"Poor Myrcella and Tommen," Lyarra was saying. "They are so sweet-natured. They don't deserve to suffer for their lady mother's sins." She looked at Ned with a pleading look in her eyes. "They are still children after all."
Ned poked at a plump sausage almost bursting with fat, with his knife. He was in no mood to eat. In half an hour, he was to announce the verdict of the trial. The lives of the Lady Cersei Lannister, Myrcella and Tommen were in his hands. Ned hated it. His fellow judges weren't particularly helpful either. The king never had much interest in the entire trial proceedings and during the short discussion last night, Prince Oberyn seemed more distant and occupied. Gone were his sarcastic remarks and smirks; it was like he was a different man.
"Apparently the Most Devout are demanding a say in the punishment of Lady Cersei and Ser Jaime," Ashara remarked, nibbling on a piece of fried bread. "They seem to already think you will declare them guilty."
"I thought it is Lady Cersei's trial, Father?"
"Father, do you think Syrio is on his way home to Braavos?"
Abandoning the sausage, Ned looked around at the solemn faces of his family members (those present). Ashara sat at his left as usual and Arya and Bran were sitting opposite him as they did almost every morning. Lyarra had chosen to dine with them rather than with her husband and in-laws. Ned was relieved to see she had a happier and healthier glow around her. "The glow of a fresh bride," Ashara had told him. When Lyarra first stepped into King's Landing, she was so thin and lost the rosy tinge in her cheeks. It was a relief to see a touch of pink return. Bran was cheerful as always, and more enthusiastic about his training than before, and Arya seemed to have settled in – a tiny fraction more than before.
"I'll be more than happy to hear what the High Septon has to say," Ned said at last. It was his first time dealing with an adulterous woman in the southron way. The North was not much kinder to adulteresses though. Either the woman was to be returned – in disgrace – to her family where she would live her remaining last years (no matter how long or short) imprisoned and hidden from sight, and her former husband compensated with coins, a new bride or goods; or a hanging and her children declared illegitimate. From memory, the Boltons and a few Umbers, pursued the latter option to deal with their adulterous wives. The mountain clan men preferred the former, as furs and food supplies were rarer and considered a lot more valuable than punishing the women and killing them.
"I thought it is Lady Cersei's trial," Bran said again uncertainly.
"It is," Ned assured him, "but Ser Jaime is also guilty."
"What about Syrio?" said Arya hopefully.
"We'll see," said Ned quietly. He liked the Braavosi and was very pleased when he heard of Arya's improvement in water dancing, but it had to end eventually – why not now? Arya would never turn into a proper lady but perhaps a little time away from the training yard and Syrio might calm her down slightly. Ned wanted to kick himself for even thinking about that. Arya was wolf-blooded; she'd never settle down when forced or demanded. She would eventually find a way to carry on her training or worse, run away and sail to Braavos.
"Are you alright, Father?" said Lyarra anxiously.
Ned forced himself to smile. "Thinking, that is all." He stood up. He had enough time for a last minute talk with Robert and Prince Oberyn and even with the High Septon. "I will see you all after the trial," he muttered. He hurried out and headed to the Great Hall. Thankfully Oberyn and the High Septon were already there.
"Lord Stark," drawled Prince Oberyn, noticing Ned. "You are here early."
"As are you Prince Oberyn," Ned returned. He looked at the High Septon. "You are here early too Your High Holiness."
The High Septon said pompously, "I'm here to discuss punishments."
Ned nodded. "What do you suggest, High Septon?"
"Stoning or the stake," the fat High Septon replied at once. "Adulteresses must be dealt with harshly Lord Stark. When rooted out, they must be used as example to other women who harbour adultery in their thoughts."
"Is that not a little harsh, Your High Holiness?"
"She is guilty!"
"I believe she is innocent," said Prince Oberyn suddenly. Ned stared at him. "I thought we agreed she is guilty?" he couldn't help ask tentatively. "What could've
possibly changed your mind?"
The Dornish prince shrugged. "I don't believe Lady Cersei wrote the letter. If it – the incest – was true, she wouldn't write about it. It also seems a little too…easy. The perfect prosecution case and a weak defence? How oft did Lord Stannis even live with his lady wife? As the King's Hand, Lord Stannis is more often here, isn't he? I doubt he would've noticed Lady Cersei fucking other men unless someone – or maybe a few people – told him. The adultery part I can believe; incest, I'm not sure. Why didn't Lady Cersei drink moon tea? Surely she would! The letter was a juicy piece of reading, but only a fool would write it. I don't believe Lady Cersei is a fool, Lord Stark."
Ned sighed in frustration. Robert already thought Cersei Lannister was guilty.
"Lady Cersei is guilty," said Ned firmly. "You say that letter is um planted, but Lord Stannis provided us with a sample of Lady Cersei's handwriting. You saw it. Does that not convince you Lady Cersei wrote it?"
"Not particularly Lord Stark," said Prince Oberyn mildly. "You're the Master of Laws. Your decision carries more weight. If you say Lady Cersei is guilty, so be it. I do implore a kinder punishment."
"That is outrageous Prince Oberyn!" said the High Septon angrily. "All women who commit adultery must die!"
"Send her to the silent sisters," Prince Oberyn continued, as if the High Septon had not spoken. "Lady Cersei will find repentance there. Isn't it better than death, Lord Stark? More merciful?"
"Yes," agreed Ned. "Lady Cersei will be sent to the silent sisters. Ser Jaime had confessed to Lord Stannis so he will be sent to the Wall. The Night's Watch needs able men – especially in their war against the wildlings – and no one can say that Ser Jaime isn't one of the best fighters in Westeros. Myrcella and Tommen will be given mercy. Declaring them illegitimate is punishment enough for children, but if Lord Stannis and the Most Devout are insistent, Tommen doesn't seem to enjoy swordplay as much for a boy his age, so the Wall will be too harsh for him. Maybe the Citadel or a septry. Myrcella will be sent to a motherhouse. I'm certain there's no complaints there? Prince Oberyn? Your High Holiness?"
"Perfect," said Prince Oberyn smoothly. "You know I deplore harsh treatment against innocent children my lord Stark."
His heart pounded unusually steady like a loud drum as Ned waited for all the courtiers to settle. From the oak-and-iron doors to the council table, there were a sea of lords and ladies. Glancing up at the gallery, Ned saw that it too was full. Of course the Great Hall would be crowded today – everyone wanted to witness the sentencing of Lord Tywin's golden twins.
"Lord Stark." Ned's gaze was pulled away from the gallery to the frowning face of the High Septon. "The Most Devout are most displeased," the High Septon said, handing him a piece of paper. "They said your decision to send Lady Cersei to the silent sisters is too soft a punishment for an adulteress. However, if you agree to give Lady Cersei this punishment before sending her to the silent sisters, we will all be content with the verdict."
Ned glanced at the paper where three words were scrawled on in a hurry. His eyes widened at once. By the old gods…the southroners were cruel indeed.
Walk of atonement.
"This will shatter the remnants of the Baratheon-Lannister alliance," Ned said, frowning deeply. That alliance was already in the dust but there was the smallest glimmer of restoration. If the walk of atonement follows through…
"Souls are at stake my lord," said the High Septon stiffly. "The most heinous of sins have been committed and souls must be saved."
Ned glanced at Prince Oberyn. To his irritation, Prince Oberyn didn't look a bit interested. "So be it," said Ned heavily. "However, I'll make it clear that it was the wish of the Most Devout, not the judges."
The High Septon nodded. "Very well."
It wasn't long before the royal family appeared. Robert first, his queen second, Crown Prince Orys and Lyarra next, followed by Prince Ormund and the Princess Lyanna and Princess Minisa. Robert sat down on the Iron Throne and gave a nod at Ned. Ned took a deep breath. It was time to reveal the verdict.
"Your Graces, my princes and princesses, my lords and ladies," said Ned loudly, praying silently that all would go well. "After a lengthy discussion with my fellow judges His Grace the king and Prince Oberyn, we reached a final decision." Taking another deep breath, he looked at the expressionless Lord Tywin who stood near the Iron Throne, surrounded by two Baratheon guards. "Though it'd not been an overall unanimous result," Ned went on. "As Master of Laws, I, Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Lord Paramount of the North, declare Ser Jaime Lannister guilty of incest and Lady Cersei Lannister guilty of incest and adultery. Moreover, due to Lady Cersei Lannister's part in her incestuous relationship with Ser Jaime, her youngest children Myrcella and Tommen are deemed illegitimate in the eyes of the old gods and new." He glanced at the High Septon who nodded forcefully in strong agreement.
"And the sentencing?" prompted the king.
Swallowing his anxiety, Ned continued. "Ser Jaime will be stripped of his white cloak and be sent to the Wall where he will take the black. His High Holiness here decreed that Lady Cersei will perform the walk of atonement before entering the order of the silent sisters." His gaze fell on the terrified Myrcella and Tommen. "It has also been decided – if Lord Stannis agrees – for Tommen to enter a septry for a future as a septon or the Citadel if he wishes to be a maester. Myrcella will join a motherhouse if Lord Stannis permits."
Lord Tywin's gold-specked green eyes shone with anger and…resignation. As Cersei screamed at her father to do something, Ned watched Lord Tywin. The old lion of Lannister would never just stand there and do nothing – unless he plotted a secondary plan of sorts already.
Wishing he was back at Winterfell, Ned began walking away, his heart sinking like a stone in the black, still pool in the Winterfell godswood. He hated the trial – why couldn't the king have presided over it as he should have? Now everyone will remember me, thought Ned bitterly, as the man who ruined Lord Tywin's legacy. I do not want this. I never did. He felt humiliated – unusual as he was the one who'd done the sentencing, not awaiting the sentence.
"Lord Stark." Ser Kevan appeared in front of Ned. "There is still time to change your mind. For the children at least, my lord. For the children."
Ned looked at him sadly. Ser Kevan Lannister was not cruel or vindictive; kind and very capable more like it. "You know they can never wed or sire children," he said gently to Ser Kevan. "Especially Tommen. If Tommen has children, they'll be used against Steffon Baratheon and his descendants or even against whoever the next Lord of Casterly Rock is."
"Lord Baratheon will never acknowledge him or Myrcella, Lord Stark. Both the children will be abandoned to their fates. From one father to another, I implore a little mercy. For the children. Ser Jaime will not find the Wall particularly horrible and Lady Cersei deserves to spend the rest of her life with the silent sisters, but I do not wish harm or suffering upon the children. There's naught I can do, but you can do so much, Lord Stark."
Ned shook his head. "I'm sorry Ser Kevan. The High Septon is already unhappy that Ser Jaime and Lady Cersei are not to be executed. I'll ensure the children are comfortable. That's the most I can do."
Ser Kevan sighed. "I suppose I'll resign my office then. I don't think a Lannister will be welcome in the small council for some time."
"Nonsense," said Ned firmly. "You are a good Master of Coin and will remain in that office. Lord Baratheon knows that too. He'll not dismiss you because of your family name, Ser Kevan. Besides, in all the council meetings we had, he seemed to be more pleased with your work than Petyr Baelish's from what I heard."
When Ned walked away, he noticed that Ser Kevan seemed a tiny bit happier.
"A sinner comes before you," the High Septon was droning to the sea of people before him in the plaza. "She's Cersei of House Lannister, daughter of Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and former wife of Lord Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End and Hand of the King. She has committed the most grievous sin of adultery and also the sin of incest."
Shock, horror and disgust rippled through the ocean of smallfolk. Hidden from the watching crowd, Ned kept an eye on Lady Cersei. The High Septon insisted on Lady Cersei perform the walk of atonement that very afternoon. Lord Tywin had remained in his chambers in the Red Keep. In fact, no Lannister was in sight. Not Ser Jaime (he was already on his way to the Wall), not the Imp Tyrion and not Ser Kevan who was well away from the Great Sept of Baelor. The last time Ned found himself in the Great Sept was Lyarra's wedding day a few days ago. There were a vast sea of people then, even with the absence of the majority of the northerners, Vale lords (they didn't get enough time to travel south) and Ironborn who rarely attend mainland weddings. Two different occasions, Ned reflected, a wedding and now a walk of atonement…and both in a matter of days. He vehemently hoped that with the trial now over, people would forget about it quickly.
"This will be remembered for years to come." Ned's grey eyes fell upon Prince Oberyn Martell who lurked near the back. He was talking to the eunuch Varys the Spider. "The Lannisters are finally falling," Prince Oberyn was saying, "though it's difficult to see Lord Tywin sitting around doing nothing. Do you think the old lion will try and find a new wife? Sire a new littler of cubs he can be proud of? I doubt any man will want their daughters married to him now." He chuckled. He looked up and saw Ned staring at him. The Red Viper grinned.
Pushing the Dornish prince's words out of his mind, Ned looked away. Having no desire to stay, he tapped Davos Seaworth, Lord Baratheon's representative on the shoulder. "I will return to the Red Keep," Ned said shortly. He'd rather return home, but hiding in the Red Keep was better than lingering in the Great Sept. "If I am asked for, please tell them I've gone back." The Onion Knight nodded. "I know you never wanted this milord Stark," he said quietly. "The sentencing of children and a mislead woman…only the brave and stubborn would do it."
Ned laughed bitterly. "Am I the brave or the stubborn?"
"The brave. Lord Baratheon is the stubborn one."
"Does Lord Baratheon know you think him stubborn?"
"He knows I speak the truth. That's all that matters."
When was the last time I spoke to Davos Seaworth? Ned wondered. "Tell me the truth then," he said to Lord Seaworth. "Why didn't you do anything to stop all the children finding out their mother committed adultery and incest?"
"I wanted to," said Davos Seaworth without hesitation. "I wanted to milord. I'd have done anything, but it would've aroused Lady Cersei's suspicion and my first order was to ensure Lady Cersei remained in the dark before her arrest. If all the children were escorted away from her, she would know something was up."
"And it would've ruined Lord Stannis's plans."
Lord Seaworth nodded. "Aye milord."
His lips tightening, Ned left. He found a horse and quietly rode to the Red Keep, avoiding the masses of people gathered to watch the walk of atonement. The first person Ned met when he returned was Robert himself.
"Back already Ned?" grunted the king, "Lady Cersei too much for you?"
"I do not find it joyful watching a lady walk from the Great Sept of Baelor back to the Red Keep without an article of clothing on," Ned answered. "I would never have given Lady Cersei that punishment; the High Septon insisted. I didn't want a large matter like the Faith to interfere with matters of state so I agreed." He told him how northerners dealt with adulteresses and when he finished, the king was barking with laughter. "Too soft!" Robert declared, slapping Ned on the shoulder. "Returning her to her family? Death?"
Ned frowned. "Soft? She'll be hanged with the knowledge that her children – if she has any – will be declared illegitimate, even if they are trueborn."
"Fair enough," Robert acknowledged. His blue eyes brightened. "Just think in a few months, we will be back in the Eyrie, the place we were raised. Remember all those days, Ned?" He chuckled. "Good old days. We were young, hot-blooded, and I didn't have this massive lot of fat!" He patted his belly. "Ah, it will be good to see the Eyrie again. If only Jon is alive…"
"If only," Ned echoed. Jon Arryn was like a second father to him; the Eyrie too, a second home. "We will be there soon enough."
"Reckon those Vale wenches still know those tricks of theirs?"
Ned bit his lip to stop himself from blushing like a maiden. "I'm afraid you will have to find out when we get there Your Grace."
Robert wagged a thick finger at him. "Now, enough of that 'Your Grace' stuff. I told you before, didn't I?"
"You did, Robert," Ned conceded.
"Come Ned, have a drink with me. Cat will never know." Robert snickered. "Do you know that Renly's being rather helpful in that area? Every morning, I'd find a casket of Arbor gold on the table in my bedchamber. When Cat sees it, she'd have it taken away." He winked mischievously like he did so many times as a boy, "but Catelyn doesn't find all of it. Do you think I can ask Lord Redwyne to supply Lady Desmera's dowry in Arbor gold instead of gold?"
Ned frowned. "Lady Desmera's dowry? Is she not too old for Ormund?"
Robert barked with laughter. "By the Seven! For Ormund? Ha! No, I intend for her to marry Stannis! Stannis just rid himself of a wife and now he is in need for a new one. With Lannister threat lurking, we might need the Redwyne fleet. A good match, don't you agree? Stannis and Desmera Redwyne!"
Ned said nothing. When Robert Baratheon made up his mind, he was stubborn as a mule – all the Baratheons were. Lord Stannis would do his duty, but he'd not be happy at all, especially as his chosen bride was from the Reach. Another small problem was if Lady Desmera bears Stannis sons. What if the Reach declare Lady Desmera's eldest son the rightful Lord of Storm's End? The Lannisters would not be willing to support Steffon as it was his father Lord Stannis who arrested Lady Cersei. Steffon is betrothed to Lady Alyssa Arryn, Ned reminded himself. He'll have Vale support if it comes to a succession crisis in Storm's End.
There was a sudden commotion in the courtyard. "It looks like the Lady Cersei is back," commented Robert. "She will be shipped off to the silent sisters now eh? I'll make sure Lord Tywin is there to watch her leave."
"And the children?"
"They will leave for Oldtown around the same time."
Ned followed Robert back into the courtyard. They arrived to witness a silent sister drape a grey cloak over a tear-faced Lady Cersei. Ned looked away as Lady Cersei turned and stared at him. He wished he never announced the final verdict or the sentencing. He wished he was never chosen as a judge. Lord Stannis might consider this a victory of sorts, but Ned suspected something worse was to occur. He watched Grand Maester Pycelle shuffle forward and hand Lady Cersei a small bottle. "Sleeping draught," the Grand Maester was telling her, "for your journey. I hear the smallfolk are in a frenzied mood. Best to sleep for the night. You will not wish to hear the smallfolk's jeering my lady."
Will she use it? Ned pondered, as Lady Cersei accepted the tiny vial. She never did seem the type to hide from cruel, mocking words, but after what she endured in the last hour or more…
One would never know.
Question: in your opinion, who should be Tywin's successor as Lord of Casterly Rock? Tyrion or Ser Kevan?
I'm looking forward to posting the next and last chapter of Part 3 (with the Part 3 appendix of course) on Saturday night (Australian time).
On another matter, I've been thinking and reflecting upon the reviews saying northerners are proud and how the Starks are too southron now. I reckon the southron alliances (or in general the alliances with other Great Houses) started a little before the Harrenhal tourney in ASOIAF and it would be alright if it was just like one match, but for all the noble lords in the North and south, they wouldn't be very happy with their liege lords' families marrying into noble families from other regions. They probably feel offended. Like if none of Mace Tyrell's children marry ladies from the Reach, the noble houses of the Reach might start grumbling.
I just thought to share my thoughts :D
