Chapter Fifty-Four
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The Gryphon's Roost, Rivendell
The trek to the nesting sites of the Wild Gryphons that call the back part of Rivendell is not an easy one. Jagged rocks and steep falls litter the way, more than once, the participants of such a trek would need to climb a bit before weathered pathways to be made available for them. For the close confidants of Delianah however, Myrcella, Rhaenys, Yasmina and Amleia, it is an exercise that they are used to. The Dame of Rivendell after all put large emphasis on keeping their bodies fit (for secret eye candy purposes). Suffice it to say that even Myrcella finds this course easy in the long run. Even with passing through Gryphon's Roost, they hold little fear for their safeties. After all, Godric keeps the wild Gryphons in line with his sheer presence alone. Thus the route becomes accessible to them easy.
Today however is different. By royal decree, Joffrey would be given a chance to get himself a Gryphon (if any) that would choose him as a rider. Myrcella resists the urge to shake her head at the thought. She can literally feel the amusement from the rest of her lovers and her closest friends at this venture. There is after all no way that a Gryphon would choose the little shit as a Rider. To bond with a Gryphon means it would respect you for your strength of will and strength of character. It is a noble friendship. For Joffrey who cares only about himself, the result would be absolute.
However after her mother's insistence to her father that the Crown Prince is deserving of a noble steed that can rival even the Targaryens. Robert puts his foot down and actually acquiesce to his wife, seeing that maybe gaining a powerful steed can knock some sense into Joffrey. Thus the reason they are here.
Of course Delianah is no fool. Before they set out for this venture she has explained clearly and simply that it is up to the Gryphons whether or not they would choose Joffrey. The expectancy rate of being chosen after all is very low and once chosen, there would be grave peril. Even if not chosen, any attempt to insult or invoke the harsh reaction of one of the Wild Gryphons, can also lead to them attacking.
Robert is all for it although Cersei's smug face waver at the idea of her brother facing off against dangerous Gryphons. Myrcella knows that her mother despite spouting the bravado and the courage that her brother had to all who would listen, realizes too well that he is in no way equipped on dealing with enraged giant cross-breed avian birds. It is too late to change Robert's mind however. The king's blood and excitement is up and the idea that Joffrey would at least prove his "Baratheon mettle" is very appealing to him. Thus after three angry conversations between the king and queen, the contract is signed that Rivendell would not be in any way liable for any kind of repercussion should a Gryphon toss Joffrey's sorry ass off into open air.
To make sure that Joffrey can "be saved" though in the event that the Gryphons reject him, at least ten of the best Lannister Archers are coming with them alongside Jaimie who is responsible for the king's protection and making sure that Joffrey does not fall off the ledge along the way. For the record, Myrcella almost counts twenty near falls that Joffrey does along the way if not for Jaimie pulling him out of trouble just in time.
Currently though, she watches in terrible amusement at the royal retinue huffing and puffing as they try to regain their breaths. The ten Lannister soldiers looks like boiled lobster especially with how red their faces are from the exertions of mountain trekking in full armor and carrying swords, longbows and arrows to boot.
Her mother of course as vain as she is (and her refusal not to present herself as such), is still wearing that blood red dress with that damnable golden corset which she seems to never take off in public. Her appearance is completely disheveled however. The neat double bun that is her hair has been broken somewhere along the way with many strands of blonde hair falling in every direction, her red dress is all askew with bits of mud and sand on it, courtesy of the cruel trail. She is barefoot, with Ser Jaimie oddly being volunteered to carry her heels around.
Joffrey on the other hand obviously tried to dress to impress, his royal trousers, shirt and outer robes are disheveled and covered in dirt, mud and poop, courtesy of him tripping on his own court boots and landing on a Gryphon landmine. His face looks like a bulldog left on a kennel for ten straight weeks. His hair is messed up, his face red and puffing out steam, sweaty and dirty. He has somehow lost all his rings along the way.
Robert who is last somehow looks better compared to the rest of his family. Compared to the rest of them, he after all has some experience about mountain trekking due to his upbringing in the Vale which is mostly mountainous. He has opted out of his royal apparel and instead wears leathers in order to move freely and to conserve more energy. Years of being lethargic at King's Landing however obviously turned against him. Despite looking worse for wear, Robert is obviously tired and wobbly on his feet.
Myrcella alongside her friends and lover on the other hand just has a bead of sweat or two. They have after all worn simple form fitting leather outfits that are comfortable, comfy and elegant to look at. Their shoes are specially made for rough terrain like this one and their long hairs are all tied up at the back to prevent them from disturbing their faces. They are also used to this course already.
"We are here," Delianah finally declares as they reach the large Cliffside where the roosting caves of the Gryphons are found. Myrcella agrees with her, she can hear the giant birds all over the area and she can smell the strong odor of animal remains.
The audible sighs of relief from the members of the royal party can be heard as more than one groan can be heard about the realization that they are finally about to rest.
"By the gods and you are doing this every day?" groans her father, unhappily kicking a boot off to reveal his blistered feet.
"Yes, I am father. This keeps me fit and healthy. It also helps me maintain my figure since Lady Delianah here loves to throw feasts. Anything else and I might just end up as fat as you,"
Robert laughs loudly at that, patting his sore leg with one meaty hand. "You are one cheeky bugger my daughter! I give you that. Anyway you are right. Now come, where are these so-called Gryphons that-WHAT THE FUCK!?"
Myrcella watches in amusement as her father dives face first into the ground (along with everyone rest, minus them from Rivendell) as the giant figure of Godric passes over their head, nearly hitting their heads with his talons in a hairsbreadth. The giant Gryphon screeches its joy at seeing its rider as it circles once or twice over the air before landing on the ground seamlessly in front of Delianah.
"Hello there gorgeous," greets the Dame patting the giant beak of the Eagle lovingly who closes its eyes in affection at the gesture. Immediately a piece of smoked meat which she prepared beforehand are handed over by Yasmina which she throws at the Gryphon who catches it mid-air, swallowing it in one large gulp.
"THAT BLOODY THING TRIED TO ATTACK ME! ME?! THE CROWN PRINCE OF WESTEROS! I WANT IT'S HEAD SERVED ON A PLATTER!" the shrill voice of Joffrey screeches out making Myrcella wants to cover her face in shame. She can't believe she is related to such an idiot by blood. The moron has apparently forgotten everything that Delianah tells him not to do when dealing with a Gryphon which basically revolves around: "Don't piss the bloody birds off".
This time though he is saved by the bell via Robert who roars as he strides forward nearly trampling Cersei in the process who tries to stop him. Reaching out, he grabs the scruff of her brother's coat by the neck, lifting him up a few feet off the ground and shaking him like one would a puppy when misbehaving.
"YOU WILL BEHAVE YOURSELF! YOU ARE MY SON! NOW PROVE YOUR BARATHEON BLOOD AND TAME ONE OF THESE BLOODY CREATURES!" as if to emphasize his point, his meaty hand smacks his right cheek, bloodying his lower lip in the process.
"GET IT THE FUCK OVER BOY!" he roars shoving the Crown Prince forward, stumbling at the jagged rocks as he tries to balance himself. With one more look of loathing, mixed with terror, he stumbles on towards the direction of the caves.
If not for the fact that Myrcella has little to zero affection the sadistic bastard, she might have felt sorry for him.
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Joffrey has never felt so afraid in his entire life as he tries not to skid, lose his footing and face plant on the slimy rocks. He has been elated when his mother told him that he would finally get the chance on getting one of these "Gryphons" under his command. He has imagined what he would do once one of them are finally under his command. He can drag Tommen to it and terrify him, maybe his older sister too, the upstart. He can throw prisoners at it or annoying commoners. He will watch them plead for mercy, before they are torn apart in a whirlwind of claws and beaks.
Alas however, his daydream comes to an end when the bastard lady of Rivendell told him that he should "survive" the challenge of a Gryphon. He doesn't understand why? He is the Crown Prince of Westeros, shouldn't it be prepared ready for him, tamed and ready to obey his commands?
He wants to snarl as he remembers the different rules imparted to him by the bastard. It basically summarizes to: Avoid being killed, Be Ready to Bolt when No Gryphon Approaches You, and finally, Be Respectful At All Times. Joffrey wants to snarl at the last especially. He is the Crown Prince of Westeros. People and animals should be respectful to him and not the other way around. He bets that the Bastard only wants to see him humiliated. Yes, that is a far logical reason,
The sound of stones crunching however makes Joffrey turn to see the Ten Redcloaks and his Uncle Jaimie following him at least twenty paces behind. They are here after all to ensure that in the event that Joffrey would have no Gryphon (which in his mind, is impossible), would bail him out. What is it that Delianah said again? The symbol of being chosen by a Gryphon would be them trying to kill him? The very idea makes Joffrey wants to scoff again. He is the Crown Prince of Westeros, the Great Lion, who would dare try to harm him in his own lands be they man or beast?
He is broken out of his revelry by the sounds of screeching. Looking around, he realizes that he has turned to one of the bends with no sign behind of his father, mother or the rest of the bastard's retinue. He can still see the outline of the Redcloaks however which makes the beating of his heart calm a bit.
Gulping and forcing him forward, he pushes on. The sting of where his father has hit him still rings true. He would tame one of these great beasts and bring back one to his father. He would prove himself a worthy Crown prince, worthy of his father's recognition and love. He can already imagine it, the people singing praises of his deeds the same as his father's who defeated Rhaegar Targaryen.
Powerful screeches around him brings Joffrey for the second time to reality. What he sees him makes him gulp. From two caves appear what to be Gryphons. Despite the thick mist, he can clearly see their fine coat colors even in this distance. Two stands at the farthest glaring at him with those powerful yellow eyes. Their coats are grey and sandy, with white tuffs at their heads. Both of them are smaller than the gold and red that belongs to the Bastard of Rivendell. The third one is pure brown with a tinge of green at its plumage also glaring at him.
Joffrey can't help but gulp down nervously. Each of them looks extremely bad-tempered which reminds him oddly of his grandfather's gaze. Glaring, stern, and not backing down the least even against his station as Crown Prince of Westeros.
Joffrey wants nothing more than to back off and return. His very brain is going numb from fear. He can feel his legs freaking out uncontrollably. Fuck this Gryphon shit. Why in the world should he try to get a Gryphon of his own and risk his neck doing so? He can simply ask the bastard to hand over hers, yes. All that shit about proving oneself is a load of garbage. The bastard probably just doesn't want to service his crown prince. Well she's going to service him by going to her knees and offering her own pet to him voluntarily.
"SCREECH!" a combination of a roar and a squawk appears right above him and Joffrey manages to back off in time (ordained by Fate) to avoid the giant black Gryphon landing where he is a split second ago nearly sending him to his butt. Thankfully his terrified locked legs make him remain standing as the giant magnificent beast towers over him.
It is rich dark violet in color with strands of purple at its sides. One glaring yellow eye stares at his, as if assessing his soul. Joffrey can feel something warm going down his trousers. He realizes too late that its his piss. The Gryphon makes a sniffing motion before eyeing his pants. A second, another second passes before it lifts its head and makes choking repeated sounds. Joffrey realizes there and then that it is laughing at him, mocking him, The Crown Prince of Westeros?
Despite his terror, he glares at the giant bird. "You're not dangerous after all aren't you, you great ugly brute?!" he hisses in insult.
It happens in a second, one moment he is glaring at the beast, the next second he is clutching his arm in agony as a searing pain erupts on it, throwing him down on the ground, in his arm, the feeling is almost becoming numb. He screams as the Gryphon lunges over him, its yellow eyes glaring in anger. He knows there and then that this is no test but a full attempt on his life.
He is going to die.
Before he can even yell for his mother for help, Joffrey hears it. "Throw it! Loose!"
The next second, he is nearly blinded by an explosion of green fire which forces the Gryphon back as it screeches at something behind him.
"KNOCK! DRAW! LOOSE!" the sound of heavy bowstrings are followed by more angry screeches from the Gryphon as it backs off into the mist followed by the rest of its observing kind.
Joffrey finds himself being hauled to his feet without warning by Ser Jaimie. Tears falling down from his eyes and now with warm shit adding to the mixture of piss in his pants, he stares at his uncle while clutching his bloody arm.
"Joffrey by the gods, are you alright?" asks Jaimie patting him down ignoring the brown goo designing his pants. "Come, let's get you to your father," urges Jaimie pushing Joffrey back from whence he comes from.
"Uncle it hurts!" Joffrey wails clutching his arm.
"I know, I know your highness. We will have the Maesters have a look at it once we get down,"
"I want all of those bloody beasts dead!"
"The soldiers are taking care of it your highness. Hurry!" with that motivation, Joffrey wobbles with his uncle's support. Despite himself though, he turns back every now and then to check on whether the soldiers have done his wish.
Unfortunately it is the opposite.
The Gryphons for their big bulk are very stealthy with all the rock formations and the Mist. The Lannister Red Cloaks are keeping themselves spread out a bit to maximize space for their bows. It's only for a second but out of nowhere one of the Grey Gryphons appeared, ripping to bloody chunks one of the soldiers at the right side. Immediately everyone started firing arrows at it, its powerful wing beats however drives off most of the arrows with only one sticking on the thick fur coat at its neck. Before the arrows can reload, another Gryphon appears like a shadow cutting off the head of another man like cheese. At this point many are firing blindly into the mists, as another gets a full face on the beak. One gets ambushed by a giant paw from one of the rock formations disappearing into fine red mist. While another who lost his footing gets dragged mercilessly into the fine mist and then to nothing.
At this point Jaimie is hurrying as they turn the last corner. Like Joffrey after all he can hear the dying sounds of the Redcloaks and realizes all too well that his men are outmatched. The best that they are doing right now is buying time for their Crown Prince to make his getaway.
An angry screech roars behind him and Joffrey might have shit his pants again as he sees the one whom he called an "ugly beast" from before now glaring at him angrily. Thankfully Jaimie is much smarter than he looks. He knows too well that fighting the Gryphon head on is suicide, so he does the wise thing, he pushes Joffrey and himself at the inside of a giant rotting log.
The attack follows a split second after. Joffrey screams as the powerful angry claws of the Gryphon try to reach him inside, like a cat would do when trying to scoop out terrified mace. Once or twice the giant beak rips through the wood far too close for Joffrey's comfort. He has no idea how long he is there. It might be seconds, hours, or days as he huddles inside the rotting log with his uncle Jaimie as the rage of the Gryphon outside intensifies.
The sound of a more powerful and heavier screech sounds, one that is familiar. With a strange bout of bravery, Joffrey peeks through one of the holes made by the Giant Beak to see the gold and red form of Godric pushing the violet furred one trapping him and his Uncle Jaimie. Behind he can see the forms of his parents approaching with a hurry with the bastard and her retinue.
He is saved.
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Somwhere around the universe, a being called Fate shakes his head. Keeping the moron alive so that others can fulfill their destiny really is a full time job.
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Author's Note: Hello so I hope you like this chapter guys. Thanks as always for the support. It's 2am here hahaha Im half asleep typing this.