Silver Stag

Wedding Of A Wolf & Lion

[King's Landing - Red Keep, Sansa's Chambers]

Shae and two servants help Lady Sansa Stark with the final touches of her make-up. Shae answered a knock at the door. She was displeased to see Lord Tyrion Lannister. The two servants left, and Shae ignored Tyrion as he and Podrick Payne entered.

"Lady Sansa." Tyrion greeted.

"You look very handsome, my lord."

"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 exited. Tyrion shut the door behind them.

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

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

"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."

"I doubt that very much, my lord."

"You're right. I have no idea how you feel. And you have no idea how I feel." Tyrion took Sansa's hand, tenderly. "But I promise you one thing, my lady. I won't ever hurt you. Do you drink wine?"

"When I have to."

"Well, today you have to."

Sansa smiled and Tyrion led her forward.

[King's Landing - The Sept Of Baelor]

Queen Cersei Lannister and Lady Margaery Tyrell looked on as the sept was prepared for the wedding.

"You look radiant, Your Grace." Margaery said.

"Radiant? Why radiant?"

"It's the word that came to mind." Margaery took Cersei's arm in hers. "We're going to be family soon. You'll be my aunt. We should be friends."

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

They began to descend into the sept.

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

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

They passed Ser Loras Tyrell, and stopped a bit further along.

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

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

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

"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 nodded.

"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?"

"Gone."

"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.

"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.'"