The Legacy

Part 15

It was the next day later in the afternoon when Ned returned to the Tower of the Hand. Viserra had nearly spent the day helping Septa pack the girl's thing and nearly finished packing her own belongings. She could hear the tapping of her uncle's cane with every step he took. She opened the door and he entered.

"We're nearly packed." Viserra placed miscellaneous items in a trunk. Ned stood quiet and Viserra looked up at her uncle to notice his expression. "What is it?"

"I warned her to leave." Ned sat on the bed exasperated.

"Who?" Viserra knew the answer when she had asked. "Uncle do not tell me you spoke to Cersei Lannister"

"Aye I did, I will not have the blood of her children on my hands. I am sparing her Robert's wrath." Ned explained.

"That was a foolish thing to do." Viserra stood looking at her uncle full of honor and almost naivety. "Cersei is a lioness and a lioness does not run when threatened." Viserra wrapped her arm around herself. "First Tyrion and now this."

"If she loves her children, she will leave."

"Oh I do not doubt her love for her children uncle. It's that same love that should frighten you." Viserra stood by the unlit fireplace.

"Once Robert returns, Cersei will be gone." He sighed.

"You say that with such certainty." Viserra glared at her uncle. "And what of Jaime Lannister?"

"What of him? He is probably hiding behind his father, I suspect Tywin is aware of their indiscretion." Bantis stood up alert ruffing at a door slamming shut.

"Ned!?" A man's voice calls out from the living area. Viserra and Ned step out to meet a panicked Renly Baratheon. "It's Robert" He breathed and in that moment Ned left to find his friend. Viserra and Renly followed closely behind Ned. "We were hunting..." Renly looked toward Viserra with sad eyes. She looped her arm through his and held his hand in comfort. "a boar..."

"Hush, it's alright." She cooed hoping to soothe him.

It didn't take longer to reach the King's bedroom. Ned bursted in to see his chosen brother in poor condition. The once strong king now a broken man saying his last words to the boy he thought was his son. The moment Robert set his eyes on Ned he softened.

"My fault. Too much wine, missed my thrust." Robert was breathless. "It stinks. It stinks like death. Don't think I can't smell it. I paid the bastard back, Ned." Robert strained himself in the telling of his story. "I drove my knife right through his brain. You ask 'em if I didn't. Ask 'em! I want the funeral feast to be the biggest the Kingdoms ever saw. And I want everyone to taste the boar that got me." The room stayed silent as the king spoke of his last battle.

"Now leave us, the lot of you. I need to talk to Ned." Robert commanded. Cersei tried to protest but was denied. The room started to empty "Not you girl, stay." Viserra turned back around and watched everyone except her and Ned leave the room.

"You damn fool." Ned called his oldest friend. All of the seven kingdoms had heard the stories Of Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark ending the Targaryen tyranny. The two men looked at each other old and tired.

"Come here, Viserra." Robert motioned with his hand Viserra forward. She stepped forward and knelt by the bed. Out of instinct she held his rough hands in hers. She clasped onto them to comfort herself more than Robert. Viserra never spoke to the king other than a few times, but in this moment he was dying and they all knew it. Robert extended a finger and lightly traced the young girl's cheek. The king took in a ragged breath. "You're just like your parents. Strong and loyal like your father. Fierce and smart like your mother." he took a deep breath. "You bring honor to both of their memories." Robert retracted his finger and pointed to the table. "Paper and ink on the table, write down what I say." Viserra nodded and sat by the desk.