Chapter 11: Sansa

Robb arrived two days after his raven came to Kings Landing. He arrived with all the fan-fare of a true Lord. His guard was small but strong and they all brought a chill of Northern Winter air. Robb looked amazing, in his best armor, shining steel with the Wolf of Winterfell on his cloak and Greywind next to him as he road through the gate on a grey Northern stead. Greywind was almost the size of a horse now, and it made my heart ache for Lady, was she that big?

Joffrey sent his uncle, Tyrion Lannister, to greet Robb. It was a slight on our house to send the Imp but Tyrion graced my brother with the highest respect. He understood what his sister and nephew did not, they needed the North on their side. Robb thanked Lord Tyrion as he would a King or higher Lord, and treated me with the proper curtseys. We would have our true reunion later.

"Lord Tyrion, I have come on a royal summons, shall I speak with the King now or shall I wait?" Robb was smart, if Joffrey wouldn't meet him now it would be a slight but Joffrey was unprepared. Tyrion looked flustered, he knew that as well.

"No, Lord Stark, I will take you to the Throne Room. Our good King Joffrey is holding court as we speak which is why he could not great you himself." Tyrion bowed again and gestured for a guard to go get Joffrey in the throne room. I knew Joffrey was in his room, having new clothing made with his mother at the moment.

"Lead the way, Lord Tyrion, I shall follow you." Robb smiled down at him, being the kind Lord I knew he would be. I just mourned the fact that he had to become that Lord so soon. Robb offered me his arm and followed Tyrion, Greywind trotted behind us silently. I took this time to look at him. I had not seen my brother in half a year and he had grown so much in that time. He looked confident and handsome. His auburn hair was darker than mine but it shined. He was ice and snow and blood. I felt like I had part of the North with me and I missed it so. Tyrion took us the long way to the throne room, elaborating on the structure of the Red Keep and life in the South. Robb responded at the proper times and seemed genuinely interested. I was proud of the man he had become.

When we entered the Throne Room, Joffrey was sitting on the Iron Throne, looking like a child playing at King. He was angry to have to hurry here but his eyes gleamed when he saw my brother and I.

We came before Joffrey and I curtsied. Joffrey gestured for me to stand to his right, not taking his eyes off Robb. Tyrion spoke then, "King Joffrey, I am honored to present Lord Robb Stark, Lord of Winterfell after his father's passing." To his and Robb's credit, neither of them showed any emotion when Father was mentioned.

"Eddard Stark was a traitor, it must be a relief to bring your House back into my good graces. Come, swear fealty to your King." Joffrey was getting worse by the day, the power getting to his weak mind.

Robb was as cool as a winter wind as he drew his sword and kneeled before this child. "I, Robb Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, pledge faith to the Iron Throne. Hearth and heart and harvest I yield up to you. Our swords and spears and arrows are yours to command. Grant mercy to our weak, help our helpless, and justice to all, and I shall never fail you. I swear this by the Old Gods and the New."

Joffrey laughed like a child being presented his favorite food. "I accept your fealty, Arise." He did not say the proper words, this oath went against tradition but Robb stood and said nothing. I stepped up then.

"Your Grace?" I asked meekly, and he turned to me with something close to love in his eyes.

"Yes, my Lady?" He spoke softer, reaching for my hand. I took his hand, it was clammy but I did not complain, and knelt by his feet.

"My love, I hoped that you would seal this new alliance by returning the family sword, Ice, to my brother. That sword has defended your father in battle and would be a truly Kingly thing to do." I kissed his hand at the end and looked up at him with a loving smile, inside I was screaming.

He melted for me. "Rise, my Lady, I dislike seeing you on your knees so. I will do as you ask." He turned to Robb then, who had not changed his facial expression this whole time, looking like the serious Lord Father had been. "Lord Stark, I shall have your family sword returned to you as a sign of faith. May you wield it well."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Robb bowed deeply.

"You may go and rest, the journey must have been long." Joffrey dismissed Robb and turned back to me. "Come, my Lady, I wish to walk through the gardens with you."

I smiled, looking down at our still clasped hands, I would not let the bile I felt rising escape. "It would be an honor, my King."

We made our way to the gardens, Joffrey speaking the whole way of my beauty. This was unusual, normally he would be speaking of himself. I was reddening with rage, I knew he would think it was a blush. He had killed my Father not days before and now talked of my beauty. I knew my eyes were red from the constant tears. It was a farce, he was taunting me.

"You make me blush so, my King!" I giggled falsely, looking away from him. We had made it to the gardens then, moving to a more private area. I noticed his guards seemed to have vanished at some point. There was a sinking feeling in my stomach but I would not let him see my discomfort.

"I have an early name day present for you." He turned to me then and stopped walking.

"Joffrey, you should not have! You are so sweet to me." His eyes flashed in pleasure at his name on my lips.

"I wish to make you happy, Sansa." I pretended to melt at his use of my name. From his pocket he produced a golden necklace with a lion pendent on it. It was the same necklace his mother wore often. A shiver ran down my spine.

"It's beautiful! And the same as Queen Cersei's, I'm honored." I looked into his eyes with happiness. My game was working, he was falling for the beauty of the North. "Would you help me put it on?" I turned my back to him and lifted my hair, showing my pale, long neck to its full advantage. He placed the necklace around my throat with light fingers. As the necklace fell to sit between my breast I felt him place a kiss where the golden chain touched my skin. My stomach turned.

I turned around, shocked. "Your Grace, someone will see!" I looked around then, "It would not do to have your betrothed dishonored."

He smiled at me then, the slimy boy that he was. "My Sansa, you are to be my wife. I will never dishonor you. We are alone, please call me by my name. I like hearing you say my name." He moved towards me then. I did my best to melt and closed my eyes.

"Joffrey." I said, hoping it sounded stronger than I felt. His hands found my waist and I could smell wine on his breath as he moved in.

"Sansa." He said before his lips found mine. His lips were dry and his hands felt weak on me. I hated it but I kissed him back as best I could. I imagined a man with dark hair and grey eyes. A Northern warrior who deserved me, not this golden boy King. The kiss was short and I opened my eyes as he pulled away. "My sweet Sansa." Joffrey said as me touched my face. I smiled my most brilliant smile, seeing him melt more for me. We continued walking through the gardens then, talking of him and his new clothing. I was back on comfortable ground.

After our walk through the gardens I went to see Robb in his chambers. I needed to see him, feel the pack i so missed. As I knocked on the door it opened and he smiled like I knew he wanted to when he first saw me.

"Sansa!" He said with the warmth and joy of the brother I knew.

"Oh Robb, you came!" I moved into his solar closing the door. It was then that I jumped into his arms and hugged him. He smelled of leather and spice. He smelled like Robb and I was so thankful for it.

He laughed and spun me around, "Of course I came, you asked for me." I sighed, if he got both my letters that meant Varys would help us as of now. I pulled away then and looked up at him, I was almost his height now.

"I tried to save Father and I failed, I'm so sorry." I allowed the tears I had not let anyone see fall. Robb's face fell and he pulled me to him again.

"It's alright, shh, it's okay. We will make this right. He did not die in vain." He rubbed circles on my back and I felt safe for the first time in King's Landing. We stayed like that for awhile, both of us crying silently. Eventually we moved to sit in front of the fire and spoke of home and Father, of how Winterfell was and Mother. Eventually I had to leave for I was to sup with Queen Cersei in her solar. I bid Robb goodbye and went to fulfill another task on my list.