~Elena~
The entertainment for the evening was a circus, filled with fire breathers and exotic people. I searched for Sansa amongst them, finding that she'd already taken a seat at a hightable, a gloomy look about her.
"Elena? Is that you?" My heart stopped, breath leaving in a whoosh as I turned to find my uncle staring at me with wide eyes. Tears burned as I ran into his open arms, nearly breaking down as I took in the scent of home.
"By the Gods Elena, I thought you'd died." He cried into my hair as he nearly crushed me.
"Where is your sister?" Ellaria's voice broke the spell as Oberyn stepped away from me, quickly composing himself before anyone noticed.
"We have much to discuss. I can't say much now, but know she is safe. Also, you can't tell anyone you know me. It's not safe." I whispered as I dried my eyes, heart still soaring at seeing someone from before.
"Of course. Your uncle and I are here for a short while. I hope you will meet us tonight. There's a brothel we're quite fond of where we may speak without so many eyes." Ellaria explained as she fixed her expression into one of cool disinterest. I nodded, trying not to let myself break just yet.
"It's so wonderful to see you." I finished before they turned to investigate a contortionist. I could not wipe the smile from my face as I approached the table where Sansa was talking to Margaery's mother, her expression closed, deciding against it when I spotted Tyrion walking up to sit beside her. Pod flashed me a large grin as he came to stand behind his lord. I'd decided that Pod might be good for me, but I'd also decided that I may be deadly for him. The question was, which of our wills was stronger?
"Alright, very good. Off you go." Joffery snapped as he threw a handful of coins at the barb singing before them. A man Queen Margaery had been paying close attention to. She's a romantic? Poor girl has the wrong husband if she's looking for romance. The performer and company quickly scraped up the coins, while the noble's laughed at their expense, before rushing off, their eyes filled with both hatred and fear. It was a look I'd seen in many of Joffery's group. The queen leaned over and whispered something into Joffery's ear, before he stood, tapping the side of his cup to gather everyone's attention.
"Everyone. The queen would like to say a few words." My interest peaked for I hadn't had the chance to speak to her, but I'd heard she had a way with words.
"We are so fortunate to enjoy this marvelous food and drink. Not all among us are so lucky. To thank the Gods for bringing the recent war to a just end, King Joffery has decreed that the leftovers from our feast be given to the poorest in his city." There was a round of applause. Yes, give the poor your table scraps like dogs, not fresh food. Spectacular idea. I thought dryly. My interest was peaked once more when a rather large woman approached the table. She was presenting herself as a man it seemed. Her hair cut extremely short, face devoid of paste or powder, nor did she wear a dress. Queen Margaery stood and took the woman's hand. She bowed like a man. Who is this woman? I found that I very much wanted to know and vowed to find out as soon as possible. Lord Varys and I were slowly and painfully working our way back to a working relationship, though the road to full trust was long and rough. The large lady attempted to leave her well wishes behind only to be stopped by a very agitated Cersei. The mystery lady was shaken by whatever poison fell from the late queen's lips, her gaze meeting that of Sir Jamie Lannister, a recently returned one handed king's guard, and Cersie's brother. Tales of Cersie and Jamie circled King's Landing like wild fire. Their incestuous taboo relations a thing of popular gossip. There was even talk about Joffery not being of Baratheon blood at all, but that of the Lannister siblings. Looking at them now, I couldn't help but wonder if it was true. A fool came out next, making a clumsy attempt at juggling oranges, only to have them fall around him. Margaery looked about her, seemingly bored as I felt my heart tug in empathy.
"A gold dragon to whoever knocks my fool's hat off!" Joffery shouted as he pointed to the poor man. Objects rained from all directions. Those around jumping at the violent chance for precious gold. The fool quickly ran off, his face etched with embarrassment as Joffery smiled, quite pleased with himself. That poor man probably never hurt a single human in his whole life, and he's the one who gets punished for the amusement of the rich.
"Everyone silence!" Joffery commanded as he tapped his cup once more. "Clear the floor. There's been to much amusement here today. A royal wedding is not an amusement. The royal wedding is history. The time has come for all of us to contemplate our history. My lords, my ladies. I give you, King Joffery, Renly, Stannis, Rob Stark, Balon Greyjoy, in the War of the Five Kings!"
My jaw dropped, eyes wide as several dwarves came running out of a large wooden tiger's mouth. Dressed up as royals. Some riding animals, other's riding ragdoll women. I looked to Tyrion, his face hard as he realized he was being made a fool of. The dwarves shouted insults to each other as they ran around play fighting, making a grand spectacle of themselves while Joffery looked on with harsh laughter. He's gone to far this time. I knew it even as I watched him look very pleased with himself. Sansa looked horrified, though I suppose I would to if an evil child king had a version of my brother out there, after such a sort time since his murder. Do something you idiot. I mentally shouted at Tyrion as the winning dwarf, King Joffery proceeded to hump the fallen wolf head. Everyone clapped loudly, unaware, or uncaring that Sansa was living a nightmare.
"Well fought. Well fought." Joffery announced with a clap as he stood. "Here you are. A champion's purse. Though, you're not the champion yet, are you? A true champion defeats all their challengers. Surely there are others out there who dare challenge my reign?" He looked about the crowd, a smug look painted onto his face, before his eyes landed on Tyrion and Sansa.
"Uncle. How about you? I'm sure they have a spare costume." My heart ached without my permission as Tyrion tried to smile past the attention, standing from the table.
"One taste of battle was enough for me your grace. I'd like to keep what remains of my face. I think you should fight. This is but a poor representation of your bravery on the field of battle. I speak as a first hand witness. Climb down from the high table with your new Valyrian steel sword and show everyone how a true king wins his throne. Be careful though, this one is clearly mad with lust. It would be a tragedy for the king to lose his virtue, hours before his wedding night." I covered my face with my hands, wondering if Tyrion, in fact, had a death wish. Joffery will have his head now, there will be no way around it. Curse that man's stupidity. The crowd was silent as they watched what was to come next. Please spare him. I prayed as Joffery picked up his cup with a lazy smile, walking over to pour the rest of his wine on Tyrion's head.
"Fine vintage. Shame that it spilt." Tyrion drawled in an attempt to brush off the situation he'd gotten himself into.
"It did not spill."
"My love, come back to me. It's time for my father's toast." Queen Margaery called as she reached a hand out, beckoning back her child husband, while the dwarves loaded back into the wooden tiger.
"How do you expect me to toast without wine?" Joffery asked with a smirk as he walked back over to his lady.
"Uncle. You can be my cup bearer." He announced as if it were a brilliant plan. "Seeing as you're to cowardly to fight."
"Your grace does me a great honor." Tyrion spoke as if the insult was lost on him.
"It was not meant as an honor." Sansa flashed the king a cold look as Tyrion hopped down and went to do as told. Has he no shame? I wondered as Joffery dropped the cup on the ground, kicking it away when Tyrion reached for it.
"Bring me my goblet." Joffery ordered, his eyes daring Tyrion to protest. That's my girl. I thought with a small smile while Sansa stood and retrieved the goblet, handing it to Tyrion with a weak smile.
"What good is an empty cup?" Joffery sneered when Tyrion attempted to hand it to him. "Fill it." Don't. But he did, because Tyrion was logical, and logic stated this was a battle he would lose. Tyrion did as commanded before attempting to hand the now filled goblet over.
"Kneel. Kneel before your king." It was a test of power. The king wanted to prove a point. Tyrion had gotten in his way, and would now suffer for it. "Kneel." Tyrion stayed standing, staring down his nephew who was in the midst of a tantrum. "I said kneel!"
"Look the pie!" Margaery called to break the tension. Applause arose as people relished the change. Men walked out carrying an incredibly large pie onto a cloth draped table.
"My queen." Joffery spoke as he took up his new sword, turning to approach the large pie with it raised high above his head. It hit with a loud pop and doves flew from the inside, much to everyone's surprise. How long did it take to trap all those birds in there? I mused as the men dolled out plates while Margaery fed a bite to her husband. Something isn't right. I wasn't sure how it was I knew this, but something dark was coming. Tyrion stood, as Sansa scooted from her chair, gathering Joffery's attention once more.
"Uncle? Where are you going? You're my cup bearer, remember?" It was cruel but I expected little else from the oldest child of Cersei Lannister.
"I thought I might change out of these wet clothes, your grace." Tyrion explained as he motioned to his wine coated state.
"Oh no, you're perfect the way you are." Joffery reassured as he took another bite. "Serve me more wine." You could walk away. I thought, though I knew he wouldn't. He wanted to continue playing this power game, so he followed yet another rule as he once again walked over to do as bid.
"Hurry up, this pie is dry." Joffery scolded as a dark look crossed Tyrion's face. How much embarrassment are you willing to endure? Joffery drank deeply, while Tyrion looked on.
"If you please your grace. Lady Sansa is very tired -"
"No." His face paled as he coughed. "You will stay here." The coughing grew worse as the dark feeling settled over me like a thick blanket.
"Your grace?" Tyrion asked with concern, stepping forward as if to help.
"I'm fine." Joffery protested before he took another sip, his coughing only growing worse, his hands going to his throat as he began gasping.
"He's choking." Margaery shouted as she looked around for someone to help.
"Help the poor boy." Margaery's mother called as he turned to face the crowd, eyes wide with panic as he struggled to take another breath. "Idiots help your king." People rushed about, panicking as the king began to slowly die right before their eyes. It was surreal experience, almost as if I'd wished it into existence.
"Move out of the way!" Sir Jamie Lannister came charging through the crowd, gold armor catching the sun as Joffery collapsed, no one lifting a finger to help as he reached for them, seizing as he began to drown in his own vomit. Cersei dropped by his side and I began to feel a resemblance of sorry. More for the panicked grief stricken look on her face than because her son was dying. A man appeared from the shadow's catching Sansa's hand, speaking to her hurridly. Curious. I thought as she hurried away with him. I followed close behind, wondering if Sansa had been responsible, casting the thought aside quickly. She'd seemed genuinely surprised, and though Sansa was no doubt miserable, I couldn't picture her poisoning the king. They ran together through back alleys and side streets until they came to a tavern, one I'd visited with Pod not to long ago.
"We'll be safe here until nightfall. There's a boat waiting to take you far from here, where you'll be safe." Why should she have reason to fear?
"What will happen to Lord Tyrion?" She asked as she donned a cloak that had been given to her.
"He is of no concern now." Which meant this man knew Tyrion was going to take the fall. But surely Tyrion wouldn't poison his nephew in front of hundreds of people? Once I was assured that the man wouldn't try anything foolish, I rushed back to the gathering to try and figure out what was happening.