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MAIA supposed Aletia was getting into a routine every morning. She had to wake up Maia, who had been sleeping later than usual and staying up late each night. Jon would already be awake and outside. She'd then pick out her clothes, only to have to then escort her lady to the privy so Maia could throw up in a bucket. Aletia would hold her hair above her head, and then the two would go on with their day, without talking about Maia's condition.
But that ended today. After Maia told Aletia that she didn't need to dress her, she finally gave up the fight when she began to struggle with putting on her cloak. Aletia strode over, tying the two lanyards around each other in a bow. "Thank you," Maia muttered under her breath.
Maia then headed outside her room, and Aletia followed. The blonde supposed she would visit the smallfolk children in the courtyard today, and maybe even tell them a fairytale from her world. Aletia would always watch from the sidelines, but today the handmaiden walked side by side with Maia.
Aletia looked to her with worry. "Have you seen a maester yet, my lady? I fear you are getting worse day by day."
"In fact, I did have an appointment with Maester Wolkan yesterday, Aletia." Maia turned to her handmaiden, and grinned as lies spewed from her mouth. "He said it was a strong case of a stomach bug, and he gave me medicines to cure it."
Aletia smiled. "That's very well, my lady. Maester Wolkan has been here since the Boltons, and he does exceptional work."
Sometimes Maia wondered about Aletia's former alliance with the Boltons. To Jon's knowledge, she had been at Winterfell since Rickon was born, and Maia was surprised she was still living after the Boltons took the castle over. She seemed to like the flaying house just a bit too much for Maia's liking, but she dared not to bring it up.
As the two walked along the battlements of Winterfell, Maia spied Sansa watching the courtyard from up high. Maia stopped in her steps, swallowing down her pride. She felt the urge to speak with Sansa again, because only she knew of Maia's pregnancy, and the blonde felt they ended things yesterday on a bad note.
Maia spun around to face Aletia, who was staring at her with her big, blue eyes. Maia smiled and said, "Go on without me. I'll meet with you in a few minutes for breakfast."
Aletia nodded before walking away quickly. Maia cracked her knuckles, of which were enclosed in a hefty pair of leather gloves – Jon's gloves. She sauntered towards Sansa, who had her back towards her, looking down at the courtyard. Maia then stood beside her, their shoulders almost touching. Sansa had already sensed her presence moments before.
"So," Maia sighed, looking at the small snowflakes falling to the ground, "winter has finally come. What are you Starks supposed to say now?"
Sansa didn't smile, nor did she even look towards Maia. The red-head stood as still as a statue, still reeling from the events of court and news she hadn't expected. Maia cleared her throat, looking at her hands. The fur around her cloak suddenly wasn't keeping her warm anymore, and she truly felt the chill in the air.
