CERSEI II

King Robert left for his hunt a few days after the conclusion of Ned Stark's tourney. They rode for the Kingswood: her husband, her brother-by-law Renly, Ser Barristan Selmy and her cousin Lancel. Ned Stark was left to rule the Realm while he was gone.

Small council meetings weren't typically attended by the Queen, or her royal husband for that matter. However, Cersei was well acquainted with the members of Robert's council, often having them complete tasks for her as well. The council consisted of seven men. There was Lord Eddard, the Hand of the King, there at Robert's beck and call to complete even the most extravagant of tasks and currently speaking with the King's voice and authority in the Throne Room to every supplicant that appeared there during her husband's holiday to the Kingswood which he loved so much.

There was the repulsive Grand Maester Pycelle, enlisted to the Red Keep by the Citadel and sworn to serve, though who he was serving was always in question. He was a short and frail man, covered in wrinkles and sporting a hideously unkempt shred of a beard in the shade of white. Pycelle was old and bound to drop dead any given day, though much to Cersei's dismay - he remained alive. In truth, he didn't bother her all that much since she had brought Qyburn into her service some years ago, never having to seek the old lecher's medical advice ever again - though he did try to offer it.

Lord Petyr Baelish served as the Master of Coin, further allowing the Crown to fall into debt by taking out various financial loans to accomodate the King's wishes, though the councillor couldn't really be blamed. If Robert wanted to hold a tourney - he held a tourney. Baelish was interesting, short and cunning. Cersei both admired and remained wary of the man who had been nicknamed Littlefinger after his origins off of the east coast of Westeros. A whoremonger and empire builder, he was a wealthy man himself - and didn't hesitate to prove everyone who underestimated him wrong.

Robert's two younger brothers, Stannis and Renly, also served on the small council. Lord Stannis as the Master of Ships and Lord Renly as the Master of Laws. Cersei didn't see much of the former; who conducted his duty from his seat of Dragonstone alongside his wife and daughter. They were called family, but the Queen barely knew even their faces. Renly remained in King's Landing as Master of Laws, remaining unmarried despite his prime seat of Storm's End, attractive facial features and high position in court. Cersei wondered why, but Robert had told her that Renly was considering proposals as of late, she brushed the issue aside.

Ser Barristan Selmy also served as a member of Robert's council, representing the Kingsguard as their Lord Commander. He had served Robert faithfully his entire reign, and had been a member of Aerys Targaryen's Kingsguard also, alongside her brother Jaime. Barristan was a good man, a kind man, but a dangerous killer. He may have been ageing in the face - but not in skill or stamina. He served her husband well and she hoped the he would serve her son also.

Finally, there was Varys - the bald and plump eunuch who seemed to hold all the secrets of the world. He served as the Master of Whisperers and had served very loyally with his infinite amount of spies keeping her and her husband informed of every little thing that happened in their kingdom - near or far.

He had been very recently informing Robert of events from afar as of late; a Targaryen girl had married a Dothraki Khal with a hundred thousand men at his back. Varys the Spider had informed Robert of the marriage via a rider during their stay at Winterfell. And the danger was imminent - regardless of the Narrow Sea that lay between them - according to her husband, anyway.

Robert's hunt had left Cersei with a sense of boredom, which led her to take a walk with the Spider himself to discuss the whispers from the east.

"My little birds tell me that the great Khal Drogo is preparing his khalasar to travel to Westeros," Varys told her.

"Last I heard, he was uninterested in such a thing,"

"Yes, Your Grace, but the Khal has apparently had a change of heart - since Daenerys was nearly poisoned at a market by a Westerosi,"

Cersei realised, "ah, my husband. Violence is always his answer."

"And it may have been the smartest had the poor wine merchant succeeded in his task, however, he did not. Now the Khal is rather angry," he informed.

Cersei remained silent, processing the news. Her husband must've be furious, maybe that's why he's gone hunting, he often says it "clears his head".

"Your Grace, I do believe it would be wise to prepare the eastern coast soon. The Khal will take his time, but we very well may need it."

"Mm, indeed," she muttered, still in her thoughts.

She returned to her chamber that afternoon.

Something's wrong, she thought. She felt this same feeling times before, when things had happened to her children, or during the Greyjoy rebellion, or when her mother had passed away - it was instinct.

The Queen called for ink and paper to be brought to her. She wrote quickly and with concision - as she always did when she wrote to him.

William is well, as is Sarafine. The princess suffered a brief fever but appears recovered now.

Joffrey seems content with his betrothal to Sansa Stark, who has settled at the Red Keep with the rest of the Stark party.

Myrcella and Tommen remain well, also. Littlefinger has recommended a betrothal be made for Myrcella soon; he has suggested a certain falcon.

Jaime came second in the Hand's Tourney a fortnight past, but rode well. Tyrion remains on the Kingsroad, returning from his visit to the Wall. Robert is hunting in the Kingswood, as of late.

More whispers from the east: the dragon has made her move. The Spider suggests provisions be made for the coming months.

Stay well at the Rock and visit soon - the children long to see you again.

Cersei of House Lannister, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms

Her Grace sealed the letter with her lion sigil in hot red wax.

"Guard,"

"Yes, Your Grace?"

"Have this delivered to my father at Casterly Rock,"

"Shall I have it sent by raven?"

"No, rider. It is to go directly to Lord Tywin."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"That's all."

The guard bowed and exited her chamber. Her worries did not cease in the slightest, and suddenly she was antsy. Cersei rose from her seat and opened the door to her and Robert's chamber, her Lannister guardsmen following close behind her as she walked with a rush in her step through the halls of the Red Keep.

Where are my children, she thought, are they still in the Keep?

Renly Baratheon appeared in front of her from around the corner she was about to turn.

"Cersei," he panted, looking an absolute mess. She looked to his hands and saw blood. Her eyes shot back to Renly's sad ones, "Robert…a boar," he exhaled.

Gods, no.