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Chapter 70

Chapter 70: The Twins Namesday
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Third POV

The Great Hall of Casterly Rock was alive with celebration as lords, ladies, knights, and heirs from houses both great and small gathered from across the Westerlands for the tenth nameday of Jaime and Cersei Lannister, the children of their Lord Paramount.

Houses Crakehall, Marbrand, Lefford, Brax, Banefort, Westerling, Farman, and many others filled the feast tables after answering the invitation to the Rock.

As with any great gathering in the Westerlands, each guest had come with their own purpose. Some hoped to form new connections, others simply wished to enjoy the festivities.

Most, however, sought to earn the favor of House Lannister.

That was why many of the houses had brought lavish gifts, so many that the Lady of Casterly Rock intended to make a spectacle of their presentation.

Later in the festivities, she planned to summon each house before the gathered nobility and have them reveal their gifts one by one.

For now, however, the guests enjoyed the grand feast House Lannister had provided.

Servants moved constantly between the tables, carrying silver trays, heavy platters, and pitchers of wine. They passed through the crowded aisles with ease, refilling empty cups and placing fresh dishes before the gathered guests.

The feast tables were already laden with food. Roasted boar rested upon great silver platters, surrounded by vegetables and fragrant herbs. Trenchers held roasted chickens, thick cuts of beef, buttered bread, honeyed carrots, and pies stuffed with meat and mushrooms. Bowls of fresh fruit had been placed between the larger dishes, while sweet cakes, lemon tarts, and sugared pastries waited to be served later in the evening.

Several delicacies from Lannisport were also present, including thin slices of fried potatoes, seasoned beef patties served between warm pieces of bread, flatbreads covered with melted cheese and savory toppings, and pieces of chicken fried until golden and crisp.

Pitchers of Arbor gold, rich red wine, spiced wine, and ale stood ready along the tables, offering the guests something with which to quench their thirst and wash down the many delicious flavors.

As the guests enjoyed the feast, the Lannisters at the high table appeared to be in a world of their own.

Lady Joanna sat at the center, covering her mouth with both hands as she struggled to contain her laughter.

To her right sat Jaime and her dear good-brother, Kevan. Both displayed the calmness and grace expected of House Lannister as they quietly enjoyed their food.

To her left, however, there was only chaos.

Cersei had Tyrion confined upon her lap and was holding both of his hands down. Despite his small size, Tyrion twisted and wriggled furiously, determined to escape his sister's grasp.

The evidence of his earlier mischief remained scattered across the table. Several plates had been overturned, leaving food strewn across the cloth and earning Tyrion his sentence of imprisonment upon Cersei's lap. A servant hurriedly cleaned the mess while Genna, seated a short distance away, chuckled at the scene.

"Mother, could you please tell Tyrion to stop playing with the plates?" Cersei exclaimed. "He is becoming more aggravating."

"Want food! Want food!" Tyrion protested as he squirmed upon her lap.

"Stop being troublesome," Cersei scolded him. "You are not even going to eat it."

Joanna leaned closer to her youngest child. "If you behave yourself today, my little Tyrion, I will read your favorite book to you tonight."