Interlude II: The crowned lioness

Lannisport, 276 AC

The iron dagger pierced the skin of her thumb, drawing a few drops of blood that seemed more black than red. Cersei didn't cry, didn't even flinch. She was a Lannister, a lioness of the Rock. And lions didn't make a fuss over a little prick on the finger. Not like Melara, who after Cersei was done with her held her finger as if she was afraid it would run away. Although, she had to admit that at least, Melara had had the courage to stay. Stupid Jeyne had fled as soon as she had seen the old hag's eyes.

"Give it here." said Maggy the Frog, and soon after, she sucked away Cersei and Melara's blood. Her mouth was queer and cold, and Cersei saw her friend flinch and hurriedly clean her finger on her dress.

The old woman sat on her bed. "Three questions may you ask." she said, her eyes fixed on Cersei. "You might not like my answers. Ask, or begone with you."

Cersei frowned at her insolent tone, but answered quickly. She already knew what to ask the old hag. "When will I wed the prince?" Her aunt had already assured her that Cersei's bethrothal to Prince Rhaegar would be announced at the end of the tourney. She just wanted to know when the marriage would happen.

"Never. You will wed the king."

Her face wrinkled up in puzzlement. What did she mean? Surely her lord father couldn't mean to have her marry King Aerys. He was too old, and already married. But perhaps...perhaps this meant that she would marry Rhaegar after his father's death, once he was king. How many years would she have to wait for, then?

"I will be queen, though?"

"Aye. Queen you shall be...until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, who shall take your place."

Cersei's mind was whirling with questions. A younger and more beautiful queen? Who could it be? Her son's wife? Her daughter? An usurper? She would have asked all this and more. But she remembered that she had just one question left. So, she thought carefully about what she was going to say. "Will the king and I have children?"

"Oh, aye. Three children you and the king shall have. Gold shall be their crowns, purple and green their eyes. Your pride and joy they shall be."

Cersei smiled. If what the crone said was true, then a bright future awaited her. Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, with the power to command anything and anyone. Married to the most handsome man she had ever seen. And mother to three wonderful children! What else could she ask for?

Her smile disappeared as soon as the old hag spoke again. "But one by one, your joys shall leave you. Grief shall fill your heart, and tears your eyes." And then, she stopped and just stared at Cersei and Melara.

Cersei didn't like what she had just said. "What do you mean with that?" she said angrily.

Maggy the Frog just smirked. "I told you that you might not like my answers, child. And you already asked your questions."

Before Cersei could say or do anything, Melara took a step forward. "Will I marry Jaime?"

If looks could kill, Melara would have fallen dead right on the spot. You stupid girl. Jaime does not even know you are alive. He would never marry you.

Or would he? Perhaps her father was planning a bethrothal for Jaime, too. But would he actually choose Melara? Doubt began to creep into her.

"Not him, little one. The lion cub is not for you." said Maggy. "Your fate is bound to a man with salt and iron in his blood..."

XXXXXX

Harrenhal, 282 AC

Hundreds of eyes stared as the King made his way over to the altars of the Father and the Mother. Most were filled with genuine happiness for the wedding. All of the young maidens, though, looked in envy at the proceedings, wishing to be in the place of the bride.

Cersei basked in their envy, and beamed with pure joy. Bugger them. Let them stare. Let them grit their teeth and gnaw their liver. Let them whisper, and dream about what could have been. This was her moment, the happiest day in her life. If only you could see me now, Mother.

In just a few moments, she would be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, wife to King Rhaegar. What she had been dreaming since she was a child would finally happen. Maggy the Frog's prophecy had come true.

That thought sent a cold chill down her spine as she remembered what else the crone had said.

But one by one, your joys shall leave you.

Cersei was determined to not let that happen. She would be the best queen ever, and protect her children at all costs. Nobody would ever harm them. Bugger whatever the spiteful old hag had said. Yes, bugger that. The future wasn't set in stone. She would show everyone how a lioness took care of her family.

Her eyes then went to her father, who was standing right next to her, an unusual smile on his face. Bugger you, King Aerys. You thought I wasn't good enough for your son? Well, he doesn't seem to think so. She looked at the rest of her family, standing in the aisles. She briefly glanced at Tyrion, and thought happily about how rarely she would see him now. Bugger you, you disgusting imp. Then her stare rested on Jaime, who reacted with an embarrassed half-smile. And bugger you too, Jaime. In just a few moments she would have the whole realm at her command. Her brother, her other half, was now useless to her. Let him enjoy the Rock and his big-titted Tyrell bethrothed. What was Jaime, compared to Rhaegar? Nothing.

Rhaegar reached the altars. The High Septon started to speak, and Cersei smiled. He is so handsome. Rhaegar looked at her, and smiled in return. Vows were made, blessing were invocated, and promises were exchanged. She snorted to herself and wondered why wedding cerimonies had to be so boringly long.

Then her father took her maiden cloak off, and Cersi held her breath as Rhaegar put the new cloak on her shoulders. Her heart was beating faster than ever.

"With this kiss, I pledge my love, and take you for my lady and wife."

Cersei was quick to answer. "With this kiss, I pledge my love, and take you for my lord and husband." Their lips met, and it was the most wonderful thing she had ever felt.

And finally, the High Septon declared them husband and wife. "One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever."

Everybody applauded at that, the sound echoing for a while in the huge room. When it finally subsided, she smiled triumphantly and looked at the crowd.

Behold your new queen.

XXXXXX

The Red Keep, 289 AC

Her cries of pain filled the air as maidservants scurried around and the Grand Maester looked between her widespread legs.

"It's almost done, Your Grace." said the old man reassuringly. "Just one more push."

It's easy for you to talk, you grey-robed bastard. She clenched her teeth and repressed the urge to scream. She had never felt so much pain, not even while giving birth to Visenya and Aegon. This delivery was proving to be much more difficult than everybody had thought.

Cersei's mind was by now a whirlwind of worry and fear. Fear for herself, and her child. Many women didn't survive childbirth. The example of her own mother was still fresh in her memory. What would happen if she died to deliver her third child? What if both she and the child died?

How would Rhaegar, Visenya and Aegon react to that?

No, I can't let this happen! She steeled herself and pushed with all her might. I'm the Queen of Westeros. I'm a lioness of the Rock. I'm the mother of dragons. And I'm not going to die like this!

"Yes, Your Grace, like this...I can almost see the head!" Pycelle shouted excitedly. He turned to one of the maidservants. "Fresh rags, at once! And burn the old ones, they're useless now!"

Cersei closed her eyes and muttered a prayer to the Mother Above, something she had seldom done in her life. Please, have mercy. If not for me, at least for my child. She had never truly believed in the Seven, but she supposed it was worth a try.

To her immense relief, it seemed that the Mother had indeed been listening to her words. A few moments later, she screamed like a wounded eagle as her third child came into the world. She almost lost consciousness and started panting heavily, as people around her hurried at Pycelle's orders.

She was exhausted, and would undoubtedly have to spend the next few days in bed. But she was alive.

"It's a girl, Your Grace. A healthy baby girl." Pycelle said after a while, handing her a bundle of rags. Cersei took it and looked at her daughter.

She felt her heart swell with pride as tears of joy ran from her eyes. My girl. Her newborn child didn't look like much, but she knew that in time she would grow to be as beautiful as her older sister and her mother. "Rhaenys." she whispered. She and Rhaegar had already agreed upon a name. If she had birthed a son, they would have called him Daeron. She realized only now that their children bore the same names as the Conqueror and his sister-wives. Cersei smiled at the thought. Her children had the blood of the dragon and the lion. They would do great things.

Then Rhaegar barged in, and took little Rhaenys in his arms. He seemed to be beside himself with joy, so much that when he spoke, his mouth produced an incohomprehensible mess of words. Did he actually say "my third head"? Cersei wasn't sure. She must have misheard him.

He gave her Rhaenys back, and placed a kiss on Cersei's forehead. "My love, you have just made me the happiest man alive."

She looked at her husband, her king, with nothing but love. "You do...the same for me...every day." she muttered weakly. It was the truth. She couldn't have asked for a better husband.

A few minutes later, Pycelle ushered Rhaegar out. The Grand Maester and the maidservants stayed with her until they were assured that she wasn't going to die. And finally, she was left alone with her daughter. She held her in her arms as she sang a lullaby she had learned from her mother.

They fell asleep at the same time.

XXXXXX

Dragonstone, 297 AC

"We are ready to sail, Your Grace." said the captain of the ship, a dragonseed whose name she had never bothered to learn.

Cersei nodded at the man's words. "I want to be in the capital as soon as possible." she replied, as sullen as she had ever been, and as the captain bowed she retreated to her cabin.

She was alone in there, having left her son, Clegane and her two ladies in waiting in their own cabins. She needed to stay alone for at least a little while.

In the silence that filled the room, she made her way to the bed and lay on it. Then she hugged her pillow tight, and her sobs soon replaced the silence.

Of all the things that she could have imagined, Cersei would never have thought that she would become a widow after just fifteen years of marriage. And in such a way! Had Rhaegar died in battle, she would have been less shocked.

What was he hoping to do at Summerhall? Had he learned nothing from his ancestor? Did he really think there was a way to bring dragons back into the world? Had he...had he actually stopped to think on what would happen if something went wrong?

Had he even cared about how his eventual death would affect his wife and their children?

Clearly, he cared only about the dragons, a small part of her thought bitterly. How selfish of him. And yet, she found she couldn't hate him for that. What would she have done, in his place? Wouldn't she try anything in her power to restore her House to its rightful glory?

She had no clear answer to that. All she could think about, were Rhaegar and all the happy moments they had shared over the years.

Rhaegar kissing her in the sept at Harrenhal, the day of their wedding. His eyes shining with pure joy as he looked at their children. His strong arms holding her after they had made love. His beautiful voice as he sang and played the harp.

But one by one, your joys shall leave you.

She remembered those words all of a sudden and felt a pang of fear. The old bitch had been right so far, which could only mean one thing...

No! I won't let that happen! Prophecies be damned, nobody will take my children from me! She clenched her fists as she swore to herself to never leave her children alone. To keep them far from any danger. She may heve lost her love, but she wouldn't loose her children. Whatever it would take, she would see them grow and live their lives.

This she swore, by the gods old and new.

AN: And here it is, I hope you liked it. See you in two weeks with the next chapter!