Chapter 15

Cersei was not by nature an anxious woman, but as she took her place alongside the iron throne her stomach seemed to be doing flips. Today was the culmination of a week's work and would signal the end of Joffrey's reign. It was not a trial as such, Varys assured her of that, but if anyone wished to speak in the Kings defence they would be given the chance. The Hand of the King would normally occupy the iron throne but the position was vacant as of now and Cersei was seated in a chair along from the throne as were the other small council members.

She had to admit, Varys had done good work in finding evidence against Joffrey. Highborn lords and ladies filled the hall as Petyr Baelish introduced what the meeting was for. Cersei had demanded the reason for the meeting be kept secret until now. She couldn't risk her father finding out and arriving at court until the deed was done.

"- as the small council, we have decided that removing King Joffrey Baratheon from the iron throne is in the best interests of the realm. Evidence will be given for why this astonishing decision has had to be made, and I'm sure you'll agree my lords and ladies that it is the correct decision"

Murmurs of surprise broke out among the crowd and Cersei wanted nothing more than to be done with this. She listened as Varys gave testimony to the beheading of Ned Stark and how Joffrey had broken the promise of mercy. Baelish gave further testimony to how Joffrey had mistreated some of his whores. On and on they went, telling tales of Joffrey's cruelty. Stripping and beating Sansa Stark in front of the court. The cruel punishments he ordered on the small folk. Even how Joffrey had found and killed Robert's bastards. Cersei's brittle heart quivered and shook with every tale of her eldest boy. For years she had ignored the mutterings of his cruelty; called them all lies, and now she was being confronted with the truth.

"The small council has concluded its testimony; however there is still evidence to be heard from other witnesses" announced Varys "I present Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella"

Cersei could only watch as her precious children walked and stood to the witness box, hand in hand. She hadn't wanted to get them involved, but Myrcella had suggested they give evidence against Joffrey as they knew him better than anyone. Tommen had eagerly latched on to the idea, and Varys had finally convinced her it would certainly help their case.

"My Prince, my Princess" greeted Varys "Please tell us your evidence"

Myrcella spoke at length about her fear of Joffrey and referenced several occasions she had heard him ranting and raving. Varys nodded along with Myrcella and occasionally asked her to expand on something until the mutterings of the court grew angry.

"-poor girl. Afraid of her own brother" Cersei heard one man say

"Clearly mad" agreed another

When Myrcella finished, Tommen started to give his evidence and Cersei's heart shattered as the little Prince told the tale of his cat's death.

"Who did you tell about the cat, my Prince?" asked Varys

"I told everyone I could find, but everyone was too afraid of Joffrey to do anything" Tommen answered, looking right at his mother

"No-one believed you?"

"Uncle Tyrion believed me" he confirmed "I think a lot of people did, but they were scared"

Shame rose in Cersei's face. She knew Tommen had been right about the cat, but she hadn't wanted to believe it. Instead she'd forced her son into silence. What kind of mother was she?

A few more questions and tales about Joff passed, before her children were finished giving testimony. The room around Cersei closed in as she shakily moved to give her own evidence.

'Can you really do this?' she thought 'Condemn your own son?'

The face of her sweet baby son flashed before her eyes, followed quickly by the memory of her little brothers agonised face. She had to do this. She had to protect her family.

"My lords, my ladies" she started "I speak today, to give evidence that my eldest son Joffrey is unfit to rule"

The crowd was watching her intently and she could feel their eyes burning into her.

"A little over a week ago, I gave birth to King Robert's last son. The boy was born a dwarf" chatter broke out in the crowd at the news, but Cersei forced herself to continue "Joffrey was displeased when he visited me some days later. He believed the boy brought shame to the family, and should be destroyed. I pleaded with Joffrey but he would not be reasoned with. He brought Ser Meryn Trant with him and ordered the knight to cut my baby's throat"

Shouts of outrage broke out among the crowd, and Cersei forced herself to focus on the task. She couldn't deny it was painful though; to finally give voice to the whispers of the monster Joffrey had become.

"What occurred next, your Grace?" prodded Varys, as the noise died down

"My brother Lord Tyrion was with me when Joffrey came. He was acting as Hand of the King and ordered Ser Meryn to stop, but he wouldn't. He was determined to kill my innocent boy" Cersei said, choking back a sob "My brother attacked Ser Meryn, stabbing him in both knees to protect the Prince. The wounds were fatal, but it took Ser Meryn a while to die. Joffrey turned on Tyrion and ordered Ser Meryn to punish him. I watched as the King tortured his uncle - and Joffrey enjoyed it"

The highborn lords and ladies were once again whispering among themselves but Cersei didn't care anymore. It was nearly over. Soon this nightmare would be behind her.

"What stopped Joffrey, your Grace?" questioned the spider

"They wouldn't stop beating my brother, so I picked up a knife and slashed Ser Meryns throat. He was already dying, but it stopped Joffrey until I was able to call my guards. I couldn't let them hurt my baby. Joffrey was mad; he just wouldn't stop" she pleaded for them to understand, shoulders shaking

"Thank you for your testimony, your Grace"

Cersei walked back to her seat as Ser Harwinn and then Maester Creylen added their observations about the incident. Ser Harwinn spoke of the carnage in the room and how Meryn Trants sword was right next to the cradle. He spoke of the flecks of blood on the baby's blanket and the state Tyrion was in when he entered the room. He added further testimony of Joffrey's rants and raving in the black cells. Creylen spoke at length about the injuries her brother had sustained and confirmed Tyrion had effectively killed Meryn Trant long before Cersei had slit his throat. The Maester spoke about the kind of mind that would enjoy such cruelty, and when asked by Varys he gave his opinion the King was unstable and a risk to all.

As they spoke, Cersei eyed Grand Maester Pycelle sat along from her. The old man had not been happy with removing Joffrey and Cersei feared he may speak out against the action, but Varys had reassured her that the Grand Maester would not be an issue. She was intrigued what knowledge the spider was using against Pycelle, but she didn't care so long as it worked. The old Maester was sat with a sour look on his face as the evidence was presented.

Baelish stood once more and clapped his hands and Cersei realised that was all of their evidence "We have presented our case for removing Joffrey as King of the Seven Kingdoms. Now we would hear any objections"

A moment of silence passed that felt to Cersei like an eternity.

"Very well" announced Baelish "Let it be known that Joffrey Baratheon, first of his name is hereby removed as King of the Seven Kingdoms, and protector of the realm on the charges of madness and cruelty"

The crowd thundered "Aye" as the announcement was made, and Cersei felt the tension drain from her body.

"In the order of succession, Prince Tommen of house Baratheon will become King of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm. The coronation will take place tomorrow"

'It's done' Cersei thought 'My children are safe'

Despite Cersei's relief it was over, her thoughts still drifted to her eldest son in the black cells. She had no idea what to do with him, but that was an issue for another day. Tommen would be King and Cersei planned on making several changes to the court. Until the new Hand of the King was in place, Cersei would make the arrangements.

Tyrion Lannister felt himself being pulled from sleep by the distinct feeling that someone was touching his face. He had very little recollection of the past week, though he remembered speaking to Bronn and he had seen Pod several times. Following his chat with Bronn, every time he showed signs of waking milk of the poppy was forced down his throat and he had drifted in a haze for what he assumed was several days. Now someone was definitely poking his face.

Slowly, Tyrion cracked his eyes open to find a familiar face with golden hair and green eyes looking at him.

'Jamie?' he wondered, as his eyes blinked into focus

Light giggles met his ears and Tyrion saw an unusually short arm was reaching towards his face.

"Hello, little brother" said a familiar voice, as Tyrion realised he was looking at his baby nephew. Cersei was sat on the bed to his left, holding the baby over him as the child reached for his face.

"Cersei?" he asked in confusion "What are you doing here?"

"The Prince wanted to see you" she answered, pulling the baby back so Tyrion could see clearly

"Hello nephew" he cooed, reaching his bandaged right hand towards the child

The baby was marginally bigger than when he had last seen him but no less cheerful as he stretched his short arms to his uncle. Tyrion could feel Cersei's eyes watching him as he stroked the baby's cheek with his fingertips.

"Are you feeling better?" Cersei asked after a moment, moving her gaze across his face

Tyrion jerked his head up from the baby and eyed his sister suspiciously "Yes. Thank you"

"Good" Cersei answered, looking uncomfortable "Would you like to sit up?"

"Yes, I suppose I should" Tyrion said after a moments thought "I will summon Pod to assist me"

"Don't bother" Cersei answered, setting the baby down on the bed next to Tyrion and reaching forward as if to grab him

Tyrion was really confused now. Why was she helping him? Before he could contemplate it any further, Cersei had wrapped both arms behind him and pulled him up so his back was resting against the headboard. His ribs protested the movement somewhat and he grimaced in pain, as Cersei shoved a pillow behind him. He stared at his sister as she sat back on the bed, the baby lying happily to Tyrion's right.

"You're not exactly heavy" she said, waving her hand dismissively

"Thank you" he said eventually, offering her a wary smile

"I've decided to refuse your offer" Cersei said, reaching over Tyrion to tickle the baby's stomach

It took a moment for Tyrion to remember the offer he had made when his nephew was born "I'm pleased for you. It seems you're rather fond of him"

"He's my son" she stated a smile gracing her face "Prince Tytos of house Baratheon"

"A good name, though I doubt Father would approve" Tyrion said, surprised at her using their grandfathers name given how he almost brought ruin to their house

"He's such a happy baby" Cersei mused "it seemed fitting to name him after the 'laughing lion' though I'm sure my son will bring much more honour to the name"

"Undoubtedly" Tyrion agreed, glancing at his happy nephew "Hello, Prince Tytos"

Tyrion was finding Cersei's behaviour strange. Never once had she spoken to him for so long without insulting him, and she had actually touched him without hesitation. He distinctly recalled trying to hug her when he was a young child and being thrown backwards from her. Unsure of what to say that wouldn't end the fragile peace, Tyrion took stock of his injuries. His broken arm and ribs were still sore but not unbearable, and as he examined his right hand he found the bandages were much lighter and he could open and close his fingers albeit with some pain.

"Creylen said you need to keep stretching your hand so you can regain mobility" Cersei said frowning at the hand as Tyrion examined it

"Yes" Tyrion agreed "I heard Creylen wanted to amputate my hand"

"He did"

"You convinced him not to?"

"I told him to find another way, though in retrospect what Creylen did seemed more painful"

"Thank you" Tyrion said, lowering his gaze "One hand would have made me more useless to the family than I already am"

A firm hand gripped his chin and forced his head up. Tyrion found himself staring into his sisters green eyes, as she frowned at him.

"You're not useless. You protected my son while I did nothing"

"I don't believe you would have let Trant kill the child" Tyrion said, as Cersei refused to let go of him

"I stood frozen to the spot - and I did nothing"

"It was a difficult situation, particularly as it was Joffrey giving the orders"

Tyrion felt somewhat trapped as Cersei stared at him. Her green eyes were not filled with the usual spite he received from her, and he found the difference unsettling.

"My son tortured you" Cersei said, as Tyrion tried to subtly move his face from his sister's grip to no avail

"It wasn't your fault-" he started

"Yes it was. Everyone knew what he was. Everyone but me" Cersei said, finally releasing Tyrion's face and dropping her eyes "My son is a monster"

"It's not your fault" Tyrion said, offering her a smile "Tommen and Myrcella are both good children, and young Tytos seems just as good"

"Thank you" she whispered, a look of sadness sweeping over her face

An awkward silence fell between them and Tyrion turned his attention to Tytos lying beside him. His sister appeared lost in her thoughts as she stared at the floor, but she still didn't move from his bed. The baby was lying contentedly next to Tyrion, tiny hands waving aimlessly around him. He looked a lot like Jamie, and Tyrion felt the familiar pain that his brother had not yet met his youngest son. Even worse - he could not acknowledge him as his son.

Tyrion was that distracted with Tytos he flinched when an unexpected hand touched his left shoulder.

"Creylen said you don't need the sling anymore" Cersei said as her hands moved around his neck to free his arm. Bandages still covered the broken limb, but it was an instant relief to be able to move it again, despite the stiffness in his shoulder

"Ah…thank you" Tyrion said, eyeing his sister with suspicion "It's a relief to move my arm again"

The Queen Regent nodded at Tyrion, and it struck him again how unusual her behaviour was. He was surprised enough that she came to see him, yet seemed in no hurry to leave either.

Cersei felt awkward. It had been two days since Joffrey was removed from power, and Tommen had been crowned as King yesterday. She had wanted to visit her little brother and speak with him, but now she was here the words were failing her. How could you put right a lifetime of hate and distrust? She'd brought Tytos along partly as a distraction and she thought Tyrion might want to see his nephew, but Cersei was finding it difficult to start any kind of meaningful talk. Her brother seemed completely confused by her behaviour and appeared wary of offending her. After all that happened, Cersei promised herself she would make things right with her little brother, but the distance between them stretched from Kings Landing to Winterfell. Even when she'd wrapped her arms around Tyrion to pull him upright in the bed, he had tensed as if she was going to stab him.

An uncomfortable silence had fallen between them, and she could tell Tyrion was trying not to stare at her by focusing on Tytos. Cersei looked hard at her little brother, trying to really see him for the first time. His hair was slightly curly and much more unruly that Jamie's, and a darker golden than her own. She found his Lannister green eyes and noted they seemed to hold a sadness that Jamie's or her children's never did. Yes, his limbs were short and he was clearly a dwarf, but so was her own son Tytos. All in all, he didn't look like a monster at all she realised. He looked like a little brother that had been deprived of love, and acted as if his families care of him was a foreign concept. Cersei had realised as she spoke to Tyrion he was surprised she'd come to visit him. He'd tried to hide it, but Cersei could see her brother was waiting for the reason of her visit to make itself known.

"So, when is the trial?" Tyrion asked eventually, drawing his gaze to meet hers

"Trial?"

"For attacking Ser Meryn and not following the Kings orders"

Ah, so that was why he thought she'd come. It made sense, she supposed. Not wanting her brother to be in pain, Cersei had given orders to keep giving him milk of the poppy and leave him asleep, but it also meant he didn't know what had been going on or that Joffrey was no longer King.

"You killed Ser Meryn - the wounds were fatal. There will be no trial" she said eventually, watching Tyrion's shoulders slump "and the King will see you tomorrow"

"I understand" Tyrion said, sadness tinging his voice "Thank you for letting me see Tytos before my head rolls"

Cersei fought to control her emotions as Tyrion lowered his gaze from hers and focused on Tytos once again.

"Do you regret it?" she asked "Saving my sons life?"

"Never" he said immediately, before addressing Tytos "You'll make a fine Prince. Don't be an imp like your uncle"

Cersei watched her little brother chatting to the baby for as long as she could, before her emotions threatened to overcome her.

"We should let you rest for tomorrow" Cersei said eventually, standing from the bed and retrieving a cup containing milk of the poppy

"Please don't" Tyrion said, eyeing the cup as Cersei sat on the bed once more

"It's for the best" she said

"Alright" he assented with a sigh, reaching his right hand out to take the cup

"Let me" she said, leaning forwards "you're hand isn't strong enough"

He didn't resist as Cersei poured the medicine down his throat and she quickly deposited the cup to one side.

"Goodbye Tytos" he said sleepily, before drawing his sad eyes to Cersei's face "Will you please tell Tommen and Myrcella I love them? I doubt I'll get the chance"

Her heart lurched at Tyrion's words and he settled back against the headboard not waiting for a response, eyes half closing. Cersei moved Tytos to the bottom of the bed, before grasping her little brother and lowering him to lie back in the bed. Green eyes looked at her in confusion, but were already falling closed as she pulled the covers over him once more.

"They already know" she said, brushing a hand over his golden hair "Sleep well, little brother"