Disclaimer: Characters and past storylines belong to the series creators and George R.R. Martin.

How seldom, friend, a good great man inherits honour and wealth, with all his worth and pains!
For shame, my friend! Renounce this idle strain! What wouldst thou have a good great man obtain?
Wealth, title, dignity, a golden chain, or heaps of corpses which his sword hath slain?
Goodness and greatness are not means, but ends.

Hath he not always treasures, always friends, the great good man?
Three treasures,— love and light, and calm thoughts, equable as infant's breath;
And three fast friends, more sure than day or night,—
Himself, his Maker, and the angel Death.

from The Good Great Man by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Sansa

§

For a short time, Petyr did not press her about the Riverlands, and she took the opportunity to watch him. He was less unkind to her brother than usual, and she wondered if it was on purpose. He did not like the other lords, particularly Lyanna, though she knew exactly why. They were all loyal to Jon and the lady of Bear Island had united the northern lords with her words.

He insisted on delivering his 'reports', as he liked to call them, with the King alone and Jon insisted she and Brienne be there. As these meetings with Littlefinger became a regular occurrence, Jon seemed less and less willing to deal with the man. More often than not, he excused himself in some way or another, leaving her alone with only Brienne at her side. Little did he know, Petyr never let such opportunities pass him by.

"I bring good tidings, my King," He said smiling as he usually did, with great meaning and no warmth.

He bowed before sitting and Jon shifted as the man sat, though he nodded, and replied, "Lord Baelish. I will be glad to hear of it."

As if on purpose, Littlefinger turned to her, "Lady Sansa, you look lovely this evening. It seems the winter's chill has brightened you like the sun to a flower."

This time her brother did not even move, and she felt the tension in his stillness.

"I thank you my lord, though I do not think it kind you keep the King waiting."

He did not seem ruffled by this, but Jon seemed to appreciate her words.

"Quite right you are, my lady. Apologies, your Grace."

He paused again, bowing his head in deference, though it fooled no one.

"I have received word from the south. Cersei is dead. Killed by her brother and lover, Jaime Lannister. King's Landing has a new Queen."

Likely as shocked as she, Jon did not speak at first. She'd known as well that there'd been no chance in stopping Daenerys Targaryen from taking the throne, and truth be told, she was glad the Mad Queen was dead. Even more, that her brother had had no part in it. What truly shocked her though, was that Ser Jaime had been the one to end her reign. She was not sure of his motives, and though she was not sure why, she did not believe he betrayed her for his own gain.

As for her brother, he did not seem to think these were good tidings, but he composed himself by the time he answered.

"It is for the best, though I cannot say I do not pity her."

She wanted to smile and scold him at his reply, her brother truly had a kind heart, and she was both awed and afraid of it.

"And Ser Jaime?" She asked to avoid giving Littlefinger a chance to dwell on Jon's reply.

He turned to her before answering, clearly taken aback by her interest, "Pardoned. It seems he choked the Mad Queen as proof of fealty to the Targaryen. Once a Kingslayer always a kingslayer…"

He trailed off, and she had the sneaking suspicion he hoped Ser Jaime might take care of the new Queen as well.

Jon did not address his words.

"What of the Lannister army?" He asked instead.

"Intact for the most part, your Grace, and returning to the Westerlands along with their new lord."

Jon seemed pleased by this, though she could not say why. The Lannisters had an army still, but it did not seem likely they would join his war, unless he hoped to ally himself with the new Queen…

"And the city?" The King asked then.

This finally seemed to damper Littlefinger's mood, though for only a moment.

"All well it seems. The people have welcomed Daenerys Targaryen, though this is no surprise, considering their former ruler. It seems they have forgotten their beloved Queen's father. No doubt they shall soon remember."

Jon's expression darkened at the man's words, and he did not speak. She wanted to break the silence, and yet, nothing came to mind. It was Littlefinger himself who spoke then.

"Any news of the Riverlands your Grace?"

Her brother seemed startled by this question, and she wondered what Petyr knew that she did not, and if it had anything to do with the rider who'd come to see Jon only a few days earlier.

He eventually found his composure, and answered with a steady voice, "Some, but I would not be surprised you know something I do not."

Lord Baelish grinned yet again, looking as if he rather enjoyed the king's reply.

"Indeed, I think I do."

He paused for a moment, glancing at her before continuing, "It seems, your Grace, when lady Sansa's uncle Ser Brynden took Riverrun, lord Edmure took it back only to hand it over to the Kingslayer, though I suppose now we ought to call him Queenslayer. In any case, he made a deal with Jaime Lannister, though none can say for what. Walder Frey threw him in a cell once more, and the great Blackfish was killed."

He gave them both a moment, and she could not help wonder if perhaps Littlefinger was right.

"Perhaps it is time for a royal visit to the Riverlands, your Grace," He said then, his voice smooth and without reproach.

The king did not react, and did not speak. He seemed uncertain himself suddenly. As expected, her clever cunning suitor, used this to his advantage.

"The Targaryen Queen sits comfortably on the throne, she will not hesitate to reclaim what is hers. We must make haste, Lord Edmure's loyalty is shallow deep at best. If we are to win the war to come, the North must secure the Riverlands."

"I cannot leave Winterfell, not now," Jon replied forcefully.

With a practiced solemn expression he spoke, "No, your Grace. You, cannot."

Both men turned to her in that moment, and she could not help lock eyes with Petyr. His face was serious, and yet, she saw the greedy twinkle in his eye. As for her brother, he seemed almost disgusted in the man's words, and worried that he might be right. That seemed to be the final strand, and she was surprised to find he'd lasted this long.

"Thank you lord Baelish, for this information. If there are no other matters we must discuss at the moment, I will excuse myself. I need some time to think on what has been said."

Recognizing his win, the lord of the fingers smiled as he nodded and replied, "I am glad to be of help, your Grace."

Then Jon stood, bowed at both her and her companion, before flashing a look towards Lady Brienne and leaving.

On this occasion, Littlefinger waited one full minute after her brother the King left, to speak.

"King Jon does not seem to realize the urgency in securing Riverrun's fealty."

"He has sent Ser Davos, and men both of the Vale and the North," She replied, though she understood what he meant.

Lord Baelish did not relent, "Ser Davos and his men cannot truly secure such fealty. With Tully's there is only one way, it is one of their house words after all. Family. You are his only blood, you must be sure he knows it."

She decided not to address his words directly, nor to refute him.

"I'm sure my brother knows what he does, though perhaps he does not think to explain himself to you."

In return, he did the same.

"She has already taken the iron throne, if the Targaryen reaches the Riverlands before the North does, with her dragons, she will easily secure his fealty, he is not one of much backbone anymore. Not after the Frey's had him in a dungeon for over a year."

She did not give in so easily, especially when she looked over at Lady Brienne and saw her contempt for the man clear on her face.

"If he should turn so easily, he is not truly loyal, and we need him not."

He seemed disappointed in this reply.

"That is easily said my lady, but men win wars, not words."

He put his hand over hers, and though she wanted to pull away, she did not. She could only imagine Brienne's reaction to this, but she did not turn to look for herself. Lord Baelish was a dangerous man she knew, and in this moment, Jon stood in his way. Thankfully, Littlefinger needed her, and it would be better to have him think she might be amenable to his plans. He'd once told her that everyone lied and did it better than her, and now, she'd been surrounded by liars for years and knew nearly all their tricks. He was more clever than her that was true, but in that lie her answer.

"Your brother the King needs the Riverlands if he hopes to win his war. And when the Queen comes, he will need that kingdom all the more so he will have some leverage against her. After all, the North, the Vale and the Riverlands combined is twice the size of the southern half."

The lady standing behind them bristled at his words, and Petyr looked over to her. She glanced herself, and saw her guardian glaring daggers at him, her hand on her pommel, and he only smiled. Though he did remove his hand from hers.

He turned back to her then, her eyes lingering on her protector for a moment before she returned his gaze. He was not smiling though she felt it in his words.

"Let us go, you and me and Lady Brienne of course. Bring Podrick if you wish. I will bring a small contingency of the Vale, and we will meet your Uncle, and secure his fealty. Then Ser Davos can return to the North, where he will be of more help. Your brother will be glad of it, after the deed is done."

She was not surprised by this proposal, it had been near clear from the moment he mentioned the Riverlands. What she was beginning to understand though, were his true intentions. So she would give something to hold him for the moment. She stood before speaking.

"I have only just returned home. I need some time to think on it."

His lips went up at her words, and she was glad the bait had worked. He stood, and bowed lightly to her.

"Of course my Lady. I will be ready when you decide."

Once he was gone and they were alone, it was now Brienne who did not hesitate.

"My lady, I hope you have not forgotten what Littlefinger has done. To you, to your fam-"

"I have not forgotten," She interrupted, her voice loud, strong.

She did not want to explain why she let him do the things he did, but she knew she could not defeat Lord Baelish without it. Queen Cersei had been awful to her, and yet she had learned some truth. 'The weapon between her legs' as she'd put it, was her only weapon against him, and Sansa would use it. And he thought her a stupid girl, which perhaps she was, but she would use that as well.

"Petyr is a dangerous man Brienne, more than you seem to realize. And we are lucky that for now, he needs me. Soon that luck will run out and if I am to avenge them once and for all, I must let him want me as well."