~Elena~

"Do you think people will like it?" Sansa's voice was full of doubt as I worked on tieing a sash around her waist without cursing aloud. Unlike normals sashes, this one had three strands that intricately braided together. Quite like her favorite hair style these days, the task was way out of my creativity range.

"I doubt anyone will even notice." I sighed giving up on the damnable thing, deciding to simply hold the strands together so that Sansa could get the feel of her wedding reception dress. It was a bit much, in my opinion. The entire outfit consisting of an under-corset, a skirt, a dress, a jacket, and a sash. The sleeves were to long, not optimal should the need to fight arise. It's a wedding. There will be no fighting. I told myself as Sansa sighed contentedly.

"You're right. It's not my wedding. Anyway, from what I can tell, the dressers in High Garden will be far superior to the ones they use in King's Landing. They'd never make me anything as dull as this for my wedding." She surmised as I busied myself with taking the outfit off again. Frowning at the sash as if it had offended my honor. A look I hadn't realized Sansa had noticed until her cheeks flushed scarlet.

"Sir Loras likes green and gold brocade." A smile pulled at my lips as I took in her excitement, carefully putting the damn sash down, denying myself the satisfaction of tossing it into the fireplace so I wouldn't have to deal with it again.

"Of that, I have no doubt." I chuckled, going to undo the strings of her jacket. She got a distant look in her eyes, her face falling slightly.

"Do you think they'll let me invite my family?" I tilted my head, shrugging gently as I carefully removed her pin.

"They haven't asked me, and I hadn't thought to ask them my lady." Though I had a sneaky suspicion her family would not be sitting front row on her wedding day.

"But do you think they will?"

"Anything is possible." I concluded as I removed her jacket. There was a knock at the door before it was opened by a smiling maid in green.

"Lady Stark, Sir Tyrion wishes to see you, should I-"

"I beg your pardon my lady." What in the name of the Gods? I quickly threw Sansa's jacket back onto her shoulders, appalled at Tyrion 's behavior. It was very rude to enter a lady's room without her permission.

"Good afternoon Lord Tyrion. I was just trying on a gown for Prince Joffery's wedding." Sansa greeted with an embarrassed smile as Tyrion realized his faux pas and turned his head.

"Yes, it should be quite a wedding." Tyrion commented slowly, face contorting with a frown as he waged a war within himself. What's going on with him? I thought as he seemed to come to a conclusion.

"I need to speak with you Lady Sansa."

"Of course."

"Alone if I may." The darkness came back, rubbing at the back of my mind.

"She can't be alone with you. It isn't proper." I snapped before I could really stop myself.

"Elena it's alright. I'm sorry about her Lord Tyrion. She's not really from here, but I do trust her. She won't repeat whatever's said." His frown grew deeper as his eyes landed on me for a mere moment.

"Sometimes, we think we want to hear something, but it's only afterwards, when it's to late, you realize, you wished you'd heard it under entirely different circumstances." Is he talking about me?

"It's alright. What is it you wished to see me about?"

"Where to begin?" Tyrion tucked his lips firmly between his teeth as he shut the door carefully, that war waging once more.

"This is.. This is quiet awkward." He stammered as he continued to stand at the far side of the room.

"Has something happened?" Sansa's voice was tinted with worry, while I grew more impatient. Tyrion cleared his throat before his eyes grew determined. Finally.

"It has been called to my attention that we are to be married." What? Sansa chuckled as if Tyrion were telling a joke, only to find he wasn't laughing with her.

"You can't be serious? I would have been made aware of the fact." Her voice was high pitched, and I knew she wasn't far from falling into hysterics.

"I've only just been told. I realize this isn't exactly favorable, but-"

"I'd like you to leave please." Sansa whispered as her cheeks flushed, her blue eyes watering.

"Sansa if I -"

"She said leave Lord Tyrion." I growled, stamping out the pain with anger. He stared at me, face

awash in grief before he nodded and left.

"How could this have happened?" Sansa sobbed as she sank to the floor, not caring that she was getting her dress dirty. I sank to the floor with her, holding her tightly as she showered my dress with tears.

"It's going to be alright." I cooed as I rocked her gently, smoothing her hair away from her face.

"How? I was going to move to High Garden and marry Sir Loras. I was finally going to be away from this place." Her chest heaved with her sobs as I tried to gather my own emotions. I was a storm inside. Lighting, thunder, and a raging sea as I fought the urge to hurt something, or maybe someone. I should have killed him while I had the chance. Sansa's sobs cut off with a hitched breath as she hopped up, taking off at a run out the door.

"Sansa, wait a moment. Where are you going?" I called as I gave chase.

"Please haven't left yet. Please haven't left yet." She chanted as she raced for the balcony. Surely she's won't. If she tried to jump, I would have to use whatever force necessary to make sure she didn't, and I was so tired. Her sobs returned as she looked out at a ship sailing away. She reached her hand out as if she could make the ship return by sheer willpower.

"What's on that ship?" I asked as she wrapped her arms about herself.

"My last chance at freedom." She turned and clung to me tightly, showering me once more in tears. I should have known. Never trust a Lannister.