sansa would be a liar to say she knew how she had survived this long. having travelled from the vale to the north on her own, with nothing more than her wits about her and a refusal to stop. they would be after her, if they weren’t already, when they knew where she stopped. she would have to answer for bringing end to the life of lord petyr baelish, but sansa would rather run forever than allow herself to be executed for a crime that was more than well deserved. she doubted any of them would see it that way, though, and so she had gone the only way that she’d been able to: north. she wanted to go home. she needed to go home. a stark must always reside inside the walls of winterfell. she had no word of arya, still believed that bran and rickon were dead at the hands of theon greyjoy. she needed to get home. she needed to reunite what little family she had left now. she had heard word of jon snow, lord commander somewhere along the way; pockets full of enough coin that she had been able to hide herself away in taverns, anywhere that she could bolt the door locked each night and sleep before she continued on. winter was on its way, she realised, once she reached the border, found more snow than she thinks she’s ever seen in her life. cold and freezing. she’d taken a horse from the next town she’d passed. stole it in the middle of the night like a common thief, careless and restless. she needed to get back. she needed-- she didn’t know, really. didn’t know if jon would even care, after all this time. if he would turn her away, leave her in the north on her own. sansa would be lying if she said that she knew what she’d do next, or even what she’s going to do once she’s there. the thoughts are gone as she draws close, only brings her horse to a halt at the sight of someone in the distance. she doesn’t look like the daughter of eddard and catelyn stark anymore. how long had it been since she was in the north? she waits, watches. then she’s nudging her horse forward, cautious, careful. “i need passage into castle black,” she calls, still far enough away that she can turn and ride away before they have the chance to reach her properly. “can you help me?”