Myrcella loved her father.

Yes, he was drunk.

Yes, he was cruel to her mother.

Yes, he wasn't the wisest option king.

However, she still loved him.

For all the eyes to see King Robert Baratheon was not the ideal person to be father or king of the seven kingdoms but that is what he allowed those to see. Behind closed doors Myrcella was worshiped by her father. He had only the best tutors for her for anything she expressed interest in from: history, mathematics, architecture to poisons. There was nothing she couldn't learn and no money he wasn't willing to spend for it.

Besides, it did stop many from attempting to kidnap her or her brothers if the king seemed to lack interest in his own children.

"Princess Myrcella, my king." Ser Clegane announced as he opened the door to allow Myrcella to walk in behind, closing it behind her.

Myrcella immediately pressed a kiss to her father's face beside taking a seat across from him. "Hello father."

"Hello my little princess."

"You needed me?" Myrcella asked carefully, earning a smile from Robert. This was one of the reasons Myrcella loved her father so much. Cersei never saw past her pretty face and the urge to protect her from everything, but Robert saw what was underneath the pretty face. "What happened?"

"You know I love you. I love Tommen. I love Joffrey and that is how far my love goes for House Lannister. I have allowed your mother to do many things and turned blind eye but this I cannot ignore. I have had some concerns expressed to me about bringing Bran back to Kings Landing. Concerns that I cannot allow to prosper especially if my closest friend entrusts his son to me. It's no secret that Cersei never waited for this marriage to happen and that she still expresses her desire for it to be canceled so I need ears and eyes that go unnoticed while being noticed."

"You think mother is planning something behind your back. That's treason."

"Yes, it is but has that ever stopped someone before. Myrcella, I will not make you do anything that you do not wish to do but I do need you. Your brother needs you. Your mother holds you to a different regard than she does your brothers because she will never ever suspect you. Why would she? A son can be lured away by a pretty face, a shiner sword or promise of riches. A daughter is always forced away because of the greed of a man."

"If I find anything, what will you do? Kill her? Send her back to Casterly Rock?"

"I would leave it up to the one who aims to hurt."

Myrcella stood there for a moment longer in silence. Her mind raced with a thousand situations, thousands of possibilities and even thousand consequences before her mind settled. "Okay but I will do this as a favor for a crown and when needed that favor will be returned. Deal?"

"Deal."

"You are not asleep." Joffrey hissed the moment he and Tommen entered the hallway dropping his brother's weight. Tommen smiled immediately standing up walking beside his brother ignoring the swat to the back of his head.

"I thought if I was sleeping Lord Stark would let me stay."

"Lord Stark is smart. He noticed that Rickon was there and how close you were to his youngest son of course he's not going to let you stay. He already watches me like a hawk despite knowing Bran is mine."

"So how am I going to get him? You promised me, him." Tommen argued. Joffrey chuckled slowly, grabbing his brother into his side forcing them to walk in sync. "You will have little Rickon Stark, that I swear. It will take time but it will be done. Besides, use the time to make Lord Stark see that you are the only option for his beloved baby boy and build a connection with him. Lord Stark is a family man at the end of the day even before he is a Lord. he loves his children to death especially after losing his siblings and parents so quickly. Make Rickon love you and Lord Stark won't have it in his heart to break his precious boy's heart."

Tommen felt his anger subsiding as he let his brother's words fill his brain. It did make more sense to form a connection with Rickon ensuring that the boy loves him now instead of later. Besides, Lord Stark is an honorable family man and if he can make Rickon request to marry him and his father agree then he won't have the heart to break it later. "You're right."

"Of course I am. Now I need you to find kingslayer."

"For?"

"It's time to ensure that the dog knows who its real maester is."

"Where are you going?"

"To see our mother. Meet me at the stables with kingslayer."

Cersei Lannister knew Catelyn wouldn't be able to convince his husband. She could see how deep the Tully woman was involved in the faith and seeing that would never allow her to make a reasonable argument with her lord husband. Which would only lead to her downfall in the end. While Cersei knew she held no control over Robert, maybe once back in Kings Landing her father could make the fool see the error. The drunken fool was too focused on owning some part of this precious Lyanna (even in death the woman held more control over her own husband then she did) even if it was through his son .

However that doesn't mean she was going to step back and watch.

Keeping her head high and posture steady, Cersei walked away to the pathetic land of Winterfell. Staring at the brick walls covered in snow, the lack of color even the plain-faced men who stood by waiting made Cersei want to bury Winterfell down. Walking through Winterfell, Cersei ignored everyone who bowed to her but did make note of those who did not. "Only that drunken fool would want to visit here." she muttered as she entered the hallway to her room,

"To speak ill of the King even if he is your husband is treason."

Pausing, Cersei Lannister turned around to find Joffrey and one of the Kingsguard standing a few feet behind her. "I am the Queen, a few ill comments about my husband are not treason. Where have you been?" Cersei demanded, taking a step near her eldest son. Joffrey allowed his mother to touch his face gathering it in her hands scanning over it. He found it almost laughable how a few moons ago he would have to look up at his mother but now she had to glance up at him. "You need to stay with your uncle, especially in these lands. These savages are not our people. Leave us." Cersei hissed as she stared at the Kingsgaurd who stood firmly behind Joffrey.

"Calm yourself, Ser Oakheart is simply doing his job. Your people. These 'savages' are the people my intended, which makes them my people."

Cersei felt herself pause as the underlying tone in Joffrey's voice seemed different. She glanced back to Kingsguard to see him simply staring her down with no emotion on his face. "Joffrey, you are not a child. Do not allow your father idiotic logic of family and loyalty to rub off on you especially in terms of these savages. Besides, your intended won't be your intended much longer if I can stop it. It's already bad enough your father wants some type of connection to these people but to sacrifice you I will not stand for it. If you have to marry one of these vile children why not Sansa, she is pretty enough and the making of a southern rose stuck in the pits of snow. Yes, Sansa would be ideal." Cersei seemed to be talking more to herself as she held Joffrey's face, lost in her thoughts.

However Joffrey brought her back as he peeled her hands off his face. "You're my mother and for that reason alone you are granted certain privileges that I allow you. Privileges that no one else will ever have by do not abuse that. Speak against my intended again and not even grandfather, kingslayer or the King will be able to save you from me."

"Do not speak to me as if I am below you. I am your mother. I am the Queen."

"Anyone who says they are Queen is no true Queen." With that statement Joffrey moved forward gripping Cersei's arm as he started to pull her towards her room. "Let go of me! Joffrey! I am ordering you to release me now!" Cersei screamed as Joffrey continued to drag her room ignoring how her nails dug into his skin until he stood before her door.

Cersei tried to scan around for anyone but no one seemed to be lingering on this side of Winterfell. Leaving her screams to echo in the hallway as Joffrey kept a firm grip looking ahead.

"Ser Oakheart."

Cersei could only glare as the kingsguard opened the door and Joffrey roughly shoved her into the room. As she laid there looking up Cersei didn't see her precious boy as he stood before her, "This is my mercy mother take it." Slamming the door shut Joffrey turned to Ser Oakheart, "I will have one of the maester give her some dreamwine. It seems she needs rest especially after her troubling thoughts. Ser Oakheart, she is to stay in her until she is requested by the king. I will let everyone know that the queen has fallen tired from the cold and must not be distributed."

Ser Oakheart did not speak as he moved into place.

Jaime Lannister spit out another gulp of blood and saltwater onto the ground. He could feel his face swell slightly from the smack by Clegane, "Fuck cunt.". He would have Ser Clegane the beating of his fucking life as soon as they were back in Kings Landing or he'll have Cersei make the fucking cunt disappear.

After being dismissed he found himself standing outside the same tower he had pushed that pathetic Stark boy from.

"That looks like it hurts."

Jaime stops momentarily to glance up and find Tommen standing a few feet away from him. Straightening up Jaime tried to force down his anger to seem open to his second son. "This is nothing, my prince."

"Mhmh. Ironic isn't it." Tommen muttered as he came closer. Jaime followed his eyes upwards to the window at the highest point of the tower. The same tower that Bran Stark had fallen from. "I still cannot believe that man wanted to hurt Bran. Pushing him from the tower for no reason. Sweet Bran, the intended of the future king, that assassin got lucky dying by your sword."

"I only did what needed to be done to protect the heir to the throne."

"You're right however don't you think it was all rather convenient…. kingslayer ."

Jaime's smile drops at the word.

There is something so unknown about the smile on Tommen's face that he's never seen before. A smile that drips the thirst for blood that he's only seen on his own father and Cersei's face before. How does someone so small as Tommen hold a smile like that. Tommen, his second son. His boy, only eight moons, looked at him like he was a dog. "Tommen-"

"Joffrey wants you by the stables. Do not make him wait." With those last words Tommen walked away knowing Jaime was going to follow him.

"This is a miracle." Maester Rodrick whispered.

Bran's legs were shaking from the lack of usage during the one moon he slept but not unhealthy. Maester Rodrick didn't bother saying anything as he led Bran to sit back down onto his bed. His hands touching from his thighs to his feet as the muscle seemed to still be there despite the lack of movement.

"Jon, Robb and Joffrey kept my legs moving as some type of exercise for me. When I awoke They would rotate helping me sit upwards, bend my knees and straight back out until I grew tired."

"That is marvelous. My lord, judging by the muscles in Bran's legs he will be walking, maybe even running again in three moons at the max." Maester Rodrick announced, glancing back at Lord Stark. The Lord hummed but did not say anything as he lifted Rickon further onto his hip allowing his son to press his face further into his neck. Moving towards the bed, Ned reached out grabbing Bran's hand in one of his own "You will be careful this time, promise me."

"I will. Besides, I think I'm done climbing for a while."

"Good. I would hate to have to have that window closed permanently."

All three heads turned to find Catelyn Stark standing in the doorway. "Maester Rodrick, could you give me and my family a moment. Jory, can you take Rickon back to his room." Catelyn ordered as the Jory, the captain of the Stark guards, came forward and gathered Rickon into his arms with a certain level of gentleness uncommon for a man of his skill. Maester Rodrick followed his nephew, closing the door behind them.

"I believe we need to talk. There are some things that need to be discussed and handled."

"Catelyn-"

"No Eddard. We need to talk about betrothal. You cannot possibly see the true benefits of this besides embarrassment and shame especially in the eyes of the Faith! I am a Tully first and this is spitting upon my Faith and I cannot stand for it. Not anymore. None of the children beside Robb are at marriageable age which is why you must talk to the King and have him end this foolishness before it reaches the ears of others."

Ned took a breath. Standing up he gently helped Bran walk back to his bed before settling his son back into it. "Summer." Immediately the direwolf joined his owner onto the bed, pressing a kiss to Bran's crown Ned took a step back. "Rest, I'll come visit you again for an afternoon meal. Catelyn allow us to talk privately." Catelyn waved off Ned's hand as he tried to lead her out of the room. "No. We need to talk now with Bran. As his father you must make him understand what this does to our family, to our history. House Stark-"

"You are not House Stark. Remember mother, I am a Tully first and this is spitting upon my Faith and I cannot stand for it . House Stark does not bow its head to your feeble Gods. House Stark bows only to the Old Gods. You would rather have us spit on our religion to save yours." Bran stated plainly cutting his mother off. He hated how his mother kept clinging onto her faith and using it as a scapegoat as her reasoning for all of her actions.

"Two men marrying is not right. It's an abomination! A forsaken curse waiting to ruin us all."

"Having Sept in Winterfell is an abomination. You married Eddard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell which makes you a Stark. You are no longer a Tully so why are you clinging onto your Faith so much."

"I am allowed to worship whatever I desire. I am-"

"The wife of a Lord. You worship what your husband allows you. Father might be kind enough to allow you to spit on our gods but I am not. I have seen the Old Gods and they have shown me the blessings of this union. Have you seen your pathetic Faith, no. I will marry Joffrey and nothing you can do will change that!"

"I am your mother!"

"Are you a mother? A mother does not blame a child for the father's transgressions."

"I have not-"

"What about Jon."

"That bastard-"

" SILENCE. "

Bran and Catelyn both grew quiet as Ned's firm voice rang out through the room. Ned rubbed his face roughly, "Catelyn this marriage is going on and you will respect it. I have allowed you to voice your opinion but I will not allow for this disrespect. This marriage is ordered by the King and I cannot fight an order from the King. Besides, Bran has agreed to marry just as Joffrey has and I have found no fault in it. Joffrey loves him and that is enough for the rest of us and will be enough for you. Bran this is your mother you will respect her or there will be consequences. Now both of you will retire to bed and I will have someone awaken you for the afternoon meal. Understand."

"Yes my Lord."

"Yes father."