The next day, Shae is sitting on Sansa's bed leaning back, while Aldarra brushes Sansa's hair as they are before a mirror. LaShae says, "I still don't believe it."

Aldarra said, "I don't either."

Sansa said adamantly, "He didn't. He didn't want anything. He just takes an interest because he loved my mother."

Aldarra said, "I promise you, little one. He's a snake and wants in everyone's small clothes if he can get in them."

Shae said agreeing, "Yes, she is right. Men only want one thing from a pretty little girl like you."

Sansa said, "Littlefinger's not in love with me." Shae and Aldarra help Sansa into her dress.

Shae said, "Love is not the thing he wants, Lady Sansa." Aldarra nodded, agreeing.

Sansa said exasperatedly, "He's too old."

Shae said chuckling, "They do not ever see it that way, older or not. Look at Aldarra, her man is older."

Aldarra asked inquisitively, "Lord Baelish didn't ask you to do something for him? Spy on someone or tell him about someone?"

Sansa said flatly, "No."

Aldarra said, kissing her cheek, "If he does ask you for anything or tries anything or touches you, I want you to tell me right away, ok?"

Sansa asked curiously, "Why? What will you do? I will make him stop." Sansa sat down.

Aldarra said, putting her hands on her shoulders, "I can make sure he will not be using his thingy for anything on any other innocent little girls but for peeing. Snip, snip!" All three were giggling together when there was a knock on the door.

One of the guards opened the door to announce, "Ser Loras Tyrell, my Lady Sansa."

Sansa said, "Send him in." Shae stands up and Aldarra sits next to Sansa. The door opens and Ser Loras Tyrell enters the room glancing around.

Loras said smiling, "Lady Sansa."

Sansa nodded her head saying, "Ser Loras."

Loras said smiling, "My sister Margaery invites you to take the air with her and our grandmother, the Lady Olenna, in the gardens. May I escort you to them?"

Sansa asks, "Would it be ok if my friend, Lady Aldarra Blackthorne came too?"

Loras smiled and said, "I don't think that would be a problem at all." Sansa and Aldarra exit the room with Loras, while Shae watches with concern, but glad Aldarra has gone with her.

Sansa, Aldarra and Loras stroll together through the garden. Loras takes Sansa's hand placing it on his arm. Aldarra watches the action from behind. Loras says being charming, "I believe you grow more beautiful every day, Lady Sansa."

Sansa blushes and says, "You are too kind, Ser Loras. You probably don't remember the first time we met. At the Hand's tourney, you gave me your favor. A rose, a red rose." Aldarra rolled her eyes unseen behind them.

Loras said, "Of course I did." They approach Lady Margaery Tyrell.

Maregaery said to a maid, "It's more your color. You take it." She hands the girl a flower.

The maid said smiling, "Thank you."

Margaery said to Loras affectionately, "You're such a dear and you brought an extra friend."

Loras said smiling at Margaery, "Lady Sansa requested to bring her along with us. I'll take my leave. Lady Sansa. Lady Aldarra." He bowed to them.

Sansa said, "Thank you, Ser Loras." He leaves. Margaery leads Sansa and Aldarra to a patio, filled with maids.

Margaery smiled saying, "Come the more the merrier. Lady Sansa, Lady Aldarra, it is my honor to present my grandmother the Lady Olenna of House Tyrell." They walk to Lady Olenna, who is seated on the patio.

Olenna said, "Kiss me, child." Margaery leans down and kisses her cheek. Olenna extends her hand and Sansa kisses it in greeting, as does Aldarra.

Olenna said pleasantly, "It's so good of you to visit me and my foolish flock of hens, both of you. We're very sorry for your losses, Lady Sansa. Congratulations on your soon marriage to Tywin, Lady Aldarra."

Aldarra said, "Thank you." Aldarra had a feeling that this sly old woman was fishing for information and she was glad to be there to watch out for Sansa.

Sansa said, "And I was sorry when I heard of Lord Renly's death, Lady Margaery. He was very gallant."

Aldarra said, "I am sorry too. We both know what it's like to lose a friend." Aldarra held Sansa's hand.

Olenna said, "Yes, it is difficult. Gallant, yes. And charming and very clean. He knew how to dress and smile and somehow this gave him the notion he was fit to be king."

Margaery said perkily, "Renly was brave and gentle, Grandmother. Father liked him and so did Loras." Aldarra thought, 'From the rumors I heard Loras and Renly were very fond of each other.'

Olenna said, "Loras is young and very good at knocking men off horses with a stick. That does not make him wise. As to your fathead father…"

Margaery admonished saying, "Grandmother! What will Sansa and Aldarra think of us?"

Olenna said in response, "They might think we have some wits about us. One of us, at any rate. It was treason. I warned them. Robert has two sons and Renly has an older brother. How could he possibly have any claim to that ugly iron chair? We should have stayed well out of all this if you ask me. But once the cow's been milked, there's no squirting the cream back up her udders. So here we are to see things through. What do you say to that, Sansa? Shall we have some lemon cakes?"

Sansa smiled and said, "Lemon cake's are my favorite."

Olenna said slyly, "So we've been told." She said to the servant, "Are you going to bring the food or do you mean to starve us to death? Here, Sansa, come sit next to me. I'm much less boring than these others." They move to a table away from the others. Sansa sat next to her and Aldarra next to Sansa leaving Margaery the seat left.

Olenna asked, "Do you know my son? The Lord of Highgarden?"

Sansa said, "I haven't had the pleasure." Aldarra shook her head no.

Olenna said, "No great pleasure, believe me. A ponderous oaf. His father was an oaf as well. My husband, the late Lord Luthor. He managed to ride off a cliff whilst hawking. They say he was looking up at the sky and paying no mind to where his horse was taking him. And now my son is doing the same, only this time he's riding a lion instead of a horse. Now I want you to tell me the truth about this royal boy, this Joffrey."

Sansa got extremely anxious and on guard stiffening. She said, "I…, I…"

Olenna said directly, "You, you. Who else would know better? We've heard some troubling tales. Is there any truth to them? Has this boy mistreated you?" Aldarra knew it. The old bat was fishing. Sansa looks down and doesn't reply.

Aldarra squeezed her hand and said, "That's a very direct thing to ask. You're making her uncomfortable and I know she would never talk behind someone's back, especially the King. She is not that kind of person."

Olenna said testily to Aldarra then Sansa, "Hush you. Has he ripped out your tongue?"

Sansa said in her programmed response, "King Joffrey, H… His Grace is very fair and handsome and as brave as a lion."

Olenna said, "Yes, all Lannisters are lions. And when a Tyrell farts, it smells like a rose. But how kind is he? How clever? Has he a good heart, a gentle hand?"

Margaery said, "I'm to be his wife. I only want to know what that means." A servant approaches and brings a platter.

Olenna said, "Bring me some cheese."

He said, "The cheese will be served after the cakes, my lady."

Olenna stated firmly, "The cheese will be served when I want it served. And I want it served now." The servant nodded and exited quickly.

Olenna said, "Are you frightened, child? No need for that. We're only women here. Tell us the truth. No harm will come to you." Aldarra was getting fed up with this old woman pressuring Sansa.

Sansa said distantly, "My father always told the truth."

Olenna said, "Yes, he had that reputation. And they named him traitor and took his head."

Sansa said shaken, "Joffrey. Joffrey did that. He promised he would be merciful and he cut my father's head off. And he said that was mercy. Then he took me up on the walls and made me look at it." Sansa holds back tears.

Oleanna said baitingly, "Go on."

Aldarra said angry, "Go on?! Really?! Quit pressuring her. It's cruel!" Sansa regains some of her composure. Olenna looks at Aldarra, perturbed that she was interfering.

Sansa said, "I… I can't. I never meant… My father was a traitor. My brother as well. I have traitor's blood. Please leave me be."

Margaery said concerned, "She's terrified, Grandmother. Just look at her."

Olenna said, pressing, "Speak freely, child. We would never betray your confidence, I swear it."

Aldarra said standing up with Sansa following and stepping away from the table, "This has gone far enough! Come Sansa, my dear. They are trying to get you in trouble and upset you. Not betray my foot. How can you be so cruel to her and have your granddaughter sit back and watch, like it is ok to treat a young girl like this. She is vulnerable to talk of painful things and pry information from."

Olenna said spitefully, "Seems you have delegated yourself as her keeper then?"

Aldarra held Sansa close to her and said, "I am. She is my friend and I treat her like a true family member. If a keeper l am called, so be it in this den of snakes."

Olenna said smirking, "Your family is gone, what do you care about a Stark any way? She belongs to the crown. You're just a houseless woman with nothing left. Is that why you are marrying a powerful old man so you can be wealthy? Why did you run to Braavos anyway to make him chase you down?"

Margaery said, alarmed, "Grandmother, you go too far."

Aldarra said, narrowing her eyes, "I don't have to justify my actions to the Tyrell's in order to give you explanations or answers to your questions and neither does Sansa. Good day." Aldarra and Sansa walked away.

Margaery said curiously, "How do you plan on getting Sansa to marry into our family if you're pushing her and her friend away?"

Olenna said nonchalantly, "There are other avenues."

—--

The next day, Olenna sits thinking alone about yesterday and what was said to Sansa and Aldarra.

A maid asked, "Do you like it, Nana?" She holds out a flower to her.

Olenna said testily, "Another golden rose. How original. I eat from plates stamped with roses. I sleep in sheets embroidered with roses. I have a golden rose painted on my chamber pot, as if that makes it smell any better. Roses are boring, dear. 'Growing strong.' Ha! The dullest words of any house. 'Winter is coming!' Now that's memorable. 'We do not sow.' Strong. Strong. Those are houses you watch out for. Direwolves and krakens, fierce beasts. But a golden rose growing strong- ha, that strikes fear in the heart." Varys approached.

Olenna said wittily, "Look, little loves. A spider in the garden. Run along now. Grow strong." The maids walk away and Varys arrives.

Varys said pleasantly, "My lady. I wanted to personally welcome you to King's Landing. The city has been made brighter by your presence."

Olenna testily said, "The city is made brighter by my presence? Is that your usual line, Lord Varys? Are you here to seduce me?"

Varys said behind his masked face, "A little obvious, perhaps."

Olenna said, "Oh, no, please. Seduce away. It's been so long. Though I rather think it's all for naught. What happens when the nonexistent bumps against the decrepit? A question for the philosophers. But you've come mincing all this way for something. So?"

Varys asked, "Might I sit?"

Olenna said, clipped, "No. Come, I've heard you're such a clever man. I'm curious why you've sought me out."

Varys asked, "You've taken an interest in Sansa Stark?"

Olenna said feigning ignorance, "Have I? Because I spoke to her once in this garden with her friend and one of your little spies came running to tell you? Why shouldn't I take an interest? She's an interesting girl."

Varys asked with his eyebrow up, "Is she?"

Olenna said, "No, not particularly. But she's had an interesting childhood." Varys moves to leave.

Varys said, "She has, sadly. Well, forgive me for wasting your time, then. I thought we shared certain hopes for her well-being." He began to leave.

Olenna said placatingly and stood up, "Come, come. You surrender rather easily. Walk with me. I know the walls have ears, but apparently the shrubbery does, too." Varys and Olenna walk together.

Varys said, "I choose my allies carefully and my enemies more carefully still."

Olenna asked curiously, "Which is Sansa Stark?"

Varys said, sighing, "Neither. A babe in the woods. I admired her father."

Olenna said snarkily, "Yes. Ned Stark had many admirers, and how many stepped forward when the executioner came for his head?"

Varys said, sighing, "I could not help Lord Stark. Perhaps I can help his daughter."

Olenna asked, "How?"

Varys said, "You're not the only one who has taken an interest in her."

Olenna said, "That's hardly surprising. She's a beautiful girl with a famous name. Her friend Lady Aldarra is a champion for her."

Varys said, "Indeed. Lady Aldarra is a protective person when it comes to Sansa especially when there were so few around to stand up for her. I dare say Lady Aldarra is a strong and capable woman and hard to manipulate. She is suspicious of everyone and rightfully so. Lady Sansa would make a lovely match for the right suitor, don't you think?"

Olenna said, "It almost feels as if you're about to arrive at the point."

Varys said, "Littlefinger is not long for the capital. A confidant of mine has told me that when he goes, Sansa Stark goes with him. I am not sure because of Lady Aldarra."

Olenna asked, "And why have you come to me with this matter?"

Varys said, "Littlefinger was born with no lands, no wealth, no armies. He has acquired the first two. How long before he has the army?" Olenna laughs.

Varys said skeptically, "Perhaps you'll laugh, but I know him better than most and this is the truth. Littlefinger is one of the most dangerous men in Westeros. If Robb Stark falls, Sansa Stark is the key to the North."

Olenna said sighing, "And if Littlefinger marries her, he'll have the key in his pocket?"

Varys said, "Which seems, would be such a shame. Why should a man with such a low reputation steal away such a lovely bride of influence and power?"

Olenna said skeptically, "You must despise him. You're working so hard to undermine him."

Varys said surprised, "Actually, I rather enjoy him. But he would see this country burn if he could be king of the ashes."

Olenna said pondering, "You are a clever man, Lord Varys. It would seem to be that Lady Aldarra is the only wrench in the plan. She can keep Littlefinger at bay, but would interfere with trying to marry Sansa to one of my family members."

Varys said, "You are too kind. I believe I have a possible solution. You need to be nice to Lady Aldarra and get her on your side to help suggest Sansa for one of your family members and she will keep Sansa away from Littlefinger."

Olenna said, "One doesn't need to be clever for that. It's all rather obvious, isn't it now? It's just that the meeting did not go so well yesterday. I may need to rethink a way to smooth over ruffling Lady Aldarra's feathers. She was quite angry with me when she left with Sansa yesterday and I was pressing for information too hard on Lady Sansa. Lady Aldarra got very angry at me for upsetting Lady Sansa."

Varys said, "I believe you should find a way of making amends, if I were you."