Sweat drenched from his brow, the Dornish heat exacted its toll. So did the fight against the only two Kingsguard left loyal to the Targaryens. Ser Gerold Hightower and Ser Arthur Dayne. Two of the best duelists of the realm lay dead. He knew he would be dead if it were not for Howland Reed. It mattered little now. His sister needed his help and he was so close to seeing her after so long apart.
Eddard finally made it to the screams, he pushed the door open. He immediately saw two maidens then looked to the bed in the center of the room. There lay his sister, bloodied and cut open sweat drenching down her face. Eddards heart broke seeing her this way, it didn't take him long to realize that she would never leave this tower alive.
"Ned," Lyanna called out.
"Lyanna…"
He laid his sword against the bed and rushed to her side. "Is that you? Is that really you." She brought her hand from her bloodied stomach and clasped Neds hand. "Your not a dream." She said half a question half a statement. Her lips curling to a smile, while her eyes were half lidded and tired.
"No I'm not a dream… I'm here… right here." He said reassuringly.
"I've missed you big brother."
"I've missed you too…"
"I want to be brave." She said, her voice shaky.
"You are."
"I'm not. I don't want to die."
"You're not going to die…"
His eyes fluttered open, his clothes stuck to his body as the southern heat made his body slick with sweat. The sun flowed through the windows and hit his unadjusted eyes, he winced and turned his attention away from the window light. He observed two people standing before him, though it took him a moment to recognize them. Once he did he spoke, "Pardon your Grace, I would rise but-"
He was cut off by the queen. "Do you know what your wife has done?"
"She did nothing I did not command," Ned replied, anger seeping its way into his voice at the ambush. He had remembered talking to Robert earlier, Arya and Joffrey were at each other's necks. Much resembling the current situation with the Starks and the Lannisters. The kingdoms were shredding themselves apart but there was still time to stop all out war.
"Who'd of thought she had it in her," Robert said.
"By what right, dare you lay hands on my blood," Cersei spoke, almost interrupting Robert.
"I am the king's Hand-"
"You were the king's Hand-"
"I was keeping the peace-"
"You shall now be held accountable-"
Robert grew annoyed, "Whoa, whoa, will both of you shut your mouths? Catelyn will release Tyrion and you'll make your peace with Jaime." If only things were that simple… Eddard mused.
"He butchered my men," Eddard replied.
Cersei scoffed, "Lord Stark was returning drunk from a brothel when his men attacked Jaime."
Robert spoke, annoyance lacing his tone, "Quiet woman."
Eddard interjected, "Jaime has fled the city, give me leave to bring him back to justice."
Robert took an inhale of breath, considering Ned's words before Cersei spoke to Robert, annoyance and hate in her tone. "I took you for a King."
"Hold your tongue-"
She did not hold her tongue, "He's attacked one of my brothers and abducted the other. I should wear the armor and you the gown."
Both Robert and Ned looked at her like she was mad. Robert's face quickly turned to anger as his patience wore out. He brought his hand up and slapped her across the face. Her head recoiled at the impact and she brought her hand to her now red cheek. Ned was angry at the King's behavior but did not voice it. He was just glad Robert didn't use his full strength or Eddard would've been confident that he would've killed her.
She recomposed herself and looked Robert straight in the eye, "I shall wear this like a badge of honor." Both Robert and Eddard looked at her like she was mad again, "Wear it in silence, or I'll honor you again." Cersei looked at Eddard then her eyes flicked back to Robert as she left the room.
Once the door closed Robert spoke, "See what she does to me? My loving wife." He poured himself a goblet of wine and sat down. "I should not have hit her. That was not… that was not Kingly."
Eddard spoke after Robert took a sip of wine, "If we don't act… there will be a war."
Robert spoke, facing away from Ned. His voice annoyed. "So, tell your wife to return that little shit of an imp to King's Landing. She's had her fun now put an end to it." His voice grew angrier and more impatient when Eddard did not respond. "You hear me? Send a raven, and put an end to it."
"And what about Jaime Lannister? What about Jaime?"
Robert's tone only grew more irritated, "I'm half a kingdom in debt to his bloody father. I don't know what happened between you and those yellow-head shits. I don't want to know. This is what matters, I can't rule the kingdoms if the Starks and Lannisters are at each other's throats. So, enough." He took another swig of wine.
Eddard tensed at the pain in his leg and at the annoyance building inside of him so he let it go. "As you command, your Grace. With your leave… I will return to Winterfell and set matters straight."
Robert shook his head, "Piss on that. Send a raven I want you to stay. I'm the King, I get what I want." Robert took another drink of wine and then continued, "I never loved my brothers, a sad thing for a man to admit, but it's true… you were the brother I chose." He stood and Ned could now clearly see the badge of the Hand of the King in his hand. "We'll talk when I return from the hunt." He tossed the badge to Ned.
"The hunt?" Ned asked abashed.
"Killing things clears my head. You'll have to sit on the throne while I'm away. Heh heh. You'll hate it more than I do."
"The Targaryen girl-"
"Seven hells! Don't start with her again. The girl will die, and I'll hear no more of it. Even- even." He laughed, "Even Tommen agrees that the girl should die, do you know how soft that boy is? Put on the badge, and if you ever take it off again, I swear to the mother, I'll pin the damned thing on Jaime Lannister."
Robert left the room without another word, leaving Ned to his destitution.
Ned ordered a bath prepared for him and dressed himself. He was offered a cain by the servants which he gratefully accepted. Court was to be held soon and he would have to be there. The halls he used to walk down swiftly and with ease now were agonizingly long. He worked up a new sweat just walking as pain jolted through his leg. He maintained his balance though and soon made it to the throne room.
As he sat on that ugly chair he could feel nothing but relief. Robert had often commented on how uncomfortable the damn thing was. He knew that if he wasn't reminded of the jolting pain in his leg every few seconds he would have the same sentiment.
The Riverlands were under attack he knew, by brigands. Nothing for royalty to be involved in and yet one was. Tommen Baratheon stood by his betrothed and his future brother by law Loras Tyrell. While Lady Olenna was one of the few people who were not on the dais that had a seat pulled out for her. He couldn't tell if she was bored or not, a look of indifference always plastered onto her face. Tommen had an unamused look on his face but stayed regardless, Margaery looked a bit out of place. Interested in the news of the attacks but she looked as if she didn't want to be there. Loras looked like he would rather be anywhere but there.
The farmers who were attacked continued speaking, one of them taking the lead. "They burned most everything in the Riverlands. Our fields, our granaries, our homes. They took our women, then they took them again. And when they was done, they butchered them as if they was animals. They covered our children in pitch… and lit them on fire." His voice was quivering with sadness.
Pycelle sounding as if he didn't have a care in the world spoke, "Brigands most likely."
The farmer looked up at Pycelle, his face shocked but his voice respectful, "They weren't thieves. They didn't steal nothing. They even left something behind your Grace-"
"It's the King's hand you're addressing, not the King," Pycelle stated. Eddard grew increasingly annoyed with the grandmaester, Pycelle seemed to care more for titles than the events unfolding in the Riverlands. "The King is hunting."
Another farmer stepped forward and dumped a bag of fish on the marble floor of the throne room. Petyr spoke then, "Fish? The sigil of House Tully." From Eddard's side, Petyr leaned in and spoke in no more than a whisper, "Isn't that your wife's house, Tully, my Lord Hand?" Eddard knew it was a statement and not a question.
Eddard spoke to the farmer, "These men… were they flying a sigil?" The farmer looked confused and Eddard rephrased it for him. "A banner?"
"None your- hand. The one who was leading them, taller by a foot than any man I've ever met. Saw him cut the blacksmith in two. Saw him take the head off a horse, with a single swing of his sword."
Petyr leaned in again and spoke in no more than a whisper, "That sounds like someone we know. The Mountain."
Eddard turned back to the farmer, "You're describing Ser Gregor Clegane."
Pycelle interjected, "Why should Ser Gregor turn brigand? The man is an anointed knight."
"I've heard him called Tywin Lannister's mad dog. I'm sure you have as well." He returned his voice to a whisper when speaking to Eddard. "Can you think of any reason the Lannisters might possibly have for being angry with your wife?" His question was again not a question.
Pycelle spoke, "If the Lannister's were to order attacks on villages under the King's protection, it… it would be-" Pycelle was interrupted by Petyr, "That would be almost as brazen as attacking the Hand of the King in the streets of the capital."
"Well…" Pycelle stopped his thought.
Eddard spoke to the farmer after a moment of silence, "I cannot give you back your lands or restore your dead to life. But perhaps I can give you justice in the name of our King, Robert."
For the first time, he noticed interest in the faces of Olenna and her grandchildren. Tommen however kept an unamused face. "Lord Beric Dondarion," Beric stepped forward. "You shall have the command, Assemble one hundred men, and ride to Ser Gregor's keep." "As you command."
Eddard rose from the throne his leg throbbing underneath him and his voice shaky, "In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon, the first of his name, King of the Andals and the first men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm… I charge you to bring the King's justice to the false knight Gregor Clegane and to all those who shared in his crimes. I denounce him… and attaint him. I strip him of all ranks and titles, of all lands and holdings… and sentence him to death."
Pycelle rose from his seat, panic and worry in his voice, "My Lord, this… this is a drastic action. It would be better to wait for King Robert's return."
Eddard spoke to the maester, not bothering to turn his head to look at him. "Grandmaester Pycelle."
"My Lord?"
"Send a raven to Casterly Rock. Inform Tywin Lannister that he has been summoned to court to answer for the crimes of his bannermen. He will arrive within the fortnight, or be branded an enemy of the crown and a traitor to the Realm."
Eddard now looked towards Tommen and only saw the predatory eyes of Tywin Lannister stare back at him. Like they did all those years ago... All the Tyrells' interests were piqued as well, though Olenna simply smiled while both Margaery and Loras had both shock and worry painted over their faces.
Eddard nodded in the direction of the farmer and Lord Beric then began his descent from the Iron Throne. He walked as fast as he could without causing too much pain to his leg. Which was admittedly not very fast.
Petyr stood from his chair and followed Eddard in his descent, "A bold move, my Lord, and admirable. But is it wise to yank the Lion's tail? Tywin Lannister is the richest man in all the Seven Kingdoms. Gold wins wars, not soldiers."
"Then how come Robert is King? And not Tywin Lannister?"
"I'm sending you both back to Winterfell," Eddard spoke to his two daughters before him.
"What?" Sansa said, sounding aghast.
"Listen-"
"What about Joffrey?" Sansa asked, That damned boy. Eddard thought. Neither of the princes are deserving of either of my daughters, both snakes, both dishonorable. He had liked Prince Tommen at first, but upon hearing him speaking clearly of killing a girl not much older than him and her unborn babe. It had disturbed him, to say the least. Eddard did owe him at least for sticking to the truth and defending Arya the day prior.
"Are you dying because of your leg? Is that why you're sending us home?" Arya asked.
"What, no!"
"Please Father, please don't." Sansa's like for Joffrey was surprising to him, she seemed almost blind to his cruelty. Nymeria and Lady were both dead because of the Prince and Sansa still admired him for some childhood crush.
"You can't. I've got my lessons with Syrio, I'm finally getting good." My daughters agreeing on something? That's a first. Eddard mused with faint amusement.
"This isn't a punishment. I want you back in Winterfell for your own safety."
"Can we take Syrio back with us?"
"Who cares about your stupid dancing teacher? I can't go, I'm supposed to marry Prince Joffrey. I love him, and I'm meant to be his queen and have his babies."
"He killed Nymeria!" Arya yelled.
Sansa was about to rebuke when Ned spoke, "When you're old enough, I'll make you a match with someone who's worthy of you. Someone who's brave, and gentle, and strong."
"I don't want someone brave, and gentle, and strong. I want him! He'll be the greatest King that ever was. A golden Lion and I'll give him sons with beautiful blond hair."
Eddards interest was piqued at that, beautiful blond hair?
Arya interjected, "A Lions not his sigil, idiot. He's a Stag like his father."
"He is not! He's nothing like that old drunk King."
After a moment Eddard spoke, "Go on girls. Get your Septa, and start packing your things." Eddard began walking over to his desk,
"Wait!" Sansa cried, "Come on!" Arya said, dragging Sansa by the arm and pulling her out of the room. "But it's not fair." Arya left the room and Sansa reluctantly followed.
Eddard sat down at his desk the words of his daughters echoing in his ears, 'A golden Lion with beautiful blond hair.' 'Hes a Stag like his father.' Memories of Barra came to mind, how can a babe look more like Robert than his own children? Then memories of Gendry the Blacksmith came to him. He was the spitting image of Robert when he was young and full of youthful strength.
He opened the large book called, 'The Lineages And Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms.' He flipped to the House of Baratheon, and he read to himself. "Lord Orys Baratheon, black of hair… Axel Baratheon, black of hair… Lyonel Baratheon, black of hair… Steffon Baratheon, black of hair." He flipped the page, "Robert Baratheon, black of hair… Joffrey Baratheon golden-haired." The realization came to him, the children are bastards…
Sleep did not come easily to Eddard that night the last words of Jon Arryn came to him 'The seed is strong.' Eddard was unsure of who the father was. He suspected it might have been Jaime Lannister but he was unsure. It might have been a Lannister cousin or someone who had weaker seed than the Lannisters. He had noticed how similar Joffrey and Tommen looked to the Kingslayer, but he assumed it was because their mother was a twin to Jaime.
For the first time since he was stabbed through the leg, Eddard almost forgot the pain entirely. Eddard knew what Robert would do. 'Ours is the Fury.'
The children would be killed just like Aegon and Rhaenys. Their bodies would be burnt if Robert was merciful. Though Ned knew that the heads of their mother and themselves would adorn the Red Keep. Only to be joined by whoever fathered the bastards. He decided he could not let that happen. The Realm was tearing itself apart. This would only add fuel to the fire, he would have to warn Cersei to flee the capital to Essos lest her children meet needless deaths. The Lannisters had built the strongest house, no doubt they would lose. But the Westerlands could wield sixty thousand men if not more, the war would be a bloody one as a cornered Lion is the most dangerous kind.
In the morning he ignored his breakfast and summoned Cersei to talk privately in the gardens. His stomach hurt, not because of him not breaking his fast no, his stomach turned to knots when he pictured what Robert would do to the children. Eddard knew Robert hated Joffrey, he admitted as much saying, ' Let me tell you a secret, Ned. More than once, I have dreamed of giving up the crown. Take ship for the Free Cities with my horse and my hammer, spend my time warring and whoring, that's what I was made for. The sellsword king, how the singers would love me. You know what stops me? The thought of Joffrey on the throne, with Cersei standing behind him whispering in his ear. My son. How could I have made a son like that, Ned? I'm sorry about the direwolves. But there had to be some semblance of justice or at the least care for my own son.'
Robert cared for Tommen a little though, only thinking of Tommen as carrying Baratheon strength. Though Robert still only viewed the children as his seed, not his children. He would kill them all once he learned the truth. Robert's wrath would follow the three children for the rest of their lives.
"You're in pain." The voice of Cersei Lannister said. Eddard looked up at her, clearly seeing the bruise left by Robert's slap. He rose from his seated position, determined to show some semblance of respect. "I've had worse, your Grace."
"Perhaps it's time to go home, the South doesn't seem to agree with you," She said.
"I know the truth Jon Arryn died for."
"Do you, Lord Stark? Is that why you called me here, to pose me riddles?"
"Has he done this before?" He asked while pointing his finger at his cheek.
"Jaime would have killed him. My brother's worth a thousand of your friend." So it is Jaime…
"Your brother, or your lover?"
A moment of silence passed between them before she spoke, "The Targaryens wed brothers and sisters for three hundred years, to keep bloodlines pure. Jaime and I are more than brother and sister. We shared a womb. Came into this world together, we belong together."
"My son saw you with him."
"Do you love your children?"
"With all my heart."
"No more than I love mine."
"And they're all Jaimes."
Cersei scoffed, "Thank the gods, In the rare event that Robert
leaves his whores for long enough to stumble drunk into my bed, I finish him off in other ways. In the morning he doesn't remember-"
"You've always hated him."
"Hated him? I worshiped him. Every girl in the Seven Kingdoms dreamed of him but he was mine by oath. And when I finally saw him on our wedding day in the Sept of Baelor, lean and fierce and black-bearded, it was the happiest moment of my life. And that night he crawled on top of me, stinking of wine, and did what he did, what little he could do… and whispered in my ear Lyanna. Your sister was a corpse and I was a living girl, and he loved her more than me."
Ned pursed his lips in anger at hearing how big a fool Robert was, "When the King returns from his hunt, I'll tell him the truth. You must be gone by then, you and your children. I will not have their blood on my hands. Go away as far as you can, with as many men as you can, because wherever you go, Robert's wrath will follow you."
"And what of my wrath Lord Stark? You should have taken the Realm for yourself. Jaime told me about the day Kings Landing fell. He was sitting in the Iron Throne, and you made him give it up. All you needed to do was climb the steps yourself, such a sad mistake."
"I've made many mistakes in my life… but that wasn't one of them."
"Oh, but it was. When you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground." The Queen left him there without another word.
After that Eddard broke his fast with his daughters, he was to his solar in the Tower of the Hand when he heard running from behind him, he turned around as he saw Renly.
"Ned!" He called.
Renly was covered in blood and his face was painted with worry.
Renly continued, "It's Robert. We were hunting. A boar." Renly gestured for him to follow which he aptly did. Ned's worry only grew as he saw panicked faces and rushed steps passing him in the many corridors in the Red Keep.
He finally made it to the room where Robert was held and the door was opened by a Kingsguard. The smell hit him as soon as he walked in, the smell of death, Ned knew.
Prince Joffrey, the Queen, Renly, Ser Barristan, and Grandmaester Pycelle were all in the room. He noted the absence of the Prince and the Princess. Worry and sadness painted all over the faces of all those in the room though Ned knew Cersei's face was nervous over what might happen to her and her children. "Go on," Robert said, his voice calm and quiet. "You don't want to see this." He told the Prince. The Prince stood, grasping his right arm close to his stomach. He then left the room pushing past Lord Eddard, once Eddard formally saw the wound he wondered if that was part of the smell of death that enclosed the room. The Prince's arm was entirely limp as he carried it with his left hand; it was unlikely that he could ever write again, let alone wield a sword. "My fault, too much wine missed my thrust." The King chuckled a little. Eddard pulled back the covers to observe the King's mortal wounds. "Stinks, stinks like death." Eddard pulled up the blankets to cover the King's wound. "Don't think I can't smell it." The King laughed again, "I paid the bastard back, Ned. I drove my knife right through his brain, you ask him if I didn't. Ask him. I want the funeral feast to be the biggest the Kingdoms ever saw. And I want everyone to taste the boar that got me… Now leave us the lot of you, I need to talk to Ned."
Cersei tried to stay in the room, her stomach no doubt rolling about what the King and his hand were to talk about. "Robert my sweet-"
"Out, all of you-" The King began to cough as the others left the room.
"You damned fool," Ned spoke for the first time while taking a seat next to the King.
"Paper and ink, on the table. Write down what I say."
Ned grabbed the parchment and began to write as Robert spoke,
"In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon. First of… you know how it goes, fill in the damn titles. I hereby command Eddard of House Stark, titles, titles… to serve as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm upon my death, to rule in my stead… until my son Joffrey comes of age." Betraying Robert like this hurt but he had to and wrote, 'until my rightful heir, comes of age.' The only discrepancy was that the heir was already of age.
"Give it over." The King Commanded.
Robert scribbled his name down on the parchment, "Give it to the council after I'm dead. At least they'll say I did this right, this one thing. You'll rule now. You'll hate it worse than I did… but you'll do it well. The girl, Daenerys… You were right. Varys, Littlefinger, Renly, my son. Gods I thought I did something right with one of my children, it shocked me what he said, I thought Tommen was the one good thing I would leave this world. I guess not. No one told me, no but you, only you. Let her live, tell them to leave the faceless men in Essos."
"I will."
"And Joffrey, help him Ned. Make him better than me…"
"I'll… I'll do everything I can to honor your memory."
"My memory." The King chuckled, "King Robert Baratheon… murdered by a pig. Give me something for the pain, and let me die."
Eddard reluctantly left him there, not wanting Robert to anguish over the fact that his children were not his. Once outside the chambers, Eddard turned to Pycelle, "Give him milk of the poppy."
Renly POV:
"We must act quickly Loras, your Grandmother, your sister, they must be secured with haste if we are to succeed. Robert doesn't have long, we must be gone before he dies." Renly opened the door to his chambers while Loras followed close behind him.
"Olenna won't like this," Loras said dumbly.
"Well she'll have to-"
"Hello, Uncle." Renly's annoying nephew Tommen was standing in the middle of his solar, his hands clasped together over his stomach while his sword hung by his side. Neither Loras nor Renly had their weapons
"T-Tommen… what are you doing, how did you get in here?"
"I called in the first of many favors, from a certain someone."
"Why are you here?"
"To stop your treason of course."
"I don't know what you're talking about nephew. Your father doesn't have long left, I suggest you see him."
"I've already said my goodbyes, however brief they were, this was of greater import. You plan on snatching Lady Margaery from me and declaring her your Queen for whatever misplaced ambition you have. This foolish endeavor ends now."
"Nephew, I don't-"
Tommen cut Renly off, "Quiet Renly, don't lie to me. I know the truth. My brother will soon be King, he will be a bad King, and he will be a hated King. He however won't be an old King." Tommen turned his attention to Loras, "I can tell you now that your sister will have a crown on her head before you know it." He said this while gesturing with his hands and placing an imaginary crown on his head.
"What's to stop us, hmm, Nephew? What's to stop us from killing you and taking Margaery with us? What's to stop us from coming with the armies of the Stormlands and the Reach and putting your families' heads on spikes."
"My families? Do not forget that we are family. And…" Tommen looked around in a mock-searching manner, "It looks like the both of you don't have any weapons."
"You want to know the truth Tommen? The truth is that-"
"I'm a bastard, yes I know. But that doesn't change the fact that you have no claim to the Iron Throne, your brother is the heir. And I happen to know of the sibling rivalry you have, probably built up from the fact that you got the whole of the Stormlands while he got a rock in the sea."
Renly and Loras were taken aback by this, "How-how do you know?" Renly asked.
"I'm not blind Uncle. I am quite clearly a Lannister. I won't however let you leave this room until you swear an oath of loyalty."
"You think we would swear an oath to Joffrey?" Loras laughed loudly while Renly had a contemplative look before he spoke,
"You plan to usurp the throne."
"Usurp? No, no. I'm afraid my brother will have the throne for some time. A few moons or so if everything goes to plan."
Tommen rested his hand on the pommel of his sword, then turned to Loras. "My Kingsguard will need a Lord Commander, Barristan will remain for a while but he is rather old. In fifteen years or so, a new Lord Commander will be named. I think Ser Loras Tyrell, commander of the Kingsguard, is a rather good title. Do you not?"
"I-I can't, I'm the heir to Highgarden, my place is in Highgarden."
"But would you want to? Margaery's second son could take the Tyrell name and supplant succession in Highgarden quite easily." Loras nodded at this, he had always wanted to be a Kingsguard, and Renly and Loras being close to one another wouldn't be too bad. "And…" Tommen gestured toward Renly, "I'll be able and willing to give her one."
Another silence ensued as Renly thought, "Whats in it for me?"
Tommen took a few steps forward, finally removing his hand from the pommel of his sword to behind his back, "The confidence of your new King, more Baratheon influence in court, and Hand of the King." Renly smiled confidently. "It will have to wait, once I am of age and everything is settled. I'll make you my Hand. Not before."
Renly simply nodded, then a thought came to him, "I offered Eddard my swords earlier, shall we move against him?"
"No, not yet, Lord Eddard thinks the Gold Cloaks are on his side. They are not. Join forces with Eddard and once you storm into the Throne room, you will turn against him. That will earn you the appreciation and trust of Joffrey along with mine."
Renly nodded, "Looks like we have an accord nephew." He held out his hand which Tommen took confidently as both the support of the Stormlands and the Reach were now behind him. Tommen began walking out of the room when he held up his hand and turned around, "And it goes without saying, not a word of this to anyone. Not your sister, not Olenna. Not anyone, I don't want my plans being spoiled because you two couldn't keep your mouths shut. If I get caught because of your stupidity I'll tear you two down with me." He gave a smile before he left.
Tommen POV:
Tommen sighed as he stood on the dais of the throne. His brother was dressed quite neatly while Tommen was dressed just as nicely wearing a red and black overcoat and trading the stag brooch for the brooch of the lion. Small green emeralds reflected the eyes while gold lined the edges, it was a work of art.
Joffrey's left arm supported his head while his right lay limp on the arm of the throne, Tommen could notice Joffrey wince every so often from the deep scarring.
Margaery had been secured but both the Tyrells and the Baratheons were being closely watched by the eunuch. Varys was proving himself useful so far but Tommen still didn't trust him as he had betrayed him before when he escaped to Essos with Tyrion to serve as advisors to the Dragon Queen.
He closely paid attention to the Baratheon men at arms standing side by side with the Gold Cloaks as he became weary and a chill ran through him. He supposed he shouldn't worry, several Lannister men at arms and Kingsguard stood before him so death in case of betrayal was unlikely. However, he did wonder if he misstepped by placing too much faith in Renly. Renly was an opportunist by nature so Tommen didn't have too much trust in his uncle.
The doors to the throne room unfolded, and the small council and several household guards entered the throne room. "All hail his Grace, Joffrey of houses Baratheon and Lannister, first of his name. King of Andals and the first men Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm."
Eddard and the rest of his retinue stopped before the throne when Joffrey spoke from beside Tommen. "I command the council to make all necessary arrangements for my coronation. I wish to be crowned within the fortnight, today I shall accept oaths of fealty from my loyal councilors."
"Ser Barristan," Eddard said, "I believe no man here could ever question your honor." Eddard produced a scroll while Ser Barristan stepped forward. He grabbed the scroll from Eddard's hand.
"King Robert's seal, unbroken." He began to read as he unfurled the scroll, "Lord Eddard Stark is herein named protector of the realm, to rule as regent until the heir come of age."
"May I see that letter Ser Barristan?" The Queen asked. Barristan walked the steps of the throne room and handed her the scroll. "Protector of the Realm, is this meant to be your shield, Lord Stark?" The Queen began to rip the parchment apart, "A piece of paper."
"Those were the King's words," Barristan said, his tone weary.
"We have a new King now," Cersei said, Tommen rested his hand on the pommel of his sword. "Lord Eddard when we last spoke, you offered me some counsel. Allow me to return the courtesy, bend the knee, my Lord. Bend the knee and swear loyalty to my son and we shall allow you to live out your days in the gray waste you call home."
Bend the knee you damn fool! "Your son has no claim to the throne."
"Liar!" Joffrey called, sounding more child than man.
"You condemn yourself with your mouth Lord Stark. Ser Barristan seize this traitor."
Selmy had a regretful and weary look on his face but he followed the Queen's orders and approached Stark. Some of Eddard's household guards proceed toward Barristan to stop him before Eddard spoke, "Ser Barristan is a good man, a loyal man do him no harm."
"You think he stands alone?" The Queen asked, several Lannister men at arms unsheathed their swords. Tommen kept his sword sheathed which earned a wondering look from Joffrey but his eyes soon returned to the scene in front of him.
"Kill him. Kill all of them, I command it." Joffrey shouted as the Hound unsheathed his sword.
Eddard turned to Janos Slynt, "Commander take the Queen and her children into custody, escort them to the Royal apartments, and keep them under guard."
"Men of the watch," Janos cried. The gold cloaks turned to attention and had their spears at the ready.
"I want no bloodshed, tell your men to lay down their swords no one needs to die."
Cersei nodded toward the commander of the City Watch and the commander of the Baratheon household guard. "Now!" Janos yelled.
The walls closed in around Eddard as several of his household guards were killed by the men they thought were allies. Eddard's hand grabbed for his sword ice, but a dagger at the throat stopped him as the purge of Stark loyalists began.