Wife of the Wolf, Husband of the Sun.
Book 2
Chapter One-Hundred and Thirty-One
The fire was crackling away in the hearth and Sansa pushed her needle through the green silk that was held in her embroidery hoop and pushed the black thread through with it, she had been working on a handkerchief for Lady Mormont and while it was a more masculine present than Sansa would normally make for another woman she was certain that the Lady of Bear Island would appreciate it.
The sound of a dog panting made Sansa look up from her task and she smiled when she saw the shaggy grey hound looking up at her, her sister Meria was more fond of hounds than Sansa was but she had found that she had grown a soft spot for the slobbering old hound ever since she had arrived and so she reached out to give the great dog a scratch behind the ears.
The dog gave a great bark before curling up at her feet and Sansa returned to her work, trying to make certain that the little black bear in the centre of the silk was a perfect match for the bear on all of House Mormont's heraldry.
Lady Maege and her daughters had been nothing but courteous to her since she had arrived even though Sansa could not have been said to do the same, she was a princess of the realm and she had been raised better than to be rude but she had not gone to any effort to hide that she did not want to be there at all.
And yet the ladies of House Mormont had been nothing but patient with her and with time Sansa found the her cold courtesy became more genuine and warm as she allowed herself to get to know them.
Lady Maege was as unlike her mother as any woman could ever be and yet Sansa saw a dignity in her that any queen or great lady would hope to strive for, even when dressed in leather and mail.
Dacey Mormont was away at Winterfell to keep Sansa's cousin Minisa company as she settled into marriage and running the household of Winterfell but the rest of her sisters remained at Bear Island and they certainly made certain that Sansa did not lack for company.
Alysane was as loud as she was brave, since Sansa had arrived she had seen her wrestle in the mud with at least a dozen men and she had won more times than she had not and even when she lost she would just throw her head back and laugh, even with a black eye or a bloodied nose.
And when she was not wrestling or training she was with her children, showing her daughter how to properly hold a bow before she started to truly use one or throwing her son up into the air or tickling his stomach to fill the air with his giggles which was a delight for all to hear.
Lyra was as willowy as her elder sister was broad and was easily the most beautiful of them all, she preferred to dress in silk and velvet and yet even she still used a weapon and Sansa didn't think she had ever seen anyone better with a bow and she had seen her older brother Mors practice with one every single day for as long as she could remember.
She had also been helping her with her numbers, Sansa had always struggled with them for as long as she could remember, and she always knew her mother had despaired of that even if the Queen had said nothing, and while she still struggled she was doing better.
Jorelle reminded her of Arya, truth be told. Always running after her older sisters, who were always quick to ruffle her hair when they caught sight of her, always a little louder than any situation called for.
The reminder was an odd feeling, she honestly did not think that she would ever miss Arya this much, she hoped that she was enjoying her time in Sunspear with their mother's family.
She should write to her.
And then finally there was little Lyanna, she was the youngest of the she-bears and yet she was somehow the most serious of them as well and her grim face always gave Sansa a bittersweet pang in her heart as it reminded her of her royal father.
She should write to him as well.
Jorelle and Lyanna had been trying to get her to train with a weapon ever since she had arrived, they had shoved a mace into her hands once but it had been so heavy that Sansa had dropped it and it nearly landed on her foot.
After that they had tried her with a bow but Sansa had missed every single shot, they tried her with throwing knives and Sansa had nearly stuck one in the maester of Bear Island's eye.
After that Lady Maege had put an end to the lessons and Sansa had been glad of that, she didn't really want to learn how to use a weapon anyway but it had been hard for her to say no to the two stubborn little girls.
Footsteps made her look up from her work and she gave Lyra a smile as soon as she saw her which the elder girl returned, "That is fine work Princess, if I may say so."
"Thank you," Sansa said as a warm feeling flooded through her, her needlework had never been complimented when Rohanne's was always so much better than hers. "It is a gift for your lady mother, to thank her for being so kind to me."
"I am certain that she will love it," Lyra replied and reached down to scratch behind the dog's ears as it rose and padded over to her. "I hope that old Bones has been a good lad while keeping you company."
"Oh yes, he's a good boy."
"Indeed he is," at that moment the dog tilted his head up to look at Lyra with eyes that, to Sansa, seemed to have grown twice in size which made Lyra sigh. "Don't look at me like that, if we sneak you any more honey cakes then cook is going to start hitting us on the back of the hand with his wooden spoon."
Sansa could not help herself, she laughed and she only laughed harder when Lyra finally gave in and sighed before promising Bones that she would bring him two honey cakes later in the day.
Her laughter died then when a loud, mournful sound cut through the air. Bones climbed to his feet and began to let out a deep howl and Sansa felt fear twist in her gut when she saw Lyra's face pale as the sound happened again, followed by the sound of yelling and cursing from outside, "What is that?" she asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking as she stood up.
"The watch horn, two blasts means reavers from the sea," Lyra swallowed roughly. "I beg your pardon Princess, I must ask that you excuse me."
Lyra was already walking away before Sansa said anything, the doors to the hall were thrown open before Lyra could reach them and Alysane was standing there with her axe in one hand and Lyra's bow slung over her back, her daughter and son were clinging to her legs. "They are here Lyra, Mother wants us with her now."
Lyra nodded and said nothing as she took her bow from her older sister but Sansa didn't understand, she knew that Bear Island had a history of being raided but the Ironborn lived under the King's peace now and she knew her parents loved her, they would never send her to ward here if they thought she would be in danger. "The Ironborn don't raid anymore."
Alysane scoffed and Lyra glared at her older sister before turning to face Sansa. "The watch horn has been blown Princess, whatever peace they were living under before it seems that they no longer wish too, and we will not allow them to take what is ours without a fight."
Alysane nodded at her younger sister's words and stepped closer to Sansa. "Mother told me to tell you to go and wait within her solar and to bar the door behind you, you'll be safe there and take the babies with you."
Sansa watched as Alysane unlaced her children's fingers from around her legs and gave them both a kiss to the forehead with wet eyes before marching out of the hall, her sister following after her.
Once the doors of the hall slammed shut Sansa reached down to take hold of Elia and Tormund's little hands and lead them out through the door that would take them to their grandmother's solar.
Once they were inside Sansa did as she was bid and barred the door and began to pace, how long would they have to wait? Alysane said that Lady Maege wanted to her wait but what if she died? What if they all died? What would the Ironborn do to her, would they kill her as well? Would they kill the children? Would they carry them back with them to the Iron Islands?
"I'm scared." Little Elia's voice cut through her worries as baby Tormund began to cry, and he cried loudly.
"Oh," Sansa sighed and knelt down in front of them, reaching out to pick Tormund up and hold him close to her while she ushered Elia close to her. "It's alright Elia, we're safe in here and your mother and grandmother are fighting to keep us safe and they would want you to be brave for them so they can be brave for you, do you think that you can do that?"
Elia was still crying but she nodded her head before burying her hand into Sansa's chest and Tormund's cries had died down into nothing more than the occasional hiccup, Sansa held them close while watching the door.
It looked strong and it had been barred but how long would it hold up against axes being used against it?
Sansa didn't know how long it was before someone started to hammer on the door but it had felt like an age, Sansa hushed the youngest two Mormonts as they cried out and strained to hear.
The voice she heard was the most beautiful sound that she had ever heard. "Princess Sansa, it's over! Please open the door!"
"Mama!" Baby Tormund cried out and Sansa let out a sigh of relief as she rose to her feet and walked over to the door to unbar it, once the door was open Alysane came inside and hugged both of her children close to her.
"Was it such a terrible battle?" Sansa asked, she could not see any blood or wounds of any kind on Alysane but she was meant to be a good warrior so perhaps she had simply not suffered any.
Upon hearing her question Alysane laughed and shook her head before rising to her feet, "there wasn't any battle at all," she took hold of both her children's hands and began to lead them over to the door. "It was a misunderstanding apparently, we are wanted in the great hall."
Sansa frowned heavily and followed after Alysane all the same, she could hear voices coming out from the great hall as they approached but she could not make out any of their words.
Lady Maege was sitting in her high chair and still dressed in mail and leather with her mace laying across her knees and her daughters all around her, there were thirty or so Mormont men-at-arms in front of them all of them standing ready to protect their lady and her family.
But it was the dozen or so new faces in the hall that shocked Sansa.
They were all Ironborn, that was plain to see and despite there apparently not being a battle all of them looked terrible like they had not slept for a weak and they seemed to be following an old woman who looked, her hair was grey and her face was covered in lines and every moment or so he body was racked with terrible coughs.
Alysane walked over to the dais upon which the high chair was set and Sansa followed behind her, she had to admit she did feel better with the men-at-arms between her and them.
Lady Maege waited until they were all on the dais before she spoke, "I will not deny that I am confused, I was told stories about raids on my home when I was at my mother's breast and the first man I ever killed was a Greyjoy man. I always knew the peace would not last and so I made sure that my girls were ready for when that day would finally come."
"And I thought that it finally had, but when you sails come into sight and we rush out to meet you, you do not fight back and you allow us to take and instead demand sanctuary from me, why do you ask for that?"
The old woman stepped forward, she looked so very tired and Sansa felt a stab of pity for her as she began to cough again. When the fit finally ended she began to speak. "Lady Maege, my name is Alannys Harlaw and I am the daughter by law of Lord Quellon Greyjoy of Pyke, and I beg you for sanctuary and to send word to the King at once, Pyke has fallen, my goodfather's castle is under siege and my husband may be dead."
The hall was filled with a shocked silence and there was suspicion in Lady Maege's voice when she spoke. "And who has caused Pyke to fall, Lady Alannys?"
"The Lannisters."
End of Chapter One-Hundred and Thirty-One
Another chapter done and dusted and I hoped that you liked it, if you did I hope you would consider leaving a review, a follow and a favourite and as always constructive criticism is always welcome.
Next chapter is going to be a Ned P.O.V as we head back to King's Landing.
With warmest regards,
DiscordantSymphony.