THE STORM QUEEN

Sansa observed the revelry below her with cool detachment. She could tell that her guests were shocked by the rambunctiousness of the court. Though Lord Garlan Tyrell was able to jest baudily with the Storm lords and fit in with this crowd, his little wife, Leonette and his brother Loras could not hide their distaste quite as well. Sansa sighed, knowing that once again, it would be up to her to provide a semblance of order. She forced a courteous smile to her lips as she turned to the small Reach lady, peppering her with questions to distract her. Leonette reminded her so much of herself all those years ago, when she had first come to King's Landing. Small, innocent, and childlike... unknowing of the true nature of men.

Well one need only take a glance around what court had become to see the rougher side of the other sex. The new lords of the Stormlands were brutish and loud-nothing delicate or political about them. Most of them came from nothing, just as their liege, and were now expected to appear dignified. But nothing could change the fact that they had not been raised to be great lords. Just now she could see her husband competing against another trying to test their strengths. As her husband wrestled the other man to the ground, cheers arose from the watching crowd. Crowing praise to their victorious king.

For half a moment, Sansa reminisced about the refinement that used to be found here. How she missed the carefully polished manners and the sophistication. But that was another life-one that had ended in blood and fire. And now, risen from the ashes, the only one able to climb the steps to the iron throne had won it on the battlefield-just like his father.

Edric Storm had a real claim, it was true, being the only living son known of the late King Robert. But the high lords would have never accepted a bastard on the throne had Sansa not brought the North to his side. He may have been granted the Baratheon name, but it was Sansa, his highborn wife, who had delivered his true legitimization. Luckily for her, he worshiped her for it. And in return, she tried her best not to resent him for his lack of elegance. To continuously make up for where he lacked. To sit and chatter to some empty headed girl from the Reach because they needed their support and it would do well to keep them happy with their king and queen.

Yet when a particularly rowdy ale-infused fight broke out in the tables below and a few onlookers were caught in the brawl, Sansa knew she had to do something. Leonette was looking practically fearful for her life and Loras' lip had begun to curl in disgust. Sansa rose with elegance from her seat at the high table, she glided down the steps and made her way into the mass of men twice, three times her size. Her presence had an immediate effect of the men. Those who were in her way instantly moved to clear her path, most even breaking from their tumbling to bow their heads and mutter respects. Sansa kept her head up, walking with pride as she sent smiles to some, nodding her thanks. She moved like a cooling drop of clean, pure water through the crowd, calming all in her way before she reached her husband, who was in another tussle with one of his friends.

Edric jumped, startled by her presence. He dropped the man's head he had locked in his arms and stood straight, a shameful grin on his face-like a schoolboy caught by a septa. Sansa stood patiently, her hands folded in front of her while the lords all bowed deeply to her. She had heard it said more than once that she was like the Mother, gently guiding her husband and his men to decorum and she felt it an apt description of her role at court.

But now she smiled at her husband, the one she had never asked for but had been a good man to her, and curled her fingers around his.

"I thought perhaps we could dance, my King?" she said, loud enough for the surrounding men to hear. Most of them did not no how to dance gracefully, but she had been pleased when they all clearly had been making an effort to learn. Having them focus on footwork and impressing the visiting Reach ladies would add some propriety to the evening. There were a few grumbles, men who did not want to abandon this array of boisterous activity, but the king bowed gracefully to his wife, grinning wildly.

"As my queen commands" he murmured, kissing her fingers. She rewarded him with a dazzling smile and nodded her thanks.

A/N: Alexia has given me some inspiration. Thank you all for your support and reviews! Always looking for suggestions.