The Young Lion

Act 1 Ch 18 A Mother’s Plight

[The next day]

Joffrey was sitting in one of the beautiful gardens of King’s landing, he had a book in his hand that he was in the middle of reading, while his pet lion laid near his feet. He had named the lion Gaius, after one of his heroes Julius Caesar. He had grown quite well in the last few months and was now larger than most dogs. He was quite happy with his pet and allowed it in his chambers and to sit near his throne while he listened to court issues. He felt it added to the mystique of his kingly image.

As he laid back and enjoyed one of his few leisure times he could hear someone approaching. He became a bit more on guard since Varys’s warning the night before so he had guards stationed at the ready when he was alone. Though to his surprise the one to come and see him wasn’t a would be assassin, it was his betrothed Sansa Stark. 

She wore a light blue day dress, her hair was braided in a similar fashion to his mother, who she idolized foolishly. Her dress was cut low giving emphasis to her ample bosom, which Joffrey thought was inappropriate for a thirteen year old to be wearing. Though he understood he was in a different time compared to the twenty-first century. Around her neck she wore the expensive pearl sapphire necklace he had given her. Beside her was her pet lioness Nimue, who he had gifted her to make up for her dead direwolf that Cersei had killed. 

As the pair approached the guards stood at the ready to stop the daughter of the traitor till Joffrey raised his hand for them to stand down. The guards stood aside and let the young lady and her lion through, Joffrey got to his feet as well as Gaius who rubbed his head in greeting to his sibling. Sansa stopped a few feet in front of him.

“Your grace.” She said giving him a curtsy, she then looked up and gave him a loving smile.

“My lady.” He responded by giving her a bow before folding up his book and setting it down. “What brings you to the gardens?”

“I was hoping I could spend some time with you, your grace.” She responded politely, her voice light and gentle. “After all, I haven't been able to see you since the incident with my father.”

“Oh, is that right?” He asked, giving her a charming smile. He realized that he hadn’t been spending much time with his future wife with how busy he had been securing the city. “Walk with me.” He said offering her his arm which he took with a smile.

He gestured for the guards to give the pair some alone time which they obliged. The two walked arm and arm down the stone path of the gardens. Both their lions walked beside them as they did. As they walked Sansa looking over mustered up the courage to ask him something.

“Your grace could yo-” But before she could finish he put a finger to her lips silencing her.

“I thought I told you when we are alone, I want you to call me by my name not my titles.” He said, making her blush.

“Joffrey, I would like to make a request of you then.” She said her cheeks were slightly red.

“What is it Sansa, has someone been bothering you?” He asked, his face showing irritation.

“No no nothing of the sort.” She lied the court has been looking at her with disapproving eyes since her father turned traitor.

“Then what can I help you with?”

“I was wondering if you would allow my father out of his chambers just for a brief time.” She asked sincerely.

Joffrey exhaled heavily upon hearing the request. 

“Sansa you know I can’t do that.” 

“It would just be for a short time, an hour at most surely you could-” She started to say but Joffrey cut her short.

“Sansa, your father is a convicted traitor who tried to overthrow me before my father was even in the ground.” He said sternly looking her in the eyes as he abruptly stopped. “I’m already being as lenient as I can anymore and it will weaken my position in the eyes of the court.”

Sansa looked down at the ground with a sad look. She knew he was right, but she couldn’t help how she felt about her father. Everytime she got to see him it was under guard and he was bound in chains. She didn’t understand why he did what he did and he wouldn’t tell her or Arya. 

“Sansa” he sighed before continuing. “I would do anything for you, but I’ve done all I can for your father. Do you understand?” He asked with a soft tone understanding her feelings for her father’s situation.

“Yes” she responded, still looking done with a sad look.

“I have an Idea.” He said, causing her to look up at him. “How about you and I take a stroll into town this evening?”

She was surprised but then her face beamed with excitement.

“Really? Just the two of us?” She asked with a smile.

“Well us and our sworn shields but yes.” He responded smiling at her elation.

“Yay!” She nearly jumped in excitement. She then recomposed herself embarrassed she made such a display before the king.

Joffrey just chuckled that the young lady was acting her age in front of him.

“You're much cuter when you're honest with your feelings Sansa.” He said teasingly.

Sansa became redder out of embarrassment, her face nearly matching her hair. He then offered her his arm again and they continued their little stroll through the gardens. Meanwhile a young serving girl had been watching the whole scene from a hidden vantage point. She quickly made her way out of the garden and back to the Red Keep.

 [Cersei POV]

Cersei was sitting in her personal chamber racking her brain over last month's events. She couldn’t figure out what had happened to her boy. It seemed that since their visit to the north he had changed dramatically. He had begun isolating himself from all of his close advisors, especially her. He used to come to her chambers everyday seeking her advice in trying to live up to his father Robert. She cherished those moments where she would hold him tight to her chest, ruffle his golden hair, and whisper to him how he would be the greatest king the seven kingdoms has ever seen. But since Robert's “unfortunate” hunting accident all of that has changed.

Ever since her husband's death and her son's ascension to the throne he has all but discarded her and the small council. He ignores their council at almost every turn and makes decisions that make no sense to her. He began making the nobles pay for the smallfolk’s food, and when she objected to such a pointless project he gave her that look. That hollow eyed stare of emptiness and disdain, she felt like she was staring into a bottomless well when she looked into her boy’s eyes. 

She had been racking her brain for weeks trying to understand what had happened to her son but she hadn’t come up with anything. She set her spy network to see if someone was poisoning his mind, she even spoke with the grand maester to see if his headache could have caused such a change. Though the old ferret had assured her that her boy was perfectly healthy, she couldn’t help but think something was wrong. It was like her little lion had become a completely different person.

Her spies had told her of her son's new morning routine, getting up every morning for physical exercise. He trained with odd shaped iron and would lift them until he became exhausted. Then he would take an extensively long bath afterward. He had apparently developed a fear of germs as he would take those baths twice a day and had ordered all the servants and kitchen staff to wash their hands multiple times a day. Anyone that disregarded his order was dismissed from the castle, though she could care less about some servants getting the boot from her Red Keep. She began biting her nails in frustration when a servant girl entered her chambers.

“Your grace I bring news.” She said as she came in front of the queen.

“Speak,” Cersei ordered impatiently.

“Your grace, your son and his betrothed lady Sansa are planning for an outing into the city later today.”

“For what purpose?” She asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

“I believe it's just so they can spend some time together, as Lady Sansa has been feeling neglected as of late.”

“What!?” Cersei yelled that servant girl growing scared by her queen’s temper.

“So she’s the one who did it, she poised my little boy!” She thought internally. “I let that treacherous little bitch into my family and she turned my son against me!” She turned and saw the servant girl still there quivering with fear.

“Thank you for informing me now, leave, and fetch me lord Petyr Baelish.”

“Yes, your grace.” She responded before bowing and scurried out of the room.

Now alone Cersei turned back around gazing out her window that overlooked the city.

“That northern little bitch has been playing me for a fool huh.” She thought to herself. “I never should have agreed to the drunken fool's suggestion of betrothal. I waited half my life for this day. She had played the dutiful daughter, the beautiful wife, the good queen. She had suffered the oaf’s groping, her brother’s jealousy, and Renly’s mockery. It was now going to be her turn to wear the crown and bask in the light. If Sansa Stark thinks she’s going to take away her hour in the sun, then the wolf bitch has another thing coming.”