Chapter 3: Sansa
As Lady grows larger she explores more, learning her new home. Sometimes, I feel so close to her that I am there in the Wolfswood with her and not in my solar sewing. At night in my dreams I am Lady, hunting through the quiet trees with my pack. I know my family is with me. I wake up with Lady on my bed, and we both know we are bonded. She is of the North and so am I.
One day I wonder if I must be asleep to bond with Lady. I set my sewing down, I can finish the Southern styled dress later. I reach out to Lady and find her with Ghost in the Godswood. They are out playing, running together under the blood-red leaves. I pull myself back to my solar and smile. I wish Lady and Ghost fun and freedom as I pick my dress back up, wondering if I should add some grey ribbon to the waist.
—
We are to leave in a few days time and I go to help Arya pack her things. She is upset and throwing her clothing into the trucks without much care.
"Arya?" I question, to give her warning that I'm there. "Would you like some help?"
She turns to me with hot tears contained, but only just. "I don't know why I have to pack them nicely, they will just get all ruined on the journey anyway."
I smile and take the green dress closes to me from the trunk. "Well, it will all fit better if you do." I say, knowing she would not like me to baby her. "You know, it might even be easier to hid Needle."
Without looking at Arya I can tell she is surprised I know about her new sword.
"How do you know about that?" she insists, the tears gone from her eyes. "Does Father know?"
"No," I laugh, "and I won't tell him. We all need our defenses in the Capital, I think it is right for you to have some steel."
Arya smiles then, we are close in a way many do not understand. She is a fighter and sometime I must be the one she fights against. She doesn't have to say thank you for me to hear it. We both go about packing her trunks so she can sneak out to the training grounds to watch her brothers and Jon. She knows I will cover for her in lessons today.
—
The night before we leave there is a feast to wish us luck on out journey. Prince Joffery chooses to sit by me and I know I have done well in pulling him to my side. He is intrigued by his soft Northern lady, he has no idea of the steel below the silk.
I spend the feast entertaining both Bran and the Prince, talking of what the Red Keep has in store for me and allowing Bran and Joffery to regale each other with stories of heroic Knights and the battles of their Fathers. Bran is more interested in the history of the stories, Prince Joffery the gore.
I see Queen Cersei watching us and know that she will be a harder Lion to tame than her cub.
—
I say goodbye to my family and pack that night. Rickon clings to my sleeves as I tuck him into bed and call Shaggydog to his side. I kiss his shaggy auburn hair and watch as the three year old roles over to clutch at his direwolf.
Next is Bran, his is up, pacing in his solar with Summer watching his movements. He is much to wise for his seven years.
"I don't like him, Sansa." Bran says, looking up with his deep blue eyes. "He is mean."
"I know, sweet Brandon," I smile, "but a Lion or a Stag is no match for a Wolf. Prince Joffery will not hurt me."
Bran looks at me long and hard and nods once. I move to hug him, and his strong arms wrap around my waist.
"I will miss you, Sansa," he whispers into my stomach.
I kneel down and hold his hands in mine. "I know, little wolf, and I will miss you." I touch his cheek and continue, "Make sure you keep an eye on your brothers for me, they will need you when part of the pack is gone."
His shoulders set and I knew he had taken my request to heart. "You too Summer," I say to the direwolf. I leave them to get ready for bed, knowing Summer won't let Bran get into too much trouble.
As I enter Robb's room he sweeps me up into a tight hug. He doesn't say anything as he holds me but I know what he in thinking. Stay safe, remember the North, and watch out for our family. I am telling him the same thing. After minutes of silent he kisses my head and looks me in the eyes, "I'll see you soon."
I smile, he will be a great Lord while Father is with us in Kings Landing.
—
Jon and Ghost are waiting by my door as I came back to my room. I knew he would be.
"I… I don't know what I wanted to say. Good luck, I guess?" He says, shuffling from one foot to the other.
"I'll miss you too, Jon."
He smiles, and I touch Ghost's head and his hand. I smile back and make my way into my room. Lady is waiting for me on my bed.
