Podrick shivered and closed his eyes, then squared them, and rose, speaking words older than time. "I, Podrick Payne, do swear to thy service, milady Stark, of the name Sansa. To protect you, and follow you, to obey and believe in you. To shield you, and to comfort you."

His smile was warm and wide.

"Thank you, mi--- Sansa." He sheathed the axe on his back. The axe Tyrion had used at Blackwater, where Podrick had saved him, and that Podrick had been being taught with every since.