Northern Conqueror

Chapter 21: First Arrivals

Chapter 21: First Arrivals

"Are those... Targaryen banners?" Meera asked sat in the back of a horse drawn sled beside Bran, nodding to the black and crimson banners hanging from Winterfell's walls.

Bran sat up, taking them in with a nod. "So it was true. He found out."

"How?" asked Meera with a glance to the other sleds holding crates the men said held wights they'd captured.

"I don't know," Bran said with the slightest hint of frustration. "We haven't stopped near a weirwood. I can't see properly."

Meera frowned as she looked to Bran, the same slate expression he'd worn for weeks plastered to his face. Hopefully meeting his family would break that. Bring back some of the boy she'd known.

*~*~*

A small crowd had gathered around the training yard as their queen to be thrust a blunt training sword at Theon Greyjoy. When she managed to break past his defense and hit his chest, both broke away and Brienne stepped forward. "That was a good feint, my lady, but slower than it should have been. You hesitated on reacting after the fake."

"I know, I know," she sighed.

Brienne turned to Theon, who frowned. "Good dodging, but I think you fell into a pattern that left you open."

With a quick nod, Theon lowered his gaze. "Sorry."

Sansa shook her head. "Don't be sorry, Theon. I remember how good you were when we were growing up," she said, offering a kindly smile when he dared raise his eyes, "why do you think I asked you to help me?"

Because she needed Theon to be on their side. Because she wanted to show support for Jon's initiative to train women and children. Because she knew she'd never beat Brienne. Because she wanted to fight a man so couldn't ask the spearwives. Because she didn't want to embarrass herself against one of her male fireguard or Podrick.

Thankfully he didn't seem to think of those. To make sure he didn't, she continued, "It's why I asked you to help me with the bow yesterday as well. I remembered you were quite the marksman." There was truth in her words, just not the entirety.

Theon smiled sadly at the memories of who he had been. "Thank you, Sansa."

"Sansa!" Rickon called out as he rushed toward them, the crowd separating to let him past. He leapt over the railing keeping them out, stumbling as he landed and rushed toward her. He took a moment to catch his breath as he clutched her arm. "R-Riders. From the north. Bunch of them."

"Tormund," she whispered.

Brienne's eyes widened. "Alright, that's enough for today."

The crowd let out a few playful jeers as Sansa handed Brienne the training sword and pulled at her skirt to leave the yard. She did her best to move quickly while not quite breaking into an unladylike run.

She passed Wylla Manderly, who wore a teasing grin as she called to her. "Off to see your husband?"

"Not quite yet," Sansa answered with a laugh. "Riders from the north."

Wylla gasped. "They're back?!" She turned, rushing off to find her sister and grandfather.

Rushing through Winterfell Sansa didn't bother knocking when she arrived at Jon's door. She found him sat with a fist to his chin while the other tapped the desk, eyes looking over the letters that had arrived so far in response to what they sent out. Hearing the door open he turned and smiled once he saw her, sitting up and motioning to the letters.