Hearing her say the words, Wyman stood up and looked at her in disbelief for a moment. Then he realized it is true. He knelt right there and then, took Sansa's hand in his and kissed it. His mouth widened in an ear to ear smile.

"My lady of Winterfell! You are alive!"

Sansa was beaming with joy at his happiness. "I am. And I have a request for you."

"Anything you say, my lady! Manderly swords are your swords! Nothing will ever make me revoke my loyalty to house Stark!"

"First of all, please keep your voice down."

"Yes, my lady. Of course. I apologize." He slowly stood up and sat himself down. "Please, my dear lady, sit down and tell me what it is you request of a humble servant."

She gladly obeyed his request. "Are there any other houses in the North that would still support a Stark if one showed up?"

"Let me think for a moment." He sat back and thought for a moment, stroking his moustache. "Of course. Umbers. Old Whoresbane can't wait to put his sword in all the Frey hearts. The only reason he is supporting Bolton is because Greatjon is still held captive at the Twins. As for me, I lost my younger son, Wendel, at the Twins. The Freys murdered him, I don't believe a word of their fables. Finally, they brought his bones back to me so I can bury him properly. No longer will I play a nice guy to the Freys. I hope they all choke on their food."

"So it's you and the Umbers. Anyone else that might be of help?"

"Of course. Mormonts of Bear Isle, though it's not exactly unambiguous as to who rules over the island, young Lyanna or Alysanne the She-Bear. But they command a lot of good men, those bears sure don't go down easily. They are also loyal to a fault. I'm not sure about lady Dustin of Barrowton. She had a few of her own men killed at the Twins, but she only sent a minimum amount of soldiers to help the Young Wolf. I suppose the Hornwoods don't like the Boltons because of that whole lady Hornwood thing, but I don't know how willing they'd be to follow a Stark again. There might be a handful of other smaller families as well. Oh, and the Reeds. They are most definitely loyal Stark followers."

"And what about the Karstarks?"

"The Karstarks, well, they are difficult to predict. They are some kind of distant relatives to Starks, right?" When Sansa nodded, he continued. "But I have received a raven from Wendel that told me that the Young Wolf beheaded old lord Rickard over killing some hostages. So there's that."

This hurt Sansa, she couldn't deny it. She let it show.

"My lady, I'm sorry for that. But you know I'd never lie to you."

Sansa nodded. "Yes. Thank you for that, Lord Wyman."

"You know, there was some smuggler here not a week ago. Does the name Davos Seaworth mean anything to any of you?"

Petyr lifted his head. "It sounds very familiar, yes."

"He is in the service of Stannis Baratheon. I have heard rumours about your youngest brother, my lady. He might still be alive. But the problem is, if he really is alive, he's on Skagos."

Colour escaped Sansa's cheeks. "Skagos? How in seven hells could Rickon get to Skagos?"

"I have no idea, my lady. The thing is, I sent this Davos to go search for him there. The plan was that after he brings young Rickon to me, I'd declare him the true lord of Winterfell and slay all those lying Freys and Boltons and reinstate Starks as the Wardens of the North. But I can't rely on a rumour. But with you, my lady, I wouldn't be relying on mere rumours. I can see you before me. I can proclaim you the Lady of Winterfell."

"Well, as long as Rickon is still alive, I can't be that. I suppose I could be his regent, but…"

"Yes, my lady, if he is alive. I don't want to sound pessimistic here, but this last autumn has not been nice to the Starks, I think you can agree with me, my lady."

Sansa just nodded. He was right, she knew.

"But you are definitely alive. This is exactly what I needed. In a few weeks we will be going to Winterfell to a wedding."

"What wedding? Why Winterfell?"

"Lord Bolton has legitimized his bastard Ramsay and is to marry him to Arya Stark."

"Arya is alive?" Sansa could not believe her ears.

"I don't know if she's alive. But I know for certain the girl the bastard will marry is not your sister, my lady. I haven't seen her yet, but I'm certain."

"What makes you so sure about this?"

"My lady, do you really think your sister would let herself be married to a bastard son of a man who betrayed her family?"

Sansa hesitated. "While that's true, it still might be her. Only gods know what the Lannisters did to her."

"Well, that doesn't really matter now. All the lords in the North are invited there. And I plan on making it a wedding feast to remember. You can come with me, my lady." Petyr wanted to jump in. "Don't worry, Baelish, I won't let her make a step unguarded. On the other hand, you probably cannot come. People know you; they know you're not Northern. You will cause suspicion if you go."

"I agree on that, my lord, but I believe I should have a say in this as well. Lady Stark is in my care, after all."

"She is? Oh, I forgot. I'm used to the Starks being independent. My apologies, Baelish."

"As you rightfully should be, my lord. I'll just let you know that it doesn't do me any good going with you to a Northern feast. No offence meant, of course. It's just that I'm Lord Paramount of the Riverlands."

"Of course. We cannot forget that."

"All I wish is for Sansa to have protection at all times. I don't wish her to sleep without guards, I don't wish her to relieve herself without guards."

"She is much too precious for my cause to not guard her day and night, Baelish."

"Then I give you my leave, but hold you responsible for whatever may happen to her, my lord. And if something should happen to her, be aware that you might be the last Manderly ruling over White Harbour."

"Baelish, are you threatening me in my castle?" Wyman stood up, furious at his morals being questioned.

"Not threatening, my lord. Merely warning."

"I don't like being warned. You're far away from home, Baelish. Do you think anyone would know if I told one of my guards to stab you in the back?"

"Nobody would know, but you are way too honest to do something as dishonourable. Forgive me this episode. I am merely concerned for young Lady Stark's well being.

"Everyone knows that you were mad for her mother, yes."

"I'm sure of that, my lord. But Sansa here is not her mother. She is her mother's daughter, though."

Sansa blushed like she was commanded to. Wyman sat back down, calmed.

"Anyway, my lord, you need not worry. Lady Sansa will have two guards by her side at all times."

Petyr stroked his pointy beard, satisfied. "When is the feast?"

"In a few weeks, like I said. We'll be leaving in a week or so. It's quite a long ride to Winterfell from here."

"Good. That gives us some time to prepare. I do have one final question, though."

"Of course, ask away, Lord Baelish."

"Your son, Wylis. The last time I heard he was in Lannister captivity."

Wyman waved his hand. "Now that the Young Wolf is dead, they must have realised that he holds no value to them, so they let him go. He arrived home perhaps a week ago."

Sansa spoke again. This time eager to find out Wyman's intentions. "Lord Manderly, may I ask what exactly are you planning to do in Winterfell?"

"No doubt you have seen those three Freys in the court, cursed they be. They are old Walder's sons, grandsons or whatever. He's got so many it's easy to lose count. Let's just say they are in for quite a surprise. And after that, the Boltons should receive a surprise or two as well. A small reminder that the North remembers."

Sansa nodded with a grin on her face. This man is quite something. He may not look like much, but he is nothing if not loyal. And powerful, she reminded herself. Manderly and Umber forces might even be enough to overthrow Boltons. It all depends on the other houses that he named. But for the first time in months she felt safe and sure about herself.

They rose from the table and bowed courteously. "Lord Manderly, please don't forget that I am Alayne Stone for the time being."

"Of course. I'll write to Umbers, Mormonts and Reeds. While I trust them, I won't explain everything to them in letter. I never really trusted ravens, to be frank with you, my lady – I mean Lady Stone. But I'll make sure to explain the plan to them when we arrive in Winterfell."

"Perhaps it would be even better if you don't send any ravens and tell them everything when you get to Winterfell," Petyr remarked. "Like you said, ravens can be intercepted and even the slightest of details may foil your plans. That's not something you can afford, surely."

"You are right, Baelish. I'll do that. Now, let's go down to the court to shoo away all the lazy people that are still there."

Sansa couldn't wait for them to depart for Winterfell. She didn't know how Robyn would react, but she'd leave him for Petyr to explain the plans. She couldn't be bothered. Her mind was set on one thing and that thing most certainly wasn't Robyn. She would see Winterfell again, gods be merciful. It has been so long since she last saw it in person. The mere thought of it filled her with joy that wasn't stained even by the fact that Boltons are occupying it.

The time was passing way too slowly for Sansa. Four days after she and Petyr talked to lord Wyman, Petyr and Robyn departed for the Vale. Robyn seemed distressed that Alayne wasn't going, but she made him understand that she wanted to see some more of 'the magical North' as she told to him. When she told him that, Robyn would say "But why can't I come with you to see more of the world myself?"

"Oh, Sweetrobin, you must go back to the Vale. The Vale needs its Lord Paramount. I'm just a bastard daughter of your Uncle Baelish and it's a rare privilege when a high lord like lord Manderly asks someone like me to travel with him for a while. But I will be back, I promise," she would say to him while caressing his cheek. Eventually he would come to terms with it and give up.

As he ascended the carriage, Sansa stepped towards the carriage to say goodbye. "My lord, I wish you safe travel back."

"And I wish you a safe travel as well, Alayne," he said. Then he jumped back down from the carriage and hugged her. Sansa was startled for a moment, but then she heard him sob quietly in her neck. She returned the embrace and said "My lord, I will be back, don't worry."

Finally he broke the hug and entered the carriage. Petyr followed suit after exchanging two kisses on the cheek with Sansa.

"My dear daughter, I hope you will see many pretty things. I hear the North is beautiful just before the winter."

"I will, Father. I wish you a safe and swift travel."

Petyr whispered in her ear. "Let them know who you are when the need arises. Good luck."

As he ascended the carriage, Sansa looked at him and nodded slightly. A single tear ran down her cheek. Whether it was a tear of joy or sadness, she couldn't tell. Petyr noticed the tear and spread his lips in a comforting smile. She waved as the carriage started moving further and further away and watched it until it was but a speck far away in the distance. Lord Manderly stood behind her and watched the whole affair.

"So young lord Arryn doesn't know your real identity?"

"Gods, no. And it's a good thing, my lord."

"I agree. Well, Lady Stone, let's go. We have to prepare for the long journey north."

He offered her a hand which she gladly accepted. They walked towards Merman's court where they passed the three Frey men. Lord Manderly nodded swiftly to three of his knights that were in the vicinity, just quickly enough that Sansa noticed. She smiled, but inside she was jumping with joy. The first part of the plan has been put into motion.

We're finally on the way to Winterfell. Sansa will have to rediscover a lot of things back home.

As always, thanks for reading!