Chapter 14

A week later most of the men in Winterfell who had fought in the battle were mostly healed. They were able to start helping with the hunting and gathering of what food was left to be found under the snow that had already fallen. The food was still bland and mostly the same at every meal but it helped to have more hands finding more.

Sansa spent many hours a day mending clothes and cloaks and blankets for anyone around who needed it. Petyr was busy with the Lords and Jon planning for any and all scenarios involving the White Walkers. He was also named master of coin, though without the fancy title. Basically Jon had given him the ledger and told Petyr to take care of business. Bran spent most of his time with the men or out in the Godswood near the Heart Tree warging, trying to learn any and everything he could.

After another month had passed they got the Raven from the South. Jon walked into Sansa and Petyr's chambers and said "She has reached Kings Landing." He didn't need to say more. They knew what he spoke of. They both set down what they were working on and followed Jon into the room he used for smaller meetings.

Just Sansa, Petyr, Tormund, Davos, Bran, and Jon were present. "I wanted to speak with you all first before I talked with all the other Lords." Jon began. "There was no request for aid from Cersei or Daenerys, only a notification that the Dragon Queen had reached the port of Kings Landing from Varys." Jon finished.

He waited a moment for everyone to process the information then he continued. "She has a fleet of a thousand ships and 3 almost full grown dragons. It is rumored that Cersei plans to use her cache of wild fire to take out as many ships and men as she can. She does not plan to surrender. She will burn the entire kingdom down along with her if she has to. She will not surrender the Iorn Throne alive." He finishes.

Sansa asked "What are to do? Just sit here and wait while they destroy each other and see who ends up on top?"

"Basically." Jon replied.

"That is the best course of action my Lady." Ser Davos tells her. "We should not waste men and resources on a battle that isn't about us." He says.

"Lord Varys also said in his scroll that Queen Daenearys said if we stayed in the North and did not fight her claim to the Iron Throne that she would not retaliate against us." Jon continued.

"Well, this all seems very simple then to me. We sit here and wait to see what happens and then act accordingly to the outcome." Petyr assesses. He looks around and all in attendance nod their heads in agreement.

Jon stands and says "To the hall then." And everyone follows as he walks out.

...

Jon stood at the head table and waited for everyone to be silent.

"Quiet your fools!" Tormund bellowed from the back. Not having seen that the order was given by a Wildling, every settled down and shut their mouths.

"I recieved a raven from the south. Daenerys Targaryen, the Dragon Queen, is due to make landfall at Kings Landing within the week." He paused as everyone rumbled amongst themselves. After a moment he continued "She has promised to leave us be if we do not interfere with her fight against Cersei for the Iron Throne. I have decided that the best course of action will be to stand down. I have no wish to waste men, time, or resources on a battle that doesn't concern us. Not while the real threat to the North is coming for us any day now."

He sat back down while the Lords talked amongst themselves. After a while Lady Mormont stood up and began to speak. "King Jon is right. We do not need to bother with the Southerners while they fight over a chair made of swords. Our focus should be on the war against the White Walkers. You are my King and I will stand behind whatever decisions you make." She says and then sits down. The other Lords in the room all chant in agreement at her words. Jon smiles, pleased that there wasn't any arguments that needed to occur to get them to see reason.

Petyr sat back and watched everyone as they all agreed with their King and got back to discussing ways to defeat the undead army. Petyr could feel his dreams slowly slipping out of reach. If Daenerys had three dragons at the end of her battle against Cersei then there was no way he could ever dream of sitting on the Iron Throne. No matter how many men he had at his disposal, it would never be enough to compete against fire breathing dragons. They would burn his army to a crisp before they even got near Kings Landing. As unease settled through his body he leaned over to Sansa and whispered in her ear "I am going to take a walk my love, please stay here. We can discuss what I missed later when we are alone."

"Why are you leaving? Is something wrong?" She asked, concerned.

"No my dear, I just need a few moments to myself to gather my thoughts. You will be alright here with Jon." He assured her. She nodded her head and he kissed the top of her head as he stood. Quietly he told Jon "I need to get some air, your Grace."

Jon nodded his head "Of course Lord Baelish." And allowed him to leave.

Petyr could see the question in the young King's eyes. The doubt they held for the man standing before him. He was a wise king to doubt Petyr's motives and actions. Not that Petyr would ever tell him so.

He looked back at his little wolf before he stepped outside. He could see the worry etched plainly on her face. He turned away and stepped out into the cold air.

Snow was beginning to fall already, leaving a clean white blanket on the ground. It made everything look softer somehow. The harsh years that Winterfell had endured were slowly being erased. Burnt beams, doors, walls, and battlements were replace. The whole castle was being restored to its former glory. This was a grand place to live, to govern over. One would be lucky to live their life here and be Lord of the lands. Petyr would love to live here with Sansa, as Lord and Lady of Winterfell. They could raise their children here and find their own bit of paradise here in the North of the Realm. Every morning he would wake not worrying about his next move, his next scheme. He could happily love his wife without threat of harm to her or their children. It would be a peaceful life.

As he walked to the gates and out into the woods he found himself smiling at the thought of living here with her forever. His step faltered when he realized that not once in this pretty picture he was painting himself did it include the Iron Throne or being King of the Seven Kingdoms. Petyr was at a crossroads in his life and he did not like it. He had spent every single day since Brandon Stark bested him in their duel creating and climbing his ladder that would lead him to the top. And here he was considering stopping a few rungs shy of the top.

Was that what he really wanted anymore? Did he really want to continue to fight and scheme and manipulate his way to the Capital? Sansa had shown no desire to be Queen of the Realm. She showed no desire to rule over others. All she seemed to want was a life with him here in Winterfell. Could Petyr truly be happy abandoning his lifelong dream? The more important question he needed to ask himself was could he be happy abandoning his wife for the throne if it came down to it? His heart broke at the thought. Imagining her no longer loving him, trusting him, being by his side day and night, cut him to his core. He stopped and reached out to hold onto a tree as the pain at the mere thought of losing her seared through his body.

Things always changed. Plans changed. Who ruled changed. Alliances change. But the endgame never had before. Not once. But now that vision was blurred around the edges, slowly going out of focus. He stared out into the forest not really seeing what was physically in front of him but instead seeing the abstract. As the Iron Throne he had lusted after for so long slowly faded away a new picture took form. This one was more beautiful than anything he had ever dreamed or imagined or hoped for. As the vision took shape he realized his dream had changed. It took the shape of his beautiful wife. She stood there, in front of him smiling. A light emanated from all around her causing her to appear to be glowing. Her hair was down and flowing out behind her as if caught in a gentle breeze. Her eyes as blue as a clear summer day shinned with a brightness he could only describe as coming from within. Her smile was small but the most genuine he had ever seen on her lips. She held her hands if front of her stomach, protecting it, holding it. He realized that it was swollen with his child inside.

Petyr slowly slid to the ground as he saw her there in front of him, the epitome of beauty and love. The vision did not scare him. Did not make him fear for the future. The sight he saw comforted him and brought him happiness. Could this be what he had truly needed all along? Ever since Catelyn had chosen another over him he had set any and all goals on the exact opposite of love. Not wanting to ever be hurt again he refused to entertain thoughts of happiness that revolved around a woman. They were fickle in their affections, hurtful even. Being scorned by his first love had left a lasting scar, physically and emotionally, that he was unwilling to endure a second time. As result, he chose to focus on the one thing that he could control completely. His status in the world. And he wanted to be at the top.

Sansa had changed things for him. She burned his ladder to the ground and built a new one that was stronger and higher than his own had ever been. As he climbed as fast as he could to the top all he could see was her face. Putting all his trust in another woman was terrifying. Another Tully woman to be exact. But Sansa was nothing like her mother, was she? She looked enough like her, sure. But even her beauty surpassed that of her mother's. Beyond looks, Sansa had a strength about her that was unequaled in any other woman he had ever met. Most men too. She had endured so much in her short life and still she stood tall and unwavering. And, unlike her mother, she had chose him. She had married Petyr and given herself to him in every way possible. There was really no comparison between the two save for the fact that the same blood ran though their veins. Or had.

Still in a daze at his epiphany, Petyr stood and headed back within the walls of Winterfell to go to his bride and tell her that everything had changed.

...

As she headed to the King's chambers to bring him food for his midday meal she stopped as she heard the men speaking. The door was adjar and she could just make out what they were saying.

"Your Grace,"

"Call me Jon, Davos."

"Jon. Do you really think we can trust the man? He seemed upset when he left the hall earlier."

"My sister trusts him and I trust her. No, I do not fully trust him when it comes to anything, except for where she is concerned."

"I am afraid he will tell your secret. I am afraid he will use it against you to try and overthrow you as King and take power for himself by using Sansa as a pawn."

She heard some shuffling and the King responded but sound further away this time.

"I have heard your worries and will take them into consideration, but for now nothing has changed. We will continue on as we have been and just keep our eyes and ears on my sisters husband. Since he arrived on the battle field he has not once given us a reason to not trust him. In fact, he's done the opposite. Supporting us and our cause with his own men. He didn't have to help, but at Sansa's request he has. And for that I am grateful. But I will stay vigilant, and so should you."

"Yes, your Grace."

"Jon!"

At that she stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Enter." She heard the King say. Timidly, the kitchen servant walked into the King's chambers and curtsied as best she could with a tray full of food and drink. "Where would you like me to put this, your Grace?" She asked, blushing as she looked up into his dark eyes. The King was a very handsome man. He smiled kindly at her and told her to place it on his desk. She did as she was told and curtsied once more and went to the leave.

"Miss?" He called after her. She turned and looked at him.

"Yes your Grace?" She swallowed hard, her nerves knotting in her stomach.

"Thank you." He said and turned back to his companion.

She curtsied again, even though no one was paying attention to her anymore and left the room. She walked straight to his room. Lord Baelish's chambers. Well, his new chambers. He had moved in with his wife. A sour look crossed her face and she composed herself quickly as she neared the door. She knocked on the door and waited. She heard someone walking towards the door and she stood back a step. When it opened she saw Lady Baelish towering over her and smiling at her.

"Hello little bird." she said, the girl blushed at her use of the pet name Lord Baelish had given her. She was upset that he had obviously told her about their talks. She had thought they had been just between them. "May I help you?"

"Ummm, I was looking for Lord Baelish, my Lady." She said quietly and embarrassed.

"Come in, he is at his desk." Lady Baelish said and stepped aside to let her in. Her blush grew as she walked inside the chamber and waited in the middle of the room.

Petyr stood from his desk and walked to her, giving her that sly smile that made her knees weak.

"Hello my dear, do you have something that you wish to share with us?" He asked her. She didn't say anything and her discomfort grew rather apparent. "Don't worry about my wife's presence. She knows of our agreement and we can trust her to keep our secret." He said, making Sansa sound like the outsider to calm the girls nerves. She was completely out of her comfort realm around the Lord and Lady couple.

Petyr spared his wife a quick glance and saw that she played the part very well. No anger showed in her features at his words. Good. She understood the importance of having little birds all throughout Westeros.

The kitchen servant looked up from under her lashes to the Lord and began to speak quietly. "My dear, I'll need you to speak up. My ears aren't as young as they used to be." He said in jest, hoping to get her to relax further. It worked.

"I was commissioned to bring the King his midday meal and I overheard him talking with Ser Davos, my Lord." She began.

"And what did you overhear, little bird?" He asked, walking closer to her, taking up all of her attention. Sansa was impressed with how well he manipulated the girl. She seemed like a rather easy pawn in her opinion.

"He, I mean, Ser Davos was questioning whether or not the King should trust you, Lord Baelish." She began uneasily.

"It's ok little bird, I know these words are not your own." He said to reassure her. He reached out and squeezed her upper arm to comfort her before he let his hand fall back to his side. A blush creeped up her neck and flourished across her face. Poor girl, Sansa thought to herself. She was lost to her husband's charms. Sansa found it amusing.

"He said that he thought you would share his secret, but I swear to you I don't know what this secret is." She said, immediately worried that he would cast her out of his chambers and his life for good.

"I know you don't know. Please, continue." He reassured her again.

"Ser Davos said that he thought you would use this secret against the King and use Lady Baelish as a pawn to overthrow the King and reign in his place." Once she was finished she looked down at her clasped hands in front of her and worried her hands nervously as she waited for someone else to speak.

"Thank you, little bird. You have been most helpful. I owe a debt to you that I promise will be repaid." He reached for her hand and placed a gentle but chaste kiss on the back of her hand and while still holding it in his hand lead her to the door and out of his chambers. She was so flustered she didn't even realized she'd been kicked out until she'd made her way back to the kitchen. She didn't care. He had kissed her!

...

"Petyr, you are so wicked!" Sansa exclaimed.

"I have to keep her on our side my love. I promise to you that nothing will ever transpire between the wench and I-" he began. She cut him off.

"Shut up Petyr. You were brilliant. Heartless, but brilliant nonetheless." She bragged to her love. "What should we do with this news?" She asked him.

"Nothing right now, my love." He told her. "Your cousin and his Hand are watching me now, but they will soon grow quite bored of the task. My goals are no longer the same as they were when I first arrived in Winterfell." he said as he walked closer to Sansa, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"What do you mean, Petyr?" She asked, confused.

"I had a vision in the Godswood. No longer is the Iron Throne my endgame, my love. My goals have changed. In the woods I had a vision of you glowing and beautiful before me, carrying my child in your womb. At that moment I realized I no longer cared if I ruled over the Realm or over an army of ants. All I want in this life is to serve you and please you and raise healthy sons with you. Do you accept my new dream, my little wolf?" He asked her.

Tears filled her eyes as she looked to her new husband and as the first tear fell she replied "Of course I accept that dream my husband. All I have ever wanted was to be in love and be loved by a man who treats me with respect and love and kindness. A man who will always protect me and love our children as much as he loves me. You encompass all those desires and more. I couldn't ask for someone better than you to fulfill all my dreams. I love you Petyr." She finished.

"I do not deserve you." He says as he pulls her close for a kiss.

A/N: As I finished this chapter a song started playing on my playlist that fits this chapter perfectly. I Never Knew Love- Doug Stone... Creepy right? Anyway, how do y'all like Petyr's change of heart? I just can't see him being cruel and unchanging in his ways forever. He is how he is because he was scorned by Catelyn once. I believe that if his love was returned he would be an entirely different man with entirely different drives. Maybe that's just me.