There's a bit of a time jump since the last chapter – not much, just a month.

…

Chapter 56

Sansa stood, largely hidden from view, watching Jaime and Arya sparring. They had moved their practice into one of the massive hallways of the castle a few weeks earlier, since it was becoming far too cold for them to spar on the practice grounds, even when they lit the many firepits that heated it in times of winter. Sansa knew that she should object, and stop Jaime from encouraging Arya's unladylike behavior, but she didn't have the heart to do so. The past weeks had been difficult for Jaime and she knew he enjoyed his time with her little sister, though Sansa never imagined that would be so.

It had now been more than a month since Cersei's death and, little by little, Jaime had begun to return to his old self, though she knew still felt guilt over having to kill her. He had stopped wallowing in his grief, and was leaving their chambers every day and going about his normal routine, due to her encouragement and Arya's insistence that he continue her lessons. Several mornings Arya had even shown up in their bedchamber and all but dragged Jaime off to practice with her.

Sansa could also see that his confession to her mother weighed on him as well. Lady Catelyn had taken to her room for several days afterward. She claimed a slight cold, but Sansa knew she couldn't bear to face anyone. Certainly Jaime and Sansa more than any others. But after a few days, her mother reappeared. Jaime and Lady Catelyn had not spoken a word to each other since their conversation in the nursery. At least not that Sansa had seen. They studiously avoided one another and her mother never mentioned his name to Sansa. And she had not told her what he'd done.

Now, as she watched her husband and sister, Sansa held Julianna, whose eyes glittered with interest as she watched her father and aunt practice their sword-fighting. She was almost nine weeks old and everything was interesting to her – especially whatever Jaime was doing. Whenever he was in the same room as her, Julianna's eyes would follow him, studying his every move. When he noticed her gaze, and met her eyes, her face would light up with a huge smile.

Sansa sensed someone standing beside her and smiled nervously when she saw it was her mother. It was a bit awkward between them, but she hoped that would not last forever. Lady Catelyn was intently watching the sparring match. Sansa had caught her watching Jaime and Arya practice quite a few times, with a concerned expression on her face. She knew that her mother was thinking about Jaime pushing Bran from the tower at Winterfell, as she watched his obviously affectionate relationship with Arya.

Sansa had to admit, she herself was terrified that her mother would try to tell her what Jaime had done – having no idea that Sansa already knew and had forgiven him. She knew that her response probably would not be what her mother wanted from her and she didn't want there to be another rift between them over her love for her husband. It had been so difficult before when she and Lady Catelyn were on bad terms because of her marriage to Jaime and she feared a return to that state. She also worried about how Jaime and her mother would live under the same roof, though they had done a good job of avoiding one another.

Though, Lady Catelyn did not avoid Sansa. She frequently sat with she and Julianna – sometimes with Roslin and her babe, Bethany, joining them. She seemed to enjoy the time with her granddaughter and she and Sansa would talk about the babe and how she was growing and changing. But, Sansa could not figure out why her mother had not told her what Jaime had done to Bran.

"She enjoys watching them," her mother observed, noting Julianna's happy expression as her eyes followed Jaime, Arya and their swords.

Sansa nodded. "Her eyes always light up when she sees Jaime. He's a good father to her. I would not have thought that a warrior like Jaime would be so content to play with a baby girl," she said quietly. Sansa held her breath, waiting for her mother's response.

"He clearly cares for her. And for you." Though her words were kind, there was an edge to her voice. No doubt the words were difficult, given what she knew. "Are you…you're still happy in this marriage?"

Sansa finally tore her eyes away from Jaime. "Yes, mother. His conduct towards me has always been…he has treated me as you always said you wished my lord husband would treat me. I've been very fortunate in my marriage."

She felt her mother run her hand over her hair, as she did when she was a little girl. Sansa closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of her mother stroking her hair. "Marriage is…it means accepting your partner's faults. It wasn't always perfect for your father and I but…I grew to love him very much. Even when I felt betrayed, it didn't change that he was my husband. My duty was to him, no matter what. He was my family. Though, our marriage would have been easier without the hurt, no doubt. Sometimes, I wished that I never knew about-"

She stopped abruptly and Sansa knew that her mother was thinking about Jon Snow and how her father had betrayed her with whatever woman was his mother. When she was a little girl, Sansa did not understand that her mother saw Jon Snow as a living reminder of her husband's betrayal. She did not understand why her mother disliked him so. She was never as close to him as Arya and Robb were, but she considered him to be another sibling. It was only once she was older that Sansa understood why her mother treated him as she did.

Hearing her mother's words to her now, Sansa had a good idea why she had not told her about Jaime hurting Bran. Though it must cause her tremendous pain, she understood that Lady Catelyn didn't want to make marriage more difficult for Sansa, as her own had been because of Jon's presence at Winterfell. She imagined her mother was trying to spare her the pain.

Sansa smiled as Julianna squealed in delight, continuing to watch Jaime and Arya. In truth, it was Julianna that made it easy for Sansa to forgive Jaime completely. The babe in her arms loved Jaime so much. Sansa could see how safe the infant felt with Jaime. He was better at soothing her when she cried than even Sansa. He would hold Julianna in his arms and speak quietly to her and she would immediately calm, her teary green eyes fastened on Jaime's as if he were her entire world. Their small daughter needed Jaime as much as Sansa did.

"I saw the way he looked at you when she was born," Lady Catelyn said, interrupting Sansa's thoughts. "And the way you looked at him – the strength that his presence gave you. It wasn't easy for me to see you rely on him in that way but…I knew then that I didn't have to worry for you. I knew that you would be safe in the world, if you and I were ever to be separated again. I knew that he would protect you as…as your father always did."

Her mother's voice broke at the last words and Sansa felt tears welling in her eyes and was grateful for the darkness of winter. The sun rose less and less often – sometimes several days would pass without any daylight, and they had taken to lighting the castle with torches and limiting the rooms they heated and occupied to conserve firewood.

"I know that he's your family," her mother whispered as she gently stroked the babe's hair, as she had Sansa's. "Your little one deserves a father. A family."

"I understand how difficult it has been for you to accept him as my husband, mother. And I know…you're trying to make it easier. For me."

"It is for you. Not for him." Her eyes drifted to Jaime and then back to the baby. "I knew him when he was a boy. When I was not much older than you. He was often sent to Riverrun…or, summoned, rather, by my father. He fancied to have him as Lysa's husband. We got along quite well back then. He was very mischievous. He could always make me laugh."

Sansa was genuinely curious to hear about her mother's friendship with Jaime when they were young. "He's not so different now," Sansa said quietly. "He says…shocking things sometimes. I think just to get a reaction from me."

Her mother nodded, watching Jaime and Arya. "I suppose King's Landing changed him as it changed so many others. It certainly changed my sister." Sansa heard her mother sigh. "And, perhaps the North and so many years with your father changed me as well. The harshness of the North does make one less carefree."

Sansa could see that the conversation was difficult for her mother. She hugged Sansa and squeezed the baby's hand before leaving to return to her chamber, no doubt, and Sansa stayed where she was, watching as Arya and Jaime each took a cup of water and sat on a long bench in the hallway, their practice finished for the day.

"Do you like it here, at the Rock?" Sansa watched, curious, as Jaime spoke to her sister.

Arya nodded. "I'm glad to be with mother and Sansa again. But, I miss father and…my brothers."

"I expect you miss the North as well?"

"I do…though now that winter is here, it's not that different."

"What would you do with your brothers? Sansa said you spent more time with them than with her, but she didn't know what sort of mischief you were getting into."

Sansa could see Arya's soft smile, despite the dim lighting, and listened as she spoke of hunting trips with Robb, Jon and Theon and her proud tales of being more skilled at archery than Bran. Sansa closed her eyes as she listened to her sister speak, and she could almost see Winterfell. Almost imagine that was where they were.

"Were you close to Bran?" she heard Jaime ask. Why is he torturing himself like this?

Arya nodded. "I was closest to Jon but…Bran and I were almost the same age and…he would have liked to go with us to King's Landing. He was supposed to. Before his accident." Arya looked up at Jaime. "Bran would have liked to know you. He always wanted to be a knight of the Kingsguard. He'd be very jealous that I get to train with you every day."

Jaime struggled with the lump in his throat at her words and Sansa felt her own eyes tear, knowing that if things had been different, Bran might be there with them right now, practicing with Jaime and Arya.

"Arya…I'm sorry for all that my family has cost you. And all that I have cost you. I know there's little I can do to make up for it. Both you and Sansa were there when your father died and…I wish neither of you had to see that. And…" He took a deep breath and Sansa imagined he would address their brothers in some way, but to both Jaime and Sansa's surprise, Arya leaned against Jaime, crying against his chest as he hesitantly returned her embrace.

"Thank you for protecting me and my sister. Thank you for protecting her from Joffrey," she whispered.

Sansa waited until Arya had moved away from Jaime and stopped crying to make her presence known, shifting the baby in her arms as she walked toward them. Jaime smiled at Julianna who smiled brightly back. Arya immediately grabbed the babe from Sansa's arms, carrying her around.

Jaime beckoned her over as he leaned back against the wall, remaining on the bench. Sansa walked toward him and he slid his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her down for a kiss. Sansa braced her hands on his shoulders, not expecting the display of affection in front of her sister, as Arya huffed in disgust in the background. Though, she supposed, after Arya's rare display of emotion, Jaime likely needed some comfort.

Sansa sat beside Jaime, watching as Arya settled on the floor with the babe on her lap. As Julianna developed more of a personality, Arya was more interested in playing with her. Now that she could smile and make little shrieks that Sansa thought were laughs, her little sister would frequently spend time with her and try to make the babe smile and squeal.

"Are you all right?" she whispered. He looked at her in question as she took his hand. "I heard the two of you talking. About Bran."

He nodded sadly. "I'm better with you here."

….

Jaime and Sansa had dinner that night alone in his solar, as they normally did, now that winter had come. It wasn't worth it to heat the dining room, so they chose to light the fire and warm the smaller solar adjoining their bedchamber. Julianna would normally nap, or simply lie on a fur in front of the fire as her parents shared a candlelit dinner.

"I saw that Lady Catelyn was watching my practice with Arya today. With you," Jaime said quietly, the question apparent in his voice.

"I don't believe she ever plans to tell me anything about…what happened to Bran." Jaime saw how difficult it was for her even to say that much. She had assured him that she forgave him completely, and he believed her, but he could see that she couldn't bear to think about or speak about it.

"Why not?"

"She doesn't want to harm me or the babe. Despite her feelings…she knows how important you are to me. And how much you love us." Jaime nodded, though he sensed there was more to it that Sansa wasn't telling him. There had to be more of a reason for Catelyn Stark to keep such a thing from Sansa.

Before he could inquire further, his squire appeared, a letter in his outstretched hand. "From the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch." Jaime watched as Sansa extended her hand. "It's for Lord Lannister," Peck said quietly, before placing the letter on the table between them.

"Why would Jon have written to you in response to the letter we sent?"

Arya had pleaded with him to allow her to write a letter to her bastard brother at the Wall. Jaime had finally relented, on condition that she write the letter as if it were from Sansa and have Sansa sign it. Arya had said that was stupid – that her brother would know it was from her by the handwriting. Jaime had winked and told her that was the point. He didn't want to advertise the fact that Arya was alive and with them at the Rock. In times of war, letters frequently fell into the wrong hands.

The Stark sisters had sat at his desk and written the letter together, carefully considering every word to only other living sibling. Jaime had read it over before sending it to the Wall, and decided that they did a good job of concealing Arya's identity. He was certain their brother would know who had written and what they were trying to convey, but if someone intercepted, they would likely not realize.

Sansa watched as Jaime took the letter, sipping her water, as he opened the seal on the letter.

Lord Lannister,

I thank you for allowing your Lady Wife, my sister, to write me. I am writing you, as you are now the protector of the last of Eddard Stark's trueborn children and heirs.

I am grateful that my young sister is safe behind the walls of Casterly Rock. I had feared, based upon the reports I received, that she had been lost in King's Landing when Lord Stark was executed. Please tell her that I miss her and that I hope to one day see her again. I often think of the day we said farewell, and the gift I bestowed on her. I trust it has served her well.

Please give Lady Sansa my congratulations on the birth of the babe, Julianna. I wish for nothing more than happiness for her as my sister, and as Lady of Winterfell. I trust you will treat her as the treasure that she is.

I must warn you that the Wall has been breached by the White Walkers. I have reason to believe that there are several White Walkers headed South and you must prepare for their arrival. I warn you so that you may protect the last of Eddard Stark's children.

We have learned that dragon glass, fashioned as a blade or arrow head is the only way to kill the White Walkers. I advise you sincerely to make arrangements and prepare for battle. They will arrive in Lannisport.

Jon Snow,
Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

Jaime gave the boy credit for realizing the need to conceal Arya's presence at the Rock. Though Jaime could see that he had addressed messages to both of his sisters in the letter, it was not immediately obvious. Jaime passed the letter to Sansa, who was brimming with curiosity, and finished his wine as she read it.

"Do you really think the White Walkers are coming here?" she asked, her eyes wide with fear.

"Sansa…I never thought you were one for tales of the grumpkins and snarks beyond the Wall. You grew up in the North. You should know better than that."

She seemed embarrassed, but proceeded on. "Jon was never one for tall tales. If he says he saw them…" Jaime sighed and she stopped. For a moment. "Is there any way we could get dragon glass?" she asked quietly.

"If I recall correctly, there should be quite a lot in Tyrion's old chambers. He was always fascinated with dragons as a child."

She nodded. "Perhaps Gendy could make some blades from it?"

He could see she was embarrassed to make the request. Jaime was skeptical, but he supposed it couldn't hurt, if it gave her comfort. As he had read the letter, Jaime had expected Arya to be the one to insist that they make blades and arrowheads out of dragon glass. He had not expected Sansa, who was usually so practical, to fear and believe in the White Walkers.

Between the contents of this letter, the arrival of a rather harsh winter and the tales of the Targaryen girl and her dragons…Jaime wondered if the Realm was going to survive the next few years of war and winter. If it is true, Westeros will certainly be a different place when all is said and done.

…

Thank you all for your reviews of the last chapter! As always, let me know what you think. This chapter was more to set up what's to come next. Other characters will begin to slowly interact with Jaime and Sansa as the war (and the White Walkers) move South.

Next chapter: unexpected visitors arrive at Casterly Rock