AUTHOR NOTES: Guys I have said this so I will say it again maybe some of you skipped the last message…Please stop leaving update and post now messages in the review…I like reviews, but it is very disappointing when someone leaves these types of messages…As I said I am working on this everyday…Thank you for your cooperation...I hope you enjoy this latest update...If you have any suggestions please feel free to make them...again no update and post now messages thank you very much
KING TOMMEN
KING'S LANDING – 3 MONTHS AGO
CERSEI
Cersei and Jaime share a special bond, a bond they have to keep secret, especially if House Lannister were to stay in power and rule. She knew her brother would kill Robert's men to free Joffrey. She also knew he was returning to King's Landing with an army large enough to kill all the White Cloaks and Eddard Stark's men.
She had to act quickly as she rushes to the stables. King Robert plans to go hunting and now is the perfect time to free herself of him and begin the Lannister Dynasty. She enters the stables and immediately spots her cousin Lancel Lannister the King's Squire. She rushes up to him and takes the wine skin from his hand. "What are you doing?" He asks in whispered tones.
"Shut up and take it you fool!" She says shoving a new wine skin into his hand.
"Cersei!" Robert calls out, "What in blazes are you doing here?"
She walks up to him as innocently as she can, "I came to ask you to call off the warrant on my brother…"
"If he hasn't killed my men…But we both know your brother has a temper…"
"He's your brother by law…"
He mounts his horse using a step, "Let us be off…"
As they leave the stables Lancel looks back at her. Then she leaves the stables, "Find me Lord Janos…" she commands to one of her guards. A few hours later Lord Commander Janos Slynt enters the Queen's Solar.
"You wish to see me Your Grace?"
"Yes…What is the status of the Gold Cloaks?"
"My men and I haven't been paid in months…Many of them are threatening to leave and find work as sell swords…A few didn't even go on duty today…"
"Tell your men to go on duty and let them know that their Queen has written her father Lord Tywin Lannister…Lannisters always pay their debts and if you and your men remain faithful to the crown I will pay them a year's salary when the gold arrives…And you will give me your loyalty and I will have my father grant you lands, titles, and a castle…"
"Thank you Your Grace…You have my loyalty…"
"Good…When my brother returns you will side with him no matter what…" He nods and leaves. Then she sends a man to ride out and meet her brother to tell him that she has bought the loyalty of the Gold Cloaks.
"Your Grace…Ser Jorey to see you…"
She frowns at the name of one of Eddard Stark's men, "Show him in…"
He bows, "Your Grace…The Hand of the King requests your presence in the garden…"
She follows Jorey Cassel with two of her own guards. All the time Cersei wonders what Eddard Stark wants. She is not afraid and is willing to do anything to remain Queen and place her son on the throne. When she arrives Eddard bows and dismisses Jorey. "Leave us!" She commands to her men.
"Thank you for coming Your Grace…"
He sighs, "I won't beat around the bush or play games…I know your secret…"
"Which secret is that?" She asks knowing full well what he means.
"I know Robert has no true heirs…I also know that your brother fathered all your children…"
She looks at Eddard Stark, either he is a fool or maybe he is playing the Game of Thrones. "Yes its true…My brother fathered my children…Since you are looking for truth then know it all…You were not at the wedding…The night Robert and I consummated our marriage he called me by your sister's name…"
He nods, "He loved Lyanna…"
"But never me…I have suffered his indignities, his man whoring…and you…You the noble Eddard Stark standing there judging me…How many bastards does Robert have…I swore that if he would hold onto the love of a dead woman he would get know children from me…"
It felt liberating to confess it all; even if it was before the great and noble Eddard Stark. "I do not condone Robert's actions…"
"Tell me Lord Stark…Why didn't you take the throne…You had just as much right to it as Robert…You above all people were hurt the most by the Targaryen's actions…"
"I did not want it…Besides…Rhaegar died at Robert's hands not mine…"
She smiles, "When you play the game of thrones Lord Stark…Play to win…"
"I asked you here to let you know…that I know…Take your children and leave for Casterly Rock immediately…For when Robert returns I will tell him the truth…" She watches as he leaves the garden. Cersei heads to her solar to summon Lord Janos.
EDDARD STARK
"Jorey rouse the men…" Eddard says as he returns to the tower of the Hand. Eddard puts on his armor and belts his sword as his men gather in the courtyard of the Hand's Tower.
"My Lord Ser Arnold Gradison…"
Gradison commands the one hundred Baratheon men in the Red Keep. House Gradison is a vassal House of House Baratheon. Eddard tells him about the Queen and her children, he also tells him his plan to seize the castle. "Are you with me?"
"I can't believe it…"
He replies with a look of shock, "You know my reputation…I would not lie…Are you with me?"
He nods, "I am with you my Lord Hand…"
"Good gather your men…" Eddard goes to the courtyard while Gradison leaves to gather his troops. His men are assembled and are dressed to fight. "Men of the North…King Robert has been betrayed by his Queen…Her children are all bastards fathered by her own brother Ser Jaime Lannister…" They all exchange looks as he speaks, "It was Ser Jaime who pushed my good son from the window of the Broken Tower…He caught them in the act of having sex…We will take control of this castle and place the Queen and her children under House arrest…Any Lannister men who put down their arms will be spared…If not show them no mercy…Are you with me!"
They all cheer and enter the Red Keep through the hallway from the Tower of the Hand. "Hey!" A Lannister man screams.
"Throw down your sword!" Jorey commands, but the man draws his sword. A servant screams as they start fighting. Jorey kills the man and another is killed by Eddard Stark. The halls echo with the sound of sword on sword. The Lannister men are overwhelmed, some of them surrender, but a few fight to the death.
Eddard bursts into Cersei's room. Her handmaidens scream, "How dare you…"
"Cersei Baratheon nee' Lannister…I Eddard Stark Hand of the King charge you with treason and confine you to your room…"
"Where are my children?"
He snaps his fingers and two guards bring Myrcella and Tommen, "Mother!" They run into her arms.
"I will arrange for a ship to take you to Casterly Rock before Robert returns…"
As Eddard leaves Ser Gradison joins him, "My Lord the castle is secure, we have taken thirty-one men prisoner all Lannisters…The Gold Cloaks are gathering before the main gate…They have a battering ram…"
"Janos is working for the Queen…Place archers on the wall…"
"My Lord…" Jorey cries walking up, "…We lost eleven men…"
"Jorey sneak out by the mud gate…Take five men with you…Dress as a servant and find a ship to take the Queen and her children to Casterly Rock…"
"Aye my Lord…"
Now all Eddard can do is wait for Robert to return to set things right. He goes to the main gate and watches as dozens of Gold Cloaks die trying to break it down. Some break away from the main gate to attack the horse gate.
JAIME LANNISTER
Jaime travels with his men across the plains towards King's Landing avoiding roads, towns, and villages. Soon he reaches the edge of the King's Wood and follows the river to the city. A mile from the city Jaime is met by a Lannister man. "My Lord Jaime…I bring news from the Queen…She told me to find you and say that she has bought the loyalty of the City Watch…"
"Is that all?"
"Yes My Lord…"
Soon they reach the city and are let in by the Gold Cloaks on guard duty. Jaime rides through the streets and heads strait to the Red Keep which is under siege by the Gold Cloaks. He rides around to the Hand's gate. "Bring ladders!" He commands to his men. There are Stark men posted on the wall firing arrows at them.
Jaime leads the assault on the wall. His archers fire back at the Stark men on the wall to provide cover. Then Jaime scurries up the ladder behind two men. The first man is killed and he falls off the ladder. The next man is able to make it onto the wall because three men are killed with arrows. Jaime thrusts his sword and kills a man trying to push his ladder over.
When he makes it to the top Jaime is consumed by battle rage and cuts down Stark man after Stark man. He lives up to his reputation as the Sword of the West and the best sword in the seven Kingdoms. Because of his heroics his men are able to gain a foothold on the wall. The Gold Cloaks abandon their attempt to breech the main castle gate and join the Lannisters at the Hand's Gate.
Jaime fights two men at the same time. He impales one with his sword and blocks the sword of the second man with his gauntlet, then he slashes his neck. They fight their way down the steps and into the courtyard. "Pull back! Pull Back!" A Stark man screams.
Before the door can be shut Jaime throws his sword and kills one of the men at the door. They rush forward and fight to keep the door from being closed. Jaime takes a speak ad shoves into the door crack keeping it from closing. "Jaime Lannister!" Eddard Stark screams, "Throw down your arms and surrender or she dies.
Every pauses as Eddard Stark has Cersei by the neck with a dagger at her throat. They stare at each other, "You have too much honor to kill a defenseless woman Lord Stark…I on the other hand am not so honorable…If you and your men don't surrender now…I will start killing people in the city until you do…"
"You are a Knight or have you forgotten your oaths…"
"I am also a brother…and that is my family…Let her go and surrender…"
"Give me your word that my men will not be harmed…"
He nods, "I give you word…"
"Let her go and swear on all I hold dear that you nor your men will be harmed…"
Eddard releases Cersei, "Lay down your arms…"
"But my Lord…"
"Do it!" As they do Cersei slaps Eddard.
"Take them to the dungeons and do harm any of them…" Jaime commands. Soon they are joined by Lord Janos, "Lord Janos…Have your men collect the dead and burn them…Have the servants clean up the blood…"
KING ROBERT
Killing cleared his head and Robert loved to hunt. It was one of the few things in life he could still do. He would love a good fight, but people were to scared of him as King to get into a fight with him. Then there is the King's Guard, they would never allow it. Sometimes he wished Eddard would have taken the Iron Throne or he wished he could give it all up. Tommen was not ready to be King and then there was Joffrey. Sending his son off was the hardest thing he ever had to do, but the boy was not right in the head.
"Wine!" He commands and his golden haired Squire Lancel Lannister runs up and hands him the wine skin. "Ah that is good wine…"
"Your Grace…Perhaps you should not drink so much…We are after all hunting…" Renly says.
He looks at him, "A man knows his limits and I know mine…I am invincible!"
"BOAR!" Ser Meryn Trant screams as the large beast comes charging at them.
Later Robert is in and out of consciousness as his men carry him on a shield back to the Red Keep. "Did I get him?" He asks in between states of consciousness.
"You got him brother…Through the eye…"
"Ma…ke…S…ure…t…hey…bring my…boar…Ned! Get me home I must see Ned…" The next time he awakens Cersei, Jaime, Maeter Pycel, and his son Tommen are standing over him. "Joffrey?"
"It's me father…Tommen…"
"Tommen…Tom…men…I am so sorry son…I should have been a better father to you…To all my children…Tell Joffrey that I am so sorry…" He looks at Cersei, "I am sorry to you as well…"
She frowns, "For what?"
"I am sorry… Imma sorry I couldn't love you the way you deserved to be loved…"
She sighs deeply as he looks at Jaime, "You!...Did you kill my men to save Joffrey?"
"I did…"
He sneers, "You golden haired bastard! Where is Ned? Where is my brother Renly?"
"Leave us!" Cersei commands. Pycel takes Prince Tommen out of the room.
"I love you father!" Tommen yells as he is escorted out of the room.
"Tell Stannis I am sorry for what I did…"
"Lord Stark left for home…" Cersei says.
Robert looks at Cersei, "You are lying…Ned would not abandon me…"
She leans over, "You are right…He wouldn't…"
"I imprisoned him…"
He stares at her, "You bitch…"
Cersei leans down, "You never loved me…And I never loved you…I want you to die knowing that I did have love…" She stands up and looks at Jaime. Then they share a kiss in front of him. "I also want you to die knowing that my children were fathered by a real man…"
Before Robert can yell for the guards Cersei places a pillow over his face, while Jaime sticks his hand into his wound. He thrashes about on the bed, the pain, and lack of air filling every area of his being. Taken out by a lying brother fucking whore and her sister fucking brother. ("What a way to go…")
TYRION
Tyrion was at the brothel enjoying the pleasures of several women. His favorite is Ros a Northerner who had come south to work the brothel he now owns. As proprietor he could have all the women he wanted and not pay a gold Dragon, but when he visits the brothels he pays and allows the women to keep all the gold he paid them.
He walks out of the room and kisses Ros or Rose as he likes to call her. Bronn is waiting for him, "You done already?" Tyrion asks looking at the Sell Sword.
"What can I say…"
"You must be getting old to be done so quickly…"
"Nope…A man has his good days and his bad ones…This was a good day…I just finished before you…"
"Shall we go then…" Before leaving Tyrion kisses Ros goodbye and leaves. As they walk up the street the bells start ringing. "That can't be good…"
"My Lord…" A Lannister man rides up on a horse, "Ser Jaime sent me to fetch you…"
Tyrion frowns, "My brother is back in the city?"
"Yes my Lord…"
"Why the bells ringing?" Bronn asks.
"The King is dead…"
"Shit!" Tyrion says and as they ride back to the keep Tyrion forces the Lannister man to tell him what happened.
"That is a load of crap if ever I heard…"
"You calling me a liar?" The Lannister Man asks looking at Bronn.
"My esteemed friend here is right…Eddard Stark has too much of good reputation and he loved Robert like a brother…"
"Well I allow your brother to tell you my Lord…"
"Leave your sell sword outside…" Cersei commands.
Tyrion sighs and nods at Bronn. When he leaves he returns his attention to Jaime and Cersei. "I am glad you are safe…" Tyrion remains quiet, "Come sit down we have much to discuss…" Jaime says.
Tyrion doesn't move, but keeps staring at them, "Why is he looking at us like that? Why are you staring at us?"
He smiles, "I'm trying to decide which one of you killed Robert…"
"Careful…" Jaime warns.
"Robert died of natural causes…The boar ripped him open…"
"And one…if not the both of you finished him off…"
"How dare you! I told you it was a mistake calling him here…The little imp!"
Tyrion smiles, "I would rather be a little imp than a child murdering whore…"
She tries to lunge at him, but Jaime stops her, "That is enough! By the gods the two of you…"
She looks at Jaime, "Always protecting him…One day he will be the ruin of this family…"
"Of the three of us who pushed the Stark boy out of the window…" Cersei sneers and leaves the solar.
"Did you have to start an argument with her…"
Tyrion walks over to the table and pours himself some wine, "Actually yes…I wanted to speak with you alone and Cersei…despite what she thinks is not the brightest candle on the shelf…"
"I love you but stop insulting our sister…"
Tyrion takes a seat, "Sorry…You do realize the shit storm we are about to be hit with…"
"I am not an idiot…"
"At times you can be…I know it was you who pushed the Stark boy…Now you kill Robert's men and for what? To save Joffrey…The boy is mad…Some time with the Maesters would have helped him…"
"He's my…" Tyrion raises an eyebrow, "…He's my nephew. He's family and you know I would do anything for Cersei and you…"
Tyrion is disappointed; for once he thought his brother would have the balls to admit it. "I can understand that, but still it was reckless…Where is Lord Stark?"
"In the dungeons with his men and the Baratheon men…"
"How many dead?"
"Um a hundred and twenty-six…Including thirty Baratheon men…"
Tyrion shakes his head, "What about Renly and Ser Loras?"
"Loras is in the dungeons so is Renly…When my men tried to arrest Renly…Ser Loras attacked and killed seven of my men and wounded five before they could subdue him…"
Tyrion takes another drink, "This will lead to war…"
"Who will the North follow? Robb Stark is a boy…"
"The North is filled with many war veterans to help him…And he has House Tully and Arryn to aid him…Have you sent father a Raven…"
"On its way as we speak…"
"You know he will want you at his side…"
"I know…"
"Cersei will not be happy…Tommen will need to be crowned immediately and he will need a new Hand…"
Jaime smiles, "I suppose you want the position…"
"Who else better to keep Cersei in line and hold things together…" Tyrion takes another drink, "I am off to see the wizard…" He says quoting a line from his favorite book.
"What?"
"Lord Stark I am off to see Lord Stark…"
"Give him my regards…"
When Tyrion reaches the dungeons Eddard Stark sits in a corner staring at his feet. "Are you well Lord Stark…"
He looks up, "Lord Tyrion…They sent you…Why?"
"No one sent me I came of my own will…"
"The bells were ringing…Is Robert dead?"
He sighs, "Yes he is I'm sorry…"
"How did he die?"
"A boar gutted him…He died many hours later…"
"Damned fool…Did he suffer?"
"No I don't think so…"
He looks down, "What do you want?"
"To talk. You once said that you were in my debt…"
He looks up, "Aye I said that."
"No one wants a war Lord Stark…Will you right your son? Tell him to keep the peace…"
"Why should I?"
"Because I asked…And you said yourself that you owe me…"
He stands up and walks to the bars, "And what will happen afterwards…Will you let me and my men go home?"
Tyrion sighs, "Cersei and my father will want to keep you as a hostage…I will do my best to ensure that you and your men are comfortable…"
"And what of Stannis? You and I both know that Tommen has no right to the throne…"
"And yet you convinced Robert to send Joffrey away…Why?"
"The boy needs help…I played the game of thrones and lost…But if you and your family continue on this path…You all will be destroyed…"
"How so…"
He walks away and sits down, "I will say no more…"
"Will you right the letter?"
Eddard looks at him, "No!"
Tyrion sighs, "And so it begins…Bring water for a bathe and a change of clothes for Lord Stark and his men." Tyrion orders and leaves.
TOMMEN
Tommen sits in his room wondering what is happening. His mother had been taken from the room by Stark men. He looks at his sister who is on the bed crying. Then the door opens, "Mother!"
"All is well my children…"
Jaime enters the behind her, "Uncle Jaime…"
"The two of you are safe now, "But why? Why did those men lock us in our room?"
"Never mind that?" Cersei says hugging the two children.
Later Tommen is taken to see his father. All his life he had been told of his father's bravery in battle, but over the years Robert had gotten fat. Most of the time he ignored his children. Sometimes Tommen wondered if he was Robert Baratheon's son. His cringes at the sight, blood stained sheets and his father looking pale and weak.
"Joffrey!"
"It's me father…Tommen…"
"Tommen…Tom…men…I am so sorry son…I should have been a better father to you…To all my children…Tell Joffrey that I am so sorry…" He looks at Cersei, "I am sorry to you as well…"
Tommen looks at his mother. "For what?"
"I am sorry… Imma sorry I couldn't love you the way you deserved to be loved…" Tommen had caught his parents arguing on several occasions, about gold, tourneys, women, or his drinking.
"You!..." Tommen looks at his Uncle Jaime, "Did you kill my men to save Joffrey?"
"I did…"
This shocks Tommen, "You golden haired bastard! Where is Ned? Where is my brother Renly?"
"Leave us!" Cersei commands.
Pycel takes Prince Tommen out of the room. "I love you father!" Tommen yells just before he leaves. He looks at Pycel, "Will my father die?"
"It is in the hands of the gods my Prince…Go pray for your father…"
Tommen walks to his room with Ser Oakheart of the King's Guard following him. When he reaches his room Myrcella is waiting for him. "Well how is father?"
"Not good…I think he may die…"
She shakes her head, "Father is strong…He will live…"
"I hope so…I do not wish to be King…"
"You would make a better King than Joffrey…"
Usually Tommen and Myrcella eat with their mother, but she is off doing something or another. Suddenly the bells start ringing and they look at each other. The door opens and in walks Cersei. "Mother!"
"I am so sorry, but your father…" She starts crying.
"May the father take him in his arms…May the mother comfort him…" Tommen says, "…May the Maiden grant him peace…May the crone guide him…May the Warrior remember his brave deeds in life…May the Smith remember his works…As the stranger takes him from this mortal world…"
"I miss him…"
"So do I?"
Tommen looks up as Cersei is holding each child in one arm, "Mother what happens now?"
"Now my son…We bury your father…And prepare to crown you King in his place…"
Fear grips his heart, "I don't know if I want to be King…What about Joffrey?"
"Your brother…He is not right in the head…Before he died your father stripped him of the crown and named you his heir in his stead…You must be King my son…"
"But I am afraid…"
"Don't be…I will be here to guide you through these dark times…"
The next day Tommen is in the garden with his guards. He wanted to be alone and his mother and Uncles were very busy preparing for his father's last rights and the coronation. "My King…"
He looks to find his Uncle Ser Jaime approaching. "I am not King yet Uncle…"
"But you will be, may as well get used to being called King…Your Grace…and all the rest…" he kneels down in front of Tommen, "After the coronation I will be leaving…"
"Why?"
He sighs, "There are bad people who do not wish you to be King…Your Grandfather is assembling an army at Deep Den…He wants me to join him…"
"I don't want you to go…"
"I don't want to go either, but it is my duty…You have a duty as well…"
Tommen laughs, "Duty!"
Jaime laughs as well, "I guess it is funny if you say it like that…Look Tommen…You are King…That is a lot to put on a little boy's shoulders…but I know you can handle it…You are part Lion and Stag…And what are lions?"
"Strong!"
"Yes to be strong you need good advisors…At court I want you to name Lord Tyrion Hand of the King…"
"But mother said she will chose the new Hand…"
"Who is the King?"
"I am…"
"Who?"
When his Uncle asks more forcefully Tommen grows more confident, "I AM!"
"Good…Sometimes a King takes advice, but in the end he must make his own decisions…You love your Uncle Tyrion don't you?"
"Yes I do…"
"Good…He will make a good Hand…and he is very wise…People underestimate him and that will work in your advantage…Also it is time you started learning the sword…"
"Really!" This excites Tommen.
"Yes…"
"Will I be good as you one day…"
"Of course maybe even better…You must practice every day and train hard…"
"Can I learn to use a War Hammer like my father?"
"Well first learn to use the sword, then maybe when you are older yes a war hammer…"
"Can you teach me some moves now?"
"Every day until I have to leave…"
A closed ceremony is held at the Queen's request. Then Tommen is crowned King on the steps of Baelor's Sept. The people cheer and he recites a speech prepared for him by Tyrion. "Long may King Tommen reign!" Many people cheer.
Tommen stands up as the Lords and Ladies of court are gathered in the main hall. "I Tommen of the House Baratheon…" Joffrey is present staring venomously at his brother. "…Second of his name King of the Andels and the First Men…Lord of the Seven Kingdoms…Protector of the Realm do hereby name Lord Tyrion Lannister Hand of the King…Come forward Uncle…"
As Tyrion walks up the steps Tommen glances at his Uncle Jaime Lannister who is pleased, but his mother looks angry with him. He tries to ignore her remembering all his Uncle's advice. He places the badge of office on Tyrion's shirt. "Thank you Your Grace I hope I can serve you well…"
"Let it be known that I now strip Lord Eddard Stark of his titles and lands for the crime of treason…I command that his son Robb Stark heir of Winterfell come to King's Landing and swear fealty to me…If he fails to do so I will strip him of his titles and name Roose Bolton Warden of the North…I also revoke the Independence of House Romyn…Lord Julian Romyn has one week to present himself to me and bend the knee…or face the might of the Iron Throne…"
Other appointments are publically made, then court is dismissed. "You did well my son…May I speak with you in private…"
"Cersei we don't have time…We have a small council meeting…"
"Yes Mother I will speak with you afterwards…" Tommen is nervous and excited all at the same time. His training with his Uncle has given him the confidence to speak like a man to his mother. His nervousness comes because he had never spoken so forcefully to her. She was always to over protective and she didn't always allow him to be himself or have fun. It was very liberating.
Tommen finds the small council meeting intriguing, the strategizing, the planning, and politics. He can shape the realm with the stroke of a quill. He is King now and a King does as he pleases. Hs mother shocks the small council by revealing a secret alliance with Randyl Tarly who has taken High Garden and has rallied the Reach to the Crown.
They also discuss elevating Houses Bolton, Cobray, and Frey to power over their liege lords in exchange for their loyalty. The largest threats to Tommen's reign will come from Stannis, House Martell, House Romyn, and the Targaryens. It all boiled down to a waiting game and who would make the first move.