The twins were helping the girls pack their things and ensured everything was done quickly. It took nearly an hour to get Sansa to stop crying over her broken off engagement to her beloved Joffrey. It was sad to see Sansa this way however Joffrey was not the best match for her. She tried to tell the girl that but she didn't want to listen. 'He was handsome and a glorious golden lion'. Serena had half the mind to walk over to the window and fling herself from it.
Sansa's eyes were still a bit red from the tears but they had stopped flowing as the red head got into packing. Serena was happy she didn't have to hear about Joffrey or hear her cries anymore...for a time.
"Do we have to go back to Winterfell?" Sansa asked. "It's so cold and boring there."
"Sansa Winterfell is your home. You will soon move on from Joffrey. I know you dream of being Queen but you will find someone who is worthy of you."
Sansa sighed as she placed a dress into her trunk clearly upset about having to leave.
"I don't want some stupid Lord with some small keep."
"Sansa...please stop. I don't make the decisions. Honestly I don't mind returning to Winterfell. I hate the heat of the capital...and the smell."
"It does stink." Sansa replied with a chuckle.
The pair went on packing until Serena went to pack her things as she was to return to Winterfell with the girls while Torrhen would stay in the capital and take Jory's place in the Household guard. She spent several minutes packing her things when a out of breath and panicked Torrhen busted into the room.
"Torrhen what is it?"
"The...th...the King."
"What of him? Is he alright?"
"A boar...got him on the hunt. Father is with him now."
Serena dropped everything and followed Torrhen to the Kings chamber where much of the council stood outside awaiting to hear if the King was ok.
"What happened?" Serena asked.
"The King went to spear a boar and missed his thrust."
Just then Ser Barriston left the room along with the Queen and Joffrey all of which had looks of sadness on their faces. The Queen and Joffrey left but Ser Barriston stayed nearby.
"I should have got between him and that boar...he ordered me to stay away." He said blaming himself.
"Don't blame yourself." Torrhen said. "You can't save the King from himself. This was coming sooner or later."
"Looks like we will have a new King." Varys says.
"We don't know that yet." Torrhen replied.
They did know it when Ned exited the Kings chamber a look of sadness on his face and a rolled up piece of parchment in his hand. The look on his face told everyone in the hallway all they needed to know...the King would be dead soon.
"Grand Maester get the King some milk of the poppy." Ned ordered. "Lord Varys...the King has had a change of heart regarding the Targaryen girl. Any plans you have made...unmake them."
Varys then told Ned that the order had been given and nothing could be done about it now. He acknowledged it and left with Serena and Torrhen at his side. Preparations needed to be made for what happens next once the King finally dies. Ned didn't want to think like that about his friend but the plans needed to be made and he was the Hand.
They were walking through the keep when they were approached by a disheveled Renly who was already beginning to mourn his brother. He asked to speak to Ned alone and he dismissed the household guardsmen that were following him.
"Just you Ned." He said looking at the Twins.
"You can trust them."
Reluctantly he accepted it and began to inform the Hand of what he was here for.
"Alright. So he named you Protector of the Realm?"
The twins looked to Ned shocked as he had yet to inform them of that decision.
"He did." He said staring to shift some weight onto the cane with his leg beginning to act up.
"She won't care...that paper won't help you. Give me an hour and I can put a hundred swords and your back."
Ned shifted at the statement trying to figure out what Renly had in mind.
"And what would I do with a hundred swords?"
"Strike...while the castle sleeps."
Serena then jumped in.
"What you suggest is treason. Your brother isn't even dead yet and you plan to strike?"
"Protector of the Realm or not every moment we waste arguing about this the more time Cersei gets to prepare. We have to move now!"
"We should take our time with this and let things unfold. We don't want to act rashly. If we do it may end with our heads on spikes." Torrhen said.
"We need to keep Joffrey away from the Throne...he's not a real King..." H stopped to take a deep breath. "I am."
Serena almost wanted to laugh. The whole Seven Kingdoms would never bend to Renly. He was practically a boy and youngest of the Baratheon's and rumors of his nocturnal activities definitely won't help him win over the people if he somehow managed to put a crown on his head.
"You?" Serena asked trying not to laugh. "You have an older brother if I recall correctly."
"Stannis? He has the personality of a lobster!"
"He's your older brother." Ned said.
"Really? The line of succession? You didn't seem to care about that when you rebeled against the throne."
"That was different."
"Fine have it your way." Renly said walking away.
It truly was a different time. A weak and mad King who enjoyed burning people alive rather than ruling. It didn't have to end like it did but what happened is what happened and now all that can be done is prevent that type of chaos from breaking out again. If this plan of Renly's backfired the whole country would be drawing their swords and headed off to war. That is one thing this country could not afford.
When they reached the Hand's quarters they shut the door. A plan needed to be made to figure out the situation that was unfolding. Joffrey could not be allowed to sit on the Iron Throne especially if he was a bastard produced from incest he had no right to it. When the truth came out it surely would come to war. Perhaps war would break out with Tywin Lannister who wouldn't take that so easily. Either way it may not be a peaceful result.
"What do we do?" Torrhen asked. "If Joffrey truly is a bastard then he has no claim to the throne."
Ned took a moment to think. Should he have taken Renly's offer and stuck in the middle of the night? It seemed like he was backed into a corner. No matter what he did there would be no peaceful transition.
"Stannis is the true King. He should be informed." Ned said grabbing some parchment.
He tapped the feather into the inkwell and began to write.
'To Stannis Baratheon Lord of Dragonstone,
If you are reading this it means that our beloved King Robert is dead. Killed by injuries sustained in a hunt. The reason I write you is to inform you of the true parentage of Joffrey,Tommen,And Myrcella. All three are bastards born of incest between Cersei and Jaime Lannister. They have no claim to the Iron Throne and by the laws of Gods and men the throne falls to you Stannis Of The House Baratheon brother to the Late King Robert. The words in the letter are not a fabrication and there is much evidence to support these claims.
Ned Stark Hand Of The King and Lord of Winterfell'
He then rolled the parchment up after it was dry and poured the wax onto it and smashing in his mark. He then handed the letter to Torrhen.
"Take this to Dragonstone. Give this to Stannis himself. Not his wife,commander of the guard,or his Maester. Stannis himself."
"Father..." He started. "I should stay here with you. You need all the swords you can get if something happens."
"Aye I do but I have what remains of my guard and Serena with me. Hopefully no swords will have to be drawn." Ned said. "Remember..."
"Deliver this to Stannis himself."
Ned smiled and nodded his head.
"Alright then...I should leave at once."
"I'll go with you to the docks and see you off."
The pair left the room and made way for the docks. As they walked out of the door Baelish approached to speak to Ned. They walked passed him and down the stairs.
"You think father will be safe?" Torrhen asked.
"As long as Robert lives..yes. If Robert dies I can't say what will happen. With Roberts children not...you know it'll be hard to accept Joffrey as King."
They knew Cersei had her claws deep in Kings Landing and with the support of her father would scare anyone away from speaking out against Joffrey's claim.
"If...when Robert dies you know there'll be war. When Stannis reads his letter he will certainly raise what men he has. Renly may raise his levies and then Tywin his. It would be chaos." Torrhen said.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Serena replied.
They left the Red Keep and walked through the streets towards the docks. They spoke to a captain to find a ship sailing to Dragonstone. They were pointed in the right direction. Serena didn't want to see her brother go. They had never been split up all their lives. They've never been more than a mile apart at a given moment. Sure Dragonstone want that far away but it was further then they've ever been.
"Goodbye brother." She said giving him a hug.
She was holding back tears but he would be back. It wasn't like he was joining the Nights Watch or the Citadel. Torrhen saw this and patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry I'll be back in no time. Keep father safe."
"I will."
He then boarded the ship and Serena waiting until it was sailing out into the bay before making way back to the Keep. Upon entering there was a lot of commotion and whispers as people walked and ran trough the castle. It was near Robert's time if he did not pass already. She made way up to check on Sansa to see how she was doing as the move had been rough for her and adjusting with most of her friends still in the North wasn't good.
Just as she reached the door the bells began to toll. That could only mean one thing...Robert had finally succumbed to his wound. People began to stir around the castle as a guardsman approached Serena.
"My Lady...your father requests your presence. If you'll follow me."
She followed the guard back down the tower and to the throne room where Ned was waiting with what remained of the Stark household guard. Ned looked to his daughter seeing her blade sheathed in her waist. She may need it. And now he wished he had kept Torrhen in the capital but he trusted no one else to carry out that mission with the contents of that letter. The rest of the King's council arrived shortly after. The Lord Commander of the City Watch approached and bowed.
"The city watch is yours my Lord Hand."
"Good lets go."
The doors to the throne room opened with a loud bang and creaks as they swung open. They entered the room to see Joffrey sitting on the throne Kingsguard at the base of the throne protecting him and Cersei sitting beside her son. The city watch lines he sides of the room creating an isle down the middle of the room.
"I will now except oaths of fealty from my faithful councilors."
Ned took a few steps forward.
"Ser Barriston...no man here could question your honor."
He handed the Knight the rolled up parchment. He looked at it noticing the royal seal.
"The King's seal." He said before breaking the seal.
The room remained silent as he read the letter signed with the King's hand.
"It says here Lord Stark is to be named protector of the realm."
Cersei took the letter to read it herself. Serena couldn't keep her eyes off the Queen who looked so beautiful in her dress with her golden hair done up so perfectly. She was taken from her thoughts when the sound of tearing paper echoed through the room. She watched as Cersei dropped the shreds of paper onto the floor to the shock of Ser Barriston.
"Those were the King's words." He said.
Serena placed her hand on the hilt of her sword reading the tension that had filled the room. Something didn't feel right...she couldn't tell what it was.
"We have a new King."
Ned stepped forward a few steps to get closer to the throne.
"He has no right to the throne."
Why would he say that? Out here in front of everyone?
"Liar!" Joffrey screamed.
"Joffrey is a bastard produced of incest. By law the throne passes to Stannis."
"You condemn yourself with your own words." Cersei said.
Serena now gripped the hilt of her sword sensing that this may end in violence.
"Kill them! Kill all of them!" Joffrey yelled.
"Lord Commander...take the Queen and her children into custody."
"Men of the watch!" Janos yelled.
The men dropped their spears pointing them outward. The Kingsguards drew their swords. Just then the City Watch jabbed their spears into the Stark men and quickly pulled them out as they hit the floor. Serena drew her sword to defend her father. One of the watchmen dared challenge her and with a quick slash he ended up with his bowls laying on the floor.
A Kingsguard stepped forward looking to get Serena. They engaged in a duel their swords clashing. She was able to duck just as his blade was swing over her head and which allowed her to slash him across the side causing him to hit the floor. Cersei and Joffrey watched the young girl cut through the Watchman and Guardsman like they were slices of cake. The Kingsguard was a seasoned Knight and he was just cut down like he was still learning how to use a sword. If she could take on Jaime and cut down a Kingsguard she could be useful if she would switch sides.
Serena went into a defensive stance as the Hound approached her. But soon the sound of battle stopped. Serena turned to see why the battle stopped and saw Baelish with a dagger pressing against Ned's neck.
"Drop your sword Lady Serena if you value your fathers life." Joffrey ordered.
They had been betrayed. The Watch was supposed to be with them but they sided with Joffrey resulting in her father's capture...if only Torrhen was here he may be able to help them out of this. She looked to the King,then Cersei,then her father knife to his neck. The sound of her blade clashing against the ground echoed through the room. A Watchman came up chaining her hands and dragged her with Ned out of the room to the black cells shoving them into separate cells.
