Sansa
Sansa could barely contain her excitement as their carriage finally slowed to a halt before the entrance to the Baratheon estate.
She had spent the three days until the ball preparing, making a new dress of beautiful sky blue silk. She had slaved away embroidering the neckline with white branches and birds mid flight. Her long, auburn hair had been brushed until it shone and two strands pulled back from her face, secured with a pearled clasp her mother had given her. Sansa was a very beautiful young girl. Her skin was pale and soft and clear. She had the Tully looks; high cheekbones, thick, silky auburn hair, sparkling blue eyes and all the grace one could wish for. She was tall for her age, and gifted, very accomplished speaking many languages, being able to sew, draw, sing, play, dance, she was quite sought after.
The carriage door opened and father stepped out, turning to help mother out. Robb was next who turned and did the same for Sansa. She smiled at him and took his hand as she carefully stepped out of the carriage, holding her long skirts and the hem of her cloak so she wouldn't trip.
He was looking very dashing, wearing a dark green velvet jacket that Sansa had stitched silver patterns into around the sleeves, his hair had been cut and scented, he had shaven his stubbly beard and his grin made him look like a prince straight out of one of Sansa's stories.
Sansa turned and saw Jon help Arya put of the carriage. Even she had made an effort tonight. Her dark hair was pinned back from her face, curled with irons and tumbling down her back. She wore a simple blue dress with flowers around the neckline and she had a jeweled clasp in her hair – which Sansa had all but chased her around the room for her to wear.
Jon looked as handsome as Robb, with a jacket of dark blue that Sansa had also embroidered around the sleeve ends with a pattern of her own design. He had his hair cut and his beard shaved too and he smiled at her as they all walked into the huge manor.
Sansa was in awe; the house was like a fairytale palace, all gold and silver and white, beautiful furniture and paintings. It seemed that all of Westeros were there tonight, the air filled with chat and laughter and music.
They followed Father and mother and Sansa saw the Baratheon family. Robert was a big man, but his face was open and friendly, he grinned when he saw father and embraced him in a bear hug like they were old friends.
"Ned Stark! Pleasure, so glad you could come! And this must be your wife!-"
Sansa's eyes wandered to the rest of his family, beside him stood a tall and very beautiful lady. Her hair was like spun gold, piled ontop of her head in an elaborate fashion, red jewels sparkling here and there. Her dress was long and as red as blood, gold patterns sewed all over and jewels of all sizes. She looked like a fairytale queen, her face was beautiful but her eyes were cold. Sansa thought it simply because of nervousness, after all the majority of people there must be strangers to her and her family.
"…And this is my eldest daughter, Sansa" she heard her father say, she stepped forwards and curtsied to Mr. Baratheon.
"My she's a beauty" he remarked, bowing to her, "pleasure to meet you, Miss Stark"
Father introduced Arya and Robert turned to the beautiful woman beside him. "This is my wife, Cersei," she smiled and curtsied to them all, "and this is her twin brother, Jaime" Robert continued. Sansa looked and her eyes found the most handsome man she had ever seen. His hair was golden like Cersei's and he had the same beauty as her, he smiled and bowed low to them, Sansa hurriedly curtsied in return, almost forgetting her manners.
"This is Tyrion, her other brother…" Sansa's eyes found an empty space beside Mr Jaime Lannister. However, dropping her eyes closer to the ground she was most surprised to see a dwarf standing there. He looked up at them with eyes that dared mockery but seemed to mock you all the same. A mop of messy golden hair crowned his head. His clothes were rich and made to fit him. Though Sansa noted he must be uncomfortable for her kept swaying where he stood. He was not a handsome man but for a dwarf he was not ghastly. Sansa had heard some awful stories of dwarfed children, mostly of what happened to them. This man was lucky to be born in a rich family that loved him.
Tyrion smiled up at her and bowed, "Miss Sansa, pleasure to meet you" his voice seemed thick and he stumbled a little in his bow so Mr Jaime reached out a hand to steady him.
Sansa's eyes found Cersei's face as she scowled and looked away.
"And that is my eldest son, Joffrey-" Robert spoke loudly, taking the attention from the dwarf. Sansa's heart fluttered as she looked upon his face. He was tall, handsome and bore the same golden hair as his mother. His mouth held a secret smile as he bowed also, his eyes upon Sansa all the while. She blushed and glanced down, as she curtsied.
"I have two others but they are too young for balls" Robert finished.
"We hare honored that you could join us tonight" Cersei spoke, her voice like velvet.
"We thank you for inviting us" Her mother replied, smiling softly.
"Come, enjoy yourselves," Robert boomed at them, "drink, dance, be merry! I have more blasted guests to greet" Sansa noticed Cersei's eyes narrow and her mouth thin at her husband's words but she said not a word. As they moved away, Sansa could still feel Joffrey's eyes upon her and she forced herself not to look back at him.
A servant came forwards and took their cloaks from them, then Sansa heard a squeal and turned to see her dear friend Margery Tyrell skip towards her.
Margery was known for her beauty, she had thick brown hair that tumbled past her waist in perfect curls. Her face was delicate and she was petit and graceful. She always wore dresses of soft colors, though many murmured here and there about her neckline being lower than was proper. Tonight her dress was of a soft pink, floating around her like a sunset painted cloud. Her hair was pinned atop her head, decorated with small pink rosebuds and she smelled of flowers. She hugged Sansa and took her hand, laughing and pulling her into the glorious ballroom.
"So, how did you find Joffrey Lannister?" she asked, her voice like silk.
Sansa blushed and smiled back at her dear friend, "he is very handsome"
"Isn't he?" Margery gushed, linking her arm into Sansa's, "and he is rich, could make a very amiable husband."
They found her brother, Loras who stood with a man, tall, dark and handsome.
"Oh! Sansa, allow me to introduce you!" Loras greeted her, gesturing to the man beside him, "this is Renly Baratheon, Robert's brother"
Renly bowed to her and smiled friendly, "pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Stark, Margery and Loras have told me so much about you already" he said, sharing a look with Loras.
Sansa smiled and curtsied, ever remembering her lessons, "it is a pleasure to make yours" she said.
"Who is that man?" Margery asked suddenly, nodding her chin over to the opposite side of the ballroom. Sansa followed her gaze and her eyes found Joffrey, but her attention was quickly drawn to a man standing just behind him. He was very tall, wearing simple clothes. He was broad; a man of strength. But his face; the entire right side of his face was a ruin of scars, even from where they stood Sansa could see how gruesome they were. They were the scars of burnt flesh. The man's hair was brushed over to cover them but it did very little to help. He was scowling and stood silent, his eyes watching everyone in the room. He radiated power and danger and Sansa's stomach fluttered in fear.
"He is a friend of the Lannisters, his name is Sandor Clegane," Renly spoke up, "He owns Clegane manner after his brother passed away recently; worth 3 thousand a year. But he is a wicked man, many are terrified of him, he drinks all the time and has a dreadful temper. And that awful face, no one knows how he got those scars but I wouldn't care to."
"Nor I" said Margery. Sansa remained silent.
"His brother was worse," Renly continued after taking a sip from his wine, "many say he killed his parents and the sister."
Sansa felt nauseous, what a horrible story. She was finding it difficult not to keep staring at Mr Clegane. Her attention was interrupted by the sudden appearance of her brother, Robb's face as he appeared before her.
"Care to dance, dear sister?" he asked, grinning.
Sansa retuned his smile and took his arm as he offered her, letting him lead her onto the floor.
They joined the dancers as a new song began. It was a fast dance, where each partner spun together then danced around everyone else before joining again and skipping heartily together before turning and starting again. Sansa laughed as she danced among many faces she knew, earning a grin and greeting here and there. She loved to dance and she loved to dance with Robb. Since her first ball she always saved at least one dance for him.
At the end they clapped for the band and her brother led her back to their parents.
Robb stood with Jon and they conversed and laughed together before departing after spotting their close friend, Theon Greyjoy as he arrived.
Sansa danced with Loras, then Renly, then Jon, Robb again, her father, then Theon, then a few others, everyone blurring together as the night went on. She smiled and basked in it all. She loved balls. But soon her eyes wandered back to Mr. Clegane and her stomach tightened as she found his eyes upon her.
"May I have the next dance, sweet lady?" Sansa startled and turned to see Joffrey Baratheon standing before her. His mouth was still smiling with a secret and he held out his hand.
"I would be honored" Sansa replied, placing her hand in his and letting him lead her to the floor. She blushed and smiled as she felt all eyes on her; Joffrey had not danced all night until now. She felt her stomach flutter nervously as she turned to face him.
The music began and all her concentration went into remembering the steps and making sure not to make any mistakes. Joffrey's eyes bore into her all the while; she welcomed the attention, allowing herself a selfish realization that he seemed only interested in her. She danced gracefully but it was all over too soon.
Joffrey led her back to her family and bowed, "thank you, Miss Stark" she curtsied and then he was gone.
Margery smiled at her, commenting on how lucky she was. She looked to her mother and was surprised to see her watching her with a frown. As soon as she noticed her daughter's gaze on her however she smiled, bus Sansa knew something was bothering her.
Worries were soon forgotten in the lively atmosphere and Sansa thought this the best ball she had been to yet. Finding herself thirsty after dancing almost every dance, she moved to the room which held refreshments; delicious foods of all kinds and bowls of wines and drinks she couldn't even name. She picked herself a small glass of watered wine and turned to find Mrs Baratheon standing behind her.
"What a beautiful dress, child. Did you make it yourself?" The woman's voice was like honey and said with a smiling mouth. But Sansa could still see that cold hardness in her brilliant green eyes that made her slightly uneasy.
"I did, thank you" Sansa smiled, blushing delicately at such a compliment from this beautiful woman.
"You must be quite an accomplished girl. You would make a fine wife."
Sansa blinked, wondering if that should be as hint for a betrothal to Joffrey. He had shown only interest in her, not even Margery with her perfect grace, smiles and beauty earned a dance from him. She thanked her and excused herself, eager to find her friend and tell her.
The night passed quickly, and when it was time to leave, Sansa was charged with finding Arya - An impossible task.
Sansa huffed as she wandered the emptying ballroom, glancing under tables or behind chairs. Arya had a habit of playing hide and seek with the young servants or younger children that were occasionally present on these nights. She never danced, never spoke to anyone, and never followed any of the proper formalities. Instead she preferred running around and acting like a wildling and it embarrassed Sansa so.
She reached the bottom of the grand staircase in the hall; she looked up into the shadowed landing of the first floor. If she wasn't in the ballroom there was no doubt she would be up there.
Sansa gathered her skirts in her hands delicately and mounted the stairs, glancing around at the empty hallway as she did; terrified that someone should see her being so rude as to explore the private quarters of their hosts. But the sooner she found Arya and returned to her family the better.
She reached the first floor and squinted in the darkness, the only light provided by the moon's glow shining through the windows. She crept to the first door and knocked gently, "Arya. Arya are you in there?" she whispered.
After no reply she opened the door, being as quiet as possible and poked her head around. The room was very dark, but even in the shadows Sansa could see it was empty.
With a huff she closed the door again and tried the next one. Empty. So was the next door. She crossed the corridor and tried the next door which was locked.
"Gods, why am I cursed with such a sister?" Sansa hissed to herself as she moved to the next door, her temper rising.
"Lost, girl?"
Sansa jumped at the rough, gravely voice and spun around, her hair flying around her.
She could swear her heart stopped in that instant. Mr. Clegane stood in front of her, his back to the light and music coming up the stairs from the ballroom below. His figure was silhouetted and he loomed over her in shadows.
Sansa lowered her gaze and breathed to try and calm her racing heart, "I...I apologize, sir …I am looking for my sister…"
"Don't call me that. Your sister?" she heard him say as she stared at the ground in front of her feet, "why would you be looking for her here?"
"She…she dislikes these functions…she…has been known to…hide throughout…them"
"She's downstairs. Looking for you."
"Dow…thank you…si- Mr. Clegane" she said, ignoring the pang of annoyance at her sister and focusing on keeping her eyes downcast and curtsying quickly before moving around him, back to her family.
A strong hand gripped her wrist and she was spun around. Sandor Clegane looked into her eyes as he leaned close to her, she dropped her gaze instantly to the floor and tried not to scream.
"Fucking look at me" he growled and she flinched at his language and the smell of wine on his breath. His grip tightened painfully on her wrist and she looked up into his eyes. Her stomach lurched at the sight of his scars.
"Please…let me go" she pleaded, her voice but a whisper, her eyes trained upon the scars that were more gruesome up close and in this dark light.
"It's very rude to avoid one's gaze."
"I am sorry, sir, I meant no offense" she said, her voice a small terrified squeak.
He laughed softly, "What a well trained one you are; twittering your sweet words like a little bird."
She said nothing. Silence loomed over them and she was sure he could hear her heart thundering away in her chest. Soon his hand released her and she stepped back. She cradled her wrist to her chest and looked up at him, scared to look away again.
"Run, little bird. Run back to your cage." He growled, then turned and walked away into the shadowed depths of the house.
Sansa let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and swallowed around the terrified lump in her throat. She gathered her skirts and ran down the corridor, desperate to be back to her family and as far away from that dreadful, horrid man as possible.