The Calm before the Snowstorm

A/N: Well, here I am with the next chapter. And we are also back with Sansa at Ironrath this time. Yeah, I know you all want me to continue where that cliffhanger left off and we will get there soon enough, but we hadn't had a Sansa centric chapter in a while now (over 20 chapters ago, in fact) and there were some things I wanted to take care off and highlight on their side of the world before Jon returns from Braavos. For now, I hope you enjoy this temporary detour and it leaves you hyped for the possibilities in store. Oh, and I hope you enjoy the new map. Took a while to edit it to my satisfaction.

Ironrath: The North

Sansa Stark sighed in contentment as the small feast ended and people started going their separate ways. She had gathered with the members of House Forrester to celebrate the birth of Lord Rodrick's firstborn son with his wife, Elaena Glenmore. Apparently, the poor woman had gotten pregnant early on during the siege and as the food rationing in Ironrath continued to become a problem, they had started worrying about her health, which is why it became common for some of the members of the House to willingly surrender a portion of their day's rations to her. But when Sansa's army smashed the forces of House Whitehill and the siege was broken, they readily shared from their own supplies, which were much enlarged once the new mother's Lord father arrived with his own bannermen and as much winter supplies as could be spared.

And so, with her health improving and not having to remain mentally taxed by the siege, Elaena Glenmore gave birth to a beautiful baby boy that morning and joy started filling the keep. Lord Rodrick couldn't contain his happiness and order the cooks to prepare a small feast for family and close friends so that they could celebrate the occasion but not that big so as to preserve more of their supplies for their loyal supporters.

The redhead had certainly agreed with his line of thought, especially in light of the news Jon shared with her through their mental bond that explained House Bolton seemed to be rallying their banner to hunt them down. She had informed them of the vital piece of information while disguising it as a message from White Harbor and also explained that House Manderly and the Knights of the Vale will arrive in the coming days but perhaps not before Ramsay's attack.

To that, Asher Forrester hardened his gaze and raised his glass of wine vowing that they will hold the line against the Bolton scum for as long as needed until reinforcements arrive.

"The Whitehills couldn't break us for a whole year!" He had boasted. "With our combined forces, I am sure we will manage to resist for a few more days."

Everyone drank to that and renewed their verbal commitment to their cause as Sansa smiled. Before long, the new mother had arrived at the feast now that she recovered her energy and kissed her husband passionately before sitting down, her expression glowing for the rest of the celebration.

Sansa had sighed deeply at that, feeling longing in her heart as she stared at the happy couple. She really couldn't wait to settle down with Jon and start bearing his children, even if she wouldn't be his only wife.

"Regardless, I understand with perfect clarity that I will always have a special place in his heart," The redhead had thought with conviction as she imagined his brother's handsome face.

Eventually, the feast died down and she went to the privy and to freshen up. By the time she returned, the main tables of their great hall were empty.

However, soon enough, Lyanna Mormont entered the hall as well, just as she had expected. The short Lady approached her and bowed slightly.

"You sent for me, my Lady?" She asked.

"I did," Sansa said. "You see, I received another message from Jon. As you know by now, my brother Robb legitimized him and named him his heir, which he learned from the Blackfish and my uncle Edmure in the Riverlands. That's why he stayed a while longer chasing away the Lannister forces astride his dragon: now he has become the king of not only the North, but the Trident. However...he recently learned something that will be of great significance to you."

The courageous young ruler of Bear Island raised an eyebrow at that. "What did he learn then?"

The Lady of Winterfell in exile took a deep breath. "That your mother is still alive."

For a long moment, Lyanna Mormont said nothing as the wood crackled in the hearth. Then without any change in her tone or her facial expression, she asked her the obvious question.

"Apparently she has been staying as the secret guest of Howland Reed in Greywater Watch since she was one of the last living witnesses that saw Robb legitimization ceremony," Sansa explained. "As her late king had asked her to protect the copies of his will with her life but the North had shifted into Bolton hands, with no known Starks in the North to rally behind for quite a while, your mother and Howland had been patiently watching the situation from the shadows, waiting for the right moment of weakness in House Bolton to spread the copies far and wide. The time has finally come now that Jon and I have rallied our forces and he has tamed an Ice Dragon but, unfortunately, before that became clear, it was simply safer for Bear Island to let their people and you believe that she was dead."

"I see," Lyanna responded in a ponderous tone.

Then she sighed deeply. "I am very glad to hear that she is alive but I must say, I feel more than a little angry as well. I thought I was the last one left of my line and I never expected to become the one needed to step up and rule Bear Island. There would have been times where I could have really used her counsel and this secret denied me of that. Still, it will be good to see her again. Do you know where she is now?"

"According to Jon, he sent her and her last remaining soldiers from Bear Island to reinforce the Riverlords at Seagard so that they can besiege the Twins," The redhead explained. "I would imagine she is actually quite eager at the prospect of helping keep the Freys cowering like the rats they are while surrounded on all sides."

At that, the young Lady actually chuckled. "I would certainly bet on it. Thank you for bringing this pleasant news to my attention, Lady Stark. Given the dark times we have had to endure recently, that was much appreciated. If you'll please excuse me."

And with that, Sansa became the only one left in the hall again. So, she turned around and headed outside.

Before long, she made her way outside the walls, entering the camp that was made for their soldiers that couldn't be properly housed inside Ironrath. Soldiers nodded their respect as she mingled with the men and she smiled back, understanding it was good for morale for military leaders to walk side by side with their supporters. Eventually, Lady and Ghost found her and the Lady of Winterfell in exile proceeded to pet them with affection in her gaze, happy to see the Direwolf packmates together again.

Eventually, they followed her around as she walked to the makeshift training area of the camp. There, many, many spearwives were training with the new steel weapons Jon bought from Lord Harlaw, with the other groups of men among the Free Folk close behind. Some of them were clearly enjoying themselves more than others depending on who won their bouts but all were trying to improve their skills.

Then Sansa tilted her head in a different direction and raised an eyebrow when she saw Val. The gorgeous woman had put on armor that mixed chain mail with hardened leather and she had a sword sheathed at her side. Over there, with the wind blowing her blonde locks and her confident gaze as she watched the performance of her loyal spearwives, she looked every inch the warrior princess she was aspiring to be.

Before long, she turned around and noticed her approach with a smile. "Ah, Lady Stark. Good to see you here. Getting bored with the formalities of the keep and decided to come mingle with us Free Folk?"

Sansa chuckled. "Something like that. To be honest, there is only so much protocol one can take during the day and at any rate, I wanted to see the progress your people were making with their training."

"Well, then you will be pleased to hear that my people are certainly applying their previous skills to these steel weapons quite well," Val assured her. "Most of them already know how to fight to varying degrees, of course, but most have been satisfied with the supplies. They are definitely of a much better quality than what they are used to. So, don't you worry, soon enough they will bloody them with treacherous Bolton blood."

Sansa smirked. "I am glad to hear that."

They stayed quiet for a while after that, watching the fierce men and women spar together by the hundreds. In the distance, the redhead could also see some of them trying their new bows on some makeshift target made of lumber. Eventually, however, the new Princess of the Free Folk turned to look at her with a ponderous expression. Sansa frowned.

"What is it?"

"It's just that I have been meaning to ask you something but it is a bit of a personal question and I don't want you to take it the wrong way," The blonde said.

Sansa shrugged. "I wouldn't worry too much. We hadn't really had a chance to get to know each other well since we first meet and it seems we will be working together in more ways than one for the foreseeable future. So, it's probably a good idea to start."

Val paused at that but nodded soon enough. "Well then, here it goes. I have heard a few rumors about what you had to endure at that sadist's hand. I also overheard some of the men from Bear Island that apparently knew guests that were allowed to go to your...well, dark wedding," She added with a sympathetic tone. "And that made me wonder, why did you even agree to go back to Winterfell with whoever it was that accompanied you, knowing that this was the family that plotted to end yours?"

Sansa stayed silent for a long moment at that, gathered her thoughts for a careful response. But when she was ready, her gaze was resolute. "A fair question. The answer is a long one but, basically, I was growing tired of remaining a bystander to tragedy," The Lady of Winterfell in exile declared. "Horrific things had happened to my family by that point and I no longer wanted to mourn them by weeping in a dark and lonely room. I loved them all and wanted to honor the memory of those I had lost. But first, I needed to avenge their deaths. And since my quest lead me to Winterfell, I could have eventually managed to get it and reclaim my home with one blow, if I planned it right."

The Princess of the Free Folk stared at her, a look of respect on her face. "That I can most certainly understand. And even terrible experiences have a way of making us grow for the better, as we learn to overcome adversity."

"Indeed," The highborn redhead said in agreement. "Besides, even though that plan didn't work out at the time, I still made my way to my dear brother, who I have missed so much. Together, we have managed to rally so much support in so little time. So, I am proud of what we have accomplished thus far and I know we will succeed in time. And soon enough, Ramsay will finally know fear while I stare down at him so it will all be worth it."

Val smiled fiercely. "I think we are going to get along just fine, Lady Sansa. But now, since I have asked you a personal question, feel free to ask me one in turn."

The redhead smiled back at her as she considered in silence. Then she tilted her head with curiosity in her gaze.

"Why exactly has motivated you to become the Princess of the Free Folk?" Sansa asked. "I imagine there is a story there."

"Hmmm," The blonde hummed. "You are not wrong. It's true that Mance had started grooming me for command after his son died along with my sister at childbirth. And I certainly tried my best to become more skilled at everything I thought I would need to earn the respect of my people, especially with the Spearwives. However, my connection to the last King Beyond the Wall is not the only reason gaining leadership has meant so much to me."

Then the Princess visibly hesitated for a moment, before shrugging and unsheathed her sword. Sansa raised an eyebrow when she realized it looked like castle-forged steel but that it was clearly much, much older than anything Lord Harlaw would have ordered to produce before selling it to them.

"Free Folk families don't usually have much in the way of inheritance in the lands beyond the wall," Val began. "It's usually hard enough to survive as it is. However, this steel sword has been in my family for over 150 years, passed on to the best fighter of the generation that survived to adulthood. In my fifteen nameday, it was my turn to claim it and Dalla didn't argue since she knew I was a much better fit for our ancestral blade. And you see, this sword right here? It was once used by my great-great-great-great-great grandfather, the previous King Beyond the Wall that was known to history as Bael the Bard," She explained, a note of pride in her voice.

Sansa gasped at that, remembering songs she had heard in her childhood. "You descend from THAT King Beyond the wall? But he had ended up taking the only daughter and heir of Lord Brandon Stark as a lover and had a child with her. My own family line comes from him too! That would mean..."

Val chuckled, amused by her reaction. "Yes, I suppose that means I share a bit of blood with you Starks, since the daughter Bael had with his own Free Folk wife would have been the half-sister of his Lord of a son. Shame their story ended in **** of course, but at least we have the chance to do things better and actually get along in this generation."

Sansa nodded slowly, her eyes widening as she realized what this could mean for her incestuous god of a brother, both for their plans to overcome the resurrection block and for their desire to make the future settlement of the Free Folk south of the Wall work. Then she blinked.

"I think you may be right, Princess Val. We will probably get along just fine."

Then she failed to contain her blush after the smiling blonde looked away. "And in more ways than one too," She thought to herself.

A/N: So, there you go with that reveal XD Yep, I am making it so that in this alternate universe, Val descends from King Bael the Bard. And as Sansa notes, that has some heavy implications in this sort of story XD

Hope you enjoyed it. I will post the continuation of the plotline in Braavos as soon as I can. Until then, please leave a comment down below.

See ya!