CERSEI

"An Empty Goblet"

"Cersei don't you think having her executed in front of an audience is a bit much?"

"Jaime this is the woman who murdered our son—our first-born son. I will not show her any mercy. Besides an audience would be to have her executed in the Dragonpit, with all of the common folk present.", Cersei replied nonchalantly. She was being dressed in her royal chains and pendants by one of her handmaidens. Her gown was black leather with a silver armor corset. She didn't want to have this conversation with Jaime, but she knew it would be a discussion. A fortnight ago she had Olenna's hand sent to the Reach after she was told the news about Joffrey. Olenna thought that she still held control in that moment so Cersei commanded Ser Gregor to remove her hand as fast as the words left the old cunt's mouth. Cersei smirked at the sound of Olenna's howl in pain. She smirked again at the thought.

"What is it you hope to gain by doing it in front of the nobles?", Jaime asked. Cersei was beginning to worry him. He knew she could be ruthless, but this was crossing the line even though the woman did murder his son. However, he also solemnly knew that Joffrey had it coming—he was an evil boy.

"Well foremost humility before her death, as she will wonder what her opened neck will look like to the people present. Secondly I do not have love here. The people know of the Targaryen girl's uprising and I must remind them that I am in control. As long as I sit on that throne I rule Westeros and I must use fear to keep them in line. The people despise me as I them, however they know the Lannisters always pay their debts. Now can we move on with our day?"

"No. If you think this is going to make you feel any better about Tommen it won't.", Jaime replied.

"What is it you want me to say? Tommen is gone. If you are still holding it over my head so be it. Just tell me that you blame me.", Cersei responded. She waved her handmaiden away and walked in front of her brother. Her private chambers were lit by the sunlight entering in from the balcony adjacent to the room. A wooden table stood beside Jaime.

"I don't blame you Cersei… It's just you didn't even tell me about it until I arrived here and I saw the banners—then I knew. When I arrived, it was as if you had already grieved and moved on."

"Jaime I didn't tell you through parchment because it was our son we are talking about. How could I send that to you as letters on a page? Yes I have grieved and I still do, but you couldn't understand."

"Couldn't understand?! I was his Father!", Jaime yelled in disbelief.

"No you couldn't have! I bore him for nine months and pushed him outside of me as he tore through me… I knew my children's fate long ago.", Cersei said. Her last sentence came out low. She thought of Maggy and her prophecy—she dared not think of her final words in the prophecy. She wouldn't breathe life into it. Never.

"Knew their fate? What are you going on about Cersei?", Jaime asked. He raised his eyebrows as he glanced at Cersei. She looked up into his eyes with her emerald green pair.

"Nothing—it doesn't matter now, does it? I loved my children, but we are all we have now brother. You can live in the past in regret, or you can join me in my rule."

"Well you give me no choice in the matter.", Jaime relayed.

"Come here.", Cersei said while kissing him passionately. Jaime hesitated at first before surrendering and relaxing into the kiss. His hands wandering to her hips, while hers gripped his head. They continued while becoming more entangled until Jaime stopped and walked away. Cersei stood there breathing heavy and placed her crown on her head. "Let us go."

.

"My Lords and Ladies today we are gathered for the execution of Olenna Tyrell, whom faces the punishment for treason and regicide. There will be no trial as she has already admitted to the crimes.", Cersei relayed to the small crowd of men and women. They looked up to her sitting on the Iron Throne and then down to Lady Olenna. She kneeled with her hands tied with rope. She wore her now dingy white undergarments and her long gray hair was exposed and matted. Her face was solemn, but not sad; she knew death would come for her eventually and she wouldn't give Cersei the satisfaction of seeing her tears. The only sadness she had was that she wouldn't get to see her grandchildren again. She kept her head high though she looked down at the pale ground. "Well, no need to hold this up any longer. Ser Gregor."

Ser Gregor walked down from his spot beside Cersei and unsheathed his sword. Men in the throne room placed a stump in front of Olenna and pushed her head down onto it. She closed her eyes and held her breath; she pictured Margaery and Loras. Ser Gregor held the sword at his torso and swung it down through her flesh and bone. Some of the audience quietly gasped and looked away. Jaime who stood beside his sister looked away as well. Others stood in silence and watched as Olenna's head fell to the stone and rolled to one side; her body lied limp on it's side, as blood squirted out of her exposed neck. The room was silent for a moment before Cersei waved her hand. Men came and removed her head and body; the stump and dark red blood remained.

"Now that the execution is over we may discuss the impending attack on Dorne and Highgarden."

.

"Dorne, Cersei?", Jaime asked.

"Yes. Is there something wrong with that or have you forgotten about your daughter?", Cersei asked annoyed. The two were in her chambers. Cersei laid in her robe on her bed; Jaime sat at her bedside table drinking wine.

"I know—I was there. Dorne is a fortress, the terrain is much too dry and full of cliffs and rocks. Do you honestly think the ironborn will be able to sieze it?"

"Jaime I also listened to Father when he spoke about war and the Seven Kingdoms. More than you could ever know while you were out playing with your swords. The ironborn will sail to Sunspear and attack there. Once they have seized Sunspear, Dorne will fall. Win or fail it is no dispense to our forces.", Cersei relayed.

"Okay, Cersei…", Jaime surrendered. He knew he couldn't win the argument, so he gave up. He knew the terrain in Dorne and he highly doubted the ironborn would be successful. Cersei looked at him and wondered if he only went against her to keep some form of excitement going or if he simply was against her.

"You worry too much... Wine.", Cersei said. Jaime retrieved her goblet and poured her some wine. He handed her the glass goblet as he sat on the bed with her. Cersei gulped down half of her glass.

"You don't worry enough."

"Why worry about the things we cannot control?", Cersei asked. She finished her wine and threw her glass across her chambers. It hit the stone and shattered across the floor.

"What was that for?", Jaime asked her concerned. Cersei looked at him intensely.

"I need you here Jaime—with me, supporting me. Be here with me now in the moment.", Cersei said while mounting her brother. She kissed him and he kissed her back. The two started a battle over who could kiss with more ferocity and slowly started another over who could get undressed faster. The battle was resolved after the two laid naked in the bed as the sunset seeped into the room. Cersei's head rested on Jaime's shoulder, her leg over his thighs. The two laid there in silence exhaling. Cersei thought of her emptiness even after being reunited with her love. Her emptiness was from laying with a man she knew was falling out of love with her. Jaime thought of his emptiness—the emptiness he felt after losing their children and his shock over Cersei's character. He hoped that once her enemies were gone that she would find a new light in her life. Clearly he wouldn't be enough to stop her malicious ways.

Cersei reached to his only hand and brought it up to her lips to kiss it. She kissed it and realized there was a bandage over it. "What happened here?"

"There's something you must know.", Jaime responded in a low tone. He turned his head towards Cersei.

"What?", she asked.

"Arya Stark lives…"

"How?", was all Cersei could muster. That was the last thing she expected to come from his lips.

"It doesn't matter how. I saw her face to face and she is a Faceless Man now. She did this."

"What? Why did she let you leave?", Cersei asked. Part of her refused to believe his words.

"To pass a message to you… She says that she will come for you.", Jaime replied lowly.

"Let her.", Cersei replied. She said it with little confidence because she knew the thought frightened her as she knew the skills of any Faceless Man.

…

Next time: Cersei revels in victory. Jaime makes discoveries that disturb him.