~Elena~

Sansa was greatly changed. Gone was the lively youthful girl and in her place was a quiet subdued lady of ranking plagued with thoughts she would not share with me. I felt slighted at her coldness as well as suspicious. Word had reached me through Lord Varys that she had been cast aside by the child king for a lovely creature called Margaery Tyrell, a windowed innocent that came with Tywin, the new Hand of the King. I thought she'd be happy now that she was no longer claimed by the Lannisters, but she was sinking somewhere that I could not go. I'd followed her closely, almost neglecting my little lion lord, for fear that she may do something rash. Something irreversible. We spent most of our day simply walking in silence as she looked about her with saddened eyes, no smile touching her lips.

"To Dorne. It's going to Dorne." She spoke, shaking me from my thoughts as she looked at a ship sailing away in the distance. A longing expression crossed her face as she watched the sails billow in the wind, listening to the waves lap against the rocks while birds circled overhead, singing out hymns of hunger.

"Dorne?" I asked, as I looked out at them, wondering how much it would cost to get my sister on one of those ships. Lucia had come back with tales of farm creatures and new friends. I hadn't visited with her long, afraid the darkness that still crept at the edge of my mind would taint her. Rosette seemed to notice the wrongness in me as she watched our exchange from the corner, because she warned me to keep a careful mind. To not lose myself to this place.

"It's carrying silk, and it's supposed to bring back wine in exchange." She explained as she turned to look at me, that haunting look in her eyes once more as she noticed the guard at the edge of the pier we were perched upon. I'd been against the man in brass armor, acting more like a jailer than a guard, but I'd had to keep my mouth shut for fear of the consequences.

"But it's not coming back. The captain is tired of wasting his life so lords and ladies of King's Landing can get drunk on better wine than they deserve. He's going to stay in Dorne, wait out the winter with his beautiful amor." It was the only game she allowed herself to play now. Making up stories of people she'd never met. Giving them fanciful lives and dreams.

"Not everyone from Dorne is very beautiful, I can assure you." I laughed as she looked at me, perhaps wondering if I was playing games with her or not.

"You're ruining the game." She commented as she turned to look back out at the water. I sighed lightly shaking my head at her.

"I do apologize my lady. I was only trying to make the facts more realistic." She ignored me, eyes searching the golden sunset horizon.

"What about that one there?" She asked as she pointed to a large ship, signifying it was my turn to come up with some dream story. I looked, taking in the much to large ship with even larger sails. To tell truth, that ship was probably going to Volantis, but I knew the truth was not what she wanted to hear, and I could not much blame her for it.

"That ship is going to Braavos." I declared deciding I would play along for now, seeing as it gave me an opportunity to distract my mind, if only for a moment.

"Why?" Sansa asked as she turned to look at me.

"His lover, an ex-slave, is there waiting for him. She stands watching the sea day and night, praying to the Gods for his safe return." She offered a small smile, nodding her head at my willingness to play along. I could understand her want for a break from reality. The sound of boots against wood drew my attention to a man with dark hair and a face that offered little comfort towards safety. I edged closer to Sansa, hand inching towards my ever present knife as he offered us a smile.

"Lovely day for it." He called, gathering Sansa's attention. "Watching the ships."

"Lord Baelish." Sansa greeted with a simple bow of her head as I watched him circle to stand before us, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach as he gave Sansa a look that was more than friendly.

"Might I speak with Lady Sansa alone for a moment?" He asked, finally addressing me. I wanted to say no, but it was not my place. So I left with a sigh once Sansa nodded her acceptance of his company. A woman with dark red hair waited at the edge of the pier, watching the duo closely as Lord Baelish sat beside Sansa, leaning in close so they may speak in secret. Whatever they spoke of interested Sansa greatly, her face eager and filled with that longing again.

"You're her handmaiden." The woman spoke as she came to stand beside me, a secret smile on her face. She was dressed rather simply in a blue robe like dress with red and gold trim. I didn't much like the way she looked me over, her eyes lingering far to long.

"You're observant." I replied simply turning away from that look that made me want to step away from her. "And you're his-"

"I help manage his affairs." Which I thought was quite unlikely, though I didn't say so.

"He must be an important person." I reasoned as I took in his fine clothes and sword that hung at his side.

"So is she. I grew up in the shadow of her father's castle. The day she was born they rang the bells from sunrise to sunset." I smiled at the memory of what must have been a joyous day for Winterfell, imagining the smiling faces and celebrations.

"We've both done rather well, you and I." The woman commented.

"Yes?" I asked, having no idea to what she was referring to.

"Given where we started." I turned then with a raised brow, wondering where she was going with this.

"And where is that?" She gave me that lingering look once more, making me feel unclothed and vulnerable.

"It's just easier for girls like us to dig our way out." She spoke ignoring my question with a slight smirk. I rolled my eyes, turning to see that the duo had finished their conversation, Lord Baelish turning with a smile plastered on his face, leaving Sansa to look out over the waters.

"Watch out for her." The woman spoke softly.

"I always do."

"Watch out for her with him." She finished before Lord Baelish reached us, inclining his head to me before walking off. I watched as Sansa continued to stand there, that uneasy feeling coming back full force.

"I believe I'd like to go back to the keep now. I have needlework that has been calling to me to finish it." Sansa spoke up quite suddenly as she turned and walked quickly away. I hurried to keep up with her quick strides, wondering at her impatients.

"Shall I stay with you my lady?" I asked. She paused, turning to look at me as if for the first time, her blue eyes searching.

"I think I shall be quite fine on my own. Once in the keep, I give you leave to do as you wish for the night. I shall be taking my supper in my room, so I won't be needing any help." It felt as if I'd been dealt a stinging blow. Sansa had never before seemed so intent on my not being near her. Does she since the wrongness as well I wonder?