Author's Note:
Thank you for your patience, I know this chapter took longer than the last. A lot of you have reviewed (thank you!) and a few have mentioned the red wedding. I've been back and forth on whether or not to include it, and i've come to a decision. I will post an epilogue including my spin on the red wedding if you all review and request it. :)
If not, this story in complete with this chapter. Regardless, thank you all for the love and attention you have given this story. It is very appreciated. :)
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Cersei absolutely hated it - the Stark girl needed to not be the key to the North but she was.
So here they were. Yet another Lannister wedding to plan for political gain.
Tyrion was surprised though he shouldn't have been. It was a great political move for his father and for the family name. Tyrion also knew his father wouldn't harm Sansa - that would only cause problems and Joffrey caused enough all on his own.
Joffrey - perhaps for the only time in his life - was quiet on the matter. Something all were grateful for.
././././././././././.
One week after Tywin finding her, Sansa was slowly getting back to her usual habits. She had been returned to her own room, Tywin feeling satisfied with the amount of healing that had progressed that even the stupidest of handmaidens couldn't screw it up, and was beginning to return to her old routine.
The dressmakers were constantly in and out in preparation for the wedding. They were measuring and remeasuring all the time - Sansa hadn't put on very much weight at all. Which was a constant topic of discussion between her and Tywin.
Feeling the need to get a moment of peace from all the planning of the wedding, Sansa decides to talk a walk through the gardens. With only her guardsmen with her she finds joy in the quiet, if nothing else. A slow and steady pace is refreshing for both the lack of walking in recent days and for the mental clarity she was hoping to gain.
A few minutes later she hears a familiar voice behind her,
"Lady Sansa."
She turns,
"Lord Tyrion, how lovely to see you."
"And you as well. May I walk with you?"
Sansa nods and they return to her slow pace, side by side.
"I hear congratulations are in order for you and my father."
Sansa smiles with hands folded in front of her stomach,
"Yes I suppose those they are. It seems as though weddings always put people in a rush."
Tyrion hears her steady voice, surprised that she's not as forced and monotoned as she was when she was claiming her loyalty to King Joffrey,
"They do. Everybody wants to be able to say that were involved which means everybody has to be involved. How do you feel about this marriage?"
Sansa knew the question was coming though she didn't didn't imagine it would arrive so quickly,
"I think it will be wonderful marriage. The Lannisters will secure the North. There will be Lannister heirs. All th-"
"Sansa, I asked what you feel. Not what the strategy is."
They keep walking, Sansa smiles at Tyrion's calling her out on bypassing his question,
"I feel that this marriage has more hope than the last. I feel that there is the possibility of love and respect with this marriage."
They come to a part in the path with benches and decide to sit. Tyrion sees that she's tiring easily but says nothing of it,
"My father is not always a loving and respectful man. What gives you this hope so early on?"
"I know he is Hand of the King. I know he has been quite evil to you. I know he is hoping this marriage will help him with my brother Robb. Lord Tywin is a methodical and cunning man and every move he makes is to serve the Lannister family well. And yet I am not afraid when I am with him. He has done nothing that has lead me to believe he will harm me. Am I a fool for thinking this? Perhaps. But until he does something that makes me think he is untrustworthy, I will take him as my husband and pray to the Seven for the best."
Her voice is passionate and determination strong. Tyrion's usual go to is humor to lighten the mood, but her words don't stink him as ones that need levity,
"Why Sansa Stark, you sound just like your mother."
Sansa blushes and his words remind her how much she misses her mother,
"Now, let us continue our walk. If I go too long without wine I become an even more bitter little man."
Tyrion hops off the bench and offers Sansa his hand to help her rise. She takes it thankfully and they continue on. Once returned indoors, Tyrion wishes her well and takes her hand,
"Lady Sansa, may the Gods be good to you and my father. I wish you all the happiness in the world. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask."
He kisses her hand,
"Thank you Lord Tyrion, your kindness is very much appreciated."
Footsteps are heard in the great hall and are preceded by the lions voice,
"Lord Tyrion, I believe she has been promised to another."
Sansa and Tyrion smile,
"Yes Father she has been. And I trust you two will have great happiness together."
Tywin stands beside his future bride before continuing,
"Yes I believe we will."
Tyrion nods and goes one way while Tywin and Sansa turn to go another,
"How are you feeling Sansa?"
They head down the stone hall slowly,
"Sore. Slow moving but ready to get things back to normal. Or as normal as they can be. I needed a break from all the women running circles around me in anticipation of the wedding."
Tywin chuckles, knowing all too well that the woman can be overwhelming when a wedding is upcoming,
"Did you have a good conversation with Tyrion?"
"Yes, he wishes us happiness."
Tywin nods and as they continue walking, he places his hand on the small of her back. He'd been watching her closely the past week and though he knew it was a small window of time, he hadn't seen her gain any weight. Feeling her now he knows he's accurate,
"Have you been trying to eat?"
"Trying yes. I'm hoping I'll have more success after the wedding."
Tywin nods, thinking that once they've married and the world knows she's his, the worry of not being safe will ease from her mind.
"The wedding will be upon us in no time at all. Try to get some rest in the meantime."
They've arrived at her chamber door, the guardsmen stopping a respectable distance away, and Sansa nods and looks up at him smiling,
"Yes My Lord."
Tywin nods and leans down and kisses her gently. He ensures she's in her room before turning on his heel and heading back to work.
././././././././././.
Everyone's rushing, everyone's preparing, so much to be done on wedding day. The morning woke Sansa with a renewed energy - she will marry someone she doesn't despise and actually has a respect for. That's exciting all on its own.
Her handmaidens help to ensure everything is going along properly. Her hair hanging down long and vibrant, her makeup applied just heavily enough to make a special occasion but not overdone.
They have wine and talk and laugh and the preparation is wonderful. Sansa thinks this is how life is supposed to feel.
Tywin's preparation takes much less time and much less fuss. He has a gift for his new bride and he notices he keeps checking his chest pocket to make sure it's there. The sept is filled with people wanting to watch the new couple become one and Tywin realizes just how long its been since he's done this.
The time has come for the Stark to become a Lannister.
Her gown is a beautiful cream with delicate detailing trailing from her high neckline all the way down to her waist - little sparkly jewels hitting the light every way she turns.
When she enters the sept and everyone turns to look at her as she begins her walk down the aisle, she is overwhelmed with emotion - but not like before. This time she's not afraid, she's hopeful and almost excited.
Slowly walking with her heels clicking on the stone floor, she sees Cersei and Tyrion, Joffrey and Margarey, among many others. Some only faces she recognizes and names she's forgotten. She also sees Tywin up ahead and he has a slight smirk on his face. Praying to the Seven her entire walk that she doesn't fall, Sansa hopes this marriage will be the best thing for her. And if not that the Gods will guide her to what is.
She reaches the alter and with her and Tywin standing before the sept, the ceremony begins.
"You may cloak the bride and bring her under your protection."
More meaningful words she perhaps have never been spoken in light of recent events. Tywin removes her cloak from House Stark and replaces it with the vibrant red and gold of House Lannister, watching her face while he does it. He sees peace in her eyes and it gives him comfort.
She's been put through hell and he knows it. Tywin also knows that now that she's a Lannister she'll be put through more. But with the heart of a direwolf and the backing of the Lannisters, he knows Sansa will be alright. He dared any man, woman, or being to prove him wrong.
The Septon begins again,
"My Lords, my Ladies, we stand here in the sight of Gods and men to witness the union of man and wife. One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever."
Tywin and Sansa stand side by side and he takes her hand. The Septon places the ribbon around both of their hands and begins to tie it into a knot,
"Let it be known that Tywin of House Lannister and Sansa of House Stark are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder. In the sight of all the Seven I hereby seal these two souls binding them together for eternity."
With the words finished, the Septon unties the ribbon then continues,
"Look upon each other and say the words."
Tywin and Sansa look at each other, knowing what they need to say. They speak in unison, naming off all of the Seven.
"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger,"
Then, altering for each referencing the other they continue,
"I am hers and she is mine. From this day, until the end of my days,
I am his and he is mine, from this day until the end of my days."
The words are heavy in meaning but flow easily from both of them. Sansa took a deep breath, knowing that in just a few more words and a kiss, she would be respected and revered as a Lannister. The thought was new and different and yet it was of some odd comfort for her.
Tywin speaks,
"With this kiss I pledge my love."
He leans down and kisses his bride - gently - and the kiss is returned the same fashion that it was given. It goes on a little longer than Sansa expected but she was of no complaints. They break the kiss and turn to the audience, who begins to applaud for them. Taking her hand, Tywin takes them both down the aisle and away from the crowd before the feast begins.
Tywin shuts the door behind them and they hear the mutterings and rumblings of excited people heading to the great hall for the feast.
For some reason, Sansa feel out of breath but she doesn't understand why Tywin's guided them into this room,
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes. I wanted to give you something."
Tywin reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out a small box - delicately wrapped with twine - and handset to Sansa.
She takes it,
"Thank you."
Opening the box, she opens it to reveal a beautifully detailed gold direwolf head necklace. Elegant and yet strong it's the perfect weight, the fine details absolutely exquisite,
"It's beautiful."
"The direwolf may be your old house cigdel, but it is who you are. Now that you are a Lannister it is time you are recognized for both. I cannot expect you to forget where you came from but I do expect you to see who you are now,"
He takes the necklace from her hands and walks behind her as Sansa lifts her hair. Tywin places it around her neck and clasps it,
"I believe we will be happy Sansa."
Tywin turns her around and kisses her gently, hoping that there would be easier times ahead for both of them.
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They are welcomed at the feast among many smiling faces. Seated behind the banquet table, many courses of food are served and the music is pleasant and dancing has begun. Cersei is sulking a few seats down but for the moment she seems content to keep her mouth shut. If Sansa were being honest, it wasn't Cersei she was worried about making a scene. No, that concern was laid solely at Joffrey's feet.
Her safety didn't worry her it was the potential humility from the King that had her holding her breath,
"Are you feeling alright?"
Tywin's voice snaps Sansa out of her daze, looking at him she nods quickly then returns to looking down t her plate,
"If you're worried about the King I can assure you he won't try anything."
"How can you be so sure?"
He leans in close with his voice lowered,
"Because there are some things even he knows would not end well for him."
Sansa allows a small smile and tried to busy herself with watching everyone dance and feast and talk. Looking around this room, it's hard to believe that this is where Sansa ended up. She was so naive and so infatuated with Joffrey that, for a time, this was the only place she wanted to be.
Then when Joffrey's true sadistic side was revealed all Sansa wanted to do was run to be as far away from King's Landing as possible.
Though it took her a little longer than it should have, Sansa eventually realized that King's Landing seemed to be the place she would never escape. Which also meant she had to learn how to play the Lannister game. She had to be cunning and intelligent and poise and perfect and all the things she could be to survive this land of politics and secrets.
Now that she's married a Lannister the stakes are even higher. Now Sansa has to continue to be all those same things - because she is a Lannister and has to carry that family name with respect.
The evening continues on and when it came time for the bedding ceremony, Tywin stood up with Sansa by his side, silenced the room with a single glare, and the new couple walked out. There would be no traditional bedding ceremony and no one dared try to change that decision.
Walking down the hall, they turn into Tywin's chambers and Sansa feels an excited kind of nervous.
She sits on the bed and watches Tywin taking off all of the ceremonial pieces he need no longer wear. Sansa would expect them to make love tonight, but she couldn't be sure,
"Did you enjoy the evening?"
Sansa clears her throat,
"Yes I did. I wasn't expecting so many people though."
Tywin sits beside her,
"Yes people love to watch other live out their lives, don't they?"
He takes a deep breath and rubs his face, feeling tired,
"I know you're still bruised and I know you're still not completely healed. We'll wait for the bedding until you're back to normal."
Tywin rises and takes off his remaining clothes, Sansa takes the cue and begins to do the same.
Both in their small clothes, Tywin climbs into bed and pulls the sheets beck for her to get in beside him. This is the first time they've ever been in bed together and Sansa is quietly grateful for his patience. The pressure women feel on their wedding night is too much and serves no good purpose.
Tywin pulls her in close,
"Sleep now little wolf. No one will harm you here."
The gravely tone and the warmth in his arms was all it took for Sansa to fall asleep, praying that this man would continue to be good to her.
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