Chapter 10:
It felt like hours before the bloodshed and violence finally stopped. He had gotten up and sat down about 100 times, unable to decide if he should go out and join the fight. Ser Meryn Trant was the man outside his door. Maybe Will could take him by surprise, after all, Meryn Trant didn't know he had a dagger hidden inside his waistcoat. However, he decided against it. There were men outside fighting, men who killed for a living. It would have been foolish to risk his life. 'Lannisters don't act like fools.' His grandfather's voice was loud in his mind.
Finally, the door opened and Meryn Trant stood before him, sword drawn.
"Let's go, your grace."
"Where?"
"We have to get you out of the keep. The queen's order," he replied.
"Tell me Ser Meryn. How much does the loyalty of a Kingsguard go for these days?" he asked.
"Get moving."
"I am not leaving. I guess you'll have to kill me then."
He unsheathed his sword and moved forward trying to grab Will with both hands, possibly trying to hit him a few times to make Will comply. This was the opportunity Will was waiting for and as soon as Meryn grabbed Will with both hands, he took the dagger and slammed it in Meryn's neck where there was an opening between his helmet and armor. Blood splattered from his neck and sprayed Will's face. Meryn's body fell lifeless. Will looked down at his hands and saw them covered with blood.
"Fucking hell. I wanted to kill that bastard." Will looked up and saw a sellsword standing before him. His sword was covered in blood.
"Are you Bronn?"
"My reputation proceeds me. This way your grace," he bowed with sarcasm, and Will followed him.
"What is the status?" he said while walking. He didn't even know where they were going.
"We got the royal wing under our control. The rest of the keep is still fighting. We were lucky. Most of the Tyrell cunts were at the gates preparing for a siege."
He led Will to another room where he found Tyrion, Tommen, and a couple of other Lannister loyalists still left in the capital.
"Tommen," he gasped and hugged his brother tightly. "Thanks the seven, you are okay."
"Are you okay nephew?" asked Uncle Tyrion.
"Yes, I am fine. This isn't my blood."
"Where are the Tyrells?"
"They are all locked inside the small council chambers. We have our best men guarding them."
"Okay. Bronn, take Mace Tyrell outside. Make him order his men to lay down their arms. Open the gates and let our army in," he ordered and Bronn left.
"What do you want to do with the Tyrells?" asked Tyrion.
"Just keep them all locked up. I don't want to deal with them right now. I have to get my mother back."
"The sparrows will allow her to come back to the Red Keep if she agrees to a walk of shame," said Tyrion
"What is a walk of shame?"
"It's where they announce her crimes to the public. Then they strip her of all her clothes and make her walk back to the Red Keep naked."
Will picked up the wine goblet Tyrion was drinking from and threw it against the wall. Anger filled him in ways it had never before. He was supposed to be a king. He had never been so humiliated in his life. He closed his eyes and he could hear people laughing at him. How was he supposed to defeat Danaerys Targaryen and her dragons when he couldn't even keep his capital under his control.
"I figured as much," replied Tyrion. "One problem at a time nephew. First, let's take control of the city. We will think of something to get your mother out as well."
It took two days for all the fighting to stop and for the Lannisters to take control of the entire city, replace the Tyrell men and appoint his trusted people back. He had immediately ordered a siege on Highgarden. The lords of the reach did not put up much of a fight with their liege lord in captivity. All the gold and food in the Tyrell home would be brought to the Red Keep. He still had not dealt any punishments to the traitors. They were being held captives for now.
The only decision that he made was to send about 8000 men North. He had received a letter from Sansa Stark begging for his help. She was planning to retake her ancestral home along with her bastard brother. He had asked the knights of the Vale to march north and help retake Winterfell from the Boltons. He had won Vale not long ago and the lords there showed no hesitation to impress him. Tyrion had questioned his motives but Will had offered no explanation. Funnily, it was Sam Tarly who had thanked Will about a thousand times when Will told him of this. It amused him slightly that Sam who had nothing to do with this battle was so excited just because Sansa's bastard brother was his best friend. It made Will a little sad that he had no friends of his own. That was the price of being royalty.
All the rebuilding and organizing of the capital was being handled by Tyrion. Will had not been able to look into any of the matters. He just sat in his rooms and drank all day. His mind would not stop talking. He was unable to sleep, unable to put his mind on anything. He hadn't been to see his mother yet. He could not bear to see her behind bars. Broken. He had always seen her as a pillar of strength. He could not bear to look into her eyes and see disappointment.
His mother was a prisoner. His wife had betrayed him. His sister was in danger and his younger brother had turned into a religious fanatic. To make matters worse, seven kingdoms now looked at him as a weak leader. He could not even begin to think about the charges levied against his mother. If any of them were true. If his mother had indeed killed his father. No. He had to keep calm. One more thing might just break him.
"Your grace," he heard a servant call.
"Yes?"
"A ship sailed in from Dorne."
Myrcella, she had finally arrived. There was one load off his mind. He practically ran out of his room to greet her.
She looked so peaceful. So beautiful. His sweet sister. She was so innocent and pure. He wished he could see her eyes once again. They had covered her eyes with stone. She was good. There was not an ounce of evil in her. What was her fault? Why did they have to take it out on her? He would kill them all. Each and every one of them. It was decided. The proof of what happened to good people laying in front of him.
"We should take her to the Sept. The Great Sparrow has after much pleading allowed your mother to see her before she is put to rest," said Uncle Tyrion.
He could hear Tommen's sobbing in the background. His Uncle Jaime ash faced standing silently. Tyrion trying to use his mind and reason still.
"No. Fuck that," he answered.
"Your grace?"
"My mother will not take permission from anybody to see her dead daughter's face for the last time."
"Your grace, you have to act rationally. We have to do the best we can with the cards dealt with us. I am negotiating with the High Septon. It's working. We just have to be patient."
"Fuck that. I AM THE KING. Uncle Jaime, I am giving you permission. Take as many men as you want. I want every sparrow dead. All their septons, and their septas. Everyone. Bring my mother back."
"Brother! You are talking blasphemy. Choose your words wisely for the gods hear them all. Don't ever talk like this again. The high Septon has infinite.."
"Shut the fuck up! You are a fucking idiot. Get out of here," he shouted at Tommen. He pointed at a guard standing far away. "Get him out here."
"Your Grace, the people will not take kindly to this assault on the faith," reasoned Uncle Tyrion.
"I am beyond the point of caring. The people can go fuck themselves. I have to put my family first."
"Your grace, please. I beg you..."
"I don't wish to discuss this further. My decision is final. Kill them all and bring my mother back. Is that understood?"
"It is your grace," replied Jaime.
"Get right to it then. We won't bury Myrcella until our mother is with us. Now leave me alone. I wish to mourn my sister in peace."
He hadn't seen Margaery since before he had taken control of the capital back. She had been confined to her room since. Not allowed to see anybody. Finally, he had made up his mind to see her.
She was brought to him by his guards into the throne room. She at least had the courtesy of looking down and not meeting his eyes.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"Like what?" she asked.
"The changes I made. To the guards, their uniforms, even all the rooms. I've got to give credit to people. They got all of this done in record time. There is no limit to the potential a man can achieve when he has a sword to his neck."
"You replaced the faith symbol behind the throne with the Lannister lion."
"Yes. It's a part of the big welcome present I have planned for mother. She'll be here any moment. Besides, it would have been very hypocritical to sit under the sign of faith when I have just massacred every single Septon and septa in the city. Speaking of massacres, check this out. Ser Gregor!"
In behind walked Ser Gregor Clegane. The Mountain. Dressed in a new black armor with the lion symbol engraved in silver on his chest.
"He is to be mother's sworn shield. What do you think about the new Kingsguard armor? Shows strength doesn't it? No more of that golden white fairytale knight armors. You can go now Ser Gregor," said Will.
"You have been awfully quiet. I thought by now you would have been on your knees begging for forgiveness, telling me tales about how you were manipulated by someone, pleading your love for me. Something. Come on Margaery, if there are any cards up your sleeves, now is the time to play them."
"I could say a lot of things. I could tell you the truth that we were left with no choice. How your mother had made it unbearable for us to survive. How she was bleeding us dry and how she was humiliating us. Tell you how hard it was for me to choose between my love and my family. But once we began this we decided that we had to go all the way. To make a huge gamble. It was a big risk but our backs were against the wall. We did what we had to do. I have lied a lot in my life. This time let me tell you the truth. I did not regret what I did to your mother one bit. I enjoyed it as a matter of fact. Hearing your mother's scream as she was taken by the sparrows was beautiful. I enjoyed ruling as well. The people loved me, they adored me. I was respected by the lords and ladies and I did a good job. However, the only regret I had in all of this is what I did to you, William. Because I love you. I truly do. I wanted so badly to find a way for us to be together. I came to you every night behind my grandmother's back. I hoped that some way this hell could be over. That if we had a child together you would not hate me. That it would bring us closer. That you can forgive me and take your place on the throne," said Margaery while slowly walking towards him.
"That was one hell of a speech. How long have you been practicing it?" he asked. She was so close to him now that he could feel her breath on him.
"I knew you wouldn't believe me. And to be honest it doesn't matter. Because you made up your mind on what to do with me before I even walked into the room. I just want you to know that no matter what you decide to do with me, I will always love you," she said.
She was now looking straight in his eyes. He remembered this Margaery. The Margaery who was his wife. The Margaery who he believed would be the mother of his children. The Margaery who he was supposed to grow old with.
He put both of his hands behind her hair and brought her closer. He placed his lips on hers. They kissed. He did not remember when he had kissed someone with so much passion before.
"I just remembered. I have yet to show you the biggest gift for my mother. We will have to be quick though, she will be here any moment," said Will and took her hand and dragged her with him.
He took her to the battlements accompanied by a couple of guards. She could see the entire KingsLanding from the view. She looked over and saw quite a crowd towards the Sept of Baelor. People by thousands gathered around there only stopped by the red cloaks.
"They are all dead. We just sent mother's clothes, jewelry, and some handmaiden's so that she looks presentable when she walks out of there. When the people will look at her they will see the Queen Mother and not a prisoner."
Margaery saw a lot of people outside the sept who were not stopped by the guards and who instead of shouting or screaming were just standing still. Will followed her gaze and saw what she was looking at.
"That's the welcoming party, likes of which has never seen before in Westeros. So big that we can see them from up here. As soon as she walks out they will throw flowers at her feet. Little orphan kids will run up to her and give her flowers. People will sing praises in her name. You know, the complete horseshit. We had to hire more people as the crowd grows big outside."
"I am sure Cersei will love it. She so loves orphans and common people," replied Margaery.
"I didn't show you the big gift yet. This was not it. This is just a political show. The real gift is right there," said Will as he took Margaery's face in his hands and turned it towards the walls of the keep.
Above the walls, planted on spikes were the heads of her family. Her brother Loras, her father, her mother, and her grandmother Olenna Tyrell along with the heads of key people who assisted the Tyrells in their coup.
Margaery's scream after seeing her family beheaded was the scariest scream he had seen. She kept on crying it felt for ages. He had never seen anyone bawl like that before. She fell to the ground crying. Will almost felt like throwing up but he controlled himself. He was the king.
Finally, when she calmed down a little did Will pulled her up back to her feet.
"Why?" she asked looking at him. She looked so broken.
"'Why' you ask. We brought you people into our family, gave you respect, made you the Queen. And you commit treason. This is their punishment."
"Why did you make me watch?" she asked.
"This is your punishment. You will be brought here every day and made to look at their faces for an hour. If you try to close your eyes, these men behind you will force it open," he replied.
He grabbed her by her hair at the back of her head and pulled her closer.
"You said you chose your family over me earlier right? Now, you will watch them every day. You will see their faces rot, birds and insects eat their faces every day. All the while contemplating the choices you made."
He let her go and started to walk away from her.
"You are a monster," she screamed behind him.
"To you? Sure."
Author's note:
That's the chapter guys. It was almost like part 2 of the previous chapter. So with this chapter, you can say that we reached around the end of Season 6 of the show. Now begins the difficult part. To carve out a better story because the show started sucking after this.
Don't forget to leave a comment. Let me know what you think. Any suggestions, predictions, or even say if you are liking this or not. Means a lot to me.
Stay safe. Peace.
