After the queen left, Sansa stayed in her and Tyrion's rooms, waiting for him to come back. She took a seat near the open window and settled down with some embroidery. She was working on a new piece-a great weirwood tree. It was the only thing that truly reminded her of home that was not outright forbidden to her. Joffrey had seen to it that all signs of the Stark sigil had been confiscated. As she monotonously pulled the needle and thread through the cloth, she allowed her mind to wander. Her conversation with Cersei had left her feeling sick. She felt so overwhelmed with everything around her- her brand new marriage, officially being a Lannister, the thought of consummating her relationship with Tyrion, and the eventual child they would have and what fate the child might be subjected to. She felt like her head was spinning, but she knew she had a little bit of time to sort through her feelings for her husband at least.
She trusted him when he told her that she would be in control of their physical relationship. Although she was angry that everyone at court thought he had raped her, she knew he was right to fool them all into thinking her maidenhead was broken. Now they could at least relax in the knowledge that Tywin would not be forcing them. Without any outside pressure, she knew Tyrion would give her all the time she needed. She had resolved herself to commit to this marriage, but was glad to take her time with the physical part. Having just a semblance of control over anything in her life was a new feeling for Sansa. She had been a pawn ever since the moment her father was arrested and she had had no hope that whenever she was married off that her status would change. She had figured she'd be married off to a greedy lord who would be eager to take her body and claim as quickly as possible. To instead be married to Tyrion-who she trusted as a friend and who put her personal feelings above any agenda-was a welcome change.
Ever since they had come to an understanding on their wedding night, Sansa had allowed her walls to fall again. When she and Tyrion first became friends before all this insanity, she had felt like she needed at least one person she could relax around. Tyrion's kindness and protection had allowed her to open up to him. Now that they were actually married, it only made sense that she trust her husband.
She found herself eager to have him back with her this evening. She placed the embroidery down and glanced towards the window. Seeing the sun low in the sky, she figured she should be expecting him back soon. She rose from her seat and moved to dress herself for dinner. Luckily they had been excused from court activities for the week. It was supposedly meant for the newlyweds to have some privacy, but although they were not using it like other newlyweds might, Sansa was grateful for the time to really get to know each other. She weeded through the multiple gowns in Lannister colors and chose one in a deep green she had commissioned while she still thought she would be a Tyrell. Still, the color made her copper hair shine so she pulled on the sleeves and started fastening it. She skipped over the gold accents and instead paired the gown with simple, silver jewelry. She checked herself in the mirror and considered sending for a handmaiden to dress her hair. She bit her lip, thinking about how they'd pull and twist it up and decided against it. She liked it much better around her shoulders so she just twisted the sides up herself and pinned them easily. It was a northern style, much simpler than what any other lady at court wore. But it suited her-making her look like the northern maiden she was.
Feeling much more comfortable and like herself than she had in months, she moved to the table and began setting up the Cyvasse board. An evening of good conversation and the fun game would be just what she needed to clear her head. She sent for dinner as well, asking for plenty of good food and the dornish red she knew Tyrion loved. She felt a wave of excitement run through her as she watched the door, knowing he would arrive soon and eager to see the smile on his face when he saw what she had prepared. Her mother had always stressed that she should work to please her future husband. Sansa had seen how happy and comfortable her parents were around each other and wanted to strive to achieve that in her own marriage. She was optimistic with the level of respect she already experienced with Tyrion, but knew that until she was ready to consummate, she should try to show him that she cared in other ways.
She was determined to have a good night with him tonight.
A/N: Another short chapter-I'm sorry! I'll try to make the next few longer. It's just so easy to update short chapters quickly.
