Game of Thrones: The Storm

S1E8 - The Pointy End

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The same day that Lord Stark was taken into custody, Queen Cersei ordered the Lannister soldiers to kill anyone of service to him, and to find his daughters.

Ser Meryn and another Kingsguard went after Arya while you and Sandor looked for Sansa. Thankfully, you managed to find her before he did.

When you rounded the corner, she paused when she seen you, staring at the blood that was smeared on your face.

"Stay away from me," she said shakily. "I'll tell my father. I'll-I'll tell the Queen."

"The Queen sent me to find you, my Lady," you spoke softly to her as you held out your hand. "No need for more fighting today. She just wants to see you."

She looked down at your hand before looking back over her shoulder to see Sandor walking down the hall slowly. 

"Either I walk you there or he carries you."

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Once Sansa was safely in the hands of Cersei, the Queen had her write a letter to her older brother, Robb. Told him to swear fealty to Joffrey in order to protect their father.

If Robb was anything like Ned, however, you knew that he would never kneel to Joffrey. Not now and not ever. Soon the realm would be thrown into an all-out war. The Lannisters vs the Starks. Not to mention the hoard of men that your Uncle Renly fled the city with. Soon he would raise his armies in the Stormlands and in the Reach, and another player would be added to this great game. 

Your father's words rang in your ears as you watching it all unfold. Though you didn't do anything to stop it. The training you received in Astapore was like a steel chain still tightened around your neck, and you couldn't pull away. Listen to the masters. 

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A few days later you were reading in the giant tree in the middle of the Red Keep's Garden when you heard footsteps approaching.

"Laramie," you heard Joffrey say as you looked down at him. "Mind if I sit with you?"

You nodded before holding out your hand to help lift him up onto the giant branch. Once he was properly seated, he looked down at the book in your lap.

"I didn't know you could read," he joked as you let out a soft chuckle.

"In all honesty, I'm not the best at it, your grace," you said, closing the book and setting it down beside you.

You saw Joffrey twiddling his fingers and messing with his rings out of the corner of your eye. He was on edge; anyone could have seen it.

"Robb Stark has called on his bannermen and plans to march South." 

You nodded solemnly at his words before speaking. "You did imprison his father... and you have his sister. Not to mention your grandfather and uncle are invading the Riverlands."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" He asked with an offended expression.

"No, I'm just stating the facts. Facts help you win wars, not ignorance. Robb Stark doesn't care about hurting your feelings or not... he means to kill you if that's what it takes," you spoke in a stern tone as you held eye contact with him. "Whether you like it or not, this war was caused because of you, and nobody will be able to change that. You need to stay levelheaded... no matter what, or things will only get worse for you and your family."

He tore his eyes away from yours, cracking under the pressure as he looked around the garden.

"You think I don't know that?" He finally asked, voice tight with frustration. "Everyone thinks I'm a fool. My mother talks to me like I'm still a child. My grandfather sends orders from Casterly Rock like he's the King, and now the North wants my head because I imprisoned a man who wanted to take away my right as heir."