Chapter Text
Sansa was the only one of their party not rendered speechless to the sight of a captured wight. She had another stable hand sent for Sam Tarly, now that everyone was forced to take his and Jaime’s experience with dragonglass more seriously. They used the captured creature to confirm that the threat from beyond the Wall was vulnerable to the black dragonglass and valyrian steel. Though it was a very singular sword, they also confirmed that the wights were also susceptible to Dawn.
She was quick to remind that they could not kill it, however. Others would not believe what they were facing until they saw it with their own eyes, just like all the men standing around her did not. They did throw in a chicken to confirm that they could be killed though.
Instead of the training yard, the rest of the day and week following were spent in meetings presenting the wight to the Lords of the North, and discussing a plan. It was imperative that they get Sansa and Aegon in place more than ever, all realized quickly, especially so that they could establish Jon on Dragonstone to arm those who would be sent above Moat Cailin.
Robb debated sending Ysilla on south with the march, but she insisted that her first child would be born in Winterfell. Sansa agreed that her brother would need support and the threat was a long way off. It was best to keep the family together as long as possible.
He'd looked at her like a traitor for a moment, until he realized the ladies were in accord.
Word was spread by raven to the necessary individuals, along with the information that they would be bringing the wight to Riverrun. Theon would give them permission to present it to the Iron Islands there. And Yohn Royce would present it to the Vale lords as well.
And then they would present it to King's Landing after their coronation. Jaime was then going to take it to the West to present it at the Rock, south to the Reach and Stormlands on the way to his engagement, and then finally in Sunspear when he finally got married. This plan was also told to the appropriate people when ravens were sent.
By the end of the week, Sansa was exhausted, but so was everyone else. They were scared and suddenly truly ready for a war. The itching that had been all for their march on King's Landing was turned sharply to dread.
Logical, but unfortunate. Even when she'd known it was coming.
Aegon started joining her before the heart tree, just wanting to find some measure of peace in the sacred space. When they found her father in the Godswood with a letter, Sansa smiled at the elated expression on his face, "From Mother?"
He stood quickly to beam in her direction, "She's pregnant!"
Sansa's gaze turned to her husband sharply, "Seven!"
Even as he rolled his eyes, she threw her arms around the previous Warden of the North and squealed, "Congratulations, Father."
"I feel a little less old for it," He admitted, finally putting her down, "Though she's been waiting to tell me for three moons. Didn't want something to happen."
Sansa smiled slightly grim, even as she refused to be anything but joyful, "Mother always says to leave such worries for the gods."
He smiled, "Too true."
"Congratulations," Aegon offered, smiling for his good father. When he was released he turned to appraise his wife, "Maybe we should go for eight. Tie off with Uncle."
Sansa shrugged, "Very well."
"It was a joke, Sansa!"
Ned snorted, "Never make a joke like that around a Tully."
"Sansa, we are not having eight!"
"Fine!" She shrugged, "Seven will do."
"Sansa!"
Robb was informed when they left to break their fast and he made the announcement for the hall. Ysilla insisted on just one more feast for the good news, especially as she had a plethora of supplies coming from the Riverlands and Vale. Arya had decided that this babe was going to be a girl, since that would make the numbers even, plus Sansa thought they'd like to have a little sister like Lyanna, with Arya's agreement.
And her mother's conception of a sixth Stark child seemed to breathe life back into everyone. Whatever would be faced, the wolves were strong. Robb's wife was with child, his mother was still fertile, and the idea seemed to be born that the Young Wolf was born to lead them through the Second Long Night, along with his sister's Targaryen Prince.
By the time they'd been at Winterfell for a moon, Sansa was ready to get moving. Ysilla would be giving birth in two more moons and Robb needed his family strong. She couldn't wait to be able to offer more than promises of support.
Watching him say goodbye to everyone was hard, but perhaps no one more than Jon. With their adopted brother's acceptance of his place in the south with her and Aegon, they knew the next time they saw one another would be a battle against an enemy they never imagined. He seemed more content to let Arya go, assured that she wanted to marry into the North, whoever she picked.
Sansa hugged him tight, "I'll miss you so much."
He put her down, "I expect at least two of my nephew's to foster with their favorite uncle."
Jon snorted behind them, "Aye, they'll love Dragonstone."
"Arya…" Robb instructed.
Suddenly the White Wolf doubled over with a gasp after a well placed blow struck him about the middle.
"Enough," The Quiet Wolf instructed, pulling in his first born, "If you need anything, the pack will come running."
"Aye, Father," Robb agreed for the hundredth time, "I'll see you soon."
The march was certainly more interesting than her trip to King's Landing. Without Robert's constant whining they moved much faster, even with ten thousand men marching behind. It wasn't all that different from running a keep, in terms of doling out supplies and stores, there was just no bed, bath, and she had to ride a horse all day in-between.
Where the spite of seeing Cersei's head roll had gotten her to King's Landing, Sansa's luck ran differently on this trip. Two weeks into the month long march and she caught some sort of stomach ailment that kept her from eating anything. She kept telling everyone that she was fine, but unlike the rest Sam didn't believe her.
They got news on the road as well. Holster Tully wasn't expected to make it much longer, so her mother was bringing Robin and Rickon to Riverrun. The Arryn heir had never been to his mother's maiden seat and everyone wanted him to have that chance.
Yohn was staying at home, while Domeric was leading the Knights of the Vale, along with their acting Regent. They'd switch places before the siege. But, he acknowledged that the family needed this chance.
The Riverland banners had already been situated at the keep. Mother was expected to beat them there by a couple of days, based on when she'd set out with Domeric. And then the West would arrive just after them.
That made sense. Kevan needed to see his brother and nephew were truly alive and well. From what she understood, Genna Lannister was acting as Regent for Myrcella until Kevan returned. Luckily the trade offs were from regions much closer to the Riverlands than Winterfell.
Dorne would arrive last and they guessed about a week after they had been in the Tully keep. They were the last to arrive and had to get passage through enemy territory. Sansa knew that if the Tyrells or Baratheons were going to try anything, it would be in keeping them north of Harrenhal and south of Starfall.
When she'd been sick for a week straight, Sam finally pulled her into his maester's tent. He poked her for nearly half an hour before nodding, "You're pregnant, alright!"
Sansa blinked at him for a moment, her hand flying to her belly, "You're jesting."
Pale hazel eyes, a bit like a cat's, shot to her with a roll, "Yes, I'm going to fuck with the woman whose husband's dragon likes her more than him."
Unable to do anything else, Sansa squealed and grabbed him by his fat cheeks, kissing both. Though he was shaking his head as she went to tear out of the tent, the greenseer still wasn't expecting him to yell after her, "Freeze!"
She spun back to him.
He pulled a bundle of herbs from a cabinet and handed them over, "For the nausea. You need to be eating." She nodded and took them, "Also, if you need to take any spirits, let me know first. I expect to see you once a week, minimum, until you select a Grand Master and are settled in the Red Keep."
Sansa grinned at him, "And how would you feel about filling that role, Maester Tarly?!"
"I have Gilly and Little Sam…"
"I assure you, they are more than welcome," Sansa wasn't above batting her Tully blue eyes at him, "Please, Sam?"
He groaned, "Alright, Sansa. But you have to listen to me. And keep all the dragons off my arse!"
"Deal!"
She kissed his cheek again and left quickly. She was sharing with the Targaryen princes, who were relieved when she showed them the herbs upon returning to the tent, which proudly flew the Targaryen banner above. They'd been sharing with Jon, so she felt a great satisfaction in knowing her first child had been conceived at Winterfell.
Arya was sharing with their father and Sansa quickly drank her tea, then ate something, before the dragons headed toward the constant sparring taking place among the men and she seized her chance. Once they were gone, she hurried over to the tent flying the Stark banner that her father and sister were sharing. Barely making it past the opening, Sansa found herself already blurting out, "I'm pregnant!"
While her father looked up startled by her sudden appearance and didn't quite catch the statement at first, Arya did. Her sister hooped, hollered, and flung herself around Sansa's middle. While pregnancy was something she knew scared her sister, the Red Wolf knew her joy was genuine because it was what the older Stark wanted.
"You did it, Sans!"
Finally her father caught up and hurried around his table to hug her, "Oh, Sweet Wolf, this is fantastic news!"
"Have you told Aegon yet?" Arya demanded.
"Not yet," Sansa acknowledged, "And you can't either."
"Sweet Wolf…"
"We have a week until we reach Riverrun and the Welcoming Feast should be on his name day," Sansa explained with a flush, "I want to tell him then."
Her father and sister agreed. Arya did blab to Jon, who spent the rest of the week teasing his brother, proclaiming he knew what the Targaryen Prince was getting for his name day. Tywin suspected, but was decent enough to keep everyone's mouth shut.
Her husband was cute when he begged, but she told him nothing. He was still concerned when she appeared to be sick every morning, claiming the herbs weren't doing enough, but Sansa assured him that she was fine. Eventually they made it until the morning of his name day and he'd be put off no longer.
"What is it?"
"Are you sure you don't want to wait a while longer?"
"You're not funny, Sansa! What is going on?!"
"Alright," She smiled and locked her arms around his neck, "I'm carrying your child."
He let out a call far to jovial to be a war cry and picked her up to spin around. When he finally let her go and pulled her out of the tent where everything was being broken down, she couldn't even be surprised when he yelled the announcement for all to hear.
Jaime gave a call of ecstatic excitement, so Tywin hadn't warned him, and the Great Lion cheered appropriately behind his son. Sansa grinned when the smile on his face was genuine. It was like getting Olenna's approval.
Everyone cheered. They were banging swords and shields, poles and tools, along with whatever else they could find. Sansa flushed when a cry started to build, "Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Queen!"
Aegon turned to pick her up again, before he sat her back down and kissed her, absolutely beaming. As camp was finished being broken down her husband was loitering at her side as she went back to work. It was cute... For about an hour.
Finally, Sansa grabbed him by the braid and hauled him off toward the lions, "Do something with this, please."
"But, Sans…"
Tywin chuckled, "I'm sure we can find something constructive for him to be doing."
Jaime snorted.
"Thank you!"
When she spun on her heel and left, he gave a valiant effort to following, really Aegon did. Until Jaime grabbed him by the joining of his shoulder and neck with a grip like steel, "What did you want done with this, Father?"
"Golden arseholes… absolute cunts!" He finally managed to ground out when there was no escape.
"Feed him to the other wolves," Tywin instructed, not looking up from the store reports he'd gotten from Sansa the night before, "Ned's been waiting for at least a week to kick his Dornish arse."
"Aww, Papa Lion!"
Finishing his work, the Warden of the West rose to his full height. He wasn't truly taller than the boy he was about to crown, but it was just an air that someone his age always had perfected, towering, "She is pregnant. Not an invalid."
Aegon sighed when Jaime's hand relaxed, "I know that!"
"I have never had such a smooth march and it's because she makes feeding, watering, and looking after ten thousand men look like child's play," Tywin pointed at him, "Let her do her work in peace. She already assumed the work of the Gold Company, Vale Knights, and the Tully banners at Riverrun."
Aegon was relieved to meet Jaime's eyes in confusion, just knowing the previous Kingsguard hadn't known that either, "Why…"
"Because she made the case to Desmera Tully that this was her responsibility as the future Queen, when the, quite frankly, older woman said she was overwhelmed."
He was glad his Hand was as irritated with that as he was. Sansa would never shuck her responsibilities. Everyone was taken care of in the Tower of the Hand, just like Aunt Ellaria took care of Uncle Oberyn's people when he travelled. Jaime charged on where he was thinking.
"And the Vale?"
His father had to shrug at that one, "To be fair, Sansa only started doing those numbers because her mother got to Riverrun. She was trained by Catelyn Tully."
"Regardless," Papa Lion set both of them with a look, "My point is that I need that girl working to take care of over fifty thousand men, a couple of dragons, and all our horses, supplies, and stores. She is pregnant, we couldn't be more excited, and I have never intended to use that fact to buy myself out of the kennels more than I do right now. Go pack camp!"
"Yes, Papa Lion."
"Yes, Father."
They were walking away before the Prince thought it through, "Wait, why…"
"I said pack!"
He turned and they finished packing both of their tents, the Golden Lion denying that he knew anything about his father's comment. He speculated it was nothing. Tywin Lannister didn't just go around making a spectacle if it wasn't required, he was too worried about the family legacy.
Though the young prince didn't notice, Jaime also realized that was the first time he'd made the proclamation in twenty years. He used to say it all the time… Before Elia.
Aegon couldn't help but study him as they were breaking down his tent, "Rains of Castamere?"
Jaime laughed, "From my perspective? One vassal house got cute with my mother one time and my father had to hike his arse home to handle it over a weekend."
"How old were you?" He demanded with a laugh, "It's the anthem of the West!"
"I was… Four, I suppose," Jaime shrugged, his emerald gaze hung on the boy for a moment, "She was pregnant with Tyrion. That was a few years before your father came to the Rock."
"You were eight, because Jon says you were annoying!"
"Well, I'll see him in hell, so I guess we're even."
Raising his chin, Aegon allowed it with a muttered, "Damn."
"I cannot believe that the son of a bitch knew you were alive and didn't tell me," He was staring up at the sky by the time he finished cursing.
"I know… You've been saying since the Tourney."
"Did you mention that to the cunt on your way down?"
"You mean to ask," Aegon corrected, "Has he been warned?"
"Answer."
"You act like he hasn't known it for nineteen years… To the day."
"Fucking bastard."
Aegon sighed, "You have every right to be mad at him. But… We're about to walk into my by laws' keep and if you could not have it out, loudly, with Jon Connington that would be swell."
"If you're in this for the long haul," Jaime advised, "They can still have you disposed of for two years. Gotta make sure you won't fuck up the little ones."
"Thank you for that," He hissed, "Annoying has a more vivid tone now. He's right."
"Stop worrying so damn much, Aegon."
"With my family history?!"
"Do you think she's really a princess?"
"What?"
"She's not a fair maiden, Little Dragon," Jaime just studied him for a moment, then grabbed his arm and marched off with the twenty year old firmly in hand.
Sansa shook her head as the two came into her peripheral sights as soon as the vision ended. Jaime threw her husband toward Sunspot, who her father had brought because they knew the real plan, and ordered her, "Tell him you knew Cersei and I were in that tower."
"No."
"She's a seer like your mother and aunt," He reminded firmly, then ordered, "Tell him!"
"No."
"Sansa Stark, on your honor…"
"No."
"Ned!"
"Fine!" Sansa agreed, turning to shush him with her hands, only relieved that they were out of earshot of everyone else, "Fine."
"What is going on?"
"Come on, Sansa. Don't keep everyone waiting," Jaime insisted, which led from her father's attention flying from the Golden Lion to her.
"Annoying is such an apt description."
"What was it they started calling you during the Tourney? The Red Wolf of the North?" Jaime studied her for the longest of moments, "You knew what my sister was capable of before I did. And you struck her before she could take the throne through Joff."
"True."
Jaime reared back and she was unsure if he'd been expecting more or less. After a moment of staring though, he laughed and looked at Aegon while pointing at her, "You don't just need to show respect. You need to know who you married. They are the wolves and you will never see them coming!"
"If he'd remembered that while fucking his sister in the middle of Winterfell," Tywin appeared from no where to join in the squabble by their horses, "We might not be here now."
"Thank you, Father."
Aegon studied her like she was the Mother incarnate, "You had Cersei Lannister killed?"
"In all meaningful use of the phrase? Yes."
Tywin scoffed, "If I wasn't grateful, we'd be at war." He arched a brow at her and sighed, having to accept that Aegon looked like she'd just hung the moon over his daughter's death. Cersei made her bed, "I want a Targaryen marriage."
A vision of her father grabbing Jon by the neck as he passed, especially when he heard the comment and tried to flee, meant she was grateful, "Convenient, because I am running short on brothers."
"In more ways than you know."
"Now, now," Sansa placated, "Myrcella is lovely!"
"Myrcella is ten and one,” Jon reminded, “Betroth her to Bran.”
"And you're ten and nine; five years won't kill you," After saying it, Sansa amended, "Well, perhaps."
"Fuck you, Sansa."
"Enough," Ned called them to a cessation, "You two are about to find out why I'm called the Quiet Wolf. Sansa!"
"All I did was get them caught doing something they weren't supposed to be."
Jaime snorted so hard that his nose had to hurt.
"And smuggled Tyrion out of Winterfell with the younger children!"
"Well!" Sansa defended, gesturing to the two lions, "There was no reason not to make friends!"
Tywin laughed and she called his gaze fond after a moment.
"Old gods curse it all, Sansa! You were ten and four years old."
"Well, it needed to be done. And you all needed an excuse to do it, so it was provided," Sansa appraised all of them, "If you wolves, and lions, and dragons had been communicating to begin with, we could have avoided the worst of it."
Turning her gaze on Jon, a scarlet brow arched, "Are you willing to do this to keep the peace amongst an army amassing near a hundred thousand men?"
Jon sighed and glanced toward their father, before steel orbs swung back to the Winter Rose, "He was right. You let one trout in the family! Fine."
Sansa curtsied to them all before reminding, "I have work to do."
Ned wasn't nearly as surprised as he should have been when Arya popped up from nowhere at his elbow, "I want to be her when I grow up."
"Be you. It's always been one of your best qualities."
"Gentlemen, I was under the impression that I said pack," Tywin reminded them tersely and watched as they scattered.
Arya appraised the Great Lion, "What's got you so…"
She did her best impression of a lion snarling and it wasn't half bad, "Nothing."
Sansa wasn't hard to find where she'd gone to check on the dragons at the edge of camp, "Tywin's in a mood."
"I know."
"Why?"
"I'm a greenseer. I don't know all."
"Irritating."
"Tell me about it."
Arya studied her sister and looked around, "What could my marriage possibly do?"
Startled from where her thoughts had been on the Great Lion, Sansa was confused, "What do you mean?"
"Your marriage will secure the Targaryen dynasty and is amassing ninety thousand men," Arya clarified, "What would mine even do? Overachiever!"
That got the Red Wolf to roll her eyes as they started back toward the horses, "Arya, your marriage can still have a great deal of meaning. Marry into a family no one would expect. You still have to give Father as many grey hairs as me."
Her only answer was a devious grin.
Then Sansa continued "Besides, we're also Tullys."
They looked at one another and chorused, "We’re not afraid to get into bed with anyone!"
The sisters stayed together as they started off on the horses and they reached Riverrun by late afternoon. Later than expected after the excitement of the announcement, but still perfectly within a modest time. If Tywin would have stopped snapping at everybody it would have been perfectly pleasant.
None of them knew what was wrong with him. Jaime and her father looked exasperated. While she just kept sharing confused glances between her siblings and husband.
It wasn’t injuries from the Black Cells. They’d gotten halfway on the trip and Sam had declared him perfectly fit. So, Sansa no longer had cause for concern on that front, but the man was even more… Grrr… Then he’d been on the ship to Dorne.
The men were excited to be welcomed into Riverrun and cheered when they stopped in the clearing outside the keep. They could see where the Vale Knights and Riverlanders were camped, all of them anxious to join the ranks. At least the excitement was contagious.
No one was surprised when the Blackfish was the one to ride out to meet them with Edmure. Sansa smiled at seeing her family and she knew immediately that they knew. Both Tullys were grinning right at her as they approached.
Uncle Brynden pulled his onyx steed to a halt right next to her and the corner of his lip quirked upward as he eyed the Red Wolf, ignoring the rest, “Sent a couple of scouts when you were late. They heard quite the ruckus on the way into camp. You’re pregnant?”
Sansa nodded and smiled.
He cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead, “Get inside before your mother kills over from the excitement.”
She followed him into the keep with her father and sister, Uncle Edmure congratulating Aegon and riding in with the Southerons. When she glanced back Sansa realized that Tywin’s catlike gaze was locked on the back of the Blackfish’s head, but the man ignored him. Didn’t even acknowledge the lions’ existence.
Catelyn Tully was waiting in the courtyard as soon as they handed the horses over to stablehands. Jaime had disappeared to settle the men with Jon, while the Stark sisters went with Aegon, Tywin, and their father. Of course the two grinned as their father spun his wife around and cupped her barely rounded belly.
Once they had their reunion though, her mother squealed and spread her arms wide for Sansa to jump into, peppering kisses all over her face. They fussed over one another for a while and
Cat eventually released her oldest daughter to embrace Arya as well. Eventually she got to Aegon, then finally she even got a hug from Tywin, before ushering them all inside to the Great Hall.
Apparently Sansa’s grandfather was well enough to be in the hall today and he couldn’t wait to see her. Walking in there were already dancers floating around with flowing sheer dresses and silk ribbons in their hands. They’d made two trips to Riverrun when she was a girl and Sansa learned the dancing style, though it had been some years, and she even recognized several girls who trained with her when they used their ribbons to affectionately sashee around her while they danced.
She wasn’t a girl of four or ten anymore, but it still made her giggle.
They followed Uncle Brynden to the high table, but by the time they got there Sansa was sure of it. Tywin Lannister wanted his attention, but the Blackfish was ignoring him. It was confirmed when her grandfather glanced from his approaching brother, who sunk into the seat next to him, and then to the Great Lion.
When they got into view of the table, Sansa gasped in delight, “Olenna! Margery!”
The Queen of Thorns smiled at her, where she’d been sitting down the table with Desmera and her granddaughter, “Sansa!” They embraced quickly when the Red Wolf rushed around the table to get to them, “The niece thought we’d best come for a visit, all things considered.”
Margery, where she was just starting to round like Catelyn Stark, snorted as she got up to hug the Winter Rose, “Indeed.” She pulled the girl she’d realized was her best friend after she departed in tight and whispered, "I want this babe to have no delusions of grandeur. This ends in three moons, so he’s born in the Stormlands, or we may have to dispose of them.”
“Agreed.”
Desmera stood to hug her as well, “I hear congratulations are in order, though I’ll admit to slight jealousy.”
“It always takes time, dear,” Olenna encouraged her, shooting Sansa a playful look, “These Tully women are just over achievers.”
A laugh pulled their attention back to the center of the table, “Family, Duty, Honor. The order is very particular, Lady Olenna.”
“Oh, you make me sick.”
Still, Hoster Tully beamed at his granddaughter as she rushed to kiss and hug him, then demanded who could possibly say that they were not also putting a Tully Queen on the Iron Throne. Sansa grinned at him and pulled Aegon over by the hand to present him to her grandfather. The Sword of the Morning was weighed and measured by kind eyes, before Tully blue swung toward her father and mother, “No reason to have him disposed of?”
Ned Stark appraised his goodson, “Not at the moment.”
Jon chuckled at his brother's expense from his place next to them with Arya, “There’s still time.”
Sansa rolled her eyes and her grandfather laughed before proclaiming, “Well, I suppose he’s family now.”
They all got sent to get comfortable in their rooms and Aegon finally started to relax underhand. They were free to get settled until the feast for her husband’s nameday that night, but they enjoyed a bath together, where she proved she wasn’t only interested in him for the children she could give her… They were just a perk.
Sansa changed into her final dress from the Tourney of the Hand and her Red Wolf jewelry. Her husband wanted to go check on the fifty thousand men already amassed, so he was right back in his armor once his clothes were refreshed, before she redid his braid. She made him promise that they would explore the Eternal Falls the next day, and though he had no idea what that was he agreed.
As soon as they emerged from the suite Riverrun used for Royal visits, Sansa was thrilled her Uncle Brynden was there waiting to lead Aegon out to the men with Jon. She was a little less thrilled when she saw that Tywin had been coming around the opposite corner to demand her uncle’s attention, but he didn’t get the chance. They all chatted for a few minutes, the Lannister patriarch being ignored, but eventually her parents and Jaime strolled up with Arya as well.
The Golden Lion didn’t even hesitate, “Lord Tully…”
"He's out on the docks."
"Thank you!"
"Ahh, fuck. I'll be back later, love," Aegon promised, kissing her cheeks and hurrying after Jaime.
Her father had the audacity to chuckle, kissing her mother before trailing after them, "I can't wait to see this."
"Wait on us!" Jon insisted, arm thrown around Arya's shoulder as he pulled her after the lot.
Tywin growled and shot one more glance toward the Blackfish before following and hailing his son, "Lannisters don't act like fools! You will not show your arse with the Lord Commander of the Gold Company."
"I was thinking more along the lines of ‘A Lannister always pays his debts!’"
Sansa watched them all go, while shaking her head and trying not to think about it, "That cannot end well."
"Oh, my girl," Olenna insisted, while she was walking up with Margery, "Let them have their domestic. Most would benefit if they'd just have it out."
Uncle Brynden snorted before stalking off, "That's the problem with you roses. You offer your opinion even when no one needs it."
Catelyn gave them an apologetic look before following him with a shake of her head. Margery looked insulted, but still smiled after Sansa's mother, as the Tullys stalked back toward the Great Hall.
It was her grandmother who waved the brunette off, "Leave him. We've been insulting each others' houses since before any of us were married and they'll sort themselves eventually."
Sansa snaked herself around the matriarch's other arm as they followed the younger Tully brother, after sharing a confused glance with the Rose of Highgarden, "What is their issue?"
"Just a lovers quarrel left unattended for a couple decades."
The young women met shocked sights again, but it was Margery who clarified as they got just inside the hall once more, "The Great Lion and the Blackfish?"
The older woman hummed as they crossed the sea of dancers and nobles at the lower tables. When they finally got back to the high table where the music wasn't so loud, Sansa clarified, "For how long?"
She wasn't expecting Olenna to shrug and stop right beside her uncle to perch on the table, "Well, since I had them both in my room of the Arbor, at least."
Both girls gasped as they sunk down on either side of Sansa's mother. The accomplished Wolf Mother sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, and her trout father snorted. This was clearly not news to anyone from the older generation of Tullys.
Uncle Brynden hissed, before rising to tower over the Queen of Thorns, "No one was shocked when you made it to the crone stage," He gruffed out, "After all, in what world would you have the decency to die off and give the Seven Kingdoms five minutes peace!"
It would have been a horrible thing to say, if Olenna hadn't stuck her tongue out at him like a child making everyone laugh. Hoster Tully called the two off one another and she even caught the two combatants unable to stop a grin as both walked away. Sansa broke the remaining tension by citing that she hadn't seen Bran and expected to.
"He's out in the fields working!" The Blackfish insisted, "I'm not going to have a squire sitting on his arse."
"He's doing so well, Sansa!" Her mother declared with a smile.
"As long as he keeps it up, I'll agree with you."
That made the Red Wolf smile, knowing Brynden Tully did not offer compliments lightly, "Where does he train? I want to check on him and the dragons."
Margery gasped, "Can I see them?!"
"Of course!" Olenna hummed unhappily and Sansa truly did understand the concern, "I can always have Aegon send them up to the courtyard."
The roses shared a look from several long moments and finally the Queen of Thorns relented, "Very well, let's go see the beasts."
They all paired off when Sansa's grandfather wanted to go. She walked with the Riverlands’ paramount and the Tyrells followed them. Her mother took Uncle Brynden's arm and brought up the tail end of their train.
Lady had taken to following Aegon around since their march started and it was easy enough to warg into her. Signalling her husband to bring the dragons up was no problem and she watched for a moment as Jon got Bran to ride with him on Ballard, while Aegon took Arya on Sunaxes. The lions, Quiet Wolf, and Ser Connington took their horses to ride up with the direwolves. The Stormlander was sporting a black eye already and poor Sam was trailing him trying to treat the knight on the go.
Margery grinned when the sundial in the courtyard came into view, "Oh, someone is getting out of their lessons!"
In all the excitement, Sansa hadn't even thought about it, but she heard someone charging down from the where she and her siblings used to have lessons while at Riverrun, and beamed when Shireen was leading the charge. The girl skidded into the stone yard filled with flowers and fountains, falling right into the Red Wolf arms.
"Sansa!"
"Shireen!"
"I'm only her brother," Rickon muttered playfully.
"Hush you and come here!"
Both boys came over to hug her and she had to admit that Sweet Rob looked much better than the last time she'd seen him. He'd grown a bit, put on weight, and had the slightest of tans that matched Rickon. They all congratulated her when their mother revealed her pregnancy and then they finally asked what everyone was doing outside.
Their first answer was when Ghost and Nymeria charged in with Lady, Summer, and Shaggy. Amidst howls and yips, they were quickly followed by the Lannisters and Jon, as well as his Maester shadow. The Gold Company Commander was trying his damnedest to wave Sam off, but no luck.
"Lady!"
The ever growing silver direwolf ran over to shower Shireen with attention, while Rickon took off with a cry for their father. She and Mother smiled at one another when the Quiet Wolf immediately hollered for Robin to come give him a hug too. The boy hadn't much had a father that he could remember from Sansa's understanding.
A roar from above, as well as a shadow falling over everything, alerted them to the dragons' arrival. The boys lost their minds until the previous Warden of the North hoisted both up, before he handed Rickon over to Jaime, just so they would stop running around and the reptiles could land. Margery was pulled in tight to her grandmother, while Sansa pulled a nervous Shireen right against her.
"Aren't they magnificent!" Hoster Tully declared excitedly from his place next to Sansa.
"Mother! Uncle!" Bran called out right as they landed, pointing to the dragon with one hand, the other holding tight around Jon.
"Yes, yes," Uncle Brynden allowed, "Very impressive."
Aegon and Jon slid down the dragons' wings expertly and then each held a hand out for the wolf riding with them. Arya slid down in her tunic and breeches, but let the blonde Targaryen pick her up like a lady. She'd been warming up to the notion, though she liked being treated like nothing had changed by her brothers.
Bran had grown so much for a boy of ten and two, in his first set of armor that was mostly black fish scales like their uncle, but which had a grey wolf right over his heart. He slid down and let Jon haul him up beaming for all the world to see. He'd already seen their father, so he ran over to Sansa next to congratulate her.
Finally, she turned to the small children, "Who wants to meet the dragons?"
Margery threw her hand up with her adopted daughter and yelled over the rambunctious boys with Shireen, "Ladies first! Ladies first!"
Sansa laughed and led all four over to Aegon and Jon. She shared a pleased look with Margery when there was truly no bad blood between Olenna and the Blackfish. He stayed back with the Queen of Thorns when the younger years approached the dragons.
A vision danced across her vision of what was happening behind her. The Tyrell matriarch was twitchy and felt like she had to follow her pregnant granddaughter. It was the Blackfish who stopped her by stepping closer and letting her worry about his arm, while her mother brought Hoster to meet the dragons.
"You don't even like snakes," Brynden reminded her, "Leave the reptiles to the young, hag."
She took her fan and smacked him, "Slippery cunt."
Sansa was thrilled when the dragons sniffed at the children but let themselves be pet easily. When Rickon touched them and steam erupted, Ballard got excited and tried to butt his head against him. The Red Wolf chastised him quickly, "No! No!! He is a little wolf!"
"Oy!" Rickon objected, but their mother shushed him.
"You be gentle!" Sansa ordered, both Jon and Aegon laughing at either side of her when both dragons hung their heads in shame, "You know better!"
In apology the dark scaled dragon puffed smoke out of his nose and went to butt Rickon again easily, before dragging his tongue up the youngest Stark son. While the action made their mother sigh at his outfit being ruined, the Wild Wolf loved it and went straight back to petting the dragons. Margery and Shireen both loved meeting the dragons, but finally they got antsy in the courtyard and Aegon and Jon sent them to explore.
They were all ripe once more from sparring with the Vale Knights and Domeric, who Sansa was excited to see again at the feast. Arya talked about sparring with the Northern son and Sansa detected a surprising level of fondness for his inclusion of her. All the more, she invited her sister to get ready in their suite that night.
Arya arrived with the same dress she'd worn for the Black Wedding, the only one she carried, as soon as she washed and immediately started talking about the Bolton son again. Sansa waited until her sister was ready, Aegon appearing from their washroom in the same state, before she brought Arya with her to freshen up, "So much for a skin wearing, flying, flaying arse."
The shewolf shoved her, but laughed, "Well, Father would never see it coming."
Sansa snorted indelicately, "Indeed. Mother have mercy."
"It's never been done before."
"No, it has not," Sansa studied her, "He's returning to the Vale as Mother and Father's Master of Arms. You'll be going with them."
"Yes… Or he could end up a total cunt."
"Always a possibility."
The party was loud and excitable. Sansa had the inclination that something was going to happen and after the Black Wedding she knew the possibilities were infinite. She still stayed on her husband's arm and chatted happily with the lords and their wives. They made a few rounds and she smiled when Arya danced with Domeric.
It was more a crush, truly. But Sansa was thrilled for her sister. She was glad to see her mother silence the Quiet Wolf with a look when he noticed. And Roose was thrilled.
She finally got the chance to catch up with Jon the Namesake at the feast. His eye looked better after he just submitted to Sam's insistence and she hugged him, "What happened?"
"Ahh, small scuffle on the docks," He insisted, "Boy still hits like a little girl."
"Watch it, Ser Connington," Arya growled where she was walking by with Bran, "This could get ugly."
Bran didn't look thrilled either, "The Middle Wolves protect our own."
They were gone just as quickly and the knight looked back to her, "Did I just get threatened by a couple of prepubescents?"
"Arya has flowered, but yes," Sansa smiled at him, where she'd just seen her Uncle Brynden slip out of the party, before she let go of Aegon to investigate, "The North remembers, Ser Connington."
The last thing she heard was her husband laugh when the previous Kingsguard muttered, "Well, things just got a little chillier."
She couldn't exactly follow her uncle, as all eyes were on her, but she spotted Olenna and Margery at a lower table and joined them, "Tired?"
Margery hummed in agreement.
The Queen of Thorns snorted where they were all watching Tywin leave as well, "Nosy."
Sansa laughed.
After a few minutes the sharp tongued Tyrell turned to study her and Sansa arched a brow. The crone huffed, but looked around the room, "Had a bad feeling all night. From your camp?"
"No, but I agree with you."
She fanned herself with a hiss, "Two Queens have already brokered peace for Seven Kingdoms and all it takes is one cunt to fuck it up!"
"Sadly," Sansa agreed, holding hands with Margery and smiling at Jon trying to make Jaime defend him from the Middle Wolves a few tables over with Aegon, though Bran had disappeared and the Golden Lion was encouraging Arya. Grandfather had taken Mother out for one spin on the dance floor and the younger boys were following her father and the White Wolf around.
Unable to do anything else, Sansa turned her attention to their absent family, since worrying would do her no good. Desmera joined them and the Reach women were quickly lost in conversation, Sansa smiling at her uncle who was holding down the high table by himself for the moment.
Apparently the Blackfish had broken from the feast to talk with a small band of Tully guards in the courtyard, before he took off for his quarters. Sansa watched fascinated as that was where Tywin finally tracked him down, the oldest guard leading the party out of Riverrun cutting off the younger guards, when they claimed to be on orders of silence from Lord Tully.
It wasn't that Sansa hadn't believed Olenna, it was just fascinating. The older guard seemed well aware of who Tywin and Brynden were to each other and revealed easily where the man went. Watching the Great Lion walk into the younger Tully brother's rooms without knocking still solidified the part of her that had been skeptical.
Bran was there helping the Blackfish lay out his armor. That wasn't a good sign. Either he knew what was happening, or just had a bad feeling too.
Sansa was hoping for the first.
The Great Lion just stared for a long time, but when he finally looked away from Uncle Brynden it was to gaze out the open doors of his balcony, "Cersei sent the Mountain to kill Elia and the children. I didn't know. Jaime hasn't spoken to me for twenty years and he's been fucking his sister."
Bran looked intrigued as Sansa was from her place at the feast. His gaze darted between the two seasoned warriors. He didn't know, but seemed to sense this was different somehow.
"Tyrion and the children escaped by your grandniece's mercy and I went to King's Landing to save Jaime," Tywin sighed, finally looking back at the Blackfish, "There was only one way to get him out of there alive."
Silence hung in the air for just a breath before Tywin growled, "If you want to yell or hit me, fine. Just speak to me, curse it all!"
He yelled and Bran startled.
Uncle Brynden chuckled and nodded his squire out of the room sharply, at which her brother moved to oblige with haste. When the door shut behind him, the Riverlander finally looked at Tywin, "Now, imagine you said that twenty years ago. We could have avoided the worst of it."
The Lannister flinched at the unintentional parallel to what she'd said earlier. Served him right. Still, Sansa realized that she must have been both a balm and bane while taking care of him, given how much she quoted her Tully mother.
"Even if we didn't, even if I was mad at you," The Blackfish huffed, "You think I wouldn't have sent Ned to get your arse out of the Black Cells!?"
"Jaime…"
"Was already shacked up in Ned's apartments playing with the children and their training swords!" His voice never raised, because he was a Tully, but no one would ever say they weren't emphatic speakers, "Stranger be acknowledged, Ty, when that ship set sail for Dorne, I thought…"
The distance was finally closed when Tywin rushed to hug her uncle. Both just clung to one another for the longest time and when the Great Lion finally spoke it was with a chuckle, "The six of us swore to die of old age in our sleep. So far, only Jo and Rhae jumped ship."
"Certainly not the phrase they'd have chosen."
Silence took the moment as they clung to one another for a long time.
"Bry?" Tywin finally whispered as his hand disappeared below the Tully's tunic when he spoke.
"Hmm?"
"Why are you putting your armor back on?"
"Well…"
The vision stopped and Sansa hissed unhappily.
Olenna looked over at her, where Margery and Desmera were lost in conversation about techniques for getting pregnant, "What?"
"I have good news and bad news."
"Always lead with the good," The Queen of Thorns instructed, "Makes whatever you'll force your audience swallow less daunting."
"The growly and grouchy old men got their domestic settled," Sansa noted where Bran was just darting back into the party, "But, something is happening that only they know about."
"Fucking men. Horrible creatures!"
"I'm offended!" Her husband cried as he approached the table with their brother, "Certainly you can't mean all of us!"
"Congratulations on your betrothal, Prince Jon," Margery teased.
"Thank you, Your Grace," He returned playfully.
The brunette queen huffed, "I didn't realize how much I would miss the sound of my name until Sansa left. It's awful!"
"I mean all of you," Olenna popped Aegon over the head with her fan, "Couldn't stay out of trouble at ten and four, nor can you now."
Rolling his eyes, it took Aegon a second to catch the way Sansa's sharp brow moved upward. When he did, he laughed, "Well, once Jon broke me out of court isolation, I used to ride out to Starfall for a couple of weeks, just because I could."
Sansa had no problem believing that. Her husband liked to be doing something. Kept busy.
Despite her mother's instruction on being available for her husband and coupling a few times a day if he were amenable, neither of them had expected it to be a regular thing. A couple of weeks in Winterfell and Sansa had realized it was best to exhaust him before bed. There were also less injuries if he was more relaxed before he went to the training yard.
"This one time, I was fucking about on the border and found a ship from The Arbor that had gotten beached by a storm," Indigo eyes shot the older woman a dirty look, "They had this mean old hag with them then too."
Olenna just chuckled, "Do you remember what I said when you approached to offer aid?"
"What's your name, boy?" Aegon actually did a decent impersonation of the Tyrells’ inflection, "And just know, if you say anything other than Aegon, you go over my knee right here on this beach!"
Sansa and Margery both busted out laughing.
"I hope the barbaric cunt shit himself."
Her husband shrugged, "Probably would if he knew about it."
Olenna genuinely looked surprised, "You didn't tell them?"
"Kill me and piss on my grave," Aegon shrugged, relaxed as he eyed the crone, "But I was not going to walk into the court at Sunspear and tell the Red Viper that my prepubescent arse had a conversation with Olenna Tyrell."
"Smart," She allowed.
"Hopped the first fleet Ser Connington put to sea and didn't go back until I could look him in the eye."
"Where did you go?" Margery demanded.
"Here, actually."
Sansa was surprised, "You came to Riverrun?!"
"Mmhmm. The fox put into port at Harlaw and kicked me out with a horse. Said not to come back until either I met my brother or you."
"Oh, really?!" She giggled.
Aegon hummed, "Had this theory from the beginning that I'd have to choose. Still doesn't know he was right."
"Wh…"
Sansa wasn't expecting Jon to shoot up from his spot across the table, "You spoke to me! We talked when I was ten and three!"
She glanced back and wasn't surprised when the yelling called for their father's attention where he was sitting at the high table with Mother, Grandfather, and Uncle Edmure. The Quiet Wolf came over to investigate, stopping right behind her husband. Jon sunk back down across the table slowly.
Aegon shrugged and continued in blissful ignorance, "I'm well aware!"
"What in the world happened?!" Margery demanded.
"I sailed to the Riverlands with the Gold Company six years ago and stalked the markets for any sign of the visiting wolves," He grinned at his wife, "About a week into my mission, I finally caught sight of you."
"Really? What was I doing?"
"You were at a stall of vendors with your father."
"Which one?"
"I don't know, Sans! Some maiden shit I wasn't interested in. You were ten," He clarified with a tap to her chin, "Most adorable one in the world, but still ten."
Jon snorted across the table.
"That's not the point. The point is that when Jon was brooding under a shelter to my left," He picked up his wine and gestured with it expertly, before finishing and taking a big gulp, "And you and your very scary, Dornishman slaying father were to the right, naturally I vered left."
Ned Stark's lip quirked just like it had the night he caught her drinking in the Tower of the Hand, "Smartest decision you made in this life, truly."
Aegon choked, sputtered, and spewed wine right across the table toward Margery. Ever the gentleman, Jon jumped in front of her and took the assault, the White Wolf not worried about his appearance and already laughing to his heart's content. Olenna joined in and laughed with the Northern lords, who were sitting at the next table.
Sansa checked on her husband though she was giggling and she spotted the moment Roose toasted to his longtime liege lord. It happened right after Domeric, who'd been lounging under his father's arm, dampened a napkin and headed for them. That was certainly different.
Where Margery had grabbed Sansa's napkin and was fussing over Jon, who couldn't stop laughing, while she was proclaiming the Targaryen prince her hero, Aegon was just startled truly. She still fussed over her husband with the napkin their friend handed over, but she knew he probably benefited more from the strong clap on the back the Bolton son gave him.
Domeric chuckled, "Alright there, Your Grace?"
"Silent as the grave, indeed," Aegon finally got out, "Ghost makes more noise, for the Mother's sake."
Ned finally chuckled and squeezed his goodson's shoulder, "Sorry, son. Couldn't resist."
They chatted for a while. Eventually Roose wandered over and saw that he was re-introduced to the princes his son had blocked with for the Tourney of the Hand and Arya when she wandered over. When Domeric asked her little sister if she would like to dance again the shewolf agreed and the Targaryens took a hint. Jon asked Margery if she'd like to dance, while Aegon easily twirled Sansa in the Riverland style.
With Grandfather at the high table, Uncle Edmure brought Desmera out on the floor, as the Quiet Wolf did his wife. Everyone was having such a good time in the packed hall that the Red Wolf almost forgot her bad feeling. Bran and Arya went to pranking Jon Connington all night in defense of Jaime and the Golden Lion got a deep satisfaction from it as he barely noticed his father's absence.
When Addam Marbrand showed up, an obvious scout for the West, though everyone understood, he was welcomed with open arms. As the doors opened and he entered, Jaime had to abandon his wolf dealt retribution to greet him and the man did beam at seeing the Golden Lion.
"Ser Marbrand!" Jaime shouted merrily, arms slung wide before he pulled him in tight, "Uncle about to go mad with worry?"
The older man grabbed his cheek, eying the Lannister heir up and down like he might disappear, "You understand how difficult it was to believe, of course? We thought we'd lost you both!"
Jaime just laughed and pulled him along, "Come on! Join the party and meet everyone."
By the time he led the man through the dancing sea that was just beginning to pick back up, most of those he'd been looking for were pooling below the high table. Of course, even from her previous life, Addam was a gracious Westlander and wouldn't have dreamed of addressing anyone before Sansa's grandfather.
"Lord Tully, I apologize for my sudden appearance. My Lord Regent was only…"
"Boy, hush, you're still too young to ramble in my direction," Hoster Tully grinned at him when the heir to Ashemark flushed, then he chuckled, "Hate Kev even had to think it; he's like my goodbrother. But, these are unprecedented times."
Jaime growled, which brought everyone's attention to him searching the hall, "Where on the gods' ground is he?!" The Golden Lion looked at the older knight with all the seriousness he could, "I swear he's here and fine."
Addam chuckled, one hand lounging on his sword and the other waving the Lannister off, before his gaze shot up to Sansa's grandfather, "Now, now, Jaime. Leave your father be. He's finally getting something he hasn't in a couple of decades."
Hoster Tully snorted and he had to look away.
Where they hadn't been privy to the Queen of Thorns big reveal, the Golden Lion of Lannister and the Quiet Wolf met confused glances. Sansa glanced back to see her mother roll her eyes, but Catelyn Stark finally leaned in close to her husband and revealed the joke. He was shocked and pointed to Jaime, before he whistled low and gave away nothing else.
His friend gestured demandingly, wanting in on the bout of humor, but her father wouldn't reveal that when all eyes were on them. Luckily as Sansa's father shook his head, Ser Marbrand was already changing the subject.
"Now, introduce me to your dragons," He instructed, "You certainly lamented them enough the last few decades."
Jaime took the reference to his own bad choices easily, but pulled the man closer to their party, "Addam, this is Aegon, his brother, Jon, and his wife, Sansa. You already know Margery and the Crone incarnate."
Olenna pointed her fan at him threateningly.
"Your… My…" Giving up the Heir to Ashemark just looked at his liege lord's son, "What in the gods' names are we calling everyone?"
Jaime laughed and hugged him again, "Mostly given names said with respect. Don't worry about it."
That broke the ice and they all moved to welcome the man from the West. Aegon and Jon loved hearing stories of the Golden Lion as a child and Ser Addam was fascinated to hear of Jon's betrothal to Myrcella. There was a threat to his gaze, but the knight could also tell that Jaime already approved, so that helped.
Sansa had just started to suggest they get the man out of his armor and a place to sleep, when the doors burst open. The Red Wolf wasn't surprised when everyone closed circle instantly at the first sign of trouble. Desmera went to Uncle Edmure's arm behind the high table, while the heir's other hand went to grandfather's shoulder.
Father was instantly shielding Mother on Hoster Tully's other side and Jaime jumped up three steps to get into a better position. He was both in front of Catelyn Stark and able to see over the crowd. It also put him at Sansa's back.
She'd grabbed Arya and Bran at the first sound of trouble, where they had wandered over to see why Jaime disappeared, even as the dragons closed rank before the Red Wolf. She saw Rickon and Robin dart up the stairs to Mother and was relieved. Her sister was confused when she slipped her bracelet from Lord Varys onto her, until she realized Ellaria's gifted dagger was below it.
Arya looked at her a bit in awe upon realizing that Sansa had come to a party armed. She just winked at her as the dance floor disappeared, everyone parting to let the guards from the courtyard through. One glance over confirmed that Addam had taken a stance in front of Margery and Olenna just beside her, and Ser Connington moved to aid him.
There was also a brief glance between the Stormlander and Jaime by the Ashemark knight, but the Golden Lion didn't notice.
From her vantage point just over Jon and Aegon's shoulder, between their opposing light and dark heads, Sansa realized quickly who they were dragging inside. Walder Frey had certainly seen better days, as he was brought forth bound and bloody. The guards drug twenty of his legitimate sons in and she dreaded instantly when two were missing.
"My, my, Walder," Grandfather sat back in his seat, "What might this be about?"
Sansa watched as the guards didn't even give the man a chance to drivel, "My Lord, Lord Frey allowed five hundred men across the Twins associated with the Brotherhood Without Banners. They sought to establish their resistance above Moat Cailin."
"Say it isn't so, Walder!" The Blackfish's voice cried out from the side door where he was entering with Tywin at his shoulder and both in their full armor, "And I was just starting to get into the jovial spirit of the gathering."
Addam snorted from his place a few feet from Aegon and Sansa saw that he glanced up to the ceiling tiles like waves, "I can tell you what lightened his Tully step too."
That was when Tywin noticed the Westlander and quickly moved to embrace him, also taking up guard in front of the roses. It was a testament to the men's relationship that the Great Lion didn't even take exception to the commentary. They didn't take over the moment, but no one could deny the lions' presence was powerful.
Uncle Brynden sighed, like he'd never been more inconvenienced in his life, "Now I have to hike my arse all the way up to the Twins to make an example out of you!" His attention quickly swung to Grandfather, "You know how I feel about having to show my arse in public, brother!"
The Riverland Paramount sighed, Tully blue eyes rolling up to his daughter, "We don't like doing it! It's so unbecoming of a gentleman."
Catelyn Stark's eyes nor voice wavered from the Frey, "Needs must, Father."
"Isn't she stunning?" Ned Stark demanded, no man ever more besotted with his wife.
Jaime rolled his eyes and Uncle Edmure snorted.
Sansa grinned as she realized that this was more in fun than anything. She had concerns, but everyone here was not stupid enough to fight the family controlling fifty thousand men. Her family had nothing to fear from the Freys this time around.
Of course, old Walder couldn't stand that and hissed, "Two of my sons still hold the Twins! You'll never make it back North and they'll have their stronghold."
Then the roof shook and a small layer of the ceiling, like dust, fell from the center. The roar that shook the hall was clearly Ballard and Sansa fought not to grin. The Targaryens didn't bother as all eyes flew to them.
"Somehow, Lord Frey," Aegon shrugged, "I think we'll manage."
Never to be outdone by his bigger brother, Sunaxes roared and breathed fire down behind the stained glass depiction of the Eternal Falls that took up most of the eastern wall. Several people gasped. Children looked especially excited at the knowledge that there were dragons above them.
"Impressive as you two are, I just hope Lord Frey doesn't mean these sons!"
Sansa beamed at the sight of Robb making his entrance into Riverrun. He kicked his two prisoners forward to join the rest and suddenly all twenty three Frey men were surrounded by the Stark direwolves that poured in around him. The Red Wolf seriously thought she might cry at the sight.
All the Northern lords on the march cheered at seeing their new Warden and the Young Wolf elaborated as he approached the high table, "Grandfather, five thousand of my men currently hold the Twins. Five hundred men associated with the Brotherhood Without Banners have been executed and all Lord Frey's daughters await your judgement."
Finally he looked to the man's right, "Mother."
"You're late," The Vale Regent noted.
Robb rolled his eyes, but Sansa's husband looked positively offended. The Dragon King Reborn was always shocked at just how much was expected from Northern children. When he'd followed his uncles around Dorne during childhood, it had always been because he was nosy and wanted to know what they were doing. He went where he wanted to be.
Quickly Sansa had realized that he was fascinated by the maiden Tully and natural mother. That was fair enough. Her mother wasn't satisfied with having good children, seeing it as her duty to constantly raise their understanding of being good at any one thing, to the point of either godliness or failure. Demanding, but rewarding.
"Well, I tried to get in front of her!" Robb insisted, but it wasn't until he pointed to her that Sansa realized what he meant, "The direwolves couldn't outrun the Red Wolf!"
"Forgive me for being efficient, then," Sansa muttered sarcastically.
"Never you mind them, Sansa," Tywin winked at her, "They're only jealous of your astounding talents."
"This is why we put our daughters before our sons," Hoster Tully recited the distinguishing feature of his house.
Uncle Edmure scoffed and rolled his eyes to meet his grinning sister's, before returning the gesture.
"Huh."
Sansa arched a brow at catching the sound from Aegon.
He shook his head, a positively perplexed look crossing his face, "So, you just led a king, warden, and a septa up there?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Sansa shrugged, "I was looking for materials to make Father a banner for the Tourney."
Jaime chuckled and Sansa turned to look at him. She truly did. He'd loved Cersei to the point of self-destruction and in a way she'd be the next mother of the West. He could have been justifiably angry.
Then his emerald gaze swung to Aegon. When he'd finally brought it up earlier, he hadn't been angry, just concerned the boy he should have helped raise was making the same mistake he had. And that was fair, perhaps, as he reminded, "They are the wolves and you will never see them coming."
The Northerners cheered.
"Oh, hush," Jaime cut the lot off, but it had a teasing edge, "I'm sick of hearing it! I shouldn't have to hear that sort of filth below Moat Cailin."
"I've been meaning to ask," Ned Stark grinned and took a sip of his drink, "How was the Wall?"
"I wasn't surprised people defected to face the sword."
Robb snorted and came around the high table to hug their Father, shaking his head at Jaime as they separated, "I had to send Arya to go get him. Idiot."
Arya loved Jaime. She and Bran both did. That did not necessitate her mercy, "True. But, we knew that."
Hoster Tully chuckled, "Well, why don't we make it a little further south than Moat Cailin."
Everyone looked surprised for the first time that night. Punishment wasn't just a physical threat though. Horrible as those were to endure, well, as her mother had always said: one could always be further bested.
Catelyn Stark arched a scarlet brow, "Father?"
"We'll make Brandon Stark the new Lord of the Twins."
The middle wolf broke from Sansa's shadow, "Really? Me?"
"Only four years until he's marrying and running it himself. Why not?"
"We're all supposed to go to the Eyrie," His daughter reminded gently.
"Well, let Ned take Arya and the boys," He shrugged, his eyes casting a final judgement when he looked at Walder, "He was raised a Valeman and what could be more appropriate than a Tully daughter as Regent given the circumstances."
The Blackfish chuckled, "What about the southern half?"
"Hmm… Tywin, that rascally sister of yours married a Frey, didn't she?"
Addam started whistling the Rains of Castamere.
Jaime laughed, but cursed sarcastically, "Anthem of the West, my fucking arse. It's the anthem of sons who will never outdo their fathers, if they live to be a hundred."
Tywin crossed his arms and appraised the Golden Lion evenly as he glanced up the stairs, "Most sons have the decency to try."
Jaime clutched at his heart a second time and Sansa watched all the men flinch again. It was certainly a father and son experience. She didn't quite understand it.
Walder finally started to show his rage and worry, fighting the guards that were hauling him down to the dungeons with all of his sons. Cheers broke through the hall and the dragons took back off from the roof. The Starks and Tullys gathered around the head table to properly receive Robb, as well as give Bran the appropriate instruction about how much work holding the Twins would be.
Along with the Westlanders, they confirmed the Lannister army would arrive the next day, then set out to properly assign tasks. Since they had a week before Dorne arrived, they had to handle the Twins first, before seizing the Iron Islands. Theon and Yara were blockading them with the Gold Company currently, while being aided by the West and Riverlands.
Once Kevan saw his brother back in command where the Great Lion belonged, it would be no problem for him to go back to the Rock, so Genna and her husband could join them. She didn't have a problem controlling her husband or sons, so it would let the vassal house live, but shamed them for the rest of their days for this attempted siege. Sansa thought it very appropriate.
Since Bran was being given his own seat he was knighted and Uncle Brynden was both happy and sad. Sansa reminded him that she truly wanted the Blackfish to come to King's Landing with her to be Master of Laws, and Tywin huffed that he was going without option. That made the man swing more toward the positive end of things.
All the vassal lords in attendance were itching for their first chance to prove this army wasn’t playing any games. Frey had given them their chance and they would make an example of the house to the fullest. Sansa had to inquire to her mother what the courteous way to send her husband off to that battle was.
“Have fun,” Their pack mother shrugged, before setting her goodson with a look, “And don’t do anything foolish to get yourself disposed of.”
Everyone laughed and eventually Aegon led her out on the balcony for some fresh air. There were several swings out there on the vast stonework that shone brighter for the full, pale, moon above that matched. Lounging with her dragon under it, the sound of the waves hitting the shore below was a blessed relief from the packed party inside.
“So, the wolves effectively hold all the land north of the Twins, the Vale,” Aegon surmised, “And the Tullys hold the Riverlands. Remind me not to piss off the by laws.”
Sansa laughed, but she did glance up at him, where she’d been stretched out with her head in the crook of his neck, “You know they aren’t going to dispose of you, yes?”
He huffed, “Well… Logically, I know it’s unlikely at this point, but… Uncle Obie’s been reminding me they easily could and put Jon on the throne, ever since that first day of the Tourney.”
“I don’t know who would object more,” She hummed after a moment, “Me or Jon. I could barely even look at you that first day.”
“Excuse you!”
“No! I just… You look just like my brother in the face. It was strange.”
“Sorry.”
“I adjusted,” Sansa laughed, “Luckily you aren’t the brooding type.”
Aegon laughed, one hand wrapped around her to splay across her perfectly flat belly, and he kissed the top of her head, “You were at a merchant’s cart. They had this thing; I don’t actually know what it was. It looked like stained glass and painted bells, hanging from a clay jar with wooden spokes coming out of it.”
She sat up and turned to look at him.
“It was painted mostly red, I remember,” Aegon shrugged, “Because it matched your hair.”
“It was a hummingbird feeder.”
“A what?”
“Hummingbirds are very small, fast, but gorgeously colored birds. They’re native here to the Riverlands,” She explained with a flush, “They usually fly around the Eternal Falls, but they were absent on my first trip at four and my second trip at ten. I was quite put out by it, so Father bought me that feeder and we hung it here on the balcony until I saw one.”
“Huh,” He chuckled, “Maybe we’ll see some tomorrow.”
Sansa lounged back against him, but demanded, “What did you say to Jon?”
“We spoke about fathers,” The prince disclosed, “When he was talking about the Quiet Wolf, I realized how much I thought of Uncle Oberyn and Jon in the role.”
Any response she would have made was interrupted by the rest of the wolves emerging onto the balcony, both human and direwolf. Her father seemed to be herding them out with Mother, which was fair as six direwolves amidst a crowded party was a lot to control. Bran and Robb wandered toward her and Aegon with all three of their direwolves, while Jon collapsed on a swing across the balcony with Arya, Ghost, and Nymeria, and their parents took the seat in the middle with Robin and Rickon. The youngest boys looked pretty tired and it had certainly been an interesting enough night to warrant it.
Glancing inside, it looked like Olenna and Margery were about to bow out of the festivities with Shireen and Sansa waved as they did.
“Are you excited, Bran?”
“Aye!”
“You’re going with Uncle to march on the Twins tomorrow afternoon,” Cat reminded him, “I will not have reports of foolishness, if your father and I are going to make the necessary sacrifices to put you there.”
He nodded seriously, “Yes, Mother.”
Robb huffed, leaning on the side of Sansa’s swing, “Here it comes.”
“Indeed,” Sansa noted as Ned Stark soared up after putting Rickon down.
“I cannot believe you let him do it!”
“Bran deserves every opportunity that Robb does,” She insisted, “It is the greatest keep he could get as a Stark!”
“He is two and ten,” The Quiet Wolf snarled. The man had never raised his voice in his life, unless there was a fight in the yard. He ran a hand through his hair and paced, the wolves all watching intently just like the rest of them, “Father, help me, are you going to sell this one off this weekend too?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Mother shrugged, “I wouldn’t know if they need a husband or a wife yet.”
The Quiet Wolf glared at her.
“I don’t know what you’re so worried about,” Their mother insisted, “You have Rickon.”
“You let one fucking trout in the family. My father warned me.”
She glared at him too, “I’m not the one trying to save the Arryn name from perdition.”
Sansa grinned at having known that was going to come up eventually.
“I can’t believe you let me trust the Vale to your sister,” He admitted.
“I’ll give you that one”
Robin muttered something about wanting a song and Sansa sang the Song of the Seven with her mother, effectively putting both out like a light, before the wolves also retired for the night. Robb was leaving as quickly as he’d arrived the next morning, wanting to be in Winterfell with his wife, but the Red Wolf was so happy that she’d seen him once more here at Riverrun. Her husband was still going to the Falls with her, but it had become a quick trip in the morning, so that he could go with the five thousand Riverland men they were taking to relieve the Young Wolf's forces.
Once she would have given anything to have her pack strong and together. Now they were and would defend one another without exception. They were doing more good than harm.