Chapter 4
A wedding to remember.
I own nothing but my new fairy lights around my bed. Sorry for the wait I forgot this was ready
Cat
Tyrion convinced them to walk down to the docks to meet her husband. Cat agreed mostly because she wants to see him again after so long without him.
"I've had a thought." Tyrion says as they walk through the streets of King's Landing."
"And what would your thought have been, brother." Cersei says with a smile on her face. As she walked she was thinking about the improvements that could be made to King's landing in the wake of the destruction her father caused to the city.
"We were in a god's wood, yes?" both women nod. "It's said that one can't lie in front of a heart tree, and that sometimes the old gods will give you a nudge to speak what you truly want to."
"But there's no heart tree in that god's wood." Cat says.
"Yes now there isn't, but there once was one in there. The roots should still be there. If the gods are in every part of the trees, then why not the roots too?" Tyrion says with a smile on his face. Thankful that the guards were either too far ahead or behind them to hear their conversation and report it back to his father. Even if half were Tully guards the Lannister guards would spy on them in a heartbeat.
"So you're saying they didn't take control of us to say that." Cersei asks a bit happier at this news as the gods promised free will.
"I believe so. Maybe you should ask your husband about the old gods and see what he says my lady." Tyrion says to Cat. Cat nods her head in agreement.
Once they arrive at the dock they see a ship making its way to the harbour with Direwolf banners and that of the shooting star and sword. This was different to what Cercei remembered.
"The Dayne's didn't come last time. Why are they here now? I know you were in your chambers last time, Cat, but I was forced to greet Ned." Cersei remarked with confusion. "Oh dear you don't think that this is the second change. That Ashara didn't kill herself?"
"No, no they wouldn't do that to me. Surely they wouldn't." turning to Cersei she says. "Please tell me the gods that sent us back wouldn't be that cruel." Cersei puts her arms around Cat as she starts crying. Cat can't help but think that Ned is about to set her aside for his first love.
"No, Ashara can't be alive, surely it's just Lord Alster Dayne. Asharas brother." Cersei says. Tyrion looks at both women.
"Something I should know?" Tyrion asks.
"Ned promised himself to Ashara but then married Cat because of the war." Cersei says quietly.
It took just over an hour for the ship to dock. Cat still crying on the docks looks up as the gangway is lowered from the ship. Ned, happy at first upon seeing his wife waiting for him, turns horrified upon seeing that Cat is crying. Rushing down the gangway he pulls Cat out of Cersei's arms and holds her.
"What is wrong, my lady is it our child. Was it still born?" Ned says in a rush. Seeing that Cat is unable to talk for herself Cersei answers him.
"Why is the Dayne Banner on your ship? Have you brought your lover to court to convince King Robert to set aside your marriage?" Cersei says accusingly. The shocked look on Ned's face then turns to understanding.
"Ser Arthur Dayne accompanied me in his brother's place as Lord Dayne's wife is about to give birth to their first born." The shock on the two women's faces is undeniable. Cat dries her face and tries to compose herself.
"I heard Arthur Dayne died." Tyrion says.
"Well you should then be glad that those rumours are unfounded." Ser Arthur says as he comes down the gangway. The Kings Guard knight very much alive, but no longer wearing the white armour of the King's Guard. His face is covered in bruises, with the way he is walking that isn't the only place with bruises. The Lannister Guards move forward to protect Cersei and Tyrion, as well as take the Knight into custody.
"Hold." Tyrion says to the guards. "I expect that you will hand over Dawn to Lord Stark, Ser Arthur, and accompany us to the Red Keep to answer for your crimes." Ser Arthur nods his head, and hands over his family sword. Just then the cry of two babies can be heard.
Coming down the gangway were two nursemaids each with a babe in arms. Cat knows that one of them has to be Jon, the other she has no idea who that is. Then men that Cat didn't know came down with Lord Reed. It seems all six of Ned's companions survived.
"Ned?" Cat asks in a questioning voice, her eyes still red from crying.
"Please let me explain, just not here. I do believe that we have a trial to get to." Ned says, indicating with his head to Arthur. Cat nods her agreement. Ned issues Orders for some of his belongings and those of Arthur and the children to be brought up to the Red Keep.
This time instead of walking, they went in a carriage that Tyrion arranged for. Tyrion, complaining that his legs were hurting him, rode in the carriage with Cat, Cersei and the nursemaids holding the children. Jon started fussing before the nursemaid could bare her breast, Cat beat her to it, taking the babe out of her arms and feeding him from her own breasts, which had begun to hurt from not having fed her own children since before they arrived in King's Landing.
It took less time to arrive back at the Red Keep then it had taken them to walk down. They were shown straight into the Throne room. Cat noticed that Cersei went to stand next to the Throne which Robert was sitting on.
"Ser Arthur Dayne, give me one good reason why I shouldn't remove your head and have Starfall taken from the Dayne's." Arthur went to his knees at these words.
"Because I was as much a prisoner as Lady Lyanna was, your grace. I wasnt with the party that kidnapped Lady Lyanna. I had been sent ahead to the Tower of Joy in the Prince's Pass, to make sure it was ready for occupation. I had thought Rhaegar meant to hide his wife and children there, before calling a grand council and taking that mad bastard Aerys off the throne, by force if necessary. That had been the plan at Harrenhal.
"When Rhagar arrived at the tower with Lady Lyanna in bad shape I took Dawn out and made a move to strike Rhaegar. That was my mistake. I should have waited for the mad man to sleep and steal away with the lady to Starfall, my brother and sister would have helped us escape to the North. Lewyn Martell and Jonothor Darry jumped me before I could end him like my Knightly vows forced me to.
"I was locked in a cage in one of the bed rooms and made to listen to every time that bastard forced himself on Lady Lyanna. If I was a stronger man I would have ended my life rather than listen to her screams or his ranting. After every time he finished he would rant to her, rant to me.
"I wasn't freed until Lord Stark came to his sister's rescue. By then it was too late for Lady Lyanna, the horrid treatment on their way to the tower and her thrice daily rapes had taken their tole, she was barely hanging on to life when Lord Stark arrived. I only know this because Lady Lyanna and I would talk to each other through the walls after Rhaegar left, no matter the beating the two of us got we didn't give up the comfort of those conversations." Ser Arthur broke down in tears at the end of his tale. Half the court was also crying. Cat wonders if that is the true story, half the story, or a complete lie to protect Jon. The bruises give at least some credence to the story. Robert was openly crying for the fate of his love, head in hands. Cersei steps close to Robert going on her knees in front of the throne.
"Your grace, I have something I would like to ask Ser Arthur if you would allow it?" Robert just waves his hand at her. "Ser Arthur if you were given a choice what would you like to do from here on out?"
"If I had the choice, Lady Cersei, I would like to go North with Lord Stark and his family, his base born twins are all I have left of my beloved sister. My sister Lady Ashara is no more among the living" Arthur says, tears still going down his face.
"Your grace, if I may, I have a suggestion. Dismiss all of Aerys Kings Guard. Start fresh. I know Barristan has already sworn to you, but my brother and Ser Arthur were used against their family's by the Targaryen's. Let them go and do as they please." Robert looks up at Cersei's words.
"You would let your Brother go, you would let one of the finest knights in the realm go? You are to be my queen, I would know your reasons, all of them." Robert says looking in her eyes, still crying.
"The Mad King only named my brother to anger my father. Rhaegar used Ser Arthur to keep the Dayne's from looking in their lands for Lady Lyanna. Both of them raped women while making my brother and Ser Arthur had to stand guard and listen. They deserve to be away from this place of horrors. While we will make it a place of wonder, all they will see is the horrors committed in front of them. Just like I can see Lord Stark is very uncomfortable in the room his father and brother were murdered in." Robert cups her cheek, the first kind gesture he has ever given her in both life times.
"My soon to be queen is right. Henceforth the Kings Guard is disbanded to be reformed by Ser Barristan if he is willing to come back. If not well we will hold a tourney to see who is the best and most worthy to join the new Kings Guard." Robert gave Cersei a small smile. "Enough of this, we have a reason to be happy Ned bring forth your four children." Robert laughs half heartedly. "Two sets of twins, Ned. My haven't you been busy?"
Cat, having already sent for her children, steps forward with the four nursemaid's following her. Ned comes to stand by her side, ready to present his children.
"Did your Lady wife tell you the names of your children yet? Hoster Tully told me she refuses to name them until in your presence, good thing she avoided mine or I would have had to give her a royal command." a smile coming back to his face as he stands and helps Cersei to her feet. Ned smiles at her.
"No she has not." Ned says before bending down and whispering to her. "Please forgive me but I think I will now need to explain my other set of twins in front of the whole court before I can explain to you in private." a nod is all he gets for Cat.
"Your Grace may I present the Heir to the North Robb Stark and his sister who came into this world holding her brother's foot, Lyarra Stark." Cersei beams at Cat's words, another set of twins born like her and Jaime. Ned smiles widely at her words, the names of his children, ones he hadn't expected.
"Robert, these are my children born to Ashara Dayne, she came to the Vale after Princess Elia sent her away from court. I met her at the Bloody Gate. My daughter was born first, Serena Snow, followed by her brother Jon Snow." Ned turned to Cat at this. "My Lady, I thought I would be marrying Ashara when I slept with her. I never meant to dishonour you. Ser Arthur if my Lady wife agrees I will take you into my household as all four of my childrens sworn sword."
"I agree with Ser Arthur joining our household, on the condition he not only teaches his nephew and niece sword play but our children too." Cat says, no anger in her tone much to the relief of her husband.
"I most heartedly agree to your condition, my Lady."
Cersei
The Sept of Baelor is decorated beautifully for the royal wedding, done in subtle colours of both house Baratheon and house Lannister, red and yellow flowers with black and gold cloths covering the seats.
It is a longer ceremony than normal, the High Septon wanting to pontificate as much as he could. Cersei however wasn't paying him any attention as she was actually surprised that Robert was sober, he hadn't been in their original wedding, but then Lord Stark had not been standing next to him in the last wedding, as she had thrown a fit until it was her brother Jaime standing next to him.
At last as the ceremony is winding down to the actual wedding Cersei starts paying attention.
"Before I can name you man and wife, King Robert, you must shed your Bride's maiden cloak and Cloak her in your own, bringing her under the protection of your family and yourself. By cloaking her you promise to only be hers, that her enemies become yours, that her family becomes your.
"Lady Cersei by accepting the Baratheon Marriage cloak you promise to only be his, to never be with another while you both shall live, that his enemies become yours, that his family becomes yours." Cersei turns her back to Robert to allow him to take off her maiden cloak easier.
Robert in a show of unity with his soon to be queen ignores the cloak that Lord Stark is trying to give him and takes the one off his own back to give her. Cersei turns around as she feels the weight settle on her shoulders. Before she can fasten it herself Robert reaches up and does the clasp for her, pulling the cloak firmly around her so the Baratheon sigil on the back is easier to see. Taking her hand in his and holding them out to the Septon.
"In the Light of the Seven, I High Septon Maynard seal these two souls. Binding them as one for eternity, look upon one another and say the words." High Septon Maynard says as he binds Cersei and Robert's hands together with a cloth.
"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger, I am his and he is mine. From this day until the end of my days" Cersei says as Robert says his own vows.
"I pronounce you one heart and one soul. You may kiss your Bride." The kiss was better then there first, instead of drunk slobbering, it is soft and gentle. After the High Septon unwraps their hands Robert turns to the crowd.
"Before you all today, I King Robert the First of his name, do here by crown your new queen, Queen Cersei, kneel a Lady at my side but rise a queen." Robert says, waving Lord Stark forward with a box in his hands.
A pillow has been placed in front of her. Kneeling on the pillow Cersei takes in another breath, this is also different, Robert had forgotten to do this last time, it wasn't until her father reminded him at their wedding feast that she was crowned. Cersei looks up to see a beautiful golden circlet with green Emeralds the same shade as her eyes and blue Sapphires the same shade as Roberts. Robert gentilly places it on her head. Before holding his hand out to her and lifting her to her feet.
"I give you, your new Queen, Queen Cersei Lannister." Cersei nudges his side and shakes her head. "My Queen?" he says puzzled.
"Queen Cersei Baratheon." she says her voice echoing around the hall as she makes sure everyone hears her new name. The dazzling smile on his face makes it worth it, even if her father is scowling. She shrugs internally, his grandchild will still sit the throne, what matters if she takes Robert's name.
The wedding feast progressed well, Cersei would wave off the cup bearers nearly every time they tried to fill hers or Roberts glass. Robert at first scowls until he finally asks her.
"My Queen is there a reason we aren't drinking like the rest?"
"Robert, please call me Cersei, I am your wife before I'm your queen. As to the drinking. Is it so wrong that I want to remember our first night? I know you're not a virgin and much to my fathers horror neither am I. You didn't marry me for my virginity, you married me for my father's support.
"I want us to have no secrets between us, so yes I slept with Prince Oberyn when the mad king denied my father's request to betrothe me to the rapist Prince. I don't remember much but I know it wasn't very good. Both of us were drunk and regretted it. So I want us both to be sober so we both have a good time." Robert laughs at her words.
"Your honesty is refreshing. Very well, I will give you the night of your life. We can skip to the bedding if you like." Robert says wagging his eyebrows. Cersei can't help but laugh.
"not yet you still owe me a gift. Two if I can beg them out of you." she says, still slightly laughing.
"well if you promise me a gift in the bedroom I'll give you both gifts." Robert's booming laugh fills the garden. Getting to his feet and holding his hand out for Cersei to take he walks them to the front of the table.
"my wife has just reminded me that I owe her a gift, and as I'm a generous man I will grant her two. So my Queen state your gifts and I will grant them."
"My gifts are not for myself, my king. In your place as Lord of Storm's End for his efforts in keeping your ancestral home safe, I would have you name your brother Stannis and ask if it please you that he take the name Durrendon. So that your line will be the royal line of Baratheon." Robert looks thoughtful before nodding. Cheers erupt from the Storm Lords while Stannis looks happy but very confused.
"Granted, I shall talk to my brothers about their name change, and for your second." he says, planting a kiss on her cheek.
"For not only their effort, nor their suffering, but to right a wrong the Targaryen's did to them, I would give the Stark's back the fertile land Queen Alysanne stole from them, I would give back the new gift." cheers erupt from the Northern Lords overjoyed to have their most fertile lands back for those that aren't even using them.
"My Queen, I am overjoyed that you would use your gifts on others and while I will grant both, I want you to choose a gift for yourself and no other." Robert says, taking her into his arms. Cersei has to think for a moment. Most of the court look at her in shock, realising in this moment that she never thought of a gift for herself.
"Oh I know, how about my own merchant fleet, say fifteen trading cogs and five warships to protect them. Anything after that I'll buy myself with whatever I earn." She says excitedly the thought of being able to bring more trade into the city filling her with joy. Robert chuckled at her.
"Still thinking of others, very well I will have Lord Velaryon and Lord Celtagar build your fleet. But now my Lords and Ladies continue to enjoy the feast. I have a Bride to ravish" Robert says, sweeping Cersei off her feet and running away with her before any of the Lords could call for a bedding and try to strip her.
A shriek of laughter is the last thing the Lords of the realm hear.
Tyrion
Cersei's idea for gifts we're genius, Tyrion didn't think she had it in her. The sour look on Jaime's face made Tyrion realise that something was very wrong with his favourite sibling. Their father, too busy politicking to notice any of his children, left it up to Tyrion to find out what is wrong.
"Cheer up Jaime, this is Cersei's big day. She has always wanted to be queen." Tyrion says refilling Jaime's glass.
"not now Tyrion. I'm not in the mood for your japes." Jaime says before grabbing the decanter off Tyrion and storming off. Tyrion notices their father watching Jaime before motioning to two of his guards to follow Jaime.
Looking around to see if he can stop the spider Tyrion notices he is in conversation with another man he wants to talk to. Varys is sitting opposite to one Eddard Stark. Walking over to the two men he asks.
"May I sit, I have many things I would like to ask you, Lord Stark." with a nod from both men he sits next to Varys. "stay Varys, I hear you may know somethings about what I wanted to ask."
"Ask away my lord. I am but a humble servant of the realm." Varys says "but I'm more interested in what you have to ask Lord Stark."
"I wanted to know about your old god's my lord. I have heard some fascinating things about them." Tyrion says while filling himself a glass before offering to fill both men's, they both nod their consent. What neither notices is in Tyrion's plan is a less known poison called sweet sleep. Once drunk you fall into a sleep one never awakens from. Making sure not to get any in Lord Stark's drink, Tyrion starts asking his questions.
"Is it true when you say your wedding vows and pray before the hearts tree if you are soul mates the weirwood tree gives you matching bracelets?" Eddard hums in his own thoughts for a moment
"While I have heard that one I have never actually seen it happen so I'm not a hundred percent sure."
"Varys I have heard you keep the wizard that unmanned you locked in one of the black cells so he can't do that to anyone ever again." Varys gives his tittering laugh.
"not completely accurate but yes he is my prisoner." Eddard looks aghast at this.
"You have a man locked up and haven't killed him?" he asks.
"Yes, I find it soothing to know he can never hurt another young boy for his craft again." Eddard nods at his words.
"I have another question for you Lord Stark, is it true no one can lie in front of a heart tree?" Tyrion says, taking a gulp of his drink. Watching as Varys does the same.
"You need some lessons in drinking Lord Tyrion, I'm sure GreatJon would be happy to give you some. But in essence yes, but only if you believe in the old gods. Tests have been run on this with Andals in the past, they can lie while first men can't, first men can often be compelled or prompted to tell truths they would otherwise want to keep silent in the presence of a weirwood." Eddard says sipping at his own glass of wine, grimacing before saying. "GreatJon's ale is better than this horse piss."
"Any more questions, my lord?" Varys says ignoring Eddard's last comment.
"did the wizard really use your manhood to cast a spell?" Tyrion says while draining the rest of his glass, hoping Varys would too. Both Eddard and Varys frown at this question
"I know you are still young Lord Tyrion but that's a very personal question and while I don't mind talking about the wizard that night still brings up bad memories." Varys says before draining his glass and leaving the table.
"I didn't mean to offend him. I had heard he had spoken of it before. I thought he wouldn't mind." Tyrion says more to himself then to Eddard.
"It's all right lad, in my eyes you did nothing wrong you're just curious. Most boys your age would be. You're what, six and ten?" at Tyrion's nod Eddard continues. "At your age I asked all sorts of questions Lord Arryn thought inappropriate. Never mind Varys, he's just sensitive. Did you know what your sister was going to ask for a gift?"
"Only the return of the gift back to your hands. Also that she was preparing another incase Robert declined." Tyrion says refilling his glass.
"It was very generous of her to give up a gift meant to be for her to reward not only us but Stannis too. Any idea why she asked for the name change?" Eddard says before waving over a giant of a man.
"If my guess is correct, it was so only her children and those that follow her have the royal name." the giant man sat next to Eddard.
"Ned, what do you need?" he asks.
"Lord Tyrion, this is Lord GreatJon Umber. GreatJon I need some good Northern ale." GreatJon laughs at Eddard's wishes before waving one of the northern servants over.
"Get Lord Stark some of my ale boy and be quick about it. Actually bring a few barrels. Let's see if the little lion knows how to drink." a few of the Northern Lords that had come over with GreatJon laugh in approval. Some of the Westerlands lords upon hearing the challenge came over to join.
"Why not make it a wager Lord Umber. If I match you drink for drink and you fall first you accompany me to the wall at some point and bring all the ale we can drink." a roar of approval came from the Western Lords.
"and if I win you pay for all the ale we will drink on the journey. And call me GreatJon Lord Umber was my father. I look for him every time I hear that."
With the challenge set down the men got down to some serious drinking. In the end Tyrion won. But only just, not two minutes after GreatJon fell asleep so did Tyrion. Both northern and western Lords cheered on the littlest lion in his victory, while Eddard looked on with a smile on his face.
To answer InfinityMask i hope this chapter answers the free will, as to Pyter over Varys, I figured that Pyter would have done all the research he could on the Stark Family as he hated them so much which would include the book The Testimony of Mushroom and sent one of his spies after the eggs. Yes Varys would have read the book and likely dismissed it as the ravings of a fool like everyone else.