38 Ch. 7 Squire

In celebration of his son's twelfth name-day, King Robert declared the melee competitors to be mounted. Mounted melees are rarely done due to the high chance of injuries, but it was a fitting addition to celebrate the Crown Prince's name-day. Robert also set the winner's purse at 2,000 gold dragons, the highest prize for a melee tournament in known history.

With such high stakes up for grabs, thirty knights braved the challenge and took to the field with hopes of gold and glory. Most spectators envisioned the melee taking over an hour, as many thought the competitors would move into single duels to limit the possibility of needless injuries.

That vision failed to become a reality. The melee competition could be summarized as Lannister domination. The queen's cousin, Lancel Lannister, was destruction incarnate, often unhorsing knights with a single strike of his blunted sword as he rode down the other competitors. Even when facing two opponents simultaneously, Lancel trounced both knights with contemptuous ease.

Queen Cersei was having trouble hiding her smirk from the lords and ladies seated around the Royal Viewing Stage. Her brother, Jaime, was arguably the greatest swordsman alive, but most only associate him with slaying the Mad King. Lancel was an untainted reminder to the kingdoms of the Lannister's superiority.

Cersei scanned the crowd with a haughty look on her face when her eyes fell on the king. Robert intently stared after the departing Lancel for a long moment. Once Lancel disappeared from view, the king turned to gaze at Joffrey before fixing his drunken eyes on her.

"Something wrong, my love," Cersei asked Robert with feigned concern.

Cersei's king and husband seemed to not hear her question as he looked back towards the direction Lancel departed too. "I want Joffrey to squire for Lancel," Robert spoke aloud.

Cersei's face went slack with dread and fear. The thought of another person having influence over Joffrey went against everything she has been striving to achieve since his birth. She worked tirelessly to ensure Joffrey believed she was the only one that he could fully trust. Joffrey's trust would allow her to rule the Seven Kingdoms through him. That possibility was threatened again, and Cersei had no desire to share her influence.

"My love, Joffrey is to be king. There is no need for him to be put through such rigorous trials when his time could be better spent learning how to rule," Cersei implored.

Robert faced Cersei with furrowed brows. "It's because he will be king that he needs to become a squire," Robert sternly refuted. "He'll learn how to fight, to lead men, and he'll earn a great deal of respect," her husband quickly rattled off.

On that last point, Joffrey became very interested in their conversation. He eagerly looked between Robert and Cersei as he leaned forward in his chair. It was evident he wished for one of them to include him in the decision. Based on how earnestly Joffrey watched the melee, Cersei already knew what Joffrey would choose.

Knowing Joffrey would become a squire was inevitable, Cersei grudgingly accepted that outcome. But it wasn't too late for her to prevent another from becoming Joffrey's confidante. She just had to convince Robert to choose an even greater knight than Lancel, and one that she could manipulate.

Altering her voice to be more appealing, Cersei nodded her head in agreement towards Robert. "If you feel so strongly about this, then let it be done properly," Cersei relented. "Lancel is barely older than Joffrey. As talented as Lancel is, he lacks the experience to be a suitable mentor for the Crown Prince."

Cersei had to resist the urge to look towards Joffrey when her son's face twisted at her remarks about Lancel. The foolish prince obviously wished to learn from his cousin. Cersei was quickly losing patience and pushed forward with her recommendation.

"The Crown Prince deserves the best knight in all the Seven Kingdoms," Cersei stated in a conceited tone. "Let Joffrey squire for Jaime. My brother..."

"HA!" The king interrupted with a boisterous laugh. "The Kingslayer?" Robert asked between bursts of rough laughter.

Cersei's rage burned hot, and her lips clamped together from the blatant disrespect her husband publicly showed her and her brother. Loathing for her husband was plain to see in her green eyes.

"A knight's reputation will bleed onto his squires," Robert said condescendingly. "Do you want the Crown Prince to be associated with oath-breaking? Or would you rather the kingdoms view Joffrey as being mentored by the greatest knight of his generation?" Robert rhetorically asked his queen with a smug smile behind his unruly beard.

Cersei ignored Robert's remark and shifted in her chair to gain a better view of her husband and son. Joffrey was showing a worrisome amount of interest in their conversation. She was quickly losing this argument.

Cersei put on a soft smile and tilted her head slightly in an effort to distract Robert. "Lancel is," the queen attempted before being interrupted again.

"Your cousin is the ideal knight, and the perfect candidate to teach Joffrey," Robert boldly claimed. "Unless... Unless there's something I don't know about the boy that would tarnish his reputation?" Robert cunningly asked.

Cersei understood exactly how clever Robert really was. She knew he wasn't the dimwitted drunkard he acts most the time but, he also wasn't a masterful manipulator that one had to tread carefully around. The fact the fat oaf just maneuvered her into a corner caused Cersei to inwardly seethe at the humiliation.

The queen knew she couldn't speak a word against Lancel's character without placing a blemish on the Lannister name. By denying any imperfection in her young cousin, she loses all standing to name a replacement, a replacement she feels she could fully control.

Cersei laid the groundwork years ago to convince Lancel to adhere to her suggestions. But the boy wasn't fully subservient to her, and she was unsure if she wanted to take that step with her daughter's betrothed. That was something she would like to avoid if possible.

"It's settled then," Robert victoriously announced in the silence of the small debate. Turning his reddened face towards Joffrey, the king leaned towards the Crown Prince. "Heed Lancel's lessons well, and you'll become a warrior worthy of fear and respect," Robert sternly ordered the blonde-haired boy.

"Yes, father," Joffrey gleefully replied.

Cersei could easily tell Joffrey was already imagining himself in Lancel's place during the melee. She didn't fault her son for his ambition. There were many grown men that wished to have been in her cousin's position. Cersei decided to invite Lancel to dine at the Royal Table tonight during the feast.

Wearing a mask of indifference, Cersei stood and moved to return to the Red Keep. She lost all desire to witness the rest of the tourney or remain in Robert's company. Besides, she had plans to lay.

As the queen was descending the steps behind the Royal Viewing Stage, she spotted the Hand of the King and his wife. Jon Arryn was speaking with a bald, decrepit weasel of a man. The chinless face and spotted head could only belong to one man, Lord Walder Frey.

Despite Cersei's disgust for the old lecher, she slowed her pace to listen to their conversation. A surprising amount of information can be gained from a seemingly harmless discussion between lords.

"I have already made arrangements for Robin to foster with Lord Stannis at Dragonstone," Jon Arryn firmly said to Walder Frey.

Cersei's attention immediately turns to Lysa Arryn and a frail-looking child standing beside her. Cersei curiously watched a multitude of emotions flash across the auburn-haired woman's face before a look of anger fell over her features. While Jon and Walder were still talking, Lysa took Robin's hand and swiftly pulled him away from the two men.

A wicked smirk slowly spread across Cersei's face as she watched the Tully woman storm off with a child that didn't resemble either of his parents. The queen's steps were much lighter as she glided back to the Red Keep.