Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with the show or the books. Only the mistakes are mine ;p
Chapter Seven.
Cersei rested her elegant hands on her slender hips as she stared up at the Iron throne. The seat of power was forged out of hundreds of melted down swords, belonging to the Lords who once swore loyalty and fealty to King Aegon the Conqueror of House Targaryen. The prestige belonging to impressive and imposing throne was only matched by the discomfort one felt while sitting upon it. According to Robert, she smirked.
"They sleep?" Cersei tilted her head. The Hound was standing just behind his liege Lady and to the Queen Regent's right hand side.
"Fitfully" Sandor's deep baritone almost echoed through the desolate throne room, lit only by the torches mounted on the great pillars supporting the ceiling, the flickering flames offered orange shadows as an inadequate substitute to the sun. One often felt like an insignificant ant when standing inside the grand chamber, simply because of the vast furnishings and intricate details.
"In the morning, just before the dawn, you must be prepared to escort Sansa back to her chamber through the tunnels beneath the Keep. I cannot risk my cubs awaking while my SheWolf is still in my bed..." She murmured gently. She was certain that she was alone with her hulking guard in the throne room, but one could never be too cautious in King's Landing. There was a great risk to allowing her lover and her children to share her bed, Tommen and Myrcella may accidentally reveal the fact, but she couldn't be without the three tonight nor they without her. Not after the day's events. She would lose her sanity if she attempted to sleep without knowing that they were all safe and settled.
"Of course Your Grace" The hound rumbled by her side. Sighing gently Cersei inched towards the dais before her, the royal red carpet beneath her feet stretched from the entrance to the very back of the stone hall behind the Iron Throne.
"The morrow will be extremely busy Sandor, but I want you to remain at Sansa's side while she cares for my children. I will have Ser Mandon and Ser Boros confine Joffrey to his rooms for the foreseeable once his meeting with the nobles is concluded..." Cersei sighed regretfully. Mentally planning out her various meetings and the like prematurely. A tight band of tension constricted around her forehead. A wave of fatigue hit her directly in her chest.
"...That is all for tonight. We shall convene once we have both rested. Go" She waved her hand dismissively. The Hound inclined his head before he backed away from her, he only turned his back on her when she glanced away, it was an insult to display one's back to the Queen Regent.
Only after Sandor's astonishingly light footsteps faded away all together, did she finally take her place on the Throne. The thick lion pelt coat she wore over her Lannister red silk gown offered her more than sufficient protection from the glacial iron. She stared out at the massive Throne room, imagining the chamber filled with all the pompous noble men and women that would all gather here at the heart of the Red Keep in the morning for their daily audience with the King. She found herself musing whether or not they had heard of Joffrey's brash words spoken to the people before the rioting began. Of course they had. The Gods despised House Lannister, why would they spare the pride of Lions this fresh thorn in their paws?.
Her loud sigh echoed through the Throne room, a sound of abject frustration and exhaustion. There were too many threats outside the walls of King's Landing for her to combat any dangers within her domain, she couldn't fight a war on two fronts, but that scenario was becoming more and more likely with Joffrey abusing his power and refusing to be the King she had once suspected he could be.
She freely admitted to herself that her eldest son was beginning to disappoint her in his demeanour. Joffrey was failing to fill the hole that his late father had left behind, granted Robert had left the vast majority of politics in her hands while he pursued other activities more suited to his capabilities but at least her husband had been adored by his subjects. She didn't even feel much in the ways of devotion for her eldest son anymore, not after the day's riots, he had knowingly endangered his siblings lives and that of her lover. She was beginning to tire of protecting Joffrey's claim to the Throne when he did nothing to further his own cause.
Would the situation worsen if she denounced Joffrey?. She boasted a legitimate claim to power through marriage and the children she had produced, she ruled in all but name at present, she had the loyalty of the City watch and even the Kingsguard, swaying the fealty of the nobles wouldn't take much more than a word or two. The only person she risked angering was Joffrey, and he wouldn't be able to fight for his titles if she seized power and appropriated complete control over all the Seven Kingdoms. The dull pain at her temples increased, the blunted throbbing had her reaching up to pinch the bridge of her delicate nose between her thumb and forefinger in her attempts to ward off the blunt affliction. She couldn't bring herself to think of the matter anymore, she didn't have the will when all she desired in the world was to curl up in her bed with her lover in her arms and her younger children close enough to protect from night-terrors.
"...This was sent to you by the King's Hand Your Grace" Cersei looked up from the letter she was composing to find Lancel nervously standing in front of her desk, Ser Arys stood beside her undistinguished cousin. She had only granted him knighthood as to avoid tripping over him in his attempts to serve her. Even Duchess held more dignity than the fool.
"Tyrion isn't the King's Hand. Leave it there and get out..." Cersei snapped coldly. Lancel's had shook as he placed the folded parchment on the corner of her desk, atop the rest of her many, far more crucial, missives.
"...Something else?" Cersei hissed when she realised her moron of cousin lingered like a horrid stench. She forced herself to argue the merits of having her guard throw her annoyance out of the window behind her. As she glared at the stuttering man before her all she could think of to save his worthless existence was the knowledge that Sansa and her children were out in the gardens, below the golden pane, she wouldn't willingly expose them to more violence. Lancel was a lucky swine indeed.
"The King wants you beside him in court" It was Ser Arys that finally blurted out the missive instead of Lancel. Skilfully concealing her frown of confusion at Joffrey's location behind an icy mask of impassivity. Their meeting with the nobles wasn't due to start for another hour at the very least.
"I told you to get out did I not?..." Cersei cast Lancel a disinterested look. It was far more dangerous to earn such an impartial expression, than a murderous glance, from the Queen Regent for it meant that she held no expectations of her victim, judging them utterly useless in her eyes and therefore wordlessly installing a limit to their life-expectancy.
"...Both of you. Out. Before I decide that there is an extra cell in the dungeons" She snapped. Rolling her eyes in exasperation as Lancel and Ser Arys made a mockery of themselves before her. They looked like two bow-legged, newborn deer as they scrambled to swiftly flee her chamber. Snatching The Imp's message up in her hand she broke the Lannister seal adorning the front before she scanned the graceless penmanship embellishing the page. She grimaced at the reminder, she was to dine alone with The Imp that evening to discuss the City defences. She would have to think of a path to send the dwarf tumbling down, her plans were already being solidified, she didn't want anymore, much less Tyrion, disrupting her arrangements. Raising the light parchment over the small lit candle beside her, used to produce the wax that sealed all of her documents. She smirked as she watched it begin to burn into nothingness, the unique scent of burning paper filled her delicate nose, she felt a slight twinge in her chest as she observed the small demolition. If Stannis Baratheon managed to take King's Landing it would be her that was burned. Dispelling the thought for the folly it was, she blew forcefully, extinguishing the consuming flame just as it's dangerous heat drew near to her long slender, fingers. Raising up out of her high-backed chair, she smoothed her hands over the front of her crimson coloured dress, one last glance was cast at her unfinished missive. Her request from the Greyjoys of Pike would have to wait until she had collared her self-important cub.
"...Have they asked many questions?" Cersei murmured to her younger lover. She had intended to stalk directly passed the gardens without so much as a sideways glance, as she would have done two months ago, but the call of her SheWolf and her youngest children had been too compelling for her to resist.
"They were curious to know why I wasn't there when they awoke" Sansa murmured. The Queen Regent and her lover were stood close to the tree where Duchess' pesky squirrel called home, the little creature stared down at them inquisitively from a low hanging tree branch. The Royal children were sat around a circular table, a few metres away, numerous sheets of parchment littered the oak surface. Stood behind them, shielding them in his impressive shadow, was The Hound. On the vivid green grass, curled around The Hound's steel plated boots, lay Sansa's loyal companion. Cersei would always been secretly proud of the little grey and white pup, after discovering that she had injured her front paw attempting to protect her mistress during the riots.
"They asked as much this morning..." Cersei said quietly. Instinctively aware of the many eyes boring into her back, she could sense the various spies working in the gardens creeping ever closer to her. She had known it was a potentially dire risk to allow her children to share her bed along with her lover, but they had come to her complaining of night-terrors, she couldn't have sent them away, back to their own beds. So she had let her cubs curl into the warm arms of her SheWolf, their nursemaid, for the night. They had awoken on three occasions, before she had the chance to soothe them back into sleep however, she had found Sansa whispering gentle nothings into their ears.
"...Worry not. They are under the impression that you were there to care for them in the night..." Cersei spoke in a careful tone. She had convinced her children just so, her cubs were so innocent, wonderfully naïve. They hadn't asked why Sansa had been in her bed before they'd had arrived unescorted in her chamber. The sharp sound of a branch snapping caught her attention, she narrowed her eyes on the servant, coming far too near for her comfort.
"...Even so..." She continued once the spy had fled towards a safer location in the rose scented gardens.
"...It is not a gamble I can take again" Not for now at least. If she were to seize power, she would no longer have to conceal her preferences nor the truth of Sansa's real status. Cersei startled for a moment, her blood ran cold then suddenly burned red hot, if she were to unveil the gender her lovers, then she might just be able to convince the nest of vultures and snakes of her children's legitimacy. But by doing so, if she were to openly claim Sansa as her concubine then she could potentially endanger her lover. Many held grudges against her, the title of Queen may protect her and her offspring, not her SheWolf. She stowed away her new found discovery away pending further, in depth, investigation and consideration.
"I will be unable to dine with you tonight for reasons I cannot divulge..." Cersei wrenched herself free of her thoughts, finding her lover frowning ever so slightly. She restrained herself from shifting closer to the redhead, knowing that she would soon have to pull herself away from her lover entirely to grace the court.
"...What is it?" Cersei asked. She had no conjecture as to when she had trained herself to sense when her lover was worried but she utilised the cognition well.
"Have you determined what the fate of the rioters will be?" Sansa nibbled on her lover lip. Cersei smirked despite the many devious eyes lingering on her. Her SheWolf's blue-grey eyes hadn't wavered, like they would have a month previous, while asking her question.
"Death..." Cersei answered bluntly. They may be starving and they may have been provoked, but peasants did not hold the right to cause such damage to the King's property, especially while their Lord, along with his siblings, were in close proximity. She would have their lives for that alone. Heedless of the fact, her lover had nearly been raped. The fourth attacker had already been dealt with, she had been unable to carry out the penalty herself, as she had been with her recovering SheWolf, however she had it on Sandor's word that the bastard had screamed for mercy until his throat bled. The head of her lover's assailant now graced the wall of traitors where it would remain until it was as putrid as his intended crime.
"...My answer doesn't please you" Cersei sighed regretfully as she watched Sansa's head lower. Perhaps she could think of some other punishment to befit their crime if only to satisfy her lover. She didn't understand Sansa's compassion for the traitors but it was endearing. Over forty five men were contained within the dark cells, she could devise a payment worse than death in some eyes. Her signature smirk slowly played at the corner of her mouth.
"The people are starving Cersei" Sansa murmured. Repeating her argument from the previous night.
"That doesn't justify it in the slightest. But they are fortunate that you seem determined to aid them..." Cersei murmured.
"...I won't see you again today until sunset. Be safe" As much as it pained her to leave her lover's soothing presence. Duty won her inner battle with desire. She needed to remove Joffrey from the public eye less he make some other disastrous decision.
"...Mother, I cannot determine if I want the prisoners beheaded quickly or I want them gutted slowly" Her son's glee over an execution was sickening. Cersei didn't shy away from death and on occasion she relished it, but she didn't kill simply because she could. She didn't look at the nobles parting to let her pass by, Ser Mandon and Ser Boros, standing just in front of the Iron Throne nervously avoided her icy gaze as she stalked closer.
"The King has a flair for creativity..." Cersei feigned a proud smile that she knew disgusted the nobles gathered in the throne room. They blamed her for Joffrey's behaviour. They may be right, she had always over indulged him but she was doing all she could to stop anymore calamities. She climbed the dais until she stood at her son's side next to the imposing Iron Throne, she forced herself not to withdraw her hand when Joffrey reached for her. She still couldn't forgive him for endangering his brother and sister, and she still wanted his blood for leaving Sansa to be raped and Gods only knew what else.
"...But you have much to learn my son..." She lowered her voice until only Joffrey could hear her words in the crowded court.
"...When ruling a Kingdom you will soon find that to be successful one must keep the majority happy. I will demonstrate if you wish" Cersei offered, acknowledging that she was manipulating her own son to enforce her will. With Joffrey's eager nod granting her permission, she turned to address the captain of the City watch. Fire burned in her jade coloured eyes when she found the Imp's Sell-sword in the place of Lord Commander Janos Slynt. Another insult from the Imp. Bronn wasn't even clad in uniform, he looked like a commoner, but then that was the only company the Dwarf could keep, often with money.
"Escort the prisoners to the Wall. They will join the Night's watch or they will be gutted like the treasonous pigs they are" Cersei hissed. She would make the Imp regret this dearly.
"Your Grace" She sneered in disdain as she watched the Sell-Sword move to carry out her order.
"But I wanted their blood!" Joffrey snarled, coming to his feet angrily, she didn't even blink in reaction.
"You have studied the conditions at the Wall Joffrey, these prisoners will either be butchered by Wildlings or by their own brothers should they attempt to flee the cold. Misery will be all they know for rest of their lives. And Lord Commander Mormont gains the reinforcements he needs" She whispered into Joffrey's ear, ignoring the looks they were both receiving from the nobles.
"But I won't witness their pain" Joffrey complained.
"We have more important matters my son..." Cersei purred. He wouldn't be witness to anything once he was confined in his chambers. For his own safety and for that of the peasants.
"Leave. All of you..." Cersei snapped. The nobles scattered as swiftly as they possibly could in either direction.
"...Come Joffrey. I have a gift for you" She gestured for Ser Mandon and Ser Boros to come forth, a pointed look told them to carry out the order silently.
"Good. I have been addressing the court since dawn and it is most burdensome" Joffrey grumbled as he allowed his guards to accompany him out the throne room. Cersei watched as he arrogantly sauntered through the chamber. Reminding herself that it was for the best.
Cersei stared at the very last of her daily messages, she cursed loud enough to attract The Hound's attention. She had requested his brief attendance in her chamber to finalise plans with their 'guest', before dinner. She knew Sansa would be safe now that Joffrey was confined in his chambers.
"Catelyn Stark has been sent, by her son, to seek an alliance with Renly Baratheon while Robb Stark has achieved another victory over my Lord father's forces at Oxcross." Cersei stoically answered The Hounds unvoiced question. The Westerlands were now, only lightly defended and King's Landing was in peril from a two pronged attack. Pushing her impulsive anger she swiftly began toying with her new knowledge.
"You are not worried Your Grace?" Sandor asked. She laughed maliciously as she stared at the letter from her informant in the Baratheon camp.
"With three ignorant fools all vying for mine and Joffrey's blood?. No. I will simply wait for them to tear each other apart." Cersei leaned back in her high backed chair. The Hound still looked confused. As he was her most loyal and trusted liege subject and he would fight on the front lines in any attack on the Capital. She may as well tell him of her strategy.
"Stannis and Renly mobilise to attack each other, they have large armies so the losses on either side will be vast. While they are at each other's throats. The Stark boy will be left idle without an ally to force my relinquishment of the city and safe return of his sisters..." Cersei smirked at The Hound to grasp the last strands of her thinking.
"...Leaving Lord Tywin to replenish the ranks of his troops. Both Baratheon forces will dwindle with heavy losses, forcing Stannis to hold off his attack on the Capital." Sandor concluded.
"We will have time strengthen our own defences if this manoeuvres the way we need it to..." Cersei said with a satisfied smirk.
"...But we should remain wary. This woman, Melisandre of Asshai, she is more dangerous than Stannis could ever hope to become..." Cersei gazed at the letter in her hand. The only information her spy had been able to report on The Red Woman only detailed the Baratheon soldier's fear of her. Was it baseless or no?.
"...Come Sandor. I'm not playing the Game Of Thrones this night, tonight it is game of wits that keeps me entertained" Cersei stood up, ready for dinner with the Imp. The Hound opened the chamber door for her.
"You know what to do" She murmured to her guard as she stalked past him and out into the hall.
"I hear you've caged your son like an animal..." Cersei forced her expression into a mask of glacial emptiness as Tyrion guzzled his wine.
"...Is it appropriate to treat the King in such a way?" Tyrion continued.
"You question the Queen Regent?" Cersei drawled icily.
"Father will be most displeased when he hears Joffrey has been removed from public eyes. Oh well, no one could ever live up to his standards, not even us." Tyrion murmured, pouring himself yet more wine. Cersei found herself almost nodding in agreement, Tywin Lannister had always expected his children to be as stoic and as cunning as he. Even she didn't live up to expectation.
"Speak for yourself Imp" Cersei snapped. She had long since come to terms that she would never earn her father's love. She didn't require it anymore.
"Why am I here Cersei?" Tyrion finally asked. Cersei smirked slowly, she knew the Imp was truly confused and she relished having the upper hand.
"I simply wanted to dine with you..." Cersei murmured craftily. There was a thunderous knock on the door just as Tyrion's eyes narrowed on her.
"...Enter" She called out. The door behind her flung open, The Hound all but shoved her 'guest' into the Imp's chamber. Ros managed to catch herself before she fell. She watched the dwarf across from her closely. She was about to make an utter fool out of herself but it would be worth it. She would discover how much Tyrion cared for his discreet lover. If he took the Queen Regent's bait, in an attempt to conceal his lover's identity, it proved some very strong emotions. It Tyrion laughed it off however, she was left with nothing, for the moment.
"I believe you are acquainted..." Cersei murmured. Recognition dawned on the Imp's face as The Hound closed the door behind him, he shifted to pull the whore closer to the candle light. Dark bruises blotched the redhead's face, she hadn't actually had the whore beaten, in reality the 'bruises' were a mixture of dark Kohl combined with a minimal amount of water varnished onto the whore's face.
"...Did you honestly think I wouldn't retaliate?..." Cersei forced artificial rage into her tone. A combination of emotions swirled in Tyrion's eyes. He was panicking.
"...You threatened someone I care for, and now, I going hurt someone you love" Just as soon as she discovered who his lover was. She restrained her smirk of satisfaction as Tyrion climbed to his feet, he approached the whore, he whispered something to her before taking his 'reluctant' leave. Cersei reached for her wine glass, she grinned conniving as she slowly finished off her drink, ignoring the other two people in the chamber. She stood up gracefully, her smirk never faltered as she approached The Hound and her 'guest'. She held her hand out to Sandor, he reached into one of the pouches attached to his thick leather belt. Producing a small, sealed, cloth, bag. Filled to bursting with silver coins.
"For you service..." Cersei took the offered bag and extended it towards the whore. Ros' eyes brightened up greedily as she took the presented object.
"...You speak a word of this to anyone, including your master Baelish, and I will personally rip your tongue out before I fulfil my promise. Understand?" Cersei purred lethally, her eyes glowed in the dim light, the sun had already fled from the moon, seeming to make her irises illumine much like a felines' would.
"Yes Your Grace" Ros murmured fearfully.
"Escort our guest through the tunnels and out the Keep" Cersei instructed. She had her weapon against the Imp when the opportunity arose, and it would. Now it was time to ensure the contentment of her own weaknesses.
Cersei nuzzled her face into the flawlessly pale slender column of her lover's neck, sighing gently. She couldn't bring herself to sleep despite the lulling presence of her SheWolf laying in her arms. She fully expected her children to sneak into her chamber once again. Her arms tightened around the younger woman in her bed, for a moment she considered having the prisoners brought back to King's Landing so she could grant them the death they deserved. Scowling to herself, she slowly stroked the gentle curve of Sansa's hip.
"I have increased the amount of guards searching for your sister..." Cersei murmured. Nipping at Sansa's oval shaped jaw with her perfect teeth.
"...She isn't in the South. Of that I'm sure" She lifted her head as Sansa turned in her arms. They were both clad in silk gowns, the Lannister red bedsheets pulled up to their slender waists.
"Thank you" Sansa smiled softly. Cersei brushed her lips against her lover's forehead gently.
"Your brother moves closer..." Cersei muttered resentfully as she stared into Sansa's blue-grey eyes. She had always known the day would come when she was faced with having her SheWolf taken from her. But she had never anticipated her disinclination to do so. Even when Jaime's life depended on her safely handing over the Stark girls. Sansa remained quiet, her beautiful body tensed nervously.
"...He will take you home soon" And she would be left alone. Pain stabbed her through the chest, causing agony so acute she winced inwardly. All the power and wealth in the kingdoms wouldn't be able to replace the grievous loss she was faced with. She snuggled closer to her lover's warmth, holding her close to her chest as though the action would prevent what she knew was coming. To keep Sansa and to have Jaime rendered back to House Lannister, she would have to destroy House Stark. The one thing her lover would never forgive her for. She thought back to her half composed letter to the Greyjoys, she had been hesitant to finish it much less have a raven carry it to Pike. But it would grant her time to devise a way to keep her lover.
"...I..." Sansa began to whisper. Cersei's heart leapt into her throat, for a moment she allowed herself to hope her lover would express a desire to stay, with her, at King's Landing. She frowned, it was as though her blood nearly sang at the prospect, that odd fluttery sensation in her stomach, she had learned to associate with Sansa, blossomed. She did all she could to strangle the thought, to crush her erratic emotions. Hope wasn't something she was accustomed to, often because it was never successful.
"You need to rest" Cersei forced herself to say. She couldn't bear to hear how much her lover missed her family, it hurt to know Sansa would run into her family's arms at the first opportunity, and she didn't understand why she was so attached to the younger woman. At times she felt, the only reason she hadn't been buried under the pressure of ruling a land in chaos was because of the respite she found with Sansa and her younger children. But surely the notion was preposterous.
"Yes Your Grace" Cersei frowned at the use of her title. But she had no chance to question her lover's reasoning as Sansa turned once again in her arms. Cersei stared at her lover's graceful back in confusion. Had she been wrong?. She found herself desperately needing to know what her SheWolf had almost whispered to her. She tightened her arms around the younger woman and nuzzled her face back into the crook of Sansa's neck, catching the redhead's sigh. She felt her SheWolf snuggle closer to her beneath the bedsheets. She would send the letter to Pike on the morrow, she would gain the time needed to convince Sansa to stay of her own will.
AN: Feedback?. When the next chapter will be up is anyone's guess now that school is back on D: I'll try to make it quick, but my timetable is not a pretty sight especially when I combine it with my job schedule.
