Trials and Tribulations of the Oathkeeper

Chapter 11: The Hand's Tourney -- The Young Stag vs. The Mountain

King's Landing — Tourney Grounds...

Sansa and Arya rode to the tournament with Septa Mordane and Jeyne Poole in tow. Since the last several days, they noticed Sansa's behavior change. She seemed happier, and was smiling more often. Sansa had long since apologized to Septa Mordane and to her father for her rude attitude she displayed earlier; Eddard was rather pleased at his daughter, Mordane warmly accepted Sansa's apology. Arya, meanwhile, was confused at her older sister's shining new demeanor and was a bit sore from her earlier lessons with her mentor Syrio Forel the First Sword of Braavos.

Regardless, the view upon arriving was spectacular. Beyond the city walls, a hundred pavilions had been raised and thousands came to watch the spectacle—nobles and commoners alike. It took Sansa's breath away; the knights in shining armor, the crows shouting, the banners of the noble Houses... and the royal family themselves were seated above them all.

It's even better than the songs! Sansa thought with glee. She dressed beautifully for this occasion, wearing a green gown that brought out the auburn color of her hair.

Over the last few days, Sansa spent most of her time with her betrothed; Daveth Baratheon had led her on a tour throughout the city of King's Landing—under supervision, of course. Such sights Sansa witnessed included the Great Sept of Baelor, Daveth's favorite bakery shop at the Street of Flour, the markets of Fishmonger's Square, the Dragonpit on the Hill of Rhaenys... and, of course, the slums of Flea Bottom. Unlike the streets in the city, Flea Bottom was a slum with a terrible stench, so the couple had to cover their noses to try to keep out the smell. Daveth told her of his plans to hire workers to construct a sewage system to improve hygiene, cleanliness as well as air and water quality in the district. Other than that, Sansa had a wonderful week with her betrothed.

Most of the knights assembled Sansa was able to recognize, others she did not. When she heard Daveth entered the list, Sansa scouted the area trying to find him. "My sweet prince, where are you...?" she said to herself quietly.

After a minute or two of searching, Sansa manages to identify Daveth in the field. Wearing his black armor with a golden stag on his breastplate, gold cloak and holding a black helmet studded with large antlers on each side under his left arm. He looked rather dashing this morning. Standing next to him helping strap on the last buckles and ensuring the armor stays on was King Robert Baratheon's squire Lancel Lannister, oldest son of Daveth's great-uncle Kevan Lannister; both were around the same age.

Daveth had already impressed many in the crowd by unseating his opponents in the joust, such as Lord Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, Ser Jaime Lannister, even the grizzled old veteran yet legendary Kingsguard knight Ser Lucius "the Bull" Blackmyre. None cheered so loudly for the Crown Prince than Myrcella and Tommen. Joffrey, on the other hand, merely sneered. The final four competitors now included Crown Prince Daveth "the Oathkeeper" Baratheon of King's Landing, Ser Hugh of the Vale, Ser Loras "the Knight of the Flowers" Tyrell of Highgarden, and Ser Gregor "the Mountain" Clegane of Clegane's Keep.

Sansa smiles at Daveth and waves at him. He notices her amongst the crowd and gave a brief nod in acknowledgment. The joust was about to begin shortly. Sansa and Septa Mordane were given places of high honor, to the left of the raised dais where King Robert Baratheon himself sat beside Queen Cersei Lannister. When Prince Joffrey seated himself to her left, she felt her throat tighten. He had not spoken a word to her since the incident on the kingsroad had happened, and she had not dared to speak to him at Daveth's behest.

"You're looking rather happy this morning, no?" someone says to Sansa. "You must be one of Catelyn's daughters. You have the Tully look."

Sansa turns to her right and sees Petyr Baelish standing above her and staring. "I'm sorry. Do I...?" she questions, ill at ease. She did not know him.