A Keep Stained Red. (Open)

[Alexandra Velaryon]

Alexandra looked up at the walls of the city as she moved through them and stared into the city that held the two most important sights of the Seven Kingdoms. One which she was on her way to now as she looked at her guard Haridrin with a smile on her face. Her hands curled around the reins of her horse and her body cloaked in a dark blue dress with a grey cloak draped around her. "Stay close Haridrin, incase i need my sword." She smiled, her Violet eyes and platinum silver hair causing people to look at her and even a few glares from people mistaking her for something far different than she was and it annoyed her internally. People still blamed her and her ancestors for the crimes of a fellow Valyrian born family that her family had supported. Sure, not more than twenty years back her family had been supporters of the Targaryens, her father being Lucerys Velaryon left her in a worse off position already with his support as Aery's Master of Ships.

How Monford lived with the constant annoyance of being compared to their father, and worse off their grandmother. But that was a thought for another time as she looked off to her right and her eyes shone with a bit of sadness as she sighed to herself and looked as a kid took one look at her in wonder while a man of the age forty at the least looked at her with hate. Perhaps it would be easier once she reached the keep with the gift for the king, there she would atleast have something to talk over and be in a place she felt normal in. So with that she kicked the horse and tried to hurry up with the rest of the way to the keep. She had already alerted it by raven of her arrival with a gift for the king, and that she was from Driftmark, a member of the Velaryon family.

(@bonsai/Iron Should tag you two)

[Deleted]

Cersei had watched the servants mop the throne room to prepare for Joffrey's hearing. The kingdom was at unrest because of her, and she didn't want Joffrey to take the barrage of arrows. Instead, she set up his hearing to show the people that the king was a king for the people. Of course, truths could be stretched. But stretched far enough, it becomes the truth. 

"Is that how you clean a floor to serve as the ground for your king?" Cersei found herself hovering over a stout maid that looked to be ten-and-ten, twenty. With a wince, the servant began to voraciously scrub the floor. She hadn't even taken a look at Cersei. "I asked you a question and you didn't answer. I didn't tell you to tear apart the floor." Cersei kept her face straight, but a laugh erupted inside of her. The maid had scarce broke into a sweat, which impressed the Queen. "I'm sorry my ignorance had insulted you, Your Grace."

But with all her subdued torture of the maids and servants, the amusement wasn't enough to sate her cravings for wine. She knew better than to drink wine before the hearing. Even if Joffrey hadn't known about it, she knew better. Perhaps he'd be drinking wine with all the drab wails of the peasants and travelers. She's heard rumors of a Targaryen girl passing through. A laugh almost made her choke as she thought of it. She'd be dead if she were Targaryen. Peasants can't see than two feet in front of them, anyhow. 

Cersei shared a gaze between her guards. Mayhaps they shared her thoughts as well. 

[Alexandra Velaryon]

Alexandra stared around her as she started to approach the gates of the red keep with a bruise hidden under the sleeves of her dress. Luckily so as whoever had thrown the stone probably would have been found and subsequently dealt with if it hadn't been for Haridrin stopping her from doing so. She hadn't even began to move and figure out who had thrown the stone. Though for sanity sakes she would find out and she had a feeling she knew quite well why. With a sigh she moved her hands up and brushed her hair lightly from her face, smiling as it fell past her shoulders and shone in the sun.

She wondered what the Queen and King were like, a Widow and a Young man, faced with usurpers at every door and the king's future wife being the sister of the man that worked in the north for revenge. She was starting to notice a trend though, Paramount of the North comes to the Capital, Paramount dies, Son takes up the blade and attempts to usurp the King. What is interesting to Alexandra this time is that it was not one but four kings, each vying for power and each holding its own prowess in this world with its own hands touching the politics. Hell even her brother dimwitted followed Stannis Baratheon... whether news of this reached the city or not didn't worry her for a second. She was not here to speak out against Joffrey, nor did she plan to stay as she had no real reason too. She was here to deliver the blade to her king, and that was what she would do.

This is why when she reached the gates she looked at the guards with a smile and spoke. "I am Lady Alexandra Velaryon, here to present a Gift for Joffrey Baratheon, King of the Seven Kingdoms." She choose her words carefully, after all she was about to step into the lion's den and didn't want her head on a pike like that of the old hand.

[Iron]

'' No, you idiot. Do you want to be beheaded? I asked for the purple cloth not the red. '' The King swore as he pointed his finger at the servant who had displeased him. Joffrey were in a terrible mood, not only had he slept poorly due to the eternal screeching of a pair of cats outside his window, but he were also required to sit and listen to the wailing of peasants for hours to come. This together with the servants idiotic mistake had been too much, and he was seriously considering to send the poor soul to the stocks to make an example. Luckily for the servant, a knock on the door was heard before Ser Boros Blount looked inside. '' My grace, there's someone at the gate who wishes to offer you a gift. '' The round knight told him.

It was likely that the knights had already told his mother first, but Joffrey were clueless to Cersei's true influence. Either way, he doubted that the gift would be anything more than a pot of incense or a new shirt waved his hand in a circle before speaking. '' Send my mother to greet her for me until I'm done here. '' The king declared with a voice that was cooling down. Once Ser Blount had nodded and closed the door, the servant approached for another try and Joffrey tore the cloth of his shoulder and threw it in the poor sods face. '' The purple one. '' He muttered.



Alexandra Velaryon @bonsai

[Deleted]

Cersei had merely walked away, into the dining hall, when three knights had trotted up to her. "His Grace commands you to greet the visitor who brings a gift for the king."

Cersei had inhaled a deep, stiff breath. She looked at the knights. "You will accompany me. And you will inspect this 'gift'. And then it will be found in the king's hands. Do you understand?" Only the round and red-cheeked one nodded. Cersei supposed he answers for all of them. And so the regent Queen took stern steps until she was back into the throne room, where the servants still hadn't finished their incessant cleaning. "I want all of you out of here." They all looked up to Cersei, appearing puzzled. "I want
you out of here now! Cersei screamed in a rage of anger. Her knights drew their swords, and the threat finally reached the dumbfounded peasants. They instantly picked up their work tools, sponges being rung into washing kettles, and cleared the room. Even though they hadn't finished their sworn jobs, Cersei could see her reflection in the flooring. Blue and gold dotted the smooth landscape in a pristine manner. But Cersei was sure there were ebony specks of dust and cobwebs, hiding behind the shadows that draped the deep corners. Since Cersei was sure there was such dirt, and because the lowborn had wasted their bloody time, they wouldn't be receiving a wage at all this week. They're just like misbehaving children, Cersei frowned at the thought. She wouldn't want these vile children as hers. They were probably bastardized to Robert,
no doubt. But Jaime's seed had given her the three noble children she has...or did have. And it made her upset to think about it. Myrcella gone,
Joffrey lost in politics, and Tommen hiding deep inside himself. True anguish is what Cersei lived off of. 

She stood on the lower level of steps that lead to the iron throne. "I believe the girl is outside. Find her, and the rest of the peasants who shall be heard by the king, but bring me the girl first. Last gift given to me was a ship, and it left with my daughter on it." she held back tears violently. And she sat strong. Her knights obeyed, opening the court doors. Two of the knights had exited to escort whoever awaited, in.

Iron
Alexandra Velaryon

[Alexandra Velaryon]

Alexandra looked as the gates were opened and two knights in armor with white cloaks strode out to woman who sat on her horse. "Come with us please... with your gift only." Their eyes traveling to her bodyguard and attendant Haridrin. "No worries, he will remain outside while i deliver my gift to the king..." For once there wasn't a death glare coming from someone as she slid off the horse and moved to dust off her dress for a moment before looking at Haridrin. "The sword, please."

With the blade entering her hands she carried it with both hands, flanked by the two knights and watched carefully as she looked around the keep. The walls were the most splendid thing she had seen yet, truly fit for a king and something she definitely envied. Her eyes drew over to look down the hall and to the doors that were opened that led into the great hall itself, her thoughts drifting off for a moment to wonder if the rumors of this King was like that of which she had heard. But what surprised her the moment she stepped through the doors was that it was a woman there. She knew who it was, anyone knew who Cersei Lannister was, she was still offguard though.

"My Queen, i am Alexandra Velaryon, Sister to Monford Velaryon who serves the King's Uncle. I come with a Gift for the new king of Westeros and my words of sorrow at the passing of your husband my queen." She did find it a bit saddening that the king had died, but she had heard rumors and she knew she was happy she had never met Robery herself. "That is, if he will accept it."

[Deleted]

"I'm sure your condolences go a long way," Cersei said coldly. It struck her first impression with a sword no knight could ever own. Cersei glared at the sword. And I'm sure it is a scrap of rusted iron found on the side of the Kingsroad... Cersei silently insulted the girl. She found herself wanting Joffrey to open up to the people, but Cersei herself didn't want a part in that. Especially when it has to be personal. 

Cersei gave a stern stare at the guards, and found herself impatient for Joffrey. He is wanting to look presentable, Cersei guessed. But all the same, he always looked noble and very handsome. It was proof when the Stark girl fell for him. She remained fearful of him, and had many chances to escape. But didn't take them. But she had no smarts. Cersei pondered. 

"I'm sure your journey was quite long. I need not show you to the doors, I'm sure." Cersei pressed, "The King is very busy." It was true. He would be busy. Even if he was threatening each peasant lined outside who came in for petition, he'd still be busy. Cersei had smoothed back her braids with her fingers, and flicked a loose strand of bronze hair to fall behind her. 

Iron
Alexandra Velaryon

[Arthur Reed]

Alexandra's ears perked at the sound of the woman's words and blinked as she looked to the ground as she stood there and bowed to the woman that was queen. "With regret Queen Baratheon, i ask that you allow me to present the gift to the king. I had had it fashioned in specific need to present him with such a gift. I don't mean to intrude on his work my queen..." She hesitated and started to bow, though she remained where she was for a few moments longer and stared at the ground with the sword in its sheath, resting in both her hands for now.

Her eyes did wander across the floor and looking through the area for any hint of fear or otherwise in the guards. She couldn't do much though with her head still bowed, internally hoping her words did not get her in a situation she could not get out of. Hopefully the king was a little less dismissive, though that was not something she quickly relied on so she was careful to be ready to leave in the case that things were not kept in good hopes.

She moved her eyes to the blade in her arms with a new fear in her mind. Would they imprison her for not leaving immediately, even kill her. She had heard of Aerys doing that but this boy that was king was not aerys, nor was this queen. Were they?

[Deleted]

"Guards, force her out of the keep." Cersei had commanded. She had probably made another foe with her insults and threats, but it did not matter to her. She was the Queen Regent. She had no need of allies. She only needed power. And as far as she was concerned, Lannister held the most power above all other houses, and they were the greatest ally that any other house could hope for. 

The armored guards had marched, clad in reddened armor with gilded blacks and golds. To the ones who remained, Cersei turned to them. "Keep the sword and didn't give it to His Grace. I'm sure we will see the girl once more." Cersei sighed. She planned to melt the sword into an ingot, or perhaps use it to throw into the other pile of soldiers wanting to fight. Joffrey preferred steel, and Valyrian steel when he can. He would surely hang the girl before he could even see the sword, knowing it was iron.