Winterfell, The North - Day - 1 Day Before They Return to King's Landing
The time to leave had almost reached them and not everyone was happy about it. Some had formed bonds and friendships while residing in the old winter castle and did not wish to leave so soon.
Others were a little more excited about it; having gotten enough of the cold weather and the sense that they were not on familiar ground.
Tywin was in the second category, looking forward to taking his family and returning to King's Landing; back to normality. Visenya had informed him of Daenerys' decision to drop her quest for the Iron Throne and that now they had a dragon joining them.
He knew the latter would pose as a problem at first but he would find a way to make it work. He expected his good-niece to keep her word and not try anything when they had their defences lower. Of course, that did not mean he would not install the Scorpions on the walls; just in case.
Unlike him, his sons were not that eager to leave but they knew they did not have much of a say in this. They could not stay and neither could their mother, or else risk being killed as it was decided during her trial.
Thus, they spent a big majority of their day spending time with those they had started to befriend and care for; knowing very well they might never see each other again, or at least not any time soon.
However, they also worked on something that Visenya did not know but would eventually find out.
It was their last day at Winterfell and Visenya had recovered a lot as did the dragons. The soldiers had been healing and everyone could walk or ride, without holding back the rest of the troops.
It was not going to be the royal army that would leave with them but the rest of their allies as well, including Dorne, Westerlands, Reach and the Stormlands. After all, provisions were running low and it was about time many returned to their homes; and mourned the family and friends they lost in the big battle.
Visenya was walking alongside Tywin, the two of them heading for the main gates of Winterfell. They would do one last perimeter check of their forces, to ensure everything was ready and there would be no delays.
Tywin could have done this on his own but his wife refused to let him, wishing to participate once again actively with their troops. Knowing how stubborn she was, the Old Lion had to give in to her demands and let her join him.
They received a few looks here and there, some things having passively changed ever since their public kiss but none truly bothered with them.
Just as they crossed the gates, Visenya took notice that almost all the armies had been gathered close to the walls; in clusters. Each cluster consisted of each allied Kingdom, soldiers of the same house standing next to each other.
The only ones she could not see were the North and the Riverlands.
She frowned faintly at the odd sight and her eyes found her sons, at the very front of the Lannister/Westerlands army but also Oberyn in front of the Dornish troops.
"What is going on?" she asked, stealing a glance at her husband; who did not seem surprised by it.
Jaime was the first to take a step forward and unsheath his sword.
"Just something you have long deserved, Mother," he said and to her surprise, he stabbed the sword into the ground and then bent his left knee.
Trystan followed suit and every soldier behind them followed, everyone having their swords pinned to the ground and their left knee bent. Even Oberyn copied him, using his spear instead while every soldier behind him did the same.
Caron Jr., having been the only one to survive from his family, was at the head of the Stormlands troops and also bent the left knee, his sword pinned right in front of him and his head faintly bowed.
Visenya parted her lips in surprise, seeing the sea of remaining soldiers bending their left knee and bowing their heads faintly; a sign of the utmost respect and one she had seen but never truly having been the one to receive it.
Her unique eye widened in surprise and she dared to look at her husband, only to see the famous smirk of pride on his face. It was evident that he knew about it and took pride in the sign of soldiers showing their respect to her, just as she deserved.
She had been fighting by their side for years, not once hiding behind walls and letting them bleed for her; not once failing to appreciate and take good care of them when the wars were over.
She fought by their side even in the Long Night Battle and she had willingly jumped off her dragon to take down the undead one, saving them all from having to deal with the powerful beast that could burn them all in one go.
Her latest achievement had been spread across the troops, everyone hearing of the risky move she pulled to help them win this battle. She survived in the end but she ruined her one arm and sacrificed both her beauty but also her eye in the process. Yet, she did not regret it and that said a lot to many.
Tywin remained silent but bowed his head as well, not as deep as one would expect but deeper than he had ever bowed it for anyone. His eyes remained on her, his smirk on his lips as she was properly acknowledged for the Queen she was always meant to be.
On top of the walls, many had gathered after they noticed the gathered troops. Almost all of them gawked in surprise once they watched all those soldiers bending their knee for Visenya but only a few truly knew what it meant.
One of them was Jorah, who had been standing next to his Queen.
Specifically, they had been walking and discussing what to do once they would return to Meereen; along with the fact that Tyrion had requested to leave his position as Hand and pass the pin to the exiled knight instead.
They had come to a stop upon seeing all the soldiers gathered, all of them waiting in silence for Visenya to approach. They were as confused as her but when Jaime bent the knee first and the others followed, recognition flashed into Jorah's blue eyes.
"What is going on? Are they bending the knee to her?" Daenerys asked, having noticed that her loyal knight and advisor knew something more compared to the others around them.
He shook his head faintly.
"No, Khaleesi," he answered her. "When one bends the knee to a ruler, they bend the right knee but when a soldier bends the left and has their weapon out..." he took a moment to process the sight, having heard of it but not once had he truly witnessed it before. "This is how knights and soldiers show their utmost respect, usually at the funeral of a fallen comrade. It is their way to thank the person for their sacrifice, to honour their name until the end."
Daenerys looked from him to the kneeling soldiers, taking notice that even her proud good-uncle had bowed his head to Visenya. She could not help but stare as thousands of men showed their respect, their loyalty and their gratitude to her.
She would never be a Queen but she never stopped acting like one. She would never be acknowledged for what she did for them but she could still be shown some respect for everything she did.
Somehow, the Mother of Dragons could not help but smile faintly and feel this pride about her aunt. She had indeed sacrificed a lot and she did deserve to be acknowledged, even if it was momentarily.
As she saw all those soldiers bending the knee for Visenya, Daenerys knew she had made the right choice not to go after the Iron Throne. For there was already a dragon sitting on it... for there was one last Targaryen that the people of Westeros acknowledged as a true fitting ruler, even if they would never truly rule them from the famous sword chair.
Outer Yard, Winterfell - The North, Westeros — Departure Day
The last day our heroes would remain in Winterfell, came and passed rather quickly. Alas, the time for them to leave had arrived and not everyone shared the same excitement.
Many soldiers exchanged goodbyes and last words between them, some promising to keep contact by exchanging ravens. Others, were more than happy to leave and return to their families; to mourn their losses and go back into their usual daily lives.
The Lion Pride was dressed in basic armour and squires had their horses ready, close to the gates of the Winter Castle. Their soldiers were already waiting outside, along with the armies of the Reach, Stormlands and Dorne; for all of them would march together.
It was not necessary but since it was Visenya they followed in the beginning, it was her they would follow with her departure. It also showed one last message, showing that their loyalty did remain with her.
The Stark Children, Daenerys and their allies had gathered to properly bid them farewell, as it was custom. Despite the trial verdict, Sansa knew that she needed to discuss a few last things with the Dragoness.
After all, the Northern Lords were not keen on becoming part of the other Kingdoms; at least not how it was before. Thankfully for her, Visenya was more than willing to listen and understand her point of view.
Now, it was time to depart and take different paths.
Visenya was exchanging last words with her niece while Tywin and the Lion Cubs, along with Oberyn, were climbing on their horses.
"We will keep in touch, right?" Daenerys asked as she grabbed the free hand of her aunt.
"Of course. I will see what I can do about Dragonstone," her aunt replied, offering her a sweet smile.
She then pulled her hand gently and took a few steps back, her attention going to the Stark Children. She exchanged a quick head nod with Arya and silently sent a last look at Jon, remembering Rhaegar's words when she sort of existed between the dead and the living.
She had yet to properly understand what that was and how real it was, but she had not truly thought too much about it. It had passed and now she had to focus on the future and what could possibly come for them.
At last, her eyes locked with Sansa's. The warmth and innocence she had in King's Landing was long gone by now. However, there was no longer hatred and betrayal in her eyes; a sign that she was slowly accepting the situation with the Red Wedding.
She gave a faint head nod to the wolf.
"We will be in touch. I will bring King Tommen your requests."
Sansa nodded her head faintly.
"Thank you, My Lady. We will await your raven."
Visenya then turned and walked towards her family and companions, all waiting for her. Oberyn was on top of his horse, looking at her but Tywin was on the ground; ready to help her climb up on her saddle due to only having one arm available to help her.
Jaime and Trystan were quiet, their gazes locked to specific individuals. Both had spent some last secret moments with two very special women, unsure if they would ever have the chance again.
The Half-Lion kept looking at Sansa and he could not help but offer a small sad smile at her. She took notice and returned the action, their eyes locked intensely and this time they did not bother to hide it.
For in their minds, they were reliving the last moments together.
A few hours before departure, Trystan and Sansa met in the Library.
Thankfully for them, this was what they aimed for and also hoped for.
The Library of Winterfell was a place not many visited and at that moment, it was the only place they could meet without raising any suspicions.
Trystan had been the first one to arrive and he merely glanced at the book titles while he waited for Sansa to arrive. Once he heard the door opening, he turned to face her with his hands behind his back.
"Thank you for meeting with me, Lady Sansa," Trystan said, since he had been the one who secretly requested this meeting; after he had gathered all of his courage.
After the battle, the two of them met often; mostly with Sansa's initiative. Trystan was silent while Visenya was unconscious, often one would find him isolated from the others. More than once, he could be found in the middle of the night, stabbing the training target to release all the frustration he bottled up.
Thankfully for him, Sansa took notice and had managed to keep him company; in a way offering a comforting presence. At first, it was ironic, if one would consider that Trystan had done pretty much the same to her after news reached them of the Red Wedding.
Their situation was not really that different now; for in the end the two of them offered some physical comfort to one another. In the secrecy of the night in the library, the two of them would just snuggle close to the fireplace or just talk; taking their minds off their losses and Visenya, who was still in a coma.
It took them a few days to bring up the kiss before the battle but Trystan was too much of a gentleman to try his luck again.
That was until they would meet again on their last day in the very same library.
"I should be the one thanking you, Ser Trystan. For wishing of us to meet before your departure," Sansa said as she marched to meet him halfway, a small smile on her lips.
She knew he would soon leave and she was not happy with that. She had started to get used to his presence, even though they would meet in secret. Once again, she had started to get used to his presence and despite everything; she found that his being there made a difference to her.
Trystan smiled back at her as he stared down at Sansa. She had grown taller since King's Landing but she was still not that tall. The Half-Lion suspected her to be around Cersei's height, not that he ever minded that.
"I am not exactly sure when we will meet again, so I wish to see you one last time," he confessed, making her legs feel weak at his sweet and honest words.
"It really has come to that, hasn't it?" she questioned, although both knew the answer.
Trystan could find ways to visit, mayhap as a messenger of the Crown. They could still spend some time then but the problem was, they couldn't do it forever. Somehow, Trystan knew his Father would arrange a match in the near future.
Once he was married, he would no longer be able to find ways and visit Sansa or even be with her. One might say that many men do it but Trystan refused, for he would never humiliate any woman like how Robert humiliated his sister nor hurt their feelings by going for another like how Rhaegar did to Elia by choosing Lyanna Stark in the end.
Even if he would not marry anytime soon, he knew that she would eventually. Just like in his case, once she would be betrothed; they would not be able to meet or hug or kiss or just spend time together... and when she would bear children...
He did not wish to think of that scenario. One might call him selfish but he could not imagine any man sharing a bed with her or her giving birth to anyone's children but his. It was a scenario he would never be able to accept, not fully at least.
"Looks like it..." he answered her after a brief pause, unsure what more he could say.
They could try to cuddle or kiss or hug one last time but... after it?
Wouldn't it be better and easier for them if they started to put some distance between them, now?
"I thank you again, for everything that you did," Sansa said, trying to hide her hurt feelings.
She had started to truly harbour feelings for Trystan and she was done pretending like they were not real. She knew they were and she mocked herself, for it took her too long to truly accept them.
When she finally did, she had only a limited amount of time to spend with him. Even after, she knew they could not be together as he had explained to her one night.
He was the heir to Casterly Rock and his Father would never approve of such a match, risking having a Northerner with claims to his ancestral home. It was ironic in her mind but she did not voice any arguments out loud, knowing too well that nothing would change if she did.
Seeing that he was silent, Sansa took it as a hint that she should be the first one and walk away. She was not sure how she would do it but pushed herself to do the first step, just like how she had pushed herself to leave him behind while Joffrey was dying.
To her surprise, his warm and bigger hand wrapped around her wrist before she could take her second step. In seconds, not only had he pulled her towards him but also spun her; so she would be facing him once again.
She did not have time to think or even question for his lips fell upon hers with little more need and force than needed. He had closed his eyes to fully melt into this moment while his other hand grabbed her waist and pulled her even closer, to the point their bodies were pressed against one another.
She did not hesitate nor did she question anything.
Sansa closed her eyes and returned to the action, hiding her surprise at the suffocating feeling of butterflies in her stomach. She could feel the need behind his kiss and this sudden confidence and faint dominance... and she could not resist it.
She smiled faintly as they kept kissing, taking it as long as they could with that single intake of breath they had in their lungs.
Eventually, the need for air managed to win and they had to pull away.
They did faintly and with some hesitation, none moving from the very touchy position they were in. They panted faintly and their eyes locked once again, both gazes saying everything they wished to know.
"I apologise, My Lady, but I could not let you walk away like this," he confessed, his face serious and his gaze dark with desire; yet he held it in check like a tight leash around the neck of a hungry lion.
"You apologize too much, Ser," Sansa said, wrapping one hand around his neck and pulling him closer for yet another kiss.
She did not care if he would leave in a few hours or if they would never get together. At that moment, all that she cared about was to melt into their kisses, silence her thoughts and just focus on his presence. It seemed to work like a drug for her.
Trystan kept smiling at Sansa and while their future was unsure, he made a vow that he would find ways to see her; until it would no longer be proper or possible for him to do so.
Visenya took notice and hid her sad smile, for she knew her sons had found their matches in the North. She also knew, that those matches would not take place; not anytime soon. That did not mean she would not try her hand one way or another, even if in the end she would be unsuccessful.
She reached her black mare, Meraxes, who had been waiting patiently.
The horse nudged its head forward, eager to have her back on the saddle. One might say that she was even jealous because her master had chosen a flying beast instead.
The Dragoness stopped at the left side of the animal by the saddle. She was about to try and climb with one hand but Tywin was not eager to let her.
Not caring if others were watching, he placed his hands on her waist and helped her get up; like a proper gentleman.
Only when she had grabbed both reins and was stable on the saddle, did he walk towards his own stallion.
In one quick move, he was up and ready to go; his gaze always locked on Visenya, to ensure she was okay.
Visenya looked around her for a moment, seeing the people that cared about her; ready to follow her wherever she would go. She could not help but offer them a smile, enjoying the moment.
She had lost a lot of people and she had been through a lot of challenges. Yet in the end, she still had family all around her and she knew she would never truly be left alone; not while she was breathing.
"Let us go home," she said and turned her mare to face the gates.
The Lion Pride quickly joined her with Tywin by her left, and Trystan by her right while Jaime and Oberyn were right behind her. Without another word, their horses started to trot and then gallop as they passed through the open gates of Winterfell; for some being the last time they would do so.
They let their horses gallop between the path formed by their soldiers, moving to the very front of the army to lead as they should.
A familiar roar made Visenya glance up, only to see Rhaegal taking flight and moving right above them; his body casting a faint shadow on the ground as he passed by.
Her smile only grew, and somehow all of this feeling was just right for her.