5th Month of 298 A.C. Winterfell
Robb Stark
The royal family were an interesting lot, the king was clearly past his glory days, fat and a drunk, he had some charm but Robb could not see what had made his own father friends with the man. Truly there were days when Robb thought the king was an oaf and an idiot. Then there was the queen, who was as cold as ice, as cold as the wall Uncle Benjen had said when Robb had spoken to him about it. She barely spoke or smiled at anyone, apart from the Kingslayer, and she always looked as if she was bored or as if there was something stuck up her. The crown prince was a devious shit that much Robb knew, he seemed charming and kind, but there was something most definitely lurking beneath the surface, something not right. As for Tommen, well his friend seemed to have gone more and more into his shell with his family here, he was not happy about what his brother was doing to Jon or Sansa and despite confronting them both about it, it seemed they were oblivious and that was worrying. Myrcella though was sweet and caring, she was kind and Robb found that he had a lot to talk to her about, things which he could not discuss with anyone else he could talk to her about and he found he quite enjoyed her company.
It was with her that Robb found himself walking through the castle, listening to her talk about King's Landing and finding himself fascinated with what she had to say. "You see there are just too many people in the Red Keep. And they expect you to always act in the way of a Princess, constantly trying to jostle for your favour and yet if you want act freely and run around then they look down upon you."
"But you are a princess Cella? Surely you can do whatever you want and no one but your mother and father can question you?" Robb asks.
"It is precisely because I am a princess that these restrictions have come into being Robb. A princess cannot cavort as freely as say your sister does. There are expectations that are placed on my shoulders and as such I must ever act the lady, unless my mother says otherwise. And she never does." Myrcella replies.
"Then surely the way they teach us that Princes and Princesses are always allowed to do what they want should be changed, for it is a lie and there is nothing more dishonourable than a lie." Robb responds.
Myrcella laughs and Robb finds his heart beating all the quicker because of it. "Oh yes, it most certainly is a lie Robb, but it is a lie that must be maintained otherwise those at court would seek to undermine us at every turn."
"Why would they wish to undermine you Cella? You are the princess, not them." Robb asks somewhat confused.
"Because they want to rise higher. My mother is the top person at court amongst the ladies, they find out something about me they know my mother will not like, they will use that to go to her and further their own position at court. It is why I so prefer Winterfell to King's Landing there is none of that here." Cella says almost wistfully.
"What will you do when you return to King's Landing then Cella?" Robb asks. "Will you continue to hide yourself from everyone and everything?"
Myrcella is scratching Greywind's ears when she replies. "I do think I might well take your advice and be more open. I am a princess not a brood mare, and I do deserve the chance to have more freedom."
"And what would you do if your mother complains about this new direction as it were?" Robb asks intrigued.
"Why I would tell her I am a Baratheon as much as I am a Lannister if not more so." Myrcella replies before giggling.
Robb laughs along with her and says. "That most certainly is bold of you my princess. I look forward to hearing more about that when you are in King's Landing." He stops and then turns serious. "Cella there is something I need to ask you."
Myrcella looks at him then, her green eyes serious. "And what is that Robb?"
"This thing your brother does, or rather is doing. Is it genuine? Is he truly like that or not?" Robb asks.
Princess Myrcella is silent for a very long time and then she says. "I could act as if I do not know what you mean Robb. But I like you and will not lie to you. This thing Joffrey is doing, is an act. Very much so, he is trying to charm your sister and brother, and as such he is looking for a way to do it. He is a monster, a horrible monster."
"Then why don't we stop him? If we tell your father and mother what he is doing, surely they will put an end to it?" Robb asks.
Myrcella snorts. "My father has never paid Joffrey any attention he is not like to start doing so now. And mother, mother cannot see the faults in Joffrey, she never has been never will be able to. No Joffrey will continue doing as he does and we shall suffer for it."
"That is not right." Robb says. "There must be some way we can stop him before any more people suffer. Tommen has already begun to grow detached and I worry what will happen if this continues."
Myrcella squeezes his hand and says. "Tommen is like our father, he grows hot and cold. He might seem detached now but sooner or later he will come back to himself and be jovial again. It will take a matter of days, I think."
"Still simply allowing Joffrey to keep playing his games is not right. He must be stopped and I do not know how, but he must be. Otherwise people will suffer for it." Robb says.
"You are so brave Robb, to want to do this. So very brave." Myrcella says with admiration.
Robb blushes then and he knows Greywind is rubbing himself affectionately against Myrcella, but before he can respond they hear a voice say. "Well isn't this sweet. Two lovebirds together at last." Robb turns to see Tommen sat on a ledge, a flagon of ale in his hand.
"Are you okay Tom?" Robb asks.
His friend takes a deep gulp of ale and then says. "Okay? I suppose you could say so. I still have my health, even if Sansa and Jon are complete fucking idiots. And I still have you two don't I?"
The desperation in his friend's voice makes Robb's heart lurch and makes him all the angrier at Sansa, Jon and Joffrey. Myrcella has moved from him to comfort her brother. "Of course you do Tom. You will always have us."
She looks at Robb then her green eyes beseeching and he nods. He walks toward Tommen as well and takes the flagon from his friend and says. "Of course you do Tom. You know that. Now what's wrong?"
His friend sounds miserable when he replies. "I confronted Jon, and I got the same response as what Sansa gave me. They are too far gone to save Robb, they are lost. Jon is turning into Lucas Corbray, he's a little dog following my brother around."
Robb feels anger grow inside of him but before he can respond another voice appears. "Well, well if it isn't the three friends drinking and plotting. What are you sulking about now Tommen?"
Robb turns and sees Prince Joffrey with his squires and Jon standing there looking smug. He feels his anger grow and says. "Have you come to be a cunt again my prince?"
He sees the prince stiffen in anger, but is surprised when Jon replies. "Watch how you speak to Prince Joffrey Robb. He is not Tommen he knows who and what he is. Speak to him with respect."
"Respect?" Robb asks incredulously. "Why should I give him respect when all he does is belittle my home and my friends?"
"Because he is the crown prince and he deserves your respect. He is doing what he thinks is right. That you are taking offence is not his problem." Jon replies looking straight at him.
"Bollocks. You are not making any sense Jon." Myrcella says.
"I fear you might well have been taken in by our brother's lucid ways sister. Jon is speaking the truth. I am merely being kind and friendly with our host." The prince replies.
"All of the Starks are our hosts Joffrey, not just Jon. Now what do you want?" Myrcella asks.
"I have come to speak to our brother." Joffrey replies smugly.
"I do not want to speak with a cunt brother, now go." Tommen replies angrily.
Joffrey advances then anger on his face, but he flinches back when Greywind moves forward snarling. "Can you not keep that beast on a leash Stark? Your brother has his wolf better controlled than you do."
"That is because you have made it so that he never has Ghost with him when he is with you Joffrey. Or have you forgotten your fear?" Myrcella asks.
The prince snarls, but it is Jon who replies. "The prince is right to ask Robb to keep his direwolf better trained. They are not pets but animals, and they are dangerous very dangerous."
"Is that why Ghost is rarely seen with you nowadays Jon? Because your precious golden prince asked it of you?" Tommen asks.
Robb sees his brother merely stare at Tommen before replying. "It is the right course of action, these direwolves are not pets. They are animals and it is time you realised that Robb."
"They are as much a part of us as anything else Jon. Do not forget that, you have one as well. You are not just anyone, you are a Stark no matter your name." Robb pleads.
His brother merely looks at him unseeingly. "I am what I have made for myself. And I will decide my own actions not you."
The crown prince smiles then. "You see, Jon has grown since his time with me. But that is not why I am here."
"Then hurry up and say what you have to say before Greywind tears your throat out Joffrey." Tommen snaps.
The crown prince tuts then. "Such a temper that does not look good for a prince Tommen. But yes, since you seem so convinced I have committed some wrong or the other, I have become quite offended and as such demand the chance to defend my name."
"And how will you do that?" Myrcella asks.
"A duel. I and Tommen, a sparring match as it were. In the practice yard using live steel." Joffrey replies.
"Terms?" Tommen asks stepping of the ledge.
"We fight until one of us surrenders. And if you lose you will admit you have been lying about all those accusations and will clean out my shit bowl for a month." Joffrey says looking smugly.
"And if you lose?" Tommen asks.
"I will not lose brother. But if by some miracle you beat me, then I will allow Jon to have his wolf with him whenever he is with me. And I shall give you gold." The crown prince replies.
Before Tommen can reply, Robb hisses. "Tommen think about this, you have never fought using live steel!"
"It does not matter Robb, I will and I can win." Tommen whispers back before turning to his brother and saying. "I accept, when do you wish for this fight to take place?"
"Let us not delay it shall we?" the crown prince states. "Let the fight commence tomorrow after the morning meal. I shall see you there brother."
"Yes, you shall. Be prepared to lose." Tommen snarls.
As they watch Joffrey and his squires move off, Robb looks at Jon and sees him glaring at them all before he too leaves.