The Son He Always Wanted

A/N: I originally started this fic a while ago and posted the first parts of it, but got feedback that it stuck much too close to canon. So this is the second attempt at something a bit more AU. Please read and review.

EDIT: I don't own ASOIAF or GoT.

Sorry it took so long to post. I got a bit sick when I was about to post.

Zx, desdelor97, Charles Ceaser, ATP, sad sabrin, cpt-jet - thank you all for your kind reviews.

Cpt-jet - yeah, Lukas plays for his own benefit where possible. He has a philosophy on the Game of Thrones which will come out.

Meanwhile, back in Kings Landing, Tyrion Lannister sat having dinner alone. Tyrion had forged a few links of a chain in Oldtown when he was younger. His brother's present. When he had first left for Oldtown, he was sure that his father intended him to lose the family name and become a Maester at one time, before he realised that no lord would accept a dwarf as a Maester, no matter how smart he was.

Now he had to put that mind he had developed to good use. The Mountain Clans that he had brought with him to Kings Landing would need to be armed and then sent back towards the Vale to harass Lysa Arryn. Undoubtedly, word was now spreading that Lysa Arryn had defied the Small Council's orders for his safe return. He had to make sure to sow chaos in the Vale.

Whilst Lysa Arryn could sit safely behind the Bloody Gate and the Eyrie, the rest of the Vale was much more accessible and vulnerable. The Mountain Clans were camping in the Kingswood outside the city right now, for Lord Stark and Cersei would not have them inside the city.

He had missed his brother and father, who were at Riverrun, attending the wedding of Edmure Tully and Lukas's wife's cousin Helene. That was a match he had heard that was brokered by the King to smooth over what Catelyn Stark had done. He was sure that he would have to pay her back somehow, and whoever had told her that that dagger had been his.

He had gifted it to Princess Myrcella, which meant it had travelled in the baggage train that Robert and Cersei had taken with them. Multiple people could have had access to it. But why strike at Bran Stark? Tyrion guessed that he had most likely heard or seen something that meant he needed to be silenced.

Lady Arryn had all but accused Tyrion of poisoning Jon Arryn as well. That was something that also remained opaque to Tyrion. He had spent time in Kings Landing, and in Oldtown, but he had no clue as to why Jon Arryn would be poisoned. He had thought that the man was already old and died of old age and sickness. He could see that all Lysa Arryn cared about was her son, the sickly Lord Robert. With the way that she coddled him, the sick Sweetrobin, even Tyrion was pretty sure that the boy would never be a great lord. In fact, Tyrion's limited medical training led him to believe that Sweetrobin would not survive to adulthood.

And Lord Arryn had no close cousins or otherwise that Tyrion knew of. Jon Arryn had Elbert Arryn and Denys Arryn as possible heirs, but they had both perished long ago when he was young. There were the more distant Gulltown Arryn's but they were not closely related to Robert Arryn. No, once he died, there would be chaos, and with the Mountain Clans armed with his steel, Tyrion was sure that he would have his vengeance on the Vale.

Still, he took stock of who was in Kings Landing was on which side, who would side with him if needed. Lord Stark obviously would not, for his love of honour. Stannis may be prevailed upon, because of his notions of justice, for if he could convince Stannis that Lord Arryn had refused the King's orders, Lord Stannis would grind his teeth but go along with it. Renly, Varys and Littlefinger he classed as schemers, 'fair weather' friends if he could call them that.

Cersei would of course seek to strike out at Lady Arryn, for no matter what, Cersei took after their father, that they would brook no insult to House Lannister. He wondered if his brother had left a message for him. Or perhaps he just did not trust enough to writing. Mayhaps he would send a raven to Riverrun in the morning.

Helene had heard rumours of the floppy fish that was to be her husband, on her way to Riverrun. However, she mused to herself, well, if that were true, she would know exactly what to do. She smirked to herself, she would have her husband groaning, panting and singing her name all night long. One did not apprentice with the Black Pearl and not learn a thing or two about sex and men.

She was flung into the bedchamber that was her husband's, with nothing but her thin shift. Though many ladies would have tried to cover themselves, the Black Pearl had taught her to revel in the beauty of her own body. Her husband was thrown in not long after by the ladies wearing nothing but his doublet and breeches, his lower legs bare.

The door slammed behind them. But she could still hear those outside straining to hear what was happening inside. Edmure scrambled towards the bed, his blue eyes drinking her in eagerly, as if he wanted to get the bedding started quickly.

"Shh," she said, "let us take it slowly, it is better that way." Her eyes smouldered with seduction drawing Edmure in. She let him rest his back against the headboard of the bed, as she leaned in to place a kiss on his lips. She let him explore her body with his hands and lips as she began to loosen the ties on his doublet, leaving his breeches for now. She positioned herself over his splayed legs for now, keeping her shift on, taking his hands away from her shift as kissed him again.

She explored his neck, looking for his sensitive spot, if he had one. She divested him of his doublet, discarding it away on the floor, revealing his bare, built chest. Her new husband was stocky, for his middling height, but she liked a man who had a bit of solid muscle to him. Edmure undid the top of Helene's shift, letting it pool at her waist, exposing the top half of her body to him. He began to knead her breasts with his hands, even as his tongue continued to explore her mouth again. A moan escaped Edmure's lips as their mouths broke apart for a while. Breathing again, he put his lips to her breast.

Outside, men and women were gathered trying to listen through the door for any sounds of sexual activity. But so far, they had been fairly disappointed that there was no loud screaming yet. The servants were standing outside of course, to make sure that the bedding had happened. That was something that was surely insisted upon by Lord Tywin Lannister and Lord Hoster Tully. The intensity of the moaning and sounds of lovemaking began to increase, slowly but steadily as the night wore on. Some of Edmure's friends were outside as well, trying to listen in on their future liege lord make love to his siren wife.

It was obvious that this was not going to be quick, but long and drawn out, sensual. It was obvious to Edmure's friends that Lady Helene was not a lady who preferred it to be done quickly like the whores at the whorehouse that they had visited. They could hear Edmure's groans grow louder as he began to moan his new wife's name. Her voice joined his as the voices got more intense, the grunts got louder, slowly but surely.

The first 'Edmure' was followed by two 'Helene's', panted out. That was followed again by another round of 'Oh, Edmure,' and 'Helene, Oh...oh...oh'. The names being panted, moaned, grunted out came in a quicker and quicker cycle as the servants continued to listen in. And finally, a climax, as the servants were sure that their heir and future lord, and his wife had consummated the marriage. Various servants filed off to make their reports to their respective lords, whilst Edmure's friends headed off to bed, along with some of the ladies who had stayed behind as well to listen in, even as the sounds of lovemaking started again. Servants flitted around and began to spread gossip of the night's events.

Ned Stark sat in the Tower of the Hand poring over the tome that had been given to him by Grand Maester Pycelle, the one that Jon Arryn had been reading. But what had Jon Arryn been looking for when he visited the boy at the armourer? It was obvious that the boy was one of Robert's. He looked so much like Prince Joffrey, whereas the younger Prince and Princess seemed to take after the Queen. Not uncommon in most families like his own, where some of his children took after him and other's like Catelyn. He knew that Varys or Littlefinger could know what the secret that Jon Arryn had died investigating was.

The pages stared up at him as the day wore on. Given that Lord Arryn had visited the boy, Ned thought that it must be something about the King and his children. As he continued to read the Grand Maester Malleon's tome, he saw the last time a Lannister and a Baratheon had wed, bearing a large and lusty lad, black of hair who had died in infancy.

Thirty years before another, Lannister and a Baratheon with three daughters and a son, all dark haired. He continued to pore through the pages, all revealing that wherever a Lannister and a Baratheon had been married, the gold of Lannister had yielded to the black Baratheon hair, the gold yielding before the coal.

Did that mean that Cersei had been cuckolding the King? Not always, though, for Joffrey was undoubtedly the King's and the Queen's, but the younger two, Myrcella and Tommen, there was a very strong possibility that they were not. But who had she taken on as a lover? Was she taking lovers as Robert was taking whores? And then passing the children off as Robert's?

He needed to take the proof to Robert that the Queen was unfaithful. Lord Stannis was still here in Kings Landing, and he would support Ned, despite what little men that he had in Kings Landing. Stannis would not allow Queen Cersei to go unpunished. But what of the Lannister's? There were still a sizeable amount of Red Cloaks in Kings Landing, despite Ser Lukas having taken a lot of men with him to Edmure's wedding in Riverrun.

The wedding, Ned gasped in his mind. Edmure was soon to be married to Lady Helene, who was Lady Alyna Lannister's cousin. The wedding needed to be stopped. He would convince Robert that to cancel the betrothal. He couldn't let the Lannister's get into bed with the Riverlands. If Cersei were to be imprisoned for marital unfaithfulness, Tywin Lannister would repay in some kind, unless the evidence was so incontrovertible and that Tywin would know that he would not win a war. Even so, he was sure that Tywin would try to plot revenge somehow. If he had the Riverlanders with him, it could cause a lot more trouble for the Crown. He did not doubt Tywin Lannister's ability to win more houses to his cause if necessary.

Even so, he needed to make sure that Arya and Sansa were safely out of Kings Landing. A ship was sailing, the Wind Witch, from Kings Landing towards the North, via Braavos. He would make sure that Vayon Poole would accompany the girls back to Winterfell where they would be safe. They would need to leave before he confronted Cersei. And he needed to do this without any of the Lannister's finding out.

Ned allowed himself to curse. He asked his man to summon Lord Stannis to his solar at his earliest convenience. This was something that he needed allies in. Renly might be persuaded to help too, certainly he had no love for the Lannister's. He wondered what Robert would do when he found out that Cersei had been unfaithful. What would he do to Tommen and Myrcella? He knew that Robert was ready to believe the worse of his Queen, the one that had been thrust upon him by Jon Arryn and Ned had no sympathy for her. But the children were innocent. And he knew that Robert would kill them. Robert might have been merciful to those that he had fought and won against, but in matters of the heart, he would hold a grudge forever. No, this was like Rhaegar and his children. Robert would pursue them to the ends of the world if need be just to kill the children.

However, he knew that he could not keep silent forever. For the realm, and to Jon Arryn, and also to Bran who must have stumbled upon the Queen and her lover. But who was he? Was there more than one? Late in the afternoon, he summoned one of his household guard, Tomard, requiring the man to deliver a message to the Queen. Most likely, Bran had discovered the Queen's secret and they had tried to silence him by pushing him out the window.

Tyrion Lannister, for all his physical deformities was not someone to be underestimated for he had a formidable mind. He was walking down the corridors of Red Keep, when he spied Sansa Stark exiting his sister's chambers. Not that it was of much interest, for he knew that Sansa was betrothed to Prince Joffrey. He only caught a glimpse of the girl's face but she looked quite distressed.

Tyrion walked into his sister's chambers. No doubt his brother Lukas would want Tyrion to look after the family's interests in Kings Landing. So much so had been said by the message that he had left behind for Tyrion. Lukas was the one who had, in his own way, nurtured Tyrion's mind, sponsoring Tyrion's studies at Oldtown. But other than that, they did not interact much. It was their oldest brother Jaime that had been his greatest defender when Tyrion was young. No doubt that Lukas saw Tyrion's value, and hence treated Tyrion accordingly but Tyrion always wondered if he had been stupid as well, would Lukas have treated him the same way as Cersei and father did.

Tyrion continued to walk down the corridor, and then he noticed, a man under a cloak, entering into the Queen's quarters. No doubt Cersei had the guards and handmaidens that were loyal to her with her. Lysa Arryn had blamed the Lannister's for Jon Arryn's death, and Catelyn Stark was sure that her son's fall was to do with Tyrion. He had known about the dagger that he had gifted to Princess Myrcella and how it was used as the attempted murder weapon. Perhaps this was one of Cersei's informants, for she had them in Kings Landing. She was not without her low cunning even if Lukas didn't trust her to keep things going steadily.

The Stark girl had walked back to the Tower of the Hand, undoubtedly to her father's quarters. Tyrion wondered what Lord Stark and the King were doing right now. Knowing King Robert he was either drinking or hunting or entertaining with whores. Whores, like Tyrion's own first wife. The one who had married him and then run off with nothing but a note saying that she had had fun whilst the marriage had lasted, but she was now leaving a lot richer than before. He had been heartbroken at first, but it was then he realised that he couldn't trust any female that wanted to be with him, for they would only be with him because of his name or gold.

Tyrion also had his own plots spinning around in his mind, revenge on Lysa Arryn and Catelyn Stark. He would arm the Mountain Clans to pillage the Vale, but how to strike back at the North? More specifically, how to strike back at Catelyn Stark. Obviously, the answer was through her husband and children in Kings Landing. Making sure that Lord Stark had a hard time in Kings Landing would be a priority. But Lord Stark was close to King Robert, like brothers. Now, if King Robert were to pass, and Prince Joffrey ascend the throne, the game would change itself again. The Lannister's would be in a position of great ascendancy for Cersei would influence the King, her son. And there was no way that Cersei would let the Stark girl take away her influence over Joffrey. Not that he thought that the Stark girl would have any influence over Joffrey. Joffrey could be very strong willed at times if he wanted to be.

The Mountain clansmen wanted their steel and weapons before he would unleash them on the Vale. Right now, they were parked in the Kingswood, waiting, though impatiently for Tyrion to follow through on his promise of steel. Though this needed of course, to be done without the King's knowledge. From what Tyrion had observed though, the King liked to be blind to things he did not want to see. It was probably the Small Council he needed to watch out for more.

Tyrion had found out that his father and older brother were both at Riverrun attending the wedding of Ser Edmure Tully to his sister-in-law's cousin, Helene. Tyrion had never met his sister-in-law, for his father had forbidden Tyrion's attendance at Lukas's wedding not wanting him to embarrass House Lannister especially when they were marrying into a powerful foreign family. But they were all to travel back to Casterly Rock soon after. Tyrion was sure that his father would approve of using the Mountain Clans to harass the Vale as revenge, as a message that House Lannister was not to be trifled with. That much he was certain of.

Back at Riverrun, Lukas and his father sat in a borrowed room. The wedding and bedding had now occurred. For that Lukas and his father were both thankful. This went some way to splitting the Riverlands away from the North and the Vale, which was precisely what Lukas wanted. It was in Lord Hoster's interest to keep the peace given the three marriages to the north, east and now the west.

It would also serve to strengthen the West's faction in Kings Landing further. The Queen and Crown Prince, and another Great House. Tywin knew that Renly and the Tyrell's formed another faction at court. Unlike Stannis, who Robert didn't like at all, at least he tolerated Renly. The Vale, Riverlands and the North had counted themselves a faction, although with Lord Arryn's death they had taken a hit, considering that Lysa Arryn had fled back to the Vale, and Ned Stark was no political player. While Hoster Tully did play the game, he was old and not in good health. When Hoster passed, Edmure would become Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, and that was when Lukas hoped that Helene would be instrumental in bringing the Riverlands into their fold.

Barring any stupidity on the part of people like Catelyn Stark rearing its ugly head again, Lukas and his father could navigate the new Baratheon dynasty so that it would build a lasting legacy. Lukas knew that it would take more than just this generation, but all the coming generations as well. For in the game of thrones, you win or die, but as the Braavosi said, all men must die, to which Lukas himself added, victory is only temporary, and defeat can take one second. It was why all generations to come had to be vigilant and smart, and know when to push hard and when to pull back.

He had been planning in his mind the alliances needed in the next generation. He only had twin boys right now, Jaycen and Tyler. For Jaycen, he had in mind, a Hightower, perhaps a daughter or Ser Baelor and his wife, who had been Rhonda of House Rowan. That would give them traction into the Reach and into the Citadel. It was also a match that he didn't think Lord Leyton would refuse, not if the rumours about Lord Leyton and Lady Malora, his daughter seeking knowledge of magic were true. For Tyler, he thought, if possible, a house with only a female heir. That would have to wait of course. Lady Alysanne Lefford was much too old for a boy of two right now. No, she, as heir to a principal bannerman would have to be found a suitable husband soon. Preferably, a Lannister one. Perhaps cousin Daven or cousin Lancel. He would need to be patient with Tyler's chances of a good marriage for now.

He turned to his father, speaking, "so the marriage has been done and consummated. Edmure and Helene shall be fine."

"The quicker Lady Helene births a son," Lord Tywin replied, "the better. An heir to the heir to Riverrun. It would be dangerous if Lord Edmure dies without children, as the line would pass to the Stark's, probably the young crippled boy or if not, the youngest brother." Robb Stark was heir to the north, and there was no way that King Robert would allow him to be the heir to Riverrun as well. No, it would fall to either Bran Stark, the boy who had been crippled, how he had been crippled at Winterfell Lukas still hadn't been able to divine, or Rickon Stark, Catelyn's youngest, currently a boy of three. Either way would be a danger.

"Speaking of the Starks," Lukas said, "Have you had any word as to how Bran Stark came to fall? Or who was behind it? Ned Stark was sure that he didn't fall, because of the assassin sent after Bran afterwards. Catelyn Stark claimed it was Tyrion but I proved that he could not have, this time being a dwarf saved him. Stannis claims that the dagger belonged to the Princess Myrcella, which indicates that it was someone in the party that went to Winterfell with Robert and my sister. Someone is deliberately trying to undermine Robert's rule, and I don't like it at all."

"Someone is trying to undermine the power of House Lannister," his father said, "and that is something that I won't countenance. If Catelyn Stark is so brazen as to think that she can kidnap a Lannister without consequences then she needs to be taught a lesson."

"A gentle reminder ought to be enough," Lukas said, "she is still a daughter of Lord Hoster and wife to Lord Stark. Lord Stark knows that it wasn't Tyrion, he will remind his wife to not be so rash next time."

"There should be no next time," Tywin replied, cold.

"Remember, father," Lukas said, "Dorne is already our implacable enemy because of Ser Gregor and Elia. It would not do well to make an implacable enemy of the North and the Riverlands as well." Elia Martell had been worth nothing herself, but no one had known what Ser Gregor was capable of. Yes, Aegon and most likely Rhaenys had to die for House Lannister to show fealty to King Robert, but Elia herself was worth nothing, especially since it became known that she could not bear any more children. She could have been returned to Dorne, as a peace gift, but in reality, it would be in shame, a woman who could not protect her own children or have any more.

Lukas surmised it was probably why Rhaegar wanted Lyanna Stark. He had no spare and needed her for one. Though why Lyanna and not some other lady that was not betrothed was something that Lukas could not work out. A lady from a minor house who could be subordinate to Princess Elia would have been much better. For Lukas could guess that if Rhaegar and Lyanna had survived, and had the spare, that in the next generation, there would be trouble, for factions at court would set the half-brothers against each other, undoubtedly. The Stark's and their alliance would support Rhaegar and Lyanna's child, the Dornish, the now dead Prince Aegon. Even if Elia and Lyanna did not wish it, the court would be split between those seeking each of their favours to influence the Rhaegar and possibly his sons. But that was all theoretical musing now. And King Robert hated the Targaryen's so much that he wanted them all wiped out. It was probably what Lukas agreed with King Robert on, that the Targaryen's had to be neutralised. When Jon Arryn had called banners and crowned Robert Baratheon, that had to be the end result for Robert's line to be secure, no matter how Ned Stark didn't like it. That was his self-delusion, that he could rebel, crown a new king and not worry about cleaning up the old lineage. His honour would mean nothing if Viserys or Danaerys Targaryen came with an army of Dothraki Screamers at their back to retake the throne. No, as the wisest of the three principal players in Robert's rebellion, Jon Arryn should have known that a thorough job was needed. Robert hated, but did not understand, Ned lived in his self-delusion. It was Jon Arryn that was the pragmatic middle of those three. And now he was gone. The man had brought stability to the realm.

Still, it was likely that Catelyn Stark had acted rashly, suspecting Lukas's family of injuring Bran, though it was now known that it was not Tyrion. The dagger had been Princess Myrcella's. That pointed to someone in the King's party, but with Kings Landing so full of schemers, and undoubtedly, secret Targaryen supporters, there was no shortage of suspects.

"We should bring the Tyrell's into the fold," Lukas said, "perhaps if Princess Myrcella and Willas Tyrell, when she comes of age." Myrcella was only a girl of ten, whereas Willas was already an adult, but he had not married yet, most said because of his bad leg caused by Oberyn Martell. It was well known that Mace Tyrell hated him for it. That was something that Lukas wanted to make sure was passed to the sons and daughter.

"It is Lady Olenna you have to convince," his father replied, "if we shall have this marriage. Mace Tyrell wants his daughter to be Queen, it is well known, and he will not give up even as Joffrey is betrothed to Sansa Stark." His father paused, "but what have you to tell me that you could not commit it to raven?"

"I don't want to take the chance to say it here," Lukas said, "too many unknown ears around."

Tywin nodded, it must have been a big secret if Lukas wouldn't say it here. They would have to wait until they returned to Casterly Rock. He knew his son would not withhold unless it was absolutely necessary, and secret.

There was a knock on the door, and the servant at the door announced Lady Lannister and the children. This was the first time they would spend some significant time with their paternal grandfather, for this was their first visit to Westeros.

Alyna brought Jaycen and Tyler into the room, followed by the nursemaid and the governess who was in charge of their early education. Undoubtedly, a tutor would follow when they were older. Twins seemed to run in the Lannister family. Lord Tywin sat and looked at his twin grandsons. Yes, as he gazed onto Jaycen's face, he was reminded of Jaime, when he was first a child. He wondered of Jaycen would grow as brave and foolish at the same time. Not if he had anything to do with it, he was sure that Lukas and Alyna would raise no fools, though he could have said the same of himself. Tyler looked slightly different, ah yes, he had deeper forest green eyes than his twin whose eyes shone like emeralds.

He did see Lady Alyna in their face shape, for they were narrower than Lukas's when he was a child. Lukas had been verging on a square jaw as he was younger, though now he looked sharper as an adult. There was none of that in the boys which Tywin put down to his daughter in law. His daughter in law was perhaps the most favourite of sons and daughters in law, not that she had much to compete with. Though Robert was King, he was a poor one at that, and Lady Alyna was a lot shrewder than Robert. She, at the very least, knew how to manage a household and its finances, unlike Robert who kept Lord Littlefinger running to him for gold coin. Though with debt brought power in court so he hadn't minded. Lukas's idea though, to spread the debt amongst the Free Cities was a great idea. He sold the Crown Debt to the Lannister's to the Free Cities in return for gold now which he had invested elsewhere in thriving businesses, whilst also spreading risk.

Alyna Lannister was a great beauty, not to be underestimated. "Lord Tywin," she greeted.

"Now, now," Tywin replied, "none of this Lord business. I am your good-father, Tywin will do, or good-father. Best remember that for the future."

"Of course," Alyna answered.

"How have you found Westeros," Tywin asked.

"It has been good," Alyna replied, "though it was very different to Braavos. I've not been used to the travelling between towns and castles. Riverrun seems to be a good household. And Helene's marriage is a good one to complete the route from Casterly Rock to Braavos. She will do fine as Lady of this castle."

Tywin nodded, evaluating his good-daughter further. "You will be Lady of Casterly Rock when you return, learn from my sister Genna. Casterly Rock is a much bigger household than the Bellerion manor in Braavos though so you will have more responsibility. You will also have to make sure to oversee Lannisport as well."

"Yes, good-father," she said, "I already have plans in place. Lukas and I have prepared well for the eventuality." Alyna explained some of her plans to run the household at Casterly Rock, and how she wished to make the household more efficient. There were other plans that she had suggested to Lukas that they were now working on, a school to educate, and a system of military service to make sure that all men were trained to defend their homes if necessary to go along with their farming system.

Alyna had heard that his aunt Genna was a formidable woman, with a sharp brain, saddled in an unwanted marriage to a quivering Frey. An unequal marriage in many respect. That was why she was lucky, for Lukas was her equal in every way that mattered. It was up to them to lead the next generation and to train the generation after that. For all their lessons were being recorded in what Lukas had nicknamed 'the Tome'. Lukas had read a book on his journey which had recorded many military stratagems and thought it had been useful reading to record all these ploys and plans down, so for House Lannister, he had started his own musings on the Game of Thrones, built from his knowledge and experience, and soon from his father's as well.

Ned waited by the heart tree in the godswood for the Queen to appear. The sun had almost set in the godswood, when the Queen had deigned to answer Ned's message. She looked as she had always, haughty and beautiful. Not even Ned Stark could deny it.

"Why did you summon me here?" the Queen asked.

"So that the gods can see," Ned replied.

"I know the truth Lord Arryn died for," Ned said to the Queen. "The truth you murdered him for?"

"Murdered him?" Cersei replied, "why should I do so?"

"Because you've been cuckolding the King, and Jon Arryn knew, and you murdered him for it."

Cersei laughed, even now gracefully as if she didn't have a care in the world, "Lord Stark, there is no doubt that Joffrey is a Baratheon. Unless you are suggesting that I cuckolded the King with Stannis. We all know that Stannis would never do anything like that, and Renly, even if he were old enough to have sexual relations with when Joffrey was conceived, shall we say that he prefers his little flower boy over any maiden much less a Queen. Joffrey is as true-born as your Robb. And should you even dare to move against me, I guarantee you, you will be short a head when Joffrey ascends the throne for treason. If I had any pity, I would so pity you Lord Stark, such a floundering fish like your wife's family's sigil. But I do not. I had no reason to murder Lord Arryn. If I wanted anyone dead, it would be my darling husband to ensure Joffrey's coronation."

"Joffrey would have long forgotten you by the time he ascends the throne. He will know how you cuckolded the King."

Cersei laughed, "You think that Joffrey has any love for his father. He was nothing more than a seed donor. Joffrey only knows his mother's love. He is fiercely loyal to those he loves, even when they are long dead, perhaps that is the only good thing that he inherited from his father." It was after all, well known that King Robert still hated Rhaegar Targaryen and loved Lyanna Stark, even though the man had been dead for years. If there was one thing about King Robert, it was that he could hold a grudge in a matter of the heart.

"King Robert would have you long dead before Joffrey ever ascends the throne. He will disinherit Joffrey."

"And risk civil war, when it is so clear that Joffrey is a spitting image of Robert in his youth? Would your precious honour allow you to deny Joffrey his rightful birthright?"

Ned could not reply. Cersei laughed, "and dear Robert is not long for this world. The man whores and drinks his way to an early grave, perhaps quite soon. And when Joffrey ascends the throne, he will need his mother for guidance as he always has." Cersei pouted. "Lord Stark, I advise you not to stick your nose into my affairs lest you have your nose bitten off."

"What did Robert do to you to make you hate him this much?"

"He drove my brother away. My other half," Cersei replied, "and on the wedding night, the first time we shared a bed, he called me by your sister's name. He was on top of me, in me, stinking of wine and he whispered, Lyanna." It was clear to Ned which brother she was referring to.

"I do not know who I pity more."

"I do not need your pity," Cersei said. "Your pity has no worth in the game of thrones. When you play the game of thrones, you win or die, Lord Stark, there is no middle ground. So all I need for you is to leave Kings Landing and ruling to me. Go back to your cold bitter north and freeze there for all I care. The only truth you need to know is that Joffrey is trueborn and your rightful Prince and he will become King in due time."

She left Ned there, in the godswood, with nothing but the faint rustling of leaves.

A/N: Tell me what you think.