Cersei stared at the moody black haired boy whose eyes were red eyed from tears. She- and Ned had decided to have the boy warded with them in King's Landing. For now. Theon was his name and he looked around with nervous suspicion. Brandon had answered tardily to their summons to let him know, that he would not be returning home with another ward. Last thing everyone wanted was trouble from the Targaryen and Greyjoy in the future. Father still didn't see the sense in keeping the girl alive. Both Ned or Cersei did not consider Benjen and Dragonstone an option. They waffled between keeping the boy under their control in King's Landing or elsewhere in the impregnable Eyrie. Ned highly considered placing the boy in the Eyrie of the Vale under Jon Arryn's care based his own experience as a ward.
"Your Grace," addressed Theon Greyjoy stiffly as he bowed before her.
"Is your chamber to your liking?" she asked.
"Yes, Your Grace," he replied. Cersei smiled at him, whether or not he was being sincere.
"The King and I would like to introduce you to our son, Prince Robb, and my daughters." Theon blinked and said nothing but he followed her to the courtyard, where the girls and Robb were playing under the watch of the girls' septa. The twins and Robb stopped playing at the sight of their mother and the new young stranger. Round faced, Myrcella boldly stepped forward and blurted out,
"Who are you?" Her septa clucked at her lack of manners.
"Myrcella, behave like a lady not a boar," chastised Cersei. Cersei opened her mouth to introduce Theon to her children.
"I'm Theon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands," the boy answered with a bold smirk. He feared the adults but had no fear of a younger girl. The boy was thin but charming, when he was at more ease. Cersei noticed her twins were peering at him with curiosity. One day, Theon would grow to be handsome and would be need of a wife. A lady wife with ties to the crown could help in the future. Perhaps. Cersei did not want to think of selling off her young daughters, but there was practical sense in a match. Cersei was comforted by the fact that it would be many years before marriages could be made.
Robb, her baby boy, came up for a hug from his mother. Cersei bent down to let him in her arms. The twins followed for a hug as well with silly giggles. Myrcella had grown to the age where hugs from her mother were less often.
"He is our ward now," explained Cersei as she kissed her youngest three. Robb's green eyes glanced at Theon curiously. He left Cersei's arms to walk to the dark haired boy standing off to the side alone. "He will live here with us."
"Play?" offered Robb in the kind manner that he received from his father. Theon hesitated looking at Cersei for any signs that he would be trouble for taking the hand of the Crown Prince. Cersei gave a small nod. Theon took Robb's small hand in his and was led over to the wooden toy blocks. Joanna and Cassana accepted Theon, when he agreed to play knight and lady. Myrcella frowned at the young Greyjoy.
"Uncle Stannis says they are bad," said Myrcella confused as she stared at the gold squid on the boy's clothes.
"They won't be bad anymore, Myrcella." Cersei patted her wary black haired beauty. Myrcella scrunched up her face.
"I'll smash em' with my hammer like Daddy." Myrcella scampered over to the statue of Robert and sat on the ledge of the fountain, peering up the giant of the man. Cersei looked at the image of her late husband and took her eldest's hand in hers.
"He was a brave man, your lord father. Robert was-" Cersei racked her brain for something kind to say about him, "He was a good friend to your step-father, the King. He loved you very much." The twins saw Renly as their brother-father and Ned as their uncle-step father.
"I know," Myrcella whispered softly. "Maester Cressen and Uncle Ned told me so." Cersei sat with her daughter, watching her blue eyes. Those blue eyes broke away from the statue of her father and turned to Cersei. "I saw a boy who looked like Uncle Renly. He looked a bit like me. He was one of the poor." Cersei frowned that her innocent daughter had seen a product of her revered lord father's depravity. The insults to me.
"Where did you see him?" she asked sharply. Myrcella shrugged and shook her head.
"I don't remember, Mother." Cersei pursed her lips and suggested to Myrcella to join her siblings and Theon's play.
"We'll be certain to keep an eye on Theon Greyjoy around the Prince and the young ladies, Your Grace," vowed the Septa. Cersei nodded absentmindedly.
Tyrion's wedding to Lynesse Hightower was the happiest day of his emotionally neglected life. His sister, Queen Cersei was not present to ruin it. Father had to be there. He missed Jaime keenly and wished he were still alive to be there. Though a part of him wondered if his wedding would have taken place if Jaime had lived. A jealous part of him imagined Jaime removed from his vows and wedding Tyrion's love instead. Thoughts of Jaime disappeared when he saw Lynesse in the black marbled Starry Sept. Lady Lynesse wore a gown of palest gold cloth with a cloak of the Hightower colours and sigil. Lynesse glowed in the light from the arched windows. Tyrion's breath was taken away by her. She wore a sheer lace veil on her long, light blonde curls. Her azure blue eyes looked at him enchantingly as they said their vows. Lynesse knelt down to allow him to remove her maiden cloak and place the Lannister cloak on her shoulders to mark that she was his. Only mine, he thought possessively.
Lynesse Lannister, the lady wife of me, Tyrion Lannister.
They had kissed many times during their short betrothal, but their first kiss as man and wife was special to Tyrion. Tyrion had no appetite for food or drink during their wedding feast. He wanted his bride though she wished to enjoy the feasting and drinking. Her pale cheeks were rosy from wine.
"Eat, husband, we shall be up all night," she laughed before she bent down to kiss him. He was filled with lust at sight of her ample chest and deepened the kiss. "My Lannister lion wants to feast on me." Lynesse giggled in a happy, carefree manner. His lord father coughed audibly and gripped his cutlery tightly, but Tyrion was too captivated by Lynesse to take note. Tyrion purposely had demanded that there would be no bedding ceremony. For starters, the ladies would balk at undressing him and Tyrion angrily looked around the hall. The man who took Lynesse's maidenhood could likely be present and Tyrion could not bear to have her be undressed by the men present. "May I dance a few dances, husband?" Tyrion nodded though he wished for her to sit next to him. Lynesse danced with her many brothers, her good brother Lord Mace Tyrell, Uncle Kevan, and lastly Tyrion's lord father. Tyrion drank and picked at the food on his gold trencher as he watched his giddy bride dance. Tyrion laughed to himself as he watched Lynesse and his lord father dance.
"What do you find so amusing, nephew?" asked Aunt Genna from a few seats away to his left. He glanced over at his lady aunt.
"From this dance, it would appear that my bride and my lord father are actually the bride and groom."
"If the groom was sucking on lemons," snorted his aunt. Tyrion laughed for his lord father looked stiff and miserable. "A toast you, nephew and your lady bride. May the Gods bless your marriage to be fruitful." Tyrion looked away from his bride and lifted his goblet to the toast.
"Here, here. Oh, a Lannister shall be conceived soon." Tyrion and Aunt Genna drank deeply and did not see the very slight softening in Tywin's face as he began a second dance with his new good daughter. Kevan Lannister looked away, when he noticed the almost smile on his elder brother's face.
War had it effects on people. Some men could not return to their normal lives and wrecked havoc wherever they went. Lyanna shoved the memories of the siege of Pyke into the back of her mind like she had with the memories of Prince Rhaegar and the tourney at Harrenhal. Lyanna busied herself from dwelling on it any further. Jorah knew though. He had noticed the changes in Lyanna. Her biting humour and quick temper had lessened and was replaced by quiet, distracted looks. Her sleep was troubled, though she did not cry out nor did she talk about her nightmares.
Rhaegar stopped strumming his harp. He looked up at her looking melancholic and chastised her.
"The prophecy, Lyanna. You don't understand what is going to come. We could have saved the world with our Visenya. I loved your strength and beauty, my lady."
"You killed my father!" she cried. He nodded sadly.
"But you, Lyanna, have doomed everyone to their death. If you had came with me. I spared your lord father from a far worse fate."
Rhaegar disappeared and she looking down upon Winterfell. Her lord father and lady mother were walking together and couldn't hear their only daughter cry out for them.
She saw the dead Ironborn. Old Nan's grandson. They rose from the sea coming for her. Euron Greyjoy's cruel yet comely face laughed at her. Unarmored, Lyanna ran through the pine forest, over the infertile, frozen fields to Bear Hall. She could hear his voice and footsteps not far away from her. It was empty and the fires were out. She screamed for Jorah as she searched for her sword. Only the cold winds blew in answer.
Hours later, Lyanna had woken up from yet another dream. One where Jorah sat despondently, staring at the blue cloth she had given him. Lyanna cried out his name over and over but he could not hear. He turned his head at the approach of another person and walked away.
Jorah gently woke her and held her in his arms. Her grey eyes were filled with unshed tears.
"You're alive and here," she gasped against his shoulder.
"It was just a dream," Jorah soothed. He caressed her cheek tenderly. "You are safe with me, my love."
"He came for me," Lyanna cried as she held him tighter and wrapped her lithe legs around him.
"Rhaegar is dead, my love."
"Not him, Jorah," Lya corrected. Jorah frowned. "Remember, during the siege of Pyke. Lord Balon's brother Euron." He went rigid and kissed the side of her head.
"I wasn't going to let him hurt you. He is not going to. Remember, you were so happy to be with me in war. You enjoyed fighting until I forgot to stand by your side. You wouldn't have these nightmares if I-"
"My sweet bear, tis not your fault." He stroked her long curly hair, his pale blue eyes staring at her long face long after her grey eyes closed into a more restful sleep and her pouty lips curved into a small, sleepy smile.
Lyanna walked to site where the men were working. She found him looking out at the sea with his large hand on the hilt of Longclaw in-between working with the men of the island. Jorah was worried about her, alarmed by his unusually frightened Stark wife. The last time she had broken down in tears was when the letters of Rhaegar continued to come. He spent many nights cradled her in his arms during her nightmares. Lyanna had also dreamed that they had been parted. Of Jorah in unfamiliar lands, searching for her.
"Kiss me, my bear," she demanded as she approached him. The cold wind coming off the sea blew her dark brown hair. He turned his head with a smile on his gruff face and bent his head to oblige her demand. Lyanna had often found Jorah's overprotectiveness to be restricting. It now calmed and soothed her. Instead of relishing her independence too much. Lya wrapped her arms around his bare, swarthy, hairy torso. His one arm wrapped around her waist.
"How's the building of the new watch tower coming along?" she asked conversationally. Lyanna did not broach the question of what was the reason why this particular tower was being erected.
"Well, very well," he answered. "I'm glad you came to see me. Where's our Eryn?" Eryn was usually with Lyanna. Jorah wrapped his black furs around the both of them.
"With Maege, I was hoping we could slip off to the barn again or we can take a chance and go to our bed." His eyes drew dark in remembrance of their couplings around the island. Their time alone in their bed was often postponed till Jon was fast asleep. No more could they spend an entire day abed or even a morning without Jon rapping on their wooden door. Not that Jorah, as a lord, could spend every moment in Lyanna's arms.
"I married no proper lady," Jorah chuckled. Lyanna grinned wolfishly.
"No, you married a wolf maid." He lifted her in his arms and walked in the direction of the trees. Lyanna leaned her head on his shoulder. Her sharp grey eyes looked around at the oak trees, flowering thorn bushes, and pine trees. The land was hardy to survive the harsh weather.
"I need to be stronger," she mused aloud. Jorah's cheekbones seemed to tighten.
"Faster," he corrected. "You are strong for your size already." Lyanna caressed the nape of his neck.
"I have a knight to bed me and train me." She said the words to lighten the mood but Jorah's brooding eyes was returned.
"A knight protects his lady," he muttered. Lyanna wished she had kept it to herself.
Lynesse moaned as Tyrion made love to her. She was Lady Lynesse Lannister now. It was six moons since they returned from Oldtown to Casterly Rock as man and wife. Father had hosted a lavish wedding and days of feasting in honour of her marriage. Lynesse had grimaced at first but eventually ignored the japes made by others at her new lord husband. Tyrion ignored the fact that she was no maiden and she pretended he was a whole man like his late brother. Handsome like his brother or Lord Brandon. What she couldn't ignore at all was the Queen's rudeness towards her. The King and Queen had not been present at their wedding. Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King came in their stead. However, the King had sent his congratulations, along with welcoming words to Lynesse as his new good sister, and some fine gifts to make up for their absence. Lynesse forgave King Eddard for he was courteous to her at court. Lynesse had expected to be invited by Queen Cersei's quarters to join the fellow noble ladies. I am her sister now. She had invited Lady Selyse Baratheon, her former good sister to sup in the Queen's apartments.
Cersei Stark is jealous of my beauty.
"Your sister, the Queen, is not fond of me," she complained. Tyrion did not answer as he was coming close to his peak. Lynesse had been surprised by her lord husband on their wedding night. To think she had cried in despair of having to share his bed in the days leading up to the wedding. Despite his youth, Tyrion was one of the best lovers she had had. How she wished she knew this before she had made rash agreements. Oh she did not find him handsome at all, but at the present it mattered little. Her breasts bounced wildly as she writhed in pleasure. When he had finished, Tyrion collapsed atop her large breasts, kissing and fondling them. She stroked his black and golden hair sweetly. Her mouth pouted. "When I was at court, she did not extend an invitation to me to join her and her ladies." Tyrion looked up at her.
"Never mind her, sweetling. She has always hated me. Did you think she would invite you to braid each other's hair?" Lynesse huffed.
"She almost caught you coming out from underneath my skirts. Your sister invited Lady Baratheon and snubbed me." Tyrion laughed.
"You were moaning my name. Unlike now, you garble on about my sister." Lynesse bit her tongue from sniping at him as much as she wished. Was everything a jape to him?
"Do you not care that I am treated poorly? That I'm humiliated at court." Her pride stung at the memory of the Queen's blatant slights and the ill disguised snickers from the other nobles. Tyrion looked down shamefully. His hand stroked the side of her face.
"I am sorry, my darling. I am afraid I have made you an outcast. Do you regret marrying me? Do you regret marrying a dwarf?" His shame and self loathing made her uncomfortable.
"Oh no! I love being your lady wife," Lynesse cried instantly. She loved her lavish new chambers, the jewels, gowns, and the merry minstrels' music to dance to. Life was beautiful here at Casterly Rock. Perhaps just as beautiful as Oldtown. Lynesse loved how his unhandsome eyes stared at her hungrily as she danced for him in private. Lynesse liked that Tyrion pampered her and loved her. His adoration of her made her grow fond of Tyrion. She touched his thick purplish member. "My Lannister lion. I like to hear you roar for my name." He made deep throaty noises at her ministrations.
"Cersei won't humiliate you again," he vowed. Lynesse made a noise of contentment. She kissed him on the lips.
"You will command their respect, Tyrion. I know you will." Tyrion looked sceptically but was pleased with her confidence in him. And by my hand and kisses. He would stand up to his lord father. One day. And protect me and our children.
"My sweet wife," he sighed happily. "Let's make a babe." Lynesse forced a smile to mask her lack of interest in children. She did find her nieces and nephews to be darling or precious as Mother had or her sisters. Even serious Malora seemed to melt at the sight of a babe or small child.
"If it would please you," she said quietly not looking at him in the eye. We are young. I am young. Too young to ruin my figure. Lynesse did not want to think of babies until it became impossible to ignore. Which is soon, her mind reminded her.
As a girl, she had found the histories to be dreadfully boring unless it related to valiant knights and grand love stories. Lynesse had been bored one day and sat with Tyrion in the library, listening to him read aloud. It had now become a ritual for him to read to her. Tyrion's voice was nice to listen to, as if the Gods gave him a voice to make up for his misfortunes. Lynesse brushed an unruly curl from his misshapen forehead. She wondered if he could get her pregnant. If she would bear a child like him.
Lynesse was summoned to Lord Tywin's solar in the very early morn. Tyrion was still asleep in her bed, snoring peacefully. Lynesse bit her lip as she left her chamber, unsure of what to expect from her formidable good father. Tywin had danced with her at the wedding, whilst his son, her new husband had sat, waiting with anticipation for the bedding. He had looked bored and impassive throughout their first dance. He had asked her an unimportant question and she must have made a pleasing answer for he smiled at her briefly. Lynesse walked through the empty lit corridors up the stone steps to Lord Tywin's solar.
"My lord? You summoned for me." She shut the door behind her and walked over to his study. He stood looking out the window. He turned his bald head to look at her.
"Are you?" he asked bluntly.
"Yes, my lord," she answered with a lump of guilt and resentment. Her necklace weighed down on her, but she was a Hightower of Oldtown. Choking me. Lynesse stood tall and proud. "My debt is paid, my lord. Tyrion is my lord husband. He-" Loves me. She was a moth drawn to two flames and either one would burn her to a crisp if she were not careful. Tyrion would never forgive this. To her relief, Lord Tywin nodded and dismissed her. His green eyes were unreadable and he didn't move towards her. For that she was relieved. Why are you shaming me like the Mad King did to your beloved wife? Lynesse wished him dead. No one would believe her. The Queen hated her for whatever reason and loved her father, Lord Tywin.
Even Tyrion won't believe me. She wasn't even sure if Baelor and Humfrey could help her.
"Tell him the news. That you suspected for awhile but wanted to be sure." Lynesse nodded numbly.
A lion's den was no place for a Hightower of Oldtown.
Cersei found herself with child again. The realization of this pregnancy differed from her previous three. She was more than happy to share the news with its father. There was no disappointment that it wasn't Jaime's. Not mere duty like she felt, when she realized she was pregnant with Robb. Cersei sat next to Ned during the Small Council waiting for it to be over. Cersei held his hand that rested on the arm of the chair. Ned gave hers a small squeeze, but didn't lose his focus from the purpose of the meeting, though he noted her distraction.
"You were distracted earlier. I thought you would voice your opinions on the High Septon," noted Ned as they walked, followed by Ser Manderly and Ser Glover. Cersei led him to his solar, which was closest. She shut the door as the kingsguards took their post outside. Cersei laughed and wrapped her arms around Ned's middle. She kissed him deeply, before making her announcement.
"Ned, I am with child." Ned smiled broadly as he laughed happily. He knelt and kiss her stomach. Love and joy were clear in his grey eyes. Cersei held his long bearded face in her hands. "I can't believe I love a wolf, but I do."
Cersei had been fearful for the birth of Myrcella for she knew her lady mother's fate. She had trembled alone in Storm's End without even Jaime to comfort her. The birth of her second child with Ned, Cersei's fourth daughter had been her most difficult labor. Cersei thinking she would die like her lady mother had and would leave her four young children motherless. Ned paced outside the birthing chamber, his long face tight with fear and anxiety at Cersei's anguished cries. He had burst through the doors, when at last the sound of a baby's cry could be heard. Cersei smiled at the sight of him, exhausted. Ned knelt by her side and kissed her hand. The sex of the babe was announced.
The babe was shown to the royal parents briefly before she was cleaned. "A girl, Cersei. With your golden curls."
"The Sansa Stark, you wished for." Ned wished to name his firstborn daughter after a Stark ancestress. A strong, yet pretty northern girl name. After Sansa Stark was cleaned by the midwife, she was placed in Cersei's arms. Ned kissed Cersei.
"She's a beauty," exclaimed Cersei as she stared adoringly at little Sansa. Cersei was little partial in thinking Sansa was her prettiest babe, since it was her first child to have her look. A golden wolf.
"Like her mother," added Ned as he beamed at their newborn daughter. "Princess Sansa." The bells in King's Landing rang in celebration of Sansa's birth. Cersei smiled contently as she lay listening to the bells with Sansa at her breast. Ned had gone for drinks with his younger brother who came to the capitol for the birth of his new niece or nephew. He returned with the children to meet their new sister. Myrcella, Joanna, Cassana, and Robb entered the chamber with varying interest. Cersei raised an eyebrow at Theon Greyjoy accompanying them but said nothing. Greyjoy stood close to the door. Robb and the twins climbed onto the bed and peered at Sansa. Myrcella remained at the foot of the bed. Ned encouraged her to come closer. Myrcella shook her head no. Ned looked a little deflated, but did not force the girl to meet her new half-sister. Cersei frowned at her firstborn. Theon Greyjoy looked more interested in Sansa than her own flesh and blood sister.
"Hello, my sweetlings," smiled Cersei. She smiled at Myrcella, hoping she would come over. The child had been around Stannis too long. Cersei swore she saw Myrcella pursed her lips in her petulant sulk.
"She's cute, Mama," cooed Cassana. Two sets of green eyes crinkled in agreement with Cassana. Joanna leaned her head against Cersei's shoulder. Cersei kissed her little nose.
Robb kissed Sansa's forehead. "Wittle sister." Ned sat down on the side of the bed. He smiled as he gave Robb an affectionate pat on the head. Cersei smiled at her son and husband then turned her gaze back to Myrcella.
"Myrcella, come here my baby."
"I'm not a baby," argued Myrcella with a pout. Theon rolled his dark hazel eyes at Myrcella. Robert liked to be told how wonderful he was and his progeny were no different.
"You are my first baby. My special first baby girl. Like the twins are my precious twin babies. Sansa wants to meet her sister." Myrcella's mouth slightly upturned.
"She does?" Myrcella looked from Cersei to Ned. Ned nodded with a small smile.
"She does?" Myrcella looked from Cersei to Ned. Ned nodded with a small smile. Myrcella climbed on the bed and slowly crawled over to look at Sansa. Myrcella raised an eyebrow, before looking at her mother. "Why is she so wrinkly?" Ned let out a sigh of relief. Cersei remained skeptical for she had been jealous of Jaime and the Baratheons were known for their mercurial tempers.
Leave a review :)
Thanks for all the feedback to my question about Theon :) I was torn between King's Landing and the Eyrie.
I may edit the Tywin and Lynesse part. I want some kind of manipulation/duplicity to lead something in the future. But I am not 100 % satisfied with what I have come up with.