The Prince of Thorns

🛡Old and New🛡

Siting at a table overlooking a beautiful view sits Alester and Myrcella. Their time spent together is always bliss. There love growing to new heights as the day of their marriage grows near. More than anything he just wants to have the wedding and return to Highgarden with his young wife before the growing tensions in the capital turn to war. Until than he will put the negative to the back and the positive up front.

Alester: "If you love the gardens here, you'll be amazed at the ones in Highgarden."

Myrcella: "I will. With you showing me the way."

Alester: "You have my word. I will show you every room in Highgarden my lady."

Yelling is then heard from behind Alester when he spins his head, he sees Renly with a shocked looked upon his face.

Renly Baratheon: Alester! It's Robert. We were hunting...a boar... 

Walking towards the younger Baratheon he asks but one question.

Alester: "You've told Ned."

Renly Baratheon: "I...I... Yes, I did."

Walking through the door to Roberts chambers Alester is hit with the smell of blood. The smell was like an old friend to any man who had stood on a battlefield before. Inside Robert's room, we see Cersei, Joffrey, Barristan Selmy and Maester Pycelle are all present. Robert speaks to Joffrey, who is sitting beside him.

Robert Baratheon: "I should have spent more time with you, shown you how to be a man.
I was never meant to be a father. Go on. You don't want to see this."

Alester stepped out of the way as Joffrey walks out of the room.

Robert Baratheon: "Alester come here."

Stepping forward to the Kings beside the Tyrell stood tall looking down at the dying man.

Robert Baratheon: "Be a better husband then me. Go now and take care of my daughter."

Without muttering a word, he walked out the door straight to his love. He found her standing by the balcony. Walking to her left side he stood there wrapping his arm around her waist.

Myrcella: "My father is dead isn't he."

Alester: "Close to it I'm sorry to say."

She had a look of uncertainty that he was trying to decipher but she spoke before he could.

Myrcella: "You love and trust me, don't you?"

Alester: "More than anything."

Myrcella: "What would you say if I told you that man called king dying in his chambers isn't my father."

Taking a second to comprehend what she just said and then making sure there no one was near enough to hear.

Alester: "I would say that it makes sense. He is a cruel drunkard who only ever cared about women and drink. You on the other hand are kind, caring, honest and beautiful."

The princess blushed at his kind words and was very relieved at his response.

Alester: "I'm assuming your real father is a certain kings guard."

She looked surprised at his guess though it seemed more like a definite answer.

Myrcella: "How'd, you figure it out."

Alester: "I've seen the way they look at each other. Plus, coincidently none of the kings three children look like him."

Myrcella: "You mustn't tell anyone no matter how close they are to you."

Alester: "Your secrets are my secrets my lady."

Later in the day the two are summoned to the throne room to see the new King sitting upon the iron throne. Alester may despise the ruthless boy but the love for the tyrant's sister is strong enough to surpass that hate. The princess and Tyrell stand close to the queen mother and the young Tommen as Joffrey speaks.

King Joffrey: "I command the council to make all necessary arrangements for my coronation.
I wish to be crowned within the fortnight. Today I shall accept oaths of fealty from my loyal councilors."

Ned stark walks into the room with a letter of Roberts last will.

Ned Stark: "Alester, I believe no man here could ever question your honor."

Alester: "King Robert's seal. Unbroken."

Opening the parchment Alester loudly recited what was written.

Alester: "Lord Eddard Stark is herein named Protector of the Realm, to rule as Regent until the heir come of age."

Cersei Lannister: "May I see that letter, Alester? Protector of the realm. Is this meant to be your shield, Lord Stark? A piece of paper?"

The queen mother then proceeds to tear the letter in pieces.

Alester: "Those were the King's words."

Cersei Lannister: "We have a new King now. Lord Eddard, when we last spoke you offered me some counsel. Allow me to return the courtesy. Bend the knee, My Lord. Bend the knee and swear loyalty to my son and we shall allow you to live out your days in the gray waste you call home."

Ned Stark: "Your son has no claim."

King Joffrey: "Liar!"

Cersei Lannister: "You condemn yourself with your own mouth, Lord Stark. Ser Barristan, seize this traitor."

Ned Stark: "Alester is a good man, a loyal man. Do him no harm."

Cersei Lannister: "You think he stands alone?"

Cregor Clegane draws his sword.

King Joffrey: "Kill him! Kill all of them, I command it!"

Ned Stark: "Commander! Take the Queen and her children into custody.
Escort them back to the royal apartments and keep them there, under guard."

Alester pulls Thorn from its sheathe taking a defensive position in front of the queen and her children not knowing what the Gold Cloaks would do when they reached them.

 Janos Slynt: "Men of the Watch!"

The Gold Cloaks draw their swords.

Ned Stark: "I want no bloodshed. Tell your men to lay down their swords. No one needs to die."

Petyr Baelish: "Now!"

Suddenly, the Gold Cloaks switch sides and attack the Stark men. Littlefinger sneaks up to Ned Stark.

He grabs him from behind, then holds a dagger to his throat.

Petyr Baelish: "I did warn you to not trust men."

Alester was more than conflicted having people he cared about on both sides.