"Davos said you had a raven from Lady Stark."

"Yes. It seems that Arya has had several offers of marriage. I am considered Head of House Stark now and, as such, would have a say in such things, although I would be surprised if Arya agreed."

"Her marriage carries a great deal of importance for Winterfell."

"Mother seems to think that Arya developed an attachment to someone while she was away and, because of it, she will not view anyone favorably."

"Do you know who has offered or been offered?"

"Patrek Mallister is my lady mother's favorite. Smalljon Umber, Brandon Tallhart, and Wendel Manderley were mentioned, as well. She says that Arya has befriended Olyvar Frey, yet she sees no evidence of an attachment other than friendship."

"Is he to be trusted? Your brother did execute his father personally."

"While I hope he can be trusted, I am sure Mother applies caution where he is concerned. It does not seem fair to ask Arya and Mother to undertake restoring Winterfell while I am here holding the title of both Queen and Warden of the North. Should I not relinquish the Warden of the North title to Arya? Is it possible to relinquish it to her?"

"You could. As it is now, Steffon will be king one day. If we were to have another son, he would be the liege lord of Storms End. A third son would take Dragonstone. Only a fourth son would benefit from Winterfell. Our sons or grandsons would have claim of inheritance if you retain the title. A daughter could only inherit if Arya had no sons. However, if you relinquish the title, her sons would have claim over ours. That said, it is not good for our line to have too many claims. It is cause for jealousies and gives reason for uprisings."

"It is difficult to imagine the Arya I remember as a wife and mother, although the Arya I remember was but a child."

"I will defend the decision you make, but consider it carefully. It is your family's seat. You now have the last say in what goes on there. Even as king and queen, there are things we cannot interfere with over the head of a family seat. If you stepped aside in favor of your sister, she would have the last say on all to do with Winterfell."

"If I step aside, she would be forced to marry for the good of Winterfell. As it is now, she does not have to take these offers seriously if she does not wish to. I am no more anxious to see Arya make a marriage solely for the sake of alliance than I am for Shireen to do so."

"I have the ability to legitimize the birth of Jon Snow. If I did, and as Ned claimed him so openly as his son, he would have the claim of Winterfell. He is a Stark."

"My lady mother would not be pleased, but it is something to consider."

"She might be more amenable to Jon Snow than you believe. The decision to relinquish Warden of the North and head of House Stark is not something you need to make soon. The rebuilding of Winterfell cannot begin in earnest until Spring."

"I wish there was a way I could spend time with Arya, both for us to get reacquainted and to help in this decision. She has said she will not return to King's Landing and I cannot find fault with that. It would not be prudent to travel such a distance now for either of us."

"This is not a matter that needs be settled this night. You need to sleep."

"Yes. Goodnight, Stannis."

"Sleep well, Sansa."

Author's Notes

- If any readers finish this chapter and have "suggestions" for Arya's future husband, I'd love to hear it (post it as a review or send me a message). I know Gendry is a popular choice, but if you go there – I'd appreciate suggestions on how you see that working out. To my way of thinking, Stannis would not legitimize one of Robert's bastards because it would cause a problem for the future claim to the Iron Throne. Also remember, those killed at the Red Wedding in the books are not dead in this AU, except Robb who died taking over Winterfell from Ramsey Snow.

- Thank you to those who are putting up with this "conversation only" story – there isn't enough "guts" to this story to make this bridge a narrative, at least in my tiny mind anyway. Although the argument that it's a lazy work-around does hold water:)