AN: This chapter purposely moves through events quickly because there is a certain point in the shows plot that I want to truly start the story.

Chapter 1

Niklas internally frowned as the gleaming crown was put on Joffrey's head but on the outside he was all smiles. He had chosen long ago to give up the crown but there was something just so wrong about seeing it on his brother's head. Their father had certainly voiced his disapproval of the middle child but he was dead now.

He took one last glance at the coronation before he snuck down the halls he had known since childhood. There was only one place he wanted to be while the others were distracted.

"Lady Stark, are you okay?" he entered the room without knocking.

She sat emptily on her bed, "Ye...yes I feel fine."

"Please, don't lie to me." he gently put an arm around her shoulder.

Her tears began to spill, "I was so foolish to think that life was some fairytale, I am the idiot they all say I am."

"No, you are no fool but a pure soul. If we all lived life expecting the evils of the world like Joffrey, the world would be too dark to bare." he comforted.

She wailed, "Shouldn't the world be fair and just?"

"My mother used to tell me that the gods don't have to be fair and that was the reason why they were gods." he smiled darkly at the memory. "The world isn't horribly cruel, I'm here for you Sansa."

She hugged me, "You're the only good thing about this hellhole."

"I am here for you, always." he promised.

For once, he held her in his arms and it felt nice to be so close to someone that he loved. Even if she did not know it.

God, he wished more than anything that she could be his but he had given up the right to a woman years ago. At the time he did believe in the great good of men and that his virtue as a member of the Kingsguard would mean something.

In the end, it did not.

"I wish you were my betrothed." she managed to get out with her tears.

He stroked her hair, "It is dangerous to wish the things that we cannot have."

Internally, he wished he could heed his own advice.

Cersei Lannister

When she was just a girl she was so much like Sansa, disillusioned of the world and beautiful. It was fitting that she would one day be queen. However, it was not the dear king the little girl wanted but her eldest son. Oh, Niklas was perfect in every way. Handsome with his short brown windblown locks and sea green eyes, kind, and a fighter in every way. She never worried that he would go off and cause chaos like Joffrey, no he was her good boy.

It just would not to do for the little dove to have a hold over him, he was hers.

"Mother, you have called for me?" Niklas' voice interrupted her thoughts.

She replied, "Enter, my son."

Her eldest slipped into her quarters, always with that kind smile that melted her heart.

"Come here, my little knight." she gestured for him to sit by her on the bed.

He sat next to her, "Is there something worrying you?"

"No, I have just missed you during all this chaos." she touched his face gently.

He put his hand over hers, "I am sorry, mother."

"Your brother is king now and you must protect him as a member of the Kingsguard. With your uncle gone, you must be the captain."

"Of course, mother."

She loved him even more when he spoke of his unwavering loyalty. When he was a child, she could remember him sneaking off into the city to help all that needed him. Niklas still did it and though she saw it as inappropriate she knew it was just who he was.

"You would have been a great king, sitting on top of that throne with the power of an army."

"Mother, it is you that would look best on the throne."

At that, she embraced him tightly.

"I love you, my white knight."

"And I love you."

Niklas Baratheon

The execution of Eddard Stark had been disgusting, gruesome even. All he could do was watch because his dear bastard of a brother no longer listened to him.

He didn't quite remember when but at some point Joffrey stopped idolizing him, then he began to insult him, and now he could not even sway his idiot brother. It was a shame because a monster always needed a rein.

"No, please no!" Sansa screamed as soon as she her father's head on a pike.

His fist clenched at the sight but his brother pressed on.

"This one's your father. Look at it and see what happens to traitors." Joffrey pointed proudly.

He merely stared at his feet as Joffrey went on and felt his anger grow.

"I'll give you your damned brother's head as well." the king smirked.

Sansa gave him a cold look, "Or maybe he'll give me yours."

Now that only spelled trouble.

"My mother told me a king should never strike his lady, Ser Marron."

He winced as the loud sound of a slap reverberated and blood stained Sansa's lips. After, Joffrey and that sorry excuse for a knight left he was immediately at her side.

"Let's get this treated." he carefully wiped away the blood.

She wailed into his chest, "I can't stand this anymore, he's a monster!"

"I know, I know." he murmured.

Sansa looked up at him with her red eyes, "I can't marry him, it'll kill me."

"Nothing pains me more but it is best to fit to Joffrey's madness or he will strike against you. In private, you may despise him all you want but to his face consider your safety." he felt his jaw clench.

She stared, "Is that how you've lived this long with him? Acting like the loving older brother and hating him more than anything on the inside?"

"Yes and I am a coward." he admitted.

A true knight would strike down a monster but he had abandoned any notions of his worth years ago.

"With your brother gathering in the north, Joffrey is more determined than ever to make you suffer." he stared at the clear blue sky. "Not only that but other armies are gathering as well."

She stared at him, "If he loses the war will I be free?"

"If I lose the war, you mean." he smiled bitterly. "My grandfather will request me as soon as a war is declared. He believes me to be a worthy Lannister but he still wants proof of my worth and to a man like him, war is the answer."

Sansa looked ready to burst into tears again, "Are you really going to leave me?"

"Remember, I am a Kingsguard first then a prince. I have duties."

"What if you get hurt?"

"Lady Sansa, I am more than ready to die for my people."

"But I am not ready to let you go."

It was when she said such things that he hated her most because he could feel his heart quickening and his cheeks burning. Words should not have so much power but from the girl he loved, they were priceless. Every time she acted sweetly he had to remind himself that he wasn't allowed to love her.

"My duty comes before even you, my lady."

"Does it or do you choose so?"

"Both."

King Joffrey's Nameday Tournament

Sansa

For so long, she had been a girl disillusioned with the world but the capital ensured that she grew. If not the place, it was the people. Horrible Joffrey, the unsettling queen, and everyone really. She felt like only one thing made her life bearable and he was unattainable.

The Hound struck the poor knight's head so he fell painfully from the walkway. She winced at the loud sound and prayed internally that the man was, okay. It wasn't easy being on the end of Joffrey's watchdog.

"Well struck, dog!" Joffrey smirked at the violence. "Did you like that?"

She broke from her reverie, "It was well struck, your grace."

"I already said it was well struck." his displeasure rose.

She simply replied, "Yes, your grace."

"Who's next?" the king seemed eager for more blood.

A man stepped forward, "Ser Sandor Clegane, of the House of Clegane and Ser Niklas Baratheon, of the House of Baratheon."

She watched as her hero stepped forward calmly in his gleaming suit of silver armor and white cloak to represent his place as a Kingsguard. His helmet allowed for his glowing seagreen eyes to be shone along with his mouth. Sansa couldn't help but think he looked rather handsome, Niklas rarely wore his full suit of armor because he called it uncomfortable.

"Begin." Joffrey raised his hand.

Both knights immediately drew their swords and sized up the other and even she could tell that this was a battle between two warriors. Niklas seemed unusually tense as he stared down the bigger man.

"Stop dancing and fight each other! I thought you two were warriors." her cruel fiancé yelled.

At his words, the Hound struck and rather than blocking Niklas dodged the blow. She watched in awe as the prince gracefully moved around the small walkway so none of the Hound's furious blows hit.

Then, a blow caught his side and her hero was brought to his knees.

"And you always thought you were the best, dear brother." Joffrey muttered in satisfaction so low only she could hear.

The monster's smirk quickly melted as Niklas dodged a blow and hit the Hound with a hard jab to the head. The crowd gasped along with her as the knight regained his footing and began to hit Ser Sandor in all the places he was not blocking. Impossibly, the great Hound fell.

Her fiancé stood and interrupted the shocked silence, "My brother, Prince Niklas you are named winner of my nameday tournament. Congratulations."

The pained expression on Joffrey's face was the best present she could have ever gotten.

The Brothel

Niklas walked into the establishment with little care as he looked for his uncle. It was strange but ever since Tyrion's return from capture he had been impossible to find outside meetings. However, he required his counsel and would risk the less savory parts of town to find the man.

"Your Grace, what do I owe the pleasure?" a pretty girl that seemed to be in charge approached him.

He recognized her as one of his uncle's favorites, "Have you seen Lord Tyrion?"

"No, he has not visited in quite some time, my prince." she curtsied.

His eyes roamed around the brothel, "Please, the titles unsettle me."

"Of course, sir." she smirked. "Without your uncle business has been rather slow. Would you like a girl, sir?"

Yes, he could just imagine the approval from his mother, "A Kingsguard member must hold his morals, my lady."

"Oh, you flatter me with titles." she laughed prettily. "We have a young girl with her maidenhead intact, she may be quite attractive to you."

Before, he could protest more two women had grabbed both his arms and dragged him into a room where a pretty girl sat nervously.

"Excuse me!" he yelled after they had closed the door and locked it behind them.

His furious knocks continued for quite some time until he finally realized that they weren't going to let go of a man bleeding gold. Well, it was his family's gold anyway.

"What's your story, little flower?" he finally turned around to the girl.

He hadn't noticed it before but she was rather beautiful. Dirty blonde locks, pretty form, steely blue eyes. If he were any other man, he would shamelessly take this girl's virginity but he was not.

"I won't hurt you, I swear on my honor." Niklas noticed the girl's fear.

The girl quietly spoke, "There isn't much honor where I come from."

"I understand, my home is rather the same but it does matter to me." he smiled charmingly.

She looked at him with her startling eyes, "My name is Linnea."

"It means flower, how fitting." the prince chuckled.

Linnea watched as he sat on the edge of the bed, "Are you going to hurt me?"

"No, I'm going to sit here and talk to you. Tell me, how did you get into this situation?" he raked a hand through his short locks.

She crossed her legs from underneath her, "I'm a bastard daughter of a nobleman. Who are you?"

"Prince Niklas, the eldest son. Member and future captain of the Kingsguard." he did a mocking bow.

"You do look like those princes that come from the fairytales."

"I am no white prince."

"You're much better than Prince Joffrey. When I saw him he looked like a weasel."

At that he roared with laughter. This girl, down beaten as she was, had fire in her.

"How old are you?" he asked.

She answered, "I don't know."

"I would say very close to my age." he analyzed her pretty features. "Although, you are illegitimate, I still don't believe this fate of yours is right."

She startled him by pulling her hair out of its pretty braid. In his opinion, she did look prettier with her hair down.

"Linnea, I rather like you so I'll tell you a secret." he smiled rather sadly. "As a little boy, my mother always told me that I would be a great king. She filled my head with nothing but overconfidence but even as a child I saw the truth. So, one day I went into the throne room when my father was on a hunt and I looked at that empty throne.

That was the moment I realized that it truly meant nothing."

She kindly put a hand on his shoulder, "You really are different like they say."

Her warm arm around him reminded him of the same position he had been in with Sansa weeks ago. It was nice to be taken care of for once.

"It seems I have told you too many secrets." he frowned.

She took his hand, "I swear, a word of this will not spread to anyone."

"Still, I will worry." he got to his feet and stared out the window. "I'll make you an offer. Be the keeper of my secrets and I'll pull you up to more than you could ever imagine."

She stared at him, "How?"

"The castle is always hiring."

"Me, in the castle?"

"Oh Linnea, you with your innocence will make the perfect set of ears for me. I will protect you, clothe you, and care for you in return." he stuck his hand out. "Do we have a deal?"

She shook his hand, "Yes, my prince."

"Good, you'll start tomorrow my little flower."

King's Landing Harbor

Niklas got on a single knee so he was face to face with his dear sister.

"Myrcella, please promise me that you will write as much as you can and try to be happy." he held her gently by her shoulder.

She cried, "I don't want to go, Nik."

"You're not safe here and I can't bear to live knowing you might be in danger." he tucked her hair behind her ear. "I will win this war and send for you immediately."

She stuck her pinky finger out, "Promise?"

"On my honor." he smiled charmingly. "Please, my lady will you leave me a token of your beauty."

Myrcella stopped crying long enough to smile and hand him her cloth, "For you, my brave knight."

"I love you." he pulled her into one last tight hug.

His sister said her goodbyes to the rest of the family before leaving on the boat, tears in her eyes. He had never quite felt such sadness before, not even when his father had died.

"Did she really have to go?" he asked his uncle quietly.

The dwarf replied, "You said it yourself, she's not safe here."

"I know you're only keeping her safety in mind and I'm thankful but it still hurts." he stared at his sister as she drew further away.

Tyrion nodded, "I know, your mother has promised me a great amount of pain."

"Yes, I can imagine." he straightened up in his armor. "It's time to get back to the castle."

The party made their way back with his brother in front and himself in the back. As they walked, he could feel the hate of the commoners boring down on them. His instincts told them that something would go wrong and he was proven right when what looked like a piece of shit hit his brother.

Rather ironic really.

"Who threw that?!" Joffrey screamed.

He shared a look with the Hound, "Take him to safety."

"Yes, my prince." the towering man bowed.

He and the famous Hound may have their differences but respected each other as warriors.

"Everybody go!" he yelled as the people drew in.

Niklas unsheathed his beautiful sword and immediately set to work defending himself and his family. It saddened him because he recognized many of the people rioting from his trips to the city but he was just their enemy now.

"Save the girl!" Tyrion yelled at guards.

One spat on the floor, "I take orders from the king."

Then, he heard it, the ear piercing scream of the only girl he loved. Something in him...snapped and he ran inside the building the guards attempted to block.

There lay Sansa held down by three men while one prepared to enter her. The sight made him boil.

"How dare you?" he growled angrily.

Two men ran towards him and he spared no mercy cutting them down. When one tried to run he grabbed the coward by his throat.

"You make me sick." he watched the man attempt to breathe.

He stared at the man one last time before stabbing the sword through his heart.

"And you are the most despicable of them all." Niklas glared at the man cowering in the corner with his pants down.

The coward barely had time to grovel for his life before he had stabbed him repeatedly in anger. It was only Sansa's crying that made his anger fade.

"We must go." he picked her up bridal style and ran out the door.

It was only after all the madness had passed that he recalled her whispered thank you.

Maegor's Holdfast

Sansa Stark

The ladies within the shelter are nervous and she can feel her own nerves starting to fray. It's not an ideal situation, hiding in a holdfast while men sacrifice their lives but she is stuck. Not only in the accursed room but with Joffrey. That sick, cruel boy.

"There you are, Little Dove." Cersei called with a tight smile. "I was wondering where you had went."

She curtsied, "My queen."

"You're so perfect, aren't you?" distaste stains the queen's words.

She wisely chooses to stay quiet.

"I can see why my Niklas is kind you. He's always been a little too compassionate for the helpless." Cersei motions her closer to her side. "Speaking of my eldest, I have much to say."

Sansa hesitantly took a seat next to the queen and felt herself grow even more unsettled when a curtain was pulled to hide them from the rest of the women in the space.

"Don't you wonder why he rushed off to my father into the battlefield, a day after your attempted rape?"

"No, my queen."

"After, your little incident he was livid. Never, had he talked back to me but that day he did because of you."

"You must be mistaken, your grace."

"Oh, Sansa do you really believe I am a fool? My Niklas has never in his life disobeyed me before and he did because he wanted to kill the men that he thought caused your suffering. That and he could not bear to be in the same castle with you because of his guilt."

"Your son, he saved me."

"In his eyes, you were almost put into danger because of him. And don't think I'm ignorant to the way you look at him."

Sansa shook her head, "I wouldn't dare."

"You do, I see that lovestruck look on your face whenever he's near. No need to explain yourself, Niklas is the prince you imagined since you were young. However, he has told me time and time again that his honor is above anything else in his life so you can let go of any notions that he's interested." Cersei sipped her wine.

Her weak heart clenched at the cold words because she knew truth ran in them. She loves Niklas because he is her knight in shining armor, the man who brings her comfort, and so perfect in every way. When she thinks back to that horrid day she almost lost her maidenhead unwillingly, she remembers Niklas bursting in to save her as well and that was the only reason she did not break.

"He is just a man I consider a hero and I do not believe I have any pull over him going to war, my queen." she bowed her head.

Cersei laughed darkly, "Very well."

With a single motion of the queen's hand, the small curtain blocking them from the others was pulled aside. She felt easier knowing the others could watch the queen and quickly made her escape back to where Shae sat waiting for her.

It startled her, really, how much the queen scared her witless.

Niklas Baratheon

They never tell you about all the death and blood in war within those songs, he thought as another man crumpled beneath his blade. It was sick that something so horrid was glorified in the eyes of the people .

"Niklas, you've saved me!" Uncle Tyrion screamed in joy as he helped him up.

He smiled wryly, "I guess I have, you please take my uncle to safety."

"Yes, my prince." the tall boy bowed before running and respectfully caring the Lord off.

Niklas allowed himself a second to breathe before he chose the nearest enemy to battle. As he fought the weakling, he couldn't help but wonder how he had gotten into such a ridiculous situation.

Then, he remembered why or rather for whom he had gone to war for.

Sansa.

His little bird with a heart of gold.

He had ran to his grandfather to serve but Tywin Lannister was a hard man that was unimpressed by almost anything. However, the old man's tune soon changed after their first battle where he had cut down wave after wave of enemies. Gradually, annoying gradually he began to earn Tywin's respect.

Admittedly, the patriarch of the Lannister family still probably hated him but he was not doubted as a warrior.

"You damned Prince." the man spat.

He parried the soldier's blow and easily cut him down.

"I rather have to agree with your assessment." he commented as he continued to fight.

Then, he continued to fight man after man. Past his exhaustion and humanity.

It truly did feel as if some part of himself died with each man. The killing, the war...it all seemed so needless. Yet, this was his life.

So, he fought until his calloused fingers bled and his once shining suit of armor was no longer so pristine.

"My prince, I think we have won." a man quietly spoke to him.

He held his slightly wounded chest, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, you have defeated the last one." the soldier bowed.

He had not realized, in his small line of vision, that the battle was over. Then, he did realize what a sad man he had become. A berserker that only fought war like a beast.

Niklas, did rather hate himself but he stood and with Loras behind him, entered the castle. Straight into the throne room he had despised since a child, where his mother sat with Tommen in her lap.

The queen looked at him in his full suit of armor and she smiled so beautifully that the war might seem just a distant memory.

The Throne Room

The eldest prince stared off into nothing as Joffrey laid out the rewards for a job well done in battle. He stood on the left side of the bastard while his mother sat to the right. They looked ever the united family surrounding the iron throne.

It was a load of horse fodder.

When his grandfather entered on horseback, he also took his place in front of Joffrey.

"I hereby declare my grandfather, Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King and thank him for his part in the war." Joffrey announced.

Tywin accepted his pin, "Thank you, your grace."

"And my dear brother, Prince Niklas Baratheon, I declare you Captain of the Kingsguard until Ser Jaime returns and Savior of the City."

He bowed, "Thank you, my king."

His grandfather rode out of the throne room and he again took his place by Joffrey's side. After, the little sneak Littlefinger was rewarded, Ser Loras stepped up as well.

"Your house has come to our aid, the whole realm is in your debt, none so more than I. If your family asks anything of me, grant it and it will be yours." Joffrey announced with false humility.

The monster was only dulling out rewards because he was satisfied in winning the war. Niklas had heard all the soldiers complaining about how his brother had ran off in the middle of the battle, the coward.

"My sister Margaery, her husband was taken from us before." Loras choked up a bit.

He felt bad for the knight, he obviously was not over the death of Renly. Although, it was not permitted for two men to be together in the kingdoms he could still respect the sense of loss.

He continued,"She remains innocent. I would ask you with my heart to join our great houses."

Joffrey leaned forward with interest, "Is this what you want, Lady Margaery?"

The pretty brunette girl stepped forward and he quirked an eyebrow at the girl's obviously revealing dress. Most would not dare enter the castle in attire that revealed so much skin, her cloth made a v-shape so her stomach was rather bared to the world. It seemed she had dressed up to be sacrificed like a lamb. The knight within him felt as if he should step up.

Yet, a new fiancé would free Sansa. Permitting, his brother ceased torturing her, which seemed rather unlikely. Hmm, without the title of Joffrey's intended Sansa might be more in danger with her brother fighting against the throne.

God, this thing was complicated.

"With all my heart, your grace." she stared at the king. "I have come to love Prince Niklas from afar."

At that, he almost choked on his own saliva. She couldn't really of said his name, right?

"My brother?" the blonde tosser seemed slightly disappointed that it was not he she was speaking of.

She nodded, "Yes, your grace. I have always admired his loyalty to you and his prowess as a knight."

"That is quite interesting but my brother is a member of the Kingsguard and cannot take a wife." he felt relief as the idea was put down.

Maester Pycelle stepped forward, "Your grace, your counsel begs of you to seriously consider this offer. The Tyrells actively helped save the city and the marriage could also serve as a reward for your brother's heroics as well."

"Still, Niklas has always said his place was a man of the Kingsguard." his mother quickly intercepted.

Joffrey smirked, "Yes, my brother has always stood by my side and values his position quite a bit. However, this may make you more happy."

He felt his brother's sick pleasure in taking away what he had claimed to be his dream since childhood but really only served as an escape from the crown for him.

Niklas stepped in front of the Tyrells and bowed, "My king and brother, I beg of you not to do this. The Tyrells are an honorable and great house but my intent has always been to protect you and I do not wish to be deterred."

His brother seemed to ponder over his words before standing up dramatically.

"I shall grant this request, Prince Niklas will no longer be of the Kingsguard and be wed to Margaery Tyrell."

He clenched his jaw and accepted his fate with a cold look.

AN: I still haven't decided if I would like to really get the story started after the events here with the Sansa/OC/Margaery I promised or after (spoiler if you haven't seen the show) Joffrey's death. Please, tell me if you'd like to start the next chapter immediately after the events of this chapter or when Niklas takes the throne.