Hello all, for any Canadians hope you all had a nice Canada Day. Today I present the "last" chapter for the first arc I would say. I will be posting an update on what I have planned and ideas of where I could take this story. I will be taking a break from writing for a while, but I assure you that I will continue this story someday. Last but not least, thank you for all the new follows/favorites for this story. Greatly appreciated, now enough stalling enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any of these character names or the story itself. George RR Martin owns all of these characters from his story ASOIAF.

Chapter 12: The future waits

295 AC – the morning after the full moon, 30 days until the next full moon

Jon POV

Morning came faster than he expected. The blinding lights came through, as Jon brought his hand up to block the morning rays. Jon got up from his bed, stretching his aching muscles to ready himself for the day. Jon looked out the window, the sun was barely creeping out the horizon, and they should be back by now. With Sansa transforming every full moon, their father had a cabin created to house her. Jon and his siblings gave their comfort to Sansa, during the night before to ease her mind hopefully, so that the process was less painful for her.

Jon walked to his wardrobe, getting on his regular attire for the day. As he set out for the day, he bumped right into Arya, "Oof, Arya what are you doing here?"

"They arrived back, it looks like Sansa was able to run free" Arya replied. Jon leaned back slightly; it seemed that the cabin and the restraints were not enough. Before he could respond, he heard footsteps approaching them. Both Arya and Jon turned to the left as they saw their father walking at a distressing pace. "Father," Arya said as she ran to her father, hugging his midsection as he returned the gesture. "What happened last night, father?" father composed himself before answering, "The cabin did little in containing Sansa last night, I plan to make improvements to the restraints for the next full moon".

I nodded at my father's response, "Why don't you two gather the others into the Great Hall for the morning fast? Do not worry about starting without me or Sansa, she is quite tired from last night and will be resting in her quarters" Arya and I nodded as we hurried down the hall. Robb had woken and was with Bran, once the four of us were gathered we headed down to the Great Hall. "Were Sansa?" Bran asked innocently, "Sansa is feeling unwell, but maybe later we could visit her later to cheer her up" I replied with a smile.

Bran gave a bright smile back, as we continued. As we entered the Great Hall, Lady Stark was already there, having the servants prepare the food for us. "Robb, have you seen your father and your sister?" she asked Robb. "Jon told me that Sansa was unwell from last night, she will be staying in her quarters for the day", Lady Stark would then excuse herself as she made her way out of the Great Hall.

My eyes followed her figure, despite not having a strong relationship with Lady Stark; I couldn't help but felt pity for her. "Come Jon" I looked down to see Bran tugging at my legs. I picked him up as we went to break our fast, after which we would see how Sansa was doing.

Sansa POV

Sansa was exhausted from last night. When morning came, she found herself in the woods yet again, her mouth dressed in blood. Fortunately or not, the beast had killed a stag; from the carcass, it had devoured a large portion of its body. The smell of the kill made Sansa so nauseous that she emptied her stomach, revealing that the werewolf ate more critters than she anticipated. Eventually, her father's men found her and thus began the ride back to the castle.

Once she was back into the confines of Winterfell, a bath was already drawn for her. The warm waters provided minimum comfort for her, as she thought back to last night. The transformation seemed to be more painful, and her father told her that she broke free of the restraints. She even saw the wreckage of the cabin, the doors were completely busted from their hinges and the chains were destroyed. Sansa gathered her knees to her chest, she was distraught at the fact that the beast had free roam, the saving grace being that no one was injured.

After Sansa finished her bath, she was dressed in a simple plain green gown. She examined herself in the mirror; her hair was in a mess, her eyes still had a slight tinge of yellow and she still had a strong sense of smell. Suddenly, her stomach protested as she rushed over to the chamber pot as she vomited again; her body heaved as she breathed heavily, tears forming in her eyes. After a few minutes, Sansa composed herself, using a nearby brush to straighten the locks making them more presentable. As she sat on the bed, a knock had her attention "Come in" she said.

Father entered with a tray; of soup, bread, and a few lemon cakes, which he placed on my table. "I thought you might be hungry, considering how much trouble you gave us last night" I gave a slight chuckle "No thanks, I am quite full from last night's meal". My father gave a small smile, as he placed his hand comforting, rubbing circles on my back. "I'm sorry for wrecking the cabin" father shook his head "There's nothing to apologize for; we make improvements for the future".

"How are you feeling?" I took a deep breath, "Exhausted, my body is aching and sore, plus I have a few bruises on my legs. This time was worse than before, I am glad that I didn't kill anyone". My father nodded at my statement as he got off the bed, "Sansa, dear I promise you that I will do my best to ensure that you are happy and well," he said as he cupped my face with his hands. I was crying tears as I hugged my father; we remained in that position for a while.

Hours later Robb, Jon, Arya, Bran, and my mother visited me. Mother expressed great concern over me, even requesting that I see maester Luwin. Father convinced her that I was simply worn out, and simple rest will bring me back to shape. Bran was the bright spot of the day; my little brother spent his entire day with me, showing off his toys, and attempting to read stories to me. It was now the hour of the wolf, Bran was sleeping peacefully on my bed clutching his stuffed direwolf. She then caught sight of Robb at the door, "SHHH, Bran is sleeping," I said quietly.

Robb nodded, as he slowly walked into the room, sitting right next to me. "Tire himself did he?" I nodded "You wouldn't believe how much Bran did, to make me happy. I think the best part was when he tried to read the story of Bran the Builder. I was practically reading it to him". Robb smiled at my response as turned to watch Bran, "Things are going to be different, with a new sibling coming in a few moons, and well you know" as he gestured to me.

I let out a huff, "I know. Can I tell you something, Robb?" Robb turned to face me.

"Growing up, I've been told of songs and stories of romance and adventure. Hearing the tales of handsome princes, honorable knights, chivalry, and love, influenced my view of the world. I use to think that I would marry a great knight, of the tales. Seems silly now doesn't it?" Robb took in my response, "Well, I mean we were young impressionable kids, who believed anything. I remember telling Arya once that we lived in an eye of a giant."

I giggled at the remark, "Yeah, but as you grew up and experience the world, your expectations just seem silly. This experience has opened my eyes quite a bit, realizing that the world can be cruel" taking a deep breath she continued "But, I think in time perhaps I could learn to appreciate this curse".

Robb nodded solemnly, "Don't brood over this Sansa, perhaps we will find a cure. Then you can have the perfect life you always wanted". I smiled, grabbing my brother's hand "I already have a perfect life, with father, mother, you, Jon, Arya, Bran and eventually a new brother or sister". After our talk, Robb took Bran to his rooms, as I stared at the ceiling, wondering what the future would bring.

Eddard POV

The morning was quite busy for Eddard; on the fact that he had men reconstructing the cabin and seeing Roose Bolton off. Lord Bolton was of great help, who not only gave prudent information on Sansa's condition but provided ample support during last night in location her whereabouts.

"Safe travels, Lord Bolton. My thanks for your help during these weeks", "You have my gratitude my Lord, rest assured I shall carry on with our investigation" Lord Bolton answered smoothly like a whisper. I watched as the riders rode over the hill, slowly disappearing into the horizon.

I returned to my solar, collecting my thoughts over the last month. Sansa would forever carry this burden, disrupting any future she could have. Sansa could marry, but Eddard feared if anyone were to discover her condition they would reject her. Eddard exhaled, he had already heard the news from the capital of Robert's son Joffrey. He hoped that Robert would not propose a marriage between Sansa and his eldest, he would rather have Sansa where he knew she is kept safe. As he sat alone with his thoughts, maester Luwin entered the solar unexpectedly.

"That is sound advice Luwin; contact the Citadel if they have any knowledge if any on werewolves. However if they request Sansa's presence for study purposes, refuse them". "I understand my Lord" Luwin replied as he bowed and left my solar. I leaned back, easing the headache that was coming up. I decided to return to the paperwork that lined my desk. As I finished writing the last letter to Lord Manderly, he noticed that the night had fallen, the outside being a dark shadow eclipsing Winterfell.

Feeling quite drained, I headed to my sleeping quarters. I opened the door quietly, not to disturb Cat. He undressed quickly and slipped under covers next to his wife. "Ned?" he heard her whisper, Eddard rolled onto his side "You were supposed to be asleep". Catelyn rolled on her side to face him; her face worried "I was simply wondering, what does the future entail for our children? I mean Robb will grow to be a Lord, Bran could become a knight, but Sansa and Arya's futures are uncertain. Arya is willful and doesn't listen, she honestly will never become as prestige as a lady" I smiled at her comments Arya, it was the wolf's blood that made her wild just like Brandon and Lyanna.

"For Sansa, I'm afraid. The curse she has will forever stain her future. She can't be married off to some Lord, otherwise learning her fate and separating herself every full moon, in becoming a monster" I nodded at her words, "We still have time before we reached that point, we will figure something together for all of them, including this one" as I slowly caressed her bump lovingly. She smiled as she buried her head into my chest, I held her tightly as I listened to her breaths as she relaxed into me. I watched her fall asleep, as I slowly drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever challenge that awaited us.

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