This fic is a sister fic to my sister fic A Dynasty For Us, though you don't need to read that one to understand this one. I just made this one to put all the stuff with the lions, because they will be causing a lot of mischief and I didn't want to get too off-topic in my other fic with lion cub stuff.
As Cersei paced back and forth in the Red Keep's throne room, her impatience grew with every passing minute. She had been finished discussing the living arrangements for the Golden Company's soldiers with their commander, Harry Strickland for quite some time now. Euron Greyjoy was supposed to have met her back here by now. It was over an hour ago that they'd parted ways.
Euron had returned from Essos with the Golden Company, just as he'd been tasked to do. Not only that, but he'd also returned with a gift for her, which was the source of her impatience. Four magnificent lion cubs. There were two males, brothers, that looked to be about seven, maybe eight months old; and two females, sisters, that looked to be even younger, at about four, or five months old.
He'd shown her them when she'd come to welcome his return and they had let them out of their cages. While they had been preoccupied with petting one of the cubs, another cub had run above deck and done some damage, sharpening her claws on the ship's mast. Euron had hesitated when it had come time to capture the cub, and she'd had to grab her herself while Euron fetched the cage from below deck. When she'd enquired about the other three cubs, Euron hadn't a clue if they were accounted for. That was when she gave him orders to round them all up using any means necessary, and meet her back in the throne room. So while she was rather pleased with his gift, she was not pleased with his handling of said gift. And she was even more displeased that he was taking so long to bring them to her.
"Cersei," said a familiar voice.
She turned to look, surprised to see her brother-lover. "Jaime," she said simply.
"I see the Golden Company has arrived. And where is your errand boy?" He asked, referring to Euron.
"On the ship still. He has a matter to attend to," she replied evasively. She wasn't in the mood to deal with Jaime's jealousy right now.
"A matter to attend to? What kind of matter?" Jaime inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Cersei sighed, momentarily breaking away from her pacing and turning to face him. "It's none of your concern, Jaime. Euron has brought me a gift, and he's supposed to meet me here with it, but he is taking forever."
"A gift? What kind of gift requires his personal attention on the ship?" He asked suspiciously.
"Jaime, I said it's none of your concern," Cersei reiterated, her voice rising.
"He's brought you somebody, hasn't he? An enemy to torture? Who is it this time?"
"He's done no such thing. Now leave me."
An enemy to torture? Now that would be the only gift she could think of that would be better than four lion cubs. And Euron had done just that months ago when they'd first met. She hated to admit it, but Euron Greyjoy, as vile and uncouth as he was, had to be the best gift-giver she'd ever known. First bringing her the gift of her daughter's murderers for her to bring justice upon, and now bringing her these adorable, but one day, deadly cubs. The lion was her house sigil, and she thought bitterly, someone should have given her such a gift long ago.
"And do you know what this gift is?" Jaime asked, making no move to leave.
"I do. Now, if you're quite finished interrogating me, I have matters to attend to."
"You cannot dismiss me as if I am one of your servants!" He protested.
"I am getting a headache. This gift doesn't concern you, and you're really testing my patience right now."
"You could just answer the question and save both of us from this frustration," he retorted.
Just as she was about to make her own retort, the throne room's grand doors swung open. Euron Greyjoy confidently strode in, but he didn't appear to have any lion cubs with him, much to her annoyance.
"Well, there you are, finally," she snapped. "I was beginning to think you had gotten lost on your own ship."
Euron gave a grin, seemingly unbothered by her irritation. "Lost? Nah, just had a little playtime with the cubs, my love."
Cersei gritted her teeth, annoyed by his over-familiarity. "I am not your love. Now, where are the cubs?"
"My men are returning with them as we speak. They should be here any moment."
"Cubs? Cersei, what does he mean?" Asked Jaime.
"Cubs, Jaime. Lion cubs," she responded simply.
Euron, seemingly delighted by the tension he was causing, leaned against one of the room's pillars with a swagger that grated on Cersei's nerves. "Aye, lion cubs, King Slayer," he said, his disrespect evident. "A fitting gift for the lioness of Casterly Rock, don'tcha think?"
"And where exactly did you find lion cubs, Euron?" Asked Jaime.
"Oh, you know how it is, Jaime. Sometimes fortune smiles upon a man, and he stumbles upon a rare treasure in a distant land," said Euron, looking over at Cersei, his grin turning into a triumphant smirk.
Her patience was wearing thin, and she stepped in between the two men, cutting off any further exchange between them. "Enough of this banter, Euron. The cubs are a lovely gift, but their presence is overdue."
"While we're on the subject, I can think of something else that is overdue as well," Euron said suggestively.
Cersei glared at Euron, her impatience and foul mood growing even worse with his audacity. "I don't have time for your games, Euron. Where are the cubs?"
"Patience, My Queen. They'll be here soon enough," said Euron, heading towards Cersei.
Jaime moved in front of Euron, blocking his path. "Cersei, what's going on? Lion cubs? He's brought lions to King's Landing?" He asked, annoyance and confusion both evident in his voice.
Cersei spared a glance at Jaime and let out an annoyed sigh before explaining. "Euron has brought me four lion cubs as a gift. They should have been here by now, but it seems he'd rather keep me waiting."
Euron's grin widened as he sidestepped past Jaime and leaned in close to Cersei, his breath tickling her ear. "Oh, my queen, you know I just wanted to build the anticipation. After all, a gift is meant to be savored."
Cersei backed away, uncomfortable with Euron's proximity. Infuriated with his insolent behavior she finally snapped. "I've had enough of your games, Euron. Either bring those cubs in here right now or I'll have you thrown in the dungeons for wasting my time."
Euron's laughter echoed through the room, but before she could react, the doors to the throne room swung open once again, and a group of Golden Company soldiers entered, each leading a lion cub on a leash.
Cersei's stern expression softened as she caught sight of the cubs. She couldn't deny the pull she felt towards them, an almost motherly instinct coming over her. She walked over to one of them, her fingers brushing against its soft fur. "They really are magnificent."
She moved to another and then petted that one for a moment, before finally moving on the the third one, the so-called runt of the litter Euron had joked, the one that had caused all the chaos on the ship.
After finishing petting the "runt", she cast a confused glance around. "Where is the fourth cub?"
"Well….about that," said Euron.
Cersei's annoyance, which had subsided at the arrival of the cubs came back in full force. "Don't tell me you've lost him!"
Euron held his hands up defensively. "Lost is a strong word. He simply decided to go exploring. He's got spirit, that one."
Cersei's patience was stretched to its limits. "Euron, I gave you a simple task—bring me the lion cubs. How could you let one escape?"
"Calm down. I'm sure he can find his way back. Animal scent and all."
"Calm down? Calm down? You dare to tell me to calm down after such incompetence?" She asked, her voice rising with every word.
Euron leaned casually against the pillar, the very picture of nonchalance. "Well, to be fair, when you had us chase the runt up to the top of the deck they were already out of their cages."
"Are you meaning to say this is my fault?" Cersei yelled, her eyes blazing like wildfire.
"No, no, of course, my Queen. Just stating facts. You know, when you abandoned me there with your glorious gift, there was not a soul around. I had to yell louder than a Greyjoy's ever yelled before just to get some help. Well maybe not louder than any Greyjoy; I'm sure my dear nephew screamed louder than a virgin being sold to a whorehouse when his manhood was severed."
Cersei's urge to strangle Euron was growing stronger by the second. "Tell me you at least know where he is."
Euron shrugged, a devilish grin spreading across his face. "Last I saw, he was running towards the city. Might be exploring the streets, making friends."
"You fool! Do you realize the chaos a lion cub could cause in the city?!"Cersei yelled, resisting the urge to have Euron thrown in the dungeon.
"People could get hurt," added Jaime.
Euron waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry. He's just a cub. What harm could he possibly do?"
"Enough harm to warrant a full-scale search before he kills someone or gets killed," Cersei said angrily.
Jaime stepped forward, his voice laced with frustration. "Euron, do you have any idea what you've done? You've let a wild animal run loose in the city. Innocent people could be hurt or even killed."
Euron's grin didn't falter as he casually shrugged. "Oh, come on now. If anything, they should be thanking me. This is probably the most excitement they'll ever have."
Cersei's fists clenched at her sides, her frustration and anger boiling over. "You will fix this, Euron. You will find that cub and bring him back here. And you will have all of your men out looking."
Euron shrugged. "Afraid they've all turned in for the day."
"It isn't even midday yet," pointed out Jaime.
"Aye, but they were up late, partying, celebrating our impending arrival."
"Then you will wake them," demanded Cersei.
"Suppose I can round up half a dozen men or so. Shouldn't be too hard to find the little bugger. We'll just head in the direction of the screaming," Euron laughed.
"Enough of this foolishness. We need more than half a dozen men hunting this missing cub. Euron, you will wake several dozen of your men and we will do a city-wide search. Even then I am doubtful we will find the cub."
"My Queen, you wound me with your lack of trust. Have I ever let you down before?" Euron said with mock sadness.
"Every time you open your mouth, you let me down," Cersei spat. "Now, get out there and find that cub. And if you dare bring me any more trouble, you'll regret it"
Euron's eyes gleamed with amusement as he made a mock bow. "As you command, my queen." With that, he turned and swaggered out of the throne room, leaving Cersei seething.
Jaime sighed heavily, his gaze fixed on the door through which Euron had just exited. "Cersei, I don't understand why you keep tolerating his insolence. He's an unpredictable menace."
Cersei's shoulders tensed as she fought to regain her composure. "Jaime, the lion cubs were a thoughtful gift, even if Euron's handling of them is infuriating. But you're right. We need to find that cub before it causes any harm. The last thing I want or need is the smallfolk revolting if this cub goes on a killing spree. I'll dispatch the Goldcloaks to aid in the search since it seems Euron is finding the loose cub a source of amusement."
"Good. Let's hope we can rectify this situation before it gets out of hand."
As the two of them left the throne room to coordinate the search for the missing cub, Cersei couldn't help but realize that Euron Greyjoy had managed to create a situation as chaotic and unpredictable as himself. She could only hope it wouldn't become a common occurrence.
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