SNOW - Chapter 2

Woman in Waiting (Sansa POV)

"Good morning, Sweetling. Come and give your Father a kiss." Petyr called to me, extending his arm to me, as I walked into the dining room.

I loath to be anywhere near him, but I knew that playing the part of his dutiful daughter is what I had to do to avoid being exposed for who I really was. Petyr had saved me, so I supposed I owed him my life and my gratitude. For a time, that was how I felt. But before long, his unwanted advances and general creepiness increased. Eventually, I learned things about Petyr that changed my gratitude into hatred.

"Good morning, Father." I replied taking his hand, allowing him to pull me in so I could place a kiss upon his cheek.

I had long mastered the art of hiding my displeasure at hving to show affection to the man I watched kill my aunt before my eyes. His eyes tightened briefly before schooling his features, and I knew he would have preferred a kiss on the mouth. Luckily, I was saved by the maid bringing us our breakfast. I immediately dug into the food, to prevent him from bringing it up, and I noticed him start eating as well.

I started dating Joffrey Baratheon, at the insistence of our fathers. I was reluctant at first, but also had my reasons for accepting the match. I was to blame for my atrocious behavior towards Jon and I believed that if I dated and fell in love with Joffrey, I could fix my brain. I thought that if I set my head straight, I could finally apologize and urge Jon to return so we could all be a family again.

The night that my family was attacked, Jeyne and Maery were sleeping over. As soon as we realized something was wrong, Maery pushed me under the bed just before men burst into my room. I heard those men shoot Jeyne and take Maery. I was sure Jeyne was dead, so I waited until I thought the men had left before wandering into the smoke-filled hallway, towards my parents' room. I cried for a few minutes there, after discovering their bodies. Then, I ran to the boys' room, fearing I'd also find them dead, but the room was empty.

Sandor Clegane, Joffery's hired guard, found me there. He was only responsible for protecting Joff, but rushed to my mouse after he learned the plans that were set in motion. I remember trying not to think about the reasons Sandor went to save me, because I knew that nothing would come of it. Sandor tried to get me out of the burning house, but I begged him to let me check on Arya first. Sandor stopped me, saying he'd already seen her dead body on her bed. I didn't have time to think any further, when pieces of the roof started to cave in.

Sandor was mortified at the thought of having to run amongst the flames to escape. He acted like I was his savior when I told him about the secret passage to the basement. Before we got to the tunnels that led off the property, I told him I wanted to check on Robb and his wife. Unfortunately, Sandor assured me they'd already been killed as well. I only remembered things going black, and later waking up in the Lannister mansion.

I became ward - although prisoner was a better word for it - of the Baratheons and Lannisters after Sandor was discovered by one of Tywin's men. Sandor eventually told me that he planned to hide me, but they'd traced his location and found us before we left Winterfell property. Joff made a spectacle over his Dog saving me for him, so his family allowed Sandor to live and continue working for them. It was through him, that I learned the fate of my little brothers and what happened after I'd fainted.

Sandor and I forged a secret friendship of sorts, both being the only people that knew the truth of his original intentions to save me, rather than turn me into them. Despite his disfiguration and menacing presence, I learned that Sandor was a good man with a good soul. After Robert was killed and Joffrey took his place as Boss, things got incredibly worse. Sandor and I often spoke about trying to escape, but we both knew Joffrey would scour the planet to find me.

Joffrey had become cold and uncaring. He was abusive and despicable towards me, despite always loudly proclaiming his undying love for me. It wasn't long before I realized he was deranged and drunk with power. If I, or anyone displeased him, he often beat me or had one of his men do it for him.

Neither his mother, or anyone ever tried to stop him, and Sandor was powerless to do so. Sandor told me he'd tried to get a message to Jon one, but was told he was unreachable, on some secret mission. I was sure Joffrey would kill me one day, not that I believed I had anything to live for. My family was gone, and after the way I'd behaved towards Jon, I doubted he'd ever try to save me. Besides, to the world, Sansa Stark was dead. Everyone believed I'd been killed the night of the attack. The men had mistaken Maery for me, and the Lannisters never corrected them.

As luck would have it, a battle broke out between several other Families. I remember the night that those people brought their fight to Joffery's mansion, declaring their war on him as well. Sandor found me in my room and told me we'd use the chaos as cover flee. He promised to return shorty and left me to gather what little I might need, so he could make preparations for our escape. I had no way of knowing that was the last I'd see him.

Petyr's men found me in my room, chloroformed me, and took me from the Lannister mansion. When I woke up in a strange place, it was Petyr who sat beside me. He confessed he'd been behind the attack at the Lannister mansion, in order to save me. Petyr informed me that he was marrying my mother's sister, Lysa. And he told me he'd always been friend to my mother. He said that because he'd soon be family, he felt it was what was expected of him. At the time, I believed him because I had no reason to doubt him or his intensions.

When I asked him about Sandor, Petyr told me he'd been killed in the crossfire. I mourned the loss of the only friend I had while I was kept within the walls of the Lannister mansion for years. But, I looked forward to my freedom from the Lannisters. Of course, I couldn't yet see that Petyr rescued me from one cage, because he intended to keep me in his.

Petyr never allowed me to leave the mansion for my safety. I constantly dyed my hair and had to change my name. Worst of all, I had to live as his long-lost batard daughter. And since my aunt's death, I had to endure his not-at-all fatherly kisses and groping hands when we were alone. Every day, I feared the moment he'd demand more from me.

"Alayne, my darling, you're beautiful as always … so much like your mother every day." He commented as he often did, interrupting my thoughts and dark memories.

"Thank you, Father. It's sweet of you to say." I replied with seamless smile.

If living with Petyr for the past two years taught me anything, it was how to lie and manipulate others. It was especially easy for me to fake my emotions towards Petyr, because I finally figured out what he was after. Granted, he wanted me for my similarities to my mother. But what he really lusted for, was the power he could wield at my side, through my name.

What Petyr didn't know was that I discovered just how long he'd been plotting. I learned he played an instrumental part in my father's death of my father and the demise of my family. I didn't believe he'd intended for my mother to also be killed, but I was sure he didn't intend for my siblings to survive. I was also learning all about the schemes he'd been secretly orchestrating between the other powerful Families. He was inciting feuds, causing them to fight and destroy each other, thereby eliminating them as threats. His plans were to have me resurface as the last remaining Stark and heir to my family's fortune. He believed I would want him at my side, out of gratitude or his belief in my faked affections, when I claimed power over the Northern Territory.

For the time being, all I had to do was continue to play my part. I would remain the clueless but grateful Alayne, a naïve girl that he believed would give him the power he was so hungry for. I'd let him think he won me over. I was luring him into a false sense of security, just as I'd seen him do countless times. He was the clueless and naïve one. I may be the dim but eternally grateful Alayne for a time, but I never forgot that I was born a powerful Stark of Winterfell.

It was painful to lose my family and I knew I would carry the guilt and the grief for the rest of my days. But as sure as I was Sansa Stark, I would rise again. I would avenge my family, no matter how long it may take, or what I might endure in the process. Petyr could go on thinking he was using me, but it was I, that is truly using him. It was a brilliant plan, after all. Petyr was a cunning man. That much was certainly true but I had been watching. I had been listening, and I had been learning all that I could. When the time came, I would destroy Petyr and any other that stood in my way.

"Darling, I have come upon some disturbing news." He told me a worried tone, but I knew by the look I his eyes that it was fake concern.

"Really? What is it?" I asked, putting on a convincing tone myself.

"I don't quite know how to break it to you, my dear. Although, since you were raised under Catelyn's honorable influence, it may not be all that tragic for you." He said, baiting me somehow, and I realized it was some sort of test.

"Well, you're right about that. Mother and I are very similar. I take much pride in that and I know it pleases you as well." I told him with a smile, laying it on thick.

Despite my easy words, I felt a tug in my gut. He was testing me after so long, so I knew it was something big. My response could be very telling. Despite whatever he was about to tell me, I knew I had to keep my facade firmly in place.

"Yes well, as much as you please me," He smiled, falling for my empty words before proceeding. "I suppose I should just tell you. I learned today that your father's bastard was killed in action overseas."

Jon! - my heart cried.

School your features! – my brain yelled.

My mind and my heart battled for dominance. Luckily, my face remained as serene as I willed it.

No! Not Jon! - my heart broke.

Don't break, Sansa! - my brain demanded.

"Well, he and I were not close. He was just a bastard that Mother and I endured, for father's sake. Not such a tragedy after all." I smiled smoothly, and I saw his eyes relax as a smile appeared on his face.

"Glad you won't be mourning him. I wouldn't have wanted to spoil your breakfast with foul news." He smiled, clearly believing my words and I realized I must be better than I thought.

Not Jon, too! - my heart still cried. Yet, I continued to force myself to not show any cracks in my armor, or reveal the pieces of my broken heart.

"So, tell me. Any interesting plans today?" I asked as if it were any other day as I continued eating, although nothing could taste at all appetizing.

"Not so interesting, I'm afraid. I just have a few meetings at the office, but I will be home by six." He said finishing his last bites. "You'll be waiting for me when I return to have dinner?" He asked as he stood and placed a hand on my shoulder near my neck, causing me to look up at him.

"Of course. Don't I always wait to have dinner with you? It's my favorite part of the evening … Father." I replied with a convincing giggle, putting my hand on his, tossing a bit of innocent flirtation his way, just how he liked it.

His eyes slightly dilated a bit before he looked around the empty room. I knew what would come next, so I prepared myself for it. I smiled at him but he lowered his lips to my ear, instead of my mouth as I expected.

"My favorite part is kissing you, my darling girl." He whispered disgustingly, before looking predatorily into my eyes.

I played the bashful card by smiling and looking down as demurely as I could. He slid his hand towards my chin, moving my face towards him again. His eyes darted around the room once more, then he placed an open mouth kiss on my mouth. I allowed and reciprocated it, despite the nausea I felt in my stomach. I was unable to suppress a small moan of utter disgust. He misinterpreted the sound because he pulled away, breathing heavily and smiling like he'd just uncovered the greatest of treasures. He cleared his throat and pulled away while wiping his thumb over my lips.

"As much as we'd like to continue, I must go now. I'll see you tonight." He said with a wink and walked out of the room.

Even though he was finally gone, I knew that I still needed to keep it together for a while longer. I could not allow myself to think of Jon yet. The house staff was on his payroll, and I knew they reported my every move to him.

"Alayne, are you done?" The maid asked me and I nodded with a forced but believable smile.

She took the plates and I told her I was heading up to my room to knit. That was a common occurrence for me, never having anything else to do, so I knew it would be believable. Once in my room, I wedged the wooden trunk lid up against the door because it didn't have a lock. Once in the safety of my room, I slid onto the bed and let the onslaught of pain hit me.

In my mind, I saw Jon's face and the way he always smiled when we were younger, before I was such a bitch to him. I also remembered how sad his eyes always looked during his last few months with us before he left. Next, I remembered the sweet words he told me the day he was leaving, even after I'd been so cruel. So stupid Sansa! – I mentally chided myself.

You didn't tell him you loved him. You didn't even open the damn door! You never wrote to him to apologize. You didn't even tell him good bye! - I mentally yelled at myself as the tears poured from my eyes.

I stifled my mouth, preventing me from making any noise that could give my true feelings away to any house employees.

Now, he'll never know you loved him or the real reason you were such a bitch to him - my mind spat at me.

My warped mind had conjured up a dream one night that launched certain thoughts that no sister should ever think about her brother. A normal person would never entertain such thoughts, but I just couldn't shut them away. That was the real reason I began to pull away from him. Even if I had to let him and everyone else believe I felt the way my friends did. Hell, I tried to make myself believe I hated him, too.

That was more acceptable that the sick truth of lusting for your brother! - my mind echoed.

The twisted, un-sisterly way I had actually started to feel about Jon was immoral. It was also why I practically threw myself at Joffrey, and why I looked past the early warning signs of his character and feigned love for that monster. My own depravity that caused Joffrey's family to want to keep me as long as they did, then hurt me the way he did. It was only stupid luck that Petyr decided he wanted me for himself and out me out.

I deserved everything I got, and more – I thought to myself for the thousandth time.

Maybe this is what Petyr sees in you - your vile side of you appeals to him. Might be that is why you refused to do anything about Petyr yet - My mind sneered.

Petyr. - I thought. He seemed all too thrilled the news of Jon's death. Might he have hand in that, too? - I wondered.

It wouldn't come as a shock because his manipulation had a far and long reach. Surely, I'd learned he was smore than capable of doing something like that. In Petyr's eyes, Jon would certainly be a threat to Petyr's plans for me, and prevent him from seizing power over the North. Petyr had killed others for much less motivation than that.

After that, I wiped my face and opened the window to allow the chilly air to cool my face. It wouldn't do for someone to come knocking and see that I had been crying. It would get back to Petyr and that could not happen. I moved the wooden trunk away from the door in case anyone came to check in on me. Then, I pulled out the several rolls of yarn, sat on my bed and begin knitting.

Petyr must not learn of my grief. Otherwise he'd not forgive my false reaction to the news this morning, and he'd never believe any future lies from me. Petyr needed to continue eating the lies I fed him, right out of the palm of my hand. My hands worked the needles through the yarn effortlessly, as I solemnly filed my sorrow away. There would be time for that later.

What I needed to do, was to learn if he was behind Jon's death, then I would strategize to destroying Petyr. Then, I'd get the justice my family deserved.

A/N: So, this makes TWO wolves thirsting for some payback! I will be doing my best to update these as work allows.