The Catspaw Succeeded – Heads and Letters

Cersei and Jaime learn their fate. We see reactions and actions from around the realm to the news.

Cersei

Cersei Lannister was asleep when a bucket of cold water was thrown on her. She screamed in shock and then pain when the lantern was shoved in her face. This was the first light she had seen since she had been thrown into this hellhole. She knew she smelled like a privy and felt just as disgusting. Her moon's blood had come upon her while here and while now done, the remnants were on her legs. Despite the cold water she wished there was another dozen to wash away the filth.

The goaler leered at her as she passed by, dragged roughly up the stairs and taken to a simple set of chambers. There were three septas there who quickly bathed her, dressed her in a clean but simple dress, and styled her hair atop her head. As the grime had been washed away so had her fears. With cleanliness her pride returned. She would make them pay for throwing her into the black cells. Her father would come and put Stannis, and Robert, and ALL of them in their place. Once done she was brought to the Tower of the Hand.

She sat with all the grace she could muster. Stannis entered and sat down. He glared at Cersei like she was a bug. Before he could speak she began to lash out.

"You will regret putting me in that cell." Cersei said in what she deemed her 'Lannister voice'. "I am the Queen! When..". But Stannis ended it with a shout.

"Silence, woman! Your days of ordering anyone are over. Your days of anything are gone. I am here out of courtesy only to your station as a Lady. But I find it hard to use that title for you. 'Whore' is a more apt term. You are no longer the Queen. Your marriage is over. Your life is over. You and your lover will be executed later today."

Cersei sat in shock. Then stuttered out "You… you cannot! There has been no trial! Jaime would defeat you all - that is why there has not been one! When my father hears of this, he will come and kill you all for this! He will kill Robert, you, and that pillow biter of a brother, Renly. Then he will track down and kill your Florent eared wife and that scarred freak of a daughter as well!"

"ENOUGH!" Shouted Stannis. Threats to himself, Robert, or Renly he shrugged off. All three of them can defend themselves. But nobody threatened Shireen. "Your father is not the King! He is not the Hand! He has no say in this. As I had to educate your dim witted brother, you were caught IN THE ACT by your own husband, the King. As well as the Hand of the King, The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and Ser Brynden Tully. Not to mention Ser Aron Santagar and a dozen of our household guards saw you and your overblown beauty on display! Your guilt is undeniable. Even the Faith wants no part in your defense. So I worry not about Lord Tywin or his opinion. Even his pride and hubris cannot defeat charges of treason."

"TREASON! How dare you!" Spat out Cersei. She was grasping now. "I admit that you found me having an affair! But what of it? Robert has shamed me at every turn! How typical that the wife is punished for the same actions the husband does without an eye batted at it!"

Stannis had mastered his anger. With cold precision he laid it out to this woman he despised with every fiber in his body.. "Yes, my brother has been a horrible husband to you. That is not something I can defend. I will also not debate the fairness of life with you." Stannis paused for a moment and continued. "Yes, discreet liaisons for a Queen have been ignored in the past after the royal line was secured. But THIS is nothing of the sort. You were caught fornicating with your own brother! A Kingsguard knight who had already broken his vows once before. But that is not why you stand guilty of treason. No, it was your ill conceived plot to birth your brother's bastards and pass them off as Robert's!"

Cersei sat silent stone faced. I'll never admit to it. They have no proof. Then she spat out "That is absurd! You have no proof of such a thing"

Stannis actually grinned. "I have the proof." he said as he waved a set of papers in front of her. "Your brother already confessed to it. He wrote it all down. Every guilty act you two did. Disposing of any children of Robert's that took with moon tea. Birthing Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella with your brother as their sire. Killing any servants that discovered you or were getting suspicious. And finally, being spotted in Winterfell by Brandon Stark and pushing him out the Tower window to silence him. Along with the attempted murder, The North takes guest rights as inviolable."

Cersei was stunned. Eventually she spoke. "What did you do to make him lie!" Cersei demanded

"We didn't do anything to him. We treated him for his wounded hand and simply spoke to him. All we did was explain the facts of the matter and the plans for your children. He didn't want to see Myrcella shipped to the Silent Sisters. And he knew poor Tommen would not survive at the Wall. And he seemed particularly worried about Tyrion. You see, Tyrion went North to Castle Black after you departed Winterfell. We do not know exactly where he is, but the Kingslayer was worried when word came out of your acts, as well as Joffrey's, that Tyrion would be killed"

Cersei was now beyond any control. "I don't care what happens to that wretched little creature! And how dare you threaten my children! And Joffrey? He is the heir to the Iron Throne! When he becomes King he will be 100 times the man Robert is!"

Stannis was getting bored with this conversation. "I see where Joffrey gets his stupidity from. As I already told you, you are not the Queen anymore. You are a traitor to the realm who along with your lover will be executed later today. Your cruel son Joffrey Hill is on his way to Winterfell. You can thank him for bringing your sordid plot down. He ran straight to you to protect himself after he confessed to paying the man who killed Bran Stark and his mother out of the misguided notion it would impress Robert."

"NO!" Screamed Cersei. "My son would never do that! You are lying! And you can't send him to that frozen wasteland, I forbid it!"

Stannis simply stood up. "It is already done. He is already gone from this castle and on his way to Winterfell. Tommen Hill and Myrcella Hill will be kept here for your father's behavior. As for you, you can spend your remaining hours here in solitary confinement. Goodbye, Cersei." He stopped before leaving the room "I do not believe in the Gods. But if you do, I suggest you start praying."

Stannis stalked out of the room, ignoring Cersei as she began to lose all sanity. "My children are not bastards! They are your Lannister Princes and Princess! GUARDS! I AM YOUR QUEEN! KILL THIS MAN! Do you hear me! I WILL KILL YOU ALLLLLL!...".

For several days the city criers had been dispatched to announce that the Hand and the King would make an appearance and speak to the people of King's Landing at the Great City Square. Rumors had spread that an execution would be performed. This was something new. Usually if someone was executed it was just done and an announcement made when the head was mounted. By the time the specified moment arrived there was a huge crowd in the square. Many Baratheon guards were present - standing in front of a large section of the square where the stage was. The King was seated in a great chair. Off to the side were the Queen and her twin brother, dressed quite shabbily to those who had seen them before. Something palpable was in the air.

Stannis Baratheon walked to the front of the stage and began to speak. "People of King's Landing! I come here to announce a most disturbing event! Queen Cersei and her brother Ser Jaime Lannister have been found guilty of TREASON!" Stannis had shouted the last word for effect. Screams of disbelief, laughter, and even some cheers were heard. "Queen Cersei and her brother were found together in the act of INCEST! After their arrests, Ser Jaime confessed to a multitude of crimes. That the three children birthed by Cersei Lannister were all sired by him! That they knowingly and willfully tried to usurp the throne from the Baratheon line with their bastards. They killed several servants of the Red Keep who discovered their actions! Ser Jaime himself admitted to attempting to kill the son of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, while guests in the man's home, in violation of the sacred tradition of guests rights." Stannis paused to let the anger build.

"Cersei Lannister is Queen no more! His Grace's marriage to this whore has been annulled! Jaime Lannister has been stripped of his knighthood! Joffrey Hill, the bastard son of Cersei and Jamie Lannister, has been sent North to Winterfell to pay for his own crimes! Unknown to his parents, he hired the cutthroat that killed Lady Catelyn Stark by stabbing her in the heart! And finishing off young Brandon Stark by slitting the boy's throat while still unconscious from his fall. Myrcella Hill and Tommen Hill will reside here, in the Red Keep, as hostages for Lord Tywin Lannister's good behavior"

By this point the crowd was almost frothing at the mouth. They were yelling things like 'SISTERFUCKER!', 'BROTHERFUCKER!', 'OATHBREAKER!', 'WHORE', and many other things. Stannis motioned for the crowd to quiet down. Ser Illyn Payne strode onto the stage and stood next to an ironwood chopping block. A basket was in front of it. Robert stood and spoke aloud. His face was red with anger, not drunkenness.

"Cersei Lannister! You are guilty of the crimes of breaking the sacred matter of guest rights, adultery, incest, attempted murder of a Lord's son, and treason! I, Robert of the House Baratheon, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, sentence you to death". Robert motioned to Ser Baristan and Ser Oakheart who took Cersei by the arms and dragged her to the block. She tried to free herself from them. She dragged her feet and spat at them but it was no help. She then began to threaten their houses, promising retribution from her father. The crowd was so loud nobody could hear her screaming. She was quickly forced down. After Ser Illyn nicked the back of her neck to incite tension, he swiftly separated her head from her shoulders. The crowd roared in delight. Jaime Lannister had not watched but almost collapsed at the sound of the 'thunk' he heard when the sword hit the block.

Robert motioned to Ser Brynden Tully to step forward. Ser Brynden moved forward to where the King had been speaking. He looked over at Jaime Lannister and spoke in a loud but clear voice that vibrated with fury. "Jaime Lannister! Kingslayer! Oathbreaker! You are guilty of the crimes of breaking your Kingsguard vows, breaking the sacred matter of guest rights, incest, attempted murder of a Lord's son, and treason!" Ser Brynden then turned toward the crowd. "I am here in Kings Landing at the behest of Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North. Lord Stark has given me the right to act with his voice and his hand regarding the death of his wife and son, as well as any crimes committed against House Stark or the North. Because of that, I will uphold the traditions of the First Men. Those who pass the sentence must swing the sword!"

Ser Brynden then turned towards the other prisoner. "Jaime Lannister! In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon, the First of his Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, by the word of Ser Brynden of the House Tully, a true knight of the Seven Kingdoms, I do sentence you to death"

Jaime was escorted to the block. He did not fight them or speak. His arrogance, the shield he used more than any physical one, had finally been shattered. He did falter when he saw his sister's face staring back up at him from the basket. Her eyes were open and her mouth in a grimace. An altogether unpleasant visage. But he closed his eyes and knelt knowing he would be with his sister and mother soon. Without a single moment of hesitation, Ser Brynden swiftly lifted his sword and swung down, neatly beheading the Kingslayer.

The following is the declaration and the confession sent to all the noble houses in the realm

I, Stannis Baratheon, Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon, the First of his name, do hereby proclaim the following:

The marriage between Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister has been annulled. Jaime Lannister has been stripped of his knighthood. Cersei and Jaime Lannister are guilty of adultery, incest, attempted murder of a Lord's son, breaking the sacred vow of guest rights, and treason.

Cersei Lannister and Jaime Lannister were discovered in the act of incest by the King, Robert Baratheon, Ser Baristan Selmy, Ser Brynden Tully, and myself. After their arrest, Jaime Lannister confessed to the following:

None of the children born to Cersei Lannister are the fruit of Robert Baratheon. All three children are bastards born of incest between the now former Queen and himself.

Upon discovery of any pregnancies that could have been conceived with the King, they were aborted with moon tea.

Over a dozen servants and castle staff who discovered or suspected their unholy union were murdered to keep the secret.

When Brandon Stark, son of Lord Eddard Stark, discovered their cursed union, was pushed from a tower in Winterfell in an attempt to silence him. This was done after partaking in the sacred pact of guest rights.

Finally, the ultimate goal was to usurp the succession of the Iron Throne by presenting the bastard children as trueborn children of Robert Baratheon.

For their numerous crimes, Cersei and Jaime Lannister were executed in the Great City Square in Kings Landing.

Joffrey Hill and Ser Meryn Trant, who admitted to hiring the cutthroat who murdered Catelyn Stark and Brandon Stark, have been sent to Winterfell for judgment of their crimes by Lord Stark. Tommen Hill and Myrcella Hill will remain in Kings Landing as guests of the crown. Lord

Tywin Lannister is to present himself to the Iron Throne within two moons. Failure to do so will result in dire repercussions.

Stannis Baratheon, Hand of the King, Lord of Drangonstone

I, Jaime Lannister, a disgraced Knight and former member of the Kingsguard, confess to the following acts.

That I have broken my Kingsguard vows of chastity by act of incest with my sister, the now former Queen Cersei.

That Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella are not children of Baratheon blood. But they are bastards born of incest between Cersei and I.

That any possible pregnancy sired by his Grace, Robert Baratheon, was purged by moon tea that I supplied for my sister.

That we hid any suspicion of our actions by killing anyone who witnessed or suspected us. In all at least a dozen servants and smallfolk in King's Landing and Casterly Rock were victims of these actions.

I also confess that I was a guest covered and beholden to the sacred notion of Guest Rights in Winterfell. While covered by this inviolable right, I violated it by pushing the boy, Bran Stark, from a window in the Broken Tower. I did this in an attempt to silence him after he discovered Cersei and I in the act of incest.

Finally, I admit that Cersei and I both participated in these acts ,fully knowing the severity of them, to pass off pure Lannister bastards to usurp the throne from his Grace, Robert Baratheon.

I only have one denial of a question posed to me after our discovery. Despite defiling my vows of a knight, I do swear to all Seven Gods that neither I or Cersei had no part in the unexpected and rapid death of Lord Jon Arryn. If any act was performed to hasten his death, we had no part in it.

Jaime Lannister, former knight and member of the Kingsguard

Highgarden

Olenna Tyrell was sitting in her own solar. It was not the Lords solar for House Tyrell, but it was where most decisions were truly made. Her son, Mace, was on a hunting trip so the maester was bringing the raven scrolls to her in his absence. Her grandson, Willas, had just ambled in, having to use a cane of his own to get around. Olenna sorted through the scrolls. She likes to work her way upwards in importance. So she saved the raven containing the double seal of the Crowned Stag of House Baratheon and the Hand's Seal for last. After reading Lord Tarly's letter announcing his eldest son and heir had decided to take the Black. She scoffed at that. As if that boy had truly made the choice himself. She then picked up the rather larger message from King's Landing.

Willas was reading each letter after his grandmother had finished them. So after reading Tarly's letter he looked at his grandmother to see her face change from shock and disbelief to finally a look of almost giddiness. After reading it himself he didn't speak. He was analyzing what this meant. After a moment he spoke. "This is going to upend the power structure of the Seven Kingdoms. If Tywin Lannister does not go to King's Landing, Robert Baratheon is going to call the banners. And while Tywin has absolute control over the Westerlands, nobody will want to side with him. With Joffrey's actions the North and Riverlands will want his head on a pike. Oberyn Martell will be drinking himself blind and siring another bastard when he hears this. The unanswered question is who will be the next Queen?"

Olenna looked at him with shrewd eyes. "We must write to Loras and see what he knows''. But then Olenna sighed and looked at Willas. "But I fear that it won't be joyous news. From Loras' previous letters and the other gossip I have heard, Stannis Baratheon has been far better at advising and tempering Robert than Jon Arryn ever could. Stannis will fight tooth and nail to marginalize us for your Father's actions in the rebellion. Your fool of a Father may have been more cunning than he normally was by staying put at Storm's End. But his feasting in front of a starving castle was the most foolish thing possible. Stannis Baratheon may have been a young man then, but it was already known far and wide he was humorless and unforgiving. While that man is Hand, our house will never gain any favor or position in court"

Olenna then sighed again "Leave me. I'm going to rest now and imagine I am a fly on the wall when Tywin receives this news."

The Water Gardens

Oberyn Martell was walking up the steps of the Water Gardens to his brother's solar. He had received a summons from his brother and was not happy. He had been entertaining his paramour and a most delightful couple from Lys. The things they could do with their tongues, Oberyn mused. After nodding at Areo Hotah, he entered the room.

He was greeted with a most uncommon sight. His normally quiet and dour brother was smiling with tears in his eyes. He slowly approached Doran. "Brother, what makes you so happy?" Doran just handed over a letter. Oberyn quickly began to read. After a momentary stumble, he sat down and began again from the top. He read it slowly. And read it all again. And again. Each time he read it he became filled with greater joy. Oh how the Gods have irony! The two Golden children of Tywin Lannister had disgraced themselves and their house in front of the entire realm! Oberyn spared little sympathy for the Starks. While he did not think children should pay for the sins of their parents, he could not find much pity for Eddard Stark. He was instantly jealous that Lord Stark would exact vengeance on his family's murderers. tThey still yearned for vengeance after the deaths of Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon. But Oberyn didn't let that deter his mood. He looked at his brother.

"Brother - we need a drink! The whole of Dorne needs to hear this!" As they drank several toasts, Oberyn mused that Elaria and that couple from Lys were in for the night of their lives!

Winterfell

Ned Stark set down the bundle of messages in shock. He never could have imagined the information his son's had uncovered and had been delivered by Ser Brynden would stir up such a hornets nest. I knew that boy Joffrey had something wrong with him. But never did I expect this.

Ned knew he had to be deliberate in how he announced the information he was in possession of. So he called for his latest guest, first. A few minutes later Tyrion Lannister arrived in his solar. Lord Tyrion had waited to depart Castle Black had only himself arrived in Winterfell a few days ago. His journey south from the wall was much slower without seasoned men of the watch leading it like it had been north. He and his men had requested that they be allowed to "warm" themselves a bit at Winterfell before continuing south. Ned was unsure about Tyrion. He was a Lannister which was a negative in Ned's mind. But Jon had commented on how Tyrion had been very upfront and honest with him about the ways of the world, how Jon should ignore the whispers and insults sent his way. For that Ned was grateful. All of Ned's children had admittedly been sheltered too much. And these past few moons had been the eye opener for all of them that Ned had wanted to keep away as long as possible.

Tyrion sat in the chair in front of Ned's desk. Tryion noted Shadow's presence but the direwolf had only looked at Tyrion when he walked in and went back to his rest. Ned had learned to note the direwolf's demeanor regarding those he called to his solar. This was a good sign for Tyrion. Ned watched him for a moment before beginning.

"I have received a raven from King's Landing. It contains some rather disturbing news. I suggest you brace yourself." Tyrion looked worriedly at him before nodding. Ned went over the letter. Reading out what his siblings were charged with and their execution. He did NOT mention Joffrey's actions, the two other children's fates, or Jaime pushing Bran out the window yet.

After he was done Tyrion Lannister was looking everywhere and nowhere. A most despondent look on his face. Ned swallowed his overall dislike for Lannisters and tried to comfort him. "I am sorry to hear of your family member's deaths. I too know the sting of learning of the deaths of loved ones via letter."

Tyrion looked at him suddenly - a mixture of anger and distaste on his face. "Thank you for your words, Lord Stark." Tyrion took several moments to calm down. He continued. "While I know I was despised by my sister…she was still family. As for my brother….he was my guardian. My protector. My one true friend….."

Ned pondered how to approach the next item. "I have two more documents from King's Landing. One of them is your brother's confession. The letter I read and the confession have evidently been sent to every noble house in the realm. In it he confessed to what they were convicted of. There was one more crime your brother admitted to. I wanted to discuss that separately with you."

Tyrion was looking warily now. What else could they have done?

"He confessed that my son Bran discovered them when they were here at Winterfell. Ser Jaime admitted to pushing him off the tower in an attempt to silence him."

Tyrion went pale at that. He closed his eyes and was muttering under his breath. He opened his eyes and spoke to Ned. "Thank you for informing me of this. I will gather my men and we shall be out of your presence as soon as possible."

Ned shook his head. "You are not going anywhere, Lord Tyrion." Before Tyrion could protest, Ned continued. "Calm yourself. I do not hold you responsible. The third document I have is from Robert. He wrote to me regarding a stipulation Jaime made for confessing. He knew you were most likely somewhere in the North when word spread. He asked for your guaranteed safety. He did not want you to pay for the actions of others. Jaime also explicitly asked that his son Tommen and daughter Myrcella be kept away from your Lord Father. Evidently Ser Jaime feared that the shame of his and your sister's actions would result in the two children never being seen again once they arrived at Casterly Rock. Because of that and because of some additional commands of Robert I tell you this. Robert commands that you leave Winterfell when I have arranged an escort for you and you will take a ship to King's Landing. Once there you are to present yourself in front of the King and you are to take custody of your niece and nephew. You three will reside in a manse near the Red Keep in King's Landing and you will raise them as you see fit. You and the children may not leave the City without the leave of the crown. But, once each child reaches the age of 17, they may leave King's Landing as you or they see fit. You are also the sole voice in regard to their education and any betrothals or contracts."

Tyrion sat there shocked. It took him a moment to ask the obvious. "Why? I understand keeping the children from my Father. They are hostages for my father's behavior. But why does he have me take charge of them?"

"Robert acknowledges he was a horrible father," said Ned. "despite the fact he now knows they are not his children by blood. He still was supposed there for them for years and was a poor one at that. He notes he will have to marry again and sire trueborn children. In my opinion this whole situation has awoken him to how awful of a King, a Father, and a Man he has been and he is trying to make right what he can"

Ned let Tyrion think for a moment before continuing. "You may have noted that I did not mention Joffrey?" Tyrion's eyes narrowed and then nodded. "He and Ser Meryn Trant are on their way here. To Winterfell" Tyrion noted the firm but kind voice of Ned Stark was gone and a very cold voice had taken over. Tyrion did not interrupt. "Ser Brynden Tully was sent to King's Landing at my behest to present evidence we had gathered regarding the murder of my wife and son. I will not get into every detail but a very unique blade was used to kill them. One that had roots in King's Landing. When Ser Brynden showed it to certain people it was revealed that it had been taken from the family area of the Royal Armory by Joffrey. Ser Meryn was present when this occurred and it was witnessed by Ser Aron Santagar. When questioned, Ser Meryn tried to escape. He eventually confessed that Joffrey gave him the knife, 90 pieces of silver stags, and he paid a man to put my son out of his misery"

Tyrion wanted to think his nephew couldn't be so stupid and cruel but he knew better. He also knew now why Ned Stark did not want to let him leave so quickly. Lannister banners in the North would only lead to their capture and torture by some very unhappy bannermen.

Ned had more to say. "Joffrey was confronted by Stannis and eventually his Father. He confessed did it for some insane idea to please Robert. Evidently they were so shocked by this it allowed Joffrey to run for his mother:. Tyrion snorted at that. "He barged into his mother's quarters and that is when Robert, Stannis, Ser Baristan, and Ser Brynden discovered your siblings"

Tyrion just shook his head in disgust. "Lord Stark. I know you have said you do not hold me responsible for the actions of my family. But I must still do this because I know my Father would never do so." Tyrion stood up then and became quite serious. "Lord Eddard Stark, my house has wronged you and yours. On behalf of House Lannister, I apologize for the despicable actions of my brother, my sister, and my wretched nephew. I have no sword, only my wits. But until the day comes that I can attempt to right the wrongs my family has done, I give you my solemn vow I will provide whatever influence or support I can give to you and yours."

Ned was absolutely stunned. He had suspected Tyrion was cut from a different cloth than his siblings or his father but this was beyond anything he had considered. Ned stood up and accepted Tyrion's vow. "Lord Tyrion, I accept your vow." Ned paused. "You are a good man, Tyrion" They shook hands and Tyrion left Ned's solar.

Ned then departed his solar and went to the Godswood. He summoned all of his children, save Rickon. Once they were all present he had them sit. He asked that they all listen to what he had to say and not interrupt him.

He read the letter to them as it was written, disclosing all the information in it. Arya, Jon, and Robb all had faces expressing various degrees of anger. Sansa was looking shocked. She mumbled out "How could they do that? She was the Queen! He was a knight! How could they hurt Bran? How could the prince be so cruel to send someone to kill our brother?" Arya looked like she wanted to say something quite scathing to her sister but thankfully held back without any words or looks from Ned.

Both Arya and Sansa had been receiving a new sort of education recently. Lady Barbery Dustin had come to see Ned before leaving Winterfell after the Gathering of the Lords to give him more words of advice. As uncomfortable and unsolicited as it was, Ned had taken it to heart. Lady Dustin said she had interacted with both of his daughters while in Winterfell and saw great promise in them, but that both needed help taming their deficiencies. Shadow had growled at her for those words but she surprisingly did not flinch. Lady Barbery was direct and unyielding in her praise and criticism. Sansa, she said, was a true and rare beauty for the North. Her charm and grace were impeccable. She would make a fine wife and mother for anyone, be it a Northern Lord, a Southern Knight, or even a King. But she currently had fairy dust for brains and needed someone to teach her how the world really worked. On the other hand, Arya had the no quit attitude and determination most Lords would beg the Old Gods to give their heirs. But she needed serious tempering before her mouth got her into a situation she could not handle.

Any parent would be upset to hear such words about their children, but Ned knew he could not be a parent here but had to be Lord Stark. He mulled over Lady Dustin's words and tried to look at it as independently as he could. As much as it hurt, he admitted she was essentially correct. While the deaths of her mother and brother had tempered some of Sansa's adoration of the southern songs and stories she loved, she was still far too naive. And Lady Dustin was spot on about Arya. When Ned asked what she recommended, Lady Dustin suggested what Ned had already been researching. A widow or spinster daughter of a Northern house to reside in Winterfell and provide the education his daughters needed. So when Ned told Lady Barbery to get her brother settled in Barrowtown quickly and return to Winterfell herself, she was gobsmacked. She honestly never considered herself for the role because she thought her past actions would disqualify her. She assumed Lord Cerwyn's daughter or maybe an elder daughter of Maege Mormont would be chosen. Ned told Lady Dustin that her own upbringing and years of ruling Barrowtown was just what his daughters needed. But he reiterated the words of his previous meeting with her that all past grievances with House Stark were done once she returned. Lady Barbery had returned to Winterfell three weeks ago and after a week of complaints from Arya and Sansa they had finally begane to take to their harsh taskmaster. Her words may have been more biting than Septa Mordane had been, but they were always followed by sound advice.

Back in the Godswood, Ned informed them that Lord Tyrion was not to be questioned or bothered in any way. That he was not connected in any way to the actions of his family. Jon and Sansa agreed without issue. Jon because of his interactions with Lord Tyrion and Sansa because she was a Lady who would do as her Lord Father commanded. Arya and Robb seemed dubious of their Father's words but would not go against him.

Then Robb asked what he would do when Joffrey and Ser Meryn arrived in Winterfell. Ned looked at the Great Weirwood in front of him, staring at the carved face and said one word.

"Justice!"

Casterly Rock

Tywin Lannister was hard at work in his solar, reviewing the reports from the mines, ravens from his bannermen, and the many other tasks the Lord of a castle must do. He was quite irritated when there was a knock at his solar door. He had given explicit instructions to not be disturbed. It was Maester Creylan. He begged his Lord's pardon but a raven from King's Landing arrived. Tywin was in no mood for his daughter's continued complaints but accepted it. Creylan left and Tywin looked at the seal. Hmm…Pycelle. I wonder if this is in his official capacity or in his "real" capacity.

Tywin had been receiving inside information from Pycelle for years. While filled with sycophantic dribble, he had been able to leverage Pycelle's words to confirm information sent to him from Cersei, or to get a more realistic representation of whatever she was complaining about as well as information on the failures of the small council to reign in a Roberts behavior.

But Tywin's insides turned to ice when he read this letter.

My Lord Tywin,

Your family is in grave peril! The Queen and your heir have been accused of a multitude of false crimes, including treason! Robert has been convinced by Stannis, Renly, and Eddard Stark by proxy through Ser Brynden Tully, that your children are guilty of the Targaryen practice of incest! And that your grandchildren are their bastards. They have fabricated a confession from Ser Jaime to try and convince the realm of the truth. Along with the accusation of incest, they also accuse them of being the cause of young Bran Starks grevious injuries when he fell from a tower while the court was in Winterfell. Even more ludicrous is that they accuse the Crown Prince Joffrey along with Ser Meryn Trant of hiring the man who eventually murdered Lord Stark's wife and son! All three have been in the black cells for a week now. I attempted to send a warning as to this heinous plot as well as try to smuggle your family out but I was thrown into a dungeon cell for doing so! A faithful servant of mine was able to smuggle me my seal and get this letter out for me! You must hurry! Joffrey and Ser Meryn have already begun their journey North to Winterfell by the Kingsroad for the Starks to have their so-called 'justice'. And the Baratheon brothers are planning to execute your children without any trial. They have poisoned the Faith against your children and will not protest denying Trial by Combat. They plan to send the entire realm copies of your son's confession to cement distrust to anyone who tries to fight these accusations. But to you they only are sending a so-called "representative" to Casterly with their 'proof'.

Grand Maester Pycelle

Tywin Lannister set the letter down and eventually reached for a framed drawing of his late wife, Joanna. He gazed at it for a long time, lost in memory. He remembered Joanna warning him to keep Jaime and Cersei separated, the incident that was discovered just before that stunted creature of a son stole her from him. Tywin was not foolish enough to take Pycelle's words at face value. He suspected there were possible nuggets of truth behind what was written. It could even be completely true. But he did not care. He would not, he could not, let the possible actions of his children ruin all that he had worked tirelessly for decades on. And the thoroughness of Stannis' work he could use against him. He quickly wrote down a short message.

He called for the guard outside his door. When the guard opened the door Tywin told him to give this to a rider and give it to Gregor Clegane, who just so happened to be in Lannisport. "Get this to Clegane. Have the rider tell him to get his most capable men to the Golden Tooth as soon as possible . As for Clegane, he is to come here right away. Now GO!"

Riverrun

Hoster Tully summoned his son to him after receiving a raven from King's Landing. Edmure took a while to appear as usual. But at least it was for a good reason. Instead of pulling him away from his drinking companions or the local whore house, he was needed to freshen up after an extended period of training in the yard. Once Edmure appeared after cleaning the sweat and dust from his training he handed the first of three documents to him. Edmure read the first letter declaring the actions of Jaime and Cersei. He clenched his hands do the point of hearing knuckles popping when he saw the news of first Bran's fall and then Joffrey's guilt in their deaths. He quickly reviewed Ser Jaime's confession. After this Edmure spoke. "Father, I beg your leave to go to Wintefell. I wish to go for several reasons. I want to represent out house an see that Joffrey Hill's punishment is carried out. Second…..I need to apologize in person for my words. I see now we have been tricked into this feud but I still feel the need to do so."

Hoster considered his son's words. He knew his son was trying his best now to live up to his duties. He decided to let Edmure have a say in this. "Normally I would give you leave to do so. But I want you to read an extra letter included by Lord Stannis and your Uncle.

Edmure read over this extra missive. At first he was confused at their words and commands. But then he smiled. This was something he needed to do. Not for glory, but to serve his house and to repair his image to his bannermen.

"I'll do it"

So Cersei and Jaime are dealt with. Baelish has pivoted and made a new move to ensure his goal of war in Westeros happens. Tyrion has more responsibility than he could ever have hoped for. And what is Edmure going to do?