A/N: To the guest who asked, yes it was a Rhaegar quote. Only Rhaegar said armor instead of shield. And the pairing is still undecided at this point.
297 AC - Draedon POV
Jon Arryn is dead. Uncle Stannis is back in Storm's End now. And father, along with the rest of my family, has gone to the North in search of a new Hand. Which means that I had to stay down in King's Landing to run the Kingdoms. Mainly because I do not trust Baelish or Renly to properly run them. Varys truly cares for the realm but there is something about him that makes me not fully trust him. Aside from my family, the only person I fully trust is Sandor. I trust him with my life, because unlike a common sellsword or any other person, he can not be bought.
That's where I am now, holding court. Running the Kingdoms while I sit upon the Iron Throne. It's a rather uncomfortable feeling sitting up here. I'm not ready for this yet. I know that I'm not ready for the crown yet. I'm not what the people and the realm need. Not yet anyways. But I told my father that can deal with it for the next two months or so. So that's what I'm going to do. Although, it is easier to sit up here when Ruby is laying at my feet.
Ruby has been with me for a little over eight months. When I visited Casterly Rock sporadically, I would often find myself drawn to the bowels of the Keep. The same place that Lord Tywin kept the captured lions. I was fascinated by those creatures. They were kept in cages and at first glance, they seemed broken. But I did more than glance at them, I studied them. I spent time with them. They were fierce and ferocious. They wanted to run free; to hunt down prey. The more time I spent with them, the more they came to ignore me. As if accepting me into their lives.
I became so integrated in their lives, that I began to feed them. To care for them. The more they trusted me, well as much as a lion trusts a human. So when one of my favorite lions had cubs, I showed them extra care. I also found out just how protective a lioness is of her cubs. It is extremely terrifying to have a full grown lion roar and leap at you. She didn't want to kill me, just let me know that I will not be touching cubs. So I respected her request and kept my distance. But everyday I visited, I crept a little closer to them. Until I was able to pick one up and pet it.
It was a beautiful lion cub. Bright blues eyes watching me. A red sheen runs down her spine, different from her litter mates. She purrs in my arms as my hands pet from her head down to her tail. Her mother is watching me to see if I do something unsavory. As if I'm going to throw the cub against the wall or something. When the cub began to feel, I knew it was hungry. So I set it near its mother, who was still cautiously watching me.
Everyday of my stay at the Rock, I would visit and play with the cub. It was to the point, the lioness could care less about me visiting. I began to take more risks with the cub, taking her further away from her mother every visit. After the cub became about three months old and began to eat meat, I gave her mother a full grown stag for dinner. It was more than just dinner though, it was a distraction so I could take Ruby away without a problem. It worked. And now eight months later, Ruby lays at my feet while I am on the throne holding court.
Speaking of court, I have finished for the day. These people can give you a real headache. As I'm about to descend down the stairs, I'm stopped by Ser Barristan.
"Your Grace, there is another issue that needs your input." Now I am confused.
"Why was the problem not brought up before I dismissed the court?" The older knight has a solemn look in his eye before he speaks.
"The problem wasn't brought to your attention because the person that it concerns wished for a private audience. She is a common girl, your Grace. She didn't want to have the nobles look down on her anymore than usual." Well that I can understand.
"Very well. Show her in please." I ascend back up the stairs to the throne. As I sit down, I see the woman. Her face is hidden under a hood. Concerning, but with Barristan, Sandor, and Ruby near me; I have no fear of an attack.
"Here she is your Grace." Barristan stands in his usual position at the bottom of the stairs.
"What is it that I can do for you madam?" It is always best to be polite to people, regardless of birth.
"I do not require such an title, m'lord. I am a bar maid and nothing else." She speaks slowly and quietly. So quiet, I have to lean forward to fully hear her. "Forgive me m'lord, but I didn't know where else to go."
"Well what is the problem? I need to know so I may do my best to fix it." These are my people, so if they need help I will give them all that I can. I am waiting for the woman to speak, but her voice never comes. Instead she removes her hood, to show a battered and bruised face. Her left eye is swollen shut, along with a busted lip. Severe bruises litter her face, and I am disgusted. Not with the woman, but with what happened to her. I am not the only displeased with this, Barristan is clearly unhappy. As is Ser Arys Oakheart. Sandor looks as if this is a daily sight for him.
"What happened to you? Who did this?" I ask softly. She appears to have a great interest in her feet, as she has yet to look at me fully. When she doesn't respond to me, I stand from the throne and descend the stairs to her position. She flinches away from me when I get close. So I gently cup her chin and pull her face up to where we are looking at each other. I speak softly one more time. "Who did this?" She stares for a moment before she finally replies.
"My husband. He believed I had been unfaithful to him, so he hit me." This better be a fucking joke, because this is ridiculous. I release her chin in fear of squeezing it too tightly. I can barely contain my anger when I hear this.
"What do you want done to him?" I need to know how in love she is with this man. She stares at me for a few seconds.
"I-I want him...dead. I want him dead, m'lord." The second time she spoke was quite firm and resilient. I turn to Barristan.
"Find him and bring him to me." I turn back to the woman. "Please tell Ser Barristan what he looks like and where he could be found please." While she gives Barristan the information for the man, I look to Sandor and nod. He knows he gets to spill blood on this night. Barristan leaves with some members of the City Watch in search of this man. I turn to the woman.
"I never got you name, Madam." She looks scared, but scared about what I wonder.
"My name is Alyssa, m'lord." Rather a fitting name, it suits her really. If not for the bruises, she would be rather pretty. Luscious brown locks of hair that falls halfway down her back. I see that her right eye is a light brown color as well. It's during thia time that she speaks again. "M'lord, what happens now?"
"Well your husband will be punished and you will go on about your life, I suppose. Unless there is something else?"
"Well, he worked as a blacksmith so he brought in more coin than I did. Without him, I doubt I will survive for that long before I'm living on the streets of Flea Bottom. And a young woman doesn't last long in Flea Bottom before something bad happens to them." So she's worried about the future. That's quite understandable.
"Well you said you were a bar maid, correct?" She nods at the question. "So I take it that you can cook well?" At this she nods again. "How about you come work for me in the Keep. I would like to have you as my personal cook. The pay will be steady, and as long as you can cook, you can live in the Keep. So a job, a place to live, and you get to see my handsome face everyday. Sounds like a good deal to me." I joke, hoping to get a smile out of her. It's a small one but I'm going to count it.
"M'lord, thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She repeats her thanks many times before I call for a servant to show Alyssa to her new accommodations. As I begin to leave, the doors open to reveal Barristan and the City Watch with who I assume is Alyssa's husband. A gangly looking man. Scraggly really. Untrimmed beard, dirty hair, rags for clothing. I see him and feel like I am the one who needs a bath. They approach my little group, which consists of myself, Sandor, and Ruby.
"Your Grace, this is the man I was sent to retrieve. His name is Jeramy. And he is the one who harmed Alyssa." The man, Jeramy, is bound and gagged but is still trying to speak. Ridiculous is the word that comes to mind when I see him. I look at him and ask a simple question.
"Did you do it?" He attempts to speak through the gag again. Ruby silences him with a growl. I ask him again. "That is Ruby. She doesn't like you. A simple head shake will suffice. We will know you are lying, so answer truthfully. Did you do it?" He nods quickly, probably terrified that I will feed him to my lion. As if I would feed Ruby something as disgusting as him. "Very well then. Sandor," I turn to look at the man people call the Hound, "have fun with him. Come on, Ruby. We're going to go eat something." And we walk away. End of that problem, beginning of a new one. What should I eat for lunch today? Ahh, decisions decisions.
After lunch, Ruby falls asleep by my bed like always. While I change into a simple tunic and simple breeches and boots. I haven't walked the streets in a few weeks and now seems like a good time to do so. I check to make sure the hallway is clear so I can make my escape through the secret passageways. My passage that I usually take is a secret door in the wall of my hallway. Directly beside the table that holds roses on top of it. I push the wall, and it swings open after the click of a job well done.
At the end of the seven minute journey, I exit the passageway that comes out at an overlook of Blackwater Bay. Another three minutes and I'm working my way through the traffic of the docks. It should be easier to navigate through this than what these people are making it. I finally make it through the dock traffic and get to the Mud Gate. Once I enter the gate, I am in Fishmonger's Square. Basically the place where the ship captains and fisherman prepare for their expeditions. But this is not what I came into the city for. I came to see how my people are faring.
So as I make my trek through the city, I notice things. More criminals and cutthroats than usual. Most likely they think that with the King gone, they can do more and get away with it. Baelish's brothels are bringing in good business still. Sex really does sell. The marketplace is booming as usual. Many different people are here, buying or selling. It doesn't matter which it is. So long as it continues. Less orphans crowd the streets. Not because there are less orphans, but they actually have a home now. Orphanages have been built for them in the King's name. Not that father actually cares about them but he needs the support of the common folk.
I make my way to a bakery to buy bread and cakes. After my purchases are put into sacks, I begin to make my journey through the city. Just have one more stop before I head back to the Keep. As I walk towards my destination, my mind wanders to my family and my relationships with them. Tommen idolizes me and tries to copy me. It's adorable really. I try to set a good example for him, but it's hard to be good in a place that requires you to do less than desirable actions for some results. I try to level out my family's bad deeds with good ones though. For instance, Joffrey cuts open a pregnant cat; a orphanage opens up.
Mine and Myrcella's relationship is exactly like it has always been. Very loving. Ever since she was born, I immediately loved her with my entire heart. And that love has continued to grow to this day. I miss her a lot now that she's away in the North.
My relationship with Joffrey is not as strong as it used to be when we were younger. The cat incident really strained our relationship but what ruined was when he skinned Tommen's fawn. I prefer Tommen's company to Joffrey's. So I distanced myself from him after that. I love him but damn, he makes it so hard.
Father loves me. He told me once, after the bandit situation, that I was his favorite child. I think it's because I look like him. It's weird that I am his only true born child that looks like him. My natural born siblings all look like me so it's just an anomaly to me. He gifted me his warhammer when I turned six and ten. I suppose he was hoping I would favor it instead of the greatsword that Uncle Tyrion gave two years prior. Well I do favor it but only because I like hearing the comparisons of myself and my father from his youth. My greatsword is my go to weapon but it's nice to hear how much I resemble my father.
My mother is one of the best people I know. She loves me, that I know. Hells, she has groomed me to be the best King in the last 100 years. The only problem with her teachings is that if it isn't her way of dealing with a problem, it's the wrong way. And that's a big problem, mainly because Stannis and Tyrion both advise me and the three each have different views and opinions. She's really close to Uncle Jaime, like strangely close. But that's most likely because of the whole twin thing. It's still weird though.
Speaking of Jaime, he's really competitive with me. He always trying to turn something into a competition with me. Sometimes I don't mind it, like for a spar or something, but if I'm telling a story about a hunting trip, please don't interrupt me just to say you killed a bigger boar than me. He's so cocky because of his skill with a blade, it's ridiculous. I try to stay away from him for the most part.
Renly still dislikes me, but not as much now. So that's a start I suppose. I don't even think he's been to Dragonstone more than twice since it became his. If he's not in the capital, he's in Highgarden. And if the rumors are true, it's because of Ser Loras Tyrell, the Knight of the Flowers. Loras and Garlan are good tournament competition, but I prefer Willas' conversation over the rest. I met Willas at my six and ten nameday celebration. He was the only Tyrell invited. He was not the only Tyrell to show up though.
Tyrion. Our relationship is so great. He is my best friend, my advisor, my business partner. We have a small shipping company together. Nobody knows about it though. Well except for Varys, of course. And what Lord Tywin doesn't know is that that 50,000 gold dragons loan I got from here years ago, and paid back fully, was what started the company. With the gold, we bought three ships and enough merchandise that we could ship it over to Essos and sell the merchandise to make a profit. A huge profit, I might add. For every gold piece we invested, we got three back. Uncle Tyrion is absolutely amazing when it comes to business. It really is a shame that Tywin could never see that. But it doesn't matter, I love Uncle Tyrion.
Uncle Stannis is my favorite uncle. He is my mentor. He taught me what it is like to be a man. I wouldn't trade my time on Dragonstone with him for anything else. It was extremely eye opening to see the world from his point of view. Plus as a bonus, I got to play with Shireen. Who is the sweetest person in the world. Which is ironic since Stannis, well, he isn't that sweet. But I take great pride in the fact that I made Stannis smile. Well me and Shireen did. We knew that his favorite thing about Dragonstone was the Painted Table, so me and Shireen, with some help, crafted an exact replica of it. Hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. And that includes getting into a tugging match with a full grown lioness.
I'm broken out of my musings as I realize that I have reached my destination. Once I enter the establishment, I am almost immediately pounced on.
"Uncle Draedon, did you bring food?" One of the little minions say.
"I hope there is cake." Another says. This is what I get. No, 'how are you doing?' Or, 'you look nice today.' Nothing in that manner. They're so lucky they're adorable.
"Yes, I come bearing food. Bread and cakes. Take it over to the table and share with each other." I hand the sack over to one of the children and they take over to the table like I told them to. I look down to my legs to see one little girl who hasn't released me yet. I bend down and pick her up so that she can sit in my lap. She is one of my favorite orphans, her name is Cerenna. Blonde hair and green eyes, quite possibly a Lannister. She is wearing the biggest smile possible. The smiles on their faces when they see me is amazing. I don't think they recognize me, so for that I'm thankful. At least the children do not recognize me, I believe the caretakers know me. They just don't say anything luckily.
"I'm sorry I can't stay long today Cerenna. But I have some things to do." She looks sad, but her smile never leaves her face.
"Can I come with you?" She pushes her bottom lip out in a pout. Absolutely adorable and almost impossible to resist. Almost.
"I'm sorry, sweetie, but not today. But before you get sad, I brought you a special cake." I pull a specially wrapped cake out of a pouch. It's chocolate. Her favorite. "Here you go, sweetie. Enjoy it and I will see you next time." She has stopped listening, more intent on devouring the cake in her hands. So I pat her head and head towards the door. As I am about to leave, I pull some gold out of my pocket and drop them in the caretaker's hand. She smiles warmly at me and I nod in return.
I need to make it back to the Keep quickly now. I've spent too much time away from it. So I begin to walk briskly through the streets on my way back to the docks. When I make it there, I head for the entrance of the passageway. I make it there and head through it. I make it through and make it all the way back to my room, where Ruby is still sleeping peacefully. The only time she really moves is when she hunts, other than that she is pretty lazy. I replace my dirty tunic with a thin wool jerkin, blue in color. As I am buttoning it, a knock comes from the door.
"Enter." I tell them. When the door opens, I expect it to be somebody other than him.
"How was your walk, your Grace? Did you enjoy the time with the orphans?" Varys speaks in his sugary voice. I hate that he knows everything but at the same time I'm happy that he does. Or else he would not be a good Master of Whispers.
"It was quite pleasant actually. A bit more crowded than I anticipated but I wouldn't change it. As for the orphans, they are always a welcome sight." I rather like Varys. He can hold a good conversation.
"I know what you mean, your Grace. I rather like the little birds as well. But alas, I did not come here to speak of the orphanage you visited. There is two other matters in fact, that I wish to discuss." And now the fun part begins.
"Give me the bad news first then." Let's get this conversation over with then.
"A wedding should never be considered bad news, your Grace." Cryptic as per our usual back and forth conversations are.
"Who is getting married Lord Varys?" I am genuinely curious about it.
"Daenerys Targaryen is, your Grace. To a Dothraki Warlord by the name of Khal Drogo." Father will be displeased at that. He will most likely try to send his army to kill them.
"So Viserys finally sold her, and for a Dothraki army no less. A bit of a stupid plan, the Dothraki don't sail." I mean if you going to get an army, get one that will actually follow you.
"Well whether they sail or not is still a question my little birds have yet to answer for me. In other news, your family is returning South with a new Hand. You wished to be informed when they began their journey home. Well they began it almost three days ago, your Grace." He said in that sickly sweet voice of his. I have always found it ironic that a eunuch is one of the most powerful people in all the Kingdoms. Because as a powerful person, your only goal is to be powerful and to set your family up high after you die. He can not do that. Shame really.
"Three days ago and you're only now bringing me this news? Perhaps your little birds are not as fast as I believed them to be." I say with a smirk. That smile still plastered on his face.
"I believe that they move slowly through the snow, your Grace. Most have short legs." I laugh as his jest. It's not often that that I speak to someone, other than Uncle Tyrion, that can make me laugh.
"Well thank you for news about my family. I shall ride up to meet them some of the way." He bows before walking to the door. He stops before he opens it and turns towards me once more.
"One other thing, Your Grace. Sandor Clegane wishes to come to the Interrogation room to speak to the prisoner with him." I chuckle at that. It's not everyday that Sandor gets a new toy. Toy perhaps is a bad choice of words when speaking of Sandor.
"Oh, well thank you Lord Varys." He bows once more and leaves. I sigh. A Prince's work is never done.
Sansa POV
"He doesn't mean Lady, does he?" I look to father who looked back solemnly. "No, not Lady, Lady didn't bite anybody, she's good..."
"Lady wasn't there," Arya shouted angrily. "You leave her alone!"
"It wasn't Lady, it was Nymeria, Arya did it. Please don't hurt Lady." I plead with them. "I'll make her be good, I promise. I promise." I begin to cry. Father takes me into his arms and holds me while I weep. Father speaks across the room to the King.
"Please, Robert. For the love you bear me. For the love you bear my sister. Please." The King looked at us for a long moment, then turned his eyes on to the Queen.
"Damn you, Cersei." He spoke with such loathing, I didn't even know it was possible. Father gently disengaged himself from my hold.
"Do it yourself then, Robert. At least have the courage to do it yourself." He spoke with a voice as cold and sharp as steel. The King looked at father with dead eyes and turned to leave without a word. As he turned, he stopped moving and was lifted off the ground. Who or what could pick the King off the ground and carry him around? A horribly scarred man stands in the doorway. I have never seen him, but I have heard the stories about him. The Hound is his name, he is the sworn shield of the Crown Prince. But that would mean that the Crown Prince is close to him, and the only other new person to enter the room is the man carrying the King back to the chair he just abandoned.
The man sets the King down in the chair and stands at his full height. He is easily six and a half foot. The only person taller than him is the Hound himself. The Prince has long black hair, down to his shoulder blades. It looks soft, I want to run my hands through it to find out for myself. But it is his eyes that draws my attention. They are a deep blue, unlike his father's stormy blue. They look like pools of sapphire. I could get lost in those mesmerizing orbs. They are brought out even more by his light blue doublet that is studded with a double row of thick gold silk.
He is muscular, I can see that even with the cloak he has on. Not overly so, but just enough that if he wrapped you in his arms that you would feel safe and secure. High cheekbones with full lips, he is different from his brother. Draedon is handsome like a warrior or a Prince should be, while Joffrey is pretty. Seeing them stand close together, it's hard not to compare the two with each other.
Draedon has a big smile plastered on his face, even his teeth is as white as snow. He turns to face me and my family. When he sees me, he walks over to me. He reaches up and cups my cheek. He wipes a tear that has fallen. He speaks with he most husky voice I may have ever heard before.
"Pretty ladies should never cry." He lowers his hand from my face. I miss the heat that his hand had, but a new heat hits my face. I'm blushing, most likely as bright as my hair. I want to look away but I don't want to lose sight of his eyes. He looks away first and I miss his eyes.
"So I was just told some very... Interesting news about my dear little brother." He looks towards Joffrey who is looking at the floor in front of him. Blood rising to his face. "From what I hear, Joffrey was disarmed by a little girl." Draedon turns to look at Arya, who is also beginning to blush from all the eyes being on her. "A very little girl by the looks of it." He has a smirk on his face now.
"I'm not little." Arya says defiantly, sometimes I just wish she would be quiet and act like a lady should. Draedon laughs, a light airy sort of laugh.
"My apologies, please do not go grab a club." His smirk widens. Arya smiles full on, even father cracks a smirk. "But now I'm curious as to why you wish to kill an innocent animal who has done nothing. Or why you want to kill either wolf for that matter."
"That beast attacked your brother." The Queen replies coolly.
"Because he drew a sword on its master. Ruby would have ripped his throat out if he pulled a sword on me, so he should feel lucky." Who is Ruby, I wonder. "So the wolves will not die."
"Actually, my Prince, there is only one dire wolf. We can't find the other one." One of the Kingsguard say. I recognize him to be Ser Meryn Trant. One of the three Kingsguard to come to Winterfell with the King.
"Actually, there are two. Me and Sandor found the other on our way up here. It's rather a terrifying creature to run across during a dark night in the woods, in case anybody was curious." The Crown Prince says with a chuckle soon following. "So they are not to be harmed or I will blame Joffrey. If an arrow pierces one of them, I'm going to blame Joffrey. If a rainstorm happens and lightning strikes one, I'm going to blame Joffrey. If the Warrior himself descends down from the skies above and strikes them down, I'm going to blane Joffrey. And you will not like the way that I handle it."
"That beast scarred your brother and you defend it." The Queen is beginning to become heated.
"Men should have scars. There is only two kinds of men without scars; Gods and cowards. And Joffrey is damn sure not a God." The hall is deathly silent until the Crown Prince speaks once more. "Sandor, stand guard over the wolves tonight. If anyone in Lannister colors comes close to you or the wolves, cut them down." The man called the Hound nods and walks away. "I believe that's the end of the discussion for tonight, you all may go to sleep now." The room disperses slowly but steadily. Arya runs to the Crown Prince and hugs him tightly around his body. Repeating her thanks to him. I wish I was in her position but I'm a lady so I won't act like that.
"Thank you, my Prince, for your help and support. I mean it, thank you." My father states as he extends his hand to the Crown Prince. Draedon immediately accepts it.
"It's my duty as a Prince to protect the innocent and to defend the weak. This seemed like the best way to handle this situation. So no thanks necessary, my Lord. And feel free to come to me with any questions for the capital. I will be happy to help. But alas, I must speak to my family, so have a nice night Stark family." He smiles and walks over to the Queen and Joffrey. Father ushers me and Arya outside and to our rooms. But before we leave, I turn to look at the Crown Prince and we make eye contact. He smiles and looks away. I believe that my betrothal may be to the wrong Prince.
Cersei POV
When I first saw that it was Draedon who entered, I was ecstatic to see my son after so long away from him. But now at the end of the conversation, I don't know how to feel. Happy that my son is standing before and angry at the same time for choosing those people over his own family. Robert is happy. Laughing and hugging Draedon while Joffrey and I stay off to the side. Their conversation ends and Robert leaves. The Kingsguard follows and now only three people are in this room. He gracefully walks over to us.
"Mother, you as beautiful as-" Joffrey cuts him off.
"How could you make me look like such a fool!" Joffrey is furious. It's not a secret as to why he is.
"You make yourself look like a fool all by yourself brother. Letting a little girl disarm you. Letting a butcher's boy get the best of you. You need no help making you look like a halfwit." Joffrey is embarrassed, I can tell by the blush on his face. "Instead of questioning what I just did, you should be thanking me."
"Thanking you? Thanking you for what?" Joffrey is genuinely confused, it's written across his face. I'm curious as well.
"Firstly, for stopping that war that just could have happened. If you start something with the Starks, you wouldn't be the one to end it. Father won't go to war with Stark for you. It was proven today that you are no threat with a blade, so you won't go to war. Stannis and Renly dislike you, so they don't go. That leaves me, Jaime, and grandfather to go. And I am not going to go to war with my future bannerman just because you are a fucking idiot. And secondly, the Starks think of me as their savior. They trust me, they will tell me secrets and come to me for advice. You need to wisen up and quickly. And get over your fucking obsession with causing harm to animals. You're a fucking Prince, so act like one." And with that, Draedon left. But only after he kissed my cheek and said his good byes. I don't think I have ever been more proud with Draedon than right at this moment. He didn't choose Stark over family, he just knows the game. Joffrey could learn something from him.
I spend the next hour calming Joffrey down. He finally calms down and falls to sleep. Myrcella's will be upset that she was not awoken to see Draedon but I'll deal with her in the morning. Same with Tommen. I lay down and allow sleep to claim me. My last thought is of my family, happy and loving.