[Alcuin lets her retreat, leaving his hands empty and open in the air between them, his face blanched. Something in the way she said it... Oh surely, surely they wouldn't have been so cruel. Would they?]
Sansa, they... They didn't make you watch, did they?
[The words are barely audible, horrified and taut with grief, and a moment later he is close beside her, his arms wrapped about her as he holds her close.]
[ She does not weep again, but she does lean into his arms. Words spill out now, quiet, rushed words.]
They're all dead, now. All of them, except perhaps my sister, but how is a 9 year old highborn girl to survive on her own? [Oh, poor, poor Arya. She regrets fighting with her now. She should have seen how important family was.] Only my bastard brother lives, and he's vowed his life to The Wall, sworn off his family by duty. My uncle a prisoner, my aunts blood on my own hands. I am alone.
[Firm, with an edge of steel behind it, like Joscelin. He holds her close, protective as much as consoling.]
No matter what happens, no matter who comes, you will never be alone. Not here. You are among friends. We will never let them hurt you and we will stand by your side against them. We will be your sword and shield, your honeyed diplomacy. We will not let you fall.
[ At other times, his words may warm her heart. But here and now she feels only pain, and fear. She is not brave- not like Robb or Arya had been. She chokes a sob back down. If nothing else, she can keep tears from spilling again.]
No, you musn't! It's too dangerous-- Robb stood against them, and-- you must not, if they come here. You are too dear to me.
[He blinks, briefly caught off guard, but he continues to talk, calm and inexorable.]
Did Robb believe how dangerous they are? How many did they have behind them? How many did he have? How many Travelers will stand with you, Sansa? We know you, not them. They will have no allies here. They will have no power here, no safe haven. I worked against treachery against my kingdom all of my life. I'll not let them harm you, Sansa. And neither will anyone else.
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Sansa, they... They didn't make you watch, did they?
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no subject
[The words are barely audible, horrified and taut with grief, and a moment later he is close beside her, his arms wrapped about her as he holds her close.]
no subject
They're all dead, now. All of them, except perhaps my sister, but how is a 9 year old highborn girl to survive on her own? [Oh, poor, poor Arya. She regrets fighting with her now. She should have seen how important family was.] Only my bastard brother lives, and he's vowed his life to The Wall, sworn off his family by duty. My uncle a prisoner, my aunts blood on my own hands. I am alone.
no subject
[Firm, with an edge of steel behind it, like Joscelin. He holds her close, protective as much as consoling.]
No matter what happens, no matter who comes, you will never be alone. Not here. You are among friends. We will never let them hurt you and we will stand by your side against them. We will be your sword and shield, your honeyed diplomacy. We will not let you fall.
no subject
No, you musn't! It's too dangerous-- Robb stood against them, and-- you must not, if they come here. You are too dear to me.
no subject
Did Robb believe how dangerous they are? How many did they have behind them? How many did he have? How many Travelers will stand with you, Sansa? We know you, not them. They will have no allies here. They will have no power here, no safe haven. I worked against treachery against my kingdom all of my life. I'll not let them harm you, Sansa. And neither will anyone else.