Chapter 9

Cersei was bored and tired. Her dream had plagued her all morning and the wait for Joffrey was stretching on endlessly, with only her little brother for company. Tyrion had brought the letter from their father and after reading it she had enjoyed tearing it to pieces. Dealing with Joffrey would be difficult enough without worrying about what to tell her father.

"You do have a talent for destroying letters dear sister" Tyrion drawled, as she ripped the words to shreds

They were both sitting across the table from each other, attempting to pass the time. Tyrion had come to her chambers when she had summoned him and it was now well into the afternoon without any sign of the Kings arrival. Cersei wasn't sure she could take the stress anymore, part of her was desperate to get it over with.

"You realise our father will expect a response, lest my handsome face decorate a spike outside Casterly Rock" Tyrion said, gesturing to the torn up letter

"Father can wait"

"What will you tell him?"

Cersei huffed in annoyance "The truth. What else can I tell him?"

"You're going to tell him about you and Jamie?" Tyrion asked

 "Gods no! Keep your voice down. This child is Roberts's last son" she said, emphasizing each point with a glare

"Of course" answered Tyrion, waving away her concerns that he would tell a different tale

The silence stretched between them, and Cersei considered her little brother. He was more subdued than usual and sat quietly at the table, glancing occasionally in the direction of the baby. It was incredibly irritating. Although Cersei generally wanted him to shut him, today she found the silence stifling. It left her mind free to wander back to her dream and her fears of Joffrey's reaction to his new brother.

"Why are you so annoying?" Cersei asked him suddenly, pulling Tyrion from his own thoughts

"Excuse me?" Tyrion asked, mouth turning down into a frown

"You're just…sat there" she said. Cersei wasn't sure why she was trying to provoke him or what she hoped to accomplish. Her nerves were frayed to the edge.

"Yes. I'm sat here" he answered, looking puzzled "Would you like me to sit somewhere else?"

Cersei didn't answer, and after a moment Tyrion looked away.

"I can leave if you like" he offered, and Cersei noticed the air of melancholy that had surrounded Tyrion last night still clung to him today.

"You're welcome to try"

"Your guards won't let me?"

"Not unless I say so. You should try though, it might entertain me"

"Well I was born to entertain" he said flatly

Cersei glanced at the pile of torn paper on the table between them.

"Is that why you're such a misery today, little brother? Father said he was disappointed with you" Cersei taunted

Tyrion snorted "That's hardly a secret"

"When he finds out what I gave birth to, I suspect I'll become the family disappointment" Cersei said

She had been watching her brother closely and saw him tense at her words. His hand clenched and unclenched as if he was clutching a cup of wine. Not that there was any available, of course. One needed a clear head to handle Joffrey and Tyrion had been saddened to learn they would be sober for the encounter.

"Cersei" Tyrion started, sad eyes turning to hers "it is not the child's fault. His life will be difficult enough"

The Queen Regent hummed to herself as she considered his words.

"Do you know what the children asked me yesterday?" Cersei started, looking across to her brother "They said 'Are you going to kill him?' my own children think me capable of killing a baby"

"You are capable of killing a baby" Tyrion stated. Hot anger burned through Cersei at his words.

"How dare you-"

"Just not your own baby"

Her brothers sad green eyes found her own and Cersei felt her anger leave her as quickly as it come.

"My children think me a monster" she whispered, looking away

"I'm sure they don't truly believe that. They love you. I'm the monster of our family, remember?"

Once again, Cersei was annoyed to feel a pang in her chest at her brother's words. Though she was saved from responding when the door to her room banged open, Joffrey standing in the doorway.

"Joffrey" she started, rising to greet her son. Ser Meryn entered and closed the door much to her disappointment, though he made no efforts to move further into the room.

"Mother" Joffrey greeted, looking her up and down, "Why was I not informed you'd given birth? I am the King, I must be told these things"

"I didn't think it was worth your time" Cersei answered, drinking in the sight of her eldest. Her first boy.

Joffrey moved closer to Cersei, staring into her eyes "You're duty is to me. You haven't been to court in days"

"You're my strong lion. The baby needed my help more than you, I'm certain of it" Cersei soothed.

She was relieved when he broke eye contact and sauntered further into the room, his eyes resting on uncle. Tyrion hadn't bothered to stand and was still sat in the chair he'd occupied most of the day, his face looked grim.

"What are you doing here?" Joffrey spat, looking down on his uncle

"Visiting one of my beloved nephews" Tyrion answered "if you're jealous your Grace, I can make more time to visit you"

Tyrion and Joffrey locked eyes, the tension in the room increasing, until the King broke contact and moved away.

"Alright, then. Where's the baby?" Joffrey demanded, as if he expected the child to appear before him

"The child is fine" Cersei said dismissively "How have you been, my sweet?"

She threaded her arm through Joffrey's and tried to turn his attention to her. She didn't know why she was trying to delay the inevitable, but she didn't want him near the cradle. Every instinct was screaming for her to keep him away. Ser Meryn stood silently in the doorway and Cersei could feel her brothers eyes watching her.

"I'm fine" Joffrey snapped, pulling out of her grasp "which you would know if you hadn't been hiding in here"

At that the sound of a baby's giggles echoed through the room turning all eyes to the cradle. Joffrey barged past his mother towards the sound while Tyrion pushed himself from the chair to quickly follow. Cersei moved to follow them but found she couldn't. Her feet refused to carry her closer to the cradle, so she stood rooted to the spot. A witness to the scene that was unfolding as Joffrey approached the cradle. The baby's body was still covered in his plain blanket when her eldest son got there.

"Well this is what's kept you so busy the last few days, is it?" he sneered leaning over the cradle

Tyrion had followed and now stood at the other end of the cradle, his face grim. The baby giggled at Joffrey.

"He doesn't look like father" Joffrey stated, shooting her a questioning look.

Cersei's stomach rolled at the accusation. Joffrey had already confronted her over the rumours and she'd dismissed them as nonsense, but she had seen it then and could see it now that he didn't truly believe her.

"He's a bit small isn't he?" Joffrey noticed, reaching into the cradle. A quick tug of the blanket and silence reigned, interrupted only by the baby's tiny giggles.

Cersei's heart seemed to freeze as Joffrey turned to her, his mouth hanging open.

"You birthed this monster?" he asked, anger distorting his features

"The child is your brother, your Grace" Tyrion said between gritted teeth

"He's a dwarf. Look at his twisted little body" Joffrey said poking and pulling the baby, until his giggles turned into cries.

"Enough, Joffrey" Tyrion ordered, moving closer to his nephew.

"I say when it's enough" Joffrey snapped, leering down at his uncle

The King turned his attention from the now crying baby and back to his mother.

"I'd heard the rumours about you and Uncle Jamie" he said, looking her up and down "I didn't realise you were so desperate you'd bed the Imp"

"I never…he is your fathers son" Cersei stammered. Words failed her. She thought she was ready for this encounter, but she never imagined feeling so helpless.

"How else do you explain this? Look at the little monster. This vile creature is an insult to my father's memory" Joffrey said, the baby crying harder as the King pulled on his short limbs

"You should respect your mother" warned Tyrion

Joffrey turned his attention from the baby "I'm surprised this disgusting creature didn't tear Mother open the same way you killed your own mother, Uncle"

A dark cloud passed over Tyrion's face as Cersei watched the exchange with mounting horror. This was worse than she thought, and yet she felt powerless to intercede. How could she? Joffrey was her pride and joy. Her baby boy.

"Is there not more pressing issues that require your attention?" Tyrion asked forcing the anger from his voice. Cersei could see her brother was straining to control his temper.

"No, I don't think so" Joffrey said, shaking his head "This abomination must be destroyed. The sight of it is turning my stomach"

"Why is it still alive, Mother?" asked Joffrey, returning to her, his face inches from her own "Are you too weak to do the deed yourself?"

The Queen Regent felt what was left of her heart shatter. Oh, how she loved Joffrey. Her first born. Her proud lion. He couldn't mean it, could he? Surely he's just upset and wouldn't really harm his little brother?

Cersei's mind swirled, thinking of something to say, anything to say that could help this situation.

"Joffrey, leave" ordered Tyrion, standing in front of the cradle now

"You don't get to give orders to me" Joffrey bit back, turning his attention back to his uncle "Ser Meryn!"

The Kingsguard moved further into the room. He was wearing his armour with no helmet, his long sword at his side and the tell-tale white cloak dragging behind him.

"Your Grace?" he asked moving behind Cersei

"Kill the little monster in the cradle and speak of this to no-one" ordered Joffrey moving next to his mother to watch the execution.

"Joff, no! You can't. Please" Cersei cried, her feet still unable to leave the spot

"I can and I will!" Joffrey shouted, dark green eyes staring into hers "I am the King! The monster will die"

Ser Meryn drew his sword and approached the cradle. Any other Knight of the Kingsguard would hesitate to follow this command. Ser Barristan would have certainly found this duty too much - not Ser Meryn though.

Joffrey linked his arm through hers and Cersei found she shuddered at his touch "I hope this is a lesson for you, Mother. I expect you to watch as the monster dies"

"Ser Meryn, as the hand of the King I order you to stand down" commanded Tyrion, not budging from in front of the cradle.

"I take my orders from the King, not you Imp" Ser Meryn grunted

Cersei's heart lurched as her baby continued to cry. He was such a happy baby.

"Move aside Uncle, or Ser Meryn will make you" said Joffrey, impatiently

'This is it' Cersei realised in horror 'my dream is coming true'

Realising Tyrion would not move, Ser Meryn grabbed the back of his head and shoved Tyrion behind him as he raised his sword over the cradle. As soon as he was past Ser Meryn, Tyrion whipped a small, concealed knife from his tunic and drove it into the back of the Knights right knee through the exposed chink in the armour. Tyrion pulled the knife loose as Ser Meryn howled in pain. Blood spurted from the wound and he dropped to the floor, his sword falling in front of him. Tyrion wasted no time after his first attack and quickly drove the knife into Knights other knee as he fell, crippling him. Before Tyrion could continue his assault, the knight threw his right arm across Tyrions chest and grabbed a handful of his tunic. The move knocked Tyrion off balance and his small weapon clattered to the floor behind the Knight. Cersei watched in shock as Ser Meryn threw her little brother to the floor and punched at him, his fist crashing into Tyrion's left eye snapping his head back.

"You'll pay for that" Ser Meryn howled. He was on his knees with blood pooling behind him staining his white cloak. The knife Tyrion had used was small but Cersei realised her brother had used it accurately. Ser Meryn would not be walking again for some time.

"How dare you?" cried Joffrey, incensed that his guard had been injured

Cersei watched her little brother fall to the ground under the force of the blow, before turning and trying to crawl away. Ser Meryn lurched forward in his rage and grabbed Tyrions shoulder. The knight forced him on to his back before dropping his weight on top of him, pinning Tyrion beneath him.

"You attacked a member of the Kingsguard! You ignored my order" screeched Joffrey, releasing her arm to go to Ser Meryn "The sentence is death. Make it slow Ser Meryn, as punishment for wounding you"

Cersei took in the scene before her. Tyrion was pinned beneath Ser Meryn, blood pouring from a gash above his eye while Joffrey stood behind the Knight, instructing him on how to deliver the sentence. Ser Meryn was clearly enraged, and Cersei realised her little brother had planned for this. The sadness that had clung to him all day, the grim face he'd worn when Joffrey came. Tyrion had realised it might come to this, and done what he could to protect the baby.

'I should have been protecting the baby' Cersei thought 'I am a monster. I stood here and did nothing'

The baby continued to cry, but Joffrey was far too distracted with hurting his uncle to notice anymore. A loud crack sounded throughout the room followed by a groan of pain dragging Cersei back to the present.

"Excellent, Ser Meryn. Now see what else you can break"

The Knights blows were growing sloppy as he lost blood but he continued to pummel Tyrion who had stopped squirming beneath him, and was now groaning in pain. It was too much. There was the blood, the baby's cries, her brother's groans of pain.

Time seemed to slow down as Cersei felt her heart pounding in her chest. For a fleeting moment the scene before her and her dream the night before merged into one. When the scene separated back into reality, everything became clear.

Neither Joffrey or Ser Meryn noticed her approach, so engrossed they were with hurting Tyrion. Joffrey was crouching down next to his uncle now, a dagger in his hand.

"You disobeyed me Uncle, and you attacked Ser Meryn"

"So kill me then" Tyrion gasped, unable to shift the bulk of Ser Meryn

 "I think not" Joffrey whispered "You're mine to torment now"

"You're a monster" Tyrion wheezed, turning to face his nephew

"There are two monsters in this room, and I'm going to rid my kingdom of both of them"

Joffrey leaned closer to his uncle as Tyrion tried to roll his head away, but the King merely grabbed a fistful of his hair pinning him in place. Joffrey drew the tip of the dagger to the right side of his uncle's face digging the tip in at his temple

"Do you know how long I've waited for this?" Joffrey hissed, pulling the dagger slowly downwards "I've dreamed of killing you for a long time Uncle. I'm going to take my time making you suffer. Then I'm going to get rid of the little monster too"

Cersei watched the scene unfolding from behind Ser Meryn and from the way the man was panting it was clear he was reaching the end of his endurance. Cersei's gaze found Tyrion's pained green eyes for a moment, before a spray of blood coated the scene.

Ser Meryn fell backwards from Tyrion as Cersei raised the blood soaked knife towards Joffrey. It had only taken one swipe with Tyrion's discarded blade to cut the throat of Ser Meryn. Joffrey reeled back in shock, dropping the dagger he had been carving into Tyrion with.

"What are you doing?" Joffrey stammered. There was panic in his voice now, as he saw the body of Ser Meryn spreading even more blood across the floor.

"You threatened my son" Cersei stated

"I am your son, and your King!"

"You hurt my brother"

"He threatened me" Joffrey spluttered "he attacked Ser Meryn! You hate him anyway, you've always wanted him dead! You just didn't have the guts to do it"

Looking at her son, Cersei felt a pang of loss for the baby she had adored. The baby who reminded her so much of Jamie. She had deluded herself long enough, however. No matter what terrible things Joffrey had done, whether it was killing Tommens cat or ripping the tongues from his subjects Cersei had held onto the image of the clingy baby she had held so tightly. The illusion had finally shattered, and Cersei realised Joffrey had inherited none of his father's positive traits and all of her worst impulses.

Joffrey was scurrying backwards towards the wall, his dagger lying discarded next to Tyrion. Her brother was drenched in blood and his eyes flickering closed. Cersei held her blood soaked knife in front of her and moved past her brother to face her son.

"You will never threaten my family again" she said slowly

"I'll have your head for this" he babbled "I am the King"

Without his guards to surround him, Joffrey looked like a boy playing at being King. Fear radiated from his eyes, but rather than pity Cersei felt nothing more than disgust. He was no true lion - he was a coward, and he was clearly mad.

"Guard" shouted Cersei until her personal guard burst into the room, sword drawn. Thankfully, Cersei knew which guards were loyal to her and she ensured the ones who guarded her room would obey her without question.

"Your Grace" he said, looking at the wreckage of the room "What has happened?"

Cersei hesitated only a moment before giving the command.

"Summon guards loyal to me and take the King to the black cells, and ensure no-one stops you. He is not to be visited or released no matter what he says. Send for my Maester immediately - my brother is badly hurt"

The guard hesitated only a moment, before nodding his understanding. Though he had been King only a short time, Joffrey had inspired nothing but fear in his subjects, and Cersei had heard rumours many of the guards were uncomfortable with the brutality of his reign. Aside from cruel men like the dead Ser Meryn, she doubted there were many who would feel sympathy for the King.

"Mother, how could you?" cried Joffrey as the guard pulled him to his feet, but Cersei ignored him as she moved to the cradle. His voice echoed to her down the corridor, but Cersei had only one goal in mind. Gazing into the cradle the baby was still crying softly and blood had splattered on his plain blanket. She gently stroked his cheek and murmured soft words to the child.

"I'm so sorry, darling" Cersei said "I should have protected you. You deserve better"

The baby quieted under her touch, and smiled slightly at her. It would take a lot of time, but Cersei already felt a tiny piece of her broken heart mend.