Warning (without giving too much of the chapter away): there will be non-consensual contact (not rape) in this chapter & some violence, so if that's difficult for you to read, you may want to skim parts of this chapter. That said, I think you will all appreciate how it turns out.

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Chapter 80

After Jaime was taken away and Ser Addam convinced her to calm herself, Sansa stood in the Great Hall, rocking Julianna in her arms with her head bowed, so no one could see her face. Though she had stopped yelling and attacking those who were associated with the Queen, Sansa could not stop her tears, silently crying for Jaime and for herself. Lord Baelish had stormed off in a rage, blood dripping from his nose, leaving Tyrion to deal with the Queen's hostages. It was a bit uncomfortable, since everyone present was openly hostile to him – blaming his betrayal of Jaime's trust for their current situation.

"Sansa," he began, quietly approaching her.

"Don't speak to me," she hissed. Her rage controlled, but palpable. "Jaime is going to be killed because the Queen thinks he has no honor, but what of you? You killed your own father. And now you've helped to kill your brother. You could have helped him but you didn't. You took advantage of his love for you to allow them to take the castle and take him prisoner. Jaime should have let you die." She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. "May I leave now?"

"Where would you like to go, my lady?" he asked patiently.

"Where would I like to go? I'd like to go to the Free Cities with my husband. I'd even like to go to the dungeons with him, but I know you won't even grant me that."

"The Queen won't allow it. I'll have you taken to your chambers. You should get some rest and…it will allow you some privacy."

"My chambers? My chambers are the lord's chambers. Aren't you Lord of Casterly Rock, now that you've helped your queen take Jaime prisoner and sentence him to death?"

"You and the babe will remain in the lord's chambers until the royal party leaves for King's Landing tomorrow evening. Perhaps the ladies would be willing to stay with Lady Lannister for the night?" he asked hesitantly, looking at her mother and sister and Roslin. Sansa nearly began sobbing anew when she heard herself called Lady Lannister. No one will ever call me that again.

It was all she could do not to shout at the expressionless soldiers that served the queen as they escorted her back to her bedchamber, though she did slam the door in their faces. Sansa refused all offers of company and comfort, begging her mother, Arya and Roslin to go to her own bedchamber for the night, which adjoined the one she shared with Jaime.

"Please leave me alone. I don't…I don't wish to speak to anyone."

"Let me stay with you," Arya said, sitting on the bed beside Sansa. "I won't talk at all. I promise."

Catelyn took Arya's hand and urged her to leave Sansa "for a while." She noted her mother's words and knew they would not allow her the solitude she desired for very long. She wished she could hide away in a corner with Julianna and not have to see or speak to anyone ever again. At least mother knows that I need some time to myself. How did she survive when she heard the news of father's execution?

Once she was alone Sansa put the baby on the ground and removed the dagger Ser Addam had placed in the pocket of her gown. She had thought it strange when Jaime had insisted that she wear this particular gown today - it was Lannister red silk and more suited to a feast - but now she understood. It was one of the few gowns she owned with pockets in the skirt. The Unsullied had removed everything from the chamber that could be used as a weapon. He must have planned for Ser Addam to give me this. He knew he would not be pardoned. The dagger appeared well-made and quite sharp - Valeryian steel with a jeweled handle. She stuck it under her pillow. I should give it to Arya. She will know how to use it better than I.

She walked into Jaime's closet. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, smelling the male scent that had come to be a comfort to her. She picked up the tunic he had worn the night before and sat on the floor of the closet, surrounded by all of Jaime's belongings. I wonder if I'll be able to keep something of his. She resigned herself to the reality that they would not allow it. If she wanted something of Jaime's, she would have to hide it. They want me to pretend that he never existed. That he was never my husband. That I never loved him.She knew they could never control what was in her mind and in her heart. I will always love Jaime. I will only love Jaime.

Sansa heard squealing from the doorway. "Ma…mama…"

Sansa smiled and wiped her tears before holding her arms out for Julianna who smiled and clumsily walked over to Sansa, climbing onto her lap. "My sweet baby." Sansa pulled Julianna against her and leaned back against the wall of the closet. "I love you. And your father loves you, sweetling. He loves you so much. I don't care what they say…I won't ever forget him. And I'll never let you forget him. You'll always be his little lioness."

She drew her knees up and cradled Julianna in her arms. "Dada?" she asked, her eyes wide and uncertain.

She forced away her own tears as Julianna asked for Jaime. "I know you don't understand...you may not get to see him again." As she uttered the words aloud, Sansa lost her battle with herself and felt tears pour down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, sweetling. I'm sorry we live in a world that is so cruel and unfair."

Sansa lifted Julianna so her head rested on her shoulder and rubbed her back. At least they haven't taken her from me. Not yet. Sansa wondered what she was going to do about Tommen, who was still hiding with Gendry in the forge. She knew it would be impossible for her to take him with her if she was forced to travel to the capitol with the Queen and Littlefinger. My mother is to remain here. She will look after him for me. Until I can escape King's Landing and return here.Even as the thought entered her head, Sansa knew it was absurd. She'd been trapped in Kings Landing before for nearly a year. And she had only escaped because of Jaime. Now she'd be alone with a baby and a castle-full of enemies.

Sansa closed her eyes in despair and simply held Julianna. After a time, the babe fell asleep and Sansa reluctantly left the safety of Jaime's closet to put her in her crib. I'll always have Julianna to remind me of him. I only need look in her eyes to see him again. She moved to the window seat, looking out as she tried to think of a way to escape with Jaime and the children.

She wasn't certain how long she sat there, but the sound of the door to her chamber opening tore her from her thoughts. Sansa turned and stiffened when she saw Lord Baelish step inside her bedchamber. Courtesy dictated that she rise to greet him. Sansa remained seated.

He stood watching her for a long moment before closing the door behind him and crossing the room to her. He should not be here with me in my bedchamber.Even as she had that thought, he sat beside her on the window seat. Sansa shrank away from him and rose to create some distance between them, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down to sit beside him. "That's not any way for a lady to behave with her betrothed. You're certainly not a shy maiden."

"I'm already wed. I cannot be your betrothed. Nor would I wish to be. I love Jaime."

He spoke to her as if she had not uttered a word. "I always imagined being Lord of Riverrun. It was a dream of mine since I was a boy, growing up there. A private dream, but a dream nonetheless. And I always imagined your mother - my Cat - by my side as my lady wife." Sansa felt her stomach turn as his eyes met hers. "You are even more beautiful than she was as a girl...I'll very much enjoy having you beside me as my lady wife…and the mother of my children."

When he uttered those words, Sansa wrenched her arm from his grasp and rose to her feet, putting distance between them. "I will never be yours. I'll never utter the words that would make you my husband. Never."

"Oh, I think you will. The Queen is not only giving me you. She's giving me the Kingslayer's daughter. Your daughter. If I convince her it's a threat to her throne to allow the child to remain with you, little Julianna Hill-"

"Her name is Julianna Lannister," Sansa roared.

"See, my dear, this is exactly the kind of thing that will cause the babe to be shipped off to be fostered by the gods only know who. You don't want her to be raised by another, do you? They'll certainly treat her as a bastard. Perhaps her foster father will have an…improper affection for her. Or treat her cruelly. Don't fret dear," he said as tears began to form in her eyes, "If you're a good girl…a good wife to me, I'll allow you to raise her alongside our children."

Oh, gods. What am I to do? He's as bad as Joffrey.Littlefinger grasped her chin and leaned in to kiss her, his tongue wetting his lips as he moved towards her. Sansa instinctively wrenched away in disgust and hurried away from him.

"You'll have to do better than that to earn the right to raise your daughter. Her life and her future depend on you keeping me happy. Or, if not a foster family…perhaps she'll end up working in one of my pleasure houses. A pretty little thing like her would fetch a fair price." Sansa choked back a sob at the thought of her little girl being forced to work as a whore. He moved close to her, his mouth against the shell of her ear as he spoke quietly. "You've managed to keep the Kingslayer happy after years of fucking his sister. Certainly you can make me very happy."

His eyes moved over her, and she saw them narrow. "I never want to see you in Lannister colors again. You'll wear Tully blue. Nothing else. Take it off. Now."

He's going to rape me. She heard Jaime's words and knew what she needed to do. Be brave and strong. You must fight. For Julianna. And for Jaime.

Sansa forced her hands to steady, and unlaced her gown, slipping it from her shoulders and letting it pool at her feet. She stood before him in only her shift now, too angry and scared to be embarrassed. She actually felt calm, knowing that she was taking control. For once.

His eyes moved over her as if he were at market looking over an animal to slaughter for his supper. "Get on the bed, my dear. Seeing as you're not a maiden, there's no need to wait until we are married to…indulge."

"I'm still married to Jaime," she said in a small voice.

"You're married to a dead man. On the bed. I was so close to having you for myself after the Battle of Blackwater. Then the Kingslayer returned and Lord Tywin gave you to his precious heir." He tried to lead her back to the bed, but she stubbornly remained where she was, pulling her hand from his grasp. "Be a good girl, Sansa…your daughter's future depends on it."

He would rape me in the bed I shared with Jaime. The bed we made love in only last night. I have to make him think I'll do what he asks. That I won't fight him. She obediently walked and sat on the bed. She could see in his eyes that he believed her to be the same scared, naïve girl she was in King's Landing. He doesn't know how I have changed. Because of Jaime.

Sansa watched in disgust as Littlefinger took off his clothes. Sansa began feeling beneath the pillows, searching for the blade she had placed there. She stopped moving her hand as he approached her, naked as his nameday, and sat down on the bed.

Sansa averted her eyes from the disgusting sight before her. He touched her face, and she forced herself not to flinch, though she failed. "Don't fight me, Sansa," he murmured, trailing his hands down her neck and along her shoulders. Her stomach dropped as he began kissing her neck. He reached for the ties on her shift and Sansa felt the tears running down her face as he worked to remove the only thing concealing her nudity from him. He has no right to do this – to touch me like this.

She knew she had to wait for the right moment, and forced herself to remain still as he pulled apart her shift, exposing her breasts to his gaze. She stared dully at the ceiling as he stripped her naked to the waist.

"I think you'll please me exceedingly, Sansa," he said, resting his hands on her waist. "That's a good girl," he murmured, as the bile rose in her throat. His eyes were fixed on her breasts and she felt his hands moving up the sides of her body. He sighed softly as his hands cupped her breasts. "I've arranged for some moon tea for you, in the event the Kingslayer's seed took root last night." Sansa closed her eyes, trying not to sob. "The whole castle knows he spent the night fucking you. Soon they'll learn that you belong to me. Lie back," he murmured, pushing her back onto the bed.

Littlefinger leaned over her and began moving his mouth toward her breasts. She couldn't help herself and slapped him. She saw the rage flash in his eyes as she began pushing him away and he grabbed her hands, holding them over her head as he pressed her back into the bed. "Do that again, and I'll feed your baby to the dragons."

She struggled to get free, but his body was pressing hers into the mattress and she couldn't get away from him. He shifted to push his knee between her thighs, and Sansa continued to wrench herself away from his grip.

"Get away from her." Sansa heard her mother's voice, cold as ice, from the doorway to the bathing room.

He turned at the sound of her voice, sitting back on his heels, a wicked smile on his face. "Cat. I'm merely getting better acquainted with my betrothed. As I recall, you and Brandon indulged in such…activities…after your betrothal."

"You are not betrothed to her."

Littlefinger went on as if she'd said nothing. As if she had not found him naked and trying to rape her daughter. "I followed the two of you once – you and Brandon - out to the river. I watched as you stripped each other down and swam naked in the river. I watched him pleasure you with his mouth until you were screaming his name. I watched as he spilled his seed on your teats. Defiling you. Taking what was rightfully mine."

"I was never yours."

He turned his attention back to Sansa, running his hand over her breast as she squirmed away from him, sliding her hand under her pillow. "She is mine. The queen plans for you to remain here, Cat, but perhaps you'd like to accompany us to King's Landing. You could…ease the burden on Sansa of keeping me happy."

Before her mother could respond to his filthy suggestion, Sansa's hand found the dagger. She tightly gripped the handle and took a deep breath before she plunged it into the side of Littlefinger's throat with all of her might, sending him sprawling from the bed, and onto the ground. Sansa covered her mouth with her free hand and lowered the dagger, watching as blood poured from the gaping wound she had put in his neck and he began gurgling as blood filled his throat. He reached for his throat and tried to speak, though he could not due to the wound in his neck.

Sansa watched as her mother crossed the room, kneeling beside him, and Littlefinger reached out for her. "Throw me a pillow, Sansa." She was shaking in terror and barely heard her mother's request. "Sansa. A pillow. Now."

She reached a shaking hand behind her and threw a pillow on the ground near her mother's feet, not believing that her mother actually planned to help him. "Lannisters aren't the only ones who pay their debts. This is for Ned." Her eyes widened as Lady Catelyn covered his face with the pillow and held it down as he clawed at it, trying to get free. She only removed the pillow when he stopped moving, checking that he was dead.

Her mother cautiously walked toward her and sat beside her on the bed. She gently took the dagger from her hand, and placed it on the ground before pulling up her shift to cover her. "Where did you get the dagger?" she asked quietly, re-tying her shift closed and wiping away her tears.

"Ser Addam slipped it in my pocket downstairs. So I could protect myself."

"Are you all right? He didn't hurt you?"

Sansa shook her head. "I'm…I'm not hurt."

"We have to get his body out of here somehow. That madwoman won't take kindly to the killing of her closest advisor."

Sansa nodded, looking around the room, her eyes resting on the window. She stood and walked across the room, pulling at the massive latches keeping the window closed, finally managing to open it as freezing air assailed her senses. She saw that her mother had covered Littlefinger's body with a bedsheet, though the top of it was already soaked with blood from the wound to his neck.

Littlefinger's body was heavy – even for the two of them together - as they began dragging him across the stone floor, toward the window. "Mother…how are we ever going to lift him up to throw him out the window? He's so heavy." Her mother frowned as she considered their options and Sansa turned at the sound of a gasp from the doorway to the bathing room. Roslin and Arya were standing there, their eyes wide as they took in the bloody body at Sansa and Lady Catelyn's feet.

"Who is that?" Arya asked.

"Arya, get a basin of water and some rags to clean up the blood," Roslin said, giving her a gentle shove and entering the room to help them. The three women struggled, but managed to lift Littlefinger's body onto the window seat and push him up and out the window. Arya ran over and leaned out the window, watching his body fall into the blackness of the Sunset Sea below. The four of them quickly worked together to clean up the blood, tossing the bloody rags out the window as well. Sansa noticed Arya admiring the dagger after wiping it clean of blood.

"I'm glad you killed him," she murmured, turning the dagger over in her hand until Lady Catelyn took it from her and stuck it back under Sansa's pillow. She saw her sister looking at her attire – noticing that she was no longer wearing her gown – and Sansa wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, looking away uncomfortably. She must know what he tried to do. Once they had finished cleaning up the blood, Sansa closed the window back up and the four of them huddled in front of the fire to warm back up. Sansa was grateful that Julianna was such a sound sleeper – she'd not awoken during any of it.

"Did anyone see him enter?" her mother asked.

"I don't know. There should be guards and…they let him in but…There are other rooms connected to this one, which he could have exited." Sansa grimaced. "Or perhaps they'll think I welcomed him into my bed and he stayed the night."

"If anyone asks you, he was here for only a few minutes, and left through the other bedchamber. You don't know where he went. All right?"

Sansa nodded. She sat on the bed and saw that her hands were shaking violently. "What will she do to me now that she can't force me to marry Lord Baelish? Will she find someone even more horrible and force me to marry him? Perhaps she'll just kill me along with Jaime. I'd prefer that," she finished in a whisper.

She saw Roslin exchange concerned looks with Lady Catelyn. "Sansa, you must not think that way. Jaime would not want to see you die. He would not want you to give up. He would want you to go on and raise Julianna." She nodded sadly as Roslin rubbed her shoulder.

"What if she takes her away from me, now? As punishment…for Littlefinger."

"I won't let that happen. I killed him, not you. Sansa, you should try to sleep, my love," her mother said, gently stroking her hair. "You've had…a difficult day."

"I'll stay here with Sansa," she heard Arya say. Her mother and Roslin must have agreed, because the next thing she knew, Arya was standing before her, placing one of Jaime's tunics on her lap. She looked at her sister in question. "It's for you to sleep in…like you did when Jaime was fighting the White Walkers. So you won't miss him so much."

Sansa smiled sadly, and hugged Arya. "Thank you," she whispered. "For taking care of me."

While she changed into Jaime's tunic, Arya pulled the heavy crimson drapes that surrounded the bed, enclosing it. She and Jaime had always left them open, but she supposed it would make her more comfortable to have the added privacy when there were so many enemies in the castle. And I won't have Jaime beside me. She watched as Arya carefully lifted the sleeping baby from her crib and carried her to Sansa. She climbed into the center of the bed and took the babe from her little sister. Julianna squeaked in her sleep and snuggled against Sansa. I won't let anyone take you away from me, sweet baby. Sansa knew that she would kill anyone who tried to take her child from her.

Arya got into bed on the other side of Julianna and took Sansa's hand. "It will be all right, Sansa. I'll protect you and Julianna. And Jaime. I won't let her kill him," she whispered.

Sansa couldn't bring herself to respond. She didn't have much hope that Arya would be able to save Jaime, since she was only a little girl. I feel so helpless. Again. More than anything, she wanted her husband back. Why won't they just leave us alone? "You don't have to stay with me, Arya." She felt like a child – going to sleep in the middle of the day to avoid thinking about all that was wrong with her life.

"I don't mind…Did he hurt you?" Arya whispered. "Lord Baelish."

"No," she whispered back. "He wanted to. He tried to but…Mother and I stopped him. Arya, what if the Queen finds out we killed him? She might take Julianna away from me. Or…find some other…horrible way to punish me."

"The Queen won't find him. His body's in the Sunset Sea. No one will find him."

"I'm so afraid, Arya. I keep thinking about when father was executed. I was so afraid and…it was so terrible. I can't watch her burn him alive. I don't know what to do." She looked down at Julianna's sleeping face. "She won't even remember him," she whispered. "She won't remember how much he loved her or how happy she made him."

"Jaime will fight them. He won't let her kill him. He has all of his men here to fight with him. Father was alone." Sansa nodded absently, kissing her daughter's forehead. "I love you, Sansa."

"I love you, too," she whispered, holding her sister's hand and closing her eyes, letting sleep claim her as her babe slept in her arms.

…

Thank you all for reading and reviewing. I've enjoyed reading the comments and speculation about what will happen – and a few are in line with my plans for the story…Dany has rather foolishly relied upon Baelish. Though, now that he's dead, she'll need someone else to guide her (or learn to rely on herself). That may require a chapter from Tyrion's perspective…We'll see.

I agree that Jon and Tyrion HAVE been rather quiet about Dany's plans. In the next chapter, we'll learn what they think of her plans and what, if anything, they plan to do about it.