Sister's Keeper
Edited by: DesertMortician
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones.
Authors Note: Sorry for the long wait. The Holiday Season has been crazy, and with COVID-19 work is becoming serious, that when I get home, I am too exhausted to write another chapter. As I mentioned before, the last few chapters are a struggle, for I want it to be perfect. I know how I want it to end, but describing it is hard. Like my muse is exhausted after the Long Night. Thank you all for your patience. We will get through this story.
Chapter 105: Conflict within
Day 2
Cersie's POV
The Red Keep
Something was not right.
Cersei can sense something was not right. As she stood at the balcony staring out through the city. There was still some smoke around the battlements where the dragons burned the Scorpions. Along with Black Water Bay being nothing but a shipwreck, the enemy blockade prevented any ships from entering or leaving. She recalled the conversation she had with Qyburn yesterday.
Qyburn entered the chamber, "Your Grace."
"All we need is three good shots," Cersei murmured.
"The Scorpions have all been destroyed, Your Grace," Qyburn reported.
Cersei took a deep breath, "The Iron Fleet holds Blackwater Bay."
"Your Grace, the Iron Fleet is burning," Qyburn added. "The Silence is no more. The Golden Company –"
"Our men will fight harder than sellswords ever could," Cersei interrupted, glaring at him. "They will defend their Queen to the last man."
Qyburn nodded, "Yes, Your Grace."
"The Red Keep has never fallen. It won't fall today." She promised, glancing at the common folk in the courtyard.
And here she was, staring out seeing the aftermath of the destruction—smoke debris everywhere along the walls. However, the city inside remains the same—the people huddling closer to the inner city and the Red Keep. Despite the fact that the gates were closed for the castle, the people kept away from the wall.
But why doesn't Alysanne Targaryen attack now?
Something was not right.
There was a knock on the door. One of the Queensguard answered it, allowing a man in Lannister armor to enter. Ser Lucion came in with a severe expression. The man in his thirties stared at his cousin as he gave a formal bow.
"Your Grace," Ser Lucion greeted.
"What news do you bring?" Cersei asked.
Ser Lucion stood up, staring at his cousin, "All the gates around the city walls have been blockaded except those by the water. The Golden Company has stood down, as our spies stated Captain Strickland demanded a duel between him and Ser Jorah Mormont. Under the agreement that the loser of the battle must surrender. Captain Strickland did not survive, and the surviving members of the Golden Company honor their word."
Cersei scowled, blaming men and their honor.
"Anything else?" she asked.
"A messenger arrived," Ser Lucion added, pulling out a letter with a black seal.
"Read it," Cersei ordered, turning her attention to the city.
Ser Lucion broke the seal and read the letter, " Alysanne of House Targaryen, the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, rightful Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Six Kingdoms, the Dragoness of the West, the Breaker of Chains. And Leader of the Unsullied. By birthright and by conquest. In order to prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do hereby request the usurper Cersei Lannister to surrender and face justice for her crimes against the faith, and the kingdoms. You and the people have until tomorrow by dusk to surrender."
Cersei took a deep breath. "Anything else?"
"Only how to open the gates," Ser Lucion replied.
Cersei turned around to face him, "And how does the Dragon Queen want the gates to be open?"
"By dropping the Lannister banners, replaced with white banners, and the gates open. She promises no harm to the common people and soldiers who dare not attack." He spoke.
However, Cersei can sense there was more to that.
"What else?" she demanded.
The Lannister general took a deep breath, "You shackled and presented on the steps of the Red Keep."
Cersei inhaled sharply.
"Cousin, Queen Cersei, if you don't make a choice to surrender, the Small Folk will. There is more of the Small Folk than there are Lannister Soldiers. It will be a bloodbath," He explained.
"And what would you want me to do, surrender?" She asked bitterly.
"The honorable way is to surrender." He answered. "Or you can vanish."
"What are you suggesting?" she asked.
"If you value your life and want to be in your child's life, escape. Leave King's Landing. Take whatever valuables and take refuge in a Free City." He advised.
She walked over to another room, placing a hand on her swollen belly. Cersei doesn't know what is worse, being humiliated by the sparrows for the Walk of Atonement or surrender to a wretched girl. However, Maggy the Frog's prophecies have come true. Despite everything, she has done to prevent it. Everyone came true.
"Not everything," She whispered to herself.
"Are you sure about that?" replied a raspy female voice.
Cersei looked around to see if Bernadette was in the apartment. Except no one was there. Not even Ser Gregor or any of the Queensguard. She walked around, seeing if there was a spy or a servant. But no one was there.
"Over here," the woman said.
Cersei turned around and gasped to see none other than Maggy the Frog. The woman in rags, appearing the same as she did those many years ago. Her gown was ragged, stained with mud and herbs. Her dark hair tangled and roughly braided. Yet those brown eyes crusted in yellow stared at her, with blisters and sores around them. Cersei knew how the woman received her sores, when the Queen was a mere girl, not liking her answer and threw a random vial with a potion. The potion melting the witch's face.
"Impossible, you're dead," Cersei whispered. "I heard the rumors."
Maggy tilted her head, "I am dead. Yet I am still alive, inside your mind." She walked around the room, tracing her grotesque fingers along the tapestry. "maegi is who I am, and tasting the blood keeps me alive as a mere memory." She then turned to Cersei. "Aren't you the mad one now."
"You're wrong," Cersei seethed, denying the fact that she has gone mad.
"Am I?" Maggy murmured. "I was there in your Walk of Atonement. And the memory before you said goodbye to your father."
Cersei shook her head as she sat down on a chair while keeping a protective arm around her belly.
"I had more than three children," she countered.
Maggy paused, staring at the Queen, "Oh, aye. Six-and-ten for him, and three for you. Gold shall be their crowns and gold their shrouds."
"I birthed four, and now one is on the way," Cersei said, recalling her first child. The little boy was sired by Robert. A sweet little babe born with dark hair and blue eyes. However, the Gods took him away before his first name day.
"You did not raise your first son," Maggy reminded. "You let the nurse-maid feed him, and the nannies tend to him. Only when Death was near did you hold him. He was more of Robert's child than yours. You had raised three children, and you were the cause of your three golden hair children's death. And making their shrouds."
"No, I protected them," Cersei sneered.
"Protected them," Maggy laughed. "They were like canaries in cages. The moment they got out of the cage, a larger bird ate them."
Cersei shook her head.
"Joffrey, you spoiled him rotten to a point he sees no kindness to anyone but himself. Plagued by the madness in his blood and you. Poisoned on his wedding day. Tell me, how did it feel to hold him in your arms…suffering, eyes bursting, blood seeping from his nose and lips, and face turning purple. Unable to breathe. And by the bride's grandmother. Oh, how marvelous, a tragic story." Maggy reminded.
"Stop it," Cersei whispered.
"Myrcella, a gentle beauty who had your looks but was kind," Maggy continued. "You chose the challenger in the Trial by Combat against your brother Tyrion. The Mountain near defeat crushed the Red Viper's skull. His death plagued Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes to seek revenge. Poisoned by a Long Farewell kiss, after your Lover Jaime failed to bring Myrcella home. All because your hatred for Tyrion led to your daughter's death."
"Again, stop it."
"Oh, and let's not forget sweet and innocent Tommen. Forced to be a king. Forced to be a man. And you couldn't accept he has grown up not prepared for the cruel world. How he has chosen his Small Council without you. Your purpose was replaced by his wife, Margaery. And what caused his death. Oh, that is right…he jumped out of a window after witnessing the Sept of Baelor being destroyed by your hands. Where his wife and her family burned." Maggy murmured, then chuckled. "And as a side note, you did let the faith militant take control. Let alone destroying your deceased children's remains. Now all three souls are lost since their bodies are not laid to rest."
"My unborn child will be different," Cersei challenged.
"True, but you won't be there to raise the child," Maggy pointed out. "Should have thought of that when you executed Daenerys Targaryen. And now my next prophecy is coming true."
Cersei shook her head.
"Queen, you shall be... until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear," Maggy quoted. "It was not Sansa or Margaery who threatened your crown. No, it was Alysanne Targaryen. You have stolen her sister, and now she will claim your child. A life for a life."
"No!" Cersei barked, standing up. "She will not take my child."
Maggy the Frog merely laughed, "That child's fate has long been out of your clutches the moment you refused to aid in the Great War. You will never be a mother. You were the cause of your children's death because of your vanity and pride and lust for power."
Cersei growled, grabbing a miniature statue off the mantel and threw it at the wretched witch. Except the ghastly women vanished as the lioness miniature shattered on the ground. The head decapitated while a chip in the chest. Cersei panted, regaining herself. The doors opened as The Mountain entered, hand on his sword. However, there was no one there.
Once the Mountain left, a cold breeze of wind crept behind her as a hand grasped around her neck. Cersei tensed, hearing Maggy's voice whispered in her ear, "You did change one prophecy and replaced it with another. For When your tears have drowned you, the Hāedar shall wrap her hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you. Along with your heart by her needle."
Cersei turned around only to find nothing but her reflection in the mirror. As Maggy the Frog's laughter echoed in her ears.
.o0o.
Alysanne's POV
I was in the war tent, staring at the options in case Tyene and Arya were unable to succeed in their mission. This morning, I had written many letters for Varys's little birds to spread to the people. Along with verbal messages. It has been a long day as the blockade continues. The dragons have been flying around King's Landing, staying on the outside since I don't want to petrify the people.
Only one more day for either Cersei to surrender or the people. Otherwise, we might have to start the siege. The Dornish and Reach are desperate to seek vengeance for their leading houses. Not that I can blame them. All from my faint memory of Elia being a kind and gentle woman. How Oberyn Martell was a passionate warrior. Queen Margaery being a calculating woman towards nobles and the poor. Ser Loras a dedicated warrior, and Lord Mace…well, a jovial personality. As Lady Olenna would kindly put it.
Many lives were lost as the common people suffered from Cersei's reign in King's Landing. In contrast, other kingdoms such as the Riverlands and the Reach suffered from her greed for power. Men are forced to be soldiers, having no choice to abandon their families to serve, while women and children are suffering from the consequences of war. As I learned what happened before the events of the Battle of the Goldroad.
Either way, time will tell when those Lannister Banners will fall and be replaced with white. Although, I have a feeling Cersei will not surrender easily. Even if the people managed to surrender, the Red Keep would be barred, with hostages.
I sighed, staring at the map of King's Landing.
"It's only a matter of time," Tyrion said, staring at the map.
"Indeed," Varys agreed. "But it will be a long recovery. Especially when winter is upon us."
"If only winter ended after the Great War," Tyrion muttered with a shudder.
"Ah, such a long summer and a short autumn," Varys murmured.
I glanced at Jorah, noting those two bickers like an old married couple. He read my thoughts, giving a slight snort shaking his head. Then again, Varys had arrived along with the others. Although I gave Missandei alone time with Grey Worm.
"Fortunately, we have trade with Meereen to provide provisions. Along with the alliances with the Reach and Dorne. We should be able to provide for the people until Spring. Follow by creating plans to store supplies for future harvest." I said. "Including making better laws that allow common people more stability and equal rights."
Varys gave a small smile to that.
"It will take some time since the dragons have returned," Tyrion reminded.
I nodded in agreement.
"History has its eyes on us. And it is spoken through the people. Many know of my ancestors," I said. "All I can do is show a good example."
"They will see it," Tyrion agreed. "Along with your children and grandchildren."
"Hopefully," I breathed.
Controlling my emotions to not give away that I was pregnant. I was wearing my armor, and I felt how snug it was.
Time continued onward until it was night. The Lannister Banners remained on the battlements. There were still Lannister soldiers on the battlement, fools either brave or threatened to be on there. I pray to the gods that the people are smarter than Cersei. Just one more day. When dusks arrive, will we begin, and on the fourth day, we will begin the siege.
An arm wrapped around me. I sighed, knowing who it was. As Jorah secured an arm, as I leaned against him. He kissed the top of my head to bring comfort. Seeing how far we have come. My desire to rule is gone since my resurrection. But I want to help make things right, redeem House Targaryen, and most of all, justice.
"Almost there," I murmured.
"Aye, but it will be a new war inside the castle to maintain power," Jorah warned.
"As if I haven't handled that before in Meereen," I muttered.
He chuckled, knowing that is true, "Come, you need to rest."
I sighed and obliged, feeling mentally exhausted.
.o0o.
King's Landing
Varys's Little Birds spread the word of Alysanne's offers to the people. All were careful not to say it in front of the gold cloaks and Lannister soldiers. Yet word spread fast in how the siege was going. Many saw the dragons flying around, but they did not attack. When a soldier heard of the offer, they tried to silence the speakers and those around, resulting in bloodshed.
Chaos erupted as people recalled how the Lannisters treated the lesser folk. They recalled the time during the Mad King's reign and compared it to Cersei. The Queen has been more focused on war, that during her time, other than opening the gates, she has not provided for the people. Many remembered how King Joffrey treated them, tormenting all and starving them out for the War of the Five Kings. Then King Tommen, a boy being manipulated who allowed the Faith Militant to control their lives. No one can be open without being physically harmed.
And from what Varys Little Birds have said about Alysanne Targaryen. They rather be ruled by a Targaryen rather than a Lannister. Therefore, a Riot disrupted through the streets, allowing the people to control the city and push the Lannister Soldiers away from the gate.
The people gather the fallen weapons from the soldiers, along with the smiths handing out weapons they had. Anything can become a weapon, as the animals gather to disrupt the street.
It was only a matter of time before the people gained control of the city.
Hāedar means Little Sister in Valyrian.
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