Tension was coiled tight in Sansa's belly as she made her way through the restored Red Keep, though she fought to keep her limbs loose and delicate, rather than drawn tight to her sides in some meager form of protection. It mattered not that Brienne, Podrick, and three other Winterfell guards shadowed Sansa's every step. The lack of dragons and lions did nothing to soothe her nerves. Even the differences, noticeable though they were, did nothing to hide where Sansa truly was. If she allowed her eyes to sweep across the castle floor, she would be able to count of at least three places where her own blood had dripped onto the cold stones after Joffrey demanded his Kingsguard members strike her. Sansa had developed a great distaste for signets as a result.

Nightmares seemed to lurk like wolves around every corner of the Red Keep, snarling, vicious things, but Sansa walked with her head held high, her visage giving no impression that she was haunted in these halls. The walls had eyes and ears here in the South, and Sansa had little doubt that many had taken it upon themselves to arrange to watch the Northern Queen's every move, whether it was to benefit themselves, or simply to take stock of her mettle. Sansa could not afford to be seen as weak, no matter what beastly horrors this place represented. Besides, she was no stranger to walking through a castle of torments. Winterfell had nightmares of its own, and some days Sansa thought she would go mad amongst the silence of the ghosts that still lingered.

To the people of the South, Sansa Stark was largely untested. She had the name, but little else, it seemed, to Southron lords and ladies. Sansa had expected as much upon ascending to the newly created Northern throne, but the confirmation had stung all the same. To those in the South still alive to remember her, Sansa had been the pitiable hostage of the Lannisters, the plaything of Joffrey who was brought out for the amusement of him and his court. Little was known of her after her escape. Though her marriage to Tyrion had been annulled, and her innocence in Joffrey's death had been made official early on in Jon's reign, the Lannister propaganda machine had thoroughly damaged whatever reputation Sansa had, south of the Neck. It was nothing that could not be undone, but it had already affected the North.

ROBB: You have a club??? For being in a relationship with a Stark??? MARGAERY: We meet ever third Tuesday of the month, love. It takes a village you know. ROBB: Would Theon or Sansa be the one to join your little 'club'? GENDRY: Sansa's the Stark, but Theon's way more stressful as a person. MARGAERY: Let's table the discussion until our next meeting.

weren’t cruises supposed to be fun?