Regina and Cersei: A Clash of Queens
A "Once Upon A Time" crossover with the "Game of Thrones" TV Series.
Summary: When Henry Mills came to the aid of a girl being abused by her boyfriend at school, it touched off a confrontation between Storybrooke and its new neighbor, the Unincorporated Municipality of Winterfell, leading to a showdown between Queen Regina and Queen Cersei.
Disclaimer: The TV Series "Once Upon A Time" is owned and created by the Team of Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. The TV Series "Game of Thrones" is created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and is based on the novel, "A Song of Ice and Fire," by George R. R. Martin.
I do not own any of the characters depicted in this story. This Fan Fiction Crossover is the work of a hobbyist having fun with some of his favorite characters, and nothing more. I hope that this is a sufficient disclaimer.
A note about the rating: This story is rated "M." This is not because of foul language, excessive violence or even sex, per se. This story has none of that. But the cast of characters does include Jamie and Cersei Lannister, whose, ah, 'interesting relationship' will provide plenty of fodder for Regina Mills' trademark sassiness. 'Nuff said . . . .
Historian's Note: This story takes place between the events of OUAT S6 and the events shown in the novel, "Once Upon A Time: Henry and Violet," by Michelle Zink. At the time of this story, the Fourth Curse cast by the Black Fairy was broken over a year earlier. But even in defeat, the Black Fairy still had a card to play that the people of Storybrooke were unaware of.
In her High Fantasy avatar as The Red Woman, the Black Fairy cursed the Seven Kingdoms, bringing them to "Our World" just prior to the main events could begin to unfold in "Game of Thrones." As a result, the history of those "cursed" characters takes a very different course than it did in the TV Series. In their "Cursed Identities," Robert Baratheon is the Mayor of Winterfell, and his wife Cersei is the Capo de tutti Capi of the Winterfell Organized Crime Syndicate.
For nearly a year after the breaking of the Fourth Curse, the Happily Ever After's were coming back to Storybrooke. But once the "timer expired" on the Black Fairy's "backup failsafe;" the High Fantasy people of the Seven Kingdoms are beginning to awaken, and are becoming as Meta-Aware of their Fictional Realms origins as are the Fairy Tale people of Storybrooke.
And now, Cersei Lannister has her eyes on Storybrooke . . . .
As an episode of "Once Upon A Time," the Title Card will show the "Welcome to Storybrooke" town sign rewritten in the iconic "Game of Thrones" font, with three vertical lines in all five O's, in the foreground of the Blue Forest Setting.
Chapter 1: The Lannisters Awaken
Cersei Lannister staggered as she grasped the bannister of the stairway she was descending for support. She was still feeling slightly woozy and unsteady after the feeling of awareness suddenly came over her without warning several hours earlier.
And that feeling of awareness was accompanied by several other feelings as well. Among these was the feeling that she should get dressed, and go downstairs to the living room to wait for her brothers; her husband, the 'Mayor' of Winterfell; 'Deputy Mayor' Ned Stark; and her eldest son, Joffrey. The wait would not be long. That much she knew, though she did not know why or how – only that it must be done.
If only Jamie had been with me when the awareness came, thought Cersei longingly. But her twin brother, (who had been keeping her company last night while her husband Robert was away on town business,) had already left her about an hour before the awareness came. For there was no telling what time Robert might come home from the Town Hall, that morning.
So, Cersei did as the feeling bid and went to the living room, reflexively touching something on the wall to make the dark room brighten. The light came. But not from fire; there was no fire, either from torches or lanterns. But something shaped like a serving bowl on the ceiling suddenly filled the room with a cool, white, fireless light.
Not magic . . . , thought Cersei absentmindedly; Electricity. It's supposed to do that. Why? She had no idea at the moment. But she knew that it was not magic.
Cersei sat on a very comfortable chair that was actually her husband's. A similar feeling told her that she had always liked this chair; even though it had not been so comfortable in their former Realm. For in this Realm, it could be made to recline, heat up, and give her a soothing massage at the touch of a "button." She had done this countless times. But Cersei decided against utilizing any of these . . . features – yes, that was the word for it – for now.
A few minutes later, she was joined by Joffrey, who was already dressed for school. Like her, the boy seemed a bit dazed, and she gave him reassuring smile that everything would be alright, in due time.
Unlike the nearby Storybrooke School District, West Rose High School had no uniform, and Joff wore only the best designer brands. But it was still early in the morning, and school would not start for another few hours. Cersei's daughter Myrcella, and her younger son, Tommen, were still abed. And something told Cersei and Joffrey that this was how it was meant to be, for now.
Mother and son said nothing to each other, but waited patiently for everyone else to arrive. They both had the feeling that this was what they had to do. The impatience they felt was mitigated by the feeling that their wait would not be a long one.
Then the front door opened, and Cersei's brothers Jamie and Tyrion came in, accompanied by 'Deputy Mayor' Eddard Stark. Silently they all took their usual seats. A few moments later, Cersei's husband, 'Mayor' Robert Baratheon, came in to join them. Robert had spent the previous night on a couch at the Winterfell Town Hall when the feeling of awareness came over him. He had been working late, attending to some tedious town business; something that he had been doing more often, as of late - a situation that Cersei and Jamie were both grateful for.
"I'm so glad that you could finally make it, dear husband," said Cersei neutrally.
"It would appear," said Robert. "That we all have little choice in the matter."
"Don't feel too badly," said Tyrion. "Jamie and I almost didn't arrive on time, either."
"Car trouble," added Jamie, by way of explanation.
"Your precious Corvette giving you more trouble?" said Cersei.
"Well, I . . . ."
"What our dear brother is trying to say, sweet sister, is that he momentarily forgot how to drive it," said Tyrion by way of explanation. "Fortunately, our dear brother didn't forget how to use his Smartphone, and was able to call me for a lift.
"Ned had a similar problem with his Lincoln Navigator, and we had to pick him up, as well. As for me, I just thank The Seven that my Tesla Model 3 is so much easier to drive."
"The 'manual shift' and the 'clutch,'" said Jamie somewhat abashedly. "The . . . 'carriages' of this world are . . . strange . . . ."
Before anyone could comment further, the ceiling light took on a reddish tint, and a shaft of red tinted light came down to the floor. Within the light, a figure could be seen.
Other than Cersei, all present tensed. Jamie stammered, "By the Seven . . . it's some kind of . . . holographic projection . . . ."
"No, dear brother," said Cersei calmly. "I believe that this is proper magic." At Cersei's comment, the tension eased in the room, but only slightly. Just because magic was familiar and could be understood easily enough by all those in attendance didn't automatically mean that it was benign. Far from it . . . .
The figure in the beam spoke:
"I was known by those in the Fairy Tale Realms of the Enchanted Forest as Fiona, The Black Fairy. Though in your Realm of High Fantasy, I was known as Melisandre, The Red Priestess.
"Though you will remember not; know now that I have brought you here to this Land Without Magic to serve me in accordance with the terms of a bargain that we had struck:
"In exchange for my delivering you from the terror of The Others, and of the brutal, interminable winters of your Home Realm; you were to serve me in this Realm – this Land Without Magic - where the Fairy Tale People from the Enchanted Forest have fled to. You were to assist me with my vengeance against them. But apparently, fate has chosen otherwise . . . .
"If you are viewing this message, then I have failed in my effort to subjugate the Fairy Tale people of the Enchanted Forest; who have offended me, and provoked my wrath! It is very likely that I have been destroyed. But I shall yet have my retribution . . . !
"I had originally brought you to this world by my Dark Curse to assist me with keeping the Fairy Tales under my Dominion. To this end, you have been enchanted to remain asleep, immersed in your cursed identities, gifted with the knowledge needed to exist and thrive in this wretched Land Without Magic, until such time as your services were ever required.
"But this enchantment needs must be renewed periodically, lest you begin to awaken to your true identities before you are needed. And as you are now in the process of awakening without my bidding, this means that I am no longer able to renew the enchantment. Nonetheless, I have another role for you to play:
"I hereby grant you dominion over Storybrooke, and then the worlds beyond – including the Land Without Magic, itself - to rule as you see fit!
"But know this: The enchantments that concealed your true identities are lifting slowly. At first, only the Noble Houses of the Seven Kingdoms shall awaken. Next, it shall be your children. Then, a short time later, your servants and retainers, as well as your Small-Folk, shall all regain the memories of their past, true lives.
"This entire process shall take no more than a fortnight. Until then, proceed with patience and caution. Know that the Mayor of Storybrooke – the formerly 'Evil' Queen Regina Mills, and the former 'Dark One' - my son, Rumpelstiltskin, are not to be underestimated. For I remind you that if you are viewing this message, they have likely already defeated me . . . .
"I shall leave you with a copy of a tome that shall be your guide to your new enemy. Now, go, and fulfill your end of our agreement, and take what is rightfully yours!"
The beam of red light disappeared, and was replaced with the soft, white glow of the ceiling light. But on the floor where the beam had made contact, was a leather-bound book.
Cautiously, Cersei picked the book up, and read its title: "Once Upon A Time."
"It would appear," said Cersei, mainly to Jamie, "that we have some reading to do before we may begin . . . .
"Though I'd like to see this Storybrooke for myself, as soon as possible."
Joffrey said, "Let me do that, mother. Our class is visiting Storybrooke High School, today, for some kind of intermural sporting event. Sansa and I will be attending the field trip."
Cersei thought for a moment, and nodded. "You may go, Joffrey. But remember what the Black Fairy said: We needs must proceed with caution."
"Perhaps Ned and I should also drive into Storybrooke, just to do a bit of ranging," said Robert reasonably. "As the 'Mayor' of Winterfell, it would not be out of place for me to speak with my Storybrooke counterpart, Mayor Regina Mills."
"No, husband, I think not," said Cersei without even taking a moment to consider her husband's suggestion. "Fairy Tales are a naïve, and sentimental lot. But if Regina should happen to discover who you – and we - really are before we are ready, it could cause . . . problems . . . .
"No, I think it best to avoid any unnecessary contact with the Fairy Tales, at this time.
"Besides, don't you and Ned have some potholes to see filled? Last winter was bad for the roads in Winterfell; especially those in the King's Landing Subdivision."
"Yes," said Robert. "And the next winter will be here, before we know it . . . ." Rob shook his head in wonder. "Seven! We now inhabit a world where winter comes every year for a mere few months at a time!"
"And no White Walkers . . . !" added Eddard with more than a touch of relief.
"I like this world, already," said Cersei dryly. "I'll like it even better when it's . . . ours . . . .
With a shrug, Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark left for the Winterfell Town Hall to make the appropriate arrangements with the county road maintenance crew. A short time later, Sandor Clegane arrived, and Joff went with him to pick up Sansa Stark, on the way to West Rose High School, leaving the Lannister Siblings to themselves.
When Joffrey and Sandor left, Cersei said, "Tyrion, would you be so kind as to go upstairs and check on Myrcella and Tommen? I want to know if they are "woke," yet. If nothing else, they need to have breakfast and get ready for school. Gregor will be here soon to take them."
As soon as Tyrion was out of the room and could be heard climbing the stairs to the kids' bedrooms, Cersei and Jamie embraced and kissed passionately.
"It's a pity that we don't have more time, sweet sister," said Jamie wistfully.
"There will be plenty of time for that, later, dear brother," replied Cersei smiling. "But for now, we have a Fairy Tale Realm to conquer . . . ."
Tyrion tapped lightly on his niece's door, and was let inside immediately, where Myrcella and Tommen had been anxiously waiting for him.
"I got a text from Arya, a few minutes ago," said Myrcella, showing her Smartphone to her uncle. "She, Sansa and Bran are 'woke,' too. Rickon knows that something 'weird' is going on, but he still thinks that he's lived all his life in the Enchanted Forest before coming to this world. And Arya doesn't know if their half-brother Jon knows anything, yet . . . ."
Tyrion nodded, suppressing a smile at his niece's ironic and totally unintentional humor. Of the three Lannister Siblings, Tyrion was the first to fully awaken and get his bearings in this strange, new world that they suddenly found themselves in, and he was able to soothe his niece's and nephew's anxiety when they frantically texted him in the early hours of the morning.
Fortunately, he was staying the night over at Shae's apartment when it happened. As she slept, Tyrion then spent the next several hours in frantic online research, and what he found out made him nervous and hopeful at the same time. Apparently, their story had not truly begun when the Red Woman/Black Fairy struck the bargain with them that brought them all here . . . .
When he finally got the call from his somewhat disoriented sister to join them at the Lannister Mansion for "an important family meeting," he gave Shae (who was obviously not "woke," yet,) a kiss goodbye, and advised her to pack a small bag, and be ready for anything come what may.
As Tyrion drove over to the Lannister Mansion, he could see that the people of Winterfell that he passed going about their daily affairs were obviously not "woke," yet. Tyrion had suspected this initially, and now the Red Woman's/Black Fairy's recorded message confirmed this earlier observation.
Tyrion was also able to ascertain that the Clegane Brothers were still completely bewitched, as was the Stark kids' half-brother, Jon Snow; who in this world was recast by the Red Woman's/Black Fairy's curse as a member of the Winterfell Police Department, where he was currently assigned to the K9 Unit's Night Shift. Well, never let it be said that a Fairy Tale Curse didn't have a sense of logic, thought Tyrion. Or humor . . . .
And based on the Black Fairy's message, it was likely that this general state of ignorance would be the status quo for at least a little while longer; perhaps days, perhaps only hours. Tyrion fervently prayed to The Seven that however long this lasted would be time enough.
After another quick phone call to Shae, Tyrion knew that she was still blissfully unaware, and would likely be among the last to 'awaken.' But this didn't matter, in the long run. In fact, it could work to their advantage in the short run: Shae couldn't tell what she didn't know . . . .
Tyrion was brought back to the moment at hand when Myrcella said, "W-what do we do now, Uncle Tyrion? I did as you said, and Googled "Our Story" about what would have happen to us if we had remained in the Realm of High Fantasy." Bravely, the girl held back tears. "I don't want to die. Not like that. Not so young. A-and what could have happened to poor Bran at the hands of mom and 'Uncle' Jamie . . . !"
Tyrion then advised his niece and nephew to remain calm, and to pretend that they were still unaware of their true identities for the moment, and that they should advise the Stark kids to do the same. "For now, this is our greatest – and only – advantage.
"No doubt, your parents and your 'Uncle' Jamie, as well as your elder brother will be asking you questions in the near future, to determine your level of "awareness." I suspect that Ned and Cat will be doing the same with their kids, too. Stay in touch with them, and advise them to remain calm - but to be ready to act at a moment's notice.
"And know this: Whatever may happen, I will do everything in my power to keep you all safe!
"Now, get dressed and get ready for school, and keep your Smartphones charged and ready! And if you have anything to report; remember to use text messaging only. If I'm right, your mother and 'uncle' won't think or know how to check those until they have had more time to "acclimate" to this Land Without Magic. But this advantage will not last for very long."
After giving each other a quick hug of encouragement, Myrcella and Tommen went to their rooms and got dressed for breakfast and school.
Before going back downstairs to join his siblings, Tyrion sent a quick text to Shae: "I expect things to move quickly, now." Tyrion smiled as Shae texted her reply a second later: "K." He then allowed himself a moment to put on his best poker-face before rejoining his siblings downstairs.
Author's Note: I had to make a correction in this re-posted chapter, because I had originally (and erroneously) stated at one point that Jon Snow was Tyrion Lannister's nephew. I want to thank Sean Malloy-1 for bringing this mistake to my attention.