I own nothing, which in all honesty is quite disappointing. I apologize for the time it took me to update, but I have been quite busy recently.
Boramir: Stannis actually still controls Dragonstone, Joffrey said that he would take it away when his firstborn son was born, and since that hasn't happened, Stannis is still Lord of Dragonstone. There are many issues with ned Stark's plan for a western White Harbor, however, with the Lannisters as their allies and with theon as a hostage, this is the only time in History that this is actually feasible. Eddard and Tywin don't actually expect the Ironborn to rebel again, at least not anytime soon.
Tommyginger: Joffrey is aged up in this story, as are other characters to fit with the Narrative. Catelyn hates Jon, but Robb is a man grown, so he stays in Winterfell at his request. Joy Hill is actually a year older than Arya, and 2 years older than Myrcella, although in this story, the age difference between characters is a bit different. So Joy would be about 15 at the start of this fanfic, and about 17 now, I'll write down relevant ages at the end of this chapter. Jaimie is certainly reaching the ends of his patience for Joffrey thats for sure. Sansa was going to be betrothed to someone of her choice, as long as Ned believe they were a fair match, after what happened with Joffrey, she just wants to return to Winterfell, and Ned would not force marriage on her. Tywin has literally no idea about Cersei's children, but neither does anyone else. Jon arryn and Stannis suspect, but both were forced from King's landing before they could do anything.
They had failed him, every last one.
There was not a soul in theses Seven kingdoms he could rely on, every citizen of Westeros from Dorne to The Wall proved to be little more than a disappointment. His own wife, his sister Myrcella, could not even be trusted, and it seemed that every day she spent more time with their Uncle Jaime avoiding him. In truth, Joffrey was afraid that Jaime would be Kinslayer as well as Kingslayer soon enough.
His own Grandfather had betrayed him, robbing the crown of whatever status they had in less than a moon's turn, and turning his grandson into a beggar.
Paranoia was beginning to creep into his every thought, and it wasn't long before he hired a food tester and surrounded himself with his Kingsguard at every moment. Even when he was with his wife at night, he required that one be in the room with him.
The Mad King went through ordeal Joffrey realized, how hard it must of been for Aerys when everyone was plotting his downfall with a smile etched on their faces, perhaps he was not as mad as they all said. Renly, Stannis, his own Grandfather, mayhaps even Eddard Stark and Jon Arryn if the rumors of banners being called North had any truth in it, but he doubted it.
It was Varys and only Varys who spoke of Eddard's rebellion, and for whatever reason, Joffrey got the distinct feeling the eunuch was pushing him towards madness for his own goals.
But the whispers of rebellion would have to wait, for the situation at home was just as deadly, but far closer than whatever was happening up North.
"Can you repeat that Uncle," He leaned closer to his master of coin, and tried to hide his nervousness, pouring himself a cup of wine, a Stormlands vintage of exceedingly low quality, the best they could afford given the circumstances.
"Your Grandfather, my Father, has recalled all debts in the Crownlands and the Stormlands. The Iron bank has sent a representative at Lord Tywin's behest, asking for the money." Tyrion's face was grim and he had not touched his wine. "Were broke, and by weeks end, we won't be able to pay for the Gold Cloaks, never mind the chaos in King's Landing Father's announcement has caused."
Joffrey made a mental not to talk with lord Lord Baelish about restoring order in King's Landing. Things were desperate, and he had no doubt that he would be forced to sell whatever treasures the crown kept in its vaults. Aegon's crown, the Valyrian Steel Sphinxes kept in the small council chambers, maybe even his father's warhammer if things became truly desperate.
"Our options?" The King Finished his wine in one impressive gulp and reached back for the bottle.
"Cut all spending, which would include firing the Gold Cloaks."
"Are real options Uncle, I have no patients for any verbal sparring at the moment." Joffrey slammed his glass, and his uncle looked at him with hate. Joffrey knew if he allowed, Tyrion would be on his way back to Casterly Rock before week's end, with all the other traitors bastards, but he would never allow it. Tyrion was useful in his own way, even if he was a drunken dwarf, he contained a valuable level of cunning that was in short supply in King's Landing.
"We seek a loan, from anyone and everyone who can give us one. The Tyrells, Tyroshi trading Cartels, Qarthian Traders, the Hightowers, Manderlys, Frey's, and even your Uncle Renly. Each has coin they can loan us that will keep us afloat for a time," Tyrion rubbed the dark blonde beard on his face, and stared at Joffrey with mitch matched eyes.
He's a vile little thing, Joffrey thought, turning his nose in disgust.
"Try every option, if that fails, find more. I want taxes raised as well, double them across the board, Quadruple them in Lannisport, and remind Grandfather who's King." His fingers tapped gently on his desk, betraying his nervousness.
Tyrion's eyes widened in a what seemed like surprise, "I would not recommend angering your Grandfather, there's a reason that he's feared across these seven Kingdoms."
"Yes, because he murdered babes and slaughtered those weaker then him, do not think to lecture your King, Uncle. Follow your orders, or I will have you thrown in the Black Cells, or I'll send your head to the Grandfather as a gift." Joffrey threatened, which succeeded in silencing his uncle, who glared at him with undisguised malice. "I will make something clear to my grandfather, repaying debts is all well and good, but if he expects me to allow him to hold my kingdom hostage he needs to think again."
"I see," Tyrion said simply, he rose from his chair, as far as dwarf could rise anyway, and made for the door. With what could be considered a mock bow, he quickly made his way from the room.
Jaime Lannister, The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard after Barristan's arranged accident, Kingslayer, the Lion of lannisters, and a list of other titles that were quite impressive. The Kingslayer stared at him with hollow eyes, and with a few days of stubble. The rags he wore didn't reflect his golden hair did not shione like it once did nor did his emerald eyes, he was a shell of his former self, barely fit for the white cloak he once wore. The man was dirty, and he was in chains before his King.
"You don't like me," Joffrey accused, Meryn Trant, Preston Greenfield, and Ser Boros Blount stood at his back. As was his wife, who was shaking like a leaf and crying as Meryn Trant held her in place silently. His mother wasn't here, nor would he allow her to be, he would spare her from this if he could.
"Your Gra-" As he spoke, Preston Greenfield attacked him, punching him in his face with steel covered gauntlet and knocking him to the floor. A blow to the ribs allowed a sickening crack to echo in the room as Myrcella begged it too stop.
"Please, your grace, it was mother, it was never Jaime, please, let him go, i swear to you I will ne-" he slapped her hard enough, that she fell to the floor, and Jaime rose to his feet, only to be forced to ground once more by preston greenfields strikes.
"Enough of your lies!" Joffrey screamed, spittle flying into the Queen's face. "I will not have you besmirch mother's name to cover for our traitor Uncle. Take her to the Maidenvault, you will not feed her until i say so, and she will not see the light of day until I have a son."
She was dragged away by a few gold cloaks, the Kingsguard would stay with him.
"Why did you provide Myrcella with Moon Tea, was it to cover up a bastard, an affair?" Joffrey accused Jaime, the White Lion looked up with blood dripping from his lips and with a sad smile.
"No your grace, a Bastard should never sit on the Iron Throne."
"There is to be a wedding in Riverrun," Varys bowed his head as he entered Joffrey's solar at a time when most men would be resting. Myrcella, his whore wife, was not in his room, but rather in the Maidenvault. In truth, he missed her company, but cared little for her at the moment. He could content himself with whores like his father before him.
"Wonderful, so you decide to intrude upon my personal space to inform me that the Edmure "floppy fish" Tully is marrying a Frey whore." He looked up from the offer he received from the far east, a loan with a relatively low interest rate compared to that of the Iron Bank, he agreed to it without a second thought. "You can leave now, if you tarry long I might reconsider my generosity and take your head."
"Your Grace, Vary's muttered softly, bowing low again but not leaving. "I did not come here with news of the Tully heir being married, but rather the Northern heir. Robb Stark is being married to Margaery Tyrell in Riverrun in a moon's turn, he is currently in highgarden to know his betrothed, and from there the two will be married, before the lords of 5 of the great houses."
The news of the wedding received Joffrey's full attention, and he looked at the eunuch with actual concern. 5 of the great houses at one wedding was almost unheard of, only 2 had been at his wedding, Mace Tyrell having returned home beforehand, and Renly not bothering to show up, though Stannis had for what little that meant.
"Grandfather is going to that welp's wedding," Joffrey questioned, and Varys confirmed with a sad smile and a bow of his fat bald head. "This is close to treason."
"No your grace, this is treason. There are whispers across these Seven Kingdoms, that your grandfather means to dethrone you and place Tommen as King, your Uncle Renly has recently made a trip to Highgarden to see what support he would have for a bid on the Iron Throne, Stannis waits at Dragonstone, and you already know the Stories, Balon Greyjoy has been Gathering swords on Pyke, and now their is even rumor of the Daenerys Targaryen of the Great Grass Sea, whose husband has been taken to slave trading to fund ships to take her to westeros, gods only know when they will be ready to sail."
"It seems I'm surrounded," Joffrey said quietly and offered a sad smile. "What would you recommend."
"It's best to act now before this alliance can be finalized. Robb Stark can be captured as he returns from Highgarden, and can stay here as a guest, your Grandfather can be forced to hand over your brother and Arya Stark, and your uncle you can make use of. Write him a letter, tell him to capture Robb Stark and he will see this as an opportunity to prove himself."
The logic behind each decision was solid, but still Varys always had an ulterior motive, Joffrey would do best to ignore most of the advice given, and discount most of these rumors as his attempt to drive him closer to madness.
Certain advice Varys gave was meant to send him into ruin, capturing Robb Stark was foolish, and would certainly bring war, telling Renly to do it would just drive them further apart as Renly would simply not follow his orders, they would all be at war with one another by the end of a moon's turn.
Still there was much to consider, Balon Greyjoy was the obvious threat, and he would have to be dealt with, and Renly with the Royal Navy at his back could deal with the threat. He could make this work, he would force Stannis and Renly to work together, Stannis would be in charge of the navy, and he would offer to assure Stannis of his right to Dragonstone and his position of Master Ships back when they succeed, Renly could be hand of the King. In truth, he would not do either, but it would still force his enemies to fight one another for the time being. That still left the issue of Grandfather and Eddard Stark.
Leaning back in his chair, he sighed. "Leave Varys, find Lord Baelish and send him in at once, we have much to discuss." It seems it would be a long night after all.
There was a hushed silence in the small council chambers as Petyr Baelish spoke, the news that had arrived just that morning was weighing heavily on everyone's mind, except his, he drank deeply from his wine cup and smiled at the news.
"Balon Greyjoy has declared himself King of the Iron Isles, once again, Storm's End is under Siege by Victarion Greyjoy, and your Uncle Renly Marches to King's Landing with whatever swords he could gather." Lord Baelish offers a smile to his king.
"Such Insolence," Grand Maester Pycelle wheezed, " King Robert had done balon a favor by sparing his life, and now he rises again in rebellion. Unacceptable, we must do something about this.
"The wedding?" Joffrey asked, ignoring the Grand Maester entirely. The King drank deeply from his cup as Tyrion looked at him with confusion, as Joffrey did not see the need to tell him of the wedding at Riverrun, and Grandfather did not deem it important to invite him. Then again, not even Joffrey's own mother had been invited.
"It will continue as Planned," Varys answered. " It seems most of the lords of the Seven Kingdom's are content to see how things unfold for the time being."
"Renly and Stannis, how soon can they arrive and with what strength?" Joffrey questioned, a frown on his face. He wasn't expecting Balon to make a move so soon, it would force them into a desperate position. The debt was only rising, and while they found loans and income, most notably by selling Aegon's old crown to a Dothraki Khal and one of the Small Council Chambers Valyrian Steel Spinxs to Casterly Rock, they wouldn't be able to afford a drawn out war.
"Stannis has wrote a letter from Dragonstone, he will be in the capital within a few days," Balish responded. " I'd expect no more than 3,000 men along with the Royal Navy. Renly will have more men, but more ambitions as well, I'd wager some 20,000 men who have never wielded more than a scythe before this."
"Your Grace, what are your orders?" Petyr asked calmly.
"Call the Banners."
….
Ages
Joffrey Baratheon 17- Ascended to the crown at age 15, did his best to follow in his father's footsteps, and bring the realm to ruin. Married his sister at the behest of absolutely no one.
Myrcella Baratheon 15 -Married at 13 to her her brother Joffrey Baratheon,an unfruitful marriage if there ever was on. Currently locked in the Maidenvault with only her mother allowed to keep her company.
Tommen Baratheon 13- Currently in Casterly Rock with his betrothed, and with his sworn shield, Ser Balon Swann
Arya Stark 14 - Currently in castlery rock with her betrothed, her direwolf Nymeria, and her guardian, Syrio Forel.
Sansa Stark 17 - In winterfell with her Lord Father, Eddard Stark, was 16 at the time of her altercation with Joffrey Baratheon.
Robb Stark 20 - Heir to Winterfell, betrothed to Margaery Tyrell, currently in Highgarden.
Margaery Tyrell 19- Briefly engaged to Joffrey Baratheon, currently engaged to Robb Stark.
Jon Snow 20- Bastard of Winterfell, currently in Highgarden with his brother, intends to visit his sister and betrothed at Casterly Rock on his return to the North with his brother before the wedding.
Joy Hill 17- Betrothed to Jon Snow, companion and friend to Arya Stark. Ward of Tywin Lannister.
I plan on doing another chapter with different POV's next. I already have a few in mind, but do tell me who you would like to see next.
Thank you to anyone who follows, favorites, and reviews.
Jaime Lannister is in the Black Cells, accused of providing Myrcella with moon tea. Meanwhile, Cersei is still providing Myrcella with Moon Tea, and has wrote to her father, asking for an escape from King's Landing for her daughter and Jaimie.