Winifred Sparrow

**Winifred Sparrow** is the adopted daughter of **Thomas** and **Evelyn Sparrow**. She the oldest of two siblings. A brother, **Orval Sparrow** and sister, **Adela Sparrow**. She married **Ryan Cassius Silver**.

Winifred grew up in Casterly Rock and spent some time in The Vale before landing in Stoneward. There she has earned the titles Steward and Head Ranger. After Stoneward, Ryan and Wini settled in Storms End where they were both loyal knights.

## Personality

Winifred is a very sweet and kind person to everyone she meets.  She is very loyal to her family and friends and will always try to find the solution to an issue without using violence.  Winifred always finds the silver lining in every unfortunate event.  She enjoys making people happy and doing whatever she can to cheer someone up or help in a crisis.  She has a sense of humor and is very silly but can be shy so it doesn't always show.

## Appearance

* Height: 5' 2"

* Hair: Light Brown often pulled up or worn down.

* Eyes: Green

* Build: Slender

* Clothes: She wore a desert shirt and ghillie pants as a child in purple and white. Now she wears a desert shirt and fur pants in the colors of Storms End when she is not in her flak armor. Her pajamas are still purple and white, though!

## Trivia

* Her favorite colors are white and purple
* Her favorite flowers are rare flowers
* She loves gardens, waterfalls, and swimming
* Her staple food is cake
* She is scared of Reyes' bear, Geralt, after an unfortunate hugging incident
* She has three tattoos:
	+ Arm - Tribal flower (she got when she was 10 because her dad said she couldn't have one until she was 18)
	+ Back - Tree of Life (one side alive/one side dead to represent loss and growth)
	+ Leg - Dandelion Flower (to represent freedom and spontaneity)

## Background

Winifred Rowley (her name before adopted) was a lost girl at 9 years of age. Her Pa had taught her to grow things on their farm and Ma had taught her to sew and make clothing and saddles to keep everyone clothed and to sell at the market. Her mother, father, and sister we lost to wildlings one morning in their small northern village. Wini was working in the field when she saw her father running from the woods. He had left on a hunt early that morning. He usually wasn't back this quickly.

She ran excitedly to him. She embraced him as he picked her up and continued running. He screamed for mother and Prudence, her sister. "Hurry! Run!" As he screamed arrows started falling from the sky. One hit him in the back and he fell, dropping me. I could see the wildlings run out from the tree line. "Run to your mother and Pru! Get out of here!" I immediately got up and ran to the cabin. I burst through the door, nearly knocking over the table. Ma looked at me with a scowl and started to make a fuss but I quickly blurted out, "Wildings!"  Ma grabbed my oldest sister and stuffed some bread in a sack. "Run to the nearest kingdom and ask for safety." She pushed us out the door with the sack in hand before we could say anything.

Ma saw Pa laying on the ground and ran to him trying to coax him up. He didn’t move. The wildlings ran up on them and I watched them slice her neck without a moment of hesitation. I couldn’t move.  I couldn’t believe it. Then they saw us. Pru yanked at my arm and we started running up the hill. The wildlings were gaining on us. She shoved the sack of bread in my hands and told me to keep running. "...and don't look back!" I had to listen to her.  Ma always said to listen to my older sister.  I cried as I ran.

I ran and ran and didn't stop until I reached Casterly Rock.  I asked for refuge and stayed with a lovely family and their children.  I had nightmares of that day and couldn’t forget what I saw but I wouldn’t tell anyone.  It was my burden, not theirs.  Jack and Sylaise were so sweet to me and opened their home to me.  They had two children, Blanche and Ryan.  My own sister, Pru, never showed up.  I waited for days that turned into months.  I often wondered what happened to her. Time has passed and I have lost hope that she is alive.  I focused on what was in front of me instead.  I tried so hard to be happy in front of everyone instead of sad.  They didn’t need to worry about all that.  They had already done so much for me and I just couldn’t become a bigger burden to them.  I decided I wanted to stay here.  I had made friends and grown fond of the people I was living with.   Blanche became my best friend and Ryan… well, he made me feel weird when I was around him.  He was fun to be around and I was happy when I was with him.  When I was with him I forgot everything bad and felt comfortable and safe.

 Winifred's Diary

### Season 5

I built a lovely little tailor shop and sold my clothes and saddles to make a little bit of money for myself. Ryan and I hung out whenever we could.  He often tended to his horses and I just helped on the ranch where I could.   Ryan and I would hang out a lot and since he couldn’t leave the babies I stayed on the ranch most of the time.  I became interested in what he was doing.  He slowly taught me how to take care of the babies.  I cuddled with them, played tag, and fed them treats.  It was fun taking care of the babies and I felt like I was doing something good.

One day Ryan took me to a beautiful waterfall where he set up a gorgeous gazebo.  We ate cake and went swimming but what I’ll never forget is when he asked me to be his girlfriend.  My heart thumped so hard I thought I was going to die.  I didn’t understand what that meant exactly except that we were supposed to always be together and care about each other.  Since I already felt that way this just seemed natural.

We met Ellis who was a great friend.  She always gave us helpful advice and had the best pool.  I sure do love swimming!  When we were with Ellis one day we met Johnson who turned out to be a wildling.  At first, I was so scared of him and refused to be near him but Ellis said he was good and wouldn’t hurt us.  I didn’t believe her.  One day he was there and Ryan also said he was okay.  So I stayed this time.  Over time I learned he was very nice and he was so good to Ellis.  So I also befriended him.   He taught Ryan and me what types of things wildlings said and how to recognize them from southerners like us.

I met Thomas Sparrow and we got along really well.  He was very sweet to me and always seemed to be concerned about me.  He made sure I was happy and protected even though he didn’t have to.  One day he took me aside and asked me if I wanted him to be my dad.  I was so surprised and couldn’t believe it.  I really wanted a family again and I really liked Thomas. So, I said yes!  Jack, whom I was still living with at the time, also decided he and Sylaise wanted to adopt me but everyone sort of... left.  Sylaise, Jack and later Blanche…. They had some issues I guess and ran away from them.  I wanted to stay with Thomas anyway but I didn’t want to lose them like that.  Why does everyone keep disappearing from my life?  Salem moved in with Thomas and me and is Thomas’ girlfriend.  She treated me like a daughter and I thought of her as a mother.  I am the happiest I have been these past few months. I feel like my life is finally okay again.  I’m not sad anymore.

### Season 5.2

I celebrated my 10th birthday.  It wasn’t special.  I didn’t get any presents or eat any cake.  That’s okay though because I don’t need all that.  Well, one thing did happen.  The mountain coughed up a lot of dust and the ground shook so hard I could hardly walk.  Everyone ran away to this place called Essos.  I was told that is where the whips, boomerangs, and desert looking clothes came from.  Thomas took a ship there to save himself and his belongings.  I didn’t make it to the ship and stayed behind.  I hid in a cavern I knew of near the Vale.  Probably not the best hiding place since it was right next to the mountain but that is the only place I knew to go.  Turns out it wasn’t so bad.  Rocks fell from the ceiling but I was crouched under an overhang so they wouldn’t hit me.  I built a fire to stay warm because it was very cold in there.  I had to kill the scary bug things for food.  At first, I refused to leave the overhang but I just got so hungry.  I barely slept with all the shaking and the noise.  At one point I had to put out the fire because this red liquid showed up below me in the cavern.  It was so hot.  I watched one of those bug things fall into it and just disappear.  I wondered what happened to it.  I assumed it drowned.  By morning everything was quiet.  That’s when I ventured out to find ruins.  Everything was just gone.  I didn’t see any of the houses I had passed on my way to the cavern the morning before.  I ran as fast as I could back to Casterly.  I found Thomas again and was so happy to see he was safe.  Then I saw Ryan and was filled with even more joy.  Everyone was okay.  Everyone except Salem.  She didn’t come back.  Thomas said she was in another world, whatever that means.  We began to rebuild our lives just without her…

Ryan was adopted by Ellis since his parents left.  That meant he had to move out of Casterly Rock but he wasn’t too far.  Johnson lived there too.  But… he was murdered when everyone at Casterly found out who he was.  I watched them return to Casterly after it happened and pass around the contents of his pockets like trophies.  To me, it felt wrong.  I started to cry but didn’t want anyone to see.  Was it really Johnson?  No, it couldn’t have been.  I left on my horse and rode to Ellis’.  I didn’t really believe it until she told me.  Ryan and I built a grave for him and decorated it with wildflowers.  I named my protector after him.  It’s ironic since Thomas gave the dimorph to me and Thomas helped strike Johnson down….  It seems that losing those you love is just a part of this life.

Thomas, like Ryan, also raised animals.  Since I learned a little from Ryan I asked Thomas if he could teach me more.  He showed me how to feed the babies and taught me how important it was to get them the right type of food in the right amount.  Later he took me outside Casterly and we walked around in the woods.  He showed me the different types of animals we could domesticate and which ones were too wild.  We talked about how old animals ought to be before domesticating them.  I guess that young animals misbehaved more and we didn’t want those?  He said that every animal wanted to be treated a certain way otherwise they wouldn’t come with us.  You would think animals would be simple but I guess not.

One day Thomas met Evelyn while caring for the animals.  She really seemed to like him and he liked her. Evelyn adopted Orval like Thomas adopted me.  We all joined together and become one big family when Thomas and Evelyn were married at Pheebear’s restaurant.  Pheebear and I were flower girls and Orval gave away his mother.  Afterward, there were fireworks, food, and drinks, singing and games.  It was a lovely day that I’ll never forget.   Even Ryan was there and behaved… well, for the most part.   I once had no one and nothing and now I feel like the richest person in all of Westeros.  I am surrounded by people who love me and whom I love back.  Life has taken a wonderful route that I can’t wait to keep traveling on.

Ryan and I would take turns going back and forth to hang out. Thomas isn’t too fond of Ryan though so I started going over to their house more.  One day Ryan and I were out gathering wood to help build a better barn for Ryan’s Chalis.  We were walking back along the beach with all the wood we could carry when wildlings jumped out of the forest.   They demanded gold and all the valuables we had or else they would kill us.  We told them we were just gathering wood and had nothing of value on us.  They didn’t like that answer and pulled out their axes and lunged towards us.  Ryan pulled out his sword and jumped from his horse to counter their attack.  I pulled out my bow and shot two of them down before they could join their buddy that was attacking Ryan.  Ryan fought for a while but got the better of the wildling and pushed his sword through his chest.  He fell limp on the ground with the other two.  We couldn’t believe we had just fought off three wildlings and didn’t have a scratch on us.  We held each other for a few moments thankful that we were okay.  We headed back home with our wood and began to build the new barn.

One night Ryan and I took a trip up the volcano to relax and talk about everything that happened.  We were so thankful to have each other.  We were opposites that attracted and helped round each other out.  We were perfect.  Ryan helped me see the brighter things in life.  Even when things got hard he was always there.  He was ornery and seemed to enjoy getting into trouble but I was there to help keep him safe.  Honestly, I liked that side of him.  He wasn’t afraid to say what was on his mind and stand up for himself, Ellis, or I.  Sometimes he went a little far and that’s where I step in and get everyone back in line.  I won’t let anything happen to him.  He is everything to me.  I’ve lost a lot of people I care about.  He cannot become one of them.   As we were walking around the top of the volcano and talking about all the wonderful things we were thankful for Ryan loses his footing and falls into the crater.  It felt like an hour but was really only a few seconds.  I saw him disappear for a moment into the crater and what would be his certain death.  Just like that.  Gone.  I didn’t even think.  I fell forward and grabbed his hand just before he fell out of reach.  I could barely keep from falling myself.  I pulled as hard as I could and got him back on solid ground.  He stood there for a moment, dazed.  Then he pulls me into his arms and kisses me under the stars.  I felt my heart flutter and I relaxed into his arms.  I thought life couldn’t get any better.  Except with maybe fewer near death experiences.  This is how I want to spend the rest of my life.  With Ryan.  We both decided that was a little too much excitement for the evening and started to head back home.  After all, there was another storm coming and this time we were going to survive it together.

### Season 6

Three years have passed. I'm thirteen now but I don't really feel older.  I still feel like me.  Aren't we supposed to get wiser or something?  Am I wiser yet?  I feel like the world is full of things I still do now know.  One day my parents told me Orval had gone over the narrow sea to Essos with Shaymin.  I was surprised.  No one knew why they left.  He didn’t even say goodbye.  I didn’t want our family separated.  I traveled to Stoneward to tell Ryan.  When I got there he had something to tell me too.  We're somewhere private so we could talk.  He got down on one knee and told me he wanted to marry me and that he always had.  Now we were old enough that we could.  I was taken aback.  I was incredibly happy.  I mean, of course, I wanted to marry Ryan.  I said yes and he put a beautiful engagement ring on my finger.  I was overjoyed.  But I was also nervous.  I’m 13.  I can marry but does that mean I should?  Maybe he will be okay with us waiting?  I’m not sure.   She looked at Ryan and her delighted face turned solemn.  “I’ve got to go to Essos”.  She told him.  Ryan paused.  “I need to find Orval and bring him back here”.  Ryan wasn’t upset.  He understood.  But he wants to get married.  He wants to do it before I leave.  As excited as I am I I’m not completely comfortable with it.  I really think I’m too young.

I went back home and thought for a long while about what I needed to do.  I just need to find Orval right now.  That is what I need to concentrate on.  I know it is going to upset Ryan.  I just hope he doesn’t think I am abandoning him like everyone else in his family had.  I wrote my parents a quick note and left it in dad’s pocket as he slept.  I’ll be gone before they wake up and I don’t want them to worry.   Then I left for Stoneward.  I get there and find Jack.  I don’t see Ryan anywhere.  Then Jack tells me he has gone to sleep.  “Jack, I am leaving for Essos.  I need to leave a note for Ryan” I tell him.  He takes me to Ryan’s room and I write the hardest note I’ve ever written.  I gently place it in his pocket trying not to wake him.  I shed a tear as I walk out of the door.  I quickly leaving mumbling a goodbye to Jack as I do so.  I get on the next ship and travel across the narrow sea to Essos.

I spend a lot of time in Essos.  I travel as far as I can get and can’t find Orval or Shaymin anywhere.  No one has even heard of them.  After several months of nothing, I start to give up hope of finding them.  I’m tired.  I’m hot.  I’ve had enough of this gritty sand that gots in places I never thought it could.  I miss my parents and I really miss Ryan.  At the next port town, I pay my way onto a ship with some money I earned doing favors for people I came across.  Finally, I’m going back home where I belong.

I was so excited to be back in Westeros.  I never thought I could miss a chunk of the earth so much.  I wanted to see mom and dad right away and tell them I was home.  I ran as fast as my feet could carry me and entered Casterly Rock.  No one was around.  I didn’t see any signs of my parents.  Nothing.  Since no one was here I’ll travel to Stoneward I thought.  I’d really love to see Ryan.   I missed him so much while I was gone and I longed to embrace him in the biggest, longest hug the world had ever been witness to.   I arrive and can’t find Ryan anywhere.  I find Jack.  He is happy to see me.  We chat and I talk a little bit about what’s happened since I’ve been gone.  Then I ask where Ryan is.  He is in a deep sleep.   He fell asleep last night and hasn’t woken up.  They’ve tried to wake him but nothing works.  After a few days of this, I’m told he is in a coma.  They don’t know when he will wake up.  I’m shocked.  I find Pheebear one day and she explains that Thomas and Evelyn left for Essos to find a healer.  Evelyn was pregnant.  They were having a baby but there were complications that no one could help in Westeros.  My parents are gone and now Ryan is in some sort of deep sleep?  Is this my punishment for leaving?  All I wanted was to come home to the people I loved.  I feel so lonely.  Even more so than when I was across the Narrow Sea.   I don’t want to stay here.  I don’t want to be in Casterly Rock and I don’t want to be in Stoneward. It just reminds me of who is missing from my life.   I’ll go to the Vale so I can be close but have my distance and figure things out.

Lord Rhys Tully allows me to become a citizen and I settle down after building my own little house.  I need to be on my own anyway.  I can rely on myself.    I breed and tame animals for The Vale.  Most people sleep when I am awake so I’m very lonely here but at least I can stay busy.  I have plenty of time to think and contemplate on where I want to end up.  I was riding from the Vale to Stoneward one day and I see a girl in the woods surrounded by hyenas.  I run up ready to help her but she shouts that she is fine.  The hyenas seem to be just hanging around her.  I slow to a walk skeptical as I approach.  She walks over to me and introduces herself as “Coyote”.  She talks a bit weird and has strange tendencies but I think she is quirky and funny.  We hang out every chance we get.  She becomes my best friend.  Coyote acts more like a wild animal than a person.  When we were out on a ride one afternoon she mentioned she never slept on a bed.  I asked what she slept on.  She lived in caves and at one point she had a tent.  She really is a strange one.  I think she is the most interesting person I know though.

Coyote and I were out searching for my things.  I was out gathering meat and berries for the new babies to be born and strangely woke up in my bed at home.  I knew I had befriended a Dilo and he was out with me while I was gathering.  I needed to find him and my belongings.  Coyote volunteered to go along and help me.  We travel along the beaches and forests.  We find my Dilo but nothing else.  I go to take him home and then continue searching but he was attacked by a mantis and killed.  I sobbed.  He made me so happy in a world that was so lonely right now.  I gathered my emotions and continued on.  I killed every mantis I saw while we continued looking.  Coyote mentioned climbing the mountain to get a better vantage point.  When we got to the top and looked around we saw a woman.  She was strange.  Though she did have a good sense of style.  She wore the same ghillie pants I did and even colored them as I would.  I was very impressed. She talked about living in the snow and complaining about the heat.  It wasn’t even warm today.  Somehow we started talking about how savage wildlings were and the ways in which we would recognize them if we met one.  We told her they were dirty and mean and didn’t know how to speak properly.  She mocked us and told us we wouldn’t know a wildling if it were staring us in the face.  Coyote insisted that she would.  Then the woman went behind a rock while coyote and I continued the conversation amongst ourselves. After a few moments, the woman charged out behind the rock wearing fur clothing, a bone mask and a huge sword.  She said “You know nothing of the Free Folk you nasty Kneelers!” and swung her sword at Coyote.  I watched as Coyote fell behind a rock and didn’t get up.  Then the wildling ran at me.  But she attacked me with a club instead of a sword.  She knocked me on top of the head and the world just went dark.  I woke up missing my sword and I couldn’t find Coyote anywhere.  I ran up to the Vale to get help but found no one.  Then Coyote rounded a corner.  She was naked but she was alive!  After she gathered some things and put clothes on we rode to Winterfell and Castle Black to warn about the attack.  We described the woman to the Nights Watch and Lady Commander. She rode out on her fastest terror bird to look for the woman.   Afterward, Coyote and I returned to the Vale together.  We arrived to find more trouble.

On the way to the Vale, we see Ally and Haymend on horseback.  She screams to go find help and that Haymend is going to kill Rhys.  We don’t hesitate and ride to Stoneward.  We bring Jack with us.  We get there and see Haymend standing at the edge of the Vale.  He is threatening to jump but he doesn’t sound like himself.  Ally stands there almost in tears begging him to step away from the edge.  She backs away and throws something on the ground.  It’s an artifact.  Haymend slowly walks toward it to pick it up.  Ally grabs it before he can.  He growls and threatens her with “his” life.   But he says “I’ll kill him if you don’t give it to me”.  It’s like there is another person talking through Haymend’s body.  He runs back over to the edge.  Before he jumps Jack grapples him and I knock him out.  I put handcuffs on him.  Ally urges someone to find a red priest and Andy, who was also watching the events, rides off to do so.  We look for somewhere to lock him in but there are no cells in the Vale at the moment.  They were still being built.  I volunteered my home as a solution.  I built a cage and set it up inside.  When Haymend woke up he seemed like himself again but asked to be locked up so he couldn’t hurt anyone.  He walked into the cage still handcuffed and I lock the door.   Andy and the red priest arrive.  She does a ritual to rid Haymend of the other person inside him.  After it is done I let him out of the cage and she removes the handcuffs.  He says he doesn’t feel well and is dizzy.  Then he passes out.  I use a small vacant house for Ally to spend the night with Haymend and then I go to bed.  I was exhausted after all the events that happened today.  The next day I wake and find Kale, practically Ally’s son, looking for Haymend.  The house door was open and no one was inside.  I tell him I haven’t seen anyone.  Then he tells me he found Haymends dimorph sitting at the edge of the vale where Haymend had threatened to jump the day before.  It held a note.  He read it to me.  That other presence was not gone.  It was mad and it took revenge.   It forced him to jump over the edge.  He was gone…  Kale and I searched for Ally.  If she knew what happened she might have hurt herself.  We needed to find her right away.  We run to every kingdom and I finally find her in Dorne.  But she isn’t “Ally”.  She took a mindwipe and did not remember a single thing.  She was “Ivy” now.  The pain of Haymend’s loss seemed to be too much for her.  She couldn’t bear to remember.  “Ivy,” said she had notes in her pocket for someone named Kale.  She handed them over to him.  Kale said that in the letter’s Ally had called him “son” for the first time.  And now she was gone.  He jumped on his horse and rode off without another word.

I became lonely in The Vale and started hanging around Stoneward more.  I bred some of their animals for them and was so comfortable there.  It felt like home.  After a while, I decided I didn’t want to live in The Vale anymore and left to go to Stoneward.  Jack, the Duke and adopted father of Ryan, and I spent a lot of time together.  He wanted to know how to breed and befriend animals.  I would show him the intricacies of caring for them and we would talk about things while watching the babies grow.    I couldn’t find Coyote to tell her about my move.  I knew she couldn’t read but I left her a note anyway hoping she could find someone to read it to her.  I also left her signs from The Vale all the way to Stoneward hoping she would find me.  She never came.  I went to Stoneward often to look for her but I never found her.  She must have gone on a hunting trip or something.  She’ll be back soon I’m sure.

There were many reports that the Night King has attacked Castle Black.  They needed supplies and support.  Jack, Ellis and I had gathered weapons and animals to help them and were delivering them.  While we were there we were taken by surprise as a dragon soared over our heads breathing ice down on us.  I could not believe what I saw!  Was this really happening!?  Right now?!  The men of the Watch yell for us to run for our lives.  I follow Jack and Ellis out of the castle.  We ride back to Stoneward to get more weapons.  When we return the dragon had been gone for a while.  Word had got out and more people arrived at Castle Black.  We arm up and get into defensible positions.  Jack, Ellis and I were on top of a roof with several other armed individuals.  We were ready for a fight if it came to it.  We waited and waited…  Then out of nowhere, a cold wind blows through the air.  The dragon flies above our heads and undead beasts attack the northern gates of the castle.  I shoot arrows at the dragon.  Then all of a sudden I notice Jack is missing.  I focus on the dragon again and I see he is grappled to the dragon!  The dragon flies straight up into the sky and disappears into the clouds.  Ellis cries out for Jack.  I watch as she vomits on the roof top.  I tell her he is going to be okay.  He is Jack after all.  I turn and focus on the beast attacking the gates.  I fire arrow after arrow at them.  Then I hear Ellis screaming at me to follow her.  I stop shooting and run after her.  I see the undead creatures break through the gates.  I turn around and jump from the roof onto the outer wall of the castle.  The dragon is back and breathing ice everywhere I turn.  I follow Ellis along the wall and we try to run down but the doors are barred and we can’t get out.  I hear groaning and moaning everywhere.  I start to panic.  “What are we going to do?!” I scream.   Ellis stops and stares out at the field beyond the wall.  “We are going to jump!”.  Then I watch her leap over the edge and she is gone.  I look over and see her on the ground.  She urges me to follow her.  I step back, run and jump.  I made it!  We run along the wall towards our horses.  Just then I see a white person run at me.  It is making these horrible noises and nearly grabs me.  I don’t hesitate and pick up the pace.  I run after Ellis screaming at her to run faster.  It doesn’t catch up to us.  She tells me to run to Stoneward and don’t stop.  We run all the way back only stopping a few times to catch our breath.  We arrive and lock the gates behind us.  We find Jack!  “See, I knew he would be alright!” I shout as I run up to him and hug him.  We wait.  The air warms again.  We collect ourselves and run back to Castle Black to collect our horses and see if anyone needs aide.  We arrive and the destruction is unimaginable.  At least everyone made it out alive.

Coyote tells me she can track animals and hunt them.  My dad taught me how to use a bow years ago but he didn’t show me how to track and hunt animals.  I knew how to befriend them when I found them but I never thought about killing them unless I had to.  She showed me how to recognize tracks in the dirt and sand.  When the dirt got too dry or the rain fell it wouldn’t keep tracks.  Then she showed me how to follow other clues.  Like snapped twigs, marks on the trees, or blood drops from wounded animals.  I wasn’t comfortable with killing the animals for no reason.  She told me that you only kill animals for a reason.  You might have to for food, self-defense, or to make fur clothing.  She used every part of the animal.  Everything had a use.  She said it was disrespectful to waste what the left for us.  I became quite good at tracking.  I could be silent as a mouse in the field or an owl in the air.  My aim was good but with practice, it improved even more.  I could tan hide and make fur clothes.  I could use the brush to piece together ghillie.  She even taught me which poisons were the best for making altered arrows.  I wasn’t sure why I’d need that but knowledge is never a bad thing.

A storm is coming. I gather what I can and return to the cave to hunker down and wait for it to pass.  I hope everyone else is alright.  I hope Ryan will be okay.  He is all I’ve been able to think about while down here.  Jack and Ellis said they would take care of him.  What would I do if he were gone forever?

### Season 7

Ryan is still not around.  He did wake up from his deep sleep but no one knows why it happened in the first place.  I didn’t get to see him before he left for Braavos right before the storm hit.  I have been receiving letters from him.  He tells me he is safe and becoming a better person.  He is currently earning money to get on a boat to come back to Westeros. I can’t wait for him to see our new house and the person I have grown to be.  I just hope he doesn’t dislike who I’ve become while we have been away.  Four years is such a long a time and so much can happen to a person.

I walk outside one day to find Duke Jack and Duchess Ellis outside talking.  They call me over immediately and I walk over.  They want to make me a Ranger of Stoneward.  I thought that this was a huge honor!  A Ranger of Stoneward… then they tell me I am Head Ranger.  I could hardly believe it.  Me?!  Head Ranger.  I didn’t have much experience with all that but my dad was Head Ranger and ran the Rangers Guild in Casterly Rock.  I remember him calling me his “War Maiden” and giving me my own chair to sit at beside him during meetings.  This was a dream come true.  I knelt down in front of Ellis and vowed to protect the Duke and Duchess as well as all of Stoneward.  I rose as the Head Ranger of Stoneward.  I never held such a prestigious title and never thought I would.  I will hold this with pride.

I was in the stables when I heard Ellis ask some visitors what they had traveled to Stoneward for.  Then I hear my mother and father’s voice!  I ran out of the stables towards them to greet them.  I gave them both big hugs and asked what brought them all the way down here.  They wanted to visit.  I was so excited to see them both.  Ellis was taking this opportunity to show off the new slums she built behind my house.  She calls it Sunnydale.  None of us were impressed.  Merek thought he would take it upon himself to announce Ryan and my engagement to them.  In which I quickly responded with some unkind words and two fists.  He was quickly asked to leave.  Why did he think that was an appropriate thing to do?  I invited both my parents into my house to visit and talk to them in private.   Everyone else in Stoneward seems quite excited to have visitors and made a point to invite them around.  After a bit too much of it I also asked them to kindly leave us be and shut the door.  Unfortunately, they all decided to congregate outside my home in the new slums of Sunnydale to have their own conversations which included several remarks about my personal business.  I tried to ignore them and have a conversation with my parents but it was hard when I felt like I was being listened to the entire time by unwelcome ears.  I told mom and dad Ryan and I were engaged and that I was happy and sorry I didn’t tell them sooner.  They told me they were Stewards of The Vale and living happily there with my little sister Adela.  Then they told me Orval left again.  That was sad news but Orval seems the type to live his life and do his own things.  He wasn’t meant to stay in one place for too long.  After a somewhat uncomfortable conversation I escorted them out of the house.  We said our goodbyes and they mounted their horses.  They started to ride off but as they passed the slums of Sunnydale dad stopped to insult everyone for being rude hosts and not allowing us our privacy.  It escalated quickly.  Dad insulted Duchess Ellis and acted very threatening towards her.  That’s when Murdock drew his sword and threatened him back.  Dad got back on his horse and rode off but Murdock chased him continuing to insult and antagonize.  The Duke and Duchess asked him to stand down but he did not.  As soon as both of my parents were outside the walls of Stoneward dad got off his horse with his own sword drawn and a fight commenced.  It thankfully didn’t last but a few moments until Dad got back on his horse and rode off calling everyone crazy.  Mom quickly followed him.  I wanted to ride after them but I stayed behind to speak with everyone in Stoneward.  What in the world just happened?!  This was not handled very well at all!  After several choice words and having to calm myself down I left to visit my parents and speak with them.  Dad had gone to bed but I spoke with my mother who insisted that they would never visit Stoneward again after they had been treated so rudely and then attacked.

This event created friction between The Vale and Stoneward for several days.  In that time we had a meeting were Murdock and myself were named Stewards of Stoneward and Merek was named Advisor.  I met with Koro, the Head Night of The Vale, several times regarding the incident with my parents.  I tried to schedule a meeting with Lord Jasper and everyone involved so that it could be made right by all parties.  Instead, the Duke and Duchess went up to The Vale with Murdock to speak with Lord Jasper and my parents.  That ended in more insulting remarks from my mother and father even though Murdock apologized.  I find out later by citizens of The Vale that both of my parents were stripped of their Steward titles and they moved out of The Vale.  It took me a while but I was finally able to hunt them down with Merek’s help.  I was a little upset they hadn’t told me any of this but I suppose they were serious about not coming near Stoneward.  Not even to drop off a letter.  We talked about their side of the story and decided they were happier living here anyway.  They had a large home, stables, and a pool.  They were also back around all their friends in Bear Village.  It was all very lovely!  The commute was a bit longer though.

These events, missing Ryan, and the stress of being a Steward had me a bit down but I had Merek who helped cheer me up.  We would travel together and have fun.  It was nice.  I could forget about all my stress and just enjoy myself.  I have to admit, the beer was a big help too.  I tried to do what I could and be the best I could be.  I went around talking to kingdoms and getting out of Stoneward.  I often felt weird telling people I was the Steward of Stoneward.  Not only was it a big title but I know most people really dislike Stoneward.  I wanted to get out and show them that we weren’t just a bunch of jerks.  Merek came with me as protection and advisor.  I was told several times to stay away from the Iron Islands and that several other people might harm us.  That was worrisome but I never seemed to run into trouble myself.  I was very comfortable around Merek and I thought we made a great team.

I met Ryan at the walls of Stoneward when he finally came home.  I could hardly believe we were finally together again.  I felt a feeling of relief and comfort but that soon faded.  After a few days past I realized things between us weren’t quite the same.  Of course they weren’t.  We haven’t been together on the same land for several years.  I’ve grown up and had several life changing experiences.  To me… our interactions seem strange.  We still have fun but our conversations almost seem forced and it is very awkward.  I felt like I didn’t know him anymore and he didn’t know me.  We were two different people and the only thing we had in common now was our past… which we talked about often.  It seemed that was all we talked about really.  Occasionally, we would briefly speak about our wedding.  That’s when I thought… I don’t want to marry someone I don’t know.  I felt sick.  My stomach churned and I nearly vomited.  I couldn’t imagine a world where Ryan and I weren’t together.  We’d been together since we were young kids.  We’ve experienced so much together.  Now… it seemed that was over.  It was unexpected.  I wasn’t sure how to deal with this.  How is Ryan going to react when I tell him?  I’m going to break his heart.  Who knows what he will do.  The Ryan I know and remember would do something stupid and crazy.  I can’t lose him.  I can’t marry him but I can’t lose him.  I just.  I just need to know the man I am going to marry.  And right now I don’t feel like I know Ryan.  Will he understand that?

I finally got the courage to tell him.  I was so nervous and shaky.  My palms were sweaty and my mouth was dry.  I don’t think I’d ever been so anxious.  I took him to our garden behind the house.  I almost couldn’t say anything.  I almost just ran away.  I actually thought about it for a moment.  I told him… that we had been apart for such a long time.  That we had both grown into two different people and that I felt like we weren’t close anymore.  That I didn’t feel like I knew him anymore.  I think he nodded and said ok?  I don’t even remember.  This was mostly all a big hazy blur.  I told him I was ending our engagement and that I wanted to get to know him again before we decided to get married.  He, um, said he understood.  I stared at my ring.  I was doing my very best to hold back the tears.  I took it off and handed it back to him, staring at the ground internally begging myself to not cry.  I couldn’t believe he was being so cool about it.  He wasn’t upset… he wasn’t mad.  He was just… “ok”.  I couldn’t help but think that maybe he didn’t want to be with me after all.  I started drinking a little more and being generally unhappy.  I got several questions from people who recognized I wasn’t my bubbly self but I didn’t want to talk about it with anyone.  “I’m fine”, I told them, “I’m just tired”.   Which wasn’t entirely a lie.  I couldn’t sleep either.

After that Ryan doesn’t really talk to me.  Honestly?  I haven’t felt this lonely since I lost my family when I was 7 and was completely on my own.  I feel like I’ve lost a huge chunk of myself.  I feel sick all the time.  I don’t want to get out of bed or do anything.  I really don’t want to be in Stoneward.  I drag myself out of bed, rummage through the preserving bin and grab some cake.  Cake makes everything better.  At least for a moment.  I put the cake in a satchel and jump on my horse.  I’m not going to sleep all day nor stay in Stoneward.  I’m not sure where I’m going but it should be away from here and everything that breaks my heart.  After wandering a bit and enjoying the wilderness I found myself near Casterly Rock.  That’s right!  Lord Charles Mallister wanted me to stop by.  I suppose a visit will help keep my mind off things.  I tie up my horse in the stable outside the walls and walk through the doors into the kingdom.  I find a group of people and am quickly introduced to everyone.  That then turned into a hugging party of sorts?  I guess no one could decide on who gave the best hugs so they insisted I had to get a hug from everyone.  I’ve always been a hugger myself so this was wonderfully delightful.  Charles walked over shortly after and quickly invited me for a tour around his kingdom.  I can’t turn down an offer from the Lord!  I was also very curious about what has changed since I lived here.  He gave me an extremely long tour.  We did not get stuck behind many tricky doors.  Nope, not a single door refused to open or closed right before I walked through.  That would be some sort of sorcery.  After the tour he showed me a really nice place called The Sanctuary of Harmony.  It had a beautiful pool, paintings, decorations, seating areas…. It was awesome.  Of course, I had to swim!  The Lord of Casterly Rock does not remember to bring swim wear so he swam in his armor.  It was interesting to say the least!  I can say I had a lot of fun and it was a nice change of scenery.  I felt better and less down on myself.  Since I was on this side of the lands I decided to visit my parents before heading back to Stoneward.  I wasn’t ready to go back there and I had to talk to them after all…  I quickly told them what happened between Ryan and I.  I didn’t really want to talk much about it.  Just enough so that they knew what was going on.  Then I went home.  I was tired and ready for a good long nap.

Over the next several days with as unhappy as I was Charles and I visited each other often.  I can honestly say he has been there all my life and is always able to cheer me up.  He is a great friend.  Honestly, he seems more like family.  He came to Stoneward and talked to me about the situation between Ryan and I and helped me realize I just needed to sit down and talk to Ryan.  I can’t just ignore the problem and expect it to fix itself.  When Charles asked for a moment to himself I left him be and went to look over the river behind the apothecary building that we were talking in.  That’s when I see Ellis walking off the catwalk that overlooks the river and sits right behind that building, exactly where I was headed.  I ask her what she was doing there.  She tells me she is planning where to put the ballista boxes… blah blah blah.  I don’t believe her at all.  I bluntly ask her if she was eavesdropping on my conversation with Charles.  She admits to doing it.  Then she tells me I need to be careful with Charles.  That she has heard rumors the people think Charles and I might be a “thing”.  I ask her who she has heard these rumors from.  She won’t give me a straight answer.  I tell her if she is hearing rumors she knows who she has heard them from and I ask her again to tell me.  She avoids the question.  Obviously, this “rumor” is of her own creation.   Otherwise she would have something to tell me.  I might be young but I’m not an idiot.  Honestly, I’m getting really tired of everyone thinking they need to pry themselves in my personal business.  Clearly I can’t have private conversations anywhere within the walls of Stoneward.  Not in my own home and not behind closed doors anywhere else for that matter.  I tell her to keep her thoughts to herself and if she does hear someone else talking about it, while unlikely, she better be setting their story straight!  “Oh I know you aren’t anything but other people…” she tells me.  Sure, sure you don’t.  That is why you have to spy on me.  That is why when I return from a meeting with Charles Jack asks me if it was a date.  Sure.  I find this quite infuriating.

Thankfully, Ryan and Jack were looking for me and interrupt our conversation.  I’ve had quite enough of this rumor spreading gossip nonsense.  Ellis and Jack leave Ryan and I alone to talk.  I am happy to hear he also wants to talk about our relationship with one another and what we mean to each other.  I am relieved when he tells me he still cares about me and that he still wants to be with me.  I don’t think I could have worn a bigger grin.  I swear my heart lept out of my chest and fell into the river below swimming about like a happy little fish.  I have been worried all this time that he just accepted our ended engagement as the end of our relationship.  I didn’t want to hesitate a moment and quickly blurt out that I wanted to be with him too.  We both smile at each other and walk off the catwalk.  We meet Charles and Jack who congratulate us after we tell them the good news.  Charles says his goodbyes and leaves; I assume proud of himself for a job well done.  Relationship guru right there.

Ryan and I have been happier since we talked.  We have been enjoying each other’s company, accepting that we are different people, and getting to know each other again.  That’s all I really wanted.  We are growing closer and closer every day.  I feel like we have what we used to so many years ago.  While we were going about normal business around Stoneward Ryan tells me he is upset about something.  He goes on to say that his mother, Ellis, told him she doesn’t trust him.  She thinks he wants her and the child she is carrying dead so he can take over Stoneward for himself.  I frown when he tells me this.  Ellis had confided in me some time ago this same thing.  I was honestly a little worried about it because at the time Ryan and I were having a hard time and he was to distant.  I almost believed it.  I ask him to follow me out of Stoneward so we can talk about this.  I am certainly not talking about this within these walls so someone can just spy on us either.  We walk down the river a ways to a small cove in the cliff.  There I tell him that she did say those same things to me.  He tells me he would never try to harm his family and is heartbroken that she would ever think that of him.  He told me that she thought because he was not a true born son he would try to rise against her family.  Strange, because I thought Ryan was her family.  She told him that if he were to leave Stoneward to try to make his own way that she would consider him an enemy and a threat.  That she would kill him at any point if she could.  I hardly believed she said that to him.  Right to his face…  What kind of mother would do that?  I understand she might have some worries.  After all she is carrying a baby but this is more than hormones.  She is mad.  Maybe this is why she was always spying on me.  Maybe she is paranoid that everyone is out to get her.  Whatever the reason this is not right.  I assured Ryan that whatever he thought I would always be with him and that I would protect him with my life if it came down to it.  We will not be separated again.  Not by anything or anyone.

Ryan decided he wanted to give up the life of raising animals and better protect himself.  So i began teaching him how to shoot a bow properly.  His aim was terrible.  I couldn’t hit a tree a foot in front of him!  I quickly correctly his stance and showed him how to hold a bow and arrow properly.  I showed him how to pick three anchor points to keep his aim steady and on his mark each and every time.  When he finally mastered a simple bow we moved on to the long bow.  Same concept.  As bad as he was he learned quickly.  It didn’t take long for us to move onto making our special ghillie suits from the fibers and materials found in the forests.  He was sloppy at first but I got him on track fast.  I thought it was hilarious when he kept losing his thread.  “This is girls work and I have big hands!”, he told me.  I told him if he wanted to be a proper ranger he wouldn’t depend on women to do his own work for him.  He wrinkled his nose and rolled his eyes trying his best not to poke his finger with the needle once more.  I giggled at him earning another scowl.  Once he finished his boots I took him out tracking.  Showing him the signs to look for when hunting an animal… or a person.  Look for prints in the dirt, snapped twigs, blood drops from the wounded, disturbed leaves and the likes.  I think that was his favorite part of all of this.  I wondered if we would ever have to use this skill.  With everything that is happening it wouldn’t be unbelievable.

With our relationship going so well we decided to leave behind the mess that was going on in Stoneward and focus on ourselves.  We are both adults so we just left.  I may be steward but I always felt more like an ornament than a contributing member of the faction.  They surely won’t miss me.  Or really care for that matter.  We leave the port on our way around the world.  We want to see and experience it all.  First stop?  I don’t even know!  I forgot to ask!  Ryan probably knows.  I hope…

#### Letters

One:

Dear Wini,

Braavos is nice and very welcoming, the town just has a feel to it that makes you want to stay forever. I came here to find out who I am as a person and to train to be better person physically and mentally. I’m happy to say it’s going well, I’ve made some friends and they are helping me find all the right people. I’ve also visited the maesters in bravos and they are trying to figure out what caused the coma. As of right now they don’t know and they hope it doesn’t happen again. I’m also saving up to come back to westeros, after I sell more animals and continue working I should be back soon. I hope your doing ok and that wherever you are they are treating you well. I hope to see you soon and tell mom I said hi and that I’m doing ok.

With Love,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

Two:

Dear Ryan,

I was so happy to receive your letter! I think about you every day. I am very happy you are accomplishing what you set out to do. I've been figuring out a bit about myself as well. After some encounters with wildlings, the night king, and issues with Sunspear I've changed interests some. No need to worry. I am taking care of myself. I've decided to be a ranger like my dad. I've learned you can't always run away from a threat. Some times you have to fight. I can't wait until the day you are back on the same soil as me. I've been keeping busy but it's just not the same without you. Oh, I've got a little sister. Her name is Adela. I haven't met her yet but I've written her a letter. I'm sure she's great. Please be safe in Bravos. I'll be in Stoneward waiting for you. Everyone misses you. Me the most.

Hugs with love,

Winifred Sparrow

Three:

Dear Wini,

Im happy the ravens are reaching you, I was a little skeptical about this old maester. It seems like you’ve been very busy without me fighting white walkers and wildings. Your a tough girl and I wouldn’t put it past you to kill a white walker with your bare hands. It also seems your changing the old saying where we would run from danger when we were kids and I’m happy, Maybe now you’ll hit me less when I make rash decisions. I have a ton to fill you up on when I return and hopefully you won’t beat me badly. I hope the wedding planning is going well and look forward to the day we wed.

See you soon,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

Four:

Dear Ryan,

I hope this letter finds you happy and well. I've been busy enough in Stoneward I suppose. Building our house and making friends. It's a small and modest house but I love it. The garden is going to be gorgeous when I'm done with it. I can't wait to sit and relax in it with you. I hope sooner than later. Our old running rule is basically null. As always, the situation dictates what we do. I'd rather not have a fight if it can be avoided with other means. I'm a lover, not a fighter. I'm excited to hear everything you have to say when you return. There is so much that has happened. I'm glad we have these letters as I hated not knowing how you were. I'd hope anything you have to tell me isn't bad enough to deserve a "beating". I suppose we will see. I have a general idea of our wedding plans. I'm so excited! I hope you are too. Location is the biggest question right now. That gives me an idea of what I'll have to work with. I miss you more and more every day. Soon you'll be here with me again and all will be perfect.

Thinking of you,

Winifred Sparrow

Five:

Dear Wini,

Despite having made many friends I’ve kinda felt lonely during my stay in Braavos, but your letters have fixed that. It also feels as if your here with me telling me all these things and it’s wonderful. I've got good news, I’ve managed to save up for the boat ticket back to Westeros the captain said we should be leaving soon and that I should get ready to leave. I think I’ve accomplished what I came here to do and I think I’m a better person for it. I’m so happy we have a house now and that when I return we no longer have to be separated. As for the location of the wedding I have a few in mind that I think would work and be gorgeous. I can’t wait till that day when I arrive and we can be together.

Longing to see you again,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

Six:

Dear Ryan,

I understand what you mean regarding being lonely even with everyone around. Your family, my family, my friends, and new people are everywhere but I still feel like I'm missing something. When you come back that'll all be gone. I will be full again. I can't wait to meet you at the dock and see you. How long has it been now? Far too long. I am a little worried that with everything we both have been through that when we see each other again we will have changed a lot. We won't be the same people. I hope you like who I've become. I'm so excited to live in the same house again. We haven't since we were kids. Remember? That'll be a wonderful feeling. We can talk about those wedding locations you have in mind. I'm very excited to finally plan it. I don't know anyone who was engaged for 4 years before marrying. But, we were engaged very young. I think when you return I'll hug you and never let go. Be prepared to do nothing but be with me!

Dreaming of you here again,

Winifred Sparrow.

Seven:

Dear Wini,

Yes I do remember the old house under the waterfall where I met you, how could I forget? I met the most beautiful girl in the world and didn’t know that one day she would be my wife. You’ve always been a good person at heart and I’m sure that part of you hasn’t changed. Yes it’s been incredibly long since we’ve seen each other, we haven’t seen each other since you went to Essos. I didn’t get to see you come back. I look forward to your hugs upon my return and to see your face when I am back on Westeros soil. Can’t wait to be with you until the day we die.

Always in my thoughts,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

Eight:

Dear Ryan,

I'll never forget that house where we first met and lived. You were one of the first people who had been kind to me in a long time. I felt at home. I felt safe. I felt needed. That was the best gift I've ever received. Ever since then I've been the happiest I'd ever been. It's all thanks to you. You could travel all across the lands under the big blue sky and I would be here waiting for you to return. It doesn't matter how far or how long. I'd be here. I'd be lonely. But I know you will always come home to me as you are now. I've decided the house I built isn't good enough. I need something to keep myself busy until you return. Otherwise I might go mad of anticipation and excitement. Jack and Ellis might kick me out of Stoneward! I'd have to sleep in a tent outside the walls. At least then I'll be the first one to see you when you return! We'll be the happiest people in all of Westeros soon. I can't wait for that day.

Forever in my mind,

WInifred Sparrow

Nine:

Dear Wini,

I never forget at the old house when your face came to our doors. I thought it would be an opportunity for a new friend but it’s turned into so much more. You were the only one there for me when everyone left and your the only one that stayed with me through thick and thin. That’s truly how I knew your the one and why I proposed to you so young. I didn’t want to lose you and marrying you seemed the best way to keep you mine. I know I don’t regret the decision and neither do you. I look forward to seeing the house you built for us as soon as I arrive and I can hug you again. I board the boat to come back today, it should take 3 to 5 days to get there and the Maester agreed to come along. I payed him what was left of my gold but it was worth it so I could write to you.

With love and anticipation,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

Ten:

Dear Ryan,

I'm sitting here writing this letter and staring at this raven. Is it terrible that I am jealous of the bird? I'll tie this letter to it's leg and send it off to find you. It'll get to see your face and hear your voice. It's just bird and it gets all that. It has no idea how lucky it is. I hope the trip back isn't hard on you. I got a little sea sick traveling to and from Essos. It wasn't too bad though. You probably haven't gotten far yet. Every moment you get closer and closer and it's as if I can feel it. I become more excited and more free. Today I went to Dorne to swim in the water gardens. It was lovely. I was in the same sea you are floating on now. I'm so glad that Maester agreed to come with you and bring his ravens. It really helps to be able to keep writing you. I miss you and can hardly stand this ever shortening wait!

Ever more impatient,

Winifred Sparrow

Eleven:

Dear Wini,

The seas are relentless, they beat the ship back and forth all day every day. It reminds me of when I used to ride my chalis and I would bounce around on the saddle as a little kid. Luckily it appears I’m not sea sick and the Maester is help treating everyone who is. The ravens are very lucky, they get to see both of us before we get to see each other and to me that’s magical. They get to see two people in love, dying to see each other and that makes me happy. Even if I’m just a tad jealous of the birds. Braavos is just a tiny spec behind us, we’re almost out in the open seas with nothing else in sight. I lay here on my bed waiting and dreaming for the day soon that I get to see your beautiful face again.

Yours Faithfully,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

Twelve:

Dear Ryan,

It has been calm in Stoneward. Normally I would welcome the calm but inside I feel like a bubbling volcano about to erupt. The anticipation is driving me crazy. After 4 years I am finally going to see you again. I can hardly believe it is actually happening. Did I fall asleep on our balcony while staring at the stars? The same stars you see at night out there on that dark and eerie sea. If so I never want to wake up. I'll lie here forever and forget about the rest of the world if this is only a dream. These letters from you are the only thing that make this real. Real and wonderful and splendid. A few more days. That's it. Just a few more days and you'll be staring at the same stars but you'll be lying next to me on this balcony. Every day I ask the Old Gods for your safe return. Every day I'll be here waiting for their answer.

Trying to keep calm,

Winifred Sparrow

Thirteen:

Dear Wini,

The seas are rough, I don’t think I could ever be an Iron born. There is nothing to do except stare off the ship and stare and the nothingness on the horizon. The captain says we should be arriving very soon in Westeros and that I should get ready. I can’t wait until I can see the woman you’ve become. Since that night under the stars when I proposed to you I have missed you. It truly has been that long. Instead of a volcano I feel like I have a storm of emotion inside. I feel like when I see you I’ll start crying and never let you go. I promise you’ll soon get to see me and we can never let go.

Until then,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

Fourteen:

Dear Ryan,

I can't imagine I'll let you out of my sight when you return. I hope you don't plan on doing much traveling. At least not without me. I went to visit my family today. I saw my mother and little sister. While I was there I mentioned that you were coming back. I guess they didn't know you were gone. She said she didn't know how dad would respond. If he didn't even know you were gone I think he wouldn't have anything to respond to. I wish with all my heart that he would just be happy for me being happy with you. It breaks my heart. I'm honestly afraid of what he will say when I tell him of our betrothal. I'll try to think of the good things I have instead. Like you. Soon I'll have you and I'll never let you go again. We'll always be together.

Together again soon,

Winifred Sparrow

Fifteen:

Dear Wini,

I have terrible news, we got stuck in storm and it took us way off course. The captain said he thinks he knows where we are but I’m skeptical. It’s almost as if he doesn't know what to do. We’re headed in the direction that we believe is Westeros hoping for no more trouble. I promise I will get back to you whether I get there on this boat or if I have to swim across the Narrow Sea. I’ll do anything possible to get back to you by any means necessary. Your father has never been fond of me, he’s always kinda hated me even though you’ve assured me he doesn't. I’m sure he will react just fine and maybe he will come to our wedding. I really hope all goes well with you and him and the rest of your family. I do promise I’ll be back soon no matter the circumstances.

Just a little bit longer,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

Sixteen:

Dear Ryan,

Honestly, I feel like I knew something like this would happen. We are so close to being together again and now something comes up. Just like when I came home from Essos. It was the day before you went into a deep sleep. Then you woke up but I was already hiding from the storm and you didn't know I was back. So you went away to Braavos. I feel like the Gods are trying to keep us apart. Why would they do that? I suppose this isn't all that bad. I've been sick in bed for the last few days. I am starting to feel better now though. I wouldn't want you to return and catch whatever I have. Though this news makes me want to stay in bed anyway. Now that you are so close I feel like being apart another moment might just rip the world apart. I know I would do just that if it meant having you here with me right now. I can't bear to be apart any longer. You here or me out there with you. Just as long as we are together. I promise to never leave again. I couldn't stand going through this again.

Dreaming of being together,

Winifred Sparrow

Seventeen:

Dear Wini,

I didn’t think any of this would happen, it’s not going as planned. The Gods play everyone and that’s just how the world works. They are testing us to see if we are worthy of being happy. To test just how strong our love is and I think we are showing that. No matter what the world or the Gods put us through we will stay together till the end of time. I lay awake on my bed thinking of yo. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen you and it makes me homesick. Four years in Braavos never did that but you managed to do it to me in just a few days. We’re still heading in the same direction that we think Westeros is in hoping to see land soon. Keep being strong, for me and for you because without you I would have already given up.

Praying to see you soon,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

Eighteen:

Dear Ryan,

I don't think you can ever plan in life. You can try but it's never a guarantee. I know I didn't plan to lose my family and end up here. There are days I think about what life would be like if that never happened. Then I think what will be will be and I appreciate what I do have. I have you. I think that's a lot and so as bad as it may sound I'm glad I didn't get what I had planned out. If the Gods so willed it I'd wait for you forever. Without you I would still be lost. You're the sweet smell of wild flowers on the wind. The flame that lights the darkness. The drive that keeps me going day in and day out. If I have to wait days, weeks, years or a lifetime to have you here with me I will gladly become the most patient person in all of Westeros.

Always on my mind,

Winifred Sparrow

Nineteen:

Dear Wini,

The more I think about it the more your right, you can’t plan for life. I never planned for my entire family to leave me. I never planned to meet you. I never planned to end up where I am but I did. I guess you kinda just have to go with the flow of life and let the wind take you. All the pain I’ve been through I’d do I it again if I knew it ended with you and me being together. You're the thunder to my lighting. The flame to my candle. Arrow to my bow. The sheath to my sword. Without you I would fall into a very dark and awful out of control spiral. I have you to thank for getting where I am today and where we will go. I miss you more than anything else in the world and your all I need or I’ll ever need.

Dreaming of you,

Ryan Cassius Larkin

### Season 8/8.5

We finally made it to the port in Braavos.  I was so happy when I discovered this was our destination.  Ryan had spent so much time here and had told me many stories but they were missing something.  Now I can take in the surroundings, the smells, the people.  Everything is more than I could have imagined.   We spent several days sightseeing and enjoying the new wonders.

One evening we were walking down an alley towards the market.  I wanted to pick up one of these Braavosi outfits I see all the women wearing.  We rounded a corner and came upon a man.  Being friendly and curious tourists we asked him if we were headed the correct direction to get to the market.  The man confirmed we were and we participated in some idle chat.  We asked for his name.  His name was no one.  I got a bit nervous at this and kept somewhat quiet while scanning our surroundings for a quick getaway.  Ryan kept asking questions and finally, some how, came to the conclusion that this man would train us.  I guess we could do something worthwhile in Braavos.  I was getting quite bored sightseeing every day.

No one trained us both night and day.  I felt like I never got any rest.  We were both somewhat proficient with swords but this man refined our skills.  The sword was much heavier than the bow I was used to and awkward at first.  But he taught us how to quickly and effectively wield them.  The Braavosi way was much different than what little I learned in Westeros.   I learned to be fast and agile and could quickly strike down my target.  After he thought we had both mastered the use of our swords he took us to be fitted with armor.  The blacksmith looked at him funny when he pointed at me asking him to take my measurements.  I guess there aren’t many women who wear armor in Braavos?  After some grumbling and a fat coin purse he agreed.  After a few weeks the armor was finished and I tried it on for the first time.  It was heavy and I could hardly move in it.  How was I going to fight in this cage of an outfit?!  Of course, it was back to training again.  This was much harder.  I tried using the same moves while wearing this stiff armor and found myself moving too slowly.  I was so frustrated but I was determined.  It took weeks and weeks but I slowly grew faster and eventually it was like I was wearing nothing at all.  I was so proud of myself.  The man then told us we could move on to the next part of our training.  I wondered what else there could be.  We traveled the next morning to a temple on the outskirts of the city.  This was strange, I thought.  What type of fighting would we learn at a temple?  That night I discovered that it was to train our minds.  Our bodies could now do what we needed it to but our minds were still fragile.  We spent twice as long in this phase of training.  I felt like I took to it easier because I was already set on physical interactions being the last resort in a conflict.  He explained that words are just as effective as swords if you choose them wisely.  We studied ancient and hypothetical conflicts until we could talk our way out of anything.  We could look at a situation and pick it apart until they were no longer mottled with the deceptions of our world but were instead made simple.  These were easier conflicts to overcome and quickly extinguished.

One evening we were eating dinner under a shade tree near the temple.  We were approached by a man who claimed to be a Westerosi Knight.  He introduced himself as Ser Myles Flynn.  He told us he had been watching us since we arrived in Braavos.  He recognized us as foreigners straight away by our tendencies, looks, and fighting style so he was immediately interested in our business in this foreign land.  He observed our arrival to the Faceless temple and our dedication to the training we received.  Ser Myles asked if we had plans to stay in Braavos or if we were going back to Westeros.  Ryan and I had worked so hard for so long that I had completely forgot we weren’t in our own lands.  I missed the smell of the redwood forests and the sunset on our own salty beaches but mostly I have missed my friends and family.  The troubles of the past seemed so small and meaningless and I was ready to go home.  I replied that we would be heading home as our training is now complete.  The Knight nodded and looked toward the temple, then back at us.  Then he explained that he knew the training we received was more than adequate, if not better, than squiring under a knight in Westeros.  He asked if we would like the honor of Knighthood and if we could uphold the ideals and responsibilities that such a title means.  Ryan and I looked at each other both not really knowing what to say.  We hadn’t given much thought to what we would do with our new talents when we returned.  We hadn’t really given much thought to returning at all.  We were too distracted to think about much other than our training.  I smiled at Ryan and he nodded.  He looked at Ser Myles and told him we could not be more honored.  He asked us both to kneel before him.  We both stood from our places and kneeled in front of him.  He drew his sword from its sheath and placed it on Ryan’s shoulder.  “Do you promise to protect the weak and defenseless, to fight for the welfare of all, to speak all times the truth, to eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit, and obey those placed in authority”, asked Ser Myles.  Ryan looked up at him and made his promise.  Then Ser Myles bestowed upon me the same honor and I also made this promise.  He told us to rise as Knights of Westeros and to be proud of our titles.  We both stood up and thanked him for this great honor.  We chatted for a while longer and then he said his fair wells.  The next morning we woke up early to catch the earliest ship back to Westeros, our family, and our friends.