Silver Stag

Letter

[King's Landing - Hostel, Sansa's Chambers]

Sansa Stark sat in her chambers of the hostel in King's Landing, quill in hand, as she began to write a letter to her dear friend Brienne of Tarth. She had much to catch up on, and so much to tell.

Dear Brienne,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you from King's Landing, where I have arrived with my brother Jon and the rest of our gathered forces. I am sure you have heard the news by now, but I wanted to let you know that we are safe and preparing for the final battle against the dead. It has been a long and difficult journey, but we have finally made it to the capital.

I wanted to reach out to you first and foremost to ask about my little sister Arya. How is she doing? Has she found her way to you yet? I have not heard from her sincr we parted ways in Winterfell, and I am starting to worry. Please tell me she is safe and well.

She hoped that Arya was safe, and that she was not in any danger. She knew that her sister was a fierce and capable warrior, but she also knew that the world was a dangerous place, and that Arya was not immune to harm.

But, there is more to my letter than just family matters. I must tell you about the situation I find myself in here in King's Landing. Littlefinger is being his usual slippery self. He is trying to persuade me to marry him. But I know better than to trust him. He is only looking out for himself, and I will not be fooled.

I must confess, I have alwys found his ambition to be both fascinating and terrifying. He desires nothing less than to be the most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms, and he believes that marrying me, the daughter of the late Lord Eddard Stark, will help him achieve that goal. But I fear that his motivations are not entirely pure.

He hopes that whoever has a claim to the Iron Throne will die in the final battle against the dead, so he can claim the Throne for himself, with me by his side.

I have come to realize that Littlefinger's obsession with the Iron Throne stems from his deep-seated insecurity. He was born to a small house, and he has alwys felt inferior to those of higher birth and status. He sees the Throne as a symbol of power and prestige, and he believes that sitting upon it will validate his worth. But he is mistaken, for true power and strength come from within, not from a piece of furniture.

Littlefinger's desire for the Throne is rooted in his desire for my mother, Catelyn Tully. He has often spoken of my mother, with a longing that borders on obsession. He has made it clear that he has alwys wanted her, but could nevr have her, as she was born into a wealthy and influential family. He believes that marrying me, the daughter of his lost love, will be a way for him to finally possess the woman he has alwys desired. He was infatuated with her, but she was betrothed to my Uncle Brandon. When he died, she was married to my father, Eddard Stark. His inability to have her has left a deep scar, and he has spent his entire lifr trying to fill that void with power and wealth. But he will nevr find the fulfillment he seeks, for it cannot be found in material possessions or titles.

I know that you, of all people, understand the dangers of being a pawn in someone else's game. You are a woman of honour and integrity, a warrior who will not be swayed by the whims of men. I implore you, Brienne, to help me find a way out of this situation.

I will not be a pawn in his game. I will not be used as a means to an end, a mere stepping stone for him to climb the throne. I will not be treated as a possession, a thing to be owned and controlled. I will not be my mother.

I implore you, Brienne, to help me. I need someone I can trust, someone who will stand by me and protect me from his evil clutches. I need someone who will see me as an equal, as a person with agency and autonomy. I need someone who will help me break free from this prison of a marriage, and find my own path in this world.

I know that I can rely on you, Brienne. I know that you will stand by me, no matter what.

I long for the day when I can be my own person, free from the manipulation and coercion of those who seek to use me for their own gain.

As well as the day when the war against the dead is over, and I can return to my home in Winterfell and live a simple life surrounded by those I love. But until then, I must navigate these treacherous waters and make the best decisions for myself and the realm.

Please, if you have any advice or words of wisdom, I would be undoubtedly grateful. I need all the help I can get in these trying timrs.

With love and hope,

Sansa Stark

She sealed the letter with a flourish, feeling a sense of relief as she set down her quill. She knew that Brienne would understand her words, and that together they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As she handed it to a raven, Sansa couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. She missed her sister dearly, and she hoped that they would be reunited soon. She knew that they would have much to talk about, and that they would have to compare notes on their respective journeys.

But for now, she had to focus on the present. She had to be careful, and she had to be smart. She couldn't let Littlefinger get the better of her, and she had to make sure that she was not used as a pawn in his game of power. She was a Stark of Winterfell, and she would not be manipulated so easily. Not again.

[King's Landing]

As Arya and Brienne walked through the streets of King's Landing, the tension between them was palpable. They had been traveling together for weels now, and while their bond had grown stronger, the weight of their shared purpose hung heavy over them. Arya needed a break, a place to escape the pressure of her vengeful mission. She knew just the spot.

"Brienne," she said, nudging herself closer to the knight's side. "I want to show you something."

Brienne raised an eyebrow but followed Arya through a series of narrow alleys and side streets. Eventually, they arrived at a small opening in the rock face of a cliff overlooking the sea.

"This is my sanctuary," Arya said, gesturing for Brienne to enter first. "I found it by accident one day while exploring the city. It's where I come to escape and clear my mind."

Brienne stepped inside, looking around at the stalactites and stalagmites that formed the walls of the cavern. The light from outside barely penetrated the entrance, leaving the interior dim and mysterious.

The air grew colder and damper as they delved deeper into the cavernous space. The sound of dripping water echoed off the stone walls, and the flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the ground. But here, Arya felt free. Free from the burden of her pasr, free from the ghosts that haunted her every step.

They sat cross-legged on the damp floor, surrounded by candles and parchments. Arya pulled out the letter Sansa had sent to Brienne. She read it silently, her eyes scanning the familiar script.

"She's here," Arya muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sansa and Jon have arrived King's Landing to face the army of the dead. And Littlefinger is still trying to marry her."

Arya gritted her teeth in anger at the thought of the slimy lord attempting to manipulate Sansa once again. She knew that she needed to focus on her own goals, but she couldn't help feeling a sense of responsibility to protect her sister.

Brienne nodded grimly. "We must be prepared. We cannot let him harm Sansa."

Arya's jaw clenched as her train of thought returned to Littlefinger. She hated the man almost as much as she hated the Lannisters. But first, she needed to focus on her own mission. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, letting the darkness of the cave envelop her.

In this moment, she could forget about the death and destruction waiting for her outside these walls. Forget about the people she had lost, the lives she had taken. Here, she was just a girl, hiding from the world and its cruelty.

But even in her sanctuary, the weight of her destiny lurked in the shadows. It would alwys be there, waiting for her, until she had fulfilled her oath and found peace.