And Now Their Watch Begins

by nickahontas

After their death for the Battle of Winterfell, three Starks wake as children. Winter is coming and the dead with it, but King Robert Baratheon is making his way North after the death of Jon Arryn. Sansa must work with her siblings to convince the North that the real danger lies beyond the wall. Originally published on AO3, decided to post here too!

1. Prologue

Prologue

The Night King prowled across the godswood. The trees crackled around them with dragon fire. Ghost was injured and bleeding atop a burning log, too broken to save himself. Jon had died at the hands of this thing before her, distracted by Danaerys falling from her dragon. Drogon had gone wild with grief and breathed fire on the living and the dead. She'd felt the heat even underground. Sandor had brought Ice, Heartsbane, and Red Rain to her not minutes ago. Everyone was dead.

Sansa was supposed to retreat to the crypts with the old and young. She was supposed to wait it out until the food ran dry then lead the remaining people south. The dead didn't swim. They were to break the ice and make for the coast. Perhaps try to meet up with Nymeria. Jon had hoped that Rhaegal would protect them after his death. The green dragon tried, but with a mangled wing the wights overran him in minutes. She couldn't bring herself to hide. This was her home. She was the last Stark alive.

The Valyrian steel axe was unfamiliar in her grip. Brienne and sweet Pod had taught her the basics of a sword and dagger, but never an axe. It had belonged to some Iron Islander, then Tormund Giantsbane, then Sandor Clegane and now her. It was far too heavy for her frame.

Sansa glanced from Ghost to the Night King and back again. Ghost was all that was left of her family. The Lady of Winterfell would not let her last kin die in pain. She darted to the left, but before she managed even a step, a sharp, cold pain erupted through her belly.