"Of Snow, Sea, and Shadows: Book 1" One Woman Keep [GoT]

Littlefinger

“Jory!” the captain of the Watch walks towards me.

“Who were the four riders with Baelish today?” I ask, my tone hushed

“Three of them are soldiers of the Eyrie,” he replies with confidence

“And the fourth?”

“I’m not sure my Lady, although it was definitely four men,” he replies

“My uncle thinks it is one of the people of Essos.”

“Essos… Thank you Jory.” I dismiss him and continue my way to the Godswood. I once again need to consider where I go from here, beyond Winterfell.

“Good afternoon my Lady,”

“No need for the formalities Lord Baelish,” I say knowing I contradict my own words.

“Yet you greet me with them,” he replies with ease

“Never forget, we are in the open and rumours spread faster than cold. You and I are but acquaintances that met just this morning,”

“Of course, but you and I also both know, that you have just made the playing field a lot more interesting,”

“It was either that or death,” I say

“I thought your people favoured death,” he smirks

“We do, it is an option to be taken at the right moment. This was not a right moment,”

“Well, I don’t suppose you’re going to ride straight into the Lannister’s strong hold are you?” he asks

“Perhaps,” I reply

“You can’t be serious,” he says but his expression stays neutral

“Why not, no one would ever know I was there,”

“But you aren’t going to do it,” he states, matter-of-factly.

“You are not wrong,”

“Why then? Why not just go there and kill them all, take the crown and place it on the King of the North’s head, of whom you favour so much,”

“Firstly, it makes the world even more complicated than Tyrion Lannister’s relationship with his father. Secondly, are you sure it is I who favours the King, or the King who favours I?” I reply looking him straight in the eye

“So you know,” I see humour in his eyes

“Of course I do, but he’s young and foolish at times, especially like these,”

“Are you not young as well?”

“Do you take me for a fool?” I ask

“Never,” he replies

“Well, it was good to speak to you Baelish, mayhap I will see you at dinner.”

“Mayhap you will my Lady,” he bows then is on his way