AN: It's been a long time, so I have uploaded two chapters today. If you've clicked the last chapter, you'd have missed one.

The Aftermath

They had insulted House Lannister. Yes, Cersei was often stupid, and her death may even be a blessing, but someone had dared… and if there was one thing that Lord Tywin could not tolerate, it was an insult to his house.

Could Severus Martell have done it? Had he threatened Lord Sirius? Why had Sirius Tyrell lurched to the Prince as he choked?

And yet, if Tywin were to pick a Martell suspect for the murder, he'd put his money on the Red Viper…

He regretted marrying Sansa Stark to the Martells. He should have known they'd involve her in their sordid plots of vengeance. Prince Oberyn had been harping about justice for Elia since he set foot in the capital. The Viper's patience had no doubt run out, and he had retaliated in the unmanly manner of Dorne: poison.

There was a large list of witnesses to testify against Prince Severus and Princess Sansa. And while he had his doubts about Severus Martell, he was certain that the girl was involved in some way. She had tried to escape, and so had the fool, Dontos, leaving just a name to trace: Oswell.

It had to be Sansa Stark. He knew it. And yet, she could not die. Not now. However guilty she may be. She was the key to the North. The largest of the Seven Kingdoms. She would live. At least until she produced an heir with Tyrion. It could even be a girl. She would be eliminated eventually. Tywin could not let anyone who had dared humiliate House Lannister live.

Severus Martell would die, however, and ideally at Gregor Clegane's hands. That would teach the Red Viper of Dorne. Tywin knew there was bad blood between the Martell princes, but the blood of his half-brother on his hands, killed by the same man who had raped and murdered Elia Martell, with her son's blood and brains on his hands… it would send a message.

There was a knock on the door.

"Enter"

Tywin was surprised to see a grim-faced Red Viper, followed by the Lannister's own Hermione Spicer. Twin schooled his fury at the Viper's temerity.

"Prince Oberyn?"

"I hear that King Joffrey is sitting in judgement on Prince Severus and Princess Sansa."

"It is the King's justice, and Joffrey Baratheon, the first of his name, is King."

"Lady Cersei was the King's mother. Emotions compromise judgement even in the best of us. A bench to temper emotion would show to the realm the justice of the King."

The snake. He dares threaten me…

"And whom would you propose? Yourself? Your brother and good-sister have been accused of this most heinous crime."

"I believe I shall endeavour to be as fair as our good King, my lord Hand…" replied the Viper, smiling coldly.

"Your proposal will be put to vote on the Small Council, Prince Oberyn. To many, it may appear unseemly."

Perhaps there was merit in the suggestion. Someone needed to temper Joffrey, and for now at least, it was imperative that Sansa lived…

Dear Harry,

I am afraid I have sad news. Sirius was poisoned at his wedding, and Queen Cersei is dead. Severus Martell has been charged with the murder and it doesn't look good. Sansa Stark was caught trying to escape. Apparently he too has some cause, and there is a list of dozens of witnesses against them. For all that it's worth, I don't think the Martells had anything to do with it, how much ever bad blood may be there between Sirius and the Prince.

The Tyrells are taking Sirius to Highgarden. They feel that King's Landing is unsafe, and I can't blame them. Prince Oberyn and Princess Margaery have also moved out of the Red Keep and are living in a manse outside the city. I have been questioned as Princess Sansa's companion, but they know that I was in the position due to the late Queen's orders and as it was I who had been instrumental in preventing her escape, I have my freedom. Prince Oberyn has taken me in his service, perhaps on his brother's recommendation. Lord Tywin has granted it.

Ron is well, and though Sirius still lives, Remus is mad with grief. I hope that he will wake soon and that we will all be able to join you in Darry. This pit of vipers makes Slytherin seem like a trough of earthworms.

Lie low,

Yours,

Hermione

Dear Harry,

Sirius was poisoned, but he lives, and will hopefully recover. I'd ask Snape, but seeing that he's in jail, and visitors are restricted, there's nothing I can do. Remus has visited Sirius a couple of times, but he says he was pants at potions.

I know you're worried, but do not come back, Harry. It isn't safe. And Sirius will be shifted to Highgarden besides, so coming to King's Landing will be pointless. Prince Oberyn says he will make his way there once the trial is over. He is a known expert on poisons.

We will keep you posted.

Best,

Ron

Dear Harry,

This letter is spelled. Muggles will just see this a generic letter, so you may read it freely.

I am aggrieved to tell you that Sirius was poisoned. Hermione saved him. She activated charcoal and fed it to Sirius, which likely adsorbed the poison. Unfortunately, it was quite fast acting, and Sirius is in something like a coma. While we all hope he will recover, it has been a day already…

Prince Oberyn Martell is an expert on poisons and identified it as the Strangler, an exotic poison from Asshai. He claimed it was a miracle that Sirius was alive at all. The Tyrell maester is attending to Sirius now. Lady Olenna has declared that the Grand Maester is either incompetent or a Lannister stooge, and cannot be trusted to treat her grandson. He is being shifted to Highgarden as I write this.

We don't know who did it, but everyone's suspicions point to Snape and Sansa. The bad blood between Severus Martell and Sirius Tyrell is common knowledge here. Ordinarily I would suspect the same. It is no secret that they hated each other when we were young, but I find it hard to believe that Severus would do something like this even if their hatred is deep enough to cross dimensions.

Snape has always been clever, and he should know where his priorities lie. In a dangerous and unknown world, for Severus to poison Sirius…it does not make logical sense to me, yet all the evidence seems to point that way, especially given Sansa Stark's escape attempt.

The trial will be starting tomorrow, and I guess we will know the truth then. The judges shall be Lord Mace Tyrell, Lord Tywin Lannister, and King Joffrey Baratheon (In more unfortunate news, they had Joffrey's investiture this morning in the Small Council – it was rather low key, due to the tragedy). I hope that Lord Mace Tyrell will ensure that the trial is fair. It was his son who was poisoned after-all, and a direct attack on his house. I suppose the Lannisters lost Cersei too, but they always seem to have their own agenda, and Joffrey especially does not have the wisdom to stand in judgement.

As Sirius is your Godfather, I only felt it fair to keep you informed. That said, I ask you to stay out of this. This place is dangerous, especially since we know so little about it. Everyone's loyalty is suspect. Test your food before you eat it, and set alarms around your bed. Send us a patronus if you are in trouble. It will find us. Hermione and Ron have their wands, and I can apparate if needed.

I wish we were all together, I hate that you are alone.

Stay safe,

Remus.

Hareld,

Grievous news. Lady Cersei was murdered, and Lord Sirius has been poisoned. Someone is trying to sever the ties between the Tyrells and our house. It is imperitive for you to march to Darry and reinforce it.

Those responsible will be brought to justice, never fear.

Lord Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King.

It was the same cell they had put her father in, she had heard. Pitch black, and with only straw on the floor. The guard that brought her also brought in a piss bucket, for the lady, he said, before he slammed the cell door shut behind her. Its only other occupant, Prince Severus, had flinched in the brief torchlight, and then it was darkness once more.

"My Prince?"

There was no answer.

"My Prince?"

"They say you turned back. That you could have escaped. You turned back when you heard of my arrest." His voice was soft, barely above a whisper, and strangely pitched. "Is it true?"

"Yes, my Prince."

"Why?"

"I would not have your blood on my hands. They would blame you if I fled." Sansa had lost her father because of her selfishness. Her entire family had been wiped out because she believed in the unworthy of King's Landing. It was a mistake she wouldn't make again. Prince Severus had been kind to her, and more importantly, was someone who could understand her. He had been a hostage in King's Landing longer than she had, and she had seen how they had treated him. It would have been Lannister of her to leave him behind, and if there was one thing that she refused to become, it was a Lannister.

"They will blame me anyway. Surely you know that. They have been trying to find a way to get rid of me for years. And you would be free."

"Perhaps. Perhaps I would be a prisoner elsewhere. Ser Dontos betrayed me," Sansa explained. "He told me nothing of the plot, that he had set you up to take the blame. My mother's house words are Family, Duty, Honour. What would I be if I betrayed them?"

"Sensible," came his reply. There was nothing that Sansa could say to that.

They sat in the darkness. For minutes or hours. Shut in a dark cell with nothing to do but wait, it was hard to tell, when the door opened once more. She squinted, the dull torch light seemed like the sun.

It was Prince Oberyn, and with him was Lady Hermione Spicer. There was a bowl of an ugly sort of gruel with her. Both looked very grim. It mattered not, though, Sansa was just so glad to see some light. It distracted her from thinking about the last hours of her lord father in the same cell that they now occupied.

"How did you get in?" asked her husband.

"Princes may go where they will."

"Indeed?" her husband asked, with a great degree of irony, gesturing at himself. Even in the dull light his clothes were stained with the filth of the cell, and hair full of grease. The darkness had kept Sansa from seeing the state her husband was in. Sansa dared not look at herself, for she was sure her state would be as bad.

Prince Oberyn chuckled. "Well… they have they have the prerogative as long as they are escorted by a Lannister toady…" he said looking at Lady Hermione, with a sly glint in his eyes. "They believe I did it, and they want to make an example of us," he added grimly.

"Can they?" asked her husband.

Prince Oberyn placed the torch in the sconce, and leaned against a filthy pillar, and said, with a smug look. "It depends on what the Tyrells believe. They don't really care for Cersei, but Sirius, whatever their differences may be, Sirius is one of theirs. Without Tyrell support, they can do little more than try you, and well kill you, if they can prove your guilt. And Margaery doesn't believe we had anything to do with this. Neither does her grandmother. Her father doesn't really count. Indeed, the Tyrells suspect the King."

"Really? That's interesting…well at least they can do nothing more than kill me, then. That's heartening to know…"

"If they find you guilty."

"And won't they? I hear they have collected dozens of witnesses. That the evidence they will present is so overwhelming that even doubters will be swayed. Why, Tyrion Lannister had been in to visit when they arrested me, and he let me know that they'd let Sansa live if I confessed. That the trial is a foregone conclusion."

"Oh of that I have no doubt. They will certainly let Sansa Stark of Winterfell live if you confess, even as I know that Tywin Lannister at least believes her absolutely guilty. Indeed, he suspects you to be completely innocent, but apart from his daughter's death (and I am not particularly sure how much he cared for her), it is as if the Stranger blessed him. The Princess posed a problem, wed to you. With you gone, she can marry the imp. I have it on good authority that they will find her innocent whether on not you confess. How else will the Lannisters gain the North. They want Winterfell. So I suggest you don't in case you discover some misplaced chivalry on account of her."

Prince Oberyn looked at Sansa, and added, "My apologies, Princess, if this hurts you, but this is a time for honesty. Pandering to your sensibilities will only make you misjudge the situation. The Lannisters are liars, and I know that the Lannisters won't dare touch you."

"What are our options?"

Prince Oberyn stood up straight once again, his slender form pacing the cell. "Lord Tyrion is correct. The trial will be a farce. If anything they will take the opportunity to wash any dirty linen they can find, and undermine Dorne as much as they are able."

"And so we must frustrate them here. What do you suggest? A plan of escape?" asked her husband with a hint of impatience.

"And condemn you as a fugitive? No. I will not dishonour Dorne. I will be your champion."

Sansa gasped. Prince Severus looked confused, and she couldn't blame him. Better to allow them to play their games and try to survive than challenge them outright. In the former there was hope, in the latter there was only destruction. Trial by combat was dangerous at the best of times, and rarely fair in general. She had heard stories of Aerys the mad burning her lord grandfather by naming fire as his champion. Joffrey was mad and cruel and as unfair as could be. A trial by combat arranged by him would be certainly rigged. "'Tis too dangerous, Prince Oberyn, you may die…"

Prince Oberyn looked her in the eye, a strange dangerous gleam in his own, and Sansa knew at once that this was the Red Viper, with his fangs out. "Not if the Gods are just Princess, and there is every indication that they are." Prince Oberyn's smile was frigid, his voice certain. "I hear Gregor Clegane has been called to the capital…"

Even as Sansa could only contemplate the Mountain with horror, Prince Oberyn was smiling as he headed back, gently closing the cell door behind them, leaving them with the Lady Hermione, along with the now cold bowl of grey gruel.

"I should leave too," said the witch, placing the bowl on the cleanest portion of the floor she could find.

"Wait!" cried the Prince. "I may have need of your wand. I may need to fight. I'll require a sword, one that I can wield." He was looking at the witch meaningfully, but Sansa could not gather what he could mean. It was plain that Lady Hermione understood though, for she nodded.

"Best of Luck, Ser," she said as she exited. Their visitors had left the torch in the sconce, and Sansa was grateful for it. It was strange how even the smallest pinpricks of light could provide hope.

The throne room was as crowded as it had been for the double wedding held only two days prior. The dais under the throne had still not been dismantled, and now with all the tables removed save one, it served as a platform for the judges. It was perhaps for the first time since the Dance of the Dragons that scions of two of the most important Houses of the Seven Kingdoms had been brought to trial, and the room was buzzing with excitement and uncertainty, both.

Lord Tywin and Lord Tyrell arrived, flanking the King, and the excitement dulled to a hush. Once they were seated, the proceedings began.

The King began, "Prince Severus and Princess Sansa have been accused of murdering the Queen Mother by poison, and poisoning her husband Lord Sirius. These are grievous charges indeed. How do you plead, Princess Sansa?"

"Not guilty, Your Grace," Sansa said, her voice clear.

"And you Prince Severus?"

"Not guilty, Your Grace"

"We have not received a list of witnesses from you. Would you share one now, or shall we proceed with the trial? You will not have the chance again."

"That will not be necessary, Your Grace," said Sansa, "we demand Trial by Combat."

"Who do you name as your champions?"

"Champion, Your Grace. We have been accused together, and we are wed. The fate of one is interlinked by the other by the grace of the Seven. We are one body, one soul, one heart," said Sansa triumphantly. They wanted Winterfell, did they? Her married to the imp? She'd rather die…

Whispers broke out in the throne room. Somehow no one had expected that. Even the Martell princes were looking at her strangely.

And before Lord Tywin could interject, the King spoke. "Very well, name your champion. He shall face the Mountain, Ser Gregor Clegane." Joffrey looked on at them gleefully, oblivious to what Sansa had just done as Lord Tywin looked on in horror.

Sansa smiled. After a long time she felt proud. Proud of frustrating the machinations of Lord Tywin Lannister, who thought he could control her like a cyvasse piece. They had brought down her noble father. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction again.