"Sit if you please Lady Sansa." Lady Allyria stood tall and looked very well to her, though Sansa hadn't seen her in almost a fortnight. Her dress was a thing of beauty though and Sansa was a little jealous of it. It was dark purple like her eyes, it reminded Sansa of her debts towards the lady.
"I wanted to thank you for the very beautiful dresses my lady, they were quite a surprise, and you are far to kind to me, especially to invite me to lunch as well." Sansa had worn the red and purple dress she had been given in fact, to show her appreciation. She was very leery of her new friend though, she was after all a Lannister.
"My husband once tore one, actually several of my favorite dresses, to placate me he promised to buy me my own shop in Lannisport. I am afraid he is detained and rather unable to keep his word." Sansa blanched, I am sure she hates me too for what Robb is doing. "I rather doubt he will notice the expense anyways."
"I was sorry to hear of Ser Jaime's capture. My brother is a traitor and the Father above will judge him." The look Sansa received was queer, she felt her tummy rumble. What does she mean in all this?
"Though he respected him, to King Robert my brother betrayed him, was a traitor too. I cannot fully understand your life Sansa, Arthur died when I was very young I barely remember him. I know the line you walk though, between love and loyalty for your family and the love and loyalty you owe your king, especially as His Grace is to be your husband." She has been sent here to test me. Sansa drew in a deep breath to express once again all of her loyalties. "I have no wish to make you ill at ease, I understand where your loyalties are I assure you." Her smile was kind and honest, the first Sansa had seen since Joffery killed her father. "I understand you have a half brother as well, Jon? Tyrion told me he volunteered for the wall, very brave of him." Sansa nodded, it was nice to speak of her family without any worries or guilt. "Jaime's cousin Joy is a delight she has become quite a companion to me. I would be happy to introduce you if you like, she is like your brother, baseborn." No one has asked me what I think since before my father was killed.
"I would be pleased to meet her," Sansa was surprised that a high born lady like Allyria, married to the heir of Casterly Rock would have a bastard for a companion, and surprised she would be in the capital with her.
Lady Allyria must have read her feelings on her face, "Joy does not know her mother, her father my Uncle Gerion by marriage disappeared long ago when he sailed in to the smoking sea."
A servant poured them both a cup of honeyed red wine from the arbor. "Thank you Brenna, I shall call if you are needed again." Allyria excused the girl, she is all grace and politeness, how the queen must despise her.
"She spent many years with a septa in the Rock."
"She lived in the Rock?" Sansa was surprised again, she knew how much her mother disliked Jon's presence.
"Yes, Ser Gerion was unmarried and so brought her home. Lord Tywin would never force her out, my good-father has many critics to be sure but a Lannister is a Lannister to him regardless of nobility." She had never met Lord Tywin but Sansa knew his reputation and met all of his children and grandchildren, she felt she was perfectly fine never having to meet the man himself. "She has some cousins near her in age but only male cousins, soon Tyrek, Williem and Martyn were sent off to squire. I asked for her company when we left to the Vale, it was agreed that the outing would be beneficial for her and she came with. When we were forced to quit that residence there was no safe way to transport her back to the Rock and she had to come with."
Sansa thought about how peculiar this young woman was, she was married to a considerably older man, though he was handsome and rich to be sure. She took time to know and thank her servants and paid particular attention to those beneath her, including Sansa herself. It had been awhile since she had spent anytime with the queen, a slight indeed but not one Sansa minded. They sat in companionable silence eating and listening to the birds in the background. Sansa felt much more at ease now, she had been very happy to see lemoncakes. Eventually they began to speak of inconsequential things songs, seasons, and sewing.
When the food was all cleared Lady Allyria yawned deeply and stretched. She stood after all the servants left, "Would you like to accompany me on a walk? I feel a need for exercise." Sansa nodded, standing she timidly smoothed her dress. "You are very pretty," Sansa blushed deeply. "Your modesty only enhances it, His Grace is very lucky, perhaps one day he will see it too." Sansa was shocked at her boldness, she very seriously hoped that she had found a new friend in Lady Allyria; Sansa had been feeling very lonely.
Sansa couldn't come up with a response; no one else had mentioned Joffery's cruelty. She had been beaten by the Kingsguard in front of the whole court and everyone pretended like it never happened, so Sansa had to too. Neither Lady Allyria nor Lord Tyrion had arrived yet, it was right after news broke of Ser Jaime's capture.
"I favor a turn in the Godswood, would that please you?"
"If it pleases you then I would be pleased to accompany to you."
"Sansa," Allyria chided politely slipping her hand through Sansa's arm, "You are among equals, in fact you will one day be queen and shall be superior to all but the king, there is no need for such courtesies. You are not quite twelve I believe."
"I am twelve," her mouth went to form the words my lady but she stopped herself, "Allyria."
"I am eighteen, Jaime is thirty four, my cousins by marriage Wiliem and Martyn are a year older then you. They enjoy the privilege of calling me by name only, why should you not also enjoy that privilege?" Because it is improper, Sansa didn't say anything to contradict her though. "I am sure to you I seem a snake in the grass." Sansa grasped at words to soothe her, but it was kind of true and she came up blank. "I wish us to be friends, there are not enough ladies my own age and certainly not yours and I am getting rather bored."
"Yes," Sansa agreed, she tried to stay in her room as much as possible and it was incredibly isolating, not that anyone wanted to be with her anyways.
Allyria laughed at her emphatic response, it was pleasant and not cruel though. "I am glad I am not the only one." Lady Allyria broke away but turned to face Sansa and was watching Sansa as she walked backwards. "Joy is quite content, perhaps even overwhelmed by all this, though I think that is mostly a change in scenery." At this she threw out her arms wide. She turned back again and fell in step with Sansa "she is new to such adventures; to you and I, Kingslanding is an old and begrudging acquaintance of sorts. You have to put up with them, occasionally you enjoy their company but more often then not they are a nuisance."
Sansa laughed at her description. She too was enjoying the sunshine which was warm on her face even though the great white raven from the citadel announced the changing season. It would soon start snowing in earnest at Winterfell, Sansa loved making castles in the powdery snow. It would be a long time till it was that cold here, when the sun hit Lady Allyria's hair just right it was almost to bright to look at. Sansa's eyes started to water, she tried to blink the tears away. "You have been to Kingslanding before?" she asked.
"Yes, Jaime and I were married in the castle sept, I was here over a moons turn prior to that though."
"Ser Jaime is very handsome," Sansa remarked shyly.
Allyria laughed, it was light and tinkly like a giggle. "He is very handsome, too handsome by half I would say." I will never care for my husband as she cares for hers.
"Do you like being married?" Sansa asked half curious, half accusatory.
"I was never a girl who wiled away hours dreaming of her marriage . In Starfall I was already a great lady amongst my peers, my days were spent as I desired. Why would I wish for a lord husband who would take me away and change all that." Sansa noted that Lady Allyria almost looked sad as she spoke. "Jaime is good, and I am lucky." She pities me, at least she doesn't hate me. "I am a poor replacement for Lady Joanna I fear. I suppose that should be no surprise," she was smirking, "Jaime is no Lord Tywin."
"Do you love him?" Sansa blurted, she blushed immediately embarrassed by her rudeness.
"I," she hesitated and sighed deeply. "Do I love Jaime?" A hand crept slowly across her body to rest on her stomach, it stayed there caressingly. It was a queer gesture and Sansa couldn't help but stare at it, perhaps she is unwell again. Allyria noticed her gaze and hastily replaced it at her side, "Life is not so easy as that, it can not be summed up in one word. Love is a great word at that. I, I don't know." Sansa was surprised by Lady Allyria's loss of words. She felt even more embarrassed at causing such unease in her new friend, she looks close to tears. "Oh hells, yes I love the great golden fool." She tried to laugh again but Sansa thought it was false, she still looked too sad.
"I am sorry."
"I am afraid." They both spoke at once. "Nonsense," Lady Allyria waved away Sansa's apologies. "I have walked to much today in the heat that is all. Good day Sansa." With a nod Lady Allyria left and didn't look back. Suddenly Sansa wanted to cry, she doesn't like me anymore. I have displeased her and she won't be my friend anymore.
Later a knock at the door announced a visitor, such surprises always made Sansa very nervous. It was Allyria's maid and she delivered a note. My dear Sansa, it read, I am sorry for my abrupt exit this afternoon. I suddenly did not feel well, I was quite ill a week ago, perhaps I am not as restored as I thought I was. Would you do the honor of lunching with me again in three days time? Joy is anxious to make your acquaintance. Send your answer back with Meiri.
Sansa hadn't even noticed the girl had stayed she was so glad to receive the letter. "Tell her Ladyship that I would be pleased to lunch with her."
Author's note
Sorry guys… In my defense I was graduating from university so I was rather busy and I didn't just abandon you for nothing. P.S. does any one else feel like the show is just absolutely ruining Jaime? I am just so disappointed!
