How To Kill a Flower

Chapter 24

That night Sansa and i sat in our chambers, getting our stories straight. We knew that Baelish was now Lord of the Vale, so we needed to make sure we still played our part. Sansa by now knew how to play her part, she was beginning to show off everything she's learned over the years from living in King's Landing. 

We were summoned to the council room where the advisers of the Vale were gathered. We stood outside, waiting for our time to walk in. 

"...We were told there was witnesses. Two girls." We heard Lord Royce say.

"Nieces of yours, I believe." Lady Anya spoke up.

"Two girls with no learning and scattered wits. I assure you, they would be of no help." We rolled our eyes at each other, Littlefinger was trying really hard in there.

Lord Royce was having none of it, "-We'd like to speak with them."

Baelish , trying to make sure we would help him, offered, "Let me fetch them."

Knowing what Baelish wanted, Lady Anya stopped his movement, "-No need. We prefer to hear her testimony unadulterated."

I looked to my sister, now seventeen, she was so smart and beautiful. She nodded to me, ready to act our story out. We walked in, Baelish pleading with his eyes not to say anything that would get him killed. We kept our heads down, making it seem as if we were still in shock over our Aunt's death.

"Come closer, girls. You have nothing to fear from us or him. Lord Baelish here is your uncle?" I put my arms around Sansa, playing the protective older sister part as she nodded weakly, "Your name is Eliza and Alayne?" Again she nodded weakly,  "Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if Lord Baelish left the room."

"My lady-" Baelish spoke up from behind us.

"I wasn't asking you." Lady Anya interrupted. 

Sansa whispered, "He can stay."

"Speak up, girl, you're not a damn kitchen mouse. Tell us what you saw." Lord Royce demanded. I stepped forward, glaring at him for speaking to Sansa like that.

Sansa looked back at Baelish, "I'm sorry, Lord Baelish. We have to tell the truth." She looked back to me, i nodded for her to continue, my eyes showing mischeif, "We'll tell you everything.

Lady Anya playing the nice one, "Please, Eliza, Alayne, leave nothing out."

I spoke in a hard voice, " My name is not Eliza, Its Cirilla Stark, the eldest daughter of Lord Eddard Stark." I mostion to Sansa, "this is my younger sister, Sansa Stark. Lord Royce, we met when you came to Winterfell. You were escorting your son Ser Waymar to the Wall."

Lord Royce's eyebrows furrowed, "Cirilla and Sansa Stark?" He looks at Littlefinger now, "You tell lies right to my face?You little worm!"

I stepped forward, "Lord Baelish has told many lies. All to protect us. Since our father was executed, we have been a hostage in King's Landing."

 Sansa cut in now, her voice waivering between anger and her grief, "A plaything for Joffrey to torture or Queen Cersei to torment. They beat me, they humiliated me, they married me to the Imp, Joffrey sliced Ciri's face open. We had no friends in King's Landing...except one." She looked back at Baelish, he met her eyes.

I continued for her, "He saved us. Smuggled us away when he had the chance. He knew we'd be safe here in the Eyrie with our own blood, our Aunt Lysa. The Lannisters have friends everywhere. Even the Vale. He made me swear not to tell anyone our true name."

Ser Vance spoke up this time, "Your secrets are safe with us, my ladies."

"Your father grew up right here in these halls. We hunted together many times. He was a fine man." Lord Royce talked with emotion for our father.

"Tell us what happened to your aunt."

"You knew her well, my lords, my lady. You knew she was a troubled woman. She always loved Lord Baelish. She told us herself. From the moment he arrived at the gates of Riverrun, a boy of eight carrying everything he owned in a little sack. She confessed to us she never loved Lord Arryn. She did as her father commanded, as so many of us have. When the gods finally allowed her to be with Lord Baelish, she was so happy." Sansa paused, choking up as if she was remembering what she said and did to us.