It was the day before the funeral. Sansa's body was laying in state in the Great Sept of Baelor, and Velander was standing next to her body. By his order, her eyes had not been covered by stones. She was to look as though she were sleeping. Her dress was dark blue, decorated with cloth of silver filigree. "I will find your killer," he murmured. "You will be avenged, Sansa."
Ned walked in, accompanied by a woman in a dress as red as her hair. Her eyes were golden. "This lady requested an audience, Your Grace."
"She'll have it." He turned. "Speak freely, my lady."
"Your Grace… I am Melisandre, priestess if the Lord of Light… and I am at your service."
Velander cocked his head. "I've never heard of a 'Lord of Light.' I've kept to the Seven all my life."
"There is only one god, and His name is R'hllor. He strives to guard His children against the coming darkness… the Long Night." She walked over to one of the braziers on the wall. "If you would, stare into the flames."
Velander shrugged. "I… don't guess it would hurt." He walked to the priestess, gazing into the flames.
"What do you see?"
"Nothing… but if it helps… I dreamed of a warrior with a flaming sword cutting down white walkers last night."
"You dreamed of the Prince that was Promisrd… Azor Ahai." She turned to Sansa. "The Lord of Light is very real, Your Grace." She walked to the bier and, with an ornate knife, cut off a lock of Sansa's hair. Velander's hand moved towards Stormreaver's hilt, but stopped short… perhaps this was a funeral rite. Melisandre spoke an incantation in High Valyrian, burning the lock.
"What was that about?"
She held up a finger, smiling.
That was when it happened.
Sansa's eyes shot open as she took a great gulp of air and started breathing.
Velander stared in amazement as the Kingsguard standing watch ran in at the sound.
Sansa coughed as she sat up.
Velander walked over to her. "How…"
"She… she's alive…". The guard gaped in disbelief.
"Queen Sansa has returned to us…" his comrade gasped. "It's a miracle!" He ran out of the Sept. "A miracle!"
"I saw… I saw a great light… and a great battle in the snow… it was winter."
"It seems that the Lord of Light does indeed exist." Velander was in complete awe.
"He is… I saw him too. He kept… telling me to wait."
"Before I forget… who… do you know…?"
"Yes," Sansa growled, her eyes narrowing. "It was Petyr Baelish!"