Sansa Stark awoke with the rays of the sun bathing her face. The balcony curtains had been drawn open letting the morning light illuminate her Chambers. There was food on the table and no sign of her husband, although it was more than usual for her to wake up after Tyrion had already left to fulfill his duties as Master of Coin. She must have awoken late today, for the sun was set high in the sky. Her moonblood never treated her kindly, making her tummy hurt all night and giving her little sleep. At least her nightmares had decreased drastically. She wondered if the memory of the sheep shifting could have brought some light to the darkness of her mind.

That was the last day Tyrion had a free day from work. Sansa had noticed that for the past week he had been busier and more stressed than usual. Not that I truly mind the welfare of a Lannister she thought. One day, out of curiosity more than courtesy, she asked him if there was something wrong. He only waved off her worries assuring her it was nothing, that he only was working on a very demanding project that had nothing to do with his Coin duties. Sansa couldn't help but wonder what could he possibly be distracting himself with something that wasn't related to his work while having a royal wedding four fortnights away. But she asked nothing further.

She felt very ill and only a glance at the food made her belly twist. Standing in front of the mirror, Sansa noticed her skin was paler than usual and there were shadowy bags beneath her eyes. Her knees were very weak and she felt awfully tired. She walked outside into the balcony to warm herself in the summer sun. Her illness was getting the best out of her body. I must be strong as mother and brave as Robb she told herself

Sansa decided to stay at home for the day to recover herself. The hours of the day passed slowly and she grew terribly bored. She had already practiced her needlework, read some books, took a bath… everything she could do within her Chambers she had already done. Collapsing on the couch of the sitting room, she stared at the ceiling wondering what else she could do. An idea suddenly crossed her mind. She raised herself to check the door to Tyrion's study. Open.

Her husband seldom used his study at home, for he already had a Master of Coin office elsewhere in the Red Keep. From what Sansa could gather, he used this room for personal accounts and hobbies, reading and drinking above them all. She stepped into the study. The room was as messy as Arya's Chambers in Winterfell. Several scrolls were lying on the floor as well as his desk. The shelf of books was incredibly dusty, there were a couple of empty wine jars and Tyrion may have forgotten to seal the ink jar for it had already dried. On the center of his desk there was a book about brave warriors and knights opened and pasted on the wall in front were drawings of dragons which seemed to have been drawn by him. He dreams of fantasies like dragons and brave knights. He might not be much more different than myself. The thought made her tummy twist even more, she could not bear to resemble a Lannister. I am a Lannister too, now.

She stood in complete amusement for a while longer in Tyrion's study staring at everything her husband cherished before stepping out.

The skies of King's Landing had just begun to turn into a pink tone when the Imp stepped into the Chambers. It was rather early for him to come home so Sansa was startled by his sudden appearance.

"Good afternoon, My Lord"

"Sansa!" Tyrion said with a tone of excitement which made her frown. He walked closer to her and took her hand. She stiffened at his touch. "May I please take you down to a walk around the gardens?"

No. She wanted to say. "I- My Lord I'm terribly sorry, but today I've not been feeling too well. I don't think it would be wise for me to go outside"

He squeezed her hand softly. "Please, My Lady, I have a surprise for you. It might be good to you if you are feeling unwell"

Why can't he leave me be? on voice rang within her mind. But another spoke louder A Surprise?

Sighing, Sansa replied "If it pleases My Lord" Tyrion's face lit up.

The gardens we're almost empty by the time they reach them. The skies had acquired a stronger shade of pink tainted by orange at the bottom and purple at the top. Sansa noticed that Tyrion was taking her by the hand through a path that she had never crossed around the gardens. She couldn't recall ever seeing it, and observant as she ever was, she realized that the stones and flowers looked freshly placed, suggesting that the place couldn't have been built too long ago.

After a few minutes, they reached a terrace and Sansa stopped her steps standing shocked of the beauty of the place. It was a breathtaking spot, with a roof held only by four pillars and no walls. The terrace had a wonderful view of the Blackwater Bay, and with the sun setting above the waters, the image was to dazzling for her eyes to bear. She let go of Tyrion's hand and wandered around the place. There were all kind of Flowers carefully planted on top of the grey couches that were on each side of the terrace. There was a small drawer on a corner filled with needlework materials and, on the other side, a little book shelf. She was surprised to see that her favorite book songs and stories were stocked up there. She frowned at the coincidence suspiciously. A gust of wind made her notice a wind chime like no other which was hanging from the left corner of the roof. She approached to it and was taken aback with a soft gasp. The adornment had been decorated with metallic trouts and wolves, as well as little red, blue and grey stones. Sansa gazed at each detail with such wonder until tears began to dwell upon her eyes.

She turned to see Tyrion, who was standing proudly beside a small round table at the center, looking at her with much attention. With such admiration.

"I've noticed that you have been quite sad lately," he spoke up staring at her with his mismatched eyes. The corner of his mouth cracked a little. "that you still see our home as a prison though I've tried to convince you not to. So I thought… Maybe- maybe I could make a gift for you. I wanted it to be something important. Something special. Not any jewelry or gold. Something you would cherish at heart and even come to love." Sansa stood in front of him in complete disbelief, with a mixture of emotions forming up her belly. Tyrion continued "It was very demanding to find it. But then I knew, the answer was right in front me. What better gift could I give Sansa Stark than a Fortress from the Lion's Den?"

Sansa felt herself approaching to him and sinking to her knees to match his height. She had to stare into his eyes. They said the eyes of a person spoke truthfully. She had to see, to believe if what she was hearing was sincere. It only took a glance for her heart to sink.

"So this is my gift to you, My Lady. Your own garden Terrace by the bay. It is entirely yours, and no one is permitted to enter unless you wish so. I've hired some soldiers to guard the entrance of the path to guarantee your safety too. I hope you find the accommodations of the place pleasant"

Why is he always so kind to me? She could hold it back no longer. She was overwhelmed by so many emotions, feelings she couldn't describe. For once, she let her heart guide her instead of her mind. For once, she let her armor slip and her walls fall. She embraced Tyrion in the warmest hug she could ever give, and lingered for a long while. She felt his body stiffen by her surprising move, but then he relaxed and wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her shoulder gently with his thumb.

"It is perfect, Tyrion" Sansa whispered

She wanted him to comfort her. She wanted to laugh with him. To give him her joys and her sorrows and her lust. But she dared not. She could not. He still could not be trusted, not entirely. She gave him one last squeeze and gathered her skirts to stand up, turning her back to stare upon the setting sun. Tyrion stood by her side until the biggest star could no longer be seen. When he excused himself, she genuinely wanted to ask him to stay. To dine with her here on the terrace and make her company. But this was her Fortress from the Den and lions did not belong here. I am only a little lion, child, and I vow, I shall not savage you his words echoed from her memory.

Maybe… maybe one day I will let him in. Maybe one day I will let him break through my armor and slip past my walls Sansa thought But not anytime soon. Not until I know for certain who he is.