DEATH AND POLITICS

JAIME

Word had been sent ahead to the Capital of Prince Joffrey's death. The Maester had embalmed and wrapped his body until it can get to the Capital. Jaime was a mix of emotions. He was angry at Stark for allowing his daughters to bring those damn wolves. He would be angry with the Stark girls, but the Maester at House Darry said that Joffrey did not get sick and die from the Wolf bite. He was also angry that he could never be a father to his son.

He thought back to that time when Cersei lost the first baby. Robert went hunting and Cersei sought comfort with Jaime. They restarted their love affair and would engage in sex when Robert was off hunting or winching. Then a year and half after she lost the first baby, she became pregnant. Jaime wanted to run away, but Cersei insisted that this would be their legacy. A true blood Lannister ruling the seven kingdoms. So she seduced Robert and was able to trick the fool into believing that Joffrey was his. On many occasions Jaime offered to kill Robert for the way he treated his sister, but she would not allow him.

As the royal entourage enters the city people gather and lower their heads out of respect. Stark gets his family settled inside the Red Keep. Apartments had already been prepared for him and his daughters. Jaime follows Robert and Cersei to the Sept of Baelor to lay Joffrey at rest until he is buried. "Lord Commander a word please." He says approaching Ser Barristan Selmy the Lord Commander of the King's Guard.
"Yes Ser Jaime what is it?"

"I would like to stand vigil for the Prince…He was my nephew."

"Of course…"

The only sound being made was Cersei's waling. To Jaime's surprise Robert was comforting her as a real husband. On rare occasion the fat drunken fool could be a loving husband and father.

EDDARD

Arya blamed herself for Joffrey's death, "No my dear little wolf. The Maester said that Joffrey died of an unknown disease…Nymeria didn't kill Joffrey…" He had said comforting her. Sansa was another problem. She had fallen into depression over the fact that she was not going to be Queen. She had tried to give the Queen her condolences, but Cersei had refused to see Sansa.

"I always dreamed of being the wife of a great lord, a Knight or even Queen. But Joffrey…He was the not the Prince I thought him to be. He could have killed Arya. I know we don't get along all the time, but she is my sister and I love her and wish her well…"

"Of course you do."

"When we were before the King part of me wanted to defend Joffrey. But I don't know…In that moment I saw him for what he really was and I wanted out of the engagement."

Before she left Robb had influenced her mind. "Well, knowing Robert the way I do…He won't let this go…He may want to betroth you to Tommen."

She frowns, "He's a boy…I am four times older than him."

"A long engagement. We'll have to wait until he is old enough."

"Please father…I don't know what it is, but something is off with the King's children…"

Sansa had a point. None of them were like Robert when he was that age. None of them even looked like Robert. Ned set these thoughts aside for the time being. Now he needed to be there for his friend. Later he found Robert alone drinking. "Come Ned sit and drink with me."

"You should be spending time with your other children and your wife."

He nods, "You are right…I won't lie to you. I have no love for Cersei. She gave me three children and I was a bad father to Joff…I am a bad father to Myrcella and Tommen."

He sighs and sits down, "You have it within you to be better."

He smiles, "You sound like Jon. You were always his favorite."

"He cares for us equally.
"Hog-wash! All parents have a favorite. Cersei's favorite was Joffrey and now he is dead." He raises his cup, "To Joffrey…May he find peace with the gods…"

JON ARRYN

Jon was a man with so much on his mind. It was his intention to tell Robert after he got Cersei and her children to safety, but then news arrived of Joffrey's death. Though Joffrey was innocent in all this, the boy had mean streak. He was often cruel to animals and those who served him. A Mad Prince in the making. The one good thing from all this is that he would not sit the Iron Throne after Robert. And if Jon had anything to do with it neither would Tommen.

With Ned here Jon was sure that the two of them can convince Robert of the truth. There is a knock at his Solar, "My Lord…"

"Enter!"

Addyson enters the Solar, "A message from our scouts on the Golden Road…Lord Tywin is coming to the Capital."

"I will meet him at the city gates with an honor guard…Prepare one."

"Yes My Lord."

With Tywin Lannister coming to the Capital Jon now has a way to get the Queen out of the city and to safety so that he can tell Robert. "Welcome Lord Tywin. It has been a while."

"Lord Arryn…" Tywin Lannister is one of the richest, most powerful, feared man in Westeros. His reputation earned with the rains of Castamere. Houses Tarbeck and Reyne had rebelled against House Lannister. Against his father's wishes Tywin Lannister raised an army smashed the rebellion and rooted out both Houses. Every last man woman and child was put to the sword. "Why isn't the King here to greet his father by law?"

Tywin's golden hair had gone grey a long time ago. But still he had a commanding presence. "To clear his mind the King has gone hunting."

He grunts dismounting his horse, "I hear that is his answer for all his problems. Hunting and drinking."

"My Lord I wanted to speak with you about your daughter the Queen."

"What about her?"

"Perhaps if she returned to Casterly Rock with you and the children. It would help relieve her grief."

CERSEI

The plans for Joffrey's funeral were coming along, despite Robert's lack of input. She did not want to wait on Lords and Ladies of the realm, but Robert insisted. She had hoped Jaime would visit her while Robert had gone hunting, but he was standing vigil over Joffrey. Cersei sits at a table drinking when her handmaiden enters the room. "Your Grace…"

"I told you not to disturb me."

"I know your Grace, but…Your Father Lord Tywin wishes to see you."

"Show him in." She stands up as Tywin Lannister enters the room. "Father."

"Your Grace…"

Cersei waits until the handmaiden leaves, "Father!" She says again bursting into tears. She runs up and hugs him. He sighs and returns her embrace. If but for a short moment Tywin Lannister was not one to show emotion. He releases her and pushes her back. "Please…I need a father. Not the Lord of Casterly Rock."

He turns away, "You look so much like your mother…I have never been able to deal with you after…"

"After Tyrion killed my mother."

He squares his shoulders, "We are Lannisters! We rise above such things. Joffrey's death is a tragedy, but life goes on and so d we…How are the other children?"

MYRCELLA AND TOMMEN

Myrcella and Tommen sat alone in Tommen's room, "Do you think Joffrey is in one of the seven hells?" Tommen asks.

"I don't know…The mother is merciful, but the father judges us all. So says the seven-pointed star."

"Am I a bad brother hoping he is in the one of the seven hells?"

"You are a good brother and no because part of me thinks the same thing."

The door opens, "My Prince…Princess there is someone here to see you." The servant says entering the room.

"Aunt Genna!" They both yell running up to the woman.

"Children! My little lions." She replies holding Tommen with her left arm and Myrcella with her right.

"Aunty we are stags." Tommen says innocently.

"Of course you are, but you will always be lions to me."

"Is grandfather here?" Myrcella asks.

"Of course."

"Did you bring us any presents." Tommen asks.

"Did you bring is any presents?" She mocks.

TYRION

Tyrion was at Castle Black when he received word about his nephew and rushed home. He had tried to be a true uncle to Joffrey, but the boy was too arrogant, mean, and spiteful. Another mad king in the making. His mother did not help filling his head with that legacy non-sense their father tried to drill into them growing up.

Tyrion rushed home by ship and made it the day before the funeral. It was a solemn affair Lords from all over the south came to pay their respects. If they truly knew who Joffrey was they would have shown up. "Aunt Genna. Father."
"I heard you had gone to the wall."

"You heard correctly."

"For what reason?"

"My own personal curiosity."

"Shush." Genna commands as the King and Queen entered the Sept with their children.

A/N: Sorry it took so long for an update, my laptop was in the pawnshop