The hours passed slowly as they sat in the throne room, tension hung heavy in the air as nobody spoke and Petyr repeatedly disappeared.
Sansa smiled to herself, no one could find out what was happening beyond the walls faster than him, he had his spies planted well in advance of today.
The moment they heard his footsteps the attention of the entire room fell to him. Lady Olenna gripped the hands of Margery and Loras whilst Ramsay paced affront his men, Sansa stayed where he had left her, still perched on the steps.
His voice rang out, echoing from the room. "Stannis's men did not protest, they have sworn their allegiance to the North, to Lady Stark and in Kin, to… her husband Lord Bolton." He looked to Ramsay as he watched it click into place why it had been so important that she be here…she quite literally was the Key to the North.
Lady Olenna held firm to the shaking Margaery, as the girl realised she had lost her crown in that very moment and was now at the mercy of Ramsay Bolton. Lady Olenna had known this to be the case but better her crown than her life and that was the choice they had been faced with whilst her granddaughter lay at the mercy of the sparrows.
From behind Petyr appeared the boy King, ushered by Petyr's firm hand, his already pale face fell as he saw the body of his mother. Before he could weep for her his eyes flew to Margarey who let hot tears fall from her cheeks at the sight of him still alive, Margery had never loved the boy as a wife should but she cared for him, he was a sweet boy mixed up in the sordid affairs of men. Slowly the rest of the court who had taken into hiding at the first sound of war appeared.
Slowly and apprehensively filling the hall.
Tommen turned to Petyr and with a nod from the man the boy continued. His voice was weak and faltered "I never wanted to be king" his hand raised to his head.
"I lodge no claim to the throne, I have no desire for it as my family did." He took the crown in his hands as he offered it to Petyr, "I have been a pawn in my mother's game and I had no intention to hurt anyone, I bed that the life of my Lady wife be sparred. You will face no uprising from the Lannister house, it is at your disposal. I will pledge my lands, army's and funds to the future safety of our kingdom."
"Does anyone raise issue to this agreement?" his voice rang out and his eyes danced upon Ramsay who's fists tightened but said nothing.
"An agreement made between these four families may not be broken on the honour of their houses. Baratheon, Lannister, Bolton and Tyrell, you all bare witness to the Kings voluntary dethroning. Tommen Baratheon bares no claim to the Iron throne and will be forthwith escorted to the dungeons to await his fate. "
Petyr watched as Tommen moved to bend his knee to him, the fastest and surest was to cement any new king onto the throne. The boy felt Petyr's hand stop him before he sunk.
This was the first time Petyr Bealish felt true fear, he knew what he must do but could barely bring himself to do it, he was dancing with death and gambling on the only option he had with no guarantee it would pay off. His had was forced and he must chose the wildcard.
Without a word he strode to the foot of the Iron throne in front of the crowd of castle nobles who had gathered there, offering his hand to Sansa he raised her to her feet. Slowly he made his way up the steps before stopping part way.
He looked at her with his eyes wide as he gazed upon the sweet young girl he had grown to love as his own. "You understand what I must do" he whispered gently. She nodded, she did know and she did understand…a great war was coming and they had only one option.
His voice rang out across the hall "This crown has one true owner, a man who can protect us and lead us to Victory. My Lady Sansa was destined to sit atop the Iron throne from the name day and now she shall, beside her husband, your King…Ramsay Bolton."
She watched the genuine look of disbelief that spread across his dark face. His heart raced in his chest as he felt the eyes of the entire room fall to him. Without a moments hesitation he walked toward his wife, her red hair shinning in the sunlight as he stood ethereal and majestic, his key to the iron throne.
He took his hand in hers and looked out over the crowd as he felt Petyr place the golden crown on his head and whisper softly. "I have made you a king and I will keep you that way. Cross me and I will send you back to nothing."
Almost an hour later they were still sat there, an endless queue of men lined the street, parading into the grand hall one after another to pledge their loyalty to their new king. Word had travelled quickly and Sansa hadn't comprehended just how many Knights, soldiers and landowners there truly were in and around the capitol until now.
It had been a long day and despite Ramsay's still gleeful grin, her resolve was wearing thin. She remembered the day she'd dreamed of being queen and of giving her king perfect children but she had changed a great deal over the years and sitting here now she felt like she hardly knew that girl, who'd once had those dreams.
All of the times she'd hated Cersei, loathed her and hoped she would die on the spot. All the times she'd wondered how Cersie could possibly be so calculated, so manipulative and so cruel. Now she understood.
As she looked out over the crowd nothing filled her heart but absolution, she had finally taken the city that once took everything from her.
The question had just been raised regarding the small council, when she saw Petyr stiffen and shoot her a 'stop him' glare. She knew what Ramsay was going to day before he had chance to say it, he'd want reek. Of course he would, a hand for names sake and nothing more.
Her face completely emotionless she turned to him as he opened his mouth to answer, cutting him off she spoke "I feel unwell, take me to our chambers my king."
Ramsay looked amused, he wasn't fooled by her faining illness, it had become her secret code to remove him from a situation when he was about to go off plan. He smirked to himself, he had no intention of giving in to her, he was king now and he was enjoying himself.
He leant over to her with a malicious smile, "Have your ladies tend to you, your king is not finished."
His hot breath steamed against her pale skin, without a moments hesitation her flaming eyes locked with his, her lips hovering inches away from as she starred with determination into his dark eyes and whispered into the nape of his neck. "I still have that moon tea Ramsay, don't test me. It's been a horrifying day, perhaps the shock had affected me more than I thought."
His eyes widened as he watched her hand graze her swollen stomach.
The man currently kneeling in front of him jumped in shock as Ramsay flew to his feet, speaking to the crowd abruptly and seizing Sana's arm in what looked like a supportive guide but almost made her whimper at it's force. "The queen is unwell, we will retire."
He pulled her toward the door as she stumbled trying to make sure it didn't look forced to the crowds who waited behind them.
Just as they reached the doors she turned to Ramsay stopping in her tracks.
Her pale eyes met his, her voice just loud enough to be heard by the room she spoke, "My king, all of these good men have travelled here to pledge their allegiance to you, to our house, perhaps your trusted advisor Lord Baelish..." she gestured toward Petyr with a smile "...may stand for you in your absence, to accept their pledges on your behalf."
She could see Ramsay's eyes fuming as he glanced around the room. Turning back to face only him she smiled "It would only be proper" he stuttered as he growled lowly.
With a false smile he turned to the room and gestured to the Iron Throne "Of course, please Petyr, I would be honoured if you would receive these good men whilst I am indisposed."
A sigh of relief swept through the entire hall and Petyr smiled with a nod.
"The honour, would be all mine my king. You honour me, I wish you a speedy recovery my queen." He nodded to Sansa but her eyes were fixed solidly on Lady Olenna who watched her knowingly with a curious smile.
She was careful to stay ahead of him through the corridor, although his painful grasp never left her arm.
The moment they were through the door to their chamber she tugged herself violently from his grasp and took off toward the Balcony, looking out over the city as the cool evening air brushed against her warm skin.
His footsteps thundered behind her and she heard his agitated breathing. Suddenly she felt him behind her, pushing forcefully up behind her forcing her thighs forward against the hard stone balcony.
"What the hell was that?" he roared into her ear and she stood unflinching starring out over the city. He wouldn't hurt her, not badly at least, not whilst she still carried his child.
He wanted to though, she could feel it, blood hunger seeped from Ramsay like love had from her own mother, you could sense it, it wrapped itself around you and rocked you in its presence.
"You will make Petyr your hand" her voice still cool she felt him seething into her ear as he stood pressed behind her.
"I will make reek my hand." He growled with conviction.
Her temper flared and she turned to him and glared into his heated eyes, "Then you are a bling fool who will not listen to reason or see what is in front of him. You will make yourself the laughing stock of the city and put all of our lives at risk." Her hand raised to her stomach protectively as Ramsay sneered, grabbing her wrist and twisting it painfully until tears stung her eyes.
"Do not try to influence me with the life of a child you threatened yourself only moments ago. I will make reek my hand if I wish it, I will make reek the entirety of my small council if I wish it" his eyes flamed "I am the King!"
He released her hand and she pulled it to her chest as it began to swell, biting back tears she glared at him then laughed erratically as a tear slid down her face, she remembering the words she had once heard in this very castle, the irony amused her."
"You laugh at me?" his eyes tore into her as his breath hitched.
"You reminded me of words spoken the last time I was here" she spat the words and watched him raise his eyebrow in intrigue. It wasn't obvious but she knew him well enough to see it, he wanted to know.
"Please, do share" he smirked at her and waited.
Composing herself and steadying her breath she straightened her back and moved forward until her eyes were inches away from his own before she spoke. The city bathed in the glow of the sunset behind them.
Her pale blue eyes locked with his black and she hissed the words to him slowly, perfectly pronouncing each syllable and watching as they sunk into the man before her "We've had vicious kings, and we've had idiot kings but we've never been curse with a vicious idiot king."
She saw the words hit him as he realised who they had last been said to and where that boy had ended his reign.
Her lips curled as she watched the wheels turning in his mind and she couldn't help herself as she said it,
"Any man who says I am the king, is no king at all Ramsay, do not turn your back on the only people keeping you here, a year ago you were a bastard and today you sit on the iron throne as king, don't you want to see how far we can go? "