The Bloody Gate

Come to the kitchens after dinner.

The message had been delivered to Sansa by one of the servants after Petyr had left her chambers. She felt a mixture of emotions battling for supremacy inside of her. She felt curious as to who could be behind this cryptic message, but she also felt fear. Fear that this could be another trap, after all the last time she had received such a cryptic note had been in Kingslanding and instead of it leading her to safety it had led to more months of captivity. So Sansa felt justified in being very sceptical of whether or not to "go to the kitchens after dinner." However, there was a small voice inside her, that was putting together all the pieces of information Petyr had let slip when he had visited her chambers earlier in the day. Her brother (for she was now truly convinced it was her brother) was marching for the Riverlands with a strong host behind his back and was looking for her!

So it was with this in mind that Sansa walked into dinner feeling slightly more hopeful than she had after Petyr had made his rather sudden announcement earlier that evening. Dinner itself was a rather boring and subdued affair, it was just herself and Petyr, she had put Sweetrobin to bed. Thinking about Sweetrobin made her wonder if this was truly a liberation attempt set up by her brother would she be allowed to take Sweetrobin with her, after all she knew that Petyr was poisoning his food and drink.

After she had been allowed to leave Petyr's Solar after dinner she made her way down to kitchens, followed of course by Lucas and Lamond, two guards who Petyr had assigned to "protect her" they had been in his service for a few days before both pledged their undying loyalty to her after hearing her muffled cries at the hands of Petyr rather more forceful exertions one day.

The kitchens were fairly deserted but for three hooded figures standing at the end of the main hall, Sansa's suspicions were increasing as were her fear was this to be a trap?

Then the first figure lowered their hood and Sansa nearly stopped dead in her tracks, for it was Lord Bronze Yohn Royce standing before her, he spoke quietly and quickly "Ah Alayne, or should I Sansa? I was beginning to worry you wouldn't come."

"My lord, h- how did you know I was here?"

"My dear, I knew both your Lord Father and Lady Mother as a youngster. Baelish may be smart thinking dying your hair would fool all of us, but I knew what to look for and my suspicions were only confirmed when he let slip in planning your betrothal to young Harry."

"But then why didn't you speak to me sooner my lord why wait till the day before my upcoming nuptials?"

"Because, I had a great deal of planning to do and I didn't want to scare you away or for Baelish to find out before everything could come together."

Sansa was incredibly wary now "Come together my lord? What plan are you speaking of?"

"Why your escape of course!"

"Escape?" Sansa was battling to control the sudden burst of hope that was threatening to overwhelm her.

"Why yes, surely you don't wish to stay here and be married to that idiot Harry do you?"

"No but how do you plan for me to escape, will you be accompanying me?"

"No my plan involves me staying here, but these two here will be." At this Lord Royce indicated to the two still hooded figures to his right and left, who both promptly removed their hoods.

"Lady Sansa, may I present you Ser Brynden the Blackfish Tully and Galbert Glover. These are two of my most trusted confidants and will see you safely back to your brother in one peace."

Sansa didn't quite know what to say, she could feel the feeling of hope and freedom finally approaching but didn't want it to be squashed again, and so said "My Lord that is most good of you, but how do I know that you are not in league with Lord Baelish and that this not some plot to further ensnare me?"

At that Lord Royce seemed genuinely affronted as he said next "My lady let me assure you that this is no trap, Lord Tully and Glover are two of your brother's most trusted advisors and soldiers, they themselves volunteered for this plan when I wrote to Greywater Watch two moons ago. I would not wish to do my dear friend Ned's daughter harm, nor would I wish to do my King's sister any harm."

Sansa was surprised, had she heard him correctly? "Your King my lord?"

"Yes, the Vale has stayed out of engagements for far too long, I am giving you a letter to give to your brother when you see him, assuring him of the vale's fealty with signatures from all the Lords Declarant. I have already sent a raven to him, informing of where you shall be."

"And where is that my Lord?"

"There are three horses waiting outside as we speak. You shall ride for The Saltpans as quickly as possible."

At that Sansa's heart leapt for joy, she felt she was finally being let go and was being allowed to leave her captivity.

"Thank you my Lord, thank you so much."

"Go quickly my lady, before Baelish's dogs find you."

As Sansa hurried out of the kitchen, with her two companions for the journey and got onto her horse, she finally allowed herself to hope. She was finally going to be allowed freedom, she would soon see her brother again after what felt like years, she was going home!