For nearly 2 years Dorne conquered and ruled, becoming a powerful nation and allies with some of the most influential eastern countries in the realm.

They all spoke of the beautiful Queen that had grown quickly, her country was well protected, the Stepstones were thriving and all trade went through Dorne instead of Westeros.

The kingdom to the North had many problems now, preoccupied with Sparrows and Faith Militants it was easy to take much of Westeros work. The grand lords were charmed with her beauty, with the culture of her people, and with the intensity she had for her country and children. When the riches began to inhibit most of the sun touched land it was no surprise when Westerosi Lords come knocking omg their doors for aid, often behind the King Tommens back. All those were quite enamored with ever part of the new royal family.

The Prince and Princess of Dorne were amongst the most mature and joyous children of the realm.

Valeria was smart, she sat in many council meetings willingly with her mother, sent off warriors and visited with the sick. She was intelligent and observant, a brilliant smile on her lips whenever anyone looked at her and a regal air to her ways, the little queen, they nicknamed her as she mimicked her mother.

Aleks on the other hand was wild and free, he trained daily with a sword, he walked the streets of the cities like a commoner and often traveled alone as much as possible. He was a child, yes, but that did not stop him from going out and living a life worth exploring. From the moment he woke up in the castle he was out, swimming the shores with Greywind who followed the boy everywhere. The twins shared a sense of duty, both taking on different roles more suited to their characteristics.

And as for the mother, Victoria, well she had both softened with age and hardened with diplomacy.

The first breeze of winter came gently, with kisses of surprise but gentle delights, the air was crisp, the sun still shined and warmed the streets but it was now more bearable to enjoy time out.

It was bright and early that morning when the tables began to turn.

"My Queen, a raven has arrived." One of her servants walked into the hall, a scroll sitting atop a silver platter. The servant followed the line of others holding the morning feast.

Victoria looked up and smiled, moving her gaze from her son to see the young women, Matilda, awaiting her response. Valeria had been eating her food was a satisfying silence, only looking up for from the rounded dough to smile at his mother who had pulled her curled hair behind her ear.

"Whatever the matter may be can wait," She hummed and cast her eyes back to her children. "I'd like to enjoy the morning with my babes before the Lords of Dorne give me another headache."

"Mama, you can tell them to shut up, you're queen." Valeria stared very softly, her eyes on the fruit plate in front of her.

"I can do it!" Aleks exclaimed excitedly. The group gathered laughed at his zealous nature, he was known for speaking his mind.

Matilda was the only one to stay silent, she leaned against the balls of her feet debating wether to press the issue or respect the royals wishes. The situation began to make her sweat until someone else came into the room, the head of the royal guard strode right in. Dominic Monterroso strode fiercely and his face was set in a scowl, unusual considering he was nearly always smiling especially if his bride was nearby, which she was, sitting between the twins Amina walked beside him as well, a grim expression on her lips as she eyed her cousin. They stopped besides Matilda and the male spoke, "the Starks have called for your help, your grace, they're going to war."

Victoria stood, that name hadn't been uttered in years to her and as she lifted herself off the chair and she saw her twins eyes look her way, in a haunting gaze that brought nostalgia to her body she swallowed. "What's happened."

"Jon Snow and Sansa Stark are planning to take Winterfell back from the Bolton's and they've asked for your aide."

"Stark? Like papa?" Valeria suddenly looked up, her eyes wide as she looked to her mother for answers.

Victoria suddenly became aware of the stares her way, her hand pressed to her chest where the familiar aches suddenly pounded and she swallowed thickly. Her hands clenched together as she looked at an awaiting Elaine who seemed to understand and nod to the servants, "please leave the room."

They all began to file out as the queen looked to the her sons caretaker, "Lady Allura, take my sons to their chambers."

"Mama, what's happening?" The heirs to Dorne both asked together, neither making a move towards the door.

She kneeled down and cupped their cheeks, attempting to hide her worries with a smile. "Do as I say, my loves, I promise you will know soon enough."

The twin's looked at one another before nodding and wordlessly following the espectant women out of the Queen's chambers.

Once they were far enough away that no one could hear them the Queen looked back, back straight and shoulders squared as she extended her hand and too the scroll to read.

She looked up once she'd finished gathering the information, knowing that it was Sansa and she pleaded for her help. She'd heard little to nothing about the Lady since her escape from Westeros much less the Lord Commander of the Knights Watch. A part of her was glad to see they were alive, even if the circumstances were dire, she still breathed a deep sigh before looked towards her confidants.

"Jon and Sansa are at war, they need my help." She said simply and crushed the paper to her chest. Her expression was blank as she attempted to make an educated decision. "I thought they were dead."

"Lady Sansa was taken by the Bolton's and married off to the Lord's bastard son who was legitimized. It seems that she escaped and found refuge with Jon who appears to have deserted the Knights Watch." Amina detailed.

Victoria shook her head, "he wouldn't have abandoned the Knights Watch, something happened. I know Jon, he would have given his life for them."

Amina and Dominic shared a look as they had heard a rumor, Lord Stark had indeed given his life for the Knight Watch. Someone had brought the Lord back, and that someone had been much the topic of silent conversations. Melisandre had been once the loyal aid to Stannis Baratheon but now it seemed to she'd come to the rescue of another.

"What would you like to do, My Queen?" Amina asked her beloved cousin who was deep in thought.

"Sansa has said that the battle will take place soon, and their numbers are low, drastically." Victoria thought aloud, her eyes flashing from her faithful hand to the Lord Commander. "How many men Can we round up on short notice."

"5,000, if I send word now. The lords might overhear however and try to claim the throne for themselves." He responded.

She rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively, "they bloody well try since this might be their only chance. Whoever isn't come just guard our borders and Sunspear, no one will take away any more of the Martell dynasty wether I am present to rule or not. When will we be ready to sail?"

"Providing that our old trails and connections are still loyal, within a fortnight." He estimated.

"You have a week." She clipped back.

"Forgive me, are you actually thinking of going?" Amina's shocked voice cut through the planning as she looked stunned and angered. Monterroso looked at her, wide eyed, a slightly stunned at her abrupt nature. The group of them had spoke after her coronation, it wasn't uncommon for them to speak to one another without boundaries, often titles were forgotten but after Victoria had been crowned it was established they would henceforth practice a boundary of respect so those around would follow. At some points, the boundaries would become blurred as the blood they shared overcame.

Victoria walked around the table as she nodded her head, eyes on her cousin, "Amina, you must understand, Sansa and Jon are nothing like Robb, they were always kind to me. Sansa cannot go anywhere besides the North as Cersei would have her head and Jon... he should've never been in the nights watch. If we offer our armies and assist we can count on another ally, and then we'll have the Lannisters surrounded."

Amina bit the inside of her cheek, she's heard many things about Starks and the North, but above all was their commitment to oaths. For centuries the Starks had never broken faith, and then Robb Stark had done so, breaking a betrothal that would ultimately cost his life, however Jon Snow was different.

Amina chose her words carefully, her cousin made rash decisions when it came to the Starks, after all she had spent half her life with them, it was only logical she would want to help. She came forward, noticing how Victoria looked at her hands and seemed to cower into herself. When she reached out Victoria was suddenly cold and shaking, her lips were pressed together tightly.

Amina released a soft smile, "I will do this but only if it truly benefits you and the children. This is a risk, you're going and crossing into dangerous waters, we will need to be careful."

Victoria squeezed her hand, "Jon and Sansa are good people, if we cannot win then I can keep them safe here but we must try."

Amina's eyes tightened, "I understand but be cautious. You haven't seen them in years, they don't know you now and you don't know them."

|•|•|•|•|

2 WEEKS LATER

Victoria stood on the edge of her camp, somewhere near White Harbor. They'd arrived shortly after the sun had set the prior day and after come concealment they'd finally settled on a camp in the dense forest. There was no snow yet, but she could sense in the air that winter was coming.

She involuntarily shook, chills running up her spine and through her wrists, her fingers curled and a sharp breath released. These chills, they weren't from the cold, her body was used too those no matter how long it had been, but it was the memories that flooded. She felt every laugh in the winds, the touch of her family... friends... Robb.

Her stance shifted the longer she stared off into the forest, there was so much to do and yet standing here, she felt frozen to the ground, reliving the years that haunted her.

The ground shook slightly, indicating someone was coming up from behind but Victoria did not move.

"It's strange isn't it," Elaine's soft voice came up next to her, the once handmaid now Lady seemed on edge as well. "I'm here,  I've been here countless times before but after everything we've been through... I never want to be here again."

Victoria lifted a brow her way, they shared a similar look and she nearly agreed. "You didn't have to come, I never intended you to be here once again."

Elaine smiled, "it's okay, your Grace. Things are different, our times have changed. I'm married, you're Queen, there's an armada here to take care of us. And besides, I think we've shown the stranger we do not go down easily."

"No we do not," Victoria smiled half heartedly. "I feel nervous, a strange mixture of excitement and fear, it's like when I would see Robb after everything... but this is his family, they were mine once too and yet... I don't know, I suppose I'm over thinking."

"On the contrary, I think your emotional state is just right. I mean, I for one am quite nervous to go back and see any familiar faces. It's an odd thing, now I have servants, I have a husband, and I have a friend who's Queen but yet... I can't seem to shake this idea that I am an imposter."

"The feeling is mutual," Victoria quietly offered. She strained her ears, listening for the sound of fighting, hooves, or the sounds of her children. The brunette held her breath, awaiting comfort or panic whne the faint sounds of laughter came to her. "Valeria and Aleks sound like they're having a good time."

Elaine nodded, sensing the change in conversation, "quite. It's like the northern blood in them keeps them warm, you should see them in their thin cloaks running across camp, the poor guards assigned to them are freezing and sweating all at once."

Victoria thought over the faces of the men she'd personally chosen to guard the twins, each one had 4 that followed their steps and even watched them in their sleeps, they guarded the tent along with the Queensguard and made sure the young Prince and Princess were always under watch. The mother felt bad she was forced to keep her children under such control, they were accustom to liberation and friendly faces but the North was not a friend to their kind, even if half their blood sang alike.

"We should have word from the spies soon, tell the guards to bring the children in for supper and then they can play in their tents but no more exploring." Victoria said softly, her eyes still stared out to the empty woods, had she been here before?

Greywind stepped out from the bushes, tilting his head and staring at his mother with Amber eyes. He seemed to have been listening to their conversation and even now seemed to understand the thoughts in her head. Victoria lifted her hand and he came forward, allowing her fingers to run through his soft fur, "you sleep on my bed tonight, if Aleks doesn't steal you first."

He huffed in agreement.

Elaine cleared her throat, "Victoria..."

Her body was tuned behind them towards camp, and the brunette swung around to find Amina breathing heavily like she'd ran to find her, face grave.

Victoria turned back and walked quickly back, "what's going on?"

Amina breathed deeply, "the wars started, the Starks don't have many, some houses but mostly wildings, not enough to win though."

Victoria faltered, "we need to get going now." She turned, walking with determination, and noting how it seemed everyone was already ahead of her as horses were being mounted, soldiers were sheathing their swords and placing helms. She swallowed thickly and headed to her horse as directions spewed out of her mouth. "Amina, you stay here with Elaine and the Twins. If we get there and it seems a complete loss I'll send Greywind back and you leave instantly. Head for the harbor and we will meet you there. Monterroso and I will lead."

They had gone over this plan countless times, fought over who would stay and who would, why it was essential the twins came but also were put first and most importantly what their escape plan was, but even so it seemed a lot harbored on luck.

Amina helped mount to her horse and placed the small dagger in the new holster on her wrist. "There's something else."

"What?" Victoria held her breath as they met eyes.

"The spies said the war started became Ramsey Bolton released a boy, dressed like a wilding but with shaggy brown hair. He ran through no man's land while Jon Snow mounted a horse and galloped for him... unfortunately the boy was shot down with an arrow before Snow was able to save him... the Boltons army attacked then and so did the Starks... we have no clue if he's alive."

Victoria tightened the hold on her reins and she looked at her fists, fighting the knot in her throat and the tightening of her stomach. Bran or Rickon, the thought to herself with fear. She adjusted in her seat in an effort to avoid speaking until she was sure she could nodded, "I have to try, if anything for Sansa now."

"Yes, your Grace." Amina nodded and stepped back.

Monterroso galloped up to her, "we are ready."

Victoria swallowed thickly, she looked at her cousin and best friend, both women stood next to one another and stared at her as if she were already a memory. She could see it in their eyes, worry, fear, despair but straightened her back, thought of her two children and spoke, "take care of the twins, they're all that's left of me."

|•|•|•|•|

The ride was cold and hard, each time her bum hit the saddle and she bounced up it was like sharp wounds into her body, begging her not to continue. She knew going back to Winterfell was like opening old wounds, her miscarriage, her fathers deaths, so many soldiers lost for a failed mission, Robb Stark. The ghosts of her past haunted her body, they cautioned her soul, and spurned her mind from advancing.

She prevailed however, the idea of seeing a red haired Sansa frown was on her mind... and Jon, her best friend and the last man she'd loved from childhood there.

Every bone in her body screamed as she grew stiffer, the horse under her huffing at her statued nature.

She held tough, baring her teeth and pressing onwards, the men at her back advancing as fast she was but still, it was as if the world didn't want her to continue. Was this her intuition, saying the war was lost and she would die if they came close, word of the Bolton's massacre stretched far and wide, everyone knew the great joy Roose Bolton's bastard took in flaying men. Could she be next? Or would he took joy in scaring her like so many others, perhaps he'd give her to Cersei. She shook those thoughts away, she'd sooner choose death then defeat again.

The closer they came, the louder sounds of men dying and swords clashing sounded, they were near so very near. They broke across the lines of trees soon enough and found the Stark camp.

It was abandoned save for the runner or 2 that looted the camp but she rode past, giving them a disgusted look as they stared until she came upon Winterfell.

She spared it a glance, releasing memories that flooded her mind but focused on the war between the hills and in the trenches.

From the outskirts she saw ginger hair on a horse, and she screamed, "SANSA!"

Sansa turned at her name and a stiff smile graced her features.

Monterroso saddled forward, clad in armor he took lead as his Lady raced in a different direction, the Boltons were nearing defeat, but there was still a castle to take.

"FORWARD!" He screamed loudly and raced into the massacre where the knight of the Vale were already overwhelming the Bolton's and now, they seemed to drown in their own slaughter.

Victoria raced towards Sansa who sat on a horse, next to a familiar face, Petyr Baelish. Both seemed to stare at her, then at the Queensgaurd that rode with her.

Her heart flooded, she was older, and yet she looked exactly like every dream, ginger haired, red cheeked, and eyes blue as the waters of the sea.

"Sansa!" Victoria repeated as she came upon them.

"You came?" The red head said, it was a mixture of shock and relief.

Victoria could've cried had they not been accompanied, but she looked towards the battle and nodded, "a bit late but we made it. I'm so happy to see you."

"We still have more to win," Sansa said, the bags under her eyes made the statement clearer and she looked past the war to Winterfell.

Victoria turned her attention, ignoring Lord Baelish who watched the exchange quietly. He studied the women, the brunette was different to the girl he'd met years past. Her hair was shorter and stronger, her stance taller, she wore fine silks and the saddle she wore was made of stronger material then the one who was on. That was not it though, the battalion assembled behind her when she broke into the open landscape spared far greater then the ones before then, they all stood behind her at first.

Victoria took notice how her army split, half helped aid the remainder of what was left in battle and the other split to run towards the castle. Her eyes widened for a moment at the actual giant that was much more advance but then at the tiny figure that were nearly at the door.

"Jon," she swallowed thickly.

Sansa also breathed a deep sigh, her handles moved the reigns of the horse, "he's alive."

The Queen did not wait and rode forward, eyes trained on what happens around her, her black mare was quick but not before the armies had broken in and overtaken.

She road into the broken gates, noting the dead bodies now being thrown over the bannisters and in the courtyard two men fought, one now gaining the upper hand and using all his strength to break the man's face. He was like an animal, wailing and attacking the man who had taken so much from the Starks, and bits from Victoria. She soaked in it for a moment, if this was her only justice she'd see then let it be rich. It had to end though, for the sake of peace she needed to end it.

"Jon!" She said amongst the silence and he looked up, bloodied, covered in the mud and crimson staining his pale skin but she saw recognition in his eyes. They never broke contact, not when she clumsily fell from her saddle, not when he pushed off Ramsay Bolton, the rest of their men staring between them.

She felt relief, anxiousness, and fear course through her at Hess forgotten feelings but when Jon staggered and she leapt forward, they fell.

She cradled his top half as she fell to her knees and he gripped her arm, weakened from all the fighting.

He smiled, bloodstained teeth and coarse lips decorated within wars paint but she did not care, she had Jon back.

Victoria felt tears appear, relief filled her as she cradled his head and his breath slowed, he wrapped one arm awkwardly around her neck and weakly tightened.

Victoria used the sleeves of her coat to press the dirt away and she swallowed the sob to speak, "after all these year Jon, you've not changed."

Jon seemed to flutter between consciousness and not, but he chuckled lowly, "neither have you, my lady."

She shushed away his formality, "none of that, the war is won, Winterfell is a Starks again. Now it's time to rest."

Jon groaned, he twisted his legs, straining his hips to and cringing at the movement. "I have to get up."

"No," Victoria trembled and kept him put, her eyes watered. So many emotions ran through, Winterfell was a crypt for her happiness and now being here, within its walls, she was filled with them all. Suddenly, they were 14 again and she was noticing Catleyn's death stare at the young boy play fighting with his brother, she never shook the protectiveness from that moment forward

Jon smiled up at her, she was beautiful, hauntingly so, he's forgotten what her presence radiated. He imagined it was like the warm sun, like it's rays beaming down on cold skin, she flooded him with relief, happiness and comfort. Love was tricky, he didn't quite know what boundary there had ever been between them, but seeing her again reignited those thoughts now more then ever.

Her hand had kept its place against his dirtied cheek, and he noted how dirtied her silk garbs were now, how her hands was still soft. When she closed her eyes, he tilted enough to feel it against his lips and suddenly they were children, with no notion of wars or deaths to their souls.

"Jon!" Sansa voice was clear and she dropped to her knees beside them. "Do you need aid? I can find a maester."

Victoria looked her way, she looked so concerned for her half brothers life, not at all like the child she'd known. Sansa reached for his hand and clutched it tightly, both women were protective, like wolves.

Jon laughed slowly, "I'm alright, I need to stand."

Victoria and Sansa shared a look, debating wether to fight.

After a moment Victoria nodded, "alright, but you're still being checked."

From behind a man clad in Dornish colors stepped forward and offered a hand, "my queen."

Sansa and Jon shared a look, confirming her new title and another of the Queensguard offered Sansa a hand, "my lady."

Both women stood, each watching as Jon refused help and instead very carefully stood, he seemed to test the strength of both legs, bouncing on the balls of his feet and then taking a deep breath.

Victoria watched his motions carefully, awaiting the moment he would falter to jump forward, a hand was at her elbow and she found Monterroso. He took his helm off and leaned forward, "we are safe, your grace. I have ordered the men to imprison anyone who's dropped their swords."

She nodded in agreement, "Winterfell is now a Starks once more, what is your first order."

She directed the question at both Jon and Sansa, and suddenly she'd slipped back into the role of Queen.

Sansa observed this, her blue eyes squinted slightly but she breathed slowly as to not garner attention. Her mind ran, was there something born within a person that distinguished them as a leader? She saw it in Cersei and the way she used power as a fear, in Margarey's manipulation, and now she could see it in Victoria.

Behind those warm brown eyes and inviting smile there was a certain level of calculation, like every word was contemplated a million times. She had never noticed it in the past but after spending so much time with women who's very footsteps cause men of the highest regards to tremble she could just tell, they always had that distinctive look.

Sansa smiled right back, and in the pit of her stomach she knew things were about to drastically change between her and Jon.

Victoria, in turn, blinked between the two in front of her, her gaze was steady but in the back of her mind she remembered that not all things had been overcome.

She had 2 very big secrets hidden.

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Winter has come with an update!
-Ash 🤍🤍