CHAPTER 80: SANSA

Before dawn in the Eyrie, Sansa wakes from dreams of home and wanders into the snowy garden, where she begins shaping a snow castle that becomes Winterfell. Littlefinger returns from the Vale, helps her solve construction problems, and flatters her as they build together, culminating in an unsolicited kiss that Sansa resists.

Robert Arryn arrives, smashes parts of the snow castle with his doll as a “giant,” and when Sansa tears the doll in the struggle, he collapses into a violent fit. Littlefinger restrains Robert and summons Maester Colemon, who calms the boy with dreamwine and orders leeching. Sansa, shaken, withdraws, fearing Lysa’s wrath.

Later, Marillion escorts Sansa to the reopened High Hall. Lysa confronts her publicly, insisting Sansa enticed Littlefinger; despite Sansa’s protests, Lysa’s jealousy mounts. She recounts her history with Petyr and Catelyn, reveals long-nursed grievances, and drags Sansa to the Moon Door to “teach her a lesson.”

As snow whips through the opened door, Lysa forces Sansa toward the drop. Littlefinger enters by the rear, urges calm, and coaxes Lysa to release Sansa. In her hysteria, Lysa confesses she poisoned Jon Arryn at Littlefinger’s command and sent Catelyn the letter blaming the Lannisters. Littlefinger swears love, draws Lysa close—then shoves her through the Moon Door to her death.

With guards battering at the doors, Littlefinger immediately turns to Sansa, ensures she is unharmed, and orders her to admit the guards, declaring that the singer Marillion has killed his lady wife, setting up a cover story for Lysa’s murder.