Although Sansa deemed herself safe from detection, she went out of her way to avoid the Queen's hand as supplies and men were gathered to head north. But just because she kept her distance, did not mean she did not keep watch on him.

He had changed quite a bit during the years they were separated and while he had clearly been through many hardships, there was something about him that had certainly improved. Tyrion had flourished, holding himself taller than she had ever seen in Kings Landing. His smile and wit, which had even back then been infectious, had grown ever brighter now that he was out of the shadow of his cruel family. She watched him speak with ease with everyone from the lowliest foot soldier all the way to the silver queen. He was quickly able to gain the trust of everyone in the Vale, including little Lord Robin and even Harry.

Despite all his fears, Sweetrobin had been enthralled by the dragons. She had been carrying heavy bandages (that would be necessary once the battles in the north began) down to the main gallery when she had caught sight of something that had made her heart stop in the courtyard. It was hard to see through the thin windows on the steps, but she craned her neck to catch the scene below. Her little cousin, the one that still shook in fear when someone so much as raised their voice around him, was mere feet away from the massive jaws of Tyrion's green dragon. The beast was gingerly taking strips of raw meat from Sweetrobin's outstretched hands while the dwarf looked on, a grin painted on his lips. Sansa had stared, utterly transfixed at the sight. She was baffled that her little cousin could be so fearless. To be so close to such a creature must be exhilarating and if she were honest with herself, she was jealous of her little cousin. She was sure if she went to him, Tyrion would not hesitate to introduce her to his magnificent beast, but courting his attention was courting danger. No, it was safer by far for her to keep her distance. Her dark hair and the changes time had inflicted on her face and body would only fool him so long. As long as she steered clear of the little man, she was far safer.

But was she truly? Now that Cersei was no longer a threat to her, what was keeping her in the Vale? What was keeping her from announcing herself and taking Winterfell for herself? The new Targaryen queen did not seem as brutal as her predecessors... certainly not as blood thirsty as the Lannister bastard. Perhaps she could do it...become the Lady of Winterfell and rule the north in a way that would have made her father proud.

Unbidden, a memory flashed through her mind.

The first time I saw you, you were just a child. A girl from the North, come to the capital for the first time. Not a child any longer. Why did you help me?

They would have thrown you through the Moon Door if they'd found you guilty.

That's not an answer.

If they'd've executed you, what would they have done with me?

I don't know.

Neither do I.

Better to gamble on the man you know than the strangers you don't...

Sansa took a deep breath and bent to retrieve the dropped linen before resuming her trip to the great hall. She did not know how this queen would react to a rival to her throne. Robb had been King in the North. She was sure there would be some that would proclaim Sansa his heir and say she was their queen. The silver woman did not seem the type to suffer pretender to what she felt was rightfully hers. But the men of the Vale...Harry...she knew they would not hurt her. Maybe not take her home, but she would be safe. She would not have to worry about finding herself following Baelish if she stayed quiet. But with her great champion short a head, would she ever be able to go home? Without Petyr's help, would she stay as Alayne forever? Her steps faltered as she remembered the conclusion of the conversation she had had with Petyr those years ago.

You think you know me?

I know what you want.

Do you?

She thought she had. She had been so proud that at last she was no longer a pawn, but a player of her own. Able to navigate the rough waters without being under his control. Had she not saved him from an execution that day? When he had been all but caught for murdering her Aunt Lysa? It had been Sansa's lies that saved his neck, not his own skill. But that small moment of triumph had faded as she had once again fell prey to his scheming. Allowing him to twist her to be what he wanted. But what had he truly wanted from her?

Would she had saved him again, had she had the power before the queen separated his head from his body? Would she have sang her pretty songs to the dragon queen to protect him again? She thought back to the liberties he had allowed himself to her..to the way he would look at her and even at the child, little Sweetrobin with that calculating glint in his eyes...remembered the treachery the queen had revealed to her regarding how Baelish had played a direct hand in her father's demise and knew she would not. She had thought he was protecting her for something to come, some grand plan to claim her birthright. But now that he was not pouring sweet lies into her ears, she could see his poison for what it was. She doubted he would have ever taken her to Winterfell. She doubted truly if he would have even let her marriage to Harry go through, knowing that it would be another man who could claim her.

But what was there to do? Stay here in the Vale, protected and safe yet forever yearning after her home? Or approach the silver queen and reveal herself, praying that she would be received well? What was the right answer? Now that Baelish was gone, she was truly on her own.

She passed through to the gallery when a bright chirruping sounded behind her.

"Alayne! Alayne! " She turned and plastered a smile on her face, however strained, as her little cousin barreled towards her, Tyrion on his heels. "I touched the dragon! I fed him! He ate meat right out of my hands!" The eager little boy thrust his palms out in front of him to emphasize his point, a wide grin stretching his face.

"Did you?" she asked, ruffling his hair. She loved the little boy, despite all his difficulties and she had not seen him so pleased since his mother had fallen. "My brave lord! I would have been so afraid. But you will be sure to never go near him again unless the Lord Hand is present, won't you Sweetrobin?" Her eyes ghosted over the dwarf, eager to get away from his gaze, but also knowing Robin was at the age where he could easily fall into trouble. She would be much more at ease once the beasts were gone from the Eyrie.

"Rhaegal and Drogon are under close watch at all times, My lady" Tyrion's smooth voice assured her. "No one is allowed to get close." She nodded, still making a mental note to be sure Sweetrobin was not left unattended until the royal party departed.

"I'm actually glad we ran into you, Lady Stone. I've been meaning to discuss some preparations before we leave in a few days. Lord Harrold assures me it is you who manage practically everything here. Would you join me for a glass of wine this evening?"

Sansa felt her mouth go dry. It did not seem as if he recognized her, she was sure it was because she went out of her way to steer clear of him. She was afraid if he looked at her truly, or spoke with her for more than a few moments, he would surely recognize the woman who was legally his wife. But she didn't see how she could blatantly decline such an offer without raising suspicions. The silence thickened as she swallowed hard and forced a smile to her lips.

"It would be a pleasure, My lord..." she mumbled weakly, furious her voice was not as steady as she wanted.

"The pleasure is all mine, My Lady." He grinned before turning and sauntering away from her.