Chapter 18 – Part 2

The lion and the rose

Sansa

Despite the melancholy that had befallen Sansa since she had read the letter from Tommen the morning of the royal wedding, she found herself excited. Her dress was a wonderful green dress with intricate golden wolves embroidered into the bottom of the dress. The sleeves were tight down to her elbows where they flared out into a point. Once her hair was braided into an elaborate pattern above her head, she slipped her soft green pumps on and went to join her father in the procession down to the great sept.

Her father looked handsome with a matching green shirt on that Sansa had stitched herself. As they walked through the castle, they talked about how exciting it all was and that her father had signed a peace agreement that morning and had sent a copy to her brother immediately before setting out. The war would be over soon, and her family was safe. Sansa felt as though she was floating on clouds.

Due to her father being hand of the king Sansa was granted the honour of sitting on the second pew directly behind the Kings immediate family. Luckily, they weren't there yet as Sansa didn't know how she would cope being so close to Tommen. She was extremely embarrassed that she had basically asked for his hand and been rejected. But she also missed her friend. Nobody knew what had happened when they had left the city, and nobody understood how much Sansa hated the capital. He arrived with his mother and sister looking as miserable as she felt, she felt her heart clench but ignored him as he tried to catch her eye. She couldn't let herself love him if she was to marry another.

It was only a minute later that Joffrey entered looking for all intents and purposes as a perfect king. His bright blond hair was perfectly cut and styled, and his sword was displayed at his hip. Sansa still couldn't stand the man but knew from what her father said that he was at least trying to be a good man. It was an encouraging sign that he looked to her father when she could see some nerves on his face father than his mother. A more unpleasant woman Sansa had never met.

There was a low buzz of noise that suddenly ceased when the doors at the back of the sept opened. Sansa and the whole congregation turned and were blinded by the sunlight which looked golden as it bounced off the golden statues next to the doors. For all she disliked Margery Tyrell even Sansa could tell she looked beautiful. Her hair was curled softly and flowed over her shoulders. Her dress was pure white, as a show of her innocence, although the neckline was very low allowing a glimpse of her bosom. It was all silk and lace and as somebody who sewed Sansa knew how intricate this dress was. Margery radiated as she walked down the aisle and Sansa saw no hesitation when she reached the alter and Joffrey offered his hand.

As the septon was sprouting about the sanctity of marriage Sansa found herself tuning him out and staring at the back of Tommen's head. He must have felt her gaze as he turned and offered her a small sad smile and Sansa felt like crying. She turned back to the couple just as Joffrey was removing Margery's green Tyrell cloak and replacing it with the Yellow Baratheon one. She knew it upset the Queen as she had wanted a Red Lannister, but her father had refused. When the cloak exchange was complete Joffrey swept Margery into his arms and kissed her as if he would die if he didn't. The shouts and applause from the audience was deafening and continued to build as the couple rushed from the sept to the waiting carriage outside. As they left Sansa finally let some tears fall, her wedding wouldn't be so filled with love.

Sansa wiped the tears that had appeared on her cheeks and hoped nobody noticed as she followed her father out of the bright sept and towards the carriage thankful for the curtains as the crowds of the citizens of kings landing were out in force cheering for the king and his new queen. It was quiet on the way to the red keep and Sansa was thankful as it allowed her to collect herself before exiting and heading towards a courtyard where a great feast was to be held.

It was beautiful Sansa admitted to herself. Full of flowers in bloom and tables draped in white silk. The table was set with golden plates and glass goblets, it was the most southern thing Sansa had ever seen. There was a group in the corner playing string music in the background adding to the ambiance of the event. Sansa and her Father were escorted to the main table that faced the rest, her father in pride of place next to the king whereas Sansa was next to him. Unfortunately for Sansa the Queen mother was seated next to her and she hoped she would speak to her father instead, who was on Cersei's other side.

As soon as everybody was seated the first course was served, a lovely roast duck. Sansa's luck finally ran out as the Queen mother turned to her.

"This could have been you little dove." Cersei said a glass of wine already half empty in her hand.

"A shame your grace. But Queen Margery is quite lovely and loves your son." Sansa replied careful to keep her tone steady.

"And you do not?" Cersei said eyebrow raised.

"I love his grace as his subject and soon to be good brother. It would be wrong to love a married man any other way." Sansa replied. With this Cersei lost interest and turned to her father leaving Sansa to enjoy the food.

Sansa's father was busy speaking to Joffrey so she found herself listening to Cersei's conversation with Lord Tywin.

"Jamie will be returned. However I am going to make sure he will not be here long." She heard Lord Tywin say lowly.

"His place is here. He is a kingsguard." Cersei said quite sulkily.

"His place has always been Casterly Rock. I never denounced him as my heir. The imp will never be Lord of the Rock." Tywin said. "You will need to get Joffrey to release him from his vows. Having him here with Ned Stark sniffing around is no good for anybody."

"That wont be a problem for long father." Cersei gave him a significant look and Sansa's heart skips a beat. What did that mean? The two were quiet after this and Sansa found her appetite gone even with the lemon cakes on offer for dessert.

After everybody had eaten the dancing began and Sansa asked her father for a dance which he agreed to reluctantly. Once on the floor between the many guests Sansa felt safe enough to talk to him.

"Father?" Sansa said.

"Yes Sansa." Ned said smiling down at her.

"I don't trust the Lannister's." She said quietly.

"Neither do I. But war costs more than just gold and every day we continue more people die. More battles are fought and your brother is at risk. I must make peace to save him." Ned explained.

"I think they're going to harm you father." She said fearfully.

"They wouldn't do that right now. The suspicion would fall directly onto them. Plus, I have the favour of the king." Ned said dismissing her concerns.

"Can you promise me one thing so I may sleep peacefully?" She asks.

"If it is in my power." Ned replied.

"Never accept wine from them. I read the sweetness covers may poisons" Sansa said.

"I don't drink wine Sansa." Ned said smiling. "But I will keep it in mind."

Sansa was about to continue when Joffrey tapped her father on the shoulder and asked for a dance with Sansa. She didn't want to of course, her still made her uneasy, but it was his wedding and he was the king so she nodded her head and fell into step with the king who could have been her husband. It was silent for several minutes and it was growing more and more awkward until he spoke.

"You know my brother came to see me a little while ago." He finally spoke.

"I'm sure that was lovely your grace." She said trying not to react to the mention of Tommen.

"We spoke of you." At this Sansa stiffened but he continued unnoticed. "My brother is fond of you Sansa and I know you are of him. However these are hard times and sacrifices for the good of the people must be made. We could not feed the common people without Tyrell food and many would die. Tommen understood when I explained and I hope you do too. You can still have a friendship with each other."

Sansa just nodded and then surprised at herself spoke quickly. "Thank you your grace. I admit I was caught up in my own feelings, you truly have grown into a good king."

Joffrey smiled and went to pull away when Sansa spoke again. "In the North we have a tradition when a agreement is made."

"What tradition?" Joffrey asked genially curious.

"We drink from each other's glass as a show of faith." Sansa said. "It is considered ill form to refuse and a lack of trust in the agreement signed."

"That is a good idea Sansa. It is good to respect each other's traditions, your father taught me that. He's a good man." Joffrey said.

"The best." Sansa replied,

"Go to my brother. You'll soon be a married woman and at Highgarden. If you want a friendship the time is now." With this the boy king bowed to Sansa and swept to his bride who smiled brightly at him. Joffrey may still make a shiver go down her side, she knew there was a dark part of him, but she could see the influence of her father and how much he was trying to be different.

Sansa saw Tommen still at the table looking miserable and took a deep breath before heading over to him and sitting beside him.

"Hello Tommen." She tried smiling but she could tell it didn't fool him.

"Sansa." Tommen breathed more than said.

"I've missed our walks." Sansa said quietly, trying to ignore the tears that sprung to her face.

"Me too. You're the only person in this city who talks to me as a person. Not a prince, not a child and not a inconvenience." Tommen said.

"Has your mother been shouting at you again?" Sansa asked.

"She never stopped Sansa. It was only bearable because I had you. But Joffrey has been kinder." Tommen said, looking at the table.

"It was him who told me to come speak to you." Sansa admitted.

"So, you didn't want to?" Tommen asked sounding hurt.

"I did. But it hurts because I wish it was you I was marrying. I thought you didn't like me and I was upset and embarrassed but your brother explained it's not just about us and how we feel for each other. It's for the people. I just want you to know I wish it was you." With this Sansa couldn't continue and stood. With a sad smile she walked towards her father and didn't hear Tommen's reply.

"I wish it was you too."

Ned

Ned doesn't take his eyes off his eldest daughter from the moment he leaves her with Joffrey. From all the improvements he has seen in the King he still didn't trust him with his daughter. He was surprised to see them speak and even more surprised when after they had danced she had gone over to speak to Tommen. He knew she wished it was him she was betrothed too but circumstances as they were it couldn't be. He only hoped she could grow to love Ser Loras who was everything she had wanted in a husband as she grew up.

Once the short conversation is over Sansa heads over to him and he can see the tears in her eyes. His poor daughter had been through a lot since coming south and it wasn't over yet. She would soon be leaving to Highgarden and start her married life away from all her family.

"Sansa." He greeted her.

"Father." She said with a brave smile to hide the pain, although he could see right through it.

"Why don't you head back to your chambers? I'll have Jory escort you." Ned said softly.

"Thank you, father." Sansa said giving him a hug.

As he watched her go, he reached for his drink and found his usual ale replaced with wine. He was about to drink anyway when he remembered Sansa's words and called for more ale instead.

Ned enjoyed sitting back and watching the people interact and enjoy the wedding he had worked so hard to organise. He knew after this it would be his daughter's he needed to organise but he was hoping to put it off for as long as he could to allow Sansa to adjust and to allow Cat to make her way to the capital. He knew she would hate to miss her daughter's wedding, and there were things only a mother could talk to her daughter about.

He saw Joffrey and Margery dancing together and he was glad to see genuine smiles on each of their faces. It was important to the realm that this marriage work. Winter was coming faster than anybody was ready for, and the people needed food to survive. Ned noticed that Cersei and Tywin had not moved from their seats and had not spoken to anybody but each other. It wasn't his problem, but he did note it in his head.

When the song ended Joffrey made his way back to the main table and had his Kingsguard tap his glass to announce he wanted to speak.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Today is a great day, one for the history books." Joffrey paused making sure everybody was paying attention to him. "For not only have I married the lovely Margery Tyrell and given you all a kind, fair and beautiful queen. I have also facilitated a peace between houses Stark and Lannister." Cheers were heard around the courtyard.

"Ravens have been sent and the fighting will stop as soon as they arrive. My uncle shall be released, and the lands taken shall be returned to house Tully. My grandfather Lord Tywin and my hand Lord Stark have signed the documents and the peace is confirmed. However traditions are important to your king and I would be remis to ignore the traditions of the North so may both men come to me and bring your cups." Ned didn't have his ale yet so he brought the wine as he made his way in front of the table to the king.

Ned noticed Cersei try and stop her father but he brushed past her. Ned had noticed Tywin do this a lot over the past moon, he always underestimated everybody who was not Tywin Lannister. Once both men were either side of Joffrey the king continued to speak.

"In the north to cement a peace a offering is given. Please swap drinks and take a drink. It will be a show of faith that this treaty is of good faith." Joffrey smiled and Ned was impressed Joffrey knew of this tradition as it was a old one of the north not done as often anymore.

Both men avoided eye contact as they swapped but did as the king commanded and raised the cups to their lips. Ned drank deeply but Tywin kept his lips firmly closed. He knew of the plot to poison Ned, but it wasn't enough. Tywin's lips turned purple as the red wine found its way inside the cracks and they reached into his mouth.

It was quick. Tywin's eyes bulged as he felt his tongue swelling uncontrollably. Men rushed to help and the king was rushed aside as Pycelle tried to help the Lord of the Westerlands. It wasn't enough. As the Queen mother screamed treason, although her father was not royalty, Tywin Lannister suffocated lay on the floor in front of hundreds of people. His last thoughts were on his daughter and how she couldn't even poison somebody correctly.

Here we are! We all knew Cersei would fuck up somehow! Will Ned be accused? Will Sansa and Tommen make their way back to each other?

This chapter reaches 40,000 words this chapter so will hopefully reach more people! Please review if you are new I love to read them!

Next up we are leaving King's Landing and heading North.

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