A different Joffrey Baratheon

Chapter 2

The night of our arrival a feast was held in our honor as is customary. Due to everything getting ready and myself and siblings along with other parties needing to look their best along with our late arrival had training pushed to tomorrow. That didn't seem to affect Arya as she and her Direwolf pup whom she introduced me to earlier today were hyper as could be as the young girl talked to her brothers about her coming training and how amazing she'd be and how she was going to be a knight. Her brother's played along with her but I did notice at the time Jon Snow wasn't amongst us with his family but rather at a low bench with whom I assume to be squires and whoever else. Of course, it was his station to be lower than the royal family and would be considered an insult for him to sit amongst us but Arya seemed very attached to the Snow. Sad that they could not speak due to Arya needing to be amongst my siblings and me beneath the raised table of my father and mother along with Lord and Lady Stark. It was only one feast so they could speak later.
I was quite curious about the Snow. He from what I heard was known for his quiet demeanor. Not to forget he has talent with a blade and I wouldn't mind testing myself against the bastard. Though I did hear that Lady Stark outright hated the boy for what he represented and I snorted at the thought. Yes be petty and hurtful to a mere child but love and praise who had to cheat to make said child makes sense it does. But enough of that I wanted to hear more about the bastard so I stood and stepped to the contemplative Lord Stark. "Lord Stark." He looked at me. "Can you tell me about Jon Snow?" He seemed to be reading me before he huffed a breath and nodded.
"He is not a social person. He likes to be away from sight and." I raised my hand to the older man and pointed to the curly-haired youth.
"He seems as if he has been shunned and from what I have heard I know it to be true." I look towards the she-wolf and point to her. "She seems to be attached to the young snow and I would like to see her enjoy herself more so I request you allow the Snow to sit with us children."
"I cannot my wife and your mother would both be" I stop him with a raised hand to garner his attention.
"Lord Snow I can handle my mother and I do not care for what your wife thinks. If she has a problem then tell her it was of my request that he was with us." I leaned away from him watching as he thought on it before he called a servant to fetch Jon. I watched the servant walk across the hall till she stopped and spoke quick words to Jon before swiftly leaving his presence leaving me to focus on the confused look he wore. He looked to the high table and caught Lord Starks and my own looking at him. I don't know what Lord Stark did but I merely nodded to his siblings and without much trouble, the bastard was happily greeted by his brothers and sisters and I couldn't help smile at the talkative Arya who happily spoke with the Snow. Though I had to divert my attention to my mother who looked quite upset.
Walking around Lord Stark and those between him and my mother I stopped next to her and softly held her shoulder. Her lovely eyes looked back and locked onto my own. Seeing me her face changed to one of delight and she happily smiled at me. "Joffrey my sweet boy! Are you enjoying yourself?" I playfully rolled my eyes making her snort.
"The hall is too smokey and has too much ruckus but I am enjoying the atmosphere decently enough as well as speaking to those my age and dining with the Stark children." She nodded and cupped my cheek.
"I am always happy to hear you're enjoying yourself my lion but that bastard seems to have invaded your dining area." Her look to the lower table had me squeezing her shoulder again to get her attention back onto me.
"Mother please, Jon Snow is Arya's favorite sibling and I wished for him to be there at the table so don't cause an issue with it." My mother got that look in her eye when she overthinking something and I couldn't help but lean back to give her space to think whatever she was thinking in her lovely head.
After a moment she raised her hand to squeeze my elbow firmly but not painfully. "I feel like you are a little too interested in the little Lyanna Stark copy." I frowned and got lower and looked her in the eye. "Don't be like that Joffrey, Don't forget that I was also in the halls when my husband spoke of the woman. Is that it? You have-" I grabbed the arm holding my own and I tugged getting her to stop as I smiled the most caring way I could.
"Mother that is not what's happening I swear. I don't want a weak, idiotic, idealistic wife. I want someone smart and can handle herself... I want someone like you." Her eyes softened and her lips twitched slightly into a smile. "Mother, yes I have heard stories of Lyanna Stark but I have gotten the first-hand experience of you fighting and living in a castle that has been against you from the very start... You rose from being nothing in Kings Landing to having more power than father ever had. And Uncle Jaime has told me how you were younger and how you wanted to swing a blade and how you hated all the girly things you were forced to do... And when I saw that small dirty girl over there and I heard her wishes and dreams I couldn't help see a younger image of you and I..." She now had tears in her eyes. "I want that mother. I want that kind of wife... that kind of queen and nothing else in the seven kingdoms can compare." I lifted my hand and wiped away a tear. "So do I have your consent to do everything I can to make that girl happy. Just as you should have been?"
It took my mother a moment to compose herself the best she could before she nodded rapidly and kissed my cheek looking at me with the love of a proud, loving mother. "Of course you do. Just... just hope she grows up to be beautiful." I snort and then laugh.
"I doubt even you were this beautiful at 9 years mother." She guffawed and slapped my side lightly before dismissing me to my table. Although she looked happier than she had in a while which made me happy. I love my mother. On the way back to my table Lord Stark stopped me.
"Before you go back to your table my prince I wished to know if you knew your father wished to wed you to my daughter?" I of course knew the old fat fool would so I nodded and gave a sigh.
"Yes, I did. It's not surprising since he missed his chance to be with your sister that he would want his heir to get said chance. Although may I ask which one? The meek bully who wouldn't survive as queen? Or Arya." The father of the two girls' eyes stared unblinkingly at me till he let out a tired sigh.
"I take it you don't wish to wed Sansa?"
I shook my head seriously. It wouldn't do to insult him and his daughter with the laugh that bubbled up at the mere thought of the redhead. "The outcome of the marriage would be unsatisfactory for everyone involved if not loveless as well. Lady Sansa is a naive childish girl. Should like I said earlier will fail in King's Landing."
"And Arya is a child, a younger one than Sansa." The man pointed out.
I nodded to the man accepting the fact. "Yet she has ambition, thoughts, and a dream for her future, and that alone shows just how much more mature she is than your elder daughter... Lord Stark I would never choose to marry Sansa but I would beg you for the chance to have Arya's hand."
"You wish to wed a nine-day-old girl?" The man seemed to be stuck on that part so I shook my head."
"Betrothed not wed. That is what we've been discussing. I after all wish to help her with her dream. I want to be there for my family present and future. Lord Stark you and your family will be part of my own one day and how does a leader of a pack or pride react to a threat to their families? They deal with it... after all father." The man's eyes narrow at me. "Lannisters always repay their debts... and as a Baratheon Ours is the Fury." My voice grew strong and carried power and strength which I could tell the Stark Lord felt as he nodded at me. "As for your own family... Winter is coming and when it does." I clapped the big man's shoulder. "I'll be by your side with every kingdom shoulder to shoulder in arms to not fight one another but to fight alongside you. That I promise on my very life." I saw the Warden of the north think on my words so I turned and looked over the feast once again only to catch the eyes of Arya Stark. I couldn't help the smile and she returned it. I gestured for her to come over but she merely shook her head and glazed at Jon then back to me. I nodded in understanding and mouthed, "I understand." The girl happily tuned back and spoke with her brothers. The sight of her happiness and joy was everything I would ever need to see to know I chose the right girl.
I was broken out of my watching of the young Stark by her very father. "In less than a day you have brought great joy to her. More than I've ever seen her openly show in a long time. But can you keep it that way?" The question was a good one and as I looked at Lord Stark I could only shrug. "I've learned early on that life has its ups and downs. We won't always be the happiest or never have issues to solve but I swear to try my damndest to see her happy and..." I gestured to the girl herself. "Have her look like that every day of our future together."
The Northern Lord looked to his children and for the first time, that day smiled looking at the scene of his children. My siblings seem to be enjoying themselves too. "Then I shall talk to our king. But you must tell Arya of this. The girl may have her own thoughts on the betrothal." I snorted. Of course, she would she's a she-wolf. A free and lively girl. The Lord turned and spoke to his lady wife while I stood and excused myself from the high table.
My parents were talking... in a way. My siblings were still enjoying the food and atmosphere with the Stark children. Lady Sansa was looking at me with too many emotions to understand. And I simply passed them all and ended up behind Snow. He must have seen his brother Robb's eyes looking behind him rather than his own and turned to see me.
"Prince Joffrey, I-" I raised a hand silencing him. "Calm yourself, Snow. I merely wish to speak to Arya about something your father asked me to tell her, nothing to do with you." The bastards' eyes lingered on me along with the other older brother of the younger wolf. The younger brothers were too busy with my own and Sansa was always watching me so nothing new there. But I waved away their looks. "Do not worry yourselves. I'll return her to your side the same do not worry yourselves."
They seemed to want to speak more but a girlish. "Okay!" was almost yelled as Arya herself jumped up stopping her brother's words. "Let's go!" And without a chance to say anything I was pulled away making me let out a laugh as she dragged me away from the festivities and into the cold night air. I believed she would stop there but I ended up at what I could only assume to be the training field. "Stay here." She said as she ran off only to return a moment later holding two wooden swords.
I quirked an eyebrow."You thought I wanted to train?" I couldn't help smile but her face dropped and looked sad which made me frown and regret saying anything.
"We aren't?" I wanted to tell her no but I stopped and looked to the sky in silent prayer. Heaving a sigh a grabbed the swords from her hands which was comically huge compared to her.
"Not with these things. They're way too big and for your age, you must start with a smaller practice sword. You've seen your brothers train since a young age so you should know." Arya looked to the side with a blush... "You grabbed the first two you could get your hands on didn't you?" I got a hesitant nod as an answer making me snort. I gestured for her to lead me to the weapon rack.
Happily, she did so and I looked over the variety of weapons. Some I've never seen used in the southern kingdom while others were quite known to me. Looking over Arya I swept my eyes up and down her form before looking back to the weapons and grabbing a smaller sword that was similar to a small sword yet had a thinner blade. I could tell that the girl would be more of an agility fighter more so than a strength fighter.
I flipped the blade around and gave her the handle which she tentatively grabbed acting as if the wooden blade was more than what it was made of. I chose to grab my live Valyrian Steel blade and its sheath laying it against the fence then grabbing a wooden sword that was similar in size to my live one. Though the metaphorical sparkles in her eyes were all too clear to see as she gazed at it with reverence. "Now remember as you age and grow you may change what weapon you wield if you wish and if you feel a pull towards a different style of combat you may change that as well. Just know that means more work and harder training." The whole time I spoke she paid absolute attention to my words and I gave her a nod and patted her hair before leading her back to the center of the training area. My hand stopped her and I took a few steps away. "Now we're going slow so just do what you feel best and I'll tell you to change something or adjust yourself in some way so make sure you do so." It wasn't the best way but it was a way for me to get a read on her and what I need to help her with later on.
She nodded and we began our dance. While we slowly sparred we began to talk as I occasionally threw in something she should change or correct in her stance or swing. We spoke of many topics as she tried swinging her blade in the way she thought best or as I told her to. I was lazily blocking or swinging myself allowing her the chance to get the feel of blocking. Our topics consisted of the Direwolves that resided in Winterfell and she told me their names and she spoke happily of her very own Nymeria. The girl was very fond of the wolf. While she asked me about Kings Landing and Casterly Rock among many other places that I mostly haven't seen or been to. But overall it was a nice and enjoyable half-hour and Arya's smile said she thought so too.
But all things must come to an end as I noticed the She wolf's slowing movements and heavy breathing. I raised my hand and stopped her allowing her to drop her arms and let the practice blade fall to the ground taking in breaths of air. I walked over picking up her sword and I put them back while re-equipping my sword. By now she was happily laying in the mud in her nice feast clothing smiling up at me with eyes that portrayed such happiness I was lost in them for merely a moment.
"Why'd we stop? I could have kept going." I shook my head ad sat down next to her leaning back on an arm.
"You won't think the same in the morning. Your arms will be sore and you will probably have a couple of words to say to me on the matter." She adamantly shook her head.
"Never, I would always want to feel this way. I'll never be mad at you... Prince Joffrey, you gave me this chance and I thank you for allowing it. And for believing in me." I couldn't help it as I brushed her brown locks from her forehead and rub my thumb across her sweaty brow. She didn't knock my hand away so I continued to do so and she closed her eyes at the soft touch enjoying the sensation. I hope I wasn't the only one to show her such affection.
But again I had things to discuss with her. "I have to speak to you on things that have come to my attention. It's actually why we came out here." The girl opened her beautiful grey eyes to stare at me giving me her full attention.
"What is it?" She asked.
I stroked her brow once more before taking in a breath readying myself for what was to come. "While with your father at the feast he spoke to me about him and my father having agreed to finally make our houses one." She blinked up at me tilting her head. "They want me to marry a Stark." Her face finally showed shock.
"So you're going to marry Sansa?" I raised an eyebrow in a 'what do you think' manner making her giggle slightly. "No, I burned that chance after earlier today."
"Yes but beyond that, she wouldn't be a good queen and also she is not fit for the life one takes up when they get involved with the Iron Throne. Now She will grow up and mature but right now I don't see her in a good light and am not interested in her. Yes, she's beautiful to a divine level I can't see it working out." The little girl didn't refute anything I said but rather nodded.
"Soo... Robb? It's odd but if it-" A laugh tore from my throat before I could stop it and I wasn't able to stop it until she slapped my knee gaining back my attention. Her face held a glaring yet amused smile. I shook my head in a negative gaining back my breath.
"No, no little wolf I do not fancy men and that would never work for I need heirs along with many other reasons which include me liking ladies exclusively." She nodded having sat up now and looking up a little to match my gaze. I remained silent and after a time she seemed to gain the hint and almost like a puppet jerkily pointed at herself with a shocked face. I nodded. "Yes, Arya. It was to be Sansa but after everything... I was asked about the betrothal and I told your father I wished for your hand over your sisters'." Before I could continue she stood up and backed away making me roll onto my knees having me on both of them before the Stark girl. "Please, please Arya let me finish that is all I ask. " She didn't move but her whole body was ready to flee and her face... oh her face showed so much hurt. I laid my hands on the wet ground once again and bowed my head to her. The sight would have been seen as a weakness but I didn't want her to run, not from me. "I will allow you everything we spoke of before. All your dreams, all your goals are still available to you. It's merely a betrothal and they can last years upon years allowing you plenty of time to do what you wish."
She didn't speak so I raised my head to lay eyes upon the glaring girl and I felt that feeling of anger and absolute pain but it was directed upon me. The feeling was the same I grew up having but now it seemed the girl had a small amount of the same feeling directed at me. Feeling as if I failed I felt the bubbling want to tear and destroy and hurt build inside of my chest and it was starting to take over my mind when I heard a distant whispered question.
"Why me? Please... tell me." Hearing the words I tried holding onto them using them as a source of power to push away the darkness but it took too long so she continued. "Why not Sansa? Yeah, you told me but there are other girls more beautiful and better choices. I'm small, ugly, and not girly. Who'd want me?"
I had to fight it. To get up and grab the girl and yell inot her face how wrong she was. I had to fight against going back to the feast which would still be happening and have anyone who ever insulted the girl punished. Because she was only 9 name days old and I wouldn't allow such hurt be put upon her ever again. "Those things are only true if you allow them to be." Her eyes seemed to have dulled and her face had dropped when she spoke of her faults. "But it's none of it's true." She merely stared. "Arya you are young, barely given the chance to grow into the beauty that I know you will have in years to come. As of right now to me your the most lovely girl I've seen. When you wield a sword and you train as we just have you're beauty seems to only grow more. Your smile and the effort just now has only made me confident in my choice."
"I don't know..." She seemed hurt and I stood and slowly walked closer to her before grabbing her small hands.
"Just you allowing yourself this hesitation and asking these questions only reinforce my thoughts. With your drive and heart the way it is you could biome a great queen and a eve better advisor and wife." I stop and pull her into a hug. "I know that you want freedom and adventure, and I promise you you'd get plenty by my side as I support you." I take a breath and pulled back to see her face cupping her right cheek in my left hand. "All I ask is for you to accept. If you do I will do everything that is within my power to make you happy."
She went silent as she looked into my eyes seemingly thinking. In the meantime was left with silene so encompassing that I could hear the noise of the feast. Cheering and shouting showed the fun that was happening and I didn't care one bit. Here right now with my hand on her cheek was here I wanted to be. Just having her think about her decision was something I approved of more so than the quick yes I would have received from anyone else. Who would deny being queen? The easy answer was Arya Stark. Finally, after some time her eyes focused solely on my own. Moon grey eyes locked onto Lannister green. My breath was stuck in my throat until she nodded nervously. "I accept." I smiled widely and swept her into a hug. "But you need to keep your promise."
"Of course."
"And tell my family."
"Alright," I spoke nervously.
"And wait until I feel to be married."
"I stop at that one and think on it. "I... can do that but be ready to have those that want power try to separate us."
"I won't let them. I'm the future warrior queen!" I smiled widely at her and she smiled just the same back and I twirled her around before setting her down.
"I didn't realize I was marrying lady Nymeria." This time she laughed and hit my shoulder.
"No, Nymeria is my Direwolf stupid." I raised an eyebrow the felt a weight push into the side of my leg. Looking down I was greeted by the sight of a beautiful white and grey pup. Her eyes were a lovely golden color. "She never does that. She must like you." I nodded and with hesitation, I reached down and stroked the pup. She didn't seem to mind. "But she's supposed to be in my room." Arya gave the wolf a knowing smile and the wolf gave a bark and ran away towards the keep.
"While I prefer Lions I find myself interested by your houses Direwolfs," I stated as I watched the wolf flee. My eyes then fell to the staring girl and she blushed softly.
"We should get back." I nodded turning towards the feast.
"Well then lead the way, Lady Arya. Let's go see your sword-wielding brothers... although I must tell your father and my own first and then it may be a time before we announce it." She looked up to me and nodded with a shrug.
"I don't really care when we do tell them just that you do it. Also, you'd look good with scars." I couldn't help my scoff and the roll of my eyes.
"I think not." I looked at her and grabbed her hand giving it a squeeze. "Just as I don't wish any harm to fall upon you I hope you don't wish any to fall upon me."
"It was a joke. I only want you hurt if you deserve it. For example, if you mess up in the training yard you have it coming." I nodded in acceptance of that and kissed the back of her hand before letting go and continuing on only to see my uncle and Jon Snow having a conversation. I got to see Snow's wolf and I must admit it was more threatening than Nymeria. But I ignored whatever they were talking about and soon enough we stepped into the hall.
Oh... I forgot we were quite dirty from our earlier activities so I could only assume the stares we got from some patrons were acceptable as I looked quite a mess with mud on my sleeves and trousers while Arya was covered in it. To say Lady Stark looked angry would be an understatement. And the look I got made me feel a headache begin. It was going to be a long night.
AN: So I got back to work this week so sorry about the delay but I think the chapters will be spaced out more maybe every weekend but no later then that. If you review I accept any kind of thoughts or ideas and will think to use them. Also I love those who have reviewed and liked and followed my story so thank you so much.