Author's Notes:
Thank you for everyone who followed and favorited my story. It means a lot to me.
Magnus374 I read all your comments and I appreciate them. Don't worry the problems are coming! Currently I have 6 chapters ready to be posted. I hope everyone enjoys them!
The next day Tywin was allowed to see Sansa in her chambers. Sansa, while unsurprised by his presence was surprised by what he held in his hand.
"Your Grace, Sansa." Tywin bowed as he gave her a beautiful set of white lilac flowers.
"Oh...I love them, my lord. Thank you."
"It's nothing," Tywin said modestly brushing off her thanks. "Just something to make you feel better."
"Hmm. This is the first time someone aside from my family has given me flowers. When I was child I was fond of them, and used to weave them in my hair."
"Then, I'm a most fortunate man. How do you feel? What did the Grand Maester tell you?"
"I'm fine now. Yesterday I was still tired but could feel myself getting better. The Grand Maester affirmed my improving health but recommended I should stay at rest a little longer."
"I was worried about you... the court hadn't seen their queen in days..."
"I appreciate your concern but I knew you can rule without me there."
Though I don't want to rule without you. The unbidden thought shocked Sansa in its truthfulness.
"I'm feeling famished," Sansa continued, changing the subject, "Shall we eat breakfast together?"
"Of course, Your Grace."
As they ate Sansa watched as Tywin used his utensils elegantly. She wondered what it would be like to have breakfast with him every morning once he was her husband.
Sansa decided to make a little small talk. "Are you enjoying the food, Tywin?"
"Very much, I think we have some of the same tastes."
"Oh? I love fruits. Grapes, berries, strawberries... and of course lemon cakes."
"I like all of those things as well, though I hate mutton."
"Oh really?" asked Sansa in surprise. She hadn't expected a man like Tywin to have any dislikes in the way of food.
"Since childhood I've never found it to be something I like to eat."
"Oh, the Lord of Casterly Rock hates mutton! What a discovery," Sansa laughed.
"I'm glad I could make you laugh," Tywin grinned.
"Yes, thank you again my lord. I needed that."
They ate once more in companionable silence until a thought occurred to Lord Tywin. "Lord Stannis Baratheon is supposed to introduce his daughter Lady Shireen Baratheon to the court today. She came from Storm's End three days ago."
"Really? I wasn't aware his daughter was coming to court?"
"It seems neither was he. Nonetheless, he wanted to apologize to you personally but you'd fallen ill, so he asked me to pass his apology along in his stead, as well as informing you of his daughter's arrival."
Sansa nodded. "That's fine. I will attend court this afternoon with you beside me. I feel well enough for it."
"I'm glad you are, my Queen. I have to depart now as the small council is waiting. There are matters to discuss before court begins."
…
Ser Davos was guarding Lady Shireen's chamber per his Lord's orders. His mind turned to remembering exactly how he'd received these orders yesterday.
"Why did you not inform me of your journey to King's Landing?" Stannis snarled.
"My lord, I..."
"Stop your stalling Ser Davos! Answer me!"
Davos straightened as he regarded Lord Stannis. "Lady Shireen insisted on journeying to King's Landing to see you. She missed you. I nor her mother could say no."
"Could not? Or would not? Do you realize the danger you could have encountered? What if you had been set upon by pirates, hmmm? What would you have done?"
Internally Davos bristled at Stannis questioning his knowledge and prowess of seafaring. He'd been on the sea most of his life. However, he knew Stannis had a tendency to act irrational where his daughter was concerned, so he pushed down his irritation and went for diplomacy. "I deeply beg your forgiveness, my lord."
"You are lucky Davos that nothing happened to her, but you should be punished "
"Yes, my lord but…" Of course, Davos wasn't sorry in the least. He wouldn't regret making Shireen happy.
"But?" Stannis asked heatedly.
"As I recalled, I wasn't the one who truly made the decision. Lady Baratheon allowed her to go after some reluctance, and it was Lord Renly who planted the idea in Lady Shireen's mind that she should visit King's Landing if she could convince her mother."
Stannis pinched the bridge of his nose while grinding his teeth. "Shireen is of age yet she sought out her uncle as a way to get to King's Landing, instead of following protocol which states she is send me a letter telling me of her desire to come to the capital. But I will make sure Renly is punished appropriately. And once I'm back at Storm's End I'll be having a talk to Lady Baratheon."
"Of course, your lordship."
"Taking what you said into consideration, I task you with guarding Lady Shireen's chambers throughout the night for a week. As well you will complete whatever tasks I lay before you"
…
"Lord Targaryen."
"Ser Kevan,' Jon greeted.
"A pleasant day today?"
"Indeed, with our queen attending court this afternoon."
"Hmm... tell me what does your brother want with my cousin?"
Kevan looked at him with a smile on his face.
"I gather you noticed?"
"Noticed what my lord? "
"That they're in love."
Jon's brow rose in surprise. "Umm... they seem to like each other very much, though being in love seems a stretch."
"It's not just a matter of like. It has been love at first sight. Everyone close to them can see it. That's why your cousin japed about him being her lion."
"All I want is for Sansa to be happy. If that happiness is with your brother, I can't say no. Despite everything he's done."
"My father is quite smitten with your sister Jon Snow... I mean Lord Targaryen." Tyrion mumbled.
"Lord Tyrion! You see it too?"
"I admit. It pleases me a little to see my father so in love, that he forgets about me and focuses on his lady love instead."
"We have to make them see each others feelings," Kevan mused, rubbing his chin.
"Yes uncle, and you will take care of that. That he doesn't like me goes without saying, and the dragon lord here doesn't know him well enough to approach him."
"I'll take care of it," said Kevan.
…..…
"The wedding is still in place."
"That bastard really wants her..."
"What are you going to do now?"
"If I can't have her... perhaps she doesn't belong in this game..."
"That will throw the kingdom in..."
"Chaos. A gaping pit waiting to swallow us all. Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder my friend and if you do as I say I promise you; you'll have gold beyond your wildest dreams."
"And then? What about the great lion?"
"Don't you see? They might not have slept together but he's smitten with her, so much so it will be their demise. Once she's gone, he'll be unable to do anything because of the pain."
"The mockingbird will finally succeed..."
…...…
Ser Jorah was walking in the market looking around him. The smell of trade. The smell of the markets. Jugglers, fire-eaters, sword-swallowers, acrobats, stilt-walkers, buffoons and musicians. People gambling on wrestlers.
This was all familiar to the exiled knight now.
Ser Jorah picked an apple, smelled it and ate it.
"That's on us."
Jorah looked up to see a pair of gentlemen manning the stall he'd gotten the apple from. They were well dressed for merchants. They were also some of the first people he'd met and befriended in this city.
"Thank you, Seleuios."
"You seemed tired, my friend."
"Yes and No."
"Care to elaborate?" Seleuios asked with a raised brow.
"After years of being here. I thought I would never miss the Seven Kingdoms but ..." His eyes went to the sky.
The man nodded. "Leave... go back to your home."
"I wish I could, but not to the North or Bear Island. If they saw me there, they'd punish me for disobeying the will of the late King by returning to Westeros."
"Kind Eddard Stark is dead. Now his daughter is queen. I have an idea. Why don't you offer to be part of her Queensguard. Swear loyalty to her and you may live and serve there without trouble."
"What if she refuses? What if she doesn't trust me?" So many questions of doubt raced through Jorah's head.
"Try Ser Jorah. From what I have heard, the queen is more compassionate than her father and you left your previous trade a long time ago."
Ser Jorah ran his hands through his hair as he digested his friend's words. Finally, he came to a decision.
"I will...may the gods that have let me down before help me."
…
Sansa wore her crown proudly as she was surrounded by all seven of her Queensguard knights whom followed her into the throne room. Maester Luwin announced her to a waiting Court who stood as she entered in all her glory. Taking strong, measured strides she ascended up the stairs to sit on the Iron Throne. Beside her was her Hand and betrothed Tywin Lannister.
They presented quite the image to Court.
"You look great with the brown doublet today, my lord," she whispered to Lord Tywin.
"As do you, Your Grace," Tywin replied sounding amused.
Jon, Arya, Kevan, Tyrion, the Queen Mother and all the nobles in King's Landing were waiting for Lord Stannis and his daughter to be presented to the Queen.
The doors of the throne room swung open admitting Lord Stannis and his daughter. There was a smattering of whispers many laid eyes on the Lady Shireen and her greyscale scars. It seemed the rumors of the girl's disfigurement were true. Sansa felt pity for the girl.
Stannis and his daughter approached the throne, both stopping several feet from the stairs and dropping into a bow and curtsey respectively. "Your Grace, my Lord Hand, I present to you my daughter and heir, Lady Shireen Baratheon of Storm's End."
Shireen shyly dipped into a deeper curtsy to her queen as she looked upon her. Sansa smiled brightly at her. Then to the surprise of Court she descended the throne to stand before the girl.
Motioning for Shireen and her father to stand, she grasped the girl's hands. "Lady Shireen, I'm glad you have arrived safely to King's Landing. I hope we become dear friends." Sansa ignored the murmurings of Court as they no doubt questioned the wisdom of touching a girl who had greyscale scars.
"Thank you, Your Grace. I hope so too." She gave a demure smile in return.
Sansa was ever aware of her greyscale but refused to flinch at it like many lords and ladies no doubt did when they saw her. If it hadn't been cured the girl wouldn't be standing before her.
"Please, my lady, let's not be formal with one another. How was your trip?"
"It was most enjoyable with Ser Davos, my Queen."
"Ser Davos?'
"Ser Davos is a knight of my House. He helped me survive the siege during Robert's Rebellion."
"Oh. Yes, I remember now. The Onion Knight. How did you enjoy it with him?" she asked, looking at Shireen again.
"I enjoyed it well. Ser Davos is part of the reason I wanted to come. He was born here, Your Grace. Flee Bottom to be precise. Despite growing up poor and a peasant he eventually made a name for himself. Currently, I am his tutor, teaching him to read and write." The girl said the last part quietly though she appeared proud of her accomplishment.
Sansa was amazed and surprised at the same time. She didn't know many highborn ladies who would devote time to helping a man old enough to be their father, and a former peasant no less, learn how to read and write.
"An admirable job Lady Shireen," came Tywin's voice. Sansa turned to see he was standing just a little ways behind her.
"Thank you, my lord," Shireen said shyly.
"Apparently you are your father's daughter, my lady." Sansa praised while shooting Stannis a winning smile. Stannis was as ever proud of his daughter and that her greyscale did not overshadow the gentle and kind soul within.
After the greetings were over Sansa went on to hold court for more important matters for a few hours before bringing things to a close. She had to prepare for the feast that would be thrown later.
Stannis was pleased by how well things went with Court. Though there were initial mutterings about his daughter's greyscale, they soon quieted once everyone saw how the Queen welcomed her. He had much to thank Queen Sansa for.
Later at the feast Sansa stood up to address the assembled nobles. "My lords and ladies of the realm, a toast to Lady Shireen Baratheon for her bravery in believing that even the less of us can be a worthwhile."
On hearing that Shireen beamed while her father puffed with pride in his daughter again. It was a message from the Queen to all the other highborn that helping smallfolk was not something to be considered unacceptable.
To Sansa's right, Tywin was looking at her with great admiration. This woman –his queen- will be his wife soon.