King Robert made Ned his hand and when he went for his ''hunting trip'', he left him in charge of King's landing and all the affairs that took place there. King was known to disappear for his hunting trips for few days and pretty much everyone knew it was the time he spent with one of his favorite mistresses. Even queen knew that. They had an agreement, he can be with that woman whenever he wants, but she is not allowed to step into court. Queen's father on the other hand took care of the mistress never having Robert's child. One of the girls working for her was payed by him to slip her some moon tea and prevent pregnancy.
Ned was in some meeting when queen stormed in and demanded explanation why she couldn't take gold from the treasury.
''Lord Stark, I was just denied gold I asked for. Care to explain how that happened?''
''Your grace, I told you that you need to write to me how much do you need and what for in order for me to approve it.''
''I need to ask you for gold? You need to approve?''
''Yes, your grace.''
''I am the queen…''
''And I am hand of the king in charge of the kingdom during his hunt.''
''You mean fucking his mistress?''
''His HUNT!''
Cersei gave him very angry look.
''Your grace, as I said… You need to write to me how much do you need and what for and then I will approve it or not.''
She saw how men around that table looked at her and she was angry. She was humiliated and she was determined to make him pay… One day, Ned Stark will pay and be in situation to beg for her mercy.
''This is not over Lord Stark.''
''I am afraid it is your grace… Take it out with the king when he comes back.''
''Mark my words…this is far from over.''
Ned didn't really take her seriously. Robert told him many times that Cersei was a dog that barked a lot but never knew how to bight. They would see one another in passing and she would always give him a dirty look.
He was careful around Sansa and in questioning her about the queen and how she treated her. Sansa assured him that the queen showed no different behavior toward her and that she is in a bad mood in general so all of her ladies are on the receiving end of her anger. He was not happy about it but there was not much he could do about the queen and ladies. That was something that queen was in charge of, not the Hand.
King invited Ned to join him in the hunt but he refused. He had some work left and he didn't want to leave it unfinished. That proved to be a big mistake and something that would change his life.
During the hunt, king fell from the horse and impaled himself on a branch. He was seriously injured. When they brought him back to the castle, queen realized this was her chance. She surrounded the king and his chambers with her people and took over the kingdom. Ned heard what happened and he tried to see him queen didn't let Ned come near him. She kept everyone who could hurt her power far from the king and she had help from her brother and father to do so. After few days of agony, king died and now all the power was in the hands of Joffrey, queen and her father who became new Hand of the king. Ned was now just a lord of Winterfell…
Now the power was in her hands and after five months she had her chance for revenge. He was paying a very high price for what he did to queen. He tried to get people to rebel against Lannister rule and the family and he managed to gather some supporters. Queen learned of his plan and choose not to kill him, but play with him in the most cruel ways. Ned was known for his word and her actions will force him to step over his words and actions. She would make him show that his honor has a price and a moment when it stops being above all. Ned Stark believed his honor was one of the most important things in his life and the queen knew how to prove him wrong.
She knew what was important to him and now she was using it against him. He humiliated the queen and wanted to get her off the throne and now he was the one to suffer humiliation. His daughter Sansa was to marry prince Joffrey before it all happened and he hoped that it would keep her safe from harm. King Robert and him arranged that marriage and he believed they would honor that. He didn't dare to write to his wife about what was happening because he didn't want her to worry without reason.
Sansa was sitting with him in his chambers and having lemon cake. He asked in the kitchens for someone to make it for her. He was very occupied with work he had to do for the king and she spent a lot of time by queen's side, so they didn't have much opportunities to talk and catch up. In the middle of their conversation, two men entered the chamber and delivered the message. They were invited in the throne room and on the throne was sitting new king Joffrey Baratheon and by his side were his mother and his grandfather.
''Lord Stark, I heard that you were conspiring against my mother and our family? I didn't expect that of someone who claimed to be close to my father and who was his friend.''
''My actions were not personal, they were for the good of the realm.''
''Hurting my family would be good for the Seven kingdoms?''
''Yes, because your family is involved in some things that could be treason.''
''Just like you are lord Stark…''
''That is one way of seeing things.''
''I agree. I was ready to execute you in public.''
Sansa's stomach was in knots. She was scared for her father's life now. And for the entire family.
''But my mother said no. She is not that cruel woman as you think she is… She believes you will see the light and find it in you to respect our family more if you are part of it… So, we decided to obey my mother's advice and give you a second chance.''
Sansa was feeling relief that her father will not die.
''Lady Sansa, please step out.''
She did what she was told by the king. She stood by her father and Ned was in the state of panic. He saw queen's smirk.
''Lady Stark, you will help bridge the gap between our families… congratulations… You are to be married… To my uncle Tyrion…''
Tyrion looked at Sansa's horrified face and his sister's and father's smirk.
''Lord Stark, you may return to the North… BUT you will go back with your daughter and her new husband… After the wedding, Lord Tyrion will become lord of Winterfell…and warden of the North… You may live on his estate until he finds it suitable… If my uncle wants you gone, you are to leave with your family… Without lady Sansa…''
King had evil smile on his face. He loved how humiliated Ned will be.
'' She will be Lannister by then, so she is not your family anymore. You are stripped of all your titles and duties from the moment they are married and their children will be heirs of Casterly rock and Winterfell…''
Sansa was now not sure if this was better than death. She would have to marry queen's drinking and whoring brother. She saw on his face that he was not happy about this either. She feared if he would start being evil to her. Tyrion was nice to her, he was only Lannister she didn't hate. And now she feared it might change. She knew that out of them he was the best. But she also wondered how come some of the cousins was not chosen to be her husband.
Ned was heartbroken for his daughter. He committed a crime and now, as punishment, she was getting married to queen's imp brother. His daughter was being sold into marriage with the despicable member of the Lannister family.
Joffrey stood up and called for the guards.
''Until they are married, you are to stay in your old chambers…so you can watch the wedding… Wedding will take place in two days… Most of the noble families are already here… I think there is no need for delay… Sooner this union happens, safer the alliance would be. I am sure you all agree. And one more thing my lord… If you try something… you will be killed, along with the members of your family. My family can be very generous, as you see with wedding…but we can also be very cruel… Don't test us lord Stark.''
Guards escorted Ned from the throne room and Sansa stood in tears looking at the king and at his family. He had no idea how his wife would react and how disappointed she would be in him. He failed her. He failed to protect their daughter and he acted stupid and got her in danger. He could only hope that Tyrion Lannister would be good to his daughter and that he wouldn't hurt her. He felt responsible for what was happening. It was his fault. He took Sansa to King's Landing to marry her to the future king and now she was marrying the imp….man she didn't really like or have anything good to say about.
Both Tyrion and Sansa were not happy with the choice of their spouse. Tyrion was sad that a nice girl like Sansa would be forever tied to him and she was desperate to marry a dwarf. Tyrion wanted to say no to the marriage, but when his father pointed out who else was an option, he said yes just to keep her safe from his crazy causing that had reputation for being very violent to women. Tyrion's uncle spent fortune to cover up things his son did. There was a rumor that some of the ladies of the night didn't make it out of his cousin's room alive in the morning and that they were thrown into the river in hope that they would sail down far from the castle and anything that could connect those ladies to the Lannister family.
Sansa was thinking about ending her life. She would have rather died than married the Imp. She was ashamed of him. To her he was the worst men ever. He was womanizer, he was drunk and his behavior was shameful. But she had to marry him. Queen pointed out in a very casual conversation, that if she doesn't marry her brother her father and the rest of the family would be executed. After hearing those words, Sansa knew she had no choice if she wanted her family to live.
Following morning her maids came and helped her get ready. She got as a present from the queen beautiful red and gold dress and she looked beautiful dressed in it. Jamie Lannister came for her to lead her to marry off his brother. Sansa was wondering why did she have to marry the imp when Lannister family had another member who was much better looking than her future husband.
''I know this is far from what you wanted, but let me tell you this. My brother will take good care of you. He is a good man lady Sansa… And if I may say, he is the best of the Lannister family… He is an amazing person…if you can look past the fact that he is a dwarf.''
She didn't say anything. She just kept walking toward the place where wedding would take place. Ceremony was short and at the end of it she got beautiful gold ring with pearls and rubies. Now she was a real Lannister and she hated it. She had her wedding ring and Lannister cape around her shoulders. She hated every moment of it and she hated even more the fact that her family would be ashamed of her for marrying a Lannister. Her mother hated them. Feast was huge event. Queen made sure that everyone knew that Ned Stark's daughter was a Lannister now. Celebration was nicely organized and many people were already drunk out of their minds. Queen came to Sansa and told her to follow her. She took her to see her father. Guards opened the room and she entered with Sansa.
''My lord… You see, I am woman of my word. I got Sansa to see you… It would be cruel for father not to bless his daughter on her wedding day.''
Sansa came to him and hugged him. He whispered to her that he is sorry and she whispered back that she knows. There was no going back now. He gave her his blessing and queen took her back to the feast.
Sansa watched Tyrion drink like there was no tomorrow and she felt sick to her stomach. After an incident with Joffrey bride and groom retired to their chamber. Sansa wanted to cry when she saw Tyrion barely standing and singing inappropriate songs down the hallway. She was desperate. She would have to spend her life tied to THAT. As soon as the door closed, she noticed that he was walking pretty normal and he buttoned up his coat. Sansa stood by the table with food very surprised and confused by what she was seeing. She had no idea what was going on and how was he suddenly so sober. She saw him drink. She saw him with a goblet for the most of the bolted the door and poured some wine to both of them.
''My lady, take a seat… We have to talk.''
Sansa took a seat on the chair beside him and waited for him to start speaking. His voice was a bit above the whisper.
''You have to listen to me now and please don't interrupt… It is very important.''
She nodded and waited for him to continue.
''I am very aware I am not the husband you wished for… I've seen the look in your eyes too many times in my life that I can pretty easily read your mind Lady Sansa.''
Sansa blushed because she was embarrassed. She had no idea he noticed her discomfort and all that she felt.
'' I know you wished for someone better and more handsome, but we are both in this without really wanting it. It's up to us how will we deal with the situation we are in…''
He took her hand and squeezed it.
'' This marriage is revenge to your father. My sister did this to hurt him for what he did to her. He humiliated her in front of everyone undermining her orders…and now she humiliated him by marrying his beautiful daughter, who was supposed to be a queen, to a whoring imp. And I am afraid it's not the end of it.''
''It's not?''
''I had no intention to consummate our marriage until you want me in your bed or it's really necessary for us to…but I am afraid it's matter of life and death right now.''
''What?''
''I know you don't want me… I know you find my very unattractive and that I am the last person that you want in your bed, but unfortunately, you have to…''
''Oh…''
''Yes, my sister… You see… When she married King Robert, my father brought a woman to check in the morning if the union was consummated.''
''Check the sheets?''
Sansa was confused. Why would Lord Lannister bring a woman to look at the sheets? Any maid who picks up the sheets next morning could see the maiden blood on the sheet.
''No, lady Sansa…not the sheets.''
He felt ashamed of his family and his sister and how devious they were.
'' She was checking… my sister's private parts.''
Sansa drunk her wine and kept looking at her new husband.
''I am afraid she might hurt you…or maybe even your father…if we don't…''
Sansa got up from the chair and poured some more wine into her cup. She had two more cups of wine before she climbed to the part of the room where the bed was. She started undressing herself and she turned to her new husband. She was waiting for him to come and join her in bed.
''My lord… do you want me to undress completely or…?''
''Sansa… I honestly wish you were not in the situation to even think of undressing for me.''
She kept her underdress on and started removing ribbons and pins from her hair. Soon her hair was down and she got under covers. Tyrion could see that she was scared to death and had no idea what to do. He hated himself for doing this to her. He didn't want to do this… He didn't want to make her his… He wished she had better husband and she had all she dreamed of…but she didn't. She had him and knowing his sister, soon he would be all she has… She would either kill her father or send him away… somewhere.
He was in his nightshirt when he climbed into bed to his new bride. Sansa was beside him with her eyes closed trying to control her tears and all that she was feeling. He understood. He knew that no woman would want to be married to him. He was a black sheep of his family, an imp, a shameful dwarf…and she was forced to marry him at the tender age of fourteen and to be bedded right away.
''Lady Sansa…''
''Yes, my lord…''
''I will try to make this something that you could…I will not say enjoy, but find….not as traumatic as it could be… I will not hurt you or do anything to harm you. I apologize for the pain it will cause at first moments of us…joining… But it does get better…''
He took her hand and helped her sit.
''I will try to be very gentle and I am so sorry for being the one you are forced to share your life with.''
She wiped her eyes and waited for something to happen… She had no idea where this would go and what will he do now. She knew from her mother and the stories she was told that being bedded for the first time is not nice experience and that it usually gets better with time. She didn't want to think about it getting better. She didn't want to think of being bedded by him ever again. He kissed her hand and started trailing kisses over her arms, shoulders, neck… He moved her hair to the other side so he could have better access to her shoulder and neck. Sansa at first was frightened and she forgot how to breathe. Tyrion whispered to her.
''Breathe my lady… Just try to relax… I promise, I will be gentle.''
She just nodded and let him continue what he was doing. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. Tyrion was very gentle and she was surprised how her body reacted to him. Her mind was despising him, but her body was betraying her. When he stopped trailing kisses on her arms and shoulders, she felt like she missed the touch. He lowered her nightdress and exposed her chest. He continued kissing and touching her and she was getting more comfortable with it. And then he kissed her. At first his kiss was very gentle and as time passed it grew passionate and very intense. He lowered her to the pillows and kept kissing her. Sansa felt like the ''moment'' was close. She could feel he was aroused and she feared the act of becoming his. His hands were gently tracing over her body and she liked the feeling. She even started making sounds that she didn't expect to make and she craved the kiss more than she anticipated she would. She was getting used to being a woman, a wife, a companion…and this is one of the things a wife does. She has to please her husband and let him have her as he wishes. Moment that broke her out of that haze and made her eyes fly open was when she felt him touching her private parts.
''My lord?''
''I am so sorry lady Sansa… But this is for your own…pleasure.''
''Pleasure?''
''Yes, I am trying to make this feel as comfortable and pleasurable as I can.''
''But, it's not right…''
''My lady… Many things about us are not right but we have to play the game with the cards we were given… Did something I do before insult you or made you feel uncomfortable?''
She blushed and shook her head. He gave her small and sad smile.
''I just need you to trust in me some more my lady…. I promise it will all make sense soon.''
She remembered why they were doing all this… Her family was in danger…Lady will come and check her…state… She had to let him do what he wanted. He was her husband and she was his… Sansa Stark, or lady Lannister now, was possession of her husband.
Tyrion knew that he couldn't postpone it anymore. He looked at his young wife and spoke to her.
''It's time we consummate… I will try to be gentle…It will hurt at first, but it will get better soon… I promise.''
She just nodded and closed her eyes. As he said, it was painful at first but in time it got less painful and more pleasant. She was even a bit ashamed of feeling some sort of pleasure in this act. Tyrion kept kissing her and as the act became more passionate, his kisses followed. After they were done, he looked at her like he was checking if she was all right.
''Lady Sansa, did I hurt you?''
''No, you were… You kept your promise.. You were very gentle.''
''I am sorry again….for everything… I wish I could turn back time somehow and…''
''My lord, it is my honor to be your wife and…''
''We both know that is a lie. It is a well-practiced speech you girls learn very early. No matter what scum you marry, you are honored to be our wives.''
''Are you a scum my lord?''
''Some would say I am…''
''I don't think you are.''
''Thank you my lady.''
He got out of the bed and got dressed again. She picked up nightdress and also got dressed. She put her underdress on the screen. She would need it for tomorrow. Maids got her several dresses to Tyrion's chamber. And entire chest of the clothes that goes under her dresses was brought too. So she could put this underdress to washing bin. She felt…weird… She expected to feel dirty somehow, but she didn't. She saw blood on the sheet and then looked at him.
''Should I change the sheet?''
''There is no need my lady… There is another sheet under the one we were just in… That one was put there so you would bleed on it.''
''Oh…''
'' We should put the stained one on the ottoman... Someone will get it in the morning and probably deliver it to my sister and father.''
She blushed because of the fact that everyone will know tomorrow that she is not a maiden anymore. She took a seat at her vanity and combed her hair again. It was all messy from the lovemaking and she remembered her mother telling her that a true lady always has her hair in perfect state. She noticed that her husband was watching her with a small smile on his face.
''My lord?''
''My lady… Please come…''
He extended his hand to her and she came to him and took it. They took a seat at the table and he poured them some water.
''Now, that it is…''
He looked at the stained sheet and then back at her.
''…out of the way… I think we should talk…''
''Talk my lord?''
''Yes, talk.''
''What do you want to talk about?''
''Us…''
''Us?''
''Yes, us… and what comes next…''
She took some water and waited for her husband to speak.
''Since we consummated our marriage, I believe we would be left alone for a very short time. They will find someone else to torture and make fun of but we need to be safe.''
''Safe?''
''I will come to that a bit later… Now I need to clear some things with you. First.''
She nodded and waited for him to tell her what was on his mind.
''I need from you just a few things. First, my name is Tyrion and when we are alone, please call me by my name. In public we can use lord and lady and all the proper ways of speaking, but in private… I need us to be as any man and wife.''
''You want us to…again?''
Sansa was blushing thinking about sharing her husband's bed again. It took Tyrion a moment to realize what she was talking about.
'' Oh…I was not talking about that. I am talking about being opened and honest. Unfortunately, we are all we have… I am your only friend and you are mine…Our lives are one now… Something happens to one, it happens to the other too.''
''Why do you say that?''
''You are now my wife in flesh and name, so they will also let your father out of his chambers.''
''Is he even alive?''
''My guess is that he is… I doubt that our king would miss a chance to tell you that he is dead and how he was killed. So, I think he is alive… I can't tell you for how long he will be alive.''
That didn't give her any consolation. She knew that queen and future king Joffrey were not going to let him go easily.
''I will talk to my father to see when we can leave for the North.''
''You are in such a rush to became lord of Winterfell and warden of the North?''
There was something bitter in her tone.
''No, I don't want your estate or the North…''
''Than what is it?''
''I like your father. I think he is a good and just man… but if we don't do that soon, you might watch your father die…and maybe the rest of the family too…So, now we start playing game with them my lady.''
''A game?''
''Yes, you want to keep your family safe and alive?''
''Yes, I do.''
''Good… Tomorrow, we will become lord and lady of Winterfell, as soon as my father gets confirmation that you are not a maiden anymore.''
Sansa felt embarrassed about the fact that she would be examined by anyone.
''Don't be surprised if you see they got your father to be there.''
''What?''
''Yes, I am pretty sure they will bring him to be in the room when you are examined. You would be behind the screen, but he will be in the room… I can bet my life on it.''
''I will die if he is there.''
''Unfortunately, that will not kill you Sansa. I can understand your sentiment, but I must desapoint you that it takes a lot more for death to happen.''
She just gave him a look and he continued.
'' As soon as we get the decree, we pack and leave for the North... I hope in two days that we could be on our way.''
''Why are you doing this?''
''Because I am sick of my family and things they are doing. This is my escape too my lady.''
''But you are escaping North… People don't like you there… I am sure that my family doesn't like you either. And they would like you even less knowing you are my husband and that we…''
He gave her a sad smile.
''I know Sansa… But I can assure that I would have better relationship with your family than with mine. They are better people than my family. And if I show them that I am a honorable man and that I treat you well, they will accept me in time.''
''I am sorry…lord… Tyrion…I am so sorry Tyrion.''
''You can't do anything Sansa… It is how it is.''
Sansa felt a bit sorry for him at that moment. She lived in Lannister hell for few weeks and he lived his entire life with his father and sister being mean to him and hurting him all the time. She never heard them say a nice word about him since they met two years ago. Tyrion took her hand and kissed it.
''Lady Lannister, we are all we have now… We are a team… We have to play against all of them.''
''My father…''
''Your father is not part of my plan. He can't know anything.''
"What do you mean?''
''It's just two of us… It's for the best to keep him out of this all until we get to your house…or at least somewhere safe in the North. Until then, I am drunk, whoring, disgusting son in law who took everything from him, including his beloved daughter… by force.''
''But you didn't force me…''
''No one knows that… Sansa, we can't show any weakness or understanding in front of my family… In public, you and I will be enemies… I will be what they want me to be… Drunken dwarf, speaking nonsense, singing naughty songs… And you have to tell them that I took you by force if anyone asks.''
''But why?''
''So they are off your back. If they see that we are good…. They will do something to hurt you or me…If they see hate… you are safe.''
''I can't believe that.''
''You should my lady… Worse I am to you, safer you would be.''
Sansa took a deep breath and nodded.
''If you think it would make us safe, then we will do it your way…''
''Don't forget my lady…. Enemies until we get to the North. After that we start building our life together. Unfortunately we can't annul the marriage now that we consummated it… So, I guess you will have to put up with me until you are blessed with widow's weeds.''
She shook his hand and got up from the chair.
''Don't say things like that. I never wished you dead.''
''I am sorry my lady… I will not be saying things like that if you feel they are inappropriate.''
She nodded and looked at him.
''Maybe we should get some sleep.''
''Yes…you are right my lady.''
He took her old underdress and ripped it at some places. Sansa jumped from the sound and looked at him in shock.
''What are you doing?''
''Setting the stage for our play my lady… You were taken against your will…don't forget.''
''Oh…''
Sansa got into bed and Tyrion slept on the ottoman by the table… He spilled some wine on the floor and put the goblet by him so it looked like he was drunk and dropped it. He also left most of his nightshirt opened so she could see his bare chest and some stomach from the bed. Sansa admired him for a moment for all the things he did to set it up to look like he was a monster. She was now sure that he had brilliant mind and that also scared her for a moment. She just let him convince her to participate in this game. It looked like he had every detail in mind….like nothing could surprise him.
''Good night Sansa.''
''Good night Tyrion.''
Sansa fell asleep not ready for the next few days and hell they might bring.