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Chapter Text

"I threw myself to the wolfs, only to learn the tenderness of their howl, and the loyalty in their blood." 

- THE WOLVES, Isra Al-Thibeh

Sansa watched the people dance around as Margaery and Joferry sat at the table looking down. Sansa didn't know where to look. The towns people brought to much nostalgia. Maragery brought to much envey. Joffrey to much hatred.  

She missed the parties thrown in Winterfell. Her home. It felt so distant to call it home now. Though she would never call the Red Keep her home. It was just a roof over her head. Not a home. 

Northerners were a thousand times more interesting than any Kings Landing citizen or lords or ladies. They always had a story. Not a prim proper one that she couldn't even bring herself to pretend to care about that she had been told here. War tales or just drunken stories. Stuff that shouldn't have even been funny but the way it was told was.

She wishes she could go back in time and punch herself in the face for how she spent the whole time get Joffrey's attention and paid more attention to her family around her. Joined Robb, Jon, and Theon listening to one of Uncle Benjen's tales. Rickon  refusing to eat anything on his plate no matter how hard mother and father had tried. Though then he'd steal handfulls off his parents plates. Jory introducing Bran to the new knights and old who knew Bran from past meetings. Arya baltering around across the floor bumping into many northern lords and their dancing partners. 

Ned laughed. Catelyn couldn't keep the amused smile off her face. The three older boys just laughed and clapped overdramatically cheering at her terrible but funny dancemoves. Arya would becon her family to dance with her. Bran would leave his conversation and they would grab eachothers hands as they moved in cricles pulling eachother with them. Not a fancy kings landing dance. A dance that was really just a game but it was more funny than regular dancing. Sansa would usually walk down then the oldest three boys then little Rickon would woddle down. 

The last feast that was held in Winterfell didn't have a dance. Sansa at the time thanked the old gods and the new that she wasn't embarrassed infront of Joferry. Now Sansa finds herself deeply saddened by the fact.

_______________

Joffery's death wasn't long enough. Sansa didn't know if any amount of time would ever be long enough. She thought she could likely watch his struggling form for hours of the day. It was pituiful sure. The panicked eyes and his mother's cries.

Sansa thinks back to her father's head that she stared at till she saw read that day. Sansa thinks back to Lady. She thinks back to the butchers boy and Arya's tears. 

He deserved worse.

_____________

Petyr Baelish was an interesting character. Sure he had taught her many things just as Cersei had. Though just like Cersei, he was untrustworthy. Sansa hadn't heard a lot about Littlefinger before she went to Kings Landing with her father. Sure she heard rumors and she still hears rumors. Though she's heard enough rumors to know most of the are horseshit.

Sansa heard many whispers when the king came to vist and far more when she stayed in Kingslanding. The southerners loved gossip. 

("The youngest Stark girl looks a lot like her bastard brother." She heard one of the lesser known Ladies whisper to her lord husband. 

"I think she looks just like her father." The lord said though he had a hint of a sneering expression on his face. As if looking like her father was a horrible thing. Sansa didn't know his name and the only reason she would want to know it was if she was going to give it to someone to put the couple in their place.

"Though what other of the kids do?" The woman asked, "Lady Sansa looks exactly like her mother." 

The woman said the last line with some sort of relief. As if looking like anyone from the north was a horrible crime.

"And I heard all the boys have their mother's features." The lday contuines, "I guess Eddard Stark is lucky his bastard's took after him and not the whore."

The asshole Lord snorted into his wine agreeing.

"I would suggest you stop gossiping about the hand of the king's family or perhaps I'll tell my father or maybe the king and they can have your head on a spike." Sansa spat lowly at them before walking off.

She didn't know which she was more insulted by the insultation of her Father's honor or the looking down on bastard's or the fact that they thought Northern looks were horrible. She didn't dwell or deside on it because then she was sitting beside her father and sister and discussing the news a Raven had sent from Winterfell.)

Needless to say a whole bunch of the rumors were just people making up stuff about the ones they already disliked. Though Sansa felt the rumors on Littlefinger were all too plossible. Apparently he had demanded to fight Brandon Stark, Sansa's late Uncle, and the only reason he survived was because Catelyn had begged Brandon to show mercy on him. Sansa somtimes wonders if her Mother still would've spared him if she knew the things he did to her daughter and furture husband. 

____________

Sansa hurries through Winterfell with her hood on. She knew Ramsey wasn't dead, not with her luck. She had seen the armies. It was outnumbered. 

There was something that made Sansa kinda happy that it wasn't Stannis's army that got to kill Ramsey himself or House Bolton as a whole.

If blood was going to be spread on the ground of Winterfell it might as well be for the right reasons as well. Ramsey shouldn't die on the battle feild, he should die slowly and painfully. He should die indignified.

She barley processes that she's heading up the stairs. She knows this place like the back of her hand. Even after all these years maybe because she has been visting in her dreams.

She sees one of the Bolton men walking her way, and doubles back.

+++

Sansa rushes through a door towards the exit. She finds Myranda and Theon waiting for her, with Myranda's bow drawn.

She stops dead in her tracks. She can't help moving her eyes to Theon. Jaw clenched and neverous eyes.

"My lady. I have come to escort you back to your chamber." Myranda says way to kindly to have a bow drawn at her.

"Go with her. Please." Theon begs. The green eyes only hold Sansa's blue ones for a second before flinching away as it was something forbidden. As if someone had struck him with a whip.

In those few seconds though. Sansa didn't see Theon Bolton (as she had come to call him because this Theon was in no way anything like the Theon she grew up with). She saw Theon. Just Theon. Who grew up with her.

It gave her hope and the courage to speak, "I know what Ramsay is. I know what he'll do to me."

She looks at Theon directly, she knows he can feel her eyes on him, "If I'm going to die, let it happen while there's some of me left."

"Die?" Myranda asks as she lowers the bow, "Who said anything about dying? You can't die yet. Your father was Warden of the North, and Ramsay needs you. Though I suppose he doesn't need all of you. Just the parts he'll use to make his heir. Until you've given him a boy or two and he's finished using them."

Sansa can't help but flinch at that. Myranda smirks. Though it seems to awaken the part of Theon Sansa was wanting to see. As his salt green eyes snap to Myranda's smirk a recently drawn bow.

"He's got incredible plans for those parts. So. Shall we wait for him to come back, or shall we begin now?"Myranda asked.

Theon looked between Myranda, who had been more than happy to help Ramsey with his to torture, and Sansa, who was like a sister to him. In the end it wasn't a hard decision.

Sansa says nothing and cowers back slightly.

"You're leaving it to me? Good. Let's begin." Myranda says cheerfully. 

Sansa seems to only have her eyes fixed on the bow with a look of fear. Was that how Robb looked when he was slaughtered at the red wedding?

The eyes that all the Stark siblings shared. Theon wondered if Bran and Rickon were still alive out there. Chances weren't very high. Did they have that same look when some Lannister man caught them? Had Arya that same look when one of Cersei's men caught up to her in Kings Landing?

Theon wasn't about to figure out what the Stark's eyes looked like as the life faded out of them. He had already dreamed of it enough.

Just as she goes to release her drawn arrow, Theon tackles her into a wall, causing the arrow to miss Sansa. They struggle for a moment.

"Stop! Stop!" Myranda pleads. Theon feels no sympathy or mercy. He had tried to kill his sister. Sure he had a sister in the Iron Islands as well but he also had two other that were northerns. He wasn't going to let one just get toururted and stand to the side. He had stood to the side too long.

Theon throws her over the edge, killing her on impact. Theon looks at her bleeding form on the ground. Then he turns his green eyes to the presence beside of him. 

Sansa's expression isn't very readable but it's not contourted into pain like he had been so used too recently. Her parted lips weren't speaking unaknowledged pleas that haunted Theon's waking moments.

A horn begins to blare which snaps both of them out of their moment.

"Open the gates!"

Bolton men return from the battle and ride through the gates to Winterfell. Theon curses under his breath. Theon had already desided his decision, he just hoped Sansa would follow through with it.

"He's coming back." Theon tells her.

Theon grabs Sansa's hand. It's far more calloused than it should be. He had felt it on his face not even a fortnight ago. 

He leads her along the walls. Quickly when Sansa grabs his hand back tightly and follows him hurriedly. Theon is breif brought back to the chases the Stark children would chase eachother around trying to tap eachother and whoever was tapped was dubbed 'it'. 

He doesn't know who came up with it. Theon used to make jabs at Robb and the others for wanting to play such a stupid game. At the Iron Islands such silly games weren't played.

He remembers Jon's comment back, "Iron Born's definition of Silly is fun."

Theon came to realize how true that qoute was and the first realization was when he first started playing.

They climb to the top of the wall and look down to see a pile of snow at the bottom. Theon looks next to him to see she's already looking at him.

The eyes of salt and snow meet. There is understanding there. Understanding that Sansa has longed for for all these years alone. A conversation that didn't need to be spoken and maybe never would be spoken but it was there. 

Sansa gave him a nod and a small squeeze of the hand and they jumped.

Chapter Text

Sir Davos wakes to the sound of ghost howling. He doesn’t think he’ll ever get used to the sight of the damned creature. Direwolfs are loyal fucking bastards and Davos found himself worried even with nothing to worry about.

Though Jon apparently never really saw a threat in the beast. Ghost would come running towards Jon after they were apart and pounce him if he wasn’t already kneeling to touch there head together.

Jon, when they have meat, always drops some of his own already small portion down to the direwolf.

It took Davos a while to really understand the connection but when he did it all made sense. Ghost was the only thing that reminded Jon of his home.

His father, brother, and the woman that rasied him were dead. His two younger brothers dead. Sister dead. And the other sister was being held captive by the same house that helped kill his brother but also took his home.

Why the fuck did life have to be so messy and cruel? It had taken so much from Jon yet Jon still chose to see good in people.

Davos shrugged on his coat.

Damn Northern weather. He thought as he walked out into the chilly night air. He saw ghost next to a body it was enough to wake him up completely and hurry down the stairs.

He slows as he approaches Jon’s body. Other brothers of the Night’s Watch approach. Davos kneels beside the boys body.

Another soul taken from this world to soon. Blood painted the snow around the boy red. He was only fifteen but the scars on his face made him look well into his twenties. Just like his father.

“It’s the Lord Commander!” Some random perosn yells but Davos doesn’t want to pay them any mind as he looks at the features of a now deseaded friend.

He had always thought he looked older than he was just like his father had after the rebellion. Though lying here he looked every inch the boy who hadn’t reached his sixteenth nameday yet.

Dolorous Edd and some other Night’s Watchmen rush up behind Davos.

“Help me get him inside.” Davos said as he noticed the snow starting to freeze to his face, how long was he out there.

The other Night’s Watch brothers pick up Jon Snow’s body and carry it away.

Davos remains, staring at the left over pool of blood. Then he looks infornt of him to see the word TRATIOR painted in bold letters.

+++

Dolorous Edd wipes the table clean. The other Night’s Watch brothers place Jon’s body on the table. DOLOROUS places his hand on JON’s wounds, then brushes his eyes closed.

“Thorne did this.” Edd said firmly to Davos

“How many of your brothers do you think you can trust?” Davos asked.

“Trust?” Edd asked for clarification, “The men in this room.”

“Does the wolf know you?” Davos asked thinking back to the wolf Davos had put back in his cage so he didn’t randomly eat someone over his owners death.

Dolorous Edd looks at Davos over his shoulder and nods.

“We need all the help we can get.” Davos said.

As Edd moves towards the door, someone knocks on it. The Night’s Watch brothers draw their blades.

“Ser Davos.” A womans voice could be heard from behind the door.

Melisandre.

Edd looks over his shoulder at Davos. Davos, although seething on the inside, nods.

The Night’s Watch brothers sheathe their swords. Edd walks to the door and opens it. Melisandre gives a polite small nod to him before stepping into the room.

Edd closes the door behind her. Melisandre wears an expression that Sir Davos can only describe as distressed at the sight of Jon Snow’s body.

“I saw him in the flames, fighting at Winterfell.” Melisandre says quitely, in shock.

“I can’t speak for the flames, but he’s gone.” Davos says.

Melisandre touches Jon’s cheek. Her eyes hold sadness as if she had known him for years. As if this was Sansa Stark standing here. For some reason that ticked Davos off but he stayed silent.

—————-

Alliser Thorne sits at the high table among the other leaders of the Night’s Watch. The rest of the Night’s Watch brothers are shouting at each other.

“He was our Lord Commander!” Man #1 shouted. Danny didn’t know his name but he liked him.

“He never should have been!” Man #2 shouted but Danny dubbed him asshole number he-lost-count

Thorne pounds his fist three times on the high table, then stands. The room quiets. Many glares are being shot up at the man.

“You all know why you’re here. Jon Snow is dead.” Thorne said

“Who killed him?” Man #1 asked.

“I did.” Thorne proudly boasts.

Danny’s hand atuomatically go to clutch his sword that rests, as always, at his side.

The Night’s Watch brothers resume shouting.

“And Bowen Marsh and Othell Yarwyck and the other officers in this castle.” Thorne says.

Danny looks at them and pictures all them bloody painting the snow under them red as he left them there just as they left Jon.

“Murderers!”

“Traitors!”

The shouting resumes. Ollie, the little kid, walks up beside the high table. Alliser Thorne pounds the high table again.

“You’re right!” He shouts.

The shouting stops.

“We’ve committed treason, all of us. Jon Snow was my Lord Commander. I had no love for him. That was no secret. But I never once disobeyed an order. Loyalty is the foundation on which the Night’s Watch is built, and the Watch means everything to me. I have given my life, we have all given our lives to the Night’s Watch. Jon Snow was going to destroy the Night’s Watch. He let the wildlings through our gates, as no Lord Commander has ever done before. He gave them the very land on which they reaved and raped and murdered. Lord Commander Snow did what he thought was right, I’ve no doubt about that. And what he thought was right would have been the end of us. He thrust a terrible choice upon us, and we made it.”

The men begin to murmur among themselves.
____________

Ghost nudges Jon’s hand and whimpers. The hand was scared and calloused and now as of recently covered in dried blood.

It was the same hand that he sometimes ate out of. It was the same hand that went through his snow white as a stress reliever.

Davos felt bad for the poor pup.

“He’ll have seen we didn’t come. Thorne will have made it official by now. Castle Black is his.” Sir Davos says.

“I don’t care who’s sitting at the high table. Jon was my friend, and those fuckers butchered him. Now we return the favor.” Edd said.

“We don’t have the numbers.” Davos told him.

“We have a direwolf.” Edd said gesturing to the red eyed beast.

“It’s not enough. I didn’t know Lord Commander Snow for long, but I have to believe he wouldn’t have wanted his friends to die for nothing.”

“If you were planning to see tomorrow, you picked the wrong room. We all die today. I say we do our best to take Thorne with us when we go.” Edd says.

“We need to fight, but we don’t need to die. Not if we have help.” Davos explained.

“Who’s gonna help us?” Edd asked.

“You’re not the only ones who owe your lives to Jon Snow.” Ser Davos says.

Realization washes over Edd’s face. He turns to the Night’s Watchman at his side.

“Bolt the door. Don’t let anyone in. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Edd commands.

And with that Dolorous Edd leaves through the chamber door.

Chapter Text

The dou runs quickly through the northern wilderness. It was further than ethier one of them had ever been. Even when Theon used to go hunting with the Stark's they had never went this far. The cold didn't seem to effect them due to the adrenaline of their bodies. Though Theon thinks some of it for Sansa is that Stark's could never get fucking cold.

Though Sansa's hand was shaky in his and she was struggling to keep up. Though Theon thinks it's more from fear than the chill of the violent weather. The dogs, or hounds was a lot more accurate description, could be heard. Sansa stops infront of a snowy river.

Theon steps in and tries to guide her but she just flinches back. Now Theon could leave her, never see Ramasey agian but that's what Theon has considered a Ramsey move. Leaving someone else to die to save yourself. He wouldn't do it.

"We have to cross here." Theon tells her firmly.

Sansa nods shakily her breathing heavy and uneven but she grips his hand, trusting him. Sansa steps on a patch of thin ice and gasps.

"I can't." Sansa chokes out. She's running away from her home. She's going to die out here. She's going to die and -.

"It's the only way to throw off the hounds." Theon's voice snaps her out of her thoughts.

"But it's too cold. I can't. I won't make it. I'll die." Sansa says.

"I've seen what his hounds do to a person." Theon says, "This way is better."

"Just leave me he won't hurt me." Sansa tells him. When she says hurt she means kill. Though she guesses the old Sansa would be dead. She would only be literally alive because her heart would still work.

"And do fucking what?" Theon asks, "Go to the wall and tell Jon I let another one of his siblings die. He'd fucking kill me at hearing that if he hadn't already on sight."

Sansa breathes and shakily starts towards the water. Theon guides Sansa into the water. Sansa gasps at the cold. As if a thousand little daggers perice at her skin. The both wade across.

++++

They are walking through the woods agian. They are blue with cold and shivering rapidly. Barking can no longer be heard so that threat is gone. Though now they got to worry about the foreseeable chance of freezing out here. Theon spots something in a distance.

"Over here. Come on." Theon says dragging her with him.

Theon leads Sansa to an overturned tree. Its roots provide shelter from the harsh snow. Theon has the strangely humorous thought, Ned Stark wasn’t wasting breath with that warning for nothing. They sit down under the roots, shivering.

"Sansa." Theon repeats, "Sansa."

This is the first time the situation has registered for both of them.

Theon wraps his arms around Sansa. She rests her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes. This is what she had longed for for so long. A comfortable embrace where she didn't have to worry about the person pulling a knife on her the next second. Finally hugging someone who didn’t have second motives. 

It wasn’t the most perfect thing like the warm hugs Ned Stark used to give both of them. It was shivery and shakey and they were both wet, from tears and water. It was something so foreign to both of them but so welcoming. Like a bed after a long hunt.

Dogs barking can suddenly be heard close by.

"Stay here. I'll lure them away." Theon says as he pulls away from the embrace.

"No, I won't make it without you." Sansa says grabbing his wrist. Her hand is shaky as well as her force. Her blue eyes held tears in them but they didn’t falter the, what Sansa wanted to be demanding but came out pleading, Stark look.

Theon looks at her. Her red hair has some leaves and a whole lot of snow flakes in it. Her eyes were clouded with unshed tears. She looked a hell of a lot like Robb in that moment. The Tully genes appearing in that moment.

"You will. Go north, only north." Theon told her firmly, "You will go to the wall. Jon is Lord Commander he'll make sure your safe."

Theon runs into the woods but is immediately confronted by House Bolton soldiers and hounds.

"Where is Lady Bolton?" A soldier asks.

The name is like a stone thrown on Sansa. She hates it. She was told by Septa Mordane that ‘Lady’s  didn’t hate’ but Sansa hated a lot of things in her life. Joffrey, The Queen, Ramasey, Baelish, King’s Landing. 

Lady Stark. Sansa repeated fericely in her head. Lady Sansa Stark of Winterfell. 

"Dead." Theon tells him.

"Liar." A Bolton officer claims.

"She broke her leg jumping from the ramparts." Theon says as an image of a helpless Sansa makes it's way into his mind begging for help. "I left her to die in the snow."

Red paints the snow in front of Theon like the comet in the sky only mere years ago. Sansa screams and begs as those orphan boys had. As Bran had only a mere day before that. Theon’s gruesome guilty imagination was cut short by the hounds.

They had caught Sansa’s sent and began barking. They lead the soldiers to Sansa under the roots of the tree. 

Theon's angry thoughts about her not running disappear when Sansa cowers from them.

"I can't wait to see what parts Ramsay cuts off you this time." The Bolton officer comments.

One of the soldiers grabs Sansa and pulls her to her feet. 

A horse whinnies in the distance. The soldiers draw their weapons. Brienne and Podrick ride towards the soldiers with their sword drawn.

++++++++++

Tyrion and Varys are walking through the streets together.

"We're never going to fix what's wrong with this city from the top of an 800-foot pyramid." Tyrion says.

Varys looks over his shoulder at a passing commoner.

"We'll be fine. We're dressed like common merchants." Tyrion reassures him.

Varys looks him up and down, "You walk like a rich person."

"You've spent a lot of time studying the way rich people walk?" Tyrion asks.

"You walk as though the paving stones were your personal property. I used to steal from people like you when I was a boy." Varys says simply.

"It's a good thing you're not a boy anymore...because you have no cock." Tyrion says explaining his joke to his friend.

"I knew what you were implying you don't have to spell it out."

A woman is lying in the street holding a baby.

"For your baby. To eat." Tyrion says in Valyrin. Varys can't deside weither he wants to wince or laugh.

The woman cowers away from Tyrion.

"She thinks you want to eat her baby." Varys tells Tyrion.

"That's not at all-."

"Your Valyrin is horrible." Varys tells him as he kneels

"His Valyrian is terrible. He only wants to give you money, so your baby can eat." Varys tells her in Valyrian.

Varys hands the woman money. She gestures at them to thank them, and they walk on. 

They walk into a courtyard where "KILL THE MASTERS" is written in red on a wall. Beneath it, "MHYSA IS A MASTER," is written.

"Mhysa means mother in Valyrian." Varys tells him.

"I know what mhysa means." Tyrion says.

"Well had to make sure." Varys said, "Don't need you telling an Unsullied somthing that will get you killed."

"Just because I mess up one sentence in Valyrian-."

Varys desides he's done with this agurement and asks a question, "Who wrote it?"

"Hard to know. Our queen is not as popular in Meereen as she used to be." Tyrion says also seemingly dropping the agurement.

"The Sons of the Harpy?" Varys theorized.

"Very plausible." Tyrion says, "Daenerys Targaryen took away their most valuable property, told them human beings weren't even property to begin with. You can see why they're unhappy. Of course, it could also be the freed men."

Tyrion and Varys enter a chamber where a red priest is preaching to a group of listeners.

"For the night is dark and full of terrors." The Listeners says in Valyrian.

"I know what they're fucking saying." Tyrion says as Varys leans down to translate. Varys face has a smirk as if he's won something.

"The Lord of Light sent the Mother of Dragons to you, and those who love the darkness chased her away." The Red Priest preaches.

"Many of the former slaves feel that Daenerys has abandoned them." Tyrion says.

"She did fly away on a dragon and not come back." Varys points out.

"How will you respond? Will you wring your hands, while you wait for the Mother of Dragons to return? Or will you you take up her flames yourselves? Will you fight for your own salvation, now that Queen Daenerys is not here to fight for you?" The red priest asks.

"It's a problem."

Tyrion and Varys proceed in a much larger courtyard.

"Fear has brought Meereen to a standstill. Whoever you are, wherever you go, someone in this city wants to murder you. We can't fight an enemy we don't know." Tyrion tells Varys.

"The Sons of the Harpy planned their attack in the fighting pits very carefully, which means they take orders from someone." Varys says.

"And have you started looking for that someone?" Tyrion asks.

"My little birds have already taken wing. Soon they'll return, singing songs of men in gold masks." 

Men are shouting in the distance. A bell begins to toll. A flood of people run through an archway on the opposite side of the courtyard toward Tyrion and Varys, then run past them. Tyrion and Varys proceed through the archway and into the harbor. Smoke pours from the burning wreckage of all the ships in the harbor.

"Well, we won't be sailing to Westeros anytime soon." Is the first thing Tyrion can think to say. It earns him a look form Varys.

++++++++++++++

Brienne walks over to Sansa.

Brienne places her blade on the ground in front of Sansa and kneels before her.

"Lady Sansa, I offer my services once again. I will shield your back and keep your council and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the old gods and the new." Brienne says.

Sansa turns at looks at Theon for confirmation. Theon nods his head.

"And I vow...that you shall always have a place by my hearth and..." Sansa says trying to recite it.

"Meat and mead at my table." Podrick puts in for her.

"Meat and mead at my table. And I pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you dishonor. I swear it by the old gods and the new. Arise." Sansa says.

Brienne stands up. Sansa smiles at Brienne.

+++

The sun blazes down on Daenerys. It feels as if it is frying her from inside out. She has learned that being immune to fire doesn't apply to the sun.

The Dothraki horde is traveling together in great numbers. Daenerys is walking beside the horse of two Dothraki bloodriders. Daenerys trips over a stone on the rough uneven ground. Bloodrider #1 whips her. Both men laugh. They speak in Dothraki.

"Maybe she saw a ghost. My friend's mother saw a ghost and her hair turned white." #1 says.

"Pink people are afraid of the sun. It burns their skin. This one stands too long in the sun and her hair goes white." #2 says.

"You think she's got white pussy hair too? You ever been with a girl with white pussy hair?" #1 says.

You never will. Daenerys thinks.

"Only when I was fucking your grandma." #2 says.

Bloodrider #1 chuckles and makes a kissing sound at Daenerys, who shoots him a scolding look.

"I'll ask Khal Moro for a night with you. What do you think?" Bloodrider #1 asks directly to Daenerys.

"Pretty eyes, but she's an idiot." #2 says.

"She doesn't have to be smart to get fucked in the ass." #1 says.

"I like to talk when I'm finished. Otherwise, we might as well be dogs." #2 says.

———

The Dothraki folk are tending to their affairs. Blooderrider #1 and Bloodrider #2 escort Daenerys to Khal Moro's tent. Khal Moro is sitting with his wives and other bloodriders.

"For you, my Khal. The white-haired girl we found in the hills." Bloodrider #2 says.

Bloodrider #1 pushes Daenerys towards Khal Moro. He Khal considers her. The attendants speak in Dothraki.

"Look at those lips, blood of my blood." Bloodrider #3 says.

"Blue-eyed women are witches." Wife #1 says.

"It is known." Wife #2 says.

"Cut off her head, before she casts a spell on you." Wife #1 says.

Khal Moro stands and walks around Daenerys.

“Even if I was blind, I'd hear my wives say, "Cut off her head" and I'd know this woman was beautiful. I'm glad I'm not blind. Seeing a beautiful woman naked for the first time, what is better than that?” Khal Moro says.

“Killing another Khal?” Bloodrider Number-Three asks.

“Yes, killing another Khal.” Khal Moro said.

“Conquering a city and taking her people as slaves, and taking her idols back to Vaes Dothrak.” Bloodrider Number-Four says.

“Breaking a wild horse, forcing it to submit to your will.” Bloodrider Number-Three says.

“Seeing a beautiful woman naked for the first time is among the five best things in life.” Khal Moro said annoyed. 

Khal Moro grabs Daenerys by the chest.

“Do not touch me.” Daenerys says firmly, speaking in Dothraki. 

The bloodriders and wives look at each other. Khal Moro released Daenerys.

“I am Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar of the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons.” 

Khal Moro and his bloodriders laugh. He places his hand on the back of Daenerys' head

“You are nobody, the millionth of your name, Queen of Nothing, slave of Khal Moro. Tonight I will lie with you, and if the Great Stallion is kind, you will give me a son. Do you understand?” Khal Moro asks.

“I will not lie with you. And I will bear no children, for you, or anyone else. Not until the sun rises in the west, and sets in the east.” 

“I told you she was a witch. Cut off her head.” Wife-One says.

“I like her. She has spirit.” Khal Moro says.

“I was wife of Khal Drogo, son of Khal Bharbo.” Daenerys says.

Khal Moro takes his hand away from Daenerys and steps backwards.

“Khal Drogo is dead.” Khal Moro says.

“I know.” Daenerys says, “I burnt his body.”

“Forgive me. I did not know.” Khal Moro says, “It is forbidden to lie with a Khal's widow. No one will touch you. You have my word.”

Khal Moro draws his blade and cuts Daenerys' bindings.

“If you will escort me back to Meereen, I will see that your khalasar is given a thousand horses, as a sign of my gratitude.” Daenerys offers.

“When a Khal dies, there is only one place for his Khaleesi.” Khal Moro says.

Khal Moro sits down.

“Vaes Dothrak. The Temple of the Dosh Khaleen.” Wife-One says.

“To live out her days with the widows of dead Khals. It is known.” Wife-Two adds.

Chapter Text

Arya sits on the dirty covered step on the streets of Braavos. Becoming of faceless man wasn't at all what she thought it was going to be. Getting rid of the identity of Arya Stark was hard. Which yeah no shit but she thought it would be easier to part with the identity. Get rid of King's Landing and that platform she still visted in her dreams. To get rid of the Red Wedding. 

Though getting rid of that Arya Stark also meant getting rid of Winterfell. Once Old Nan had told her, one night before she left for Kings Landing, that you could never take the fericeness of the Wolf out of Stark blood. The Wolf blood still ran strong through her blood. Something that she would have to get rid of if she was to become no one.

Instead of dwelling on that she dwelled on her list as she sat still, unseeing. 

Walder Frey.

Cersei Lannister.

Ilyn Paynel.

Tywin Lannister.

Beric Dondarrion.

Gregor Clegane.

Thoros of Myr.

Walder Frey.

Cersei Lannister.

Ilyn Paynel.

Tywin Lannister.

Ber-

Arya hears the definded clink of someone dropping a coin in her bowl.

"Thank you." Arya says to the unknown person.

"May the gods bless you." The man says before contuining walking.

Arya falls silent and listens to the chatter of the common folk. She thinks of her family as she overhears chatter, giving up on her list repeaton. Every laugh brings her back to a memory at Winterfell. Every agurement brings her back to Winterfell and Kings Landing. Every sob brings her back to the past few years.

"Are you listening, blind girl? Do you hear them talking? Do any of them talk to you? No. So sad." Waif's voice snaps her out of her reciting her family's faces that way she doesn't forget them.

Waif holds out one of the staves and throws it at Arya. Arya catches it clumsily. Waif hits Arya with the other staff, knocking her over.

"Stand and fight, blind girl." Waif says.

Arya stands, holding the staff out in front of her.

"I can't see." Arya complains.

"That's your problem, not mine." Waif says.

Waif strikes Arya's leg. Arya cries out and swings her staff blindly. She misses. Waif jabs Arya in the stomach with the end of the staff, then knocks her to the ground. Arya stands back up and swings her staff. She misses again. Waif strikes Arya in the face with her staff twice. The second blow knocks Arya over. Arya stands up and swings for a third time. She misses again. Waif strikes Arya several more times, then knocks her to the ground again. Arya tries to get up by leaning on her staff, but Waif knocks the staff out of her hands.

"See you tomorrow." Waif says.

Arya assumes she walks away. Aray herself though remains on her knees, panting.

******

Several Night's Watch brothers allied to Alliser Thorne are pointing crossbows at the room that Davos and the other Night's Watch brothers allied with Jon Snow are holed up. Thorne approaches the door to the room with several men and knocks. The Night's Watch brothers inside draw their sword and Ghost growls. Davos stands up and walks to the door. Alliser Thorne knocks again.

"Ser Davos, we have no cause to fight. We are both anointed knights." Thorne says.

"Hear that, lads?" Davos says, "Nothing to fear."

"I will grant amnesty to all brothers who thrown down their arms before nightfall. And you, Ser Davos, I will allow you to travel south, a free man with a fresh horse." Thorne says.

"And some mutton." Davos says, "I'd like some mutton."

"What?" Thorne asks.

"I'm not much of a hunter." Davos says "I'll need some food if I'm gonna make it south without starving."

"We'll give you food. You can bring the Red Woman with you if you like. Or you can leave her here with us, whichever you choose. But surrender by nightfall or this ends with blood." Thorne says.

"Thank you, Ser Alliser." Davos says, "We'll discuss amongst ourselves and come back to you with an answer."

Alliser Thorne and his men leave.

"Boys, I've been running from men like that ll my life. In my learned opinion, we open that door-" Davos says.

"And they'll slaughter us all." Nightwatchman number one says. 

“They want to come in, they're gonna come in.” Nightwatchman number two says.

“Aye, but we don't need to make it easy for them.” Davos says.

“Edd is our only chance.” Number 2 says.

“It's a sad fucking statement if Dolorous Edd is our only chance.” Watchman number 1 says.

“There's always the Red Woman.” Davos points out.

“What's one redhead gonna do against 40 armed men?” Number one asks.

“You haven't seen her do what I've seen her do.” Davos says.

+++

The past few years didn't feel very real to Bran. He often found his mind not really fully focusing on the memories the Three-Eyed Raven was showing him. Though, in Bran's defense, it was stupid meaningless stuff that Bran usually forgot after he had slept. Something the Three-Eyed Raven blamed him for.

His dreams didn't contain memories or visions like the Three-Eyed Raven said they should. They usually consisted of Rickon and where he was now. On one of his first nights here, he had a horrible dream of Rickon laying bloody in a feild with an arrow through his heart. Bran had woken screaming and crying. 

Meera had been quick to his side, though she slept almost right next to him so it wasn't a lot of distance. He had repeated the same thing, "It's my fault." That image still haunted him.

Though a noise that Bran could recognize as the clang of wooden swords brought him out of his thoughts. Had the Three-Eyed Raven finally showed him somthing interesting?

He recognized the boys quickly and brighten. Though before he watched the scene before him he marveled at Winterfell around him. He was home agian. 

Young Ned and young Benjen are sparring with wooden swords in the commons. Young Ned knocks young Benjen to the ground.

"Give him another go, Ned." A young Sir Rodrick said.

Young Ned helps young Benjen to his feet.

"Keep your shield up or I'll ring your head like a bell." Young Ned says.

The boys begin sparring again. Bran looks around the commons at the citizens of Winterfell going about their business.

"They were all so happy." Bran comments.

"So were you once."

Bran rolls his eyes, No way.

Young Lyanna rides into the courtyard on a horse. She circles around young Ned and young Benjen.

"Stop showing off." Ned said.

"Lyanna!"

"My Aunt Lyanna. I've seen her statue in the crypt." Bran said, "People always said Arya looked like her."

Bran could see the similarities looking at the girl.

The three-eyed raven turns to look at Bran, but Bran has already walked away. 

Bran runs his hands down the wood of Winterfell. He wanted to remember every little detail of the home to which he may never have the chance to return too.

Bran walks closer to the group. Lyanna is being helped off her horse by Hodor.

"Would you get out of here? We're sparring." Benjen asked his sister.

Bran was reminded of himself and Arya.

"Who are you gonna spar with when Ned goes off to the Eyrie?" Lyanna asks.

"I don't know."

Lyanna turns and looks at a young Hodor.

"What about him?" Lyanna suggests.

"Wylis, come here."Ned calls.

Bran turns to look at young Hodor. Three-eye raven reaches Bran's side.

"Hodor." Bran mutters.

Lyanna walks over to Hodor with a wooden sword and shield.

"But he's got giant's blood." Benjen complains.

"And you've got training. Sounds like a fair match to me." Ned tells his brother.

"Benjen always lifts his chin when he's about to charge." Lyanna tells Hodor.

Hodor takes the sword and shield.

"And lowers it when he's going to dodge, my lady." Young Hodor says.

"Hodor talks." Bran comments. This must've been before the accident Old Nan doesn't dare speak of.

Hodor walks over to Benjen. They are both ready to commence sparring, but stop when Nan appears.

"You leave the fighting to the little lords, Wylis. Come along, now. It's no place for you." Old nan calls.

Nan takes Hodor by the ear and leads him away.

Bran smiles at another familiar face. 

"Oh, Nan, look at the size of him. If he ever learned to fight, he'd be unstoppable." Ned complains.

"Well, he's never going to learn to fight because he's a stable boy. So leave him be." Nan says,

"It is time to go." The three-eyed raven says.

"Please, a little longer." Bran pleas desperate to stay where he feels himself.

He touches Bran on the shoulder.

—————

Bran is released from the vision. He gasps, then lets go of the root. The white fades from his eyes. A child of the forest is sitting nearby, staring at him. Meera walks quickly over to him placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. They seem to understand eachother and the hole their missing brothers have left in their hearts. Except Bran's could still be alive.

He props himself up on his wrists and looks at three-eyed raven.

"You finally show me something I care about and then you drag me away." Bran says angerily.

"It is beautiful beneath the sea, but if you stay too long, you'll drown." The raven said.

"I wasn't drowning." Bran says, "I was home."

Child of the forest and three-eyed raven exchange a glance. Bran turns to Hodor, who is sitting with his back against a wall.

"Wylis." Bran tells him.

"Hodor."

"I saw you as a boy. You could talk. What happened?" Bran asks.

"Hodor." Hodor repeats. "Hodor."

"I want some fresh air." Bran says. Meera nods.

"Hodor."

++++

Hodor carries Bran outside and sets him down in the snow. Meera sits in the snow next to him. 

"I was home." Bran repeats to her. 

Meera nods looking sadly at the boy ashe looked out into the Tundra. If it was her choice they would've stayed back at Castle Black and met up with Bran's brother at the wall. Though Jojen had insisted that Bran was needed beyond the Wall. Destiny this and destiny that. 

If Meera was honest she didn't really believe in destiny. She doesn't think the gods would be so cruel as to bring them this far through her brother and kill him. Though then agian she never really payed attention to stuff about the gods and thier plans.

Meera thinks that Bran would rather be anywhere but beyond the wall. If she wasn't so dead set on protecting them she might have set off with him and Hodor but it was likely to kill them. Bran would have to be dragged or carried by hodor and that would do no good when running from something. 

If she set out on her own she felt as if she was commiting treason. On who she didn't know. Bran? Her brother? Herself?

Bran had talked about his dreams somtimes. He talked about his home and family a lot. Though usually it was the same stuff. Like he could only remember the basics after being gone for so long.

Hodor picks Bran up and carries him back inside. A child of the forest steps beside Meera.

"Brandon Stark needs you." The child of the forest says.

"For what?" Meera asks, finally letting her annoyance take over, "I sit in there and I watch him have his visions and nothing ever happens."

"He isn't going to stay there forever." The Child says, "And out there he needs you."