The meeting had been going on for hours. One she had begged Jon to be a part of should things go sour again as the last thing House Stark needed was to create a divide with a House that had shown allegiance to them for years for offering them sanctuary. Out of all the Northern House's, House Manderly was the most southern. They were the only Northern House who did not openly worship the Old Gods, they had the Snowy Sept, and they had originally come from the Reach before being exiled by the then King of the Reach. They had worked hard to be considered Northerner's, but she could see through it. There was hunger in Lord Wylis' eyes.

Sansa did not believe for a moment Lord Wyman wrote the letter offering Wylla to Jon. The man had been shunned twice openly- once from a ten-year-old. Gods, Lyanna Mormont certainly had a tongue on her. No one was spared with her retorts. Yet right now, the only thing she could do was sit and twiddle her thumbs. There wasn't much to do in Winterfell currently. With Jon holding a meeting, and with there being no one asking for assistance, there wasn't much. The only thing she could do was to show Princess Arianne and Lady Mellario around.

That had been a shock to her. She'd never met Arianne Martell, but she had known Prince Oberyn briefly before Joffrey was poisoned and she was whisked away. Being removed from a horrible situation only to be put into a slightly less horrible situation, and finally being subjected to the worst situation she had been in. Just thinking that it might not have happened had she not asked her mother to talk her father into permitting the betrothal.

For a long time, the only thing she had wanted was to be Queen.

Yet now? The thought made her feel sick to her stomach. Whilst it hurt that Robb had denounced her from succession of Winterfell, a part of her was grateful too. It somewhat protected her but knowing there was someone below her feet in a dungeon who wanted exactly that for her. At one point, she had been a dove. Yet now? Her wings had been clipped and she had grown fangs. Sansa was not going to be a pawn in the game anymore. Ever since her father had been executed, the only thing she had wanted was to go home.

Despite being back in Winterfell for well over a year now, it now felt like home again. When Petyr had ridden with her to wed her to Ramsay to curry favour with Roose Bolton, she had walked into a building that was both familiar and unfamiliar. Not seeing Ser Rodrik or Mikken, nor were any of her siblings running around with her parents watching fondly from overhead, nor was Old Nan there with her famous pies filled with spices and onions and kidney. No face was one she was familiar with. Now though, one of her brothers was back in the castle, and some bannermen she recognised from childhood when they had come to visit.

People greeted her as she walked through the corridors, greeting them as she went as was expected of a Lady. Making her way into the great hall to see a few of the Vale men in a heated argument. Moving just close enough so she could hear what was being said but far enough that it was not noticeable.

"He'd better banish those savages."

"He won't, for some reason he pities them. Have you heard what they're saying? That Snark's and Grumpkin's are coming to kill us all? Hah!"

"Never mind that, it's only a matter of time before we're commanded to leave. Lord Robyn is not pleased his deceased mother's husband is in a cell alongside the breaking of the betrothal between Lord Harrold and Lady Sansa- "

Now, she decided to make herself known.

"I apologise, I could not help but to hear what was said. What is this about a betrothal between myself and Lord Hardyng? To my knowledge said match was insinuated, and it was insinuated he would wed Alayne Stone, bastard daughter of Lord Baelish. Tell me, can a betrothal be broken if it was made under an alias or was never officially agreed upon?"

Both froze as her voice echoed, her words being loud enough to catch the attention of a few others in the room. Good, because it meant the scheme was outed. Sansa had only stated the last section she had overheard because she wanted to work on what was said. Of course her idiot cousin was not pleased, nor was Lord Harrold. The heir of the Vale had tried for weeks to win her affections yet in truth, all he had done was disgust her. His actions in the meeting with Princess Arianne only accentuating how much of a spoiled brat he was. She'd been betrothed to a spoiled brat before, if she could help it, she was not going to be stuck with another.

"My Lady, it was set in stone. We've seen the papers ourselves- "

"Really? I would like to see them. Because I never signed anything of the such."

They opened their mouths to say something before admitting defeat. Being able to see immediately they were bluffing and were trying to get out of the predicament they were currently in.

"I see from your sigils you are members of House Tollet and House Grafton. I will be alerting your head of House of such talks."

Anger deepened in their eyes but she paid them no mind. Turning around and walking away to find the only man who could've been spreading such a rumour. It did not take long to do so, finding the blonde haired brat in his room with Lady Anya who cast her a hateful look. Sansa quirking an eyebrow because that look was about to be wiped from her face with what was really happening and what she was going to offer the woman.

"Please excuse my abrupt appearance, my Lady, my Lord, but I have a question to ask."

"Ask away, my Lady."

Did he honestly think speaking nicely was going to win her over now? Immediately masking her expression to disguise the disgust that was desperate to bubble to the surface.

"Why are the Lord's of the Vale insulted that I 'broke' a betrothal that was never agreed and was only brought up a grand total of once, my Lord?"

Lady Anya's head snapped to her nephew at the words, the Lord simply smiling fondly.

"A betrothal is a betrothal, my Lady. You agreed to wed me and then proceeded to break it- "

"I signed no such betrothal, nor did I agree to one. You agreed on a betrothal with Petyr Baelish because he offered you a way to get the Eyrie, didn't you?"

His face contorted at her words into one of anger and fury. That was enough proof her guess had been correct.

"Lord Baelish was your protector, my Lady- "

"My protector? You kid yourself, Lord Hardyng. He betrayed my father, he betrayed my mother, he betrayed my aunt, he was serving House Lannister through it all, he framed me for Joffrey's death before whisking me away to the Eyrie where I was almost thrown from the Moon Door itself, and he sold me to the son of the man who assisted in my mothers death, my brothers death, my pregnant goodsister, and many of our bannermen. Do you remember my confession in the Eyrie? Of how I watched him throw my aunt through the Moon Door to her death who was his wife and that he didn't do so to protect me but to take power in the Vale?"

He began spluttering now, not liking her words or tone in the slightest. Was this how Jon felt when Lord Wylis was scheming behind his back? If it was, Sansa somewhat understood why he had been so irritated by it. Not that she was pleased with his choice to do so because she wasn't.

"You forget a crucial thing, my Lord. I was stripped of all titles and holdings by my brother by royal decree, something which I have asked his Grace not to revoke. You are the heir to the Vale, heir. Not the Lord of the Vale, that honour lies with my cousin. He sent his men to assist House Stark in reclaiming the North for ourselves, if you put on one more show like you did in front of Princess Arianne, the King will hold true to his promise."

"A bastard King- "

A loud smack echoed in the room, momentarily wondering where it had come from. But then Harrold shot a hateful look to Lady Anya who Sansa noticed had a bright red face in a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

"King Robb legitimised King Jon, if you call him a bastard in my midst it will be more than the back of my hand against your cheek nephew."

"But the betrothal- "

"My Lord if you wish a betrothal you will need to request it of my brother. My brother is my King and my King decides my fate."

Like that would happen. Jon knew she despised him, and with him openly insulting not only him but Princess Arianne, all whilst throwing a tantrum, it would never happen. He knew it too as he huffed loudly before stomping from the room. Her words to Jon not long before spinning in her head. Spoiled milk indeed.

"My Lady, I would like to apologise on behalf of my nephew. I was told differently."

"If you don't mind me asking, what were you told and who was it that told you?"

Sansa walked over and took the remaining seat there now was the other occupant had left over a wounded pride. She'd been betrothed to a madman, wedded to a dwarf, and married to a monster. She was done as far as marriages and betrothals go unless it was absolutely needed. And even then, because of her removal of titles the decision did fall to Jon as her closest kin.

"I was told by Lord Robyn when we were stationed at Moat Cailin that he signed an agreement to have you betrothed to Lord Hardyng and that you would consent to such when the battle was won, All of us were told such, but I see now that is a lie. It truthfully was only brought up one?"

She nodded in confirmation, but information was spinning in her head. Robyn decreed the betrothal? Wonderful, that added a whole other issue on top of everything. Her spoiled cousin likely believing that she would feel indebted to the Vale and therefore deserved to give them a reward back. Whilst a part of her understood the logic, this was not the case. If anything the Vale siding with them was an apology for refusing to aid in the War of the Five Kings. The only one who had joined was Ser Robar Royce and he had sided with Renly in it.

"Aye, when I was still posing as Lord Baelish's bastard daughter. It was agreed for Alayne Stone, but Alayne Stone never existed, my Lady. Tell me, do you not find it strange that the heir of the Eyrie would accept a betrothal with a bastard? Especially because he has just shown his distaste for bastards."

And the seed was planted. Watching as Lady Anya's face went blank to hide her own thought process from Sansa. But the little time she had spent with the woman whilst in the Vale, knew she was smart. Way smarter than she was which was not something to be ashamed over. There is always room to learn and grow.

"You believe my nephew plans to usurp Robyn, don't you?"

"I do, as much as I hate to say it. My cousin remained in the Eyrie to ensure things run smoothly there and put Lord Harrold in charge alongside Lord Baelish. The latter has proven to be a duplicitous snake considering he is currently locked in a cell beneath this castle. However, House Waynwood should not suffer because of a member of another House being related through blood. With words spoken by Lord Harrold, he is no longer on my brothers council, if you would like the open spot, I can ask his Grace to consider you."

Sansa deliberately left out that part had already been agreed, but she couldn't bring that up just yet. The best way to play the game are to do so in such a way that the other players are unaware.

"Let me speak to my nephew, I will see if I can talk some sense into him. You mentioned how he insulted your brother and Princess Arianne, what was said exactly?"

"He was incredibly offended when Princess Arianne offered terms to my brother. Whilst I won't disclose what these terms are as her arrival was not precedented, I'd imagine she will be discussing with his Grace at the soonest availability. His exact words were she dared to make demands of a King. At this point, his Grace warned Lord Harrold by saying he needed to allow her to speak her terms. But what caused it was when Princess Arianne stated she would not go to war against her youngest five cousins, and that the eldest was at the Citadel. Your nephew laughed and his exact words were 'a woman at the Citadel?!.' Then my brother said if he did not keep his opinions to himself he would be removed. Instead of heeding the warning, Lord Harrold proceeded to leave the table, deliberately scraping his chair against the wood and storming from the room."

As she continued, Lady Anya's face cracked and by the end she was pinching the tip of her nose hard and shaking her head in anger. Quiet anger was terrifying, her father was always like this when he was berating them as children. It was her mother who was the loud one when it came to that. But Sansa managed to keep her face steady despite picturing the kind face of Eddard Stark pursing his lips in anger and almost growling his words like he were really a wolf.

"Where is his Grace? I would like to apologise for my nephew in person, my Lady."

"His Grace is currently holding a meeting with Lady Wylla Manderly and a few other people. When I see him I will ask him to send for you."

And then she left, making her way to her own bedroom and once the door was closed let out a short yell. Hands reaching to her cheeks and pressing down hard on the skin to the point she would probably have finger indentations but right now, Sansa did not care about that. Even in a cell the snake was sowing dissent amongst them all. Her cousin was under the impression he would wed her which meant his mind had been changed. And there only was one person who could've changed said persons mind. There was only one thing she could do, speak to him. Her skin immediately tingling at the thought like she had thousands of bugs crawling all over her. How long she remained in her room, she could not say. But when she did leave and made her way towards the dungeons she found Jon nearby.

"How did it go?"

"Relatively well considering the circumstances. Where are you heading?"

He fell into step beside her but she didn't say anything in case anyone overheard what was about to be said. Both walking down into the underground tunnels where one side moved to the crypts and the other to the dungeons. Only once they had each grabbed a torch and closed the door behind them did she speak.

"My cousin agreed to the betrothal and told all of the Vale Lord's."

Jon was quiet for a few seconds before the words hit him, cursing loudly in response.

"Please tell me you are joking?"

"I wish I was. After Lord Harrold's stunt in the meeting with Princess Arianne I decided to speak to Lady Anya like we discussed and he was there. She wasn't pleased by my arrival but when the truth came out of what occurred she moved to our side. I have no idea what he was telling her before I arrived, but I will find out. She was shocked that the betrothal was discussed a grand total of once and she confirmed Robyn is the one who agreed for it. He believes the Vale need to be compensated for their assistance in taking back Winterfell."

"If anything it's them apologising for refusing to help Robb."

Good, he thought exactly the same as she did on this matter.

"We can't afford to lose the Vale though. We're stretched so thin as it is, the more support we have the better."

"Is it a void that can be filled by the Dornish that have sworn to us now?"

"It's not about numbers, Jon. It's about the politics behind it. If we lose the Vale I now know my cousin will be greatly insulted and may just back either Cersei or Daenerys. Speaking of the latter, have we heard anything from her yet? It's been a while since Maester Aemon sent the raven."

"No response yet but she's focused on the southern throne. I know at the least she will not attack the North as her uncle is here and is treated well. He's lived in the North for numerous decades, he may as well be a Northerner himself now."

Whilst she'd never say so aloud, she agreed with the last statement. Maester's were sworn to the castle and not to specific people, which meant he had free reign to speak about the south or even other castles in the North. He did not hold back in any way, snorting in amusement when he had ranted over Stannis practically allowing Dragonstone to rot as he never wanted it. Sansa enjoyed his company, their shared hatred of the vipers nest that was Kings Landing allowing them to bond.

"Lady Anya is going to speak to Lord Harrold. I can't guarantee it will work but I did say I would bring it up with you, I didn't tell her we'd already agreed on having her replace her brat of a nephew."

It was silent after this, walking deeper into the dungeons before they were stood directly in front of the one Petyr Baelish was in. He'd been in here for a couple of months now, and it showed. His already slim frame was now terrifyingly gaunt, making the bones under his skin pop out and making him look like a body that was close to skeletonising. But one thing hadn't chained. That grin he always wore on his face nor the way his bright green eyes glinted against his pale skin.

"The King in the North has finally paid me a visit, it seems."

Jon didn't say anything other than opening the door but making no move to remove the shackles which kept him within. Staring down at him with a look that reminded Sansa so much of father and even beginning to feel fear herself. Deciding right then she was never going to anger Jon if she could help it if this was what he was like.

"My sister wishes to pay you a visit, and I'd take a hundred swords willingly before allowing her to speak to you alone."

If his hair wasn't jet black and instead a dark brown, she could've swore he was their father reborn. People also said so in Winterfell, remarked it was one of many reasons her mother hated him so. That he looked more of a Stark than her trueborn sons did as all inherited red hair apart from Arya. Stepping forward as little as possible to remain close to Jon still.

"What did you tell my cousin to have him agree to a betrothal without my consent? He was set on wedding myself when he came of age yet now he is insulted that I 'broke' a betrothal with Lord Hardyng."

He chuckled lightly which only made that crawling sensation strengthen, having to fight everything within to not break in front of him as that was what he revelled in. After all, a broken person is much easier to manipulate than a person who was whole.

"I have no idea how you came to such a conclusion, my Lady. I only ever wanted what was best for you- "

"Cut the nonsense and flowery words, Lord Baelish. I may have been a slow learner, but I have learned the ways of the game. You wanted what was best for me because you want me to be your wife. You may fool everyone else, but not me. I am far passed being fooled by those who will do everything in their power to get what they want. You want the Iron Throne, and you want me by your side when you take it."

Despite her brother remaining quiet, she could feel his rage getting higher. Reaching over to touch his hand gently so he wouldn't do anything rash. Simply waiting for the snake to say something.

"You have always wanted more than you deserve. It is why my grandfather took pity on you and offered to take you on as a ward in Riverrun. It is why you pushed my mother and aunt apart by playing on their emotions towards you. It is what led to you being cut down by my uncle after daring to ask for my mother hand in marriage and afterwards putting a bastard into my aunts belly."

Jon's head snapped to her at the last portion, she had never revealed that portion before. Already knowing he was going to quiz her on it later.

"So, I will ask once again. What did you tell my cousin to have him agree to the betrothal without my knowledge nor my consent?"

Anger was rising within her now, threatening to engulf her like a raging inferno. But she was a Stark of Winterfell, and the last time there was a hot-headed Stark ended in a war. Whilst her uncle had been justified in his actions, he had done so the stupidest way possible.

"Lord Hardyng will make a fine husband- "

"Fine husband indeed. If what you consider fine is an overgrown six name-day old that has never been taught the word no before."

His eyes hardened at this retort, clearly heavily insulted she had called him out on the absurdity of it. Beginning to make sense of what was happening but wanting words from the man in shackles to confirm this was the case. It would be all that would be needed to execute him immediately and it would win the Vale to them out of loyalty. Lord Baelish wanted power, and to get power, one must remove all opposition. Her cousin being in his way. Sansa was surprised to realise she felt no fear for this. Whilst Robyn was family, she didn't know him well, and the little time she had known him he had been as far from pleasant as possible. With Robyn out of the way, the Eyrie and Lord Paramount position fell to Lord Harrold. Now, a horrifying thought entered her mind, was he in on it? If he was, it certainly explained why he was furious with her refusal to cooperate with what he believed was his. That was something else to keep in mind. But with him being a puppet of Baelish, he would be free from duties in the Vale as he would no longer be needed as a regent. Someone under his thumb, and no more ties to the Kingdom in question leaving him free to get more power. He'd taught her that the best way to figure out if a person was truthful or not was to work through all possibilities and narrow it down to the worst that seemed the most probable. For many, the scenario she had thought of now would be out of the question- but not for him.

"With Lord Robyn's troubled health, he agreed that he was no longer the best solution to the matter."

There it was. Hidden under the words but Sansa saw straight through it. He wanted Robyn dead, which meant they needed to get a raven to him to warn him of the danger immediately. Despite this worrying thought, she smiled a little and bowed her head before leaving with Jon. He'd remained strangely quiet, clearly leaving her to her own devices on her mission. Once they were outside, he walked into the crypts and she followed him. Only a Stark was permitted to walk through the crypts, so anything could be said in here and no one would know.

"He's planning to kill Robyn."

"What?!"

She tried hard to hold it in, but the incredulity in his tone was funny and a small snort left her. Making their way down the lengthy corridor towards where the newest statues had been carved. She'd not come down here since they had lay Rickon to rest.

"With Robyn dead, his regency is at an end as Lord Harrold is of an age- "

"Which leaves him free of his duties there."

"Indeed. We need to keep a closer eye on Lord Harrold. I wish it not to be the case, but if he is at the least aware that means he is complicit- "

"And we can't afford to lose the Vale."

A smile formed on her face at this, proving that just like her, he was a fast learner in these things. Whilst he was still a lot more brash and wasn't in tune with the finer sections of politicking, compared to before the difference was noticeable.

"Speaking of relations, you called Lady Anya is his aunt but isn't she technically a cousin removed?"

"She is, but due to her being considerably older than he is she considers him a nephew and not a cousin."

Jon hummed at this, signalling he understood where the Lady was coming from.

"I'll have Ser Davos keep an eye on him, he's apparently attempted on a few occasions to make friends with him but you know Davos."

That she did. Despite him being a lowborn from Flea Bottom, Jon had picked his Hand good. Ser Davos did not mince his words and he was incredibly clever. But not wanting power for himself, only wanting what was best for everyone, which in this shit world was rare.

"There's one good thing about it, if he is in on it, he'll be shunned by the Vale and my cousin will be grateful to us again and will not be so offended by everything."

Both turned a corner and Jon grabbed another torch to light it before handing it to her as well. Seeing the statues and recognising the names from recent Stark history. There was their grandmother Lyarra's tomb, with their grandfather Rickard's beside it. The statue looking a lot like Jon and their father but as she had never known him personally, whether it was an accurate portrayal was something that could not be confirmed. Then there was Brandon's who died with his father via Tyroshi noose, their aunt Lyanna who was the only female of their line to be given a statue. According to the stonemasons that worked in the statues, her father would not take no for an answer in having one commissioned. Her father always said Arya looked a lot like her, but looking at the statue, she didn't seem to be as wild. A dress carved onto her with a single winter rose that had been pressed on the front.

"Father never spoke about her."

"Nay, he didn't. Only that she was like Arya."

The next statue they both paused as they looked at where their father was buried. Neither saying anything as they took it in. Eventually, Jon reached over to light the candle in the statues hand and stepping back with a strange look in his eyes.

"It doesn't look like him. Which makes me wonder if the others are accurate."

"The expression is correct but something isn't right about it, that much I will agree on."

Sansa looked to the side, being saddened by the next section. Whilst there was a statue, Robb's body had never been recovered from the Twins. Nor had her mother's. All she did hear was that they had chopped off Robb's head and replaced it with Grey Wind's and they'd thrown her mother's body into the river in a mockery of Tully funeral rites.

"I almost broke my vows when it happened. Sam, Grenn, Pyp, and Edd had to ride after me and convince me back."

"I'd expect nothing less. Who are Grenn and Pyp?"

"They were two lowborn's from elsewhere in Westeros. One was caught poaching and the other stealing a wheel of cheese for his starving sister. Both died in the battle of Castle Black. Pyp took an arrow in the throat and Grenn perished assisting in killing a giant."

There was no use saying anything else on the matter, moving down to where Rickon was buried and staying for a few minutes before making their way back up to the castle. Once again, there was a commotion in the courtyard and both were cleared a path to see what it was, ignoring the warnings of the guards that clearly it was a mummery. A young woman, a tall woman. Whilst not as large as Brienne she wasn't far from it. With a spear in one hand and a sword on her hip in a battered sheath. But it wasn't this that caught her attention. Beside her was a young man in a cart. Tully blue eyes meeting her on and for a moment, she allowed her stoic expression to fall as utmost glee overcame her.

"Bran!"

She ran over immediately, everything around her seemingly coming to a halt as people realised who this was and what it meant. Arms immediately wrapping around him which he reciprocated awkwardly. She hadn't seen him since she had left for Kings Landing, and gods, had he grown. He had their mothers physical features but there was no denying he had their fathers face. Jon had said Sam had let him through the Wall but she hadn't dared for a moment to believe he was still alive. Yet here he was, in the flesh. Frantically looking him over for any injuries and sighing as none were visible.

"It's good to be home, sister."