Sansa watched as Arya and Sandor practiced together in the training yard. Arya had just received her new sword, it was a lot thicker than needle, and sturdier. She was amazed at how well her sister fought, but then remembered back to Kings Landing, when she was taking her dancing lessons. She smiled shaking her head, dancing was code for fighting. She let out a sigh, she knew her father had arranged for Arya to take those lessons, part of her wondered if he knew she would need that skill or not.

"Never put your head down girl, it'll get ya killed." Sandor had backed away from Arya a bit, and she mistakenly started to relax. "Just when you think you've won, your opponent will strike. Until he is dead, you have not won."

Sansa smiled a bit more, she was so glad that the two of them were getting along. It made things a bit easier for her, though with the King arriving in the next day or two, her stress level had increased.

"My lady…" Rocar approached Sansa, bowing to her before continuing. "A raven arrived from the traveling party of the King. They have made great time and should be here tomorrow."

Sansa sighed looking at him and nodded, "please be sure that all the rooms for the King and his party are prepared. We shall have a feast in his honor, please ensure all is ready for that."

Rocar nodded and bowed again, "fear not my lady, everything is being taken care of. This is not the first royal visit to the rock." He smiled turning to hurry away and finish preparations.

Sansa turned back to Arya and Sandor, she wished she could stay and watch them more, but she knew she needed to return to her duties. With a sigh she turned away and headed back inside, she would first visit the kitchens to make sure the King's favorite foods would be available.

….

Jaime arrived outside of Sansa's chambers to escort her to the courtyard. Word had come that the King would arrive soon. He grinned a bit as he approached, seeing Sandor being the good dog and standing outside her doors. "Clegane…" He nodded slightly, "is the lady ready?"

Sandor glared at Jaime, he hated that Sansa agreed to allow him to escort her. "Almost." He then leaned close to Jaime, "keep your hands to yourself Kingslayer, I'll be watching you."

Before either could continue, Sansa emerged from her room. She wore an emerald colored gown which only made the red in her hair shine more. Her hair itself was hanging loosely down her back with only a pin to keep it out of her face. She smiled to Sandor with a nod, then to Jaime as well.

"My lady." Jaime bowed then offered his arm for her to take. "Shall we?"

Sansa looked up to Sandor who seemed to be growing angry, she placed a hand to his arm with a smile. She then took Jaime's arm with a nod, allowing him to lead her through the halls to the courtyard where they would wait for the King to arrive.

Arya was already outside waiting, she stood proudly in front of the Lannister soldiers, her new sword in a sheath strapped to her back. Needle remained in its sheath on her belt. Sansa couldn't help but let out a small laugh as she saw her sister, Arya always did deny being a lady, and now looking at her, she was truly a warrior. "Thank you Ser Jaime." She smiled at him as she released his arm to cup her hands in front of herself. She looked around, everyone standing in perfect formation.

Sandor moved to stand directly behind Sansa, his eyes locked on Jaime who stood beside her. Jaime had insisted he stand with her since he was a Lannister as well. The thought made Sandor snort slightly, he knew what Jaime was after, but he'd kill him before he'd let the Kingslayer touch his little bird.

The sound of horse hooves drew everyone's attention to the main gates. They watched as the lead guards entered first, followed by the Queen's wheelhouse. King Tommen arrived right after, riding his horse proudly. Behind him the remainder of his soldiers.

Everyone moved to kneel while they awaited the King to dismount his horse. Tommen instantly moved to Sansa, taking her hand and kissing it lightly before helping her to stand again. "My lady, I have missed you."

Sansa smiled as she stood, Tommen had grown more since the last time she had seen him. Though he was still a child, he showed the makings of a great king. "Your Grace, I have missed you as well. I am sorry we are to meet in such sad circumstances."

Tommen shook his head, "do not say that my lady, it is I who should be giving the condolences. I am so sorry for your losses." He kissed her hand again.

"As am I." Margaery had climbed from her wheelhouse and moved to stand next to Tommen. "We were all heartbroken to hear of Lord Tywins death, and then the death of your child." She moved to hug Sansa.

Sansa smiled as she hugged her friend, "thank you your grace, it means the world to know I have my dear friends here for me." The two women looked to one another a moment before Tommen spoke again.

"I wish to pay my respects, Margaery shall accompany you inside while I visit the crypts." He then turned to a soldier who stood next to him and nodded. The two of them walking off.

"Come my lady." Margaery wrapped her arm around Sansa's and the two girls walked inside together. Sansa led Margaery to a large sitting room where a fire roared in a hearth that stood in the middle of the room. "Tell me Sansa, other than your losses, how have things been?"

Sansa sighed, sitting in a chair, signaling for Margaery to join her. "Everyone here has been wonderful, they have taken great care of me since my arrival."

Margaery nodded a bit, "and Ser Jaime? Has he treated you as he should?"

Sansa sighed a bit, looking to her hands in her lap. "He has been more forward than the others, I fear he thinks it is still within his right to be master of Casterly Rock." She looked up at her friend, "but he has been nothing but kind to me."

Margaery nodded and looked around, making sure no one was close enough to overhear them. "I am not to tell you this, but as your friend I must. Ser Jaime wrote to the king, asking for your hand."

Sansa's eyes widened, "he wishes to marry me?" She shook her head, "the King must know I do not want another arranged marriage."

"He does know that, he knows you wish to find true love. That is why we are here now, he has made a decision in the matter, but would not discuss it with anyone before speaking to you."

Sansa nodded, "I know he must do what he feels is right for the kingdoms, Casterly Rock is a strong hold, if it were to fall, the kingdoms would be weakened. I know I must marry if I wish to maintain the men's loyalty here."

Margaery looked at her friend a moment, "you already know who you would marry if you could choose, don't you?"

Sansa flushed slightly, she couldn't understand how Margaery could read her thoughts so easily. "Yes, though it would be impossible for someone of my status to marry someone of his status."

"He is not a lord?" Margaery grinned, "Well if he is not, and my sweet Tommen agrees to let you marry for love, we can always rectify that problem." She reached out and placed a hand on top of Sansa's. "Who is it that has stolen your heart?"

Sansa looked at Margaery hand a moment before looking up at her. She leaned closer so she could whisper her answer. "Sandor…"

….

(((Oooh now here's a cliffhanger. I am now on vacation, so no new chapters for a week. Sorry guys!)))

~Huggles~