If I Want To

Sansa

Sansa caught sight of her older brother walking alongside Jon Snow and Theon, along with some members of the Household, with Arya sticking close to the group like a faithful shadow. With a gentle pat to Lady's head and an order for her to stay put, Sansa made her way to her brother. "Robb, won't you play with me?" she asked sweetly. "You promised we could play a round of monsters-and-maidens."

Robb sighed as he ran a hesistant hand through his dark red-brown curls. His words came out slowly as he thought over how to say them. "On the morrow," he promised. "Right now we're accompanying some of the men to winter town."

"Can I come along?" Arya asked hopefully, inching closer to the group until she was able to squeeze herself between her brothers.

Robb and Jon looked at each other, silently communicating. Finally Robb shrugged a shoulder. "If you can keep up. And if you promise to heed our instructions."

"I can be quick," Arya promised. "And I'll listen."

"I will like to accompany you too," Sansa said. Her request was met with looks of shock among her siblings.

"It will require riding," Arya reminded. "You hate riding."

"I can tolerate some soreness." The casual shrug that Sansa gave didn't seem to convince her siblings, so she added, "It's a little price to pay in exchange for some sweets."

Robb had taken on a long suffering look at the thought of having to babysit his younger sisters on what was meant to be a fun outing. "Fine," he sighed, shooting a dispirited look Theon's way.

The small group was soon settled into their individual horses and headed towards the gatehouse, riding past Gage, the cook, as he headed into the kitchens, and a group of servant girls that had gathered to gossip at the washing well. It was the Hunters Gate that they were leaving through, Sansa realized to her dismay as the drawbridge was lowered.

The group made their way under the portcullis and over the drawbridge, spilling out through the outer gates as it swung open. They rode out beneath the walls and into the wolfswood. The woods smelled of wild animals, and rotten leaves, the lingering smoke from old burnt out fires tickled Sansa's nose and threatened to send her into a sneezing fit.

Arya let out a whoop beside her, excited at the opportunity to race her pony through the vast stretch of oaks and pines. She quickly turned to Robb and begged if she could ride to the river.

Sansa glanced around, shuddering at the squirrels that darted by and the thin spider webs that were easy to miss until the light hit them just so. She wished that they had gone directly to winter town which was two miles back, tucked along the walls of Winterfell. It was still mostly deserted at this time of year, with the majority of villagers preferring to stay at their farms until the cold winds of winter rooted them out.

The happy yells of the rest of the group filled the air as they raced their horses, cutting through the trees at terrifying speeds.

"I bet if I wanted, I can survive on my own in these woods. I could patrol them, speeding through the trees and chasing away the bad guys. Imagine me running alongside the wolves with Nymeria at my side. Nymeria and I could lead them!" Arya's high excited voice carried through the dense trunks and whispering leaves. "Do you think I can be an outlaw, like Wenda the White Fawn in the songs?"

Robb and Jon Snow chuckled in amusement, one of their low replies eliciting a happy shout from Arya.

Although Sansa wasn't as fond of horse riding, it soothed her to gently stroke her fingers through the mare's mane as it kept at a steady trot.