Chapter twenty
The little lion
Ned
"Lord Stark, your house is at war with the Lannister's. The lord of that house is now dead. You are to be detained until you can be questioned further." These words were the last ones spoken to him until the next day when he was escorted under guard to a meeting of the small council with the new Queen and the Queen mother in attendance. For some reason Mace Tyrell was also in attendance puffing as though he had just run to the meeting.
"Lord Stark." Joffrey spoke. "I trust you are well."
"Thank you for your concern your grace. I'm well." Ned smiled at Joffrey.
"My mother demanded you be questioned about my grandsire's death although I did press upon her my belief of your innocence." Joffrey said. Putting his opinion out in the open.
"Your grace. I have nothing to hide. I had just signed a peace treaty with Lord Lannister that has been sent to our armies. I wished nothing but peace between our lands and families." Ned said honestly.
"You killed my father." Cersei said furiously. Her face was uncharacteristically red and blotchy as though she had been crying all night.
"I deny that accusation. I had nothing to gain from his death. He agreed to end the war in exchange for his son. I commend that loyalty to his family." Ned said noticing her eyes brighten at the mention of Jamie. She must miss her twin.
"You were taking the toast with Lord Tywin. You had the opportunity to poison him." Mace Tyrell said loudly his eyes shifting to Cersei as she nodded slowly.
"He drank from my cup. It was poison meant for me." Ned stated.
"That is true. It wasn't Lord Stark's idea to swap the cups, it was mine. Does anybody mean to suggest I was the one to poison my grandsire?" Joffrey looked around as everybody shook their head.
"Somebody killed my father. I want somebody's head." Cersei shouted.
"The person who killed your father tried to kill me. I swear as hand of the king I will not rest until they are found." Ned said, he remembered the anger of a father taken from you.
"Perhaps as this is the second time you have been accused it would be better for somebody else to advice the king? Somebody related to him, even by marriage." Lord Tyrell said.
Before Ned could respond to the fool of a man Joffrey stood his face red with anger. "Lord Stark is a fine man. I will not name another hand as there is breath in my body. I am married to your wife but that makes her a Baratheon not me a Tyrell. Your advancement in court will not be used by my marriage and you will not be replacing Lord Stark. Now I would like everyone but my Queen and my Hand to leave."
Lord Tyrell left with his head down and Cersei gave him a teary glare as she left but everyone else ignored him.
After they had left Ned went to his seat at the table and looked at the young couple. Although Margery had not spoken, she looked lovely in a light golden dress and was holding Joffrey's hand within hers.
"Your Grace, my queen. I must say you look lovely. I hope you managed to enjoy your wedding before the horrible passing of Lord Lannister." Ned smiled.
"It was lovely." Margery said smiling.
"I have explained to Margery just how important you are to me. She knows how you helped me and continue to. Her father spoke without her consent or knowledge." Joffrey said looking at Ned seriously.
"Your trust in me warms me Joffrey." Ned smiled. "You know you are important to me too. More than a king you are like one of my children."
"You both truly love each other." Margery said with wonder. "I do not mean to speak badly about my family but it is never unconditional with them. I was always a means for my family's advancement."
"You are apart of my family now." Joffrey looked at her softly. "It may not be large and there are issues but I am making my family it is not just blood. Lord Stark is included in this as well as Sansa."
"Sansa was your betrothed once?" Margery questioned.
"She was but her heart lies with another." Ned said not willing to spill her secrets. "Although she is set to marry your brother and I hope they have a happy marriage if not a love match."
"Lord Stark, I asked you to stay as we have heard some disturbing rumours as Margery has been in the city." Joffrey said suddenly all business.
"What rumours your grace?" Ned asked worriedly.
"There is talk about some religious fervour gathering in the city under a man calling himself the high sparrow. He reads out sermons calling out lavishness and excess." Margery supplies the information she has heard walking around giving out bread.
"I suggest we keep an eye on this group but do not act yet. We do not yet have cause and any action would be seen as rash. I think the queen should continue to go into the city, with more guards, to continue her reputation as a kind queen. If you could also go occasionally Joffrey it would improve your reputation too." Ned said looking at the happy couple. When they nodded their accent Ned went to stand but was interrupted.
"One more issue to discuss before you can go about your day Lord Stark." Joffrey said and Ned sat back down. "My mother wanted Lord Lannister to have a Royal funeral here at King's Landing and took it badly when I refused."
"You did well. He was not a royal although his daughter was." Ned reassured the young king.
"I plan to send his body back to the rock. As Lord Lannister he should be laid to rest in his home. Another issue is who becomes the next Lord Lannister." Joffrey said.
"Tyrion is his heir." Ned said.
"He is." Joffrey admitted. "But he is a dwarf, a drunk and a whore lover. My mother would like me to release my uncle Jamie from his kingsguard vows and allow him to become lord.
"I admit I have little knowledge about your uncle Tyrion but being a dwarf does not forbid him for inheriting. Nor do his other vices. Your uncle Jamie is a kingsguard and the vows are for life your grace. If you are the king to allow kingsguard to leave in order to take up lordships I believe it would be a mark on your reign." Ned said, hoping the king would see reason.
Joffrey took a second to think and then nodded. "I do not wish to be the king to allow centuries of tradition to end. Tyrion will become Lord but I do not trust him to do a good job of it."
It was only a few days later that Ned was informed of the imminent arrival of the new Lord of the rock. He quickly made his way to the central courtyard as he knew he would have to run interference between Joffrey and Lord Tyrion as Joffrey had been taught to treat his uncle awfully. He had managed to keep news of Tyrion's arrival from the Queen mother as he knew it would be a ugly scene and he wished to not deal with her for as long as possible.
Ned had been busy organising Sansa's wedding which was to take place in one week's time. They both had hoped to fall stall it so that her mother could attend but the Tyrell's hadn't agreed to wait, and Sansa had conceded. It was decided that the couple would stay in the capital for half a year after the marriage so her mother could visit before they moved to a keep on Tyrell lands.
Unfortunately, as he arrived, he saw the king was already present with his wife on one side of him and his mother on the other.
"Your grace." Ned bowed his head respectfully.
"The imp –"Joffrey started.
"Lord Lannister." Ned corrected.
"How dare you!" Cersei shouted. "Don't interrupt the king."
"It's ok mother. I forgot my manners and Lord Stark was only reminding me of my role here." Joffrey placed his arm on his mother hoping to placate her.
Cersei gave Ned a look that could have killed if she so wished. He knew she was a enemy he just had to figure out how to separate her from the king.
Before anybody else could speak the sound of carriage wheels filled the air and they all turned to the gates. A golden carriage was pulled through the gates with the banners of house Lannister displayed proudly on the side. He noticed out of the corner of his eye Cersei tense, and he knew she would try to make trouble upon the announcement of Tyrion's new title. His brain wearied as he tried to out manoeuvrer her.
As the doors to the carriage opened Ned was happy to see that Tyrion emerged alone. He knew of his love of whores and he worried about the image of the new Lord Lannister displaying his tastes.
"Your grace. You look well." Tyrion addressed Tyrion.
"Uncle. You look the same as usual." Joffrey said unsmiling.
"Ah, a curse I must bear." Tyrion said smiling, but Ned could tell it was fake.
"May I introduce you to my lovely wife, Margery." Joffrey said and Margery offered her hand for Tyrion to kiss.
"No." Joffrey grabbed her hand. "You don't want his deformed lips upon your skin."
"Joffrey." Margery said shocked at his actions. "He is your uncle. If you share blood as I know you do, he must be a good man. As are you. Your actions as I have known you have been nothing short of kind and graceful. I as your wife implore you to extend to those who may need your kindness more than most. If you'll excuse me." With this Margery swept away.
Ned was surprised but happy with her outburst but Cersei certainly wasn't.
"How dare that wench talk to my son like that! Have her confined." Cersei said to the kingsguard by her side.
"No." Joffrey said. "She is my wife. She is your Queen. She is also right."
Cersei looked furious but Joffrey ignored her and addressed his uncle. "I apologise for my harsh words. I am trying to be the man, and the king, I need to be but sometimes I slip. Luckily I have my wife and my hand here to rein in my more impulsive actions." He then expended his hand to shake Tyrion's hand and wearily he accepted.
"Lord Lannister." Ned interrupted. "I am happy to see you arrived safely. I also hope the peace I made with your father before his death will hold upon your accent to Lordship. I wish no war between our houses."
Tyrion turned to Ned and smiled. "Lord Stark. Thank you for your kind words and your work with my nephew I must admit I find him much changed. Our peace remains and words for the Lannister armies to fall back have been sent."
Ned was relieved. Soon his son and his family would be safe. He just wished he could go back home and see them. Unfortunately, he knew if he left the king would be influenced by those with less pure intentions. The king was easily manipulated and Ned knew it would need to be him who did it.
"We have arranged for a ceremony in the throne room to announce you formally as Lord Lannister." Joffrey addressed Tyrion.
"No." Cersei said quietly.
Everyone ignored her and headed into the red keep and she followed muttering no under her breath.
As the doors opened to the throne room her voice rose.
"No. No. No. No." She was saying it each time louder than the last.
"Mother. I already spoke to you. Uncle Jamie, upon his return, will remain as a kingsguard and Uncle Tyrion will become Lord of the rock." Joffrey said tiredly.
It seemed Cersei didn't hear him. "No. No. No."
"Mother." Joffrey tried again.
"NO! That monster will not become Lord. No! No! No!" she was shaking now. Ned was worried about the woman her face was pale.
"Your grace. Perhaps you should rest." Ned spoke quietly.
"No! I will become lord." Cersei said as if it had just occurred to her.
"Mother you have a living brother. It is his right to become lord. Uncle Jamie denounced his title, and you are a woman. Sirs, my mother is tired please take her to her rooms." Joffrey turned to ascend the throne.
"No. No! You can't." Cersei screamed. The kingsguard went to grab her arms but with horror ned could do nothing but watch as she dug her fingernails into her cheeks and blood erupted from her face and she drug the nails down. As the kingsguard fought her everybody could not help but stare at the rough bleeding marks upon the once beautiful queens face.
Hello there! I am unsure how updates will be coming. I recently had surgery and recovery isn't as smooth as I expected. I enjoy writing but the pain medications make it difficult to follow my thoughts. I hope you enjoyed as I enjoyed writing.
Next up is Sansa's wedding. There will be a trigger warning at the top so PLEASE read it and be careful if you can be triggered. I will do a summery at the bottom to ensure you miss no plot points.
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