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Post by Iron on Apr 7, 2015 19:43:40 GMT
'' Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. ''
The speakers voice were loud and like a wave it drenched the people who had been assembled to witness todays court. As the man finished the list of titles, everyone in the room rose up in a sudden silence, waiting for their king to lower himself onto the throne. King Joffrey Baratheon, the first of his name did as expected and sat down, but his posture was neither as royal or grand as the clothing he wore. Instead, he sat like a tired soldier with his head held in his hand, and his right leg resting over his left.
'' Send in the first one. '' The king asked with a tired voice, as his eyes travelled the awfully timid ceiling. I should command the painters to put me and my future victories on these walls. The undecorated interior was interesting enough for Joffrey not to notice as the man was escorted into the throne room, and it took a few moments before he lowered his view to inspect the rabble who had came to ask for something. '' Yes, speak? '' He said with a faintly annoyed tone that brought a strike of fear into the mans eyes, something that truly amused Joffrey.
'' And why do you think I care about your crops? '' Joffrey inquired with an all more irritated voice. The worst thing about being a King, he thought, was the stupidity of his people. How could they not realize that a king had better things to do than to sit on his throne and listen to the wailing of peasants. Joffrey could feel the blood in his veins heat up, but just as he was about to speak a voice to his right sounded.
'' Fifteen minutes for air, then the hearing continues. ''
Joffrey couldn't believe his ears as someone spoke in his place, but before he had time to stop the listeners they had already left their seats. With a deep frown he turned to find the one who had spoken, but without success. Instead he rose up and grabbed the crossbow that sat next to him during the hearing and let his eyes fall over its delicate decorations, his trigger finger literally itching of excitement as he heard someone approach from the side. '' I'll seize the second man and have them fight to the death. What do you think? '' He asked without lifting his gaze.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2015 22:06:20 GMT
Cersei had found enough trouble waking throughout her days. With her managing what the kingdom required, as long as Lannister saw the brighter of her efforts. As the common room, the Throne Room saw more than a thousand of feet daily. Cersei's was the most esteemed of them. She strolled contently with the hem of her dress gently brushing the chiseled marble and stones that cleated the floor. Her hair with complex braids flowing, she couldn't look any less royal or any less Lannister, as she was draped in red.
Her gaze steered to Joffrey, the most visual of all things in the room. He was holding a crossbow, and clearly aiming. Hence trouble he was to cause. House Lannister is seated in trouble and debt, and she did not want deaths to be blanketed on their name. Scorn wasn't anything that would shame her, mayhaps her father, but not her. The consequences of such scorn were the thorns in her side.
"Won't you lower the weapon before you hurt yourself, Your Grace." Cersei spurred a low shout before a bolt could meet the flesh of a living target. She had refrained from calling Joffrey by his true name when she was trying to mother him. Especially in an audience, he takes it to very high resorts. Cersei had seen the brink of a stabbing in Joffrey's eyes before. She was sure another word would end her. Even under these circumstances, she did not fear Joffrey. He was still a mere babe in her eyes, not much man. And she was Queen Regent. She had power in her grasp. With the flick of her wrist, her guards following her would obey like a motherless dog and cut the throats of all who stood in this room. After all, there isn't a point in being born to House Lannister without wealth, and wealth to empower you to.
She met Joffrey close. His hair looked freshly washed, and his smell was greater. His green eyes displayed Jaime in every fraction, and she cleared her throat to ease up the personal tension conflicting with herself.
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Post by Iron on Apr 8, 2015 8:51:54 GMT
"Won't you lower the weapon before you hurt yourself, Your Grace." His mother told him. But Joffrey was a king, and a king didn't take orders from anyone. In an attempt to show this, he held on to the crossbow for a few moments more, until he lowered it by his own will. As the aim was lowered, a sigh of relief from the people closest in front of him was heard, but Joffrey didn't hear them. Instead he clutched the weapon close to his chest, as a mother holds a child, his eyes ever as longing to fire a bolt into something, to watch it die.
'' Why do the lowborn think I care about their problems? Shouldn't they know that their king got more important things to do? '' Joffrey complained as he looked up and towards his mother. His gaze were annoyed as he looked at her, but was soon replaced by an enthusiasm as he used the weapon in his hands to point at the empty ceiling. '' These walls are too empty. I will command the painters to decorate them with my reign. I think the first thing will be me with a wolf's head in my hands. '' Joffrey exclaimed as he began to picture the scene before him. '
' Maybe Sansa will be in the background, watching her traitor brothers head dangle. '' The king added with a smile.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2015 20:26:45 GMT
"Perhaps one day, Your Grace. What did the lowborn request of you?" Cersei had tried to avoid Joffrey's boastings of himself, and his ambitions. Cersei had flicked her hair over her shoulders and held her arms bundled at her waist. She tossed her fingers back-and-forth, hidden under her long, scarlet sleeves, in annoyance. She knew Joffrey was exhausting what little Lannister possessed in the treasury. He was sure to put them in much more debt; so much, that the Tyrells would grope the iron throne. Even the Dothraki whore across the narrow sea may have a chance. No, as long as Joffrey sits the throne, and I hold Casterly Rock, we remain in power, Cersei silently persuaded herself. Cersei glared at the crossbow with such an infuriated tone, she herself thought it might combust. But it didn't. She didn't understand why Joffrey yielded such a weapon. If his Kingsguard failed him, she wasn't sure this weapon could save him in time to block a sword slicing through his abdomen. But perhaps it kept commoners in line. A sword wouldn't do much to hold the public under their boots. "I hope they hadn't bother you too much, Your Grace. She was hoping he would allow her to know what his intentions were, without many questions coming from Cersei. Iron
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Post by Iron on Apr 9, 2015 12:05:21 GMT
Joffrey nodded in silence as his mothers finished speaking before he turned down his gaze from the stony sky. His mother always knew how to butcher a moment by thinking herself above him, but he supposed that was the case with women. As he watched the back of the peasant who had came before him in his throne disappear through the large doors he frowned. '' It was something about a field of crops. '' He shrugged coyly as he finally let the crossbow down to rest by the throne as he turned towards Cersei.
'' Father were too kind to the rabble, and so were you. '' He declared with a suddenly very decisive tone. '' Now they believe I will too, but I'll show them. '' A grin spread across his lips as he waved to Ser Merryn Trant to join them. Ser Merryn was sly and cruel, but probably more loyal to Cersei than he were to Joffrey. Still, he did as his King bid, following every order how shameful they may be.
'' Ser Merryn, when the hearing is done I want you to find the other.. culprit for me. '' Joffrey commanded with a devious glare in his eyes, and Ser Merryn nodded and confirmed before returning to his position beneath the Throne. Content, Joffrey turned back to his mother. '' I want you to stay and watch how a true King rules. ''
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2015 21:18:13 GMT
"A King rules with strength. I praise you have strength." But there was no escaping it. Ser Meryn would likely chain Cersei to a pole, given the command, if she had decided to return back to her chambers. So she watched. She couldn't ever understand what Joffrey had planned to do. His crown had gleamed from the half-light peering in from the high braided-pane windows. Cersei awaited the next peasant to enter. And the waiting was cruel. Joffrey seemed to grow more and more annoyed, and twitching with resent and impatience. Cersei couldn't blame him. The lowborn had always believed those high in their castles could buy as much time as they wanted. It is the opposite, in truth. Cersei remembered in Casterly Rock where her days were mostly consumed of wine and Jaime, and it seemed to take years for an hour to pass. But now, she found shadows cloaking the light from the sun more often than she saw the sun itself. And it made her grow restless and fearful. Another lowborn hobbled into the presence of the court, wearing dried and cracking robes, dyed with a very lilac that possessed such little and olden color, it had looked like her was one of the turnips that grew in the fields the farmers tended to. That type of clothing was considered "fine" in the eyes of the common people, but given the chance to speak to a highborn, it quickly died away and not made him appear more desperate and filthy. Cersei glanced at her robes, noticing the soft texture of fine silks and furs, and the golden scrollwork. A chuckle rose in Cersei's throat. She found her face spamming in laughter, although it was rather silent. She turned back to Joffrey. She wish to know how he would address him, and perhaps what he wanted. Iron
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Post by Iron on Apr 10, 2015 7:52:55 GMT
As Joffrey had finished conversing with his mother he gave Ser Boros the sign, and the round knight announced the end of the break as the crowd began to pour in through the arched doorway again. In their eyes, Joffrey saw the streak of curiousness mixed with a developing tiredness after listening to the wailing of lowborn for way too long. But Joffrey had a plan in which he would save them from their distress by gifting them the excitement of bloodshed. As he lowered his royal bod onto the Throne once more, he watched the second lowborn walk up to the Throne.
'' As a reward for your bravery of seeking out your King, I shall offer you your crops back. '' Joffrey said with a smile that grew wider by the second. A smile also began to grow on the poor farmers face, until Joffrey spoke again, his voice devilish. '' If you can defeat the up-starter in a trial of combat. ''
Joffrey felt like lashing out in a laugh as he saw the smile turn into fear in the farmers eyes, and a short moment after the previous man were brought in, held in a hard grip by two goldcloaks. They avoided the gasping eyes of the crowd as they dragged the lowborn filth over the floor from the door, and threw him down onto the hard stone before looking up at their king.
'' Give these two men your swords. '' Joffrey commanded. '' And bring someone to clean up this mess once they're done. '' The two Goldcloaks obeyed and unsheeted their swords which they threw on the ground in front of the two peasants, and Joffrey looked with excitement at his mother.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2015 1:40:52 GMT
Cersei watched amused, but as soon as the Gold Cloaks had unequipped their swords, Cersei had found herself in fear, though not letting it show. "Stop!" Cersei shouted. She was infuriated, though she hadn't known who to direct her anger to. She looked at Joffrey, then to the crowd. "I dismiss all of you. Your King is very tired and requires much-needed rest." She turned back to Joffrey, expecting a slap. Out of the corner of Cersei's eyes, she saw the soldiers exchange estranged and confused glances before beckoning their swords. "Come with me, Your Grace. " Cersei's arm slithered out to entangle into Joffrey's elbows. She was okay with Sansa being beaten. And even okay when Joff nearly killed Ser Dontos. And content with the execution of Eddard Stark. But he is drawing the line between Lannisters and Peasants, and may break power. It is nearly Tywin's fault the Lannisters found their way to the throne, and surely what acts the throne commits, the people will rage to Tywin. And as stubborn as he was, she still loved him. Cersei blinked her eyes in a slow, stressful manner. She rarely openly voiced her concerns, and she had been feeling more stressed and sickly since she hadn't been able to speak. "This isn't what grandfather would suggest, Your Grace," Cersei whispered as she attempted to tug Joff free of his seat. Iron
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Post by Iron on Apr 14, 2015 13:51:03 GMT
''No, wait!'' Joffrey shouted as he noticed how the crowd began to move towards the exit, so willingly leaving their King in the hands of his mother. '' I am the King. Not my mother. You sit until I tell you not to. '' He felt the blood pump through his veins as the crowds confused eyes were all directed to him, but soon the ones who had rose sat down again, sweating for their Kings next move. But instead of putting a bolt into the crowd, Joffrey allowed himself to turn towards the mother who so desperately clutched his arm.
'' But grandfather isn't the King. He isn't even here, he's out sitting in the sun and letting the Northerners capture Uncle Jaime. '' His voice was silent and threatening, almost as if he planned to throw his mother into prison with a wave of his hand. But before the irritation Joffrey radiated were thick enough to stuck an arrow, Ser Merryn took to words. '' My King? ''
The two words were enough to break Joffrey from his trance, and with a breath and a swallow he turned back towards the crowd. '' You are dismissed. Leave us. '' The words weren't originally his own, but deep within he couldn't help himself from feeling sympathy for his mother, who had been born with the weak soul of a woman, and so he wished to spare her the embarrasement. As the crowd began to leave once more, Joffrey stood where he had, waiting until the last one had left. Once the doors were closed behind her, he turned towards his mother. '' What would my grandfather have done then? ''
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2015 14:46:42 GMT
Cersei's gaze had flickered between Trant and Joff. She felt his anger. Even though he wasn't hurting her, it was painful. She began to wonder if Tyrion was right about Joff. No. Don't let the imp get to you. He only wants you to bleed.Stomp echoed throughout the large court, as the peasants had confused their movements between commands. But finally their shadows no longer roped the floor, as they were gone. Cersei wondered if Joff would fix his mistake. Or was it Cersei's mistake? "Grandfather would listen to what they had to say," Cersei said in a wicked tone. "He may not act on their words, but he listens. He knows the people want to be heard. And so long as they are, they're happy." She could almost feel the mockery dwelling within Joff. "But most of all, he wouldn't hurt them. He wouldn't make them fight, Your Grace."Cersei wondered if her words reflected Joff. Certainly some of them had to. She wasn't as good as a teacher as father was. Cersei hadn't been Queen long enough for rule to settle her, and for even a bit of content to reach the people. She rarely wanted anything to do with them. Her affairs were truly within House Lannister, and the people didn't matter. But her children mattered, and she wanted Joff to be loved as a king. He mattered. And so does his father. Jaime. He matters. Cersei found herself weeping inside. Gasping for air, she was. Her king was right about Tywin allowing Jaime to be tortured and misused. "You hadn't witnessed Robert's Rebellion. I have. I don't want another war. We have enough troubles as it is...and..." she gulped a hard lump down her throat. She felt as if Joff was going to have her beheaded. "We are in debt to the Iron Bank. Father had told me." she looked down at the floor, angrily. Joffrey played a part in their debt. So had the wars. But his extravagant spending from the Lannister treasury has run their gold mines dry. Cersei felt as if she were to slap Joffrey for his insolent and irrational behavior. And she did. Her hands fiercely struck his cheek, leaving a spindle of red marks in the shape of a thin and bony hand. And he would have to wear it around. Iron
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Post by Iron on Apr 14, 2015 17:53:02 GMT
As Joffrey stood there on the steps of the Iron Throne and heard his mother spill everything, he shook his head naively. '' Isn't it grandfather who always speaks of Lion and Sheep? '' He asked critically, his eyes barely allowed to meet those of his mothers as he grew impatient with heir wailing. Cersei had been his most trusted friend and ally during his childhood. When Robert had punched out his milk teeth it was her he had gone to. But now Joffrey were King, and Kings can't obey their mothers. As she continued to speak, he even began to suspect that she blamed him for their recent drawbacks, and he was just about to make a remark as her hand left its place.
The slap was quick and came out of nowhere, and had enough momentum to almost put him back in his throne. As the hard sound ecchoed through the room, a whimper escaped the Kings lips and he held a hand over the red mark. He felt the eye closest to impact began to water, but tried to casually wipe it away as he turned back to his mother.
'' You.. I could have you executed for that. '' He spoke silently, the words for only her to hear. '' And if you do it again, I just may. '' Before giving her much time, Joffrey turned over her shoulder towards Ser Trant. '' Take my mother to her chambers, and keep her there until she has regained her self control. '' As the words died and the sound of Trants armor moving took over Joffrey took a step back and glared at his mother.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2015 18:14:55 GMT
[THIS THREAD HAS BEEN CONCLUDED AND WILL NOW BE LOCKED.]
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