Sansa's father, mother, Robb, Jon, Sansa and Theon were all gathered together in Lord Stark's solar for an emergency meeting before the arrival of Lord Manderly, who had been spotted half a mile away. The premise was they were breaking their fast, but Jon and Sansa needed to relay what they learned from Varys the previous night, and Theon needed to be told about his father.
The servant brought them some hot oats and warm apple tea, to eat while the discussions took place.
"What's the meeting all about?" Robb asked.
"We need to discuss today's Northern Council agenda," Ned replied. "There will be topics some of us are currently unaware of, and we need to know about them."
"Where should we start?" Cat asked.
"I think it is best to start with Ramsay's trial," Sansa said.
"He needs to be executed today," Jon told them. "And I need to be the one to do it. When we announce my identity, I want the Lords to know I will always look a man in the eye before I execute him, I do not take killing people lightly. But I need to prove it first."
Sansa glanced down at her feet, trying not to look guilty at the partial lie Jon told them. It was true; he wanted to look a man in the eye, just as her father had taught him. However, that was not the main reason. Jon needed to take a life to hatch the dragon egg. There were other things he needed, but that was the biggest obstacle.
"I should do it, I am the warden of the north," her father protested.
"Sansa is my wife and my responsibility. Soon I will be known as the rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms. That gives me the authority to carry out the execution."
"Do you have all the information for the trial?" her father asked.
Robb looked to Sansa and nodded his head. "Sam has all the medical information on both Sansa and Ser Barristan. We also have a list of the Freefolk who were murdered and their descriptions. Their appearance suggests they were targeting women with a similar appearance to Sansa."
Her father turned to Theon. "The next item on the agenda relates to you, Theon."
Theon smiled. "The wedding?"
Lord Stark grimaced. "Yes, and no. We will announce the wedding, which we hope to take place in three days' time when it is the full moon."
"Ygritte's dress and cloak will be ready by then," she said as Jon coughed. She turned to him and frowned. "What is it?"
"I just can't imagine Ygritte wearing a dress."
Sansa felt quite smug. She had convinced Ygritte to wear a wedding dress and to help Sansa make part of her outfit. Though the wildling woman wasn't proficient with a needle, she could work with wood and was weaving herself a weirwood headdress as they spoke.
Sansa turned to Theon. "Ignore him, she will look beautiful."
"Your cloak is almost ready," Cat told him as she had made it for him. "I'll need you to try on your wedding clothes tonight to ensure everything fits."
Theon blushed and cast his eyes down, reminding Sansa of how Reek used to behave. She put the thought to the back of her head. Ramsay would die today, and Theon would never become Reek. Instead, he would have a career as the admiral of the King's navy and with luck, lots of little red-haired Greyjoys. That thought made her smile, but she knew the news had to be broken to him before the meeting could go any further.
Sansa's father looked serious. "Theon, son. I know you're not my son, but you've spent most of your life here and I've grown to look upon you as such. I'm sure my children, and nephew, view you as one of their pack."
Sansa, Jon and Robb all nodded their heads at that comment. Theon smiled, but he knew something wasn't right. Sansa could see it in his eyes.
"But you are not my son. Your father was Balon Greyjoy," Ned stated, his words chosen to let them sink in. Theon knew his father would die at the hands of his uncle Euron, Jon and Sansa had told him. They had never specified when it would happen.
Theon considered her father's words and looked around at the rest of them. Jon had told her the previous night, but Robb hadn't been informed of the developments.
"Was?" Theon asked.
Ned nodded, his face solemn. "I'm sorry, son."
"Was it my uncle?" Theon asked.
"It wasn't specifically confirmed, but I was told it was by his hands," Ned replied. "If you wish to write to your sister Asha..." he started, but Theon turned to Jon and Sansa.
"Will Euron win the Kingsmoot?" he asked.
"Yes," Jon replied. "Asha needs to leave as soon as possible."
"Tell her, she and her followers can seek refuge in the north for now, as long as they keep to the northern customs: no raiding and raping. There will be no iron price, for we will be hospitable," Ned told him.
"Are these the promises of a King, or the promise of the Warden of the North?" Theon asked.
"Both," Jon said. "Euron Greyjoy is dangerous and needs to be stopped. He needs to be eliminated before the long night. If Asha is prepared to help us, we will help rid her of Euron."
Theon thought for a minute before nodding. "I'll write to her," he said.
"Wait until after the council meeting," her father said. "I'm hoping to secure their lodgings, either here or potentially Torrhen's Square."
"NO!" Jon and Sansa said in unison.
"In our last life, the Tallharts and the Ironborn came to blows. We don't want a repeat performance," Jon stated.
"I remember you telling me something about that," Theon said to Sansa.
"So you can see why we want to avoid the interactions at all costs," Sansa said.
Theon nodded. "Aye, it makes sense. I'm not that person I was."
Sansa put a hand on Theon's arm. "Will you be alright?" she asked. "With the sudden news of your father dying, do you need time to grieve?"
Theon shook his head. "I hardly remember him. But at least this way, I can be a Greyjoy and a Stark," he said.
Sansa closed in on Theon and hugged him, as did her mother. Theon blushed as they both pulled away, not expecting the reception he was being given.
"Ahem, well then," her father started. "Is there anything else we need to know before the meeting?" he asked
"I've got a dragon egg," Jon said.
The room went silent. Only Sansa had been privy to that knowledge and of course, Sam who had helped create the box and dragonglass casing.
"Do you think it will hatch?" her father asked.
"I expect it to hatch tonight," Jon replied. "I know what I need to do. It was laid near the wall, it requires unique hatching conditions."
"How do you know?" Robb asked.
Jon furrowed his brow. "It err... told me," he explained. "I've got a similar connection to it as I do with Ghost, but different. It can communicate with me."
"It talks?" Sansa's mother asked.
"Yes and no," Jon replied. "Not in the common tongue. I get images. Sometimes sounds. Last night it was singing, although probably not like the singing of any musician. It was... happy."
"I think it was because it sensed you being so close after being apart for so long," Sansa held his hand and smiled.
"That is why I need to be the one to behead Ramsay. I also need some of his blood, not a lot."
"What do dragons eat?" Cat asked, mirroring Sansa's question to Daenerys in their last life.
"At first it will be game, then a stag or elk. Once he's big enough to fly to the ocean, it will be whales," Jon told them.
"Won't we run out of meat?" Cat asked. It was a question Sansa had not dared to put to Jon.
Jon shook his head. "Dragons usually eat to satiate their hunger and to grow. The more they eat, the bigger they get. But my dragon will use something else to help him grow while he is still a baby. A mixture of weirwood sap, a leaf and blood."
"How long for?" her father asked.
"Not long. A month, maybe two," Jon said. This was the first time Jon had gone into this amount of detail about the dragon egg. The previous night, Jon and Sansa had spent it getting reacquainted.
"How big will it be when it hatches?" Robb asked.
"As big as a large dog," Jon replied. "It is growing faster than normal dragons because of the wall's magic."
"When should we announce this?" Sansa's father asked.
"Tomorrow, after he is hatched. We shall feed him and after my identity is announced, I will tell them I have a dragon," Jon said.
"This should be an interesting meeting," Ned sighed.
"There is one more thing," Sansa said. "Houses Bolton, Ryswell, Dustin, and Hornwood aren't attending the council as they have gone to Harrenhal."
"I'd have thought House Hornwood were loyal to the Starks," Robb said.
In their previous life, Ramsay had wed the widow Lady Donella Hornwood, locked her in a tower, and failed to feed her. She starved to death and even attempted to eat her fingers to stay alive. This time she was still married to Halys Hornwood as there had been no war of the five kings. Which begged the question: why they had sided with Roose Bolton?
"They've sided with him either out of fear or for another reason," Sansa suggested. "We don't know why Roose Bolton has gone to Harrenhal. However, Varys told me the Freys would also be at this meeting. I suspect Roose Bolton will wed Lady Walda, knowing he will have no heir once Ramsay dies."
"Do you think Roose has offered them something?" Robb asked.
Sansa shrugged. "They might have been unhappy with the Freefolk situation, which would be enough reason for them to side with Roose."
A horn rang out, letting them know of the arrival of Lord Manderly.
"Cat and I will greet Lord Manderly," her father announced. "Once he is rested, the Northern Council will begin."
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By the time the morning was half gone, the Great Hall was crammed full to bursting as the northern Lords scrambled for somewhere to sit, reminding Sansa of when Jon was declared the King in the North. This time, her father and mother were at the head of the table, while Jon and Sansa sat to the left of her mother and Robb to the right of her father. His position was deemed more important for the first day of the council. It would appear absurd if Jon and Sansa took the spot of the heir.
Lord Manderly had arrived and waved away all necessities for a bath, although he had broken his fast (again). His booming voice carried across the hall. He gave Jon and Sansa a nod and a smile.
Her father stood, and to quieten the heads of houses down, he took a knife and beat it against a tankard. The room quietened down, all eyes on Lord Stark.
"I suspect you are all wondering why I have gathered you here," her father said. A murmur echoed throughout the hall. "There are many things to discuss, and it will take more than just today. First of all, I would like to welcome you all to Winterfell. There are a few missing houses, but that will be addressed on the morrow."
"Why not today?" Galbart Glover called out.
"Because there are several issues to be dealt with. They are in order of relevance to that particular discussion," Lord Stark said. "Today's order of business is to start with everything regarding the Greyjoys and the trial of Ramsay Snow. I doubt there will be time for anything else."
Sansa's father sat, and Theon stood. "I am sure many of you are aware I have spent most of my life as a ward of Lord Stark," he turned and smiled at her mother and father. "He has treated me like his son, and I have six more siblings. Which, in my eyes, makes me an honorary northerner," he smiled as the sound of yes could be heard throughout the room. "Despite me being an honorary northerner, I still have sea legs. I have agreed to work for the north and oversee their new naval operations, which have been paid for by the farming of the Gift by the Freefolk."
"Here here," Tormund cried, creating much laughter among the Lords.
"Thank you Tormund," Theon laughed. "I also had the pleasure of meeting a woman who shares my passions and heart. Ygritte might be one of the Freefolk, but she is a mighty fine woman and warrior."
"About time women warriors were taken seriously," Maege Mormont cried out, to the cheers of the few Freefolk in the room.
"A woman I intend to take as my wife. To be wed by the Old Gods, here in Winterfell in the Godswood on the next full moon. You are all invited to the celebrations."
There was a clamour of tankards hitting the tables and shouts of congratulations.
Theon lifted his hand as the northerners calmed down. "Now onto something a little more sombre. I'm sure many of you have already heard about the death of my father, Lord Balon Greyjoy. A Kingsmoot has been called," murmurs rang throughout the room. "I will not stand as I have been absent for too long. The Ironborn do not know me and would not trust me. I prefer my sister to be selected, but I fear her being a woman would go against her. I heard rumours of my uncle Euron being responsible for the death of my father, and he is in the running for the Kingsmoot."
The hall fell silent for a moment before Lord Glover stood. "Euron Greyjoy is a madman. He will attack us at the very first opportunity. Deepwood Mott is on the west coast, we will be vulnerable to his raids."
Lord Flint stood. "As will we. Lord Stark, what do you plan to do?"
Theon continued to stand. "I will write to my sister later today. As I said, we are building a northern navy, but it is currently based on the east coast. I intend to persuade my sister to help protect the West Coast."
"That won't be enough," Lord Glover argued.
Theon sat, and Sansa's father stood. "We are aware it will not protect those houses who are most vulnerable. Therefore, I have already organised teams of men and women to help defend against the rogue Ironborn," he turned to Tormund.
"Aye, from what I've been told, these sea buggers fight like the children of the Freefolk. We can help."
Jon stood. "When I agreed with Mance Rayder, he knew his people would be needed to defend the north as if this were their homeland. I will write to him and ask for twenty thousand able-bodied men and women to help defend the western coastline. With the combined forces of the Freefolk, the northern Lords and Lady Asha, we should be able to keep the north free from their raids," he returned to his seat. Sansa took his hand and squeezed it.
"When is the Kingsmoot?" Greatjon Umber called out.
"It is usually a moon after the death of the previous King," Theon replied. "Although my father wasn't a King, Euron craves it. To do that, he is going down the traditional Kingsmoot selection."
"How long have you known?" A man with an enormous stomach, who Sansa recognised to be Lord Wull, called out.
"Just over a fortnight," Sansa's father replied.
"That isn't why you called the Northern Council," Lord Wull urged.
Lord Stark shook his head. "I'm afraid not. There is more grim news and some good news. Today our attentions are turned to the Greyjoy Kingsmoot. After we eat, we will put Ramsay Snow on trial for the murder of the Freefolk and the attempted rape and murder of my daughter, Lady Whitestark, as well as an attempt on the life of Ser Barristan Selmy, who was still too badly injured to join us today."
"I heard rumours Ser Barristan was in the north," Lord Cerwyn said. "Why would a Kingsguard be in the north?" he asked.
"King Joffrey released him of his duties. I sought to hire him to look over my daughter Sansa, whilst Lord Whitestark was away."
"Protection from who? The wildlings?" Lord Karstark called out.
Sansa was getting angry at the accusations being flung at the Freefolk. She stood up to confront the council. "I have no fear of the Freefolk," she said. "However, there could be those who wish to do the Freefolk harm and would send their men, pretending to be Stark soldiers to attack me in retribution for the work my husband has started. Lord Robb was too busy running Queenscrown and couldn't be there for me. Ser Barristan was recruited to fill that role," Sansa sat down in a huff.
"You did well," Jon whispered into her ear.
"I think it is time we took a break to eat and then reconvene for the trial of Ramsay Snow, the bastard son of Lord Roose Bolton," her father called out. "Food will be served within the hour."
With that announcement, the Lords and Ladies stood and filed out of the Great Hall to stretch their legs and make water.
"That went better than I expected," her mother said.
"We haven't gotten to the hard part," Jon sighed. "We can judge it when they know about me."
A pang of sadness washed over Sansa. Despite Jon's royal blood, he may have less acceptance as a Prince or King, than as a bastard. Her husband couldn't win no matter what he did.
Sansa rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb. "I'm sure you will do just fine. Once Ramsay's head leaves his body, they will see you as a worthy Northern King."
"Between you, you've done more for the northern finances than anyone since Aegon's conquest," her father smiled.
Jon smiled. "Thank you, father. I have something to tell you, which must stay between us for now. I raided Littlefinger's business in Gulltown. My chest is full of gold bars and jewels. I suspect there must be at least half a million gold dragons worth."
Sansa and the rest of the table were silent with shock. However, Jon hadn't finished. "Arya has gone to Braavos to withdraw all the funds from his accounts with the Iron Bank. That should be enough to fund the war and pay off two-thirds of the debts owed to the Iron Bank."
Sansa was stunned. "That was going to be your fundamental problem as King," she said, surprised Jon hadn't told her in private.
"That is not all," Jon continued. "We took some goods from Dragonstone. I found mostly books and clothes. I'd like Lady Stark and Sansa to replicate some of them. I need to be seen as part of my other family," Jon lowered his eyes, she could tell he was feeling guilty.
Sansa couldn't believe her luck. To replicate old Targaryen clothing was like a dream come true. She glanced at her mother, who looked to be thinking the same.
"There was something I found. It wasn't too old and just needed washing. It fits me perfectly. I will wear it when my identity is revealed."
"I can't wait to see it," her mother said. "I wonder who it belonged to," her brow furrowed.
"Judging by how new it looks, I would think it belonged to my father," Jon said. His glum face made it clear he wasn't happy about that connection.
"Does it matter?" Sansa asked. "You'll look handsome in it. Black has always been your colour."