A Doe in a Lion's Den

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones. Just the DVD's

Chapter 25: To Please or Not to Please

Apparently, Lord Tyrion the new Master of Coin has a lot on his plate. The royal wedding was getting more expensive than the last. When it came to my Name Day, Tyrion begged me not to have an expensive festival. Not some tournament like Joffrey or a celebration. To save my uncle from stress, I told him to make my Name Day a private ball. Food and music in one of the Red Keep's ballrooms. Invite the nobles who resign in King's Landing and Court. Tyrion sighed in relief, appreciating the cutbacks. I do not ask for statues, only flowers of the season. Tyrion promised me there would be flowers, and find some performers, and a beautiful, delicious cake.

The following day, I attended the Sept of Baelor with my family along with the Tyrells. Mainly for wedding preparation in the sanctum. Dickon asked permission to join us, in which Joffrey in his mere mood to spend time with Margaery accepted it. In the Sept, we had mass before walking along the Great Hall upon the Seven. Cersei walked along with Lady Olenna, while Joffrey, Margaery, Dickon, and I walked along the crypts. Joffrey telling the fallen Targaryen history.

"Rhaenyra Targaryen was murdered by her brother, or rather, his dragon. It ate her while her son watched. " Joffrey told, and chuckled. "What's left of her is buried in the crypts right down there.

Margaery being pleasing smiled and chuckled along.

I sighed, giving an apologetic look to Dickon. He merely nodded in understanding the king's dark humor. We walked down the steps, Joffrey pointed at another crypt, more like a alter that bestow a valuable urn.

"Over there, in that urn, the ashes of Aerion Targaryen," Joffrey explained. "Aerion Brightflame, they called him. He thought drinking wildfire would turn him into a dragon."

We all chuckled in the stupidity of that Targaryen.

"And he was wrong," I murmured.

Joffrey grinned.

We soon joined Cersei and Lady Olenna. Joffrey eyes lingering at one crypt that all despised.

"And, of course, there's the Mad King, killed by our uncle." Joffrey pointed out. He looked at his betrothed. "Would you like to see where the last Targaryen is buried?"

"Are you sure Lady Margaery and Lord Dickon don't find all this a bit macabre?" Cersei asked.

"No, it's quite all right, Your Grace. I'd love to see their tombs, really." Margaery assured then gazed at Joffrey. "It's like taking a walk-through history."

Joffrey smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and lead the way. I gave a look to Cersei assuring her I will watch them. She nodded in appreciation. Dickon and I followed the engaged couple. We gave them some space to let them be intimate in conversation.

"You father, was her buried here as well?" Dickon asked.

"No, he wanted his remains returned to Storm's End," I answered. "Rest beside his parents' monuments and his ancestors. Only one Baratheon is laid to rest here."

"I forgot, you were a twin," Dickon said.

"He was named after my father, and grandfather, Robert Steffan Baratheon. Second of the name." I said. "Everyone said we were inseparable. One would cry after the other if taken away."

Dickon gave a small smile.

We soon arrived at the last Targaryen crypts where the Mad King and Prince Rhaegar resigned.

"My father didn't want them here," Joffrey said. "He was going to have their bodies burned and thrown in the Blackwater, but the High Septon convinced him otherwise."

"After dragging their bodies through the streets," I added.

Joffrey nodded in agreement. There is one thing we both agree on is the Targaryen's. The Mad King did terrible deeds, and Prince Rhaegar broke a sacred marriage contract between the Baratheon and Starks that lead to a war. Millions died, all in the name of insanity.

"I'm glad he did," Margaery said.

Joffrey and I stopped looking at her.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace." Margaery apologized. "I know they did terrible things at the end, but their ancestors built this." As she addressed the Sept of Baelor. "Sometimes severity is the price we pay for greatness. "

Joffrey gave a scoff, examining the sanctum where the Seven stood tall, "I couldn't agree more."

The sound of shouting could be heard. We all stopped gazing at the door.

"Shall we go and see them?" Margaery asked.

Joffrey tensed looking at her surprised.

"If you give them your love, they will return it a thousand-fold." She explained. "I've spoken with them I know how they feel about you. You led the defense of King's Landing. They adore you. "

Her performance enchanted Joffrey. His nervousness vanquished into a peaceful demeanor. He contemplated her words and side.

"Open the doors," Joffrey ordered.

The guard complied, as light consumed the sanctum. Joffrey opened an arm to Margaery, in which she accepted. Dickon did the same, to which I comply. We let the engaged couple go first, greeting the citizens of King's Landing. Afterward, we follow suit.

"Joffrey. Elain." Cersei called out. "Wait!"

Out we went, as Joffrey and Margaery stood center of the first steps of the Sept. I led Dickon to the side, letting my brother have the attention. The citizens gathered around the bottom steps. The City Watch prevented them from getting through, but it didn't stop them from their praises. Calling out for Lady Margaery and Joffrey. The young maiden waved her hand, Joffrey looked at her amazed. She has an encouraging smiled. Awkwardly, Joffrey joined in and waved.

Well done, I thought. She is a perfect bride.

.o0o.

The Hand's Study

Later in the day, Cersei demanded to see her father. Annoyed, Tywin let his daughter in. He ignored her, as he worked on his important letters for generals. Many things needed to be done, maintaining a country, the city, and his king. He did not have the time to hear his daughter jabber away.

Cersei tried to be patient. Hoping that was the last letter he needed to the right. Sadly, her patience was wearing thin. She heaved and sighed, fighting her fingers on the armrest.

"You wanted to speak to me?" Tywin asked, still focus on his letter.

"Yes, about Jaime," She answered.

"What about him?" he asked, still writing.

"I wanted to make sure we're doing everything we can to get him back." She said, eyes lingering to see what her father had written. Although, trinkets he kept on his desk blocked the view.

Tywin looked at her, before applying powder on the paper to dry the ink faster. "Why Catelyn Stark took Tyrion prisoner," he paused to blow off the powder. Then folded the document. "What did I do in response?"

"You started a war," she replied.

"And if you would start a war for that lecherous little stump, what do you think I am doing for my oldest son and heir?" He asked, pouring wax on the letter.

"Whatever you can," She answered.

He looked at her, "Whatever I can."

Then placed the stamp, sealing the document as Hand of the king.

Cersei smiled and nodding a little. A bit disappointed she didn't get any information about the letter. She did not like being in the dark. Before her father arrived, she knew what was going on. She was basically Hand of the King, as Regent knowing the same as Tyrion. Now…she felt like she knows nothing. Losing all control.

Tywin grabbed another parchment and began writing, "You're still here."

"Yes," she said.

"Why?"

Did it ever occur to you that I might be the one who deserves your confidence and your trust, not your sons? Not Jaime or Tyrion, but for me. Years and years of lectures on family and legacy… " She said then scoffed. "The same lecture, really, just with tiny, tedious variations. Did it ever occur to you that your daughter might be the only one listening to them, living by them? That she might have the most to contribute to your legacy that you love so much more than your actual children."

Tywin finished his letter, blowing off the powder. He then folded it, until leaning back in his chair, "All right. Contribute."

"The Tyrells are a problem," Cersei said.

"The Tyrells helped us defeat Stannis Baratheon." Tywin reminded. "The Tyrells saved your life, your children's lives. "

"Margaery has her claws in Joffrey, " she warned. "She knows how to manipulate him."

"Good. I wish you knew how to manipulate him. " He murmured.

Cersei heart dropped when hearing this. She glared at her father.

"I don't distrust you because you're a woman. I distrust you because you're not as smart as you think you are. You've allowed that boy to ride roughshod over you and everyone else in this city." He explained. He licked his finger and pulled another parchment close to him.

"Perhaps you should try stopping him from doing what he likes," Cersei murmured.

Tywin stopped writing, giving her a warning look, "I will."

Cersei nodded.

"You disappointed me."

Cersei's eyes widen when hearing that.

"Because of your lack of control, you let that boy pay mercenaries on his sister's life. Taken advantage of her to suffer, instead of being a mother, you humiliated her in a time of need. Now I have to fix it."

The queen clenched her fist. She had her theory that Joffrey did such a thing, the same with Robert's bastards. However, she had no evidence only theories with her conversation. Little she knows that Tyrion found the letter and presented it to Tywin. The patriarch was not pleased, not tolerating in this sort of behavior in his family.

"I was trying to save her honor or what's left of it," Cersei tried to explain.

"Get out," Tywin order in a monotone voice.

Cersei knew that tone of voice stood up and left.

Tywin sighed, staring at his letter. He knows he has a mess to clean. Closing his eyes, he tried to avoid the memories of his late wife, Joanna. How she looked at him in pain. The months she was traumatized before letting him back in her life. The same expression he saw Elain had.

Tywin Lannister vowed to not let history repeat itself. Not in his family.

.o0o.

Elain's POV

I was woken up to a disgusting feeling. My skin felt oily, and my stomach ache. Recognizing these symptons, I flung the blankets and sheets to see a small patch of blood on my nightgown. Quickly out of bed to see a blood coating the sheets and manipulating my nightgown to see more I bent to my knees and prayed, thanking the gods in letting my flower bloomed. I was not with child. Not caring a rapist baby. The past few weeks I prayed to the gods to have mercy on me. No longer do I have the worry of carrying a child that would dishonor me and the family name.

Aurora and a few handmaidens entered seeing the blood stain sheets. One of the handmaidens immediately left to inform the queen. The queen always knew when I bled. The worse was the maester's documenting each blooming cycle. My cousin gave a sigh of relief, as she came over to prepared me for the day. Ensuring I had the proper undergarments for bleeding.

Once dressed, a knock on the door caught our attention.

"The Lady Margaery is here," Ser Wensington announced.

"Send her in," I called out.

The door opens letting Lady Margaery in. She came in, a near dance in her movements holding a letter in hand. "Good Morrow, princess Elain."

"Good Morrow to you, Lady Margaery," I greeted.

"My dear brother, Willas has sent you another letter," Margaery said, as she handed the folded parchment.

Tempted, I opened the letter and read it. Willas discussed how he appreciated in replying to his message. Saying he was intrigues of my interest of archery and horseback riding. Hoping when we would have time spent in the Kingswood for a stroll. He told me about a specific event that had to occur in Highgarden, where a Redwyne deliver a casket of their most excellent wine for the testing festivities of which wine is the best of the season. His brother Garlan took every opportunity to drink of every casket, which Willas and Leonette, Garlan wife warned him to be careful. By the time they finished, Garlan was tripping over his own armor.

I chuckled when reading it.

"What humor has my brother written?" Margaery asked.

"It seems your brother Garlan can't hold his wine," I answered.

Margaery chuckled, "The wine tasting in Highgarden always gets Garlan."

"Does Willas do well with alcohol?" I asked.

"He does," Margaery answered. "Only drinks when it's required. Prefers a clear head."

I nodded, appreciating that.

After getting dressed, I invited Margaery to join me for breakfast. We walked through the halls, as Margaery and I took the lead. Aurora and one of the handmaidens followed, with Ser Wensington closed by.

"I want us to be friends, good friends." Margaery murmured.

"There's a chance we could be sisters," I replied softly.

"You must see Highgarden. You'd love it there. I know you would. We have a great masquerade the night of the harvest moon. You should see the costumes. People work on them for months." She said.

"I would love to see that," I said. "Get away from here."

"Out of curiosity, you know the status of your ladies, am I correct?"

"Yes."

"The Lady Sansa…is she betrothed to anyone?"

"No. She is still a ward to the crown."

Margaery nodded, "How would you feel if I arrange a marriage between her and my brother Loras?"

"I say you have a lot of work to convince the king. Knowing Loras, I say it would be a good match. Ser Loras has a gentle heart and hand. He would protect her. Let alone it would take her out of the here" I then looked at her in the eyes, whispering the last part. "And Tyrell having a claim to the North if anything happened to her brothers."

Margaery eyes widen realizing I understand her family plan.

I continued, "I do not care about politics. What matters is that girl's safety. If you managed to arrange the two, I would give my support towards the match."

Margaery smiled. She wants power, she can have power. All I want is to get out of King's Landing.

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