AN: Martin, George R.R. owns all of these characters except, James.
Not that he'd want him anyway.
Chapter 14 Sansa III
Sansa
Sansa awoke in her bed in Maegor's Holdfast early in the morning to the sound of chirping birds, and the light of the morning sun. The room was warm from a hearth that she had going, and she was happy. It had been almost two months since she left Winterfell, and Rickon, and her mother for King's Landing. Sansa missed her family and at first was reluctant to go, but she knew that Arya and James would need her down there. She threw open the covers and walked over to the hearth, and threw a fresh log in. Sansa grabbed the poker and gave it a few jabs, as she walked over to the window and threw it open. Immediately the smell of the Bay, and the shouting of people resonated through the room.
She looked down and noticed the Gold Cloaks walking around the streets, along with the amount of men-at-arms that walked the courtyard of the Red Keep. Daenerys had ordered the amount of men doubled, and always required someone to be with a guard if they were unattended. She had grown increasingly paranoid since James's assassination attempt, and with good reason. The whole royal court grew anxious and none were privy to the whereabouts of Aegon Targaryen or what his plans were; the whole thing made Sansa anxious and stressed. As she surveyed the city, Sansa began to think about all that happened to her here; all those years ago. It was queer for her to be in King's Landing without as much as a second thought to all that happened to the Stark family here. James slept in the same bed that Robert and Cersei had, and Jon slept in the same bed that Ned had. Sansa thought life was weird that way.
The wood began to crackle and so Sansa turned around and began to dress. She decided on a blue dress with a white pearl necklace; she knew that Rhaella would endlessly tug at it. The thought of the little princess made her laugh, as Sansa stared into her mirror and brushed her auburn hair. It was the same hair she had shared with her mother, Rickon, and Robb. Thoughts of her older brother filled her with sadness, as much as thinking about her father did. She regretted the time lost with Robb, and grieved for him everyday. They had looked so much alike.
Tears began to pool around her eyes, as she heard a knock on the door, and the sound of children's laughter. Sansa stood up from the chair and wiped away the lingering tears, and opened the door. Her niece and nephew burst through, and hugged her legs; tugging at her dress. James saw her and smiled. He was looking better with each passing day, his beard and hair was almost at its original length, and the color had returned to his skin. He was wearing his usual doublet of grey with Robb's crown on his head. Although he still was in much pain, and walked with a limp.
"Sansa!" the kids yelled, as both Ned and Rhaella tugged at the hems of her dress.
Sansa bent down and embraced them both. Robb's face appeared before her, as she looked up and stared at the crown. She felt the moisture pool up again, and quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand. The kids were still hugging her, as she clung to both of them: the only reason she had for living. Sansa had formed a connection with her niece and nephew. Especially Eddard and Rhaella. The boy named after her father and the girl named after Dany's mother; who had died giving birth to her. Sansa loved Arya's kid's, Robert and Lyanna, just the same; but with Ned and Rhaella it was different. She looked up at James who she noticed was sad. He must have seen my tears, Sansa thought as both the kids pulled back from her. Eddard must have noticed she was crying too because he looked at her, and kissed her right on the mouth; laughing as he did. Sansa giggled right along with him. He did it all the time.
They both ran back to James, as he looked Sansa in the eyes.
"Kids," James said, wincing in pain as he bent down to their eye-level. "Run to mommy and break your fast."
They both nodded and ran off, as James ordered the guards to escort them to his solar. He turned back to Sansa, who was still wiping away whatever tears had managed to wander down her cheek.
"What's wrong?" he asked, turning to her.
"Nothing." Sansa replied, wiping her nose with a cloth.
"No, something is wrong. Tell me, Sansa."
"I was just thinking of Robb is all…"
James gave her a solemn look, "I think about him all the time." He paused, "The good times and the bad."
She nodded silently, as she walked with him to his solar. Arya, Gendry, their kids and Daenerys were already waiting for them. It was one of the first times, besides the day he almost died, that they were alone and talking. Both began to laugh and cry, as they recounted stories from their childhood. Each of them painted images of growing up with their parents and siblings in Winterfell. By the time they both got to the solar, both were laughing as Sansa slowly opened the door and saw them all eating and talking. Arya and Gendry were talking with Dany, as they all stopped at once and smiled at them.
Sansa walked over and sat next to Arya, as James sat across from her and kissed his wife. It made Sansa smile to see them love each other again, and it made her sad to think it might be something she would never have. Sansa kept her thoughts to herself and broke her fast in silence. The sounds of laughter and talking were in the air, and the only ones she had were of her mother, Bran, Rickon, and Willas. Her brother was leading a northern host to war, as Robb did before him, and Rickon was alone in Winterfell. Sansa stirred her porridge and thought about what she could've had with Willas.
Even though she hadn't seen him since she was last in King's Landing, Sansa couldn't help but feel they had something. She was no longer the same naive girl who had grand delusions of her perfect prince, but she still wanted to experience love. Willas was a nice man, who loved reading and horses, and the like. He was charming and smart, and funny; everything Sansa wanted in a man. But now with the Tyrell's betraying James, and his sister Margaery being the one responsible for the strife that had existed between Dany and James; Sansa could no longer talk to him. For family was more important.
A few hours past as she sat in the royal chambers, watching Rhaella play with Lyanna; both girls were playing with their dolls. Eddard was with Robert, and both were playing with their toy swords. She sat there with James and Dany, as Arya and Gendry were getting ready for the small council meeting. Sansa looked over and saw James kiss Dany again, as it invoked thoughts of her and Willas again. This time, however, their were more tears pooling up in her eyes, as James happened to look over and he shook his head. He got up and walked over to Sansa and sat next to her.
"Whats the matter this time?" he asked, slowly sitting down and groaning in pain.
"Nothing." Sansa replied, wiping away the moisture that had pooled.
James sighed, "I know when you are sad, Sansa. You can't keep that hidden from me."
Sansa kept silent as he sighed again, "Sansa, I've been wiping away your tears since your first fight with Arya. I can tell when you are sad."
"I was thinking of, Willas." She finally said, his name felt queer upon her lips.
"Willas…" James muttered, he cupped her hands in his. "I'm sorry about that," he said, looking at her now, "I know you two had…something. But now that Highgarden has betrayed us, and Margaery tried to kill me, I don't know-"
"-I know." Sansa replied, patting the top of his hand with hers.
"You'll meet somebody, Sansa. I know you will."
"If you found something than anyone can. Even Rickon."
James laughed, "I believe you may have found some truth there. I thought I would die alone at the Wall, miserable and angry. Now look at me…I'm King and have a loving wife and two beautiful children. Life is mysterious."
"Indeed."
James smiled as she looked on and noticed Dany smiling, as the girls described the names of their dolls. Rhaella's was named, "Mommy," and so was Lyanna's. Both were about the same age. Robert was the oldest out of all of them, and he was standing next to Jon as he showed him his cloth sword. The boy was tall for his age, and slender too; his long black hair went to his shoulders. Sansa noticed that Eddard was feeling left out, as he was pouting to himself; his arms crossed in contempt, and his lower lip petruding. His light brown hair above the neck.
"Ned!" Sansa called out to the little boy, as he turned around to meet her.
His long brown hair twirled as he turned around and noticed Sansa. He smiled to her as she called him over with a motion of her hand. Eddard, or Ned as some have begun to call him, ran over to her with the excitement and fervor only a two year old could muster. Sansa opened her arms as he ran into them, and jumped onto her lap. Ned laughed as he placed his head on her shoulder and nuzzled her auburn hair. He retracted and stared at Sansa with his grey eyes, without saying much as a word. He looks so much like Father…Sansa thought as a strand of his light brown hair fell over his face, and she pushed it away, at a loss for words. Without warning he planted a kiss on her mouth, as he laughed. It was his favorite thing in the world, and Sansa allowed it.
"He loves you!" James yelled, laughing.
"I know," Sansa replied, as she cradled him in her arms, "The boy is a true romantic."
"He has more wolf blood than dragon blood."
"I can see that." Sansa said, as she stroked Ned's back up and down.
"I don't know how I can thank you enough, Sansa."
"You don't need to. It's family."
James smiled as they sat there in silence. Eddard had fallen asleep in her arms, by the time Arya and Gendry returned. Jon sat next to her and James.
"How are you doing, Sansa?" Jon asked, his long black hair was down to his shoulders, and he sported a black beard. He still reminded her of the boy he used to be.
"I'm good, Jon," Sansa replied, in a whisper, not wanting to wake Ned. She cleared her throat, "I've been meaning to ask you how you are feeling about meeting, Arianne. I hear she is beautiful."
"I hear the same," James said, interjecting, "it is said she is quite like her deceased uncle, Oberyn Martell."
"That is good news." Jon said sarcastically. "I've at least heard quite the same about her beauty."
"Quite,' would be an understatement, Jon," James replied. "Varys told me that Arianne has large dark eyes a man could die for, and is said to be," he cleared his throat, eyeing Sansa, "quite…buxom."
Sansa noticed Jon had began to blush. She laughed at that.
"When are they to be getting here?" Sansa asked, she was excited to meet the Martell's.
"In a few days. She is coming with a host of Dornish men-at-arms, and her cousins, the Sand Snakes. I believe that in Sunspear they are rallying an army, and it is said to be led by her brother, Trystane." Jon said, he fiddled with his fingers. Sansa could tell he was a nervous.
"It's ok to be nervous, Jon. I know I would be."
"You look as bad as I did, when I first met Dany!" James yelled.
Jon laughed, "So, Sansa, what are you doing today?"
"I'm not sure," Sansa said, shrugging, "probably just staying with the kids and the like, why?"
"You should come to a small council meeting," Jon suggested. "I definently think you would like it."
Sansa gave it some thought. Perhaps this change of pace would do her some good, and it'd be nice to do something new.
"The kids will be with their handmaidens." James said, "You don't have to worry about them."
"Ok," Sansa replied, "I'll go."
They smiled as both left the room. Another hour passed, and Sansa found herself sitting in Mace Tyrell's old chair in the small council room, as all the lords were talking amongst themselves. She studied the room, and its features. Targaryen and Stark tapestries hung the walls, and the two beams wrapped with painted vines stared back at her, along with the two golden sphinxes at the entrance. Sansa took this time to study each member of the small council. There was the Grand Maester, Sam Tarly, a robust man who had saved James's life. He would often stutter when talking to Sansa, and she could tell he liked her. Varys was still there, with his robes and smiles, talking to Sansa as if nothing was wrong. There was something about him that just threw her around for a loop; she didn't trust him.
Gendry was sitting next to Arya and they were talking, as Sansa noticed Jorah Mormont was talking to Tyrion. The dwarf and man were speaking of something Sansa couldn't hear, but it looked cordial. Sansa remembered being disgusted of Tyrion when she saw him at Winterfell, but now she had grown to respect him as a good man. He was loyal to James and Dany, just like Jorah was to…well just really, Daenerys. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard was sitting there in his golden armor, as he poured himself a cup of wine. James had raised him to Lord of Bear Island for saving his life, and both had found a mutual respect for one another. Of course they weren't best friends, but they were at least somewhat cordial to each other. However, the jealousy still lingered.
Finally the King and Queen arrived with Jon, as the three took their seats. James wasted no time in getting to the point.
"Varys!" he yelled, the eunuch leaned forward to listen, "Tell me some news today about, Aegon."
Varys nodded, "I did receive word from my little birds that Aegon has last been seen in the Vale, your grace. It seems Petyr Baelish has declared for him."
Sansa was startled as the small council began to grumble to themselves, James silenced them with a motion of his hand.
"I'm not surprised by this." Tyrion said, "I knew Baelish had betrayed us a long time ago. Aegon did not escape in a puff of smoke…"
Sansa watched as James brewed in his thoughts. The small council was exciting and it seemed she was interested in these Westerosi politics, and it came as a surprise.
"Any other news?" Dany asked.
"None, your grace."
"What about the banners, your grace. Have we heard any word?" Jorah asked, he was leaning back in his chair.
Jon leaned forward, "I have heard that the Lord of Winterfell has begun to move South with a host of about eighteen-thousand northmen, Ser Jorah. No word has reached us about the Tully's or Baratheon's."
"None at all, Gendry?" Jorah asked, as Gendry cleared his throat. "I've gotten a few replies from my banner men, who have declared for me, but none more. They are marshaling some forces in the Storm Lands as we speak."
Sansa listened, as she poured herself a cup of wine and sat back in her chair. It was exciting to be apart of this, apart of the realms problems, and to solve them. She felt important in this world, for once.
"The Gold Cloaks tell me that there have been a significant increase in smallfolk trying to get in via the Mud Gate, your grace." Gendry said, his voice booming.
James rubbed his beard, before leaning forward, "Well make sure it is guarded, and closed off. We can't afford anymore of them."
"Your grace," Arya said, she slightly dipped her head.
Sansa laughed inside at the image of her younger sister playing the role of advisor. She spoke with such fervor that you'd think she had been doing this all her life, and she sounded like quite the politician.
"Yes, Lady Baratheon?" James said with a smile, as Arya tried to surpress one. This made Sansa pull at one too.
Arya cleared her throat again, "What if we were to leave the city open?"
"Hold on." Tyrion said, as he cupped his ear with his hand. Sansa could tell he was mocking her, "Hold on, I want you to repeat that again, Lady Baratheon."
Arya sighed in anger, "What if…" She looked at Tyrion, "What if we were to leave the city open?"
Tyrion removed his hand and laughed, "Yes, I thought I heard that…that madness."
"It's not madness!" Arya replied, "We can only let a certain amount in a day, and have each gate heavily monitored and guarded. In fact, we could charge people a fee to enter and that ought to help pay for the feast we are holding for the Martell's. Who should be getting here any day now."
Sansa looked over at Jon who was fiddling with his fingers again, and that made Sansa laugh even harder to herself. Than she looked over at James, who was still thinking about her proposal. His gaze locked to Sansa, who with a look, urged him to agree. It sounded like a good idea, and Sansa approved, they were having another one of those silent conversations again:
"Say yes to that idea, James."
"I'm not sure if I can."
"Do it."
"It might backfire on us."
"Do it. It's about time you agreed with one of Arya's ideas."
"It would help us pay for the feast..."
"See, there you go. Say yes."
James nodded as he turned to Arya and motioned to her, "That is a good idea, Arya. I say yes to that."
Arya smiled and sat back in her chair, as Tyrion gazed between Arya and James, in shock.
"You can't be serious? That would make us over-populous with smallfolk."
"Desperate times call for desperate measures, Lord Tyrion. And these are desperate times." James replied.
Tyrion sat back in his chair, and accepted defeat as the small council stayed silent. It seemed there was nothing more they could do.
"You do realize that we do have to supply twenty-thousand gold dragons to anyone who captures Aegon, your grace." Sam said, the first time he talked.
James looked to him and batted his eyes, but Dany interjected this time, she clutched his hand. Sansa could tell he was in pain, and his scars were probably throbbing.
"Yes I know, Sam, and Tyrion over here has seen to that. Do not worry."
Sam nodded, as all of a sudden running foot-steps could be heard out from the hall; getting gradually louder, and closer to the small council room. Everyone turned their heads and saw the King's squire, Edric, run threw. The boy was just ten and seven, and had brown hair. He was a slender youth and constantly wore the colors of his House, which was Baratheon. Sansa had seen him averting his gaze, whenever she caught him looking; it seemed more men were doing that to her these days.
The boy bowed, "Your grace."
James bid he stood with a motion of his hand, "Edric, do we have some news?"
"Yes." Edric said, a smile tugged at his face. "It seems that a host of about one-hundred men has been seen outside the Kingsroad, your grace."
"What is their standard, Edric?"
Sansa noticed his smile grow wider, "A gold spear piercing a red sun on an orange field."
"The Martell's…" Sansa whispered to herself, as the small council began to brew with commotion.
Both Jorah and Gendry shot out of their seats, as Tyrion slapped Jon in the back. Sansa noticed that her brother began to sweat, and he gave Tyrion a feign smile. He is so nervous, Sansa thought as James bid them to calm down. His face again winced in pain, as he lifted his hand to silence them. The small council grew silent, and Sansa could swear you could hear a pin drop.
"Well let's go out and greet them. Me, and Dany will ride out with a hundred men-at-arms, the Kingsguard, Tyrion, and a few Gold Cloaks. Jon will wait here in the courtyard of the Red Keep with the rest of the court. And Edric-"
"Yes, your grace?"
"I want you to run to the kitchens and tell the cooks to quickly prepare the Great Hall for a feast. I believe my brother here has a betrothal to celebrate, and the Dornish will expect some form of hospitality."
"At once, my King." Edric said, as he bowed and ran out of the room.
The small council jumped out their seats, and cleared the room, as James bid Sansa over. Dany helped him out of his seat, and James muttered a few words to Jon who walked out of the room. Sansa walked over to him, and he looked at her while Dany helped him stand.
"Sansa," He said, as he winced in pain.
"Yes, James?"
"I would ask a favor of you."
"Certainly."
"Would you mind going and preparing the kids for the Martell's? I would want them to look their best, and I know Arianne and her cousins would like to see them."
"Of course, James. I would love to."
"Thank you," he said, kissing her on the cheek, as him and Dany walked out of the small council room.
Sansa stood in the courtyard of the Red Keep with her family and Jon, along with the other nobles of court. The wind was blowing and her auburn hair was flying in her face, as she held Rhaella in her arms, and Eddard stood next to her; clutching her hand, while holding the other handmaidens. They both had put up some sort of fit when they were being dressed, and one of the handmaidens had proof to show it. Rhaella had scratched her arm, as she put up a struggle to wear a violet dress; kicking and screaming in the process. Daenerys was right about her dragon blood. Sansa then braided her silver hair into a single braid that went down her back, in the style of the North. Eddard was easier to dress, and really put up no fight at all. The boy laid there quietly, while they dressed him in a black doublet with the three-headed dragon on one side, and the direwolf on the other. Sansa combed his brown hair out, and let it fall down to his shoulders.
Rhaella played with her necklace, that Sansa had placed around her neck, as she looked over to Jon who looked quite handsome standing next to her in his black doublet. His long black hair was given a trim, but it was still quite long, and his beard was trimmed down a little. By now he had both of his hands stuck in his pockets, and he was looking down at the ground.
"You have to hide your nerves better, Jon." Sansa cautioned, as he turned to face her, his sweat beaming down now like tears.
"I'm nervous that she'll reject me or that I will mess it up."
"You won't!" Sansa affirmed, as she switched Rhaella to her other arm.
The girl was growing with each passing day, and even at two she was becoming increasingly harder to carry for such a long time. Jon offered to take her, as the girl reached out to him with her two hands and he held her. Sansa looked over and saw Arya scolding her two children, as Gendry stood there in his Baratheon colors; being the Lord of Storm's End and all.
"But what if I do!" Jon yelled, as Rhaella laughed and twirled large amounts of black hair in her fingers. Jon kissed her on the cheek.
"You won't."
"I might, Sansa."
"She came here for a reason, Jon. Sunspear is quite far from here, and she didn't come just to say hello. I believe she has said yes to your offer."
"I hope so," Jon said. "For the sake of the realm I hope you're right."
Finally, the grumbles from the nobles could be heard, and Sansa saw some of them pointing to the gate. There she saw all the nobles from the Martell's, and James trotting through the gates on their horses. Sansa began to look around for Arianne, and that is when she finally saw her talking to Dany; who was on the horse next to her. James was right about Arianne: she was very beautiful. Arianne was short with long black hair, and had olive skin with large dark eyes. Also James was right about another thing…her breasts were quite full, so to speak. Sansa watched as she got down from her horse, and was lead forward by her pack of cousins known as, the Sand Snakes.
Each one of them were the bastard daughters of her uncle, Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper. She had heard stories about their ambitiousness, and their desire to see Elia revenged. Well they got their revenge, as House Lannister is practically dead, and all the people responsible for Elia's death are too. Sansa thought as they came forward, each of them wore a different color Dornish dress. Arianne, however, sported an orange sun dress and her black hair flowed down to her back; she even wore a jeweled snake on her right arm.
James and Dany, along with the Kingsguard, stood behind Arianne and her Dornish as all watched her greet Jon for the first time. Jon introduced Rhaella to her, and Sansa hoped the little girl would be nice to her. Fortunately she was as she said hello to Arianne. Jon handed her over to Sansa who still held Eddard's hand. Finally, both Jon and Arianne stood in front of each other, as Jon bowed and she curtsied.
It felt like it lasted forever, as each of the Dornish women said hello to all the nobles and the royal family. Sansa curtsied with grace, as she said hello to each of the Sand Snakes and Arianne. Eddard timidly said hello, as was his personality. With each passing day he reminded her of a Stark, not a Tully like herself and Rickon, but a Stark like her father or Jon. Sansa followed the procession inside Maegor's Holdfast, and went to her chambers for some much needed rest before the sleep.
After she awoke from her nap, she got ready for the feast that James was holding for the Martell's. Although originally it was supposed to be held for the nobles and Martell's, James instructed that it was just for the Martell's and Stark's. A fifty course feast was cut down to twenty, and the one-hundred guests were dramatically reduced to just a meager thirty. Those attending were the Stark family, the small council, and the Martell's. Sansa just hoped they wouldn't be offended by such a gesture, but Arianne had told them it was quite alright; and the small feast was needed after a long day of travel.
Soon night came, as Sansa was sitting with everyone during the feast. The Great Hall had been ordained with more tapestries, and a huge roundtable had been erected in the middle in front of the Iron Throne. The barbed chair cast a large shadow over everyone. Candles were placed all over the table, and the Throne Room was lighted perfectly. Servants moved in and out, removing plates and serving drinks. A few musicians were playing harps, and a couple of jester's were entertaining the children. Sansa sat in-between Tyrion Lannister and Dany, as she sat there watching everyone eating their meals. Next to Dany was James, and next to him were his children: Rhaella to his right and next to her was Eddard, who sat next to Jon. Ser Jorah Mormont stood behind them, standing like a sentry. Arianne sat next to Jon, as the whole time the two just talked with each other. It seemed Jon had become enamored by her beauty, and he had begun to take a liking to her.
Sansa thought if Arianne had actually liked Jon, or if her intentions were somewhat different. She knew that the women was in her early thirties and still hadn't married. Sansa hoped that this women wasn't saying yes, just for the sake of getting married, but that she would actually come to love Jon, for who he was. Sansa saw her laugh, as Jon was smiling at her, in kind. It did her good to see him happy. Next to Arianne were a few of her cousins, as some were to tired to attend the feast. And right by them were Arya and Gendry, along with their two kids, and then the rest of the small council finished off the table. Sansa's thoughts began to wonder, as she ate her soup and bread. But suddenly James snapped her out of it by asking Arianne a very important question.
"So, Arianne," he began, leaning forward, the crown bouncing up and down on his head. Arianne turned her attention to him and made an effort to listen.
"Yes, your grace?"
"I was just telling my wife, Daenerys, over here about how glad I'am that you accepted Jon's offer. I hope we can have an honest and great alliance."
Arianne smiled, her large brown eyes brooding, "I was quite pleased when that raven reached Sunspear. I've heard about Rhaegar's lost son, and heard he was quite the handsome man. I did not hear wrong…"
Sansa noticed Jon blush, as James continued. "That is great to hear, but I've been wondering why you supported Jon and not, Aegon?"
Arianne cleared her throat, "That is very easy to answer, your grace. I thought Aegon would ask my hand in marriage, seeing as he was the son of Rhaegar and I'am the niece of Elia, but he didn't. Instead he offered his hand to Margaery Tyrell, and I took that as a slight. I must be honest with you and say that Aegon did send an envoy to our party. It was a man from the Vale…"
"Baelish!" Sansa heard Tyrion mutter, as she continued to listen to Arianne.
"And what did this envoy say?" James asked.
"It was from Aegon and it said he would be glad to take me as a wife. But I knew that he could not just reject Margaery for me, because he needed her father's swords. I'am not some whore, your grace, who can just be used whenever he wanted. I know that the Targaryen kings kept more than one wife, but I do not agree with that sort of behavior. So, I was happy when Jon offered; because I hope to honor the memory of Rhaegar and Elia. I hope that we can cement House Targaryen and House Martell again, and with this marriage we pledge our swords to you."
"Here! Here!" Tyrion yelled, as he raised his cup of wine, and soon everyone followed suit. Offering their congratulations to Jon and Arriane. Sansa did not feel the same jealousy that she normally did, but it was still there.
Suddenly servants came out with glasses of desert wine, and began to give them to each of the guests. Everyone raised a glass in toast and began to drink, as she noticed Rhaella and Eddard began to demand glasses of their own. Sansa giggled to herself and watched James order them, "wine," but instead what he meant was to bring them out a glass of juice for each. He beckoned a servant girl with blonde hair over, and ordered the juice.
Finally, a new servant girl who Sansa had never seen before came out and placed a two tiny chalices of juice for each of the kids. Both of them excitedly reached out for them, as James held them back.
"Ser Jorah," James said, as the knight stepped forward.
"Yes, your grace?"
"Will you taste the kids chalices and make sure it is actually juice and not wine. I'd do it myself, but I'm afraid the moment I let them go they will try to reach for it and spill it."
"Certainly." Jorah replied, as he picked up Eddard's chalice and took a drink.
He sloshed the juice in his mouth and smiled in approval, as James let Rhaella go and she picked up her chalice. Sansa looked over to the servant girl who was standing there, watching, but she was all nervous. In her time at King's Landing she had gotten to know every servant, and every handmaiden. Sansa had never seen this women before. Who is that women? Sansa thought, as all of a sudden she heard the sound of screams and a breaking plate. Everyone, including Sansa, shot out of her chair as she noticed that Ser Jorah had fell to the floor. His face had turned purple and his arms were raking his neck, fighting for his every breath. Dany ran over to him and knelt down next to the dying knight, as Jon grabbed the chalice and stared at it. He spilled it's contents onto the floor. Arianne and the rest of the people were in shock, and Eddard was crying in his chair.
Sansa looked over at Jorah once more, and saw Dany cradling his head in her arms. Jorah had died. It was then that she noticed Rhaella holding her chalice, struggling to take it to her lips. Sansa began to run over to the little girl as she yelled to her brother. The chaos looming all around her.
"JAMES!" she yelled pointing to the girl, as James did a double take to her and Rhaella. The sudden shriek of horror she gave, and all she could do was watch; as the cup moved slowly to her mouth. By this point the girl had taken the cup to her lips, and Sansa couldn't tell if she had taken a sip.
"Seize the girl!" Jon yelled, pointing at the servant girl who was trying to get away. Sansa watched three Kingsguard run after her.
She watched as James slapped the cup out of her hand, and Rhaella began to cry and cough. James scooped her from out of the chair, and cradled her in his arms. By now the music had stopped, and the screaming began as everyone crowded around her. Sansa ran over and loomed over James; who was on his knees cradling his daughter, who by now was sweating profusely and coughing. Dany stood next to him and was crying, as was everyone else. Arya was holding her own child, crying, and Gendry held the other; his face in shock. Arianne was with her Sand Snakes, who were trying to calm her down, and Sansa could tell the women was crying also; at least she cared for Jon and his family. Jon was holding Eddard, and Sansa walked over and took him; embracing the child so hard, she thought he couldn't breath.
James was crying, as he held his daughter, yelling for Sam to help him. The Grand Maester ran over and James stood up; by now Rhaella had closed her tiny eyes and was breathing heavily. Sam placed a hand over her head.
"She is burning up, James. The little girl is developing a fever from the poison. We need to get her over to her chambers immediately, and hope she…"
Sam didn't say another word and James got the message.
"She will not!" Is all Dany said, in-between tears.
James wiped his away, as he ran off with Sam and Dany behind him: with Rhaella in his arms. Sansa held Eddard, tightly, as she watched the aftermath of the scene before her: the Kingsguard had taken hold of the servant girl, and Jon was with Arianne and his family. Sansa felt so drained, and walked over to them. Ned had finally stopped crying. All the energy she had left was drained out of her, and the only thing on her mind was Rhaella. Sansa hoped for the best. Her family had formed a tight circle, with just Arya, Gendry, and Jon who was holding Arianne. Tyrion and had gone with Varys and the Kingsguard, as they escorted the servant women to the dungeons. Sansa nudged her way into the circle, holding a whimpering Ned, as everyone was quiet.
"What just happened?" Arya asked, Lyanna sleeping on her shoulder.
"Aegon has just struck again…" Jon answered, solemnly. Tear stains on his face, and his hair was a mess. Arianne clung to his arm like a spider on the wall, and placed her head on his shoulder. They had just met earlier that day.
"Now he goes after the kids!" Sansa exclaimed in a hushed voice, trying not to wake Ned, whose tears had made him tired. She stroked the back of his head with her hand, like a protective aunt would.
"Does the man have no honor?"
"He'll do anything for the throne, Sansa." Jon replied, "Even if it means going after the kids. Aegon sees them as contenders, should he win, and wouldn't keep them alive. I remember when I first met him, and he embraced me as a long lost brother. But now, he is just angry that Dany betrayed him, and is dangerous; like an animal backed into a corner."
"He is trying to create more strife between Dany and James," Arya pointed out, she moved back and forth with Lyanna in her arms.
"If that was his intention it won't work," Gendry said. "If anything it will bring them closer together, but Aegon has brought them to their knees with this."
"Rhaella will live!" Sansa yelled, "The girl hasn't died! She is strong, like her mother."
"I hope you're right, Sansa." Jon said, "I pray to the gods that you are right. I'm not sure if James or Dany would be able to handle this…"
"And that is why we have to help them," Sansa replied, "We have to stay together."
Everyone nodded as Sansa looked around. She tried to calm down, but all Sansa could do was stare down at Jorah Mormont's dead body; his body draped with his white cloak, and all she could think about was how he died in the arms of the women he loved.
AN: Reviews are appreciated...