Game of Thrones: Crossroads

Chapter 11 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks :)
HarryPotterNut94: Yeah, a bit, glad you enjoyed it :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks.
Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks, yeah well, it's more she's trying to save Sansa.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, yeah, Rickon's doing what he can to help Shireen feel better; Arya does regret hurting Shireen, but obviously she's trying to do something for Sansa; despite personal costs to herself.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 11

The silence was beyond awkward in the Baratheon Mansion's dining room. It was a family dinner, they usually happened once a month and were Robert's idea to try and get the family all to bond. It never worked that way; it usually just resulted in awkward silences or arguments. Robert sat at the head of the table, eating plenty and getting drunk as usual. Cersei sat rigid next to him; her face blank of expression as she ate. She turned her gaze towards the children, who were seated on her left. She didn't want them watching their father and picking up his bad habits. However none of them seemed to be paying much attention to Robert. Joffrey was far too busy observing the other family members, what looked like a smile on his face. Myrcella and Tommen were talking to each other quietly, between mouthfuls. Cersei watched them carefully for a moment longer, ensuring they didn't mess up their clothes. She had taken painstaking effort to ensure the kids dressed their best, Myrcella's dress was brand new; the old one was getting rather short on her sadly. Joffrey's suit had just been dry-cleaned. As she observed Tommen's suit she wondered briefly how long it would be before puberty hit and he would start outgrowing all his current clothes. It struck her how quickly time seemed to be passing; her children were all growing up so quickly.

She turned her gaze reluctantly towards their guests; the first was Robert's brother, Stannis. He sat stoic and silent as usual, only taking a few bites of his food here and there.

'Then again, that's hardly surprising.' She thought to herself. 'He rarely acts as if he had human emotions or needs after all.'

Sitting next to Stannis was his wife Selyse; Cersei noticed the strange symbol on the brooch that fastened the woman's dress.

'A symbol of that ridiculous R'hllor religion.' She realized.

She fought the urge to shake her head; it was well known that Selyse was not only a convert to that religion but also an almost overzealous fanatic. Cersei notices Selyse was glaring and followed her gaze. She sighed; she could see exactly why she was glaring. Selyse's gaze had been directed at her and Stannis' daughter; Shireen. The normally shy girl, who kept her head bowed and hidden behind her hair, was now sitting smiling happily. While Cersei did not begrudge the girl some happiness, Gods knows she deserved it, but still even Cersei could not condone the way Shireen had her hair tied back. The burn scars which stood out against her pale skin due to their redness, were completely visible this way and rather off-putting.

'What has come over her; she always hid them before, it's like she's trying to show them off.'

Shaking her head she turned to the last of their guests; Robert's youngest brother, Renly. He at least was in good humour.

Cersei couldn't help herself from thinking it. 'Well, we've all assembled, now who is going to the first to cause the chaos to start.'

She waited tensely, her instincts telling her that an argument was going to begin soon.

Just then, completely unexpected, the doorbell rang. They all looked up, waiting as they heard the footman answer the door, some muffled talking and then footsteps towards the dining room. The door opened and Cersei felt her breath hitch as her twin brother Jaime walked in. He was smiling in his usual languid manner.

"Robert, I hope I'm not too late." He remarked casually.

Robert laughed boisterously. "Of course not, sit down, there's plenty of food left."

Cersei frowned slightly as she bitterly thought to herself. 'The way you eat, not for much longer.'

She composed herself quickly before anyone else could see. The meal continued, conversation sprouting up here and there. Then it happened, it was a simple throwaway comment from Joffrey; an admittedly cruel remark about homosexuality. Renly took offence to the remark; being homosexual himself, and attempted to convince Joffrey to regulate his comments. Then Selyse spoke up.

"I see nothing wrong with what Joffrey said." She snapped. "He's perfectly entitled to express his views; besides, what he said was perfectly valid."

Both Robert and Stannis could see the argument about to begin but were unable to stop it, despite their continued attempts. Soon the argument started up, apart from Joffrey who smirked as he watched, the children simply kept their heads down and focused on their food. Cersei snarled and used the argument as cover to slip away from the dining room.

She stalked angrily through the halls; shaking her head.

'Why does Robert insist on inviting them around every month…It always ends up the same way?'

She shook her head; Robert's futile attempts to try and bring the family together always ended in disaster.

Cersei couldn't believe Robert continued this. 'It always ends in disaster, or things remain cold and cheerless and he ends up in a bad mood. Once again he's going to drink himself into a stupor.'

She shook her head and finally stopped; she was in the grand ballroom. She walked over until she stood next to the piano and glared.

'That fool, he acts like he's so family oriented. Yet he may visit his 'other kids' but he can't make time for Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen. Plus he's still fixated on dammed Lyanna Stark.'

She growled and, despite her usual calmness, she desperately felt the need to hit or break something.

Just then the door opened and she spun around, eyes wide. However she relaxed when she saw it was Jaime. He walked over to her; smiling with a knowing grin.

"You really do walk to fast sometimes." He remarked. "It wasn't easy keeping up with you."

Cersei cleared her throat and regained her composure. "You were following me?"

"But of course sweet sister." He replied as he now stood, merely inches away from her.

She couldn't help but smile.

"Ironic isn't it, Robert claiming to be so family oriented; claims he cares deeply for the kids…not even realizing they aren't his."

Jaime stepped closer, his arms going around her. "Now, now, let's be careful, if someone overhears…"

"I'm well aware of the consequences of that." Cersei shot back primly.

It was her biggest secret; her children with Robert, weren't really Robert's children. That was why, unlike Alyssa Waters brood, they didn't have the black hair and blue eyes of their father. The Baratheon genes were usually dominant in the children they had, even from previous marriages with the Lannister family. No, in truth, Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen were all her children…and Jaime's. In truth she saw nothing wrong with her actions; they were twins after all, two halves of the same whole, they completed each other. It was only the small minded laws of society which inhibited her. So she settled for stolen moments, like this one and, from the look on Jaime's face, he felt the same. She didn't hesitate to claim his mouth and he responded immediately; pushing her down onto the piano stool. The greatest thrill of this for Cersei was knowing that, on the other side of the house, her husband was in the dining room, completely unaware of what was happening.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.