Author's Notes: Hey everyone, glad that you have liked the last few chapters, as always I own nothing. WARNING: SPOILERS FROM BOOK AS EVENTS WILL NOW BE A MIX OF BOOK AND SHOW.

Sansa had just entered the tent and sat down to a meal which her uncle had had prepared for her when his squire announced that she had a visitor. Not knowing who it was Sansa's curiosity was piqued, she had not recognized any of the banners aside from that of her uncle so she assumed that none of them knew her either. Still, that might not be the case. Additionally, she had learned at Court that news of someone's rise or fall traveled quickly, she had been named Wardeness of the North by the King himself. If Stannis were to win and take the Iron Throne Sansa would become one of the most powerful nobles in the Seven Kingdoms so it only made sense that others among Stannis's followers would be seeking her favor. So she told the boy to see the visitor in. To her surprise her visitor turned out to be a woman.

Red. That was the first thing which came into Sansa's mind. It really was the best way to describe her. Her hair, her clothing, even her eyes, they were all red. Sansa had always been told that she was tall and she knew that many men considered her beautiful but compared to the woman who had just entered Sansa felt small and frumpy. Hastily remembering her manners started to curtsy then remembered she was still wearing trousers and she would look ridiculous. Not sure what to do she stood there conscious of how ridiculous she looked. The woman did not acknowledge this, save for perhaps the slightest of smiles. She in her turn gave a curtsy which was flawless in its execution.

"Greetings Lady Stark, or would you prefer to be called Wardeness Stark? I have found that many noble like to be known by their titles."

"Lady Stark will do." Sansa replied. "Forgive me," she said after a moment; "But I fear that I do not know your name My Lady." The woman smiled.

"There is no need to apologize. I am Melisandre. Some call me Lady Melisandre, but in truth I am but a humble priestess of R'hllor, the Lord of Light and the one true god." She looked at Sansa up and down, taking in her mannish garb and smiled again. "I heard from His Grace that you had arrived and he had graced you with your family's titles and honors. He also mentioned that you lacked feminine garb. Might I offer some of mine?" On the surface it was a kindly offer, but Sansa had spent time in King's Landing and saw the truth of the matter.

Taking the woman in Sansa saw her game. She was much taller and with a fuller figure. Dressed in the woman's cloths Sansa would look like a child in her mother's clothing, making her look foolish, though Sansa was not sure why the other woman wished to do so. Also, by taking the woman's clothing would place Sansa in the woman's debt. Sansa was not sure which Melisandre was aiming for but whichever it was Sansa was not going to play her game. Still, as Septa Mordane had always taught her, a woman's armor was her curtesy. An outright refusal would not do. No, a direct refusal would not do, a more gracious answer was called for.

"That is a kind offer, yet I would not feel right imposing on your kindness…" She deliberately paused to show that she knew what game Melisandre was playing; "Would you prefer Lady or Priestess?" The other woman responded with a smile which was clearly one of amusement.

"Very good, it is fortunate for the North that its new mistress is so insightful. So much of what men consider power is nothing but mummers' tricks and illusions. It is good that you can see through them. But by doing so you give yourself away. They all think you a girl and no more. The King gives you titles and honors to win the men of the North and will sell you in marriage to one of his lords. Your uncle thinks of you a younger version of the sister which is lost to him. The lords of the North will acknowledge you as their liege, but to them you will be the sister of their murdered king. You are that, but you are also more." Melisandre suddenly came up to Sansa and took her chin in her hand. She tilted Sansa's head up and stared into her eyes.

"You may have been that girl once, but you are no longer. In your eyes I see the blood of those you have killed and the eyes of those you will kill. A beast has awoken in you. I see it, though whether you will tame it or it will devour you, I cannot say. Your eyes are both like and unlike the eyes of another girl. Her eyes were full of hate and promises of death, as yours are and do.

Her hated was fire, burning and consuming all that are touched by it. Your hate is ice, cold and cruel, far crueler than fire." She released Sansa and turned to go. She paused at the door and turned back to look at Sasna.

"We shall speak again, My Lady." With that she was gone.

Sometime later a servant escorted her back to the King's quarters. She had expected there to be others but it was just the two of them. If the King were displeased to see her in mannish garb he said nothing, though she thought she heard his teeth grinding. He motioned for her to be seated.

"I shall be leaving the Wall soon Lady Stark and dare say your brother will be glad to see me go. I had proposed to move on the Dreadfort, your kinsmen the Karstarks have urged that course of action. Your brother, however; has urged a different course of action.

"He has proposed that I go west, to Deepwood Motte and reclaim it from the Ironborn. He proposes I will the loyalty of the Mountain Clans. What do you say to that?"

Sansa remembered the Mountain clans, some of their leaders had come to Winterfell at times when their disputes had turned violent and her father had had to settle things.

"Father always said that they were brave, Your Grace. If you can will their loyalty they will serve you well."

"So your brother said. That will be your fist task, you will come with me when I go to treat with them. You will bring them over to my cause, if they are as loyal to your family as your brother says it should prove a simple task. You will also write letters to all of you father's banner men. You will inform them that you have pledged your loyalty to me and you shall command them, as their liege lady, to do the same. With them the North shall be mine. Your uncle has done the same with the Riverland lords, though they have for the most part not deemed fit to answer. Hopefully the Lords of the North will prove more faithful." This last was said in a low mutter and now Sansa could definitely hear the sound of teeth grinding. With an effort he recovered himself and after a moment he spoke again and now he seemed slightly uncomfortable.

"My wife and daughter are here at the Wall as well and when we march they shall come with us. It has been hard them, accompany them on my campaign. Especially for, Shireen, my daughter. I would be grateful if you would spend some time with her, it would do her good." Sansa had not expected this but she remembered what it was like to be alone and friendless.

"Of course Your Grace. It would be my pleasure."

"Good, you will dine with me tonight. I wish you to meet my family and Sir Davos, my Hand."

"Of course Your Grace." Sansa bowed again and withdrew. "Till this evening Your Grace."

Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I hope that you liked this chapter. What did you think of how I wrote Melisandre? She turned out to be harder to write than I thought. A lot of this chapter came from the book A Dance with Dragons so it may not make sense, I like this better than season 5 of the show. Next chapter will be more meetings and hopefully they will start moving. Till then, please pray for the victims of kidnapping and human trafficking, the hungry and sick and all those who need prayer. Bye and may Jesus bless you.