DAGGERS TO THE HEART Part 1 - GAME OF THRONES

Sansa X

Sansa watched Jon with a tinge of concern etching lines on her face. Weariness shadowed his features, a stark departure from the resilient leader he had been since their return to the past. The weight of his true lineage had finally caught up with him, the responsibility he had so long resisted, was now catching up on him.

In the recesses of Sansa's thoughts, a cautious whisper suggested delaying the despatch of ravens, granting Jon a fleeting respite to acclimate to the new reality. The paramount need to shield him from the imminent challenges loomed large in her mind. She wondered if he felt the same.

Amidst the backdrop of sheathed swords and pledged allegiances, an undercurrent of confusion prevailed, notably embodied by Maester Fell.

"Forgive me, your grace," he spoke, his voice carrying a note of uncertainty. "but Aegon Targaryen met his end in the sack of King's Landing at the hands of Ser Gregor Clegane."

"My father was Rhaegar Targaryen, and my mother was Lyanna Stark." Jon announced, his words cutting through the air with a weighty revelation.

Maester Fell furrowed his brows, a hesitant expression playing across his features as if grappling with unspoken thoughts. "But doesn't that make you a..." he began, a subtle reluctance clear in his voice.

"I'm no bastard, if that's what you're thinking." Jon interjected, an air of assurance surrounding him. "High Septon Maynard annulled the marriage between Rhaegar and Elia, marrying my parents in a secret ceremony. There is proof, backed by witnesses to my birth—impartial witnesses with nothing to gain. We hold evidence from the Citadel."

The gravity of Jon's revelation settled in the room, the implications reverberating. Maester Fell, after a moment's contemplation, spoke with a sombre understanding, "Proof of that nature would affirm your claim to the Iron Throne. King Robert didn't ascend through conquest, but because there were no more Targaryens in Westeros. His position was afforded to him through his own Targaryen lineage. Mayhap he would have claimed by right of conquest had Viserys been older or known about you."

"You'll need more than the North to rally behind you." Sam reminded them.

"Aye." Jon acknowledged.

"I can speak with my father. He will pledge the Riverlands." Sansa's mother unexpectedly asserted, catching Sansa off guard. "My sister is the regent of the Vale; we could attempt to gain her support."

"I suspect the Vale may aim to remain neutral." Robb interjected, a thoughtful expression on his face, perhaps recalling the Vale's neutrality in the War of the Five Kings under Lysa's rule.

"The Tyrells have aligned with the Lannisters. Those once loyal to Lord Renly have switched allegiance to Joffrey." Jon added.

"Joffrey is Jaime Lannister's bastard. The Tyrells seek him to crown Margaery as Queen. This means reaching out to the Lord Paramounts may be futile. Instead, we must target the houses loyal to House Targaryen." Sansa told the rest of those in the room.

"I don't want the ravens sent just yet. We need time to consider our next moves. Let's reconvene in two hours. Sansa and I have just spent the last three nights in a cave. I would much appreciate some food, a bath, and clean clothes. I'm sure Sansa feels the same way." Jon said.

Sansa nodded in agreement, recognizing the glimmer of determination in Jon's eyes as he began forming a plan. However, she also noticed a subtle innocence in Arya's expression, suspecting that her younger sister was up to something. "I'd like to have a word with Arya in private." Sansa requested, signalling the beginning of their private, strategic discussions.

As the room emptied, a collective "Your Grace" echoed, and Sansa, Jon, and Arya found themselves in a more private setting. Robb and Cat, familiar with these their knowledge of the future and wish for privacy over it, left the space, leaving the trio to discuss matters only they could comprehend.