"Sansa darling," the queen called. "Please come in."
Sansa walked into the room slowly, controlling her steps as Septa Mordane had taught her. The Queen sat at King Robert's former desk, Grand Maester Pycelle, Littlefinger, and Varys the Spider flanking her. Varys spoke first.
"Your father has proved to be an awful traitor, dear."
Traitor? Sansa's thoughts screamed, she couldn't believe it. Her father loved the kingdom more than anything, and Robert! They had been friends since boyhood, and her father had spoke of him often as Sansa grew-
"When the King's body was still warm, Lord Eddard began plotting to seal Joffrey's rightful throne." Maester Pycelle spoke up.
Sansa refused to believe this! Her father would never go against Joffrey; he knows how much she loves him! She told them so.
"He wouldn't do that, he knows how much I love Joffrey." They looked skeptical.
"He wouldn't, please Your Grace, there's been some mistake. Go to my father, he'll tell you. The King was his friend."
The Queen spoke.
"Sansa, sweetling, you are innocent of any wrong, we know that. Yet you are the daughter of a traitor, how can I allow you to marry my son?"
No. This couldn't be happening. She had to marry Joffrey! It was her future, her only dream. They must let them marry. She loves Joffrey more than anything in the world; surely the queen must know that?
How can they pull us away now? Sansa though. It so unfair.. I've done nothing wrong.
"A child born of a traitor's seed is no fit consort for our King." Maester Pycelle agreed with the Queen, Sansa would receive no help from him.
"She's a sweet thing Your Grace, but in ten years who knows what treason she may hatch."
Sansa was angered at the maester's words. She would do no treason!
'I won't! I'll be a good wife to him, you'll see! I will be a Queen just like you, I promise, I won't "hatch" anything.' Sansa said, desperate to make them believe her.
The Queen looked conflicted.
Littlefinger, the last person she expected, spoke on her behalf. "The girl is innocent; she should be given a chance to prove her loyalty."
The bearded man looked Sansa in the eye, commanding her to live up to his words.
Sansa looked back to the Queen, knowing that nothing would happen without the Queen's consent, or disagreement. Sansa wanted nothing more than to marry Joffrey and give him strong sons, why could the Queen not see that? She wouldn't commit any treason; she would be a loyal wife to her beloved and a benevolent Queen, just like Cersei!
"Little dove, you must write to Lady Catelyn, and your brother, the eldest, what's his name?" The Queen asked suddenly, pushing parchment towards Sansa.
"Robb."
"Word of your father's arrest will reach him soon, no doubt," the Queen leaned back in her chair. "Best it comes from you."
"If you would help your father, urge your brother to keep the king's peace." A quill was placed in front of her as well; Sansa looked down at it for a moment before gazing back at the Queen.
"Tell him to come to King's Landing and swear fealty to Joffrey."
Sansa was unsure.
"If.. If I could see my father, talk to him about-"Sansa paused; the Queen was beginning to look displeased.
Cersei shook her head. "You disappoint me child. We've told you of your father's treason, why would you want to speak to a traitor?" The Queen was making Sansa feel guilty for even considering conversing with her father.
"I only meant that.. what will happen to him?" Sansa asked.
The Queen was quick to answer. "That depends.."
"On? On what?" Sansa begged. "Your brother."
The Queen lifted the quill, and passed it to Sansa, "and on you."
Sansa took the quill, finally realize that not only her father's fate hinged on the words she wrote, but the fate of her brothers, mother, home, and her marriage to Joffrey. She could only pray that she wrote words the Queen would be pleased with.
….
Sansa barely heard the door close behind her.
It had been a whirlwind experience. Sansa couldn't believe it, her father a traitor, her brother a war leader, her mother a kidnapper.
There had been nothing more painful than when the Queen told her she was no longer a fit match for Joffrey. It had felt as if her father's greatsword had been shoved through her chest. There was no one better suited for Joffrey than her! No one loves him like she does.
It had been Littlefinger who had saved her. He spoke on her behalf and convinced the queen to allow her and Joffrey to marry.
The marriage however, was on the condition that she write a letter to her brother, convince him to put down his sword and swear fealty to her betrothed
Sansa wrote the letter. She wrote it with willingness and excitement. What sacred her however, was her father.
They refused to let her see him, talk to him. Sansa knew he wasn't really a traitor, the queen had it wrong, and if only they would let Sansa talk to him, she could show them the truth.
Sansa was worried. What would happen to her father? Would they kill him? Exile him? She had to know. Sansa had begged the queen to let her appeal on her father's behalf to Joffrey, because she knew her Joffrey could never hurt her, and killing Eddard Stark would hurt her.
Joffrey would spare her father's life. Sansa knew it.
Sansa barely knew how it happened, but all of a sudden she was back at her room, and Borus and Buckle were shutting her door behind her.
Sansa hurried over to chest, ruffling through it to find her favorite dress. A smile split her face when she found it.
The dress was elegant, yet simple. It was the last dress she had made before she departed for Kings Landing. It was delicate tulle green with heavy cream under skirts.
It took Sansa longer that it usually would for do her hair in the elaborate style of the south, for she was without septa Mordane's help.
Once her hair was braided and her dress laced she walked to her door, pulling it open with both hands. Borus and Buckle were waiting for her.
The guided her from her room down to the entrance of the throne room. Sansa couldn't help but remember the days prior, when the Hound dragged her to this very same door.
The same door where she stood ignorant of the world and what was happening to her family, naïve and soft, expecting her father would be able to protect her no matter what.
But her father wasn't here now. It was up to her. And her father's life depended on her saying the right thing.
Sansa held her breath and pushed open the heavy wood, praying that her Joffrey would listen to her pleas.
….
Sooo another chapter done, I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. And I the only one that can't wait until April? Our beloved Sansa and Joffrey are returning! But, as usual, all feedback is appreciated!
