My Notes:- I have some explaining to do, sorry for the late post and even more sorry that this isn't actually the end. This is the first half of the end. Which I am very sorry about. Though, the entire would be over 14'000 words long so I am giving it to you in two nice slightly shorted 8'000 word chucks.
I hope you enjoy. I also own nothing.
Part 3 - I
She lay her head down on the hard wooden bench. Her hair acting as a make-shift pillow. She had no intention of sleeping, though, she knew she should of. She would need to be at her best tomorrow, she'll need her smiles, her polite words, and hopefully not, though just in case, her tears.
Yet still she didn't close her eyes to sleep, instead she waited.
I doubt I could sleep even if I tried, she thought feeling a bitter breeze sweep in from world outside.
Her blood was still warm from the kiss. She still tasted him, his lips, tongue, and teeth, and she could also still feel him on her fingers. The knot of muscles on his chest and his heart beating like the drums on a warship, and the way his thigh tightened under her touch still gave her devilish tingles that spread through her body.
She wondered if this is the same feeling Petyr felt when he forced kisses on her. Petyr was always the first to kiss her, stealing them when they were alone. It never went further than a kiss but she knew he wanted to. It was only the deal with Harry that stopped him.
If Petyr had visited me instead of Sandor, he would have taken me on this stone floor, she knew that much, if it was any other man they would of taken me, but it wasn't.
She sighed with sleepy smile and wished for Sandor back in the room. She wanted to hear about his adventures. Who did he meet? How did he survive in the war torn Riverlands? So many question, that won't be answered because they'll likely be dead before the sun sets tomorrow.
Sansa didn't know whether she did fall asleep or not. But when a loud creak came from the unlit fireplace she could have leapt from her skin. In the shadowy room Sansa barely saw a figure appear from the floor. In the darkness it had no feature but there was a distinct roundness about it.
When it had settled into stillness she felt it turn to look at her "I hope I didn't startle you from sleep Lady Sansa" a fearful light voice sounded. Sansa recognized it instantly.
"Lord Varys?" she asked the nothingness, sitting up and fixing her hair.
He moved forward into the moonlight. His skin was still pale and plump, but under his hood Sansa saw wisps of thin white hair on his head, likewise on his chin. He looked shabbier than he ever did in court. He wore dark brown clothes that matched any gaoler. Petyr had told Sansa of the Spider, about his little rats and his disguises, he lurked in the cracks in the walls as well as any of his cretins.
"I am glad you remember me my dear, I am expecting Littlefinger mentioned me in the years you two spent together." He said softly, his eyes inspecting her.
Sansa straightened her back like she was having a meeting with the Queen he is probably one of the Tyrell creatures come to find some more evidence of what I know about Joffery's death, "He did indeed my lord" she said politely meeting his eyes "He spoke very highly of you"
"I doubt it, I'm sure whenever my name was mentioned a small joke about my cut wasn't too far behind it" he joked coldly "Then again, maybe he'll think again before mocking me, considering the events that have taken place."
"What do you mean my lord?" She asked clasping her hands together like a child being told a story.
Varys copied the movement unconsciously but quickly moved his hands to his side again looking inquisitive "Littlefinger made a big mistake taking you from this place. An mad move, especially someone in his position, it would have been so easy from them to find you. He never saw it himself though, maybe over confidence was his downfall. Or maybe it was that manhood, I can't say, it is not like I can relate to his problems." He tilted his head to the side and smiled shadily.
"When he took me from Kingslanding he wasn't thinking with his…" Sansa suppressed a childlike blush "he was thinking of my mother, he loved her like family." It was a lie he had told her, one she used to believe. Varys knew better, she could feel him laughing at her. "Are you here just to discuss Lord Baelish?"
"Perhaps, maybe I am here on behalf of the Queen, maybe she thinks you know his whereabouts, maybe she thinks Petyr is coming for you."
"I doubt it" Sansa hissed back sharply. She looked out the window; it was a clouded night, thick and twirling, probably going to rain. How fitting, rain on the day I might die, almost like a line from song, as if she believed in them anymore.
Varys sighed falsely "Do you not think Petyr will come and save you, you are Lady Catelyn's daughter after all and as you said, she was like… Family? Is that how you put it?"
Sansa laughed at his joke, she still didn't meet his eyes "Petyr likes good investments, and my life is simply not worth it anymore."
Varys tutted "Oh, I must disagree, your lord father spoke very highly of you. I met him the day before his sad demise" He said in a suggestive manner, his eyes inspecting her to see how she would react.
Sansa continued gazing out of the window with bored fascination, but the muscles tightening in her neck was a clear give away "You met my father before he pleaded guilty?"
"Indeed, in fact, I was the one who told him to plead guilty" The nonchalant way he said it in sent chills up her spine.
Gulping, she forced her eyes back to his, her jaw tight."My father shouldn't have needed to be told. If he was really an honorable man he would have freely admitted to his crimes, he was a traitor and he'll be remembered as such" Her eyes never left his face.
"Petyr taught you well" Varys applauded mockingly "But I was always better than Petyr" He stepped ever closer to her and kneeled down in front of her. "You don't have to lie to me, we both know your father was innocent, the only thing he was guilty of was trusting the wrong people"
"People like you?" she asked her jaw feeling heavy.
Varys took her hands in his soft pump ones "People like Littlefinger" he must have seen her eyes narrow "my dear, I was not an enemy of your father, I never wished for him to perish, I wished for him to leave the small council because he did not belong there. He was not as smart as you are now. The people your father trusted and incidentally the people that killed him are not like me. They live for money, they work for other lords, and they try and curry favor with allies by stabbing friends in the back. I am a masterless man, I don't work for no flower or lion, for now, you can trust me."
She bitterly laughed "Trust?" you people don't know the meaning of the word she rolled her eyes.
"Yes trust, people like me may not be great or good but we can be moral. You trusted Lord Baelish and he never gave you in."
"I trusted Petyr with my life" Sansa admitted looking at the hands he held "I have said it before, my life isn't worth very much" she pulled her hands away and looked him in the eye "And neither was my father's, was it?"
"I don't know what you mean"
"What I mean?" She pursued her lips but kept calm "I heard that you visited my husband as well, during that visit you released him and he went to kill his father, that's true is it not?"
Varys looked almost distraught but Sansa didn't believe it "My lady, Tyrion would have been executed if he stayed in that cell. You don't wish your husband to die do you?"
"Don't you dare" she hissed, her anger growing, she repressed it with a sharp intake of breath "I don't wish for Lord Tyrion to die, I wish for my father to be alive."
His eyes tacitly darted around the room "So did I" Varys held his hands tightly together "I never expected Joffery to kill your father. I told him to admit to his crimes because he was worth more alive then he was dead. His life was worth millions, more than any king. If you might recall, when King Aerys died it started a short time of peace, when King Robert died it started the questioning of who should be heir, when your father was murdered, it started a war. If that doesn't show what his life was worth then I don't know what will. So believe me, I did not wish to hurt him, no more than I wish to hurt you. You are both valuable, as was Tyrion."
Sansa shrugged coolly but listened carefully to his voice. She didn't know what to believe but she knew enough about Varys that he shouldn't be completely trusted. "So, why are you here then if you don't wish to hurt me? Do you want to take me away?"
"No my dear" he giggled as if he was one of Margaery's cousins "You may be worth a lot but you are worth the most when you are proven innocent tomorrow. If I steal you away then you'll be on the run, and that isn't the life for you."
"How did you know I was here?" Sansa asked quickly "Petyr said you fled Westeros after you freed Tyrion. Were you at my trial?" she sounded so childish she could of cursed herself.
"I didn't make it to the trial, it is a shame because I am sure it was dramatic, Margaery put on quite a show I heard. Also, just because I am not in the small council doesn't mean I don't have ears everywhere. My little birds still tell me tales. Oh, listen to me, trying to tell you the life of my Little Birds. I rightly heard you are already someone's little bird."
Sansa struggled not react or blush too heavily, but she did avert her eyes for barely a moment "It is rude to listen to two peoples private conversations"
"That was my job for many years, even before you were born. In this world, nothing is a private conversation."
"If that is the case, why are you here talking to me? You already know everything"
"Not everything Lady Sansa." He giggled.
She thought for a second, looking the plump man up and down before smiling pleasantly "So let's make it a game. You ask a question, then I ask one. We stop on my terms"
"How very Littlefingerish of you"
"I'll take that as a complement"
"Do you want to go first?"
"Oh, Lord Varys, I think you should, considering you are willing to crawl through walls to see me"
"Ok, why do you think Jaime Lannister step forward as your champion?"
She shrugged "I don't know. I assumed maybe someone asked him to. I have never spoken to him before and Jaime is no friend of my family. I am sure he has his reasons, you should probably ask him."
Varys nodded her head, listening intently "Your turn"
What would you ask a man that knows everything? Sansa wondered. "Is Petyr still alive?" she instinctively asked without much thought.
Varys was taken aback by this, he frowned at her with what looked like an honest emotion "He is not as far as I am aware my dear, my birds have told me he was seen leaving the Vale by horseback, after that, only the gods know. You can't say you miss the man, and he did kidnap you."
"Your little birds must have told you he never hurt me, he protected me far more than anyone else did. Whatever his reasons were for helping me. He did. Without anything in return." When Varys rolled his eyes, Sansa scowled at him "Don't start pretending you care about my well being. You never spoke to me before this evening and you never protected me. Even Tyrion protected me."
"I couldn't protect you even if I wanted to, just look at Petyr, he didn't help you until he knew no one could see him. Maybe I am the same." He grimaced uncomfortably and asked the next question. "Did you know you were smuggling in poison into Joffery's wedding"
"No I didn't, but I did do it, I took in the poison that killed Joffery, poison that was taken from my hairnet by the Queen of Thrones."
Varys raised the space were his eyes should be "Even in ignorance, you are a part of the murder. It is brave to admit such things."
"Hardly brave, I am sick of lying. I am sick of whispering by candlelight and forcing smiles by day. I deserve my rest, so if you are expecting sweet lies from me that'll amuse you then you'll have to wait till the morning. Then I'll be facing the people and they'll all already have their judgments on me, I will need to use my best tricks to convince them otherwise."
"How do you think they see you?" he asked innocently, his tone of voice frustrated her.
"Well lord Varys" she answered in an equally innocent and patronizing manner. "Some see Ned Stark's traitor daughter, other's see a wolf child that murdered King Joffery. A few see the innocent girl who has been abused since the moment a sadistic boy executed her father. The thing is; if people see me as a murderer I will be treated like one, likewise, if people see me as the maiden, they will treat me as such. Yet, I am not the maiden, and my life is not a song. In the end I will be judged by the gods and we both know how merciless the Gods can be.
"Luckily they can only truly judge me after I die. Before then it is the people that decided. It is the poor that will talk about us, the common men who follow a king into battle, the farmers feed us, and it is the singer that will tell stories of our lives and make us legends."
"Would you like to be a legend?"
Sansa scored "No, what is the use of being a legend, you'll be dead. I want to be loved while I am alive, be loved by everyone. I want people to follow me because they want to. I want to walk from the trial tomorrow and have a crowd of people knowing I am innocent, I want them to know I am a Stark, and the Stark's have honor and we are not killers. Sandor will fight for me, and if he wins it is down to me to get us out of their safely, we need a free pass through that crowd of people. What if Sandor is hurt, I can't expect him to carry through a mob again. "
"And how do you plan on doing this my lady?"
She smirked in a particular way that probably made her look like Littlefinger "I have already said my lord… If they believe I am as pure and as perfect at the Maiden, they will love me as such… The people don't really care about truths. They want to hear stories of dashing knights and princesses in towers. If they hear a tale of woe and heartache, of a northern girl losing her family only to be locked away in a snowy keep, it is just too delicious for people not to believe."
Varys twitched his face like he was raising an eyebrow that wasn't there "Is that not the truth?"
She thought of a second "The truth is hazy for me; it seems lies come far more naturally for me now. I think the only person who knows the truth anymore is you and though I don't trust you, I am not worried about you telling anyone. You have no more love for the Queen than I do. Petyr told me you want the Targaryen on the throne and I won't stop that. After tomorrow, if my champion wins, I'll go off with him, possibly to the not-so-free cities across the sea, I am no concern of yours."
"You may be wrong their Lady Stark, with a Stark name and a mouth that resembles our friend Lord Littlefinger, well, the world could be yours." Varys rose from his knees and stood over her. His face was completely cast in shadow but Sansa could see a faint smile in the pales of his eyes.
"A name is nothing without a real claim, if you don't remember; the north is a wasteland belonging to the Boltons." She exhaled a humorless chuckle.
"Oh but you do have a claim my lady, and people will follow. The people already love you. The Queen knows you have that power, that's why she is afraid of you" he planted the comment in her mind before turning back to the fire place.
"The queen is afraid of me?" her voice showing her disbelief. Sansa knew the Queen; she was vicious and had called Sansa stupid. It wasn't possible for a wolf to be feared when she has no teeth or claws "How do you know?" she immaturely asked.
He paused just before the exit in the floor, not looking at her he knelt down "I was the master of whispers, was being the operative word, but that doesn't mean my little birds left when I did. I still hear their tweets, they still search and find hidden treasures" Sansa heard the ruffling of fabric then the noise was thrown to her. A white, yet stained material fell at her feet in a creased heap. From its place on the floor it sent whiffs of blood, wine, and fire.
"You have the ability to command love, even without the lies Petyr taught you. Powerful people will follow you if you ask them to because they respect you for your name and your image. Cersei used to own that power, it is lost to her now." There was the sound of stone scraping stone then Varys bonded towards her, making sure not to step on the fabric on the floor, and took her hands in his. "Your life is more of a song than you have been lead to believe, and like the best songs, there are always trial and tribulations for the Knight and his Lady, but there is always a happy ending, even in life here can be happy endings." He rubbed a small pattern on the back of her hands not meeting her eyes. "When the fighting has done, stay in Kingslanding for a while, you can have a better life than the one you would have had in the free cities."
He let go of her and shrunk back into the darkness. With a creak and a bang he was gone.
Sansa immediately reached down and pulled the white velvet to her face. It was soft on her skin and its scent filled her throat with a glorious heat. She threw the cloak around her shoulders and pulled it tight around her chest. The whiteness had its own light and the nighttime wasn't as dark. Even the next day seemed so far away when she was protected by his kingsguard cloak.
Sansa is woken by a woman clearing her throat.
She looked up to find four Septas stood around her, giving her and the cloak questioning looks. The skinny one, who had be the one to clear her throat, took a step closer and presented a fine dress of white and silver "Her Grace request you wear this" she courteously said, but there was a twinge of distaste in her voice.
Sansa yawned and stretched out to touch the dress. It was velvet with detailed embodied patterns of birds in pear trees "Which Grace should I thank for this honour?" Sansa asked skeptically.
"King Tommen's Queen, Queen Margaery. She requested we should have had you fitted but Septa Orna said such a gift is too much for you" The skinny septa spat, her hands coiling into fists around the dress she was holding.
"It's a shame you had to meet me under these circumstances" Sansa lightly jested, looking up at the woman's lean face. "Many ladies who meet me do find me to be very friendly. If you worked in the castle when it was my residence I am sure we could have been friends."
The Septa's mouth went tight and her eye seemed to twitch. "We are here to dress you, would you please remove that ghastly cloak so we may proceed."
Sansa tried to keep her face as ladylike as possible but she wanted to return the scowl to the septa. You wouldn't have wanted to be friends with me anyway, Jeyne was my friend and she's likely dead now. Then there was Ser Dontos, he betrayed me and was now lying in the black water on the other side of the city. Perhaps Margaery was a friend, a charming friend that lied to me, gave me false hope, only to let me be accused for a murder I didn't commit, have my name tarnished, and is now brings me a beautiful dress of Stark colours and Baelish symbols. Why?
No, Sansa didn't attract good company in Kingslanding, likely this snooty septa that hated her so would be another one to betray her secrets to Cersei, or get hurt in the game of thrones.
She nudged the white velvet from her shoulders and let the women dress her without complaint.
The city was alive outside, far louder than it had been since she arrived. It could only mean a crowd was brewing to greet her on her way out.
A demure knock sounded from the door as one of the septas was finishing her hair. They left it partly down, by her request as she didn't want to follow the southern style. Sansa had wrapped the cloak around herself again, holding it tight around her neck and was willing to fight any woman who tried to take it from her. They didn't, they only exchanged a few choice glances.
The door opened and in stepped the Queen.
A ball rose in Sansa's throat seeing her draped in red and gold. She wore a feline-like smirk on her face. Her eyes crinkling showing her age "Joined the Kingsguard Little Dove?" She mocked, "Leave us!" she said to the Septas. The woman fixing Sansa's hair quickly stopped and left a twist to fall lazily from its place.
When they were alone Cersei focused her eyes completely, possibly trying to look like she was powerful. Sansa found her amusing "The cloak was a gift from my champion." Sansa explained
"I am glad to hear that, I was thinking maybe it was from Jaime, I wouldn't want his fondness towards you becoming noticeable."
Sansa raised an eyebrow smugly Jaime is fond of me? How strange the thought made her girlishly smile but she didn't think about it too long "Oh, I think any fondness for me was noticeable when he wanted to be a champion." The queen shuddered at the thought, Sansa could see jealousy in the Queen's eyes, it only amused her further. "He's very gallant isn't he, your brother"
Cersei grimaced "He's a fool, any man will lose against Robert Strong, especially a cripple him."
"In the eyes of the gods, even a cripple will win if I am innocent."
The queen bounded toward her then and pulled her from her seat "You think you are clever, just like Petyr" she didn't wait for an answer, she grabbed Sansa jaw between her fingers and forced her to look her in the eye. The green was burning like wildfire "You think you are so clever with your lies. My freak of a brother lied to, he was far better than you but I could see through him. I saw him poison my son, and you helped him you little cunt. You killed him and then you talk about the gods hoping they will share your lie" she spit towards the floor and it landed on the bottom of Sansa's dress. "What will you think of your gods when The Hound is hacked to pieces? You think they'll care about you? When today is done I won't even believe Gods exist, I will burn you so badly you'll look even more hideous than the Hound."
An ache was forming in Sansa's jaw but she did her best to ignore it. She stared completely focused and emotionless at Cersei. She forced Sansa to look out the window. "I was marched through those streets when I was falsely accused. I was taunted and humiliated. When you are proved guilty, I'll strip you naked and take you through the streets so people can jeer and curse you, then when your walk is done I'll throw you to the men of flea bottom. A high born girl like you will be too good to resist, they'll rip you apart before they have time to rape you bloody." She gripped onto Sansa hair and pulled it tightly "I'll let you keep your hair, I want something for the men to hold on to when they tear you open"
Sansa didn't answer at first, she waited till the grip loosen slightly on her jaw so she was comfortable to smile "No need for any of that, your grace" the fire burning in Cersei's green eyes was too delightful for Sansa not to smile at "I am innocent, and the gods will judge me as such. Remember when you were on trial? The Gods judged you, and you were found to be innocent. I am sure the gods will give me the same honor"
Cersei tossed her to the side. Sansa found her footing easily and rubbed her jaw slightly feeling a numb pain ring through her. "Stupid little girl. We both know how this is going to unfold" she said, almost sadly, if it was possible "Don't you get it, You can't win, even if you walk away today you have nowhere to go. The Riverlands are destroyed, the Vale is in ruins, the North is a inhospitable, the Iron Islands are in turmoil and a dragon queen is coming from the south. She'll happily see you burnt to ash before her eyes the moment you say your name. This is the Game of Thrones, you win or you die, and you can't win."
Sansa laughed at her, harshly and loudly "You think we are still playing? Cersei, this isn't a game anymore, we have gone past snide remarks and petty lies. We are in a world where dragons fly and the dead rise from the ground, where ice eats fire and humans burn like kindle. We are no longer lords and peasants, Kings and Queens. This is life and death now. You can't win at life, you can only hold off death for as long as possible." She took a few controlled steps towards her, her height an obvious advantage. "Believe me, my Queen, we are both going to die very soon, but I will try my hardest, I will fight tooth and nail, and I will cheat, lie, and steal to make sure I live through this winter, and I will make sure I will see you die before me."
Sansa bared her teeth, seeing the woman that brought the pain for many years almost trembling in front of her "I think it is time for my trial"
Sansa stood face to face with the Queen. Cersei looked so frail when she wasn't surrounded by her guards. She was just another woman in the Game of Thrones. The struggle was taking her toll on her beauty. Her hair was thin and had lost some of its golden glow. Her eyes were heavy. She had to fight for her place, just like Sansa has. She has also had to survive for far longer. Petyr underestimated you. Sansa admired in that brief moment trying not to lose focus. You are still a Lannister, no one would dare insult you by calling you a Baratheon, you still have your name, even if that was all you have, Sansa envied that more than anything about the woman in front of her. "May you lead the way" Sansa said completely changing her tone, she gestured towards the door.
The queen still glared, her pale hands gripping so tightly together Sansa could see red marks forming. "After you, I insist" Cersei said and nudged Sansa forward roughly.
Outside the room Septas stood silently next to Ser Meryn Trant and a comely man Sansa had never met before. Trant had the nerve to glance her up and down and frown "What's this girl doing in a Kingsguard cloak." He asked the man next to him with an amused smirk. "Does she think she is a knight?"
I am more of a knight than you, she thought, and put on a smile that conveyed what she was thinking. "Meryn Trant, I see you are still around" she said with the politest tone that was so sweet it sounded acidic.
"It is ser to you gir- I mean my lady" he corrected himself. "Is that the Hounds cloak?"
She didn't answer. A Septa came over to fix the front of the cloak together with a seven-pointed star broach. It now surrounded her like a great cocoon, dwarfing her completely. They all started to make their way through the marble walls of the great sept. Sansa walked alone, in front was the queen and her two guards and behind was a few Septas. Clearly no one worried about her attacking anyone or trying to escape.
"Did you see the Hound at the trial?" Sansa heard Trant say to the other man dressed in handsome white.
He nodded "a beast of a man" he answered in a dull voice with an accent that sounded like it came from the far south. "He was a part of the Kingsguard?"
"Years ago" Trant huffed, "he had no place on it though. He was no true knight and galloping here to save his bitch isn't going to change that."
Sansa giggled loudly. Making sure he heard. He shot back a deadly look. "What is it girl"
"I was just thinking" Sansa still giggled girlishly "you can't exactly talk about being chivalrous when you are barely a knight yourself"
They started down the flights of winding stairs. Trant's sword pummel glinted in the torchlight. "A knight of the Kingsguard follows orders from the king, it isn't my place to question them" the excuse hadn't changed from when she was younger.
Sansa rolled her eyes "Sandor never hit me, yet he isn't a true knight"
"The Hound has done worse things than you could imagine."
"SILENCE" The queen spun on her step to face her Kingsguard and her prisoner. The sudden stop sent a woman crashing into the back of Sansa.
"I don't want my protectors arguing like fat maidens" Cersei hissed "If you can't stop yourself from being dragged into a petty squabble with a little girl then I will give you to Ser Robert Strong. You can be his warm up before the trial today. Do I make myself clear?"
Cersei didn't wait for an answer before she turned back around and continued on her way. Trant huffed loudly but followed orders. He ignored Sansa's giggle.
When the doors of the Great Sept opened, Sansa was hit with the most glorious winter breeze. Small specks of snow landed on her cheeks making them turn cherry red. It had been almost a moons turn since she had stepped out into the air and even then she never got a proper look at Kingslanding.
The roofs were covered in a thick white coating of snow, while in the streets below the snow was a brown mush filled with the scum the city had thrown to the gutter. Sansa could see a few corpses buried in the snow and children racking through brown ice to retrieve dead rats. The winter didn't have the same magic as it did in the North or even in the Vale. There, where in the winter's cold could freeze the breath between your lips never looked this harsh.
Directly at the foot of the steps of Baelor was a small crowd of peasants. They were wrapped in torn sheets, drapes, and cloaks.
Sansa worried her lower lip and pulled her cloak tighter around herself. The last time she faced a crowd like this, they pulled her from her horse and would have torn apart. These were an even sorrier looking bunch, their eyes cried out their pain but they neither cheered nor jeered as Queen Cersei made her way down the steps.
I thought Margaery was helping them she pondered as she passed a white bearded man with half his hand missing, the stump was black and frozen over. Clearly when she got the power she felt no need to help the people that got her there. That saddened Sansa. When Margaery first entered her life she was surrounded by an air of hope. That had now crumbled like everything else in this city.
She caught the eyes of a girl who couldn't have been much older than her. Her damp hair was tangled in thick strands. The dress she wore was too short for her and it showed the end of her flea bitten legs and her blackened bare feet. Sansa paused by the girl for a moment.
"Are your feet cold?" she asked lightly, bending low like she was curtsying, but instead she started to unfasten the string on her leather boots.
"Urh, quite milady." She croaked, her eyes wide.
Sansa felt silent eyes on her as she pulled the first boot from her foot then starting on the second. The stone floor was far colder than she could have expected but she kept her face calm as the brown water soaked through her woolen stockings.
She gave the boots to the young woman. "Your grace, I mean, milady, I can't accept these"
"Don't be silly" Sansa smiled sweetly, she saw the girl in front of her beam hesitantly "You need them more than I do. Admittedly they are a bit tattered but they'll last you an entire winter."
The girl took the boots, her lips nervously quivering "You are too kind."
Sansa giggled and then sighed "Not at all, it is my duty and my honor to help the disadvantaged" she took the girl's hand and kissed the fingers lightly "May the seven bring you good fortune." She moved swiftly, her cloak feeling ten times lighter and her feet ten times colder.
Cersei was watching her with an expression halfway between a glare and a wary smirk. Sansa took care to not let the pain in her feet show on her face. Even when she arrived at courtyard where the trial was taking place, she still wore that same cool expression.
The trial was happening inside the castle courtyard. The place was swarming with lords on the ground and high above on the castle walkways several hundred people had gathered. They watched from windows and stables, from roofs and towers, all elbowing each other to get the best view. Greatest show on earth Sansa considered gazing around at the many eyes that didn't really pay too much attention to her. They didn't particularly care for her; they just wanted to see blood.
Some of the people had brought their children and even chairs to perch on so they could enjoy the fight in comfort. The lords who still bustled in the centre of the yard had special seated platforms. There was a single one by the newly constructed Tower of the Hand. Margaery and young King Tommen sat there. Margaery was wearing black again. It was a gorgeous tight fitting dress that covered her from chin to toe in eccentric black linen and silk. A delicate piece of lace covered her eyes and she clutched onto a handkerchief and a black rose. Tommen, still looking young with bright blond hair, wore black and yellow, his father's colours. It dawned on Sansa that he was now the same age as Joffery was when she first met him.
He had none of Joffery's grace or sensibility, but he didn't look like he had any of his cruelty either. He was plump and looked young for his age. The same age as Bran Sansa remembered. She recalled once watching the young prince and her younger brother dueling at Winterfell. Bran was far better, he had so much potential.
She tore her eyes away from Tommen when she felt a wrenching pain in her chest.
Suddenly she felt more trapped in this huge space than she ever did in her cell. The hundreds of judgmental eyes, the whispering, the memories, it was all coming crashing in on her. Yet no one was paying attention to her, she could of run, but there was nowhere to go. Her only choice was to stay, trapped in a circle of people that would have happily seen her die.
"Hello My lady" A man's voice said from behind her snapping her from her destructive thoughts. She looked to see Jaime Lannister and a huge woman walking towards her.
"Ser" she curtsied and smiled widely, "I fear Ser Jaime, I never thanked you for stepping forward as my champion. That was very gracious of you"
Jaime smirked not unkindly "It is a knight duty to protect the innocent. Though I doubt I would have been much use to you" he gestured to his missing hand.
Sansa laughed sweetly "still, it an honour to be acknowledged by such an acclaimed knight as yourself"
Jaime laughed as well, though harshly "acclaimed? Yes, that is a better word than tarnished isn't it."
Sansa saw the glance Jaime made to the large woman, out of the pair of them, she was the only one clad in armor, and she had a fine garnet incrusted sword at her waist. Sansa also noticed Jaime wasn't wearing his kingsguard cloak.
"Ser Jaime" Sansa started.
"Its lord Jaime now Lady Stark" he corrected, raising his left hand to silence her politely "I was denounced of my titles a few days ago."
"Oh" Sansa paused, the man looked sad yet content. The woman behind him looked like she was about to burst into tears. Sansa looked around so see were Sandor was, it was soon time for the fight and he was no were to be seen. Panic hit her when she thought the kiss had frightened off the huge man. "My lord, shouldn't I have already been to see my champion by now?" she asked with a fretful voice.
Jaime looked to his Lady Knight and back at Sansa "He'll be out soon and take it from me, as a man who spent many years getting in and out of armour, his tent is no place for a Maiden like yourself." He coughed and stepped to the side to let the large lady through. "Lady Sansa, I wanted to speak to you because I want to introduce you to Lady Brienne of Tarth"
House Tarth , Lord Selwyn Tarth, sworn to House Baratheon, from the Island of Tarth, only one living daughter, which must be you, Sansa concluded as she bowed and inspected the woman. She must have been the same height as Sandor though not as muscled. "It is a pleasure to meet you"
Brienne stepped forward like she was about to say something, or maybe she was about the fall to her knees and cry, Sansa couldn't know "The pleasure is all mine my lady" she said breathlessly.
It was an awkward few moments while Brienne and Jaime just stared at her. She tried to think of something smart to say then she remembered something "Oh, I heard a lot about your adventures my lady" She said the last part hesitantly. The woman didn't answer she just tilted her head to the side. "Yes" Sansa continued "I heard you helped stop a portion of the Brotherhood without Banners and you killed Lady Stoneheart."
All the strength Brienne may have possessed vanished before her eyes and she paled. Stuttering and shaking she backed away from Sansa. Jaime put his hand good arm around Brienne. "We'll speak to you later Lady Sansa. Good luck, by the new gods you are sure to win" Jaime softly said, patting the woman's arm before leading her away.
That was weird Sansa thought as a fanfare sounded and a Goldcloak came over to usher Sansa to the far side of the yard. The audience silenced while Tommen and the High Septon stood to address them. Tommen spoke with a high fluctuating voice and the High Septon blessed the fighters and said the father will bring justice.
In her corner she listened intently, sometimes whispering along with the prayers, and always keeping her eyes on King Tommen, looking at him like he was a God. She felt a figure come up beside her. His rough metal plating felt cold even through her cloak.
When the charade was done and the crowd went back to whispering and jeering, Sansa finally turned to her champion. He was already wearing his helm. It was new simply designed curved one that completely covered his face. She could just barely see the whites of his eyes through the grid at the front. "Did you sleep well last night little bird?" he almost chirped, it echoed inside his metal mask.
"I did, and yourself?" she asked charmingly.
Shaking his head he placed a hand on her shoulder "I never slept well before battle."
"Have you been in many battles?" She asked idly watching Robert Strong exist his tent. She heard Sandor's breath catch at the sight of the huge man. He was taller than any man Sansa had seen, he wore handsome white armour that was covered in symbols of the faith. His white cloak that matched hers fluttered in the breeze. His monstrous figure looked graceful, comely, and grand though Sansa wouldn't dare say it aloud.
He sighed heavily "I have been in a few" he rubbed his neck with his free hand; his mail clinked as he shuffled awkwardly.
"You should tell me about them when all this is done." Her hand met his on her shoulder. "I am sure you have some exciting tales to tell"
Their eyes met briefly before he snorted and looked across the yard to his brother. "Fighting isn't pretty little bird. It isn't all knights and heroes. You cut men down where they stand and they bleed, and more often than not they shit. No one ever tells you about the shit"
Sansa giggled at his vulgarity. She rubbed her thumb over the top of his fingers. "Not today though. Today you'll be my hero."
"Like Florian and Jonquil?" he mocked, a harsh laugh came from above her and he removed his hand from her shoulder.
Sansa laughed harshly as well. She twirled towards him "No never, a fool and his cunt?" she quoted still beaming "Oh Sandor do you really think so little of me?" The crowd around was growing impatient as Tommen stood up again to speak to them, this time to welcome the champions to the floor. "and you are not a fool. You are a true knight, well, truer than any I have ever known." She unfastened a single ribbon that held up part of her hair. A small cluster of auburn curls fell forward but she didn't care. "And every true knight deserves a favor from his maiden."
She couldn't read his face through the mask but uncertainty sunk in. He was going to laugh at her again. He was going to ruin everything. People were watching from above, Cersei from across the yard. The ribbon was heavy in her palm and though she smiled prettily, she pleaded with her eyes.
Sandor lifted his sword from its sheath and held it towards her "I can't tie it with these on" he said flexing his chained fingers. Sansa bent to the task, hearing whispers from girls in the crowds watching in awe. She sealed the small bow with a chaste kiss on the hilt before rising.
He removed his helm swiftly. He was smiling wide and it showed in his eyes. The Stark grey twinkled with bliss. She couldn't see any fear for the fight or any regret or remorse as if he was about to die. "You're wearing my cloak" he breathlessly rasped "You kept it. Why?"
She shook her head and took his hand in hers "because it was the only thing I had of yours, I wanted you to be back with me again, to protect me from these people." She gestured around. She kissed the top of his hand, through the cold steel Sansa could feel his fingers twitch.
He gently took his hand back to his belt and pulled a dagger from its place. "If things don't go to plan, don't give them the satisfaction" His eyes couldn't focus on her for long before they flicked back to his hands. He passed the simple blade to her.
"I won't need it" she giggled before leaning up on the tips of her toes to plant a kiss on his burnt cheek. "The heroes never lose" she lied.
A ragged breath came from him and all she heard was "Little Bird"
She pulled away from him, biting her lip. A fanfare was sounding and Robert Strong was making his way to the centre. Sansa looked above her and saw a thousand gawping eyes. Sandor put his helm back on and nodded before striding into the centre of the ring as well.
The trumpets and drums boomed out. Sansa could feel the heat from around her, it was a warmth from every daughter that gasped in when they saw the favor on the Hounds sword, from boy who ever dreamed of being as big and as strong as her true knight Sandor, and even Margaery was smiling admirably in her direction. The only chill Sansa could feel was the glare coming from Cersei on the opposite side of the courtyard. She winked at the Queen with a smirk on her face.
The air suddenly felt heavy when the fanfare stopped and the sickening clang of Robert's sword colliding with Sandor's breastplate echoed into the sky.
Some more notes:- I do hope you enjoyed it, though it is only the first half I hope there are part that are interesting, though I also know this is all very confusing because there are a lot of quite random things going on.
Personal review, some of this chapter I love, some of it I hate. The fact that it is very long without a lot of story moving forward, well, I am sorry. The next chapter is far more action packed as you can expect. Also there is a death of a character in the next chapter as you can probably guess because they are having a fight to the death, but it is just a warning.
Thank you for reading.