Hello everyone, I am glad that you liked the last chapter and I hope that you will like this one as well, as always I own nothing. SPOILER WARNING: Stuff from the books, probably not relevant to show-only watchers, more for those who are still working their way through the books.
That night the Queen instructed that a feast was to be held for the Queen's guests, Sansa supposed that 'guests' sounded better than 'prisoners' or 'hostages'. This far south the winter had not truly made itself known so long tables were set up in the open air. As Sir Massey escorted her to her place at the table Sansa noted that in addition to Dornish fare and food that seemed to originate in Essos, the was much that clearly came from the Reach. Looking about the tables she saw that there were several lords of the Reach present at the feast and gave no indication that they were in any way there under compulsion.
Sansa was given a place on the left hand of the Queen. The Queen had taken off her crown and now wore a simple blue dress. The chair on her right side was empty and Sansa assumed it would be for Prince Oberyn, but she soon realized that this was not the case. To her surprise the seat was taken by none other than Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns herself. The old woman looked over and saw Sansa looking at her and smiled in a strange way.
"Why my dear, this is a surprise. Dragons and wolves, one meets such interesting people these days." Sansa was about to rise and curtsy, but then she stopper herself. She was now Wardeness of the North and a Lady Paramount. As such her standing was equal to that of Lady Olenna's son. So instead she merely nodded.
"Lady Olenna, I too must confess my surprise to see you as well. I should think that King's Landing would not be overly pleased to hear that you are in the camp of one of their rivals." The old lady gave a snort.
"Why my dear, I am not here voluntarily. I was just going for a pleasant ride when, seeming popping up from the ground, were all these armed men who insisted that I come with them. So you see, I am a hostage, just ask the knights who rode with me. They are all prepared to swear most piously that we are here under duress." Though she said this in a firm tone of voice her eyes a slight twinkle could be seen in her eyes.
"Well, if one must be a hostage, this is certainly both a pleasant and interesting place to be held as such."
"Indeed, things are so exciting these days, dragons and Targaryens, they can make things exciting if nothing else." Sansa looked around and saw that no one was too close at hand.
"Some would say too interesting." She said, remembering what Tyrion had said.
"Oh a little…oddness is not necessarily a bad thing. Normal kings are so boring, she might spice things up a bit. And I don't think that the dragons are as dangerous as the tales say. The Queen tells me they are mainly fond of eating sparrows." Just at that moment the Queen appeared, escorted by the man with the blue beard. All rose and bowed as she entered and took her seat. Once she was seated the feast began.
The food was exquisite, though Sansa found that she did not care for the foreign food much. The conversation was not terribly interesting, the Queen focusing the majority of her attention on Lady Olenna. With no one really to talk to Sansa began to look about. Something did not seem quite right, but it took her a few moments to figure out what was off. At last it came to her, Sir Barristan was not there. That was strange, he was the Queen's sworn shield and yet he was nowhere to be seen.
Now that she was looking for it she found that Sir Barristan was not the only one who was not present. Tyrion was also missing and also Prince Oberyn. Where could they be? It seemed that the battle would occur soon and surly the Queen would want them here when it occurred. Her thoughts were interrupted the sound of the Queen clearing her throat.
"Lady Sansa, I was wondering if, it being such a fine evening, you would care to take the air with me." Sansa could hardly refuse and rose.
"I should be honored your Grace." They left the tables and walked out of the camp into an open countryside. As they walked Sansa noticed that several large men were following discreetly behind them. The Queen noticed her and smiled at her.
"One can hardly travel alone, I am in hostile territory after all." This last was said with a slight smile.
"I do not see Sir Barristan, is he not your sworn shield?"
"He is, but I have need of him elsewhere at the moment." The way she said it made it clear that the Queen was not going to go into further detail. They walked a little farther before the Queen began to speak.
"I had hoped that we would be able to speak privately. Here we can lay aside all the Court protocol and simply talk." She paused for a moment and then began to speak again.
"I understand that there are grievances between our families." She looked like she was going to say something else but did not seem able to continue and when she spoke again it was clear that she had changed the subject.
"I also understand that you Starks value their honor. Your father, brother and yourself. But surely you must see that you cannot win and you will not suffer alone. Someone once told me that the smallfolk only want to be left alone but rarely are. Baratheon, Stark, Tully, Tyrell, Lannister and all the others. You feud and fight with one another and the people caught in the middle bleed." She paused and looked at Sansa.
"Do you know why my family was so successful as rulers of Westeros? It was because we are outsiders. There are so many rivalries and feuds that if any one of your families take the throne they will never be secure. Look at what happened when the Usurper took the throne from my family. His body was not even cold when five men were tearing the land apart.
"Even if Stannis does succeed, which he shall not, he will never sit easy on the throne. There will be rivals and those who refuse to accept him. I have been told he is hard and inflexible and not overly forgiving. That will drive people to rebellion. So even if he wins there will be only more suffering and I will not permit that to happen.
"I urge you to consider your choice of sovereigns. Are your pride and a title really worth the lives of your people?
Author's Notes: Hey everyone, did you like it? The conversation will continue in the next one. Was Danny was correct in her argument? Till next time please pray for those on the missing Egyptian flight and all others who need prayer. Bye and may Jesus bless you.