Game of Thrones: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

Chapter 18 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 18

Joy Hill sighed as she tried to compose herself; it was Friday, the last day of Shireen's ultimatum to her. This was her last chance to tell Edric the truth, on her own terms. Even if Shireen didn't tell him, the truth would come out. She knew she was going to start showing soon. Finally she made up her mind, it was now or never. It was lunch time at school, she might as well get it over with.

"Edric." She said, catching his attention. "Can…Can we talk, in private?"

Edric seemed surprised by this but nodded. "Sure."

He followed her to an empty classroom; he had been worried about Joy this whole week, Shireen had talked to her but said she had made a promise to Joy. He had done everything he could to help her; to make her feel comfortable and happy, safe.

Finally Joy spoke. "I…I'm sorry for being so secretive these days…I have something to tell you, but, this isn't easy."

He tensed, realizing she was trying to tell him what had been bothering her.

"What is it?" He coaxed gently.

She closed her eyes and admitted the truth. "Before I came here, I…I was raped…"

Edric gasped in horror and went to hug her. She shook her head however.

"It's worse; they caught him, he's jail. But now I've found out, about a week or so ago…I'm pregnant."

Edric froze again and Joy broke down in tears. They remained that way for several tense seconds, then, shocking Joy, Edric hugged her.

She blinked through her tears, staring at him, startled.

"Gods, oh Joy, I'm so sorry." Edric said softly. "But you're not alone, I'm with, by your side, no matter what."

She gasped; amazed and hopeful. "Really?"

He nodded, determined. "Yes, I swear it."

With that he leaned in and kissed her, Joy returned the kiss, crying more, out of happiness. They remained together, going through their last set of classes, until finally it was time to leave school. While Joy had already told Tyrion and Shae the truth, Edric's family, his mother, didn't know.

They agreed it would be for the best to tell her, so it was that they soon found themselves in Edric's family's home, in the living room. Delena Florent sat opposite them, confused. She had been delighted at first to see her son home from school, along with his girlfriend.

But then she saw their serious expressions and Edric said they needed to talk to her about something important.

"What's going on Edric?" She asked; breaking the silence. "Has something happened?"

Edric sighed and squeezed Joy's hand. "We have something to tell you Mum, it isn't going to be easy."

She tensed and listened as they began to tell her the truth about Joy. Delena was shocked and horrified by what she heard and soon, her emotions got the better of her.
"Gods, you poor girl!" She burst out.

Joy jumped, startled. "What?"

She shook her head and hugged Joy. "To have to go through something like that…Gods."

"You'll…help me?" Joy asked hesitantly, her voice shaking.

Delena smiled, there was no way she'd leave the poor girl to suffer. "Of course we will dear.

"Thanks mum." Edric replied with a grin.

Joy felt like crying again, relieved that she had such strong support. With them, she felt like she could manage; she could make it through this, no matter what.

Elsewhere, Robin sighed as he left the diner, he had not got home from school yet. As such he was still in his uniform, still wearing those stupid shorts.

'At least it's not so bad this time, I'm not the only one in shorts.' He thought to himself. 'Also, this time, the other one in shorts isn't a four year old kid.'

He smiled gently, Tommen was with him; the two having stopped by the diner for a quick bite to eat.

"Tommen, thanks, that was excellent." Robin said.

Tommen laughed. "Glad you liked it."

They continued walking; talking and laughing together. Robin couldn't help but smile; being around Tommen, who still wore uniform shorts to school, all to ease Robin and ensure he wasn't singled out, was enjoyable. Not only that, he felt stronger around Tommen, seeing someone who supported him while he tried to finally convince his mother he was no longer a child.

However, unbeknownst to the boys; they were being followed; a group of men was watching their movements with interest. They were waiting for their moment, and sure enough they found it. Robin and Tommen continued to walk; nobody else was about on this street, they neared a dark blue van parked on the road amongst a small group of assorted vehicles.

As they came level with the van however, the side door opened and the men grabbed the two boys, swiftly bundling them into the van.

"What the…?!" Robin cried out as this happened.

The door then slammed shut and the boys found themselves forced, face down, on the floor of the van.

Tommen gasped, startled by this, he could feel his hands being pulled behind his back, his wrists crossed and grit his teeth.

'Fuck, no.' He thought in desperation as he felt himself being tied up, his wrists and his ankles.

Tommen let out a short yelp as one of the men grabbed his hair and pulled his head up.

"This is the one, the blonde." He growled, shoving Tommen's head back down. "He's Tywin Lannister's grandson."

That sent chills down Tommen's spine, he realized right away what this was about now, ransom.

One of the other men spoke. "What about the other one, the runt."

The first grunted and replied. "Just take him."

Terrified by that, Tommen struggled, but couldn't get free. He was able to move enough though to see Robin had been tied up like him and now was having his thighs bound, pinning his legs together.

More ropes were being tied around his torso, pinning his arms. Tommen was yanked upright and soon found himself being given the same treatment.

He growled, he couldn't let this happen to Robin. "Let him go, you've got me!"

"Shut up!" The man who seemed to be in charge yelled.

But Tommen wouldn't let it lie. "He doesn't have anything to with this, it's me you want, for my connections right, please, just let him go!"

Robin was amazed by this; by the efforts Tommen was going to protect him. 'Tommen…'

The kidnappers weren't moved however.

The man in charge simply sneered at Tommen's suggestion.

"Oh, let him go, and have him go to the police!" He growled. "How dumb do you think we are?"

"Please, he won't, he…" Tommen tried to plead.

The lead kidnapper shook his head. "I told you to shut up!"

Both boys were securely tied up now. Infuriated by all this Tommen lost his temper.
"Make me!" He snapped.

That turned out to be a mistake since at that moment, the lead kidnapper suddenly forced a strip of duct tape over Tommen's mouth and wrapped the roll several times around his lower head, gagging him.

Robin gasped in horror, seeing this. "Tom-MMMMMMMMMM!?"

His cries were cut off as he too suffered the same fate.

"Perfect, that's better, you brats should all be shut up, then we don't have to put up with your annoying whiny voices." The lead kidnapper remarked. "Now for the final touch."

Then adding to the boy's horror, everything went black for both of them as lengths of cloths were tied over their eyes, blindfolding them. Everything was quiet to them for a while, until they felt sudden movement, falling over onto their sides, as the van started to move. They were being taken away.

"Hh, plmhfm, plmhfm nh, fhmmhnm, hnnhnm, fhvm hf!" Robin whimpered into his gag.

Tommen thrashed futilely against his bonds. "Bhfthrdf, nhh whn't gmt hwhn wnth thnf! Rhbnn, Rhbnn, whmrm hrm nhh!?"

The boys were unable to get loose and were taken away, their fear building.

They remained fearful as the van stopped and they were lifted up, before being carried some distance and then forced to kneel on the ground. It felt cold and they saw why as their blindfolds were removed, making them yelp into their gags. They were in a bare stone room, with only one door.

The lead kidnapper smirked. "Welcome to your new home boys, have fun. Better get comfy."

With that he laughed and the kidnappers left, shutting and locking the door behind them.

"Nh, plmhfm, Hmt'f thh ghld, wm'rm wmhrnng fhhrtf, dhn't lmhvm hf lngm thnf!" Robin pleaded to no avail.

The cold stone and the chill in the air made both boys shiver, unable to stop. Goosebumps formed rapidly on their bare legs. Suddenly an idea occurred to Tommen.

He tried to communicate through the tape sealing his mouth. "Rhbnn, mhvm glhfm th mm!"

Robin looked at him, confused. "Whht?"

Tommen groaned into his gag.

"Mhvm glhfm th mm!" He repeated.

Robin sighed sadly. 'Stupid gags, what is he…Gods, so cold, these stupid shorts…Wait, that's it.'

It finally dawned on him what Tommen was trying to say. He immediately began moving and soon they were huddled close together, able to share body heat and keep each other warm.

"Thmrm!" Tommen cried triumphantly.

Robin smiled behind his gag. "Thhng nhh."

Feeling better Robin thought to himself. 'He's so nice and so brave... I love him. Wait? What did I just think?'

He was startled, he had never even considered the possibility he might be homosexual. He knew Tommen was but still; even as he thought it, he realized the truth, he truly did love Tommen Baratheon.

Meanwhile, at the Baratheon house, the phone suddenly rang. Not expecting a call at this time, Cersei answered it.

"Hello?"

A female voice spoke. "Cersei, it's Lysa, where's Robin, is he there?"

That startled Cersei, both the fact Lysa was calling her of all people and also, what she asked.

She bit her lip. "No…I thought he and Tommen were at yours?"

She had to admit, she was worried, it was almost dinner time, Tommen should have been home by now.

"No, Gods, no…" Lysa gasped, immediately panicking. "Something's happened."

Cersei knew she was right; but she fought to stay calm, panicking wouldn't get her anywhere. Meanwhile, at the same time, at the Lannister mansion, Tywin picked up the phone.

"Yes?"

A distorted voice replied. "Tywin Lannister, we have your grandson, listen very carefully and you'll have him back in one piece, if you meet our terms."

Tywin narrowed his eyes. "Do you take me for a fool?"

The voice laughed. "Oh really, well then, listen…Talk you brat.

"Grhndph, grhndph plmhfm...!" Despite being muffled by some sort of gag, it was definitely Tommen's voice.

Tywin glared darkly as the kidnapper began making his demands. He would not negotiate with these fools; which left only one path open. Tommen had to be rescued.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, a dramatic turn of events, read and review please.