"Sansa, Tommen tells me he has an announcement to make today." Margaery had her arm wrapped around Sansa's as they headed towards the dining hall. "He will not tell me what though, I am rather anxious myself to hear it."
Sansa couldn't help but let out a small laugh, "you hate being kept in the dark, don't you?" She gave her friend a playful wink as the entered the dining hall. She looked around to see that the hall had been set up for a great feast. "To be honest, I was not expecting something so lavish, even though this is your last evening with us."
"The King adores you Sansa, he feels the need to make up for the things his family has done to you in the past." Margaery pulled her arm from Sansa's as they moved around the room. "I keep reminding him that he had no part of it, but he still feels it is his duty to make up for the past."
Sansa sighed a bit, "poor Tommen, to have to live with the ghosts of his family's past. He has such a pure soul, the seven kingdoms will thrive under his rule."
Margaery smiled at Sansa then turned her attention to the doors they had just entered. She then slowly bowed her head, "my King."
Sansa turned to see Tommen standing in the doorway, the smile on his face was bright. "Your Grace." Sansa curtseyed to him as he entered.
"Ladies…" Tommen approached, taking a hold of Margaery's hand and kissing it lightly. He then did the same with Sansa. "After our feast I shall make my announcement, one I hope will bring much pleasure to everyone."
Sansa smiled at him and shook her head, "your grace, your presence is enough to bring us happiness. And the Rock will not be the same after your departure tomorrow."
"Sansa!" Arya ran into the dining hall, her hand clutching the letter from Winterfell, Sandor quickly following behind her. The look in his eyes showing he had tried to keep her from just barging in. She looked to Tommen and nodded her head slightly, "sorry for interrupting but this couldn't wait." She then handed the letter to Sansa who immediately read it.
"Jon is in Winterfell?" Sansa's eyes lit up at the letter as she read more of it. "I had not heard any word from him, I feared we had lost him as well." Her smile grew as she looked at her sister, "this is wonderful." Her smile then slowly faded as she finished the letter, reading his request to have Arya return to Winterfell.
Arya could see the distress in Sansa's eyes, "I don't like the thought of leaving you, but he's right, Winterfell needs a Stark. And since Rickon and Bran are still missing…" She frowned a bit looking up at Sandor who stood behind her.
"Perhaps this is a discussion meant for later." Sandor moved towards Sansa, his hand lightly moving to her shoulder.
Sansa nodded, looking to Tommen and Margaery who had been watching them closely. "I agree, tonight is about our King and Queen."
….
"Your loyalty to the North is… unexpected." Jon had been walking through the town as he spoke with a larger man beside him. "After all, you were always loyal to the Lannisters. You have not answered my question, as to why you have changed your loyalty." Jon stopped walking and looked up at him, "tell me Clegane."
Gregor Clegane looked down at Jon, he easily stood a foot taller than the boy. His face showed no emotion as he spoke. "The Lannisters were merely a way to make money, but now that we have a true King, I need to find my purpose." He waived his arm around them, "I've heard tales of Winterfell, I wanted to see it rebuilt."
Jon nodded a bit and began walking again, "and the rumors of your death? Did you start those as well?"
"I did. It was best that I appear dead to the world until my intentions were clear."
Jon frowned slightly, "and what are your intentions Clegane?"
Gregor grinned slightly, "family." He looked down to Jon, "so many families have been torn apart, I want to help reunite as many as I can. The remainder of the Stark family being my first priority." The grin on his lips grew wider, "and I hear my brother stands as your sister's sworn shield, perhaps I can even reunite with the remainder of my own family."
Jon nodded a bit, "perhaps, once things are settled here you can travel to Casterly Rock to see your brother."
If he could have, Gregor would have grinned even more. "I look forward to it."
…..
After the feast, Tommen instructed everyone to gather in the courtyard. A makeshift throne room had been constructed in the open area. Tommen moved to sit in the large chair which was meant to be a throne as everyone stood before him. Margaery stood to the side of him, the smile on her face never fading.
"Sandor Clegane…" Tommen spoke, his voice firmer than normal.
Slowly Sandor stepped forward, looking to Sansa for a moment. Both exchanged confused looks before he bowed before Tommen. "Your Grace?"
Tommen slowly stood from his throne, approaching Sandor as he removed his sword from his sheath. "You have dedicated your life to serve those above you. In return you have asked for nothing, nor have you been given anything worthy of your sacrifices." He then looked to Sansa a moment then back down to Sandor. "Lady Sansa is a valuable treasure to the seven kingdoms, and you have done all in your power to keep her safe. In that time, we all have seen a love blossom between the two of you. It is undeniable to anyone who is close to the Lady." His grin grew as he saw Sansa's eyes widen.
Sandor did not raise his head, he remained knelt before the King. He had a feeling he knew what was to come next, though he was not sure he was ready.
"Sandor Clegane, from this day on, you are no longer a mere man. You are no longer the Lannisters dog, or the Dog of the seven kingdoms." He then slowly brought his sword to Sandor's left shoulder, "Sandor, I name you Lord Protector of the North."
An audible gasp was heard through the group as everyone watched the King slowly bring his sword down to Sandor's shoulder then back to his side.
"You may rise My Lord." Tommen smiled widely as Sandor slowly rose to his feet. His eyes were blank as he looked to the king.
"Your grace, you are too generous." Sandor's words were hardly audible, he couldn't refuse the king. It would mean he was refusing his little bird, and he would never do that to her.
"Lady Sansa…" Tommen turned his attention to her as she stepped forward. "As your duties remain here at Casterly Rock, Lord Clegane shall remain by your side. As Lord Protector of the north, his main duty is to protect the Queen of the North."
Sansa smiled at the King, curtsying once again. "I am sure I speak for Sandor as well when I say that your grace is a generous man. And that the North will always be loyal to our true King."
The group began to cheer at Sansa's words. There was no doubt that the men around them had grown more loyal to her, and soon she would be truly Queen of the north.
"Lady Sansa, you honor me with your words, and I know that we shall be forever friends and allies."
"She cannot rule the north from here your grace…" A voice cut through the crowd, slowly the men began to part as two men walked through the crowd. One man was easily a foot taller than the other, if not more. The shorter man wore a cloak, his hood covering his face as he approached.
Sansa's eyes widened at the sight, the man was obviously a dwarf. She only knew one dwarf in her life, but he was dead. Her eyes then moved to the man accompanying him. Bronn….
"But she could return to the north, if a Lannister remained here in her place." Slowly the smaller man lowered his hood. His features were as Sansa remembered, larger head, scarred face from battle and bright green eyes.
"Tyrion…" Her words were hardly a whisper, though enough for him to hear.
"At last we are reunited, my Lady Wife." Tyrion smiled as he took her hand and placed a gentle kiss upon it.
…
(((Wait… ooh, twists and turns all around!)))
~Huggles~