Nothing compared to being in her embrace. Her arms tightly wrapped around him as were his around her. He would be content to stay there for eternity but he knew he would have to separate from her. Leave her embrace… leave her love… When he pulled away it wasn't the soft supple skin that he saw. It wasn't the pale beauty that he saw. It wasn't the blue in her eyes he saw. No… no all he saw was black skin, charred from wildfire. Two large holes in her skull where her doe blue eyes melted away and in their place black gaping pits that knew no end. She pulled him close her charred fingers burying into his skin.
He felt it then, it felt like a massive spasming headache, he brought both his hands up instinctively to his head to soothe the pain there. He felt something…Wet? He brought his hands back to his line of sight where he saw thick red blood now engulfing his pale hands. He brought his hands back to his face and felt no hardness as he pressed into his eye. It was like nothing was there, there was nothing there, he realized. "I failed you Margaery… I'm sorry…"
Margaery cupped his face with her charred rough hand. "You need not be sorry love… Loras and Father are here in this beautiful place. We'll be happy here… this wonderful paradise."
Tommen smiled then. Content to stay there for eternity, without his vindictive mother. Without constant worrying and wars… without the feeling of sadness that consumed him as those he loved died like flies. "I love you Margaery…" he said softly as his happiness returned to him. He hadn't felt happy since before Cella died. And why should he? The corners of her charred mouth turned upwards in a smile, "I love you too Tommen…"
He woke then, Tommen almost always dreamed of Margaery. Her sweet embrace, her soothing voice, her supple skin. Almost all his dreams revolved around the melancholy that had engulfed his old life. There were some happy dreams too though. Like Cella's laugh or Margaery and his wedding day. His dreams were almost always nightmares though, forcing him to remember the failures of his old life. At one point it might've broken him, but now it only strengthened his resolve.
This dream though, had been a dream he dreamed sparsely. Though it had begun to appear in his dreams more and more. It was a bittersweet one; it reminded him of his failures but it also reminded him of their love and adoration for one another. She was my first and last love, he knew. No one could replace her in his eyes. He knew he could never love another the way he loved her. When he stepped to the window sill he felt no anger, the vindictiveness of his mother and brother did not pulse through his veins, no. It was sadness and freedom. Tommen had already been wanting death since Myrcella died but his love for Margaery made him hold on. But when she died Tommen felt freedom mixed with sadness. The death of his wife and his unborn child forced him to the ledge. He did not regret the feeling of the air brushing hard against his face. He did not regret the feeling of the hot summer day becoming cold as he flew. He only regretted his complacency, he did what he thought what a wise king should do. Listen to his advisors, his mother, his wife, and even the High Sparrow. Though he did not know what to do when they tore each other apart.
He shook his head of those thoughts. He climbed out of bed and ordered a bath to be prepared. While he waited still dressed in his nightwear he went to his desk and got to work. Tommen and Corlan had been planning on buying Chatayas brothel before Littlefinger could get his greasy hands on it. Tommens brothels relied on luxury above all else and also good treatment of the girls and guys who worked at his brothels. It didn't help with customers, but it provided an almost endless pool of workers as they flocked to his brothels. No one could beat Littlefingers prices though, Tommen relied on heavy security requiring gold to be funneled into more people's pockets. Tommen remembered what happened to Littlefingers brothels when the Sparrows grew bolder. Burning brothels down, harassing workers and customers alike. The Sparrows were thoroughly repulsive people.
Once the bath had been prepared Tommen sunk into it as he sent the servants away. He knew how the days events would play out. Loras would be attacked by the Mountain, a mad dog. A mad dog that needs to be put down, Tommen thought. The idea of death still repulsed him, except when it came to those who had a role to play in killing all those he loved. The Mountain, Qyburn, and Cersei. Tommen considered Pycelle in on the plot too but he knew that Pycelle was loyal to House Lannister and thus loyal to Kevan, not Cersei. I could send her to Casterly Rock… Tommen thought. He knew his mother would claim that she could not be dragged away from her children. Though Tommen knew the truth, she doesn't want to be dragged away from her power. He would never allow Cersei to stay regent, and why would he? He trusted her once and how did she return that trust? She killed everyone I had left! She killed her own uncle in her selfishness. She killed her own son. Anger was something Tommen had experienced a lot in his new life. Anger at his brother's cruelty. Anger at Robert's complacency. Anger at Jaime's idiocy. Anger at his mother's vindictiveness. Anger at himself and his failures as king and husband.
Once he finished washing himself he dressed in a dark blue brocade, along with a red tunic underneath. Tommen rarely dressed in these colors, he usually dressed in bright orange and yellow colors. Though he did note he looked rather well in these colors. He placed the brooch of the stag at his neck.
In truth ever since he learned Robert wasn't his father Tommen felt nothing but dislike for the Stags. Cousin Shireen was always pure and nice, Tommen thought. The rest of the Stags weren't though, both Stannis and Renly wanted to see Joffreys, Cella's, and Tommen's heads on spikes. Decorating the Red Keep. Nonetheless, Tommen knew he would need Renly's support in the wars to come.
As Tommen left his chambers the initial melancholy he felt earlier dissipated that's usually how his mornings went. He would wake up reminded of his failures and complacency but once he was on his feet and his mind drifted to other matters his anger and sadness would leave him.
Tommen found Sansa and Mrycella to be the only people he knew in the great hall. The amount of people in the hall itself was sparse. He ate a beef carrot and potato stew as he sat near them but not close enough to bother them. After he was finished eating he walked along the battlements with Margaery. She smelt of rosewater they conversed for a while and he even managed to get a few laughs from her. She was…intoxicating to say the least. It did not take long for Tommen to fall back in love with her.
Soon after Tommen and Margaery along with a small Tyrell convoy made their way to the Tourney where the winner of the competition would be decided. Tommen brought three Golden Dragons to bet with in case some unfortunate person came to bet against him. He was sure Renly and Littlefinger were done after he humiliated them the day prior but Renly brought five Gold Dragons. When the competition started it was Ser Gregor Clegane going against Ser Balon, no one dared bet against Ser Gregor, especially after the events of the day prior. Ser Balon was unhorsed sadly, Tommen rather liked Ser Balon he was a knight of honor and soon to be a Kingsguard of honor Tommen knew. The next tilt was Renly against Sandor, Renly being the arrogant man he was bet a Golden Dragon that he would beat The Hound. Suffice it to say he lost another Golden Dragon. The next several tilts Tommen did not bet against anyone. Eventually, the monster that was Gregor Clegane went against his future brother Loras Tyrell.
Tommen knew what was to happen, and he hoped things played out like they did in his last life. Gregor and Loras bowed before their king before going to their respective positions. Tommen noticed Gregor's stallion acting wild to say the least as Gregor made his way to his position. Tommen knew why of course, in the heat the stallion couldn't control itself around Loras' mare. A clever trick really, if not then dishonorable. But was it not dishonorable of Ser Gregor to purposely kill Ser Hugh of the Vale?
The two separate contenders were given their shields and lances. Once they were armed they surged forward. Gregor's stallion barely being controlled. Loras's mare acting as it should on the hot summer day. Thundering hoof beats grew louder as they came closer to one another. They both had their lances ready and when they clashed against one another Gregor's stallion came crashing down against the railing. Loras had won quite easily, or so he thought. Tommen saw from the corner of his eye a large grin on Margaery's face. He heard several gasps and screams as Ser Gregor drew his sword and sliced his horse's head from its body. It let out a bloodcurdling sound as its legs fell limp and it fell to the ground lifeless.
The mad dog then made its way to Loras as Loras was bowing in front of the Royal family and nodding in the direction of Renly. When Loras heard the gasps and hushed warnings it was already too late as he was thrown from his horse by Ser Gregor. Margaery stood up quickly in shock and worry. Loras on his back crawled away from Ser Gregor. Ser Gregor used his greatsword in attempting to kill Loras and Loras was able to block Gregor's attacks with his shield. Sandor brushed past Margaery trying to get to the scene as quickly as possible. Loras was still blocking Gregor's attacks and crawling away desperately when Sandor unsheathed his longsword and attacked his brother.
Gregor turned his attention to his brother as their swords clashed. Loras crawled away and eventually got to his feet as he observed the duel. Their skill was similar but Gregor was stronger while Sandor was faster. Their swords made whistling sounds as they cut through the air and slammed against one another. The fight lasted for an intense and gut-wrenching minute before a loud voice cut through the air. "Stop this madness in the name of your King!" Both of them stopped, Sandor kneeled to bend his knee to the king while simultaneously dodging a fatal blow from his brother. Ser Gregor threw his greatsword to the ground in a fit before leaving like the petulant beast he was. Tommen often forgot how commanding Robert's voice could be sometimes, his is the fury, Tommen thought.
Margaery sat back down beside Tommen as she settled down her breath still shaky. Loras went to stand beside Sandor Clegane their words unhearable but Loras proudly held Sandor's hand in the air yielding the match and making Sandor the winner. Tommen couldn't help himself as a smile graced his lips at the sight of his nervous smile of Sandor. How could I have been afraid of him in my past life? Tommen wondered. He had heard stories of how Sandor got his scar and Tommen was thankful Joffrey could never as been so bold as to attempt something like that. Like it would have worked, Tommen thought, If Joffrey attempted to maim me like that… they would have never found whats left of him…
Tommen began clapping fervently for the winner of the Tourney of the Hand.
"The whore is pregnant!" Robert was pissed, as he had a right to be. Robert let them live as a goodwill gesture. As they were simply children who were not responsible for the sins of their father. Yet they made alliances with Dothraki brutes. They had to be brought to an end Tommen knew. Yet it was not the Dothraki Tommen was concerned about like everyone else in the Small Council chambers was. No… Tommen knew what the future would bring, Dragons… Tommen thought. The ones that had brought Westeros to its knees. The Targaryens must be brought to an end, Tommen mused.
"Your speaking of murdering a child." Eddard rebuffed. Tommen knew he most likely would be on Eddard's side of the matter if he didn't know what the future would bring. But alas Tommen knew and he also knew that Targaryen blood would have to be spilled if his reign and his son's reign were to be secure.
"I warned you this would happen back in the North I warned you but you didn't care to hear, well hear it now. I want them dead mother and child both. And that fool Viserys as well, is that plain in enough for you? I want them both dead."
"You'll dishonor yourself forever if you do this."
"Honor? I've got seven kingdoms to rule one king Seven kingdoms! Do you think honor keeps them in line? Do you think it's honor that's keeping the peace? It's fear, fear, and blood!"
"Then we're no better than the mad king!"
"Careful Ned! Careful now!"
"You want to assassinate a girl because the spider heard a rumor?"
Varys looked offended for a moment before he spoke. "No rumor my Lord. The Princess is with child."
"Based on whose information?"
"Ser Jorah Mormont, he is serving as advisor to the Targaryens," Varys answered.
"Mormont? You bring us whispers of a traitor half a world away and call it fact."
Littlefinger interjected then, "Jorah Mormonts a slaver, not a traitor, small difference I know to an honorable man," he raised his hands in mock surrender.
"He broke the law. Betrayed his family, fled our land. We commit murder on the word of this man?" Eddard asked.
"And if he's right? If she has a son? A Targaryen at the head of a Dothraki army. What then?" Robert asked.
"The narrow sea still lies between us. I'll fear the Dothraki the day they teach their horses to run on water." Eddard responded.
"Do nothing? That's your wise advice do nothing till our enemies are on our shores! Your my council. Council! Speak sense to this honorable fool!"
Varys spoke first, "I understand your misgivings my Lord truly I do. It is a terrible thing we must consider, a vile thing. Yet we who presume to rule must sometimes do vile things for the good of the realm. Should the gods grant Daenerys a son, the realm will bleed."
Pyrcelle spoke afterward, "I bear this girl no ill will but should the Dothraki invade, how many innocents will die? How many towns will burn? Is it not wiser, kinder even that she should die now so that tens of thousands might live?"
"We should have had them both killed years ago," Renly said simply.
Littlefingers turn to speak was next "When you find yourself in bed with an ugly woman, best close your eyes get over with…cut her throat. Be done with it." He said as he drank into his goblet.
Tommen spoke next, "Lord Stark I understand your grievances, but we gave them a chance and they betrayed it. They took advantage of my father's mercy and they must pay for it."
The rest of the table seemed shocked at the prince's words, he who was always kind to the servants and nobles alike. He who aspired to be a prince of honor and reason. He who made maidens blush when he entered a room and made his father proud. Now he was talking plainly of killing a girl with a babe in her womb. Littlefinger turned towards Tommen and nodded in approval something that made Tommen's stomach turn.
Eddard soon recovered and approached the table. "I followed you into war, twice. Without doubts, without second thoughts, but I will not follow you now. The Robert I grew up with didn't tremble at the shadow of an unborn child."
Robert looked taken aback a bit but he spoke clearly and concisely nonetheless "She dies."
"I will have no part in it," Eddard said simply.
"You're the King's hand Lord Stark, you'll do as I command or I'll find me a hand who will."
Ned lifted his hand to his breast and took out the golden hand of the king and tossed it on the table. "And good luck to him, I thought you were a better man."
"Out. Out damn you! I'm done with you! Go, run back to Winterfell. I'll have your head on a spike. I'll put it there myself you fool!" By this time Lord Eddard was already out of the room, but Robert continued to raise his voice as he yelled. "You think your too good for this? Too proud and honorable! This is a war!" Roberts ranting continued for some time before they got to discussing how they would do it.
"We could hire the Faceless men of Braavos they are the best there are," Littlefinger said as Robert grew quiet.
"They are very expensive, I doubt we could afford their services," Varys said.
"What would be your suggestion then?" Robert asked the eunuch.
"We could promise lands and riches to a knight who would do the job."
"No," Tommen said simply "If we are to do this, we should do it right. The faceless men are the only men for this job."
Robert's mouth twitched in thought as he brought his hand to his forehead. "I agree with my son, Lord Varys find the price and then we'll decide what to do."
"Yes, your Grace," The Eunuch responded.