.

The lords gave her a respectful head bow and she gave them a curtsy in return. "Thank you for having us, Lord Flint, we are very grateful for your hospitality." Sansa´s voice was even and respectful, and she smiled gently at the Lords. It was critical that they help Jon and her take back Winterfell. Sure, with Rhaegal and Viserion they could easily take the North back, but they needed the Lords on their side.

Sansa and Jon had spoken about the bigger dragons in length. And they both agreed that they wouldn't introduce them to the lords until later, and that was only if they committed their men to the Stark´s cause. It didn't take loyalty or bravery to bet on a sure thing.

The Flint of the mountain came forward. He was looking at the dragon around Jon´s shoulders in both wonder and caution. The Flint was a tall man and very broad and had a thick untamed beard.

He offered them bread and salt, and Sansa felt little of the tension in her shoulders leave at that. She knew that the old Torghen Flint would never break guest rights, he was no Frey.

After all the introductions were concluded, the Stark party was shown to the chambers that they had been provided with during their stay. Sansa was glad to know that Jon´s chamber would be located next to hers. She felt better knowing that he was near.

The Flint was holding a feast in their honor, much to Sansa´s private annoyance. After her stay in King´s Landing she had come to loathe all feasts and celebrations of any kind. Well she had attended one wedding that she had kind of liked.

She had just finished getting ready for the feast, when there was a knock on the door. It was most likely Lord Donnel. He had asked if he could escort her tonight and she had agreed. She needed to be as courteous as she could, though she would rather have Jon escorting her to any feast, or maybe even Ser Davos. Sansa liked the older man. He was straight forward with everything he did or said. Which was strange, Sansa thought, he had been a smuggler.

Sansa opened her door and she saw Lord Donnel there, smiling and dressed in his house colors. He offered her his arm and lead her to the great hall. When they arrived at the hall, the feast had already started. Sansa was seated at the high table with the other lords, and as she looked around, she noticed that Jon was nowhere to be seen. Had something happened to him? Had they denied him the right to sit at the high table? If that was so, Sansa would see to it that someone would pay for that insult.

Sansa was in the middle of her thoughts of making sure that someone would pay for the insult to Jon when she noticed him arrive. He had only been a little late to the feast, and no one had apparently hurt him.

But on his arm was young Lyra Flint. She was a pretty girl of thirteen and she had the mud brown hair that was common in the North. Lady Lyra was looking up at Jon with starstruck expression on her face. It was very clear to Sansa that the girl was smitten with Jon.

Sansa´s stomach felt like she had swallowed a bucket of snakes, and she had an urge to claw the girl´s eyes out. But then she noticed the look on Jon´s face. Sansa didn't think that she had ever seen anyone so uncomfortable, not even Brienne when Tormund gave her one of his more smoldering looks.

She had to restrain from giggling. Soon the feast grew more and more northern, which meant that it grew louder and there was a lot of drinking and cheering for the attending Starks. Both Sansa and Jon had been forced to the dancefloor. Once upon a time Sansa would have loved this, a feast thrown in their honor, but now all she wanted to do was to snuggle up to Ice in her bed. Sansa had been forced to leave Ice in her room for the night. The little direwolf was too tired after the long journey here.

But she suffered the dancing with all the grace she could muster. It seemed that the Lords that she danced with didn't notice how little she liked dancing with them, Sansa would die before letting them know. No, all they would see was the gracious daughter of Ned Stark. It did help to see Jon dancing with the Ladies that were attending. Even as a child Jon had been uncomfortable dancing and doing courtly things. And now as an adult who had spent years on the Wall surrounded with men, he didn't appear to have improved his courtly talents.

Sansa would have to help him train his dancing skills, especially if he was the trueborn son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. A bastard son could be excused from being an expert in his courtly duties but not a trueborn son. And if Jon was the trueborn heir, then he may have to make a claim on the Iron Throne. They needed all the men they could get to defeat the Others that were coming for all of them.

"Your brother looks uncomfortable." Lord Donnel was dancing with her now, he was watching Jon and Lady Lyra dancing. Lady Lyra didn't seem put out with Jon for his poor dancing skills. In fact, she didn't seem to notice, she was too busy admiring Jon, that didn't sit well with Sansa for some reason.

"Jon was never the one for feasts and dancing, he is very much like father in that regard." She said with a fond smile in Jon´s direction.

"Aye, I suppose that feast must have been a chore for someone who is a bastard born." He seemed to regret those words as soon as they came out of his mouth. "Not that I have anything against those who are born out of wedlock, but there are many who do not share in that view. As you know that there are many who look down on those who are baseborn, and I cannot imagine what it feels like to be looked down on for something that I did not do."

Yes, Sansa could agree with that. She had gotten a small taste of what it was like for bastards when she had been in the Vale, under the name of Alayne Stone. It had been better for her, because she knew that she really was trueborn.

She wondered what it would be like for Jon, he now had a small hope that he was a trueborn, but what if it was snatched away and he was a bastard of Rhaegar and Lyanna? Sansa hoped for his sake that he was a trueborn, he deserved to have all those who looked down on him eat their word. Jon had accomplished so much in his life, despite being looked down on by others. She couldn't help but to wonder what he could do with a family name, and not just any family name but that of royalty. He could do so much good for the kingdoms.

It was then Sansa vowed to herself to put Jon on the Iron Throne, and help him keep it, whatever the cost. Of all the people trying to claim it, Cersei, Tommen, Littlefinger and more, Jon was not only the best option the people could hope for, he was the only person she had known to hopefully make a worthy monarch.

JON

Jon woke up slowly. He could feel the weight of his little dragons on his back as he lay on his stomach. It wouldn't be long until they would have to sleep outside with Rhaegal and Viserion. Jon wasn't sure how they would take that transition.

Jon was still tried after the feast last night. Ever since had been a boy and understood that he was a bastard, he had hated feasts and everything that came with them. He hated the fact he was shuffled into the corner, far away from his siblings. Jon understood that a bastard couldn't sit with the trueborn children and the visiting lords would find it offensive to be seated near a bastard boy, but that didn't take the sting away.

Jon forced himself to get up, effectively waking up the dragons and letting them slide of his back. They squawked at the indignity.

This would be a hard day. Today he and Sansa would have to convince the lords to fight on their side. Jon knew that if he showed them Rhaegal and Viserion, that the lords of the North would rally to their side. They would want to bet on the winning side, and two large dragons looked to be the winning side. But he and Sansa had spoken about this. It would be better to see who would support them without the dragons and then show the lords that supported them, the larger dragons.

Keep your cards close in battle and in diplomacy, maester Aemon had said. He really missed the man. He had always offered good counsel to Jon, and he had really enjoyed their talks about everything that came to their mind. It had started with Jon asking the maester about dragons and everything he knew about them, but soon they had started to talk about everything in the world.

The good maester had been very fascinated by Jon´s incredible memory. Maester Aemon had really enjoyed testing it by making Jon answer questions about the books he had read and to see if Jon could answer correctly. Jon had, every time.

Jon looked at his dragons, what would the maester think of him now? Having brought more dragons into the world. Hopeful he would have been proud. Jon would have liked to show maester Aemon the dragons. The great glory and grief of his house, maester Aemon had once called them.

Jon hurriedly dressed. He had decided to wear one of the green and bronze doublets that Sansa had made for him. He walked outside and made sure that the dragons and Ghost were following him. It was time for them to go outside and hunt.

The people he met on the way were quick to get out of his way. By now everyone in the keep had heard or seen the dragons and the big direwolf and while they were mostly curious, they were also afraid. Jon walked into the courtyard and Ghost was quick to disappear into the forest nearby, and the four dragons took flight as soon as they got outside. Jon was sure that they were going to harass Rhaegal and Viserion, which they had been doing since they learned how to fly.

Jon had seen them though Rhaegal´s eyes and he could feel the light annoyance of the emerald dragon. But Jon had been quick at making sure that the bigger dragons wouldn't hurt the younger dragons. Rhaegal and Viserion complied, however reluctantly, but that didn't mean that they didn't lay down the law for the younger dragons. No, it was made very clear for them who was in charge, and that was Rhaegal with Viserion coming in second.

Jon made his way over to some of the men that had sworn themselves to him at Castle Black. They were in charge of the wraiths that they had brought with them on the march. Jon knew that he would have to prove to the lords of Westeros that the Others were returning. So, he had decided to take them with him on the march and show them to the northern lords, to convince them to set aside their hatred for the free folk and to fight the common enemy.

When he was sure that the men knew what to do, Jon walked back inside and when to the great hall to break his fast with the attending lords. Then after that they would meet and discuss the matter at hand, getting rid of the Bolton´s. Jon entered the great hall and sat down beside Sansa, who was looking like the epitome of a strong northern Lady. She was chatting with Lord Donnel, the Flint heir.

She gave Jon one of her beautiful smiles in greeting. Sansa was a vision in her grey and white dress, and she had her hair done in the fashion of the north. A single braid that she had laid over her shoulder.

Jon was very glad that the Lady Lyra was sitting with her older brother and not by his side this morning, and instead Ser Davos was sitting beside him. That way he could have a conversation about something else than the latest fabric she had been given by her father. The young lady was nice enough sure but talks of fabric were not Jon´s forte.

Soon the Flint, gathered all the lords and ladies into his war room. Jon and Sansa had decided to bring Ser Davos with them, much to the older man´s surprise.

When everybody had taken their seats, the Flint begun.

"Now, we all know why we are here. To rid the north of the scum we call the Bolton´s." At that the lords nodded and agreed. "But before we begin our talk of that, there is somethings I would like to know."

Jon braced for it, he knew that they would be asking how it was that he was released for his duties and vows to the Night´s Watch and why he had let the wildlings through.

"I would like to know, why were you released from your vows, Lord Snow? The new lord commander wasn't very clear on that." Now all the eyes of the lords were on him, and they were looking at him in suspicion.

"That is a good question, Lord Flint." Jon made sure that he spoke with an even voice. "But perhaps I should answer it in the courtyard, so I may show you the truth of my words."

Now all the lords were looking confused, but Sansa and Ser Davos caught on immediately.

"I think that is a good idea Jon." Sansa said as she stood up and made for the door and forcing the lords to follow them into the courtyard.

Jon walked over to the crate that his men had prepared and stood beside it and faced the lords and ladies.

"Well then my lords, my ladies. The reason I was released from my vows is because of there were some of the nights watch that didn't agree that I let the freefolk on this side of the wall. Even though they knew that we have a common enemy." This statement caused the lords to start grumbling among themselves. They couldn't imagine any enemy that was both against them and the freefolk.

Jon removed his doublet and was now standing in the freezing courtyard in his shirt, but the cold didn't really have any effect on him after all the years on the wall. "You see my lords and ladies, the reason I was released from my vows is because I have fulfilled them. I swore a vow to die at my post, and I did." No one had anytime to object to what Jon said, because he had already removed his shirt. The scars from his stabbing where plain for everyone to see. They were barely healed and easily visible in the daylight.

The lords of the North were too shocked to gasp and just stood there staring at his chest in horror. It was clear to everyone that the wounds had been fatal, and no man could have survived them. Jon put his shirt back on and continued.

"Lord Donnel." As Jon said his name, the man jumped. He looked very startled at being addressed. "You asked me yesterday how I came to have dragons." the man nodded mutely.

"The reason I have them is because, when the faithful men of the nights watch put me on my funeral pyre as tradition dictates, they also put the four dragons eggs that the maester of the order had given me; on the pyre with me. I woke up on the pyre and walked out of it with four dragons." This was met with more stunned silence. Then Sansa walked forward to Jon and addressed the lords.

"Every word that Jon has spoken to you my lords and my lady, is the truth. I was there along with Ser Davos and these good men here that you see here before you. We all saw Jon step out of his own funeral pyre with his dragons." Her voice was firm and strong as steel. She decided to continue. "But that is not all."

The lords were completely silent and didn't dare to make a sound. "When the men of the nights watch intended to execute the men that had murdered their lord commander, Jon order them brought to the other side of the wall to be hanged. Usually he would have taken their heads himself like my lord father imparted with all his sons. But the circumstances required a different approach."

Jon now having put his doublet back on, gestured to one of the appointed officers, who had survived the massacre and made his way to the wall. They were getting ready to open the crate. Jon made sure that he was standing in front of Sansa so the wraith wouldn't get to her. The lords stood there and were looking at the create in trepidation.

Jon´s men opened the crate and let it fall to its side and the body of Wick Wittlestick rolled out of it. The corpse wasted no time in getting to its feet and charging at the lords, who had gone grey and were backing up in a hurry. But before the dead man could reach them, he was yanked back by the rope that was still around its neck. It gave an unholy shriek as it was dragged back into its crate.

"This is the reason I let the Wildlings through the wall, my lords and my ladies. If we don't stand together against this threat, we will all die and become like this wraith. But first we must unite the North under Stark rule. We must go to Winterfell and rescue Rickon Stark, the rightful lord of Winterfell and the Warden of the north."

The lords had been shocked before at seeing Jon´s scars. But seeing a wraith could put the fear in the hardest of men. The Flint stepped forward and looked at Jon in horror. "Is there any way to kill them?" His voice as hesitant and Jon could hear the fear in it.

Jon nodded at him. "Aye, fire, dragon glass and Valyrian steel will do the trick with the wraiths, but we have only killed the Others with dragon glass and Valyrian steel." The man nodded his head and seemed to think it over. The silence in the yard was broken by young Lyanna Mormont, the acting lady of bear island until her mother was found.

She was the only one who wasn't as grey as ash, no she was as stern and steely as she had been before. "I understand that we need to fight these dead men. But let me ask you this Jon Snow. Why can´t the Bolton´s lead us? As far as I know the north is united under their rule." Her voice was hard, and she gave nothing away, but Jon knew her game immediately. She was testing Jon and Sansa, she wanted to see their reaction and if they were worth following.

Sansa stepped forward again and spoke. "My lady, if the north is as united as you say, then what are you doing here, talking to us? If any of you were really behind the Bolton´s then you would have executed Jon immediately and sent me back to Winterfell, but you have not. In fact, we have been given guest rights, and the lords of the North have always respected those rights unlike the Frey´s." Lady Lyanna was looking at Sansa and Jon could see that the young Lady of bear island had respect for Sansa by saying that to her face.

"There is something else that Jon and I want to show you." Sansa took out the pink letter and handed Lady Lyanna. "Why don't you read it to the lords, my lady." Sansa´s voice was kind and light, like she was asking a little child to practice their reading assignment.

The Lady Lyanna opened the letter and started reading it out loud. At first, she had started out strong and confident but then she started to falter. Not because she was having a hard time reading, but because of the amount of horror the letter contained. When she was done reading the letter, Sansa spoke again. "My lady if this is the sort of Lord of Winterfell you want to follow, then I weep for the habitants of bear island. And if this the sort of Warden of the north that the lords and ladies of the north are proud to follow then it is not a north, I want to live in. It would not be the north that my father was so proud of."

"Aye." The Wull was speaking now. "If we let that monster get away with this, then we are no better that him. That bastard cannot get away with holding Eddard Stark´s son hostage and threating his daughter." The lords started to shout their agreements and they started to call to arms.