"So Sansa. How was your dinner with the Queen and her progeny?" Petyr asked.
Sansa was reading a few documents Petyr gave her. Arla was reading notes on Petyr's martial arts and Chi techniques, which he had developed while eating some of the food he had conjured for her. Sansa looked up at Petyr with a straight face.
"It was as you told me; she wanted to control me and strike fear into my heart. But I managed to avert her attention from me to another matter," Sansa said.
"Another matter, is it?"
"Yes."
"What kind of matter?" Petyr asked.
"Well, she seemed to be interested in you, so I told her about you. I believe she has an unhealthy desire towards you."
Arla looked up from the notes now and stared at Sansa. That was something she was interested in as well since the Queen bothered her.
"Right, and how did you manage to do that?" Petyr asked.
"Well, I-- uhh..."
"Yes?"
"I told her about your relationship with Arla, my Lord. She seemed to be bothered about the idea that you had someone of such beauty at your side who wasn't her."
Petyr and Arla looked into each other's eyes for a moment, communicating with each other. Then, they both started to chuckle and shake their heads.
"What is it?" Sansa asked.
"Listen, Sansa, Arla, and I taught you what you know. Do you genuinely believe that you could manipulate or lie to me?"
"..."
"Desire was the word you used, wasn't it? I am not cross with you for saying what you did since it was the smart thing to do. You did well, but to lie to me about it, that was a mistake."
Petyr looked at Sansa, who seemed to grow smaller under his scrutinising gaze. He had taught her how to play the game, and now she included him in her own scheme in a minor way. He was almost proud if he was honest. But she still had a lot to learn. The problem was that he was too close by, and she enjoyed the security he provided.
"You have done well. However, it is time that you learn to fetch for yourself," Petyr said.
"What do you mean?" Sansa asked.
"I will most likely be sent away from King's Landing any day now by Tyrion Lannister. Which would mean that you are alone again in the snake pit."
"Why would he send you away? Aren't you needed here?" Sansa asked fearfully.
"Because I have revealed my hand ever so slightly, and he has started to fear me. Rightfully so, but unnecessary. He will try to make use of my past with your mother, as I have told you, and probably send me to broker alliances with the Tyrells as well. But he doesn't know that yet."
"And what about the Queen-- I-I mean the Queen Mother?"
"You will have to handle her on your own. Do what you did during dinner. Make her interested in something else and become her 'friend' or informant. But make sure to keep the balance and not overdo it. As I said, a name holds power, even if the person who the name belongs to is not present."
*knock knock*
"Enter."
The door opened, and Tyrion walked in. He looked around the room and then focused on Petyr.
"Lord Baelish, if I could have a moment of your time?" he asked.
"Of course, Lord Hand. Would you like for those present here to leave the room?" Petyr asked.
"If you trust them, then I am willing to as well," Tyrion said, testing Petyr and gathering intel.
Petyr smiled at the small trick and nodded his head.
"I believe Sansa Stark should be here to hear what you have to say. So, as long as you're fine with it, I have nothing against it."
Tyrion was unnerved. Not only had Petyr managed to evade clearing up his 'relationship' he had with Sansa Stark, but he seemed to know what he wanted to talk about before he even came here. Both of those things were another proof for the Hand to get some space to breathe. One Spider was enough; he didn't need another one.
"I am perfectly fine. I came here to tell you that you were right; the Grand Maester was the mole I was looking for. I hope you forgive me for trying to deceive you and not intending to betroth Princess Myrcella to Robert Arryn," Tyrion said.
"Not at all. I couldn't care less about Jon or Lysa Arryn and their son is a half-wit. Not fit for a royal position," Petyr said.
"And what about Catelyn Stark?" Tyrion asked.
"I thought we already talked about that."
"We did, but I was wondering how you would feel about meeting your... 'beloved' Cat again?" Tyrion asked.
Sansa sat straighter suddenly, hearing Tyrion's words. She knew about the history of her mother and Petyr, but to hear that he would meet her mother made her anxious. She also wanted to leave here and get back home. Tyrion wasn't aware that Petyr had told Sansa what he wanted her to know already.
"Why would I be meeting Catelyn Stark?" Petyr asked.
"I know that I just apologised about including you in a deception, but you were going to be the centrepiece of my next one. And if you are interested...?"
"In what way would I do that?" Petyr asked.
"I would have you act as an envoy to Catelyn Stark and Renly Baratheon to propose a prisoner exchange," Tyrion revealed.
"A prisoner exchange. So you know that Robb Stark would disagree and instead want me to convince her mother to give up their most powerful hostage. Quite clever. I accept."
Sansa, who heard them speaking about her like that, grew saddened, but Arla gently and furtively grabbed her shoulder to prevent her from losing her composure. She had been taught that everything was a facade most of the time, and people were lying when they opened their mouths.
"Wonderful, then I shall leave you to your preparations, Lord Baelish and wish you a pleasant travel."
Tyrion walked out of the room and left the three to their own devices. He had hoped to separate them again and drive a wedge between them. Sadly for him, he was too late.
"So Robb wouldn't trade for me..."
"No, he wouldn't. That's the truth, and the truth, as they say, makes you free. Free of delusions. So take this as a sign that you are still nowhere near good or important enough at this game. You have to grow more independent and clever. Use the position you hold and gain an advantage out of it."
.
A few hours later, Petyr was just finishing packing the last of his things he would not need, when Vary walked through the open door. As usual, he had his hands hidden in his large sleeves and smiled as though he knew something.
"Well, leaving already, Lord Baelish?" he asked.
"As perceptive as ever, Varys."
"Ah, sarcasm. The humourless way of joking. You are a master at it, I noticed," Varys said and sat down.
"Don't belittle sarcasm, just because you're not funny."
"And why would I want to be funny, Lord Baelish?"
"Because you have no friends. And you believe yourself to bother those you talk with," Petyr said as he finished packing.
"How hurtful. And yet, I will miss our little banter from time to time."
"I don't doubt that."
"Oh? Do tell."
"When a man knows more than others, he becomes lonely. And the only person who knows more than you would be me. So we are similar in that regard, and you enjoy that, since while you believe me to be a potentially monstrous obstacle to your goals, you are not as lonely when I'm around. So don't be sad, I might return at some point."
"Such prideful words. I can see that you truly believe them. I am honoured that you think so highly of me, though. It is rare to hear praise come from your mouth," Varys said.
"Only for the incompetent, mind you. Now, if you would excuse me, I am headed to the fresher parts of Westeros."
"Tell me, Lord Baelish, will you take your entourage with you?" Varys asked.
"Those who are needed. Why?" Petyr asked as they walked along the halls.
"I was just interested, nothing specific. I was simply wondering how you might be treated once you arrived in Renly Baratheon's camp."
"I thought it was nothing specific. I am an envoy and not going to war. Why would I need a lot of men?" Petyr asked.
"The roads are dangerous in these times, Lord Baelish. I wish you success on your journey. Safe travels."
Petyr chuckled, seeing the eunuch walk off. Arla approached him and stood at his side.
"He has a voice that makes me want to smash his face and not stop. As if lies came out of his throat in gaseous form," she said.
"Haha. He is amusing. I enjoy removing the spies he uses to gather information on me."
"So what now?" Arla asked.
"Now, we go on a journey. I know how much you hate it here, so I thought I'd show you another one. No need to rush things. But first, we make a short stop in the Stormlands."
"Oh? What type of world are we talking about?" she asked excitedly.
"Not telling."
"Come on. I want to know."
"No can do."
.
Petyr and Arla made it to Renly Baratheon's camp in the Stormlands. They didn't take anyone along with them, since they didn't need protection, not in this world, and not with Petyr around. They enjoyed their time together and, when no one saw, travelled in style and used means of transportation far ahead of their time. If anyone saw them together, they wouldn't believe that it was Petyr Baelish, the most powerful and influential merchant in the entire world, but a love-struck fool. But a man could be more than one thing, and a woman too.
"Well, if it isn't my favourite whoremonger. I pray I haven't kept you waiting long," Renly said as he approached his tent with Brienne of Tarth, his Kingsguard.
"You have, but we forgive you. I'm sure you were doing... something," Petyr answered.
Renly walked into his tent and sat down, making Petyr and Arla follow him. Petyr was terribly bored at the theatrics of Renly Baratheon, the most uninteresting of the Baratheon brothers. The most annoying was dead, and the one who looked like a dead fish was surprisingly more interesting than the homosexual to Petyr.
"Now you do the Lannister's bidding, is that it?" Renly asked.
"I do my own bidding. But due to my position as an experienced merchant and Master of Coin on the Small Council, once again, I was asked to act as an envoy."
"Is that so? Tell me, was my brother's corpse even cold before you secured your newest patron?"
"I wasn't even in King's Landing at the time."
"But you're there now. And you serve the Lannisters."
"I enjoy working for capable people," Petyr said.
"Is that so? Then how about working for me?" Renly asked.
"I believe I already answered that question, Lord Renly," Petyr said.
Renly's eyes narrowed as he understood the insinuation. Brienne of Tarth, though, grabbed her sword's handle.
"You will address the King with 'Your Grace', Lord Baelish. Or I will make sure that you do," she said.
Petyr looked at the woman.
"That's Brienne of Tarth. Her loyalty comes without charge."
"If you truly believe that, you are an even bigger fool than I took you for," Petyr said.
His words garnered the ire of both Renly and Brienne, who now fully drew her sword and pointed it at Petyr, prepared to cut him down if her liege ordered her to. However, he didn't flinch whatsoever. Arla, on the other hand, took a small step forward.
"I don't like you, Lord Baelish. I don't like your face, I don't like the words that come oozing out of your mouth... I don't want you in my tent one minute more than necessary. So tell me, why are you here?" Renly asked.
"I don't like you either, Lord Renly. Your demeanour is that of an entitled boy. However, I believe I already told you. Lord Tyrion Lannister asked me to come here and act as an envoy. I wish to meet with Catelyn Stark."
Renly had difficulties controlling his anger. He clenched his jaw and didn't stop Brienne as she swung her sword through the air. The first female Kingsguard didn't like what she heard and couldn't take more of Petyr's disrespect. However, Arla stepped in her way, forcing the tall woman to deal with her fist. She brought her sword down in a vertical strike, but didn't expect what happened next.
Arla moved her hands up, pointing her palms at the sides of Brienne's blade and pushed it to the side. Then she kicked her left knee backwards, causing her to kneel on the ground involuntarily and bringing her down to her size. With one powerful left hook, the tall woman was knocked out and fell to the ground.
...
Renly was speechless and looked at the woman who had defeated the other men in the tourney before, taken out in two seconds by a smaller and unarmed woman. Petyr walked next to his woman and nodded his head, looking at Brienne.
"Rad, love. I love it when you put others in their place. Although Brienne isn't a bad person."
"Are we done here?" she asked.
"I believe we are. Pardon the intrusion, Lord Renly... and the knocked-out female. After I spoke with Catelyn Stark, we shall be on our way. Good day."
So Petyr left without further explanation.