Chapter 6
Sam
Candle's illuminated what was Cersei Lannister's chamber with a dim unfocused light, always shifting with the breeze. It didn't bother Sam as much as it used to, not being able to see but somehow his eyes adjusted quickly. Today they were sat near a balcony entrance with a river breeze drifting through the silk curtains. Dinner had been over for a length of time now yet Cersei had barely spoken through the meal at all. If she had spoken it was of trivial things. In her eyes was amusement and a hint of mischief.
"Tell me what the matter is Cersei, you have not spoken all night." Sam swallowed a gulp of the sweet harbour wine a favourite of hers. He had to admit that the wine was one of the best he had tasted.
Cersei pursed her lips before answering him. "I have some news Sam." She paused then continued with the menace she had been hiding. "The brother you have been hunting for so dearly has surfaced. Our only problem is Sam he's under the wrong banner." With a clique of her slender fingers guards were surrounding them. More around Sam then her. "So tell me Sam, how and why did you come here?"
Sam stopped and thought of the news she had given him, Dean was alive and well? "I don't know how but I do know I am here to help. Please Cersei, I have had ample opportunity to kill you so will you call the dogs off." One guard huffed at Sam's remark.
Smiling her sweetest smile at Sam, she gave the order for them to back away. "You have, haven't you? The first night you were here Sam my brother had summoned you. My female said that you didn't want to speak to him. Is that true?" She and Sam had gone over that situation several times but Cersei had some niggling doubt that Sam was working with Tyrion, he wasn't.
Taking a deep breath Sam answered carefully. "Kaede had saved me before Tyrion could kill me for telling him no." Sam paused as he stared down at the floor, attempting to gather some excuse he could give her. "I've told everything I know and what I've done Cersei. It is up to you my Grace whether you decide to believe me or not." Sam made a sadness deep inside him shine through the surface.
Cersei seemed to be effected by the sadness but she covered it up with a slick ice queen smile. "I believe you Sam, others may not but I do. Come through Joffrey." She spoke the words over her shoulder as Joffrey stepped from the deep shadows of the balcony. Sam was surprised he was there and had to hide his reaction quick.
Joffrey was a short, very skinny young man. His hair shone the colour of soft gold, like his mothers but it was slightly dimmed. Sam knew Joffrey's true heritage, yet he had said nothing to Cersei about the truth. Why should he? He thought often to himself, I'd only lose my head for some made up betrayal.
"So, Sam is true to us unlike his traitor brother." He drawled his words as though he enjoyed saying them. It disgusted Sam how he spoke, he couldn't show his feeling to them. Everyday grew harder to trust someone to talk to, Kaede, maybe he could call on her later tonight. "Sam…" Had they been talking to him?
Bowing low Sam covered up the slight hesitation. "I apologise your highness. My mind is on what my brother has done. It is hard for me to believe that he would choose Starks over Lannister. He spoke often and fondly of your family." Sam supplied at least some savour for Dean when he found him. Hopefully by then Dean would have found a way to return to our own world. "I would wish to send a letter to him, if your highness allows me to. Dean has no idea where I am and as soon as he knows where I am he will come galloping down to beg forgiveness."
Joffrey made a scoffing noise. "Yes, with a whole Stark host behind him. Dean was informed of your position with us Sam and he told Lady Catelyn to write to us to say he will not be joining us anytime soon." He paused a second and Joffrey's face burned red as he screamed at Sam. "I am your king! I am his King too!"
Cersei placed her hand on Joffrey's arm, smiling softly at him. "Have no worry sweet child, the realm will soon know how merciful and just you are."