The Traitor's Escape

Chapter Twelve

Sansa felt the presence of her long before the handmaiden cleared her throat. Pulling her gaze away from the weirwood tree was nearly impossible, so she said, without looking at her, "What is it, Ambrosa?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you milady, but Calliene is here. She requests your presence."

"What does Celliene need of me?"

"She brought the silks and velvets she made. Calliene thought it best to try them first to make sure you are comfortable." Reluctantly, Sansa dragged her eyes away from the weirwood and slowly got to her feet. Ambrosa looked nervous, as if she was afraid to interrupt her.

She gave her a gentle smile and said, "I appreciate you coming for me, Ambrosa. Please, take me to her."

"Of course, milady." Ambrosa waited until Sansa had walked past her and then began to follow behind.

"Did you get to see what the silks looked like?" the redhead asked, trying to make conversation. She hadn't quite clicked with her other handmaidens like she had with Kyme, but she was determined to make Ambrosa and Meliana both feel just as welcomed.

Ambrosa looked immediately relaxed after Sansa's question and seemed eager to speak; While she hadn't seen the gowns, she certainly didn't mind to go into great details about what her favorite gowns were. She talked about ones Margaery had worn around the Keep and many of the others she had seen at the Marketplace. The girl went on and on, chattering all the way through the Keep up to Sansa's chambers.

Calliene was standing impatiently near her raised platform when Ambrosa opened the bedchamber door. Kyme and Meliana were standing nearby, to help assist the seamstress. Calliene studied Sansa with narrowed eyes, sniffed disdainfully, and told her, "Stand there."

Sighing softly, the redhead did as she was bid and stood still on the platform. Kyme came up to help her out of her gown. Meliana and Ambrosa were ordered around by Calliene, laying out the new gowns of silks and velvets. There were more than Sansa could have imagined getting. There were beautiful colors, velvets in greys and blues and looking warm. Then there were the thin silk gowns, brighter fabrics of greens and pinks and lighter blues.

Calliene had her try on all the silks first. The gowns were all tighter around her bust, but, to her genuine pleasure, the rest flowed loosely around her middle. The freedom from restricting clothing felt so glorious! The gowns all seemed to accent her rounding middle beautifully. Each new gown she tried on seemed more amazing than the last. Beading was carefully stitched, across her bust and down the sides of the gowns. Each one seemed to sparkle.

"These are all beautiful, Calliene," Sansa told her, after being draped in light golden silks with ruby beading.

"Lord Willas said for the best. It's what I give you," she replied, but the redhead caught the small smirk on the older woman's face as she turned to direct Meliana for another gown.

"These are the best I have ever seen," Sansa said, truly meaning it. At least in regards to the gowns in King's Landing. What she had seen there were less than impressive compared to Calliene's gowns. She couldn't give the same opinion to the Northern gowns, the practical ones she remembered.

Next, came the velvets and fur-lined gowns and even a heavy fur-lined cloak. "From your request and Lord Willas' orders to make you feel at home," Calliene announced, as she was helped into her first velvet gown. The gown was much thicker, heavier and very warm, and with long sleeves. The grey fabric was still soft to the touch, but much more practical in the Northern climate. Each one was easier to slip on and lace by herself. Sansa wanted to bury her face into the sleeves and giggle. She loved feeling this comfortable.