The streets were dark and cold as the slim hooded figure kept to the shadows; desperate to go unnoticed. Light footsteps touched the cobble stone as the young girl avoided the large puddles from the day's rainfall. Trying to remember the directions the chamber maid had given her, Sansa Stark pulled her hood a little higher keeping her noticeable auburn hair out of sight. Sansa had stumbled around another corner as she searched for her destination; she had already gotten turned around once this night, forcing her to back-track her steps. Unfortunately Sansa didn't know the streets of King's Landing as well as she hoped and it was proving even more difficult in the darkness of night. Sansa turned another corner, relieved to finally see the house she had been searching for in sight. Sansa quickly checked around the dark street ensuring no one was around before quickly crossing the musty street and hurried over to the door marked with a mockingbird. Taking a deep breath Sansa knocked firmly on the large oak door waiting to beg entry.
Sansa looked around again in fear of being seen, as she waited for the door to open. She had gotten lucky when she slipped out passed the guards and making her way into the city streets. Becoming impatient Sansa knocked again as she continued to wait in fear. Before too long the door opened, Sansa peered into the eyes of a tall, thin woman scarcely dressed with long wavy red hair. The woman recognized Sansa at once opening the door wider as she drew her in, shutting the door quickly but not before checking the streets for on-lookers.
"My lady you shouldn't be here. If anyone had seen you…" the red-head had started before Sansa cut her off.
"I know, I'm sorry…I… I need to see the lord of the house. Please. I need to see him." Sansa whispered, her fear getting the better of her.
"My lady, I don't think that's wise, please you should return to the castle." The woman urged.
"No, please, I must see him. It's important." Sansa's sense of need conquered her fear in that moment, finding her voice a little more.
"Ros" a soft firm voice sounded from the top of the stairs.
"My lord" Ros stepped aside bowing her head as the well-tailored man glided down the steps heading straight for Sansa.
"My lord Baelish" Sansa greeted him, bowing her head as he stepped before her.
"My lady Sansa, this is an honour. Please come through." Lord Baelish stepped beside Sansa, arm stretched out directing her up the stairs.
Sansa took a last gaze at Ros before lowering her hood and heading up the stairs with Lord Baelish following closely behind her. Lord Baelish opened the door to his office once they reached the top of the stairs letting Sansa entre before him. Lord Baelish offered Sansa a seat on the elegant red sofa that lined one wall of his office. Sansa, still fearful and unsure of her actions nervously wrung her hands, keeping her gaze down on his carpeted floor. She felt the couch shift as Lord Baelish sat down close beside her.
"My lady, what can I do for you?" his tone was soft and soothing as his eyes took in her form, discreetly looking Sansa up and down.
"I…I… my lord" Sansa quickly stammered out before Lord Baelish laid his hands over her own interrupting her for a moment.
"Petyr, please." He cooed softly, leaving his hands on hers; surprised and pleased she had not pulled away.
"Petyr, forgive me I…" Sansa stuttered again before finally pulling herself and her nerves together. "As your aware Lord Baelish, that since King Joffery murdered my father, there has been some debate as to what to do with me." Sansa finally took her blue eyes off the floor and looked Lord Baelish in the face.
"I am my lady." Lord Baelish gave her a soulful look, showing his condolences.
"I…I overheard the queen mother and Lord Tywin speaking; they plan to wed me to the imp." Sansa took a deep breath while soft silent tears began to run down her pale face.
"What an unfortunate turn of events my lady." Lord Baelish replied while tightening his grip on her in hopes of giving her a sense of ease.
"Lord…Petyr, I have no desire to marry the imp and… I was wondering what it would cost for your help in this matter?" Sansa moved on hand out from under Lord Baelish's grasp to wipe the tears that had fallen as she waited for his response.
Feigning slight surprise on his face, Lord Baelish was curious to see just how desperate the young Sansa Stark was.
"Cost my lady?" hiding his smile in response.
"I am not entirely ignorant my lord, I know everything has a price. I'm wondering what yours is. To get me out of this engagement; maybe even away from King's Landing?"
Lord Baelish couldn't help the smile that shone on his face anymore. She was desperate, and had shown her hand entirely to him. Sansa clearly hadn't heard the current news of her family; as she was speaking of marriage. Her brother Robb and mother Catelyn had been murdered by Elder Frey at what was now being called the red wedding. Her younger brother's already rumored to be dead by the Greyjoy boy and with Arya still missing; Sansa had become a very valuable asset. Lord Baelish had the key to the north before him, pegging for his help and she didn't even know. How sweet he though; if perhaps just slightly too easy for him to get everything he wanted.
"Sansa" Lord Baelish whispered leaning even closer into her. "As it happens, I might be able to help you. I might even be able to get you out of the city. I'm waiting for word on an assignment that will take me far away from the capital. When I sail away I might be able to take you with me. But…" Lord Baelish leaned in closer still that Sansa could smell the cool mint on his breath as she continued to stare into his grey-green eyes.
"But" Lord Baelish continued "…your property of the crown, stealing you would be treason. If you were to tell just one…"
"I won't tell anyone, I promise" Sansa interrupted him/
"How do I know?" Lord Baelish questioned
"Because I'm a terrible liar, you said so yourself. Please Lord Baelish tell me what to do, tell me when." Sansa pleaded with Lord Baelish as tears began to fall from her face again. Lord Baelish moved his left hand to wipe the tears away as he gently stroked her warm flush cheek.
"You'll need to be ready to leave on a moment's notice." Lord Baelish smiled at Sansa, delighted by the evening's events as she nodded in agreement.
The temptation to lean in the rest of the way and take Sansa here and now on his couch was beginning to strain him. Lord Baelish finally moved away from Sansa, crossing the room to the pitcher of wine, pouring Sansa a cup. He walked it over to her as she composed herself from her pleading; knowing she still didn't have her answer. Sansa took the wine from Lord Baelish with shaking hands, watching him turn his back again to pour himself a cup. Sansa let the deep flavor of the spiced wine slide down her throat before asking her question again.
"Lord Baelish, the matter of compensation for stealing me as you put it?" Sansa took another sip before continuing not allowing Lord Baelish to speak quite yet. "See, I've been thinking, how dangerous it would be, not only for me but for you…"
"Oh I have a price in mind my lady; one I'm hoping you will be more than agreeable too." As Lord Baelish smiled at Sansa before taking a sip of his wine; Sansa couldn't help but notice his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"I'm sure I'll find your price agreeable my lord." Sansa stood from the couch, placing her cup down as she stepped towards Lord Baelish. "You've been so kind to me, I'd feel terrible if anything should happen to you. So I am happy to pay you for any trouble that may befall you in helping me escape." Sansa took Lord Baelish's hand and brought it to her lips, placing a soft kiss to the back of his hand; showing her gratitude.
"I can't tell you how touched I am for your concern for my welfare." Lord Baelish moved his hand under Sansa's chin pulling her closer still as he spoke. "I hope you know that I'm your true friend Sansa, your true friend."
"I do Lord Baelish" Sansa whispered
"Petyr" he corrected her
"Petyr" Sansa whispered back before Lord Baelish wrapped his other hand around the back of her waist, tilling her head slightly as he pulled her gently placing his lips on hers. Sansa could taste the mix of mind and wine as Lord Baelish tested the waters, deepening their kiss ever so slightly before Sansa finally pulled away with a look of shock.