Monster // Petyr Baelish

37. Sweet Lies

'Lord stark you must be thirsty.' Varys said kneeling before him handing him a jug of water. 'I promise you it's not poisonous.' he said uncorked it, taking a sip before handing it over. And Ned took a long chug. 'Not so much my Lord I would save the rest if I were you, hide it men have been known to die of thirst in the cells.'

'What about my daughters?'

'The younger one has seem to escape the castle even my birds cannot seem to find her.'

'And Rieka? Sansa?'

'Lord Baelish is keep a close eye on Lady Rieka. As for Sansa well, she is still engaged to Joffrey, Cersei will keep her close the rest of your household though are all dead it appears. I hate the sight of blood.' Varys admitted.

'You watched my men being slaughtered and you did nothing.' Ned sneered.

'And I would again my Lord I was unarmed and surrounded by Lannister swords. when you look at me do you see a hero?" Ned took another sip 'what madness led you to tell the queen the truth about Joffrey's birth?'

'The madness of mercy. That she might protect her children.' ned admitted

'the children, it's always the innocent to suffer... It wasn't the wine that killed Robert or the boar though the wine slowed him down and the boar ripped him open but it was your mercy that killed the king. I trust you... but you are a dead man lord Eddard stark.' Varys told him.

'The queen can't kill us,' Ned said confidently. 'we have her brother.' Ned reminded him.

'The wrong brother sadly.' Varys informed him. 'Besides, your wife has let the imp slip through her fingers.'

'If that is true then slit my throat and be done with it.' Ned declared.

'Not today my Lord'

'Tell me some thing Varys who do you truly serve?' Ned questioned curiously.

'The realm my Lord. Someone must.' Varys said walking away and leaving him in darkness.

Rieka and Sansa had been confirmed to their chambers, Arya was still missing and Petyr couldnt bare to look at Rieka's seeing her broken face and knowing he couldnt help her. He held onto her claiming she was his responsibility since her father was incapacitated, he didnt want her anywhere near here, he missed her smile, she was angry and bitter now. 

'Do you deny your father's crime?" Petyr questioned gently, Sansa clung to Rieka as she ran a hand up and down her back. 

Petyr had tried to show he was an ally with Sansa, Rieka already adored him but Sansa was a nervous little dove and she was almost believing him when he said he wanted to help. But maybe it was her lack of communication with anyone else that her had mind betrayed that Petyr wasnt the villain. But Rieka liked him, so Sansa had to believe that he was a good man too. RIeka wouldnt fall in love with a monster, would she?

"No, My Lords. We know he must be punished. All I ask is mercy. I know my Lord Father must regret what he did. He was King Robert's friend and he loved him. You all know he loved him. He never wanted to be Hand until the King asked him. They must have lied to him, Lord Renly or Lord Stannis or somebody. They must have lied!" Sansa spoke truthfully and honestly, begging for her father. 

Rieka had so much to say but Petyr had begged her to hold her tongue she wasnt in favor with the queen he didnt want her in any more trouble. So Rieka leaned into Petyr and kept her lips slammed shut. He ran a hand up and down her arms as she bit her lip.

"Your father said I wasn't the King. Why did he say that?" Joffrey shouted. 

"Because you arent." Rieka mumbled under her breath. Petyr nuzzled into her neck whispering, Save you pretty head Rieka.

"He was badly hurt. Maester Pycelle was giving him milk of the poppy. He wasn't himself. Otherwise he never would have said it." Rieka declared. He wasnt stupid as to confront the prince in public, calling him a bastard. Ned Stark was smarter than that, yet here they were. Maybe he did, maybe he declared it and Ned wasnt thinking clearly, he could have manipulated the prince, the bastard prince, he should have been sneaky like Petyr wanted, maybe he wouldnt be in chains right now. 

"A child's faith. Such sweet innocence. And yet they say wisdom oft comes from the mouths of babes." Varys said solemnly.

"Treason is treason!" pycelle declared.

"Anything else?" Joffrey sat pompously in the iron throne. Make him believe you love him, Petyr told Rieka and Sansa. Sansa did love him and think the best of him still, because Sansa was an idiot.

 He is an arrogant, pompous child he will believe you if you fall to your knees and proclaim love in your heart for your king. Rieka looked to Petyr and he nodded it was the only way, Rieka hated it, hated what she was going to do but she pulled away from Sansa and dropped to her knees.

"Please... If you still have any affection in your heart for my sister, as we do for you... please do us this kindness, Your Grace." Rieka begged. Joffrey leaned back in his chair debating Rieka's words.

"Your sweet words have moved me. But your father has to confess. He has to confess and say that I'm the King. Or there'll be no mercy for him."

"He will." Sansa agreed. Rieka slowly pulled herself off her knees and she felt like a whore as she got up, selling her soul. She never wanted to kneel for a man again. Not Joffrey, no man. They should bow down before her, she liked that better. Now the next mission on the agenda, get Ned out of the prisons.