The Prince of Thorns

💍A Lannister's Duty💍

KING'S LANDING, SANSA'S CHAMBERS

Shae and two servants help Sansa with the final touches of her make-up. Shae answers a knock at the door. She is displeased to see Tyrion. The two servants leave, and Shae ignores Tyrion as he and Podrick enter.

TYRION: "Lady Sansa."

SANSA: "You look very handsome, my lord."

TYRION: "Oh, yes. The husband of your dreams. But you do look glorious. Perhaps we could have a moment alone. Do you mind? Podrick, could you escort Lady Stark's handmaiden?"

Shae and Podrick exit. Tyrion shuts the door.

TYRION: "My lady, I want you to know I didn't ask for this."

SANSA: "I hope I will not disappoint you, my lord."

TYRION: "No, don't. You don't have to speak to me as a prisoner anymore. You won't be a prisoner after today. You'll be my wife. I suppose that's a different kind of prison. I just wanted to say- I'm just trying to say, very badly- I just- just want to say I know how you feel."

SANSA: "I doubt that very much, my lord."

TYRION: "You're right. I have no idea how you feel. And you have no idea how I feel."

Tyrion takes Sansa's hand, tenderly.

TYRION: "But I promise you one thing, my lady. I won't ever hurt you. Do you drink wine?"

SANSA: "When I have to."

TYRION: "Well, today you have to."

Sansa smiles. Tyrion leads her forward.

KING'S LANDING, THE SEPT OF BAELOR

Cersei and Margaery look on as the sept is prepared for the wedding.

MARGAERY: "You look radiant, Your Grace."

CERSEI: "Radiant? Why radiant?"

MARGAERY: "It's the word that came to mind."

Margaery takes Cersei's arm in hers.

MARGAERY: "We're going to be sisters soon. We should be friends."

CERSEI: "You're a musical girl, aren't you? I imagine you have a lovely voice."

They begin to descend into the sept.

MARGAERY: "A better dancer than a singer, I'm afraid."

CERSEI: "Ah, but you know the song 'The Rains of Castamere'?"

They pass Loras, and stop a bit further along.

MARGAERY: "Of course. They play it so often here at court."

CERSEI: "So you know the story of House Reyne of Castamere?"

MARGAERY: "Not as well as you, I'm sure."

CERSEI: "House Reyne was a powerful family. Very wealthy. The second wealthiest in Westeros. Aren't the Tyrells the second wealthiest family in Westeros now?"

MARGAERY: (nods)

CERSEI: "Of course, ambitious climbers don't want to stop on the second highest rung. If only you could take that final step, you'd see further than all the rest. You'd be alone with nothing but blue sky above you. So Lord Reyne built a castle as grand as Casterly Rock. He gave his wife diamonds larger than any my mother ever wore. And finally one day, he rebelled against my father. Do you know where House Reyne is now?"

MARGAERY: "Gone."

CERSEI: "Gone. A gentle word. Why not say slaughtered? Every man, woman, and child put to the sword."

They continue down the great stairs to the main floor.

CERSEI: "I remember seeing their bodies hanging high above the gates of Casterly Rock. My father let them rot up there all summer. It was a long summer. 'And now the rains weep o'er their halls, and not a soul to hear.'"

They pause. Cersei looks Margaery in the eye and frees her arm.

CERSEI: "If you ever call me sister again, I'll have you strangled in your sleep."

Cersei exits.

OUTSIDE THE SEPT

SANSA: "I'm nervous."

ALESTER: "Me too."

SANSA: "Really?"

ALESTER: "Of course, I'm not much of a courtly man."

SANSA: "Well I think that the princess is lucky to have you regardless. You've been one of the few people to treat me well in my time here."

ALESTER: "You're like a sister to me Sansa. I'm just sorry your father couldn't be in my place right now."

SANSA: "Yeah...but I think he would be happy to have you fill in for him."

The great doors open to the Sept of Baelor. Sansa walks through them, her arm locked around Alester's.

INSIDE THE SEPT

Tyrion stands on the stage, watching Sansa enter at the other side of the sept. The crowd quiets. Sansa pauses at the top of the steps as Alester separates from her moving off to sit.

Joffrey reaches down and takes Tyrion's step stool before noisily joining Cersei and Tywin. Tyrion fumes.

HIGH SEPTON: "You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection."

Sansa turns her back to Tyrion. He attempts to cloak Sansa, but he is too short. Joffrey snickers and some in the crowd join in. Tywin quiets their rudeness with a look. Alester can't keep himself still as he stands walking over to Joffrey and taking the stool back harshly to the Suprise of the king and all in attendance. He then walks back to Tyrion setting the stool back down softly.

TYRION: "Thank you."