The Prince of Thorns

Strained Thoughts🛡

 KING'S LANDING, GARDENS

SANSA: "Growing up at Winterfell, all I ever wanted was to escape, to come here to the capital. See the southern knights and their painted armor and King's Landing after dark- all the candles burning in all those windows. I'm stupid. A stupid little girl with stupid dreams who never learns."

MARGAERY: "Come on. Come walk with me."

Margaery and Sansa stand and walk.

MARGAERY: "I remember the first time I saw you in the throne room. I'd never seen anyone who looked so unhappy. I want very much for you to be happy, Sansa, and so does my grandmother."

Margaery picks a rose.

MARGAERY: "You would have been happy at Highgarden. But women in our position must make the best of our circumstances."

SANSA: "How do I make the best of my circumstances? I have to marry him."

Margaery hands the rose to Sansa.

MARGAERY: "Has Lord Tyrion mistreated you?"

SANSA: "No."

They walk.

MARGAERY: "Has he been kind to you?"

SANSA: "He's tried."

MARGAERY: "You don't want him, though."

SANSA: "He's a Lannister."

MARGAERY: "Far from the worst Lannister, wouldn't you say?"

SANSA: "I'm sorry. Here I am complaining to you."

MARGAERY: "My son will be king Sons learn from their mothers. I plan to teach mine a great deal. And your son, if I'm not mistaken, your son might be the Lord of Casterly Rock and the North someday. What?"

SANSA: "My son with him. I'll have to- we'll have to-"

MARGAERY: "If it's the pain you're worried about-"

SANSA: "I'm not afraid of the pain. Not after what Joffrey's done to me."

MARGAERY: "What is it, then? He's rather good-looking even with the scar. Especially with the scar."

SANSA: "He's a dwarf. And Loras- Loras."

MARGAERY: "Some women like tall men. Some like short men. Some like hairy men. Some like bald men. Gentle men, rough men, ugly men, pretty men, pretty girls. Most women don't know what they like until they've tried it. And, sadly, so many of us get to try so little before we're old and gray. Tyrion may surprise you. From what I've heard, he's quite experienced."

SANSA: "And that's a good thing?"

MARGAERY: "It can be. We're very complicated, you know. Pleasing us takes practice."

SANSA: "How do you know all this? Did your mother teach you?"

Margaery takes Sansa's arm.

MARGAERY: "Yes, sweet girl. My mother taught me."

SANSA: "It's....it's just..."

MARGAERY: "It's just what?"

SANSA: "I won't have anyone to walk me down the aisle."

MARGAERY: "(Smiling) I have that covered."

KING'S LANDING, TYRION'S CHAMBERS

Tyrion, Alester and Bronn sit, drinking wine.

TYRION: "She's a child."

BRONN: "She's a foot taller than you."

ALESTER: "Everybody is."

TYRION: "Very amusing Alester. She's just a tall child, Bronn."

BRONN: "What's the youngest you've ever had?"

TYRION: "Not that young."

BRONN: "How much older?"

TYRION: "Older."

ALESTER: "You wouldn't be the first man to not want to marry a chosen woman and you won't be the last but maybe just maybe the fact that you two are so different means you'll just work together somehow."

TYRION: "Shae isn't going to like it."

BRONN: "Shae is a whore. Are you gonna marry her? Eh? How did marrying a whore work out for you the first time?"

TYRION: "I should never have told you about that."

ALESTER: "All we can give you are our opinions. The rest is your decision."

BRONN: "You want Shae, keep her. Wed one and bed the other. All you have to do is get a son in the Stark girl. He'll be Lord of Winterfell one day. You can rule the North in his name. You'll have two women and a whole kingdom of your own."

TYRION: "Two women to despise me and a whole kingdom to join them."

ALESTER: "Yeah, I don't recommend Bronn's way."

Bronn pours more wine for them both.

BRONN: "Come on Alester you waste time trying to get people to love you, you'll end up the most popular dead man in town. (Chuckles, turning to Tyrion) You want to fuck that Stark girl. You just don't want to admit it."

TYRION: "I don't pay you to put evil notions in my head. The ones already there don't need company."

BRONN: "You pay me to kill people who bother you. Evil notions come free."

Bronn stands and grabs another pitcher of wine.