Happy New Year everyone! Sorry this chapter took a while, had a bit of writer's block with this one, which seems to have passed for the moment.

Before we get started, let's take a moment to remember Richard Franklin, who has sadly joined legends like Bernard Cribbins and Elisabeth Sladen in the TARDIS in the sky. RIP.

Guest: Thanks, I try my best to ignore that moron. Thank you, I try.

Rory once more made the walk to the Queen's Chambers, nodding at the King's Guard. This was slowly becoming a habit, one Rory really didn't relish. But as long as it put him in a position to help Sansa, Rory would do whatever was required of him.

Almost anything, Rory amended in his head as he was let into the chambers. He wouldn't kill someone or sleep with Cersei.

"Rory," Cersei said, looking from her desk as she saw him enter. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course, Your Grace. Is this about the recruits?" Rory wondered and Cersei shook her head.

"No. It's of a much more…personal matter," Cersei said before pausing, unsure how to say it. "As you know, Joffrey's name day is tomorrow. Joffrey is holding a tourney of his knights. He has requested you to join him for the festivities."

Rory blinked. Whatever he had been expecting, this had not been on the list. But, he supposed it made sense. Someone with Joffrey's violent tendencies would be very impressed with Rory's reputation. And this could be his way in, find out any plans the Lannisters had for Sansa and Ned.

"It would be my honor, Your Grace," Rory said politely, knowing from the pleased smile that crossed Cersei's face that she didn't suspect a thing.

The next day, as the festivities began, Rory was led to the seating of the Royal Family. As he saw Rory approach, Joffrey immediately got to his feet.

"Lord Centurion! Thank you for gracing us with your presence," Joffrey said and Rory was unsure whether it was a genuine compliment or Joffrey was mocking him before deciding that it didn't matter.

"It is my honor to watch the Tourney with you and your family, Your Grace," Rory said formerly, bowing slightly.

"Yes, it is, isn't it? We've saved you a seat," Joffrey said, gesturing to a chair on his right side. "Very few people get this privilege, Lord Centurion."

"Then I will make the most of this opportunity," Rory said smoothly, turning to bow to the other members of the royal family, noticing immediately that Cersei wasn't present. "Princess Myrcella, Prince Tommen. Lady Sansa."

Myrcella and Tommen merely smiled politely while Sansa eyed him blankly. After Joffrey had turned out to be such a monster, no doubt she was wary of trusting anyone the Lannisters seemed to like. Smart girl, Rory thought as he took his seat.

The first match was between The Hound and some knight Rory couldn't name if he tried. The Hound was quickly declared the victor, using a mace to send his opponent over the ledge and falling to his death, his opponent dying upon impact.

The Hound relied too much on brute strength, Rory noted silently. He was a skilled warrior, no doubt, but he was a brawler, not a true fighter.

"Yes! Well struck, Dog!" Joffrey cheered before turning to Rory. "Don't you agree, Lord Centurion?"

"Of course," Rory said, sounding impressed, his tone and face giving away nothing of his true thoughts. "He is very impressive."

Joffrey didn't seem to detect any deceptions from Rory, and seemed to lap up the praise as if Rory had paid him a compliment. Rory doubted Robert had ever indulged the boy; Robert had never been the parental type.

Perhaps that was Rory's opening. Acting like the father Joffrey had always longed for.

The next match was called, Lothor Brune, a Freerider in Littlefinger's service and Ser Dontos of House Hollard. But Dontos didn't show. Rory, along with everyone else, looked around in confusion before Dontos came stumbling down the stairwell, mace in hand, clearly intoxicated.

"Are you drunk?" Joffrey summed up what they were all thinking.

"No. No, no Your Grace. I had two cups of wine," Dontos stammered.

"Two cups?" Joffrey asked in a voice that immediately had Rory on edge. "That's not much at all. Please, have another cup."

"Are you sure, Your Grace?"

"Yes. To celebrate my Name Day. Have two. Have as much as you like," Joffrey said and Rory got a sinking feeling.

"I would be honored, Your Grace."

"Ser Meryn, help Ser Dontos celebrate my Name Day. See that he drinks his fill," Joffrey ordered, a cruel smirk marring his handsome features.

Rory watched along with Sansa, horrified as four of the King's Guard restrained Dontos, forcing him to his knees before forcing him to drink an entire barrel of ale through a tube. Although Rory did a better job at hiding it than Sansa, who had paled several shades.

"You can't," Sansa exclaimed and Joffrey whirled on her.

"What did you say? Did you just say I can't?" Joffrey sneered.

"I only meant its bad luck to kill a man on your Name Day," Sansa quickly covered.

"What kind of stupid peasant's superstition," Joffrey scoffed.

"The girl is right," The Hound said from Joffrey's other side. "What a man sows on his Name Day, he reaps all year."

"Take him away," Joffrey said with an annoyed sigh, obviously disappointed. "I'll have him killed tomorrow, the fool."

Rory, along with everyone else, grimaced as Dontos was released and promptly vomited before Sansa spoke again.

"He is a fool, you're so clever to see it," Sansa said quickly and Joffrey raised an eyebrow at her. "He'll make a much better fool than a knight. He doesn't deserve the mercy of a quick death."

As he saw Joffrey mule over the idea in his head, Rory silently regarded Sansa. She was much cleverer than he had thought. She knew how Joffrey's mind worked and how to play him, although she couldn't use that too much to her advantage. But she knew all the right words to placate him.

"Did you hear my Lady, Ser Dontos? From this day, you'll be my new Fool," Joffrey declared as Dontos was helped to his feet.

"Thank you, Your Grace. And you, my Lady. Thank you," Dontos said before he was dragged off.

"Beloved nephew!"

At the sound of the voice, Rory turned to see a short, blond haired man with blue eyes wearing armor make his way towards them. It didn't take long for Rory to realize who this was, even if he had given it away himself.

Tyrion Lannister, the black sheep of House Lannister. The Imp.

This should be interesting.

"We looked for you on the battlefield. You were nowhere to be found," Tyrion noted as he reached Joffrey.

"I've been here, ruling the kingdoms," Joffrey said although they could all see how uncomfortable he was by the implication.

"And what a fine job you've done," Tyrion said mockingly, pouring himself a goblet of wine before he turned to his niece, brightening as he saw Myrcella. "And look at you." He kissed her on the cheek as she smiled. "More beautiful than ever. And you!" he turned to Tommen. "You're going to be even bigger than The Hound, but much better looking."

Tyrion shared a laugh with Myrcella and Tommen before looking at The Hound, who didn't even react to the slight while Rory watched the interaction with interest. Tyrion had the Lannister arrogance, odd considering his station in life. But you tended to think you were better than everyone else when you born with a silver spoon in your mouth, even when you were also a dwarf.

"This one doesn't like me," Tyrion said to the man he had brought with him.

"I can't imagine why," the man said dryly.

"We heard you were dead," Joffrey interjected.

"I'm glad you're not dead," Myrcella said happily.

"Me too, dear," Tyrion said, taking a drink from his goblet before continuing. "Death is so boring, especially now with so much excitement in the world. And I don't believe we've met."

"No, we haven't," Rory acknowledged as Tyrion's gaze fell on him. "I am the Last Centurion."

"Ah, yes. I heard you'd decided to grace King's Landing with your presence," Tyrion said, eying Rory with new eyes. "Although it is odd, to find you sitting here."

"He is my guest," Joffrey said immediately and Tyrion nodded, sparing his nephew a glance before returning to look at Rory.

"Forgive my confusion, I'd heard that you were Ned Stark's man," Tyrion said and Rory could see him trying to figure out how he ended up sitting here.

"Ned Stark is a traitor. He had my loyalty and my friendship until he proved himself not to be the man I thought he was," Rory said, seeing Joffrey smirk out of the corner of his eye.

"Of course," Tyrion said with a polite smile but Rory honestly doubted he believed a word Rory just said. "And Lady Sansa, how are you faring in these recent events?"

"I fare well, Lord Tyrion. My family are all traitors. I am loyal to my beloved Joffrey," Sansa said, reminding Rory of kids he'd gone to school with, repeating a phrase so often it had lost meaning.

"Of course you are," Tyrion said, shooting her a kind smile before drowning his goblet. "Well, enjoy your Name Day, Your Grace. Wish I could stay and celebrate, but there is work to be done."

"What work?" Joffrey demanded as Tyrion walked off. "Why are you here?"

Tyrion didn't answer but Rory stared after him for a long moment, wondering the same thing Joffrey was. One thing was for certain, Tyrion was clearly going to complicate Rory's plans.

Later that day, after all the festivities had ended, Rory returned to his chambers. As he opened the door, he blinked, wondering if the cameras in his eyes were beginning to malfunction at the sight that greeted him.

"Rory," Cersei greeted, standing in his room, alone. "I apologize if I startled you, but I needed to speak you, privately and without anyone knowing."

"Is everything all right, Your Grace?" Rory asked as he walked in, closing the door behind him.

"No, everything is not all right. Someone terrible has come to King's Landing. My brother, Tyrion," Cersei said, beginning to pace back and forth. "My father has named him Hand of the King while he's off, fighting this war."

"And that's a problem?" Rory questioned and Cersei stopped, whirling on him.

"Yes, it is a problem. My brother makes a big show of wanting to help, that he's loyal to our family. But he will betray us all if there is anything in it for him. He cannot be trusted," Cersei almost ranted and Rory stared at her for a moment, realizing Cersei was terrified and hadn't known where else to go.

"Your Grace…what exactly is it that you want from me?" Rory asked and it was silent for a moment.

"My brother is planning something; of this I have no doubt. But he will never slip up with me; will never let his guard down. I want you to keep an eye on him, report his movements. Anything you think might find suspicious, I need to know. Please, Rory," Cersei said, looking at him desperately.

It was then that Rory realized Cersei trusted him. She truly believed that he was on her side. Not the side of the Lannisters, her. And he had to keep in that way.

"If your brother is planning anything, I'll find out," Rory promised and could see the relief immediately cross her face.

"Thank you, Rory, you have no idea what this means to me," Cersei said in relief.

But Rory did. And he had to keep it that way. He had to keep Cersei happy. Because the happier she was, the more she would trust him. And that could make all the difference in getting Sansa out of this place alive.

Basically just a filler chapter, but important as it sets up the next part of Rory's storyline, making nice with Joffrey and Cersei and spying on Tyrion. Hope you all enjoyed it anyway.

Given how paranoid Cersei is about Tyrion, she would absolutely do something like this.