Mirrorball // Sansa Stark

39. Jewels & Dung

The throne room was a sea of jewels, furs, and bright fabrics. Lords and ladies filled the back of the hall and stood beneath the high windows, jostling like fishwives on a dock. 

Joffrey's court had striven to outdo each other today. Sansa looked around at the knights, the fools, the lords and ladies some decorated all in feathers, a plumage so fantastic and extravagant that he seemed like to take flight. The High Septon's crystal crown fired rainbows through the air every time he moved his head as it bounced off the light coming in through the high windows.

 At the council table, Queen Cersei shimmered in a cloth-of-gold gown slashed in burgundy velvet, the high ladies and their daughters looked pretty in matching gowns of turquoise, lavender, marron, midnight blue silks. Sansa looked to Jae and he wore his ever put together attire, always handsome, always professional but he didnt have all the gems and jewels, his handsome face was enough to draw everyones eyes to him. But he didnt care for the attention. 

Joffrey sat above them all, amongst the blades and barbs of the Iron Throne. He was in crimson samite, his black mantle studded with rubies, on his head his heavy golden crown. Squirming through a press of knights, squires, and rich townfolk, Sansa reached the front of the gallery overlooking everything, she saw everything and everyone in this birds eye view of the throne room. She looked to Jae as he wrapped an arm around her just as a blast of trumpets announced the entry of Lord Tywin Lannister. 

He rode his warhorse down the length of the hall and dismounted before the Iron Throne. Sansa had never seen such armor; all burnished red steel, inlaid with golden scrollwork and ornamentation. The roaring lion that crowned his helm had ruby eyes, and a lioness on each shoulder fastened a cloth-of-gold cloak so long and heavy that it draped the hindquarters of his horse. 

Even the horse's armor was gilded, and his barding's were shimmering crimson silk emblazoned with the lion of Lannister. The Lord of Casterly Rock made such an impressive figure that it was a shock when his destrier dropped a load of dung right at the base of the throne. Sansa chuckled softly to herself as Joffrey had to step gingerly around it as he descended to embrace his grandfather and proclaim him Savior of the City.

 Joffrey fastened the Hand's chain of office around his neck. Tywin nodded heading back down the aisle, he had work to do after all he couldnt sit around and dilly dally. 

The Pride of place was given to Mace Tyrell, the Lord of Highgarden, a once-powerful man, gone lazy. His son followed him in Ser Loras, along with his daughter and mother. The king did not descended the throne for them, he sat perched once again as the dung was cleaned up. 

'Your house has come to our aid the whole realm is in your debt none more so than I,' Joffrey said as Loras knelt before joffrey. Loras, Margaery Tyrell and their grandmother olenna, along with their Tyrell troops had come to their aid but they were not doing it from the goodness of their hearts.

'Ser Loras Tyrell.' Joffrey said and he stepped forward bowing down before the king 'your house has come to my aid the whole realm is in your debt as am I. if your family would ask anything in return ask it and it shall be yours.'

'Your Grace my sister Margaery... her husband was taken from us before... She remains innocent I would ask your grace to find it in your heart to do us this great honor to join our houses.' Loras requested still kneeling before him.

'Is this what you want lady Margaery?' Joffrey questioned, as she stepped forward, sansa stood at the over look staring down at them. Jae gave her a hopeful look and she leaned into him afraid to believe what was about to happen. 

'It is you grace... with all my heart your grace. I have come to love you from afar, tales of your courage and wisdom have never been far from my ears.' Margaery said flattering him. 'And those tales have taken root deep inside of me.'

'I do have heard tales of your beauty and Grace but they do not do you justice my lady.' Joffrey complimented. 'it would be an honor to return your love but I will promise to another.' Joffrey reminded them. 'A king must keep his word'' Her hope faded and she wanted to cry out, Jae pressed a kiss to her temple keeping her closer feeling a silent shudder run through her. 

''Your Grace the judgment of your small council.... giving you proper advisor as not to marry the daughter of a man who committed treason against you. a girl whose brother is an open rebellion against the throne as we speak for the good of the realm your counselors beg you to set Sansa Stark aside.' Cersei informed him. There was an uproar, agreeing with the queen regent in the throne room Joffrey stood up.

'I would like to heed your wishes and the wishes of my people but I took a holy vow.' Joffrey said and sansa's heart plummeted.

'Your Grace' maester pycelle said stepping forward. 'The gods do indeed hold of betrothal solemn but your father bless his memory made this pack before the starks revealed their falseness... I have consulted with the high septon and he assures me that for the good of the realm, to free you from any promises you have made to them in the sight of gods.' Pycelle assured him.

"It can't be..." Sansa whispered. "Jae are they saying what I think they are?" He didnt want to give her false hope, he focused on Joffrey's next words carefully. 

'The gods are good I am free to heed my heart.' Joffrey proclaimed. 'Ser Loras I will gladly wed your sweet sister... you will be my queen.' Joffrey told her 'and I will love you from this day until my last day.' Sansa couldnt help but smile. 

"Congratulations," Jae whispered hugging her properly. "But I dont know that, that means-" 

'My lady my sincerest condolences.' Petyr said coming up behind sansa and Jae. Means you are free, Jae finished silently. Cersei was smarter than to let Sansa go. 

''They are right I'm not good enough for him.' Sansa lied innocently. Jae didnt trust Petyr, didnt like him, wanted him gone in all honesty. 

'You are good enough for many things... he would've enjoyed beating you and now that you are a woman he would've enjoyed you in other ways as well.'

'But if he is not marrying me-'

'and you thought he would let you go home?' petyr questioned. 'Joffrey is not the boy who gives away his toys.' Petyr told her. 

"There is no need to scare her." Jae demanded. Petyr rolled his eyes, that was the purpose, to scare her into his arms. 

''you have a tender heart just like your mother did at your age. I see so much of her in you she was like a sister to me... For her sake I will help get you home.'' Petyr assured. 

''Kings Landing is my home now.' Sansa told him

'Look around you. We are all liars here and everyone of us is better than you.' Petyr warned her.

"Lord Baelish, stay away from Lady Sansa." Jae demanded ramming his shoulder into Petyr as he led Sansa past.