[For Sansa]

[lannister_king]

Time was interminable in this damned place, stretching out seemingly forever, a nightmare of a thing he had to face. Not a King, nothing more than another man (and some would say a boy). That the traitors were all here alive and loved from what his mother told him, it galled him more

Comments

[lifeisnotasong]

Today had been the first time since Arya's nameday that Sansa had left Eddara, it had been hard at first but she knew Susan would take care of her and Sansa had needed to bathe. She'd found some new clothing at the compound and dressed in a blue silk dress that reminded her of her once favourite despite it's more modern design, she felt almost normal again. She's had brushed out her auburn curls and even looked in on Caspian. It was, she told herself, foolish to worry, the island had been her home for near on two years and it had only done that once. No-one she knew had died and Mother would hopefully recover soon from her injuries. She cuts through the woods on the way back to Summerfell, she means to call at the heart tree and offer thanks again.

It is not the voice she hears, or him she sees but the livery on the horse. No amount of exposure to Susan and Caspian and even Lucy will make Sansa like the sight of the lion. And then it comes to her that she has seen this mount before and she whirls and feels the bottom drop out of her world at the sight of him. She takes a step back, her breath caught in her throat and she has no words for him.

[lannister_king]

The sight of Auburn hair is one that he had been looking for. Joffrey had known that she was here, and in his mind she was still his. If nothing else, he'd always enjoyed the way she'd come to fear him. It was a rush like no other. Now, with the anger simmering in him, he gave her a leonine smile. "Sansa. Have you come to greet me as is my due?"

[lifeisnotasong]

It should not be easy, it should not be possible but in an instant, just seeing that smile, hearing that voice is enough to strip two years from Sansa and she smiles, it's forced and vacuous but that's nothing new. "Your Grace," she said in a voice that doesn't even feel like her own as she dips a slow curtsey. She's out of practise but it was second nature once and it comes back so easily. "I had not," her voice is faint but steady as she thinks of a lie for him. "No one told me of your arrival." That is not Sansa's fault though is it. She is already thinking of excuses.

[lannister_king]

"Haven't they?" His nostrils flare slightly in anger but he likes this. Likes that she at least of everyone knows how to treat him with the respect he deserves.

Joffrey dropped the bridle and crossed to her, noticing how she looked older, how she was taller then him. He disliked both these things. "I would have thought that all these people who love your family so here would have run to you and prepared you." HIs voice was low as he circled her, his hands clenched behind his back. "Your father is here, is he not? And the rest of your traitorous family? Are you a traitor too?"

Joffrey stops in front of her, his smile chilling. A finger under her chin while she is still in her curtsey and he lifts her head to meet his eyes. "Have you missed me?"

[lifeisnotasong]

"No, your grace," she answers quickly because she knows the warning signs of Joffrey's ever present temper. Not that it ever did her any good. How far is she from Summerfell? Why wasn't she paying attention. Sansa practically feels there should have been a talking box announcement warning everyone of his presence.

He stalks to her and she wants to step back again but knows when not to push her luck. She drops her gaze and admits, "my father, and my brothers. Most of my family." And all our wolves, she thinks. He asks her if she is a traitor and she thinks, yes, I'm a stark and no, you're not worth betraying but what she says is an old familiar answer. "Whatever they have done, I played no part."

Then he is touching her and she swallows, her stomach churning but she turns wide blue eyes on him and answers his question honestly for once. Littlefinger taught her the best lies are mostly truth and it has been sometime since Sansa had to fool Joffrey. "I have thought on you," she answers, "every single day since I arrived here."

[lannister_king]

"You have played no part have you?" He doesn't have his guard here to back him, but he is not weak, and he would have her know that, his finger running deceptively gently across her cheek as his eyes fix on hers.

She is afraid of him still. He can feel it, and he enjoys it. Enjoys it more because of all that has happened, of what he has become here in this place. This feeling is better than any he's had with the whores he has had. It is one of power. More than anything he loves that power and he wonders if Sansa even realises what she gives him as his fingers slide into her her and his cheek touches hers to whisper in her ear. "I would have you think of me always," His fingers tighten, pulling her hair taut, twisting it around. "As you should be thinking of me. You belong to me Sansa Stark," He tugs harder, spitting out the name, "Do not forget it."

As quickly as that and he's released her hair, stepping back and inspecting his nails, as if she is barely worth bothering with.

[lifeisnotasong]

"You know that I have not," she insisted, holding absolutely still. "Here there is no part to play, no throne to compete for." Her hands clench into fists but she keeps her face steady and innocent. Joffrey had not dared be so forward at her at court but there had always been others around. This is like her time with Littlefinger though if she displeased Petyr the consequences were less.

I don't, she thinks outraged but hides that thought as he slides his hand in her hair and she more than ever wants to bat his hand away. Caspian does that to her, plays with her hair, when they are alone and it feels like Joffrey is sullying something he knows nothing about. "I forget nothing," she said pain tightening her voice, but then he lets go and she remembers Joffrey thinks she is stupid. "I mean I try," then she does her best to tidy her hair. She should look pretty after all.

[lannister_king]

Joffrey is pleased that she fixes her hair, trying to look nice for him in his mind. He had never been as forward with her, no, but it is a heady feeling, and one he will not forget soon. "You never tell them though, do you? Your family? They would be horrified if they knew you thought of me, though they should be honoured I would choose you."

It was an honour in his mind, nothing less. "Just think," He steps closer to her again, his head cocked to one side, looking at her as a lion would it's prey. "This can be our secret Sansa," He draws out her name, thinking not at all that she is smart, or anything of her other than that she is his and that in his mind she fears him. "Our game."

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa has told Robb of her nightmares, her father of her ill treatment, Susan of her foolishness and even told Caspian that Joffrey was unkind. He tells her she should be honoured and she holds her tongue. She does not know when Joffrey is from but spitting 'You married me to the Imp, will not help matters, and it had not changed his opinion of her even then. "They would not believe me if I said it," she informs him. Another honest statement if an understatement, they'd think her wits addled.

His words, his awful awful words make Sansa's heart sink and relief flood through her, a reason not to speak up. It's not a large island, but there are three hundred people here, let him avoid her family. That's for the best. "As your grace wishes," she accedes. She doesn't want to play games with Joffrey, she doesn't want to be his secret but anything that puts distance between him and the rest of her House can only be a good thing. He is closer again and she swallows, wondering what she dare chance. "I might . . . I might be missed by now," she tries tentatively. "They'll worry."

[lannister_king]

"More the fools them," Joffrey's laugh is not a happy sound, for he feels he knows now. How we will have his revenge on the Starks, and it all centers on Sansa. He will not let her know that, touching her cheek again, his finger lingering on the softness of her skin. Even in this place she has kept her beauty. That is a good thing.

"I wish." One statement, two words, all he will give her. "Go then. I would not have anyone worry for you." He mocks her concern. "I will find you when I want you."

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa does not defend her family though she knows she should, she has suffered worse insults to keep Joffrey's temper and it does not matter because it is not true. He touches her again and it is enough to make her wish for the days when they were accompanied by a white cloak even if Joffrey liked to use them as weapons against her. Not that she had been any safer, they would stood by as Joffrey did as he liked, she knew that.

"Thank you," she whispered, it galls her to be grateful for the dismissal but courtesies are easy to fall back on and she dips another curtsey before she flees, becoming unladylike in her eagerness to be away from him.

[lannister_king]

He watches her retreat with a smile and a great deal of satisfaction. She is the perfect weapon to attack her family with, this has shown him just that. As such it is a much happier Joffrey that remounts his horse and heads back to the hovel he shares with his mother. Much happier indeed.