Chapter 4

Cersei

Cersei was worried, when Joffrey failed to show up to break his fast with her that morning the only thing she believed that could have happened was that he was kidnapped. As king he was very vulnerable. Nearing his room she noticed the lack of guards and wondered if he had sent them away again. She also noted the fact that his doors were open so fearing the worst she picked up her skirts and rushed in. The bed was covered in bed and Cersei almost called for the guards to go look for Joffrey when she noticed him lying on the floor. With a startled cry, Cersei ran over to him and pulled him onto her lap. She was relieved to see the rising and falling of his chest and started screaming for the guards that had been assigned to her to fetch a maester. Scanning his body for any serious injuries, Cersei noticed the lack of injuries other than a small bump and cut on his head. The amount of blood in the room confused her for it could not of come from her son. She wondered if he had played with Sansa Stark the insipid Northern princess last night. She wondered if he changed his mind on his usual punishments seeing as he usually had her stripped and beaten in front of the court whenever her family added more houses to their kingdom. Cersei still could not believe the stupidity of her oafish late husband when he turned over his rights as new king to the North back to Winterfell. He claimed it was right to give them back to their correct owner, but all Cersei could think of was how little lands their future son would rule. It was at that moment she had decided to refuse to bear any of Robert's children and instead made sure they were all her brothers. Her biggest regret was Myrcella. When she saw her golden hair she was relieved she was not Roberts but when she opened her eyes, Cersei noticed the hint of Baratheon blue that almost caused her to smother the baby at her birth. But upon Robert's return he immediately laid claim on the baby.

Cersei was so lost in her thoughts she barely noticed the maester run in. It was not until he started to have Joffrey lifted that she jumped back into reality. She stroked Joffrey's perfect golden hair and allowed him to be raised from her lap. After examining Joffrey for a few minutes he began to stir and the maester announced that it was merely a bump on the head and he would be fine. Leaving the room with the guards following the maester confidently stated he would wake up on his own. Cersei relaxed slightly and waited for her precious son to wake up. As he started to stir she jumped up ran over to the bed. He opened his eyes and the first thing out of his mouth was,

"It was Sansa she escaped with some man, I reckon they took Myrcella with them. She was in here, the last thing I remember is the man throwing me against the wall." Cersei gasped at the audacity of her son's betrothed. Running away was incomprehensible when she was supposed to become the Queen. She wondered what Joffrey was doing with Myrcella in his room but she knew that it could not of been bad. Calling in the guards she reported what Joffrey just told her and they immediately went to check Sansa and Myrcella's rooms. Coming back they reported that both were empty and Cersei angrily ordered the guards to assemble a team and go and search the entire city.

"I do not care if you have to tear apart the city, find the man who hurt my son, YOUR KING, and find his betrothed, I want them punished. If you find my daughter make it known she will not go unpunished either she should know better than to run away" The guards ran out of the room fearing the rage of the Queen Regent. She sat back at her sons side and smiled down at him reassuringly.

"Do not worry they will not get away with this."

Myrcella

She awoke to a room she did not recognize. Looking at the canvas ceiling she realized she was in a tent. The last thing she remembered was reaching the Northern camp after escaping the keep. She sat up slowly groaning at the pain that coursed through her body.

"Be careful, the maester said you should not move too much lest you rip out the stitches." a male voice rang through the tent, startling Myrcella.

She turned to see a figure rise from the corner and as he moved closer she recognized the auburn hair of Robb Stark. He was older now at 20 than he was the last time she saw him at Winterfell and had grown taller and stronger. As he approached she involuntarily flinched back and started to hyperventilate. Her vision began to blur as her breaths became more and more rapid. She heard Robb call for Sansa before he gently kneeled before her and pulled her slightly into his arms, careful of her injuries. He began to soothe her softly trying to calm her before Sansa rushed in and took his place. Myrcella's eyes locked with his as he moved slowly back and she started to sob as she clung to Sansa tightly.

"I am sorry, i'm sorry, it hurts make it stop, make it stop." she pleaded quietly, trying to explain her behavior.

Sansa stroked her back and whispered into her hair, "It's ok, you're scared that's normal, breathe slowly, it's ok you're safe here. Robb will not hurt you and we will not let anyone hurt you again."

With Sansas reassurances Myrcella was able to stop her tears and regulate her breathing. Sensing that Sansa loosened her grip to allow Myrcella to situate herself. Turning to Robb, Myrcella quickly mumbled out an apology, "I'm sorry youre grace. Forgive me you just startled me." Robb merely inclined his head in return. "No offense taken Princess. I should not of approached so quickly." Nodding in response Mycella lowered her eyes and stared down at her hands. Sansa noticed the look of pain in her eyes and silently offered her the milk of the poppy. Taking it thankfully Myrcella quickly drank it down and laid back down. Slipping back into unconsciousness Myrcella hoped that the next time she woke things would go better.

I tried to make this chapter longer due to the request of a reviewer. I have been trying to lengthen each chapter and hopefully as the story goes on longer I can improve the quality of the chapters. Most of this story will be set in the North and will only go into the south to explain what's happening there. Please continue to review and follow.