Ever After AU

The Miracle Man and Second Meetings

Margaery sped off as soon as she saw the red-headed girl duck down and begin to gather the coin. The incident had given her great pause, but she attempted to shake it off with a toss of her long brown locks. There was something about the younger girl that intrigued her. As she hit the main path once more only to see a group of bandits, arms full of stolen goods, fleeing. Margaery could also see the victim of the crime and began to slow, though now she could hear the horses' of her father's men behind her. The small man who seemed as though he might be the Lord who had been robbed waved her down. Margaery grumbled to herself and drew the horse to a halt. He looked to her sword, back to her face, and to her sword again.

"My lady! You see that thief!? That tube he carries contains my life's work! I must have it back. I beg of you." his voice was desperate.

Margaery nodded stiffly and jumped from her horse's back, glancing in the direction the man had pointed. She took off running, boots pounding on foliage as she ducked around trees and under branches. Her legs burned and she reveled in the feeling, despite herself and her current situation. It was good to have some fun since she was definitely caught either way. The thief stopped suddenly and Margaery threw herself at him, not knowing why he had paused.

There was a sudden jolt that came next as they hit the cliff face, bounced close to the edge, and Margaery attempted to wrestle the container away from him. She was successful just as they fell the final handful of yards into the water below. Margaery wrapped both arms around the tube and held it as close to her body as she could before the impact. She filled her lungs with air and began to kick as soon as the shock of cold water rushed over her. It was as good of an abdominal workout as any to kick herself to shore while holding the package with both hands.

"This had better be fucking worth all this trouble." she groaned to herself as she sloshed herself up to the main path. After a minute she found the very small lord again but the grateful look on his face made the treacherous adventure worth the risk.

"Thank you so much, my lady... or is it Highness? You do somewhat resemble the little girl I once knew." the man came only about an inch higher than Margaery's waist at a nearly dwarvish height. "I am Lord Tyrion. I have come at the request of the Crown at Highgarden to attend the ball in honor of the upcoming royal wedding. It appears to me however, you were riding in the opposite direction."

Taking note of the group of disgruntled soldiers surrounding them, Margaery acknowledged, "Yes, I am she. As I am also apparently caught in my attempted escape, could I offer you an escort back to Highgarden for the remainder of your journey? I do have a horse that needs dropping off on our way, though." Margaery offered, finding she enjoyed this odd lord's company.

"I think I would enjoy that." Lord Tyrion replied with a smile and the soldiers began to accompany the unusual group back to the capitol.

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"I think you look beautiful, young lady. Catelyn would be so glad to see you like this. You look so much like her." Nan said upon putting the final touches on Sansa's hair and turning her around to look her over.

"Thank you, Nan. I will bring Hodor back to us." Sansa pushed forward slightly to kiss the old woman's forehead and then her cheek. She slid the too big slippers onto her feet and despite her eighteen years, left the manor looking every inch the lady of the house.

When Sansa arrived at the docks where the sold servants were being held, she could see Hodor and several others being loaded onto the ships. She glanced around to figure out who seemed to be in charge, one fist closed tightly around the small purse of gold left for her by Princess Margaery. It was more money than she had ever seen in her life, but she was more than willing to give it up for Hodor's sake. Sansa had sworn to herself, shortly after losing her father, she would do whatever was necessary to hold the remainder of her family together. She was intent upon holding true to that promise, no matter what.