Chapter 10: The Fates Have Aligned
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or settings in GRRM's ASOIF or HBO's Game of Thrones. Only Sylas, the Lyrodens, Ninny, Hallos, and Ifranae's Faith and Tongue.
It began like any other fit of rage Joffrey had ever experienced. First, he could the blood that pulsed through his veins begin to boil, raising the temperature of his entire body. Second, his mind became scrambled, thoughts shooting in so many directions he wished that it would just fall off and any attempt at creating a coherent sentence was futile. It simply came out as low grunt that ached to be released as a furious scream. Third, his once clear vision, was tinted with a deep shade of red. A red that he wished to make flow from anyone who kept him from Briella.
With other young ladies in the kingdom, Joffrey often found himself contemplating the ways he would break them and mold them back into the women he wished them to be. They all had attitudes and mouths so opinionated that he became irritated by the thought of trying to love them as they were. The princess was different though. She seemed as infatuated with him as he was with her, like she yearned for him instead of his brother. Something he had never had the opportunity of feeling in the shadow of Sylas was wanted and as disturbing as it may have sounded to anyone he dare voice it to, he had his own fantasy about ending the life of his eldest brother.
It could have been simple, if he tried. They spent so much time together, gallivanting through the entirety of Kings Landing, that if he were to suddenly be ambushed by a crazed resident of Flea Bottom no one would think to question otherwise. The death of a cherished prince would be mourned for months, years, even the rest of Westerosian history but it wouldn't change the most important part of that very same history. The crowning and superb rule of His Grace, Joffrey Baratheon, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. A bright grin tugged through the distraught frown that forced his lips downward at the title that could so easily be his. With that title, he could name Briella his queen and have everything he wanted.
That particular thought became the only one his scattered mind could settle on. He ran the scenario in more detail again, deciding on what part of Flea Bottom he could choose to explore with Sylas to earn him the fate that he deserved. The time frame with which he had to complete the task would be the only difficulty he faced. There was only a day left until the wedding and he couldn't bear to wait until after. He didn't want to watch them be joined under their faiths and he most certainly didn't want to take any chance of his sweet, naïve Briella losing her innocence to anyone but him. She was his and he would go to any length to obtain her.
He kept repeating his possible title, like a maddening mantra, in his head as he prepared himself for an impromptu outing. He dressed in fine garments, sure to bring forth the anger in any Flea Bottom madman and made sure his skin returned to its fair hue before exiting his chambers. His course was set for Sylas' room but two quick blurs that collided directly into him interrupted. "What in the Seven Hells?!" He shouted, feeling the blood beginning to rush to his face once more as Robb and Allorysse picked themselves up off the groud.
"My sincerest apologies, Prince Joffrey. Allorysse and I were just on our way to enjoy the scenery of the Kingswood." Robb offered his hand to the prince, who huffed and took it, hoisting himself upright. He observed their garments, rather plain for a princess and lord, and looked down to the small bags they attempted to hide behind their backs. Either they were planning on staying in the Kingswood for a long while or they were trying to make an exit through it and the prospect of gaining more time gave him a feeling of excitement. The Princess of Hallos and heir to the North running away would cause an uproar, hopefully the postponing of the wedding and during the madness he could cleanly carry out the plan to take everything he deserved from Sylas.
Tapping his chin lightly, Joffrey peered back up at the two who seemed unnerved and shrugged, "I assure you, it holds nothing that Godswood does not besides the bloodthirsty creatures. And it most certainly does not require bags unless one planned to stay for an extended time… or make a hasty escape. But that couldn't be what the happily betrothed couple could be up to, could it? As far as my knowledge goes, you both were overjoyed at the news of your marriage. Lord and Lady of the North, such big titles to carry, surely you wouldn't be so quick to leave that to little Bran and whomever has the misfortune of marrying him." He smirked as Robbs brows furrowed, thriving off of the rise he got from him, "And who could forget the glorious wedding? You wouldn't dare miss your intoxicatingly beautiful sister to my terrifyingly plain brother. It's supposed to be the event to rival all, princess." Allorysse gritted her teeth at his mention of her sister. The look in his eye turned her stomach and she looked to Robb for any solution to the now obvious predicament they faced.
"What will it take for you to forget that you saw us here?" Robb knew no other answer but to give Joffrey something that would deter him from telling their parents. A surprised look replaced the serious one that was etched on his face as Joffrey gave a hearty chuckle.
"You have nothing that I could possibly want, Stark. I do, however, wish to aid you in your little endeavor. Your family has always been a nuisance to me and the sooner they're out of Kings Landing searching for the two of you the better. I could get you on the next ship out of Blackwater Bay to Volantis and say that I heard of your plans to make home in Soroythos. I just want my castle back." He pursed his lips as Robb and Allorysse looked at each other in concern. He could tell that they were weary and had they known his true motive, he wouldn't have blamed them. That was something he refused to share with anyone though and the fact that they were taking so long to give the answer he knew they both wanted to give only added a feeling of annoyance. "Am I talking to damn walls here?! It's either this evening before sunset while you can still get a decent head start or your parents learn the truth of how I caught the both of you trying to dishevel the entire realm now. The choice is yours."
Allorysse shut her eyes tightly and nodded her head once, accepting the help that Joffrey offered. It was the only way they could make it out of Westeros without a hitch and she couldn't bear facing her parents any longer. Especially her mother and the disappointment she must have felt at raising the product of a witch.
Joffrey gave a bright smile and place a hand on Allorysse's shoulder in a half-empathetic attempt to comfort her, "No tears, princess, only joy. You and your love will be free to live your lives soon enough." He removed his hand quickly and thrust it into Robbs, "And Lord Stark, be sure that you and your lady arrived for a walk along the bay by sunset. No bags either, it will cause suspicion. I will arrange the necessities needed to last you for a decent while in Essos." He shook Robbs hand firmly and bowed his head to them. "Until we meet again, my friends." Robb's arm slide across Allorysse's shoulder as Joffrey walked back from the way he came. There was no need to visit to his brother, he had all the time he could possibly need now. Maybe the Gods had decided to shine light in favor after all, and for that, he felt more self-assured that he would wear his brothers crown.
||My, oh, my! It has been a long while since I actually updated this story and I'm very proud to say that the plot will be written as originally planned. That, however, is not due to a review recently left but to my own decision. If I would have so wished to change it, I would have and whether or not certain readers would have appreciated it would have been on them. In light of this, I ask that anyone else who wishes to curse in an upset review to please refrain. Instead, use a form a criticism that I can learn from and use in the future writing of chapters. I write this story for people's enjoyment and would love to see something constructive and helpful as opposed to something written out of frustration. There is always a solution if both parties are calmly looking for one. This should not be meant to deter people from reviewing, though. Please do, I strongly encourage it. Help me to help you get as much fun and enjoyment from this story as possible.
I would also like to thank those of you who have favorited/followed. I hope this short chapter has given way to a thousand possibilities in your minds and it compels you to stayed tuned for what might happen next.
Happy Reading!
Ilyria Maslan.