Yara waits for Sansa, in the no-man's land between her siege lines, and Winterfell's walls. She has fifteen thousand men, a mix of ironborn, exiles, and men from the mountain clans. Grey Worm is marching on White Harbour, with the remaining soldiers. Feeding so many is difficult, but the smallfolk have been helpful, bringing in supplies from miles around . They yearn for the Wolf Queen's downfall. Few of them had joined her, when she marched from Stony Shore, but once she had defeated Sansa's army in the field, the trickle of defections became a torrent. She judges that her enemy has three or four thousand within the walls, and a similar number have escaped to White Harbour, which is held by the new Lord Manderly. Naturally, before the siege begins in earnest, she offered to parley. Qarl, Ser Tristifer Botley, Maege Mormont, and Casporio wait with her, just outside arrow shot from the walls. At last, a postern opens, and Sansa walks out, accompanied by an old woman, a man dressed in black, and two soldiers. The Queen wears a uniform and breastplate. It is fifteen years since she last met Sansa, in the dragonpit. As she approaches, Yara realises just how striking she is. Very briefly, she feels a stab of lust, imagining the woman unclad, in her bed, before banishing such silly thoughts. Sansa is a deadly enemy, not a lover. She never puts her prisoners to such use, in any case. The old woman, she suspects, is Mother Mole, the Queen's seior, and the man in black is presumably, Beria. Both have grim reputations; neither can expect mercy at her hands.

Sansa's party halts, about ten feet distant. She speaks to Casporio first:-

"Do you expect me to greet you with open arms, Casporio?"

He grins, before replaying "I'd sooner you greeted me with open legs, your Grace."

She gives him a look that would curdle milk before remarking "Is the presence of this insect necessary?"

Yara nods at the man, and he steps back a few paces. Yara then comments "You must understand, your position is quite hopeless. I have scattered your army, and the country has risen against you. No major lord remains pledged to your cause, other than Manderly. I will besiege Winterfell for as long as it takes. Surrender to me now, and I promise to spare your life."

Sansa gives a shrill laugh. "Oh yes? I know what you did to my captured inquisitors. You'd burn me on a pyre in my own Godswood, unless you preferred to drown me in honour of your false god; no doubt after days of rape and torture beforehand." Yara winces.

Maege steps forward, before speaking earnestly "Not so, your Grace. By the Old Gods and the New, I swear we would keep you at Bear Island. I promise, we would treat you with all the respect that is due to a lady of your rank. My mother bears you no ill will at all. To us, your life would be as sacrosanct as that of any guest. "

"Your mother, who intends to rule as Viceroy in my place. Why should I believe the word of a traitor?"

"My family served yours faithfully for centuries, your Grace. You drove us, you drove your whole people to rebellion. But, that does not mean we hate you. And think of your daughter, too. Queen Yara has pledged that your daughter will be free to live as she pleases, if you should surrender. She may choose to live with you, or with any of her other relatives. We shall endow her with lands and holdfasts, sufficient for her to live in a manner that is fitting for her station in life. There is more. We have captured your husband, and his life is forfeit. But, if you surrender, we shall allow him to join you."

"My daughter is outside of your reach, and my husband must look to his own chances. Does your generosity extend towards my followers?"

Yara responds. "Those who are accused of serious crimes must go on trial. The rest may go free. You too must stand trial, although I guarantee, you will not face execution."

She sees Sansa go white with fury. "Trial? You presume to judge me! No mortal may do that. I am answerable only to the Gods for my actions! I am their Anointed; to judge me is to judge the Gods!"

For the first time, Yara wonders if Sansa is mad. She tries again "Queen Sansa" (it does no harm to be polite) "I will take any oath you wish to fulfil the terms of a surrender. You will be saving yourself, and your own people, a great deal of suffering. If I have to take Winterfell by storm, my men will kill and rape, and I cannot guarantee your safety. You have my word, however, that I will spare your daughter's life, regardless of your decision. Please, choose wisely; is it peace, or war?"

She stares intently into Sansa's cold blue eyes, her face an expressionless mask. She sighs, "Very well, Yara ", and she feels relief. "I will have peace. I will have peace, when you, your husband, and every traitor in your ranks are nailed to crosses on my walls. I will have peace when Bear Island and the Stony Shore are reduced to ashes. That is the peace I offer you Yara Greyjoy. Get you gone!"

Sansa and her party turn on their heels, and walk swiftly back to the castle. For the first time in her life, Yara actually admires the woman

Note:

Sophie Turner apparently wants to do a sequel, based on the reign of Queen Sansa. Perhaps I should pitch this to HBO. I'd rather like to see her delivering those last lines in this chapter. I've actually rather warmed to Dark Sansa while writing this.