Dawn came and the Starks of Winterfell were ready to leave for King's Landing. A party consisting of Robb, Rickon, and Bran, as well as their direwolves, and several knights were at the main gate. Theon approached Robb before he hoisted himself onto the saddle of his horse. He had to tell him of his decision.

"Robb. I thought about what you have said last night, and I think I'll return to the Iron Islands and take my rightful place as its lord."

Robb clapped him on the shoulder. "I understand Theon..."

"I'll swear fealty to the crown after my baptism and we will remain a loyal kingdom."

"You are our brother, Theon. We were raised together, ate together, played together."

Theon nodded. "I know but it's time for me to go back home. Father is dead and you gave me the choice. My choice is made."

"Then, farewell Theon. For now."

"For now. I'll miss the North. I'll not be able to attend the wedding but send my regards to Sansa."

"I will," said Robb with a nod.

Robb and Theon embraced each other. Then, the heir of the Iron Islands went to Bran and Rickon to say his goodbyes.

"Safe travel brothers."

"Take care Theon," they chorused.

….

Willas Tyrell sat in one of the many gardens that surrounded the castle of Highgarden with his grandmother, Lady Olenna Tyrell.

After the Queen's rejection, Willas was now betrothed to Talla Tarly, daughter of Lord Randyll Tarly.

"It seems the Lion of Lannister has done it again, grandmother."

"Aaahh, Willas, Willas. That man has caught the grand prize, and now he will put us at his mercy."

"He's good at ruling, grandmother. It's known to all that his tenure as Hand under the reign of the Mad King were the most prosperous."

"True enough, but we'll now have to seek his favor, or he'll crush us if he even senses a threat. Somehow we must strengthen our relations with the crown."

Willas ran a hand through his light brown hair. "I don't understand. How could she refuse my proposal but accept one from a man older than her by almost 40 years."

"My dear Willas, age is just a number. At least, it is for powerful men like Tywin Lannister. He has power and wealth that many a young man can only dream of. Unfortunately, we fall in to that category. We're wealthy and powerful, but not quite on the level of the Old Lion."

"Margaery..." thought Willas aloud.

"Yes, sweet Margaery. She needs a husband connected to the crown."

"The Queen's brother and cousin aren't married yet."

"The brother, we don't need the cousin."

"Why? He's the Lord of Dragonstone."

"Do you really believe them? They just wanted someone to take the vacant seat so they can control what's strategic point to the Narrow Sea and King's Landing. Of course, a bastard can't hold such a powerful seat without a very good reason, thus they came up with the lie about the boy's heritage and made him a lord."

"I still wonder if it's true," mused Willas.
…

Stannis was talking with one of the captains of the royal fleet along the docks of King's Landing when a ship appeared.

"My lord, does that ship not belong to your house?"

Looking in the distance Stannis saw a large ship adorned with the sigil of his House. Stannis frowned. "Who could it be? Did Renly mention anything about a ship arriving?"

"We don't know, my lord. We didn't receive any raven regarding a ship from Storm's End."

"Let's wait and see who it is then." Stannis felt himself gritting his teeth in worry. He hoped nothing was wrong.

A half hour later the ship finally made port. After the crew emerged, came a familiar young girl with an equally familiar man behind her.

"Shireen!"

"Father!"

Shireen ran towards her father embracing him. Stannis hesitated, not used to expressing his affection to anyone, especially not so openly, so he placed his hand on her back awkwardly. Spotting Ser Davos out the corner of his eye, he glared the man down feeling his ire rise.

The Onion Knight swallowed hard, unsure of what to say to his liege lord.

Stannis broke eye contact with Davos, pulling away from his daughter to look at her. "Shireen, why are you here?"

Shireen frowned at her father's stern tone. "I missed you father. I wanted to see you. Ser Davos accompanied me as my chaperone for my protection."

Stannis turned a cold look towards Davos, whom resisted the urge to duck like a misbehaving child.

"Is that so? I'll have to talk with Ser Davos about that later. Shireen, I'll arrange for you a room near my own as soon as possible. But first, I must present you to court so you may meet the Queen."

"Of course. I brought my finest gowns father. I will not disappoint you."

Stannis nodded. His issue wasn't with whether she would disappoint him in front of court, but more about how court would receive her. How badly would they respond to her Greyscale? He sincerely hoped no one would try and embarrass her.

…

"Balon Greyjoy is dead."

"Yes."

Sansa and Tywin were sitting in her solar discussing matters of the realm while slowly getting to know one another.

"I'd considered sending Theon home on the condition he swear fealty to the crown but..."

"You can never trust the Ironborn."

"He's our brother Tywin. He was taken as a ward by my father after their failed rebellion but we've never treat him as an enemy. He's family to us."

"A ward-hostage, that's what he is even if you treat him well. He no doubt still holds a small grudge against your house. But truly my lady, if it was a choice between your family and his people, are you sure he would chose you?"

Sansa thought for a moment but the answer was an easy one. "I guess you're right. I'll tell Robb when he arrives to the capital."

He can be used as a wild card to pressure the Greyjoys from ever rebelling again. Tywin thought to himself.

Eventually the two grew bored and decided to take a stroll around the Keep with Ser Erwin as their shadow and chaperone. They walked quietly for a moment until Tywin spoke.

"How are you today Sansa? Truly?"

"What do you mean, my lord?" Sansa looked at Lord Tywin in confusion.

"You've seemed a bit flushed throughout the day, as your becoming ill. It may not seem like anything serious but you never know with these things. To be frank, I care about you Sansa, as my future wife your wellbeing is important to me."

"Thank you for your concern, Tywin, but I'm fine. Really, it's nothing," Sansa said with a smile, shrugging off his concern. Though she was touched by it nonetheless.

"I hope so, my lady." Tywin softened when he saw Sansa's genuine smile at his inquiry.

…

Sansa was in her room pondering her earlier conversation with Tywin when Ser Erwin knocked on the door.

"Your Grace, Lord Targaryen has arrived at the capital."

Sansa grinned at hearing that Jon was in King's Landing.

"Tell my family and Lord Lannister to be waiting in the yard to greet Jon." She then turned to address her direwolf. "Lady come on, let's go to see Jon and Ghost."

When Sansa arrived at the courtyard, Lady immediately ran toward Ghost. Arya's direwolf Nymeria following her. The three huge direwolves were quite the sight.

"Jon!" Arya and Sansa exclaimed at the same time.

"My dear Sansa and Arya." The three embraced each other for a long time until Catelyn interrupted their reunion.

"Lord Targaryen, what a surprise," she said with false sincerity.

"Your Grace," he bowed while kissing her hand. As he straightened his eyes traveled to the tall intimidating man with golden white hair.

Their locked their eyes for a moment. Jon spoke first. "My lord, it is good to finally met you. I have heard much about you."

Tywin nodded to him clasping his hand. "Lord Targaryen."

"Lord Lannister."

He moved on to greet Kevan Lannister and his wife as well as Tyrion.

"Tyrion Lannister, the famous dwarf." Jon decided to poke a bit of fun to see how Lord Tywin would react. He saw the man clench his jaw in anger but otherwise said nothing.

"I see my reputation has reached Dragonstone as well." Tyrion said playing along.

"Indeed." Jon didn't want to anger Tywin any further so he dropped the matter.

Sansa gestured towards him. "Let's get inside Jon. Dinner is waiting."

"I missed you both, Sansa and Arya."

"As have we Jon" responded Arya.

"Dragonstone is the bleakest castle I have ever seen in my life. It's amazing that anyone deigned to live there."

Tywin was eating and listening to the conversation quietly. While, his son Tyrion was waiting for a chance to talk.

"Are you comfortable Jon? With being lord of a castle?"

"You know my answer sister. The whole experience is overwhelming."

"Well! It seems he doesn't like being lord of a castle!" Tyrion interjected.

"It's not that Lannister! I'd always dreamed of leaving for the Wall and joining the Night's Watch and hopefully rising through the ranks to become their Lord Commander. Then the Queen Mother told me about my heritage and everything changed. Now everyone in the Seven Kingdoms knew who I really was."

Arya sitting next to Jon, put her hand on his arm in comfort.

"Jon we're on your side, always," said Sansa softly.

"I know Sansa, my Queen."

Jon was itching to ask her about her betrothal but knew now wasn't the time. He tried for safer waters. "Looks like Lady and Nymeria have grown larger since I last saw them."

"Yeah! They can eat so much in one day than a man can in a week!" Arya nodded vigorously.

"They also remain aggressive sometimes towards anyone but us," remarked Sansa.

"Except Tywin," said Arya.

Tywin nearly snorted at hearing that.

"Yes, according to your cousin the direwolves like me."

Jon raised an eyebrow wondering. Strange.

"Jon, did you see his sword?"

"Brightroar. The ancestral valyrian steel sword of House Lannister. I've heard about it."

"Sansa's lion is a fine fighter. You should have a spar with him one of these days."

Sansa reddened at hearing Arya call Tywin her lion.

Jon raised an eyebrow. "Sansa's lion?"

"Your cousin likes to jape, Lord Targaryen." Tywin responded cooly.

Is that so? Jon wondered.

…

After dinner Jon joined Sansa in her solar for a private conversation.

"I want to congratulate you on your wedding Sansa. Although, I'm surprised you chose Tywin Lannister out of all the eligible young men in the Seven Kingdoms."

"People misjudge him, Jon."

"How so?" he asked, willing to give the man the benefit of the doubt. Sansa had to see something in him.

"I believe he has his own reasons for the things he's done in life."

"You seem to like him, Sansa." Not quite the answer he was looking for.

Sansa smiled if she was in a dream. "He's not a bad man, Jon."

"Oh that look! I wonder what you're hiding? No, don't deny it, I know you, Sansa!"

"Jon!"

"So tell me sister, is he the knight of your dreams?"

"Jon, less than two weeks have barely passed since we first met."

"Yet, you agreed to marry him soon. Either way, you should be careful. He's a dangerous man no matter what you may think."

"Thank you, Jon but I've heard that warning endlessly from mother. I'm a woman grown now. I can make my own decisions and bear others judgement of them."

Jon nodded in agreement. "I'll be on your side Sansa, whenever you need me."

"I know, Jon."

The two embraced in a hug.
…

Three days later Sansa fell ill and was confined to bed rest. A raging fever had made her too weak to even move.

"Your Grace, the fever has gone down since the last time I saw you. This mixture of black beetroot juice and honey is both strong and effective. Try to relax until tomorrow and everything should be alright."

"Thank you, Grand Maester Luwin," Sansa coughed out. "Please send for my handmaiden before you leave."

"Of course, Your Grace."

Meara instantly came to her queen's side.

"Meara, I must stay abed as I am too ill to conduct my duties at the moment. Please go to Lord Tywin and tell him of my condition, and that he has my full confidence and support to rule the kingdom while I'm indisposed."

...…...…...…...…

Meara passed the message along to lord Tywin who was holding a session in the throne room.

He had been wondering why Sansa hadn't made her presence know for these last few days. He had suspected she was ill.

When the handmaiden had arrived, his suspicions were confirmed and asked the girl if the queen could receive visitors.

I have to see her.

"Cheryin, follow me."

"Yes, my lord."

He was passing the gardens on the way to her chambers when decided to stop and pick some flowers for her. Perhaps they would cheer her up.

"What do you think of this?" he asked, showing them to Cheryin.

"They are beautiful, my lord."

"Do you think the Queen will like them?"

"Of course, my lord," the boy answered amused.

"What are smiling about?" Tywin glared at him.

"Noth...Nothing my lord."

"Good. Find a vase to put the flowers in and don't forget the water."

Later while Arya was visiting, Sansa heard of Tywin's request via Ser Erwin.

"Ah, where is he now?"

"In his solar. He wants to visit you whenever you feel up to it."

"Tell him he may come tomorrow morning at breakfast. I don't really feel well enough to receive anymore visitors today."

The knight nodded and left.

Sansa knew the Grand Maester had told her she was getting better but she wanted to look more polished when Tywin would come to see her, without looking so ill. He'll be the first person to visit me since I fell ill besides Arya. Mother didn't even bother and Jon hates being around sick people. I'll have to thank Tywin. He really does care.