The twentieth chapter of "A Rose and a Lion". And like someone said, this chapter shows the Clash of Titans next generation. After Genna and Olenna, prepare for Cersei and Margaery. This clash may be more subtle and less sharp than the original one.

Sadly, I will now return to my former schedule for "A Rose and a Lion" with an update once in two weeks. My break over "A Shadow and a Wolf" is coming to an end, and I will start to publish two chapters per week in this fic once again on February 1st (I will make sure this is February 1st or sooner for everyone, no matter the country they live in.) I wish I had more than twenty-four hours in a day to write everything I want.

There is a violent part at the end of the chapter. I put a warning at the place where it begins just in case.


CERSEI III

"Mother? I asked you something. How is she?"

Cersei got out of her reverie. "There isn't much to tell about her. I suppose we'll know more after dinner, but she seems petty."

"I don't understand why I have to dine with them."

"Because you're my son, and I invited them. You're a prince, and one day you'll sit on the Iron Throne."

"I thought kings commanded and did as they liked. Why am I forced to attend a dinner with the Imp and his wife?" Joffrey stopped to button his shirt.

"A good king knows he must do certain things, even if he hates to do them, in order to maintain his power and in order to defeat his enemies."

Joffrey looked at Cersei, an uncertain look in his yes. "So, this… this Margaery that my uncle Tyrion married, and my uncle too, they are enemies?"

Cersei took her son's hands into her own. "Everyone who isn't us is an enemy."

"Then why are we dining with them?"

"To learn about them. To know their weaknesses and to use them against them when the time comes. And to not give them the impression we are working against them, so they don't see it coming when we'll strike."

Joffrey nodded. Cersei could see he wasn't entirely sure, but he still had years before he would become king. And if Robert killed himself through his whoring and drinking before that, then Cersei would be there to lead her son in his first years as king, until he was ready.

Joffrey resumed to dress himself. "I don't like the Imp. He's ugly, small, he insults me, treats me as if I was a child. I am a prince, the heir to the Iron Throne. He should show me respect."

"He will show you respect in time," Cersei assured him.

"Why not now?"

"He doesn't realize what he's doing. The day you become king, he will regret everything he did to you. Maybe he'll regret it before."

"She must be small, that wife he has. I wonder how he managed to marry her. Who would like to marry him?"

A whore. "She's unimportant. Don't bother about her. Your uncle is the real enemy."

"You said everyone who wasn't us is an enemy."

"Yes, but some enemies are more dangerous than others. This Margaery is not dangerous. She's only a little girl who smiles like an imbecile, no matter what we say. I'm not even sure she would bother if Tyrion died tomorrow. Maybe she wouldn't even realize it."

This Margaery Tyrell could well be called the Rose of Highgarden. True, she was pretty in her own way. Cersei was sure Tyrion loved her. As soon as you put a pair of legs or a pair of breasts before him, Tyrion would fall into them and not think about anything else. Maybe the girl loved him too. She looked stupid enough for that. Cersei had never seen someone so simple, always smiling despite the insults and vulgarities the king threw. The girl annoyed and infuriated Cersei, but not because of her behaviour.

Casterly Rock should have belonged to Cersei. She should be Lady of Casterly Rock, like her mother had been before her. Instead, it now belonged to this ugly little creature, and a rose was sitting on the throne Cersei should occupy. Worse, she was wearing her mother's jewels. Cersei couldn't support to see a necklace that belonged to her mother around someone else's neck.

Ser Meryn Trant came in at this moment. "Your Grace, your brother to see you."

"Let him in," she answered, without caring to look back. Her twin entered the room and noticed Joffrey's presence.

"I need to talk alone with your mother, my prince" his father told him.

Joffrey looked at her. "Go to the dining room. I'll join you soon with your brother and your sister." Joffrey left. He was reluctant to obey her sometimes. Cersei would have to correct it. Her son was to obey no one, but he had to follow her advice. She turned her attention back to her brother. "What is it?"

Jaime looked troubled. "Cersei, tell me… have you… have you tried to overthrow Tyrion?"

A silence followed. "Why are you asking me this?"

"Well, I just had a discussion with… with our sister-in-law, and she told me you tried to turn some lords in the Westerlands against him."

Jaime's face was questioning, but uncertain too. Cersei smiled. "You believe her?"

"I want to know if you did it."

Of course, I did. This little monster is ruling the lands that should be ours, living in the castle that is our home. What did you expect me to do? To let him steal the Rock away from us? She chose to say something else. "I didn't."

Jaime nodded, looking at the floor, as if trying to focus on something. "I see."

"Do you believe her over me?"

Jaime looked at her, complete surprise on his face. "No, of course."

"Then we know she's a liar now."

Jaime looked all around, as if he was looking for something. "Maybe."

"Maybe? Are you suggesting she could be telling the truth? That I just lied to you?"

"No, of course not." He shook his head.

"Then she lied."

"Maybe she was just mistaking."

"Mistaking? She just accused your sister of false crimes, and you say she might just be mistaking? You're defending her?"

"Calm down, Cersei." He came to sit next to her. He was handsome. "I know you don't like her. I know you believe she shouldn't be Lady of Casterly Rock…"

"Of course, she shouldn't be," Cersei shouted. "She just accused me of false crimes. She tried to turn you against me. She is a traitor. If our father was still alive, her head would already be on a spike."

Her anger wasn't really true, but she put as much as she could to make it believable. She had a good reason to be angry anyway. She had to bring Jaime on her side.

"Father is dead. Tyrion is Lord of Casterly Rock now, and Margaery Tyrell is his wife. Margaery Lannister now, in fact. That makes her the Lady of Casterly Rock, whether we like it or not," Jaime explained to her carefully. She didn't think her fury would be feigned for long. He dared to call that girl a Lannister.

"So, that's it? You're ready to accept a stinking rose on our mother's throne, in her solar, in her bed? All that because she's fucking Tyrion?"

Jaime shook his head. "What can we do Cersei? Tell this to Tyrion, and ask him to execute her? He's married with her. You weren't with me this morning when they arrived. You didn't see how Tyrion looks at her. You didn't hear how he speaks of her. You didn't see how they behave with each other. He loves her."

"Then perhaps it's time to put an end to this love."

Jaime seemed thoughtful for a moment, but again he shook his head. "No. I won't ruin our brother's marriage. Tyrion is happy with her and I won't destroy it."

"So, you're willing to let a little bitch from Highgarden married with our wretched brother for the sake of his happiness? As she tried to turn his brother and his sister against each other?"

Jaime sighed. "I don't believe Tyrion would listen to us anyway. If she tells him that you tried to turn some of his bannermen against him, who do you think he will believe? You, or her?" The question didn't need an answer. Cersei knew very well who Tyrion would believe. "She will not stay here for long. She will return to Casterly Rock with Tyrion as soon as Joffrey's name day will be over. Now we know we mustn't believe what she says. We don't have to fear her anymore. Once she is back in the Westerlands, she won't be able to cause us any harm."

Her brother knew nothing. Tyrion could hurt them and their children wherever he was. He had the power of Casterly Rock and the might of the Westerlands at his side, and the Reach too, though until now all it gave him was some treaty on trade they signed at Old Oak last year. Tyrion had everything to hurt them. Cersei still remembered the head of the steward he sent to her, and the pie. And if that little rose told Jaime that she tried to turn some lords and knights in the Westerlands against him… Who betrayed her? Lord Lefford? Lady Westerling? Ser Gregor Clegane? What about Lady Sarwyck? She stopped to send her reports a few months ago. Did she involve too many people? Someone betrayed her, for sure, but who?

"We wouldn't be in that position if you had accepted to become Lord of Casterly Rock," she reproached him. She seized the cup of wine she previously let on the table and drank some. Another one, empty, fell on the floor. There were too many on this table. It didn't break since it was made of gold.

"If I had accepted, I would have to leave you here alone with Robert. I would have to spend the rest of my life sitting on a chair giving justice, counting stags and coppers, avoiding sycophants, and suffering Kevan and Genna telling me every day how a lord should behave. And I would have to marry. Is that what you want?"

"As Lord of Casterly Rock, you would be free to marry who you want, or to not marry at all."

Jaime scoffed. "Our uncle and our aunt wouldn't leave me alone until I marry a suitable woman and produce children named Lannister. I don't want Casterly Rock. I don't want a wife. I don't want children. All I want is you."

His eyes were burning with passion. He got up from his chair and kissed her with passion. Cersei wanted him, but first she needed to have something. "What about that girl? What will you do with that little bitch who tried to tear us apart?"

"If she ever tries again, I'll kill her. And if need be, I'll kill her father, her mother, her brother, all her family, until there's nothing left of them, until you and I are the only people left in this world."

That's what Cersei needed to hear. Until everyone else, including Tyrion, was dead. She gave in and they made love with passion.

Later, Cersei was walking to the dining room. Jaime had left her apartments first. It was better if they weren't seen coming together. They had to be careful. She wished she hadn't invited her little brother with his wife to dinner, but it was expected of her. Maybe it would prove useful. She could try to find out more about Tyrion and this wife of his. If what Jaime said was true, if Tyrion really loved her, then she could use it against him. His cock and the cunt he put it into were his greatest weaknesses. She wondered how the rose's cunt looked like after two years of perverted bedding by the little creature. The thought brought some joy back to her mind. If Tyrion had no children, then her children would have the Rock once he would be dead. She couldn't wait for that to happen.

The dining room was far more crowded than she thought it would be. All her beautiful children, Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen were here, as was Jaime. However, they weren't alone. Jaime was discussing with their cousin, Daven, when she entered. Joffrey was discussing with Cerenna and Myrielle, Daven's sisters, and Myrcella was talking with Joy Hill. Tommen stood in the corner, one of his many cats with him.

"Ah, your Grace." Daven bowed to her, and her other cousins curtsied. At least, they knew how to behave before a queen. "Glad to se you again, Cersei," Ser Stafford's son said.

"It's a pleasure for me too, cousin." She didn't expect them. She thought they would remain at Casterly Rock. Well, that would make more family on her side, which was only better when she would want to drop the little rose aside.

"Daven is going to ride in the tourney," said Cerenna with enthusiasm.

"I am," her cousin confirmed.

"To seduce Desmera Redwyne," added Jaime.

Cerenna and Myrielle whistled. "Desmera Redwyne?" wondered Cersei.

"Your brother arranged me a marriage with her. She will come back with me to Casterly Rock when it's all over," Ser Daven explained.

"I hope you're happy with it."

"I am." He didn't sound quite convinced. Maybe Cersei could use this.

"Where is our brother and his pretty wife?"

"Her name is Margaery." It was Joy who shouted it.

"Mother," said Myrcella, "Joy says my aunt is arranging a great garden at Casterly Rock. She says it's bigger and more beautiful than everything else."

"Well, we shall see. I'm not entirely sure the tastes of the Reach would be to your liking, Cella," Cersei replied.

"It's beautiful," assured the bastard girl. "There are great hedgerows. They are growing every month. She's had flowers and trees brought from everywhere. She says some come from Dorne, or even from a forest in the North. She has red, blue and yellow stones to make ways. There are…"

"I think we'll be able to know more about it when Lady Margaery arrives." Cersei interrupted her cousin. What was she doing here? A bastard? "Where is she, by the way?"

"They should be here in a few minutes, your Grace," answered Cerenna. "That is, if they are done."

Cerenna and Myrielle giggled together again. "You should stop. Ladies don't giggle like that. Only children do," said Joffrey. Cersei couldn't have agreed more with him.

"I giggle sometimes, you know," said Myrcella.

"That's what I said."

A servant came inside as Joffrey finished his sentence. "Lord Tyrion, and Lady Margaery," she announced.

Her little brother came in first. "Please forgive us to be late, everyone. I hope we missed nothing important," he declared.

"Uncle Tyrion!" That was Myrcella. She almost ran to him, though she remembered her lessons enough to slow down in the end, but her brother still seized her by the waist and spun her in a circle before he lowered her back on the floor.

"You've grown up even more. I won't be able to lift you anymore soon," he complained. He would do well to not hurt her daughter. "And you grow more beautiful too. You're going to outshine your mother." Myrcella giggled and reddened. Tommen had approached in the meantime, his cat still in his hands. "And you, still growing bigger. I'm not sure I could lift you now. Is that a newcomer?" he asked.

"Yes. It's Ser Pounce," answered Tommen.

"With such a name, he must be brave." The Tyrell bitch who married Tyrion was here. Tommen and Myrcella looked up at her with round eyes, as if not believing what they were seeing.

Tyrion introduced her. "Tommen, Myrcella, this is your aunt. Margaery."

She was smiling sweetly at them, but Tommen and Myrcella looked frozen. "I thought you would be smaller," said Tommen.

She laughed at the comment and went on her knees. "Am I small enough like that?" Cersei's two little children joined her in laughing, as Tyrion did, and Cersei heard other people laughing as well.

Cersei, however, didn't laugh. She noticed proudly that Joffrey didn't laugh either. While kneeling, the necklace Margaery Tyrell was wearing had swung, attracting Cersei's attention to it. She was wearing it back in the Great Hall as well. The necklace was made in the shape of a flower. It was a ruby, but Cersei knew that it was a sapphire on the other side. She remembered her mother showing it to her one day, saying her father had it made especially for her, and now a little whore from Highgarden was wearing it.

Margaery had a conversation with Tommen and Myrcella. She saw her taking Tommen's cat in her arms and patting it, and they spoke about names, needlework and animals. All this time, her attention remained focused on the necklace. She had no right to wear it. It belonged to their mother, to Jaime and her. Its rightful place wasn't on some opportunist girl. She saw Margaery Tyrell pinch Tommen's cheek and decided that was enough. Her children already loved too much their small uncle. She wouldn't let that happen with his wife as well.

"I believe it's time to get at table," Cersei said aloud.

The young woman had the decency to get back on her feet and to curtsy. "Your Grace, forgive me. I just wanted to know my nephew and my niece better. You have charming children." Yes, and they are mine, not yours. "I'm afraid I wasn't introduced to your eldest son, however."

Cersei smirked. She walked to stand at her son's side. "This is my son, Joffrey."

"Prince Joffrey. May I call you Joffrey? You're my nephew after all." The Tyrell girl turned her head to Joffrey and smiled sweetly at him, just like she did with the youngest children. Cersei hated this smile.

Joffrey was looking at her queerly. Then he turned to Tyrion "How did you manage to marry her? You must have brought her to the altar in chains."

Tyrion looked furious. Cersei prepared herself to defend her son against the valonqar. "Joffrey, except for the criminals, is there anyone else in King's Landing who carries chains?" The question came from Lady Margaery.

Joffrey answered in an uncertain way. "No."

"I hope you're not suggesting I am a criminal then." She had such an innocent expression. This girl was annoying Cersei. Joffrey didn't answer, so she did.

"No, he didn't…"

"Then, I suggest we begin the dinner," said Margaery Tyrell before Cersei could finish. Everyone agreed. Margaery walked to her place, and Tyrion sat by her side.

Cersei was fuming. She was the one to invite for this dinner, and someone else gave the orders. She watched Margaery Tyrell closely during all the time they were at table. The Rose of Highgarden led the conversation. She didn't lack words. She talked about charity works, the gardens she was organizing at the Rock, the tour around the Westerlands she did recently with Tyrion, the Reach, her family, the castle where she grew up. Cersei also noticed the way she was close to Tyrion. They would feed each other from time to time, and kiss, and they held hands very often. Her little brother was obviously enthralled by this pretty rose.

Only Joffrey kept the necessary distance from his aunt. The word gave Cersei a great wish to spew her food, even when it was only thought. He even told her to call him Prince Joffrey after she called him only by his name once too often. Tommen and Myrcella showed too much enthusiasm to her, especially after Margaery had a new cat brought to Tommen, who she named Lady Kitty after Cersei's son asked his aunt to give her a name. She said she would have a gift later for Joffrey and Myrcella. Cersei would have to watch out for Tommen and Myrcella while this so-called Lady of Casterly Rock was present.

As the night progressed, people left the table. However, in the end, as the last guests were leaving and Cersei got out of the dining room, the Tyrell girl managed to catch her alone. Cersei had sent her children to bed with their servants.

"Your Grace," she called from behind in the corridor. Tyrion wasn't with her.

"Lady Margaery." Cersei forced a smile upon her lips. "What can I do for you?"

"I was hoping we could have a private discussion."

"Not now. I'm busy and it's late." Cersei had no wish to talk to the woman who took what was hers by right. She kept walking, but the Tyrell followed her.

"Cersei, I understand you don't want me or Tyrion to be here." She dared to call the queen by her name. "I know you don't get along well with my husband, for reasons that are your own, but I wish I could make it different. You have no reasons to hate each other." I have every reason to hate him. Cersei looked at the girl. She wasn't smiling like before, and her face had grown serious. Cersei thought that Margaery Tyrell might not be as simple as she had thought first, but she doubted she had much brain. "We are sisters, your Grace. I wish we could be friends. We should."

She smiled as she said the last sentence. That girl was really stupid to consider she could be Cersei's friend. Perhaps it was time to show her who she was dealing with. Cersei was the queen. She decided to play the game and pulled on a smile.

"Very well. Let us be friends." For the time being.

Margaery took her arm around her own and they walked together. "I hope we can get to know each other better."

"I hope so me too," Cersei echoed. "Tell me a little about you. You strike me as a musical girl. You must have a lovely voice."

Margaery laughed shortly. "I am a better dancer than singer, I'm afraid."

"But you know the song The Rains of Castamere?"

"Of course. I have lived in Casterly Rock long enough to hear it several times." Her answer looked a little dry to Cersei. That was good. She didn't like the song.

"So you know the story of House Reyne of Castamere?"

"I do. I would be a terrible Lady of the Westerlands if I didn't know their history."

"House Reyne was a powerful family. Very wealthy. The second wealthiest in Westeros. Aren't the Tyrells the second wealthiest family in Westeros now?"

"Indeed, my family is," Margaery confirmed.

"Of course, ambitious climbers don't want to stop on the second highest rung. If only you could take that final step, you'd see further than all the rest. You'd be alone with nothing but blue sky above you. So Lord Reyne built a castle as grand as Casterly Rock. He gave his wife diamonds larger than any my mother ever wore. And finally one day, he rebelled against my father. Do you know where House Reyne is now?"

"Gone." That was the only word the rose spoke, with gloom.

Cersei turned her head to her and smirked. "Gone. A gentle word. Why not say slaughtered? Every man, woman and child put to the sword. I remember seeing their bodies hanging high above the gates of Casterly Rock. My father let them rot up there all summer. It was a long summer. And now the rains weep o'er their walls, and not a soul to hear." Cersei freed her arm from Margaery and looked directly into her eyes. "If you ever call me sister or Cersei again, I'll have you strangled in your sleep."

Cersei walked away, not looking again at her brother's wife. She would remember that. Before she made ten steps however, Margaery Tyrell called for her. "I'm afraid this is quite different from what I heard. The Reynes were never richer than the Tyrells. My family has been the second richest house in Westeros ever since Aegon Targaryen came. Castamere was never as high as Casterly Rock, and I doubt there were bodies to hang over the gates since the Reynes were all flooded in their mines by your lord father. And since the rebellion happened before you were born, before Lord Tywin was even married, I doubt you could have seen the bodies even if there had been any."

When Cersei looked behind, the young woman was gone. Cersei resumed her path to her rooms. What really happened didn't matter. She could make the truth she wanted, and that was all the truth that mattered. She was the queen. The time would come when only her truth would matter to everyone.

Cersei had spent her life waiting for the right moment to rule. Robert was digging his grave more deeply every day. He wouldn't last long, and when he would die, her son would be king, and she would guide Joffrey on the right path. Of course, she wouldn't have to wait if her father had left her Casterly Rock. She would have all the power she needs, and her children would be kings and Lords of the Westerlands. Instead, she was forced to watch that lecherous little creature take her father's lands, titles and castle, and making a little whore of the Reach sit by his side. The way she dressed was proof enough of how close to a whore Margaery Tyrell was.

That wouldn't last long. Cersei wasn't without resources. She had the red cloaks, Pycelle, Jaime, and her children. She had more than enough gold and power to bring all those she needed by her side when the time would be right. Her father's death had left her without her main support, but she had been able to keep her influence all the same. She was the queen. She could still force Robert, his friend Jon Arryn and the small council into doing her will. They had no choice to listen to her. When Robert would die, Tyrion and his little wife would learn who had the real power. Cersei would take back everything that was hers and more.

WARNING : VIOLENT SECTION

Once she was back in her personal rooms, Cersei sent away Ser Meryn and asked for her brother to be her guard tonight. She needed Jaime by her side. She changed into light clothes for the night, eager to feel Jaime's breath upon her skin. She poured herself a glass of wine and sipped while waiting for her brother. She heard the door open. She threw down her sleeping gown to reveal her body to the man she loved. When she turned around to face him, she found herself before the wrong brother.

"That's not really an appropriate outfit to receive your brother, your Grace? Unless you're a Targaryen, which you're not."

She had asked for Jaime. She was under shock for some time. "What are you doing here?"

"I need a serious discussion with my sister."

He looked at her with anger, and Cersei returned it. "Get out! GET OUT!"

"Not before I've told what I came to say."

"OUT! NOW!"

She slapped him once, then twice, but when she tried to slap him a third time, Tyrion seized her arm and twisted it. Cersei felt the pain in her bones. He kept twisting it. She fell on her knees. She wailed, wanted to scream for help, felt the pain growing worse. She saw the eyes of her valonqar burning with fury. Was that the moment? And when your tears have drowned you, the valonqar shall wrap his hands around your pale white throat and choke the life from you. The tears were coming to her eyes. The pain was too much. She couldn't support it. Her arm was still being twisted by the little monster who murdered her mother. The time had come. Soon he would strangle her.

Tyrion let go off her arm and pushed her on the floor. Cersei cowered on the marble, the pain in her arm too great to move. She felt so vulnerable right now, all naked, on the floor, at the mercy of a monster. She looked up, and through the tears that filled her eyes, she could see the fury more alive than ever in her brother's eyes. He was towering her, looking huge like a giant. That was the end. All he had to do was to bring his hands around her throat, and everything would be over.

"I will make things clear for you, Cersei. Up to now, I closed my eyes, I tried my best to ignore all the horrible things you've done to me and to forgive you. I decided to not retaliate when you tried to have me poisoned, and I didn't take measures against you when I found out you tried to turn my bannermen against me. All this time, I tried to forgive you for Jaime, because he's my brother as much as yours. I love him like my brother, and he loves you, but I'm warning you. If you ever dare to touch Margaery, if you ever dare to hurt her in any way, or if you ever threaten her again, I will turn your life into a living hell. I will make you the most miserable person in the known world. I will cast you down, and take away from you everything you hold dear. Everything you want, I'll make sure you never get it. I will tell Jaime about your attempts to murder me. I will call back the red cloaks to Casterly Rock. I will not send you a single copper coin for the rest of your life. I'll have your eldest son sent to Storm's End, so he may finally learn what it is to rule. I will betroth Myrcella to a good and powerful man who will take care of her, and send her to live with him. And I will foster Tommen to Casterly Rock. I will not let you spoil and destroy Tommen and Myrcella like you are spoiling and destroying Joffrey right now. You do try again to do something against my wife, and all this will come true. You will spend the rest of your life alone in King's Landing, with a fat drunken king who disgraces you every day with every woman he meets, without gold, without guards, and with a brother who will know about all your horrible deeds. Do you understand?"

He kicked her and Cersei felt a huge pain on her ribs. She gasped and cried even more. "Do you understand?" When she didn't answer, he repeated the movement. Cersei nodded as best as she could when he asked her again. "Good. Remember this while you fuck Jaime."

She saw him leaving on these words. He closed the door violently behind him. Cersei's entire body was painful and she remained there, lying on the floor all alone, for a very long time. She hadn't been killed yet, but she was broken. I will cast you down, and take away from you everything you hold dear. Everything you want, I'll make sure you never get it. Tyrion's words turned around in her mind with other words. Words she heard long ago. You'll be queen. For a time. Then comes another, younger, more beautiful, to cast you down and take all you hold dear. As she continued to cry and closed her eyes, Cersei saw the image of a young woman slowly taking shape before her. It was Margaery Tyrell.


Concerning Tyrion's reaction with Cersei at the end, maybe it is more in character with Tyrion from the books than with Tyrion from the show, but since Cersei just threatened the woman he loved, and slapped him a few times again, I believe this is a likely reaction he could have, given the circumstances.

Please review.

Next chapter: Tyrion