Must...type...more...

Like I said, I'm just in a zone, and I'm finding that while the chapters aren't that long, they fit in well enough with the canonical story line, and I don't feel like I need to expand on them any further. For this chapter, we have the introduction to Sansa Stark, who, like the rest of her full siblings, are meeting their cousin for the first time in three years. Cheers.

Sansa stood in awe as she watched the royal procession enter the gates of Winterfell, the banners of the crowned stag and the lion flying high with their vibrant colors. Colors which were so much prettier than those of her own house, the grey direwolf of Winterfell. The colors of the visitors likely reflected some of the pretty colors that the South undoubtedly portrayed during the summer, just like the boring grey of the North was reflected by the colors of hers.

The knights that had rode to protect the king looked so gallant and strong, especially the two clad in the white of the Kingsguard. Sansa had heard that those of the Kingsguard were the greatest knights of the realm, charged with protecting their king and the royal family until their deaths. Such a noble task. Sansa continued admiring the ordeal of the royal arrival, and relishing the excitement.

But upon laying her eyes upon the King, Sansa's expectation were letdown, despite all of the noble words that her father had spoken of him. Sansa only saw a very large man who had trouble getting down from his own horse. She watched as she saw her father and the King exchanging pleasantries for the first time in nine years before being beckoned over to meet the royal family along with the rest of her siblings.

That's when she saw him. Prince Joffrey Baratheon, heir to the Iron Throne. His golden hair was fluttering in the light wind, his soft green eyes enticing Sansa. She felt herself blush as he approached her, and she found herself unable to speak the courtesies that Septa Mordane had taught her. Thankfully, she did not have to speak, as her golden prince took her by the hand, kissing it out of respect.

"Mi'lady. I have heard tales of your radiance. They do not do you justice." Sansa could have fainted from his words, they were so soft and graceful. But before she could respond, a shriek of joy came from alongside her.

"OLYVAR!" Sansa's head turned as she watched her sister Arya streak wildly towards a boy who had just dismounted his horse, pulling him in a close embrace as they both laughed. That's our cousin? Sansa could barely believe it. The last time the Starks had seen him had been three years ago, and despite being older than her, Sansa remembered Olyvar Arryn being shorter than her. Now, he had grown to nearly the size of Robb.

"Dear Arya, it has been too long." The boy had a bit of a plain voice, but Sansa could recognize he was quite jubilant seeing his cousin once again. He was wearing a dark blue cloak that was lined with silver, with the banner of his house held behind by men who Sansa could only assume were members of his personal guard. Olyvar possessed broad shoulders and a light red hair coloring that came from his Tully side, much like Sansa's had. Desiring to approach him, Sansa turned back to address Prince Joffrey.

"Your Grace, I apologize but I request your leave. It has been quite some time since I've seen my cousin."

"Of course, my lady. Perhaps we can converse further during the feast tonight." Sansa thought that she heard a bit of bitterness in the prince's voice after her mentioning of her cousin, but he bowed nonetheless and left Sansa to meet her cousin. As she got closer, she saw that Olyvar's eyes were brown, like those that her father had attributed to his father, Jon Arryn.

"Sansa." Olyvar had looked up from speaking with Arya to see her approaching, greeting her with a small smile. Sansa saw that he had a strong jawline, with sharp brown eyes that he must have inherited from his father. "It's wonderful to see you again."

"Likewise, my dear cousin." But before Sansa could curtsy, she felt herself being pulled into an embrace by her cousin. He was strong, quite surprising since he looked quite slender to Sansa. Most of his power must have been in his shoulders. She paused at first, but returned the embrace with full enthusiasm after getting over the initial shock. They stood there for a few moments before releasing her, his small smile having grown much wider. She pondered once more if this was the same Olyvar she had once known, and how three years could have changed him so much.

"Seems as if the falcon chick has finally grown." Sansa turned to see Robb approaching, a wide grin on his face. "Tell me, will you finally be able to keep up with us in our sparring in the yard?"

"I'm fairly sure I'll be able to manage this time." Sansa saw that her cousin now wore a similar, devilish grin as her brother. She could remember all of the times when Olyvar had struggled in swordplay against Robb, Jon, and Theon Greyjoy, having been so very little. But now, having grown significantly, Sansa expected that he would be more than capable to keep up with the rest of the boys his age, although Sansa had doubts that he would have any success against Jon.

"Good. We'll have to test that tomorrow." Robb extended his hand, which Olyvar clasped. Sansa saw the two lock eyes, and was shocked with how confident Olyvar was. He is full of surprises. "Come, cousin. Let us take you on a tour of Winterfell, in case you have forgotten your way around the castle."

"Thank you, Lord Stark. Your hospitality is appreciated." Olyvar and Robb released their grips and the group began walked towards the entrance to the castle. Sansa stayed close behind her siblings and cousin, observing the new Lord of the Eyrie with curiosity. It did not take long for her friend, Jeyne Poole, to find and join her in walking.

"Who is that boy walking with your siblings?" Jeyne asked Sansa, who couldn't help noticing the interested look that her friend had thrown towards Olyvar.

"His name is Olyvar Arryn. He's my cousin on my mother's side, and the Lord of the Eyrie."

"That is Olyvar Arryn?" Jeyne's own shock at realizing who Olyvar was reflected Sansa's own. "Didn't you tell me that he shorter than you the last time he visited Winterfell?"

"Apparently three years can change people in a great number of ways. Still, for him to grow as he has…it's incredible." Sansa remarked as she watched Olyvar ruffled her sister's hair playfully, causing Arya to swat at his midsection. Out of the corner of her eye, Sansa saw her mother sweep in and embrace her nephew tightly, interrupting their march into the castle.

"Oh Nephew, it is wonderful to have you back in Winterfell. Was your trip well?" Catelyn Stark's face was full of jubilance as well, clearly excited to have one of her nephews returning to her home in the North. Sansa couldn't help but to smile. She had not seen that face on her mother in quite some time.

"I am well, Aunt Catelyn. All is well, although I thought myself lost in the Neck whilst we travelled through it." All shared in a laugh at this before Olyvar's face turned into an apologetic one. "I apologize for the absence of my mother. She thought it best if she returned to the Eyrie with my brother. He's been ill as of late."

"Perfectly reasonable. No matter, I'm sure that after little Robert is nursed back to health the two of them can accompany you on your next trip to Winterfell."

"Of course, Aunt Catelyn." Olyvar said nervously as he looked at his aunt beaming face. With that, Catelyn beckoned all of the children to explore Winterfell, reminding Arya and Bran to stay out of trouble. Sansa gave a small smile as she watched her family interact. It seems things will be lively once more. Sansa thought it to be a great change from the dreadful quiet that Winterfell always seemed to provide.

A/N: A second question comes to us from Spartan1117, who asks "When the war begins the Vale would support the North wouldn't they?" Well, that does seem likely to happen, considering Olyvar's relation to the Starks. Guess we will all have to see, right? :)