A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 16: SANSA
Overview
Cersei commissions an elegant gown for Sansa, while Sansa grows close to Margaery and her cousins. Sansa warns Margaery of Joffrey’s cruelty, but Margaery trusts Loras’s protection. Ser Dontos urges Sansa to flee at Joffrey’s wedding and claims the Tyrells want her claim to Winterfell, but she refuses and clings to hopes of marrying Willas.
Summary
An elderly seamstress measures Sansa for a lavish new gown ordered by Queen Cersei, unsettling Sansa with the unexpected generosity. Sansa reflects on her growth and changing body, and wonders why the Lannisters would dress her so finely before the royal wedding.
Meanwhile, Sansa spends her days among Margaery Tyrell and her companions—Elinor, Alla, and Megga—enjoying feminine company, gossip, songs, and games. She contrasts their romantic naiveté with her own grim experience of war and loss, yet envies their innocence. Hawking with Margaery gives Sansa her first view beyond the city since the battle.
When alone, Sansa warns Margaery that Joffrey is cruel and will hurt her. Margaery remains confident, citing Ser Loras’s presence in the Kingsguard as protection, and treats Sansa as a sister. Sansa, however, fears future conflict between Lannister and Tyrell should Joffrey show his true nature.
Ser Dontos later confronts Sansa, begging her to keep their plan to flee on Joffrey’s wedding night and to wear a silver hair net. He claims the Tyrells only want her for her claim to Winterfell, calling her the heir. Sansa rejects him, trusting in marriage to Willas Tyrell and safety in Highgarden, though she privately wrestles with the truth of her claim.
Left to her hopes, Sansa imagines a future with Willas—children named for her lost brothers, life in Highgarden, and freedom from the Lannisters. She resolves to pray for Margaery and Loras, and decides to wear her new gown to the royal wedding, treasuring it for her anticipated new life.
Who Appears
- Sansa StarkWarns Margaery about Joffrey, rejects Dontos’s escape, dreams of marrying Willas, and is fitted for a gown by Cersei’s order.
- Margaery TyrellKind to Sansa; confident Loras’s Kingsguard post will protect her from Joffrey; treats Sansa as a sister.
- Ser Dontos HollardUrges Sansa to flee on Joffrey’s wedding night; claims Tyrells want her Winterfell claim; rebuffed.
- Cersei LannisterCommissions an elegant gown for Sansa ahead of the royal wedding, unsettling Sansa’s expectations.
- Elinor TyrellWitty, willowy cousin; engaged to a squire who fought at Blackwater; leads her cousins’ circle.
- Megga TyrellBoisterous, romantic cousin; gushes over Joffrey and kissing, embodying courtly naiveté.
- Alla TyrellShy, musical cousin; sings and plays the woodharp during the girls’ gatherings.
- Ser Loras TyrellNamed to the Kingsguard, cited by Margaery as her shield against Joffrey’s cruelty.
- Willas TyrellOffstage suitor; Sansa idealizes a future with him in Highgarden despite his lameness and age.
- Old seamstressMeasures Sansa for a silk-and-lace gown, stating Cersei’s command and praising Sansa’s beauty.
- Joffrey BaratheonDiscussed as cruel; target of Sansa’s warning to Margaery; maintains a charming facade with Tyrells.
- Lady Janna TyrellShares gossip with Sansa during Tyrell ladies’ gatherings.
- Lady Leonette FossowayTeaches Sansa high harp; part of Margaery’s supportive circle.