To Lose A Crown
A/U: To Lose a Crown: After the marriage of her sister, Sansa is bereft of the crown that should have been hers; Demoted to the unmarried sister of the future queen, Sansa is the most sought after bride in all Westeros.
Chapter Thirteen,
Sansa sat beside her chamber fire, darkness had spread over King's Landing bringing the cold night with it. The Septa sung a relaxing tune in the next room. She imagined Breanna and Alessa sleeping soundly at the older woman's wavering voice.
Rather unexpectedly, Sansa found herself back in the same godswood she had visited in her dream. Only this time there was no snow, sunlight poured through the tall canopy above instead. And the Weir wood tree had blood like sap pouring from its eyes.
"Sansa" She turned towards the sound of the voice. "Do not be afraid." The figure before her was short, and made entirely of gleaming gold with large sparkling rubies for eyes.
She opened her mouth to speak, but started to gag instead. She fell to the ground clutching her throat. The golden boy knelt beside her, and stroked her head soothingly.
"Lady Sansa." The golden boy smiled as his eyes twinkled yet it was not him who spoke.
"Lady Sansa." She awoke to find the fire dying and the first hints of morning creeping in through the window. The Septa stood over her with concern on her aged face.
"Yes?" Sansa asked groggily as she rubbed her sleep sodden eyes.
"A messenger came, you are to go to the small council chambers."
"Who summons me?" Sansa felt indignant, it was entirely inappropriate for a lady of her status to be summoned at an hour so offensive to the Seven.
"Your son and brother in the eyes of the gods, The King."
It didn't take long for Sansa to dress herself decently in a dark pink gown made from fine silks and lace. It buttoned up to the base of her neck. She slid into matching silk open toe slippers.
Escorted by one of her husband's soldiers, Sansa made her way through the night chilled keep, her feet tapping daintily on the flagstone floors. Her skirts flowed behind her in the breeze coming in from the ocean.
Sansa quickly found herself at the tower of the hand. These had been the rooms of her father, she had along with Arya spent the latter half of her girlhood within its' thick red stone walls.
Once within the Tower, Sansa had to climb the seemingly endless staircase. Fortunately the small council chambers were not to high up the tower. When she reached the thick wooden door she turned to her guard.
"Wait here."
"Yes Ma'am"
She knocked once on the door, loud enough for anyone to hear, yet not enthusiastic enough to seem pleased at the meeting.
"Enter." Came a Man's voice from within.
She did as she told, closing the door behind her.
"Your Majesty." Sansa bowed before the king.
"Please Sansa, there is no need." She stood, and looked upon the king.
Gendry was unrecognisable, the boy once filled with princely charm seemed to have died. An imposter must now fill the space where he once stood. The man before her had the weight of an entire kingdom bearing down upon him.
"There is no need to be so formal, you are my sister, by marriage." And mother thought Sansa bitterly.
"Why have I been summoned at this hour?"
"To the point I see." The king. "I wish to make amends for past indiscretions" Which one Sansa considered, sending her son away, or forcing her to marry his cousin.
"W-" She began.
"I should have never allowed Cedric to have been sent away from your care." The king had always had a profound knack for stating the obvious. "Your sister and I have never been kind to you."
"I am surprised at your-" Sansa paused, to chose the right word. "Sincerity."
"It shames me that your surprise is rightfully deserved." The boy Gendry had once been truly had died. That or his motives for apology were less pure. Perhaps, the King himself had learnt the truth. That he was no more a king than any man living in flea bottom, and that his brothers and sister were bastards too. Leaving only Cedric as the true born king.
The conversation had lulled as Sansa considered an appropriate response.
"This is most kind of you your majesty, your apology is well received." Sansa could almost certainly use this to her advantage. "My I ask however, If Arya is also apologetic?" The King chuckled lightly.
"I doubt it my wife is stubborn, and holds grudges." Sansa knew Gendry was right about that, ever since they were children she and Arya had loathed one another.
"Then perhaps you would permit me to take my son to Casterly Rock with me once the wedding celebrations are over?" The king seemed to hesitate for a moment.
"Yes, certainly only if your brother agrees."
"Oh? why must I get Robb's approval if I already have yours?"
"As you know my dear sister and lord Stark have not been blessed with living children of their own." As a mother Sansa could imagine how empty she would feel if her children had never lived.
"Cedric is such a sweet child, I suppose I have Myrcella to thank for that." On reflection Sansa could see her sister by law's influence on the young prince, well mannered, softly spoken and kind. It still made her eyes burn with the promise of tears for what she had to say next. "I think he must stay in the north, for the sake of the Stark line."
"I'm so sorry Sansa, I feel as though I am forcing you to give up your son all over again." Sansa wanted to spit at the king and tell him that was exactly what he was doing. The gods had seen fit to send him many sons, so many they they must be disposable to him. She thorght better of yelling at the King, as that may cause a one way ticket to being in exile with his uncles.
"May I go now?" She asked he voice breaking from the strain of tears.
"Certainly" The King sounded pitying, Sansa did not want his pity.
She wanted her son, her firstborn boy.
A/N: Jesus Mary mother of Christ it has been a long long time! A little explanation, a met someone, he seemed nice, we dated he turned out to be a wanker and I've been sobbing like a baby ever since. No more. All men a arseholes, I would know I am one. Anyway that's pretty much why I haven't updated since last year I'm real sorry please forgive me, and enjoy!