Sansa Stark rode through the gates of the Red Keep with her hood down and her hair streaming behind her in the wind. She had moved from her great wheel house to the open litter as soon as they had reached the city so she could it pass by her. She looked every inch a proper lady. She wore a simple yet stunning dress of pale blue grey that had great bell sleeves. She had spent hours embroidering tiny grey Dire wolves about the simple scooped neckline and hem. The front of her hair was pulled back off her face in a pair of braids that met at the back and formed into one while the rest of her hair tumbled free. The light caught the shades of red and gold making her look as if her head were aflame.
Several stories above the courtyard Aegon and Cersei watched as Sansa stepped carefully out of the litter and embraced her aunt. Lyanna's dress was in a pure sky blue and rimmed with gold, her long braid hanging down her back as she hurried forward to greet her niece. Although Sansa was not as openly enthusiastic as her aunt she was relieved to see her.
Aegon leaned on the window sill and watch the two women make their way across the courtyard. Sansa's red hair stood out against her aunt's darker shade, yet both were striking.
Aegon shrugged, "She's pretty enough." He said
Cersei arched her eyebrows and took his arm, leading him away from the window. "Don't worry, I am sure she will be a good and dutiful. I have no doubt that she will give you many children. I'm sure you will grow to love her." Her tone was bored and somewhat cold.
Aegon turned to face his mother, "I'm not sure that matters."
"Even if it doesn't," his mother responded, once more beginning to lead him down the hall, "She will be a good little Queen I'm sure, once we can break the North out of her. She should have stayed here after your sister's wedding."
"You said that would be too obvious." Aegon reminded her.
"Yes I know." Cersei started to move again, "Come now, we must go receive Lady Stark."
The throne room was filled with light as Sansa entered. She had been here before but never when it was this empty. Only eight people were in the room that normally bustled with the Lords and Ladies of the land courting favor with the King. King Rhaegar sat on the Iron throne leaning against the arm. To his right stood Queen Cersei, her long golden hair flowing over her shoulders and her green eyes narrowed as she watched Sansa. Her red dress ruffled with every little movement, gold dragons embroidered on the shoulders. To the left of the throne stood Aegon and Aerion, both Princes were dressed in black with hints of red. Aerion wore a sword at his belt but neither of the other men did. Sansa blushed when she looked at the Princes, they were two of the handsomest men that she had ever seen, and there was something about them that made them seem like the knights in the stories she had loved growing up.
At the base of the throne stood four children arranged in order of height. Meera Baratheon stood to the farthest left. She had pulled her hair back into an elaborate braid favored by many women from Pentos. She wore a dress of deep blue trimmed with dark grey, it had a plunging V-neck that exposed her ample cleavage. Next to her stood her younger sister, Edwyn, whose dress was more modest, a pastel blue gown with a simple scooped neckline and gold embroidery. Her long black hair was done up in a half-braid similar to Sansa's. Rodrick stood next to his older sister in a simple brown jerkin and pants with gold embroidery on the sleeves. He had a certain Baratheon look to him with his strong jaw, dark hair, and blue eyes. Farthest over stood the youngest Baratheon. Anabeth had her mother's dark hair and her father's blue eyes. She wore a simple pink dress with gold trimming and her hair hung freely down her back.
Sansa walked the length of the hall clutching Lyanna's arm. Her eyes were fixed on Aegon, the man she was betrothed to. He was stunning, with his mismatched eyes and Targaryen silver hair. Despite the fact that he was skinnier than his brother, Sansa found him to be beautiful.
They stopped just before the Baratheon contingent. Rhaegar rose to his feet smiling.
"Welcome Sansa of House Stark to Kings Landing!" He proclaimed.
Sansa dropped into a delicate curtsy, "Thank you, Your Grace, for allowing me to come and stay."
"Of course My Lady, Daena's family is always welcome here."
Sansa smiled and thanked him again. Rhaegar excused himself and his sons followed him out of the room.
Queen Cersei smiled at her and walked down to the foot of the dais.
"Welcome Sansa, I hope you will enjoy your time here." The Queen hummed, her gaze more appraising than welcoming. Sansa expected it, and returned her demure smile, bowing her head slightly. Daena had warned her that her mother demanded more respect than even the King, and she was prepared to bend to her.
"Auntie Cersei," Anabeth interrupted, stretching her arms into the air towards the Queen, "Up!"
Sansa was understandably shocked when Cersei smiled and bent down and swept the young girl into her arms without a moment of hesitation. Anabeth wrapped her arms around the Queen's neck and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you Auntie!" she squealed in delight.
"Rodrick, Edwyn, go with Cersei while Meera and I take Sansa to her rooms." said Lyanna. The two children fell in on either side of the Queen as she left the hall carrying the youngest Baratheon.
As soon as Cersei had left Sansa rushed forward and embraced Meera. As the two girls broke apart Sansa took Meera's hand.
"I have never seen the Queen act like that with anyone." Sansa whispered.
Meera shrugged, "Cersei has always been very kind to us. After father's death she brought us into her home. She has become attached to all of us, especially the younger ones."
Sansa couldn't believe it. She was used to a Queen who was high and proud and rarely showed any real emotion. The idea that she was kind and gentle with young children surprised Sansa. The trio made their way through the castle to the Maiden Vault, where Lyanna had taken up residence. Inside Sansa found a simple yet elegant set of rooms that had been set aside for her use. There was a sitting room which would double as a dining room, a small bed chamber, and a separate room for bathing. Sansa sat down on the bed and looked around the room. The décor was simple, yet beautiful. The windows had small boxes set on the outside filled with flowers. Sansa's handmaiden was already in the room unpacking her trunks. Lyanna joined her niece on the bed.
"I took the liberty of finding you some new handmaids." Lyanna said.
"Why?" Sansa asked surprised, "I'm perfectly happy with Kyra."
"I know, and she will stay." Said Lyanna smiling at the young girl who was working diligently, pretending she didn't hear the conversation. "But I have seven handmaidens myself and the Queen has 13, Meera has four of her own. As a proper lady in the south you must have several handmaidens. I have found three other girls who will also be in your service. Don't worry, I shall pay them myself." Lyanna smiled at her, and nodded to Meera who opened the door. Three women entered the room in a line.
They stood facing the women on the bed as Meera closed the door and moved to sit on the bed. "Kyra, come sit with us," said Lyanna, with an affectionate smile. "You can judge these new girls with us."
Kyra looked nervous about sitting with the ladies but Lyanna made room for her and Sansa nodded her approval so she joined the.
Sansa took in the three girls that faced them. One was tall and a few years older than Sansa. She had short black hair and proud blue eyes that showed smile lines even at her age.
She stepped forward and curtsied a smile on her face. Lyanna introduced her, "This is Mya Stone from the Vale. Her mother was a friend of Robert's and she has been in the service of Lady Margaery for about five moons, I sent for her a moon ago." Mya stepped back in line and the next girl stepped forward. She had dark skin and was amazingly beautiful, her height made her even more impressive. "This is Alayaya, she was until very recently one of the women of Chataya's brothel. She is from the Summer Islands, but she speaks the common tongue well. She is also very skilled in the art of pleasure and will help you prepare for your wedding day." Alayaya curtsied and stepped back in line. The last girl to step forward was a small blond girl with brown eyes. "This is Myriah Lefford, a distant cousin of the Lannisters of Lannisport, and her father is about 90th in line for Casterly Rock, she is cousin of little importance and Cersei doesn't even know she exists so you won't run into any trouble there." Myriah curtsied and stepped back in line beside the others. "What do you think? Will they do?" asked Lyanna.
Sansa nodded, smiling.
"Good," Lyanna rose to her feet as did Meera, "Then I will leave you ladies to settle in. Sansa, darling, we won't expect you till dinner this evening, and Tyrion Lannister is arriving tomorrow and you will be able to fly safety under the radar till he leaves in a moon."
With that the two Baratheon's turned and left the room leaving Sansa alone with her handmaids.
Lyanna and Meera walked out into the gardens to feel a breeze against their faces. A faint smell of salt was carried through the garden to the walls of the castle as the women made their way down toward the ocean, knowing where to find Cersei. The cliffs plunged down toward the ocean and had turned white after years of salt spraying them, and all along their length pavilions were set up.
Cersei chose one back in the trees when she brought the Baratheon children out to play. Here the trees enclosed a small lawn with a patio at one end and a pavilion set up above it. Inside Cersei sat with a glass of wine in her hand watching the three youngest Baratheons play on the grass. They were playing a game that seemed to involve the girls trying to push Rodrick off a chair, but Cersei couldn't make sense of it. It wasn't long till Edwyn got bored and made her way to sit with her aunt.
She leaned back against the cushions next to her aunt and picked up a glass of lemon water taking a sip.
"Aunt Cersei?" she asked.
"Yes, sweetling?" asked Cersei.
"When do I get to get married?" asked the girl.
"When you are a woman, sweetling." Said Cersei
"But who do I get to marry?" she asked.
"What do you mean who? Like to whom you are betrothed?"
"Yes, I mean Meera is marrying that wealthy man from Pentos but who do I get to marry?"
Cersei turned and looked at the young girl. She was so pretty and sweet and young. Cersei remembered being young and dreaming of her marriage. She turned and smiled at the girl. Lyanna had made no secret of the girl's betrothal and had told Cersei her daughter knew. She wondered if the girl had forgotten.
"Well you are betrothed to Willem Arryn, Lord of the Vale." Cersei answered.
"Well I know that, but who and I going to marry?" asked Edwyn.
"Edwyn, being betrothed means you are going to get married." Said Meera as she walked into the pavilion, she walked to her sister's chair and lifted the girl up, sitting down with her sister in her lap.
Edwyn smiled but hopped off her sister's lap and walked to another seat carrying her drink in her hand. Meera leaned forward and poured herself some wine, Lyanna arched her eyebrows as she sat down watching her daughter pour wine.
"Meera are you sure you should be drinking?" she asked.
Meera rolled her eyes as she looked at her mother, "I'm 16 mother, I think that is old enough to start drinking."
Cersei glanced at Lyanna who was watching her daughter nervously. Lyanna worried constantly that one of her children had inherited Robert's taste for wine. She had worked tirelessly for five years to ensure that her children did not end up like their father. Meera was the only one who was old enough to remember their father at his worst, the other children had been born latter and Lyanna had kept them away from their father. Rodrick, Edwyn, and Anabeth knew nothing of the man their father had been and would grow up to be nothing like him.
Cersei leaned over and squeezed Lyanna's hand, giving her friend a comforting smile.
"Meera, Edwyn, why don't you go join your siblings?" the Queen hummed, her fingers drawing a small circle of comfort on Lyanna's knuckles.
Meera sighed at being sent away but got up and left anyway with her sister. They went to go join Rodrick and Anabeth who had abandoned their game with the chair and were now making crowns out of flowers which Rodrick did not appear to be enjoying.
Cersei turned to Lyanna, "She isn't Robert, dear."
Lyanna rubbed her hands together, "I know, but I worry, I can't help it."
Cersei gripped Lyanna's hand firmly. "You've done a good job with these four, with Gendry too. Don't worry, Meera remembers her father, she doesn't want to be like him." Lyanna nodded looking a little better but clearly not convinced. Cersei however needed to change the subject, "Lyanna, what do you think of your niece?" she asked.
"You mean how easy will Sansa be for you to mold into your perfect version of the next Queen?" Asked Lyanna with a half smirk, "I know you Cersei, and I somewhat know my niece. She idolizes you. She wants to be exactly like you when she's Queen and she wants everyone to love her."
"Is she right for Aegon?" asked Cersei.
Lyanna smiled, "She is a good girl and she does what she's told. She will be a good Queen and a dutiful wife. I doubt she could ever notice a man that wasn't her husband."
"But she isn't strong?" asked Cersei.
"She is strong," said Lyanna, "in a different way. She isn't strong like you or I or even like Meera. She has a different strength, a woman's strength."
"A woman's weakness." replied Cersei.
"Not always a weakness, sometimes a true strength." said Lyanna.
Cersei looked out over the children. It was true that women could have a certain strength of their own both in bed and at their husband's side. Cersei hoped that Sansa had some form of strength in her, one certainly needed it to be Queen.
She turned and watched the children as they ran back to the pavilion for lunch. The women joined in their laughter and Cersei couldn't help but smile with joy at the way the younger ones acted. She missed having children that age of her own, but Lyanna's children were enough to keep her happy. She relaxed back in her chair and enjoyed the day.
The Red Keep shone on top of Aegon's hill in the morning light as Tyrion Lannister rode through the city. He was surrounded by Lannister guardsmen glad in halfhelms with lions embroidered on their surcoats and one dog. Tyrion's legs ached from the riding and his young bride Jenye Westerling was not as skilled as whores at rubbing the soreness from his thighs. Tywin however had insisted that she accompany him.
Tyrion rode through the main gate to the keep and was not surprised to find his sister and her husband absent. Prince Aegon was also notably absent, but Aerion stood in the yard waiting for him.
The minute Tyrion was down from his horse Aerion pick up his uncle in a bear hug. Tyrion protested as loudly as he could but his nephew only hugged him harder. Eventually Aerion put him down and turned to Jeyne.
Bowing and kissing Jeyne's hand Aerion said, "Why Uncle Tyrion, Lady Jeyne is far too beautiful for you. I think I will have to steal her."
"I would ask that you don't." said Tyrion.
Aerion turned and walked over to the hound, "Sandor Clegane!" cried Aerion embracing him, "I'm glad that you're here! The only real competition around these parts anymore is the Kingsguard and I'm getting bored with them. Hopefully you'll make for some good fighting."
Clegane grunted in agreement before moving off to stable his horse. Nobody else could handle the great beast. When he returned Aerion lead Tyrion to his rooms. He had been set up in rooms near the Godswood. His guards had a small chamber for themselves and other than the main room there was a small room set aside for Jeyne and her ladies as well as a private dining room for the two of them and a grand yet simply adorned bedchamber.
Tyrion looked out at the view of the Godswood just outside his window. Two women were kneeling before the heart tree. One had long black hair and the other a fiery auburn. Tyrion turned away from the window and Sandor moved to look out.
"Nice rooms." said Clegane.
"Yes very much so, only one bed though. Lady Jeyne, do you mind?" asked Tyrion.
Jeyne shook her head revealing nothing. She was rarely open with Tyrion when others were around and preferred only to speak to him in a manner more than polite unless they were alone.
Tyrion dismissed the guards and turned pulling himself up onto the bed. Jeyne came and sat down next to him.
"I don't want to be here, Tyrion." she murmured.
"Neither do I, but my father wants me to advise the King for him while he sees to some issues back in Casterly Rock. We'll be here for a moon at most."
Tyrion gently took her hand and squeezed it. Then he leaned forward and removed his boots. Jeyne gently began to massage his shins and Tyrion leaned back. He just hoped their time in the capital would be uneventful.
Sansa walked down the hall toward the Godswood. She had frequented it almost every day since arriving in the capital. She found it relaxing to have a little bit of home.
Upon entering the Godswood she made her way to the heart tree, kneeling before it and lowering her head in prayer. As she finished a rose to her feet she headed around the tree deeper into the cluster of trees. As much as she loved Kings Landing she couldn't help but sometimes miss Winterfell and the woods that surrounded it.
As she wandered through the trees looking up at the leaves she heard a voice behind her.
"Hello little bird"
Sansa jumped and turned. She was faced with a great hulking man leaning against the tree with his hands folded across his chest. He pushed of the tree and walked towards her. When he got closer the scars on his face were thrown into sharp relief. It was Sandor Clegane, Lord Tyrion's sworn shield.
"Why are you shaking so little bird?" He murmured, "Do I frighten you that much?"
Sansa shook her head forcing herself to remember her manners. "No Ser, you just surprised me is all."
"I'm no Ser!" He said fiercely and Sansa took a step back out of fear. "Sorry, little bird," he murmured, "I didn't mean to scare you, it's just I'm not a ser."
Sansa breathed deeply knowing that a good lady would finish the conversation. "Why not Ser? Everyone knows of your bravery and strength in battle. You should be a knight to protect the poor and innocent."
"My brother was a knight, did you know that?"
"No Ser, I didn't"
"Well he is. Do you think he protects the weak and innocent?" Sansa nodded, but Sandor shook his head. "Don't be naive little girl. He hurts the weak and innocent. He did this to me." He jabbed his finger at his scars.
For the first time Sansa forced herself to look at his scars they covered an entire cheek and pulled his face unattractively. Yet at the same time he was handsome. The unscarred side of his face was strong yet beautiful and his eyes had a tenderness to them. Without thinking Sansa reached up and ran her hand over his scars.
Sandor tensed under her touch. He watched her, the gentleness in her blue eyes. The way her hair still shown under the shadow of the trees. She seemed to realize what she was doing and pulled her hand away quickly. She folded her hand in front of her and looked down avoiding his gaze.
"Don't worry little bird, I won't tell anyone we were here together." Sandor told her.
Sansa looked up, "I'm not embarrassed Ser."
Sandor shrugged, "I know, I just don't want to hurt your reputation, I doubt gossip is something you want going around about you."
Sansa blushed, and lifted her head to meet his gaze, "Thank you se-Sandor." She turned and walked away but paused after a few feet and turned to face him. "Why do you call me little bird?" She asked.
Sandor looked embarrassed, "I heard you singing in the Sept yesterday, you sounded like a bird with a sweet song in its heart."
Sansa blushed before turning and hurrying away toward the keep.
Sansa found herself returning to the Godswood every day in search of Sandor and every day he was there, waiting. Each day Sansa would wander deeper into the woods and each day he would be there waiting for her. They never talked for very long, but Sansa felt a growing connection to the man.
He told her of his brother, the way he liked to hurt people, and his recent death. She told him of her family and how she longed to be like one of the maidens in a song. Sandor always reminded her that the world wasn't a song and that most people's lives ended in pain, yet she refused to believe him.
A week after their first meeting she came to the wood in a dress of deep blue with tiny flowers embroidered all over it. Her hair was free and tumbled about her shoulders. Without meaning to she had dressed in one of her best gowns, other than those she reserved for feasts and dances.
Tonight there would be a feast to welcome the guests to the Red Keep and Sansa planned on looking the best she could.
As she entered the Godswood Sansa was met with a surprise. The Godswood was not empty but instead five other women were already there.
Queen Cersei stood closest to the entrance next to Lyanna. Lyanna's three daughters were all knelt in prayer in front of the heart tree. Sansa stepped over the threshold and cleared her throat. Lyanna and Cersei turned to look at her and Sansa was grateful that she had thought to bring two of her maids with her as she, Kyra, and Mya dipped into curtsies.
"Your Grace, Aunt Lyanna, I did not think to find you here." said Sansa.
Lyanna smiled warmly. "I think it is important for my daughters to remember that they are at least partly Northern at all times. I bring them every now and then to pray at the heart tree."
Sansa smiled but she found herself at a loss for words in the Queen's presence, luckily Lyanna intervened.
"Cersei, if you don't mind I would like some private time to speak with my niece." said Lyanna as she took Sansa's arm and lead her along one of the paths that threaded through the woods. Kyra and Mya fell in behind her keeping a few paces back.
"Tell me child, what do you plan on wearing to the feast tonight?" asked Lyanna.
"A blue gown with high shoulders and no sleeves." answered Sansa. She had never worn the dress before and looked forward to debuting it.
"Good," said Lyanna, "Sansa, dear, there is something I must tell you." Lyanna stopped and turned to face her. "Over the next month Cersei and Rhaegar will be watching you. They are looking to see if you will be a good Queen. You must make sure that you do not slip up and that you do whatever you are told." Lyanna fixed her with a hard, grey gaze. "You must be the best you can, and if you prove satisfactory, then you will be officially betrothed to Aegon and you will be his Queen. Do you understand?" Sansa nodded, "Good, then go back to your room and prepare for the feast."
Sansa nodded before turning and walking back through the trees. She went back to her room as fast as she could without looking nervous and by the time she was there she had sorted through all the different looks in her head and decided on exactly the right hair and dress for the feast.
She entered her rooms and gave swift orders. Myriah and Alayaya hurried to prepare her bath while Mya and Kyra undressed her. By the time Sansa was relaxing in the bath while Mya washed her hair Kyra had already set to work setting out her gown.
Sansa had picked the perfect outfit for the occasion. She had selected a pale blue gown with high structured shoulders and no sleeves. She wore a gray corset and gray small cloths with it. Her shoes were made of delicate gray silk. As her maids dressed her Sansa couldn't help but run her fingers along the smooth silk of the fabric and marvel at the tiny seed pearls that ran up both sides in the form of tiny clasps. She had also embroidered tiny direwolves on each shoulder in dark gray thread. As she turned to face herself in the mirror that stood by her dresser Sansa couldn't help but think that she truly looked the part of a Queen for the first time.
Alayaya did her hair. Pulled the front away from her face and braided it, winding it into a circle on the back of her head. The rest fell away freely down Sansa's back past her lower back to her bum. Sansa spun in front of the mirror and watched her skirts swirl and her hair flow behind her. She was ready for whatever the night may bring.
When Sansa entered the grand ballroom the feast was already set out. The King and Queen had not yet arrived but the Princes already had. Sansa was set next to Prince Aegon to the King's right. Her Aunt was seated on her other side, and just beyond her sat Meera. Rodrick and Anabeth had been deemed too young for the feast but Edwyn had also been seated at the high table although she sat on the far side of the table next to Lady Jeyne. The King and Queen entered to a great roar of approval. Both wore red and black with the King in more black and the Queen more red.
The meal was a blur. Sansa was aware of conversing politely with Aegon and her Aunt and of splendid foods placed in front of her, but none of it seemed to register. All she could do was watch the splendor. Everyone wore the finest cloth and had the most elaborate hair. The dishes when delivered to the King for approval were a feast for the eye in shapes and color. As the feast continued she drank glass after glass of wine, allowing it to flow into her blood and loosen her usual nervousness. Finally the fruit was served and the people filed into the center of the hall and watched as the King and Queen prepared to dance. Aegon stood and took Sansa's arm, leading her onto the floor next to his parents. Aerion did the same with Jeyne.
The dance was graceful and proper, but all Sansa could see were the mismatched eyes of the Prince. Up close she couldn't decide if they were beautiful or terrifying, she felt oddly disoriented by them. After the first dance others poured onto the dance floor. Aerion asked Sansa for a dance and for a while time blurred. She must have danced with every man in the Keep. She couldn't help it, she had always loved to dance.
Yet in her mind none of them really registered, not even the Prince. They were all just a passing moment in a beautiful night.
Eventually the room began to move in circles and Sansa turned down her next offer and returned to her seat. Aegon was still on the dance floor as were the King, Queen, Aerion, Lyanna, and Meera. Edwyn and Lord Tyrion were conversing at the far end of the table so Sansa sat back and watched the room.
"You dance well little bird."
Sansa jumped and turned to find Sandor Clegane standing behind her. He wore no armor and she realized that he was wearing his house crest which she had never seen him wear before. He had reversed the colors so he wore all black except for three yellow dogs embroidered across his chest.
He moved to stand to the right of her chair, his hand resting on its back.
"Thank you Ser." Sansa murmured.
"What do you think of a royal ball, little bird?" asked Sandor.
Sansa sighed, "It's beautiful, I don't think I've ever seen anything more vibrant." She smiled happily.
Sandor looked at her in that blue gown with her cheeks flushed and her eyes lit up in wonder. Without meaning to he spoke.
"Would you like to dance?"
Sansa looked at him and smiled. She had danced with almost everyone else and felt it would be rude not to dance with him. She accepted and he led her onto the floor.
A new song was starting, a faster song that didn't involve a lot of bowing or curtsying and did have a lot of spinning. Sandor slipped his arm easily around her tiny waist and swept her into the dance. Sansa smiled and for the first time that night she truly laugh out loud. Sansa clung to him and got lost in his eyes.
They were so strong and at first Sansa had thought them scary. Yet as they danced his eyes changed. They became more silver than gray, the hard edges that had been there before softened and round. Sansa felt as if she were falling through his eyes and into a different world. A world where all that existed was this moment, this dance.
Then the song ended and Sansa was forced to step back from Sandor. The hardness was returning to his eyes and the people were appearing around them. Sansa forced herself to curtsy and then politely excused herself from the feast, saying she was tired and needed to rest.
As she fled the hall Sansa realized that Sandor was the only man she remembered for sure dancing with other than the Prince. She felt she only really remembered the Prince because he had been the first she danced with.
Sansa hurried down the hall to scared to look back, yet instead of making her way toward the Maiden Vault she ran to the Godswood. When she got there the wood was nearly pitch black as the trees cast shadows obscuring what little light came from the stars and moon.
Sansa knelt before the heart tree and began to pray. At first she prayed as she would in the Sept, for the strength to overcome her feelings for Sandor, to be a good girl and to prepare to be a good Queen. Then the prayer changed, instead she started to pray that Sandor would find happiness. Over the past week Sansa had truly began to care for the man with all her heart and so she prayed that he would find happiness in the world. Then she prayed for her own happiness. At first she prayed she would be happy as Queen but somehow that didn't feel right so she changed to just happiness in general. She prayed that the old gods would send her the happiness she sought so much. Last of all she prayed for guidance over the coming months and years. When she finished she stayed there with her head bent forward, after a few minutes she realized she was crying.
"Little bird?" a soft voice came through the trees.
Sansa rose swiftly wiping her tears away. She turned to the trees from which the voice had come. Sandor stepped out of the shadows and walked towards her.
"Why are you crying little bird?" He asked, gently running his thumb over her cheek wiping away her tears in a sure strong movement. Sansa lowered her head, scared to look at him. "Why Sansa?" he asked again.
Sansa blushed as he used her real name, which he had never used before. "I'm crying because... I'm sad." she whispered.
"Why are you sad?" asked Sandor, lifting her chin so their eyes met.
"I'm sad because," Sansa paused, "I'm sad because I love you."
The tears began again and Sansa looked away attempting to hide her face and her fear from him. Sandor turned her head back to look at him. In the shadows of the trees his eyes shone.
"Then don't cry." he murmured before he kissed her.
Sansa lost all sense of self and for the next few hours she knew nothing but Sandor and the pleasure he was giving her. All Sansa knew was that he wanted her and she wanted him and when she was in his arms none of the rest of the world seemed to matter. All she needed was him, forever.
It was past midnight when Sansa came to her senses. She was lying on top of Sandor completely naked with a dull ache between her thighs. Sansa shot upright and looked at the man lying beneath her, he had a soft smile playing along his lips. Sansa pushed herself away from him as fast as she could scrambling to her feet.
She couldn't believe what she had just done, everything she wanted could be gone right now in this night. Sansa panicked and quickly found her clothes. She slipped into them and fled before he could awaken.
Sansa fled down the hall to her room, luckily nobody was there to see her. Reaching her room she collapsed onto her bed and cried herself to sleep.
Kyra, Alayaya, Mya, and Myriah found Lady Sansa still in her ball gown when they came to wake her the next morning. All four girls could see that she had been crying and without a word they all knew what to do.
Quickly the girls prepared a bath and found lavender and other oils to fill the bath water and relax the young girl. Kyra was the one who tiptoed forward and gently woke Sansa telling her that they had a bath ready for her. Sansa nodded rubbing her eyes and seemed not to notice the girls and they lead her toward the bathtub and stripped her, lowering her down into the water.
When Sansa settled in they had all already seen the blood between her thighs and all the ladies maids understood instantly what had happened.
Kyra sat down on the edge of the bath and took Sansa's face in her hands. "Sansa you need to tell me now and tell me true. Did whatever man you were with last night force himself on you?"
Sansa looked up at her ladies maids and knew there was no use lying to them. She knew that Kyra and Alayaya had both been whores before coming into her service and the way Mya and Myriah talked it was clear that neither girl was a maid.
Sansa shook her head.
Kyra nodded, "Alright, and was it Prince Aegon?"
Once more Sansa shook her head, then she burst into tears all over again. Kyra pulled her into an embrace and the other girls quickly gathered around rubbing Sansa's back and arms.
"He'll know," Sansa whispered through her tears, "He'll know I'm not a maid on my wedding night and he'll send me back, he'll kill me or annul our marriage or worse." Sansa was shaking, fear overwhelming her.
"Like hell he will." Said Alayaya firmly. She knelt so she was on level with Sansa and lifted her chin so she was looking in her eyes. "There are ways to fake your virgin blood, and on top of that you have two whores in your service, we can teach you how to moan like it's your first time." The other girls nodded briskly and all set about ensuring Sansa that Aegon would never figure anything out. Within the hour Sansa was convinced of this and her maids were washing her hair and laying out her clothes as if it were a normal day.
When Sansa washed the tears from her eyes and the blood from her thighs and looked at herself in the mirror when she was fully clothed in a gown of pure white, she could almost believe that everything would be alright.
Three weeks had passed since that night, three weeks in which Sandor had not been able to get a moment alone to talk with her. She went everywhere with a handmaiden now, more often than not there were two dogging her steps. She stopped praying the Godswood and now only went to the sept to pray. She did not dine without at least one of her Baratheon relations present. At least once a week he had seen her walking with Aegon Targaryen, the perfect crowned prince, and every time he felt his blood burn.
By the end of the third week he had given up. She had fled his rooms and clearly forgotten all about their night, or she desperately wanted to and Sandor was done dwelling on it.
That was until she came to him as he was walking through the gardens looking over the cliffs for the last time and thinking of how much more intimidating the cliffs at the Rock were.
Sandor was staring at the sea when he heard a small cough behind him. He didn't feel like engaging in small talk so he ignored it. However it was coughs again and hen Sandor still refused to respond.
"Sandor may I speak to you for a minute?"
Sandor tensed and turned to face the little bird who was standing behind him flanked by two of her ladies maids. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the stone wall taking her in. She was still stunning, even more so than she had been before. It hurt him to look at her.
"What do you want?" He snarled.
Sansa looked taken aback but took a step forward, "We need to talk..."
"Then talk." He snarled unable to contain his anger. She had been so willing to fall into his arms the night of the feast but she had fled before he had woken and had avoided him ever since.
Sansa took a step forward clearly unsure of how to start. He was aware that both of the other women were glaring at him.
"Sandor..." Sansa began again, "Sandor... I'm with child."
Sandor froze his gaze fixed on her face. She was starting to cry, her whole body trembling. Without thinking he stepped forward and wrapped his arms protectively around her. She clung to him, her tiny fingers working their way into his doublet.
Sandor's voice was gruff as he spoke, "Have you considered losing the babe?"
Sansa shook her head, "I thought about it. But it's too difficult at this point. I should have drunk moon-tea that night. I'm such a stupid girl."
Sandor took her face in his hands, "No, don't ever say that, you are the most amazing person I know, little bird, don't cry." Once more he wiped her tears away. "Does your aunt know?" She shook her head, "The King and Queen?" She shook her head, "Prince Aegon?" Her downcast eyes gave him all the answer he needed.
"I came to you first," she murmured. "I thought the f-father should know first."
Sandor smiled. Without thinking he reached down and took her hand in his as he began to lead her back through the gardens. She resisted, clearly hesitant to go.
Sandor turned and smiled at her, "Come little bird, we must tell them."
Sansa nodded and the fear came back into her eyes, but she followed him anyway.
Lyanna leaned back in her chair watching Cersei's face closely. Sandor's eyes had yet to leave Rhaegar, Aegon and Sansa were locked in some kind of death stare, but Lyanna knew they were looking at the wrong person. Cersei was the one to be feared in this moment.
Lyanna had known her niece had been with someone the night of the ball. She had thought the girl would have had the good sense to protect her virginity, or at least to drink moon tea, the girl did have two former whores as handmaids for a reason.
Yet Sansa Stark was sitting across from her now having just announced that she was pregnant with Sandor Clegane's child.
Cersei spoke first, "You dumb little whore!" It came out as more of a roar than anything else, Cersei would always be the lion. "We take you into our home, promise you to our son, the prince, give you wealth and jewels and a future, and this is how you repay us?"
Sansa looked down clearly terrified but Lyanna didn't miss the way Sandor moved to protect her.
"Cersei…" said Lyanna.
"What?" the Queen hissed rounding on her with venom in her eyes.
"What did I tell you when we first met?" asked Lyanna.
Cersei blushed a deeper red than her gown. "You told me of your marriage."
"And what specifically about my marriage?" Cersei only glared, "I told you that all women were slaves. That we were forced to marry whomever we wanted, and be our husbands' pets." Cersei folded her arms, her expression never changing. "I think young Sansa hear has found a way to break that mold."
"She broke a marriage contract!" the Queen hissed.
Lyanna leaned forward, "But you already gave your daughter to the North. You have no further need to ally with them. What does this marriage do for you strategically? Nothing." Lyanna glanced at Rhaegar and saw that he understood. "Not only that, but this now frees up to marry Aegon to somebody more strategic."
Cersei remained standing glaring around the room until Rhaegar spoke. "She's right Cersei." His wife turned to glare at him, but Rhaegar only sighed, "We don't gain anything from this marriage. It would be better to marry Aegon to someone from another one of the major houses or another region rather than ally ourselves with Winterfell all over again." Cersei looked like she was going to slap her husband. It was clear she didn't want to admit he was right. "Not only that," the King continued, "But this betrothal was never made public. Nobody will know that there is a broken engagement, there will be no shame on our family or on our son because of this."
Cersei continued to glare at Rhaegar but it was clear he was done discussing the issue. The Queen turned and stormed out of the room, pulling Aegon with her. The boy had remained silent throughout the exchange and Lyanna wanted desperately to know what he thought.
Rhaegar turned to look at Sansa and Sandor. "We'll have the wedding in the Godswood tomorrow, you had best be there if you wish to avoid any further shame." The King turned and left.
Sansa looked weak, so Lyanna moved to sit next to her, taking her hands. "You can have your room in the Maidenvault for the next year until you give birth." Sansa nodded, "I'm afraid that Sandor will have to return in a week to the rock with Lord Tyrion. Sansa you will go to join him when the baby is born."
Lyanna then rose and left the room leaving the young couple alone. She was glad that the mountain had died a few months ago of an infected battle wound. At least Sansa would have a home to live in and lands to pass on to her children. She headed down the hall in search of her own children. She would have to remind them again of the importance of not getting too drunk to ensure they did not follow in Sansa's footsteps.
Hey! Sorry it took so long to post, we were busy with graduation and family affairs! We promise all posts will be on time after this!