Hey Everybody. I hope you all had a good holiday season. Big shout out to me Beta MSquared79. She really knows how to bust the kinks out of the chapter and make it all the better. I hope you enjoy.


Daenerys

Despite the demise of the Night King and his power, the coldness of winter did not yield. Daenerys had experienced a winter once before when she was a child living with Viserys in the Free Cities, but that was a light chill compared to what struck the North. It would still be many years before the sun would shine strong enough to melt what felt from the sky.

The storm came as a surprise to most except the Free Folk. They could read the signs days before it happened and if it wasn't for them than many in the castle wouldn't have been prepared for it. The cold winds outside bit like a wolf and the snows began to pile up to heights nearly as tall as a person could stand and they would only keep rising.

The windows of the castle were bared to keep the cold out and the little food they had was distributed lightly among everyone. Some of the Free Folk and Northmen braved a journey to hunt but it had been too long since they left.

Yet against odds, a lone raven from the south had come with a message from Bran, reporting on their progress.

Daenerys was with Sansa and Rickon in the Lord's chambers. Gilly was watching over Matthias and Aemon for her while she had to attend to her duties. Maester Wolkan joined them along with the new Captain of the Winterfell Guard and acting Master at Arms, Harden. Harden was one of the last survivors of the Red wedding left alive. He joined the Brotherhood without Banners after the massacre but returned when Jon and Sansa raised an army to fight the Boltons. He was seasoned and only a few years older than Jon.

They all gathered at a table in the room. Daenerys, Sansa, and Rickon were the only ones seated when Sansa broke the seal and read aloud what was written.

-We have crossed Moat Cailin and are near the borders of the North. Jon and I have each attempted to reach Drogon's mind to bring him with us, but he is in great anger. As for why we do not know. We will be arriving at Harrenhal within the fortnight and King's Landing in another after that.

-Bran

Daenerys could see that Sansa didn't like reading that they were getting closer to the border. Jon may be a Targaryen but he was also a Stark, and Stark's have not favored well going south for the past few years. She didn't want him or Bran to leave at the worrying feeling that something would happen to them like what happened to their father and eldest brother.

"Everything sounds alright," Rickon noted.

"So far," Sansa replied. "As long as Bran is with them, I doubt there will be any surprises." Still, things going exactly to plan was a rarer thing in the world than dragons. But the anticipation of that chance was like standing on the edge of a cliff or the Wall, waiting for something to push you one direction or the other.

Drogon's behavior was a fine example of that. The connection the dragons had with Daenerys was a kind that allowed her to feel what they did. Ever since Jon departed, all Daenerys felt from Drogon was anger and she couldn't understand why. Her attempts to connect with him were in almost in vain. The only thing that changed was her understanding of what kind of anger it was. It wasn't rage or wrath, but more into the category of him being upset or disappointed.

"I hope the King or Lord Brandon figures it out soon," Harden said. "We've had word that the dragon's been scaring some folk near Castle Cerwyn and the Crofter's Village in the northwest. There's been no killing, but people are starting to grow afraid that there might be."

Daenerys thought back to when her dragons had grown out of her control in Mereen. The death tolls were low, but there shouldn't have been any, to begin with. She couldn't let that happen again. "Send a reply to them at once. Tell them I will keep trying to do what I can.

"At once, your grace." Maester Wolkan swiftly left to tend to his duties.

"What about our food stores?" Sansa asked. "Has the there been a final inventory?"

"Yes, my lady." Harden's face hardened before he told them. "With what we salvaged and what wasn't burned by wildfire, we have enough food for less than a year."

With what they had before, there was enough food for half a decade thanks to the support of the Reach, but that was all they could spare.

"We can't ask the other Houses to give any more than they already have," Sansa informed. "We'll have to search for another source."

For once, there was a way out of the mess they were put in. "We can look east for that answer. The Bay of Dragons is far enough south that the colds of winter don't reach. We can establish a trade for grain and other food."

"I'm not certain we can afford to, your grace," said Harden. "The coffers of Winterfell lost much to fund King Robb in the War of the Five Kings."

"We have enough," Sansa informed. "The coffers of the Dreadfort had much and we took what was owed."

"And if the crown needs to, it shall assist with the burden of fundings," Daenerys said. There was much that the rebellious Master's had that they no longer needed.

"It doesn't matter if have enough " Rickon interjected. "Euron Greyjoy's fleet is still out there and until it's dealt with the seas are unsafe." He slouched in his chair. "Until the war is won, we can do nothing but wait."

As irritating as it was, Rickon was right. While Sellswords and wildfire were in King's Landing and Pirates roamed the seas, they couldn't take much action except to fight. "We may not be able to send a large group, but we can sneak enough ships through their lines. Both fleets of ships will be gathering for battle and the narrow sea is big enough for an envoy to sail by unseen."

"Yes, that can work." Sansa agreed. "Harden, see to it that a message is sent to White Harbor. We'll send five ships to go and return with they can before we're able to safely send more."

"At once, my lady." Harden excused himself from the room.

"If that's all," said Rickon, "I'm going to find something else to do since outside is too cold." Given that most of what could be done was outside, there wouldn't be much but Rickon left all the same. Sansa got up to follow after him, but Daenerys stopped her.

"Sansa," Daenerys called, "could you stay for a moment?"

"Yes, of course." While the others left, Sansa remained seated next to her.

Daenerys waited until the closed behind Rickon to speak. "Sansa, I meant to speak with you earlier, but the chance seemed to slip away."

Sansa didn't respond. In fact, she retreated into herself, knowing what was going to be said.

Daenerys knew the morning after Sansa had left to see to Edric that more than what was intended had happened. It was surprising to her given what she was told happened with Ramsay Bolton. Such acts leave scars that can not be easily mended and healed. "I won't prod if that's what you wish. But if you want to talk about it…"

"If I had done what I did with anyone else, I wouldn't have to. But it was with him. I just don't want to sound like I'm making excuses or justifications for why either."

"Then I won't think of them as such. Just try telling me what happened first."

"First? What happened first was I saw him duel Jon at the Dragonpit." The duel that won Jon the crown of Aegon the Conqueror.

"I remember that duel. They both used castle forged sword instead of Valyrian steel to avoid hurting the other." That never sense to Daenerys. Castle forged steel was just as sharp but not as durable. "Edric wanted us to take in his son, Arthur, as our ward if you could beat Jon."

That got a smile out of Sansa which was something to start with. "I don't why, but I just found myself drawn to him after that."

"He's handsome for one, a skilled fighter, noble, if he were a knight I would consider him a gallant one."

"Well, yes there are those things but I meant… I found myself drawn to him time and time again. We would talk from time to time and it felt wonderful."

"To have a friend among allies?" Daenerys guessed. The two were never always the same, especially in these times.

"Yes. But he was married and that is all I wanted him to be. A friend. But after the bodies were brought me just… got carried away."

"If you're trying to tell yourself why then getting carried away isn't a good enough answer." Daenerys took Sansa's hands, trying to comfort her but also counsel her. "Are you hoping to use this against Edric somehow?"

"What? No, of course not. I wouldn't ever do something like that."

"Are you planning on blaming him for what happened?"

"No."

"Then if not those, are you doing this in hopes to be his mistress?"

"Daenerys, what are trying-"

"Did you enjoy it?" Daenerys looked at her straight in the eyes but kept a calm expression about her.

"I… I did."

"Was it to comfort him from his grief?"

"I think so."

"Did you do it because you're in love with him?"

Sansa didn't answer immediately. Her eyes fell away from Daenerys, pondering for an answer. "I don't know. It just happened and I didn't want it to stop. Daenerys, before we met, I married to Ramsay Bolton. The things he did to me still scar my body without marks. They scar my mind. It felt good. It made me… forget about how I first felt it with Ramsay."

"It felt good to feel loved instead of used?"

Sansa nodded silently.

"There's nothing wrong with that. If anything you should think better of yourself. Such experiences are rare for women in our position."

"And that's what worries me. In my position, I should not be doing things such as that."

"You're starting to sound Tyrion now, and not the part of him that is enjoyable to listen to." Despite her saying that Tyrion did always work so that everyone could be satisfied. And Daenerys wouldn't mind one of his witty remarks right now. "But I understand your concern. We have to think about what we do, about every consequence of our actions. But I want to understand why you're worried."

"Why shouldn't I be?"

"There's nothing to worried about."

"Daenerys, I laid with him just days after his wife died."

"If you think yourself a whore seducing a widowed lord, then your head is in the wrong place. What you did was pull him out of his grief. I heard about how he was acting before you went to him. And now he's near to who he was before he saw his wife's body. If you're worried what people will think of you if they find out, then you're being foolish. Sex isn't just a form of lust, it's love. The Dothraki do it openly before others beneath the open sky."

Sansa's eyes widened and her brow shot up hearing that. "My mother raised me to be a proper lady. To be dutiful and pure. I don't want to ignore what she taught me to be."

"And as a lady, is it not your duty to care for those under your protection? I'm not saying go lay with everyone in grief, but to have that much of a bond with Edric to do that is a great thing for the two of you. You feel uneasy now, but go to him and I promise that when the sun tonight, you will not feel a shred of the shame you feel now."

"How can you be sure?"

Daenerys smiled at her. "I've been keeping an eye Edric these past few days. He's been caring his children, helping them through their sadness. If it weren't for you, they would be just as lost as their father." Daenerys let go of her good sister's hands. "Go."

Sansa looked at Daenerys deep in the eyes, almost looking for the utmost assurity that she being honest with her. She stood up and bowed respectfully to her queen before leaving.

Sansa looked better than she had in the past few days before she left and it gladdened Daenerys to see it. They both have experienced their share of times people had sought to use them by acting as trustworthy people, so much that it became a surprise when someone genuinely honest came along.

Daenerys's attention was turned to the window where a distant roar of Drogon echoed through. She still had to find out what it was that was making act as he did. But as far as how long it would take, she had no idea.

Edric

Edric's thoughts lingered on what happened that night. He rarely remembered the times when he got drunk and what he did in his state of mind. Unfortunately, that night was one of them. He remembered everything that happened. He despised himself for his attitude towards his own daughter and even more so when he and Sansa had spent the night in his bed.

It wasn't that he was just widowed and moving on to the next woman that bothered him, it was how much he enjoyed the night, how much he enjoyed Sansa. The feel of her skin, the smell of her hair.

Edric couldn't resist a chuckle when he remembered what Ashara said to her at their first meet. 'You have a very soft bottom.' She wasn't wrong, it really did feel like a freshly baked lemon cake.

Edric shook the thoughts out of his head. He shouldn't be acting like this right now. He had been bedridden for days and not once could he think of how to confront Sansa about all of this.

"Papa, what's wrong?" Ashara asked. She was lying down next to him on his bed and Gerold was on the opposite side of him but he had fallen asleep.

Edric had gotten so carried away in his thoughts that he lost his place in the story he was reading to his two children. "Sorry, my love. I was thinking about something. Now, where was I?"

"Ser Duncan is about to fight against the bad knight."

"Ah, yes." Edric scanned the pages of the book and found the words that began the passage of Ser Duncan the Tall acting as Eustace Osgrey's champion in a trial by combat against Ser Lucas Longich who was Rohanne Webber's champion.

"Ser Duncan sat upon his warhorse, Thunder, sword drawn and shield raised, waiting on the opposite side of the river while Ser Lucas did the same but with with a halberd instead of a sword and shield. Any onlooker would think that Ser Lucas would be the one to claim the title of victor. Ser Duncan only wore a dress of mail and few pieces of armor over it while Ser Lucas was decorated in black steel armor. Before the fight began, Ser Duncan chanted his prayer of battle." Edric turned to his daughter. "Do you remember what it is?"

"Oak and Iron, guard me well, or else I'm dead, and doomed to hell." Ashara couldn't memorize her numbers or letters yet, but when it came to the stories, she would remember everything told to her. She held onto Edric's arm, both excited and worried about what would happen next. "Is Ser Dunc gonna win?"

"Let's find out." Edric continued to read. "Both of the knights charged forth into the waters of the river and sounds of splashing were replaced by the clanging of steel. The currents of the water pushed and pulled at the horses, making the knights' attacks be imprecise and difficult to perform. Thunder had acted for his master and kicked Ser Lucas of his own steed, but thrown Ser Duncan into the water at the same time."

"Oh no!"

Edric chuckled at his daughter's enthusiasm. "Both knight's vanish beneath the current. Only glimpses of armor rose up from beneath the surface only to be dragged down again. Until finally, the waters ran red and Egg the squire rushed into the water himself and pulled his master. Ser Duncan was unconscious but alive and Ser Lucas dead before drowned."

"Yay! I knew Ser Dunc would win. What happens next?"

Edric closed the book and set it aside on his nightstand. "We'll find out tonight before bed. Right now, you need to eat." Edric lightly shook Gerold awake. "Gerold, Gerold!" Gerold cracked his eyes opened and groaned himself awake. "Go with Asha and find Ser Raymen and get some food." He helped his son climb over the bed. Arthur remained asleep in his crib, hopefully for another hour or two.

"Aw, do we have to?" Ashara asked.

"If you want to finish the story, then yes."

"Awight papa." Ashara slumped off of Edric's bed, disappointed but also excited to finish the story. She held Gerold's hand and together they made for the door. When they opened it, Edric was surprised by who was waiting outside. "Hello, Sansa!" Ashara chirped.

"Sasa," Gerold repeated or at least attempted to.

"Hello, you two," Sansa said. "Where are you both heading to?"

"We're gonna go get some supper," Ashara told her. "Do you want to come with us?"

"That sounds wonderful. But I need to have a word with your father first."

"Did he do something bad again?" Edric frowned when he was reminded of what he did to Ashara when she wanted to see him.

"No, he didn't. I just need to have a talk with him."

"Alright. Bye bye!"

"Bye!" Gerold repeated.

Ashara led Gerold into the hallway, leaving Sansa standing alone. "May I come in?" She asked, remembering her courtesies.

"You may enter."

She closed the door behind her and found it hard to look Edric in the eye, but she forced herself to.

"Lady Stark."

"Could I have a word?"

"I would like that if we could."

Sansa took a seat next to his bed, the same seat she sat in before they had their night together. "How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Physically or mentally?"

"Both."

"Well, my chest is healing much better now, but the pain lingers. As for everything else, better than I was but at the same time terrible." He took a deep breath almost to breathe in the pain he felt but ready to exhale it all out. He looked over to Dawn. The sword was leaning against his dresser next to First Light. "Dawn had been my family's ancestral sword since before the Age of Heroes. Even before there were knights, to wield Dawn a Dayne had to be worthy of the weapon and the title the Sword of the Morning. I dreamed that I would be the next… but I have never more wrong in my life. I used that sword in my rage to butcher men, not kill them. I vented my anger at my own children using my sadness as an excuse."

"Edric…"

He turned back to look at Sansa. "My father told me that it is not the steel that is the Sword, but the man. I became rusted and broken for a time. And the only thing that could fix me was you." Edric had finally noticed that for every word Sansa had said, he replied with twenty. "I'm sorry, I've been babbling." Then he looked to her, noticing the uneasiness she seemed to be.

"Edric, do you remember what happened when I came to see you?"

Edric nodded to her. "I do. And I remember what happened after."

"I am so sorry for that. One could blame the wine as an excuse but you were the only one drinking. I knew full well what I did and I'm sorry. There's not more I can say besides that."

"Sansa," Edric started. "I don't think you went through with it for the wrong reasons. In fact, I think you did for the best ones. I will never stop loving my wife or the children she bore me. When I saw her body, I lost all feeling of that until the night we had. It made me remember who I was and what I still have in this world. So I like to say thank you."

Sansa had a look of silent shock in her face. She was surprised, but then she started to laugh a little.

"What's so funny?"

"I just didn't think this would go how I wanted. I thought you would be disgusted at me." She looked off into the distance, gathering her thoughts. "I love to be with you. The moments we have had together, I cherish them. But going as far I did, if I was faced with that again I'm not sure that I would. I've had this mindset about everything someone does is to get a step ahead of someone. But when we were together, even if it was just to talk, I didn't feel any of that."

"I can imagine that your life in King's Landing put you on edge."

"You have no idea." She looked back at him. "But I want to be clear, I didn't mean to do what I did because you were no longer bond in marriage."

"What happened, happened. We can't change it. All we can do now is figure out what to do because of it." Edric paused in his words, almost upset at himself for the decision he made. "I think I am falling for you, Sansa Stark. But I don't know if that's what I need feeling right now. I don't want you to be sorry for what happened, Sansa. But I need time to understand what I should do, and then we should do."

"We might not have longer when the winner of the war rises victorious."

"No, we might not. May I ask what you will do after?"

"Well, depending on how things turn out, flee to Essos and just get my children away from all of this or go to High Hermitage in Dorne. My household will live there until I can rebuild Starfall. But until that is determined, could I ask that you allow me and family to stay in Winterfell? I want my children to be safe and this is probably the safest place to be."

"You're welcome to stay as long as you need."

She was always one to impress with her hospitality. It made Edric feel worse with his own and those who served under him. They had been welcomed into the North but only managed to disrupt things constantly.

"I think I should go now. Supper will be served soon." It was a poor excuse to leave, but Edric didn't care. Sansa gave him one last smile, only a small one, before she took her leave from him. Before she left the door, she looked back at him. "Thank you for understanding."

When she was gone, Edric wasn't sure how he felt. He was glad that they had talked and made peace with each other in a sense, but he also felt regretful that things happened as they did. He wished things could have been better between them. But he had a feeling almost like a premonition that this wasn't the end of it. In fact, he hoped it wasn't.


So you may ask, why wasn't this just a Sansa POV since it revolves around her? Because it was easier to write this way and she just got one. I hope I handled her and Edric's moving on well enough. now SHOW ME THE MONEY!