Chapter 17.
The retinue from the North was one of the last ones to arrive to the parliament that was to take place with the most prominent lords of the whole of Westeros. Many of those lords had been meeting for days now, but Sansa had only arrived that morning, just a few hours before the initial meeting that would signal the official inauguration of the parliament. It wasn't her unexpected arrival at the last minute what had everyone in a state, though, but the King's own lack punctuality. Something told her that all the lords would be talking badly of her brother had she not been present, and they were probably doing it anyway once she was out of earshot.
Sansa was properly introduced to Lord Bronn of the Blackwater and she greeted him and listened to him politely though he was the further thing from polite himself. She still couldn't believe that after the scandal from a few years ago he was permitted to hold on to Highgarden and his lordship over it and worse yet, that he had been name Lord Protector of the Reach by the same lords who had discredited him and had tried to overthrow him. Apparently, thanks to his past as a mercenary and to his contacts in that world, he was positioned as the best choice to defend the region and to help defend all of Westeros. Humphrey had said that once when they talked about it, that, and the fact that his family was upset by the powers that the King had granted the man. 'But if he's to become the next Tywin Lannister it's best to be on his good side.'
There were three different tables on t he highest level of the podium. One for The Reach, One for the Six —soon to be five— Kingdoms and one for the North. On the lower platform there were more tables for the rest of the lords from each region. By now it was known to all that Dorne had desisted on independence because they weren't well prepared to take that step.
Her conversations with most of those Lords consisted on empty flatteries, questions about how she was doing as Queen and news about mutual business acquaintances. And there was always some Lord inquiring about Jon Snow even if they'd never met him.
Some of those lords openly showed their distaste for the Northern army's participation in the destruction of King's Landing, not that they blamed her since it was known by now that she had never bended the knee to Daenerys Targaryen and that there had been some friction between them when it was her who had started speaking for the North instead of her brother after he relinquished his Crown. They placed the blame on Jon's shoulders, some even went as afar to tell it to her face and she wondered if they were brave enough to tell it to her brother, the King.
Sansa was quite aware of Jon's weaknesses from back then but he was her brother and so she defended him —to a certain extent— by reminding them that the only southerners who had heeded the North's call for help against the White Walkers were the men from the Mountains and the Vale.
"Arya Stark might have put an end to the Night King but the Dragon Queen and her army were necessary. If not for them, our losses would have been larger or absolute. Of course no one foresaw the tragedy that would come later." Lord Royce interjected noticing her growing frustrated at having to give so many explanations.
Sansa turned to her loyal protector as she mulled over his words. She suspected there had been someone who could have prevented all the moves Daenerys Targaryen would make, "Jon gave his word to the Dragon Queen and my brother is as honorable as my father." She added with some disdain, not against Jon or her father but against those lords that were crowding her, some of whom had even been present when Joffrey had her beaten. She subtly jutted out her chin expecting more comments when one came from Lord Bronn.
"Your family's big mistake. One I've heard you've avoided making." he could tell his words weren't welcome by his own countrymen, the Queen, or her companions.
Sansa was taken aback by the man's gall as she sensed from the way in which Lord Harry started to puff his chest that he was about to retort something but she was quicker to speak, "Regrettably, people in my position can't always play honorably. Even if we wish we could." Her answer made the man give her an appreciative grin.
And then he raised his cup, at least she was forthcoming, unlike her brother, "I'll toast to that, Queen. I mean that. I admire those who understand that things can't always be black and white." That, in turn, had her raising her eyebrows.
"But tell me, Lord Bronn, what does a sellsword know about honor?" questioned Lord Humphrey in an attempt to intercede as he pushed himself between her and Lord Harry to stand by her side. Everyone could feel the tension rising.
Sansa was annoyed by the display; she didn't need Lord Humphrey to fight her battles. Not that it wasn't a bit amusing to see Lord Bronn at a loss for words from the question that she had been about to ask.
Some minutes later, they were informed that the King was coming so everyone took their respective seats. When her eyes fell on him, Sansa was surprised to notice how time also seemed to mark his face, something she hadn't expected, she still thought of his face as that of a young man, not a tired, older face and a head of hair sprinkled with white, he seemed even older that her, though maybe it was just the beard that she had never seen before.
As soon as their gazes met his expression changed, his brow furrowed while she bowed her head in an attempt to hide a smile. He might not be the Bran she had grown up with but he was the only family she could be in touch with and his face still held power over her heart. She supposed she'd have to be thankful that he returned her greeting since she was the only person in the room that he acknowledged and his surprise at seeing her there was evident. Her eyes soon turned to his retinue, Lord Tyrion, Ser Brienne, Ser Davos, Sam and other men who she didn't know along with three guards, and no Podrick Payne in sight.
Lord Tyrion and Ser Brienne greeted her from afar with a bow of their heads, their eyes and smiles showed they were glad but surprised to see she had decided to come.
Her presence there had been a last minute decision; she didn't like leaving the North, especially not for long period of time like the three weeks she would be staying, but she had been convinced to represent the North in person instead of only sending her advisors and her most prominent banner men.
The meeting started in minutes and it only ended well past sundown.
Bran was wheeled out of the hall while Lord Tyrion apologized for the King stating he was tired, which was something they could all understand.He was the one who stayed behind as his representative and he had to make conversation with every man who approached.
She went to follow after her brother but she suddenly found herself surrounded by various lords.
It wasn't until an hour later that she made her way to antechamber of the King's rooms, for a minute or two she thought that he would not see her with the excuse of being exhausted but one of his Kingsguards came back and said that the King was expecting her but he still needed a few more minutes. And so she waited while she looked around the room. The keep had been rebuilt from the ruins of the previous one. The hallways and corridors were similar, some where even the same as the ones she had walked on and hated once. When she first arrived she had been in such a rush that she hadn't paid too much attention to the castle, the place where she had spent years in as a political prisoner, as a pawn, while her family endured so much. Her life had taken a drastic turn since then but she still felt apprehensive.
Seeing that Bran was indeed The Three-Eyed-Raven was disappointing, she had to face the fact that the Bran she knew as a kid was no longer there. It seemed like his time in Kings Landing only solidified it. It was odd that he returned the hug that she gave him because she knew that if there was any emotion behind the gesture, it wasn't on his part. She took a deep breath as she closed her eyes, although he claimed that he was no longer Bran Stark, that's who he was to her; she had been excited to see him despite how disquieting it was. As she released him she said, "...you look old..." with her thumb she went to trace his sideburns and his beard and the smile that tugged at his lips was startling.
"You look beautiful." he replied, only to think better of saying it a second later. He soon realized that the compliment didn't bother her, instead he recognized some mirth in her eyes.
Sansa waited for him to ruin the compliment with his next words but since, oddly enough, he didn't, she proceeded to speak as she took a seat, "Well, you also look handsome. And I suppose I look old too."
For a few minutes they exchanged news about their respective realms and even came close to commiserating on how hard it was to rule and what the Reach's secession would mean since most of the food in Westeros came from there.
"We could win a war against them. I could snuff out their desire for independence." The Three-Eyed-Raven stated, "But I don't believe that's the best course of action." He didn't know what would come in the future and that was the reason for this parliament, he wanted to establish a precedent, to allow alliances forming and to reach agreements concerning laws, tariffs, and trade. Looking to the past made him understand that there would be problems in the future so he wanted to face the situation head on make the best of it, all things being equal.
"Can I assume that that is why Lord Bronn is the protector of the Reach? Because he's loyal to you and only you?"
"He's a sell-sword, I know you might think that he's not trustworthy if there's not gold involved, but he too has a moral compass hidden somewhere in him." He could tell that she wasn't totally convinced, as expected.
Their conversation continued but since she realized that he wasn't too invested she decided to change the subject before he dismissed her in favor of resting, "Will you talk to me about your dream?"
"...It wasn't a dream. I was able to catch a glimpse of the future." he admitted sensing they would discuss it further.
"You can see the future now?" she asked torn between surprise and jealousy. What she could do with that power!
He studied her knowing that she coveted his abilities and suspecting that she wouldn't always make the best use of them. "No. I was even surprised that you showed up after you told me you weren't coming and would sent representatives instead." he had not foreseen her presence here and he had been stunned to hear that the Queen had joined the Northern retinue; he knew her presence would have consequences he had not been preparing to deal with.
She wasn't sure whether to believe that or not, "I let my lords and advisors convince me at the last minute." She explained and got a pensive node in response, "Anyway, about my attack..."
She was not going to drop it, he knew it, Sansa was stubborn, "I can't see the future but sometimes I see flashes, some fragmented images, and once in a dream I could see you under attack. You were hiding behind a green door and in a panic. You were alone and running away from your captors wondering what to do... So I meddled with destiny and I sent Ser Podrick Payne to help you."
"Why Ser Podrick?" she was quick to ask setting aside any embarrassment she felt at the notion of him knowing about what transpired between them.
He hadn't foreseen the unexpected consequences of his help. And in the North Podrick got to live the oldest story in the book; a man wanting what he couldn't have. But his feelings weren't unrequited; Sansa was a lady and she wouldn't had behaved the way she did unless there were feelings involved. Regardless, they needn't discuss it, it didn't matter. So he decided to skip over her indiscretions unless she wanted to talk it over.
He thought carefully what he would say next, "I pondered all your options. Your strength doesn't lie in the violence you can inflict with your own hands. "Podrick is an outstanding Guard, as loyal to me as he is to you. He's the best one, second only to Brienne. He was skillful enough to protect you without causing too much of a ruckus. I figured that if you had someone you trusted beside you, someone who could handle himself, things would go smoothly. Your lords are loyal to you, any of them would have helped you... I just didn't think you and Podrick would get so far off track. And I needed Brienne by my side; I suspected that if someone was coming for you then they'd be coming for me too.
"Which they did."
He nodded, aware that she knew nothing regarding The Second Sons, "You can discuss it with Ser Brienne or Lord Tyrion." He could tell that the dismissal irked her but he wasn't interested in going over what had happened. He had just spoken to the people in the capital who knew Sansa to ask them once more not to tell her anything about what was going on in Westeros, which they didn't like since they thought it was better that she knew about it. But he trusted them enough to know they could all agree on telling the same story before they came clean to her.
He held her gaze for a long moment during which Sansa felt a blush creeping in at the thought of everything he knew about her and Podrick. "...Did you protect me because it was convenient for you and your kingdoms or because I was once your sister?"
The Three-Eyed-Raven noticed the distress in her voice at the question; it didn't take much to see how she still clung to her estranged family, "The latter leads to the former. You know the men who attacked you were funded by Southerners. If something had happened to you or if the cause had been made public, all of Westeros would have been thrown into unrest. Civil war would have broken anew and we cannot afford it."
"Do you really think I came here only for you to feed me the same scraps that you've told me before?"
He decided to come clean, "...It may be that after all, there is a small part of Bran Stark still in me. I had to act; I felt an urge to protect you..." Protect her and Westeros, there was no doubt he needed to protect the continent... But he had woken up terrified from a dream that featured her in danger. He hadn't been lost in the past, then, and he hadn't been trying to see the future, he had only been sleeping...
Sansa wasn't sure if his words were said just to placate her since she was usually good at acknowledging that there was no part of Bran Stark in him, even if she sometimes told herself there was. She took a deep breath, "have you seen Arya lately? Jon? Do you know where they are?"
"The last time I saw Arya she was fine..." he paused as he considered whether to tell her Arya had a child now but he decided against it so that she wouldn't start thinking the boy could become her heir. Sansa Stark's heir would have to come from her own womb and be raised with her mother's values and temperament instead of her aunt's impulsive nature and violent tendencies. "...And Jon is fine too though heavy hearted. A part of him is free and at peace in a manner that only the true North can offer him...he has written to you.
"...Once or twice." What little she knew about his life came from informants at Mole Town would make inquiries when rangers came back to Castle Black. The only thing she knew for certain is that he had all but abandoned the Night's Watch, that he would go back to Castle Back once or twice a year to keep appearances and then he would go back to the freefolk acting out his role as ranger. She and Jon had had their differences but something broke between them definitively after she told Tyrion about his true identity.
"I think there will be no need for either of us to pardon him in the future." She sat straighter at that, making him realize it surprised her, "Jon won't accept a pardon. A couple of years ago I saw him talking with Tormund, even though he wasn't directly involved in burning down King's Landing, what happened weighs heavy on him, that terrible tragedy that he helped bring about. He now can admit he played a part in it. It's his decision to remain in exile. He'll stay there to pay for his betrayal to Westeros and to Daenerys Targaryen. It's his own self-imposed punishment."
Sansa had been expecting something like that, Jon was Jon, a good and honest man who had made some terrible decisions, "Still, he's our brother. He should at least be made aware that, as such, we remember and forgive him." She knew that she hadn't acted as expected of her, she had broken a promise made before the Weirwood tree but she had been caught between a rock and a hard place, what she did, she did for his sake. She wondered what reasons could Bran have had to act how he did. She had never asked because she dreaded the answer. He had declined to be the Lord of Winterfell only to agree to become King... making it seem like he had known about what had happened before it came to pass... a part of her wondered if he could have done something back at Winterfell to stop the tragedy from unfolding. If he had told Arya about it... well, she was sure Daenerys would have made it to the top of her list. But that would have meant retaliation against the North... it might have meant exchanging a massacre for another.
She would ask him but there was no point to it, most of the time he refused to answer her questions, anyway.
"As family, yes. As monarchs we cannot admit that to anyone outside this room. If Jon hadn't been our brother we would have asked for his head along with Daenerys'."
It was true, she had made sure that those northern soldiers who had been more than willing participants in the sack paid for it at the Wall, "Arya won't like it that we won't send a pardon." That was something the three of them had discussed; to let some time pass, grant Jon a pardon and then he would at least visit Winterfell from time to time. Sansa hadn't known she'd become Queen when they had talked about it so she could allow herself to do that, but it didn't seem such as simple thing to do now as it had seem back then. Another betrayal to Jon and Arya, she thought bitterly.
"...Then you do it." He answered knowing that she wouldn't risk going against the wishes of her lords, seeing as Jon's failures still weighed on the North. "...Love, forgiveness, forgetting... there's a limit to everything." he said even after he saw tears welling up in her eyes and now the anger in them was plain. He wished he could be tactful with her but he couldn't, "We all play a part in this game." He stated in the face of her many doubts, "Mine was no nobler than yours." He didn't worry over it, though, "What's done is done, and it was for the greater good, for something that's bearing fruits now. You need to get over it."
Get over it? "...Unlike to you, Jon is still my brother." Betraying Jon's trust had been the worst thing she'd done in her life and it hurt even after all these years. She had done so for his sake and for the sake of their family, to secure the North and Westeros but regardless of the number of times she told herself that her reasons were valid and her actions justified, in the end she had betrayed Jon and now Bran was telling her to get over it?
Jon had just been another pawn in the game, he knew it and so did Sansa. He waited to speak as she wiped the tears that fell down her cheeks, "Jon forgave you in the end, and even if what happened still hurts he cares about you. Can't that be enough?"
Sansa sighed, "...Obviously not."
She knew that she had done what was best for Westeros even if it wasn't ideal for her family, "he knows he's welcomed in Winterfell," he said before she stood, "Sansa," he spoke softly, in a manner that made her feel like there was still a tiny part of Bran Stark in him, "Jon knows Winterfell is his home. Arya, you and I are his family. He never wished to rule and now he's technically not bound to any King or Queen. He's free. He might live with his own ghosts but he's at peace. Settle for that as he does." He lowered his tone of voice, coming across as more understanding, "...You're a better Queen than he would have been as King." On the one hand she knew to listen to her advisors for the most part; she wasn't too impulsive nor too trusting, she knew when it was necessary to leave honor aside and she had learned to put reason before heart.
Sansa shook her head; "I don't care about that." she lied.
Bran sighed, her emotions were contradictory, she thought that she betrayed Jon but she was proud of how she ruled, of the force she had become and both were intrinsically bound together, "Have I told you that lying to me is useless?" but he saw her dismissing him. He couldn't read minds, he just knew her enough to know how her mind worked...
A moment later, and heavy with disappointment Sansa decided to finally ask, "Tell me something, do you care about anything at all?"
"About the future of Westeros. I want stability... to understand our history to-"
"Avoid the mistakes of our forefathers." This time it was her who could tell what he was thinking. He nodded in agreement, "All you... seeing the past and the present, placing your players... who's to say that your opinions, your wishes and desires, are what's best for Westeros?"
"I don't have mundane desires." he said plainly without missing a beat, "I'm the memory of the world and as you just said, I do what I think is best for all of us."
Seeing him hide behind his Three-Eyed-Raven persona suddenly made her tired and unwilling to talk more of this, "I am set to marry, now." she informed him in case he wasn't aware, "I'd like to introduce you to him sometime in the next few days..."
That caught him unawares, "Good. You're the future of House Stark." he replied and it was clear that such a statement sat worse with her than his previous one.
Incensed, she bid him a farewell, "It's been good seeing you again, Your Grace."
He sighed remarking how she didn't call him brother as he followed her with his eyes while she walked out. He wouldn't be surprised if she stopped calling him that altogether.
He was Bran Stark no more and he didn't owe it to her to appease her or anyone else's emotions. Yet she was one of the few people who didn't wish him ill, who kept him in her heart against reason. And most importantly, being on each other's side and keeping good relations was mutually beneficial.
He took a deep breath as he contemplated all the unexpected repercussions of her unannounced visit. Not the ones involving Ser Podrick Payne but the Second Sons and The Iron Bank. His first thought when he saw her was that unbeknownst to her she was serving herself in a silver platter and he immediately felt the urge to make a plan with Lord Tyrion, Lord Royce and Ser Brienne to send her back North but he knew that doing so would arise questions that could ruin all his plans.
Then, he went to the past to find out who this betrothed of hers was and whether he would pose a threat to the future of the North and the rest of Westeros with it.
.
.
.
Ser Brienne knew Sansa Stark and from her vantage point across the room, she noticed that she looked upset and brooding. She wondered what she could have discussed with her brother to make her look like that. She was barely replying to her advisors and Lords when they spoke to her. Her eyes wondered about and her smile was fake, not to mention that she was drinking more that she used to.
His Grace, King Bran, hadn't even bothered attending the feast but that wasn't surprising since he only attended a few meetings and that was if absolutely necessary. Once the formalities were finished and the celebrations began she made her way to the table where the Queen was seating. She wasn't sure that her presence would be a welcome one but as soon as she saw her coming her smile turned real, if a bit sad, and Brienne knew she had made the right move. She bowed her head respectfully, "Your Grace."
Sansa stood and she bowed her head as well, "Ser Brienne," she greeted as she took notice that she was wearing regular clothes instead of the Lord Commander's uniform, "It's good to see you."
Brienne smiled, "Likewise, My Lady."
Sansa gestured to the door, "Would you join me for a walk?"
"Of course, My lady." As they exited the room she heard the Queen tell her guards that there was no need for them to follow her, which felt like high praise to Brienne but since she too was a guard, she couldn't help but advise, "...You should keep them beside you at all time, especially in foreign lands." only to be shocked when Sansa put a friendly hand on her arm before intertwining their arms.
"I'm certain you'll be more than enough, Ser Brienne."
She was about to deny it but the truth is that she was flattered, "How have you been, Ma'am'?" she asked instead, a bit concerned because she wasn't used to Sansa Stark being this friendly.
If she was going to be honest with someone that would be Brienne, "I've been looking forward to seeing Bran again for years but even if I understand that he is the Three-Eyed-Raven..." she let out a sad sigh, "I was naive to let myself believe that our reunion would be ... warmer."
Brienne was all too aware of the kind of people the King and Queen were, and though most thought she was an unemotional, aloof woman, she knew better, "I'm sorry to hear that."
She shook her head, "I still worry about him," she sighed, "But tell me something, is it me or has he withdrawn inside the Three-Eyed-Raven even more after we left the North?"
She only answered because it was his sister asking, "Sometimes he does. And some others not so much. When you were attacked he'd spent ours out of himself and from what I've managed to understood what he does when he's away, I'd wager he was by your side looking after you in his own way."
It was a chilling rather than comforting thought, "I didn't see him helping me and Podrick. I'd say it's more likely Bran was trying to piece together who the attackers were."
Podrick? She was startled to hear the Queen drop his title, "If circumstances had been different I would have like to be by your side, Ma'am."
Sansa smiled, "I wished you were, Ser Brienne. I'm certain that you would have brought me to safety in less than four days... Not that I'm complaining about Ser Podrick, he was a magnificent Guard, it's just that in my heart, no one could fill your shoes."
"You flatter me." She smiled remembering that it had been the Queen herself who released her from her oath to her as she didn't mean to tie her to her. And since Bran was also Catelyn Stark's son and he would need more protection she had been free to choose. "And I'm glad Podrick was able to rise to the occasion."
Sansa nodded, "He was." and a second of hesitation she added, "Is he around? I haven't seen him all day..." she didn't mean to come across as too eager but she had been trying and failing to catch a glimpse of him since she arrived.
"Of course. He must be starting his shift about now." She studied the queen as she nodded nonchalantly, "Is it hard to be back here?" she dared to ask.
Sansa thought about her answer but only nodded in response and she changed the subject, unwilling to dwell in the past, "But tell me, Ser Brienne, How are things going with you? Don't you regret trading the North for the south?" Her smile alone told her that she was where she wanted to be.
"Well, the weather's better, for starters."
Sansa shook her head, "Nonsense, it's too hot for my liking."
.
.
.
Lord Tyrion, Ser Davos and several envoys stood when they saw Ser Brienne and the Queen in the North approach their table. Sansa was greeted by people who she hadn't met who moved to the other end of the table after a second.
The only one who lagged behind on purpose was Lord Tyrion, who greeted her last with a kiss in her hand, "My Queen." he whispered gravely making her smile at the gesture, "Shhh, just between the four of us."
Sansa took a seat, "Have you had a lot to drink, Lord Tyrion?" she asked as he leaned to pour some wine for her and Ser Brienne.
He must have because when he called her My Queen, his heart didn't ache as he recalled the other Queen he had served. "You know I always make my best decisions when I've had a few on me." He answered as he gave her a long look, "...Queenship suits you." She looked older but it seemed time agreed with her. She looked powerful and confident, which made her even more stunning. Not even the bags under her eyes took away from her beauty.
"Thank you," she replied amused by his slightly teasing tone, "You seem to be in a good mood."
"In the best mood to keep my friends entertained with my wit. Isn't that right Ser Davos?"
"Yes, my lord, you certainly fill my days with laughter." He said dryly and earning smiles from both women as Tyrion did a double take acting as though he just realized the other man was being sarcastic.
"Oh." he pretended to be dejected, "Then, the only thing I've got left, My Queen, is knowing that I'm finally making good decisions."
"I'm glad to hear it, Tyrion." She took a sip of her wine, "Though, if I were you, I'd stop calling me Your Queen. There are plenty of questionable characters around who can take that as treason."
"Ah! But you were my wife, so in a way, you're also my Queen. You can't say it's not true."
"...There's no need."
Tyrion smirked, "...and am I still the best of them?"
The question stunned her, she tilted her head and for a second she struggled to form an answer. Did Podrick count now, since the others did? And if he did ...wasn't he also out of contest after the way he had treated her? She felt herself blushing.
Lord Tyrion chuckled raspingly, well, this was new. Meanwhile Brienne and Ser Davos looked curiously at the exchange. "I'm happy for you.I knew it wouldn't be hard for you to find yourself a worthy suitor."
"Lord Tyrion." Brienne chastised seeing how the Queen looked uncomfortable.
Ser Brienne's voice brought Sansa back from her stupor, if someone knew how to read her that was Tyrion, "...What's hard is finding an interesting one." She retorted sardonically in an effort to stop Tyrion from making too much of her pause.
Brienne noticed how the Queen sipped on her wine and turned her head slightly trying to seem unaffected by the conversation but as she realized Lord Tyrion didn't take the hint about to add something she interrupted him, "Lord Tyrion, Why are you so happy?"
He furrowed his brow for a couple of seconds when he remembered the time he tried to embarrass Ser Brienne when they were playing drinking games, which made him wonder if he had been drinking too much now. "I've just closed an impossible deal." Sansa threw him and interested look and he added for her benefit, "I apologize but I can't share any details. However, I can say that the second I stopped fighting my own demons and I started playing for your side, everything started to go right for me." Sansa's eyes were focused on him and suddenly he felt stares on him and when he turned to the North's table he saw that several men's gazes were fixed on him. "I believe that some of your countrymen aren't very happy to see you spending time with the last Lannister, Your Grace." Well not really the last Lannister but the last one of his kind.
Sansa didn't even turn to look, "...They can be overprotective."
He offered a knowing smile, "Yes, Lord Harry in particular but that young man speaking with Lady Cromwell stands out... He doesn't have the northern look." Dark brown hair, green eyes, square jaw, very muscular, tall and terribly handsome, a great specimen and it annoyed him not knowing who he was and so raised his eyes to hers, "Is there something we should be aware of?"
She raised the cup to her lips, "Such as?"
"...He's not looking with the usual northern mistrust. He looks more like a jealous man."
"Hmmm" she hummed seemingly displeased by the man's display. She had accepted Lord Humphrey's proposal but it wasn't supposed to be made public until after she was back in the North.
Tyrion smirked at her a second before he was distracted by Ser Brienne turning back and scanning the entire room like it was part of her job though she was obviously trying to find the man they were speaking of. "Quite the specimen..."
He was, Sansa thought, everything she could have wanted once upon a time and yet... nothing that interested her any longer, "He's not a horse, Lord Tyrion."
Her response elicited a cackle from Tyrion but he decided not to push for more, in less than an hour he'd know the man's name, relations and reason for being seated in the North's table when his looks clearly clashed with the rough ones of the other men. And he'd find out the reason behind the seething looks at him, but for now he would change the subject. "...So, I heard our own honorable and brave Ser Podrick Payne proved himself to you and left you thoroughly satisfied with his service." Like he usually did when he serviced any woman, apparently.
"Lord Tyrion." Brienne chastised him again, the double meaning was too obvious and she caught Her Grace blushing as Ser Davos chose that moment to stand and bid them good night.
Before he left, though, Ser Davos looked at Tyrion like he couldn't believe he was speaking to the Queen like that. So Tyrion cleared his throat, "Oh don't take it wrong, Ser Brienne, I'm sure the Queen knows I can't help but make the kind of crass joke our dear Podrick would never dare utter."
Sansa only hoped that the red hue of the walls would create the illusion that she wasn't blushing as hard as she was, "Well, your words are true even if your insinuation isn't, Lord Tyrion. I could never be able to repay Ser Podrick for his service, nor you, Ser Brienne." she admitted while she wondered for the first time whether Podrick had broken his promise and told Lord Tyrion or Ser Brienne about them, "...but I'm not surprised by nor can I stop those outrageous rumors from spreading. I'm only surprised they've reached this far."
What rumors? That caught his attention, "Ah rumors... what a problem for a single, beautiful and powerful lady to have..."
Well that was certainly offensive in how dismissive it was, "I don't believe you spoke like this to the Dragon Queen," she replied defensively, "...but I'd be happy to pass my problems on to you to solve them, Lord Tyrion."
Tyrion tried to suppress a nervous tic with a smile before he cleared his throat, "I meant no offense." he said ashamedly, feeling the stares of Ser Brienne and Sansa on him.
She went on exasperated, "So what did you mean, my Lord?"
"...Just to make a comparison; if you were a man no one would care to listen to rumors, you would probably even take advantage of them." He rushed his words out. "For a moment there I forgot your feminine sensibilities. You'll have to forgive me, It's been a while since I've had a conversation with a lady." he lowered his face before addressing Ser Brienne, "Apologies, but you certainly aren't one."
"...I believe it's high time you go and sleep it off, Lord Tyrion, you could start making my brother look bad."
For a second he was reminded of his Father dismissing Joffrey similarly and it brought a smile to his face, "I am sorry, Your Grace, but you're no longer my lady wife to be ordering me around." He joked though he stood using the table to keep his balance before leaving.
Sansa followed him with her eyes still reeling until he finally sat with Lord Bronn who welcomed him with a twinkling grin and a cup of wine. That's when she noticed a smiling Lord Royce and another older man approaching them. Brienne swiftly rose to her feet in an almost reverent manner that she found quite odd.
"Lord Royce," Brienne greeted with a respectful bow and he responded in kind but he called her, 'My lady,' which she didn't correct and instead she turned to her, "Ma'am, let me introduce you to my lord father."
A surprised Sansa stood immediately to greet him and tell him that he'd be welcome in the North and Winterfell at any time and then, alongside Lord Royce, went on to praise Brienne and her skills, who was visibly flushing and uncomfortable as Sansa admitted to the man that without Ser Brienne, she wouldn't be alive or in her current position. The man seemed to enjoy the praise, the attention and the gratitude but she noticed that every time she called the other woman Ser, he seemed a little vexed. So she proceeded to voice what Bran probably never would, that "She's the ideal person to be the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, My lord. You won't find a more loyal person in Westeros and I know what I'm talking about."
"She is a wonderful woman," Lord Selwyn acknowledged both with pride and some remaining disapproval of her life choices. Those weren't mutually exclusive.
Lord Royce clapped the old man's back, "Buck up, Lord Selwyn, your daughter is the first female Lord Commander, she is respected and greatly esteemed by two monarchs, you remarried and have an heir to pass your titles and lands onto, what else can you want from like at your age?
"Nothing more, I suppose."
Sansa took in the two men for a moment and the then she turned to offer an encouraging smile to Ser Brienne, who was looking tense, but unbeknownst to him, Lord Royce was right, Lord Selwyn had an heir, though it was his granddaughter instead of his daughter, which would remain a secret. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lord Humphrey standing and walking to Dorne's table where he started chatting with one of its princes. She focused on the conversation with her own companions but after a few minutes Lord Humphrey approached them alongside Prince Quentyn to introduce them.
"The rumors about your beauty don't do you justice, Your Grace."
"Thank you." Sansa bowed at the prince with a forced smile, "I too have heard a lot about you." He looked like his brother, whom she had met when Bran had been chosen to be King; tall, tanned and muscular yet slender with long curly hair and a trimmed beard. "But don't worry," she rushed to add, "Lord Humphrey only told me the good things." she joked, which charmed everyone as intended.
He was introduced to the rest of the group, except for the Lord Commander, who he'd met in passing, "I've also heard quite a lot about you, Your Grace, all very admirable." He paused just as she had before adding in good humor, "But I wouldn't mind hearing about some of your dirty laundry."
She had been warned that he was quite affable yet not one to mess with even if he didn't look it. "Oh, there's plenty of that but we're just getting to know each other. All in due time." she gestured for them to take a seat and then she locked eyes with Lord Humphrey, who nodded in approval at her demeanor since he had advised her not to be too serious around the prince if she wanted to win him over quickly.
Lord Humphrey spoke after her, "...I've spent most of my life in foreign lands. I was in Dorne for most of my childhood," Humphrey explained, "Quentyn's family welcomed me into the fold-"
"-And I haven't been able to escape this disastrous friendship ever since."
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It could be said that her first chat with the prince went swimmingly and she'd have to thank him and his amicable demeanor that cheered the entire group with his fanciful stories, even her and Brienne. For two hours she feigned being more approachable than she truly was and though Brienne's raised brow was a clear indication that she was overdoing it with the charm, it felt necessary.
And it paid off, seeing as first thing the next morning, she received a note from the Prince inviting her over to break her fast with him and instead of overthinking it, she simply agreed and went accompanied by two of her guards. Honestly she was a bit wary that he would try to flirt before they could talk business but that wasn't the case, two gorgeous women who he introduced as two of his wives sat on either side of him as he explained that the third one stayed behind to mind his affairs in Dorne. Sansa couldn't stop herself from silently, yet curiously, judging him, or them.
"From your reaction I can tell that you don't approve, Your Grace?" he looked at her flushed cheeks pointedly as he shook his head in feigned sadness, "alas, our story is not meant to be."
"…It's not that I don't approve, Prince." She was aware of how things were done in Dorne and she was annoyed at herself for being at all disturbed by the situation, "...You'll have to excuse me. It's just that we're not used to this type of relationships in the North..." nor was it usual to want to meet with him and be joined by another two women.
She was guided to a table where the prince held the seat for her as she sat before they proceeded to eat. "...this should be usual in the whole known world... these arrangements are quite efficient."
"Are they?" she asked without real interest, "for the women that is. I mean no disrespect, prince, I just assume they don't benefit as much as men..." she knew her words could be taken the wrong way.
"...It depends on the prince," Olive decided to interject as she threw her a smug smile to counter the queen's condescending attitude. She was speaking about them as though they weren't present and couldn't speak for themselves, "and some of the benefits we get might be enough to blow the mind of proper ladies like yourself."
Sansa turned to her with raised eyebrows and she half expected the prince to chastise her for her insolence but it never happened. They exchanged a look but nothing more. It was the other woman who sighed before speaking.
"Last night Quentyn told us about the conversation he had with you and Humphrey and what you want the North to start doing, Your Grace." Sansa was once again surprised at how one of the women would be talking over the prince, even if she had been more mindful. "Tell me, Queen, how will Dorne benefit from supplying you with seeds and teaching your men how to maintain the crops?" Mariah asked, "We'll get nothing from that"
"...I think I should have brought my advisers," she managed before she brought a spoonful of porridge to her mouth as she realized that the Prince intention had been to get her without her advisers, "I'm not sure what Lord Humphrey has told you already. But there are some seeds that we find valuable and since they only sprout in the coolest parts of Dorne we'd like to get a large sample to try to plant them in the southernmost part of the North," which is where they were trying to promote agriculture and keeping livestock. It was the place where hundreds of greenhouses had been created and were bearing greater fruits than in previous decades.
Quentyn nodded, "Yes, that's what Humphrey said last night."
"So again, Queen," Mariah interjected, "What does Dorne get out of this?"
She fixed her eyes on the woman as she answered, straight to the point, "What is it that the North has in spades but that Dorne lacks?"
"Snow." Olive said, "...Either that or other types of woods." the North's main trading good was lumber, it was practically their coin.
Sansa noticed Mariah tensing at the other woman's tone while the prince scowled, "...that's right.Snow." Sansa stated and their incredulous looks turned to her, "or rather, fresh water. Dorne is arid and dry, I've heard that to you water can be as valuable as gold."
The prince sat straighter knowing he shouldn't dismiss the idea completely until he heard the full extent of it, "And what makes you think that we cannot get water from some of the closest realms?"
"You can for sure, but the Reach is about to declare independence and we know they'll be raising the price of all their exports. You can keep depending on the other realms, who will charge you both for the water and the transport, to make it worth their while. But the North offers all the water you can carry free of charge. You'll need only—"
"—pay for transportation." Mariah finished for her.
"Exactly." Sansa said, knowing very well that while they remained unconvinced, they didn't hate the idea.
"The distance is immense." Olive protested, which the Queen didn't like. "How much water, or snow, are we talking about? What happens when you no longer need our seeds?" how would they protect their ships? "what happens when winter comes?"
The Prince stared at the queen. All of these questions needed to be thought through. And he couldn't make a decision on his own, he'd have to talk with the other princes to arrange it, "Is it me or does this proposal sounds a bit mad?" he asked at last.
Sansa took it in stride, "I thought so too at first." She turned to Mariah whose focus was on her, "Realistically, there's no way that that water will be enough for all of your lands but it would mean more crops at the very least, and constant deliveries would make it feasible. Right now, there are ships loaded and waiting to sail south in White Harbor. My advisors already made calculations for the volume of water needed for a hectare plot in your weather and the expected production, I don't have all of that information with me but I'll send for it if you w-"
The prince decided to interrupt then, "-I won't deny, Your Grace, that the way you tell it, it sounds tempting even if a bit mad. I'm not sure if you're trying to pull my finger. But I do know that I'm not presently ready to account for all numbers to even begin considering your offer. I would like to see your numbers and give them to my advisers. As you know, this is a decision I can't make on my own."
Sansa nodded, she appreciated the man's directness. "Don't worry, Prince, I'll send the paperwork with the figures my men calculated... but we would like to have an answer before this summit is over." That was more than enough time for them to study the proposal.
The prince and Mariah nodded in agreement while they ate; the proposal was quite appealing since water could be used in all sorts of enterprises.
As the Queen had said, it was gold.
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After the business part of the meal was done with, Sansa was able to enjoy a very pleasant conversation with the Prince and Mariah about the differences in their lands. And their ways of life. They proceeded to take a walk before she and the Prince took off to a meeting that would hold all the Lords while Mariah would bring the proposal and the supporting documents to the advisors that had accompanied them.
While the prince talked about Lord Humphrey, Sansa's mind kept going to the man whom she had come to get to know little by little and who shared with her many political opinions and regard for the people. At least in that they were getting along well. She was often caught by how attentive and charming he was at times but less because it was appealing to her and more because she recognized it as the armor he put on. Much like her outward coolness was hers. In any case, this whole idea of trading seeds for water had been Lord Humphrey's and the fact that he introduced her to the prince was a welcome bonus.
As soon as they step into the room where the meeting was about to take place Sansa felt the room's attention shift to them.
"...I take it that it's normal that as soon as they see you on a man's arm they assume he'll be the King in the North..."
"King Consort." she whispered her correction.
"Is that what Humphrey will become? King Consort?"
She couldn't help but tense up feeling annoyed and a bit bothered because both her and her advisers had warned Lord Humphrey not to tell anyone about her accepting his proposal until they were back North so that she could tell her Lords herself. "...If he plays his cards right."
He found that odd since Humphrey had told him that his union with her was all but set in stone, "I thought it was a done deal..."
Her chest felt suddenly heavy and for a second Sansa hesitated because she knew she still had time to get out of that betrothal as long as it wasn't made public, "...It is. I'm just waiting to be back in Winterfell to announce it to my subjects. I want them to be prepared because I don't think they'll be pleased that I'll choose beyond the North." she lied and she cleared her throat, "I trust you'll keep it to yourself for now."
Seeing how unsettled she was, Qeuntyn realized that Humphrey shouldn't have said a word about her agreement, or he should have at least warned him not to say anything to her, "You've my word Ma'am."
She briefly wondered if the prince hadn't already talked about it with someone else, maybe with his wives... or other acquaintances... She decided to say her goodbyes and to make her way to the North's table. "I've spoke to the prince about the matter that concerns us." she whispered to her advisors and it wasn't well received.
"...I thought we would be doing that together, ma'am." Lord Cromwell exclaimed.
"...Thanks to Lord Humphrey I was invited to break fast with the prince and there was no reason not to tell him."
As soon as the meeting was adjourned, Tyrion politely greeted Sansa as he approached her. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her advisors going to Lord Humphrey before the group went to meet the prince. Surely to try to fix the damages they thought she had caused.
"...I truly regret having offended you last night, ma'am." Tyrion said carefully, knowing there were many eyes on him.
Sansa held his gaze for a few seconds before she shook her head in a dismissive gesture, putting him at ease.
Tyrion knew that she had a soft spot for him, as he had for her, and he gestured for them to leave the room to go for a walk, which she agreed to despite her obvious interest in the conversation that her men were having with one of the Dornish princes. "So tell me, what abuse are you planning to inflict on the Westernlands now?" He dared tease as he looked behind him at the guards that were following them."
"Abuse, Lord Tyrion?" she asked taken aback by the choice of words.
"The deal I helped you close last time certainly wasn't beneficial to my lands. But it was to the North."
"Dare I remind you that it was our own Northern and Mountain men who went West to mine those useless rocks that your people dismissed?"
"There's no need, believe me. I have a clear recollection of each time a beautiful woman has abused my generosity..." she feigned annoyance and his smile broadened, "Truly, they didn't even need to be beautiful."
Shae was beautiful... "...I liked Shae." She said. They hadn't mentioned the woman in all this time, not even in writing. His cheeky smile was immediately replaced by a serious and tense look.
"...Yes... I did too. Once." He replied disheartened after taking a second to compose himself, "And she liked you. She wasn't ordered to act like it." He didn't know how much Sansa knew about the whole ordeal but he didn't think rumors could be worse than what actually happened, "But in the end she betrayed you as much as she betrayed me. Let us not speak of her." They had never mentioned her and he didn't want to do it now.Besides, betrayal or not, he didn't know how Sansa would react if he confessed to her that he killed Shae. The woman's existence had been erased from history in those chaotic days; her murder had been eclipsed by that of Lord Tywin... No one cared about a dead prostitute. No one but them. And maybe Cersei, who likely had to hide the woman's presence in their father's rooms.
Sansa remained clueless as to why Shae had betrayed her. But something told her it was better not to ask too many questions and to let sleeping dog lie for now. "...The point is that your people didn't want those metals. But we found some value in them." The metals in question were useful in cold and humid places as they found that when mixed with other substances made for good insulation even if they still needed to be sure that it past the test of time. Still, it had been a win for the North.
Some minutes later they were discussing other matters when her eye caught a glimpse of a Kingsguard walking towards them, his white cloak flapping behind him faster with each step. Her eyes soon fixed on the face below the helmet skimming over the dark beard before settling on his eyes, it was Podrick. Her heart suddenly felt like it was trying to break free from her chest, "Ser Podrick." She greeted as soon as they came to a stop facing each other.
"Your Grace." he answered still stunned by her presence in the capital since, last he'd heard —from her— she wouldn't be attending the summit. Regardless, when he found out the night before, he'd been left reeling both with apprehension and thrill. And at the moment, as they held each other's gaze, all his feelings were a mass of contradictions, "...It is good seeing you again." He finally said what he had kept to himself when had been first sent to Winterfell because it hadn't been appropriate. All the tender words and feelings that he had professed in his letters seemed to suddenly cascade over him making him blush with embarrassment.
"...Likewise," she replied as she inspected him from top to bottom while her heartbeat quickened and her lungs seemed to have stopped working. For one, she hadn't been expecting to feel this way when she would inescapably meet him again and though a part of her was disappointed in herself for it, the thrill of having him in front of her once more was greater. "...It's so odd... seeing you in your golden armor."
He looked taller, bulkier, more imposing... and when he removed the helmet, he looked all the more appealing; his longer hair was a novelty that she had to pause to take in but she took comfort in his familiar blush and the way he swallowed nervously, in how he was fidgeting with the helmet, in realizing the effect she still had on him.
"...And you, ma'am, as striking as ever." he heard himself saying causing her to blush brighter. It was an echo of all the many compliments he used to pay her back in Winterfell. But the way in she narrowed her eyes told him his words displeased her, perhaps because they had company? But it was the truth, she looked gorgeous and that made things even worse for his own heart.
"...Thank you." She managed to act purposely perplexed so that Lord Tyrion wouldn't make too much of Podrick's boldness or read too much familiarity in the exchange.The latter would be more concerning than the former, "... And you look more imposing."
Podrick looked at Lord Tyrion who seemed to find her comment amusing too, "Oh You're Grace is too kind, we all know I'm far from imposing or intimidating."
Tyrion agreed, "Not even with your armor. Though that's only to us, who know you." he looked up to see his companions grinning at his words.
Podrick's eyes sought hers knowing that he should be moving along but he had a mind not to continue on his way and he realized that she was also looking at him as though expecting more, yet they had to leave it at that, so he bowed his head but she interrupted him before he uttered his goodbye.
It was only then that she remembered, "Oh! I take it you've recovered from your injury if you're wearing your armor, I'm happy for you."
From the corner of his eye, Podrick saw Lord Tyrion's face fall, "Thank you, ma'am... It still bothers me sometimes but..." he left his words unfinished as he was unwilling to lie or to speak the truth, which was that he had decided to wear it while the lords were present in order to stop rumors about his capabilities. And to proof to himself that he could go for longer periods of wearing it. He bowed again as though he was in a rush, "now, if you'll excuse me... I have duties to attend to."
Sansa wished to stop him, to make plans to talk to him or dine with him in the coming days but it wasn't possible with Tyrion nearby. So she bowed her head in kind.
Being ignored during a conversation wasn't a new feeling for Tyrion; because of his height, it tended to happen even if his companions didn't mean to do it. But this time he didn't just feel ignored, for a few seconds he felt unwelcome, like he was interrupting or looking into something private.
For two years he had suspected that Podrick had come back from the North with something other than glory to his name; an infatuation of sorts since that constant business of exchanging letters with the Queen didn't quite add up. But he himself wrote often to the Queen and he wasn't infatuated with her. Still, he was curious to know what the young man and Sansa had in common... 'but I'm not surprised by nor can I stop those outrageous rumors from spreading. I'm only surprised they've reached this far.' he remembered her saying and his curiosity was piqued anew.
"Ma'am, My Lord." Podrick said in goodbye as he stole a last glance at her while putting on his helmet and retreating.
Sansa then lowered her eyes to see Tyrion's narrowed eyes fixed on her. She knew him to be clever but she also knew that she had hidden her feelings for Podrick well. So she decided to carry on walking as she waited for him to make something of her redden cheeks.
In all this time, Tyrion hadn't considered the fact that she had been writing back to Podrick, he had assumed she did, he just never really gave it much thought. He'd taken it like a simple friendship, not unlike the ones he or Ser Brienne had with her, but he had been so focused on his work that he never suspected Sansa of returning whatever feelings the lad may have, not even in the slightest, since he took for granted that her life experiences had changed her, that any trace of sentimentality had been buried in the past... "He's a good lad, Podrick." He waited a second for her reply but it never came so he continued pushing, "We all see that he's a good and honest man, it's easy for him to earn people's trust." That was the very reason for his upcoming mission in Essos.
"He certainly earned mine, despite his uncle killing my father." Sansa was quick to remind him and to make the point that even if his family had been at war with hers she could admire and respect individual members, just like she did with Tyrion.
Tyrion hadn't put two and two together, "He has a way of projecting trustworthiness, which serves him and those he represents well."
"I suppose." She agreed reluctantly and unsettled by Lord Tyrion's tactics to dig for information, she sighed, "I do understand that seemingly everyone seems to fall for Podrick's 'good lad' charm-"
"Did you, ma'am?" he asked outright, unwilling to beat around the bush, "I saw him put a smile on your face. Not many people can pull that off."
Sansa had been somewhat prepared for that line of questioning, even if she hadn't expect him to be so quick to get there, so she feigned openness, "I'm alone in the North, Lord Tyrion, but here I find myself surrounded by people who've been part of my life one way or another. I'm glad to see them."
That, he could understand, "Anyway, although Podrick is smart and I have no doubt he learned about politics and strategy only by listening in council meetings, I still don't fully understand why the King appointed him ambassador to the North, there were plenty of candidates better suited for the position." his attention was on Sansa as she nodded uninterestedly, "He told me that it was because he was already there and it would save us the trouble of sending another retinue."
"...At least the King tells you stuff."
That was true too, the King was a man who held his cards close to his chest, "There was no better man than Podrick to have by your side when you were attacked..." he pushed again coming to the conclusion that she either was a master at hiding her emotions or he was wasting his time looking for something that wasn't there.
"Hmmm... Ser Brienne comes to mind."
"A formidable woman," he acquiesced, "It's just that Podrick wouldn't have been my first choice if the King had asked me who to send to aid you."
"Then you can imagine my surprise when he showed up." She said, circumventing his curiosity. Tyrion was making a rather mediocre attempt to get information out of her.
"...I'll have to stand by my former squire and say that that simpleton face of his hides his achievements well, Ma'am, trust me."
Sansa grinned at his words despite herself hoping it would pass as complicity more than affection for the knight, and Podrick looked nothing like a simpleton, "...Back to business, Lord Tyrion..."
"Oh right... I'm all ears." he answered realizing that he would get nothing from her. Not yet, anyway. "Oh I forgot, have you gone to meet your nephew?"
Her nephew.
Sansa wondered how much Tyrion knew about the situation, "...I've been meaning to but I haven't had the chance yet." To say that she wasn't interested in doing so was putting it mildly.
"The King told me that it was you who arranged the whole thing."
That made her pause, "...Well, if the thought has crossed your mind that there's a chance that the child is mine then let me disabuse you of-"
"Not seriously, no." he admitted, "more like he's Jon's-"
"He's not." Not that she was certain that Jon wouldn't have children if given the chance. But she didn't want to dwell on a future where a descendent of his would find out about his Targaryan heritage a few decades later and then decide to march south to claim his Throne.
Everything was possible.
"You've no idea how glad I am to hear that, ma'am."
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