The Lion and The Falcon

King's Landing

The Warden of the East walked the grounds where the jousts would be taking place to speak to Hugh, a squire that served his father and the only one that remained inside of King's Landing after his father had died. He doesn't entirely know much about Hugh besides that he was young man who did what he was ordered to do and served his father loyally for quite a few years.

He and his friends investigations have been hindered somewhat with the household being back in the Vale, even the one-hundred guardsmen he brought were his men and not his fathers. He apologized for this and Eddard shook his head and said that they will make due with what they can find, they need to search harder now for what he has come to due and will either skin a lion or fry a trout, he will have justice.

As for the Hand of the King. He has gained an ally of sorts between Lord Varys and Littlefinger, he advised not trusting either of them too much. Varys served the Targaryens for one reason and Baelish is a schemer at heart, a man quick to assemble gold if you need it but borrowing only puts you further in the hole rather than they way he gets gold, trade all across the Vale is in abundance since he kept the clans in their lands with frequent patrols of guardsmen. Either way he told Eddard his thoughts and went on his way.

The King offered him the best room in Maegor's Holdfast for his stay and offered a spot on his council until he goes home, he refused the title but accepted the suite and his men made up a portion of the barracks with the red of Lannister, grey of Stark, and gold of Baratheon covering the walls and sided by the blue Arryn for a time.

Ah, there he is. He thought and walked.

He saw the anointed knight and could see he wasn't fully ready for the status, he sighed and thought it foolish for those who want knighthood and half who do were never even close to putting those skills to action. The new knight had the airs of a pomp boy who in reality would shy away from a challenge, that's why he surrounded himself with men he can count to defend his back while charging from the front.

"Hugh!" He called and left out the title, he didn't earn it if he was anointed. The knight snorted and stared at him as if he were a lowly commoner.

"And you are?" The boys question sounded like sour milk, and the complete forgetfulness of knowing who he was ruled over had his blood boiling.

"Is that how you speak to your liege lord?!, Is that what my father taught you?!" He bellowed lightly and the sight of how fast the 'knight' dropped to his knee would make Robert laugh like thunder, is mainly his fault for wearing a simple outfit today because today is especially humid and he doesn't want to sweat through one of his finer shirts.

"S- So Sorry! Forgive me my Lord! I hadn't- "

"Enough. The groveling is nice but I'm here about my father." He said and got to the point of coming here. Hugh stood to his feet and tilted his head after getting over his nervousness. "I came ask if my father was feeling the least bit troubled or ill in his final days, was he?" He asked his man who shook his head.

"He was healthy. I know he remained in his work, writing letters and reading this book." He stopped at the last word and investigated.

"What book?" He inquired and the former squire told him it was about the lineages of all the Great Houses of Westeros but the Hand of the King would let him go elsewhere when he would read through it until one day he was suddenly tense and became a little more suspicious of his surroundings. He was letting Hugh go back to his duties but he decided to ask one more question, something that he said he would do when he started this investigation. "What about my Lady Mother, what about my fathers wife." He questioned and the Knight stood straight and answered him.

"Nothing of not, my Lord. You brought her here and she resumed in running his household." He nodded and let the man go on his way and he went to see if the latest session of the Small Council was done. It wasn't.

He was returning to his chambers when he suddenly bumped into Jaime, The Kingslayer. He tried to get by but the knight stepped in his way, blocking him.

He never liked the man, too smug and righteous about his skills as if they were put into many battles. He fought against the Kingswood Brotherhood, in the Greyjoy Rebellion and slew a madman behind the back whilst he has been fighting Mountain Clansmen that spilled more blood than the golden shit, He gave a face at the green-eyed knight to move aside, he didn't.

"Yes?" He began and the Lannister gave him a look and smirked.

"You aren't joining the jousts or melee, I am curious. Do you believe yourself above it like Eddard?" His question isn't wanted or needed, but he feared that if he doesn't answer the bloodied cloak then he wont let him be about it and he knows that from the time he spent leaving in this city, "Or.. Maybe you aren't that good." He smirked and chuckled at that, Is he goading me? he wondered to himself as the warrior in him felt challenged.

"You wouldn't last one tilt, Kingslayer."

"You want to test those words?"

"You want to be put on your arse."

The war of words went on for some time after that, both men talking each other up and he knew he could back it up, but could he?, "I suspect you will be as good as your father- " He had it with that and grunted loudly and squared up to the bastard, he went too far with that and he would show the prick who was the better man this day. Jaime smirked at him being goaded.

"You want a fight, then lets get on with it. When I ride in this tourney I will throw you to the mud, Kingslayer!" He emphasized the name given to the man before pushing past him to go and ready his armor, Tywin's nephew Martyn is here, maybe he will temporarily take up the Old Lions offer to throw his former heir into the dirt.

Word spread fast that the Lord of the Eyrie would be participating in the jousts, a Lord Paramount riding had caused the King to bellow in laughter and had Lord Stark frowning, his men were excited and both Andar and Robar stated that he hopes to go against him, he would be honored for the opportunity. Rodrik the Fierce, Barristan the Bold, The Kingslayer, Sandor the Hound, The Bronze Yohn, Knight of Flowers, The Mountain, and a majority of the Kingsguard and other knights will be put into the jousts alone whilst many others in the archery and melee contests.

He might have been blustering a little over what he said, he cant swing a lance worth shite and only competed in two tourneys since he was knighted, he does know how to ride from his skirmishes with the Mountain Clans whenever he was near flatter ground as it is foolish to try and ride a horse over a cliff side. He would have been better in the melee but the Kingslayer wasn't going to participate in that, why would a man who killed a man in the back want to fight someone who attacks from the front.

The archery contest was first and went on for three hours until a man named Anguy won it in a hundred paces. The next was the melee which last an hour in a half after Thoros of Myr who defeated all nineteen competitors with his damned flaming sword which had regrettably killed one man who was a hedge knight and because of that fact, no one worried over the mans death.

The tourney lasted three days and several men rode and were knocked off. He knocked two of the Kingsguard and Lother Brune and shortly thereafter came his friend Robar who went thirteen tilts before he knocked his friend to the ground, he promised the second son to a flagon of ale once the day was done. Jaime and Barristan went next and after some time the old Commander of the Kingsguard was unhorsed, next came Ser Hugh who was up against Gregor and he knew that this was going to end bloodily as it came when the trumpets were blown.

Gregor was always a brute and his infamous status came to all, The Mountain Who Rides, a nickname he doesn't want to know. The moment Hugh and Gregor clashed, his lance shattered and a large shard was put into his throat and was knocked from his horse. He saw the Stark children were frightened and he was forced to hold a weeping Jeyne Poole, his match would be with whoever won between Jaime and Barristan and the Seven blessed him with having the chance to put the older man in the dirt.

He was standing sigil over Hugh's body that night and day, Robar and Lord Yohn said that he should get some rest and was going to do so before Eddard entered the pavilion.

"I came to pay respects for the boy." He heard him say and he nodded to his request, the new knight needs it.

"He had no family, it was only me, Andar, Robar and Yohn standing vigil over night." He stated and Lord Stark grunted in understanding, "A newly anointed knight in unused armor, and put against the Mountain?" He questioned as the silent sisters sewed and cleaned the man up to be properly escorted to the Vale and buried amongst the tombs of his bannermen that aren't of noble birth.

"Who determines the draws?" Eddard asked and Lord Royce answered this time.

"We all drew straws." and Lord Stark questioned again on who holds the straws.

He, Eddard and Ser Barristan bid the Royce men farewell and told the Silent Sisters that they were doing good work. Along the walk he listened to the two speak and about past wartime.

"I hear the King wants to joust today." Barristan said humorously and nodded to him, "Because you decided to joust, my Lord." He chuckled at that as they walked and Eddard promised that wouldn't happen and he hopes so, he saw Robert in a tourney in the Vale as a child and Robert was quite the beast with the sword or lance. Afterwards he and Eddard split from the Kingsguard and went to speak to Robert and find the truth of the matter, he cannot join the bouts because then none would hit him. They entered the tent and saw his squire trying fit the mans armor on.

He smiled widely as the King began teasing the poor lad about his incompetence. He had almost burst into laughter when this Lancel Lannister fell for the breastplate stretcher joke and went to get it. "Breastplate stretcher?" Eddard asked when the three were left alone, Robert bellowed in laughter as he poured three cups of wine, he doesn't mind but Lord Stark isn't a big drinker.

"Drink with me my friends!" He took his willingly and Eddard hesitated for a moment but accepted nonetheless, "Too fat for my armor." He heard him utter disappointingly.

"You should leave the jousting for younger men." He advised and the King shook his head no and adamantly so.

"Piss on that!, I want to hit somebody!" His friends refusal was met by Eddard who stepped in.

"And who is gonna hit you back?" Ned asked and Robert huffed.

"Anyone who can, and the last one in his saddle- " Robert was going to respond but Eddard finished the matter with his next response.

"You're saying Roddy and the others would let me win?" Robert asked and he nodded to the question.

"Aye, I would. No man in the Seven Kingdoms would risk hitting you." He told his friend and it was true, it would make the crown weak if he fumbles and gets defeated in any sort of contest.

"Alright. Lets get on with it then, I can at least see someone blood today."

And with that the tourney began with the finale. He and Ser Jaime got atop their horses and was given their lances and shields, and waited. Tense it was and he took a deep breath, staring down to the golden armor of the Kingslayer, his lion helm shinning splendidly as the sun reached its height. The lance felt heavy now but it only served to have him grip it harder.

The trumpet sounded and he kicked his horse to go and darted down the lines, getting closer and closer to the lion, but he wouldn't be deterred now. The Falcon will remove the Lion from his high horse and then, he will try and ride this out against the last two competitors, Gregor and Loras. He smiled and felt confident now and held his shield proper and lance pointed right and true.

He cursed himself that he wasn't able to knock the bastard to the ground like he promised but swore the next time around that it wont be the same, again. And it was true, Jaime isn't as good a jouster as most knights and never went more than a few tilts, he is only famed for having been knighted young and a decent fighter, but a jouster isn't a skill the son of Tywin Lannister knows well as a knight should.

He smirked and pointed his lance to the fallen man as the crowd cheered and booed their approval and disappointment at Jaime Lannister being put on his arse.

"I said you wouldn't last. And I keep my word, Kingslayer." Was all he said before trotting off to wait for the next match and only turned his head to see the lion throw his helm to the side.

Gregor and Loras too their stances, but he noticed something wrong when the two passed one another. Gregor's horse looked too wild towards Loras's own steed and he realized the man is cheating, his mare is in heat and the stallion the Mountain rides wont be controlled when the match begins and when it did, he saw the Mountains horse fall and break to the ground. What happened next was a little terrifying as the monster took his great-sword and chopped the stallions head right off and would have went for Loras if not for the intervention of Sandor Clegane.

The Hound and the Mountain clashed swords for ten paces, if it were any other man the fool would have been cut in two before the second swing. The little scuffle ended upon the thundering tone of the king, "Stop this madness in the name of your king!" The Kingsguard stepped forward and with hands upon sheathed swords, "Let him go!" he heard Robert shout and the men let the Mountain go. By the end of the hour he and Ser Loras surrendered due to the Hounds chivalrous act in saving the heir to Highgarden, the winners purse went to the second son of Clegane.

The ending feast was large as it had to be put inside of the throne room instead of the Queen's Ballroom since the area can only about one-hundred people and there were three-hundred people in total, the merriment echoed through the halls as many were or was getting drunk on the wine or ale if you believe yourself to above such things, as for himself. He was dancing with a few of the maidens that came and most were women who asked him for the dance but he gave his own invitations to Lady Sansa, Princess Myrcella, Lady Wendwater and Jeyne Poole.

He also had quite a bit of drink himself, rather tipsy from ten wine cups. He just finished his last drink and told himself that he was done, he has to continue he investigations, he and Eddard found out his father was looking into Roberts bastards and now this book has come into their procession. They are close now, and hopefully he and the Hand of the King will discover the truth.

He was returning to his quarters when he was stopped by a red cloak, he cant remember the name or doesn't care right now. "Come with me." He narrowed his eyes at that, who is this man? He wondered and when he wouldn't move, the red cloak said it again, "Her grace is commanding your presence." His eyes now were confused, its the hour of the wolf, what does she want.

Upon being led to the Queens chambers, she never laid in the same room as the King for what reason he doesn't know why. "Go in." The guard told him and he entered the room which had few candles lit. The Queen was combing her long locks of golden hair, dressed in a Lysene silken dress that is somewhat revealing which made him look away with red cheeks on his face.

"I am sorry for having you brought at such a late hour. But I just feel like being a little spontaneous tonight." She sounded as if she had a few more drinks than himself, and when she stood to her feet, she had slight wobble in her step and a cup of purple wine in her hand, "You look nice, a shame you aren't the winner as it would be your feast." Her compliments were welcomed and he was flattered by them, but she is making him a little uncomfortable. She got a little more closer to him and placed a hand on his chest, "I can hear your heartbeat, its racing fast." She added.

"Y- Your grace, I- "

He hadn't gotten to finish speaking before he was set upon by the woman's lips, this was treason, seducing a royal is treason and he could hang for this. His mind and conscience pushed for him to pull himself away, to make himself leave and forget this had ever happened, but his body is numb from the drink and his mind and eyes are quite blurry. He is a traitor this night, giving into the lusts that have burrowed into his honorable and just heart, he fell into the ocean of lust as he and Cersei tore each others clothes from one another and fell into the giant bed.

The next morning he forgot most of what happened besides faint memories, the motion of him going inside of the Queen and sharing sweat and affection, sweet kisses and the air of sex filled the air. He frowned and rose himself from the bed, early morning mist was visible meaning the keep isn't fully awake yet. He should move before anyone notices his leaving but before he could remove himself from the bed, a pair of legs and soft hands wrapped themselves around him and on his back he can feel warm breasts on his skin. "Where are you going?" she asked him.

"Why did you call on me last night?, What we did was treason, I could be killed." He whispered as the shock is still evident in his voice and expression. He heard her chuckle and place gentle kisses on his shoulder, her hands slowly going to his crotch, the sensation bringing a moan and grunt from his mouth.

"Why treason?, my dear husband beds whores and low and highborn women, baring several bastards and once offered to bring one here, You would know as you have lived here for many years." She whispered in his ears as she stroked him, "So I say, why can't I have a mistress, or consort where Robert has them in the day and night." She added and though he resisted, she pulled him down and got atop of him, sliding his cock inside her once more, steady strokes and all, "I need a favor from you, moan Can I moan Have this request as your Queen?" She asked him.

Damn... Was all he can think as he began losing himself again to the lust. He embraced her and rolled her to her back and began doing the work himself. Not long before the two climaxed once more and he fell to her side, "Wh- What would, you have of me, my Queen." He panted and eyes showed shame and disgust for himself, he cant do this, he needs to leave right now.

"I need your loyalty, not that I have to ask. If word gets out that you seduced the Queen, it wont matter if you were Roberts friend, you slept with his wife and now you belong to me."

He was let go and he went to his quarters to bathe and dress himself, to wash away the sin he had committed last night and again this morning, worse off he partly enjoyed it, he enjoyed himself fucking the Queen and hated it the same and knows he can blame it on himself being drunk and not being in the right mind, but that would be a damned lie. He was nerve racked that entire day and rushed to have his things packed and soon, he will give the investigations one more day before he goes home, the Vale needs him and he would put several hundred leagues away from him and Cersei.

He was walking amongst the halls when he was called upon by one of Roberts men, "Lord Arryn!" he turned and the servant panted before continuing. "King Robert has called you and his Small Council to the council chambers." He was confused about what the man was talking about, he isn't apart of the Small Council and has no business in those matters beside the ones in the East, in the Vale of Arryn. Either way he is summoned to attend this meeting and he shall obey him whilst he is still here, so off he went and marched to the council chambers.

"I don't care!, I want them both dead!"

He stopped in his tracks and his mind immediately went to thinking that his friend had found out and hesitated going forward. Seven Gods give me strength, He thought and feared for his life.

The Lord of the Vale entered the chamber and saw most were assembled. "Rodrik is here, he will agree with me!" Robert stated and it had him more confused than before.

"What's happened?" He asked them all and grim faces were all that were handed to him.

"Viserys Targaryen had married his sister, Daenerys to Khal Drogo, a Dothraki Horselord. We have just heard from Jorah Mormont, a known traitor and slaver that she is pregnant."

It was shocking news. The last that he has heard about the Targaryen children was that they were poor and in exile across the Narrow Sea. He had always thought the two were either dead, missing, or maybe they just tried to live their lives in peace in one of the Free Cities of Essos, but to hear that they have gained an army and have clear intentions of invading, action must be taken immediately but he thought of a single solution for the realms latest problems. "Do you have a plan, any of you?" he asked the men of the Small Council who all had answers.

Robert wants them both dead, Eddard wants them left alone, the rest of the council were mixed between killing both or one of them. "So, what do you suggest?" Varys asked him.

"What I know about Khals are that they are the power of their tribe. We kill him and his army falls apart, Daenerys and her son will either be killed or put with other former Khal's women." He suggested but Robert was so full of the thoughts of killing only Targaryen's instead of doing the smarter thing, Eddard was upset and said he would have no part in this and it created a large argument between Eddard and Robert that he hasn't seen since the aftermath of the Sack where the wolf and the stag bickered over the deaths of Elia, her children, and the death of Aerys.

Eddard resigned his post as Hand of the King and left to get ready to go home. Robert attempted to give it to him but he refused when memory of Cersei saying he belongs to her ran through his mind once more. He went to see Eddard but was stopped when Waymar appeared with a panicked look on his face and he sighed frustratingly, "What the Seven Hells is happening now?" He asked and Waymar held up a letter with the sigil of the falcon.

"Tyrion has been kidnapped by Lady Stark. They are in the Eyrie right now, and so is your brother."