Sansa had looked around the room multiple times, feeling against the walls, hoping to find one of the many secret passages that she had heard about. But she could not find one and only succeeded in cutting her hand on a sharp stone on the wall. She then returned to the window and looked around it, studying the outside walls, she knew there was no way she could climb down those walls, she doubted even her little brother Bran could have. "Seven hells!" She shouted in frustration as she turned from the window.

She looked at the fire that had been burning, it was slowly starting to die out, as was the time she had remaining. The sun had already started to set, and she knew Lord Tywin would return to her in the morning for an answer. She sank the floor once again as she let herself cry again, how could she be in this situation again? Why were these men so determined to force her hand like this?

….

"Where is she?!" Sandor bellowed through the small opening of the door to his tower cell. Tywin outside of it with a grin across his lips.

"So the rumors are true, The Hound has fallen in love with the young girl." He let out a small laugh as he stood there. "The Lady is safe, I assure you. She will not be harmed, that I cannot promise for the rest of you though."

"Let my sister go!" Arya shouted from her own cell.

"Do you not want to know your own fates? I am sure that has been on your mind as well." Tywin moved closer to Arya's cell. "Sansa will decide your fate on her own, I have given her a most generous offer. Should she refuse, then you all will be found guilty of treason and be executed." He heard Arya take in a deep breath, "but if she accepts my proposal, then when the time is right, you will all be freed."

"She will never give into you! She knows we wouldn't want her to!" Arya spat out, trying to slam her small body against the door.

"Lady Sansa takes her family words to heart, both Stark and Tully. Family, duty, honor. In her eyes, family always comes first. You are her family Arya, she would sacrifice anything to protect you."

A growl came from Sandor's cell, "bastard."

Tywin laughed then walked away, leaving them to talk alone.

"Hound?" Arya let out a few minutes later.

"What she-wolf?" He was already beyond angry, he was not in the mood for Arya's smart mouth.

"If we get out of here, you won't let anyone hurt Sansa, right?"

He snorted a bit, then let out a long sigh. "No, I swore to protect her with my life." He then slammed his fist against the wall, "damn bloody job I've done."

Arya heard the anger in his voice, but could also hear the pain, "we'll find a way."

…

Sansa had finally given in, moving to the bed provided for her, though she refused to change out of her clothes in fear that Tywin would burst in at any time. She curled against the blankets of the bed, laying towards the window so she could look to the stars. She hadn't prayed in such a long time, believing that the gods did not care anymore, and she wouldn't pray to them now. "Father? Mother? I hope you can hear me, I need you both now more than ever." She let the tears fall from her eyes and onto the pillows beneath her. "I do not know what to do anymore, it seems wherever I go, trouble follows me. And now Arya's life is in my hands." She watched as some of the stars twinkled lightly, "I cannot let Arya or Sandor be killed just to avoid this. I know Lord Tywin would keep pushing this, I know he would find a way to force Tommen's hand on this." She let out a small sob, "please, father and mother, give me the strength I need to do this."

Sansa couldn't remember falling asleep, she must have cried herself to sleep, but she was suddenly woken by a hand stroking her hair softly. She froze in place, not wanting to turn and see who was there, but the voice that spoke was one she did not want to hear.

"My dear Lady, it seems you did not have an easy night." Lord Tywin had sat on the bed behind Sansa, his hand moving through her auburn hair caused her to shiver lightly. "I can assure you, I am no Joffrey. You will not be beaten, or stripped in front of anyone. You will be treated like a Queen, you practically would be one."

Sansa slowly sat up and faced him, her eyes red and puffy from her crying. She looked at this man that sat there before her, old enough to be her own grandfather. It was almost enough to sicken her, but she must remain strong for her sister, for Sandor. She did not say a word as he sat there, for fear that she would start crying once again.

"You remind me of my late wife, Joanna." He looked over her face slightly, "when she was your age of course. She was so pure and innocent, and she had a heart of gold. She always put everyone before herself in hopes of making them happy and keeping them safe."

Sansa bit her lip for a moment then finally found the courage to speak, "is that what this is all about? Do you think you can find a way to reconnect with your lost wife by marrying me?"

"Of course not, you are not her. You are Sansa Stark, daughter of Eddard Stark." He looked at her a moment before standing from the bed, "you were born to be something great my dear, your beauty and your strength have proven your worth."

Sansa watched him as he walked across the room to where the table was, somehow servants were able to bring in food without waking her. She watched as he poured two glasses of wine again, bringing them back to the bed and offering one to her. This time she did not refuse it.

"I know this proposal disgusts you Sansa, I am so much older than you. Naturally it would seem repulsive, though not unheard of. Many men of my age take wives even younger than you are in the hopes to produce strong heirs. Tyrion is not a true Lannister, he can never prove his worth, he is a traitor to his family and to his King. And Jamie is a sworn member of the Kingsguard, he gave up his rights to any inheritance, thus leaving me without an heir."

Sansa looked at the glass in her hands, then took a large drink of the wine, thinking she would need more of this if she was going to endure this. "And you want me to give you more heirs?"

He nodded, sipping from his own glass. "You led everyone to believe you were weak, and a stupid girl. But it was to keep yourself safe, but I see through your act Sansa. You are strong, and very smart. Any child you have will surely be a great gift to your lord husband."

Sansa looked at him for a moment, she had never seen this side of Tywin. In the few times she had been in his presence, he was always a hard and cruel man. He had hardly cracked a smile, even during her wedding to Tyrion. And now he was talking to her as if he were trying to calm her fears, to ease her pain. But she would not fall for it, she knew it was all an act to force her to let down her guard. "I assume you came here for an answer?"

"That I have." Tywin could see she was avoiding any further discussion with him about producing children with him. "What have you decided my dear?"

Sansa took a large sip from her glass then closed her eyes a moment. Saying a silent prayer to her parents again to give her strength. She then opened her eyes and looked directly at him, "give me your word, as a Lannister, that once I wed you, that you will free those you have imprisoned, unharmed!"

Tywin fought the urge to grin, knowing the girl was giving in, "I give you my word, as Lord Tywin Lannister, that no harm will come to those you care for whom I currently hold prisoner and that once our marriage is consummated they will be free."

Sansa felt her heart drop at his words, knowing he would not give her the same courtesy that Tyrion gave her. But she would give anything to protect what family she had left. She nodded her head, "then my Lord, I will marry you."

Tywin gave her a large smile, one she had never seen before and it terrified her. "My lady, you have made me the happiest man in Westeros." He rose from the bed again, "I shall let King Tommen know you have accepted my proposal." He had turned to leave but quickly turned back, "he does not know our terms, and he will not know them." His words were not a request, they were a warning. He gave her one last nod before leaving the room again.

Sansa looked at her glass, wanting to throw it across the room. Instead she simply drank down all the wine and let the glass fall to her side. She slowly sank down into the bed as tears began to fill her eyes again. "What have I done?"

….

(((You guys hating me yet? Lol)))

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