Hello everyone. Here is a new chapter for this fanfiction! It's quite a long one, but I wanted to make it up to everyone who waited a long time for this update!
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-One Piece: A Demon's treasure (Suprise chapter!)
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Chapter 15
The Lannister camp held an important position for them to regroup and organize their next movement, that was if they weren't openly attacked, which they won't since few would dare to attack the Lannister army in such a way. Yet the common soldier seemed to be doing what he told, moving from one side to the next, preparing defensive positions, or making sure their provisions weren't scattered by the wind. Inside a large tent, guards make sure no one enters without approval. A certain lord was butchering a stag with nothing but contempt.
"Summoned to court to answer for the crimes of your bannerman, Gregor Clegane, The Mountain. And uh... arrive within the fortnight or be branded an enemy of the crown."
Jaime mocked slowly, still having difficulty believing Ned Stark was this idiotic. Yet, the proof was on his hand.
"Poor Ned Stark. Brave man, terrible judgment," Jaime mocked again; however, his father, Tywin Lannister, wasn't one to laugh. He just glanced at Jaime briefly before continuing with his butchering.
"Attacking him was stupid," Tywin only stated, as Jaime seemed to quickly put his tongue behind his teeth. Not daring to say more, either out of anger or fear.
"Lannister, don't act like fools," Tywin declared while pulling the stag's guts out. Jaime scoffed silently. He wanted to speak but needed help to think of something that would make his statement sound smart. And that was something Tywin saw quickly.
"You gonna say something clever?" Tywin said, already knowing his son's mentality. "Go on, say something clever."
Jaime noticed the icy tone of his father's voice. The Old Lion wasn't taking these skirmishes with the Riverlands funny at all. In fact, Tywin didn't like the whole situation one bit.
"Catelyn Stark took my brother," Jaime declared, and again, Tywin mocked while cleaning the blood out of his hand.
"Why is he still alive?" Tywin asked then.
"Tyrion?"
"Ned Stark," Tywin replied with a pretty aggravated tone. As if he were speaking to a child.
"Galadriel arrived at the scene. She stopped it. I didn't want her to get involved."
Tywin shook his head, genuinely amazed by his son's lack of awareness.
Still, he only glared at Jaime at the news that his granddaughter was there to stop Jaime's arrogance. However, there was something that he wanted to know. "Why is he still alive?" He asked again, this time just tired of repeating himself.
"It wouldn't have been clean... I didn't want my niece to see something like that," Jaime replied, and this time, he was the one showing discontent at the question.
"Clean... my granddaughter is no one to shiver under the sight of blood," Tywin mocked loudly. "And you... You spend too much worrying about what other people think of you."
"I could care less what anyone thinks of me," Jaime defended, but anger was showing on his face as clear as day, and Tywin knew it all too well. Jaime could never lie to him.
"No, that's what you want people to think of you," Twin replied, noticing Jaime's facade crumbling down.
"It's the truth," Jaime said, trying to convince himself that the people's opinions don't matter to him. It was a game that he knew he would lose. Yet, deep inside, Jaime wanted to be known as something more than a king killer. And sadly for him, Tywin knew his son's thoughts.
"When you hear them whispering "Kingslayer" behind your back, doesn't it bother you?" Tywin's words hit a sore spot for Jaime, who clenched his jaw at mentioning his unofficial title. All of those years, the stares, the whispering behind his back. No one knew what he knew. The truth of the killing of the Mad King, only him. But for everyone in the Seven Kingdoms, Jaime Lannister was only the Oathbreaker. The Kingslayer and nothing more.
Jaime looked into his father's eyes. "Of course, it bothers me," he admitted hissingly.
"A lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of the sheep," Tywin declared sternly, glancing into his oldest son's eyes.
"I should be grateful that my granddaughter has been showing more of her Lannister's blood than the Baratheon... or Targaryen and got in the way of your recklessness," Tywin admitted, almost pleased with himself. Jaime felt like a slap in the face but couldn't blame Galadriel for that, no matter how much he tried. He couldn't ever hate her. Nevertheless, Tywin took tiny breaths, thinking deeply of his next step, and then he glanced at Jaime.
"I'm giving you half of our forces, thirty thousand men," Tywin declared coldly. "We'll bring them to Catelyn Stark's girlhood home and remind her that Lannisters pay their debts."
Jaime tilted his head, smirkingly, almost amused by his father's command. "I didn't realize you place such a high value on my brother's life."
Tywin let a small laugh, or was it a scoff of disgust or sarcasm? Jaime needed clarification. But knowing his father, such a thing would never happen.
"He's a Lannister," Tywin said, his voice drolling with disdain. "He might be the lowest of the Lannisters, but he's one of us. And every day that he remains a prisoner, the less our name commands respect."
"So the lion does concern himself with the opinions-"
"It's not an opinion; it is a fact!" Tywin snapped quickly. "If another house can seize one of our own, and hold him captive, with impunity, we are no longer a house to be feared."
Jaime just stood there, watching cold eyes glaring at him.
"Your mother's dead. Before long, I'll be dead. And you and your brother and sister and all of her children. All of us rotting in the ground. It's the family name that lives on. It's all that lives on. Not your personal glory, not your honour, but your family. Do you understand?"
Jaime just nodded slowly.
"You're blessed with abilities that few men possess. You're blessed to belong to the most powerful family in the Kingdoms. And you're still blessed with youth. And what have you done with those blessings, eh? You serve as a glorified bodyguard for two kings. One a madman, and the other a drunk."
Tywin had a lot to say to his oldest. Many things, but the main thing he wanted, more than anything else, was for Jaime to be more than he was. That was what Tywin desired.
"The future of our house will be determined in these next few months. We could establish a dynasty that will last a thousand years, or we could collapse into nothing as the Targaryen did," Tywin said, softly grabbing Jaime's cheek and making him look into his eyes. An action that undoubtedly surprised the Kingsguard. "I need you to become the man you were always meant to be. No next year, no tomorrow... now!"
Jaime gulped internally. He couldn't do or say more. He just left the tent quickly, wondering about those words.
However, Tywin sighed deeply, as he then stared at another letter, that arrived not soon after. It was from his granddaughter and he was the only person who has read it so far.
"She more Lion than Stag, or dragon."
Tywin allowed himself to smile proudly, a good thing that no one was there to see it.
Galadriel closed her eyes as she heard the bells across King's Landing. She looked at the Baratheon ring and hummed slowly. It was a prestige ring, to be sure. Fit for a king, for a lord. But now it belongs to her. A great moment was unfolding before her, and it was time to decide what to do with it.
"War," Galadriel allowed herself to smile. Her spies told her about Renly trying and failing to convince Ned Stark to aid him in his coup. It was predictable, of course. But now, only Ned and Galadriel knew that Robert had named her the true heir and rightful queen. That in itself would generate some chaos and nuisance to her. But worth it.
"A woman can't rule!" Galadriel mocked the voice of the nobles and everyone else. "But... now the snowball is rolling down. What should I do?"
Galadriel hummed deeply. She still wanted a war to happen. Renly borrowed considerable credit for his army. And he wasn't alone. Cersei also borrowed a lot of Gold to bride her way up, making sure nobles and the city guard would be on her side at any moment. Then, her dear older brother Joffrey, who has been taking as much as he wanted from her bank to finance his private little mercenary army, with the help of Baelish, of course. But more importantly. The Riverlands and the Reach have been amounting Gold in their chests too.
The Tyrell has been slowly growing its credit in her bank. No doubt, Lord Mace Tyrell thought his debts would be forgiven once Renly achieved his goals and became crowned king.
Galadriel could already see a glimpse of Margaery's face when she witnessed her father's foolishness and the horrific numbers of her family's debt. But it was all part of the plan. Yet it wasn't enough.
Galadriel wanted the Great House to flock to her bank and borrow more. The bigger the debt, the stronger the hold she would have for decades, even centuries, to come. A true centralized power. An absolute monarchy. And slowly, she would take away their armies, titles, and land, and it would belong all to her as a supreme Queen. But that was for the future. Now, she only needed to exploit the moment. More chaos, more war, more death, more entertainment for her.
A crazy idea, yes, but one Galadriel desired. What's the fun of taking over if it's going to be fast and boring?
"Joffrey, my dear beloved brother," Galadriel teased as she looked outside the window. "I wonder what kind of face you would make when everyone is against you? When they pursue you to punish you for your foolishness? Will they spit on you? When all of them realize that you're responsible for all their suffering?"
Galadriel smiled maliciously. "I wonder if he would end up like Mussolini? Now that would be fun. Still, if I want the war to escalate and become bigger... It would need something big."
The princess looked at the letter in her hands. "Margaery, you're so sweet with your words. It makes me blush."
Margaery was taken away by her brother the moment Robert died. She expected as much. Margaery had a role to play, whether she liked it or not. And Arianne did the same. Again, against her will. The Dornish princess was called back to Dorne immediately. Not before, Arianne left an incredible smutty letter just for her, with her undergarment as a farewell gift.
"Still, their families are moving now... they are going to be busy."
Galadriel then heard a knock on the door and smiled. "Your highness, is the time!" Mya called.
She prepared herself for what would be a fun day. "Ah, it's going to be a great day!"
Galadriel whispered as she walked away.
Ned sat in his chamber as he wrote an incredible and vital letter. One of the most important ones in all his life. Especially after his unpleasant meeting with Renly, whose ambitions were highly haughty to him and the realm. But then again, so everyone else aims.
"You will sail to Dragonstone tonight," Ned said, looking at one of his most loyal men. "You will place this in the hand of Stannis Baratheon and only him. Not his steward, not his captain of the guard and not his wife. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord hand," the Stark soldier replied quickly.
Ned then saw Baelish arriving and felt his stomach already turning. "Leave us."
The door was closed behind, and Littlefinger mockingly felicitated Ned. "My lord protector." Ned had no time for his games nor to keep watching that smirk plastered all over his face. He just leaned back and took a deep breath.
"The king has no trueborn heirs. Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are all Cersei's bastard's children. Born out of incest with her lover, Jaime Lannister."
Now, Baelish had to admit he was a bit surprised about Ned's expressive words and how direct he could be. It was something he either expected or knew would happen. Still, for Littlefinger, it didn't matter in the grand scheme.
"So, that leaves only-"
"Galadriel, yes," Ned sighed deeply. "She is the only true-born child. The only actual princess of the Seven Kingdoms and Robert's heir."
Now, that was something, Baelish was surprised to hear. He thought, like many, that Robert would leave Joffrey as heir. After all, a ruling Queen wasn't one that has been widely accepted in Westeros. No doubt, they've had been queens in the past, but none that has pushed away the heir apparent and lived to rule. One just had to look at the Dance of Dragons and see how that turned out for the Targaryens.
"And when the king dead... Galadriel is the Queen."
"Yes, the throne passes to her," Ned declared. "She has been named by her father, not Joffrey, but her, to be the next monarch. The next queen."
"So, it would seem," Baelish replied gently, hiding his intentions. "She is loved by everyone. The peasants sing songs for her. Everyone would rejoice to see her sit there. Perhaps, the only person who truly cares for the people of Westeros. I may add that she would be the best ruler we ever had."
Baelish was straightforward with his tongue; lying was as easy as breathing. But this was something he could admit was true. The princess was a godsent, a truly remarkable individual who would guide Westeros to a golden age for everyone. A truly wonderful place. But that would be in a perfect world. And Baelish didn't want to live in a perfect world.
"Unless-"
"There is no unless," Ned snapped back, already hating where this conversation was going. "She is the rightful heir; nothing can change that."
"And she can't take the throne without your help," Baelish replied. "You know, Joffrey has been waiting for this moment for a long time. His jealousy of his sister has only grown. And you would be wise to give it to Joffrey instead of the princess."
Ned just sat there, looking utterly aghast at the words coming out of Baelish. "Do you have a shred of honour?"
Baelish sighed, almost rolling his eyes. "You're now Hand of the King and Protector of the Realm. You must protect the realm. Give the throne to the princess, and the Seven Kingdoms will bleed. Joffrey has his mother on his side and the Lannister forces. They'll keep her alive, don't worry. Cersei would not allow harm to be done to her."
"There is no place for this... betrayal," Ned stated angrily.
"The common folk loves the princess and some nobles too... primarily those still Targaryen loyalists. But the rest benefit greatly from Joffrey and his mother, the queen. The nobility knows what it wants. And with Renly suddenly leaving, the Riverlands on fire, and Stannis still on his own. You will be putting more wood on the fire. A war could be next."
Baelish then approached Ned and stared at him. "It could all be over if you're smart. Make peace with the Lannisters. Release the Imp. Make Joffrey king. Wed your daughter to him, and Galadriel to your son. Send her away from here. We've plenty of time to get rid of Joffrey if he proves... unfit to be king and when it does happen, we would just reveal the truth."
"We?" Ned then snap his head at him.
"You'll need someone to share these burdens, I assure you," Baelish smiled widely. "My price would be modest."
"What you suggest is treason," Ned hissed.
"I suggest peace."
"A lie."
"Only if we lose."
Ned looked at his hand. The hands that have killed many people before. War wasn't something he didn't know about. "Make peace with the Lannisters, you say," he mocked as he pulled the Valyrian dagger and stared at it for a few seconds.
"With the people who tried to murder my boy."
"We only make peace with our enemies, my lord," Baelish replied quickly. "That's why it's called making peace."
Ned chuckled to himself. A promise he made to Robert. One that he meant to keep. "No, I won't do it."
Baelish sighed, annoyed. Well, no one can say I didn't try. He thought, aggravated. "So, it will be Galadriel... and war?"
"There is no other choice. The princess is the heir. The only heir."
"So, why did you call me here? Not for my wisdom, clearly."
Ned then nodded. "You promised Catelyn you would help me. The queen has a dozen of Lannister knights and hundred men at arms, and I am not a fool. I have seen with my own eyes... more mercenaries arriving at the city. Dressed up as sell swords. They are Joffrey's, right? He took his sister's Gold from the bank and hired those men?"
Baelish had to give it out to Ned. He knows to distinguish a sell sword looking for a job from a sell sword already working.
"It seems so," Baelish only replied. He was the only one who contacted a few mercenary companies from Essos. Around five hundred and fifty men. Two full companies. Veterans of war and highly skilled and expensive. But Gold wasn't a problem for Joffrey.
"They are enough to overwhelm what remains of my household guard," Ned admitted. "I need the Gold Cloaks. The city watch is two thousand strong and sworn to defend the king's peace."
Baelish chuckled to himself. The Gold Cloaks were deep into Cersei's pocket. There was no way for Ned to obtain what he wanted. Not one bit. It was almost sad to see.
"Look at you," Baelish teased mockingly. "You know what you want me to do. You know it has to be done. But it's not honourable, so when the queen proclaims one monarch, the Hand proclaims another. Whose peace do the Gold Cloaks protect? Who would they follow?"
Ned frowned deeply, watching Baelish play with his word, almost loving taste of its phrases.
"The man who pays them."
Galadriel smirked internally as she entered the throne room. There, she saw Joffrey sitting smugly in the throne room, with Cersei next to him. However, the queen regent looked anxious and guilty, even if just a little. The Kingsguards, although Galadriel refused to call anyone besides Ser Barristan that, stood there, protecting their supposed monarch. The Golden Cloaks and the mercenaries that Joffrey paid for were all there. A show of force, no doubt.
"My dear sister, I thank you for coming so fast," Joffrey said, and arrogance was dripping out of his voice.
"Joffrey, what are you doing?" Galadriel asked, faking surprise. "Mother, what is this?"
Cersei smiled at her. "My dear, don't worry about it. It's going to be fine. Your father's dead. That makes Joffrey the next in line."
"Exactly, that's why I want you to swear your loyalty to me," Joffrey added, and that smugness was on his face. As if he wanted nothing more but to see her kneel before him. He would make a joyful expression when he gets crowned king. But more than that, to make his sister work for him while he enjoys his life as king.
"That's..." Galadriel muttered nervously.
Mya and Gendry felt the tension in the air, only staring at the many soldiers there. It was out of the ordinary. Mya didn't even have to say a word to Gendry, who could read her mind already. They needed to get their sister out of this place.
"What's going on here?"
Ned Stark then appeared as he was guided by one of Cersei's agents. Joffrey's focus shifted to Ned as he approached the throne room.
"I, Joffrey Baratheon, 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 councillors."
Ned stood there, watching, glancing at Cersei, who dared him to question Joffrey's demand. He then looked at Galadriel and noticed how confused and terrified she seemed. Ned knew what he needed to do.
"Ser Barristan, I believe no man here could ever question your honour," Ned declared, giving the old knight Robert's decree.
Ser Barristan took it and curiously started to read it. "King Robert's seal, unbroken. I, Robert Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men. Lord of Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, at this moment, proclaim Eddard Stark to be the Protector of the realm and to rule as regent until my choosing heir and next in line to the throne..."
Ser Barristan then froze while reading it. Before turning his gaze to Galadriel quickly and noticing Robert's ring. That was the proof he needed to know the letter was communicating the truth.
"My daughter, princess Galadriel Baratheon come of age."
Those words practically brought Cersei's worst fears to life. As Joffrey screamed furiously. "Lie! That's a lie!"
"May I see that letter Ser Barristan?" Cersei quickly walked down, needing to read it by herself. Deep inside, knew that Ned wouldn't lie or fabricate such a thing. But she was deflecting it. When she saw the handwriting. Cersei knew immediately. It was real. That's Robert's hand signature.
"This... it's a fabrication. You've created this to instigate a rift between my two children."
Cersei lied smoothly; however, Galadriel was not keen to allow her fun to go to waste.
"It's not a lie, mother!" Galadriel exclaimed, faking fear and anxiety in her voice. Yet, at the same time, determination. "Father... proclaim me his heir. It's all true."
Galadriel showed her ring, and Cersei paled at the sight of it. Joffrey's face was almost transforming into one of a rabid dog.
"Mother... everything... it's all true!" Galadriel stated with a pleading voice.
Acting is so hard sometimes!
"A lie... all a lie!" Cersei spoke nervously as she ripped the letter in front of everyone.
"Those were the king's words," Ser Barristan frowned.
"We have a new king now," Cersei stated, showing a proud face. "Now, dear, please give this ring to your brother. I don't know what... Lord Stark promised you, or what he told you... but you don't want this. Please, give it to your older brother."
Cersei's words could have sounded more confident. In fact, Cersei says incredibly nervous, anxious, and almost sweating. "Please, Galadriel don't do this," Cersei whispered, pleadingly.
Galadriel looked at her ring. My precious! She joked in her mind. I won't cast it into the fire!
"No," Galadriel said, and everyone saw those golden eyes firm and determined.
"Galadriel!" Cersei has never seen those eyes like that. Those fierce golden eyes. She felt mesmerized by them. She didn't notice Joffrey's anger boiling up.
"Your son has no claim to the throne," Ned added while looking at Galadriel with growing respect. Those are Robert's eyes. He thought and felt that whatever doubt he had about Galadriel's true parentage vanished. She is, genuinely, Robert's child.
"Liar!" Joffrey yelled.
"It's not a lie, Joffrey! This is what father wanted! These are his words. This is the right thing, please! Joffrey, listen to me!" Galadriel screamed dramatically.
"Arrest them all!" Joffrey yelled. "All of them!"
"Wait, Joffrey!" Cersei panicked as she saw the Gold Cloaks and Joffrey's mercenaries approaching Ned Stark and Galadriel. Mya and Gendry quickly pulled their weapons out.
"Let's get the princess out of here!" Gendry growled, watching the Hound approaching him.
"Put your weapons down, boy," The Hound stated, yet his voice showed a bit of anxiousness at the fact a fight was coming. The Hound knew those two could easily take over half the soldiers there. It would be an incredibly bloody battle.
"Come and get it," Gendry replied with cold eyes on his face.
Mya put on her helmet and was ready to massacre everyone there. Yet, it was Galadriel who stopped them.
"No!" Galadriel's voice resonated in the hall, and Ned stared at her. He was also ready to fight with the rest of his household guards. "No... more bloodshed. I'll surrender... if this is what you want, Joffrey."
Joffrey seemed to be taken aback by Galadriel's reaction, and so was Cersei, but she smiled.
"Galadriel," Ned whispered softly.
"No more bloodshed, Lord Stark... he didn't want you to die for him..."
Ned just shook his head but sighed deeply. But he did notice that the City Watch was not on his side. They never were. And Baelish stood there smugly. I was a fool. Ned thought grimly. The princess seemed to know this would happen, so she decided it would be best to surrender.
"I swear, no harm will fall upon you, my dear sister," Joffrey stated, but his eyes said something else.
Mya and Gendry stared at her as if she was crazy, but soon, they stared at her. They knew it was something else.
"Take my sister to her tower, lock her inside there... until she gets some sense back her," Joffrey snarled victoriously. "The rest to the Black Cells."
"Mya, Gendry, please... believe in me," Galadriel whispered at them. Mya and Gendry just hissed but obeyed her. There must be a reason for this to happen. "Trust me."
Galadriel whispered one more time. As they saw her being escorted away.
Alright, here is where it starts!
Galadriel thought jovially as she put forward her plan.
The Red Keep was suddenly converted into a battlezone, where all the Stark's men were being butchered left and right. Even the cooks and everyone who came with them. Joffrey made sure to not let anyone else go.
Ned sighed as the cell's darkness didn't allow him to see anything. However, he didn't have to see nor hear to know what was left of his men were being butchered in the halls of the Red Keep.
Yet, suddenly he heard some steps coming towards him. A man with a torch.
"Lord Stark," a voice Ned recognized surprised him. "You must be thirsty."
"Lord Varys?" Ned whispered, confused and frowning at the pouch filled with water.
"It's not poison," Varys scoffed as he drank from it first. "Why is it no one ever trusts the eunuch."
Seeing that, Ned started to drink from it. "Not so much, my lord. I would save the rest if I were you. Men have died of thirst in this cell."
"What about my daughters?" Ned asked quickly.
"The younger one seems to have escaped the castle. Even my little birds seem to be unsuccessful in finding young Arya."
"And Sansa?"
"Still engaged to Joffrey. Cersei will keep her close. The rest of your household, though, all of them dead. It grieves me. I do hate the sight of blood."
Ned just gulped furiously. "You watched my men being slaughtered and did nothing."
"And would again, my lord. I was unarmed, unarmored and surrounded by Lannister's swords. When you look at me, did you see a hero?"
Ned just stared and shook his head before drinking again. "What about the princess? What about Galadriel?"
Varys then sighed. "She is imprisoned in her tower. Only Cersei's servants are allowed there. No one else. A better place than this, but then again. She is the princess of the Seven Kingdoms. Joffrey has kept his word for now, and no damage has fall upon her... but I fear that it would not be for long. Right now, Joffrey has tasted his sip bite of power. He'll soon be drunk on it."
"She is the true heir... the only true-born," Ned muttered while closing his eyes. "He has no right."
Varys sighed again. "What madness led you to tell the queen you had learned the truth about Joffrey's birth?"
Ned sighed, watching at the dark corner of his cell. "The madness of mercy. That she might save her children."
Varys then understood. A pitful look crossed his face as Ned Stark showed him his intentions.
"Ah, the children. It is always the innocents who suffer. It wasn't the wine that killed Rober, nor the boar. The wine slowed him down, and the boar ripped him open. But it was your mercy that killed the king."
Varys shook his head, now staring at the honourable man before him. "I trust you know you're a dead man, Lord Stark."
"The queen can't kill me. Cat holds her brother," Ned replied, with a hint of misguided hope.
"The wrong brother, sadly. And lost to her."
Ned then snapped back at him. In a complete shock to hear such words.
"If that's true, slit my throat and be done with it."
Varys just shook his head again. "Not today, my lord. There are more pressing matters to attend to."
"Like what?" Ned asked, almost mockingly.
"The life of the princess may still be saved," Varys stated as he stared at him. "Cersei may not harm her daughter, but the same cannot be said about Joffrey. He would find a way to eliminate her. I do not want that."
"Tell me, Varys, who do you truly serve? Her? The queen? Who?" Ned asked, and Varys just stood and glanced at him.
"I serve the realm; someone must," he replied. "And the princess... is the people's heart and soul. If she perished, then the Seven Kingdoms would genuinely bleed."
Ned stood there, watching, still not understanding the eunuch. "Then, why haven't you saved her?"
Varys then smiled at him. "My lord, you underestimate the princess. Many do, and then to still do. She's kind, lovable and inspired loyalty. And that seed grows in people. And that type of devotion can't be bought. No matter the price."
Varys knew that the princess had been preparing for this moment. The servants adored her. And even some Lannister's soldiers and Gold Cloaks. The princess was ready to flee the capital, with a bit of his help too.
"She even surprises me... and I am quite hard to surprise."
Varys stated while leaving Ned to wonder about his words.
Galadriel smiled at her "gateway" clothes. Now she honestly looked like a runaway princess. This was the fun she wanted to do. The plot and the whole thing were out of a drama. She was enjoying being the main protagonist.
"This is the fun I wanted," Galadriel smirked evilly. Her plans to let the war explode were going smoothly. She would let everyone go after each other and then come like a divine angel to bring peace and prosperity, elevating her name higher than any monarch before. Planting her name for posterity. While enjoying herself too.
Galadriel would leave the capital, then order her agents to burn the Crownlands farms and all the food and grain they've collected for Winter, making sure King's Landing would starve. Then, as hell rains upon them in the form of hundreds of refugees, Joffrey would be blamed for everything going wrong. Soon, civil unrest would happen. Galadriel has an excellent idea of how Joffrey would handle it. Then, slowly, she would drive her dear brother mad, forcing him to do more horrible things. Aerys, the Mad King, would have new competition. So, when the time comes for her to remove him. Everyone would blindly follow her. Not even Cersei or Tywin would deny her.
"Like a movie or a novel!" Galadriel squealed at her own little game.
"Your highness!" One of the maids helping her escape whispered frantically. "Everything is ready!"
"I know," Galadriel whispered dramatically. She then saw, Varys approaching her quickly. He was also wearing a cloak.
"Your grace," he bowed.
"Varys, I thank you for this," Galadriel replied quickly.
"Nonsense, my queen," Varys smiled. "Most of the people assisting are doing this because of you... I'm just making sure the path is clean. But we must not waste time... your friends are going to make sure to cause some trouble, making sure everyone's attentions are elsewhere."
Galadriel nodded while surprising Varys with a hug. Uh, he smells strange. "Take care!"
"I will," Varys replied smiling.
Galadriel was running with a few maids helping her with the few things she had. Like Mya and Gendry's weapon. And Lord Stark, Valyrian sword. And as they were walking towards the Black Cells. Two Lannister soldiers appeared, with Ser Barristan. Neither the maids nor Galadriel looked stunned or shocked; she was smiling internally.
"Your highness?" Ser Barristan asked, bewildered. When those two Lannister soldiers told him the queen regent wished to speak with him privately, he wondered what was truly happening. They looked suspicious, and he felt the tension in the air. But he didn't expect to meet the princess in such a place and hide in that long dark robe. But it dawned on him what was happening. He then stared at the two Lannister soldiers, expecting them to sound the alarm that the princess was trying to escape, but they didn't.
"Your highness, we have brought, Ser Barristan, as you commanded."
"Thank you, Daven, Martyn," Galadriel smiled at both soldiers. "I cannot repay what you have done for me."
Both soldiers simply bowed to her. "We are here to serve you... always."
The two Lannister soldiers knelt before her.
Galadriel smiled. People would think the tower she built was her prison, but no that wasn't the case. It was her palace. All the Lannister soldiers there, all the maids, who supposedly worked for her mother and grandfather, were loyal to her. Slowly, she planted her seed inside them by just being the lovable, innocent, and righteous princess. They saw her as a true angel and would do anything for her. Even going against the king and the queen's regent orders.
That was the seed, Varys was speaking about. A surprise that he didn't see until much later.
"Your highness," Ser Barristan just seemed stunned. "What..."
"Ser Barristan... I must ask you this, I don't have much time," Galadriel softly said. "You swore to protect the king. My father. You served dutifully to him, even though he was a drunkard. You operate under Aerys, the Mad King, because it is your duty. You took an oath."
Ser Barristan couldn't say much, just stood there, watching the princess show her face to him, the white-silver hair and golden eyes. The little girl he has been close to is now a woman, princess, and queen.
"I want you to keep fulfilling your oath. I need your help... Joffrey will destroy the Seven Kingdoms with my mother at his side. No one would stop him. If I had stayed here, he would have killed me without a doubt. You know this."
Ser Barristan knew that. It wasn't hard to guess. Joffrey looked too much like Aerys already. Rotten, bitter, jealous. All the signs he saw before.
"Your highness..." the old knight stared at Galadriel, who smiled at him gently.
"I need my knight... my Kingsguard... my Queensguard. Would you, Ser Barristand, follow your queen? And help her save the Seven Kingdoms?"
Ser Barristan has served for a long time. He wasted his years performing his duty to lunatics and drunkards. Once in his life, he wanted to know what's was like to serve proudly. To wear his proud white cloak without shame. He never had that opportunity, but now. The princess, the small girl who has changed so much in so little time. Stand alone against the madness of the world. That little girl, who he saw grew into something, truly beautiful.
She is the queen I have always wanted to serve. Ser Barristan pulled his sword out and knelt before her.
"For as long as I breathe... for as long as these bones allow me, I'll serve you... your grace."
Galadriel then bent slightly, gently kissing the old knight's forehead.
"Thank you."
Mya and Gendry lay dead on the ground, worried for their sister. The eerie silence and darkness of the Black Cells were slowly becoming incredibly aggravating.
But soon, they heard some quick rattle. A small group was coming. Both siblings quickly got back to their feet and prepared to fight. But soon, they saw Ser Barristand, and the princess arrived.
"Galadriel!"
"Your highness!"
Galadriel hugged them both tightly. "Thanks the gods, both of you are alive!" She exclaimed, relieved.
They had many questions, but they were relieved she was unharmed. "Your highness, what are you doing here?! What's happening?"
"No time to speak. We have little time," Galadriel said. "The keys."
Galadriel quickly took away their chains, and the two soldiers and maids gave them back their weapons and armour. "We are leaving King's Landing tonight. It's not safe for me... for any of us."
Mya took her bow and blade and felt finally complete. Gendry smiled as he picked up his sword and war hammer. That was until he saw the old knight.
"Ser Barristan?" Gendry asked, frowning slightly. "You're coming...? Aren't you loyal to the king?"
"Joffrey is not my king," Ser Barristan replied quickly. But earning a smile from Gendry.
"We have a few horses waiting for us in the city gates," Galadriel whispered.
"The Gold Claoks?" Mya asked, concerned, but Galadriel chuckled softly.
"A few... people from the Street of Sister are making quite a scene... running horse races in the open road to distract them while we escape."
"Oh... but who are they?" Gendry now asked, confused.
As Galadriel smiled softly. "They, the people, of course!"
Galadriel then looked around and was annoyed at how confusing the Black Cells were. "Where are they keeping, Lord Stark?"
"Your highness?"
Galadriel and the rest heard a voice not so far away. She took a torch and searched for it until she found it. The Warden of the North was chained to the wall.
"Lord Stark," Galadriel faked happiness.
"Your highness," Ned saw that she wasn't alone. In fact, he was surprised to see even Ser Barrisan with her. "Ser Barristan? So, you choose."
"I choose duty and honour. My oath is to her, not to Joffrey."
Ned nodded his head, happy to hear that.
"My lord, we came here to take you out," Galadriel said, showing Ice his sword.
"My daughters?"
"We can't find Arya... and Sansa is... well guarded. My mother does not want her to lose sight of her. We don't have the numbers to fight all of the mercenaries Joffrey brought here. It's too risky."
Ned nodded slightly. "Then... I'll stay."
Now, Galadriel needed clarification. "My lord? You'll die!"
"My daughters are here... I can't leave without them."
"Lord Stark, Joffrey and the queen... they will kill you. I heard that they expect you to denounce your claims before all of King's Landing. Then, Joffrey will execute you, no matter what. That's the type of person he is."
Ned knew that all too well. "If I leave... my daughters would be in great danger. I can't do that. If Joffrey is that mad to kill me like that. Then, he would do horrible things to them if I escape."
Galadriel's eyes twitched, annoyed. But she understood what he meant. Joffrey, indeed, was unpredictable. Galadriel hoped Ned would follow her, but it wasn't the world's end. She didn't necessarily need him for her goals. But, it would be a lie if she didn't find him and his sense of honour bothersome.
Galadriel could not care less about the Stark girls or Lord Stark. It was mostly her just showing up, so everyone could see that she tried to save him. But Galadriel would not deny and say that his fate tasted terrible in her mouth. Ned Stark's sense of honour, of duty, was something that truly bothered her. His convictions were just stupid. But, at the same time, something she idealizes herself. Maybe it was her old self, that small human part of her. That still held those morals high. Nevertheless, she wasn't one of those good people, not anymore.
But... he would have done the same. Galadriel thought about Touch-Me, his sense of duty and doing what's right. I truly wanted him to live a bit longer. But if this is how he wants to do things. Well, he wouldn't be my father's friend if he didn't.
"But... but," Galadriel played her role as she practised.
Ned simply took her hand. "Take my sword, and give it to my son, Robb. He will listen to you. Tell me... that the Lone Wolf dies, but the pack survives."
Galadriel wondered what those words meant but simply sighed deeply. She tried to do good, but couldn't take away, Ned's freedom to choose for himself.
"This may be the last time I ever see you, my lord," Galadriel whispered honestly. She did feel sad for Ned. It was a strange sensation of annoyance for him not listing to her and another one for the loss of a type of man that didn't exist anymore.
You're a good man, Eddard Stark. A shame your wife acted so recklessly, and you trusted the wrong people. King's Landing is not a place for honour or a man like you. In another life, I would have liked to know you better.
"I'm a soldier, your grace," Ned replied gently. "Death is something not new to me. Please, take care of my daughters if you can save them. I made mistakes. But, I pray the future of Westeros is in good hands."
Galadriel hugged the lord of the North tightly. "It is. I'll make you proud."
Ned closed his eyes and nodded. I'm sorry, Robert, I couldn't protect her... but I know she'll be fine.
"Leave now, your grace, before it is too late."
Ned saw them go, and darkness returned back to his sight. Yet, he felt relieved, somehow. He only regretted how things turned out. Mistakes and betraying. Not much for him to do, only to hope the princess achieves her goals for the good of all of them.
The group approach stables. Ser Barristan quickly looked around and saw a group of Gold Cloaks protecting a few horses.
"Ser Barristan is alright," Galadriel whispered as the fully cloaked group approached the city watch members.
"Steffan, Bryce," Galadriel called the two Gold Cloaks, which both quickly reacted.
"Your highness," both called back. "The horses are ready. We are sorry we couldn't get to the fourth one."
"Don't worry about it. You two risk a lot by helping me," Galadriel then pulled out a bag of gold and gave it to them. "Bring it to your good mother and your sister. Get out of the city, and tell the rest to do the same. It's going to be dark days ahead."
Mya, Gendry and Ser Barristan were floored by what was happening. Where did all these people come from? Why do they help the princess? It was a baffling situation. But one that Galadriel knows they didn't fully understand. For them, it was simply polite chatter when Galadriel spoke to the maids and the guards. But for Galadriel, it was different. She remembered the names of the sentries, the maids, and the cooks and asked them about their families. Their sisters, brothers, son, daughters and lovers. It wasn't polite chatter. It was her earning their love and loyalty. An easy task for her to accomplish. When you show them respect and love, it truly goes a long way.
The few times she dwelled on the streets of King's Landing, Galadriel visited their families, helping them in anything she could. And slowly, their loyalty was unquestioned. No one knew it. How could they? They didn't know how the poor thought. How the lowly peasant saw them. Galadriel was a symbol greater than life itself for all of them. A celebrity, one could even say. And they were ready to do whatever it took to save her.
"No... your highness, take it with you. It may serve you better to us," the Gold Cloak said, with a gentle and humble voice.
"But...!"
"We are going to wait for you... your grace. All of us."
Galadriel choked theatrically, and like the fantastic and divine princess she was, she gave both guards a small kiss on their cheek as a sign of thanks.
"Please, be careful."
"We will, your grace... we'll pray for you every day."
Each climbed onto a horse, except Galadriel, who sat behind Mya, hugging her tightly, as they rode away from the city.
The princess successfully escaped the city of snakes.
Whoa, that was fun! How should I name this movie...?
Galadriel thought, entertained, wondering how the rest would react. It would indeed be chaotic, and she adored it. All of it was part of her plan, and now it was time for her to sit back and enjoy the fireworks.
Authors note*
Also, to those who asked why did I use the British way to write, Honour and other words... because it sounds better, it looks better, it is better. I like that... sue me.