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Chapter 27
Cersei was able to walk and stopped bleeding a week after she woke up. She was lucid and needed to attend her own tourney. She hated that Ned insinuated that she should remain in bed for another week. Cersei frowned at him and refused to stop her plans for her nameday. "I deserve this." She said.
She was happy, she needed to be happy, Tyrion and Jaime were with her. Father was civil and let the children call him grandfather. He smiled at Daenerys once, she was sure of it. The little girl was loving to a fault. She made all of them love her.
They were in the gardens. Father asked for an audience with her and agreed to meet her in the royal private gardens. Cersei smiled at him.
He sat with her on the bench, "Pycelle tells me you lost a child."
Cersei nodded, she did not like to think of it. She pushed it to the back of her mind, she was not sure whether she wanted that child. It scared and thrilled her to have a child of her own. She knew she would love it more than Daenerys and Jon. Cersei hated the thought but she knew that if she had a child of her own it would be hard to give it all to Jon or care so much for Dany. The new child would take all the place. At night however, she longed for a child. She convinced herself that she would love it, that her heart was big enough to accommodate another love. She managed to love Jon and Dany almost as much as she loved Tyrion. It would be the same with a child from her loins. She then welcomed the sun and realized that she was fine with what she had. Love left her open, vulnerable and scared. She would burn cities for Tyrion, for Jon, for Dany, for Jaime.
"I did." Cersei stopped thinking so loud.
"You must conceive again. You must secure the line of succession." Tywin stated.
Cersei learned that it was easier to agree. "I will."
Tywin sighed, "that boy, Jon, he is strong."
Cersei smiled, "he is."
"Cersei, have you thought of your children? That boy will be king when your own blood should be. It is madness that he is the crown prince." Her father hissed.
Cersei frowned, "you must never let his father hear you. You would be charged with treason. Father, you must love that boy. He is your grandchild in the eyes of men."
Tywin hissed at her. "I wanted my blood on that throne."
"You should have worked harder then. If it were up to your choices, I would be Lady Stark, wife to the Warden of the North." Cersei said as he waved to the children.
"You are queen and your children should reign." Tywin carried on.
"I am queen, but not by your design. I am queen because Ned Stark decided to sit on that throne and because Robert Baratheon died." Cersei smiled.
Her father scowled at her and remained silent. "Bear him children. He is infatuated with you, that much is clear but he will tire of you. You must secure your position."
Cersei nodded, "thank you for your advice." Her father left her alone then. It was a mistake to invite father. He always managed to make her feel less than, confused and paranoid.
Ned joined them for lunch. "Your brother has enlisted in the jousts."
"Jaime always liked tourneys." Cersei said as they ate. She noticed a change in Ned's demeanor. He was more open, like he was before the incident. She quite liked it.
"Jon has asked me to cut short some of the festivities." Ned said as he cut his meat.
"Of course he has. It is his mission in life to take away the happiness of others, especially me." Cersei announced as she drank her wine.
Ned half smiled. "what say you my queen?"
Cersei sighed once again, "he really should mind his own affairs. I say no, I have worked hard on these festivities and the lords and ladies need some diversion as does the smallfolk."
Ned did not argue with her. It was a good sign, she finished eating and walked to her solar. The children would have their time with Ned now.
The tourneys and banquets were all wonderful. Jaime won the joust against Ser Selmy. She knew that Tyrion made quite the pocket money after the results were in. Cersei was crowned as the queen of love and beauty. She placed the flower crown on her lap and kissed Jaime on the cheek. Ned frowned next to her. She smiled at him and he schooled his features. It was not a secret to her that Jaime and Ned disliked each other.
Cersei did not dance during the final banquet because it would worry Ned. He did not dance with anyone either. The night was a success. She smiled at her brothers who laughed and drank with some of the Lannister host. She frowned, Tyrion could not drink, he was a child. She frowned even more when Jaime stood up with a servant and pulled her to Tyrion's lap. She was sure Tyrion would not know what to do and was surprised when he whispered something in the girl's ear and she blushed. Tyrion then stood up and took the girl away. Father frowned at her brothers and scowled deeply when Tyrion raised a glass to him.
Cersei was confused. She would seek answers the following day. Father retired from the feast. Cersei conversed with some ladies and found Lynesse Hightower a delight. Cersei found that the girl would be in court for some time and decided that she would do for Jaime. The queen asked her to stay in the Red Keep and for a walk in the afternoon. She was surprised to see Jon Arryn smiling at them. Cersei paid it very little mind.
She talked to Littlefinger who planned a trip to the Eyrie. "I find myself in need of a wife. The Lord Hand has promised one of his Royce cousins." The man said. Cersei nodded. She liked the man. He was always agreeable to her requests of banquets and her donations to the orphanages and her work with the septas and silent sisters. Cersei was not naïve, she was aware that the man ran a chain of brothels. Ned thought that she would be outraged by the master of coin's business enterprise. Cersei waved him off. It was not her place. There would be whores everywhere. The man would profit, let him, as long as he was loyal to her.
"May your intended be worthy of you Lord Baelish." Cersei said and bid her goodbyes. She was tired and wanted to see the children before retiring.
She made her way to the Jon's quarters first. The boy was sound asleep. She kissed him good night and then moved to Daenerys' quarters. Her little dragon slept with all of her hair on her face and sprawled, not very lady like. Cersei brushed her hair back and kissed her forehead.
Cersei walked to her quarters and undressed to her shift. Ned was not there yet, probably drinking with Ser Jorah. Cersei liked the Bear, Ned called him that from time to time. She slipped under the covers and slept soundly until Ned came back. He had more cups than he could appropriately hold and chuckled as he hugged her.
Cersei gasped at his cold feet. "Why are your feet so cold?"
Ned chuckled once more and nuzzled her neck. He kissed her earlobe. "Did you like your name day celebrations?"
Cersei turned her head and kissed his bearded cheek, "I did. Thank you."
Ned kissed her hands, "you are so beautiful."
Cersei kissed him again. Ned touched her lips with his thumb, "I won't ever leave you. Do you understand that?"
She frowned, "I do."
Ned kissed her cheek, "you don't but I want you to know this. Cersei, I promise you will be my only wife, the only woman who will bear my children."
Cersei stiffened, "if there are any children."
Ned smiled, "we already have Jon and Dany. We may not need more."
Cersei could have cried, "and you would be fine?"
Ned kissed her deeply, "I need you happy. You and the children make me happy." He fell asleep after another kiss.
They woke up late the following day. The Red Keep was sluggish. Ned kissed her cheek. She opened her eyes and noticed that he was dressed and wore a smile.
"How are you so chipper?" Cersei said, she had a mild headache from the wine she imbibed the night before.
He kissed her shoulder and left, "I shall see you and the children later, in the gardens."
Cersei nodded, "after lunch. I will have lunch with father and my brothers."
"As you wish. Dany and Jon will be with me longer today. We will go to the Godswoods today."
Cersei sighed, "fine but don't let the servants see you."
Ned agreed and left the rooms.
Cersei dressed for the day and went to her solar. The children were there and breaking their fast. She greeted them with kisses.
She had food brought to her and was surprised to see her father come in. It was the second time in less than a week.
He sat in front of her. Cersei greeted him as did the children. Dany and Jon then sat down to play with some wooden toys Tyrion brought them.
"I did not expect you until lunch time. Have you broken your fast?" Cersei asked him. "Shall I have a servant bring you anything?"
"No need." Her father said. "I am sure you are aware of the current situation with Tyrion."
She was not, but father did not need to know. "I am."
"It is best that he stays in the Capital. Jaime and Kevan are more than capable of running Casterly Rock." He continued.
Cersei could have danced at the moment. "I had hoped that you would stay as well."
"I leave for Volantis in an hour. I have some affairs to resolve." Her father stood up. "Do not let your brother cavort with whores again. He has brought enough shame to our name for a lifetime. I am thankful that she did not carry his seed. Marrying a whore." He spat.
She stood up and kissed him on the cheek. "I wish you good luck in your travels."
Her father nodded and left. Tywin Lannister, always the loving parent.
Cersei frowned when Daenerys asked, "mamma, what is a whore?"
"Never say that word again. It is not a nice word." Cersei said firmly.
Daenerys nodded and continued to play. Jaime and Tyrion needed to explain themselves quickly.
The septas picked the children for their lessons and lunch. Cersei busied herself with some reading and her charity. Tyrion was the first to appear.
He kissed her cheek, "where are the children?"
"They have gone to their lessons and to have lunch with their father." Cersei replied and ordered the food to be brought to them.
"What is this I hear about you marrying a whore?" Cersei asked.
Tyrion stood up, "I will not speak of her. She is gone and it only lasted two weeks." Cersei frowned at him.
"Why did you marry a whore?" Cersei did not let go.
"Well, I did not know she was a whore." Tyrion spat. He told her of how Jaime and him saved her from some robbers. He explained that him and Tysha ate two whole chickens and how he bribed a septon to marry them. Tyrion told her about living with Tysha in a cottage and living with her for two weeks before father put an end to it.
"Jaime confessed, he bought her for me, to make a man out of me. Father had the guards pay her for her services. I went last." Tyrion spat much like their father did.
Cersei tried to not show a disgusted face. She looked at the young man. "When did this happen?"
"Almost a year ago." Tyrion said.
"Why did you not write to me?" Cersei asked and grabbed his hands.
"And tell you what? That I was a fool? I am not a child anymore Cersei." Tyrion stood up and left the quarters altogether.
Cersei sat back. She needed to talk to Jaime. She stood up and went in search of him. She knocked on his quarters and heard female voices. Cersei opened the doors and found his brother with two of the kitchen girls. "Leave and never come back." The girls scrambled for their clothes and left.
Jaime frowned at her. "I was having fun."
Cersei could have killed him. "We promised to keep him safe, to love him. How could you?"
Jaime paled. "Father told you."
"Of course he did. He assumed I knew. You should have written." Cersei yelled at him. Jaime dressed and puked on a basin.
"What have you to say for yourself?" Cersei asked him once he was done puking.
Jaime looked ashamed, "father threatened me. He said he would exile him and he was barely of age. I thought he would so I lied and said that Tysha was a whore."
"She wasn't." Cersei felt sick then.
Jaime shook his head, "I didn't know of father's treatment and her exile until I came back from Crakehall. Father had me lie to Tyrion that morning after they were caught and then sent me to Crakehall to fix an emergency. I think he knew that I would not have let it happen. I couldn't tell Tyrion afterwards. It would have destroyed him."
Cersei did something she never thought she could do. She slapped him hard on the cheek. "I trusted you to take care of him and you let him marry that poor girl. When are you going to start thinking like the adult you are?"
Jaime touched his cheek and frowned, "you said he would come to you. Nothing would have happened if he came to you when he became of age."
Cersei did not argue with that. She watched him. "He must never know. Where is this girl?"
"Father sent her away. I do not know where. He said she would not be of any concern any longer." Jaime explained. Cersei felt bile rise on her throat, the poor girl may be dead for all they knew.
Cersei looked at Jaime. "He is to stay with me."
"I think it is best. He is not the same with me. I think he may hate me." Jaime said despondently.
Cersei shook her head and hugged him. "Don't be silly. How could he hate you? You are his protector."
Jaime held her. "I should tell him."
"Oh Jaime, and what would that accomplish? You know that he would not live with himself if he knew. He would truly hate you then." Cersei explained.
Jaime nodded and separated from her. "You know he is most like father. He could be just as calculating and cruel."
Cersei frowned once more, "don't say those things. Tyrion could never be like father. Now, bathe, dress and come to my solar you have yet to eat. I will make sure to have Tyrion there too."
Cersei went back to her solar and waited for her brothers. Tyrion tried to beg off but Cersei would not have it. She was the queen after all.
Jaime ate his meal while she interrogated him, "tell me of your girls."
Jaime smiled, "They have our eyes, tall but redheaded, Minisa is quieter, Joanna is far too spoiled for her own good. They wanted to come but it was best for them to spend some time with Hoster. He dotes on them. I will retrieve them once I go back to the Rock."
Cersei smiled. She thought that one of the girls would do nicely for Jon once he was of marrying age. Those thoughts brought her to Lynesse. She laughed at some of the tales that he had of his twins.
"You love them." Cersei said smiling.
"Of course I do. They are my girls and they are infatuated with their papa." Jaime told her.
Tyrion appeared back. He was sullen for a bit but then learned that he was to stay in King's Landing. He smiled, life at the Rock must be excruciating.
"Why is father going to Volantis?" Cersei asked.
Jaime shrugged and Tyrion smirked, "he is looking for contacts. He wishes to establish more trade with them and diversify our income."
Cersei arched an eyebrow, "are the gold mines not producing?"
Jaime spoke then, "not as much as they did before the war. As you know our gold financed the rebellion. We have found emerald and silver mines but these are secondary."
Tyrion rolled his eyes, "the old Lion is looking out for new business ventures. It is wise to do so before we find ourselves asking for the royal debts to be paid."
Cersei frowned, "Ned said that we were on schedule with that."
"Oh you are, but to be honest father is asking for very minimal if any interest which is not very sound." Jaime said.
Tyrion sniggered. "out with it." Cersei told him.
Their baby brother smirked, "Tywin would wish nothing more than to have the crown forever indebted. He wishes nothing more than to incur more favor."
"He has me as the queen." Cersei said, "what more favor does he need?"
Tyrion rolled his eyes, "he wishes a seat on the council. It is impossible because Jon Arryn distrust us and to be honest the next king may not be as well controlled as Eddard."
"The next king will be Jon, my son." Cersei said.
Tyrion and Jaime looked at each other. "Sister, he is not yours. He is only Eddard's"
Cersei frowned, "I forbid you to say that ever again. Jon and Daenerys are mine. Just as much as Minisa and Joanna are Jaime's."
Her brother did not say more for Daenerys and Jon burst into the room. They were dirty and Ned followed them. "Change of plans."
"Why are they so dirty?" Cersei asked.
Jon was positively filthy, "I rode Storm and then Dany and I fought white walkers."
Daenerys giggled, "don't be silly. They were sea monsters." She let a high pitch yell and ran out to the garden. Jon followed her and they tumbled all over the garden. Ned laughed as they went.
"What did you give them?" Cersei asked while chuckling.
"Nothing, just excess of energy. I did not take them horse riding. Jorah and I practiced so they had to watch for a bit. I have to admit. They got out of hand once we went to the Kingswood. They chased some rabbits and maybe a hedgehog."
Ned then noticed her brothers. "Afternoon."
"Your grace." Tyrion said.
Cersei shook her head. "I have to bathe them now." She said.
"Gentlemen." Ned went to the garden. Jon and Dany stopped playing when he called them. Jon grabbed a leg and Dany grabbed the other. Ned laughed and tried to shake them but couldn't, so he walked with them attached to him.
"Leave your father be." Cersei said, "he has to meet with the Lord Hand."
They shook their heads. "If you do not leave Papa. He will not come to read or say good night because he will be in meetings all night." Jon let go of him.
"Bye Papa, be good for the Lord Hand." He said
Daenerys was not deterred. "I shall go with Papa because I am his Sun." Ned lifted her.
"You are dirty." Ned said.
The girl wrinkled her nose. "You are unkind. I don't like you until bedtime." She said but then laughed when Ned tickled her. She kissed all over his face.
"Remember me papa." She said and then went back to chasing Jon.
Cersei laughed and kissed Ned, "Go, before they change their minds."
Jaime and Tyrion smirked at her when Ned was gone. "He is smitten."
"Why shouldn't he be?" Cersei winked at them.