350 AC
There came a knock on the cell door. Darius dared not answer, fearing it to be the executioner. Better Andrew believe Darius died in the cold, dark cell than on a chopping block up above.
Another knock.
Another.
Two more.
"Who is it?" called out Darius, his voice broken.
The door opened, and at first Darius was blinded by the candlelight, but when his vision adjusted, he was even more surprised.
"Come with me, brother."
Darius hobbled behind Andrew through secret passages, apparently told to the Protector of the Realm by one of the former little birds. It was common knowledge that Lords Varys and Qyburn, the masters of whisperers for the Baratheon kings, had little birds, or networks of child spies that knew everything about everyone. Some of them grew to adulthood. Most of them did not.
Eventually, they came to a ladder that seemed to go on forever. Andrew climbed with ease, but Darius had not walked in days, assuming he would die in the dark below.
"Where are we?" asked Darius hazily as he reached the top of the ladder.
"Father's last home."
They were in a small hallway, but in the next room were the Hand's Quarters, unchanged since Lord Tybolt's death.
"I wanted to talk to you about a few things, free from prying eyes and ears," said Andrew. "You're not going to like them. Sit down."
Darius took a seat quietly.
"My outriders have told me that Princess Aemma's host rides for King's Landing. She has many men, but I have more. I've sent out messengers that I wish to discuss terms with Aemma, but I decided I would send you, along with some of my personal guard. You will help me, or you will stay in the black cells until the small council and I decide on your execution date. So, Darius, will you help me?"
Darius nodded.
"Wonderful. Here are the terms. I am offering pardons to Lords Tyrell, Arryn, and Baratheon, provided they reaffirm their oaths of fealty to the Iron Throne. If Princess Aemma unconditionally surrenders, no man shall die, and no man shall be taken prisoner. In any case, I want my bride to know that she will be returned to me, no matter the outcome. If Lord Endrew asks about the wellbeing of his sister, I can assure you that Lady Valkyrie has been treated well, though she has been confined to the Maidenvault along with Lady Stark."
"Can I bathe… b-before I go?"
"My guard will determine what condition you will be presented in."
"What if they ask about me?"
"You can tell them anything you want, but know that my men don't take kindly to slander."
Darius stayed three more nights, he assumed, in the black cells before the captain of the Lannister guard retrieved him. He was not bathed, and he was tied to a wagon pulled by a horse, while some of the guardsmen pelted rocks at him during the ride to what Darius assumed would be Aemma's camp. It was a long ride, and Darius could see that the sun had moved past high noon by the time they reached their destination, though he could not recall where the sun had been when they left. All he knew was that he was bleeding from many places, and that the sun was blinding.
The captain of the guard untied the ropes holding him to the wagon, and he was forced to walk down to Aemma's tent, barefoot and bloodied. As he walked, he could see the various banners of those who had come to support Queen Aemma in the coming battle. The golden rose against green of House Tyrell, the silver falcon against blue of House Arryn, and the black stag against gold of House Baratheon were prominent, but others stood out as well. The striding huntsman of House Tarly, the clashing griffins of House Connington, the quartered suns and moons of House Tarth, the bronze runes of House Royce, and the golden tree of House Rowan stood out the most. There must have been soldiers from the Hightower, Cider Hall, Nightsong, and Heart's Home as well, but Darius could not see them.
Inside the tent stood Queen Aemma, Lord Endrew, Lord Willas, Lady Lily, Ser Perros, and a woman Darius could only presume to be Lady Alyssa Arryn. Queen Aemma wore a regal black and red gown, Endrew golden plate, Lord Willas silver and gold plate, Lady Lily a green and gold gown, Ser Perros the white armor of the Kingsguard, and Lady Alyssa a sky blue gown. None of them looked entirely pleased.
The Lannister guardsmen first withheld Darius from their view, standing in front of him and blending him in.
"I agreed to treat with Lord Andrew himself, not his guardsmen," Aemma said angrily.
"Lord Andrew wanted us to present his terms to you, but he feared his safety would be compromised if he walked into enemy encampment," said the captain.
"Lord Andrew's raven implied there would be a guest," said Lord Tyrell.
"Aye, and here he is," said the captain, and the guards parted. Aemma was surprised, and Lily gasped, but the rest of them stayed solemn and silent.
"L-lord Andrew Lannister w-wishes to pardon Lords Tyrell, Arryn, and B-baratheon if you s-surrender now. No m-man will be slain nor h-harmed." Darius could not bear to look them in the eyes.
"Darius… What have they done to you?" said Aemma quietly.
"Lord Lannister outnumbers y-you, and he assures you t-that surrender is your b-best option."
"What have they done with my sister?" asked Endrew steely.
"Lady Valkyrie has b-been treated well. She and Lady S-stark have been c-confined to the Maidenvault f-for their safety."
"They've sent him to guilt us," Lily muttered, "And if we slay these men here and now, Valkyrie dies."
"Is that a threat?" asked the Lannister captain.
"Would you like it to be?" Endrew muttered with the fury of a thousand men.
"Lord Lannister's f-final term is t-that either way…" He paused. "Either way, his b-bride will be returned to him."
Aemma rose her voice, but spoke to the Lannister captain. "Tell your Lord Lannister that I would rather fling myself onto the spikes below Maegor's Holdfast before I marry him. Tell your Lord Lannister that if he wishes to pardon the high lords of Westeros, he can do as he likes, but I will not surrender." She looked back at Darius. "I'm sorry."
And they were off.
