A lot of reviews are asking about who Selene will be paired with and if it will be a femslash pairing. I have implied in a previous chapter that Selene is bi and she is, but while I might do a femslash pairing for Selene it won't be the main or final pairing for her because Selene as the future queen and as the future of house Baratheon, with her siblings being bastards and Shireen having grayscale, Selene therefore needs a prince/King consort in order to have children with. I have already chosen who her consort will be but I'm keeping it secret. If you can't wait PM me and I'll tell you.
Chapter 9
"So, if your truly against being queen, are you going to renounce your claim?" A sharp voice called out from behind her as she stalked down the halls of the Red Keep.
"I don't know uncle." Selene answered Stannis, not turning around to face him. "I didn't ask for this, nor do I even want this. More trouble then it's honestly worth the Iron Throne."
"Like how I didn't ask for Dragonstone." Stannis spoke to her and Selene resisted the urge snap at him.
"I'm really not in the mood uncle." Selene warned but Stannis spoke back.
"I didn't ask for Dragonstone, nor did I ask to be made Master of Ships or to lead the fleet during the Greyjoy Rebellion. Nor did I even want to do those things. I did them because it was my duty to do so."
"Where are you going with this uncle?"
"You are now the heir of the Seven Kingdoms. So are you going to do your duty to the realm or are you going to cast it aside. Something for you to think about princess." Stannis spoke to her as he turned and started going down the corridor away from her.
"Tell me something uncle. You are a firm believer of duty and inheritance. With how you dislike my father for giving Renly Storm's End when by all right it was yours, why did you support my father when he made me his heir when by all laws the throne belonged to Joffrey?"
"Because just maybe my brother is making the right choice." Stannis replied as he continued down the corridor, his thoughts going towards the other reason he though Selene should be queen. Another reason he had supported Robert in his decision to name Selene his heir over Joffrey was because he was suspicious about Joffrey's parentage.
He had no proof. Only a servant who had confided in him that she had witnessed Cersei and her Kingslayer brother Jaime embracing in a way that no siblings were meant to embrace. Since then he had been very curious about all of Cersei's children and their lack of resemblance to Robert.
He didn't know whether or not they were Robert's children or merely bastards that the Lannisters were using to steal the throne but it was honestly not worth the risk. Until Stannis knew the truth about Joffrey, Tommen and Myrcella's parentage then he would support Selene's claim.
- Line Break -
"God you can smell the shit from five leagues away!" Marq Piper complained loudly, not that the heir of Pinkmaiden Castle was wrong. King's Landing truly stunk and unless Edmure was mistaken then it certainly hadn't improved. There were a lot of rumours about changes in the capital but clearly cleanliness wasn't one of them.
Lymond Goodbrook made a large sniffing sound. "Oh I know where I've smelled this stinks before." Lymond stated with a large smirk on his face.
"Oh what is it?" Karyl Vance questioned not recognising the amused glint in Lymond's eyes.
"Your sister after a good fuck." Lymond's answered with a large smirk causing the entire group to roar with laughter Edmure included while Karyl's face redeemed slightly while he glared at Lymond.
Edmure's mind however drifted away from his friends conversations as they continued travelling towards the capital, his mind drifting towards his father. His father Hoster Tully had been experiencing an illness for some time, and while it wasn't serious and he was still capable of his duties as Lord of Riverrun their maester, Vyman had advised that it would be better if Hoster didn't make the journey to King's Landing.
"Remember Edmure while you are in the capital you represent not just house Tully but the entire Riverlands," Hoster had said to him.
"But father why does this feast concern you so much?" Edmure hadn't understood his father's, not fear but certainly wariness about the way lords of Westeros were all travelling to the capital. Now however after his father had explained Edmure felt the same caution.
"Don't be a fool Edmure," His father had chided him. "This feast is your generations equivalent of the Tournament at Harrenhall which was the beginning of the end for the Targaryens."
"What do you mean?"
"The tourney was just a facade, and was instead a gathering by Prince Rhaegar in order to gain the support of the Great Houses in order to overthrow his father."
"Do you think the Lannisters will use this feast as a method of gaining the support of the other houses to oppose the princess."
"I wouldn't put it past him. Tywin Lannister is not a man to be underestimated and Robert has made a dangerous enemy by his decision. And that's why you not only need to be careful in the capital Edmure but you must speak with the princess. If Tywin declares war then he'll be marching through the Riverlands in order to get to the capital, leaving chaos and destruction in his wake. Therefore it is imperative that you speak not only to the princess but Prince Joffrey as well when you get to the capital.
"Over a century ago we supported Rhaenyra over Aegon because she was the better option. Aegon was gluttonous and wasteful while Aemond destroyed everything in his path. If the Baratheons do go to war with each other, a dance of stags if you will then we need to know who will not only be the better option for not just the Riverlands but the entire realm."
"Edmure, are you okay?" Marq asked his friend with concern, pulling Edmure from his thoughts of his father.
"I'm fine Marq, just remembering something my father told me to do." He told Marq who simply hummed in response, letting the matter drop.
- Line Break -
Tywin sipped at the wine in his hand as he sat at a desk in his solar. He wasn't staying in the Red Keep but instead in a manse within one of the wealthier parts of the capital. He'd barely stayed at the Red Keep for an hour before leaving for his manse. He had no desire to remain in the castle for any long periods of time.
The sound of glass shattering drew his attention to his enraged daughter.
Tywin supposed that parents were supposed to be proud of their children, but that wasn't something that he felt when he thought of his children. Jaime was one of the most skilled swordsman in Westeros, but that was all he was proud of when he thought of his eldest son. One might think that the fact that he was the youngest Kingsguard to join the prestigious order might have garnered some pride but since Jaime's appointment was nothing but an insult from Aerys removed any pride Tywin could have felt at the appointment of his son to the Kingsguard.
Tyrion was nothing more then a drunken whore monger, although Tywin couldn't deny that of all his children the dwarf may very well be the most intelligent of them. Although that wasn't actually saying much considering his other two children. While Jaime wasn't by any means stupid he was hardly a great intelligence, and Cersei, well Tywin had always known that Cersei wasn't as smart as she thought she was.
It wasn't pride that he felt when he thought of his only daughter but disappointment. She thought herself clever, she wasn't, she thought herself cunning, she wasn't and she was about as subtle as Robert Baratheons war hammer. And she was currently pacing around his solar like a caged lion ranting about, well he had honestly stopped listening to her. Tywin had learnt long ago to just let his daughter exhaust herself.
"Are you done?" Tywin asked calmly as Cersei finally stopped her ranting, causing her to glare at him but the sharp stare he gave her in return quickly caused her glare to turn into a wince. "You know I truly find it hard to believe that even after all these years I am still cleaning up your messes."
"My messes?" Cersei screamed, and in that moment Tywin was pleased that old age meant that his hearing wasn't quite as sharp as it used to be, otherwise the screech like words may have caused him to wince. "This is not my fault."
"This is completely your fault." He snapped at her. "I hold you responsible for the King's decision."
"It's not my fault that the cheating brute favours his whore of a daughter.
"It's exactly your fault." He roared at her, shocking her into silence. "When you married Robert Baratheon he was still mourning his first wife, who very well could have been murdered by Aerys' Kingsguard. He didn't want to marry you, he did so because Jon Arryn persuaded him to, and it certainly wasn't you who convinced Arryn that you should be queen. It was ME who convinced him the benefits of Robert Baratheon marrying into the Westerlands.
"Robert was still mourning his wife, and he had his daughter to care for, all that was needed from you was cunning and patience, two areas in which you are sorely lacking." Tywin didn't shout he didn't even raise his voice, instead he spoke with simple calmness with every word layered with disappointment and Cersei honestly didn't know which was worse. "All you needed to be was patient and understanding to him as well as treat his daughter with caring-" At that point Cersei could no longer hold her tongue.
"We are lions father, we do not adopt the spawn of stags and wolves."
"Except when it benefits us." Tywin said back, all the while wondering about his daughter's intellect, or the lack of it. Had she been this narrow minded when she had first married Robert? He didn't know for sure. "If you had done that instead of trying to drive a wedge between Baratheon and his daughter then she would view you as a mother, Joffrey as a brother and she would never allow Baratheon to remove his status as heir."
With his words done Tywin grabbed a piece of parchment and started looking over reports from the Westerlands, though his daughter clearly didn't realise that he had silently dismissed her as she took a seat opposite him.
"Your still here." He said not looking up from the parchment in front of him.
"I want to know what you are planning to do." Cersei didn't ask, she demanded. Tywin contemplated whether or not he should inform his daughter about the loophole he had found in the law Robert had used to name to Selene his heir. The law required that Joffrey himself had to be the one to issue the challenge.
"There is a loophole in the law that Robert used to pass over both Joffrey and Tommen for the crown." Tywin explained to Cersei.
"And what loophole is that?" Cersei demanded with impatience.
"A trial by combat." He answered causing a large smirk to spread across her face.
- Line Break -
Tyrion walked the halls of the Red Keep, not entirely sure that he was heading in the right direction. Tyrion had been going over in his mind how to best approach the princess, and how to best explain the situation that the princess would very quickly find herself in in a way that neither she nor her father were tempted to remove his head.
Although if either of them did actually kill him then it was possible that his father wouldn't actually demand a trial of combat. Lannisters pay their debts after all and either of them killing him would rid his father of the dwarf son hated.
Tyrion winced as a draft caused some of the lovely sent of their capital to breeze down the corridor. When one compared Lannisport to King's Landing their was no comparison. True Lannisport had barely half the population of King's Landing, ironic since the capital wasn't massively bigger then the Lannister city, but it was much cleaner, with a proper sewage system to ensure that the city wasn't plagued with all the atrocious stinks of the capital. It was also much more productive. There were no slums in Lannisport, wheres nearly a third of King's Landing seemed to be made up with it. And the sight of King's Landing didn't even come close to all the horrific little deeds that went on in the capital. "The smell is more honest then the sight." Tyrion muttered to himself.
Tyrion continued the walk through the corridors fairly sure he was heading in the right direction, still wondering about what exactly he was going to say. He had only spoken to the princess twice before when she had been visiting Casterly Rock, and neither of those conversations had been particularly long or informative about the kind of person she was.
Tyrion knew he was heading in the right direction as he noticed a subtle but distinct increase in the number of Baratheon guards, and the lack of Lannister guards. He knew Cersei well enough to know that she would never allow any of the Red cloaks to hard the princess, and all the guards his father had brought remained in the city as opposed to the Red Keep.
"Excuse me good sir." Tyrion spoke to the Baratheon guard closest to him.
"What do you want imp?" The guard questioned causing the smile on his face to leave. So much for being polite.
"Inform the princess that I wish to speak to her." He told the guard whose face twitched at the order given to him.
"And why should I do that dwarf?" The Stormlanders really needed to work on their manners, Tyrion observed.
"Tell her it's to do with my father, I'm sure the princess will want to know about it." The guard still looked reluctant so he decided to add a few words for good measure. "And I'm pretty sure that Princess Selene would be very interested in knowing that a certain guardsman would be very interested in knowing that one of her guards had prevented such useful information from reaching her."
"Wait here." The guard snapped as he walked down the corridor while Tyrion resisted the urge to simply the follow the man.
A few minutes later Tyrion heard footsteps coming down the corridor but it wasn't the guardsman coming down the corridor but a member of the Kingsgaurd, Ser Arys Oakheart to be exact. What little Tyrion knew about Ser Arys came from his brother, and Jaime did not have a lot of positive things to say about the young Kingsguard.
"An idealistic fool with dreams of honour, a boy despite his years," Jaime had scornfully described the young Oakheart, Tyrion however had his own thoughts about him. Tyrion did not know the princess, but he knew of her and she wasn't the type of person to tolerate fools.
"Selene will speak to you." Arys informed him. Selene, so Ser Arys was on first name basis with he princess and didn't even call her by her title. Certainly said a lot about the trust that Selene placed in her guards. Cersei never allowed any guards to refer to her by anything but her title, but while he didn't know the princess he knew his knew his sister and the two were as similar as day and night.
"Thank you my good Ser." Tyrion told him as he followed Ser Arys to the princess's quarters. "Your recently took a squire did you not Ser Arys?"
"I have, Jon Snow."
"Eddard Stark's bastard son is he not?"
"Yes he is." Tyrion wouldn't mind meeting the son of Eddard Stark, after all the bastard of someone whop was regarded as the most honourable man in Westeros was bound to be at least slightly interesting.
"Here we are." Arys answered as he opened the door to the princess's quarters. Rather then look at the princess Tyrion instead looked around the room. You could learn more about someone from their possessions then you could from a simple conversation.
There was a bookshelf in the corner, one that was completely packed with books and scrolls, many of which looked absolutely ancient. Tyrion itched to get his hands on some of those. It would be quite a read.
Her bedding was in a pale green colour while her wardrobe which happened to be opened appeared to have a lot of green coloured dresses with fewer in Baratheon gold and black. While the princess was proud of her Baratheon heritage she didn't seem especially fond of the colours used by the ancient Storm Kings.
Sitting at the desk in the back of the room with a large window and balcony was Princess Selene Baratheon herself. The princess was certainly a beautiful woman with porcelain skin, flowing raven coloured hair and piercing blue eyes and an athletic body that was strangely appealing. There was no doubt that even if she wasn't a princess and future queen that she would still have a large score of men after her hand.
"Lord Tyrion." Selene spoke in greeting.
"Princess."
"What can I do for you?" Tyrion was good at reading people and the princess seemed genuinely curious. No apparent anger or annoyance about the way that a dwarf had demanded a meeting with her, just genuine curiosity. That alone set her apart from most noble ladies he had met, and even women in general.
"Well, you could tell your guards to have more manners." He spoke in a half joking manner, causing her to laugh.
"Well Orys has always been very blunt and not one to care for his words but I'll remind him to be mindful of who he's speaking to."
'He was mindful of who he was speaking to. The imp of Casterly Rock,' Tyrion though to himself. Tyrion had gone over many different methods about how to approach the matter with the princess but in the end he had decided for the quick and to the point approach. "I'll be blunt about why I'm here princess. It's about the law regarding the one that the King used to name you his heir." He could see the princess's eyes lighting up with interest. "More specifically about a loophole. Joffrey can demand a trial by combat, and due to you being made heir you personally will have to fight Joffrey's champion."
"You're father's champion you mean." Selene spoke, her face now an unreadable expression. "Don't suppose there's any chance that it'll be a useless piece of shit like Boros Blount?"
Tyrion gave her a sad smile. "No it's not."
"Gregor fucking Clegane, the Mountain that Rides." Selene spoke with anger at the hated monster. A being that could very well be the love child between a giant and Bellatrix Lestrange for his cruelty and sheer size. Selene also had her own personal reasons for wanting Clegane dead.
Selene wanted Clegane dead, but she knew that in a fair fight the odds of her besting someone like Clegane were less then ideal. "Why are you telling me this Lord Tyrion?" She asked him curiously. What reason did he have to tell her what Tywin Lannister.
"Guilt princess." He answered to her confusion. "I was the one who found the book that lead to my father learning that he could use a trial by combat to challenge you."
"You blame yourself for what you believe will happen to me." Selene stated.
"Yes." He answered even though it wasn't a question.
"Then I can ensure you Lord Tryion that you need not feel any guilt. Tywin would have found out about the loophole sooner or later and at least this way I don't need to worry about either him or your sister sending someone to cut my throat in my sleep." Selene spoke surprising him.
"You mean you aren't angry." Tyrion had honestly expected the princess to be completely wroth with rage and potentially even threaten him and his family, he wasn't expected this calm and accepting appearances.
"Oh I can aside you Lord Tyrion that I am furious." The tone used by the princess showed as much. "But I don't blame you but your father, and to lesser extent my own for unknowingly forcing me into this mess."
"Okay princess, well I'll take my leave." Tyrion said as he turned to the door but just before he left.
"Tyrion." Selene called out causing him to look back at her. "Thank you." She spoke sincerely and he nodded to her as he then left.
- Line Break -
"Blasted Martells." Her father groaned. "Gods Jon I really didn't think that Doran Martell would bother to send anyone, never mind that blasted Red Viper." Her father complained to Jon Arryn who was frowning in concentration.
"Doran Martell is too cunning not to send someone, though I admit I didn't expect him to send his brother." Jon stated as he considered Doran's plan. What did the Prince of Dorne hope to gain by sending his reckless and dangerous brother to the capital. "There's also the matter of who he's bringing."
"He bringing those bastards of his?" Robert questioned angrily.
"Yes, and by all accounts the self named 'Sand Snakes' are some of Dorne's greatest warriors." Jon answered while Selene held back a scoff. Obara and Nymeria were warriors, and skilled ones at that, the rest of the Sand Snakes left much to be desired. Selene could still remember the ease with which Brienne had bested Tyene when they were at Sunspear. She wondered if the woman's nose had healed properly after Brienne had broken it. She had to resist a smile as she remembered the incident. Brienne had certainly put that uppity little brat in her place.
"How many of his daughters is he bringing?" Selene asked the Lord of the Eyrie.
"The oldest three, at least according to Lord Varys."
'Obara, Nymeria and Tyene, well that'll be fun,' Selene thought to herself. Obara from what Selene could remember wasn't the brightest person she had met, in fact at times she almost seemed as thick as two planks but she was certainly the most skilled Sand Snake and indeed one of Dorne's better warriors.
Nymeria was smarter then her sister and almost as skilled in combat as her, making her more dangerous and certainly someone to keep and eye on in the capital. Tyene may not be as skilled a warrior as her elder two sisters but she was exceptionally skilled with poisons and Selene wouldn't put it above the Sand Bitch to use such poisons in the capital.
"Well I'm going to prepare for their arrival. Father, Lord Jon." Selene spoke as she left the room and went on the way to her chambers, meeting Brienne along the way.
"You know the way that everyone is complaining about the Dornish they seem to forget that they were invited to the capital along with all the lords of Westeros." Brienne spoke, her voice showing her irritation at the way that people talked about the Dornish.
"The Dornish have never had the best reputation north of the Marches. Combine that with their more liberal nature and it is easy to think of them as degenerates." Selene spoke back.
"A sign of narrow minded stupidity." Brienne answered back. The way people had mocked her constantly for years left Brienne with a bitter dislike to rumour mangers who had nothing better to do then to spread dislike.
"True." Selene admitted to her friend, paying no mind to the servants and other workers who were watching the two of them intensely as they made their way through the Red Keep. Spies for one master or another they all were.
"Are you expecting trouble?" Brienne asked.
"Oberyn's to smart to personally cause trouble. Despite his reputation if he attempts treason he'll find himself in a cell." Although she probably couldn't call it treason since as far as Selene was aware no Martell had sworn any oaths of loyalty to any Baratheon. "Those he brings however..." Selene trailed off.
"The Sand Snakes." Brienne said with clear dislike in her voice.
"Not your favourite group?" Selene asked with a smile.
"Gods no." Brienne replied. "Do you think they'll cause trouble?"
"Obara won't do anything her father doesn't permit and Nymeria's smart enough not to cause unnecessary trouble. Tyene however is smart enough to cause to trouble but not smart enough to realise the consequences. She'll need to be watched."
"I'll put a few men on her."
"Good." Selene said as they arrived at her chambers.
- Line Break -
Selene stood in the throne room, alongside her father as she awaited the Dornish party. She knew that she was not going to enjoy what she had no doubt was going to be a massive pissing contest between the lords of Westeros. The large doors to the throne room opened and the Dornish party marched through the great hall.
At their head was Prince Oberyn Martell, looking nearly exactly like he had when Selene had met him, although his hair seemed to be cut shorter. There were various nobles from Dorne, but not a large amount, and though Selene was no expert on Dornish houses a lot of them appeared to be minor Dornish houses of little significance. With the exception of the Martells the only man who appeared to be from any significant Dornish house was someone who looked like he was of Valyrian descent and she guessed he was a member of house Dayne.
As the Prince of Dorne walked towards the Iron Throne Selene eyed those that follower end him. She spotted his three oldest daughters closely following their father, with the exotic Arianne Martell and her younger brother Quentyn while the head of house Martells guards Areo Hotah followed closely behind his young charges.
Quentyn Martell wasn't much to look at, being stocky and plain faced, the kind of person to be overlooked and he didn't strike her as being exceptionally intelligent or cunning, but she could be wrong. Arianne however was buxom and beautiful with dark eyes and hair, full lips and large breasts in a very revealing dress. She like her brother wasn't exceptionally intelligent but she was good at manipulating and seducing others, making her the more dangerous of the two.
'And beautiful enough to tempt a Septa,' Selene thought to herself as she resisted the urge to roam her eyes across the Dornish princess's figure. Though she generally preferred men, when confronted with someone as gorgeous as Arianne Martell Selene couldn't help but let her eyes and mind wander.
Though at least she wasn't openly gawking at her like some of those present in the court. Jon had a small blush on his face at the sight of the princess's more then revealing dress while Ser Arys was looking anywhere but at Arianne.
"Your Grace, I would like to thank you for extending the invitation to house Nymerous Martell." Oberyn said bowing his head to her father. The Red Viper's words were well measured and polite. His posture and eyes however showed he wanted nothing more then to drive his spear through her father's heart, and a quick glance at her father showed that he wanted to do the same to the Dornishman with his war hammer.
"I looked for you on the Trident," Robert began with his voice slow and measured. "I would have thought you would be alongside your uncle." Jon Arryn looked at her father in alarm while Selene resisted the urge to face palm. Of all the things her father could have said he had to bring up Lewyn Martell and remind Oberyn of yet another member of his family killed in the war.
'Thank the gods Lyn Corbray hasn't reached the capital yet,' Selene thought because she had no doubt that the wielder of Lady Forlorn was right up their with Tywin Lannister and Gregor Clegane on the list of people that the Martells wanted dead. Honestly how Corbray could even boast about slaying Lewyn Martell she didn't even know when not only was the Dornish prince by all accounts already fatally wounded but still managed to injure Corbray in the process.
"Indeed, I was in Lys at the time of the battle but if you want," The prince snapped his fingers and one of the guards handed his spear to him. "The two of us can have our dual here and now?" Oberyn offered with a shark like grin, causing the Kingsgaurd to reach for the swords while the Martell guards did the same.
There was nothing but a very tense silence for a few moments before her father let out a bellowing laught, soon followed by Oberyn and the rest of the hall. Although most like Selene herself were laughing simply to defuse the tension. "I'd forgotten what a unique sense of humour you Dornish had, but perhaps we can have our dual another time." Selene was pretty sure she wasn't the only person relieved by that, because presently her father would be lucky to last one minute against the Red Viper, a better shape he may be in he still had a long way to go before he could take on someone like Oberyn Martell.
"I look forward to it my King." Oberyn spoke to her father before looking in her direction. "Ah princess, you are truly the a vision of beauty."
If Selene hadn't been looking directly at Oberyn she wouldn't have noticed, but while he spoke to her his eyes glanced at Jon. It was only for a second and she wasn't certain if she had caught it but he had definitely glanced at Jon. And in that moment something completely unreadable filled his eyes present for only a moment before he glanced back at her.
"I thank you my prince." Selene replied all the while her mind was trying to work out the connection between Jon and Oberyn Martell. "I'm pleased a you were able to make it to the capital."
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world." The shark like grin of the Red Viper was worrying. Selene had always found both Oberyn and Doran Martell unnerving. The way they acted, their every word and action just seemed to be laced with danger and warning.
Selene would be the first to admit that the Martells had every reason to hate the Baratheons, but if Oberyn or any of his daughters, niece and nephew were to make any attempt on her family and those that she cared about then she would make sure that they would suffer in any way that she could.
- Line Break -
Yara was not impressed with the capital. How could she be when despite the distance from her ship to the docks of the capital she could still smell the shit, and piss and the Drowned God knows what else.
The smell was truly making her reconsider going to the capital. How, honestly how anyone could tolerate this smell was unbelievable. True Pyke was hardly the picture of cleanliness and carried its own less then desirable odour but the capital was unbelievable.
"This princess better be worth it." Yara muttered to herself as her ship got closer to King's Landing.
- Line Break -
"And here he comes, the strutting peacock." Ser Arys spoke scornfully as they watched the Tyrell party enter the great hall. Ser Arys wasn't wrong Jon noted as Mace Tyrell walked through the hall. Jon had only ever seen drawings of peacocks but the way the Lord of Highgarden strutted around the great hall with enough arrogance that one would believe he was in fact the King, Jon could certainly see the resemblance to a peacock.
'People do not like house Tyrell,' Jon observed because he knew for a fact that more then a few members of the court shared Ser Arys' dislike of the lords of Highgarden. Oberyn Martell was openly glaring at Mace Tyrell, and so was Edmure Tully though to a lesser extent. The King was frowning while Lord Arryn and Selene kept small smiles on their faces though Jon knew that they weren't genuine.
On the day's upcoming to the Tyrell arrival at the capital Jon had witnessed lords from all over Westeros showing a great deal of dislike to not only the Reach but the Tyrells as well, and by the way Ser Arys was openly glaring at Lord Mace it was clear that the Reach born Kingsguard was no exception.
Along with the plumb man with a bushy moustache who strutted through the Great Hall like he owned it was four men. One of them had the same coloured long brown hair as Mace Tyrell and a striking similarity to Loras Tyrell. Jon guessed that this was Garlan Tyrell, the second son of Mace Tyrell, but he didn't know who the other men were.
One was a balding man with a stern expression that reminded Jon a bit of Stannis Baratheon and the man also had a great sword strapped to his back. The second man was stout, florid and clean shaven with a golden tree stitched on his clothes. The third man with Mace Tyrell and his son was stooped shouldered, with balding hair and a slim frame.
"Randyll Tarly, Lord of Horn Hill and the man to defeat the King in battle." Ser Arys informed him of the identities of one of the men with Mace Tyrell. "Mathis Rowan Lord of Goldengrove and Paxter Redwyne Lord of the Arbor."
"Why is he presenting those men alongside him?" Jon asked Arys while the men reached the Iron Throne and began the series of horse shit that included trying to butter up the King and his cousin.
"What did the princess say that the kingdoms were doing?"
"One massive pissing contest."
"Yep, the Tyrells are reminding Westeros that they not only possess more infantry, ships and horses then any other kingdom in Westeros but they have men to lead them. Rowan, Tarly and Redwyne are some of the most experienced battle commanders in Westeros, one of which who even bested the King himself."
"I thought Mace Tyrell was a fool?" Jon questioned.
"He is but that doesn't mean the rest of his family is, and his son Garlan is one of the finest warriors of the Reach. The Queen of Thorns is reminding Westeros that house Tyrell is to be taken seriously." The bitterness in Ser Arys' voice showed the less then stellar opinion his mentor had to the Tyrell matriarch.
Jon guessed that Garlan also wasn't like Loras Tyrell then, and by looking at Garlan it appeared obvious. The Knight of Flowers had the air of undeserved and unearned arrogance and strutted around like he felt he was better then everyone. Jon had been far from impressed by Ser Loras. Garlan however didn't strut around and act all entitled, his eyes roamed the court and he seemed almost dangerous.
Selene hadn't said much about the Tyrells, but there were plenty in the capital whop had plenty to say. All agreed that they were not to be taken lightly, and that they were dangerous people to cross.
- Line Break -
Selene sighed as she sipped her drink. It wasn't Arbor Gold, or any other wine or ale. She was simply drinking water, she needed to think, needed to plan. Tomorrow would be the first feast of the gathering of all the lords of Westeros and she knew that was when it was going to happen, Joffrey was going to demand a trial by combat.
Selene knew that she was a good fighter, but she had yet to reach the calibre that she could take on someone like the Mountain in a fight. Selene had been training with Ser Barristan nearly every day since Tyrion had told her of what Tywin fucking Lannister was planning, despite his age Ser Barristan's skills were nothing short of legendary.
She knew that without a decent plan she would have no chance of surviving against the Mountain, at least not in a fair fight. What was worse was that she couldn't even have Clegane killed, no cutthroat or assassin would dare go near him and attempting the dead herself opened up a lot of potential problems if she was to fail.
She couldn't even try poisoning him. If Clegane was the victim of a poison attempt, regardless of whether he survived or not then the blame would automatically fall on the Martells, leading to a war with the one kingdoms that was able to resist the Targaryens. Only a fool or a madman would want to risk war with Dorne, especially one that involved invading the desert kingdom.
And even if by some miracle she was able to deal with Clegane that didn't change the fact that Tywin Lannister had no shortage of exceptional warriors capable of taking her on in a fight, one of which happened to be the Kingslayer. Say what you want about Jaime Lannister his skill with a blade was second only to Ser Barristan.
She needed more time that was the only solution, more time to prepare.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. "Enter." She called out and one her of guards entered the room. "Does Pycelle have company?" Selene asked him.
"He does. Poor girl, whore or not being with someone like that must be unpleasant."
"That I imagine." Selene replied as she got up with four guards following her as she lead the way to Pycelle's chambers in the Red Keep. "Knock the door down." Selene ordered once they reached Pycelle's chambers.
One well placed kick from the guard and the door was open, startling Pycelle who was in the process of screwing the whore in his bed. Selene did not look, she did not want that image in her mind, it would scar her for life.
"Get dressed Pycelle." Selene ordered while her guards entered the room. Selene couldn't tell for certain due to the commotion but she was fairly sure that she had heard a sigh of relief coming from the whore who was still laying naked in the bed as Pycelle was dragged off of her.
"What is the meaning of this?" Pycelle protested when she entered the room where he was thankfully covered with a tunic.
Rather then answer she turned to the woman still laying naked in the bed who watched them curiously. Taking her coin punch Selene threw it to the woman who raised an eyebrow in question. "Don't tell anyone about what's happened."
To Selene's surprise the woman threw the money right back at her. "I'm one of his favourites and Littlefinger ensures that I remain one. Fucking this old lecher is disgusting."
Pycelle opened his mouth to protest but Selene spoke before he could say anything. "Keep quiet Pycelle, you are hardly the man any woman dreams of having in her bed."
"As long as I don't have to fuck him again then you can keep your gold." The woman said as she proceeded to leave Pycelle's chambers, unbothered by her nudity.
"You can leave us." Selene dismissed her guards, causing Pycelle to pale as they were left alone, or more specifically alone with no witnesses. "You can relax Pycelle, if I was going to harm you then I would have done so already." She reassured him as she walked over to his desk and began searching.
"Ah, here it is." She muttered pleased as she found the book about the laws of the Iron Throne and proceeded to toss it onto the open furnace.
When she turned back to Pycelle she noticed immediately that the man was no longer keeping up appearances. He stood with a straight back, reaching a rather impressive hight and his face no longer possessed the near constant state of wariness that she was used to. His eyes were another change, they now shone with a keen intelligence rather then the feeble appearance that the Grand Maester had been showing for decades.
People who believed Pycelle to be a fool were nothing but fools themselves. One did not become a Grand Maester and a member of Small Council by being a fool. No, Pycelle was good at pretending to be a fool but the man himself wasn't one.
"Congratulations Princess, that book was the only copy in the capital of the law your father used to name you his heir, and the loophole to remove your newfound status." Pycelle was more then aware of Tywin's plan and had quickly found a copy of the laws of the crown within the Red Keep to show the legitimacy of Tywin being able to challenge the princess to a trial by combat. He didn't know how the princess knew of Tywin's plan but it did not take a genius to realise why she was here and why she had burned that very book. "Meaning all that I need to do is send a raven to Oldtown and have the Maesters confirm my writings. You have bought yourself the time it takes for a raven to reach Oldtown and back."
"You are right. With your word and influence of Grand Maester then the Arch Maesters will take at best merely a day to confirm your words." Selene admitted. "But that requires you personally contacting them."
Pycelle's eyes widened and he began to sweat slightly. "You mean to have me killed?" He asked which she didn't reply to. Truthfully Selene actually had no intention of killing the Grand Maester, he'd never been unpleasant to her, and he was hardly guilty of any crimes worthy of being killed or executed. Breaking his oaths of chastity was hardly something that earned his death and nor was giving information to the Lannisters when half the people in King's Landing did that. But if Pycelle believed that she would kill him then he would be far more malleable.
"Answer my questions." She stated. "When did you start serving Tywin Lannister?"
"Not long after he became Hand of the King."
"Why?"
"I've served four different kings. Aegon the Fifth, Jaehaerys the Second, the Mad King and your father. Aegon's love of the common people and the actions of his children had alienated lords throughout Westeros. Jaehaerys was weak and couldn't even lead his own armies against the band of Nine, while your father drinks and whores the realm into chaos and debt. Aerys was a mad man yet with Tywin as Hand the realm experienced a thriving golden age. If Lord Tywin had been born a Targaryen instead of a Lannister then he would have been one of the greatest kings to ever live and we would not be having this conversation."
"No we wouldn't be. What actions have you done under Tywin's orders? Start from the beginning."
What followed was a long list of Small Council meetings that Pycelle explained about how he had backed various proposals proposed by the Lord of Casterly Rock. Most of it was now insignificant, though she was surprised by how under Tywin's orders Pycelle had been using his position as Grand Maester to alienate Princess Elia and any support that she had in the capital.
"Tell me about the Sack of King's Landing." Selene ordered and she was more then slightly surprised by not only use the way Pycelle hesitated but by the look of guilt that quickly passed over his features. It had long since been rumoured that the Grand Maester had been involved in the sack but Selene neither knew if that was the truth or the extent of Pycelle's role.
"When Lord Tywin's army came to the capital there was no hope of stopping him. Aerys' paranoia prevented him from increasing the size of the Gold Cloaks like they would normally be during times of war. If Tywin attacked they would have taken the capital regardless so I advised the King to open the gate."
"After which he proceeded to sack it." Selene pointed out, causing a much more clear flash of guilt to pass over his eyes.
Pycelle may not be the most faithful man, yet he was still a Maester of the Citadel and he was sworn to protect and serve, and the Sack of King's Landing had long been an act that he had felt guilt about. Between 45,000 to 60,000 people had lost their lives, which hadn't been necessary. The gates were open and the city watch were hopelessly outnumbered. Lord Tywin could have taken the city bloodlessly yet he had turned it into by far the most brutal act of war in the entire rebellion.
"Indeed. I also directed where the Targaryen guards in capital should be, ensuring that they would be least capable of combating the Lannister forces. I also ensured that guards loyal to Aerys were with Elia Martell."
"Why?" Selene asked with intrigue.
"Princess Elia was not a stupid woman and knew that she would be target and I had no doubt that she prepared means of escaping the capital but with those loyal to Aerys guarding her she would have been unable to leave."
"And no doubt those guards were worthless when Clegane and Lorch came for Elia Martell and her children." Selene stated in disgust as she glared at the Grand Maester who fidgeted slightly at the intensity of her glare.
"It was necessary."
"Necessary?!" Selene snarled. "A princess is brutally raped, while her son's head is bashed on a wall while her daughter was stabbed no less then half a hundred times, after which the princess was later cut in half. That is necessary is it?"
"Does it really matter how they died? Does it matter that Rhaenys was stabbed half a hundred times instead of her throat being slit? Does it matter that Aegon was bashed into a wall then smothered by a pillow? And does it matter if Elia was cut in half instead of being stabbed in the heart?
"I was there when the bodies of Princess Elia and her children were presented to your father, Lords Stark, Tully and Arryn. Of the four of them only Lord Stark was truly disgusted by what happened. Both Jon Arryn and Hoster Tully said that it could have been done in a cleaner way but neither of them had any intention of allowing Elia and her children to live, and your father." Pycelle snorted before continuing. "He spat at the their bodies and actually rewarded Lord Tywin for it."
Selene stilled at Pycelle's words as anger coursed through her. She had heard the rumours about her father's reaction to the bodies of the Targaryens but she didn't believe them. Robert Baratheon had his faults, she would admit that but she refused to believe that her father had taken any actual joy or pleasure at the sight of the dead Targaryens. "You will hold your tongue."
"Why? If you are going to kill me then what do my words really matter?" Pycelle demanded, his willingness to accommodate Selene fading rapidly.
"Tomorrow morning before the entire court you are going to confess to breaking your oaths of chastity and resign from your position as Grand Maester and make the journey to Oldtown." Selene told him.
"And if I don't?" Pycelle challenged her.
"Then I will tell Oberyn Martell about the role you played in his sister's death." Pycelle paled at that. "The choice is really yours Maester Pycelle, you can confess your crimes and spend the rest of your life living comfortably in Oldtown, or I will take you to Oberyn Martell and you won't live to see tomorrow."
"I accept. But why have my position as Grand Maester removed?"
"It shouldn't take the Citadel more then two at most three days to decide that Tywin Lannister within his rights to demand a trial by combat but with your position as Grand Maester removed then they'll need to elect a new Grand Maester and rather then send a raven they'll send the response with the new Grand Maester who'll need to travel from Oldtown to King's Landing. That alone will bye me a fortnight."
"You are under the impression that the Lannisters will give you a fortnight."
Selene smiled. "Tywin Lannister is many things but petty he is not. In his mind a fight between me and the Mountain will lead to my death so what does it matter if the fight is to take place tomorrow or in a fortnight's time?" Pycelle had no response for that. "Good night Pycelle." Selene told him as she got up and left the soon to be former Grand Maester's chambers.
- Line Break -
The feast was in full swing. Music was playing, people were dancing and Jon was not feeling comfortable or relaxed. This entire scene was simply not something that the bastard of Winterfell was used to. True he had been to feasts at Winterfell, but none of them had been anything like the feast that King had thrown.
As a result he found himself sitting on his own at a table in the far end of the hall. Or at least he was sitting on his own before someone say down opposite him. The boy was chubby. In fact that was a bit of an understatement, the boy was down right fat. "Hello." Jon spoke to him.
"Hi," the boy said smiling nervously. "I'm Samwell, but people call me Sam."
"I'm Jon." He said as he shook the boys handing, noting how sweaty it was, a sign that the boy was nervous, and probably as uncomfortable as he himself was in the feast. "Why are you here?"
Sam grimaced at the question. "Getting away from them." Sam answered with a pointed look towards a group of young nobles from the Reach, which at the centre wad the Knight of Flowers.
Jon nodded in understanding. "Knights of summer my father would call them. Fools who like to pretend at war."
"My father has his own description for them," Sam answered. "Idiots that will fall in seconds in battle."
Yara couldn't deny that the greenlanders sure knew how to throw a party. Their wine was also hell of a lot better then the piss that was brewed in the Iron Islands. And since she was a Greyjoy she was left on her own rather then being badgered by every other young noble who seemed to believe they were the Drowned God's, or rather the Seven's gift to women, like the princess was.
Yara had yet to have a chance to actually speak properly to the young stag, there just never seemed to be an opportunity. Yara however quickly saw her opportunity when she noticed that the princess sat down at her table after her latest dance.
Standing up Yara quickly made her way to the princess and took a seat opposite her, not bothering to ask for permission.
"Lady Yara."
"Princess."
"What can I do for?" Selene asked as she sipped her drink, staring intently at the Ironborn sitting opposite her.
"I wished to speak to you about my brother Theon, I understand that you recently visited Winterfell."
"And you want to know if I think that he will make a worthy Lord of the Iron Islands." Selene continued and Yara couldn't help but stare at her in shock. How did she know why she was here. "As frustrating as he can be, Lord Varys is also remarkably efficient in his job role and reported about how the daughter of Balon Greyjoy met with her uncle Rodrik not long after news of Victarion Greyjoy's death reached the Iron Islands."
Yara was thrown off her guard, she hadn't expected Selene Baratheon to know the purpose of why she had come to the capital. Her plan had been to ask about her brother, about his faults and subtly ask about whether or not he was best suited to rule the Iron Islands, as well as pointing out her own capabilities. Now that plan was completely useless.
"And what do you think?" Yara asked.
"I'm not particularly fond of your brother, but that doesn't mean that I am going to remove his right to rule Pyke."
Yara noted that she hadn't actually said no. "Yet I can't help but note that you haven't said anything about ruling the Iron Islands as a whole." She pointed out causing Selene to smile.
"Before we continue I have one question. Do you consider yourself a Greyjoy or a Harlaw?" That was the big question. Harlaw wasn't like the rest of the Iron Islands. Yara was no great student of history but she knew that the Ironborn had first started raiding because they couldn't grow the food that they needed to survive, but Harlaw could, it was the granary of the Iron Islands and by far the most well fed.
Due to the more easily harvested food the people of Harlaw were less inclined to raid alongside their fellow Ironborn and her uncle Rodrik's reputation as a moderate and peaceful man had clearly spread beyond the Iron Islands. The princess was asking her whether she considered herself more like her foolish father or more like her realistic and cautious uncle. Rodrik Harlaw was more of a father to her then Balon Greyjoy was and she know the answer.
"A Harlaw." She answered.
"Then tomorrow I'll speak to you about your proposition." The princess didn't say any more because at that moment Oberyn Martell came to the princess.
"Would you like a dance?" The Red Viper asked he princess holding out his hand.
"I would love to my prince." Selene answered taken the offered hand.
"You look absolutely ravishing princess." Oberyn whispered into her ear and Selene shivered slightly. Though the Dornish prince wasn't necessary someone she would normally desire, it was hard when the Dornish man just seemed to exude sexuality and passion.
"Careful my prince." Selene warned. "Coming on to a woman less then half your age says a lot about your lack of self control."
Oberyn simply laughed in response. "I am a man of passions princess."
"Indeed you are." Selene replied as they continued dancing.
"You seem nervous, princess." Oberyn probed for information.
"Waiting for something to happen my prince." Selene answered a she caught sight of Joffrey walking towards the front of the great hall.
"And what is that?"
"For everything to go to shit." She answered as she stepped away from him as Joffrey reached the front of the great hall. She knew that it would be happening now.
"May I have everyone's attention please?" Joffrey called out in a surprisingly strong voice, gathering the attention of everyone in the great hall. "Tonight is a time of celebration. My sister has been declared the heir to the Iron Throne." Joffrey's voice was remarkably reasonable and sound, with only the barest hint of anger in it.
"Unfortunately her new found position will create many problems for her. After all their will always be those out there who will wish to challenge her reign. I'm simply the first. And before this hall of lords I demand a trial by combat to challenge my sister Selene's claim to the Iron Throne."
End of chapter 9.
Also Dorne and all Dornish characters will be based on the book version rather then the show version which completely screwed up what is probably the most interesting kingdom in the books. Oberyn Martell is the only Dornishman that HBO's game of thrones wasn't completely shit and now the show has efficiently ended everything remotely to do with Dorne.