True Colours
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and no money as been made out of this.
Chapter 3
"Maybe if the Mountain was standing further west, Oberyn wouldn't notice him."
Weddings. Beautifull ocasions to proclaime love, join houses and fortify friendships. Important events where two people joined their lifes for the remaining of their days, events that every litle girl dreamed of, events that took a lot of planning, events that were very stressfull.
It had been an hour. An hour of planning some stupid wedding that wouldn't probably take place! Of course the other members of the Smal Council didn't know that, but it drove Cersei Lannister crazy! Who cared if Oberyn Martel noticed the Mountain?! Who cared if the flowers weren't roses?! WHO CARED IF MARGAERY'S DRESS WASN'T MADE OF THE PUREST SILK!?
At that point, the Queen would do anything to get out of there. She looked around. Sat at the table were Mace Tyrel, Litlefinger, her uncle, Sir Kevan, Maester Piecel, Lord Varys, Tyrion, and of course, her dear father, Lord Tywin.
Each time one of them suggested something, another one had to contradict him, and it would take five minuts until her father decided wich one was right. It was madning. The only person who seemed as uncorfotable as her was Tyrion. But that could be because of the hangover he was probably nursing... It would be difficult to try and make a truce with him if he was drunk! Maybe if Cersei found him a wife that actually wanted to marry him...
"We will place the Martels facing North, so their back is turned to the Mountain, and luckily, they won't see him." Tywin's voice was as cold as allways, even when dealing with the preparatives of a wedding. "Now, regarding the flowers. I believe Lord Baelish promessed us a carpet of roses."
"Yes, my Lord. Black roses will be arrivng soon from the islands. They will be the perfect symbol for the King's wedding: a rose for the Tyrel bride, and black for the Baratheon husband." was it normal for Cersei to think that Litlefinger was getting more anoying by the minut?
"Escuse me, my Lords." Great! Now even Varys forgets about me! The only woman in the room sent him a dead glare. She was sure she was going to have a migraine. "It is my humble opinion that a carpet of flowers might not be the most fitting. I was wondering what would be your opinion about instead of freeing pigeons from a pie, we threw some roses in the river and watch them travel to the sea. It would be the perfect symbol for the future of the two houses. One path, that even full of tormoils, will lead to greatness." the enuch gigled in the end of his speech.
Cersei felt like run over to a wall. Countless times. Until she was uncouncious and couldn't hear this idiots talking. Didn't they know that half the people atending were half-twits!? They would only see the pretty things. And did everyone want to do something with flowers!? What was wrong with the birds?! Didn't this people have anything better to do than destroy what sanity she still had.
"If so, than I will ask for some flowers from High-Graden to be brought. It will help my daughter. She is so homesick that yesterday at dinner she didn't eat anything." Mace Tyrel was really oblivious to what was going on around him.
Of course. Homesick! Ah, that's bullshite! She knows she screwed up and now is scared of what is coming her way! As she should be! Maybe that old thing will die of concern over her grandaughter...
"The gardens of High-Garden are legendary, that is known." Tyrion seemed to finally feel well enough to participate in the conversation. "However, it might take too long. The flowers won't arrive in time for the wedding." Who cares?!
"Oh, they certainly are. I'm sure your wife would love them. Maybe when it is all over you would like to visit us in our humble home."
Shite! Cersei did not move on the outside, her eyes still on the papers in her hands, but on the inside, all her attention was in Mace Tyrel. Maybe he wasn't as stupid as she had previously thought... He had conducted perfectly the conversation to where he wanted, and they had fallen for his trap.
"It certainly is saffer than here. We would welcome her with open arms, if you would like for us to protect her while the war lasts."
And there it was. It seemed the Tyrels hadn't given up on Sansa Stark yet. They still wanted her to go to High-Garden. And the Lannisters couldn't refuse, because they would be showing that they don't trust them, just like it would've been if Sansa hadn't marry Tyrion. They were traped, and her father knew it.
She looked at him. He was staring at Tyrion. Is he going to let him decied!? That's absolutly terrible! Tyrion will probably take the offer! He didn't want to marry her in first place! But I can't say anything, it would look suspicious... It would, wouldn't it? Maybe just enough for Varys and Litlefinger to start spying on me... And if one of them was to tell Mace that I didn't really like man... no one wants their son to be married to such a woman, do they?
"We apreaciete your kindness, but what better way to protect our loved ones than to keep them closed?" she had interrupted Tyrion right before he started speaking to get more atention. And the use of the 'loved ones'? Oh, Cersei could almost see those two manipulative creatures thinking. Men, allways so easy...
"Your Grace, with all due respect, I insist in providing Lady Stark with some protection. Is the least we can do." Mace Tyrel was really trying to get his hands on Winterfell. Had he forgoten what her father had donne to the last second greatest house of Westeros? Maybe she would have to remind him...
"Then give her some soldiers. I'm sure she will be thankfull." the Queen glared at everyone, one by one, including her father. "Sansa Stark will not be leaving the Red Keep any time soon."
"Cersei." Finally decided to join the conversation, father dear? "It is not your place to decide. The girl IS married to your brother. He shall have the last words."
"Your father's right. Soon you will be married too, and won't have to worry yourselfe over this things." Her uncle could be so infuriating! Did he actually thought she would get married!? Only if they dragged her all the way! And the kind and peacefull way he spoked, like it something so obvious, as if she was a litle girl?! It only made things worst.
"Uncle dear, this is not about me getting married. It's about Sansa Stark leaving King's Landing, what won't happen." she glared at Mace Tyrel, who visibly gulped. Cersei Lannister might not have her father's icy stare, but she did have her own murderes glare.
"Cersei, Sansa Stark is my wife. Joffrey might have turned her life a living hell by kiling her father, but that won't happen again. Only over my dead body. And if I say she leaves to High-Garden, then she does." Tyrion had finally gotten back his tongue, it seemed.
Oh, how she wanted to replie to him in a nasty way... Say something along the lines of: is that a chalenge? But Sansa wouldn't really apreceate that, would she. So instead, she stood up and looked down at all those man who thought could do as they pleased with women.
Varys and Litlefinger were studying her. It was obvious they were curious about why she had became so suddendly protective over the northen girl. Good! If they find out I like woman, it's one less knews to breack.
Her father seemed angry at her. Maybe he had wanted to make Sansa Stark a spy for the Lannisters. What a shame Cersei liked the girl. He would have to find another person he considered rideble. Maybe it could be her cousin Lancel. It might vanishe her Uncle's disaproving face away.
Maestre Pycelle was just staring at her, gapping. Mace Tyrel was red with fury and Tyrion was more curious than anything else.
Instead of saying something, she just left. She was so donne with all of them. She promessed she was going to fix everything with Sansa, and she would. She couldn't let some random guy steal her away, could she?
The Queen Regent had no idea where her ginger girl could be. The events from two days were still fresh in her mind. After Sansa helped her placing Margaery in bed, they had gonne back to her room by the passegeways. Once dressed again, the two woman talked for litle while, until Sansa had to leave. It wouldn't do for Tyrion to know of their meeting. However, Cersei had promessed she would talk to Sansa about what had happen. Besides, the Tyrel woman had been glued to her Sansa since then, and that was something Cersei could not stand. Now, she only had to find her.
Minuts later, the Regent Queen was calmly walking towards the gardens, after a servant had told her that would be the place where she would find the litle shewolf. Somehow, she couldn't force herself to care about the fact that she had just left everything to be planed by idiots. She had been working so hard... at least she deserved a day off, right?
The sun was shinning and Cersei was glad she had picked a summer dress, even if she had to change later for something warmer. She could see the preparations for the wedding were already being made. Tables were being moved around, the plants were being tend more carefully.
There was one typical place where the yound Ladies liked to spend their time in the gardens. It had some of the most exoctic flowers and a fountain, and lately, it had become full of laugther and voices, just like Sansa liked it. She sure was the social type.
She ends up finding Sansa in the midle of the other Tyrels women, sat next to Margaery and her grandmother. Even if she seems wary and maybe unconfortable, that could be justified with all that she has been through, so luckily they wouldn't get suspicious of anything. It would be dangerous if they decided Sansa was a threat.
Still, Sansa seemed happier than she had been before. She was starting to smile more again and she seemed more openned up. Her hands were working efficiently on her seweing. When had it been the last time Sansa had donne that? Cersei couldn't help but smile at the sceane before her, leaning in a tree. The red haired girl was simply amazing. There was something in her smile, in her eyes, that made Cersei feel capable of doing anything to protect her.
Another smile that caught her attention was Margaery's. It seemed that after some minuts she had finnally been spoted. Oh, how I would love to whipe that sweet fake smile of her face. I swear that one day I'll get her!
"Cersei, how good it is to see you again! Have you come to join us?" Margary's voice was the most annoying the Queen had ever heard.
"I higly doubt that. With all that there is to plan I believe that our dear Queen Regent and the men have time to spare." Oh, yes. I'm defenetly getting Margaery and her Grandmother. "Anyway, what is it that brought you here, girl?" Defenetly.
"You might haven't realised it yet, but it happens that I live here." If Olenna Tyrel thought she could get away with being insolent, than she was very mistaken. No one had a sharper toungue than Cersei Lannister. "Not that it is anything of your concern, but I was wondering if Sansa could acompain me." She used the first name on porpose, to mark territory, and Sansa as hers.
Sansa stares her in the eye and smiles. When she heard Margaery greeting Cersei, she wasn't sure how she should react. But if the Queen Regent was asking for her, there was no way she could refuse. So she quickly stood up and headed towards the older woman. Before she could walk three steps, a hand grabed her wrist. Sansa imeaditly tensed.
"I belived it is better if you come later. Right now, LADY Sansa is ocupied with us. Besides, whatever some Lannister has to say can wait.
The other women were now paying attention. It wasn't every day someone stood up against Cersei Lannister so openly, insulting her family. When the night arrived, rumours and gossips would be already filling the corridors of the Red Keep about this litle confront.
The Lannister woman smirked and strood forward. Whispers emerged from the small crowd, everyone wondering what would she do. She could see her son's fiancé eyeing her suspiciously. Could it be possible she was already picking what was going on between she and Sansa? Not that there was anything speciafic yet. Also, it didn't seem the Tyrel girl was aware of Sansa's envolvement in their litle... incident.
A gentle hand was placed on her other wrist, completely diferent from Lady Olenna grip. To anyone else, it would seem that the Queen was only angry at being confronted, but Sansa could see past that. There was something there, something else, something possessive. Somehow, it made her feel safer.
"Then I think it is a good thing that I'm not just some Lannister, but the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, right? Sometimes, I get the feeling that people forget about that. I'm not sure why..."
Sansa pulled her hand way from the older woman, to Margaery's surprise. Is something already going on between them? The red haired girl intwriled her fingers with Cersei's and followed her.
They walked in silence, both of them in their owne worlds. Sansa was happy the Queen wanted to talk to her, and the Queen was happy Sansa chose her over the Tyrels. The Stark one placed her head on the Lannister's shoulder. Being a Stark meant she was quit high for her age, and that was showing.
Cersei leads them to a clearing and sits down next to a trea. Sansa smiles and sits down too, gigling when the Lannister places a yeallow flower on her air.
"So, what is it that is so important that made you leave the Smal Council?" Sansa grabed some flowers.
"Litle dove, anything would be important enough to make me leave those idiots." the red haired girl rolled her eyes and Cersei pockedher in the side. "But I think there is something you should know: the Tyrels want to take you to High-Garden. I know I don't have any say in your decision, but I think Olenna knows you haven't consumated your wedding yet, so is likely they will want to marry you with their heir."
"I... I think I don't want to go... I... I don't know what to do..." Sansa shifted closer to her Queen. "I don't know who to trust. I probably shouldn't tell you this, but Lord Baelish told me not to trust you. And I wasn't going to, but then you invited me for lunch and all that hapenned with Margaery... And you were so normal and nice and now just after two days I'm here talking to you like I had allways known you... And... and I miss my familym, but I'm scared of what will happen to them and... and I don't want to... to..." Sansa looked at her hands, a tear streaming down her face.
"You miss your family. I can't say I know how you feel but... I- I'll try to help you." Cersei cuped Sansa's face and whiped her tears. Just like Joffrey, she couldn't stand seeing woman crying. "I don't want you to leave, but I promess I'll do everything to protect you. As long as you are with me, you are safe. A-"
It was crazy and Sansa knew it, but she couldn't help herself and kissed Cersei Lannister. Her first real kiss. She wasn't sure she should have donne that, probably not, but she was atracted to the Queen, that much sh knew. And she had promessed to protect her and help her family and Cersei seemed to be serious... and maybe part of her wanted to feel safe and the Queen felt just like it... And it was just to much.
Cersei was startled, but very happy. Only two days and their relationship was already blooming. It felt weird. Sansa had her face wet from tears, her hands grabed the fabric of her clothes with need, but her lips were soft against her. She has never thought Sansa would be the one to start a kiss between them, at least for the first time.
Slowly, not to scare her, the Queen placed a hand on the redhead's face, another around her waist. Pulling her closer, she started to gently move her lips. The Stark girl responded by moving her own lips, but in a more inscure way.
Sansa openned her eyes, finally realizing what she had donne. She had just kissed Cersei Lannister on the mouth, was still kissing. Even more shocking, the Queen had responded. What had she been thinking? This woman was the older sister of her husband! Oh Seven Hells! I'm married! What am I supposed to say to Lord Tyrion!? What will Lord Tywin do to me!?
"Sansa?" she looked in those green eyes, and for the first time, saw incertaintety. Maybe the Queen was as scared as her. Maybe she hadn't been expecting it. "Are you alright?"
"I... think I am, yes." I should distangle me form her arms. "Are you mad?" Well, she doesn't seem to mind it so maybe I can stay like this a litle longer.
"Not at all." Cersei pulled her closer. "I... liked it."
"You did?"
"I did."
"But did you like it like you like the kiss or did you like it like you liked me kissing you?" Why am I asking?! Do I even want to know the answer? Yes, yes I do.
"I liked you kissing me. And you're not a bad kisser either." Cersei leaned closer, brushing her nose against Sansa's.
This time they were looking in eachother's eyes. The Queen''s smirk was predatory, her eyes shinning brightly. Their lips were almost touching, Sansa could feel Cersei's hot breath on her fa-
'Ghrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr'
They separated themselves from eachother, startled by the noise. Sansa could see Cersei's face starting to turn an adorable red colour. How would people react if they knew that Cersei Lannister stomach had growled right when they were about to kiss?
"Don't you dare to laugth, you heard? I haven't had the time yet to eat anything since what hapenned yesterday!" Sansa gigles turned into fully hearted laugthes when she saw the pout on her Queen's face.
"I'm sorry! I mean, this jus- Alright, alright... I'm fine..." Sansa gigled some more and accepted Cersei's help to get up. "And you promessed to tell what was that all about." They started walking hand in hand.
"Long short story, Margaery and her Grandma want power, they thought they could play me, Sansa saves the day."
"I don't want the short story. I want to know what hapenned and why she was strangling you."
Cersei came to halt and pulled Sansa to their left side. They were finally back to the more common area of the gardens. Thankfully, being Queen meant that no one dared to speak with Cersei when she was with someone.
"Remember what I told in the night of the Batle of Blackwater?" it was shocking how Cersei could go from friendly to stoic and regal so fast.
"Ah..." they weren't holding hands anymore, and that bothered Sansa. Of cours they would have to hide their relationship, bu- Do we have a relationship? Cersei said she liked that I kissed her, and I kind of like her, but we are both women... It's not like people would accept us... But is there even an us? What are we exacly?
"Sansa, are you listenning?"
"Ah... No?"
"I was saying that Margaery also thinks that her best weapon is between her legs." the Queen loked from the corner of her eye to the red headed girl, waiting for her to get the answer for herself.
"Oh, that. Yes I remember. What does it have to do wi- Oh my gods! Did she... was she... But but but... I... you... her..." Sansa couldn't believe that Margaery had donne what she thought she had donne. Did she tried to rappe her? In her own home? Of course she was strangling Cersei! She must have escaped and Margaery couldn't let that happen! And now she is in even more danger!
"Sansa, relax! I would rather if you didn't atracted any... undeasired attention..."
"Right, sorry. But what about the bruises and you were bleeding...?" Cersei body became more tense.
"Sansa, there are some people who like to... use some things to make it more enjoyable." the Queen could see Sansa was not getting there. "Things like belts and ropes. Bring us some fruit, cheese and bread. We will be in my room." Cersei turned to the servant and said.
"But why would she want to do that to you?" Danm it! Why does she keep making dificult questions? They were getting closer to her bedroom.
"Because somehow they found out that..." Common Cersei. Just say it. You knew there would come a day when you would have to admit it to someone! "... that I prefer the company of women." Sansa's face turn red when she heard those words. " And her grandma must've thought that she could play me using that. Did you know that Olenna Tyrel seduced her sister's future husband only not to marry a Targaryen?" Sansa shook her head no. "She probably told Margaey that she could get the upper hand like that. So the litle flower hit me in the head and tied me to the bed. When I finnaly woke up I was traped under her. She then started to... uhm... follow her plan. She wanted me to become submissive to her. Like that would ever happen. And when I finally got free of the ropes she tried to kill me. And she would have donne it if it wasn't for you." Cersei leaned down and kissed Sansa's fingers.
The Stark girl was in shock. To know that Margaery Tyrel and her grandmother were capable of going to such lengths to achieve what they wanted. They had tried to rape her! There was something else in the Queen's reaction, Sansa had seen it, but she didn't dare to push her. It had only been two days since her almost-rape-almost-death experience.
Sansa grabed Cersei's arm with strength when she was about to open the door to her bedroom. She looked her in the eye and hugged her before the Queen could do react.
To say that Cersei was surprised was not enough. She didn't want to tell Sansa what hapenned because she was scared of how she would react. But for the looks of it, there was nothing to be afraid of. The red headed girl supported her and was not scared to show her. In fact, she seemed to be scared for her, and not of her.
The Queen peted Sansa's hair as she rested her head in the other woman's shoulder.
"It's fine now. It's over."
"It's not, and you know it. What do you think they will do?"
"Don't worry. I'll make sure tha-"
"That what, sister dear?"
They had been really lucky to have separated themselves before Tyrion's apearance. He walked up to them, his eyes resting on his sister. Cersei had a look of disgust, but Sansa knew she was only displeased that their time together had been cut short. And she still had her stomach empty, too.
"My Lady, I hope our Queen wasn't bothering you. I know how my sister can be." he took Sansa's hand, trying to look protective. Sansa only wanted to go back Cersei's arms.
"Do not worry... brother. I was only telling Sansa how I would make sure that she wouldn't leave KingsLanding." She looked at Sansa, her lips almost invisibly curled up, so much that Sansa would later wonder if she had imagined it, and entered her room. And with that, their time together was over. But somehoe, knowing that Cersei wanted her close to her was a small compensation.
She and her husband started to do their way to their bedroom. None of them talked. She never knew what to say to him. Much less now that she had kissed his sister.
"My Lady?" they were finally entring their shared room.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Please, do not worry about my sister. Even if she insistes in acting like this, she will soon get married with whoever my father says and leave KingsLanding."
Sansa wasn't so sure that the Queen would do so, at least peacefully. Still, the thought of loosing her made her feel terribly. The truth was that she did like to spend her time with the blond woman, and that she was her only true friend there. Since she had started to to act more like her true self Sansa hadn't been able to stop thinking of her. Wich was kind of wrong, but a lot of things were wrong in her life lately. It was fun to think that that it had only been two days since they had started getting closer, but it felt like an eternety. Probably because of what Margaery did. And even if Joffrey had made her life a living hell and killed her dad, and even if she was married to the Imp, and even if she was now a woman, she didn't feel strong. But she felt that she would be protected and safe as long as she was with the Queen.
"My Lord, if I may speak freely." Time to grow some bone, Sansa. "I don't think Cersei Lannister will comply with that. From what litle experience I have with her, I believe she won't let herself be used like some offer of peace to compasate the Tyrels for our marriege. She won't abdicate of her recently found freedom, and neither she will let anyone sell her like a horse." I should not have said that! I should not have said that! Cersei really is starting to rub on me, isn't she?
Tyrion was looking at her surprised. Two days ago his wife had been a scared thing, to afraid to say anything. This girl who spoke her mind and thoughts was nothing like her. And she was protecting his sister too... What had they been doing when he found them? It was time to have another conversation with Varys.
That night, Sansa dreamed of lions and wilfire eyes.
"Goodafternoon, daughter."
Cersei stoped momentainly before continuing to close the door. She hadn't been expecting to have to deal with her father so soon.
"Father."
She sat on her bed waiting for him to explain what he was doing in her chambers. He sat quietly, on her desk, looking at her with THE look. Cersei wouldn't be intimidated in her own home by her own father. If he was expecting her to sit in front of him and act like she was afraid like those other idiots, than he would be very desseptioned.
The silence was getting awkward but she refused to say breack their eye contact or to say anything. It seemed her father had more important things to do because he started to talk.
"I don't want a repetition of today. Ever again."
"And I don't want to get married." Lord Tywin's was getting angry. Good. Maybe he will storm out. "Don't we have more important things to worry about? Like the Starks and Stannis?"
Someone knocked on the door and the older lion stood up. Thank go her food arrived. She was famished.
"I warned you, Cersei." He openned the door, letting the scared servant in to put the foof on the table. "And the Starks... they will soon be taken cared of." Lord Tywin got out of her chambers.
Cersei was left wondering about her father words... She had promessed to protect Sansa's familly, and that meant that she would have to stop whatever plan her father had. But she couldn't do that herself, it would be to dangerous. Who knew if her father didn't turn against her and sided with Stannis? But first, she had to discover what he was planning. She picked a grape and poped it in her mouth.
What are you doing, father...?
To be continued...
A.N.: Hello, everyone! Sorry for the delay! School term is finally over so expect more updates, here, and in my other fanfics! Don't forget to let me know your opinion! Adeus!
