This chapter occurs a few hours after the previous one.

Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I claim any ideas, places, or characters from the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series. Cheers

"Sansa, you are not to reveal your sister's disappearance under any circumstances. Do you understand?" Those were the words that the Queen had left her as Sansa departed from the Red Keep towards the gate that would lead her to her cousin. She had heard rumors that Olyvar Arryn's forces were just outside of the walls, preparing for siege if his demands were not met. What those demands were, Sansa did not know.

You've come for me, haven't you Olyvar? Sansa had not been so full of hope since her father's death by Joffrey's command. The falcon that had flown so proudly over the city had instilled fear into her once beloved Joffrey, causing him to curse her cousin and brother. He too had warned her of the consequences of mentioning anything about Arya to Olyvar, motioning towards one of his Kingsguard, Ser Meryn Trant. She had been so afraid she could only nod.

"Uncle, is Olyvar well?" Sansa, however, was not alone in the carriage that would take her to Olyvar. Inside was the Lord Tyrion Lannister, looking more troubled than she had ever seen him before, and Princess Myrcella, who Sansa recalled was Olyvar's betrothed. The Princess looked absolutely stunning, her golden curls going past her shoulders, dressed in her finest Baratheon robes.

"Of course he is. The boy is as you have remembered him, although he's grown a tad." The Princess gave a relieved look at her uncle's words before turning to Sansa with a smile. As much as she wanted to hate the girl, Sansa found her company to be the most relieving. Myrcella always talked very highly of Olyvar, and on her eleventh nameday had asked Sansa if Olyvar would send her a gift, despite it being wartime. She loves him, even while he fights against her brother. That much had been evident every time she attempted to defend Olyvar from Joffrey's words.

Sansa watched as they rode out of the gate into the field. There she saw an area surrounded by men, many wearing Lannister red but some also sporting the blue of the Arryns. Perhaps the most perplexing part of the scene was the large table that had been set up inside of the circle the soldiers formed, along with flags at each corner, Baratheon and Arryn on their respective sides.

And at the end of the table stood a young boy, coated in light armor with a shield on his arm, falcon helm sitting on the table. "Olyvar." Sansa gasped as she saw how gallant her cousin looked, the Arryn sigil embroidered on his shield. He looked deadly serious, watching as their carriage brought them forth. Sansa realized that she could see him, but he could not see them.

Finally, the carriage stopped just short of the table. "My ladies, this is our stop." Lord Lannister rose from his seat and made for the door, exiting and holding the door open for them. Sansa had been instructed to be the first to exit. She stood up from her seat and followed suit, the smell of the Narrow Sea meeting her as she did. She felt her blue dress flutter with the wind that came off from the ocean to the east.

"Sansa." Olyvar said with relief as his serious demeanor broke, bringing a smile to her face. He doesn't hate me. She had hated him during their final meeting, in a time when she had not yet seen Joffrey for what he truly was. But now, she felt only gratitude for his silent forgiveness. Then she saw his eyes shoot back to the carriage, and his face dissolved into shock. "Gods."

Sansa herself turned back and saw that Myrcella was exiting the carriage now. Her grace and elegance was unrivaled in Sansa's eyes, the blonde curls bouncing and her emerald eyes mesmerizing. "Lord Arryn." The princess curtsied, and as Sansa turned back, she saw that Olyvar's jaw was still unhinged. Does he love her as well? Sansa thought she had heard a story that was similar to this. The story told of a man who loved a woman from a rival house. From what she could remember of the story, it had a tragic end.

"Uncle, Sansa." Myrcella looked to her fellow companions, sweetness and grace in her voice. "May I ask for a moment with my betrothed?"

"Of course, sweetling. My lady, if you would please." Tyrion motioned for Sansa to walk from the table, and only stopped when they were out of earshot. The Lannister and Arryn men had done the same, all with their hands on the hilts of their swords or readying their crossbows.

"What are they talking about?" Sansa asked as she saw Myrcella approach Olyvar, observing that their lips were moving, alternating turns to talk. She could see that Myrcella looked slightly sad now.

"She's breaking her betrothal with him." Sansa looked down to see the Imp too wore the same sad face, if not a bit sadder. "She realizes that their pairing cannot last throughout this war. He likely realizes it as well."

"But they seem to be so fond of each other." Sansa said, certain her assessment was correct. "Why must they break their betrothal?"

"A shame, isn't it?" The Imp sounded bitter now. "Two who are so fond of one another having to break their promise to one another, when another pairing which harbors no such feelings must persist?" Being reminded of her own betrothal to Joffrey made Sansa feel even more sadness for her cousin and the princess.

"It's not fair." Sansa could feel tears swell up in her eyes, but she forced herself to not release them. What she would have given once to have Joffrey look at her the way Olyvar was looking at Myrcella.

"War is not fair, my lady. It causes brothers to kill one another, forces fathers to punish sons, and robs the chance of love from the hearts of many. Just like your aunt Lyanna was stolen from Robert Baratheon." Before Sansa could respond, she saw Olyvar bend his knee to Myrcella, bowing low. She gave another curtsy before walking back to the carriage, and Sansa could see the outlines of tears on the face of the young princess. "Come, it is your time now."

Sansa approached slowly at first before rushing headlong into the arms of her cousin. "Sansa, how I've missed you." Sansa didn't want to leave his arms. She wanted him to take her back to Winterfell, to Bran and Rickon. To her mother and Robb, who were waiting for her at Riverrun. But as she remembered them, the thought of Arya tortured her. Memories of how they had fought before their father's death had been too hard for her to bare.

"Where is Arya?" Olyvar separated from her slightly, looking over at Tyrion with a demanding voice. His face turned from compassionate to fierce in an instant. Sansa wanted to tell him more than anything, but her fear continued to hold her back. Olyvar, she's gone. They don't have her.

"We don't have her." Sansa whipped her head back to view Tyrion Lannister in shock. Why did he tell him?! "Since your uncle's execution, my sister has seemingly misplaced her. Go on, ask your cousin if I speak truth."

Olyvar looked at Sansa. "It's true." She said without thinking, her fear of the queen no longer holding her tongue. "Arya escaped, she escaped the Red Keep the day Father was arrested." She made sure to keep her own voice silent enough for the men surrounding them to not hear as she confirmed Tyrion's words to her cousin.

"Where is-"

"We do not know, Lord Arryn. I come here, bringing you the truth that my sister would deny you, in hopes that you will forgive me for the breaking of your betrothal with my niece." Tyrion looked solemn, Olyvar looked lost. Sansa did not know what she was feeling as she looked between the two. "I only offer you the thought that she is living safely in the capital, or has perhaps escaped from the city during the mayhem of Lord Stark's death."

Sansa looked back to Olyvar, his fierce eyes so full of uncertainly. Sansa would have pleaded to him to not trust Tyrion Lannister, yet what he had just done was a secret the queen could have had his head for. She, too, did not know what to make of it. Finally, Olyvar spoke. "On our friendship, you would swear this to me?"

"Of course." Tyrion nodded, his solemn look persisting. "Even in war, there are some things I can still respect. Love for family is one. What type of friend would I be if I didn't share this information with you?"

Olyvar nodded before he looked at Sansa once more. "Sansa, you must listen. I cannot take you with me."

"Why not?!" Despair crept back into her mind as the words met her, and she did not care that she had shouted. She had been so sure, so certain that he had come to save her. Perhaps he still hates me.

He gave her a soft smile, and brushed her hair. "I will save you, I promise. But I need to save someone who will help me in doing so. Someone who is the rightful king. After I help him, I will come back here for you."

"It's not fair." Even after being reassured by him, Sansa still cried into his shoulder, the cold armor meeting her face. "I hate it here. I want you to bring me back to Mother."

"And I will. But I cannot do it now. I'm too weak." Sansa was confused. How could it be that he was the weak one when she felt the weakest out of the pair? "For that, I need you to remain strong. Trust Lord Tyrion and Myrcella. They will aid you in dealing with your hardships. I promise I won't be too much longer."

Sansa brought up whatever courage she had left, and forced her lips into a smile, ignoring the tears flowing down her face. She nodded her understanding. I must be strong for him. For Mother, for the boys. For Arya.

"My Lady, it is time." Tyrion offered his hand to her, which she took. But before she could be led back, she felt Olyvar's grip on her waist tighten.

"Tyrion, about the rest of our deal..."

"Lord Stark's bones and sword are being sent separately to your camp. I trust no harm will come to the messenger." Olyvar gave a nod, and looked at Sansa one more time. They shared a look together, and she could see he was in pain for what he had to do. But eventually, he loosened his grip on her. As she was being led back to the carriage, she turned one last time to gain a peak at her kin, and saw a scene that broke her heart. He stood alone at the table for a moment, a defeated look in his eyes, before taking his helm off of the surface of the table and walking back towards his own men, blue cape fluttering in the same way as her dress had.

As she entered the carriage, she sat down next to the princess, who like her was fighting back tears. "I'm sorry, my princess." Sansa said, in an attempt to show genuine condolences through her tears.

"Thank you, Lady Sansa. Even as my family wars with yours, you still show me kindness." Sansa saw a single tear fall from Myrcella's smiling face. It was a forced smile, but still as beautiful as any smile Sansa had ever seen. She is brave. Sansa thought, determination building up in her. I must be as well.

A/N: Poor Sansa. It seems she will play the little bird a bit longer, trapped in her cage.

Ten internet cookies to whoever can identify my inspiration for the Myrcella/Olyvar pairing. Tough break for those two as well.

And so with Ice and Ned's bones, Olyvar is off to the Stormlands to aid Stannis. What do you guys make of the trust between Tyrion and Olyvar?

Hope you guys and gals enjoyed. Have a good day/night!