Chapter 15: Sansa

After the beating Joffrey had Ser Meryn give me I did not see either man until my Name Day. Most of my days were still spent planning the royal wedding. It was well on its way to being finished, the menu was planned, the seating arranged, the flowers decided, and most of the nobles had arrived and settled at the Red Keep. All that was left was to finish my gown and my maiden cloak. I was sewing my maiden cloak myself. I knew that the marriage would not last long if I could help it but I wanted to have some of my heritage in the wedding anyway. It was pale as snow, covered in crystals and pearls. I was stitching delicate weirwood trees around the edges and a beautiful grey wolf in the center.

As I spent time every day sewing my maiden cloak, I thought of how to kill my boy King. I would prefer it happen before the bedding but I could not think how, with so many people to be at the Wedding Feast. I took a break from my scheming for my Name Day though.

I had made sure to wear long sleeves since I still had many bruises. I donned a plum underdress and a long sleeve lilac gown. It was soft silk and did not bother the bruises on my torso. I pinned it with a golden brooch. A hand maiden I'd come to like named Shae did my hair in an intricate up-do with a thin golden chain that ended with a golden flower near my right ear. I looked beautiful.

I went to see Robb to break my fast after that, wanting to spend the first part of my day with family. We were solemn, thinking of our missing Father, but I felt the happiest I had in days with my brother beside me. When we finished our meal we made our way to the Throne Room, meeting Margaery along the way. Joffrey wanted noblemen and women to present me with my Name Day gifts before him. I knew it would end up being some twisted game but I was glad I would not have to spend time with him alone this day.

As we entered the Throne Room, Margaery and Robb split away from me and moved to their respective locations. I moved elegantly towards Joffrey and curtsied deeply.

"Come, my sweet Sansa! Sit next to me on your special day." Joffrey was smiling down at me with his sick love. He had a beautiful chair sat next to the Iron Throne.

I smiled radiantly, "With pleasure, Your Grace." I climbed up the stairs of the dais and sat in the soft chair. Joffrey watched me with the hungry eyes of an animal for a little to long, causing the court discomfort.

"Today is my beautiful lady's Name Day!" Joffrey started, looking at the court with glee, "You may now present your gifts to her." He sat back, looking at the court, wondering who would come forward first. It was Lord Mace Tyrell. He presented me with a necklace of sapphires, "as beautiful as my eyes", in a light wood box inlaid with mother of pearl. This seemed to please Joffrey and a hand maiden came forward to place the necklace in a basket to be brought to my room.

Many Lords came forward after that, presenting me with jewels, metals, and cloth. There were some of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen but most were more extravagant than I knew what to do with. It all went sour when Ser Dontos Hollard comes forward to present me with a crown of wrought silver Winter Roses and diamonds. I loved the crown but Joffrey was furious because Ser Dontos was disheveled and drunk.

"Ser Dontos?" Joffrey said in a sickly sweet voice. Ser Dontos looked up, a hand maiden was taking the crown away.

"Yes, Your Grace?" he said, hiccuping. His eyes were bleary but he knew enough to be wary of his King.

"Would you perhaps like some more wine?" Joffrey smiled, calling forward a serving girl with a pitcher of wine. She had been filling his wine glass periodically.

Ser Dontos smiled, but I knew this would not end well. "I'd be honored, Your Grace." said Dontos, bowing.

"Ser Meryn, make sure he drinks his fill." Joffrey said, and there was the gleam of madness and I knew Dontos could not die before me. Ser Meryn produced a horn and, with the help of two Kingsguard, forced wine down Dontos's throat.

"You can't!" I practically yell before I can stop myself. Joffrey looked at me then, anger flashing in his green eyes.

He spoke softly, but it carried. "What did you say? Did you say I can't?" His anger boiling under the surface.

"I only meant," I started, composing myself again, "it is bad luck to kill a man on a Name Day such as this."

"What type of stupid peasant superstition is that?!" He says, scoffing at me and shaking his head.

One of Joffrey's constant guards, Ser Sandor Clegane, spoke then, "The girl is right, Your Grace. What a man sews on his name, he reaps all year. You would not want that for your lady." He nodded towards me.

Joffrey looked at me and sighed like a treat had been taken from him, which, I guess, had been, and said, "Take him away. I'll have him kill him tomorrow, the fool." Dontos was released and spewed out wine, coughing and stuttering.

I turned to Joffrey as he laughed at Ser Dontos. "He is a fool, you're so cleaver to see it. He would make a much better fool than a knight. He doesn't deserve the mercy of a quick death." I said, smiling again at Joffrey, hoping that if my hatred does shine through he thinks it is for Dontos.

He smiled at me, getting up and laughing with glee. "Did you hear my lady, Dontos? From this day you will be my new fool!" He was happy to have a new person to play with. I felt sick.

"Thank you, Your Grace. And you, my lady, thank you." He said, bowing. I hoped he saw the regret in my eyes. His troubles would be short, I hoped.

Joffrey offered me his arm. The present giving was over, any other gifts would be brought to my room. With that we all moved to start the feast.

I drank more than I normally would at the feast. Joffrey kept having Dontos preform for him and when he was not pleased had a Kingsguard hit him or he would throw food at him. I felt awful for allowing this to happen but at least Dontos was alive.

Joffrey danced with me once but thought that "dancing was beneath him as King" so I danced with many noblemen until late into the evening. Every time I checked on Joffrey he was tormenting Dontos or watching me with lust darkening his eyes, so I rarely looked at him. I felt light and happy with drink and the many noblemen complemented me softly and held me with kindness. I was happy.

Eventually Margaery took me back to my room. I loved the dress she was wearing, though it showed more skin than may be considered appropriate. She sat me down at my vanity and her fingers ghosted over my neck.

"Would you like my help taking down your hair or shall I call a hand maid?" She said, the playful smile that is so Margaery on her lips.

"You can help if you want." I sighed, leaning into her hands on my neck. Her fingers were nimble and swift as they took my hair down and rubbed at my scalp. It felt good to let my masks drop and relax after today. Her hands travelled lower taking the necklace from Joffrey off and it felt like his influence was leaving me.

As her hands left my body I opened my eyes to see her taking her hair down as well. She took little time dismantling her twists and removing her jewelry. She pulled her hair over her right shoulder and rubbed her neck. We both had masks we wore.

"Would you like help taking off your gown?" she asked, she looked tired but it was kind of her to help me. I nodded as I stood, thinking I want nothing more than to be rid of this intricate southern dress. Her hands softly took off the brooch holding my gown together and slowly pulled it off. She drops it onto the chair I was just in and moves to my back, unlacing the under dress with soft hands. I'm in heaven getting this costume off in the hot air until a loud gasp brings me out of my revere.

I turn around quickly, "What's wrong?" I ask, seeing the look of horror on Margaery's face.

She touches on of the bruises on my arms. I had forgotten about them in my almost drunken state. "Who did this to you?" She asks, a quiver in her voice.

I harden, "Who do you think?" I say bitterly, trying to cover my arms. She looks close to tears, and pulls my hands away from the bruises, keeping one and stretching out my arm.

"He truly is a monster." She says, kissing on of my bruises with lips as soft as a rose petal. "We will find a way to make him pay." She whispers, and I knew this Rose had Thorns of steel.