Hey folks! Man is it good to be back! Here is another update and some history notes for you :)

Newport isn't a big place, so it is plausible that Sansa's walk took an hour. When I was there, I walked from the coast to the Avenue where Winterfell would be at this time and it took me about 20 to 30 minutes.

Summer homes were not used when the family wasn't there, so they covered everything with sheets so as to keep off the dust. When the family came back for the summer, the house staff would open the house in the late spring to air it out and ready it for the family. dusting, mopping, any kind of cleaning was done before the family arrived.

A tea house was common in these gilded age homes. it was a small building comprised mostly of glass doors and windows that was situated in the garden. When the weather was nice afternoon tea or even lunch would be served here so that they could admire the garden and enjoy the summer air.

Oreo cookies were introduced in 1912. By the late 1910s they were a popular snack food. Though someone like Benjen with his money would be expected to get something a little more pricey than cookies that came in at 25 cents for a tin.

Soon I will be posting pictures of these things I mention in my history notes as well as in the story on my tumblr so that you can really visualize the kid of world they are living in. More on that when I have something to show for it :)

Hope you enjoy this chapter! - FlamingRose

December 24, 1917- Newport, RI

Sansa awoke to the whistle of the train announcing their stop in Newport. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and grabbed her bag as she got up to walk out onto the platform. It was just as she remembered it from last year. The blankets of shimmering snow gave her new breath and she took it in hungrily. She set her pace towards Winterfell, and prepared herself for the long walk ahead. It was about an hour before she got to the house, but once she did she stared up at it, looking at all its glory and wonder. It was as beautiful as she remembered it being last year. She eagerly ran up the pathway to the front door. There she stood, not sure what to do next. Instead she went around the house and to the back lawn. She stood on the patio staring out at the trees, and the bushes. She looked at the tea house that looked out over the garden. She looked at the tree Robb and Jon climbed in efforts to escape the snowball attacks. She turned to open the French doors that led to the downstairs parlor.

Once she walked into the house she felt as if she were intruding. Everything was covered with cream sheets, a thin layer of dust rested on each one. Her footsteps echoed so loudly in the empty house. Slowly she made her way upstairs, the murals looking down at her from their places on the walls. She held her breath as she walked into the upstairs parlor, the piano covered, the chairs hidden under cream, dust covered sheets. How was it so quiet now when it was filled with chatter and laughter and Bran's playing and her singing? She looked about her. The curtains were drawn to keep the sunlight out. It was dark; everything looked to be in a shade of grey. A thin sliver of light made its way through the crack in the curtain. Here dust particles shone in the sunlight. Sansa reached for them only to bring her fingers back empty handed. She stood there, facing the empty spot where the Christmas tree used to be, the sliver of light barely hitting her hand and then not at all as she let the hand drop to her side as she stared blankly ahead. She didn't understand. Here she was. She was finally at Winterfell. She should have been happy. She should have felt better. She let go of a breath as she let go of the hopeful delusion that this house would change things. Nothing could make it better. She was still alone.

Stark Household

Ned Stark awoke to the beautiful view of his wife brushing her hair at her vanity table. The sun was peering through the curtains as if to get a glimpse of her radiance so that it could be inspired to shine as brightly as she did. It was a peaceful, almost joyous way to wake up. He was devoid of all worry until she caught his eye in the mirror and he realized as serene a picture as she was, serenity was far from her mind. His wife wore a grave expression that told him she was troubled.

"You must talk to Sansa this morning," she stated. Ned sighed though he tried not to.

"I don't know what it is you wish me to tell her, dear."

"Considering how she blatantly ignored my instruction and made us all look foolish and downright awful at the Lannister ball, someone needs to speak to her."

"Why can't it be you?" Ned groaned. His wife arched an eyebrow at him through the mirror causing him to immediately regret the groan that escaped him before.

"She obviously will not listen to me. Perhaps she will listen to you. Besides, Benjen is arriving tomorrow. I have Christmas dinner to plan. I have place settings and linens to go through and children to watch. I will be busy all day. Take some time out of your reading to talk to her, Ned. She's your daughter. Surely if you present an opinion in accordance with my thoughts on this matter, she will relent. Perhaps she will see her wrongs. She isn't stubborn like our other children."

"Well, I am not so sure about that," Ned muttered thinking back to the night before as they were leaving the house. Sansa could be stubborn if she wanted to be.

"Ned, please," his wife asked. He sighed. He could not refuse her.

"Alright, my dear. I will."

"Thank you." She turned back to the vanity to brush her hair as someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," she called. Rickon came into the room gripping something black in his hands. His face was contorted in what appeared to be confusion.

"Rickon, what's the matter?" Catelyn asked her youngest child as he stood in the doorway.

"I went to wake up Sansa," he said, "but she wasn't there."

"She probably went down to breakfast," Ned replied, "she usually gets up much earlier than you do."

"But her bed was made."

"Sansa typically likes to make her bed when she can nowadays. She doesn't like being a burden on Old Nan, especially with the way her back has been lately."

"This was on the floor," Rickon said holding out the black fabric, "she never leaves things on the floor. Does she?"

"Let me see," Catelyn said as she reached out for the bundle. As she let it unfurl Ned recognized it as Sansa's dress from last night. Ned saw Old Nan walking down the hall and called out to her.

"Is Sansa downstairs?" he asked her.

"I haven't seen Miss Sansa anywhere, and I've been all over this house with the new girl dusting in preparation for tomorrow. She's a worker that one." As Old Nan walked down the hall, Catelyn and Ned exchanged worried glances. They hastily made their way to Sansa's room. Everything was as Rickon said: untouched. The red necklace she wore last night was on the table, and the bed was perfectly made. Ned hurried out of the room and back towards his room to the wardrobe to find his shirt and trousers. As he got dressed, Catelyn got out his shoes, and socks as well as suspenders and jacket. She went back to the drawer to fetch more articles of clothing.

"Catelyn, don't bother with the rest," he said as he slipped on his shoes and socks, "There's no time. Just call anywhere you think she might be: Tyrells, Pooles, Lannisters even. I don't care about the phone bill. Don't call the cops before I get back. We don't want to worry them over nothing."

"What if it isn't nothing Ned?" Catelyn said, her voice trembling. He took her by the shoulders and gently brought her to him.

"Let's not think the worst yet, love. I'll be back soon." He rushed past his youngest son as he put on his coat and made his way quickly towards his brother's house.

Benjen Stark's Home

Benjen was enjoying the quiet morning in his brownstone house. The coffee was strong and flavorful, the bread was fresh and warm, and the apricot preserves were the perfect sweetness. He had asked his maid to ensure no one bothered him until noon so he could get some reading done. He was looking forward to the solitude of the day. He was almost finished with his morning paper when he heard his doorbell ring followed by a slightly harried confrontation at his front door.

"He doesn't want to be disturbed!" he heard her insist.

"I don't care! This is important!" He heard his brother say as he stormed into the room.

"I'm sorry Mister Stark. I tried to stop him," she said as she glared at Ned's back.

"It's alright, Osha. I'll allow him in." Osha was visibly peeved at his change of heart, but she took a deep breath and left the room. The girl had a temper, but Benjen could handle a temper if it meant he got the loyalty she gave him.

"A new maid," Ned commented as he caught his breath.

"Yes," Benjen replied, "she's a bit temperamental, a fiery one for sure, but she is loyal, smart, a hard worker, and doesn't take my crap to be crude but honest. What's wrong Ned. You are positively flushed. Don't tell me its business."

"It's not. Is Sansa here?"

"No. Why?"

"She's not at home." Benjen put his paper down and stood at attention.

"Sansa," Ned said, "she's gone."

"Gone?"

"Left. Her room is in perfect condition; bed made and hasn't been slept in. No one saw her this morning. And Rickon found her dress from last night in a heap on the floor."

"That doesn't sound like her," Benjen observed.

"I don't know what sounds like her anymore, Ben," Ned said as he slumped into a chair defeated, "She's been acting so strangely since this summer."

"Her brother is at war. It's to be expected. And who knows where her sister is. Her best friend is curing those on the frontlines. Her cousin is out there fighting for his life as well… It can't be easy for her. It changes a person."

"Catelyn is at a loss. Especially after yesterday's incident. And frankly, I've been at a loss for months. I don't know how to reach her. To be frank, I don't know where to even start looking. All the people I would think her to be with are across the water. I need your help."

"Of course."

"I don't even know where to look next," Ned lamented. He looked tired, worn down, old even. He didn't remember his brother ever looking old before. Benjen was sorry for his brother. He didn't know how to alleviate Sansa's suffering, yet he wanted to so badly…all the people I would think her to be with are across the water…there's a thought.

"I think I know where she might be. I'll make some calls. I will go search for her. In the meantime, you and Catelyn get the house ready for Christmas. Be there for your two boys at home. Keep them calm, distracted. I will be there tomorrow, and if my gut is right, I'll have Sansa with me."

"Call me if you find her," Ned said as he stood and made his way to the door, "And Ben? Please find her."

"I will," he answered calmly, "Go home. Be with your family." He saw his brother out, and then went to find his coat the second the door shut.

"Osha!" he called.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Can you please call my associates at the recruitment centers and the hospitals? Tell them to keep their eye out for a Sansa Stark. I don't want her making any brash decisions she can't take back. If she shows up, tell them they should detain her and call me. And make sure this is kept discreet. I want it to be on need to know basis only. People talk."

"Yes sir."

"Also, I will need a round trip ticket to Newport, Rhode Island. Call ahead at the Newport station and say I will need a second ticket on the way back."

"Newport. She went there? In winter?"

"Osha," Benjen warned.

"Yes sir, I know. I know I should mind my business."

"Then mind it."

"Yes, sir."

"I will be back late this evening. Please wait up for me, and make sure there is tea available upon my return. Also some of those chocolate sandwich cookies you got at the market last week."

"Oreos?" Osha asked, "really, sir?"

"Yes, I love those," Benjen replied almost indignantly, "just don't tell my friends I eat cookies from a tin."

"I'll make sure there is some in the tin then," Osha said as she bit back a smile. Instead of going about her business Osha stood, shifting in her spot before asking, "sir?"

"Yes?"

"Is Miss Sansa alright?" Benjen sighed as he took time to register the worry on his maid's face.

"I don't know, Osha. But she's strong. If she's not, she will be." With that said, he put on his jacket and his hat before making his way out to the carriage that would take him to the train station.