6th Month of 298 A.C. King's Landing
King Joffrey I Baratheon
The council would do his bidding, Joffrey would make sure of that. They were old hands now, skilled at the game, yet old men could die, and that was what he was determined would happen. Pycelle would remain, for now, yet Varys and Baelish needed to go, they were thorns in his plans, and he would not have them there staining his methods. Waymar was a good man to have on the council, firmly loyal and proven beyond a doubt, his success with the Vale was his credit, and Hardying would come south soon enough to swear fealty, once the coup had happened. As for Stark, his friendship with Joffrey's father and Joffrey's marriage to Sansa kept the man loyal, and there would be more soon enough.
His grandfather was another issue. Tywin Lannister, the most powerful man in the realm behind the king was looking at him now, and Joffrey knew he needed to defeat the man at his own games to have power over him. It was why he opened with this. "You are here no doubt to claim the handship are you not grandfather? I am afraid to tell you that Lord Stark shall retain the handship per my father's wishes."
The man's face is impassive, though Joffrey senses there is a sense of anger there. "A wise decision to keep the north more involved Your Grace," his grandfather states. "Though I must wonder if it is truly the best for the kingdoms. Stark has no experience ruling within the south. The southerners could well object to his ruling."
"They can object all they like. I am the king and my word stands. I shall crush any who object to my laws." Joffrey states.
"A bold claim to make Your Grace. But without your lords, how will you defend such a claim?" his grandfather asks.
"The North and the Vale are mine, as are the Riverlands. I have the alliance that won my father the throne. That is how grandfather. The lord of Winterfell is my father in law, his son and heir are my friends, and the heir of the Vale is within my own circle of influence. They will fight for me and follow my policies regardless." Joffrey says confidently.
Something akin to approval flashes in his grandfather's eyes. "A very smart plan my king. Stark is known for his adherence to duty and his honour would dictate that he follow you regardless of the actions you have. The riverlands, Lord Hoster knows his realm is fractious and that supporting you is in his interest. As for the Vale, you would see the Arryns removed? That would be difficult to achieve."
"Not if you have the Royces and their allies supporting you. Why do you think Waymar is there on the council grandfather?" Joffrey says. "I will have the Vale. One line of House Arryn shall be removed and another put in its place. That is the way of things for those that flee from their duty."
His grandfather it seems gets the hint, for he says. "I am willing to write off the crown's debt to the Rock on the exchange for one thing Your Grace."
"And what is that?" Joffrey asks, though he already knows what it is, and he knows what his answer will be.
"The return of my eldest son and heir Jaime Lannister. Your uncle Jaime was wrongfully put into the Kingsguard, by the mad king. He did not wish to be put into the Kingsguard and as such, he is more fit to sit in the rock than as a glorified servant." His grandfather says.
"Uncle Tyrion is your heir grandfather. Kingsguard are in the Kingsguard for life. There is nothing more to it than that. I cannot let one go without starting something I cannot finish. Why should I grant one favour to you and not to the others?" Joffrey asks. "I am not my father to blindly do as you say."
His grandfather looks at him a hint of anger there. "That is the price of my loyalty Your Grace. My son for my loyalty, it is the truth of the matter. Your own father was considering relieving Ser Jaime from his Kingsguard vows."
"And why do you not want uncle Tyrion as your heir? Is it because he is a dwarf, or because he killed your wife? Either reason is not a good enough one. He is a perfectly capable man, and would make a far better heir than Ser Jaime. You know that, I know that, the whole bloody realm knows that, and yet you continue to insist on something you know I cannot give. You would demand this from your king, I should do to you as I did to the Darrys. But I am no kinslayer, so instead I shall ignore that you made a demand of a king and instead give you something." Joffrey replies heatedly, his grandfather looks like he is unsure of whether to be angry or afraid, after all Joffrey is much bigger than him and stronger. "My mother is still of an age where she can bear children. She will return with you to the Rock once my coronation has taken place, and you shall marry her to cousin Daven. They shall sire your heirs for you. But should they have no heirs, then Tyrion shall be named your heir."
He can see just how much this is paining his grandfather, and he grins, I am good at this old man, better than my mother at any rate, and perhaps almost as good as you, this crown of mine helps as well. Joffrey thinks. Eventually his grandfather speaks. "And if I refuse?"
"Then you will not leave this room. you will die and be accused of treason and Tyrion shall be named Lord of the Rock." Joffrey says simply.
A look of absolute loathing appears on his grandfather's face. "Then I accept most humbly your Grace. The debt is null and void as of this moment."
"Good." Joffrey says, knowing he will need to remove his grandfather soon enough.
Queen Dowager Cersei Baratheon
Court was a different place for her now. She had been displaced, ever since that damned trial, walking on eggshells, doing nothing but walking without making a sound. It angered her greatly, truly it did. She was a lioness not a mouse, she would roar, and they would hear her. At least her oaf of a husband was dead, killed in Darry that made her laugh, truly it did, the fool was gone killed by the order he had so despised and yet admired as well. Good riddance, she thinks, now her son sits the throne. The son who stands before her, something akin to contempt in his eyes.
"You are not remaining here mother. You are to return to Casterly Rock." Her son says and Cersei does not understand.
"Why? Why are you sending me away Joffrey? Why are you sending me away and leaving yourself in a den of wolves and nest of vipers?" she asks.
"Because you are a danger to yourself and to everyone else. Your actions at Winterfell were not forgivable. My wife does not feel safe around you, and I cannot allow that." Her son replies.
"She is not what she appears Joffrey. She is using you. Please you cannot do this. Do not send me away!" she pleads
Her son looks at her and says. "I have already decided this, and grandfather has agreed. You are to return to the Rock and marry cousin Daven, you will bear his children and they shall be grandfather's heirs."
"You would use me as chattel? Why? Why do you believe your grandfather would follow through on such things? He wants Jaime as his heir, why do you think he will not come back demanding that?" Cersei asks outraged.
"Because if he does not agree I will kill him and put Tyrion as Lord of the Rock. I know that is something neither you nor he want, and so I am giving you both what you want." Her son says coldly.
"But why are you selling me off as if I am a piece of meat? Am I not worth your time then Your Grace? Did I act so without limits in Winterfell, without cause, that I am to be shipped off somewhere and never seen again?" she asks.
"Yes." Her son replies
She does not even know she has slapped him until she hears the sound. He does not even move, but his face is clouded with anger. "Hit me again mother and I will remove your hand." He says his voice like venom. With that he turns and walks out of the room leaving her alone and mournful. She sits down then and looks at herself in the mirror, the witch's prophecy is not coming true, and yet her heart is breaking, slowly it is breaking. Her son is pushing her away, she will never see her children again, this is something she knows, and she has sealed her fate.
She does not know how long she sits there staring at herself in the mirror, but when the door is opened and Jaime enters she throws herself into his arms. "Jaime, where have you been?"
"Speaking with father. I know you are going back to the Rock. I tried to argue against it, but father would not hear of it. He insisted that this was the right course of action. I do not know why, I even volunteered to leave the Kingsguard." Jaime says.
That hits her like a slap. "You did what?" she exclaims. "You could not be serious, Jaime!"
Her twin looks down at her then and says. "I was, as serious as I have ever been. You need to be here Cersei, for Tommen and Myrcella, their brother does not care for them, but you do. You have to be here to ensure they are safe. I would ensure that."
"But you cannot leave me!" she pleads.
"I would not leave you, but father I thought would have wanted me as his heir, I am surprised he said no." Jaime replies.
"He said no because Joffrey threatened to kill him and put Tyrion as Lord of the Rock. You know how much father despises the imp, he could not bear such a thought." Cersei replies bitterly.
"This is not right. Joffrey is not right. This has to be stopped. Why is he doing all of this?" her twin and lover asks.
"Because of what happened at Winterfell. He is listening to the Stark whore that is why." Cersei says.
Her twin looks at her doubtfully then. "You think that girl has power over Joffrey? Truly, do you think she has the power to make him do anything she wants or asks?"
"He is a boy and she has a cunt. Yes, she has power over him, she must be removed before he will see sense. Once she is gone, I think he will see that this is all a mistake." Cersei says confidently.
"Cersei, what are you suggesting?" her twin asks nervously.
"Remove the girl for us Jaime. Please, you must see what I mean. She is dangerous to our family, she is dangerous for Joffrey. Please we have to see her dead. You must do this. You protected us once in Winterfell, now is another time we need you." Cersei pleads.
"You want me to kill the Queen?" her twin asks. "I thought you were going to ask me to kill the king. That I can do."
"No! Do not kill my son! The girl is the problem not Joffrey! Cersei says.
Her brother looks at her a moment. "Are you certain of this?" he asks.
"Absolutely. The girl must go before Joffrey sees sense. If she does not go, we are all doomed." Cersei says.
"Then I shall do as you say, the girl will die, and you will be free once more, my love." Jaime says before he leans down to kiss her.
She breaks the kiss off though and says. "Well, what are you waiting for, see it done. See it done now. We must act quickly."
