CERSEI XII
"Every guard in this damned city is to hunt for that girl, do you hear me?" her daughter-by-law called at the passersby as she strutted through the halls straight to her.
"Sarafine," Cersei addressed, hugging her, "what do we know?"
"Sansa went to the Godswood to pray, with her wolf, that's when she was taken."
"By the Tyrells, no doubt," Cersei sneered.
"Margaery told Joffrey as much when he visited her," Sarafine muttered, "this is my fault. If I hadn't taken the evidence Olenna and her sons wouldn't have fled the city in secret. William's having guards punished for letting them out of the gates, all because of me."
"You must not blame yourself," the Queen Mother gripped her by the arms, "the Tyrells treasons are not your doing. We will find Sansa."
"And what if we don't?" she panicked, "what if by the time we do it's too late? I won't have her harmed because of the mistake I made in openly accusing them at court."
"You did what needed to be done for you and your chil-"
Sarafine cut her off, "no one knows about that, yet, we must not speak of it so freely."
"Does William?"
"No, to tell him wasn't right. He was furious."
"I see," she pondered and erased all traces of the conversation from her face as her son approached.
"Come, we're meeting inside," the King took his wife by the hand and the two women followed him into the empty chamber of Lady Sansa. Joffrey stood there too, despair in his eyes as he stared at the ground.
Cersei stepped to him and wrapped him in an embrace.
"Have faith, my son, we'll get her back," she whispered reassurance, though he did not respond but for a nod. Her father and brothers entered the room also.
"So it's true then?" Tywin inquired, "Lady Sansa's been abducted?"
"Indeed," Cersei confirmed, "the Tyrells have wasted no time in getting their vengeance."
"And we're sure it's them?" Tyrion asked.
"Joffrey confirms it," Sarafine informed.
"Where did you hear of her abduction?" Will asked Joffrey, suspicion in his tone.
"I visited Margaery," he admitted, "after receiving a lett-"
"You visited her? The traitors child rotting in our cells where she belongs?"
"Is that such a crime?" he had the nerve to ask. Cersei struck him across the face in fury, her blood boiling at her second son's stupidity. His head turned and his skin revealed a red handprint, but he said nothing.
"Mother," William spoke, "step away."
She did as he requested, somewhat regretting her actions and fearing for the pain that may befall Joffrey should he not choose his words with his brother carefully.
"I gave you freedom of the castle, but not for that, you fool!" William shouted, breaking the silence.
"For what then? Roaming the halls like a common servant?" he taunted.
"Ah, maybe you should," Will gave a false smile, "it would do you some good to be humbled."
"Shall I empty your chamber pot and tend to your fire, too?" Joffrey spat.
"Only if you still have legs to stand on," William strode to him.
"William," Jaime warned, exhaustion in his tone.
"Stop!" Sarafine placed herself between them holding an arm up in either direction, "this is not about either of you and your stupid vendettas against the other!"
William took a deep breath, "my Queen is right. The primary concern is locating Sansa."
"How generous of you," Joffrey mocked.
"Enough!" Tywin shouted, proving there was more control in him than anyone else in the room. Cersei felt as if she were to burst into a fit of frustrated tears, but she maintained face and poise in her anger at their circumstance.
"Why was Sansa even in the godswood so late?" Sarafine questioned.
"I may have an answer for that," Varys slipped through the door, "if I may."
"Go on," the King instructed.
In his typical melodramatic manner, Varys strolled forward and pulled parchment from his sleeve.
"Late this night, the Lady Sansa received a letter from the Prince, asking her to meet him in the Godswood, which is where we found it."
"How dare you?" William exhaled, his eyes burning with anger. Furious as she was, Cersei could not see her sons fight before her.
"I wrote no such thing," Joffrey insisted.
"Then how did Sansa happen upon such a letter?" William inquired.
"Are you suggesting it was forged?" her father attempted to be the voice of reason.
"That is exactly what I am suggesting," he held his gaze on Joffrey.
"Your Grace!" A guard burst into the room, "forgive me, Your Grace."
"Speak," he instructed.
"Outside the city walls...its the Tyrells..."
"Speak freely."
"Their forces have arrived, Your Grace."
Illness filled Cersei's body. No, no, no, this cannot be.
"How many?" she asked before she could stop herself.
"The scouts are still counting," the man responded nervously.
"So we are besieged then?"
"We are, Your Grace. By a large host."
"Are there any demands?" William's voice was calm.
"They wish to see you, Your Grace."
William breathed a deeply audible breath, and spoke the words his mother feared the most.
"Then I must go."
"William, no," Tywin insisted.
"I must go."
"No, no, no," Sarafine muttered, "please, William, please," she pleaded, tears in her eyes as she pulled at his arm.
"My love, please understand," he pressed his hand against her face, and a tear fell down Cersei's suddenly far-paler face.
"No, no, I won't let you," she tried to hold her tears, "William, please."
"I'll come back for you," he kissed her forehead and she fell to her knees in tears, "I promise."
"Think about what you're doing," Jaime tried to dissuade him.
"Ready my horse. I'll ride to the Lion Gate now."
Everything from there was a blur. She vaguely remembered walking behind her son and his desperately pleading Queen on their way to the mounting yard. Cersei could recall begging her son to stay too, but it seemed he had shut them all out of his head. He was determined to save his kingdoms, and he would give his life for the cause.
Save him, Robert, please.
The next few minutes as he mounted up were filled with desperate cries from Sarafine, begging her love not to leave to what everyone saw as certain assassination. Cersei felt the same, but knew nothing she said further would change her son's resolve. If his wife cannot convince him, no one can. Cersei gripped at her Queen and pulled her back.
"Let him go, Sarafine."
"No, I can't, I can't. He'll die!" she cried into her chest, "I have to tell him!"
"No, not like this. Don't," Cersei patted her dark locks, "think of all he has faced so far, my love," she tried to reassure, "he is stronger than you or I know."
"He's only a man, not an army," she sobbed.
"All we can do is hope," she let tears slip from her own eyes, "hope and fight."
Sword at side and free of guard, William passed under the portcullis and let it shut behind him, giving one last look to his Queen before riding toward the snake pit.
- A/N -
Big move for William!
Do you think he made the right decision? Let me know in a review :)
Hope you're all having a lovely week and that you enjoying this chapter!
