The Forest Child {Sandor Clegane Story}

Prize Mistake

Off the shores of black water bay, just outside of Kings Landing, a 1000 ships with black sails and the sigil of the gold kracken filled the horizon. 

"They Greyjoys? You invited the Grejoys to Kings Landing?" Jamie asked his sister with a slight distaste. 

"Not all of them, I have invited Euron Greyjoy, the new King to the Iron Islands. You said yourself, we needed stronger and better allies, well, there you are," Cersei shrugged as they stood by the bay and watched the ships sail into port. 

"How are they stronger? How are they better than the Freys? They both broke their promises and murdered their former friends as soon as it suited them."

"So does everyone, when it suits them..." Cersei replied coldly before walking back into the Red Keep. 

Not long later, Cersei was sat upon the Iron Throne with her guards and brother by her side. Stood in front of them was Euron Greyjoy, dressed more like a merchany than a King, with a confidence and swagger Jamie hated him more than he had previously thought. 

"As soon as I was chosen Lord of the Iron Islands, they turned on me. There own uncle, they stole my best ships and ran. Sailed them right across the narrow sea and gave them to the dragon queen, so she can bring her armies here to attack you. Although, that's nothing compared to the family treason you have had to experience, from what I hear. But still, it bothers me" Euron smiled cockerly.

Cersei looked over to her brother for a brief second before looking back at Euron. Confidently he took a step closer to her and smiled again. "So as you will probably understand, murdering them would make me feel a whole lot better. And as it seems all our treasonous family members are fighting for the same side, we could kill them together?"

"And what would you want in return?" Cersei asked her voice horse and cold. 

"Ever since I was a little boy I wanted to grow up and marry the most beautiful woman in the world. So here I am, with 1000 ships, and two good hands," Euron winked at Jamie before looking back at Cersei with a wicked grin. 

"I decline your proposal," Cersei replied.

"Why?" Euron asked as the smile quickly dropped from his face.

"You're not trustworthy. You've broken promises to allies before and murdered them. You murdered your own brother".

"You should try it, it feels wonderful," Euron laughed and took yet another yet closer to her. "But I do not expect you to trust me, you need proof and in my experience, the surest way to a woman's heart is with a gift. A priceless gift. So I will not return to Kings Landing until I have that for you".

Cersei had to hide her smile of amusement at the man's confidence. Nonetheless, she remained silent as she watched Euron and his men leave the great hall and her brother looked on at her with worry. 

Later that day Jamie entered the private chambers of his sister. "You cannot be serious in forming an alliance with the Greyjoys. Whilst he's out there trying to bring you a gift, 8,000 unsullied soldiers approach our home at Casterly Rock. We should be focusing our efforts there, not with the Greyjoys".

"No, let the unsullied have their small victory, I have something far more important for you and our armies".

"And what is that exactly?"

"Highgarden" she smiled with her wine glass to her lips. 

Some weeks later, Jamie rode with his 4,000 troops as they approached the walls of High Garden. Once they arrived at the castle, the armies of Highgarden were sacked before midday, Jamie had known this would have been an easy task, but he still needed to locate the Lady Olenna within the castle walls. As he searched the castle, his men packed up the mountains of gold and wealth that lay in abundance within Highgarden. This had been Cersei's plan all along, she may have not had the loyalty of the other houses, but she would have the Iron Bank within her pocket.