SANSA

"Jump, Now!" she heard Theon shout. Hand in hand, they leapt into the snow below. That was the last thing Sansa could remember. Not the fall, not the landing, not how she ended up in this bed.

She sat bolt upright in terror when she realized that she should definitely not be in a warm bed. She should be running far away from the Bolton's, far from Winterfell. Terrified, she looked around the room, expecting to see the stony walls of her bedchambers or worse, Ramsay waiting for her with that evil smirk on his face.

To her surprise, the walls were made of logs, and the linens were certainly not those found in a place such as Winterfell. I must be in some inn. But how did I get here? Before she could finish her thought, the door opened slowly. She nearly leapt from the bed when she saw her visitor. "Podrick!" That's when she noticed the pulsing pain in her right leg. "Ah! Ouch. Pod, what happened? How did I get here? Where is Theon?" Pod approached the bed and advised her to lie against the cushions. "Hush milady. You've had a nasty fall. All your questions will be answered in due time." At that moment, Brienne entered. "Lady Sansa! Welcome back. It is so good to see you awake. Are you hungry?" I'm ravenous, actually. But I need answers. "Yes, thank you. What happened?" Pod left to fetch ale, bread, cheese, sausage and a platter of various fruits. As Sansa ate, Brienne and Pod explained.

"We watched day and night for your signal, Lady Stark. When the battle with Stannis' army was drawing to an end, I realized that this would be the perfect opportunity to rescue you from the Bolton's. I know you said you needed no assistance from me, milady, but I felt I must at least check on you. We made our way towards the castle while the Bolton army was still fighting; when we saw you jump from the wall with another person. We raced as fast as we could, fearing that you had intentionally jumped to your death. You were unconscious but breathing when we reached you. Your leg was clearly broken but you seemed otherwise unharmed. Your companion had broken your fall, I'm afraid, and did not survive"

"Theon is dead?" Sansa interrupted. "You're sure?" She wasn't sure how to feel about this. She wasn't angry with him anymore, that much was certain. Though he betrayed her family, he was not guilty of murdering her two little brothers, and he saved her life twice in one day. She wasn't sad, exactly. She knew that Theon was but a shell of who he once was. Perhaps he finally found peace in death.

"I'm sorry, Sansa. There was no question of it. As I said, we found you in your condition, put you on my horse and rode as far South as fast as we could. In truth we had no idea where to go, but we knew the North would hold no safe haven for you. We can't go to King's Landing, that much is obvious, or to the Vale. We believe that the only viable option is to get a on a ship and cross the Narrow Sea. There are rumours of a Targaryen queen with three dragons who plans to overthrow the Baratheon's and reclaim her crown. I think we may be safer on that side of the world, rather than here when that time comes."

Sansa took a minute to absorb all this information. Brienne was right, of course. She had heard the rumors herself. Her sense of self-preservation had not failed her yet, and she knew what must be done.

"I agree. We'll sail to the free cities. I wish to meet Daenerys Stormborn and offer my services where they may be needed." Brienne and Podrick stared at her, mouths ajar. They were obviously not expecting that reaction. "If she plans to reclaim her throne and kill those who murdered my family and made my life a living hell for the past three years, I wish to help her. Not hide in the desert and watch from a distance" she continued, "I've done enough watching and being used as a pawn in this damned game. I want to play my own part, on my own terms." She set her jaw determinedly and stared at them both in defiance. When neither spoke, she said "Look, I know you made a promise to return me safely to my family. But who is left to return me to? My father and mother are both dead, as is Robb, all at the hand of the Lannister's. Arya is missing, Bran and Rickon too. I have no one. The Queen could offer her protection in exchange for our service."

After many moments of stunned silence, Pod finally spoke. "I agree." He looked nervously at Brienne, who gave him a surprised look, before continuing. "She speaks the truth. What else would we do when we arrive south? We barely have enough money to sail there, let alone live. I think Sansa makes perfect sense." Satisfied, Sansa looked at Brienne expectantly. With a huge sigh, she finally nodded. "Fine, I cannot think of a better idea. Podrick, go make travel arrangements. Do not use our real names, obviously." As Pod left the room, she continued, "Sansa, I cannot promise a feather bed aboard this ship". Sansa laughed without humour. "A vomit and shit covered floor is heavenly, compared to sharing a feather bed with Ramsay Bolton" she said with bile rising in her throat. Brienne smiled sympathetically. She did not know exactly what had transpired during the young girl's marriage, but by the looks of her, she had a good idea and was not about to ask. "I'll leave you to rest and eat milady. I will be back when the travel plans have been confirmed". She made to leave the room when Sansa stopped her. "Thank you, lady Brienne, for everything. You're braver than any man or knight I've ever met." Brienne gave a small smile, nodded, and said "I'm not a lady", before leaving Sansa with her thoughts.