Thanks again for letting me know about the format! Here we go, hopefully editted better as well in gh bright shine of dawn. i dont own these wonderful characters.
have a good one every body!
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Sansa shuddered in her sisters arms before pulling back but not letting go of Arya's shoulders, "Bran?" she asked, fear almost choking the words from her lips, Arya nodded at her older sister, Sansa could feel relief flood her, before, "Jon?" Arya once again nodded, but this time, Sansa could see a small grin threatening to break free of her face, Sansa felt like her world was whole again. Just allowing herself a moment to breath, her family, was safe.
Before her moment was up, Sansa felt Brienne's gentle hand touch her shoulder. "Let's get everyone somewhere warmer. I warn you my lady, it's a gruesome sight, best we move quickly." Sansa allowed Brienne to guide her away from her sister who turned and nodded at the wildling Jon was so fond of before long, they too had moved away and deeper to the crypts. She felt Tyrion take her hand once more, but couldn't begrudge him enough to withdraw from his hold. They still had the dawn and aftermath to face.
As she looked behind her, Arya and Tormund were hold their arms out and standing in front of some of the more gruesome bodies, guiding the children past without having to witness the bloodshed that night. Turning to look forward, Sansa wished she hadn't. It was more than gruesome, it was like the gods themselves chose Winterfell as their canvas, but only had red and brown paints.
Sansa felt bile rise up into her throat, tears crowded her eyes making it harder to see. She felt Tyrion's grip tighten in solidarity, they had to stay strong for those behind them. She swallowed back her moment, allowed her mask to fall and followed Brienne, only focusing on the Lady Knight's back. She heard the gasps behind them as they moved, but assumed that Arya and Tormund were also behind them guiding everyone out.
The journey itself to the great hall was not bad, it looked like bodies had already been moved to make a path for them, she could vaguely here men towards her left grunting and grumbling, but didn't trust herself to be able to see what they were doing. At least the bodies in the crypts, hadnt had blood, only having been bone and rags, the innards and the smell of blood was what really tilted her axis. Part of her was grateful to Arya, having forced her to the crypts. The other part wishes she had stayed and fought with her people. Looking now, she knew she wouldn't have stood a chance. It hurt her pride a bit, but decided not to dwell, she had a job to do after all.
When they reached the hall, Brienne walked in first, Sansa took a moment and followed, inside, there were not nearly as many bodies, in fact, it would be easy enough to move them out. She understood then why they were brought here instead of anywhere else, this place, the heart of her family's home, still stood.
With a deep breath, Sansa started doling out commands. Hoping that, with something to do, those who had been in the crypts would be able to distract themselves and focus on the tasks at hand. "Those who are able, please help us move some of these bodies, we will stack them into piles, those who have been dead for a while can go on the east side near that door, and those who haven't, can go to the west, we will find their names and make sure they receive proper servicing. If you don't feel comfortable, please help gather the children to the fire, keep them safe, guarded and well distracted. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can all disperse and find others."
Sansa removed her cloak and moved forward, handing it to the Gilly who had been placed in charge of the infants, "please, lay them out in front of the fire on this, warm them, nurture them." she held hands with the wildling for a moment before moving to help move bodies. She saw Tyrion about to make a comment, but wisely chose to keep it to himself.
Moving to the side, she saw the first body, Beric. She sighed before walking around him gathering him under the arms. Slowly she dragged him towards the west side. Halfway there, Varys stooped and gathered the man's legs, helping her immensely. Together, without words, they waddled the man to the west wall and sat him against it. Soon, other bodies began to join him, she helped various others move their chosen, and soon, the center of the hall had been cleared. She moved towards the long tables that had been stacked against the windows to protect them, looking towards Brienne, she nodded her head, and with a joint effort, twelve of them were able to move it to the center of the room.
Brienne started to move to the second table, but Sansa spoke then "Wait. Let's all take a moment if you don't mind. We've all had a bit of a night, let us sit and rest." Sansa spoke clearly, though she felt exhaustion from the terror from the night weighing her down.
Brienne looked like she would argue for a moment, but gave a nod anyway. Striding over to a bench before pulling it forward to the table, she gestured and many of the people who had been in the crypts sat heavily, their heads held in hands as they all held back tears. For those lost, for themselves, for the north.
Sansa felt a shift next to her, Tyrion had made himself more comfortable, looking at the wall as he planned something. Only then did she look around and not see her sister or the wild man. She knew better than to be worried, Arya could handle herself, that much was proved by the lack of blood on her compared to all of the others she had seen that had taken part in the battle. Taking in a deep breath, she moved to stand, but a hand held her arm before much movement. She looked down to Tyrion who was looking at the entrance at the western door. There, other survivors stood, the dragon queen, Jon, the blacksmith, and others she couldn't quite place for names. The Queen looked, broken. Sansa tried not to show her emotions on her face, for though she understood this should be a moment when they all banded together, she couldn't help but relish in the sheer defeated look on the Queens face.
Tyrion was looking at the young Queen, relief filled him to his bones, she was alive looking little worse for wear on the outside, but he could see the turmoil on her face. Something had happened. Looking at the faces near her, did he see, Jon wore a look of determination, slowly they moved and following them, two men held what was sure to be what had tarnished the light in the young queen's eye. Jorah was dead.
Tyrion felt sorrow for his queen, but stood up and made room for her next to his estranged wife. Sansa made to stand as well, tDany held out her hand in a manner as if to tell her to stay put. Jon stayed standing. No one spoke, but Tyrion could feel the tension in the room. Letting out a breath, he sighed saying "well, I knew we would live, though, I do wish there had been a way to have saved more, they will be praised and remebered well for helping in the battle of the long night. We are all stronger, wiser and alive now because of their sacrafices."
Jon looked like he wanted to say something when Greyworm rolled Bran into the room, Missandei was quick to her feet, running towards her partner and leaping into his arms. Greyworm caught her, and Jon was quick to move to push Bran farther into the room and out of the way of their well deserved reunion.
Soon, they were all gathered around the long lone table, Tyrion kept looking to the door, waiting with baited breath for his brother to join them. One by one more survivors came through, but none of them the lion he was looking for. From the corner of his eye, he watched Brienne, for he knew she would know the outcome for his brother, but she did not look concerned. Just, tired.
"Tyrion, if you wouldn't mind, regal us with a story, I think.. I think we all need something to lift our spirits." Dany spoke softly, the first words from her mouth in the room. They echoed lightly off the walls of the hall. Tyrion nodded before walking closer to the fire, trying to think of a tale that could lift spirits.
Finally, with one in mind, he cleared his throat to speak, "a long time ago, what feels like ages, I remember the first time I came to Winterfell, with my brother, sister and her family, to see the Starks, Baratheon wanted Ned Stark as his hand, well, the Lannister's weren't pleased, for it should have been Tywin who was chosen, having been the hand previously before Jon Arryn, but Robert didn't care, he wanted Ned." there was a rumbling in the room as those from the north were uncomfortable with the topic.
Tyrion carried on. "That night, after I'd had my way with many a whore in the whore house, and far too much wine, I met a bastard, named Jon Snow." Tyrion felt a nostalgic grin come to his face, "it must be a trait, for all bastards lack in height, though none so much as myself." a chuckle ran through the room. "we spoke that night, so long ago, mundane things mostly, but I tell you what, if you all knew of the journey this man has taken, how he's grown," a shift to the side of him brought the Clegane and Podrick in, and following them, Jaime, Tyrion felt a real smile on his face, unable to keep the tremble of his relief from his voice, Tyrion almost couldnt think straight any longer and so chose to end the story before he'd even begun. "you still wouldn't be nearly as proud as I was, the man who stood guard while I pissed off the wall, the man who became lord Commander, the man, who killed the Night King, to him we are grateful." lifting his hand as if in a toast, "i suppose this means ill have to find a new place to dare to take a piss." Tyrion nodded at Jon, Jon looked confused, Tyrion felt his arm lowering at the look.