SANSA:

"No one is making you leave you know?"- Bran said from across her inside their wagon house.

"Our brother is being held prisoner in the Capitol. I'm going, and I'm bringing whatever men we have left" Sansa replied. Her back stiff and her shoulders rigid. It seems that physically leaving Winterfell was taking a tole on her, it was if as the Northern winds didn't want her to leave her home. Ridiculous; she thought. It was her fears of going back to that retched place again.

"You love him."-

"What?"

"Jon. You love him. Remember that every time you feel the urge to turn around."-

"Of course I love him. He's our brother"

"No he's not. He's our cousin and you love him"-

Sansa remained silent. She wasn't in the mood for Bran's cryptic words. She was going back to King's Landing to get Jon back, he was being held prisoner after killing Daenerys Targaryen so there was to be a council containing the main houses to debate his faith.

Bloody fool... aptly called that by Arya in her letter.

The Bloody fool killed the Dragon Queen and got himself caught. Come to the Capitol and bring your birds with you.

Arya.

Her sister. Sansa lasted nearly an entire day praying in the Godswood once she received her letter, relieved to at last hear from her even if she was in King's Landing. Arya had disappeared after the Long Night and Sansa wasn't sure she would see her again, Arya carried with her more ghosts than the ones that lived inside the Winterfell crypts. She couldn't blame her though, if anyone deserved a clean break it was Arya but it appeared that she had gone to the one place Starks would never find any peace, not after that horrific day at the Sept of Baylor.

The trip was hurried but necessary. Jon was thrown inside the dungeons by the Unsullied who now acted as rulers, the Northern army remained outside the city walls waiting for orders and Arya was somewhere in between making sure no harm came to Jon. On her part Sansa was on a mission to take every man willing and able from every city, holdfast and castle she crossed to gain more man power. Their number was already decimated and tired after the Battle for Winterfell and the news she received from King's Landing didn't bode well but they needed to be ready to fight for their King.

They were making good time but they still needed to rest. They stopped at an Inn that was small and made Brienne uncomfortable but it was all they had for the time being. It could be a cozy little thing if they hadn't carried such a large host but it was only for one night, which was fine by Sansa since the plump servant that kept bringing them their plates couldn't stop gawking at her. It was only when Lord Baratheon blatantly smacked the servant straight in the head that the man stopped. But curiously enough sat next to the newly appointment Lord and were talking in hushed tones.

"Brienne. What is the current situation of the Stormlands?" Sansa asked once the mood felt more relaxed and Brienne herself seemed more at ease.

"The countryside is divided my Lady. The Baratheon brothers left the lands in disarray. The houses are fighting for the better claim"-

"And what do we know about the new Lord Baratheon?" Sansa said eyeing said man from afar. He was an odd man, soft spoken but polite. He was clearly a lowborn, a bit rough around the edges but a brilliant move on Daenerys's part, although Sansa made a mental note to ask Tyrion if it was his doing instead of the Queen's.

"He comes from King's Landing where he was a armorers apprentice. He's very good at his craft and prefers to keep to himself. I really don't know much about him."-

"Daenerys was the one who elevated his status. Do you think that if it comes to it that we can sway him over to our cause?"-

"You won't find a more loyal man to House Stark Sansa. He will be the one who will make us whole again."- Bran said as always leaving an awkward silence after speaking his mind.

"Well... it's difficult to say."- Brienne continued. "Daenerys did name him in order to secure the Stormlands but the boy has never been there. I've been in contact with my father and he says that the Lords are still bickering whether who had the better claim; Stannis or Renly. I guess bringing Robert's son in the mix might solidify the people. His loyalties are known only to him tho I may say that his closeness to King Jon and his willingness to stay and fight with us against the army of the dead speaks volumes about who he would support."-

"Yes, Jon has that power of bringing people together. He seems nice... Lord Baratheon. Although I have yet to speak a word to him, I will make it happen first thing in the morning."

"He looks like Renly"- Brienne spoke with fondness "If he's anything like Renly than he's a good man my Lady. One of the best"-

"Yes, that he is"- Bran replied.

...

True to her word Sansa saddled up and got up on her horse bright and early to continue their journey. She wasn't Arya but she also wasn't entirely useless on a horse, she rode side face and wore pants underneath her dress, but this way she would have more contact with the people and could speak quickly with the men.

At noon she decided to ride next to Lord Baratheon who quickly acknowledged her with a small nod but remained silent. He seemed to be uncomfortable on his horse but never uttered a word about it, and he had a thing of every so often looking behind his back as if someone was following him. He was the first of their party to shed his winter furs as they crossed the Riverlands.

"Not a fan of the cold?" Sansa smirked. It was time to make him talk.

"It was the first time I ever saw snow and dead men where walking on it. It gave me a new found appreciation for any heath that didn't come from a forge"- He smiled.

He had a nice smile Sansa decided. And he was quite attractive actually. His face was all angles with strong eyebrows and striking blue eyes. She'd imagine how in another time she would be daydreaming about the bastard Knight with the blue eyes but she wasn't a child anymore and Sansa knew more than anyone what was behind a saccharine smile.

"Are you looking forward to go back to King's Landing? I was told you where born there" She further inquired.

"I was born there; yes. But I can't say I'm looking forward going back. I lived there but it wasn't my home. I've never had a home, I've never had a family."-

"That's good. Sometimes at war it is good to have no family. There are no weak links for others to exploit and coerced you"

"You have a big family. Are you saying that you're better off alone?"-

She smiled. It was a bittersweet one. "No, I'm saying that often times I felt like a bird who's wings were being plucked at the same time in different directions. If you want that; a family, you have to be willing to do anything for them. Never take them for granted."

Lord Baratheon remained silent lost in thought. Sansa let him till eventually he decided to speak again. "Your sister... she in King's Landing?"-

"Yes, she's staying close to our brother making sure nothing happens to him"

"Is she ok?"-

"I hope so. Honestly I don't think anyone knows she's even in King's Landing. She's alive? Yes. Was she hurt during the siege? I won't know until I see her for myself"

"I'm glad she's alive. For her, for you, the whole family. You Starks have been through a lot. It was nice, seeing you all together"-

"Is that something you're looking forward to? Having a family? You are the sole heir of House Baratheon. Prospering the line is vital and shall be one of the first things I'm sure your advisers will tell you to act upon."

Something flashed in Lord Baratheon's eyes. Rage? Sadness? Humor? She didn't know, but he was affected non the less.

"I once had the chance to have a family. I was young and threw it away. Then when I finally realized what I wanted, it was too late"-

"Are you talking about some lost love Lord Baratheon? Because I can tell you that highborns don't get the luxury of falling in love."

"Would you marry again?" He asked but quickly backtracked do to the intimacy of the question. "I'm sorry my lady. I, it's not any of my business"-

"It's ok" Sansa replied. Schooling her features as she learned from the moment she realized Joffrey was no prince charming. "Marriage for me has been nothing but a mean to and end. Right now I am at the peak of my position. I hold the title of Lady my mother once wore without having to marry nor leave my home. I won't marry because I don't need nor want to. I'll see it to myself that House Stark prospers without having to depend on outsiders" She said with pride.

Because it was true. She was a strong, independent woman. Never again will the wolf on her back be hidden under someone else's cloak. It was more than a possibility that Bran could be infertile after his accident leaving only Jon as the only male, his status as a bastard rendered non existent since he was proclaimed king. Arya was also still a possibility, because she was always the wild card Arya could easily decide she would be a maiden forever or simply appear one day with child and a husband. If everything else failed there was always the Bear Island. Women really needed no men.

Lord Baratheon's chuckle pulled her out of her thoughts. "Spoken like a proper highborn"-

"You must remember that you are one of us now Lord Baratheon. We speak the same language"

"Not really. Because you take pride in your house and your heritage. Me? Just give me one more chance, to ask her properly. To make her see I only ever wanted her to marry me for what she was and not her titles; and I'll leave my banners right here on the road"-

"Passionate words for a lord. Are you saying that you already had your sights on a highborn Lady before you were legitimized?" Now Sansa's interest was piqued.

"No. Just no one."- he said and excused himself galloping further ahead.

Sansa now decided to make sure to be kept informed of Lord Baratheon's life in the Stormlands while wondering if he would get one more chance with his Lady

NEXT UP: Catelyn / Reunion

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