Hey there everyone. Back with an update for Stag's Fury, Lion's Roar. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. I know I am having fun writing it. We will have a bit of Winterfell left in this chapter before a bit somewhere else and then back to King's Landing and we can start powering through this story. I am excited to get things going. Real quick reminder that some characters are different for the simple purpose of better plot for this story. Joffrey had already been mentioned as being much smarter and more dangerous than we are used to. Let's just say he isn't the only one. One of these other characters will be introduced in this chapter.
A review by Doomharvester1 said: Interesting concept a percy annabeth pairing in got where they are related. Could be interesting if done right. I'm also interested to see how Sansa's addition to the pairing goes. I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of Sansa from the show I wonder how this sansa will turn out. Hopefully she will be better than GOT sansa.
My response: I agree with you though I love the idea of naive and innocent Sansa becoming a hardened, stone-cold, queen. Not exactly what is going to happen in this story. Honestly Sansa will go through a lot less heartache in this story than canon. That being said she won't miss out on her fair share either. Expect so dramatic changes to occur with her rapidly with the likes of Annabeth acting as her sort of mentor.
A review by HughJasz said: I like this one. It seems like Percy and Annabeth are clearly different and likely know more than they let on but it seems like they aren't the real Percy and Annabeth either since they don't remember anything from PJO.
A bit of a shame. I was hoping Annabeth would turn into a revolutionary inventor of some kind.
Regardless, I hope this continues
My response: Happy you like it. Percy and Annabeth are different though I am trying to keep their sort of core character intact. Much different lifetime this time around so they will be noticeably different of course. That being said they do have bits and pieces of memories from their previous life. Almost all of it violent, and almost all of overcome through their cooperation with one another. It definitely affects them though they do not yet, or perhaps never will fully understand the dreams they are having of a past lifetime. They just know that they were born again and their love for one another seems to have continued through death and rebirth itself.
A review by yoganksri said: its nice story and loved the fact that bran wouldn't be falling. But I gotta ask, does Percy have his abilities?
My response: Percy definitely has his swordsmanship. He will only grow into hat regard as the story goes. That being said though, he does not have the ability to create attacks with water. That doesn't mean he lacks any and all his abilities to do with his former parentage. Similarly he and Annabeth are both physically better than normal folks. Cersei and many others have noticed. Along with that Annabeth retains her gifts in regards to gaining, retaining, and applying knowledge especially in craft and strategy. Which is helpful in the politics of King's Landing. Percy too has some gifts that aren't just dropping rivers on people. So stay tuned to see a bit more of his capabilities.
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On to the story.
Chapter Three
Moving Pieces
Ned stared over Winterfell as the early morning sun began creating the horizon. The last week had seen much turmoil within his heart and head if not in his actual life.
For the moment he was happy that his lady wife remained asleep in their bed. He found the heat of Catlyn's room stifling more often than not but he happily shared it with her at times. She remained one of the most beautiful women in the realm and she had long since captured his heart after their wedding had been arranged.
He needed some silence to think at the moment though and was grateful for a moment to himself. He had many decisions weighing on him that he had to handle today. He couldn't put them off any longer.
The first two were the worst two. His brother in all but blood had made the requests that Ned knew he would. He needed him. Wanted him as his hand and to link their houses through a bond with Ned's eldest daughter and his eldest son.
Most would rejoice at such a union. Sansa certainly had when she had been told it was being considered. She was quite enamored with the Crown Prince.
Then again he and his twin seemed quite popular with all of Ned's children. Even with Jon and Arya. No small achievement.
The thought of marrying off his daughter still burned at Ned's heart. He couldn't help but feel there was more to the royal twins. Something odd about them. Then again he knew they were odd. Everyone did. They worshiped the old gods, seemingly of their own volition. They bent the customs and traditions to better themselves and the realm. They were enigmatic and pragmatic and strikingly charismatic.
Still as a father he didn't want to hand his daughter over. Perhaps that was all it was. The boy was a little odd compared to what most would think for a prince and Ned's fatherly instinct was to blow that out of proportion.
At least he would be with her in the capital he supposed. And he had possibly saved Bran from slipping from a tower and killing himself. He couldn't be so bad.
It wasn't the prince that was Ned's greatest worry though. It was his kin.
They had received the raven from Catlyn's sister and it worried them. Where before Catlyn had not wanted him to go but had suggested he couldn't refuse the King, now she insisted he had to go. She took Lysa's words to heart and was immediately suspicious of a plot by the Lannisters to gain more power.
Ned was no fan of the Lions but he had to wonder at the authenticity of the widowed Lady Arryn's claims. Why would they assassinate Jon Arryn when they already had their family in place with so much power? Once Robert passed it would be Cersei's own son that took the throne.
Then again there could be a myriad of reasons that Ned did not yet see and like Catlyn had said he no longer had a choice. To protect his friend and the realm, he had to take the responsibility of Hand of the King.
He also felt a need to agree to Sansa's betrothal to Percy. If someone was plotting against Robert and his advisers, it was possible they were plotting against his son as well and Ned would see the young man surrounded by less snakes and more wolves.
"Please close the window, Ned. It's frigid." Catlyn said as she set up in bed.
The Lord of Winterfell turned to look at her, enjoying the soft red hair drifting down her uncovered form. He would never tire of taking in his wife's appearance. He was lucky his marriage had been nothing like Robert's.
"Of course." He said simply as he shut the window and stalked back to the bed and rejoined Catlyn beneath their blanket. He may not enjoy the heat but the warmth of their bodies beneath the covers would never be one that he scorned either.
"You looked to be in serious thought." She mumbled, still half asleep.
"I was." He replied softly as he pulled her smooth body against his own.
"Much to think on these days." She said becoming far more awake at the serious discussion that was beginning.
Ned didn't reply, only rubbing his hands down his wife's arms to warm and soothe them both.
"You will be the Hand then and Sansa will be the next Queen of the Seven Kingdoms." Catlyn said knowing his decision without needing to be told.
Again he didn't reply simply letting the silence confirm her words. He felt her shift against him until she was facing him. She kissed him softly but the action seemed to express all her worries and thoughts on the situation.
"I will be fine my lady, and no harm will come to our children while they are with me." Ned said quietly as he tightened his hold on her.
It was her turn to remain silent for a time. Gradually she began moving though and kissing him once again. He quickly understood her intent and like all the times before had no intention of stopping her.
After all, another child in the family would be nice.
The final feast with the Royal party present was a grand affair. After all it had been announced officially now that Lord Stark was accepting the role as Hand of the King for King Robert and the new Hand's eldest daughter Sansa was now betrothed to the crown prince as well.
Theon was fine with that. Even if he had quietly believed for the last few years that once he replaced his father as Lord Greyjoy and returned to Puke that a possible union between the Iron Islands and the North could be had. That the little redheaded lady could be his way of truly becoming a part of the family that had more or less raised him.
That Lord Stark would be his father by law.
The ward of Lord Stark sat away from the head table with the men at arms and lesser banners. An afterthought it seemed as the royal family and Stark family intermixed with ease. The Prince already seemed to have Sansa smitten and both Robb and Lord Stark seemed to approve of the boy.
What was more, Bran practically worshiped the prince after he had taken him under his wing and begun showing him how to fight. Theon had done the same in the past. He received no idol worship as Percy did.
Theon was fine with that. He wasn't some fool. He knew there was no better match for Sansa than the future King himself. He knew that his time spent with Bran hadn't been as friendly as he wanted Lord Stark to believe.
Theon was not fine with the bastard sitting with Robb and Prince Percy. Evidently the prince had insisted. Something about impressing him in the training yard. The bastard. Who hadn't even taken the Prince on alone as Theon had.
"Come dog. I grow tired." The spare prince barked at the Hound as they passed Theon by headed for the doors.
Theon watched them go and scoffed. He might be bothered by the Crown Prince taking what he had wanted but at least he wasn't such a ponce as the younger of the two was.
Mocking names for Joffrey spun around in Theon's head as he swallowed down another cup of wine. It brightened his mood somewhat but didn't fully free him from the insult he felt at being replaced at the table by Jon fucking Snow.
He refilled his cup and began what was probably his third or perhaps fourth glass of wine for the meal before turning his eyes along the length of the head table.
At one end Prince Percy sat with Robb, Jon, and Bran. Joking and acting as if they had known one another for more than a week. Robb did not even glance back in Theon's direction.
Next came Sansa, Arya, the Princesses and even Sansa's little hand maiden Jeyne. Jeyne Poole and the bastard sat with the likes of the Stark's and royals but Theon sat with guardsmen.
His eyes lingered briefly on Sansa as he begrudgingly imagined what if once more before they turned toward the two golden haired princesses. The younger was a near copy of her mother though she was still young enough to be considered a child by Theon. No doubt she would be beautiful one day though.
The elder held his attention far longer though. She was similar to her mother. Beautiful for sure with grayish blue eyes that seemed to soak up everything around her. Her face held a sharpness that the Queen and her younger sister lacked though.
He couldn't help the thoughts that entered his mind as he replaced the woman he had hired last night with the Princess.
"What I would give…" He grumbled, causing the man sitting beside him to glance at him then to where his eyes had settled.
"Mind yourself boy. If she catches you staring you might regret your thoughts about her." The man said, causing Theon to finally look at who sat beside him.
"What is one of the Kingsguard doing down here?" Theon asked in shock as Meryn Trant glanced up toward where the royal family sat.
"We are on rotation. I was lucky and had the opportunity to enjoy the feast. Still, I am in the Kingsguard so mind your eyes boy." Trant warned.
"You would consider stopping my staring as part of your role?" Theon snidely asked.
"No, you have nothing to fear from me. The Princess, the Crown Prince, the King and the Queen all may be a different story though." Trant replied simply before turning back to his meal.
"That's it? Some Kingsguard you are." Theon scoffed.
Trant ignored him and continued to enjoy the meal before him, seeming to have felt that his warning was given and no more interaction was needed between them.
Theon shot a look at the Kingsguard one last time before turning his eyes back up to stare at the Princess again. She paid him no mind. Likely unaware someone was even staring at her. He wondered if he might at all be possible at securing an alliance with the crown by entering a similar agreement between himself and her to what was had for Prince Percy and Sansa.
He knew that wouldn't happen though. But still he could dream such things.
Turning his eyes finally away from Annabeth he leveled them into the last of those sitting up there at the head table. The fat king with the most beautiful woman in Westeros by his side and lord and lady Stark all seeming to talk quietly while eating.
After a moment of watching them he finally stood and left his spot at the table, ignoring the eyes of Ser Trant as he walked past.
He found his way outside where he began to realize he might have had more cups of wine than he recalled counting earlier. After stumbling around a bit he managed to get his feet under him properly just in time to find the second prince staring at him from where he stood a few feet away. The hound loomed nearby in the shadow of a corner in the wall.
"Greyjoy, have enough of the festivities?" Joffrey asked. Drunk as he was, Theon couldn't tell if it was mocking or simply asking a question. The flagon of wine being offered over to him made him think that it was likely the latter.
"I have." He responded while trying to straighten himself up and taking a hearty swallow of strong wine inside. "What about you? You left before I did."
"So I did. I imagine we had similar thoughts while sitting there watching how well the others got along. Well I suppose you had a better view. With the table set up as if it were a stage for all the rest to view." Joffrey said, causing Theon to narrow his eyes. The world swam slightly around him but he was pretty sure that sounded like bitterness toward the rest of the royals and the Starks.
"You were up there with them. What have you got to be bothered by?" Theon asked not even realizing he was confirming the prince's suspicion regarding his thoughts. Opening himself up for a game he had no clue about.
"Please you and I are more alike than myself and my own brother. After all, just like you my father simply handed me over to another. Like moving a piece on a game board." Joffrey said as he strode closer to Theon.
Theon opened his mouth but closed it once again as he contemplated that. They had both been essentially tossed aside for the desires and actions of their fathers. That was where the similarity ended though.
"I don't believe we are really that similar, my prince." Theon said while bowing his head.
"Really? You don't? Then why is it you left the feast so early and so very…unhappy." Joffrey asked with a smirk.
Theon again opened his mouth but then closed it as he felt himself unable to answer as he wanted. Not without saying something that might get him into trouble.
"Seems to me you left for the same reason I did. You were disappointed in the choices of who was sat at the table. You felt slighted. You were slighted honestly. So was I. The fact my family accepted the bastard to be sat at the same table beside the Crown Prince, my older brother should have corrected them but he has always been odd. Him and my sister. She was the one that convinced Lady Stark of the seating tonight after all." Joffrey said as he came to stand right beside Theon.
"She was?" Theon asked, head still swimming.
"Oh yes. She always has been good at her little subtle suggestions. A word slipped out at the right moment or even just a meaningful look. Come to think of it, you were staring at her for some time in there. Did you catch some message sent your way? Maybe trying to apologize for not seating you with us? You are the heir to a great house after all." Joffrey continued.
"I…well I locked eyes with her once I think and she stared but then she turned to say something to Sansa." Theon said as his face scrunched up in confusion as his memories seemed more fluid and inconsistent than they would normally be.
"Hmm, well perhaps she wanted to apologize but couldn't slip away from the head table before you left. Or maybe she wanted to speak with you. Honestly I couldn't say I have been at the Rock for some time and don't know my siblings as well as I used to."
"You really think she would want to see me?" Theon asked with a bit of a grin on his lips. Of course she would want to speak with him.
"Perhaps. I couldn't say for certain. Though she is a very private person I doubt she would want to talk in public. She did leave shortly after you though. Even sent my dear older brother back to Lord Stark's eldest sons. Seems to me she wants privacy for something or other." Joffrey said as he began to pass by the Greyjoy heir.
Theon was leaning upon the wall to stay upright as he mulled over the prince's words. The Hound passed him by with a shake of the head as he followed after his charge. The ironborn didn't even seem to see him. Theon stared after the pair for a moment before turning to look back toward the wing of the castle that the royal family had taken temporary residence within.
Annabeth made her way back to her bedroom alone. Percy had attempted to escort her, even catching her at the door to the hall, but she had sent him back to Lord Stark's sons. He seemed to actually be getting along with them both now.
What's more, little Bran seemed to be framing himself as Percy's own little squire. She found it adorable especially with how comically exasperated her brother was at the boy's endless questions and attempts to do things for him. It was going to be wonderful having him back in the capital. A small bit of happiness in an otherwise terrible place, just like her own younger siblings.
Most of them. Two out of three was still good odds.
The princess turned her mind away from her least favorite family member and more toward getting some sleep. She didn't dislike Sansa or Arya but they could be tiring when taken together. Sansa, so interested in court and life in the south while Arya was enthralled by the idea of a woman who was equal parts lady and warrior.
She did her part to make sure Sansa would be relying upon her once they left Winterfell. After all, the girl was still incredibly naive and Annabeth needed to begin working with her to play her role.
Arya was a bit of an issue. As much as she seemed to enjoy talking with Annabeth she seemed a bit too wild to use too much in the capital. At least she was still young. Given time and lots of effort from Annabeth she too could be perfect for the princess's complex web of plans. She needed more allies and the daughters of the Warden of the North and new Hand of the King were excellent ones to have.
That was ignoring the fact one would be marrying Percy and would be the future queen at his side.
It really was imperative that she have them under her wing so to speak.
Rounding the corner into the empty hall that her family was using for their stay. Everyone was still back at the feast as far as she knew. Well, except perhaps Joffrey though she didn't much care where he had wandered off to.
Just as she closed her door to her bed chamber behind her and began to unravel the intricate ribbons and braids in her hair, a thump caused her to jolt in surprise.
It had come from her door and as she stared at the wooden obstacle she jolted again as another set of thumps, like sloppy heavy handed knocks impacted her door.
"Yes?" She called out.
"Princess…" A slurred voice called out causing her to roll her eyes. She assumed it was one of the guardsmen who had drunk too much and was checking in on her.
She pulled open the door to scold them but her words died on her lips as the slouching form of Theon Greyjoy filled her doorway instead.
He had looked a bit drunk when he left the feast earlier but with the sight of the wine flagon in his hands accompanied by the overpowering scent of alcohol she knew he was beyond simply inebriated.
"Greyjoy. Can I help you with something?" She asked him cooly, not exactly interested in humoring the arrogant heir to the Iron Isles.
Theon seemed to scrunch up his face in thought before a smarmy smile slipped onto his face and he stepped forward pushing against the surprised Annabeth at his actions.
"I'm here to help you out Princess. I figured out all the little furtive glances you were sending my way during the feast. Smart thinking slipping away separately. It could be scandalous if the rest of your kin realized." Theon said before tipping his flagon back to swallow another mouthful of wine as some spilled down his front.
"What? I don't know what you think to be implying, Greyjoy but you need to leave. You're drunk, go to bed." She demanded.
"Heh no need to play coy when we are alone Princess. I promise I won't tell a soul so you can just relax and let me do the work." Theon said as he closed in on her only for him to stumble back as she slapped him harshly across the face.
"Get out. Go to bed." She hissed at him.
"I don't understand…you were…that wasn't nice of you. Not very princess-like." Theon said with severely slurred speech.
"I don't know what put the thought in your head that I would ever entertain the idea of us…like that but it was wrong. Get out Greyjoy. I would rather give up my status as princess and be bedded by some peasant farmer than you." She snapped, causing Theon to scowl at her.
"All week you royals have spit on me. Made the Stark's start spitting on my name too. What makes you think I don't deserve respect? I'm the heir to a great house aren't I? Why shouldn't I have a spot at the table when that bastard Snow does?" Theon began demanding to know, surprising Annabeth as he began to advance on her once again more aggressively.
"Stop this now!" Annabeth roared as he came toward her but the man was clearly too drunk and too aggravated to listen.
He reached out to grab at her but she pulled away and made for the doorway. Unfortunately he managed to hook a hand onto a part of decorative stitching on her gown and tore it as she slipped past him. He spun and reached out again this time snagging her wrist in his grip.
"Let go!" She screamed before reacting.
She hadn't even realized what she had done until the dagger pierced through his doublet and stabbed into his side a good four inches. She didn't panic, though Theon did. He screamed in pain and let her go causing her to slip from the sudden loss of tensions holding her back. She stumbled and rolled into the hall just as her younger brother and the Hound appeared.
"Dog! Take Greyjoy. Alive!" Joffrey called before running to Annabeth's side. He frowned when she recoiled away from him and tilted her bloodied blade in his direction.
"I may not necessarily like you but you are my sister Annabeth." He bit out.
Slowly she lowered the knife as more people streamed into the hallway having heard the. Shouts and screams.
"Annabeth!" Percy cried out before shoving last Joffrey and coming to her side.
Still shaken by how quickly things had happened she clung to her twin tightly as more of the feast goers arrived. Joffrey turned and went to direct the Hound as the Greyjoy was drug off to be mended and imprisoned. The Starks, Ned, Robb, and Jon Snow all stared in open shock at the scene but they couldn't deny what was before their eyes.
Jon seemed the first to accept it but Ned's expression seemed to darken immediately after his baseborn son's.
"I'm alright, Percy." Annabeth said as she felt him checking her over.
"Annabeth what happened?" Her mother asked as she shoved her way through the now crowded hallway, past the red faced and out of breath Robert and the shining pair of Kingsguard that had accompanied the King and Queen as they raced to find Annabeth.
The Princess looked at the crowded hall then back toward her mother who nodded and took both her and Percy off toward her own room. Robert trudged after them with Ned following as well.
Before they got out of earshot Robb made the mistake of opening his mouth.
"Theon wouldn't do something like that, there is some mistake." He murmured though all heard it, especially Percy.
The heir to the throne drew his sword faster than any other could react and already had it readied for ending the heir to Winterfell.
"Your Ironborn friend is lucky to have been carted off by my little brother. Had I been the first up those stairs he would have been on separate pieces." Percy snarled before feeling Annabeth pressing on his arm to lower his sword.
With a final baleful glare sent toward Robb, Percy sheathed his sword and joined his parents, Lord Stark who was shaking his head toward Robb, and Annabeth in retreating to the Royal couple's bedroom.
Viserys scowled. He did that so often enough that few realized he was even doing it since they simply assumed it was his normal appearance.
Daenerys knew better though. She had seen the few times he was happy and that perpetual scowl receded for a few short moments. She had also seen it twist into a vile expression of such pure malice she couldn't properly describe it. Almost inhuman in its intensity.
That expression came far more often than the smile.
"Let them call me the Beggar King now." He said with a sneer as they stared down at the burning pures below.
"The King of Flames." The woman beside him practically whispered.
"Much more fitting." Viserys agreed.
"We must be going back now, your grace. The flames will handle those that sought to question your place in this world. Tomorrow we meet with the Khal." The second woman said as she stroked at Viserys arm like one might a large pet dog.
He seemed to enjoy it though, and Danaerys would never utter such a thing. It had been quite some time since she had 'woken the dragon' within her brother but the times she had done so as a child left enough of an impression that she dare not risk it even now.
"So we do. Come Dany." The newly dubbed King of Flames instructed as the small group of zealous and priestesses followed after Viserys and his two women. The priestesses that ensured his power.
The Beggar King turned Burnt King, turned King of Flames.
Dany followed after them. Watching as the women each took one of his grotesquely scarred arms in their own grasp and clung to him as they walked. The small army of former slaves and converted mercenaries trailing after them while their former brothers burned to ash behind them.
She paid little mind to the burnt corpses left in their wake. It had become normal as larger and larger numbers were fed to the flames for Viserys growing cult. A splinter of the greater faith of R'hllor. Even more violent and prone to human sacrifice than the core believers.
It had been the same for a couple years now. Ever since they had been sold to a red priestess who thought to sacrifice them to their god. When she had been nearly unscathed, only her hair burning away, they had worshiped her. When Viserys had screamed and forced himself free of his bonds before marching before them still burning and demanding they kneel before the heir of the dragon they had bent to him immediately.
Now he was the King of Flames. Burnt but Living. Touched by fire and marked forever.
"Dany, don't fall behind. You still need to be bathed and dressed. If I am to get this savage's support I need something to entice him with." Viserys called back to her.
"Of course brother." She said timidly before falling into the line of followers that made their way back up toward the path on to Pentos. Their…friend awaited them there to help mediate the alliance of Viserys and his few hundred followers and the Dothraki Khal she was likely to wed before the end of the month.
Joffrey kicked the Greyjoy's feet until he woke up. He was in rough shape compared to that night they first spoke. Bruises here and there and clearly not fully recovered from the stab to his side from Annabeth.
"Prince Joffrey…" Theon said blandly. He had no fight in him. Such a disappointment so far. Then again Joffrey was just hoping to save the piece for later.
"Theon Greyjoy." The golden prince said with a similar tone to Theon's own.
"Have you come to beat on me like your brother and mother do?" Theon asked, causing the prince to scoff.
Joffrey had done all he could to make sure Theon would be dragged along after them to the capital for a trial. He hadn't expected such fortune as a drunk Greyjoy to plant themselves into his hands but he did plan to make all the use of his windfall that he could.
"I have no need to beat you. I don't really care about what happened with my sister. I know you wouldn't dare to try and rape her right?" Joffrey asked. He enjoyed the flinch from his words.
"Really?" Theon asked, disbelieving the prince standing over him.
"You don't seem the type…despite being Ironborn. I'm sure you were honest when you tried to tell my father and Lord Stark that it was a terrible misunderstanding. Sadly they are a bit biased against you. Your kin have made raping and reaving too much of a regular past time for them to believe you I suppose."
"What do you want, my Prince?" Theon bit out.
"Oh, there he is. Hidden under that broken sad prisoner he still lives." Joffrey taunted before straightening up and walking over to lean against a wall beside the door to Theon's cell.
Since leaving Winterfell, Theon had been forced to either be tied down for the night or when they could stay in a holdfast forced into whatever amounted as a cell. None of the Stark's had visited since leaving their home. Only the Queen and Prince and whatever men the Queen brought along to do her work for her as she had him beaten.
"What I want at the moment, Greyjoy, is to have you come to terms with your situation properly. What do you think will happen when you are taken to King's Landing?" Joffrey asked.
Theon said nothing, causing Joffrey to scoff.
"Fine, don't play along. I will just tell you. You will be brought before my father, Lord Stark and my uncle. You will be accused of attempted rape of my sister the princess. You will then utterly fail to plead your case as everyone there saw you in her room, having bruised her arm and torn at her dress before she stabbed you. Then you will be tortured to death in the most painful of ways. I will make sure of that. My father can be quite sadistic when he wishes to be."
Theon still said nothing.
"I imagine they will geld you first though." Joffrey chuckled, causing Theon to turn his eyes up toward him to glare.
"Oh don't look so angrily at me. I mean I am the only chance you have of avoiding all of that. Want to hear what I have to say now?" Joffrey asked.
Theon slowly nodded.
"In three days time we will make a stop along the road near Darry castle. Some friends of mine will visit you and free you. They will take you off to a place to hide until I can return you home. You'll owe me for this though Greyjoy." Joffrey said simply. Not that he actually planned to just let the Greyjoy go home. He just wanted an in with the Ironborn for himself.
"That's it?" Theon asked in disbelief.
"Of course not. We will talk more later on. For now though…it would look odd if I wasn't doing the same as my mother and brother. Grin and bear it for now, Greyjoy." Joffrey said before turning toward the door.
"Dog." Joffrey called out and the Hound responded.
He knew precisely what was asked of him and set to work bloodying up the prisoner. The golden haired prince just leaned back against the wall and watched. His smile at the scene hidden by the shadows of the room.
She had never been so furious for so many days on end. She had been homicidal back in Winterfell when that little squid shit had laid his hands up on her daughter. She wasn't as angry as she was now though because Annabeth had stabbed him and she was promised he would be gelded and Annabeth would be allowed to take his eyes herself as well as the hand that had torn her dress.
Cersei had been adamant that he received the breaking wheel only after all of that. Ned Stark who practically raised the bastard had surprised her by supporting a painful execution of the Greyjoy. He didn't seem to support how thorough she wanted to make his suffering but as long as Greyjoy received the trial afforded the likes of the nobility he seemed accepting of gelding and breaking on the wheel.
Now though, Greyjoy was gone. Escaped. How? It wasn't known precisely beyond he had help who arrived to murder his guards and rescue him.
The Queen had been outraged, had the guards not died she would have done…something. She was too infuriated to properly think of what a proper punishment would have been.
At least she was not alone in her fury. Percy lived up to his father's house words and had become unglued. He found himself sent ahead of the rest of the Royal party after belittling the Lord Darry openly and nearly striking him. Cersei was sure he was involved as well, but they had no proof and with Ned whispering in Robert's ear about true justice and all that nonsense they had no actionable evidence.
Cersei disagreed. Her daughter's would be rapist was freed and only under the watch of Lord Darry's people. Even if he was not aware of the plot his holdfast was used for the act of treachery. It should have meant at the least the holdfast went to someone more worthy.
"Mother. Please calm down. You're going to give yourself wrinkles." Annabeth chimed softly as she took her mother's hand.
They had only been back within the walls of the Red Keep for a few hours now but Cersei remained furious and Annabeth remained almost mind numbingly calm.
"Annabeth…I just…" Cersei muttered in a rare show of vulnerability before she was silenced as her daughter embraced her.
"He'll be found. Someday or someway. I'm more concerned about things happening now, besides he barely managed to tear my gown before I stuck him. I've told you over and over since that night." Annabeth said while stroking her mother's hair.
Cersei nodded. She had told her. However that night Cersei had seen her strong, unassailable daughter shaking slightly in her twin's arms with blood from her attack splattered across her hand and tears barely escaping the normal iron-like control Annabeth had over her emotions.
Never had she thought to see her daughter like that. The mere sight had sent her into a rage.
Here and now though, Annabeth acted as if she was unbothered. Cersei knew that was untrue. For the first time in her life the princess seemed to prefer to have guards with her. Supposedly taking reasonable precautions.
The queen was happy enough that her daughter had a protection detail more closely guarding her now, but she was still painfully aware that Annabeth had lost an amount of her self confidence after the incident. Quietly blaming herself for allowing the event to occur at all.
Cersei thought it ridiculous but knew that stating that would seem more of an attack than a reminder that she was a force of nature.
Likely only time would mend the disquiet that sat within Annabeth's mind.
That and finding and properly ending Theon Greyjoy.
"I have to attend the small council session soon. I had Percy delay them so I could get my things put away but they seem insistent on catching Lord Stark up on all things. Though I imagine he is curious why myself and Percy attend rather than father." Annabeth said as she broke the hug with her mother.
"He will come to understand that you and Percy run the kingdom in that bloated swine's place. Where is he by the way?" Cersei asked.
Annabeth sighed and Cersei knew then, before the words were even said.
"Baelish had a new set of whores waiting for him when we returned." Annabeth huffed.
"Of course. Hurry along dear, best not to keep your brother waiting. He has been in such a mood lately." Cersei said with a small smile causing Annabeth to roll her eyes.
"You both have been in such moods. I can only talk to Myrcella and Tommen, Lord Stark's girls anymore." Annabeth joked before kissing her mother's cheek and leaving.
As she left Cersei made her own exit from the room and down to a spare room where two young ladies awaited her.
"What have you learned?" She asked without greeting.
"The squid had help from someone within the returning party and someone outside it, we don't know for certain who." The first said as she bowed her head to the queen.
"We can only rule out the royal family and the Starks." The second said, copying the first as she bowed.
Cersie's beautiful face twisted up into a sour glare.
"No other information at all?" She demanded.
"He fled Westward." One of them reported.
Cersei stared at them awaiting more information. When no more came she realized that was it.
"Return to me with something actually worthwhile." She dismissed them waiting for them to slip out the door before she dropped into the room's only chair and let out a long stressed sigh.
She had looked forward to returning to King's Landing where she practically did as she pleased in the politicking that ran the city. Now her mind was hung up on the actions of one vile boy. She could hardly think of anything besides dragging him in chains back to King's Landing and watching as Annabeth carved his eyes out of his skull with the same dagger she had stabbed him with before.
Her eyes and ears in the city were better used pursuing that end for the time being even if there were other odd happenings that would normally have had her interest.
That is that folks. Some dramatic changes to canon being shown in this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. I know I look forward to having you all see the outcome of what these plotlines will lead to.
Till Next Time