Cracked But Not Broken on hold

Second Family

i let out what has to be the hundredth sigh in the last ten minutes as i sit in the garden of kings landing knitting with my sister and a very silent raging Sandor who is still angry i left the other day for the errand at little fingers without telling him. Sansa looks up at me with a knowing look having been in my room this morning with me when Cersei came to tell me that the king would announce to my marriage to the monster that has taken so much from me tomorrow when his court would gather to make last minute preparations for his wedding i stood my ground like my mother had taught me and never once showed how i felt about it but my sister though only 16 in age was smart enough to see through the act. Sandor was only concerned right now with keeping his brother far from me as he could. Sansa takes my hand softly and looks at me 

"They have taken enough from our family why can't they just send us home why torture us further marring you to that monster and me to Tyrion of all people, i was so naive to think coming here was so great that Joffrey was going to be the greatest person father could of had me marry. i even had to force you to come with us"

"Hush Sansa we must not let the wrong people hear that talk besides Tyrion is a good man just because he is different does not change the fact that you would be safe married to him. trust me if i had my way sister you would be safe at home and enough of that you did not force me to come, I wouldn't have let you, father and Arya come here on your own. you were naive yes but that is part of being a child Sansa you saw the best in people your innocence is the one thing i will forever curse the Lannister's for taking from you." Sansa smiles at me what i said was true Sansa always saw the world the way Rob myself and Arya never could we all knew that with the good in the world there was also bad and while Sansa only saw the good in others, we could see what lie beneath the surface. i start to go back to my knitting when Sansa stands and bows i look behind me letting out a smile as Olenna and Margaery Tyrell walk toward us i look around seeing no one but Olenna's own men around knowing that they would make sure no one would spy on us. i get up hugging both women having spent most of my childhood with the two Tyrell women i saw them as family Olenna a grandmother and Margary only a year older than Sansa was like another sister to me.

"Oh, it's always so good to see you Leia I've been so busy i barely see you" Margery smiles as she says this i smile back and see Olenna sit down after greeting Sansa i know from her look, she wants to talk to me it's only confirmed when Margery takes Sansa's arm saying she wishes to talk to her i nod and sit down in my previous seat across from Olenna a cup of tea smelling heavy of the herbs i use for my throat telling me this conversation will be a long one

"What is it Grandmother you have that look on you. What are you up to?" i ask causing her to smile at me she takes my hand and i know right then i will not get all the answers i want only what she is willing to let me know. 

"You have grown so much in the short years you have left us Aleia right now though you are like a wilted flower you let this place break you that is not the women i helped raise the fight is all but gone in you."

"I'm tired grandmother they took everything from me but trust me the girl you raised to fight is still there just waiting for the moment to show herself but it's hard the man who took my voice and all i had left is to become my husband how do i fight against that?" Olenna smiles not a soft reassuring one but a smile that holds a promise she has a plan and like always she is playing her cards close to her chest.

"You don't think I'd let you marry that beast, do you? i have a plan my dear just trust in me you are not alone in this both my granddaughters will be safe" i smile at her and squeeze her hand i never knew my grandparents and though at first i hated my father for sending me away after what happened as a child i love him for it now or i would not of met the woman in front of me nor Doran Oberyn's brother and a dear friend of mine. i stay a while longer with Olenna before another friend from Highgarden Triston comes to get me to practice fighting with a spear. i stand and lean down like I'm kissing Olenna's cheek and whisper