Sansa clutched the blanket that had been wrapped around her, everything was a blur. She couldn't even remember being brought to the Kings ship, and yet there she sat, inside the grand room which would normally be where the King would sleep if he were to travel by ship. Arya had refused to leave her side afterwards, and had been sitting on front of Sansa on the floor. She had fallen asleep, causing her head to rest in Sansa's lap. Sansa let one hand move to her little sister's head, stroking her dark hair softly, careful not to wake her. Outside she could hear the men arguing, Sandor of course demanding answers from Meryn, answers that Sansa would need.

….

"You think she'll just trust ya cuz of what ya did today?" Sandor glared at Meryn as they stood on the deck of the ship. The rest of the men had been standing guard outside of the room where Sansa was, as well as around the docks, leaving the two men virtually alone.

"I do not expect the Lady to trust me, nor do I want her to. I have come on the Kings orders. He wishes to see the Lady, to grant her what is rightfully hers." He had been clutching a letter in his hand. "And only the Lady will break the seal of this letter, so stop trying to tell me otherwise!" He then turned to head towards Sansa when Sandor stopped him again.

"I'm warnin' ya Trant, this isn't like before. I won't let you touch her."

Meryn nodded and turned again, Sandor following closely. He knocked lightly before entering the room, looking to Sansa who had immediately looked up to them. She held a finger up to keep them from speaking, signaling to Arya who still slept against her lap.

Sandor moved forward, carefully lifting Arya and placing her on the nearby bed. He then moved to Sansa, offering his hand to her. "Perhaps we will talk on deck so we do not wake the wolf girl."

Sansa nodded, taking his hand and standing. Her arm instinctively wrapped around his as they approached Meryn. She did not look directly at him as they passed him, she simply looked ahead of her, refusing to let go of Sandor's arm.

"My Lady…" Meryn bowed lightly once they were on the deck again. "I know I am one of the last men you would ever want to see or trust." He then offered the letter to her, the King's seal on it still unbroken. "King Tommen has sent for you, naming me the one to bring you."

Sansa took the letter, looking to Sandor a moment before finally releasing his arm to open it.

'My Lady Sansa,

It has been far too long since we have last spoken, and many things have occurred since your last appearance here in Kings Landing. After the death of my brother Joffrey, I have taken the throne, and I pledge to you that I am not the king he was. I open my arms to you as Lady of the North, and welcome you back to Kings Landing. Here I will give you what is yours by birthright. The north needs a ruler as they still rebel against me and my family. You my Lady, are that ruler they need. Come back to Kings Landing and I shall crown you Queen of the North and send you back to Winterfell. As well I will send as many men as needed to help rebuild your home, and the men needed to ensure your safe passage. I pray this will be a new beginning for all of us here in Westeros. Let that beginning start with us.

Yours Truly
King Tommen of the House Baratheon'

Sansa rolled the letter back up, her eyes moving to Ser Meryn for a moment then looking up to Sandor who had read the letter over her shoulder. She honestly did not know what to do, she trusted Tommen, she had adored him from the day she met him. But Meryn on the other hand, she could not trust him, not after all he had done to her. But then again, he was simply acting on Kings orders, as he was now. Her mind seemed to spin at the revelations. "I… I need time." She then quickly turned, returning to the room where Arya was sleeping, her eyes starting to fill with tears.

…..

"You said you trust Tommen right?" Arya and Sansa had been sitting in the bed together, talking about the letter from the King. "I only met the boy once, and he was still a child, but he didn't seem anything like Joffrey."

Sansa nodded, "Tommen was always sweet to me, sometimes after Joffrey would have Meryn punish me, Tommen would write me notes to cheer me up." She smiled slightly, "he would sneak them to me so that neither of us would be caught."

Arya turned her attention to the door, knowing that Sandor stood outside of it. "The Hound won't let him hurt you, I guarantee that now." She looked back to Sansa, "but I can't make this choice for you, and if you do go, I will not go with you."

Sansa's eyes widened, "you will not go with me? But Arya, I need what family I have left!"

Arya shook her head, "I cannot go back to where we lost our father, maybe one day I will return to Winterfell, but my place is here in Braavos." She looked at Sansa's confused face, "I have been training Sansa, I cannot go into detail, but one day you will understand."

Sansa frowned, looking down at her hands, "it would be easier if I had Shae." She then gasped a bit, "Oh gods, we haven't thought about Shae! What if her dead body is still sitting on that ship?"

Arya shook her head, "I overheard Meryn talking to the Hound, they had her body removed and wrapped up. She awaits proper burial."

Sansa nodded, "she would want to lie with her family, in Lorath." She sighed sadly, "but that is a journey I cannot take her on." She then looked to Arya, "you say you will not go to Kings Landing, but can you take Shae to where she belongs? I owe her my life Arya."

Arya took her sisters hand and nodded, "that I can do. I promise you, Shae will rest with her family."

…

"Are you sure little bird?" Sandor looked down at Sansa as she announced she would indeed return to Kings Landing.

"My father used to say that a Stark must always be in Winterfell. It is my home, it is what I have been fighting for." She took a deep breath, "I have to do this for my family."

Meryn stood behind Sansa, his head lowered as they spoke. He would not interrupt them, and would remain quiet with his head down until asked otherwise.

Sandor placed his hand on Sansa's shoulder, "I promised I would go wherever you go little bird, you will not face this alone."

She smiled at him and nodded, "I do not think I will ever be able to show you my gratitude." She placed her hand over his a moment before turning to face Meryn. "Ser Meryn, I want to thank you for sending some of your men with my sister. I am sure she will be fine, but it gives me comfort knowing she is being guarded while she takes a journey that should be mine." She then stepped towards him, placing her hand under his chin to lift his face so that he could look at her. "I am ready to return to Kings Landing Ser."

Meryn looked at her, her touch shocking him. He nodded lightly, "she is a tough girl, but she is still young. It was only right to ensure her safety." He looked to the Hound then to Sansa. "I will let the Captain know we are ready to sail. My lady you will take the Kings quarters for the journey, as your safety and comfort are my number one priority. I will also send a raven ahead to give word of our approach so that the King will be prepared for your arrival." He then bowed again, turning to leave Sansa with Sandor.

…..

When the raven arrived, Lord Tywin was the first to read it. He grinned a bit as he stood from his desk, "the Lady returns to Kings Landing." He turned to the captain of the city watch. "Time to prepare your men, as I said before, when their ship arrives I want them all taken into custody immediately. Every last one of them aboard that ship. The Lady Sansa will then be brought directly to me, unharmed!"

"My men have their instructions, and we are prepared my lord."

"Good." Tywin turned to look out the window of his chambers. In a months' time, his plans would all come together.

…..

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