authorsnote: I enjoyed writing this (and did so in one go! woo what a marathon), I hope you do to

do review

songrecs: love the hell out of you - lewis capaldi (his new album is heavenly and a heavy source of inspo for my more angsty fics, highly recommend)

Two days later they stood in front of the court.

Sansa had her hands clasped in front of her, her gaze trained just above the floor, her hair was plaited, and the rest waved down her back, and she wore a simple light blue dress, her dragonfly necklace (a gift from her Father she never took off), and nothing else, she looked like an innocent maiden, which had been her exact intention.

No one could see her shaking hands, clasped firmly together, or the scars on her palms, or the bloody skin on her lips from chewing on them constantly. She had rouged her pale cheeks, her handmaidens had bathed, and scrubbed and perfumed her, slathered a gentle paste on her lips to make them not crack, heal and look smooth.

After she had met with Prince Oberyn she had returned to her own rooms to pick up her things, her own dresses and trinkets, before returning to the Martell wing of the Castle, Martell guards had flanked her since, the sunburst shining brightly on their bronze armour, and she certainly felt better for having them at her sides.

Joffrey may be gone, and she had to resist to smile at the thought, but she knew she wasn't safe here, she never would be.

And so, she stood, dressed prettily but modestly, she wore no adornments, unlike Queen Cersei, sat on the dais, Lord Tywin on the Iron Throne taking court as Regent, before Tommen would come of age. Cersei wore black for mourning, but was still wearing diamonds at her ears and wrists, and rubies at her neck. Sansa did not glance at her for long though, as the Queen glared hatefully at her.

Sansa could not wait to leave.

But she did not dare to hope, not yet. She thought of her and Prince Oberyns conversation, about saying goodbye to Sansa Stark, and becoming Sansa Martell.

She supposed really she was Sansa Lannister, even as a Septon had come to her the morning after het trial to declare her marriage annulled on the grounds of non-consummation and criminality on the part of Lord Tyrion, and so she was Sansa Stark again technically.

Though not for long.

But she had meant what she said to Prince Oberyn, if she could not leave Kings Landing as a Stark, she would gladly leave as a Martell. She'd give up furs and snow for silk and sand, she'd learn the Dornish way and even bear him children if she must, anything to get away from here.

And she shivered again, as she thought of what he'd said, that she might be forced to marry a Lannister cousin who'd never show her the courtesy Lord Tyrion had, or Gods forbid Lord Tywin himself.

The balcony flashed to mind.

But, no there was an alternative, hence why despite Queen Cersei's glares, despite the distinct lack of friends she had here, despite being alone, and scared, and always so afraid here, she'd come to court, as Prince Oberyn by messenger that morning has asked of her.

He planned to act, and she must be there to see it.

Nothing could keep her from it.

And so she stood, and waited, as petitioners approached the Throne, as she tried to ignore Cersei's glare, as she kept quiet, and pretty and observed, as she always did in Kings Landing, many thought she was a fool, none realised she was merely keeping her walls up, walls of ice to protect her from then, listening keenly always, but quiet, quiet and behind her walls.

It would have to be the same in Dorne, it was not her home, not Winterfell where she could be free, though she doubted she could be free anywhere now.

She was in the game, and there was no leaving it; and even if she did, she was a long cry from the innocent girl who'd left Winterfell, that girl was dead.

"My Lord Hand" She looked up then, snapped from her own melancholy, as she heard his voice, one of the few that soothed her rather than scared her, for she trusted Prince Oberyn as much as she could trust anyone, not truly, but at least a little.

She knew she should be more accepting, he'd saved her life after all, saved her and would save her again, and though she would be eternally grateful to him, she could not allow herself to trust him, not yet.

She was no fool, not anymore, and she'd trusted too easily and paid for it, too many times.

The crowd fell silent as Prince Oberyn approached, no Paramour on his arm anymore, and Sansa knew that was for her, and her cheeks went pink at the thought, Prince Oberyn had proven himself considerate.

Everyone was curious to hear what the Red Viper of Dorne had to say, for there was a Small Council meeting to follow Court; and so why would he need to petition publicly?

Sansa knew, knew this plan, relied on a public audience. Prince Oberyn couldn't ask this privately, no, no, he would be refused, Sansa called a ward of the state, intended for another marriage, the daughter of a traitor to be kept close and all of that, but in front of the court? With Prince Oberyn reminding all of the Lords and Ladies of Kings Landing, those from the Crownlands, Lannister, Tyrells, the Queen, all of them, that he had saved an innocent woman from death and deserved a reward … that was there one chance.

It might still not work, but Prince Oberyn seemed confident, and perhaps Sansa did trust him, had trusted him with this.

"Prince Oberyn" Lord Tywin said, and by his tone Sansa knew he was on alert, unsure as to why the Prince had brought this publicly, "What brings you to petition before the court?"

Sansa gripped her hands together and had to hold herself still so her shoulders would not shake, she felt a little faint, it was all riding on this.

Her entire future, nothing too small.

"My heart my Lord Hand" Prince Oberyn said, and Sansa could hear the mocking in his tone, but perhaps that was because she were more observant, as the court seemed to eat it up, fools, "I have a request for the Hand of the King, and felt I must ask it immediately"

"And what might you ask for Prince Oberyn?" Lord Tywin said, tone bitter, and like a rock weighed it down, he knew, but he could not refuse the Prince a public audience.

Sansa dared to hope.

"As we know, the Lady Sansa was saved from an awful fate" He gestured to her then, she was stood off to the side of the court, where he'd asked her to stand, not at the front, but observing from the raised standing area, it was quite empty, for everyone preferred to be on the floor near the Throne, and so she was easy to pick out, dressed in blue, fire red hair, surrounded now suspiciously by Martell guards. "The fate for an innocent woman to be condemned to death"

"But you saved her" The Queen sneered, "Did you not? So heroic Prince Oberyn" Sansa forced herself not to flinch as the Queen looked to her, she had to be strong.

"Yes, former Queen Regent, now Lady Cersei" He said, curling his tongue around it, using the words that would no doubt irritate the Queen, Sansa would have smiled or repressed one, were she not so nervous. "I did, and for that I feel I am due a reward, do we not agree?" He asked, appealing to the crowd, the nods, and murmurs, and even a clap or two, spoke for him.

Hope again bubbled, she pushed it down, but not quite as ruthlessly as she might before, for she dared.

"And what reward were you hoping for Prince Oberyn?" Lord Tywin asked, he leaned on the Throne, seemingly casual, though Sansa could see the lines of tension running through him, he still terrified her of course, and as he looked to her she couldn't hold back a flinch this time, "I'm sure any reward you may ask, we may offer, gold? Riches?"

"No my Lord Hand, something far more valuable than that" The Prince said, and he smiled then, smiled, like a viper, ready to strike, and turned to look at her as he said it, threw down the gauntlet, and Sansa's heart felt like it stopped, "I wish to take Lady Sansa's hand, and make her my wife"

The court predictably erupted, Queen Cersei even yelled, the Tyrell's seemed aghast, there were cheers, fussing, but Sansa only had eyes for Prince Oberyn, as he had the audacity to shoot her a wink, with that smirk still in place, and she smiled, Sansa Stark, stood in a court surrounded by enemies, with Lord Tywin trying to calm the court, Queen Cersei screeching at her, actually smiled.

And hope sprung forth.

"The meetings aren't always going to be so soon after court are they? I hardly had time to speak to my new betrothed" Prince Oberyn asked with a grin, attending his first Small Council meeting since he had arrived, all others had been postponed due to Lord Tyrions escape, and then Sansa's trial, it felt almost fitting his first was after he had caused so much trouble at court that morning.

Trouble he was happy, and even glad to cause, for two key reasons. One, any trouble he could cause this awful place, filled with awful people was a joy to him, and also for Lady Sansa.

Lady Sansa, sweet, young, innocent, a doe surrounded by lions in this nest, and he had to get her out of it, he would get her out of it, he would not see her suffer.

But, he was not a politician, not like his brother, no, he found it far easier to slip poison into a cup, or bring a sword or spear to his enemies throats, now he had to be deft, he had to be light handed, he could not strike, he had to play a difficult game.

One he would play, for Lady Sansa and for Dorne.

His brother had trusted him, and vengeance was finally in reach, some already given that had been as sweet as a maidens song, but there was more to give, more to do, and it was his job to do so here, in Kings Landing, as much as he despised the wretched city.

"So, does this mean I am a Master of something now?" He asked, he knew he was teasing, taunting, but that was the role that he both enjoyed and was expected of him, just because he was in a dangerous city, did not mean he would not be himself, much to Dorans worry, "Coins, ships?"

"Lord Tywin and I agreed I would be Master of Ships, long before you came along…" The Fat Flower spluttered, but cut himself off, hurrying to stand, as did the rest of the Council as Lord Tywin walked in, Prince Oberyn kept his seat.

He had no respect for that man, and couldn't even force himself to pretend to.

"Lord Tywin, thank you so much, it is an honour to be granted a seat on this Council…" The Fat Flower cut off again as the Lord Hand began, Oberyn felt disdain chase through his blood, the sooner Lord Mace had some kind of hunting accident or perhaps ate himself to death, the better for the Reach, his friend Willas was already running half of it.

"Now the trial of Lady Sansa is done, we can discuss the matters of affairs of the state" Lord Tywin began and Oberyn was not surprised to see him ignoring his request, he had done so in Court, dismissing everyone as the crowd had grown loud (and Oberyn had only seen that as expected), but Oberyn would not allow him to do so now.

"Sandor Clegane has been spotted in the Riverlands, travelling with a squire, my Lord" Lord Varys began, and Oberyn knew he would have to bide his time, perhaps speak to Lord Tywin alone, he had done the public bit, the information about any betrothal to Lady Sansa was out, and already referring to her as his intended further stroked the seed, but he knew the conversation with the Hand, as unpleasant as it may be, had to be had.

The chatter about Sandor Clegane went on, and Oberyn felt a rush of satisfaction that he'd killed the other Clegane, Gregor, the start of his vengeance yes, and though he hadn't got a confession, he had killed the man who'd done the act, he looked at Lord Tywin then, he'd have the man who ordered it next.

"More whispers from the East my Lord" The spider began, Oberyn noted the conversation had moved on, Sandor Clegane was of no consequence to him, but he had listened, all affairs of state he needed to take note of, though this was of more consequence, at least more so to Doran.

"The Targaryen girl?" The Hand asked, and Oberyn wasn't sure if he was glad for the distraction, or just glad to have a problem brought to him that wasn't close to home.

Prince Oberyn of course already knew the gossip about Daenerys Targaryen, conquering in the East before she'd surely come to Westeros, though he did not share his brother's confidence that, that would be anytime soon, she was still young, impressive yes, but impulsive, the wait to conquer Westeros might be longer than they'd anticipated as she focused on Slavers Bay.

The talk continued on Daenerys Targaryen, and he near rolled his eyes at the Queens dismissal of her, foolish, short-sighted, and he intervened.

"Lord Varys is right" He said, at the Queens doubts, "I have been to Essos and seen the Unsullied first hand, they are very impressive on the battlefield, less so in the bedroom" He said with a smirk, as the conversation moved on, unsettled, which he enjoyed.

That conversation soon wrapped up too, and though he enjoyed Lord Mace being treated as a squire, he did have to subdue his smirk, especially as Lord Tywin wrote a note, handed it to Lord Varys and then seemed ready to dismiss everyone.

He knew this was his time.

"My Lord Hand" He did not move, nor change his stance, he seemed for all the word relaxed, though his gaze was deadly, "I believe now is a good time to discuss my request from this morning"

"Your request?" The Queen Regent intervened, and Prince Oberyn turned to her with an eyebrow raised, "Lady Sansa is a Ward of the Crown"

"I am well aware of that" Prince Oberyn said with a shrug, he felt tense, for he could not and would not fail Lady Sansa, but not an inch of it showed on him, he knew better than to betray anything here, and he was far too good to, "But she would be nothing at all, wrongly accused and dead in the ground if not for me" He said, frowned even then, rehearsed, practised, he knew what he was doing, "I feel it fair that she be my reward" He said, innocently.

"Your reward?" Lady Cersei spluttered, aghast, and he grinned at that.

"She is a beautiful girl, a fine reward indeed" He despised the words on his lips, but it was all part of the game, "And as a Ward of the Crown it would only strengthen the Lannister relations with Dorne" He said with a nod, turning to Lord Tywin then, so far silent, and furious, "Or do we not want stronger relations?"

"My daughter isn't enough?" Lady Cersei continued.

"Your daughter is apparently very happy betrothed to my Nephew" Prince Oberyn said, and that was no lie, "As I said we don't hurt little girls in Dorne, and Lady Sansa would be very happy there too"

"Lady Sansa would not be in Dorne if she were married to you Prince Oberyn" Lord Tywin stepped in then, and their gazes met, this was the conversation that mattered, "You are here as a member of this Council, the Dornish representative, and Lady Sansa would remain with you"

"For a time" He said with a shrug, anticipating this, he hated having to do it, for he knew Sansa wanted to leave, he did too, but his priority had to be to keep her safe, "Until Doran may visit, or Tristan returns with the Lady Myrcella and takes this seat" He shrugged again, "And I will take her to Dorne once we are wed, to visit her new home, as my wife that would be my right"

"Once you are wed?" Lady Cersei asked, "We have not granted your request" She sneered.

"The Lord Hand will" Prince Oberyn said, he knew where the power lay, as he nodded at Lord Tywin, the rest of the table sat silent, "A fine reward as I said, and certainly a joy to have by my side as I am in Kings Landing" A concession, one he hated to make, but knew he had to.

He had done exactly as he planned, one better even, now there were two public outings to his demand, and he knew as Lord Tywin nodded, he could not refuse or even stall a Prince twice, especially as he had conceded on a point … for now.

"Very well" Lord Tywin said with a tense expression, "Lady Sansa is a lucky girl I am sure, to be wed to yourself"

"I am the lucky one" He said, relief coursed through him, but again not a hint showed on his face, "She will make a beautiful bride" He laughed then, smacked his hand on the table, and the Fat Flower, and Pycelle flinched at it, especially as he bounced to his feet with the energy of ten men, "And rest assured my Lord Hand, I will see her second marriage consummated"

"I have no doubt about that" The Hand said, his expression hardened then, and that was a cause for dread, "We will have to see you married in the Great Sept, as a member of the Small Council and as Lady Sansa is the Heir to Winterfell, it is only suitable"

"Of course, an honour I've no doubt" He said with a grin, though it was not full of joy, but venom, hatred coursing through him, he knew Lord Tywin's angle, to make it a Kings Landing rather than a Dornish one, but again he knew he had to compromise this, to keep Lady Sansa safe, and by his side where he could keep her safe, "I'm sure my betrothed will be delighted to plan it, I will go and tell her"

A nod and he strode from the room, he did not need to be dismissed.

His smile dropped as soon as he left, and like a whirlwind he tore through the castle to deliver the news to Lady Sansa, both good and bad.

At least she was safe, that was his primary goal, he'd get her out of here though, sooner rather than later, even if it meant adjusting their plans, he wouldn't see her suffer here, she would be his wife after all.

That was his thought as he approached her rooms, in his wing now, where she belonged, under his protection. He would protect her always from any who sought to harm her, no matter the cost.

He had promised not to fail her, and even as circumstances changed, and he entered her rooms to find her sat sewing on her bed, though she rose as soon as he entered, it didn't matter. All that mattered was keeping her safe, and happy, as he looked at her kind face, her eyes wide with worry, as she approached him, and he could see the naked hope in her eyes as she looked at him.

He would not fail.

and there we go

prince oberyn knows what hes doing, and he is currently holding down his temper ... for now, but enemies remain all around

next chapter, more sansa/oberyn together, a wedding needs to be planned after all

speak soon