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Cersei Lannister II
Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Year 284 AC
The members of each Council were seated in three large polished wooden tables that the servants brought to the Throne Room during the night. In the far right were seated the members of the Small Council, in the center the members of the Regency, and on the left, the Advisors. Cersei was of course in the latter, the less prestigious table, demanded of her was just her opinion on apparently few matters which also mattered little at the end of the day and that left her even angrier than what she was. Not even the pride of being one of the only three females present warmed her in those dark and tedious days.
She was conflicted, on one hand, she wished to be the Queen that she was always meant to be but on the other hand, she did not wish to be a babe's wife. Sure the babe was the King but she was so much older than him that it felt wrong even if he was to grow…It felt as if she was so desperate that even bedding a child was not out of her reach…but lions were never desperate, they were proud and fearsome creatures. That was what her Lord Father always said but then again…who was pushing this stupid marriage? He was. Did he think so little of her as to consider her some whore or broodmare? Did he think she would give her cunt to any man that asked so she could further advance herself and keep her status? Strengthen the family? Disgusting.
At first, she had grown hopeful of having Jaime around to pleasure her as he did many times before while she waited for better days but her foolish brother had somehow grown jealous of Rhaegar…Even if he said that he experienced atrocities and saved half a million peasants of all things, he could have come up with a better cover for his jealously but it matter not now, he became too much of a problem rather than a way to fix her current ones and the simple fact that he went as far as to insult her made her blood boil with rage. How dare he insult me in such a way?
It was not her fault that Aerys was mad and Jaime knew very well what he was getting into when he accept her plan. Her twin brother always wanted to be a Kingsguard even if he did not say it openly, it was in his blood to follow not to lead. It was always her who was meant to lead but the Gods cursed her with breasts and a cunt which she did not dislike to use but nevertheless barred her from the life she was meant to have, be Lord Tywin's perfect heir.
Thinking about such injustices would do her no well…her head was now constantly hurting, she hated all of this. She wished to return to her room in Casterly Rock, to the beaches of Lannisport…even the bloody Godswood seemed like a better prospect than the shit smelling city that was King's Landing. Let the fool do as he pleases, let him rebuke me and insult me but when he returns asking for forgiveness like a puppy, he would get none.
"Ser Gerold was thus tasked with finding and bringing Prince Rhaegar back to King's Landing…" Lord Stannis Baratheon one of the three candidates for King that her Lord Father had in mind continued his enormous and tiresome speech about the conduct of the Kingsguard knights of King Aerys, the fourth affair that the Councils were treating that bloody and boring morning that had already turned into an afternoon. It seemed her foolish brother and Ser Barristan Selmy were clear of charges given the tiny bits she retained in her poor and tired head, the Lord Commander Hightower seemed to be in the same path, but then again she was not paying too much attention to it…
She was now evaluating the new Lord Baratheon from up to down and even though he was not the worst to glance upon, he was not anything special either. He was clearly outclassed by most men in the room: her foolish brother was way more handsome, so was the Hightower whose name she forgot, Lord Mallister whose name she also forgot, the Velaryon who resembled Rhaegar whose name she never memorized, Ser Arthur Dayne of course and even that foolish and stupid Lord Brandon Stark was more handsome.
Thinking about this Stark brought her some curiosity…to say the least…If the rumors were true, then he stormed the Red Keep demanding to fight Rhaegar and got arrested instead…something that served him right if she was, to be honest given the stupidity of the action but then he was the one killed Aerys if those same rumors were true…and he was Lord Paramount of the North…and yet he was a fool…so why can a fool rule and she cannot? Septa Saranella told her the Seven just and fair but where was justice here?
"Correct, My Lord." Hightower replied, his expression as unyielding as Stannis Baratheon's.
"Two things, how did you find him, and what happened after you found him?" Asked the Stormlord.
"Lord Varys told me to search Starfall and its surroundings so I did. I imagine his spies found them in their search."
"Lord Varys do you confirm this?" Inquired the Baratheon to that eunuch who quickly smiled a smile like hers.
"Yes, My Lord, it took me long enough but I was able to find the whereabouts of the Prince just in time. Mind you it was a hard task for they were well hidden but…patient always wins at the end of the day." Not in my book at least…No matter how I look at it, patience will do far from rewarding me…
Lord Stannis wrote something on a parchment he had at hand. "Could you continue, Ser Gerold?"
"Of course." The tall knight nodded. "I decided to start my search at Starfall given that Lord Varys specifically spoke of the castle and considering that I'm a Reachmen and that was Dorne. Found them in that very castle where Prince Rhaegar was about to lead an army of Dornishmen to King's Landing to most likely lead to face the Rebels given what I have heard since then."
"Was Lady Lyanna Stark with them?"
"She was." The knight replied. "Apparently she closed herself in a room after…after she and the Prince…did the deed…" So it was true…Rhaegar was in love with the wolf bitch…what did he see in her that he did not see in me? What is she more than me? Why?
There were whisperers around the room but Cersei's glance fell on Stark who was stoic as the bloody North. She tried to see by his expression if the Lord Commander's words were true and by the looks of it…it was…given that he did not show any sign of rage or anything that could tell this as a lie…it only made her angrier.
Lord Arryn stood up from his seat and demanded silence before he motioned for Lord Stannis to continue. "Was it rape or consensual?" The Baratheon questioned next. Although it could have been rape, she doubted that Rhaegar, the perfect Prince would ever do such a thing, it was out of his character. Aerys yes, Jaime said he raped his sister-wife often but Rhaegar?
Unless…he went mad like his father… "I cannot say for I was not there to see." The Lord Commander plainly said. "The Prince insisted it was consensual and neither one of my sworn brothers nor the lady disputed it but the three of them said he did not stop when she begged him to…Apparently they were drunk when they did the deed so they were not in themselves when they performed. It's up to anyone's interpretation." Yes…there was no why Rhaegar would do such a thing…the Northern barbarian must have gotten him drunk and then tried to blame him…after all, her family was fighting his and Aerys killed her father…the rumors of abduction had been spread as well…so she liked tried to save her reputation through this manner…
"Ser Arthur, Ser Oswell do you confirm this?"
"Yes." Both knights replied and Ser Oswell added the following.
"The Prince and Lady Lyanna were indeed heavily drunk, especially the Lady. But she was quick to regain her conscience and begged him to stop but…unfortunately, he did not do it."
"Lord Stark, can you confirm this?"
"Yes, that's my sister's version." The foolish Stark Lord nodded. What a bunch of barbarians these Northerners…
"Very well…" Lord Stannis continued as he wrote down something else in his notes. "And what were Prince Rhaegar's orders to the Kingsguard after the incident, Sers?"
"Prince Rhaegar told us to keep Lady Lyanna in Starfall until she gave birth to his daughter which he intended to legitimize." This caught everyone by surprise, including her…He was expecting a daughter? And he wanted to legitimize her? What? "Then he assured that he would take her to Winterfell and help her escape marriage as she was pretty adamant in informing us that she did not wish to marry." Ser Arthur replied.
That seemed to surprise Lord Stannis for he stopped writing in his notes and looked at Ser Arthur just before he glanced Lord Stark. "Is this true Lord Stark?"
"My sister always had a strong will, my father called it the wolf blood and I have plenty of it too, as anyone can attest..." Lord Stark explained. "She always did boyish things such as riding and fighting…she was afraid of being deprived of those things once she married and she was also afraid of having a husband who would not stay true to her…I don't believe she truly meant it at the end of the day…she was just scared, especially after she learned of My Lord's niece in the Vale."
Lord Stannis gritted his teeth by the looks of it while rubbing his chin. "And did Lady Stark give birth to a daughter as the Prince somehow anticipated?"
"No, she gave birth to a stillborn son a couple of months ago and it almost costed her life. She was in a coma for a long time and when she woke up, she was deemed barren. My sister is currently recovering from falling from her horse during the Mad King's order of arrest and from nearly dying on childbirth."
Lord Stannis continued gritting his teeth, glancing at the Kingsguard knights. "When Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell arrived in the capital a week or so ago, they said they were waiting for Prince Rhaegar to leave so they could bring Lyanna Stark back home and hopefully stop the war…do you confirm this Ser Gerold?"
"I do." The tall knight confirmed. "I wanted…to heed to the orders we were given as my vows demanded but they refused so I was made an honored guest at Starfall."
The Stormlord finished writing and then looked towards the Councils. "My conclusion is that King Aerys created a situation where the vows of a Kingsguard and the vows of a knight are conflicted. Thus I do not think there is a Kingsguard knight truly innocent here, they all watched the Queen be raped but did so because their vows forced them to. The city was almost burnt to naught but ashes because no one knew about it except for Ser Jaime Lannister and the only other person that learned about it was burnt for I quote bad advice. So if Ser Jaime did not take action against his orders, half a million people would be dead right now so this raises a problem. On the other hand, Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell failed to prevent Lyanna Stark's situation but how much of it was their free will is debatable. They did disobey the orders given for a greater good which was to end the war but Ser Gerold cannot be truly blamed for following orders to the bitter end..."
"So what is your proposal of action, in this case, My Lord?" Lord Arryn asked as he stood up.
"From the five of them, Ser Barristan seems like the one with the least amount of blame so I would suggest keeping him in the Kingsguard just as Ser Gerold who obeyed his King till the bitter end and also obeyed the Prince's orders even if they were not the best." The black-haired Baratheon proclaimed. "As I said before, Ser Jaime betrayed his King for a greater good at the end…he placed half a million souls above one who was going to most likely die no matter what so I would say he could remain in the Kingsguard but he could also be sentenced to the Wall or exile in Essos. Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell are the most debatable of the five for me, they did try to work for a greater cause but by doing so they disrespected their vows more than once so I would recommend sending them to the Wall or to live in exile in Essos as the most logical solution."
"Thank you for the proposal, My Lord Stannis." The old Hand of the King who could never fill her Lord Father's shoes nodded. "Now, appointments and dismissals are the King's prerogative so as the King is a minor, that competence falls to the Seven Regents. So now what are the verdicts?"
Brandon Stark was the first to stand up and speak. "My Lords and My Ladies, I believe Lord Stannis's judgment of Ser Barristan and Ser Gerold is equal to mine. But for the others, I think that their good judgment matters more than their vows." The Northern continued as if he prepared this beforehand. "There is no denying that Aerys was mad and his orders and deeds were atrocities not only to the Realm but to his own family, the Queen is a good example of this. Therefore, the fact that the remaining three Kingsguard knights opted for a greater good rather than keeping true to their vows, in those specific conditions with this specific King must not be punished, so I vote for them to remain in the Kingsguard as well."
Lord Stannis stood up again. "My Lord Stark, as I said, I can agree with Ser Jaime remaining in the Kingsguard but Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell are other different matters, they disrespected their vows!"
"And I already pointed out that Aerys was mad, Lord Stannis. Haven't we the Rebels written a Charter to prevent the abuses he committed from happening again? He killed my father, almost killed me and tortured me, demanded my brother's head, and had the Prince and these two Kingsguards not intervened, he would have burnt my sister because he believed her to be the Knight of the Laughing Tree!"
"They disobeyed the orders to their King and a good act does not wash away the bad one." Lord Stannis insisted and Cersei sighed bored, she was seeing where this was going…
"Yes, but who gave them the orders?" Brandon Stark asked as he turned to the knights. "Did Aerys order you anything before Prince Rhaegar did?"
"No." Ser Oswell replied.
"So now they are constraint by orders, Lord Stark? Is that what My Lord is trying to prove?" Lord Stannis scoffed, Cersei noticed some heads moving from Stark to Baratheon as they bantered, she was so annoyed, however…
"I'm just pointing out facts as My Lord did. I get My Lord's point and I would have fully agreed with My Lord if the King was someone like Jaehaerys the First or Daeron the Second but with Aerys I must disagree for it makes no sense."
"It doesn't matter which King it is, My Lord, a vow is a vow."
"Then are we to give our necks? We broke our vows with Aerys because he was a tyrant and so did they!"
"But they were bound to protect him."
"But you just said the vows were conflicted and wrong!" Stark insisted.
"My Lords, please let us keep this civilized." Old Lord Arryn begged and Cersei sighed again at how dull the whole affair was. Men fighting for stupid reasons…if it was her she would simply send them all away. "Let us hear the other Regents' verdict." An old man begged to speak, an old man who could not even stand up from his chair. How they let him be a Regent she knew not…the Queen she understood as she looked huge with the belly but this old fart…disgusting. "Yes, Lord Morrigen?"
"I vote that Ser Barristan, Ser Gerold and Ser Jaime remain in the Kingsguard and that Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell are exiled to…Essos…since they…hum…did the right thing despite forsaking their vows so perhaps starting a new life in Essos is appropriate in this circumstance."
"Votes noted, My Lord." Lord Arryn proclaimed as he wrote in his own parchment…Now that Cersei was seeing it…everyone had parchments at hand…perhaps she should have brought her own…no…it was not worthy…but she was the only odd off…Gods take me away from here! "Lord Tyrell, what do you make of this?"
"Me? Hum…I think Lord Morrigen's solution is the fairest." Lord Tyrell was the biggest disappointment of all Lord Paramounts if she had to be honest…Tully was a boy of ten or so, the age nullified the disappointment, Stark was imposing despite his foolishness, the way he bantered with Stannis Baratheon proved as much and Stannis Baratheon was unyielding and somewhat imposing because of that but Mace Tyrell was an oaf and fool, not as tall as Stark and not as threatening either, he was always smiling but it was not cautious smiles like Cersei's, it was true smiles of nonsense.
"Ok, My Lord…" Old Arryn wrote some more. "Lord Royce?"
"Well…it does seem like everyone in the Regency agrees that Ser Barristan and Ser Gerold should remain on the Kingsguard…I included…" Lord Royce said as he rubbed his chin. "I think Ser Jaime should remain as well…and…I would normally suggest the Wall for the likes of Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell but given their fame, services and motives of the overall affair…I think I will agree with Lord Brandon and say they should remain." It seemed Lord Royce surprised many of the counselors with his words, not her though but that was because she wanted to get out of there...the solution was so simple, just shove them all in a ship to Essos and fill the seven positions from scratch. Why must they discuss this? Why must they discuss laws and money payments because of the war? Why was she there? Why was everything a big pile of shit? "But make no mistake, My Lords and Ladies, should they disobey their vows again, their heads should be taken." And their names and families put to shame…blah, blah…
"My Lords, since Lord Arryn is going to ask my opinion sooner rather than later and I'm seeing where this is going so I think of all them should take the black and be done with it." Cersei closed her mouth with her hand and then laughed once she heard who she believed was Ser Brynden Tully speak of something so very similar to what she had been thinking. There are still some minds thinking as they should in this shit smelling city…
Lord Arryn was a bit shaken by Tully's intervention but quickly composed himself. "My Queen?"
The Queen sighed and remained seated, she looked pale and was sweating a lot, not even her handkerchiefs were helping her much. "My Lords and Ladies...I have witnessed in my skin and body what the vows of the Kingsguard force a man to do in the name of his King. I have been raped countless times without anyone doing a thing for me but it's not their fault, my brother was mad but he was the King and as it was stated earlier, the vows were not made with Aerys in mind. That is why we should learn from our mistakes and improve. That said, I have nothing personal against these knights, they were doing their job and although it angered me often for being left alone, I also did my job and know what it demands, so I vote for all of them to remain."
"So with this, we can conclude the Regency has decided that Lord Commander Gerold Hightower, Ser Barristan Selmy, and Ser Jaime Lannister should remain in the Kingsguard." Lord Arryn said. "Only the destiny of Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell remains to be decided…Princess Elia, what is your verdict on the matter?"
"My verdict…is the same as Lord Brandon's and the Queen's. King Aerys was not in senses for years and their vows demanded them to obey him even if they knew their King was wrong. Furthermore, Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell's disobedience to King Aerys was morally legitimated even if legally wrong, they acted with the intentions of thousands in mind, instead of a sick King's, so I cannot in my conscience blame them, and as such I vote for them to remain."
Lord Stannis scoffed bitterly and whisperers were exchanged, the two knights in question were serious as rocks, showing no trace of emotion, just as her uncle Kevan and Jaime. "Well…it seems we have four votes for Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell to remain which is more than half…so…by this voting, they should remain…" Lord Arryn concluded. "Should we hear the opinion of the Advisors given that some matter of justice is involved?" Oh no…I do not want to speak…I want to go sleep or annoy someone!
"By all means." The Queen motioned for the Advisors to speak and Cersei cursed internally.
"As we spoke earlier, Prince Doran Martell sent Ser Symon Santagar to represent him for this first meeting, Lord Tywin Lannister sent his daughter, Lady Cersei Lannister and no Ironborn representative has arrived or any word for the matter so as we decided earlier, that the voting will go without them…the Council of Advisors has thus five votes. Let us start with Lord Mallister."
"I think the subject is…complicated and I'm conflicted but if the Queen and the Princess, who are going to be guarded by those knights voted for them to remain, then I believe I vote for the same."
"Lord Manderly?"
"My Lords." The fat Lord said, smiling just as stupidly as Mace Oaf Tyrell, the resemblances were there for anyone to see… "I do not believe I have anything to add, all arguments are valid and true but I think the Regency's decision is fitting, after all, these are knights which seem to inspire safety to the Queen and the Princess and I'm not someone to disturb it."
"Ok…Ser Symon?"
"I vote for them to remain as the Regency did and by the looks of it, so did the Advisors."
"Ser Baelor?"
"I have nothing to add to what was said, I also support the Regency's decision."
"Lady Cersei?" All the eyes were now on her but she did not care a single bit.
What she cared about was what was the point of asking her opinion if she was left for the very end when everything was already decided? "Given the arguments pressed forward, I believe they should be allowed to remain in their positions."
"Then it seems the Council of Advisors supported the Regency's decision, unanimously…" Lord Arryn concluded. "I, therefore, declare that all of King Aerys' Kingsguards remain in functions for King Aegon the Sixth and may they never break a vow again or they shall face death as the most worthy punishment." Lord Arryn looked at his parchment again. "I think we have made good progress here, My Lords and Ladies, we approved some laws and we settled the final points for the Crown's promised compensations to go forward and we have now decided the fate of the Kingsguard so I believe we have no more businesses to treat today. Unless someone has something else to discuss…or point out."
Princess Elia, the woman who first stole Rhaegar from her stood up…Cersei hated her but at least now the woman would never be Queen...served her right for stealing the Silver Prince. "The Queen and I would like to announce that we will increase our ladies-in-waiting from two to at least seven as our two current ladies are overburden with work. We hope everyone understands our position." It seems her Lord Father was not wrong in this prediction…it was likely that a lady of every Kingdom would be chosen…
Those present immediately dismissed Elia Martell's worries and accepted it without raising questions. Mace the Fool Tyrell stood up next, much to Cersei's dismay…she wanted to tear his smiley face apart. "My Lords and Ladies…since we have been at war the past few years, a war in which many of us were opponents and as such animosity grew between us, I propose we make a tourney to heal those scars and wounds while promoting His Grace, King Aegon's name and reign which I firmly believe will be a reign of peace and prosperity."
Cersei was surprised to see how all the females present in this meeting sighed at the same time after hearing Lord Tyrell's suggestion, she almost wanted to laugh again. "My Lord…I will not deny such suggestion if it's the will of the Councils but…the last tourney created plenty of problems that led to this war we just ended and I grow worried of it happening again…" The Queen said tiredly and bored. "Plus I'm unsure the Crown should bear such unnecessary expenses despite having the coin for it."
"What if House Tyrell organizes the tourney, My Queen?" Cersei could not help but glance at the fool aghast. Why wish to waste a sizable part of his fortune in a tourney out of nowhere? What was his plan? "I believe it would be of great benefit for House Targaryen, especially given those times of peril that lurk around it."
"My Queen." Ser Jacaerys Velaryon called. "If I may, there are two vacant positions in the Kingsguard and a tourney is a great way to resolve this issue. The Tourney of the Golden Wedding proved as much."
"I will not deny it but…is House Tyrell truly willing to cover the expenses of such affair?" The Queen questioned as she seemed to have wits in her despite the awful look.
"But of course!" Mace Tyrell said almost as if he took it as an offense at the question. "Our House stands with House Targaryen even in perilous times and we will be more than happy to see the realm prosper." Lickspittle…If I was Queen I would show you…
"Shall I call a vote, My Queen and Princess?" Lord Arryn asked. "Or should the notion be…"
The Queen and Princess glanced at each other and then spoke. "I have one request, My Lord." Elia Martell said. "My son is very young so I would much prefer for this tourney to be held in King's Landing but with all credits going to House Tyrell of course."
"Of course, that can be arranged." Mace Mummer Tyrell assured. "I have witnessed a few tourneys here while I was younger so, that shan't be a problem, My Princess."
"Then if My Lord wishes, let the voting began." Concluded the Queen.
There were three overall votes against the tourney and they were from Lord Stannis, Lord Morrigen, Ser Brynden, and three abstentions, hers, her uncle's, and Pycelle's so the tourney was set to happen by the sixth or seventh moon of that year. The meeting was thus concluded and the Lords and Ladies were free to go on with their lives. Cersei thought the same but her uncle stopped her before she could exit the Throne Room…
"You have gone against your father's wishes Cersei." What?
"Uncle…I'm not quite following…" she confessed and this was true, she had no idea how she had disobeyed her father…
"Your father wanted Jaime out of the Kingsguard…" Her uncle said grimly. "You voted in favor of him remaining."
Of course… "Oh so now it's my fault that he remains a knight of that stupid order?" Cersei questioned bitterly. "By the time it got to me voting, Jaime was well-accepted to remain and as far as I know, neither you nor Pycelle lifted a finger to prevent it so I ask you uncle why is the blame mine? Because I am a woman? Or perhaps because you think I have no wits? Perhaps you think it was me whispering sweet words in their ears…please let my brother remain in the Kingsguard…is this what you believe uncle?"
Her uncle sighed. "The blame is not entirely yours...I'm sorry…you are right…I'm being unfair now…" Her uncle rubbed his tired face. "I was not expecting this many votes in favor of him remaining…especially after Lord Stannis' declaration…Well…it seems we have no other option but talk with Jaime and demand him to leave the Kingsguard…"
"Uncle…Jaime loves that stupid order and has no intention of inheriting the Rock as my father wishes, he told me so many times, including after witnessing the so many atrocities of Aerys," Cersei explained, still angry, her head hurt a lot. "My Lord Father with all the respect he is due, cannot comprehend that uncle but I trust you can. And if you insist on trying to change his mind, I bet all the gold of the Rock that he will always refuse." And with that Cersei left, the Throne Room, and her uncle. Her headache was unbearable already and the stench was making it worse. She was so mad at everything that it was best for her to retire and go to sleep and may the Gods save Jeyne from her wrath by stopping her from bothering.
Thank you for the reviews:
RedRat8: This Chapter should answer some of it as Jaime will remain in the Kingsguard but his future I will not spoil, there is plenty of him to do at least in Part 2 that justifies him being a POV.
Radomir's Renegades: Brandon not wishing to marry Catelyn is a personal reason tied to him alone, she is the sister of a Lord Paramount and her other sister is married to the heir of the Vale so she is a good prospect. Once word that the betrothal remains annulled, there will be plenty of offers for her hand. Benjen will eventually meet Hoster...
miguelgiuliano: I think Brandon left his point clear in that he doesn't believe he deserves her, he is not the man she thinks he is. It doesn't mean they won't have more interactions and things may change...Cersei isn't in the position she is in canon so her boiling anger is in her head as I wrote in this Chapter but who knows...maybe she will snap at Elia at some point...
I believe I saw one other story exploring Benjen's time in the Watch and I think it was here on fanfiction...it was one of the first I read and I believe it was a Ned/Cat...either way it's not common at all.
I have seen that story pop up but I haven't read it because it's a Ned/Cat but mostly because I don't like those stories where everyone just accepts Jon Snow as a King out of nowhere after everything that went through especially because it most likely means Rhaegar and Lyanna married in secret and that's a no for me, especially if he divorced Elia. This said, everyone is free to write and read what they wish and I have seen that the story is being successful so kudos to the author for that.
A year ago I tried to rush things and publish my original Part 2 without finishing the rewrite of Part 1 and two years ago I began publishing Part 1...time does fly...times are also much different when compared with two years ago with COVID lurking around and changing the world in many ways...hopefully, everything will go smoothly this next year. My wishes are to finish Part 2 and begin Part 3 by next November 22 but we will see...
Anyway, regarding this Chapter...I'm not sure if I succeeded as much as I wished...there was some hype about this First Meeting of the Councils and I'm unsure how this will be perceived but I did everything I wanted to do:
1)Keeping all the Kingsguards was my intention from the beginning, I think my reasonings are solid as to why they should remain. This also causes some conflicts between everyone which thickens the plot.
2)Cersei's head and state of mind...it helped me cut some more boring things from the Chapter and show what she is thinking and doing...
3)Mace's all of a sudden tourney idea...is this a plan or spontaneous? And what consequences will it bring?
I'm still expecting some criticism but I think that is all. Thank you for the support and for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day and stays safe.