Author's Notes: Hello everyone and Happy Fourth to my American readers. I see that this story has surpassed one million views, I must I never thought of it when I started writing all those years ago. I hope that you enjoy. HBO and Martin own it.
The rest of the morning business passed in a blur for Sansa. Try as she might she had difficulty focusing on the matters that Maester Dontin presented to her. In truth she had that difficulty most of the time, but today was especially difficult, with her fears, visions and indecisiveness all churning in her mind. For a moment she felt a flash of anger at Robb and her father. They were the ones trained for leadership, not her. Why was she the only one left to make decisions which would determine the fate of the whole of the North and all in it; possibly event the fate of all Westeros and, maybe, even the whole world? As soon as she felt that she had felt flash of guilt and shame. At last, Dontin had finished and taken away his wretched scrolls and papers. Sansa had finished her wine, a brief moment of pleasure coursed through her as she remembered when one cup had made her giddy and now she could drink three or four without feeling more than a little lightheaded.
Feeling the need for air and to escape her duties and thoughts for a while, she went down to the archery butts. She had hoped that Mally would be there, but the Wilding girl was not. Nor, for that matter, was anyone else. After a moment Sansa decided that she welcomed the solicitude. That was another change from before she had gone to King's Landing. She had always wanted to be in a group, preferably at the center of attention. Now, with people always looking to her as if she had the answers, she found that she enjoyed periods of solitude. She remembered sometimes seeing Jon go off to be by himself as well, she thought that she understood him better now. She wished she had time to see him and talk of something that would not give her nightmares. Pushing that seemingly impossible dream aside she took up her bow.
She was better than before, which was not saying much, but no one would ever mistake her for a master archer. Still, it was pleasant distraction. The world shrank to her and the target. She drew her first arrow. Drawing the arrow back, she held it for a moment and then released it. The arrow shot through the air and struck the target.
Thud.
It hit the target, but was far from the point that she had been aiming at. She was sure that she would never be ranked among the Seven Kingdoms' greatest archers, a thought that made her smile ruefully. She fired several more arrows in quick succession. The repetitious actions of drawing and losing the arrows slowly caused her to relax. The issues and decisions plaguing her receded into the back of her mind as all that mattered was hitting the target.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
As she worked her way through the quiver, she reluctantly turned her mind back to those issues.
Thud.
The most important question was what was she to do about the demands that more men be sent to the Wall.
Thud.
She had conflicting duties. On the one hand was her duty to serve the King and on the other hand was her duties as Wardeness of the North. Which took precedence?
Thud.
Even if she knew, there was still the fact that, no matter which oath she chose to honor, she would be breaking the other. What would be the results of her oath-breaking? How would Jon and the King react?
Thud.
The Starks were known for their honor. Indeed, their father had often told them that honor was the most important thing for a man to have. Without it, they would always be lesser, no matter how much wealth or power that they possessed. Her father would want her to behave honorably, but was that the best course of action to take?
Thud.
Robb had married some girl, Sansa could not remember her name, because he had thought that was the honorable thing to do after he had bedded her. That; however, had led him to break his oath to the Freys. An act which had led to the Red Wedding and the North losing the war. So, behaving honorably did not always end well.
Thud.
On the other hand, her father had behaved dishonorably in King's Landing. He had claimed that he had plotted to overthrow Joffery, even though he had not. Sansa did not know why he had done it, but she was sure that he had had his reason and, knowing her father she was sure that it had been for a good reason. So, neither was behaving dishonorably a guarantee of success. So, what was she to do?
Thud.
So, both honorable and dishonorable seemed as likely to fail and succeed, but she had to do one or the other. If only there were someone whom she could consult, but there was no one. Her father and mother were dead, Maester Dontin would dismiss her concerns because of their source and who else was there? Then a thought occurred to her.
Jon.
Like her, Jon had had his favorite stories from Old Nan. His had been about knights too, though he had been more interested in gallantry than chivalry. More importantly, he had been interested in stories of the Nights Watch and Old Night. Perhaps that would make him more receptive to tales of magic and prophecy, surely it would. He had spoken of things beyond the Wall that could only be explained by magic so he would have to believe her, or at least not think her mad.
Thud.
Yes, this was the proper course of action. She would go to the Wall and explain to him what was to come and that no more aid could be sent. He might even be able to help her convince the King of the necessity of her action, thus staving off his wrath. Perhaps he might even be persuaded to move the army south, thus saving it from possible destruction.
Thud.
She envisioned the King and made a face.
Perhaps not.
Thud.
Still, her mood brightened and her heart lifted at the thought of telling someone of her visions and concerns and it would give her a chance to see Jon and Arya again. She would begin making preparations at once. With a smile she fired her last arrow.
Thud.
Author's Notes: Hey everyone, sorry that it has been so long since I last updated and that it was short. For a while I was not sure how to progress the story and it may have floundered a bit. I now have a plan for the next couple and so hopefully things will get moving again. Till then bye and may Jesus bless you.