Just a thank you to all who are commenting, favoriting/following my story and giving feedback. I write these on my phone so sometimes I think they are pretty long chapters. Here is a very long chapter. I don't see this wrapping up anytime soon. I am enjoying my imagination of how I wish this could have played out.*
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As her last trunk was taken out of her bed chamber, Sansa sunk into the armchair in front of her hearth. No fire burning for the first time in many months was a strange feeling. Spring weather was just arrived, and she already wished for the comfort of Winter. A knock at her door shook her from her thoughts. Faerys, her new handmaiden walked across the room to see who had come. Sansa could hear his voice asking if she was available to speak. She had already to Faerys if Lord Tyrion asked for her to allow him to enter and leave them, so when she lifted her head, Tyrion was walking toward her and Faerys was nowhere to be seen. He looked grim and no wonder.
He was dressed all in black and leaving that evening for Castle Black. "Sansa," he said in barely a whisper as he came to her side. "My love, you leave within the hour. Jon sent me." The fiery redhead reached her hand out to caress his face and he pressed her hand against his cheek. "Remember, my lord, do not take the Black unless you receive a Raven stating that I am dead or the queen has refused my request. I cannot very well be your wife if you prematurely sign your life away to The Wall." He smiled weakly. Just the thought of any harm coming to her, made him nauseated. "I promise, my lady. I shan't be able to breathe until the moment we reunite." He pulled her to him and they share a deep, powerful kiss that caused Sansa to feel weak, so thank the Gods she was still seated.
They held each other for what felt like an eternity until they heard a soft knock and the door creak open a few moments later. "M'lady? Lord Snow has sent me. He says you must leave soon and to head down to the courtyard if it please you m'lady." Faerys said meekly with a small tremor in her voice. Sansa arose and Tyrion grabbed her hand as the walk toward the sweet girl, "Thank you, Faerys. Have you said your goodbyes to your mum in the kitchens, sweet girl? This is your first time leaving the North, is it not?" Tyrion was always such a gentleman and spoke to everyone at Winterfell.
Sansa suddenly felt a bit foolish for not realizing the young girl had family, but she had been a bit preoccupied. "Yes, m'lord. She and me baby brother broke their fast with me earlier. I thank you." Sansa felt a pang in her heart thinking of leaving Winterfell again, but she had to go. She could deal with losing control of the North but not losing him; not now that she had finally found someone to love and respect, that loved and respected her as well. She must bend the knee. She had to to save her home, her pack, and her love.
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Arya, Gendry, and Ser Davos had there wagon packed up and ready to leave for Storm's End shortly. Jon stood with them, and 100 Northmen were waiting for Sansa just outside the gates. She knelt down to kiss Tyrion one last time before they left then hugged her sister goodbye. "You take good care of my sister, Lord Baratheon. I love you, Arya. Try not to do anything stupid." Sansa smiled at her sister then searched for her brother.
She looked to Jon, "Where is Bran?" Jon took her arm in his and they walked out toward the gates. She spared one last glance at Tyrion and he smiled for her. "Bran is in the Godswood. He says he will see us soon so there is no need for goodbyes." Jon smiled at Sansa and she leaned her head against his shoulder. "So then he does not see the queen as waiting to kill me?" She laughed, "Well, that's good news." Jon helped Sansa into her carriage where Faerys awaited her arrival, and the caravan headed south to Dragonstone.
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Arya watched as Jon and Sansa's caravan pulled away until she could no longer see them. Gendry held her from behind as she leaned back into him and sighed. "I know you wish you could have gone with them, Arry, but it's not just you that would be going." He bought his hands down to her stomach and she placed her hands on top of his. "Aye. I know they will be fine. Bran said he did not see anything that would make him believe otherwise. He warged into Drogon."
Gendry turned her to face him, "Did he really? Did he say what it was like? Was he flying? Oh, to see what he sees must be amazing." Arya laughed, "I love you, you stupid bull. I mean, it's Bran. He doesn't really go into much detail." "Would you like to know more, sister?" Arya jumped at her brother Bran's sudden arrival.
"I was flying with Queen Daenerys on my back over King's Landing. I landed in the Throne Room and watched as the queen sat on the Iron Throne and she began to weep. She wept for the destruction and death her anger caused. She wept for the loss of her most trusted friends, Ser Jorah and Missandei. She even wept for her loss of Jon Snow. She does not know the conflict Jon is going through. He truly loves her and wishes to be with her, but she is his aunt and he is her nephew. The guilt is eating away at him. She just assumes he no longer feels for her like she feels for him. Her dragon and herself are connected to each other. They can feel each of the other's pain. And I could feel every emotion she felt. She does not want to hurt our sister, but if Sansa does not comply with Jon's wishes, the Queen cannot show weakness, even if it tears her apart from Jon forever. I will meet with the lords and ladies of the North this evening and tell them the only way to save the North is to remain apart of the Seven Kingdoms. They will need to understand and listen to reason." Arya nodded in agreement. She decided to put off their leaving Winterfell for one more day to help Bran. Gendry told her, "The Stormlands have gone this long without a lord, they can last a bit longer." Arya gave him a soft kiss on the lips and he pulled her into him.
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Tyrion met with a ranger from the Nights Watch and said his farewells to Pod and Brienne. "Safe travels Pod, Ser Brienne. Keep me posted on everything and best of luck to you both." He shook his old squires hand for what he hoped wasn't the last time. "You've grown into a fine, young man Podrick Payne. You take good care of Ser Brienne and that child." Pod smiled, "Thank you m'lord. I will do my best." Tyrion turned to Ser Brienne and smiled taking her hand, "Ser Brienne." he began. "Lord Tyrion, I think Brienne will suffice. I very well cannot remain a knight if I am married and having children."
She seemed much more relaxed and at ease than the previous day. "I look forward to seeing my father again. I have sent him a raven to let him know we are coming. I thank you, Lord Tyrion, from the bottom of my heart. You are a great man. I hope you have a safe journey. I bid you farewell." Tyrion gave her a genuine smile. 'Always so serious, that woman.' he thought to himself. As the pair each mounted their horses, he watched the way they acted towards each other. Pod looked over at his lady knight with such pride. He would be good for her and hopefully, she'd allow him to show how talented he was in the bedroom. Oh to be a fly on the wall when that happens. Brienne smiled at her former squire now betrothed, and then they both looked to Tyrion and waved as they headed to White Harbor to sail home to Tarth.
Tyrion turn to the ranger from Castle Black, "I suppose we should be on our way?" The man grunted in return. "I will be just a moment. Pardon me." Tyrion walked past him and towards the Godswood to seek out Bran Stark. He found him waiting for him in the same spot Arya vanquished the Night King. Bran seemed deep in thought so Tyrion felt bad disturbing him. "Lord Stark? I apologize for interrupting your prayer, but I just wanted to say farewell before I head North to Castle Black."
Bran slowly turned his head staring into the half man's soul. "Yes, of course. Do have a safe journey." Tyrion stepped closer, "I was wondering, could you possibly tell me if Sansa will be safe meeting with the Queen? You didn't see what she did to King's Landing: the destruction and death. I just...can't lose her. Not now." Tyrion's voice trembled. "You have nothing to fear as long as Sansa listens to Jon and bends the knee, which I know she will,but I must warn you."
Tyrion's brows knitted together in worry, "The Queen is distraught that you left her, and I know not what she will do when she finds out that you sought out Winterfell to hide away from her. You've wounded her deep in her soul. She loved you, Tyrion." "And I loved her; still do even after all she did. But I love someone else more." Bran tilted his lips into a half smile. "Ah, yes. My beautiful sister. My only fear is that your love for her and hers in return may cause either of you to make Queen Daenerys angry."
Tyrion's heart sank. He did not want to leave her, but what if it was the only thing to do to keep them both safe? "Bran, had you ever been in love, you may very well understand the dilemma I find myself in." Bran looked wistful, past Tyrion, as if deep in thought. "Ah, but I have felt love. But becoming the Three-Eyed Raven meant I had to give up on those feelings." Tyrion was confused, for who could Brandon Stark have been in love with? Bran could see his reaction and almost felt the need to laugh. "I can see by your reaction, I have surprised you. She is but a distant memory anymore. I do sometimes wonder what she is doing." Tyrion smiled, "Well, you ARE the Three-Eyed Raven, Lord Stark. You could always find out."
He knew that. He also knew the hurt he saw in her eyes when she left Winterfell for Greywater Watch. A simple "thank you" was all he could say for he'd had no time to process his feelings for Meera Reed, but years had past and Bran Stark had found his thoughts remembering her face, the tears in her eyes, more often than not lately. "Goodbye Lord Tyrion." was all he would say, then he turned back to his thoughts at the Heart Tree.
Tyrion turned and walked out of the Godswood. Waiting for him was the ranger from the Nights Watch and a horse. Once mounted, he looked around one last time, waved farewell to Arya and Gendry as they watched from the landing where he usually found Sansa, and headed for The Wall.