Darius sat in the back of a carriage. It was dark, and dirty, and Darius could do nothing but sit. He'd been in their for...well, he didn't know. He wasn't told where he was going, only that he would be punished severely for his actions.
He really didn't get it, seeing as he'd only protected his sister and himself. What else was he supposed to do? But apparently it hadn't been the right decision.
The carriage was getting to be a bit much. He hadn't eaten or had anything to drink for a dayS, (his captor really only gave him anything when he felt it necessary), he was uncomfortable in such a small space, and it seemed that they farther they traveled, the hotter it got in the carriage. It left to him to assume they were traveling south. That worried Darius. He knew nothing about the south. How would he find his way home?
A peculiar sound found it's way to his ears. He scotted against the wood of the carrriage, and listened. He heard lots of people talking, shouting, laughing. He was left confused. But the carriage slowed, and he could only assume he was at his destination. Eventually it stopped, and Darius turned to look at the exit, waiting for the doors to open.
The sun blinded him when the soldier opened the door. Darius squinted, trying to reduce the harshness of it. He didn't like the dark too much, but he also didn't like the sun frying his eyeballs. " Let's go." His arms were yanked forward, and he was dragged out, and brought to his feet.
The soldier kept a steady grip on his arm, and Darius looked around, trying to figure out exactly where he was. It was obviously a city, that was for certain, and he obviously was no longer in the north. His assumption had been correct.
" Where are we?" he said, his voice sounding raspy and underused. He hadn't talked since he'd been taken, and if his curiousness hadn't overcame him, he still wouldn't have spoken.
The soldier looked at him, his expression sour. " Kings Landing." he answered simply, and Darius' mouth dropped.
Kings Landing? He repeated in his head. That was entirely to far to run from if he ever got the chance. Why Kings Landing? There would really only be one reason he would need to be taken there...
Darius found himself in the throne room. Plenty of well dressed people stood in the large room, staring at him. Some were obvious about it, others? Not so much. He didn't much like it, the way they were examining him. But it was all he could focus on. The king had not yet entered, and therefore there was nothing else to do...but think.
His father, Valerik Ankereon, was good friends with the King. Himself, Ned Stark, and Robert had been close throughout the rebellion. So, if what his captor said was true and he was to be punished, he could only hope that his friendship with his father would make the sentence less severe. He hadn't done anything really. Protecting his sister wasn't a crime.
He was tapped on the shoulder, and he turned around to see a man, who was just as dirty as he was, and Darius could only assume he'd been locked up too. He was old, wore rags, and his hair was dirtied. Probably hadn't been maintained in months...maybe years.
" You don't look afraid." he said to Darius, and Darius shrugged. He'd made it a point not to, it was never good to show weakness. Darius was glad to know it was paying off.
" I'm not." Darius said, " I have nothing to be afraid of."
Soon a voice was heard, and everyone in the room lowered their heads. Darius looked up to see the King come in, and take a seat on the throne. He was followed by a boy just about his age, with a blonde head of hair and blue eyes, dressed in fancy garb. He stood alongside his father.
" Alright, let's get to it then." The King said loudly, and one of the guards nodded.
" Bring in the first criminal." He demanded.
" Good luck." Said the old man.
Darius was thrown forward. His head knocked on the marble ground below him and he gritted his teeth, again trying not to show weakness. He got to his knees and kept his eyes at the ground as his captor explained why he was there.
" He killed two of my men when we were traveling through the Allon forest." He explained. " He simply attacked us, with no-."
" That's not true!" Darius said, his head snapping up. He glared at the soldier who was lying through his teeth. He wasn't telling all the facts. Robert slammed his fist on the throne.
" Quiet!" Robert yelled, cutting the both of them off. His eyes went to the soldier, not Darius, " You mean to tell me that that little boy killed two of your men? You're part of the kingsguard and you couldn't take on a little boy!"
The soldier realized how idiotic they sounded. Darius almost laughed, but decided against it, and looked back down at the ground and let the King continue. The King scanned the soldiers body and noticed the dried blood on his armor.
" By all the gods, did he get you too?" Robert asked.
" Well, yes, your grace, but-" Robert groaned loudly.
" I officially relieve you of your position." He said, irritation obvious in his tone. If his solider couldn't handle a little boy, he didn't need him. " Get out."
The man sounded as if he was about to cry, " But, your grace-"
" Get out!" The man quickly turned around, and was out of the throne room within seconds.
" Now you." The King said. Darius couldn't deny he was beginning to be slightly afraid. Here he was, in Kings Landing, about to be given a sentence. His decision to defend his sister, could very well cost him his life. " Look at me when I am speaking to you."
Darius' head looked up at the King. He didn't seem to be that upset, albeit he was probably a bit irritated to find that his men were incapable of defending themselves against a boy. He refused to be intimidated though, especially in front of someone so important. He kept the neutral expression on his face.
" I should have you killed." Robert said. " What is your name?"
" Darius of House Ankereon." Darius said, and King Robert's eyes widened. A look of realization came to his face.
" House Ankereon. Darius?" King Robert said, Darius nodded, " I haven't seen you in years."
Darius was glad he recalled exactly who he was. He hoped it would make his punishment less severe. The king already seemed a little more at ease. Just a little. " Stand, boy."
Be brought himself to his feet, glad to be off of the floor.
" Why would you do this?" King Robert said. He wanted to explain the whole thing, but he was worried that the King wouldn't believe him, and think that he was simply trying to cover for himself. He knew Rob would bring back the soldier if necessary and even though their father's were friends, he would never believe.
" I apologize your grace." Darius said simply, trying to look as apologetic as possible.
King Robert sighed, it seemed he was faced with a dilemma. " I don't want to punish you, your father would have my head. " he chuckled, and the room chuckled with him. " But an act like this...you need to have a consequence."
Suddenly everyone but the King and the Prince bowed their heads. Darius didn't quite know what was going on, until he looked and saw another regal figure entering the room. The Queen.
" Perhaps he should work off his punishment instead." She suggested, looking at her husband. He didn't return her look but instead looked back at Darius. His fingers busied with his beard as he thought, he was considering it.
The small blonde boy looked at Darius and then back at his father. " He can be my guard!" he said loudly. The crowd laughed, but Joffery was quite serious. The King even looked as if it was a good idea. Darius, didn't think so.
His face paled. Being Joferry's guard was not an ideal job. He'd heard that the boy was nothing but a nuisance. Then he knew why Robert would even think of agreeing. Being Joffery's guard would be a punishment indeed.
" It won't be that bad boy." Robert laughed, and Joffery did too, but for different reasons. Robert knew it wasn't going to be the best experience, but Joffery was excited to simply have someone his age to be around. " I promise."
" It's decided then?" Joffery asked, his blue eyes hopeful.
" Yes." Robert nodded once. " Darius of House Ankereon is to be my son, Joffery's guard until I release him from his duty."
He looked to Darius, " I will tell your Father, and if you'd like, have some of your things sent to King's Landing."
Darius nodded slowly, he couldn't say no, no matter how much he wanted. He would have to be the Prince's guard until Robert Baratheon deemed it unnecessary.
The King had said it wouldn't be too bad, but not even The King could promise that.