The Stark Maid

Chapter 2- Lord Varys has a Present

Dedicated to: @Anabelle_Marie_Evans

Chapter 2: Lord Varys has a Present

Ser Arys bowed before Joffrey his heavy, gold breast plate clinking

"Pray pardon me, Your Grace. I must equip myself for the lists."

Joffrey waved him away as he stared at Sansa.

"I am quite pleased you wore my stones." He told her.

So the king would be playing the gallant knight I thought to myself as I saw Sansa's shoulders visibly relax.

"Thank you for them and your tender words. I pray you a lucky name day." Sansa answered him.

"Sit" Joff told her leaving her no room to disagree. "Have you heard? The Beggar King is dead!"

"Who?" Asked Sansa.

He must be talking about Viserys, I thought who else could Queen Cersei call a beggar king?

"Viserys, of course! The last son of the Mad King Aerys. He's been going around the Free Cities since before I was born. Well, Mother says the Dothraki finally crowned him, with molten gold!" He laughed at the thought of death. "Its funny don't you think, the Dragon was their sigil! Its almost as good as if some wolf killed your traitor brother. Maybe I'll feed him to some wolf after I've caught'im. Didn't I tell you, I interned to challenge him to single combat!"

"I should like to see that your Grace." Sansa said in a cool and crisp voice.

The poor girl I thought, she's only seen twelve name days and is already expected to play at court. On the other hand I had heard that Robb Stark had already fought Joffrey, and had lost. It must have seemed so long ago to Sansa.

"Will you enter the lists today?" She asked. Joffrey had been giving her a narrowed eye look.

The King frowned, and slumped a little. " My lady Mother said it wouldn't be fitting, since this is a tourney in my honor. Otherwise I would have been the champion!"

Joffrey at this moment looked away from Sansa to look at the Hound.

"May I take leave, My Lady?" I asked Sansa as quietly as I could as to not catch Joffrey's attention.

Sansa did a quick nod of her head and looked back towards Joffrey. I skitered away down the lawn and walked on back towards the Red Keep.

This would probably be the only time today that I had a moment to myself, so I went back around to the elaborate garden that I had looked upon this morning.

I had never thought that I'd end up in the King's Castle. I had never dreamed of it! But Varys had decided to sink his talons into me and had taken me from a tavern on the King's Road and into the courts loving arms. And oh how loving they were. They'd feed you, and clean you, and pay you and then once night fell they'd stab you in the back!

"My little bird," I heard a silky voice call to me. "Do you have anything for me."

"Varys, what a pleasant surprise." I told him glueing a fake smile onto my face.

"Oh little bird you don't have to play." He chatted.

"Oh Varys I think you know everything I know and more. There is no use in my being near Sansa! She never goes anywhere, but where King Joffrey or Queen Cersei tell her to be."

"Exactly, my little bird." He said whilst patting my shoulder."Let us walk we have much to speak about."

He led me inside, past the guards down in the cells, to the Dragon Head. I was always quite mesmerised that something so big could ever exist and so I stood now staring into its huge jaws.

"The Beggar King is dead." I told Varys as I turned around to look at him.

In that one moment he looked very surprised, that expression I had never before seen on his face. Then he closed off his face again.

"Thank you little bird." He said to me, and took my hands in his. For once he looked serious." These are troubling times my child. Be careful where you tread with Joffrey and Queen Cersei. I have much need of you. Thank you for you help. Look under your pillow for a gift tonight. I believe you'll find it quite to your liking."

"Thank you, m'lord." I told him, wondering already about what my gift might be. "I'm sure Sansa will be back soon. Have a good day."

At that I turned away from Lord Varys and went up past the guards to my Lady's bed chambers.