Tyrion

He sat looking over his ledgers, waiting for Varys to deign to visit him. He sent word he'd be here soon, but soon was open to interpretation. Much to his surprise, Varys entered the room, after only a slight delay.

"My lord Tyrion," he said. "What can I do for you?"

"I saw you with Shae the other day," Tyrion said, not wanting to draw this out.

"Shae?" Varys replied in false confusion.

"My whore," Tyrion said. "I saw you. Why is she here? Last I knew, she was on her way to the free cities."

"Ah, well she came to me before you shipped her off. For some reason, she likes Kings Landing and wanted to stay here."

"Bron saw the ship leave."

"Mm," Varys said. "And three days later it turned around on my orders."

"Okay then," Tyrion said. "Let me ask the obvious question. Why would you do that, for a whore?"

"She's a useful thing," Varys said. Tyrion felt a well of fear bubble up inside him. "Little birds can be found in all sorts of places."

"How long?" Tyrion asked. "How long had she been reporting to you?"

"Long enough," Varys said. "She never betrayed you, my lord. I feel I must tell you that. She listened in, and told me many things. But she refused to sell your secrets."

"Something to be grateful for, I suppose," Tyrion said harshly.

"Do you want to see her?" Varys asked.

"No," Tyrion replied. "Our time has gone. If she wants to remain in the capital, I can't stop her. I'd appreciate her staying out of my lady Sansa's way for a time though."

"I can arrange that," Varys said. "Until you leave for the rock."

Tyrion smiled. "Even for you, lord Varys, that's impressively quick work."

"I shan't lie," Varys said. "I won't miss you."

"Oh, and there was me thinking that everyone's life would be poorer without my company," Tyrion said.

"Take care of your wife," Varys said. "I think she'll be more important than she knows. Before all of this is over."

"Mm," Tyrion said. He had a plan. It would take a long time for it to come to fruition, but he had a plan for after the winter was over. When the Spring came. And Sansa would be strategically important, Varys was right in that. Not that he didn't care for her, he did, but he wasn't blind to her importance either.

"Goodbye, Lord Tyrion."

"Oh, I'm sure I'll see you before the week is out," Tyrion said.

"Ah yes," Varys said. "I'm sure." The spider left and Tyrion screwed the top on the bottle of ink, and closed the ledger. He wanted to get back to his wife, even if there was work to be done.

Sansa

She lay on the bed, her eyes closed, waiting for Tyrion. It was late, and she'd already eaten but she hoped he'd be here soon. She'd loosened the laces on her gown, but hadn't removed it because she wondered if she might enjoy Tyrion doing that himself. She rather thought she would.

She heard the door open, and she sat up smiling. A smile which faded when she saw who'd come in. "Your grace," she said quietly.

"My lady Sansa, you're looking well this evening." The words were polite, but the glint in Joffrey's eyes was predatory and evil. She could feel the dress, loose around her and wished she hadn't made it easier to remove.

"It's late and I'd like to sleep. Without wishing to be rude, your grace."
The scowl on his face frightened her more than anything she could think of. Then he pounced on her, and within moments was pressing her to the bed.

"No, your grace," she cried out as he started grabbing her breasts, his weight making it impossible to move away from him. "No, please your grace. Please let me go. Ah!" she cried out as he slapped her around the face, presumably to keep her still.

"Be quiet, woman. I'll do what I want! I am the King!"

"Your grace, I'm a married woman," she said, trying again. She got a slap around the other side of her face for her trouble. She kept struggling, wishing that Tyrion was here more than anything.

Margery

Margery went to follow Joffrey. She wanted to be Queen, but she didn't trust him. His obsession with Sansa Stark was becoming dangerous, not just for her, but for the realm. If it became common knowledge that Joffrey was attempting to rape his aunt (and it was becoming an open secret around the castle. It was only a matter of time before it filtered down to the taverns.) If that became known, Joffrey would be laughed at in the streets, and reviled as a monster. She didn't want to be laughed at too. As well as the fact that she actually liked Sansa and was quite fond of her.

Margery wasn't that surprised to find that the King led the way to Sansa's chambers. Joffrey was so desperate he hadn't even closed the door. Margery waited. Not too long, but she wanted the strongest argument she could have. Sansa squealed underneath him, and she knew this had gone on long enough.

"Oh my!" she said, pretending shock as she walked in the doorway. Joffrey turned and saw her, his anger turning into surprise. "Your grace! I cannot believe… oh may the Gods help me."

"My lady Margery," Joffrey said, rushing off of the bed as Sansa covered herself up, rushing to the other side of the chamber.

"Oh, I'm not sure I can marry you after this," she said innocently. "It would just be… unthinkable."

"Oh, Margery, wait!" he said. He was about to rush after her when Tyrion walked in the door, surveying the scene. Margery could see that he understood instantly. But she couldn't resist adding fuel to the flames.

"I can no longer marry his grace," she said, wide eyed which wouldn't fool him. Tyrion was too clever. "I walked in and found him forcing himself on his aunt and I cannot marry a man who'd do that." Then Margery Tyrell flounced off, knowing she had everyone right where she wanted them.

More tomorrow, and many thanks for the reviews so far. They let me know what I'm doing right (and wrong!) :)