The Bastard of Winterfell

The First Raven

"Your Grace, a raven has arrived from the Southern King." Maester Wolkan handed a small scroll to Queen of the North Sansa Stark.

"Thank you maester Wolkan, that will be all." He disappeared faster than he had arrived.

My Dear sister,

The Winds are turning in the favor of our two kingdoms. It brings new joy and prosperity. This I have seen no matter what trials lie ahead. I sense no new wintera upon us, the long summer is about to begin.

King Bran, the Broken

"Cryptic as always." Sansa muttered. Sighing, she walked over to her desk, to pen a reply back, knowing full well Bran will know what she is to write to him before he even gets it. Her quill dancing across the raven's scroll, a smile coming to her face, the moment she heard the wooden door squeak open and the floorboards screaming against the feet trying to sneak their way across the room. Glancing up, she found the eyes of her Nephew, Ned Snow.

"What is it little cub?" She went back to writing.

"Was that Uncle Bran?"

"King Bran." She corrected him.

"He's your brother isn't he?" Sansa put down her pen, smiling at the little boy.

"He is. But he is also a King, just as I am a queen."

"That's why I call you your Grace when other lords & ladies are around."

"Correct." She leaned back in her chair, watching the wheels click in his mind.

"But currently no one is here, so I don't have to have to call him King Bran until other Lords and Ladies are around." Opening her arms, little Ned ran around the desk, quickly jumping up on her lap.

"Correct Little Cub." She held up him close, kissing his forehead. She watched his face drop, looking at her writing.

"I'm not Uncle Bran's am I?"

"No little cub. Uncle Bran can no longer have children. But you are our blood, there is no doubt in that. And until your older I can't make you a Stark. I fear what other lords & ladys might do to you."

"I'm almost ten this year. Is that not a man yet?"

"You don't want to grow up to be a man just yet. But when you do, you must be merciful to those who need it the most. I have no heirs to speak of and see none in my future, all except you." She smiled sliding him off her lap. "Now, tell me whose lesson did you sneak out of?"

"Archery. I find it too boring." Sansa held out her hand, leaving her troubles and worries behind.

"Why is it boring?"

"The target is too easy to hit." Sansa walked him back to the court yard where his archery instructor, Meera Reed, was looking everywhere for him.

"Little Prince! Little Prince!" She was yelling. "Little Ned, where are you hiding."

"You're just as sneaky as someone else I know." She gave a soft laugh. Ned watched his adoptive mother's amusement. Not for the first time, he realized it never reached her eyes. No happiness ever reached her eyes, not in the time he has known her. Only once, when he found a collar & leash in a room long forgotten. But even then, it disappeared with tears.

"Mother, did I make you sad?" Sansa bent down, ruffling his hair.

"You could never. Now go, before you kill Meera with worry." She watched him quickly run down the stairs, and spook the skilled woman. She laughed, before telling him he can't be doing that during the middle of lessons. Ned looked up at her, his smile wide. Sansa gave a soft wave before heading back to her solar to finish writing her response.