A/N: Hey guys! This was a really tough chapter for me to write. It gets pretty emotional so fair warning. Any comment would be amazing.

Thanks as always.

:)


A Poisoned Crown


King's Landing


"My King."

Stannis turned at the familiar voice, straightening his doublet of black and gold as he did so. Melisandre smiled at him as he turned to face her but his own expression remained stony. He had received some disturbing reports that the false Targaryen was making steady progress south, and even more disturbing reports that he had been joined by the Vale and some even said that Dorne had joined to his cause. On hearing the news he had been in no mood for this parade that was his coronation but the council had persuaded him to continue on with his plans. It would look good, they told him, would show that he was not afraid of this new threat, that it was not worrying him in the slightest. It would do well to parade Erinne around as well as her condition was beginning to show, he had insisted that her dress be close fitting so there would be no doubt that she was carrying his child. He had to show the people that he was strong. That his family was strong. Willas would be escorting Shireen, another reminder to the people of what strong allegiances he had made. No doubt Melisandre would have her own opinions on the matter, not that he would listen to her after the mess she had made in failing to rid him of this Targaryen pretender.

"You're back," he stated coldly.

"Just in time it would seem," she said, "you look most regal your Grace"

"Thank you," he said stiffly.

"Is it true you intend to be anointed in the Sept?" she asked lightly but he was instantly uneasy.

"Things are precarious enough without me denouncing the Seven," he told her.

"Of course," she said, "but the people cannot live in ignorance forever, they must be shown the way of the light, of the true God"

"In time," he snapped.

"Of course," she said again but she was not placated, best she bite her tongue for now though.

"Will you be attending the ceremony?" he asked her then.

"If you wish it my King," she said lightly.

"You have come all this way," he said in response and she inclined her head slightly.

"Then it would be my honour," she said.

"The Targaryen has moved further south, gained more allies," he told her then, striding round to pour them both a glass of wine.

"The false Targaryen," she added and he nodded.

"Yes," he said, taking a long sip, "though that does not seem to bother the masses"

"After today there will be no doubt that you are the true King of Westeros," she soothed him.

"Perhaps," he said grudgingly as she took a sip of her own wine.

"The city is too strong to fall, no matter his numbers," she continued.

"Have you heard the rumours of dragons?" he asked her then.

"Even if they are true the beasts will be too small to cause any trouble," she said dismissively.

"Yes," he agreed, taking another drink.

"You are the King," she said, meeting his eyes, "and after today everyone will know it."


Erinne took a long, deep breath as her attendant tied the lacings at the back of her dress. It was a fine thing, even finer than the white silks she had been made for her wedding. It was made entirely of cloth of gold and glimmered enchantingly in the candlelight. She imagined it would look even more impressive in the midday sunshine when she walked to the Sept of Baelor at Stannis' side. He had had her a cloak of black velvet made as well so she would not catch a chill in the cooling weather, his thoughtfulness had taken her rather by surprise and had the guilt stabbing at her stomach again. True to her word she had not seen Willas alone since she had told Loras to keep him away but her lightly rounded stomach was a reminder every day of her betrayal. She could not regret it but that did not stop her being terrified that Stannis would somehow find out. There was no reason he should, they had been careful and she was confident that no one would betray their secret. The only people who knew the truth were too implicated in all of it to risk their head in order to tell Stannis. There were very few people who were completely loyal to her husband, she had learned that very quickly.

She smoothed her hands gently over her stomach then, a faint smile on her face as she felt the baby gently stirring inside her. After a moment she waved her attendants away and lowered herself down into the window seat where she could see the people milling around outside, no doubt making the final preparations for the feast that would follow the coronation. The sooner it was all over the better in her opinion, people's eyes on her only served to make her feel even more paranoid and guilty. It didn't help that Stannis had been true to his word since Cersei's execution, spending a lot more time with her and Shireen. He still did not trouble himself to come to her bed though and she was glad of it although she did sometimes find herself enjoying his company during waking hours. She wasn't sure if that made things better or worse. Now was not the time to dwell on that though, she had to be perfect today, she could not put once step out of line. She took another deep breath, closing her eyes and praying to the Seven that she had the strength to get through the day. A knock sounded on the door then and she fixed a smile on her face at once before calling for her visitor to come in. It was Stannis' squire and she rose from her seat at once, knowing that it was time to go down to the entranceway and be the perfect Queen.

"Is it time?" she asked the squire.

"Yes my Queen," he bowed lowly to her and she nodded slightly and offered him a small smile before she swept passed him, her ladies following on in her wake.

She descended the stairs slowly, wary of tripping on her long skirts as she made her way down into the entrance hall. Stannis looked up as she came down the last of the steps and she smiled widely at him, seeing him return the gesture although she could see the worry etched on his face and knew that he had no doubt had another sleepless night. She knew he wouldn't appreciate her drawing attention the fact though and so she said nothing.

"Are you ready?" he asked her.

"Surely I should be asking you that," she said, tilting her head to one side and seeing a more genuine smile light up his face.

"The sooner it is over the better," he said honestly and she smiled sympathetically.

"As you say," she said and he offered her his arm.

She took it, turning her head to see Shireen just behind her tentatively taking the arm that Willas had held out to her. Shireen looked beautiful and Erinne sent her a wide smile which made the young girl look a lot more relaxed which she was glad of. She avoided Willas' eyes altogether and instead turned back to the front as she and Stannis walked in step out into the sunlight. People were lining the courtyard and she could see the train of litters waiting on the other side of it to bear them to the Sept. The people cheered as they walked across the courtyard and Erinne smiled widely, raising her hand up to acknowledge them, the noise only increasing at her gesture. At her side Stannis raised his own hand, bringing a slightly forced smile to his own face. He would never be as good with the people as his wife was but he didn't need to be as long as he had her. As they approached their litter he glanced sideways at her and saw her still waving and smiling to the crowds. He took her hand then to help her into the litter and squeezed it tightly in his own for a moment. Hopefully she would understand from his gesture that he was grateful to her for everything she had done for him. He climbed up beside her then and gave the order for them to begin the journey to the Sept of Baelor. Thousands lined the streets, throwing posies and bouquets into the path of the litter and Erinne kept her smile wide and her hand waving to the people throughout. Stannis did his best to mirror her actions but he knew that the people were clamouring for his Queen more than they were for him, not that he could blame them. He took her free hand then and she turned her head to him, he smiled slightly wryly at her as he did not miss the faint look of surprise that crossed her features.

"Thank you," he told her lowly.

"For what?" she asked him as his icy eyes bored into hers.

"This," he said, inclining his head to the people.

"They're cheering for you," she told him.

"We both know that isn't true," he chuckled slightly.

"Perhaps," she smiled slightly, "for us then"

"For us," he agreed with a raised brow before lifting the back of her hand to his lips.


Willas quietly seethed as he watched Erinne carefully rearrange her skirts and kneel down at Stannis' side so the High Septon could anoint them both with the blessed oils. She was not going to be crowned Queen in her own right, merely crowned as Stannis' consort but it was still a higher honour than some Queen's had received in the past. King Robert had never bothered to anoint Cersei and many of the Targaryen's before him had not either. Stannis had insisted on Erinne being crowned with him though and he had almost broken his promise to stay away from her when Loras had told him the news. Quite why Stannis, cold, unfeeling Stannis, would want his wife crowned at his side was quite beyond him and it made him nervous. What if the man was not so unfeeling after all? The thought made him feel sick to his stomach. Erinne was his in all but name, it was his child swelling her belly and yet it was Stannis' side she was always stuck to. He had even seen them share smiles and laughter at dinner sometimes and it had him so envious he wanted to stand up and run Stannis through right there and then. He had all but begged Loras to go to her and appeal to her to let him come and see her just once. Just once so he would know that it was him that she still loved, him who she thought of and wanted to be with. The thought that she could have any feelings for Stannis was driving him slowly mad and it was all he could do to sit still in his seat and not do anything stupid like stand up and declare to everyone present that Erinne was his.

Gods he needed to pull himself together. He clenched his hands into fists then as Stannis rose to his feet and offered Erinne his hand so he could gently ease her up from the stone floor. Willas saw them exchange a smile then as the High Septon spread his arms out and lifted his head up to declare to the heaven's that Stannis was the King of Westeros and Erinne his Queen. Both stepped forward as he finished, Stannis still holding Erinne's hand as he gestured for her to seat herself down on one of the matching thrones. He lowered himself into his own once she was settled and finally let go of her hand as two knights came forward with their crowns sat on cushions. The High Septon took the larger one and blessed it before lowering it slowly down onto Stannis' head. Willas wanted to punch him when he saw the smug look of satisfaction set on his face but he settled for swallowing hard and digging his nails hard into his own palm. The crown was being lowered down onto Erinne's beautiful head now and he couldn't help but stare at how serene and perfect she looked as the High Septon blessed her health and happiness. She and Stannis shared another smile then that had Willas gritting his teeth and praying that it was all for show as she had assured him so many times that it was. Perhaps if he could just speak to her for a moment she could reassure him again. Loras had made it very clear that he was not to go near her though and he had promised to stay away if it was what she truly wanted. Anything for her, that was what he had always promised himself. He would just have to remind himself of it over and over to get himself through the rest of this damned coronation.


Erinne smiled politely as the servant bowed lowly to her before taking her almost full plate away. It wasn't that the food wasn't spectacular, everything was wonderful but her stomach was churning and it was all she could do not to be sick. She knew it was the baby affecting her, one of her handmaiden's had told her that most women experienced sickness in the early stages of pregnancy. Stannis' hand came to lay on top of hers then and she turned to look at him, seeing his expression that of concern as he rubbed his thumb against the back of her hand in a soothing fashion.

"Are you not feeling well?" he asked her.

"It's to be expected with the baby," she said in response and he nodded his understanding.

"Of course," he said quietly, "perhaps it would be best if you retired?"

"I can't go yet, they have not yet raised the toast," she smiled at him.

"Then perhaps it should be done now," he said with a returning smile.

"Don't rush it on my account, this is your day," she protested.

"Our day," he corrected her, "and you and our child are far more important than any ceremony"

"Don't let the High Septon hear you say that," she said teasingly and he snorted slightly.

"No indeed," he agreed, moving his eyes from hers to find the squire who had the good wine they would use for the toast and beckoning him over.

Stannis watched Erinne as their glasses were filled, seeing her smiling serenely for the squire although he could tell the difference now between her genuine smiles and her false ones. Right now he knew she felt uncomfortable but she was still determined to act the perfect Queen. With him now she was more and more honest, he had felt her guard come down away from her and he was glad of it. While he was still getting used to showing her affection he could happily admit to himself that he very much enjoyed her company. She was more than just his wife now who he had had to take out of duty, he could admit that he cared for her very much. He felt more for Erinne than he had ever felt for Selyse in their years of marriage and it wasn't just because she was beautiful. She had a good heart, and deep down he wanted her goodness to rub off on him so he could stop being that unfeeling bastard that he knew people muttered about under their breath. With her he could at least try and change, he could try and be better. He stood then and raised his glass to her, seeing the look of surprise on her face and on many of the others at the high table. Davos frowned slightly but Stannis nodded to him reassuringly. It had been him who was supposed to raise the toast to the King of Westeros but Stannis felt the need to raise a toast of his own first.

"To new beginnings," he declared when those present had also risen to their feet and raised their glasses, "to a new future for Westeros and to my Queen"

"The Queen!" everyone echoed and Stannis brought his glass to Erinne's, the look of surprise in her eyes now mingled with genuine happiness.

They both raised their glasses to their lips then and it was in the next second that their whole world fell apart. Erinne's glass fell from her hand as her other came to clutch at her stomach, a cry of agony leaving her lips as her knees buckled. Stannis lurched forward at once, grabbing her under her arms before she could collapse to the floor. Tears were welling up in her eyes as she moaned out in pain and he couldn't tear his eyes away from her as he lowered her to the floor, barely hearing Davos' calls for the Maester. What was this? How was this happening? Her hand was clutching desperately at her stomach, her eyes wide and scared as she met his and his own hand came to still hers, his eyes drifting to her stomach. They were caught then by the dark stain of blood that was seeking through her dress and in that moment everything stopped being hazy and became crystal clear.

"The wine!" he snapped at Davos, "I want the Maester to check the wine!"

"Yes your Grace," Davos said, coming forward to pick up Stannis' own discarded glass.

"The … baby …" Erinne gasped out then and he moved his eyes back to hers, seeing the tears trailing down her cheeks as she convulsed in pain again.

"Lay still," he whispered to her, his hand coming to stroke her hair away from her face, "the Maester is coming … he's coming …"

"He's too late," she choked and he closed his eyes in despair, he knew his wife was likely right but he could not stand to believe it.


"Don't be such an idiot!" Loras snapped, slamming his brother against the wall and kicking his cane away from him.

"I need to see her!" Willas battled against him but Loras held him fast.

"You will do no such thing," he hissed, "do you want to see her killed?"

"I need to be with her … you saw, you saw what happened to her … the baby …" Willas protested.

"The baby is nothing to you! She is nothing to you! You need to get that into your head damn it!" Loras wanted to slap some sense into him but he restrained himself.

"They're everything to me," Willas whispered and Loras closed his eyes for a moment to compose himself before speaking again.

"I know," he said lowly, "but you can't go storming in there, you will betray us all and lose us all our heads. Do you not think she will be hurting enough without you blowing everything? You need to stay away from her Willas, you promised you would stay away"

"She needs me," Willas whispered and Loras could almost see his heart breaking in his eyes.

"She needs you to stay away," Loras whispered back and his brother's shoulders hunched in defeat and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Willas didn't struggle against him as Loras helped him back towards the sofa and lowered him back onto it. Once he was sat he put his head in his hands and Loras desperately searched in his mind for something reassuring to say. He had though losing Renly was pain but he had never seen such a look of sheer agony grace anyone's face as he had seen on his brother's when Erinne had collapsed in pain in the dining hall. Somehow Willas had managed to keep his composure and Loras had aided the men and the Maester in getting Erinne back up to her bed chamber. By then she was deathly pale and everyone had seen the blood, everyone knew that the Queen had lost the Prince or Princess she had been carrying. Loras hadn't been able to face telling Willas that there was no hope but he had seen it in his brother's eyes that he knew there was no chance that his child would live. Erinne would be heartbroken he knew that, Willas' pain was raw and real but her grief would be unimaginable. Loras remembered Margaery's desperation, remembered what she had sacrificed for the life that had taken root inside her and his own heart panged painfully. He didn't think a man could ever truly understand what a mother felt for her child, even when it was still in the womb. Erinne had always had such a smile on her face whenever the baby stirred inside her and Loras wanted to cry as he thought about how he would not see that special smile again.

"Is she on her own?" Willas' question snapped his mind away from his bleak thoughts.

"Stannis is with her," he replied after hesitating for a moment and he saw his brother's hands ball into fists against the sides of his head.

"I should be with her," Willas snarled.

"I know," Loras said, "but you can't be … I'm sorry Willas but you just can't be."


It was gone. Gone. Just like that. Gone. How could it be so quick? So final? The Maester had given his apologies in a grave tone and she had almost pulled herself up from the bed and slapped him. She didn't need his apologies nor his condolences. What were any of them even doing here? She didn't want them, she didn't want anyone. When her tears had come again she had curled up on her side and buried her head in her pillow and let them fall thick and fast. The ache was still stabbing at her stomach, a sharp jab every few moments that would be a painful reminder of what she had lost. What had been taken from her; forced out of her body. Someone had laced the wine with moon tea, the dose was strong so the Maester had told Stannis and she had not been able to look at her husband as he took the words in. Whoever had done this to her would die, she promised herself that as another pain stabbed at her. It was dulling now, the relief that the Maester had given her was obviously starting to take effect but it did nothing to ease the pain in her heart. Her baby was gone, no potion nor concoction would ever make that alright, the reality of that hit her hard as she lay there and she couldn't hold back the sob that rose in her throat.

When another escaped her she felt a hand on her back and she stupidly thought for a moment that Willas had come to her. She rolled onto her back then to see Stannis gazing down at her and guilt came crushing down on top of everything else as she saw the carefully masked devastation hiding in his eyes. Her emotion was uncontrollable then as she met his eyes and she turned away again and buried her face back into her pillow. She thought he would go but to her surprise she felt him shift onto the bed next to her, his hand coming almost hesitantly to stroke soothingly through her hair. He said nothing and she imagined that, like her, he had no words for what had happened. How could anyone have words for what had happened? She slowly began to calm as they stayed there in silence, his hand still stroking through her hair as her sobs finally subsided, the tears ebbing away as a sense of numbness began to take over her.

"I'll find them," he said quietly but menacingly then, "I will find whoever did this, I swear it to you"

"I want them to suffer," she said, her voice muffled by the pillow but he could hear the venom in her words and he nodded his head although she couldn't see him.

"They will," he promised and she shifted slightly so she could turn her head and look at him.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"This was not your fault," he said firmly.

"I want it back," she said in a small voice so full of pain he thought he would break.

"I know," he nodded, swallowing hard.

"But it isn't coming back is it?" she whispered and he shook his head slowly.

"I should leave you to rest, the Maester said it will take a few days for you to recover," he said, making to move away from her but her hand enclosed around his wrist.

"Please don't leave me," she said, her eyes wide and shining as she met his.

"Erinne …" he started.

"Please," she said again, "I don't want to be alone"

"I'm here," he said then, moving back towards her and hesitantly laying down next to her, shifting his body so he could pull her back against his chest. Her hands came to clutch at his arm then as he carefully draped it over her; "I'm here," he said again, kissing the top of her head before inhaling the scent of her hair and steeling himself against the wave of emotions that were threatening to wash through him. He couldn't give in to them now when Erinne so clearly needed him to be strong for her; "I'm not going anywhere," he said then, "I promise you."


A/N: Sorry guys, that really was a tough one. Thanks for reading.

:)