The gardens were stunning this afternoon. Sansa had brought some sewing materials, planning on sitting out in the sun and working on her embroidery. She was reclining on a bench, pulling her needle in and out of the cloth rhythmically and watching Chella out of the corner of her eye. The woman was obviously bored out of her mind and had begun practicing swings of her short sword. Watching the woman move was intriguing and it reminded Sansa of her little sister. Arya would have loved the tribeswoman-admired her strength and skill with a sword. It was too bad Arya had never been allowed to truly practice. She might have been able to protect them when everything had fallen apart. Returning her attention to her needlework, she sent a silent prayer to the Mother that if Arya was still alive that she was safe.
A few moments later, Chella stopped her practice and snapped alert. Sansa's back straightened at the sounds of someone approaching their little corner of the gardens. She met eyes with her guardian who's hand tightened around her weapon. Sansa had told Chella reluctantly about her run-in with Joffrey a few weeks ago and ever since, the woman had refused to let her be alone. Not that Sansa was complaining.
However, as the Knight of Flower's turned the corner and greeted her with a smile, Sansa released the breath she was holding. She placed her needlework to the side and rose to curtsey to the knight.
"Sir Loras," she addressed him and noticed his glance towards Chella. "I don't believe you've met my companion. This is Lady Chella, of the Black Ears, tribeswoman from the Vale." She smirked slightly at the glare Chella sent her at the title, but was pleased when the woman greeted the knight with relative courtesy.
"Lady Sansa, would you walk with me, I'd like to speak to you privately?" Loras sent her a charming smile and held out his arm, but before she could respond, Chella interrupted.
"Privately, no. I'm afraid I will not be letting the Lady Sansa out of my sight." She glared at him and he met her eyes with annoyance. He was about to respond scathingly, but Sansa stepped in. The last thing she wanted was to cause a fight between the two of them. Chella was getting much better at being courteous to the courtiers, but none of them ever tried to stand up to her. She doubted the woman would hold her tongue, even talking to the young lord.
"Perhaps we could sit here, my lord?" The fountain was in a secluded part of the gardens with only one way in. "Chella, could you guard the entrance?" She raised an eyebrow to the warrior who smirked at her interruption, but bowed her head, leaving the two of them.
Sir Loras watched her go with a scowl before turning back to Sansa, wiping the look off his face and replacing it with a forced smile. He led her towards the fountain and they sat together on the edge.
"How are you, my lady?" he asked. "I have not seen you at court lately."
"I am well, thank you for asking." she responded. "I apologize for my absence, I am afraid the court proceedings are quite tedious for my tastes. The king has not ordered my presence, so I do not find my attendance necessary." he nodded and they lapsed into silence.
She sat for a moment, waiting for him to continue the conversation, but it was clear he would not. The silence grew awkward and Sansa was confused. Why would he seek her out if he clearly had nothing to say to her? She knew that the Tyrell's were trying to marry them, was he trying to get to know her? Was he just shy?
Determined to give him a chance, she searched her mind for something to say. "That...that's a lovely pin" she finally said lamely. Why was talking to him so hard? Sir Loras was handsome and a lord and everything that she had ever dreamed of in a then could she think of nothing of interest to say?
Loras looked down on his tunic to the pin in question before shrugging slightly. "It's more of a brooch, really..." Sansa looked down to her slippers before back towards where Chella had wondered off to. She was instantly glad of the woman's departure as she did not trust her not to laugh at this pathetic exchange. Sansa herself struggled not to laugh as Loras continued thoughtfully "Though I suppose a brooch is a sort of pin..." Gods, if the Tyrell's succeeded, Sansa's life would be tedious indeed.
But she'd be away from King's Landing. And that was worth anything.
With escape in mind, she forced herself to smile up at the lord. Loras seemed preoccupied-probably still hung up on brooches- so Sansa fluttered her eyelashes and tilted her head, letting her auburn waves fall over her shoulder. She was well aware of her growing body and the effect it had on men. Sir Loras may not respond to her words, but maybe he would respond to her in other ways. She felt foolish for her peacocking when Loras didn't even look at her.
She tried again, placing her delicate hand on his arm, finally drawing his attention. "I'm very happy...about..." She felt like she couldn't come out and speak about their possible marriage. Not when it was so dangerous and not even fully secured. And she wanted to know his thoughts. Was he pleased about the turn of events? He had sought her out this afternoon, hadn't he? But again, he responded indifferently, only glancing at her in confusion before understanding her train of thought.
"Oh! Yes...yes...Me too!" he hastened to assure her, but Sansa could tell he didn't care. Perhaps this was all the queen of thornes idea. They wouldn't be the first noble couple to be married without any natural feelings for each other, but Sansa was still disappointed. They talked absently about the wedding procedure, but she couldn't shake the feeling of rejection that was seeping through her slowly. Sir Loras was obviously uninterested in her. He treated her courteously enough, but their interactions were so apathetic. She guided the conversation to an end and stood quickly. She curseyed quickly and excused herself, gliding out of the square and towards Chella. The woman was sitting on a rock by the entrance, cleaning her teeth in the reflection of her blade. At Sansa's approach, she jumped back to her feet.
"What's the matter, little lady?" she asked from the look on Sansa's face. "Your flower boy upset you?" Chella looked past her towards the square and her grip on her sword tightened.
"Nothing like that, Chella. No reason to geld the man. He's just...I don't know what's wrong with me" Sansa spoke sadly as the two made their way back to the keep. "No matter what I do, he just seems so... Am I ugly? Stupid and boring?" Sansa racked her mind, wondering what the problem was. The looks from the men at court told her that she held some allure. And her many conversations with Tyrion, who was one of the most intelligent, charismatic person she knew told her that she had some wits about her. What did Sir Loras see in her that was lacking? If they truly were to be married, would he be so disappointed? Sansa did not want a husband that did not want her. She wanted someone who would love her and encourage her and challenge her in ways she never had been before. Someone who could teach her about the world and hold her hand as they explored together. She dropped her head. That would never happen though. Sir Loras was the best possible outcome in her situation. She only wished she could find more joy from this.
Chella snorted loudly, causing Sansa to look at her angrily. She had found a friend in the warrior woman and didn't understand why she would laugh so callously at her pain.
"Isn't you that's the problem, little one. Well...it is you, but nothing you can change" Chella laughed, fueling Sansa's ire.
"What is that supposed to mean?" she demanded.
"Let's just say I don't think he would be happy in any marriage."
Sansa stared ahead blankly as her mind worked. "Is he in love with another?" she queried and Chella shrugged.
"Was, I hear. If the men in the yard are to be believed. None other than a certain lord of the Stormlands..." Sansa blinked in surprise. Lord Renly?
"But...But Lord Renly...and Loras?" Chella burst out laughing at the utterly confused look on Sansa's face.
"Ain't unheard of, little one. They've tried to keep it a secret, but the men talk. But as you can see, there ain't nothing wrong with you. You're just not his type" Chella guffawed.
As they walked back to the keep, Sansa couldn't help her mind whirling over the new information. Well. This certainly changed a few things. On one hand, she felt much better knowing that it wasn't a problem with her. She could resign herself to be married to someone attracted to the other sex if she had to. If it meant leaving King's Landing. They would probably be childless and there would be no love, but she'd be away from Joffrey and that was all she could ask for. Now that she knew his predilections, she decided she could live with them.