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Chapter 80
The first two feasts were nothing short of ordinary. Cersei was glad that those were over. Winterfell was not filled with many men anymore. She was regaining her home back. So far there was little improvement on what she called the "Jon front." As far as she knew the queen and Jon were still having sex. It had been almost three weeks since Cersei began her plan with the help of Ned. The first hurdle had been overcome. The royals would leave before the real winter set in. The lady of Winterfell had been afraid the dragon queen would prolong her welcome and stay for winter. That would have complicated matters.
Cersei had successfully put Jon between a sword and a hard place. If he were to leave with the woman it would have to be in less than a month. She knew that Jon would have wanted to more time to settle his affairs North. The quick departure of the royals complicated that. Ned collaborated with the plan as well. He had tasked Jon with so many duties throughout the North that he had only slept in Winterfell about five times. The bad news was that all those five nights he had spent with the silver haired ruler. Cersei and surprisingly Margaery had started to plant seeds of doubt and unpleasantness. Margaery commented more and more about the South and the beautiful cities while Cersei harped on about Jon's respectable position in the North.
No one seemed aware of the tension during lunches and dinners when Jon coincided with them. Cersei could tell that Jon did not like Aegon's familiarity with the queen. He would frown and glare at his plate when the prince referred to the queen as "his dearest aunt or his beloved lady." Lady Stark tried to start conversations in which Jon and the fact that he was an excellent asset to the North. Tyrion. Robb and Sansa always followed up with more compliments without knowing. Jon's eyes sparkled when he spoke of the North. Cersei caught the queen frowning or worried when Jon spoke of all that needed to be done in The North before the winter arrived with force.
Robb talked about the beauty of the Eyrie. The prince looked extremely interested in the charms of the East.
Lady Stark put on her gown. It was a violent red. Sansa, bless her heart, brought it from Casterly Rock. It was beautiful and the little dive thought that it would look wonderful on Lady Stark. Tyrion had tried hard to not roll his eyes when his wife packed the dress and other "frivolities."
Cersei had one of the maids help her with her jewelry and hair. She chose a direwolf necklace. The ladies in the north dressed conservatively but Cersei had never truly mastered that style. Ned and her compromised on the northern braid. Cersei however felt that the stoic and strange northern lords had grown to like and respect her.
Ned wore fine clothes as well. It was the last of the feasts and frankly Cersei was over the moon about the fact that they were all going to leave soon. Lady Stark would have her castle to her and her family. Cersei dismissed the maid and looked at Ned who looked at her with a small smile.
"My lady." He stood up and offered his arm.
Cersei took his hand and they left their quarters. "Jon has just come back from the Gift." Her husband told her as they walked down to the Great Hearth.
"How did he look to you?" She asked. Cersei had been ensconced with the rest of the ladies and the queen. Daenerys Stormborn had stayed with her all day.
"He is tired and not done with all the work. There have been small conflicts with the Free Folk. Tormund Giantsbane still has to learn a lot about diplomacy." Ned replied.
Cersei's stomach clenched, "there is no more time for schemes. They will leave in a fortnight. Ned, are we sure he will stay?"
The Lord of Winterfell stopped and kissed her hand. "He will stay. He has to. Any news about the queen?"
Cersei sighed, "she joins me and Sansa in the midafternoon. She has adopted two wildling girls as her maids. They do not report to me. I do know that our son has all but moved into her quarters. The dragon queen calls one of my maids to do her braid."
Ned understood perfectly well. "There is nothing else we can do my love. He will have to make his choice."
Cersei nodded. It was true. There was nothing more to do. Cersei and Margaery had done their best to poison the queen. Jon was barely home anymore. Ned inundated him with work either in the Dreadfort or the Gift. Suddenly, Cersei regretted the schemes. Maybe Jon would choose the queen over them. It would mean that they would only have a few more days with their son.
They entered the festivities. Sansa and Tyrion were laughing with Robb. The queen was not in attendance as of yet. Cersei saw little Alys Karstark. She was not little anymore. Cersei gathered that the great redhead by her side was her new wildling husband. Lady Stark made her way to the different great lords. The prince was doing the same but opposite direction. Soon the hall was teeming with people. The musicians began to play. The music stopped as the Dragon queen made her way inside the hall. Cersei noticed that he was escorted by Jon. Her son wore his hair in a half bun, same as her father. He wore black clothes with the grey direwolf pin on his breast. They greeted other lords and made their way around the room just as Cersei and Ned had done.
Ned sat by her. "I thought he would be too tired to come to the feast." Cersei smiled. "Let us celebrate and enjoy this feast." She said and kissed his hand. Cersei had her meal and saw as Robb and his wife danced to some songs. Tyrion drank and ate. Sansa smiled prettily. The little bird danced with ser Royce and other lords in the Eyrie. Ned refused her wheedling to dance. Cersei danced with Robb. Her second eldest laughed with her and spun her enthusiastically.
"Are you happy mother?" He laughed ad twirled her.
Cersei laughed and kissed his cheek. "I am sweetling. I have you and your brother here."
He kissed her forehead. "I always knew Jon and I were your best boys." He laughed and kissed her some more.
Cersei danced some more with her second eldest. She breathed heavily when the set was done. The prince then asked to dance with her.
"Surely, there are younger and less tired ladies." She said with a small curtsey.
The young man offered her a smile, "perhaps but I have seen you dance. I simply must dance with such talented woman."
The prince was quite adept at dancing. He was very polite. Prince Aegon made small talk and seemed to enjoy himself. Cersei went back after the set. Ned frowned at her. "I don't like that boy." Cersei laughed.
"I find him harmless. He is friendly to Robb. He insisted on going with him to the Eyrie as soon as possible."
"I do not like him." Ned insisted.
Cersei tsked and made more conversation with the other lords. She saw Jon and the queen laugh with the redheaded wildling. Cersei decided to make her way to that side of the table.
"Jon." She said softly. Her son smiled at her.
"Mother." He stood up and kissed her cheek.
"Let me introduce you to Alys' husband. This is Tormund Giantsbane."
Cersei curtsied, "My lord Karstark." She said and smiled lightly.
The man bowed and looked at Jon as if asking for approval. Jon nodded.
"You are as beautiful as your son said." The man flattered her.
"Not as beautiful as your new wife." Cersei replied.
"I had thought she would make a fine wife for Jon but alas you have won her." She continued. Lady Stark noticed that the queen flinched a little. "I shall have to settle for a lesser lady."
"Mother, I do not think Tormund nor the queen want to hear about your matchmaking attributes." Jon tried to salvage the situation.
"Jon, it is high time that you wedded again. You are the heir to the Dreadfort."
"Wolfhall." Jon corrected immediately. The queen frowned. Cersei smiled. "An apt name. You need a wife. Perhaps one of lord Cerwyn's daughters."
Jon shook his head, "I grow weary of this conversation."
"Very well. I shall not push my motherly concerns on you." She said and asked about the progress in the Gift and Wolfhall.
The redhead giant took the hint and started to enumerate all the difficulties that they would have to face come real winter. Cersei gauged that Daenerys grew angry or restless. Jon was engrossed in speaking of all that there needed to be done. Perhaps Ned was correct and Jon would stay with them. He sounded very passionate about all the reforms and plans.
Cersei asked questions upon questions until the prince came and asked the queen for a dance. Jon frowned but Daenerys accepted willingly and laughed with her nephew. Cersei felt satisfied with her efforts.
Jon continued to speak with her and Tormund. Her son however kept an eye on the queen. Cersei saw as the queen danced with other men. Jon seemed to have had enough after a while. He stood up and went to drink with Robb and Tyrion.
Cersei went back to her place by the Ned. He raised a glass to her. Cersei raised her cup as well. "I have seen that you have started some schemes of your own."
"One never stops looking out for family." She drank some of her wine.
Ned finally accepted to dance with her after an hour or two. He had drunk his fair share of wine and ale by then.
He smiled and danced with her as when they were younger. Ned went back to the table when Jon took over.
"It will not work." Jon frowned and turned her.
Cersei frowned, "beg your pardon?"
"I love her and she loves me." He said with finality. Cersei remained quiet. Jon did not offer anything else.
Jon went back to Robb and Tyrion who drank by a nearby table with Tyrion's men. The prince and the queen returned to the great table. Cersei went back to her seat as well. The royals sat by Ned and began conversation. The lady of Winterfell joined them. They spoke of the kingsroad and how long it would take for them to get to the Eyrie and King's Landing.
Cersei listened carefully. They drank some more when the song started playing. She was surprised when the first notes started playing. The royals had not noticed but Ned had. "That blasted song." He muttered.
She heard the chords and thought they would surely not sing but they did.
"And who are you, the proud lord said,
that I must bow so low?
Only a cat of a different coat,
that's all the truth I know.
In a coat of gold or a coat of red,
a lion still has claws,
And mine are long and sharp, my lord,
as long and sharp as yours.
And so he spoke, and so he spoke,
that lord of Castamere"
Her sons sang as did her baby brother. The Lannister men sang as well. Cersei thought that Jon was looking at her when she realized that she was not the target. Her eldest child looked directly at the Royals.
But now the rains weep o'er his hall,
with no one there to hear.
Yes now the rains weep o'er his hall,
and not a soul to hear."
Robb and Tyrion sang at top of their voices. They were enjoying the song. Jon looked determined, murderous even.
The Prince shook with rage by the time the verses repeated. Daenerys grabbed her nephew's arm. "This is an outrage."
"You will simmer down Aegon." Daenerys said.
The song came to an end; her foolish sons and brother raised their cups to the great table. Ned frowned but Cersei raised her goblet. Jon looked at her and drank all of his wine. Cersei had a bad feeling then.
"I demand an apology." Aegon hissed.
"You will have none." Jon sauntered back to the table. "It is merely a song my prince." He said with a smile. It was almost mocking.
The prince tightened his hold on his sword. "Aegon, this is enough." Daenerys put her hand over the man's.
Jon drank some more wine. "Pardon me." Her oldest son went down to the dance floor and joined some of the wildlings. He joined Robb for a moment.
Cersei saw the Targaryens out of the corner of her eye. She heard the heated discussion. "It is a silly song."
"They killed my mother and sister." Aegon hissed.
"Our family killed the Older Starks. Your father raped and kidnapped their aunt." The queen replied. "Leave the hall if you cannot stand it any longer."
The prince left after three songs. Cersei felt better then.
Robb was dancing with a wildling and being improper. Tyrion came back to the table and went to his wife. "It is high time we retired my love." Tyrion said to his wife.
Sansa meekly went with him. Cersei and Ned stayed another hour. Margaery had left shortly after Tyrion and Sansa. Jon was nowhere to be seen.
Daenerys was escorted by Jorah.
"Foolishness." Ned barked when they were alone.
Cersei tried to calm him down. "Nothing happened."
"I want them gone. This is a nightmare. Robb and Tyrion should have had more sense than that. How dare they ask for that thrice damned song?"
Cersei frowned, "it is just a song."
Ned growled, "it is not just a song. You heard Aegon; he still holds that grudge against your family and our son is trying to take away his throne."
Lady Stark understood his reasoning. "Today was a good night. We created a rift. Did you not see her face? She was upset with Jon. You were correct. Jon will not leave Wolfhall or the North. He wants to finish the work. He is also jealous of Aegon. They will fight. I doubt there our son will be going to her quarter tonight."
Cersei slept with Ned's arms around her. They were hoping for their son's unhappiness. Cersei suddenly felt guilt.