The Young Lion

Act 1 Ch 11 A Plea For Mercy

The next few days were filled with chaos. His mother and small council had taken Sansa and told her of her father’s treason. They manipulated the young girl to write a letter to her brother Robb, telling him to swear fealty to Joffrey. Robb realizing it was his sister’s hand but the queen’s words, instead called the banners, and marched with an army twenty thousand strong south to free his father. His grandfather Tywin had raised the entire Lannister army a sum of sixty thousand men, splitting his forces in two giving his “uncle” Jaime command to lay siege to the Riverlands.

Joffrey took all this strife in stride, he continued his morning routine of exercise, but had added strength equipment that his good friend Tobho had provided. After finishing his morning workout and a thirty minute bath, he styled his hair and went about his tasks for the day. He knew that Ned Stark would see reason with a little persuasion from a spider. For now he had other matters to settle.

[In throne room]

Joffrey was having to give out rewards to those who helped squash Ned’s coup. He was currently dealing with Janos Slynt, the commander of the “gold cloaks” who had been paid off by Littlefinger and betrayed the northmen. He was named the new lord of Harrenhal and head of House Slynt. After he received his rewards he bowed his head with a smug smile before exiting the hall. As he walked by, Joffrey internally sneered at the man.

“Worthless worm.” He thought.

As the coward left, he saw his betrothed enter the room. She had her hair styled like his mother, a bun which extended into two twin braids, that hung over her shoulders. She wore a beautiful blue day dress with a slight low cut that emphasized her already impressive bosom. Personally Joffrey thought it a little inappropriate for a thirteen year old to wear based on his other worldly knowledge, though he understood he was living in different times.

As grand Maester Pycelle continued to read off his decree’s he had named his grandfather Tywin as the new hand of the king. Then began speaking of how the king’s protection was of the utmost importance during these chaotic times. They then called forth his kingsguard ser Barristan, his commander of the kingsguard.

He knew his family’s plot to remove the old knight and make his “uncle” the new commander of the kingsguard. His mother thought it was all her idea, but Joffrey knew it was a ploy orchestrated by Varys to have him flock to Daenerys Targaryen side. Taking one step closer to sitting a Targaryen back on the throne. So Joffrey had other plans.

After ser Barristan was called forth, he walked out of the line of kingsguard into the middle of the hall. He turned and kneeled before his new king.

“Your grace I am yours to command.” He said humbly.

As his mother went to speak Joffrey raised his hand silencing her. Cersei looked at her son with confusion before he went to speak. 

“Ser Barristain no one in this room can deny your valor or your honor. When tempted by the treacherous old wolf you stay true to your oath.” The members of the small council looked at their king with confusion. “That is why I am naming you my new sworn shield and combat instructor.”

The whole court filled with gasps and murmurs. The small council looked shocked at the king’s decision. Joffrey remained calm as the room filled with noise. 

“Your grace?” The old knight asked, looking up at his king with just as much confusion. 

“Joffrey what are you-” His mother went to ask before a glare from her son silenced her.

“Ser Barristan no one in all the seven kingdoms can compare with your feats with the sword, or your battle experience. I will need you by my side in the coming months to protect not just my life but more importantly the lives of my citizens. Now will you be my right sword, my good ser?”

Ser Barristan looked upon the new king with amazement. He had always thought that the young prince was a self centered brat who cared for nothing but his own desires. Yet here he was putting his life on the same level as the commoners. This made the old knight think back on another fine prince he had served who put the lives of the citizens before his own. A great prince that unfortunately fell at the battle of the trident. In Barristan’s old eyes the image of prince Rhaegar began to overlap with Joffrey’s.

As he looked up at his king, Joffrey had gotten up and started to walk down the stone steps. The small council looked on as he made his way down to the knight. His kingsguard stood aside allowing Joffrey through until he stood right in front of the still kneeling knight. 

“What say you ser?” He asked, looking down at the knight.

“My good king, I accept.” He said proudly, giving Joffrey a smile.

“Then rise.” He said holding out his arm which the old knight took. He pulled him to his feet then placed his other hand on his shoulder, before giving him a smile and a nod.

The court erupted into cheers and applause. He turned and saw not everyone was happy. His mother looked as confused as she was angry. Then out of the corner of his eye he could see Varys was clearly agitated. To try to salvage the situation Varys spoke up.

“Your grace this would pose a bit of a problem.” He said his arms in his sleeves. “You already have a sworn shield, and ser Barristan is the commander of the kingsguard.”

“Your quite right lord Varys.” He said smiling at his master of whispers who seemed to relax a little. “That's why when he is working by my side he will delegate some of his duties to some of the younger members. As for my other sworn shield I am renaming him to my lady’s service.”

Another collective gasp filled the room, the hound looked as confused as everyone else, and his mother looked like she was ready to spit bile. 

“Your grace this is a drastic action perhaps you should-” Maester Pycelle started to say before he was stopped by Joffrey.

“I have made my decision, the Hound has proven himself to be an honorable and reliable sword. He has protected my life more times than I can count, I can think of no one better to entrust my lady’s safety to.” 

The small council backed down and the court once again erupted into cheers. Joffrey turned and made eye contact with his lady, giving her a wink to which she blushed and smiled, before walking up the steps to sit back down. Ser Barristan then resumed his place in the kingsguard line. As he took his seat he looked to his right and could see his mother biting her nails in anger. He then looked and saw lady Stark still blushing and smiling among the court. The royal steward then spoke out.

“If any man in this hall has other matters to set forth before his grace, let him speak now or go forth in silence.” The man spoke, his voice echoing in the hall.

Joffrey gave an encouraging nod to Sansa giving her the courage to step forward.

“Your grace?” She asks.

“Come forth my lady.”

Sansa slowly makes her way down the steps, the people move aside to let her through until he arrives in front of the king.

“Lady Sansa of House Stark.” The royal steward announces.

“Do you have some business with me my lady?” He asked

“I do,” She replied before kneeling before the throne. “As it pleases your grace, I ask for mercy for my father, Eddard Stark who was hand of the king.”

“Treason is a noxious weed.” Maester Pycelle says sternly looking at the slightly frightened girl. “It should be torn out root and-”

Joffrey interrupts him.

“Let her speak.” He says sternly. “I want to hear what she has to say.”

He gave her a nod for her to continue.

“Thank you, your grace.” She says smiling at him.

“Do you deny your fathers crimes?” Littlefinger asks.

“No, my lord, I know he must be punished. All I ask is mercy.” She said near tears. “I know my father must regret what he did. He was King Robert's friend and he loved him; you all know he loved him.”

“He said I wasn’t the king. Why would he say that?”

“He was badly hurt. Maester Pycelle was giving him milk of the poppy.”

Joffrey looks toward the old maester accusingly who turns his head away as if this may have been the reason.

“He wasn’t himself, otherwise he never would have said it! Never!” She yelled. “They must have lied to him, Renly or Stannis, someone they must have lied!”

Joffrey leans back into his seat as if going into deep thought.

“A child’s faith…such sweet innocents. And yet they say wisdom often comes from the mouths of babes.” Varys says suggestively.

“Treason is treason!” The old maester shouted as he stared down the young girl.

“Anything else?”

“If you ever felt any love for me, then please do me this kindness, Your grace.” She says nervously.

Joffrey sits back and thinks for a moment as if contemplating all his options. His mother turns and looks at her son with an expectant look. All while Sansa, still kneeling, looks on nervously for her father’s fate.

“Your words have moved me little wolf very well. But your father must confess to his treason, he must confess…and proclaim me the rightful king. Or there will be no mercy.” He said looking at her with a dead serious expression.

The room grows silent as they hear the king's ultimatum.

“He will,” she says solemnly. 

After Joffrey’s ultimatum the court business was finished for the day. All the attendants departed the great hall. Sansa left with the Hound in tow her new sworn shield. She didn’t look overly excited by her new scary bodyguard, but she was happy her future husband prioritizes her safety even during all this strife with her family’s house. After everyone had left Joffrey was left alone with his advisor’s on the small council and kingsguard.

“Joffrey, what were you thinking!” His mother shouted. “Why would you go against our plans?”

Joffrey remained calm and unfazed at his mother’s temper tantrum.

“Our plans? I think you mean your plans.” He stated in a matter of fact tone. “I don't recall ever agreeing with any of those suggestions.”

His mother was taken aback by his blunt retort. Before she could say anything Varys chose to speak up.

“Your grace we discussed with you at length the necessity of keeping you safe during these trying times. That's why we proposed the idea of having Ser Barristan step down.”  

Joffrey just looked over the master of whispers with a skeptical look. Which Varys was a little surprised by.

“I took all your thoughts on the idea into consideration, and decided that since it was a stupid idea that I should just ignore them.” He said waving his hand dismissively at the bald man.

All the small council were surprised by the young king's blunt attitude. They had thought their new ruler would be easy to control. That he was a spoiled, impetus, entitled brat and as long as his pleasures were sated he would be easy to manage. But now the youth was showing decisiveness and independence they hadn’t anticipated. Joffrey then stood to his feet handing his crown to the royal steward.

“I will continue to heed your council in the coming days of my rule.” He said looking over each member.”But make no mistake, the only one whose word truly matters is mine.” Not you, or you, nor you, or even you.” He said as he pointed at Pycelle, Littlefinger, Varys, and finally his mother.

“We understand that dear, believe me.” His mother started to say trying to reason with her unruly son. “ Though you’re still young, and a young king must often heed those who have more experience in-.” Before she could finish he turned to look her dead in the eye.

“I do value your opinion mother but don’t forget which of us wears the gown and which the crown.” Shocking his mother silent. “Now I have other matters to attend to today.” He said before turning to leave the hall his kingsguard followed behind him.

The small council was left speechless on the stage all standing by the throne. Each member had different thoughts going through their heads. Though all of them thought one thing.

“This isn’t what we expected.”