Chapter 5: The King is Gone

Today was the worst day of my existence (okay, my father's existence but still). Prince Joffrey has ascended to the throne replacing King Robert as he has dead from being in a hunting accident. Not everyone was happy to see Joffrey on the throne – I wasn't happy. I saw right through his evil lies that he told Sansa. Arya went missing as soon as Sansa and I got back from seeing Joffrey on the throne. I knew for a fact that she had escaped and I was beyond happy for her escape. Arya has escaped and send me a raven.

Dear Lyra,

Syrio is dead. I've send you this in hoping that you keep me safe – mainly keep me from the Lannisters as they are after me. I'll miss you, my little sister. I've loved you dearly. You are a better person than that of Sansa. Please write back any chance you get – and use different ravens as well just in case they catch me – especially Cersei – she'll have my head. Promise me that you keep Sansa by your side. Us Starks must stick together even if it results in father's death.

From Arya

"The Queen Regent wants to see you," the Hound called out.

"Thank you, Sandor Clegane," I said.

I walked into the hall with my head held high as I see Cersei standing there waiting for me. "Your father has conspired with Robert's brothers," Cersei added as she walked up to me.

"I didn't do anything," I growled.

"How can I let you marry my son?" She asked.

"Please, I beg of you," I added.

"A child born of a traitor's seed is no fit to consort my son, Tommen," she continued. "I know you have nothing to do with this, Lyra. I told Sansa to write a letter to Lady Catelyn and Robb."

"What do you want me to do?" I asked.

"I want you to swear fealty to the King on the behalf of your family," she added. "I know Robb will never come here and bend the knee."

"Well, I want my father to have mercy," I said. "Please tell the King."

"Of course," Cersei said. "I'll tell him."

I sat in my chambers crying as Tommen entered looking upset. "I wanted an escape," he said. "Even if it was just to go to Winterfell. Now I can't."

"You wanted to go to Winterfell?" I asked.

"I wanted to live there," he replied. "I wanted to be with your family. But it's different now. You are a hostage of Joffrey and my family. It's unfair. Eddard Stark is going to swear fealty to Joffrey this afternoon. They are taking him to the Sept of Baelor."

"Are you going?" I asked.

"Mother said executions aren't for little boys," he added. "But I must go and support my tyrant of a brother."

We walked towards the Sept of Baelor and I stood with Myrcella, Tommen and Cersei. My father is escorted in with a bunch of the King's Guards.

"I am Eddard Stark," my father said. "Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King. I come before you to confess my treason in the sight of Gods and men. I betrayed the faith of my king and rust of my friend Robert. I plotted to murder his son and seize the throne for myself."

"He didn't," Tommen growled. "This is Joffrey's doing."

"Let the High Septon and Baelor the blessed bear witness to what I say: Joffrey Baratheon is the one true heir to the Iron Throne, by the Grace of all Gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm," my father said.

"As we sin, so do we suffer," Joffrey said. "This man has confessed to his crimes in the sight of Gods and men. The Gods are just but beloved by Baelor taught us they can also be merciful."

"What is to be done with this traitor, Your Grace?" Ser Ilyn asked.

"My mother wishes me to let Lord Eddard join the Night's Watch," Joffrey said. "Stripped of all titles and powers, he would serve the realm in permanent exile. And my Lady Sansa and her sister Lady Lyra have begged for mercy for their father. But those women have soft hearts. So long as I am your king, treason shall never go unpunished. Ser Ilyn, bring me his head."

"No!" I screamed.

"Stop!" Sansa screamed.

"That's unfair," Tommen shouted. "He didn't do anything." I noticed that Tommen was very upset at this matter. He looked angrily at his brother and started to cry. I looked at my sister – Sansa who is screaming and crying. I suddenly see the Hound walking towards us.

"Lyra, Tommen," Sandor Clegane said. "It's best to turn away.

"My son, this is madness," Cersei called out.

A day later, I sat in my chamber; my eyes were cracked with tears. My face was puffy and red as I didn't move from my bed. My handmaiden walked in."My name is Shailene," she said. "I'm your new handmaiden. The Queen appointed me as your handmaiden."

"Is-Is Septa Mordane alive?" I asked, still crying.

"She is dead – I'm afraid," she answered. "You've been in bed for days. Tommen is extremely worried."

"I want to go home," I said. "But my home is here now. King's Landing is a trap for me and my family."

"The King wants to see you," she said. "He has already seen Sansa."

"Is she alright?" I asked. "She's fine," she added. "Just a bit shaken up." I nodded and got dressed.

"Or I could just cut your throat," Joffrey said to the musician as I entered the hall.

"Every man needs his hands, your grace," he said.

"Aha, Lady Lyra, you are late," Joffrey added.

"Sorry, your grace" I mumbled as I stood next to Tommen.

"Are you alright, Lyra?" Tommen asked. I nodded.

"Good, tongue it is," Joffrey continued.

"Your grace, please, I won't sing, your grace," the musician begged.

"Ser Ilyn, who better than you to carry out the sentence?" Joffrey asked.

"I beg you!" the musician said. "Please no. No! You're Grace, please, I beg you, I will never sing again."

"I'm done for the day," Joffrey said. I heard screaming from the musician as he is dragged out. "I'll the rest of the matters to you, mother."

He turned towards me says, "You look quite nice," he said.

"You can't speak to her like that, you have your own betrothed," Tommen spat.

"Little brother," Joffrey began. "I could cut your tongue but as you are my family and mother wouldn't let me – I wouldn't."

"Tommen, stay out of this," I said.

"Listen to your friend, Tommen," Joffrey said.

"Or should I say betrothal?" Tommen looked at me with tearful eyes.

"Now may I continue," Joffrey said. "As I said, 'you look quite nice'."

"Thank you, my lord," I added.

"'Your Grace', I'm the King now," he said.

"Your Grace," I sighed.

"Much better," he said. "You deal with courtesies better than your sister. Walk with me. I want to show you something. I've already shown your sister but I want to show you this as well."

"Do as you're bid, child," Sandor Clegane advised me.

"You are a nice man, Sandor Clegane," I added. He looked away and followed closely behind Joffrey. I walked and see my father's head. I couldn't stare at his head. It was on a pike with flies wrapped around it buzzing.

"No, please, no!" I screamed.

"This one's your father," Joffrey said. "This one here. Look at it and see what happens to traitors."

"You promised Sansa and I that you'll be merciful," I said.

"I was," he said. "I gave him a clean death. Look at him."

"Please let me go," I begged. "I want to go home with Sansa."

"Just like your sister, you beg like a whore," he said. "Look at him." I looked at my father as sadness filled my eyes.

"How long do I have to look?" I asked.

"As long as it pleases me," he said. "Do you want to see the rest?"

"If it pleases you, your grace," I cried.

"That's your Septa there," he said, pointing to Septa Mordane's head. I felt tear pricking my eyes. "I'll tell you want: I'm going to give you and your sister a present," he said. "After I raise my armies and kill your traitor of a brother, I'm going to give you his head as well."

"I hope he gives me yours," I shouted.

"My mother says that a King should never strike his Lady's sister," he said. "Ser Meryn." Ser Meryn slaps me and I started crying.

"Here, girl," Sandor Clegane said, handing me a cloth for my face.

"Will you obey now?" Joffrey asked. "Or do you need another lesson? I'll look for you in court."

"Save you some pain, girl," Sandor said. "Give him what he wants." I handed him back the cloth. "You'll need that."

"Thank you for the advice," I added. "You are merciful, Sandor."