thesphererp | Memory Share: Sansa Stark (6)

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Memory Share: Sansa Stark (6)

CW: Abuse. Gore.

The shadows were getting longer earlier, but that was not the first thought young Sansa Stark had. No, she kept her mind as blank as she could, almost no time having passed between that day on Baylor’s Sept and now. She walked next to her betrothed, King Joffrey was of height with her now, the Kingsguard trailing behind them in their gold cloaks.

“And as soon as you’ve bled, I’ll put a son in you,” the boy king was saying to her. It had always been the plan- marry him as soon as she were able, bear him beautiful blond babies. When she’d thought that, she had been in love. Now, she knew this was not love, not at all. Joffrey Baratheon was a hateful person, a weak boy who hurt others for fun. She hadn’t seen it before, but now all was laid bare before her. “Mother says it won’t be long now.”

He didn’t even realize how pathetic he sounded, mentioning his mother in such a way. Sansa’s eyes stung in the fading light, her eyes red, ringed in shadows. She had been unable to sleep, unable to stop her weeping except for now, when she knew she did not dare cry. She didn’t know where he was taking her, but she knew better than to protest.

Slowly, they came to a stop, The Hound with his burned face behind her, followed by Meryn Traunt. Joffrey’s eyes gazed upward, and he smirked, looking at her for her reaction. She looked, and there on the ramparts of the castle— “No!” She screamed, taking a step back, “Please, no!” She started to cry, turning her head to the side. Traunt’s hands found her shoulders holding her as Joffrey admired his handiwork.

Joffrey stepped forward on to the wooden walkway that separated the battlements from the keep, pointing upward at one. “This is your father. This one here.” He was so at ease as he looked back at Sansa, who was being forced out on to the walk. She could not look at Joffrey, keeping her head turned aside. “Look at it,” the king ordered. “Look at it, and see what happens to traitors.”

“You promised to be merciful!” She said, still looking away, pleading with the king.

“I was. I gave him a clean death.” He looked back at Sansa, her eyes shut tight and head turned away. Traunt still held her, tighter still. “Look at him.”

“Please let me go home,” she begged him. “I won’t do any treason, I swear!” She was so scared, alone in a horrid place with horrid people that hated her for things she had never done. She had only ever been loyal and loving to Joffrey. But he had turned his executioners sword on her father without so much as a second thought.

“Mother says I’m still to marry you, so you’ll stay here, and obey.” it was an order, undermining his own words even as he said them. Still, she would not look.

“LOOK AT HIM!” Joffrey roared, and Sansa knew she had to. if she wanted to stay and survive, she had to look. Steeling herself, she slowly looked up, seeing but not really seeing. There he was, his head mounted upon a spike for all to see. He looked so sad, so unlike her father, but it was him. Joffrey waited until she’d drunk her fill before speaking again. “Well?”

“How long do I have to look?” She kept her eyes on her father, memorizing this moment. The dark pit in her stomach, the heat behind her eyes, and how unforgiving Joffrey was. She looked past her father, recognizing other heads placed upon the wall. Septa Mordane, whom had given her life to protect Sansa, was amongst them.

Thinking he had won, Joffrey surveyed his bride. “As long as it pleases me.” It would be the refrain of what was left of their relationship. If it pleased the king, so it would be. “Do you want to see the rest?”

It was a test, and she adapted quickly. “If it pleases your grace.”

“That’s your Septa, there,” he pointed her out needlessly. “I’ll tell you what. I’m going to give you a present. After I raise my armies, and kill your traitor brother, I’m going to give you HIS head, as well.” A pathetic threat. He needed to be respected to command armies, and he was far from it. He was weak and temperamental and those who had seen him on the Sept knew it. He would never be able to defeat her brother in combat. Never. And she knew that.

“Or maybe he’ll give me yours.” She kept her eyes straight ahead on her father. She heard Joffrey take a step back toward her, and at last she tore her eyes from the ghastly sight, to look at the boy king. She had no care for what came next.

“My mother tells me a king should never strike his lady,” Joffrey said, turning to face her. “Ser Merryn?”

The man who held her stepped back, turning her to face him. As fast as he could in his suit of armor, he drew his hand back, slapping her first across one cheek, then the other. Her head snapped to either side, tears springing to her eyes again. There would be a bruise tomorrow, her lip already bloodied. Traunt stepped back, and she looked at Joffrey once more, then, down. The walkway on which they stood had no sides and stood easily over thirty feet up. It would take another step, and she could shove him, send the boy falling to his death. She would jump after, or he would take her with him, it did not matter. They would both die, and this would end. Tommen could be king, and he was only but a babe. Anything would be better than remaining at Joffrey’s side.

She took one step, then another out across the walkway.

She was almost to Joffrey when another hand reached out. The Hound, his face terrible. “Girl,” he said, reaching out with a handkerchief to dab at the blood on her lip. He kept his hand upon her shoulder, steadying her. The gesture was enough for now, a small act of kindness in a world so terrible.

“Will you obey now?” Joffrey asked, “or do you need another lesson?” He would have liked to see her receive another lesson, and he would have her receive more in the days and months that came. When she did not respond, he pushed past her. “I’ll see you in court.” Traunt moved to follow him, but the Hound, his faithful dog, waited.

“Save yourself some pain, girl,” he told her, “give him what he wants.” It was solid advice from a man that had seen Joffrey’s cruelty before. But why was he giving it to her, when he knew just as well as she did how much he frightened her. She offered to give him the handkerchief back, but he refused. “You’ll be needing that again.”

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Another hard memory. I am sorry Sansa.

Would you like to sleep over? Or we can go to the baths.

[She knows that the past stings and it's been evident in Sansa's memories that they are filled with horrors but she wants Sansa to focus on the present, the happiness and warmth that she has here.]

It's a hard memory, but it is one I'm proud of. I learned an important lesson up there that day, and any doubts I had of Joffrey were swept away.

Besides- father is here now! [As she's been telling everyone.] But I would love a sleepover all the same. I do love our matching pajamas.

[Inesa beams.]

You're father is here?! [She hasn't seen Jon since Ned's arrival, preparing something special for her love.] I hadn't known but I'm so happy for you Sansa.

You are always welcome over. I made Lancelot a little matching shirt that's like our pajamas but yellow. [She's going to make a pair of matching black pajamas for Jon and a gray shirt for Ghost at some point too. Inesa really likes pajamas.]

He is! He stumbled into the shop while you were out with Jon, recognizing the direwolves I had on the cloak in the window. I think it's been good for all of them, to have him here.

[But Theon. Theon. Th e o n.]

Cute! I absolutely must see him. I'll come over shortly. Shall we watch a mover? [Movie. She was still working on those.] I can pop corn.

[Good luck getting Ghost into any sort of pajamas. Though the Christmas cards would be absolutely adorable.]

[Theon will get pajamas as well; possibly green ones though Inesa will have to ask Sansa about Theon's favorite colors.]

I love the direwolf designs and I'm happy that it brought him into the store. I am so happy for you Sansa. I hope Jon knows too. I'm sure he does by now.

[Inesa pauses briefly.] I don't have many movies. I should probably find some while you head over? What do you want to watch?

[A dark teal would be perfect for him.]

I am as well.

Something fun. Perhaps something with songs?

I'll find a movie and you get the popcorn.

I want to hear all about your meeting with your father.

[She's going to find the Sound of Music.]

[Perfect. True Love, lots of singing, dresses made of curtains, what more could you want?]

I'll tell you everything.

Good. I'll see you soon Sansa.

[Inesa instantly gets to work, getting everything ready for their sleep over. She even grabs a few extra pillows from the empty room and piles them in front of the couch, pushing the coffee table against the wall and out of the way.

Sitting on the floor is more fun.]

[Sansa arrives in no time, already wearing her pajamas under her jacket. She carries a bag with her, filled with goodies for the two girls, and even some lettuce as a snack or Lancelot. He was an important part of every celebration.]

I'm surprised you haven't moved in with Jon yet.

[Lancelot jumps to the doorway when he spots Sansa. He's often at the shop and he knows that the other woman will regularly bring him treats to snack on.]

Oh. Well, I had wanted to mention that too. My roommate has been gone for some time. I was thinking of asking Jon to move in with me but I wasn't sure if he'd say yes. Ghost might like the room. The single domes are so much smaller...

[She might be a little worried that Jon will say no.]

Hi, Lancelot! [Sansa stoops to pick him up, happy to bestow kisses on his wriggly nose.]

Oh, he's sure to say yes! You two spend most nights together, anyway. Though, do promise me you'll kick him out when we have these nights. He can go stay with Robb or father or someone.

[She sighs. Family drama.] That is, if Robb stays in his room. I don't know. [Men. Seriously. She rolls her eyes, and comes to sit next to Inesa.] But there's no way he'd turn you down.

[Inesa smiles, her cheeks warming as she recalls the many nights that she and Jon had spent together. Her favorite thing in the world is waking up next to him each morning. She doesn't need to sleep but she does with Jon and there is something magical about it.]

I will, promise. I like these nights and we can't talk about Jon if he's here. [Though Inesa will likely tell Jon everything if he asks.]

Is something wrong with Robb? I thought things were going well.

Good. I do, too.

[Sansa sighs and leans back against the couch.] It's... He's been a bit of a mess. [To put it lightly.] he started dating this girl shortly after he arrived, and it's been a disaster ever since. I'm sure Jon knows more than I do, considering how close they are.

I do remember her, you had been worried.

[Inesa leans against the couch with Sansa, letting Lancelot jump over her lap to headbutt into Sansa's thigh.]

I take it that your worries have come true?

[Her lips tug into a frown.] If so. I am sorry. I know I had convinced you to trust her and Robb's decision. [She really doesn't know a lot about people or how they might interact, Inesa struggles to understand how cruel people can be.]

I think so. You know how boys are, and Robb is convinced I'm going to tell him I told him so.

[She pauses to pet the impatient bunny.]

And I did tell him so.

Oh, no, Inesa, sweetling, it's not your fault. I thought he was smarter than that. [She heaves a heavy sigh.]

Men and their cocks! I have never been more happy for Theon's shortcomings than I am now.

Their cocks?

[Inesa's head tilts curiously to the side.] I'm not sure I know that word. Unless we're speaking about chickens. Those are cocks, yes? [Except that she's sure that neither Robb nor any other men she knows have chickens.]

Or are you speaking about sex?

[Oh gods. She never thought she would be in this position. But here she was.]

Yes- if that's what you mean by what's between their legs.

Oh!

[Inesa blushes slightly.]

Yes. I'm sorry. I had never heard of it referred to as that before.

It's a funny word, isn't it?

Of course, the thing itself looks absolutely ridiculous.

A bit.

[Inesa smiles and has to stop herself from giggling.]

I don't know about that. [Her face reddens and she tries to hide behind one of the pillows she'd dragged onto the couch.] I rather enjoy Jon...

[Sansa, on the other hand, does not stop herself.]

Inesa! No- I'm absolutely sure you do! He's quite handsome. But I mean the actual bit. You know. [She demonstrates, her pointer finger slowly rising up to indicate erection.]

Seven hells- no, no, forget I've said anything!

[Inesa laughs and it's only partly due to how awkward the conversation is.]

I know. It's okay. But we can talk about something else.

[She takes Sansa's hand and gently moves her so that she can brush her friends hair.] I've met a lot of your family. Those who have arrived here. I'm happy that they're here with you.

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Memory Share: Sansa Stark (6)

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