Chapter 20: Sansa

The Red Keep was in chaos. Lannisters were dropping like flies and we now had a boy King. No one knew what to do with me. No one knew if I was Queen or just Lady Stark. That was perfect. I was able to move around the Keep as I wished, monitoring the loyalties and mindsets of the people at Court. I dyed my Southern dresses black and mourned Joffrey like a good Southern wife but inside I was free. I could float around the Keep as I wished, either ignored or pitied, I was invisible.

Many of the Lords and Ladies that came for the wedding were making their way back home to secure their lands. Lady Olenna and Loris were going back to help Willas Tyrell secure the Reach. Margaery was staying in the Captial with her father, Mace, for he had been named to Tommon's Small Council. Mace planned to marry Margaery off to Tommon, an idea we both laughed at but I knew she would do so. She wanted to be Queen, I could see it in her soul. I was not worried, Mace was a man of weak loyalties, he would go were the power went, into Daenerys Targaryen's conquering fist.

Robb was also heading home. He wished to stay with me, to protect me and I yearned to join him but my work in the Capital was not done. The songs of Daenerys needed to be sung and I was the one to spread them in the Keep. The North was slipping further from me.

I made my way to the King's chambers carrying a bouquet of purple heather and statice flowers. Poor Tommon was too young and sweet for this world, this game. The Kingsguard manning the door smiled at me and moved to tell Tommon I was there. He came running to the door and his young, smiling face looked up at me. I curtsied gracefully and presented him with my flowers. "For you, Your Grace, heather and statice."

He ushered me into the solar and closed the door. "They are lovely, Sansa. What do they mean?"

I smiled at him, he had so much to learn. I touched the heather and then the statice. "The heather means admiration and the statice means sympathy and remembrance. Sweet Tommon, I have brought them for Joff." My face drops in sadness and I sigh heavily, placing the flowers on the table near the fireplace.

I felt his small, warm hand close over mine. "Do you really miss him?" Tommon whispered, his golden brow furrowed with concern. I decided to tell him a half-truth. That was my life now, half-truths, lies.

"Oh, Tommon. I know he was your brother but he was cruel and he… he hurt me. I mourn the turmoil of our lands, the loss of a young soul, but," I sigh, looking into Tommon's eyes, "I don't mourn him. I'm so sorry." I let my eyes well up with tears. Tommon squeezes my hand and smiles at me.

"I feel the same." He whispers, looking towards Ser Pounce. "He threatened to skin Ser Pounce because he caught me crying. He said Princes don't cry." His face had fallen and his grip on my hand had gone lax.

"He cried. I saw him." Tommon's head snaps up and he looks at me in shock. "When your mother died I held him while he cried. You are no less of a King or Prince for crying over a great sadness." Tommon smiled up at me again and sank down on the floor to play with his cat.

"Stay for tea?" He asks, looking up at me hopefully. I used my most dazzling smile and said, "I would love to." I sent for the tea.

We stayed together for awhile, sitting on the floor and talking of anything. Tommon loved stories from the North and asked many questions pertaining to the state of the Seven Realms. He wanted to understand what was happening in his council meetings so I helped answer his questions. When he left for his next council meeting. I went back to my chambers. Tommon would have made a good King in several years. Too bad a better Queen was on her way.

As I got closer to my chambers the more I felt something was off. Someone was there, without my knowledge they had entered my space. I felt like growling. I let my mask fall into place and calmly I entered the room, prepared to act surprised. I saw the Spider, Varys. My guard went up immediately. Our goals had aligned before, maybe they will again.

"Lord Varys, what can I do for you?" I said, not bothering to pretend with him.

"Oh, sweet Lady Sansa, what a time you've had! So busy, hm?" He tittered, bowing to me.

"Yes, losing a husband as I did has been quite a challenge, thank you for your condolences." I said, bowing my head but not feigning sadness as I had in front of others.

"Oh, I like you Lady Stark, I wanted to tell you that the jealousy of the Wolves rule has reached it's peak but the Dragon in the North will deal with it given a warning." He smiled at me and made to leave.

"Thank you, Lord Varys." I said. I needed to write a letter to Jon.

"I am here to serve, my Lady." He bowed and left.

I waited a few moments after he was gone then raced to my desk and began to write.