The Trial, an arrival and news from the north. More lines from the show, but once again twisted to suit my story.
This chapter wasn't intended to go this way, but timings meant it had to be changed from the original plan.
Jon
Jon and Sansa had spent a peaceful night together, curled up in each other's arms and discussing the last two days apart. They'd both managed to sleep properly as Sansa wasn't having nightmares, and Jon wasn't warged into Ghost's body, fretting about Sansa having nightmares. They were too tired to indulge in anything other than kissing and cuddling, but Jon didn't care, he was just happy to be home.
The day ahead was going to be a busy one. Most of the wagons had been emptied the day earlier. The material and Sansa's packages had been left in one room for Sansa to sort through, the wine taken down to the wine cellar and the dragonglass was already stashed in the spare stable which had already been converted. Two more were in the process of being readied for the next shipment, while the old kennel was being re-built as a purpose-made forge for the dragonglass. However, the table was still on the wagon in the stables, ready for it to be moved to a new room which would become the war room, however only two rooms were large enough to house the table as well as up to twenty people, which had been the number they had decided it needed to hold. One of the rooms was larger and more practical, however it would be difficult to get the table up the narrow winding staircase.
Jon Tormund, who was with Gendry looking over the enormous pile of dragonglass. "You think you can turn this into weapons boy?" he asked.
"No reason why not." Gendry turned around and saw Jon, he blushed and bowed. "Your grace." he said nervously, Tormund laughed loudly.
"Tormund, what have you told him?" Jon knew his friend had no doubt told the lad some exaggerated truth about him.
"Nothing that isn't true." Tormund replied earnestly.
"Like?" Jon folded his arms.
"You killed a whitewalker with Longclaw. You killed a Thenn with a hammer to a skull. You rode into battle to save your little brother and faced down a cavalry alone and lived." Tormund grinned as Gendry looked terrified.
"Did he now?" came Sansa's voice from behind, and Gendry looked even paler when he saw her.
Jon grinned. "Gendry, I'd like to introduce you to my betrothed, this is Queen Sansa."
"Your grace." Gendry bowed.
"Welcome to Winterfell Gendry. I take it you are the smith Ser Davos sent from Kings Landing." she smiled.
"Aye...er yes your grace." Gendry nodded.
"And you are Robert Baratheon's bastard son." she added.
"So I'm told."
"I would know straight away just by looking at you. And I suspect there are others here who know who you are as well." she turned to Jon. "It is probably best if Gendry stays in his room until the trial has taken place. I've had the one next to Arya's made up."
Jon sighed and was about to complain, but Gendry spoke first. "Is she here?" he asked as a smirk grew on Sansa's face.
"Who?" Jon snapped.
"Arry, I mean Arya." Gendry stammered.
"Do you know her?" Sansa asked and Gendry nodded.
"We travelled around the Riverlands a bit. Until the red woman took me to Dragonstone and leached me cock." Gendry told them.
"Is that all she did?" Tormund asked. "She raised him from the dead." he nodded towards Jon.
Gendry suddenly looked terrified. "Is she here?" he asked.
Jon shook his head. "She's at Castle Black. She is manning the magic at the wall."
"That woman is terrifying. Beautiful but terrifying." Gendry nodded.
"I won't be a moment." Sansa touched Jon's arm affectionately as she headed over to speak with Lord Royce. It was time to assemble the trial.
"Let me take you to your new rooms." Jon smiled. "Not every smith gets quarters in the family part of the keep."
"So why have I?" Gendry asked.
"Because you and I are distant cousins." Jon told him as they started to walk towards the great keep.
By the time Jon arrived at the main hall, it was already full. Littlefinger was in his usual spot near the wall, Sansa was nowhere to be seen, neither was Lord Royce.
"We will start when Queen Sansa arrives." Jon said sternly as Maester Wolkan stood behind him. "You may all sit." he commanded as the men and Lady Lyanna did as they were told. Eventually Sansa arrived, escorted by Lord Royce. Instead of joining him at the table, she stood in front of him with the Vale man by her side.
"Your grace." Jon said coldly.
"Are you sure certain this is what you want to do?" Sansa asked.
"Honour demands it." Jon replied. "As King, it is my duty to defend the North from those who would betray us, and that I defend myself and my family from those who would harm us." Sansa simply nodded before Jon continued. "You stand accused of murder. You stand accused of treason. How do you answer these charges Lord Baelish?" Jon, Sansa and Lord Royce turned their heads towards Littlefinger, as did the others in the room. Littlefinger looked dumbfounded as Sansa made her way up to the dais and sat beside Jon.
"Jon asked you a question." Sansa raised an eyebrow
Littlefinger frowned. "Lady Sansa, forgive me I'm a bit confused."
Jon looked at Littlefinger in disgust. "You will refer to her as your grace. She is a Queen, remember." he snapped.
"Which charges confuse you? Let's start with the simplest one you murdered our aunt, Lysa Arryn. You pushed her through the Moon Door and watched her fall. Do you deny it?" Sansa asked.
"I did it to protect you." Littlefinger admitted to the charge, slowly making his way to the front of the trestle, opposite Jon and Sansa.
"You did it to take power in the Vale. Earlier, you conspired to murder Jon Arryn. You gave Lysa Tears of Lys to poison him. Do you deny it?" Sansa's face was detached.
"Whatever your aunt might have told you, she was a troubled woman. She imagined enemies everywhere." Littlefinger was getting nervous, which Jon was enjoying immensely.
"You had Aunt Lysa send a letter to our parents telling them it was the Lannisters who murdered Jon Arryn when, really, it was you. The conflict between the Starks and the Lannisters, it was you who started it. Do you deny it?" Sansa raised an eyebrow, Jon looked at her in shock, this was new information, obviously things she'd learned in her previous life.
"I know of no such letter." he denied the accusation.
"You conspired with Cersei Lannister and Joffrey Baratheon to betray our father, Ned Stark. Thanks to your treachery, he was imprisoned and later executed on false charges of treason. Do you deny it?" Sansa raised her voice.
"I deny it! None of you were there to see what happened. None of you knows the truth." Littlefinger called out.
"You held a knife to his throat. And said 'I did warn you not the trust me.'" Sansa smiled, as Littlefinger looked at her in horror.
Sansa placed a fanciful looking dagger, still in its scabbard on the table in front of them. "You told our mother this knife belonged to Tyrion Lannister, but that was another one of your lies. It was yours." she drew the knife, Jon immediately noticed the blade was Valyrian steel.
"Lady Sansa, I have known you since you were a girl. I've protected you." Littlefinger begged.
"Protected me? By selling me to the Boltons?" Sansa asked. "Or having me masquerade as a bastard in the Vale, pretending to be my father, all the while touching me in places where fathers shouldn't touch their daughters." Jon felt sick. He'd suspected Littlefinger had acted inappropriate with Sansa, now she'd confirmed it.
"Sansa..."
"If we could speak alone, I can explain everything." Littlefinger sounded desperate.
"We did speak alone. You wanted Jon dead. You told me he wanted to marry Daenerys Targaryen, and that he didn't want to consummate the marriage to allow him to be single. You planned to use Tears of Lys like you did with Lord Arryn."
"You were part of that..." Littlefinger started, looking at Sansa.
"Enough. Her grace was acting on my behest." Jon smiled sadistically. He got up and walked around the table. "Sometimes when I'm trying to understand a person's motives, I play a little game. I assume the worst. What's the worst reason you have for turning Sansa against me?" he smiled at Littlefinger, who looked to Sansa, realising he'd been played.
"That's what you do, isn't it? That's what you've always done turn family against family, turn sister against sister. That's what you did to our mother and Aunt Lysa and that's what you tried to do to Jon and I." Sansa growled as Jon picked up the dagger and inspected it.
"Sansa, please." Littlefinger begged.
"I'm a slow learner, it's true. But I learn." Sansa smiled.
"Give me a chance to defend myself. I deserve that." Sansa nodded as Littlefinger turned to Lord Royce. "I am Lord Protector of the Vale and I command you to escort me safely back to the Eyrie." he demanded.
"I think not." Lord Royce huffed.
Littlefinger knelt before Sansa. "Sansa, I beg you! I loved your mother since the time I was a boy."
"And yet, you betrayed her." Sansa said calmly.
"I loved you. More than anyone." he argued.
"And yet, you betrayed me, in more ways than one. Even encouraging me to kill my future husband." she snarled.
"I only told you the truth." he looked up at Jon. "He doesn't love you. He only wants your crown. Ask him if he sent a raven to Dragonstone when he was at Castle Cerwyn. He will betray you." Littlefinger panicked.
"Of course Jon sent a raven to Dragonstone, I asked him to." Sansa looked at Littlefinger like he'd gone mad. "If what you told me was true, we need our men to return north immediately."
Jon bent down to Littlefinger's ear. "You're wrong about many things Lord Baelish. One of them being about annulling the marriage for lack of consummation. Gods she looks beautiful when she peaks in my arms" he whispered. "What do you think we've been doing for the last few months? Playing Cyvasse?" Jon smirked as Littlefinger stared at him in shock before glancing towards Sansa, a sly smile appearing on her face. Jon turned to Lord Royce to continue with the trial. "On the charge of the murder of Lord Arryn, how do you find him?"
"Guilty, I heard him confess it with his own mouth." Yohn Royce replied.
Jon turned to Sansa. "On the charges of murdering your aunt Lysa, how do you find him?"
"Guilty." Sansa said coldly.
"And on the charges of plotting to murder me," Jon took a small bottle out of his pocket. "This was found in his room. Maester Wolkan, can you confirm the contents?"
"Tears of Lys your grace." Maester Wolkan replied.
"I also find you guilty." Jon said.
Sansa stood. "When you brought me back to Winterfell, you told me there's no justice in the world, not unless we make it. Thank you for all your many lessons, Lord Baelish. I will never forget them."
Jon put the dagger back in its scabbard. "Lord Eddard Stark raised me to believe the man who passes the sentence must swing the sword." he turned to Tormund. "Tormund, could you bring me Longclaw?" he asked, to which Tormund nodded and went to get his sword.
"Sansa!" Littlefinger pleaded.
"Shut up or I'll take your tongue first!" Jon snapped as he dragged the pathetic weasel out into the courtyard to the chopping block. Sansa followed Jon, before the rest of the Lords filed out of the main hall to watch the execution. Once assembled, Tormund handed Longclaw to Jon and pushed Littlefinger's neck down on the chopping block.
Jon unsheathed Longclaw and held it point to the ground. "I, Aegon of House Targaryen, first of his name, King in the north, rightful King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, do sentence you Lord Baelish to die." he lifted Longclaw and sliced through Littlefinger's neck, hard and true. His head detached from its body and rolled about on the floor, blood spurting all over the ground. Jon took one last look and turned around. "Clear it up." he said to anyone who was listening, before heading off to the Godswood, so he could get some peace.
Jon sat on the stump in the Godswood where his uncle used to clean ice. Jon had forgotten to bring a whetstone with him, so he settled for just cleaning the blood from it for the time being. Jon had hoped the actions of cleaning the blade would calm his anger, but so far it wasn't working. He hadn't been alone long before he heard the crunch of footsteps, which he knew were Sansa's. Jon looked up and she smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry you had to find out many of the thing he did in such a public way." Sansa looked down.
"What did he do to you? What did he make you do?" Jon frowned.
Sansa sat beside him. "He kissed me. He used to put his hand down my dress and touch my breasts and he used to take his...his... he'd make me pleasure him." tears filled her eyes.
Jon put the sword and rag down and took her in his arms. "I wish Melisandre were here." he growled. "I'd have her bring him back to life so that I could chop his cock off first."
Sansa laughed and Jon frowned as her. "I wanted to do the same." she told him.
Jon ran his hand up and down her arm. "He can't hurt you anymore. He can't hurt us anymore."
The rest of the afternoon was spent organising the removal of the rose bushes in the glass gardens, while Sansa was going through her list of suppliers to rebuild the destroyed existing ones and adding more. Jon was stood in the gardens when Sansa approached, her face looking grim.
"What's the matter?" Jon asked.
"A raven, from Castle Black." Sansa passed him the letter, which he read out loud.
Jon
The red woman says whatever is affecting the magic is no more than a moon away. If it crosses the wall the magic will break. The person has been compromised by the Night King. What do you want me to do?
Edd Tollett
Lord Commander of the Night's Watch
"He'll just have to refuse to let it pass." Jon shrugged. "Block up the tunnel if whoever it is refuses."
Sansa shook her head. "We can't, I know who it is." tears sprung to her eyes as it suddenly dawned on Jon who it was.
"Bran." he said and Sansa nodded. "Are you sure?"
"He was marked by the Night King. Bran said the Night King wanted to erase all memories of this world and the Three-Eyed-Raven is the keeper of those memories." Sansa told him.
"Which means it is imperative we keep Bran safe while making sure he doesn't physically cross the wall." Jon sighed.
"He till needs to get south." Sansa's voice was determined.
"I know." Jon agreed. "We need to keep him safe and the people of Westeros safe. Looks like it is time to put that fancy new map to some good use." he kissed her.
Half an hour later, Jon was stood in the map room accompanied by Sansa, Tormund, Maester Wolkan, Alys Karstark, Ned Umber, Lyanna Mormont, Yohn Royce, Lord Glover and Gendry. Candles were lit underneath as was the hearth to keep them warm.
"Brandon Stark is somewhere north of Castle Black." Jon started. "He isn't far away as my scouts say he will be there within a moon's turn."
"Must be as far as the Fist of the First Men." Tormund offered, but Jon shook his head.
"Bran can't walk, which means it will take longer for him move. He's probably closer to Craster's Keep." Jon said. "The problem we have is Bran has been touched by the Night's King. Should he pass through the wall, the magical spells which keep the army of the dead out, will be broken."
Lord Royce frowned. "And we are to believe these spells exist?"
Jon turned to the Lord Paramount of the Vale. "I have it on good authority that should Brandon Stark cross the wall, the army of the dead will also be able to cross."
"Then we don't allow him south. Leave him north of the wall." Lord Glover suggested. "I don't mean to be insensitive, but if what you say is true, then why should we put the life of one boy above the lives of the north?"
"I agree, it is a very good question. And under normal circumstances, I would accept my brother would have to be a sacrifice to ensure the greater good. But there is more to Bran than him being my brother." Sansa explained.
"Has anyone ever heard the tale of the Three-Eyed-Raven?" Jon asked, everyone except Tormund and Lyanna Mormont shook their heads. "I'm sure we all have heard of Brynden Rivers, or Bloodraven." everyone except for Gendry and Tormund nodded. "Bastard son of Aegon the fourth, was hand of the King to Aerys the first and Maekar, he eventually became Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, and disappeared ranging north of the wall. Old Nan used to tell us he became the Three-Eyed-Raven, a man who held the histories and memories of Westeros."
"Bran is a greenseer." Sansa told them. "He went north of the wall with Jojen and Meera Reed. Jojen is also a greenseer." she turned to Tormund. "I believe the great weirwood is somewhere in the north."
"Aye. East of the Fist of the First men, south of the Antler river." Tormund nodded. "Protected by the little ones."
"The little ones?" Lord Royce asked.
"The children of the forest." Sansa explained. "It is believed Lord Rivers became the Three-Eyed-Raven as he was also a powerful greenseer."
"A sorcerer you mean." Lord Glover sneered.
"Lady Melisandre says the one who approaches, is very powerful and needs to be kept safe." Jon lied. "Bran needs to cross the wall without crossing the wall."
"What do you propose?" Lord Glover asked.
"The last we know of, the army of the dead were here." he placed a blue counter over Hardhome. Sansa had told Jon that Eastwatch was where the wall fell, so it was fair to presume they hadn't moved from that area. "They don't move fast, and we need to get Bran as far away from them as possible. Also, they can't swim of cross water. We need to send Bran west, further than the wall. Along the shores south of the Skirling pass. Then he can sail south," he looked at Lady Mormont, but he needs to be contained somewhere safe. I was hoping it would be possible for Bear Island to be temporarily evacuated until we have dealt with the army of the dead. Your people can stay here." he offered.
"Your grace, I will do anything you ask to ensure the north is kept safe." Lyanna smiled. "Bear Island would be honoured to host the Three-Eyed-Raven."
Thank you Lady Mormont." Jon smiled. "Your sacrifice will not be forgotten." he turned to Gendry. "How long will it take to make a hundred daggers?" he asked.
Gendry looked at Jon in shock. "On my own, a day."
"And spears?" Jon asked.
"Two days, another day for daggers. If you put the rest of the forge to help, I could show them what to do, we might get the lot out in a day and a half. I could do a hundred arrowheads in four hours, they're quick and easy."
"Thank you. I'll see you get the manpower to make as many weapons as possible." Jon nodded, he looked across the table at Tormund. "Instead of going to Eastwatch, I need you to help me escort Bran west..." he started.
"What?" Sansa cried. "Are you intending to go with them?"
"Aye." Jon nodded. "Bran knows me, he'll trust me when I tell him our plan."
Sansa folded her arms. "And the wedding?"
"Will be delayed." Jon turned to the rest of the council. "Do you accept our marriage to be postponed by a few moons until this important task is complete?"
Lord Royce nodded. "If it is to be so. You will not lose the support of the Vale." he promised. "We will keep Queen Sansa safe until you return. However, might it not be prudent to hold the coronation now? The celebrations can be made after the wedding."
Jon looked to Sansa, who shook her head. "If Jon and I are crowned, it leaves me vulnerable to Daenerys Targaryen, who is currently sailing from Meereen to Dragonstone. I think it would be most prudent to let her deal with the south for the time being. If news reaches her of Jon's disappearance, she will leave the north untouched."
"How do you know this?" Lord Glover asked.
"I was once married to Tyrion Lannister, her hand, I know how his mind works. He will advise her to capture Casterly Rock first." Sansa turned to Jon. "You deal with the north and I will make preparations for dealing with the south." although Sansa was putting on a united front, he could tell she was angry. "Lady Margaery will be arriving next week. We need to secure the Tyrell forces. I will write to Lady Olenna and let her know her granddaughter will be safe here at Winterfell from Cersei's clutches. She has a cunning mind, she could be of some use to us."
Jon turned to Lord Royce. "Jaime Lannister has men stationed at Riverrun. Lady Brienne wrote and assured Sansa that he wouldn't attack the north, but I don't trust him."
"No need to worry your grace. Queen Sansa will be in safe hands." Lord Royce smiled.
"Thank you Lord Royce." Jon nodded. "lord Umber, how many fighting men do you have left?"
"Forty eight." Little Lord Umber replied.
"Lady Karstark?" Jon asked.
"A hundred and twenty two."
"Your castles are the closest to Eastwatch. Lord Umber, Last Hearth is the closest castle, I need you to send twenty four men to Eastwatch and the other twenty four to Greenguard to man the castles. Lady Karstark, I want you to send all of your men to Eastwatch. When the Karstark forces reach Eastwatch, then I want all of the Umber men garrisoned at Greenguard. Can you organise that today?" he asked.
"Yes your grace." Alys Karstark replied.
"Aye your grace." Ned Umber nodded.
"Good. The Freefolk and I will make for Castle Black and escort Bran west. When he is safely on Bear Island, I want the Freefolk to man Shadow Tower and for you to re-garrison Westwatch. We'll talk that over with Edd at Castle Black." he added. "Now m Lords and Ladies, if you would all excuse me and the Queen, we must speak in private."
Everyone except Sansa and Jon filed out of the room. It was clear that an argument was about to ensue. Once the door was closed, Jon took a deep breath and waited for the onslaught.
"Why must you play the hero Jon?" Sansa demanded.
"He is too important to just leave this to Tormund and the Freefolk. If I'm there they will be disciplined and we can get him to safety sooner."
"But the army of the dead..." Sansa started.
"Are gathered at Hardhome." he pointed to the map. "Bran is somewhere around here." he showed her where Craster's was as it wasn't labelled on the map. "We are going this way, as far away from the army of the dead as possible. On the other hand, there's a good chance we'll meet some Freefolk, who might choose to side with us."
"And if they don't?" Sansa sucked in her cheeks.
"Then we fight them." Jon shrugged.
Tears formed in Sansa's eyes. "You'll be gone for too long."
Jon nodded. "I expect it will take a moon to get to Castle Black. We'll put Bran on a sleigh with a horse, that should speed up the journey. It should only take a fortnight to get to Westwatch. We don't have to go north of the wall before that. We'll stop off at the old abandoned castles along the way, I can send ravens, letting you know of our progress. Plus, Bran will know where the army of the dead are. He can help us avoid them. Then it should take two moons to get back here."
"So around four moons." Sansa looked pale.
"I'll leave Ghost." Jon offered.
"I'd prefer him to stay with you. I might be able to relax more if I know you are safe." she said.
"You'll be too busy running this place to notice I'm gone. You've got the wedding to prepare for. Two shipments of dragonglass, not to mention the return of Lady Brienne and Ser Davos. Lady Margaery will undoubtedly take up much of your time. And you need to follow the matters in the south. Then there are the restorations of the glass gardens..."
"Alright, I know, I'll be busy." Sansa closed in on Jon. "I'll miss you." she said, her bottom lip beginning to tremble.
"Then there is the possible return of Arya." Jon wrapped his arms around Sansa, who sobbed into his chest.
"At least she'll come." Sansa said, Jon frowned.
"Did you think she wouldn't?" he asked.
"I couldn't be certain." Sansa said. "She came north because we re-took Winterfell. But I'm not sure how she'd feel about us being married. She might have changed her mind and gone to kill Cersei after all."
"Well then, it turns out you can't change everything. Obviously I'm not supposed to be in Winterfell when Arya returns." Jon suggested.
"Mayhaps you are right." Sansa agreed reluctantly. "Although it doesn't make it any easier to let you go."
"I won't be leaving for another two nights." Jon said. "Let us spend them wisely."
Sansa smiled and kissed him chastely on the lips. "I'm sure we can do something to make it memorable."