Game of Thrones: Fanfic: Hidden agendas

[m_findlow]

Title: Hidden agendas
Fandom: Game of Thrones
Characters: Lord Varys, Petyr Baelish
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 700 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for elf's prompt "Any, any, it's more exciting when they don't trust each other" at fic_promptly
Summary: They like playing games, but most of all with each other

Lord Varys sauntered through the gardens, watching the many servants hurry about, erecting banners and tables, lining their tops with red and gold. Strings of flags fluttered overhead, and a cart of doves was shunted past, destined for a pie in honor of the bride and groom. An enormous wooden carving of a lion's head sat to the side of the main tables, no doubt intended for some form of entertainment. All of it was meant to inspire grandeur and frivolity, yet the next thing that caught his eye did not.

'Lord Baelish, are you here to assist in the wedding preparations?' he mewled, inclining his head ever so slightly.

Petyr Baelish's smile was demure as always. 'A pity that I shan't be here to see it,' he replied. 'I have matters to attend in the Vale. They shall take some time to address.'

'A pity indeed,' he agreed. 'Though it must be something of a relief to no longer be Master of Coin. Weddings are such frightfully expensive matters, and the Iron Bank of Braavos must needs be prudent in their dealings.'

Petyr clasped his hands behind his back, falling into step with The Spider. 'A clever man can always find coin, if he knows where to look.'

'I believe that there is a reason why the sigil of Highgarden is a golden rose.'

'Yet they give their most beautiful bloom away. Lady Margaery would make a fine queen.'

Varys stopped. 'I sense a but.'

Petyr leaned in. 'We both know that the King has some unseemly predilections towards beautiful things. How long until Margaery suffers some... unfortunate accident?'

'Why I didn't know you cared, Lord Baelish. I would have thought that you would be pleased by the match. Sansa Stark out of King Joffrey's clutches must have come as a welcome relief to you. Although,' he paused, 'she's still wed to a Lannister despite all your fine planning, and there have been so very many short-lived marriages of late.' He noticed the slight twitch at the corner of Petyr's eye and it filled him with amusement.

'I would have expected Mace Tyrrell to require some further assurances. A mere place on the Small Council seems hardly befit a man of his stature, having given away his greatest prize,' Lord Baelish commented.

'My little birds tell me an appointment to Master of Ships is on the cards. However, if I were looking at the Tyrrells, I should keep my eye on the Lady Olenna. She has invested quite a sum to ensure that this wedding goes ahead according to plan.'

Petyr hid the smile from his face. According to whose plan, he wondered. The wedding might proceed, but as for the consummation... Another King might sit upon the throne before Margaery would be required to honor that pledge.

'Then I trust that with the Lady Olenna 's tenacity and your own wise council to the King that all shall go ahead without a hitch.'

'Indeed it shall,' Varys purred. 'I shall take comfort I knowing that your own machinations, whatever they might be, shall be directed towards the Vale and not here in King's Landing.'

'Why, it almost sounds as if you don't trust me, Lord Varys,' Petyr replied, wolfish grinning on his face.

'Trust is a tenuous thing as you and I well know. Ned Stark chose to trust you and that ended so well for him.'

'And yet, it is the spider that most men fear.'

Varys chortled, amused. 'I fear that I do not strike terror into the hearts of men like the namesake you are so fond of referring to me as. I am but a humble servant of the realm.'

'Indeed,' Petyr agreed. 'Enjoy the wedding. I trust that it will be a fruitful union for us all.' He knew it would be for him. Sansa would be his by the end of it. How Varys intended to profit from the arrangements made he still had no idea. One thing was certain; though they would both profit, he would never trust The Spider.

'I do believe it will be,' Varys smiled back at him. 'Long live the realm.'

'Long live the realm,' Petyr replied.