A/N: I don't normally update so often but this story just keeps coming to me. I appreciate all the follows and reviews! Thank y'all so much! Enjoy!

Chapter 9

Sansa woke and realized that everything that had happened last night was not a dream. She was still in Petyr's bed, though she was alone. She looked around for him and found him at his desk writing something.

"Petyr." She said, not really having anything to say to him in particular.

"Yes my love? Are you well rested now?" He asked, setting down his quill. She nodded in response, looking a little lost. He rose from behind his desk and went to sit beside her on the bed. "I've just had my man call on your handmaiden to fetch you a dress and whatever else you need to ready yourself for the day. It is nearing the twelfth hour of the day, I thought we might have our meal in the hall with everyone. Maybe make our announcement?" He suggested, raising an eyebrow and cocking his head to the side. "I have sworn the servants to secrecy regarding your sleeping arrangements last night. But I fear that we can't continue on like this without our engagement made public without starting rumors. I have grown rather fond of you falling asleep in my arms and I wish to continue doing so, if you'll allow it of course. Even before we are married. But we should tell everyone first."

"Yes. I agree. We should tell everyone at noon." She smiled up at him. He could see that her eyes were not clear, and though she meant what she said she still had a lot on her mind. He leaned down to kiss her and her eyes fluttered closed. She sighed into his lips and reached her arms up to wrap them around her neck.

Sansa melted into his kiss. Her mind was so full of emotions and thoughts and confusions that she needed his distraction to give her a moments peace. She let her tongue reach out to his bottom lip and she traced it tentivly. Quickly, he bit her bottom lip, pulling it ever so gently before letting his tongue dive into her mouth seeking out her own. He dragged her to sit in his lap with her legs off to one side of him as if she were riding side saddle. His arms wrapped around her, but did not roam. This was a passionate kiss, but not one that was meant to lead any further. They sought out each other only as a momentarily reprieve from everything that was beginning to happen.

A knock on the door did not stop their sweet kisses. The door opened and Petyr motioned his hand for the girl carrying Sansa's belongings to come in. A little surprised that Sansa didn't turn from him the moment they heard the knock, he kissed her deeply once more before letting her go. She must have needed his touch as much as he hers and who was he to deny his lovely bride to be what she most needed?

They rested their foreheads against each other and he asked her "Feeling a little better my love?" She smiled and replied "Yes, a little at least." She leaned back to look into his eyes and kissed the tip of his nose.

While still looking into his eyes she said "Ingrid. Lord Baelish and I have some news." Still smiling at him she continued "Petyr and I are announcing our engagement at middays meal today." She turned to look at Ingrid as she finished "So you must make me look my best."

"Yes my Lady. Congratulations Lady Stark, Lord Baelish. A fine match you two make." Ingrid blushed, not use to speaking so much in front of Lord Baelish. He smirked at her and she blushed even redder. He was a handsome man, but she knew any affections he gave anyone besides her Lady were all a farse. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that he was in love with Lady Sansa. She imagined that even Lord Baelish himself was unaware of how his mask fell when he stared at her for too long.

"Alright now love, up you go." Petyr said as he helped Sansa to her feet. "You've got some dressing to do and I have a letter to finish." He was writing to Varys. He had not heard from his friend in a while and he assumed he was nearing Kings Landing. Petyr knew he was sailing in with the Dragon Queen from Meereen.

Ingrid paused, unsure how to proceed. She knew Lady Stark was very self conscious about her scars. But she imagined that if Sansa had been laying with Lord Baelish for a few nights now then surely he had seen them. Lady Sansa inturrupted her thoughts "Ingrid, will you not help me undress?" She asked expectantly. Ingrid hurried to her Lady and began the process of disrobing her from her night shift and helping her dress into her day clothes.

A short time later Sansa was dressed and her hair was finished into a simple braid pulled over her shoulder, a few tendrils loose around her face to frame it. Petyr stood up and took in the sight of his beautiful little pawn. She glowed in a deep plum gown that was beautiful yet simple. She looked stunning. Petyr walked towards her rubbing his hands together in front of him. "My dear, you look radiant. Shall we go share the good news?" He asked, holding out his elbow for her to take. "We shall." She smiled at him, taking his arm.

They walked into the hall as everyone was still getting settled. The bowls of stew and bread were almost finished being served. Petyr paused, unsure of where to escort his Lady. He usually sat with the other Lords and her at the head table alone with Jon. Sansa gently tugged on his arm, leading him towards the head table, smiling up at him for encouragement. He smiled back down at her. He noticed that most of the heads had turned and were watching them as they made their way to the front of the hall. Petyr quite enjoyed this attention. In a moments time everyone in the hall and soon the entire castle would know that the fiery Direwolf on his arm was to be his in name and in spirit.

All the Lords and Ladies and servants and some of the more civilized Wildlings already treated him with the utmost respect. But once his engagement to Sansa was made public he knew there'd be a change in how they greeted him, and talked with him. With more regard to his titles than the familiar way they conversed with him now. As they reached their seats, he held out Sansa's but she did not move to take her seat. He, too, stayed standing next to her. Quietly two servants placed food in front of their chairs, ready whenever they were.

Sansa took her arm out of his and grabbed his hand instead. She smiled over at him then turned back to the hall and all the eyes that were already focused on them. "My Lords, my Ladies, as I am sure you are all aware at this time my brother has gone to The Wall to bring home our little brother Bran." She paused, everyone having broken out in cheer and applause. She looked to Petyr giving him a small nod, keeping secret the knowledge she was taught earlier this morning. "Jon was to be the one to make the announcement this morning, but seeing as he is not here, it is left to me. Lord Baelish and I are engaged." Again, more cheering and applause and a few improper comments were made. Sansa blushed at the attention and Petyr squeezed her hand in comfort.

As Sansa began to take her seat Lady Mormont stood and began to speak. "Lord Baelish, Lady Stark. Congratulations. You two make an exceptional pair. May your love grow strong through the years, and may you be blessed with many sons to carry out your legacy. Cheers." She finished, raising her chalice to the couple. The room echoed her sentiment and clanked glasses before drinking deeply.

Throughly embarrassed and a bright shade of red covering her features, Sansa finally took her seat next to Petyr. They ate in silence for a while before Petyr finally spoke. "That went rather well."

"Did you expect an uproar?" She smirked at him.

"No, however I wouldn't have been surprised if there had been some protests. You are a beautiful woman, Sansa. A beauty with power is a very desirable combination. I have no doubt that a few hearts will be broken by the news of our engagement." Sansa swatted at his arm. "You old fool, there are no other suitors but yourself. And lucky for you, you are the only one who inhabits my heart." She teased.

"I think you'd be surprised at how many men would love the honor of being your husband." He counters.

"I'm sure there are some out there who would love my name attached to theirs, but no others have affections towards me as you, my Lord." She flirted with her betrothed.

He repeated, "You'd be surprised, my little wolf." And left it at that. He did not need to encourage her to go off looking elsewhere for another younger, more handsome man to take as her husband.

Once they had finished their meal Sansa looked to Petyr. "Would you mind escorting me on a walk through the Godswood? I would like to have some time alone with you to think and discuss matters. Unless you have meetings to attend?" She asked.

"No my love, I am all yours for the day. I would love the pleasure to escort you wherever your heart so desires." He pushed back from the table and stood. He pulled her chair back and helped her to her feet, taking her hand in his and securing it through his bended elbow. They walked out of the hall and through the main grounds. Jon's guards followed them through the gates of Winterfell and were about to follow them to the woods before Sansa turned to them.

"You may stand guard here. I wish to have some privacy with Lord Baelish to discuss a sensitive matter." She ordered, giving no room for argument. They nodded and responded with a "Yes, my Lady" and stood guard just outside the line of trees.

"Are you warm enough Sansa?" Petyr asked her, noticing her cheeks were pink.

"Yes, I am plenty warm with you by my side. I rather enjoy the cold air. I am a Lady of the North, if you remember." She teased. He rather enjoyed this playful side of Sansa. So often she was serious and did not smile. He loved seeing her carefree and smiling as she was. If only briefly.

"I have given some thought to our discussions earlier this morning, Petyr." She said, continuing to walk and look ahead of her. "I told Jon before he left that I would wait for his return before I married you, but I am wondering now if that is the wisest decision."

Petyr's heart skipped a beat and the thought of still marrying her sooner rather than later. He had assumed that with the changes she would want to postpone the ceremony. He was growing more and more attached to the little wolf than he had realized. Of course he loved her, but he had always been able to keep the matters of his head and his heart separate. With her he was finding it increasingly difficult. The things he had desired since his youth were slowly becoming less and less important.

"Why the possible change of heart, my little love?" He asked, intrigued.

"Well, I was thinking through all the scenarios, like you mentioned." She was whispering at this point and he stopped her, looked around to ensure their isolation, and nodded at her to continue. "I will not go against my brother. Cousin. Jon. I will not attempt to dethrone Jon. I will support him as long as the people of the North support him. I do not wish to be Queen in the North. However, if there is discontent in the lands I will stand up for my people. I will ask Jon to step down honorably. And if he does, then that will be that. If he chooses to fight me on the matter, I will need men. I currently do not have men." She says.

"And I do." Petyr says. He likes how her mind is working. She is thinking through all possible outcomes. Clearly thinking through all the scenarios and devising a plan that coincides with each one. He reaches out to cup her cheek and gives her a brief kiss. "I must say my dear, I am proud of you. You are turning into a strong and cunning woman. It suits you well. However, my pride does find me a little worried at the notion that you are now only marrying me for my Kinghts." Be vulnerable he chants to himself. He must continue to show her how she has effected him, even if it shows his weakness. Even if it let's her past all the walls he's so carefully constructed his entire life.

At his words Sansa reaches up to cup his cheek as he had done to her and tells him "You silly man, don't you know by now how much I love you? After all I've been through these past years there's only been one ally I could depend on to keep me safe as best he can. Only one man I can trust to put me before himself. Only one constant in my life. That man is you Petyr Baelish. I am happy the day is near that I will become Sansa Baelish." And with that she kisses him, only not quite as modestly as he had. She kissed him with a passion that always seemed to find them in the woods.

"I do like the sound of your soon to be name on your lips." He breaths against her lips in between kisses. "I want to hear it again."

"Sansa Baelish." She whispers, tongue running across his lips. "Wife of Petyr Baelish." She continues. With each word he holds her tighter to his body. "Lady Baelish.." She is cut off as he backs her against a tree and loses himself in her kisses. Giving her his essence and taking hers in return.

She put her hands on his chest and applied pressure, urging him to stop. "Petyr, we must stop. If you continue this way I shall allow you to take me right her up against this tree." She pleads. Her head is spinning with want and desire. And not just for Petyr. The thought of having an entire army at her beckon call is exhilarating.

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea to me, my Lady." He says with a voice rough with desire. His hands travel up her body to her breasts and he grabs ahold of them tightly, leaning forward to take the flesh along her neck in his teeth, kissing and nibbling his way down her neck. She moans in response. This man knew how to play her like a piano. She arched her body into his hands and held his head to her neck, wanting more. She opened her eyes and looked above her in the trees and noticed a crow watching them. While Petyr and his mouth were roaming over her body she cocked her head to the side while still looking up to get a better look at this crow that seemed to be staring at them very intently. The bird cocked its head as she had and she pushed against Petyr, still looking at the bird "Stop. Stop." She said though not in a rude manner. He immediately stopped and followed her gaze to the bird in the tree.

The bird flew down to a lower branch to get closer to them and continued to stare. "It's as though he knows us and is aware of what we're doing." She says mystified.

Petyr immediately thought of Bran and the warging. This bird was entirely too curious to be just an ordinary bird. "Hello little wolf." Petyr said to the crow. The crow looked at him, squawked, then flew away.

"Little wolf?" Sansa asked, confused. "Are you mad? That was a crow."

"No my dear, that was no crow. That was your brother, Bran."