Not Just a Kingslayer

Chapter 10

"Daenerys Targaryen is now ruling in Meereen."

As soon as Jaime had walked away, the rest of the council members had walked in and the meeting had begun. Cersei and Jaime were sitting at opposite ends of the table, but the anger radiating off of the both of them was enough to make everyone uncomfortable. Except Lord Baelish of course. He seemed to be enjoying it.

"I think we should deal with the threat now before it becomes too big," Jaime said. "She supposedly has dragons, and that can substantially increase any threat."

The council started to nod, but Cersei was not having it. "What do you mean by threat, brother? If she's ruling Meereen, she's certainly not coming here. And even if she wasn't, she doesn't have any ships and no longer has a Dothraki army. Are you scared of a little girl halfway across the world, Jaime? You, the Kingslayer?"

Jaime bristled at the name. "No, sweet sister, I am not. I just think we should deal with this sooner rather than later. Besides, you're scared of somebody much closer, or had you forgotten?"

Cersei's gaze hardened. By this time, Petyr Baelish was nearly grinning and Varys looked increasingly interested. "And who would that be, dear brother? You? You only have one hand, or had you forgotten?"

"One hand is just as good, sister, but no, I was not speaking of myself. I think you know who I mean."

Before Cersei could reply, Lord Baelish butted in. "Either way, I don't think we are currently in the position to spend money on this, what with the war that is going on here."

Cersei smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you, Lord Baelish. It's a good thing someone knows what's going on." She shot a smug look at her brother.

"Well," Varys said,"I think that's quite enough for today. Ser Jaime, would you come speak with me for a moment?" The two stepped into the hallway and walked off a ways. "You and your sister seem to be arguing a lot lately," Varys said pointedly.

"Forgive me Lord Varys, but I'd heard that siblings argue all the time," Jaime said tightly. "Isn't that normal?"

"The fact that you're asking that question speaks to the opposite. Anyway, I wanted to tell you, you two may wish to restrict those arguments to a more private place, because that argument today seemed to be about much more than Daenerys Targaryen. People in King's Landing love to suspect others, and we wouldn't want people to give more thought to those rumors than previously, now would we?" And with that, he walked away with a swish of his robes.

Jaime called after him,"Who do you truly serve, Lord Varys?"

Varys turned and said simply,"The realm, Ser," then he walked away and disappeared into the shadows.

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Meanwhile, Petyr Baelish went to find Lady Daena. He was passing through a courtyard when he heard voices off to the side. He saw a flash of auburn hair and a cat scampering toward him. He grinned. So she's friends with the King and the little Queen. I'm sure Cersei loves that. King Tommen came running towards him, chasing after the cat. Just when he was in front of Lord Baelish, he tripped. Baelish caught him. "Be careful, Your Grace, I don't know what your mother would do if you fell and got hurt." The ladies walked up behind Tommen.

"Oh, my little King, you must be careful! We must not have you fall," Margaery exclaimed.

"Good morning, Lord Baelish," Daena said.

"Please, call me Petyr. I was looking for you, my lady."

"Were you now...Petyr? And why is that?"

Petyr looked pointedly at the royal couple.

"Margaery, do you mind if I go speak with Lord Baelish for a while?"

"No, see you later Daena."

"Well," Petyr said, linking his arm in Daena's,"I remembered seeing you last night, and I had to come find you. For one thing, not many will spy on the Lannister twins, so that caught my attention. But for another, I don't have very many friends here, and I was thinking maybe I could make one. You do so remind me of the Lady Catelyn."

"Well for your first point, I wouldn't have been watching them, only..."

"You wanted to find out if those rumors were true? I don't blame you. A man who fucks his own twin isn't very appealing. Even Jaime Lannister."

Daena blushed. "Yes. I was hoping that if I left something would happen to prove them true. Although I suppose if they weren't true I would never know, would I?"

"I suppose not. But I can tell you that they are true from what I know."

"How would you know?"

"I make a habit of knowing things, my lady."

"Well I guess that's a better habit than some."

"I can certainly think of one," he grinned at her.

She laughed. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Lord Petyr, we don't know if that really a habit just yet."

"Alright, but you still haven't answered my second point. Would you like to give dear Lord Baelish some happiness and be his friend?"

"Why I couldn't refuse him happiness, now could I?"

"Then I hope to see you soon, my lady." He kissed her hand and then walked away, melting into the shadows.