Mirrorball // Sansa Stark

31. Strangers

"We need to have a Gatsby party while you are here, you keep staying, that must mean you like us." Tyrion remarked. 

"I made a promise." Jae offered simply offering no more explanation. 

"You threw parties all the time," Tyrion recalled. "Are you missing it?"

"No actually." Jae admitted. "I found something else to occupy my mind." 

"Why do you throw parties?" Tyrion questioned. "Parties with strangers," he clarified. "From what I recall your home was filled and you didnt know a single person, they came for the free drinks and food."

"Thats why you came." Jae mused. 

"Touche." Tyrion laughed out. "Why not friends? You are a charming man, make friends wherever you go." Tyrion offered. 

"Thank you." Jae answered. "But you see I usually find myself among strangers because I drift here and there trying to forget the sad things that happened to me." Jae admitted. Tyrion nodded knowingly. "I assume that's why you have your fill of... women."

"Whores." Tyrion agreed.

"They are women, are they not?" Jae countered. "No judgement... out loud." Jae teased.

"You are hilarious." Tyrion declared rolling his eyes but a smirk was on his face as there was a knock on the door. 

"Lord Gatsby." Varys remarked. 

"Lord Varys." Jae answered. 

"Lord Tyrion, a quick word?" Varys questioned. 

"I trust Jae." Tyrion offered when Jae moved to get up but sat back down at Tyrion's words. 

"Thats kind of you." Jae agreed. 

''Alright, you will be pleased to know that our mutual friend is doing quite well in lady sansa's service.' Varys said to tyrion.

'Good,' Tyrion answered 'one of my better ideas.''

"I was meaning to ask about that," Jae admitted. 

"I trust her to, to look out for Sansa." Tyrion remarked. "When you can't. I know you are looking out for her but you can't be her constant body guard, not with my sister begging for your attention." Jae rolled his eyes. 

''Speaking of your sister, it seems the grandmaster has found himself into a black cell? Well played my Lord hand but should I be worried? Slynt and now Pycelle the small council grows smaller every day.'' Varys remarked. 

''Counselors have a reputation for serving past tense poorly. I don't mean to follow ned stark to the grave.'' Tyrion told him. Jae's brow furrowed he hated that the world was moving on from Ned's death that his children had to grow up without a father, that Robb was still fighting to try and get Sansa out. He worried about their fate. The lannisters had control, power, wealth, but the Starks had honor and friends that hopefully couldnt be bought. 

''Power is a curious thing my Lord. Are you fond of riddles?''

''Why am I about to get one?''

''Three great men sit in a room a king a priest and a rich man between them stand a common sell sword each great man lets the sell sword kill the other two. Who lives and who dies?' varys questioned him.

'Depends on the sell sword' Tyrion told him.

'It doesn't, he's neither Crown, nor gold, nor favor with the gods.' Varys told him. Jae looked between them curiously. 

'He has a sword the power of life and death.' Tyrion went on.

'But if it's swordsman who rule why do we pretend kings have all the power?' Jae questioned. Varys nodded. "But we all know its hands that hold the power," he added with a wink. 

''I've decided I don't like riddles.' tyrion said.

"it's a trick. Power is where men believe it lies" Varys informed him 'A shadow on the wall and a very small man can cast a very large shadow.''

Where was Jae? He could stop this, that circled Sansa's mind as she was brought before Joffrey. He perched on the throne, acting as king. But a king shouldnt act like Joffrey, shouldnt beat and belittle someone he was to marry. Sansa hoped that he would toss her aside but not like this, as she was brought to her knees, fear struck through her. Jae could fix this. Where was he? She prayed for Jae. 

'My mother insists you stay alive so we'll have to find another way to punish... your brother,' Joffrey said sitting back down. 'Leave her face I like a pretty' Joffrey said as his guard started to beat sansa. "We are going to have be louder if we want Robb stark to hear us."  Sansa whimpered out. ''My ladies overdressed, unburden her.' Joffrey told him meryn ripped at her dress, sansa on her knees cried out. The door slammed open and all heads turned.

''What the bloody hell is the meaning of all of this?'' Tyrion said storming forward, Jae ran forward shoving Meryn back.  Tyrion would put a stop to this.

''I was following orders' Meryn told him.

''Who orders someone to beat a helpless girl?'' Tyrion questioned incredulously. Jae knelt trying to cover her but he didnt have a cloak to cover her with. A part from taking off his own shirt. 

''One that follows the king you best learned that imp!' Meryn, always the loyal servant. Til the end. 'I do not bow before anyone unworthy of-''

''My grace,' Tyrion stepped forward, ignoring meryn, 'She is to be your queen, have you no honor for her dignity?' he questioned as Sandor wrapped his cloak around her she was shaking. Jae wrapped it tighter around her. He nodded to Sandor as he moved back to his post. 

''She committed crimes' Joffrey said

'She is not her brother you halfwit.' Tyrion told him.

'You can't talk to me like that!' Joffrey declared. 'The king has can do as he likes!' Joffrey told them.

'The mad king did is he liked, has your uncle Jaime ever told you what happened to him?' Tyrion reminded him.

'No one threatens his grace in the presence of the king guard!' Meryn said threateningly.

'I'm not threatening the king so I am educating my nephew. Bronn next time Ser Meryn speaks kill him. That was a threat see the difference?' Tyrion walked back down to Sansa cautiously he offered her hand she wrapped the cloak tighter around her before accepting his hand and standing up and following Jae and Tyrion out. Jae kept a hand around Sansa, she shook into him. 

''I apologize for my nephews behavior... tell me the truth do you want an end to this engagement?'' Tyrion requested. Jae met her nervous gaze. 

''I am loyal to King Joffrey my one true love.' Sansa said obediently. "Jae, can we go?" Sansa whispered, he nodded leading her back to her chambers. 

''Lady stark you may survive us yet.' Tyrion said as she disappeared.