Tyrion was in the library finishing some letters when door opened. He expected it to be Sansa so he didn't turn to see if he was right.
''Oh, is that my lady wife? Are you here to remind me I skipped two meals my love?''
He turned and instead of Sansa he saw her mother standing there.
''Lady Stark, I apologize.''
''I am not my daughter, but you are right… You should be reminded and reprimanded for missing two meals.''
''I am sorry… There was so much to be done that I forgot about hunger or any other need I had during the day.''
''I am sure you did. I saw one of the men leaving with full tray of letters to be sent.''
''I am expecting some new trade deals to be made, so I had to do a small research about the trading and resources of the North. It is our duty not to allow anyone to be hungry or lack basic things Lady Stark.''
''I agree…''
She noticed that Tyrion was a bit nervous and she had no idea what was that about.
''My lady, what about schools? Do you have them?''
''No, our children had private tutors all their lives.''
''And the children who live in the keep and the estate?''
''No, they don't have any lessons.''
''How would you feel about helping me find a space where we could open the school. I have list of about two hundred children from the age of five to ten. We could find some space for them to learn.''
''You want to open the school?''
''Yes, knowledge is power my lady… And we should let them have some of it. At least to teach them to write and read. That is important for all the people, no matter how low or high born they are.''
Lady Stark was surprised by her son in laws idea. She didn't expect him to suggest anything like that.
''There is an abandoned stable…about twenty minutes' walk from here… Maybe that space could be used for school?''
''Would you accompany me tomorrow morning and show me that place?''
She couldn't say no to him. He was doing something important and offered her a chance to bond over something. She knew he was trying to find something to bond over with her for Sansa and she owed her daughter the same.
''Yes, I will join you.''
''Thank you Lady Stark.''
''No, thank you lord Lannister.''
She was about to leave the room when he stopped her.
''Lady Stark, I need to ask you something…''
''Yes, my lord?''
''Can you not tell Sansa? I want to surprise her after everything is done.''
''My daughter hates secrets.''
''I know…But she loves surprises.''
''I will do mybest to keep this between us.''
''Thank you.''
She continued walking to the door and when she opened them she run into Sansa. She was surprised to see her mother in the same room with her husband.
''Mother?''
''Sansa…''
She looked at her husband who was smiling.
''Are you here to yell at me for not eating?''
''Something like that.''
''Well, we can have something to eat in our chambers… I am so tired from all the work I did today.''
''I will ask for something to be brought to us.''
''Thank you Sansa.''
Both women left the library and each continued their own way, Lady Lannister to the kitchens and Lady Stark to her chamber.
When Tyrion got back to their chamber, Sansa was already there and she was pouring them some wine.
''Oh, one of my favorite sights… My wife and my wine.''
She smiled at him.
''Sometimes I feel you love wine more…''
''Just sometimes my lady…''
''Oh, really?''
''But if it is any comfort to you, you both give me bad headaches.''
She just started laughing and took her seat.
''Sometimes I don't know what to do with you.''
He smirked…
''Well, I do have some suggestions.''
''I am sure you do!''
They ate in silence and after they were done, Tyrion asked for a bath. Sansa left the room to talk to her mother for a moment and to see what is more to be done before Sir Jamie arrives with Tommen. She wanted everything to be perfect for when they arrive.
Pod prepared everything for him and left. Tyrion stripped and got into tub. It felt amazing to relax a bit and just enjoy the wormth and silence of his and Sansa's chambers. Lady Lannister came back to their chamber and found her husband really enjoying his bath.
''Is there place for one more?''
''Well, I don't take much space so I guess there is.''
She removed her dress and stripped slowly for her husband before she joined him. She got in behind him and he leaned into her and took her hands that were on his shoulders.
''I missed you today my lady… How was your day?''
''Boring… Yours?''
''It was very tiring to deal with numbers all day.''
''What did you talk about with my mother?''
''I think we were making and effort to have civil conversation for you my love.''
''And?''
''It will take time, but we are up to a good start.''
''I am very glad you are… It means a lot.''
''I know… Part of the reason why I am making an effort is for you Sansa. I know how much you love your family… And for you I will find a way to be civil with them…''
''I spoke to Rob… I think he will be trying to make an effort too..''
''Really?''
''Yes, really…''
''I am surprised.''
''Why?''
''I never saw him as someone making an effort or compromise.''
''He is doing it for me.''
''We all are… You are a center of our world Sansa.''
''Not everyone.''
''Give your father some time.''
''I am not sure if I can.''
''You can… You have to.''
''Why do you have faith in him?''
''Because he is your father… And you should do all in your power to make it good with him… We both should…''
''If we do it with him, should I expect the same with Lord Tywin.''
She could feel her husband tense.
''My father is a different story?''
''Why?''
''Because he hates me… And yours loves you to death Sansa.''
He got up and turned to face her in the tub.
''Sansa… You are pride and joy of Lord Ned Stark. You are his daughter who he loves very much. He always spoke of you with so much love and pride… I am my father's shame… He hates me… He always hated me… I am a dwarf and I killed his beloved Joana. He loved her all his life. My mother was his one and true love and I think he still loves her… But, he hates me… He sees me as someone who took her from him. He only shows some feelings to my brother and sister…''
He took her hands and kissed them.
''You are lucky my love… Your family loves you… Fight to keep it that way… You Starks have your pack and you stick together.''
''Well, I can't wait for our own pack…''
He smiled at her.
''I am looking forward to it too… I can't imagine more amazing thing than having children with you… But that is a scary idea to me…''
She knew his fears.
''I will not die… I will make it and give you many children… We will grow old surrounded by our pack…''
He could imagine them. He could see their amazingly beautiful children… Daughters looking like Sansa and sons….hopefully being healthy and strong like Jamie.
''Where did you just go in your mind?''
''I was thinking about the kids… How they would look like you and Jamie…''
''Jamie?''
''Well, better him than….''
''I will love our children no matter what… Even if some of them are born like you, they are still our children and will be loved… Your father will not set standards for love in our family and parenting Tyrion!''
He was surprised how angry Sansa got, but he was also grateful for her anger and words. She would love children like he is… She would not make difference…and he knew he would love them too.
''You are right.''
That ended talk about their future children. They got ready for bed and fell asleep as soon as their head hit the pillow.
Following morning they were in the dining room with the rest of the family sharing breakfast. One of the ladies from the kitchen came to Lady Stark with a list.
''My lady, this is what we currently have and what has to be used soon before it becomes rotten. Do you have some suggestion for the dishes?''
This was amazing opportunity for Lady Stark and Tyrion to sneak out of the castle and go to the old stable. She knew this would keep Sansa busy for hours.
''Well, Rebecca… Give it to Lady Lannister… She is in charge now. Give her the list and take her to see what you have and she will give you the suggestions…''
Tyrion understood right away what she was doing and he was glad she did it. Sansa was surprised, along with everyone else what just happened. Lady Stark let her take charge of the keep and the rest? Something was strange there and Sansa had a feeling there was more to the story than just letting her pick meals. Sansa went to the kitchen, her older brothers went their own way, and the kids went to have their lessons. Ned retired to his chambers and that left Lady Stark and Tyrion.
''Shall we my lord? We should hurry before someone sees us…''
''Yes, my lady.''
They sneaked out from the keep and walked to the stable. Tyrion was thinking about all the work that had to be done to make kid's journey safer and easier. Lady Stark noticed he was looking around and thinking about something.
'"What is it my lord?''
''I am thinking about all that has to be done.''
''Done?''
''Well, the path has to be cleaned…maybe even changed a bit…Hm… I will have to think about it.''
''Oh….''
She saw all that he saw too and in her mind she knew what he wanted to say and she could see also what had to be fixed or handled in some way. They arrived to the stable and he loved the space. It was big, wide and it had a lot of light. Path to it was in the woods, but this was nice clearing and he could see the potential of fixing this place.
''My lady, this is amazing.''
''But id's old and dirty… And a lot of things needs to be fixed.''
''We will fix it my lady and we will make the school for the kids here.''
''And whou would teach?''
''Well, Sansa could… and you could too if you want… I do know you are very educated lady…''
''I…''
''It is fine if you don't wish to do it.''
''I do wish… I was just surprised to hear you wanted me to do it…''
''You and Lady Sansa are two most educated women here… I am very sure that you would be good with this sort of things. They respect you and they will let their kids to school if you and Sansa took care of them.''
''You really care about this?''
''I do.''
''Why?''
''Because education matters… and aside from the usual subjects, they should learn needlework as well as to handle their swords…even the girls.''
''Lord Tyrion, that is unheard for.''
''Lady Arya can handle her sword like a man…or even better.''
''She is not a good example…''
''Well, Lady Sansa could talk herself out of many troubles, but she would die if it came to the blade… Teach them to be bland between them.''
''But, many people would not agree…''
''I know… That's why I said it. Men go to wars… Women should know how to protect themselves… And sometimes is the solution your spouse's or brother's sword.''
She had to agree… She listened to all the arguments he had for his idea and as he spoke, she was more aware how right he was.
''You are much different than what I expected you to be.''
''I hope it's a good thing my lady?''
She just smiled at him.
''We should get back… Someone will notice that we are missing.''
''After you my lady.''
They walked back to the keep and when they were seen together by Sansa and Arya surprise was written on their faces. Other two didn't see them. They were deep in the conversation about school and materials they will need to fix it. From the top of the tower, Ned Stark watched in surprise his wife walking with the dwarf and being deep in conversation with him. He felt like she also betrayed him and crossed to Tyrion's side.
