Author's Notes: Hey everyone, glad you liked the last chapter, hope you like this one as well. Warning: SPOILERS FROM THE BOOKS.
Sansa had Yara and the other surviving Ironborn placed in chains and taken back to camp. After what she had experienced at the hands of Joffrey she did not like placing chains on Yara but the woman was Theon's sister. One of her brothers had trusted Theon and he had repaid that trust by killing her other two brothers. She had loved Robb, but she would not repeat his mistake when it came to Ironborn. While the captives were being taken away other Northmen saw to their dead and stripped the enemy dead of anything valuable, particularly weapons. Meanwhile Sansa called for the wounded to be rushed back to camp to be seen to by the maesters who traveled with the army. Sometime later the sentries reported the return of the King and his party.
When she had heard that there was fighting Sansa had feared that there would be more losses, but as they drew near she saw that all of the part was there. Indeed, there were more than there had been before. Riding behind her uncle, her thick arms wrapped around his waist, was a woman. As they drew closer they halted and the woman dismounted. She was short, chunky, and muscular with big thighs, breasts, and hands, the latest were heavily calloused. She was clad in boiled leather and ringmail armor. Her face was more strong than beautiful but it appeared friendly. She came up to Sansa and inclined her head.
"Greetings Lady Stark. I am Alysane Mormont, second daughter of Maege Mormont, Lady of Bear Island. She has sent me with all the forces she could spare to swear our allegiance to King Stannis as you commanded in your letter." Sansa had never met the woman but she knew of House Mormont, it was an old and proud house, given lordship of Bear Island by King Rodrik Stark back when the North was still an independent kingdom, an institution her brother had died trying to resurrect. Sansa forced herself not to think on that and instead focused on what Alysane was saying.
"We dared not send a raven, lest the Ironborn intercept it. We slipped in on some fishing boats and sipped up on the Ironborn ships and attacked them. They were not expecting an attack and we took them by complete surprise and all their ships are either taken or burned. We slew many of the Ironborn and took the survivors captive." Sansa nodded her head.
"I am both pleased that you honor your oaths and by your success." The other woman chuckled heartily.
"Truth be told it wasn't much of a fight. They aren't good for much if they don't have all of the advantages. They have those at sea but once on land they die as easy as everyone else." Just then one of the King's knights came up and said the King wanted to see Sansa and Alysane. They returned to camp were the King was waiting in one of the tents that had been set up. Within with the King were Sir Davos and Yara. Though the King was not smiling he seemed less grim than usual, as shown by the fact he was not grinding his teeth.
"It seems your brother gave good council." The King said as the two women entered. "Not only have we taken Deepwood Motte and gained the loyalty of House Glover, its vassal houses and House Mormont who have all pledged their loyalty to me. This victory will show the North that I am a man of my word. And when we take Winterfell the others shall join us as well."
"Winterfell?" Sansa said, scarcely believing what she had heard.
"Winterfell has always been the heart of the North. When I take it and place you on your ancestral seat all of Westeros shall see that the North is mine. We shall march in the morning." He glared at Yara. "She shall be accompanying us on the march. I have sent a raven to her father informing him of my retaking Deepwood Motte and the capture of his daughter." At this Yara snorted.
"If you think that will have any impact on my father you are in for a disappointment." The King scowled at her.
"You had better pray that you are mistaken. I smashed your uncle's fleet the first time your father crowned himself. If your father does not bend the knee I shall crush him again. You should know I am not my brother, I will not forgive, I will not pardon." He turned back to Sansa and she nearly flinched at his gaze.
"Lady Sansa, I am put her in your charge you are to ensure that she does not escape and no harm comes to her. I will provide guards."
"If it please Your Grace." Alysane said, coming up to stand beside Sansa. "I my house is sworn to the Starks of Winterfell. I will be pleased to guard both Lady Sansa and the prisoner." The King looked at her for a moment, as if truly looking at her for the first time.
"Very well. It seems that the gods made particularly well suited for the purpose." He then turned to Sir Davos.
"You will also leave at first light."
"Your Grace, I must say again that I feel I should remain with you."
"And I will tell you again that you are going. This is of the upmost importance and I trust none of my other lords as much as I trust you."
"Sir Davos is leaving us?" Sansa asked.
"Aye my lady." Sir Davos replied. "His Grace is sending me to White Harbor."
"I must have White Harbor." The King declared. "It is the only harbor for hundreds of miles and House Manderly is the wealthiest house in the North and I must have their resources. They are not responding to the raven you sent so I am sending my Hand to speak to them."
"I wish you success Sir Davos." Sansa said to him.
"I thank you my lady." The King cleared his throat in manner which was a clear dismissal and the others bowed and left the tent. As they walked along Sir Davos came up to Sansa and whispered in her ear.
"Might I have a word in private my lady?" Sansa nodded and ordered Alysane to take Yara to her tent. After they had gone she turned to look at Sir Davos.
"My lady, it may not be my place to ask this, but I am. I am concerned for Princess Shireen. The Red Woman holds too much sway over His Grace and I fear she may be plotting some devilment. If it comes to it I pray you do all you can to protect the Princess. His Grace needs your Northmen and they follow you, that means you have more influence here than many of his knights and nobles. I beg you to use it if you have to."
Sansa thought a moment. She was dependent on the King, both for her survival and her vengeance. On the other hand she was fond of the Princess and she remembered what it was like to be alone with no one to protect her. She nodded her head.
"If it should come to that, I will do all within my power." As she spoke the words she found it ironic that she was now filling the role that Tyrion had once done for her. That was almost as ironic as the thought of her protecting anyone.
Author's Notes: Hey everyone, sorry that it has been so long, to paraphrase an old song, I am fighting the school system and it is winning. So what did you think? This is the start of something. While its cool and all I found I am turning Sansa into an older, taller Arya and I don't want that. I want more of a politician a manipulator, someone who plays the game so we are going to start seeing that, she'll have violence still but it will not be her primary weapon. Will see more of it in the coming chapters, which I will try to make longer. Till then please pray for those injured in Oregon and their families and the families of those killed. The innocents and killed in Syria and their families, the Americans held in Iran and their families, those abused for their religious faith and all others who need prayer. Bye and may Jesus bless you.