Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I said that I would try to get a chapter out, well here it is. As before this is beyond spoilers and into the realm of ideas put forward by fans and which I am working with.
In the body of the owl Sansa flew over the frozen ground to where Lord Manderly's men were supposed to be. Though she was engaged in important work it felt good to just to fly, if only for a little while, to leave the responsibilities and fears behind and just to soar through the air. She mentally shook herself, it was tempting to let her mind be lost in the joy of flight but she could not, she had important work to do. Eager to find answers before she was tempted again she beat her wings faster and continued on. She was not sure how long she flew but she at last found what she was looking for. Below her a force of several hundred men were encamped. There was no light save for their camp fires and the stars and moon above but these were enough for her to see their banner, the merman of House Manderly. It seemed that at least that part of what she had heard was the truth, time to see if the rest was as well.
After the council had ended Sir Strongspear had been sent back to report the King's acceptance of the terms, he should be back by. She flew over the camp looking for the largest tent, which she assumed would be the one used by Lord Manderly or whoever was in charge. At last finding it she landed on the top of the tent. Fortunately, owls apparently had exhalent hearing and she was able to listen in what was being said.
"…Decided then?" A voice she did not recognize was saying.
"Yes," said the voice of Sir Strongspear; "The King has accepted our lord's oath of loyalty."
"Where his claims true? Was she there?" A third voice asked.
"Yes sir, the Lady Sansa was indeed there, I saw her with my own eyes and she has indeed sworn allegiance to Stannis. She also accepted our lord's when I offered it."
"King Stannis, I suppose that we should get used to calling him that.
"Is all in readiness?" The same voice said again after a pause.
"Yes," said the other unidentified voice. "When battle is joined those Southern whoresons will not know what hit them. We'll get to see if they can take it as good as they give it." This was met by sounds of agreement from the others in the tent.
It was enough for Sansa, who sprang into the air and began the flight back to the camp. What she had heard was enough to convince her that Lord Manderly was indeed loyal to her and was not planning treachery in the coming battle. Just as importantly, it meant that when battle was joined the Freys were going to be in for a most unpleasant surprise. If the beak of the owl had been capable of it she would have smiled maliciously, they would indeed see if the Freys could take treachery as well as they gave it, though to judge from how Walder Frey had reacted, they could not but these ones might prove surprising, she was looking forward to finding out.
Dawn came far too early for her taste, yet at the same time she could not deny she was glad it had come, whatever was going to happen would happen soon, she had developed a dislike of waiting at such times. A simple breakfast was put before her but she found that she had no appetite. Everyone around her seemed to be as tense as she was and it was almost a relief when the cry from the sentries announced the arrival of the enemy.
All around them men rushed to get into their positions to meet the enemy. As they had virtually no horses left, the army would all be fighting on foot. The front rank of the army consisted entirely men of the Mountain Clans. While their chiefs carried axes and swords the majority were armed with slings and staffs. As these men also had little or no armor they were positioned as far out on the ice as it was deemed safe. As the Frey cavalry drew into range the clansmen would pelt them with stones, which could be surprisingly effective against men and horse and would lure the enemy onto the ice, where hopefully they would break through.
Behind the clansmen on the bank would be the King and the mercenaries, now fighting as heavy infantry, along with her uncle and his men. On the other bank, facing where the Frey would assume the White Harbor men's attack to land where the men from Bear Island, the rest of the clansmen and the Winterfell soldiers who had joined them. These would hold back the Manderly attack if they should prove false or move to reinforce the King if the Manderlys proved to be true or if the need for them became urgent.
The Queen, princess and Lady Melisandre would be in the King's tent during the battle. Sansa had been invited with the women with her but she had politely declined, though she had sent Jeyne. She had spent one battle helplessly waiting for a battle to be decided and she would not do so again. Queen Cersei had taught her many things, one of them was that it was indeed better to take an active part in deciding one's own fate than to wait in fear for it to come. She had just pushed the uneaten breakfast away when Yara and Alysane came to join her.
"Lady Stark." Yara began; "I have a request to make. I again request to be allowed to fight. I know the King sees me as hostage, but a hostage is no good to him if he is dead himself." She paused, as if forcing herself to speak an unpleasant truth.
"After my defeat and capture it is unlikely that my father will be willing to still me as his heir and even if he is the other nobles of the Iron Islands will accept me, they were hardly sympathetic to the idea of having a woman of the Seastone Chair. Once the King realizes this my chances of survival go to practically nothing. My only hope is to show him that I have value as a fighter for his cause. I beg you to give me that chance." Sansa stared at her for a long moment and then made her decision. She took the key and a moment later the chains were off.
"This is a mistake." Alysane said as Yara rubbed feeling back into her wrists.
"It would not be my first." Sansa replied. "But I have learned not to give trust so easily. Alysane," she said turning to the woman from Bear Island; "If you even think she is giving you cause, any cause, kill her." The two women nodded their understanding and departed. Alone at last Sansa made her own preparations for battle. She changed into the trousers and shirt which she had kept, though she retained her caper and took up her bow and moved to join the other archers. Even with the White Harbor men on their side the Frey were still numerous and it was entirely possible that Sansa and all those with her would die, if that were to happen she would meet death weapon in hand. She hoped her family would approve, as she left her tent she could hear the war horns blowing.
Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I hope you liked it. I will try to make the next one longer, I keep meaning to and well, anyway I'll try. Next time battle and we all love battles. Till then please pray for the Americans held abroad, all those persecuted for their faith, the sick and needy and the victims of human trafficking, which is unfortunately more now than it has ever been in history and all who need prayer. Bye and may Jesus bless you.