SARAFINE XIV
Nervously, Sarafine sat in Qyburn's laboratory with Cersei at her side. This changes everything, she knew, this makes everything different. He continued to tinker away at a table while she waited, her eyes wandering over all the magnificent potions and tools he kept stored there. How deadly is this room? She'd been suspicious for the past few weeks, and told only her mother-by-law, who was more hopeful than she, it had seemed. She brought Sarafine straight to Qyburn for examination, which had been a rather strange experience. She wished for Sansa to be there too, but William had remained adamant about keeping her and Joffrey confined to chambers.
"Your Grace," the Queen Mother's attendant spoke up.
"Yes?" she asked, eagerly.
"Your suspicions are true," the man smiled and her heart filled with warmth.
"You are certain?" she questioned, just to be sure.
"As can be. Queen Sarafine, you are with child."
Tears of joy flowed out of her eyes and Cersei's.
"With child," she repeated, as if saying it made it true. Aside from that, she was speechless. The Queen Mother's arms fell around her.
"You could be carrying the future King," she beamed, "when can you be sure of the sex?"
"In some time, for now it is too early to tell."
"How far along am I?" Sarafine inquired.
"From my tests, it would appear you conceived on your wedding night, or shortly thereafter," he informed, continuing to tinker around. I knew it was magical, she remembered.
"You're pregnant," Cersei repeated.
"I'm pregnant," she smiled a smile as wide as the day she married the child's father.
"William will be overjoyed."
"He will," she said, then realising, "I can't tell him yet."
"Sarafine," she almost laughed, "why not?" Cersei's face fell.
"Because there's things that need to be done prior..." she patted down her skirt and stood.
"What are you planning?"
"I'm not sure yet, but you'll know soon," Sarafine began to make way for the doors, "for now, tell no one."
"As you wish," the Queen Mother nodded.
The Queen left Qyburn's laboratory with a mix of emotions. She wanted to say that nothing could take away from the joy of knowing she was with child...with William's child, but there was so much danger...so much unknown. This had to remain a secret, she knew, at least until everything is solved...but how long will that be?
The added responsibility dawned on the Queen. It's not just me now...not just Will, not just ruling...this is a child, our child; innocent and untouched. She looked at her stomach with affection, hoping that she would not begin to show before she was prepared to share the news. I can't have murderers roaming my halls while my child lives in them. I won't.
"My love," William's voice broke her free from the torment of her thought.
"Will," she addressed, somewhat unprepared to see him.
"Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.
"Yes, quite fine," she said, her words quick. That wasn't convincing, she knew.
"You're lying," he smiled, "what is it?"
"Nothing, I promise," she took his hands in hers, "I'm fine."
"Good," he kissed her forehead, "I'm on my way to the Throne Room now, if you'll join me?"
She took his arm and followed him through their Keep to the entrance reserved for just them. Sarafine had an idea, but nerves had her unsure.
"You'll never hate me, will you?" she asked William
"Of course not," he laughed, "why would you ask such a thing?"
"I just need to know."
"Sarafine, if something troubles you, please do not keep it from me," he begged.
"Your Grace," a servant interrupted with her crown and she tilted her head for it. I'm the Queen, I can do this.
"I won't," she promised, her heart decided on the issue.
"Then off we go," he offered his hand and their door opened.
"All hail William of the Houses Baratheon and Lannister, and Sarafine of the House Martell, King and Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and Protectors of the Realm," the royal announcer read as they stepped out, showing their faces to their court.
And it seems there are so many of them here today, Sarafine worried, so many faces...but where are Olenna and Mace and the rest of that damned house? she wondered as she gazed over them all, taking her seat next to her husband's Throne.
"May the first man bring his matter to the Crown," Will instructed. Sarafine's eyes looked to him with sadness, though he was in King mindset now, worried about his subjects. She hoped he wouldn't resent her for her next move. The evidence is safe, it's there. I'm right and can't be proven otherwise. It's for the best, she told herself.
Matter after matter were brought before them, and William seemed to deal with every one appropriately. To Sarafine, each was smaller than the last, and she was about to change the course of the entire day and the entire Kingdom.
"If that's all," William stood, beginning to lift his crown from his head.
"One more thing," she stood, bravely. This is for you, she looked at her husband and then her belly, and you.
"Yes, my love?" he sat again.
"All those loyal to the Crown...in life, land, and oath...kneel," she commanded, her heart racing in her chest. William appeared puzzled. Where are they? she worried again, seeing only one, "Margaery Tyrell, stand."
"What are you doing?" William whispered, clearly puzzled.
"Don't hate me," is all she could utter, though she couldn't be sure if he'd heard her or not. Margaery stood.
"Yes, Your Grace?" she asked, her eyes free of any suspicion. Oh, you, sweet, sweet fool.
"I, Sarafine of the House Martell, daughter of Prince Doran of Dorne, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and a Protector of your Realm...hereby accuse House Tyrell and its leaders of attempted regicide and treason against the Crown," she said, hearing the words as she said them. Done.
"Sarafine-" William stood as did Cersei, who seemed as in the dark as everyone else in the room.
"Seize every member of this household you can find!" she commanded.
"Sarafine," the King grabbed at her arm.
"And place them in the Black Cells beneath the Keep!"
"Sarafine," Will uttered again, this time angrier. I'm sorry.
"Trust me," she commanded him.
Ser Loras, all armoured and knightly, stepped in front of his sister and drew his sword against the crowd. His face was white with shock, as was Margaery's. And my heart red with fury...I'm a Baratheon now.
"You'll step back!" he shouted.
"You can't imprison us!" Margaery called, "I demand a trial on behalf of my House!"
"Oh, you will get it," Sarafine responded, eyes dark with contempt.
"Seize them!" a lord shouted.
Where are the rest of them? Sara thought, Olenna, Mace, all Margaery's brothers...oh gods...where?
"Where is the Queen of Thorns?" Sarafine demanded, "Olenna and her son are to be brought to me, find them!"
"Stand aside, Ser Loras," Will commanded, defeat in his tone. Guilt washed over Sarafine, I didn't want for it to be this way.
"I demand a trial by combat," Loras called. Rip that cloak from your shoulders, traitor, Sara wished to scream but relented, knowing it would harm William more than anyone. The King nodded to his uncle.
In a flash, Ser Jaime stepped forward.
"Fine," he responded to Loras, slashing his sword against the Tyrell's leg without warning. A cry of pain emanated from him, and Sara felt a momentary satisfaction among the sickness in her stomach at their treason, "there's your trial," he spat.
Men surrounded the Tyrell siblings, seized them and dragged them forward to the faithful Kingsguards.
"You'll burn in hell for this," Margaery shouted at Sarafine.
"When you get there, tell them to expect me," she responded, absolutely livid.
"Our chambers, now," William demanded of her. Dutifully, and full of fear, she followed him there. She removed her crown on the way, feeling premature defeat.
They walked in silence, and William ignored every greeting from any passerby. Sarafine did her best to nod politely. Relief found her temporarily when he was informed of an emergency small council meeting and left for it, allowing her time to think. When he arrived after sundown, however, every word she rehearsed had left her mind.
He slammed the door behind them and she jumped at the sound, her heart pounding against her ribs violently. Can my child hear my fear?
"How could you do that to me? In front of everyone without my permission, my knowledge?" he demanded, his eyes burning with anger.
"I had to, there was no other way," she tried to explain.
"No other way?" he shouted and for a moment she thought he would cry, "you had a million opportunities to at least tell me what you had planned!"
"Yes, William, because I was going to roll over in the dead of night and say I think I'll accuse the Tyrells in court tomorrow, what do you think?"
"You made me look like a fool," he reminded her.
"I didn't think of that and I'm sorry, William! It wasn't my intention," Sarafine panicked, feeling like a child in trouble.
"Then what was?" he asked her, though she doubted he would truly listen to her answer. He promised not to hate me, she tried to remind herself, he promised, he promised.
"To protect us...to protect our families, our legacy," she listed, adding and our child, in her mind. I can't tell him now, not like this.
"How did that protect anyone from anything?"
"The whole city is hunting for them...for the traitors who tried to murder us," she walked to him, trying to take his hands only to have them torn from her.
"You don't even know that was them!" he stepped away.
"I do, but you refuse to listen to me, listen to what I've found!" she begged.
"A damned disguise!" he tossed the table in their room, glass shattering across their floor. Wine bled into one of their rugs and fruit rolled along the tiles. What a mess I've made, she recognised. William faced their balcony and breathed heavily, refusing to look at her.
"It's not a disguise," she whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"What?"
"I have proof," she wiped her face and walked on shaky legs toward her dresser, opening the drawer, "here," she held the papers to him, her hands shivering with fear and adrenaline, "I can explain it to you...if you like."
"Do you understand the repercussions we could face should Mace and Olenna command their forces on us?" he muttered, looking at the papers.
"I don't know," she whispered again. For a moment, he didn't even seem like William.
He continued to read over them, and she sat on a trunk at the end of their bed. Maybe this is a good night for me to spend alone, she thought, not daring to speak a word.
"What does any of this mean?"
"They sent the assassin...they likely poisoned my wine too," she stared at the ground and spoke without emotion.
"This should be sufficient for a trial...if we ever live to see one," he placed it on the dresser and ran his hands through his hair, knocking the crown from his head. It fell to the ground with a clang, shaking the Queen, though not breaking or denting at all. Their room was filled with silence.
Sarafine watched as William knelt down to pick it up. He did so slowly, staring at the piece, running his fingers gently over the pieces.
"I hate this," he breathed, "I hate being King."
"No, you don't," she tried to convince him.
"Right now...I do," he stood, placing it on the dresser with the papers. He began to undo his surcoat, and let it slip to the floor.
This is not how this night should have been, she breathed shakily.
"I'll go," she stood, walking to the door.
"Go where?"
"My old chambers," the Queen spoke, "I'll leave you be."
"No," he insisted, his voice softening, "I want you to stay."
She heard him step toward her, though didn't turn until she could feel him reach for her shaking hand. Her whole body felt as if it was shaking, and in her head she worried for her child. Her face was wet with silent tears.
"You're crying," he observed.
"I thought I was protecting us," she whispered, and more tears flowed, "I'm so sorry."
Her hands shook again, and for a moment she stood and cried in front of him.
The King took her in his arms, her head against his chest.
"I'm so sorry, William," she whispered through wracking sobs.
"I shouldn't have...broken the table," he admitted, "I'm sorry."
He swayed with her in his arms, as if to nurse a child, and maybe he was, for that was how she felt. A helpless child, only I wear a Crown.
"Please stay with me tonight," he begged, leading her to their bed. He promised.
He held her the whole night, stroking his hands gently against her hair, though she couldn't sleep or forget the damage they'd done.
I can't tell him yet, she knew, he's not ready to hear it.
- A/N -
I wrote this a while ago now and re-reading it kind of broke my heart wow
Do you think Sarafine made the right decision? Let me know in a review :)
Also, twice a week updates (Tuesdays and Fridays) will be returning next week! Yay! Hope you've enjoyed your week and that you all have a lovely Easter weekend if you're celebrating!
