A different Joffrey Baratheon

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9
We were twelve days crossing the neck, rumbling down a crooked causeway through an endless swamp, and just like the way up it was awful going back down. I even started to miss the coldness of the north and much preferred it over the damp and sticky air of the swampy marsh. How such a place could be smack dab in the middle of an icy tundra and a warm and bright plains led me to a headache with the thought.
But there was an upside as we had finally stopped on the Kingsroad and took up shelter in a decent enough inn and my dear Arya got up to her exuberant ways. She explored and I joined her as often as I could, riding up and down the column and further out seeing things that had the girls' eyes shining in wonder. As for the times when I could not join her, she had a butcher's boy by the name of Mycah go along with her instead. To say I was upset when she one day returned with bruises is a gross understatement. I was about to have the boy skinned for it but Arya very adamantly talked me down. Apparently, some of the bruises were because of her carelessness and the others were from sword fighting with a stick. I tried to explain how it wasn't smart to train with someone with no prior training but she said it wasn't training but rather just fun. Then made me promise not to do anything. Reluctantly I agreed but told her if anything was to happen that she should run to me immediately and tell me. She doubted anything would happen but agreed which I hugged her for. She slapped me on the arm before smiling at me.
There were other times that she would settle her usual behavior and sit and talk with my mother and sister over tea and cakes. She didn't like the wagon much and didn't enjoy the tea or cakes much either. But she did enjoy my mother and sister's company but felt Tommen was too soft for her liking stating that the queen had strength and my dear sister did as well and deemed them both okay in her book. My mother and Arya openly talked to my sister about how they were training with a blade in secret and had made the young princess interested in trying herself. Mother had to think about it but after a day and a half agreed and allowed her to join our secret spars. Sandor was upset at the overtaking of women in our training but I just laughed and ordered him to do as he was made to do.
My sister as with many things she tried got the hang of a blade at a decent pace equaling my mother. She made me so proud and like Arya, I would praise all of them and teach them without a second thought. The three most important women in my life were making me proud. My mother was truly gaining back the love that she lost with her previous actions. Was I letting her off easy? Maybe a little. But she listened and obeyed all of my orders and even stopped fighting with the King in turn making her life less painful. The King didn't mind one bit and seemed to often forget that the Queen even existed more often now than ever before without her usual response to his daily actions.
-Next Day-
The small council sent out riders consisting of a Kingsguard and my "uncle" Renly to act as escorts for the rest of the journey to the capital. In my opinion, it's a blatant waste of manpower and a show of dick sucking that I've only ever seen outclassed by the houses of the Westerlands when in the presence of my grandfather. Everyone's always trying to weasel into my family's graces somehow or someway. The King was on a hunt when they arrived so my mother dealt with greeting them but when he did show up he had the same thoughts as I do. He loudly speaks crude words about the council and how he would shove his foot up an ass or two. I smile at the man and he smirks back. We may not get along much, but the man's crudeness was funny. What can I say other than that?
Renly, I have no real care for him as he is an idiot and chases after young boys... myself being a young man am not fond of how he has looked at me or Tommen in the past. I widen my eyes as I realize I haven't told my mother about his habits. She'll be helpful if he ever tries anything that needs to be dealt with. But other than that he's lazy and a shit excuse of a Master of Laws. He honestly is a waste as the lord of Storm's End and whatever titles he also holds. I and many others think this. Most notable being my other "uncle" Stannis. He is by far my favorite Baratheon uncle and we get along decently well.
But now onto the Kingsguard. Ser Barristan Selmy, a man I respected and trained with for years along with other members of the Kingsguard. He was strong and along with his help and others, I was able to take the King on just last year in a spar. When I won the spar I felt elated. The King was probably more proud of me than he has ever been before. That day he handed me his hammer, which I struggled to keep up, and patted my shoulder telling me, "You deserve this... It's been by my side for years and I won't see it rot away with me... make good use of it." And that wouldn't have happened without Ser Barristan.
There was also the disgusting Ilyn Payne but he doesn't deserve anything more than a mention.
Arya was awestruck by Ser Selmy and talked his ear off for a good amount of time. She asked me to invite him to our spar later after he went to continue his duties and I had to refuse her.
"Arya, he's very busy and we have all we need to train and get better. Maybe later when we get to King's Landing we can get some lessons planned out with him but not right now." Arya nodded happily at my answer before leaving off to who knows where.
I would have gone off with her but I needed to talk to my mother. While I'm knowledgeable about what goes on in King's Landing I'm not all knowing.
-Royal Carriage-
Stepping into the carriage I smile at my dear sister and sit next to her kissing the crown of her head and putting an arm around her, pulling her close. I nod at my mother across from me before looking down at Myrcella. "How are you today my dearest sister?"
"I'm well, Joffrey! It's been awfully boring in the carriage but mother and Arya have been keeping me occupied... Tommen's been with the maesters so I haven't seen him much."
I tilt my head at my mother. "Well, I'm happy that you all are getting along. It would be troublesome to have the women of my life to not get along. And one day Arya is to be your good sister so you'll finally get that little wish of yours." She smiled but blushed softly.
Cercei leaned forward and smiled her coy smile of hers. "Oh, and what wish was this my cub?"
Myrcella giggled at her. "A little sister of course mother! There are no girls to spend time with... well none that are fun. Arya is probably my best friend and I've only known her for a few moons. It'll be a glorious day when I can call her sister."
I smiled down at her as did my mother. "Well, that very same day she'll be my wife so I must agree it will be glorious."
"I agree." We look to our mother. "Arya is a wonderful girl and since we met her she's given us all something has she not?"
It takes a second for me to nod. "A betrothed for me, a sister for Myrcella, and made me think about getting you to begin training with a blade... I guess my dear Arya is a blessing to the Pride." I smile at my mother. "It's a good thing that a certain queen didn't ruin everything by speaking without thinking. Am I right sweet mother?"
Pursing her lips she leaned back and sipped slightly on a cup of wine. "You're right, my lion. I'm happy you chose her over the other girl."
I snort. "Sansa Stark would have been a lot easier for you to work with than Arya but I suppose that doesn't matter since everything that happened."
"Where is the little wolf? Is she off again exploring?" I nod.
"She has a friend that she goes with but I haven't yet met them."
"Are you not worried for her?" Cercei asked.
I shook my head. "She can handle herself and I have Sandor shadowing her. It's odd how a man of his size can be so sneaky but he does it quite well.
I hear a snore next to me and smile down at the now sleeping sister of mine. "It's good she fell asleep. I need to know everything about the small council. I will be helping Eddard as much as possible with the absence of Robbert on the council."
"And how will you get that drunkard to agree to that, Bribe him?"
I snort. "Please, I've had his favor for some time now and it's only grown." I look down at Myrcella and squeeze her closer to my side. "I'm happy I changed my ways before I could fall to my madness-"
    "You're not mad Joffrey!" I glare at her and shush her.
"First be quiet and second I was and still am plagued by a darkness in myself. If you were to put my darkness against that Fire god R'hllor I would snuff out that light of his."
    She reached across and stroked my cheek... "You're strong though... you wouldn't fall to the darkness... you'd fight it and conquer it over and over again. I believe in you sweet lion of mine."
    I shake my head at her. "That's just the thing, mother... I have used the darkness to do impossible things... I have used it to push myself and go beyond anyone else." I smile and reach out and grab her hand. "I shall use it to see my family safe and happy and to see my future kingdom thrive and become stronger than ever... after I save it from debt. I'm killing Baelish as soon as I can."
    "The man needs to die. He's annoying and sneaky and smug about it. If he isn't mysteriously found dead within a moon's turn of our return I shall handle it personally."
    "Wasn't it part of yours and grandfather's plan to have the kingdom in debt to our house?"
    She looks away. "Not to this extent... I also got to explain more things to you so settle in. It's going to be a lot."
    And she was right. I sat there for three and a half hours and by the end of it felt a pounding in my head and exasperation at the machinations of old men. "Why do my family members make my life so difficult?!"