Chapter 29

Cersei frowned at her reflection in the mirror. She needed to look perfect today. Cersei had invited Jon Arryn for dinner with her, Ned and Tyrion. It was almost three months since Lynesse left King's Landing. Cersei was bitter, for the whore was allowed to marry Ser Jorah Mormont. Tyrion told her a week after the whore left.

"She asked Ser Selmy to prepare her things to sail North to Bear Island." Tyrion said as they ate supper. Ned was busy with a council meeting.

Cersei pestered Tyrion every day after the incident until he folded. "How?"

"I do not know." Tyrion replied.

Cersei rolled her eyes, "of course you do. You are the worst gossip I know. You make it your business to know everything. Now tell me."

"Jon Arryn secured her passage on a ship. He also secured the marriage to Mormont. It is said that he was taken the last time he saw her." Tyrion explained.

"What is said around court about the whore?" Cersei asked.

Tyrion shook his head, "what you have already circulated. She is a high-class whore who threw herself at the king. Ned of course told you and she was banished from King's Landing."

Cersei nodded, "the truth then."

Tyrion sighed, "you were harsh with her."

"I do not think so. Is Jon Arryn's name mentioned in connection to her?" Cersei asked him.

"No. The Lord Hand is far too busy arranging for Lady Stark's visit. He is very fond of her." Tyrion said.

"I had thought of going North with her. I should like to visit the Wall." Tyrion offered.

Cersei frowned, "not now. I need you here, we need you here until Littlefinger comes back from his trip to Essos."

Tyrion frowned back, "a substitute to the Master of Coin. I thought I would do something different of my life."

"You are barely an adult and hold such a high post. You could have done worse. Do not be ungrateful. I'll have you know that Ned had to rally behind you to give you this post." Cersei told him.

Tyrion nodded, "What do you think of this visit?"

Her younger brother always deflected. Cersei knew that given a chance Tyrion would like to have his own lands and command his own people or have more power.

Cersei cut short her musings and schooled her features to politeness. She despised Jon Arryn but it had to be done. He was Ned's trusted advisor and she had to agree that he cared for her husband.

The older man came in with Tyrion. He offered the usual pleasantries. Cersei accepted them. Ned came with Dany on his arms.

"She insisted." Ned said. Cersei stood up and took her.

"You have to stop indulging her." Cersei told him. Dany made herself comfortable next to Tyrion. Cersei knew that Dany was his favorite.

"Uncle, come and play." Dany tugged at Tyrion's sleeve.

"Later, you horrible girl. I have to eat." Tyrion said.

Jon Arryn frowned at her. Cersei kissed Dany's cheek, "my love, why don't you play with your dolls while we have dinner and then Papa will take you back to bed?"

Daenerys looked at Ned as if to look for confirmation. Ned nodded and off Dany was.

Cersei had to admit that Arryn was very polite throughout dinner. They discussed the current affairs and then discussed the Starks' visit.

Catelyn and Sansa Stark would visit for Ned's nameday. It was Jon Arryn's idea. Cersei agreed that it would be a nice gift for her husband. Ned always spoke kindly of them and Catelyn's hospitality in the North. Cersei met Catelyn years ago, before the war. She was plain but friendly. Cersei thought her simpering at times.

Arryn smiled at some joke Ned made. "Any news on whether Lord Baelish will come back to his post?"

"As it is, yes, Petyr is coming back with Catelyn and Sansa. He's finished his business in the fingers and decided to visit Catelyn. You must remember, he was fostered in the Riverlands."

"Aye." Ned laughed as if remembering something funny.

Tyrion was quick to pick up on it, "may we learn the jape?"

Her husband smiled and shook his head. "Not a jape, just remembered something."

"Do tell, so that we are also amused." Cersei said with a smile.

"Baelish fancied himself in love with Catelyn. He challenged Bran to a duel. He was not injured a graze on his chest only."

Cersei laughed a little. It was comical to think that someone like Littlefinger could marry someone like Catelyn. She was too high for him, too important, even now, that the man was the Master of Coin.

"Should we expect a match?" Cersei asked with an innocent face that did not fool anyone.

"Petyr merely visited an old friend." Arryn said with a frown.

"Cat would not marry Baelish. She is far too good for the likes of him." Ned finished.

Cersei felt a prick of something that she did not like when her husband called Catelyn "Cat." Daenerys came by and tugged on her arm.

"I'm sleepy." The child said.

"Papa will put you to bed." Cersei said. Dany shook her head, "I want you." Daenerys creased her brow.

"Best avoid a tantrum." Cersei said and took the child's hand. "Gentlemen." Cersei said as her goodbyes.

The queen brushed the girl's hair and then kissed her good night. Cersei checked on Jon who was fast asleep, his curls all over his face. She kissed his forehead and retired to her quarters.

She was surprised to see Ned undressing before her. He helped her with the laces and kissed her shoulder blade. Cersei turned around and took his lips. "You taste delicious." He mumbled.

Cersei moaned when he brushed his fingers over her thighs. She giggled when he tickled her sides. "Come to bed." He growled when she teased his neck with love bites.

She kept kissing his neck and then touched him, "you are ready?" She smiled impishly at him. Ned laughed and then touched her. She gasped at him.

"You are too." He brought her closer and pushed her to their bed.

Cersei forgot to think when he kissed down her stomach and licked her button. Her lord husband was a giving and caring lover. She tensed when he added his fingers. The queen called out his name and then grabbed his hair as he entered her. Ned drove into her quickly. She knew he was close. He enjoyed licking her almost as much as she did. Cersei called out his name as her body shook from pleasure. This was enough. It had to be.

Catelyn arrived a day before Ned's nameday. A small feast was prepared in their honor. Cersei prepared her children for their cousin's visit. She dressed in a light blue gown while Daenerys wore a grey dress. Jon wore black with a silver direwolf pin.

She had a challenging morning with Jon who refused to attend his maester lessons and instead wished to ride horses or see the new pups.

Daenerys was better behaved that day and attended all her lessons. She even let her do fancy braids to welcome the Northerners. Cersei planted a smile on her face and walked down with the children.

"You must behave. Sansa is your cousin and her mother is your aunt." Cersei said as they reached Ned's solar.

She entered and found Jon Arryn, Catelyn Stark and Ned laughing heartily. The children ran to their father. Daenerys climbed onto his lap.

Cersei looked at Catelyn who rose and curtsied to her, "My queen."

"You must call me Cersei." She said and kissed her cheek. Ned cared for the woman. It was evident from the way he spoke about her and their frequent correspondence.

The other woman smiled reservedly. Jon tugged on her skirt. "Our crown prince. Jon."

"And that little princess."

"Daenerys Targaryen." Catelyn said.

"Stark." Daenerys said, "Daenerys Stormborn Stark." She then slipped down her father's lap and curtsied to Ned.

Catelyn smiled tightly once more.

Cersei looked at Jon Arryn who spoke to Selmy. "Where is lady Sansa?"

"She is North." The redheaded woman said.

"There must always be a Stark in Winterfell." Ned and Catelyn said at the same time. The woman smiled, genuinely to Ned. Cersei watched as Ned smiled back.

She did not like it and kept observing them that evening during the feast. Catelyn was in love with Ned. She laughed at his jokes and looked at him with longing eyes. Ned smiled and was familiar with her. Cersei felt as if she was choking when Ned held the other's woman's hand and laughed. They spent the feast talking about the North, Brandon and remembering anecdotes. Cersei was the picture of a well-mannered hostess but inside, she wanted to hurt Catelyn. She wanted to oust her like she did that whore Lynesse.

Ned and her retired well after midnight. He sought her and kissed her gently. She was a bit distracted. She could not keep Catelyn away from her head.

The tourneys were beautiful. Jaime did not travel to King's Landing so Sir Selmy won by a landslide. Cersei was crowned the queen of love and beauty. She graciously accepted the flowers. Ned kissed her hands.

Ned despised tourneys but he appeared at peace that evening when they retired. She did not have an opportunity to worry about Catelyn. Cersei was knackered the following morning but decided to continue with her day and scheduled breakfast.

She was to meet Catelyn for a private breakfast. Cersei needed information. "I simply must thank you for your hospitality when Ned stayed North."

Catelyn offered her a grimace that attempted to be a smile and agreed to break her fast. Cersei chose her gardens and had the children break their fast with Tyrion.

Cersei waited as Lady Stark arrived with her handmaid. "Your grace." The woman said.

"You really must call me Cersei. We are family after all, we share our nieces." Cersei said with a smile on her face.

Catelyn nodded, no more smiles from her then. "Did you have an opportunity to see Minisa and Joanna? I thought I heard Ned say you wanted to visit them."

The maids brought out breads, jams, bacons and other delicacies. "I shall visit them on my way back to Winterfell. I had hoped that ser Jaime would let me take them for a bit."

"I highly doubt that he will. He dotes on them. It would be too hard for them to be parted." Cersei pointed out.

Catelyn remained quiet. They ate for a bit and then Cersei attempted her hand at polite conversation once more.

"Lady Sansa should have come. She would have loved to play with Dany and Jon. Ned speaks fondly of her." Cersei began. Catelyn's eyes warmed at the thought of her daughter.

"Oh she is a little lady. She reminds me of my late husband a bit, so very determined and sweet." Catelyn continued, "she has my look."

"As do Minisa and Joanna. They are beautiful girls." Cersei complimented her.

"They look like Lysa then." The Wardeness of the North said.

"They do, if I say so myself, they have Jaime's green eyes however." Cersei continued pleasantly.

Catelyn's face pinched a bit. Cersei was reminded of Lysa then. It was a sore point for both. Cersei could tell that Catelyn blamed Jaime for Lysa's suicide. There was another stretch of silence.

Catelyn broke it, "Your grace, this was lovely." The other woman stood up.

"We must have lunch tomorrow. I shall arrange a tour of the city for you." Cersei continued.

"There would be no need." The redhead replied.

"Nonsense, I want us to be friends." Cersei then grabbed the other woman's hands.

Catelyn offered another tepid smile and then walked away with her maiden. The queen remained in her gardens and spent the afternoon with Jon and Daenerys. Ned was supposed to meet them for supper but he stayed in a small council meeting.

"I will go back with Lady Stark. I wish to see the Wall." Tyrion said as they drank some wine.

"No, I need you here." Cersei said. It was far, too far away from her. "The king has agreed. Lord Baelish will be back on his post. I am doing you a courtesy sister." Her baby brother said.

Cersei glared at him, "are you determined to leave North?"

"I am." Tyrion replied.

Cersei sighed, "I don't like it. When will you be back?" She hated the idea of Tyrion being away from her. She slept easier knowing that Jon, Daenerys and him were by her side.

"A few months, whatever the journey takes." Tyrion kissed her hands. "I had planned to visit Jaime on my way back and bring him with me."

"I won't be long." Tyrion said and offered her a smile. Cersei could not resist him. She caressed his face. "You'll have to be careful."

"I always am." Tyrion replied. "You'll be happy to know we will travel in a fortnight."

"Why would I be happy?" Cersei asked him.

Tyrion rolled his eyes, "I see the way you look at her, you dislike her."

Cersei frowned, "nonsense."

"You should not be jealous of her. Catelyn is not a match for your beauty." Her baby brother said.

Cersei laughed, "flatterer."

"Did you know she plans to have the twins come to Winterfell with her?" Cersei asked him.

"Jaime will not allow it." Tyrion said.

"Mamma, can I go with uncle Tyrion?" Jon asked.

Cersei shook her head, "of course not. Who would protect me and Daenerys when father is busy?"

Jon was appeased with the answer. Dany pulled him away to play with their toys.

"It was suggested that Jon would be fostered in Winterfell." Tyrion said.

Cersei laughed, "No. Jon will be by my side. He will be King. It is not proper for him to go North. He needs to learn from his father."

"The king liked the idea of his son going North and visiting Winterfell." Tyrion continued. "Jon will need to advance his training sooner rather than later. Rhaegar had his own household by the time he was nine. There is no reason why Jon should not do the same."

Cersei frowned, "Jon is barely five. Do not concern yourself with such matters."

"I would think that we should concern ourselves. When Jon is fostered, the West will be a better option." Tyrion pointed out.

Cersei sighed. "It is not a matter of concern at the moment. Jon will not be fostered until he is older than eleven if need be."

Tyrion nodded and grabbed Daenerys by the waist, "Take me to the dungeons."

"Yes, I want to go too." Jon ran past her and grabbed Tyrion's hand.

Cersei discovered that Tyrion took them to the dungeons to see the dragons. Ned was not aware. Cersei knew because Jon spoke of them the first night after Tyrion took them. She discouraged Tyrion from taking them.

"It is part of history. They need to know about this. It will be better if they learn it from people who care about them, specially Dany." Tyrion observed.

Cersei knew he would not let it go. Tyrion had been obsessed with dragons from the moment he could read about them and so he played with the children. Ned hated it when he pretended to be a dragon for the children. He usually left the room and was in a mood for hours. She reassured him that it was perfectly acceptable. It was children's games after all. Cersei however was sure that if her husband knew about the children's visit to the dungeons he would think ill of Tyrion and she could not have that. She would not have that.