In the throne room…

"You stand accused of murder, you stand accused of treason. How do you respond to the charges… Lord Baelish? Mother?"

All eyes turned to the former Master of Coin and the Queen Mother. Everyone was caught off guard, but none more so than the Lord of Casterly Rock and the Kingslayer. Both looked from Cersei to Daveth and back to Cersei, wondering what madness had overcome the Young Stag. Petyr and Cersei, meanwhile, were stiff as statues, unable to believe that they were on the outside of things for once. Before either of them could speak, Ser Lucius broke the silence.

"The King has asked you a question, Your Grace. You as well, Lord Baelish."

Petyr, as if awoken from a bad dream, stepped towards the Iron Throne with trepidation, leaving the Queen Mother to stand by herself and face the weight of the glares alone. "Forgive me, Your Grace," he said, "but I'm a bit confused—"

"Which charges confuse you?" Daveth asked, tilting his head slightly as if to mimic his mother. He suddenly snapped his fingers, prompting a smug Oberyn to reveal a series of documents from his robes, approximately forty-five in all. "At first, the list of crimes you've been accused of initially started off as money laundering. Embezzlement, forgery, fraud, extortion…"

"I fail to see how any of this relates to—"

"You've stolen quite a lot of money, Lord Baelish," Tyrion said, cutting his predecessor off. "Casterly Rock, Highgarden, the Iron Bank of Braavos, and the Iron Throne itself. Shocking, I know, but, as Master of Coin, you must've known it was bound to leave a trail at some point."

Murmurs rose from the assemblage, with many glancing at Lord Tywin. Stealing from the lions of Casterly Rock was a serious offense. And if looks could kill, Littlefinger would have been dead times beyond counting.

"Then we made an interesting discovery," the Young Stag said, causing silence to fall once more. "You're very discreet about your dealings, Lord Baelish, but your motives are not. During our investigation, we found, among other things, a list containing several names. Among said names was that of a merchant from whom you bought a vial containing Tears of Lys."

"A rare and costly poison," Oberyn chimed in. "Clear, tasteless, and odorless. Dissolved in wine or water, it eats at a man's bowels, causing him to die in agony. Which is not unusual if the victim is old and sickly. And not only is it difficult to detect, but its effects are also subtle enough that they are easily mistaken for a sudden and severe fever."

Before Petyr could protest, Daveth took over, his voice rising in intensity with every sentence that came out of his mouth. "Two years ago, you conspired to murder Lord Jon Arryn, Warden of the East and Hand of the King to His Grace King Robert I. After manipulating his wife into slipping Tears of Lys into his wine, you had Lady Lysa write a letter to her sister and brother-in-law, telling them it was the Lannisters who were responsible when really it was you. And then, when you had no further use of her, you pushed her through the Moon Door all so you could take power in the Vale. The conflict between the Starks and Lannisters, the one I put an end to, it was you who started it. Do you deny it?"

The crowd erupted into chaos, cries of horror filling the throne room. No reactions came from Yohn Royce and the Vale delegation, as they already knew the extent of Lord Baelish's crimes, or from Catelyn Stark, who was unable to comprehend the feelings of disbelief and outrage welling inside her. Petyr, meanwhile, was starting to sweat. How did the Young Stag know all his misdeeds when he thought he covered all of his tracks? He had to say something that would disprove the allegations before it was too late. The moment the crowd went silent, he turned to face the King.

"I know of no such letter," he said solemnly. "And whatever my beloved Lysa might have said or done, she was a troubled woman. She imagined enemies everywhere. As for her suicide—"

"That is a lie!"

Petyr whirled around to see the members of the Vale delegation part and a familiar figure step forward, two Lannister guards flanking her. He recognized her almost immediately. It was his late wife's former handmaiden, the one who was there that day in the audience chamber.

"I was there when it happened, Lord Baelish," Eleana said for all to hear. "You pushed her through the Moon Door, you watched her fall, you blamed an innocent man for her death right in front of me. You murdered her, and her husband before that. I heard the two of you talking in this very chamber not long after the Vale reaffirmed its loyalty to the Iron Throne. Lady Lysa was an odd fish, yes, but she adored Lord Robin. That little boy would still have his mother if you hadn't killed her!"

Loud gasps echoed through the hall, gasps that were silenced the minute Daveth raised his hand.

"The North, Vale, Riverlands, and Westerlands aren't the only places affected by your actions, Lord Baelish," he said. "Following Renly Baratheon's death, you embarked on a secret mission to the Stormlands and manipulated Ser Loras Tyrell into taking up arms against the Crown."

In the galleries, the Knight of the Flowers and his sister struggled to restrain their father Lord Mace, who was cursing the accused under his breath and failing to control the anger he felt towards who endangered the life of his only son and heir.

"Afterwards," Daveth continued, "you met up with your Reach contacts and arranged for the assassination of Lord Eddard Stark, the Queen's own father. Thanks to your treachery, he suffered mortal wounds at the Battle of Blackwater Bay and lost his life. Do you deny it?!"

"Murderer! Let go of me! Let go of me!"

Everyone turned to face the Stark matriarch as she physically restrained her youngest daughter and began leading her out of the room, all while at her childhood friend. Both women paused, however, when an unexpected presence made itself known.

"There's something else that needs to be known," Sansa said aloud. She approached her husband and whispered in his ear. He listened, his face growing redder and redder as she spoke. Finally, the Queen stepped back and turned towards the court. "Lord Baelish made an unwanted advance on me," she said. "Despite my protests... he kissed me." The rumblings grew even louder at the Queen's confession, but she continued to speak. "The more I struggled, the tighter his grip became. I pushed him off of me and ran. I should have said something sooner, but—"

"That's all I needed to hear," Daveth said. He then fixed his gaze on Petyr and stared at him. "It seems you've added sexual misconduct to the list. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I deny all of it," Petyr exclaimed. "None of you were there. None of you knows the truth—"

"Sometimes, when I try to understand a person's motive, I play a little game," Sansa said. "I assume the worst. What's the worst reason you have for turning me against my husband, Lord Baelish?"

"That's what you do, isn't it?" Daveth said, gears clicking in his head as he spoke. "That's what you've always done. Turn family against family. That's what you did to my mother-in-law and her sister. And that's what you tried to do to us."

"Give me a chance to defend myself," Petyr said, now looking like a rat caught in a trap. "I deserve that." When neither the Queen nor the Young Stag answered his plea, Petyr stormed over to where Yohn Royce was standing. "As Lord Protector of the Vale, I command you to escort me safely back to the Eyrie."

"I think not," Royce said coolly. "And if His Grace and the Kingsguard weren't here, I would behead you myself."

Cersei watched the proceedings with mixed emotions. While she was unable to comprehend the fact that Littlefinger manipulated her and came close to destroying Westeros in the process, she was furious over her daughter-in-law's audacity. How dare she, the little whore from the North, challenge her in such a manner. The Queen Mother was so mad with rage she didn't even notice Daveth staring at her.

"What about you, mother?" the Young Stag asked, his voice ringing throughout the hall. "Do you have anything to say in your defense?

"What exactly am I accused of?" she said, eyes darting from her father to her twin, hoping one of them would regain their senses and move to her defense. Surprisingly, neither one of them did.

"Treason. Harboring a wanted fugitive, conspiracy, sedition, regicide…"

"Lies from the lips of those who seek to tear us apart, take the throne for themselves—"

"And incest. Do you deny them?"

The last two charges caused a shocked silence to fill the throne room. Killing the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms was one thing. But this was an entirely different matter altogether. Unbeknownst to everyone else in attendance, Jaime Lannister was trembling. Did Daveth know the truth about his siblings? About his mother?

"I deny the charges!" Cersei roared, breaking the Kingslayer's reverie. "There isn't one shred of truth. I deny them all!"

If the gloves weren't off before, they were now. Any sense of a bond between mother and son had vanished. Both the Golden Lioness and the Young Stag were at each other's throats, poised to strike. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting to see who would make the first move, Daveth pounced.

"Do you something, mother?" he said. "Your pupils dilate and contract ever so slightly before you lie. And since you continue to maintain this charade, you leave me no choice. The Crown calls upon Lancel Lannister!"

Tywin felt increasingly incensed as the court heard footsteps, bare skin against the marble ground approaching the Iron Throne. Cersei glanced over her shoulder as the individual came into view. Lancel wore a ragged tunic made of wool, his long hair was cut short, his eyes cast down and didn't lift his eyes—but Cersei, Jaime, Tyrion, and Tywin recognized him.

ooOoo

Yesterday…

Daveth couldn't believe what he was hearing. His great-uncle Kevan, who was currently walking alongside him, had cornered him after the "trial of the last Greyjoys" about a pressing matter. One the Young Stag didn't expect to be brought before him.

"Unbelievable," he exclaimed. "The Westerlands possess more gold and silver mines than the other six kingdoms combined. And you're telling me Casterly Rock has run completely dry?"

"I'm afraid so, Your Grace," Kevan said. "Wars swallow gold like a glutton at a feast. Your grandfather suggests House Tyrell is our true rivals in terms of resources, which is why we need them on our side."

"What about the six million gold dragons grandfather loaned to father? I thought we repaid that debut in full."

"We did, but it only served to stall for time. All that remains are our silver mines. Bringing the Tyrells into the fold will help a great deal."

Daveth paused, already knowing his great-uncle had changed the subject from House Lannister's financial situation to Tommen's upcoming marriage to Lady Margaery, grimaced. The ponderous oaf was determined to see his daughter marry into the royal family. A thought then came to the forefront of his mind. "How old is Cousin Janei?" the Young Stag said suddenly.

"Sixteen, Your Grace," Kevan replied, a hint of curiosity lacing his voice. "Why do you ask?"

"I think we should arrange a match between her and Ser Loras. It might save House Lannister a lot of trouble down the road, provided we play our cards right."

Kevan blinked. "Are you certain about this? We are talking about my only daughter—"

"I know that. And I wouldn't make such a suggestion lightly, uncle, but this is for the sake of family. Our family. If we're going to face Daenerys Targaryen and survive the coming winter, we need all the allies we can get."

"I'll see what I can do, Your Grace."

The two continued down the corridor, arriving at the entrance to Maegor's Holdfast. Before they could enter, someone blocked their path. Someone the Young Stag had not seen in over a year. His appearance had radically changed, but there was no denying who he was.

"Cousin Lancel," Daveth said in disbelief. "I hardly recognized you."

"Seven blessings, Your Grace," Lancel said in a toneless voice. "Can I speak with you? In private?"

Daveth raised an eyebrow, curious as to his second cousin's request and as to why his uncle refused to acknowledge the young man. It was almost as if he was ashamed of something.

"Uncle Kevan, please deliver the terms to Lord Tyrell," Daveth said. "And should the Queen of Thorns decide to get involved, inform me at once. I want to personally assure her this match is in all our best interests."

"Of course, Your Grace." Kevan gave a low bow and made his way back up the corridor. Once he was sure his great-uncle was gone, the Young Stag eyed Lancel, intent on understanding why he had made such an unusual request.

"All right, Lancel," the Young Stag said, "what can I do for you? Please try to make it quick because, as you can see, I'm quite busy at the—"

"Can you forgive me?"

Daveth felt his eyes narrowing. Lancel had never spoken to him like that before, especially not in that tone. "What could you possibly have done to warrant my forgiveness?" he asked.

"I led your mother into the darkness," Lancel said. "I tempted her into our unnatural relations. No harm came of our sin, no bastard."

Any grinding gears in Daveth's head came to a stop the moment Lancel mentioned unnatural relations. Never in his life has he expected a betrayal this personal. How many men had his mother used in her quest for dominance over Westeros? How many more lives had she destroyed?

"When was this?" the Young Stag asked.

"Before the Battle of the Blackwater," Lancel replied. "She brought me into her bedchamber, offered me a place at court and a knighthood. Looking back, I think it was her way to make me keep silent. About the King. His boar hunt. His wine."

Daveth blinked. "What did you say?"

ooOoo

As Lancel approached the foot of the Iron Throne, Cersei maintained her composure. Jaime, on the other hand, was hurt. He never loved anyone but his sister, he never slept with anyone but her. To hear she had seduced Lancel and taken him to bed made the Kingslayer wonder how much he meant to her.

"Lancel Lannister," Daveth said for all to hear, "do you swear by all the gods that your testimony will be true and honest?"

"Yes, I swear it."

"Please inform the court of your relations with the Queen Mother," Daveth said, the disgust he felt towards his mother welling up inside him.

"We are cousins," Lancel replied. "And I was her late husband's squire. I obeyed her in everything, as it was my sworn duty to do so."

The assemblage remained silent, hanging on every word that was being spoken, waiting to see if the Queen Mother's second cousin, a man once known for his valiant efforts at the Blackwater, was telling the truth or lying.

"You became a knight not long after King Robert's death," Daveth continued. Can you explain how that came to be?"

"The Queen Mother took me to bed with her. She promised me a knighthood if I tainted the King's wine."

"He's a liar! They're all liars! All of them—" Cersei shrieked.

"The Crown does not recognize the Queen Mother at this time," Daveth said, effectively silencing the crowd before they could start talking amongst themselves. He faced Lancel again. "What did you put in King Robert's wine?"

"A large dosage of fortified strongwine," he replied. "Three times more potent than a normal dose. She told me to give it to him before our a hunting trip in the Kingswood. She hated King Robert. She wanted revenge for the whoremongering, the infidelity, the abuse. All of it."

Gasps rang throughout the room as Lancel faced the court. "I know nothing I say can undo the evil I've done," he said, "but I found peace in the light of the Seven. And I pray you will find it in your hearts to forgive me just as the Mother has shown me her mercy."

"ENOUGH!" Cersei pushed her way through the crowd until she stood before the Iron Thorne. "I gave you life, Daveth. I brought you into this world! And this is how you repay me?!"

"Cersei of House Lannister," Daveth said in an equally loud voice, "do you wish to confess?"

"No, I will not. I have nothing to confess. These accusations are false! They are getting inside your head! They are using you—"

"And how many times have you lied to me, mother? Now, this is your last chance. Either you confess or be put away for the rest of your life."

Petyr Baelish, who had stayed silent and watched as his co-conspirator's misdeeds came to light, pulled Cersei aside and started whispering in her ear. Very soon, she started whispering back. The two spoke in hushed tones for several minutes until Petyr pulled away and stared right into Daveth's eyes.

"If it's the truth you want," he said, "then that's what you shall have."

"But not by the judgment of men," Cersei continued. "We, Petyr of House Baelish and Cersei of House Lannister, demand a trial by seven. For both of us."

The entire court erupted in a frenzy at the proclamation but fell silent as Daveth left the hall. He had hoped for a confession, but he never expected his mother to go this far. All he could do was see things through to the end.

"If this is the only way, mother," he told himself, "then so be it."

Chapter End

Author's Note: Another cliffhanger, don't you think? And how about that – a trial by seven, the first since Ser Duncan the Tall! How did you guys interpret the how list of accusations and crimes Daveth threw at both Cersei Lannister and Petyr Baelish? More importantly, who do you guys think will be chosen to represent the claimants and defendants? Send some suggestions as to who you guys think (or at least hope) might be included. Thoughts? Let me know.

Supremus85: Let see, team Cersish will have the Mountain, Lyn Corbray, the Kettleblacks, maybe ser Boros, but I wouldn't know the others; what will Jaime do? Team Daveth will have the Hound, a Knight of the Vale, ser Barristan, a Northman, I hope no Daveth himself, but I wouldn't know about the others.

Kat Morgan: Powerful chapter! Can't wait to read how this works out. Thank you for sharing!

toile grant: good

Magi Tail Welkin: I had a feeling it would be a Trial by Seven.

Naturally the Mountain one of Cersei's Seven, perhaps Lothor Brune for Baelish.

Presumably Oberyn, Brienne and Dayne are going to be in Daveth's Seven.

xx. az. xx: Cershi shister shnapped

C.E.W: If Cersei chooses Gregor Clegane the Mountain as her and Baelish champion, Prince Oberyn Martell will want to be Daveth's companion. Here are some ideas on how to turn the outcome of the fight in Oberyn's favor. When Cersei called for the Mountain, Daveth had one condition, he would allow the Mountain despite being a charged criminal to be her champion only if he confesses how he murdered Elia Martell and her children. Or if its too risky for Oberyn to be present during the confession, Daveth could have Varys use one of his secret entrances in the Red Keep in a room where Oberyn can see and hear the confession. Either way once Oberyn hears the confession, all Daveth has to do is make him swear he'll focus on killing Gregor Clegane, no taunting, no boasting just kill him. Because Daveth wants to see that Cersei and Baelish pay for their crimes, and Oberyn getting carried away is the last thing he needs.

chm01: I hope it's not the mountain

RHatch89: Awesome update :)

―Thanks.

LunaEvanna Longbottom: It took me half an hour to read this because the song Snitch Bitch started playing on my YouTube playlist and the lyrics "You ain't nothing but a snitch, bitch," played just as Daveth called for Lancel and I couldn't stop laughing.

chase manaena: cant wait for the next chapter please update as soon as you can please

DarkFireCat5241999: There is no problem with cousin fucking In Game of thrones tywin married Joanne lannister nee lannister and sansa was going to marry Sweet Robin

lagoon childe: If Cersei chooses the Mountain, Daveth should choose Jaime. If the Mountain loses, Cersei dies. If the Mountain wins, Cersei loses her brother.

Moshi: If she does call on the Mountain, isn't Sandor still around? Also, wouldn't it be possible to arrest him the moment he comes for the trial? How is it just to have a wanted criminal fighting in a trial by combat/Seven scenario?

Still think they are toast. Then it's off to the Wall and dealing with Dany dearest.

12345678910: Paylish can just go I don't care but Cersei still his mother I think banshied meant would soot her ...
I love it so much hope you update again soon

mpowers045: I still think trial by combat and trial by seven is nothing but an excuse to avoid true judgment but I hope Cersei loses and I have two graphic novels about Ser Duncan the Tall

Hear My Fury: Ok, well didn't expect that. But they're still goners. Which seven champions are going to fight for them? The only one who will is Lyn Corbray. The others are dead. Cersei could name Jaime, but Daveth might beat her to it by going to Jaime and blackmailing him into fighting for him, ala, "I know Joffrey, Tommen and Myrcella are your kids." Anyone else won't do it.

The Last Kenpachi: Wait, if she chooses the Mountain as her champion, wouldn't that prove at least the harbouring a fugitive charge?

―Technically yes, though at this point Cersei doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks of her.

RedRat8: I imagine Ser Kevin being one as he would no doubt be furious with his niece for leading him to sin. Another I imagine would be Oberyrn as another candidate so he could get revenge on Tywin by proxy. Yohn as one since he respected Jon Arryn and wants Baelish dead. Robb Stark as another for Eddard's death. Any of the Northerners for Ned's death really. Any of the Vale and Riverlands for Baelish's actions to kill him. Stannis might be there to repay the insult against his family and costing him two brothers, whether he likes them or not. Blackfish would definitely be involved to avenge Lysa. The Queen of Thorns would be another candidate as well, for costing her family so much. Tywin would actually be involved in my opinion as Baelish tricked him into conflict, and at Cersei for disgracing the family as well. Good Lord, there's actually a lot of furious folks that would want them dead.

ALPHAomega239: Very well-done. There is one thing, though, I don't understand. Since there are no more caches of wildfire under the Sept of Baelor, am I to assume it will not be destroyed?

―The Great Sept of Baelor will not be destroyed. Every cache of wildfire has been removed.

Patty 4577: Oh it's on now. Though I was hoping that Daveth was going to deny Cersei her trial by seven and instead have it a trial by combat. After all, if it ends up like the show. Then it will end in Oberyn's death, ZombieGregor and her and Baelish off the hook.

―Time to commence Operation: Battle of the Lions!

10868letsgo: awesome. justice at long last. tell me will this end badly? for the realm or the family?

―Depends on who you ask. A tough dilemma. The trial by seven will determined how the series will be affected in the long run.

ZabuzasGirl: I swear if it's Oberyn he better get it over and done with, no boasting, just kill the opponent and get it over with.
There's no way Cersei or Baelish is getting out of this.
I sincerely hope for mercy where it comes to Lancel. Yes, he's guilty, but he's the only one out of these who seems mostly repentant.
Wonderful!
Update immediately, please!

―I'll work to make some improvements.