Chapter 8: Sansa
I knew this would happen as soon as Father was arrested. I was to go speak with Cersei today and she was going to tell me to have Robb bend the knee and swear fealty to King Joffery. I dressed in my most beautiful gown and had my hair done in a very intricate southern style. The maids had left and I was finishing a letter to Robb to tell him he must come to the Capital when a knock at the door sounded through the chamber. With my mask firmly in place I went to answer the door and tucked the letter away.
It was Lord Varys. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit, Lord Varys?" The Crown's Spider could not be out played, so this would be interesting.
He tittered, "Please, Lady Sansa, I am no Lord, you may just call me Varys." He moved into my chambers, gesturing to have me close the door. "Sweet wolf child, I wonder if you would like to speak with your father?"
I am shocked, "How would I do such a thing?" I do not trust this man.
"Well, I would take you tonight, an hour after the moon graces the sky. And I will get your letter to your brother Robb. Your real letter." He looked at me then, serious and dangerous. I would not underestimate Varys like others in the court did.
"Why would you help us? My Father is labelled a traitor." I shifted my stance, allowing myself to seem the innocent caged bird the court saw.
"My dear, you are I wonderful player and I know you care not for the South. The kingdom can not have these Lions rule and you, little bird, can fly far. I serve the realm." He moved to leave just then. "Oh, I have some ravens to send, I shall see you soon." With that he took my letter for Robb from its hiding place and left, giving a slight titter.
I do not trust him, but I know he will help me and my Father because, for now, our interest line up.
—
As I left my chambers to go meet Queen Cersei, I allowed myself to become the scared, caged bird, Cersei's little dove. I was shaking slightly by the time I got to her chambers, and the guard at the door announced me.
"Ah, little dove, come here." She is smiling like a cat who caught a bird, little did she know her bird was a wolf. Grand Maester Pycelle, Lord Baelish, and Varys surround her. She has the King's Council on her side, or so she thinks.
"Wh-what can I do for you, Your Grace?" I do not meet her eyes, I know what she wants.
"Your father has proved to be an awful traitor, dear." Varys speaks first in his soft tones.
"King Robert's body was still warm when Lord Eddard planned to steal King Joffery's rightful throne." Pycelle said in his blustery way. I knew enough that this was an act to appear feeble. He did not frighten me.
"He wouldn't do that. He knows how much I love Joffery. Please, Your Grace, there has been a mistake! Send for my Father, he'll tell you. The King was his friend." I fade off, looking at the Queen with flickering eyes. She is a cat with a bowl of cream.
"Sansa, sweetling, you are innocent of any wrong, we know that." She thinks I am her's, Joffery's Queen she can manipulate for her gain. "Yet you are the daughter of a traitor. How can I let you marry my son?"
"A child born of traitor seed is no fit consort for our King." Pycelle blustered to Queen Cersei, hoping to please her. "She is a sweet thing now, Your Grace, but in ten years, who knows what treasons she will hatch." He looked at me then and I shrunk in my chair.
"No! I won't!" I look franticly at Cersei, "I'll be a good Queen, just like you, and I… I won't hatch anything!" Cersei was looking at me with consideration, like she really had to think about if she wanted to keep me. She would, she just wanted me to do as she bid. I would oblige for now.
Lord Baelish spoke then, "The girl is innocent, Your Grace. Give her a chance to prove her loyalty."
Cersei pondered the word of Lord Baelish, Littlefinger behind his back, looking to all as if she really was taking his words to heart. She sighed and shook her head, seeming to feel for me. She looked up then, "Little Dove, you must write to Lady Catelyn and your brother, the eldest, whats his name?" She looked up at me then, feigning concern.
"Robb," I whimper out, looking at the paper she has produced for me.
"Word of your father's arrest will reach them soon, no doubt." A quill and ink were produced then as well. "Best it comes from you." I look up at her through my lashes, asking with my eyes what else she wishes of me. "Have your brother come here and swear his fealty to King Joffery."
Silence followed and all in the room looked to me. "What… what will happen to my father?" I ask in a timid voice, looking from the paper to each person in the room.
"That depends on your brother," Cersei says as she holds up the quill, "and you."
I take the quill and start to write to Robb, hoping Varys has sent my other letter as well.
—
That night, I am wearing a simple dress with my hair in my favorite northern style braids. I have water and food hidden in my skirts. The moon has been in the sky for almost an hour now and I pace my solar, waiting for a knock that I can only hope will come.
It comes right at the hour and I jump despite myself. I open the door to see Varys smiling at me. "You dressed well, dear. Please, come with me." He offers his arm then.
"How are you this evening, my Lord?" I ask, knowing he will pick up on my formality and lack of trust.
"I am fine, my Lady, now we must we silent. I can not have you stopped before our goals are complete." We are silent then, taking back stairs and hidden corridors deeper into the Red Keep. Finally we enter the Black Cells and Varys takes a torch from the wall. He leads me to a cell, leaves me the torch, and fades into the darkness. "I will return when you are ready to leave."
I nod and turn back to the cell, "Father?" I hear movement in the cell and he comes into view. I missed him so much.
"Sansa," his voice is gravelly from lack of use, "what are you doing here?"
"I needed to talk to you, listen, we haven't much time. You must not say anything about Joffery's birth. Robb is coming to the Capital and we all remain safe for now. I fear we shall not see each other again for awhile. I love you, Father." I'm tearing up now. I fear for his life, this is not a time to make false moves. I pull out the food and water and pass it to him. He takes it and starts to drink from the water skin.
"Sansa," he says, after his first drink, "I must tell you something." He bites into the bread and cheese. I wish I could have brought him meat. "But first, tell me of my daughters while I eat."
I smile, "Arya is mad that you have been taken, as am I. The crown thinks I am an innocent, scared little girl. I have been having Arya prepare to leave in secret, I think she needs to go North. I am still betrothed to Joffery and am sure I will be as safe from him as I can be. I am worried for you but other than that, we stay strong together." He has finished the meager food and drink I have brought him. "Now, tell me what you must." I look at him expectantly.
"Keep the family safe, Sansa, remember the pack survives. I must tell you of a truth only few know. Jon is not my son." I nod, I knew this for awhile but let him continue, "He is Lyanna's boy, my sister, she died bringing him into the world," Father has tears in his eyes, I know how much he loved his sister. "When Prince Rhaegar took her and Robert rebelled against the Targaryen Line, Lyanna conceived a child, I do not know how but I hope it was of love. She and the Prince married in Dorne, making Jon a Targaryen and heir to the throne after Tywin Lannister killed Princess Elia and her children Aegon and Rhaenys."
I was in shock, I knew there was fire in his blood but I just assumed it was a Southern lord, not the blood of Old Valyria! Jon was a Dragon as well as a Wolf. I needed time to digest it but I had none. "What am I to do with this knowledge, Father? Do you wish to put him on the throne?"
"No, no, no, I promised Lyanna that I would not let people use him for his blood. No, we need to help his aunt, Daenerys, take the throne. She needs support in Westeros, and with Robert having no real heirs, she has the strongest claim and she wants it. She has three dragons."
"Dragons!" I whisper, this is too much. I need to pull myself together. "I will get her that support, and the Lions will be no more."
"You are so strong, Sansa. My lovely daughter, no matter what these Southerners say, you are a true Stark." He is looking at me with pride.
I grab his hand and hold on tight, kissing it. "Be safe, Father. I love you." I make to leave, hearing Varys approach again.
"I love you too, Sansa." He says as the light of the torch leaves him.
