Co-written with K_R_Closson

Warnings: Most of the heavy emotional stuff is done with, and the only real warnings are for some violence, but compared to the show even that might not be necessary.

Canon Warning: We wrote this series in its entirety before Season 6 came out and didn't read the books, so some details, especially about the magic system and the Wall, are not going to line up with recent revelations.

Jaime Lannister enters the world screaming, her tiny fists clenching in outrage as the blood is washed from her. After a long, painful birth, Sansa think she's the one who ought to be crying. Instead, she lets Wynn dab her damp forehead with a cloth and holds her arms out for her newest child.

"I hope you're nothing like your namesake," Sansa says, touching Jaime's cheek with a finger.

Jaime stops crying and looks at Sansa before she immediately begins wailing again.

"Someone give her to my husband," Sansa says. "I'm in need of a long sleep."

"Of course, my lady," Wynn says.

They're stuck in the castle until Sansa heals enough to ride a horse, because she insists that she's riding to the Wall when they go.

The day finally comes, and Arya spends the entire morning racing around the courtyard, unable to keep her excitement hidden. Rickon's more subdued, but there's a smile on his face, excited to go see Jon.

A small guard of Lannister men is going with them as well as Bronn, Ser Sandor, and Wynn. Osha refuses to go, saying she fled south for a reason.

"Maybe you'll finally get to kill something," Sansa tells Ser Sandor as they ready the horses.

"I'd better."

The two direwolves are going with them, but Eddard and Jaime are staying behind. The Wall is no place for babies. Maybe, when they're older, Sansa will bring them to the Wall to meet their Uncle Jon, but this isn't the right time.

Tommen is remaining at Winterfell. He'll be safer here, and while Sansa can't deny her brother and sister a chance to see Jon, Tommen doesn't know him and has no need to make the dangerous journey. The boy comes to see them off, though, giving Arya an unneeded hand up to her horse.

"Stay safe, my lady," Tommen says, as earnest as he is sweet.

Arya pats her sword hilt. "I'll kill a bunch of wildlings for you."

"You're not killing anyone," Sansa says.

Arya looks put out.

Tommen looks relieved that someone is looking out for Arya's safety, since she is all too eager to throw herself headlong into danger.

"She'll write you," Sansa promises. "And we'll be home before you've had a chance to miss us. Ser Sandor, are we ready to go?"

"We've been ready," the knight says.

"Then we leave," Sansa says.

When they reach the Wall, they quickly discover they're not the first to answer Jon's pleas for help.

Sansa expects Jon to be the first to them but instead it's a stern-faced man with a stag on his armor.

"Stannis Baratheon?" Tyrion asks.

The man's expression sours further. "Tyrion Lannister? A little far from home, aren't you?"

Tyrion looks over at Sansa. "It wasn't a difficult ride from Winterfell, was it?"

"Quite enjoyable," Sansa says. She dismounts. "Lord Stannis Baratheon, I am Lady Sansa Lannister of Winterfell."

The man next to Stannis, an older man with white hair and beard, puffs up. "You're talking to King Stannis Baratheon."

Sansa looks over at Tyrion. This is an unexpected and definitely unwelcome development.

"Apologies, but I was at King Briar's crowning," Sansa says. "Of where are you King, Lord Stannis?"

The bearded man sucks in a breath.

"Enough, Ser Davos," Stannis says, the first hint of a smile on his face. "She's a child. Children can learn."

Sansa's temper flares at being so easily dismissed, but Tyrion's hand on her wrist helps her keep her mouth shut. They're not prepared to fight against Stannis and his army. They came here with a small party to help defend the Wall from wildlings, not to reenact the Battle of the Blackwater.

"Your father was loyal to me," Stannis tells her. "He wanted to put me on the Iron Throne."

"And I spent months staring at his head mounted on a spike outside the castle after my betrothed ordered it removed from his body for that treason," Sansa says. "Forgive me if I'm not eager to make the same mistakes as my father."

Both Stannis and Ser Davos looks uncomfortable.

"I'm here to see my brother," Sansa says, "Lord Commander Jon Snow. Is he here?"

If Stannis is here does that mean he's taken control of the Wall? Is Jon imprisoned? Will this turn into a rescue mission?

There's some commotion behind Stannis and his men part, allowing a figure in a billowing black cloak through. His hair has grown longer, and there is no hint of the smile Sansa's used to seeing on his face, but that is Jon striding towards her.

"Jon!" Arya shrieks, leaping off her horse and running full tilt into him before Sansa can even take a step.

She collides with their brother, knocking him back a step.

"Arya?" he asks. He looks down at her like he doesn't believe it. He looks up at Sansa, the same disbelief there. "Sansa?"

"And Rickon," Sansa says. She helps Rickon off his horse, and he runs up to hug Arya and Jon.

"I wrote you many sennights ago," Jon says. "Where have you been?"

"I was in labor," Sansa says, "and I couldn't ride right away."

Jon hugs his two siblings automatically, but his eyes are wide and staring at Sansa. "You gave birth?"

She grasps Tyrion's hand. "Our second."

Jon looks over at Tyrion. "You married my sister?"

Sansa laughs. "Don't you get ravens up here? You know nothing, brother. Is there someplace we could speak? Much has been happening in the North."

"Much has happened here," Jon says.

Sansa's eyes flick over to Stannis. "So we've seen."

Jon nods. "We can talk." He gives Arya and Rickon an extra squeeze. "I thought I'd never see you again." He touches Rickon's head, amazed. "I was told you were dead."

"Bran and I escaped," Rickon says. "Theon lied."

"Bran," Jon realizes. He looks around. "Have you -"

"He's gone Beyond the Wall," Sansa says. "You haven't seen him?"

"Beyond the Wall?" Jon shakes his head. "What could possess him to do that?"

"The three eyed raven told him to go," Rickon says.

Jon doesn't look any more enlightened.

"Perhaps we could get out of the cold," Sansa suggests.

"Of course," Jon says. "Of course. Apologies. We can meet in my office. You -" he looks beyond her, a smile breaking out across his face. "You brought Shaggydog and Nymeria. And Lady?"

Sansa shakes her head. "She's dead."

"Father killed her," Arya says and Sansa bites back a sigh. Her sister doesn't understand when stories don't need to be elaborated on. "Nymeria bit Joffrey and I got her to run away and Cersei got mad so she said Lady had to pay for it. But Joffrey's dead now, and we found Nymeria."

Which means in Arya's mind, justice has been done.

"We heard about Joffrey here," Jon says.

"He wasn't a true King," Stannis says. "He never should've sat on the throne."

"Ah," Tyrion says. "Those rumors reached you?"

"If Robert had a legitimate heir, I wouldn't be fighting for the throne," Stannis says.

"What rumors?" Arya asks. "What are you talking about?"

"Your Grace," Ser Davos says. "This isn't for children to hear."

Stannis ignores the man and tells Arya. "Joffrey wasn't a Baratheon. He's a child of incest, born of Cersei and Jaime Lannister."

Arya wrinkles her nose. "That's gross. And I don't believe you."

"I heard it from your father."

Sansa has heard quite enough of this. "Arya, quiet. Lord Stannis is a guest of the Night's Watch, just as we are."

"Ugh. Manners are boring." She turns to Jon. "Can I go fight with the men? That'll be more interesting than more meetings. And I've been practicing." She pulls Needle out. "I've still got the sword you gave me. It got stolen when I was at Harrenhal, but I got it back. Killed the man who took it. Sword right through his throat."

Jon looks mildly horrified.

"You gave her that sword?" Sansa demands.

"Um," Jon says.

"Thank you," Sansa says. "From the stories I've heard, it's saved her life many times."

Arya beams. She turns to Ser Davos. "You've got a sword. Can I practice with you?"

"Are you going to put a sword through my throat?" Ser Davos asks, smiling. He probably thinks it's funny.

Arya doesn't, and gives the question careful consideration. "Are you going to hurt my sister?"

"Arya," Sansa says. "We haven't seen Jon in a long time. Come with us to talk to him and then we can see about finding you someone to practice with."

"I don't want to practice with anyone on the Night's Watch," Arya says. "I traveled with a bunch of them before Harrenhal. They're bad men. They -" she looks over at Rickon and reconsiders what she's going to say. "Bad men."

"None of them will harm you while you're here," Jon promises.

"Duh," Arya says. "I've got a sword."

"Office," Sansa says, a little desperate. "Please."

"Of course," Jon says. "If you'll excuse me Lord Stannis, it has been too long since I saw my family, and I thought they were all dead."

"I will see you at dinner," Stannis says. "I hope your family will join us."

Sansa imagines Arya at dinner with Stannis and prays fervently to the Seven that they do not all dine together.

Jon instructs someone named Sam to take their men and find a place for them to stay. Bronn and Ser Sandor are the only two to stay with them, but they are more protection than a dozen other men. Jon's office isn't large, but there's a fire, and it's warm.

"Apologies for not getting you an update," Jon says as soon as the door is closed. "We were under siege from the wildlings, and I was sent to kill their leader and was facing certain death when Stannis's army came through."

"He thinks he's the rightful King," Tyrion says. "It makes having us here complicated."

"I won't allow blood to be shed here," Jon says. "The Night's Watch is removed from the politics of Westeros. As long as you're both here, there will be no fighting between you. And," Jon looks around to make sure they're alone in the room, "his army is vast. You don't want to start a fight with him."

"Smaller now, after his failed siege of King's Landing," Tyrion says.

Sansa wonders if Stannis is aware that Tyrion personally led the city's defense. Hopefully not. She's pretty sure that Joffrey officially led the battle.

And anyway, they have more immediate concerns. "I have spent the past year bringing the North together under my rule," Sansa says. "I will not let him take it away from me. Winterfell is going to be safe for my family. I have made it safe from the Boltons and the Greyjoys and the Karstarks, and I will not hesitate to do what needs to be done to keep it safe from Stannis Baratheon."

Jon looks over at Tyrion.

"Your sister has risen to become the power in the North. If Stannis threatens what we've made, he'll have a war on his hands."

"He won't ever make it to King's Landing," Sansa says. "Not if his aim is to kill the Queen Mother and King Briar. I've held that child in my arms. I won't let anyone march through my territory who means him harm."

Jon rubs his head. "Somehow my vow to remain free of politics has not left me free from politics. I suppose this means Stannis will stop trying to bargain with me. Or maybe he'll only grow more insistent."

"Bargain with you?" Tyrion asks.

"He has offered to make me an official Stark if I help him with his war," Jon says.

Sansa's heart clenches with fear.

"I gave up my ties to Winterfell when I said my vows," Jon says, oblivious to Sansa's worry. "He doesn't see why I should honor my vows, but I was intending to do so before you came, and I'm even more resolved now. Winterfell is in good hands. It is my job to ensure the Wall is as well."

"Have the wildlings told you what they're running from?" Tyrion asks.

"I've seen what they're running from," Jon says. He drags a hand down his face, looking older and tireder than Sansa remembers. She's not the only one who has faced trials in the past years. "I don't blame them for running, but we must stop it."

"The legends are real then?" Tyrion asks.

"The White Walkers are out there," Jon says. "I'm hoping that Mance Rayder's army will help us fight them, but Stannis wants them for his war on King's Landing. He doesn't realize that there's a bigger war on our doorstep. One that if we lose means it won't matter who sits on the Iron Throne."

"Mance Rayder?" Tyrion asks.

"They call him the King Beyond the Wall. He's currently a prisoner of the Night's Watch." Jon laughs. "Half the Watch doesn't believe the White Walkers are real. More than half, probably. They think the wildings are superstitious, and they think -" he looks at Rickon, then Arya. "Nevermind what they think about me. They don't believe."

"Aren't you the Lord Commander?" Arya asks. "That means they have to listen to you."

"If only," Jon says. "I know this isn't the situation you were hoping for, but I'm glad you're here. I need allies."

"The entirety of the North is yours," Sansa says. "You and I both know that winter is coming, and we're here to help you stop it."

"Thank you," Jon says, so heartfelt Sansa's afraid he might weep.

"We'll begin planning tomorrow," Tyrion promises. "Are there any men here that you trust?"

"Some," Jon says. "Not as many as I'd like."

"Gather them all. And I want to see any maps you have. If I could find a way to defend King's Landing from Stannis at the Battle of the Blackwater then I can find a way to defend the Wall from whatever marches on it."

Sansa knows it will be more difficult than looking at some maps, but she trusts that with her family together, there is nothing they cannot defeat. She touches the pin that holds her cloak in place. Mother and Father would be proud of them right now.

That night, Sansa puts Rickon and Arya to bed and makes sure the direwolves are in their room with them before going next door to where she and Tyrion will be sleeping.

"I'm surprised they let you out of their sight," Tyrion says.

"They have the wolves," Sansa says. "They'll be safe. And there were things we needed to speak of that I wanted us to be in private for."

"Oh?"

Sansa changes into her her nightclothes and gets into their bed before she speaks. "I can make a personal appeal to Jon, but I don't have any real authority over the Night's Watch, and neither do you. Are you really so certain Jon will listen to you?"

"We spoke often, the first time I was here. He had difficulty fitting in, and, well, I never fit in anywhere. I'm certain I made an impression, at least. And he's smart enough to know he's in over his head. I'd love to hear the story of how he came to be in command sometime."

Knowing Jon, he accidentally tripped over it.

"There's something else?" Tyrion asks, when the silence stretches.

"This is not the first time someone has questioned Joffrey and Tommen's parentage."

"Ah," Tyrion says. "I was wondering when you would ask."

Sansa raises her eyebrows. "I ask if there's truth to the horrid rumors that your brother and sister were - having children together, and your response is you were wondering when I would ask?"

Tyrion hangs his dressing gown over the back of a chair and joins her in their bed. "The rumors have existed since Joffrey was born with blonde hair. You were innocent enough to disbelieve them in King's Landing, and I didn't want to take any more of your innocence than I already had."

"But now you think I'm ready for the truth?" Sansa asks. Because it is the truth. Tyrion isn't denying that the three Baratheon children are truly Lannisters. He isn't denying that his siblings must have - Sansa can't even think of it.

"Yes," Tyrion answers simply. "Am I wrong?"

"I find the thought of what they did distasteful," Sansa says, "but if you're asking will I put my support behind Stannis, then the answer is of course not."

"I didn't think you would do something so extreme," Tyrion says. "Joffrey is dead and people are too busy rejoicing that their Queen cares about them to look into who Joffrey's father was. I was more wondering how you would react to Tommen. He is betrothed to your sister."

"He is," Sansa says. She remembers the letter from Lord Tywin announcing that Tommen would come to them, how eager the Hand of the King was to see his grandson gone from King's Landing. "Lord Tywin found out. That's why he sent Tommen to us, isn't it?"

Tyrion nods. "I believe so. Obviously he wouldn't confirm anything in writing, but something prompted him to send Tommen to us, and I can't think of what else it would be."

"Does Tommen know?"

"I think Myrcella suspected something, but Tommen…" He shrugs.

Sansa has to agree. Tommen is so… Tommen. He doesn't know.

Tyrion shakes his head. "And I would like to keep it that way. The poor boy has been through enough."

"He won't hear of it from me," Sansa says.

Tyrion looks at her with mild surprise. "You are taking this better than I thought you would."

"Tommen's birth isn't his fault," Sansa says. "I don't approve of what your brother and sister did, but it's done. And look at my own situation; I was in disgrace because of my parentage, but you married me anyway, and now I have Winterfell again, and Arya and Rickon. I won't deny Tommen the same salvation. I don't want to imagine what Lord Tywin would do to the boy if his marriage to Arya fell through."

"Neither do I," Tyrion agrees. "I suppose I should write Jaime and make sure he hasn't been assassinated in the night. I can't imagine my father appreciating what his children got up to behind his back. Or the threat to his legacy." Tyrion tucks his hands behind his head. "I wonder if that finally makes me the least hated of his children."

"King's Landing is far from here," Sansa says. "Why care about what your father thinks? I love you."

The declaration has Tyrion sitting up straight in their bed. "You do?"

Sansa wants to pull their blankets up, suddenly shy, even though she's fully clothed. "I do."

"I hadn't thought you'd ever - I mean, I also -"

She puts a finger to her husband's lips. "Don't lie to me," she says. "If you're not ready, if you don't feel it - I hadn't thought I would ever love you. I hoped but I wasn't sure it would come."

"You continue to amaze me," Tyrion tells her. "I hope it never stops."

She smiles and leans in to press a kiss against his lips.

She leaves it at that, because they're going to need a good night's sleep if they're going to be ready to face the challenges Stannis's presence brings. She turns on her side, and Tyrion surprises her by reaching out to grasp her hand.

"Good night, Sansa."

"Good night, husband."