heretherebemuses | Open post

"Robin Arryn will return to the Vale." He's already decided that, for a number of reasons, among which is the fact that with Robin there, it should shore up his own authority. Lysa had given it to him, but she'd only had anything to give him because of her first husband. A member of House Arryn on his side could go a long way.

"You said families are important. Surely one of the Stark bannermen would give refuge to the sister of their liege lord, should she request it."

"Good." Sansa nodded, turning her pale gaze back to Petyr again. "That will definitely ensure most of their loyalty to you and the Eyrie. Everything else should be easy after that."

She believed it too because she had already seen how he had charmed the boy to his side. If he kept that up, if he could keep Robin on his side, then the battle was half won. Now he just had to win the rest and she found herself nodding once more when he mentioned giving refuge to the sister of the King. "Most likely."

"Why? What are you going to suggest, Lord Baelish?"

"That is my intention." It relieves him to hear her talking like this, demonstrating how much she knows about the situation, but at the same time, it also confuses him. He didn't think she approved of this kind of behavior.

"You will always be welcome at the Vale." He knows it might not be the most appealing idea to her, but he's putting it out there anyway. "You have family there as well." He knows that Robin wouldn't turn her away.

In the scheme of things, her marriage to Ramsay hadn't really been that long compared to other things that she has gone through but it had done a lot to change her. There is something sharper about her now, a darker ruthlessness creeping under her skin even though she tries to deny it. She had thought it would go away after killing Ramsay but it hasn't. Not completely. When you take that and add in everything that she has learned in King's Landing, could it really be all that surprising to hear her talking this way? She wouldn't think so.

"Truly?" She studies him before suddenly nodding. "Perhaps I should with you to pick up Robin and return him to the Eyrie. I could stay long enough to throw a feast to thank the men for coming to my aid and then I can return home. That would help repay you as well, wouldn't it?"

"I am sure that Robin would enjoy getting to see you again." He's spent enough time among strangers than family will probably be a welcome sight, and he knows that Robin likes Sansa. "A feast for the men would be a very good idea. It would help to boost morale."

Sansa nearly lets out a huff of laughter at his response because it shows just how good he is that he doesn't push the idea by mentioning how he might feel about her joining him on the trip. It's all very casual as they talk about the men and about Robin.

"I imagine Jon won't like the idea but I will point out to him that the Men of the Vale helped to win the war against Ramsay and that we would continue to be strong with their, your, continued allegiance." She muses before looking at him curiously. "I will have to bring Brienne and Podrick with me."

He doesn't see the point in mentioning it again. She knows how he feels, and has made it clear how she feels. Bringing it up again, in a place occupied by her brother, seems unwise.

"The Vale has declared for House Stark. Your presence for a time will be a representation of that declaration, and a way for House Stark to show their appreciation of our loyalty." His mouth thins a little at the mention of Brienne and Podrick, but there's nothing to be done about that. "There is room at the Eyrie for Lady Brienne and Podrick to come along."

It amuses her to see his reaction to the mention of her protector and squire because she is sure Brienne will react the same way when Sansa reveals her plans. Still, she knows Brienne will go. The knight won't risk leaving Sansa alone, especially if she is intending to travel away from Winterfell.

"Thank you, Lord Baelish." She nods graciously when he agrees both to her going with him to the Vale and to her escorts going along.

"I suppose I should make the arrangements. How early do you intend to leave?"

He knows that if he so much as looks at Sansa wrong, Brienne will likely take his hand off (if he's lucky). The idea of having to watch his actions even in his own home is irksome, but if the way to get Sansa to come is to allow the others as well, it's a price he's willing to pay.

"As soon as it's light enough to see the road." That way they'll have as much daylight as possible for the actual travel.

"I will be ready." She tells him with a nod before turning away and heading inside before he can see the satisfied look on her face at the agreement.

It didn't surprise her that it proved to be as hard as it did to convince Jon to let her go but, ultimately, she succeeded. He couldn't deny the fact that the Men of the Vale had helped to win the battle and the fact that the House of Stark would continue to need their support as well as their allegiance. She promised him that she wouldn't be gone for that long either. That she would be back before the snow got to be too deep.

So by morning, she was ready to go. She was relieved when they were given a carriage even though she had made the ride on a horse before. Settling into her seat, she ignored the concerned look from Brienne while she waited for Petyr's appearance.

He heads out a few minutes after she's ready to go, having had to send a few ravens before they leave. He hadn't expected a carriage either, but can't deny that even though it's slower than going by horseback, it's more comfortable. The rest of the men can go ahead of them and make sure the road is passable.

He wonders how they're all going to make it through this journey alive.

Sansa seems to be deep in thought when he approaches the carriage but the movement catches her attention enough for her to look up. At first, she looks tense until she realizes that it's him and she forces herself to relax. Then she shifts over to make room for him on the bench seat unless he wants the one across from her.

"Good morning, Lord Baelish." She nods her head in greeting.

"Good morning." He settles himself into the carriage, in the spot she made for him, and once they're ready to go, he knocks on the side of the carriage to let the driver know.

"You had no problem convincing your brother then, I see."

Turning her head slightly, she watched as he claimed the seat beside her before looking down at her lap while she folded her hands together. "He expressed some concern but I explained how it would be beneficial for both sides if I went with you for the feast. I promised him I would try to be back before the snow got too deep and he finally agreed."

A slight pause. "I suspect Ser Davos helped to convince him too."

He looks through the window of the carriage as they start off down the road. "Ser Davos? What is his interest in it?"

The question is nonchalant enough, but anyone who knows Petyr knows that there's a motive behind everything he says and does.

"I think he knows that I do not trust him." Sansa replies unapologetically, not worried about being honest with Petyr since she can't imagine he would betray her. Not now. Plus, she is pretty sure that he has picked up on a few things during his time in Winterfell. "He probably figures that his spot at Jon's side is safer when I'm not around."

"Shouldn't your brother be listening to your opinion over his?" That is how families work, isn't it?

Or how the Starks work, at least. No one would ever accuse certain of the Lannisters of loyalty to other of the Lannisters, after all.

"Maybe if I were a man." Yes, the tone is a bit sharp and a lot unlike the Sansa he had first met but things have changed her. She glances over at him with a look that dares him to tell her that she is wrong but they know she isn't. He had pretty much told her that she wouldn't be recognized for the role she played.

"But that's fine." She adds, looking away. "I would rather be here talking about your plans."

He knows better than to underestimate Sansa, particularly after her efforts at clearing his name after Lyssa's death. And what happened to Ramsay Bolton. That makes a difference too.

"You don't mean my plans for the feast." She's not interested in anything so domestic, he's sure. Not with the conversation they're having right now.

"Those should be discussed too at some point but, no, that's not the plans I mean right now." She answers, sitting back as she waits for the carriage to start moving. Yes, she was jumping into discussing them again but this is probably one of the times where they can discuss things without being overheard so easily by a servant or someone else. Plus, she hasn't talked to him about it in weeks.

"Did you mean what you said?" She asks, giving him a sideways glance. "About what you want and see for yourself? All of it?"

"I never say anything I don't mean." It's not his fault if others misinterpret what he says, or don't believe that he actually means it.

He just doesn't admit most of it to most people.

He sticks his head out of the carriage window and gives the order to drive.

Sansa makes a low noise of acknowledgment but chooses to say nothing else as he leans forward to tell the driver to start them on their way. She studies her hands, playing her fingers together like she has a habit of doing whenever she might be nervous or deep in thought. It's easy to tell that she isn't nervous, though.

After awhile, she lifts her head. "It will take time now that winter is here. What are you going to do in the meantime?"

"The best games are those that take so long to play that no one is aware that you are even playing them." Just because winter is almost here, and leaving the Eyrie will be even harder than usual, doesn't mean that he'll be idle. It might even mean that others will get complacent, unaware that he's up to something.

"So you keep telling me." She has to bite back her own impatience and learn to think more like he did. She had started to at one time but everything with Ramsey had left her itching for revenge. Reminding herself that it would only lead to her downfall if she rushes, she draws in a breath and holds it before letting it out slowly.

"So you may trust me a little, enough to tell me that you want me at your side but nothing else?" She looks over at him.

He's been playing this game for longer than she's been alive. It makes sense that she'd be more impatient than he is. She hasn't played a long game yet.

"The first step is to ensure my control over the Vale. Your assistance could be invaluable in that matter."

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