Second Month of 300 A.C. King's Landing

Lord Tywin Lannister

The trial of his second born son and heir Lucion began today, and if he was being completely truthful, Tywin was a little bit worried. Whilst he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his son was innocent, he had seen the roll call of witnesses Cersei had brought forward to try and prove her brother's guilt. That in itself was worrying, his golden daughter had never looked less golden than she did today, she was trying to destroy all he had worked for and he would not let that happen. That the fat flower Mace Tyrell seemed so ignorant of his own family's deception was yet another thing that left him with a bad taste in his mouth. Getting into bed with snakes was one thing, but with roses, well the thorns were proving to be very prickly.

Putting such thoughts from his mind, Tywin cleared his throat and watched as the throne room fell silent. "My lords and ladies, I thank you all for coming. We are here today for the first day of the trial of Lord Lucion Lannister, Lord of the Golden Tooth. He is accused of the murder of our king his grace King Joffrey Baratheon, first of his name. The other two judges who sit beside me are Lord Mace Tyrell Lord of Highgarden and Warden of the South and Prince Oberyn Nymeros Martell. Bring the accused forth."

There was some muttering as Lucion was brought forward, his hands in chains, his son looked dignified though a true lion. Lucion entered the stand where he would be kept. Tywin looked at his son for a moment and then said aloud. "Lord Lucion you know the crime of which you are charged. Did you kill King Joffrey?"

His son was silent for a long time before he eventually spoke. "No, I did not kill my nephew King Joffrey."

There was some muttering at that and Prince Oberyn remarked. "Well that settles it then."

Tywin was ready to agree with him, but as he had suspected Mace Tyrell just had to speak his face red. "Then who do you think killed the King and nearly killed my daughter?"

Lucion fixed the fat flower with a gaze so cold, it reminded Tywin of himself. "Well the king did choke on a piece of food did he not? Perhaps one of the cooks is responsible for his death."

At this there was more muttering and Lord Tyrell sputtered indignantly. "So you believe the cooks are responsible for the King's death?"

The food had been provided by the Tyrells, and it seemed Lucion remembered this for he said. "That is not what I said my lord. I merely said that perhaps one of the cooks had something to do with the King's death. After all this is the Red Keep, men can be bought and sold for a price."

This was getting into dangerous territory, so Tywin spoke. "Enough. Queen Cersei as is her right has assembled some witnesses she claims will attest to your guilt Lord Lucion."

His son looks at him and then says. "Then let us hear them."

The first man to come forward is Ser Balon Swann of the Kingsguard. "Ser Balon, you are a man of sworn honour. At any point did it seem that Lord Lucion seemed to threaten the king's person?"

Ser Balon was silent for a moment and then said. "Lord Lucion is a good man and he did all he could to ensure King Joffrey's reign was peaceful and stable. He did all he could to make up for the king's errors. But there was once just after he had come from the Green Fork that he did hit the king and threaten him yes. But it was nothing more than an elder teaching his younger some respect."

Lord Mace spoke then. "The boy was king. In the times of the Targaryens it was bad to strike a member of the blood and one would lose the offending limb. To actually cause harm to a blood royal meant the loss of one's life."

Ser Balon said something that betrayed his honour. "The king did in all honesty deserve it my lords. He struck an unarmed woman and ordered his Kingsguard to do the same."

Tywin saw Cersei bristle at that and he merely nodded. "Ser Balon you may go. Ser Meryn you are now called to the stand."

Ser Meryn walked onto the stand then and then said. "Aye, the accused did threaten his grace, may the gods preserve him. Threatened him on multiple occasions. And beat him as well, I remember King Joffrey saying to me that he wished for me to be present whenever Lord Lucion was in the room for he was certain that the man meant to kill him."

There was silence and then Lucion spoke. "As if you would be able to defend my nephew from anyone Meryn. Who was it I beat that day in the throne room? Was it you or Ser Boros? Both of you are nothing more than paper shields and it showed."

Ser Meryn tensed then and Tywin spoke. "Silence, Lucion speak only when spoken to. Now is there another witness that needs to be brought forward?"

Cersei shakes her head. "Very well," Tywin says. "We shall take a break and be back soon."

With that the room empties apart from Tywin and Kevan. "What do you think brother?" Kevan asks.

Tywin looks at his brother and says. "Cersei certainly was very clever bringing Ser Balon and then Ser Meryn. But then there are certain things she lacks in being subtle that anyone with a brain could see. When Tygett and Pycelle take the stand we shall know more. Until then see if you can find Baelish, I want to speak with him before tomorrow."

His brother nods and then asks. "And what of Nymeria Sand?"

Tywin looks at his brother then and says. "She will be brought tomorrow. And then this shall be put to rest. Cersei needs to leave and soon."