CHAPTER 22

Later on that day, by the shoreline

Sansa kneels at a rocky overlook, praying for a safe journey tomorrow night for her and her sister, Celia. Margaery approaches.

Margaery said, "Ahem. I didn't mean to disturb you."

Sansa said getting up, "You haven't."

Margaery said to the guards, "We'd like some privacy, please. If you wouldn't mind waiting back inside the keep. Or if you'd be kind enough to give me your names, I'll ask the king to speak with you himself." The two guards leave.

Margaery asked, "What did you pray for?"

Sansa said, "I can't tell you."

Margaery said, "Why not? I'll tell you what I prayed for in the sept this morning. Let's see, for my family's health and happiness, for an end to the war, for a short winter. Boring and traditional, I'm afraid. And you?"

Sansa said, "I'm sorry, I just can't."

Margaery said, "My cousin Alanna was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. When I was 12, I was all elbows and knees and Alanna looked like a goddess sent to torture me. Pig-face, she called me."

Sansa said, "Pig-face? That's ridiculous."

Margaery said, "I think it had something to do with my nose. Whenever she passed me in the halls, she'd oink." Sansa laughs.

Margaery said, "So I prayed that she'd catch a horrible skin disease. A week after that, she came down with porridge plague."

Sansa said looking at her like she never heard of it before, "Porridge plague?"

Margaery said, "You don't have it in the North? Your skin starts to look like boiled oats and eventually your face slides off and you die in agony."

Sansa: But that's awful." Margaery nods and laughs.

Sansa said laughing, "You're… I believed you! Porridge plague. I'm an idiot."

Margaery said, "Don't say that. No, you're not."

Sansa asked, "So what happened to Alanna?"

Margaery said waving her hand, "Oh, she grew up to be the most beautiful woman and married a handsome lord and they have darling children and live in a castle by the sea. It's all terribly frustrating." They arrive at another overlook.

Sansa said, "I'm sure she's jealous of you now. You'll be married here in the capital and she'll have to come watch and pretend to be happy that you're queen." Margaery takes both of Sansa's hands.

Margaery said, "I want us to be friends, good friends."

Sansa said, "That would make me very happy."

Margaery said, "You must see Highgarden. You'd love it there. I know you would. We have a great masquerade the night of the harvest moon. You should see the costumes. People work on them for months."

Sansa said, "I- I don't think the King or the Hand would let me leave King's Landing."

Margaery said, "I will be Queen once I marry Tommen. And if you were to marry Loras... Oh, your place would be at Highgarden, wouldn't it? We would be sisters, you and I. Would you like that?"

Sansa said, "I would like to see Highgarden some day." She did not confirm that she was marrying anyone. She thought Ser Loras Tyrell didn't like women from the rumors. Sansa was glad to be leaving real soon with Celia tomorrow night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night, Celia was sitting on her bed with the little mirror, calling out to Jaqen. She said softly, "Jaqen? Jaqen, my love? Can you hear me? I miss you." She waited a little while.

Suddenly, Jaqen appeared in the mirror in the dark smiling his soft smile at her. She reached out to touch the mirror with his face in it. Jaqen said softly, "Celia, a man has missed a beautiful girl terribly. A man had to get a girl's sister and her two friends out of Harrenhal and had to leave her to come back to a girl this man loves." Celia was surprised he left Arya and knew he had a reason.

Celia pinched her bridge of her nose and asked, "What did she do to you? She is a stubborn little brat sometimes."

He said, sighing, "A man protected a girl and killed soldiers for a girl to keep her safe. A girl was mean to a man and did not need him anymore after the favors he did. A man gave a girl a Faceless Men coin and told a girl how to get to Braavos with it. A girl wanted to learn to do what a man can do and fight like Celia. A man told a girl to go to The House Of Black And White and show the coin at the door to be trained. The rest, a man left to a girl to do or not."

Celia said softly, "It's ok. You did very well and I am grateful for it. She is a very trying stubborn little girl. I hope she learns humility and patience and gets that training from the Faceless Men."

Jaqen smiled at her and said, "My beautiful girl is always kind in valuing a man's efforts. A man cannot wait to touch and kiss a beautiful girl again."

Celia said softly with affection, "I can't wait to kiss you again, Jaqen. You are a good and patient man putting up with my littlest sister to help me. I have just one more death to give to the Many Faced God before for my father and the man just got back in town. Sansa and I are leaving tomorrow night, through the catacombs. The map you gave me was so very helpful. We can take the horses and Shadow while bypassing the city gates. They had a siege here and we hid in the catacombs until it was over. Thank you, my love. Now, Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King. Sansa will be the problem because she is recognizable. I have bought dye to dye her hair dark like mine when we can get to an inn. Until then I am wrapping her head with a large black scarf so as not to see her red hair under the hood of the cloak. I will tightly braid her hair down her back like mine."

Jaqen said softly, "There is an inn called The Ivy Inn. A man passed it on the way up on the Kingsroad. A girl can meet a man there with a girl's sister. A man will get a room and a girl will get a room for her sister in five or six days of travel from King's Landing. Wear the man's face so a girl will not be recognized as a girl." She smiled fondly at him for his concern.

Celia said affectionately, "You are always thinking of my safety. I long for your touch Jaqen. You be safe too, my love." He smiled at her with desire in his eyes.

Jaqen said softly, "Sleep well, beautiful girl. A man will see a beautiful girl soon. Let a man know how a girl and her sister are each night."

Celia said longing for him, "I will. I love you, Jaqen."

Jaqen said, sighing, "A man loves a beautiful girl also." Celia put away the mirror after one last look at him.

Jaqen smiled, sitting up high on a large branch with his legs crossed against a tree trunk in the dark. He was thinking of her face and lips to kiss again soon. He was relieved to talk to her after so long. He would head directly to The Ivy Inn. He would be there in a few days waiting for her. He just hoped she got out of the city without any problems.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning in the King's Landing, Small Council Chamber, Tywin stands by the head of the table. Grand Maester Pycelle, Varys, and Lord Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish enter silently. Tyrion enters next. Tywin sits, then Pycelle, Varys, and Littlefinger join him. Tyrion remains still, while King Tommen enters and surveys the room. He pauses, then walks to the table. He sits down next to Tywin, then sits while the others smirk. Tyrion comes forward, and drags the final chair noisily and comically to the opposite head of the table. He sits.

Tyrion smiled and said, "Intimate. Lovely table. Better chairs than the old small council chamber. Conveniently close to your own quarters, father. I like it."

Tywin asked, "What news of Robb? What news of his older sister too, his twin? We have possession of his middle sister but if anything happens to him I want possession of the older one more." Celia thought, 'Good luck with that, Tywin Lannister. I'm not for sale and you're going to lose the middle sister too tonight. Then you have no leverage. Oh, yes, I almost forgot. I have your family sword. How bad do you want Brightroar? Oh yes and I ran across my father's bastard sword 'Ice' in the possession of that stupid Joffrey's bedroom right after I killed him. I wonder how long it will take for you to go looking for it and find it disappeared?'

Varys said, "I heard a whisper that she might be in Braavos, but that was over two moon turns ago. The girl ran off the night before they were to come to King's Landing with King Robert and Ned Stark. Nobody in the council seemed to care back then."

Tywin said commandingly, "Twenty thousand unwashed Northerns have known about the older sister leaving before Ned Stark came south for many months. Collectively, you control more spies and informants than the rest of the world combined. Do you mean to tell me that you of all people has any notion of where she can be found now?"

Varys said, "Now, someone cares to locate her. I will inquire again on my part, my lord, but it will take time to hear back?"

Tywin said, "Try harder. We need her physically in our possession, even if I have to marry her myself. I need her here. What do we have, then?" Celia was stunned by him saying that. There was another somebody wanting to marry her. Between him or Stannis? She thought, 'That is, so never going to happen.'

Varys said, "Robb Stark and most of his bannermen are in Riverrun for the funeral of his grandfather Lord Hoster Tully. In Stark's absence, Roose Bolton holds Harrenhal, which would seem to make him Lord of Harrenhal, in practice if not in name. Roose Bolton sent his bastard son to take Winterfell from the Ironborn. The Ironborn took Winterfell and executed the two youngest sons of Ned Stark. I believe it was done by Theon Greyjoy who used to be his ward and captive from the Greyjoy Rebellion. Theon was calling himself the Prince Of Winterfell." Celia was angry and going to kill Theon if she ever saw him again.

Tywin said indifferently, "Well, let Bolton have Harrenhal for now. It suits our purposes far more than that useless pile of rubble. The Lord of Harrenhal will make a worthy suitor for the widow Arryn."

Littlefinger said, "For which I am extremely grateful to you, my lord. Lady Arryn and I have known each other since we were children. She has always been positively predisposed toward me." Celia thought, 'I bet. Sansa told me she isn't right in the head, so you could probably manipulate her to steal the lands.'

Pycelle said, "A successful courtship would make Lord Baelish acting Lord of the Vale." Celia thought he was just grabbing power. She also wondered how long Lysa Arryn would live once he was established.

Littlefinger smiled a sticky smile and said, "Titles do seem to breed titles."

Tywin said, "You'll leave for the Eyrie as soon as possible and bring Lysa Arryn into the fold. Then the young wolf can add his own aunt to the list of people who have taken up arms against him." Celia smiled smugly and knew what was going to befall Littlefinger today.

Tyrion said, "Far be it from me to hinder true love, but Lord Baelish's absence would present certain problems. The royal wedding may end up being the most expensive event in living memory. Summer has ended, hard days lie ahead. Not a good time to leave the crown's finances unattended."

Tywin said, "Fully agreed. Which is why I'm naming you new Master of Coin."

Tyrion asked "Master of Coin?"

Tywin said smugly, "It would appear to be a position that best suits your talents."

Tyrion said sarcastically, "I'm quite good at spending money, but a lifetime of outrageous wealth hasn't taught me much about managing it." Celia smiled because the little man was funny.

Littlefinger said, "I have no doubt you will prove equal to this challenge."

Pycelle said, "Hear, hear."

When the meeting was over Celia trailed Littlefinger. She had something special waiting for him at the right place and time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Littlefinger went to his main brothel to retrieve the books with Tyrion. Celia followed them observing. Roz kneels at a hidden compartment in the floor. She hands Podrick Payne a series of ledgers. He admires her assets. She notices.

Tyrion said, "A surprising place to keep the royal ledgers."

Littlefinger said, "I'm surprised you're surprised. This is the safest place in the city."

Tyrion said, "Not for bastards."

Roz said, "That's all of them, my lord."

Littlefinger said, "Thank you, my dear."

Tyrion said trying to get Podrick's attention from looking over Roz's assets, "Pod. Pod. Take them outside. I'll be there in a moment."

Podrick said, snapping out of it, "Yes, my lord." Podrick wheels the ledges away in a cart. Roz leaves as well.

Littlefinger said, "I hear you owe that boy a significant debt."

Tyrion said, "Only my life. Not all that significant, I'm afraid."

Littlefinger said, "You should have him knighted."

Tyrion said, "If only the Master of Coin had such power."

Littlefinger said, "If only."

Tyrion said, "Well we don't."

Littlefinger said, "I know."

Tyrion said, "Any advice for me on my new position?"

Littlefinger said, "Keep a low profile."

Tyrion said, "If I had a gold dragon for every time I heard that joke, I'd be richer than you are."

Littlefinger said, "Well, you are richer than I am."

Tyrion said shrugging, "Good point."

Littlefinger said, "They're only numbers. Numbers on paper. Once you understand that, it's easy to make them behave. Trivial even. You want a real challenge? Try whores."

Tyrion said, "I've tried quite a few in my lifetime. Well, lots of work to do. Enjoy the Eyrie." Tyrion left the brothel.