Oathkeeper

Chapter 31: Be Wary

As much as Sansa would love to wake up to a clear blue sky filled with perfectly rounded out clouds and beaming rays of sunlight. The Old Gods had different plans for todsy Instead of calm blue water like skies, they received the sky of stormy sea. The clouds were stretched thin like someone had pulled on multiple pieces of cotton and plastered them to the sky. Apart from having poor weather, Sansa also woke up alone in bed. Brienne was out making sure that all the Lords and Ladies of the North would be comfortable upon their arrival in Winterfell. 

After exchanging words with the young boy, Gareth, who appeared outside of the castle gate just two weeks ago, Sansa decided that she needed to share this information with them  in preparation for an attack on the other castles in the realm. Podrick was tasked with befriending the boy and helping him adjust to life in Winterfell, which of course kept both him and Ily occupied. So it's safe to say the Queen was feeling pretty lonely today.

She rolled off the left side of her bed allowing her bare feet to connect with the cold stone floor of the castle. She looked down at her wiggling toes feeling like there was something different about the way they looked. Regardless, the Queen knew she had little time to ponder over small things like this.

Her long sleeve white nightgown flowed against the breeze she created as she swiftly moved to her bedroom door. She called out for Lena, politely asking if she would help her prepare for the day. As Lena drew a warm bath for the Queen, Sansa sat at the bedroom vanity holding her small handheld mirror up to her face. She poked at her cheeks and her nose wondering if anyone else could see what she was seeing.

"Lena, can I ask you something?" Sansa called out to the young woman.

The thin framed girl appeared from out of the washroom. She stood by the Queen's side with her hand crossed neatly on top of her lap.  Her tan gown fell nicely, although the dress patterns were a bit too simplistic for the Queen's taste. Sansa couldn't help but notice how pretty the girl looked when two thin strands of her hair held back her voluptuous wide curly hair.

"Do I look any different to you?" Sansa asked.

"What do you mean, Your Grace?" She replied.

"I mean, does my face look fatter, or my nose, maybe even my . . . body" Sansa spoke revealing her insecurity plainly.

"No, not at all, Your Grace" Lena immediately protested the idea.

Sansa stood from her chair letting out a big huff. She crossed her arms grabbing the opposite ends of the dress and pulled the gown inside out over her head. She tossed the gown onto the bed and asked Lena to take a closer look at her naked body.

"Lena, I didn't ask you to be my handmaiden to lie to me. Now, tell me the truth, don't I look different?" Sansa spoke with an almost desperate expression.

"You might just be a little bloated, Your Grace" Lena finally spoke the truth.

"Oh, it's true then. I'm getting fat" Sansa cried out.

Lena tried her best to reassure the Queen that even if she was gaining some weight she still looked beautiful. She forced the Queen to get in the bath stating that if they waited any longer the water would lose its temperature. Lena dipped the rag into the bath water before scrubbing Sansa's arm gently. The Queen refused to make eye contact with her, she was trying her absolute hardest not to cry. Sansa couldn't begin to understand what was happening to her but she knew she needed to settle down and think clearly because there was a lot at stake. 

The secrets that came from Gareth needed to be settled quickly and discreetly, there simply was no time for meltdowns over her physical image. Then again, her mind couldn't help but wonder if Brienne had noticed and if that was the reason she had seen so little of her love today. Lena aided the Queen out of the tub while grabbing the towel to dry her off. She rubbed oils up and down the girl's soft pale skin then moved to her wardrobe to help her pick out a gown for the day.