A Shadow and a Wolf

Sansa VIII

Mira was brushing her hair. It was the beginning of the afternoon, so normally Sansa wouldn't have her hair brushed at this hour, but this day was different. In less than an hour, Tyrion's trial would begin. Uncertainty and anxiety filled Sansa's head and body. She was afraid. Afraid for Tyrion, and afraid for her. If Tyrion was sentenced to death, things would turn worse for Sansa than they ever were. If Tyrion was dead, she would be forced to marry another Lannister, and who knew what he might do to her. Tyrion was kind, he never mistreated her, showed her more respect than everyone else ever did since her father died. She didn't want him to die. He didn't deserve it. Sansa knew he was innocent of the crimes Cersei accused him. She hoped the judges would believe it, and if they believed it, that they would be prone to exonerate her husband.

Mira put down the brush. "Do you want to wear any jewel, my lady?"

"No. I'll be alright like this." Sansa played a little with her necklace. She only took it off when she took a bath now.

Mira stood away from the glass. Sansa looked at her image. She had to make a good impression at the trial, but she knew it counted for little in the outcome. Everything would depend on the testimonies on both sides, and the willingness of the judges to spare or sentence Tyrion. She didn't know what to expect of the judges. Ser Kevan Lannister had come to visit her when he arrived in King's Landing a few days ago. The knight didn't seem as ruthless as Tyrion's father, he even seemed sincere when he said he would judge Tyrion fairly. Tyrion was the one who had the idea to call him here, so perhaps he really trusted his uncle. However, Sansa couldn't be sure of anything. Tyrion might have done this in despair and only because Ser Kevan was a little bit better than his sister. It wasn't difficult to find someone better than the Queen Regent. Furthermore, she knew Ser Kevan had been Lord Tywin's main advisor for many years, and she wasn't ready to trust someone who advised the man behind the slaughtering of her family. As for Lord Mace Tyrell and Prince Oberyn Martell, she didn't think the first would have any favorable prejudice toward Tyrion, and the second would surely want to see him dead for the atrocities the Lannisters committed against the Martells during the last rebellion. She could only hope to convince Ser Kevan and Lord Mace.

Sansa looked at Mira. The Forrester had become Sansa's closest friend these last weeks, taking Shae's place as her confident. Mira came from the North and her situation was so much like Sansa's that she felt a lot of sympathy for the girl. Sansa could also speak of things she had never been able to talk about with Shae or Margaery. With Mira she could talk freely about the North, and she had someone who could really understand her. Mira was also an ally in Sansa's fight to get Tyrion free. Both of them needed Tyrion alive, Mira for her family, Sansa for herself. She thought she understood better now why Tyrion had tried to help Mira. She hadn't cared about it after her family's death, but now she realized Tyrion had been ashamed by what his family did at the Twins. Perhaps it had been an attempt to mend the horrors his family was responsible for. She remembered Margaery's words. I think he has nothing to do with it. He looks ashamed by what his family has done, he has bad relationships with his father and his sister, he obviously hates Joffrey, and he never caused you any harm. And she remembered as well the words he told her not long after. What happened to your family was a terrible crime. I didn't know your brother. He seemed like a good man, but I didn't know him. Your mother, on the other hand, I admired her. She wanted to have me executed, but I admired her. She was a strong woman. And she was fierce when it came to protecting her children. The memory nearly brought tears to her eyes.

"My lady, we should go now. The trial will start very soon."

Mira was right. Sansa restrained herself and pushed back her tears inside. She had to be strong today. She couldn't allow herself to look weak. If she wanted to save Tyrion, she had to stay focused on the trial and find a way to have him cleared of all charges. She rose from her chair.