[King’s Landing - Red Keep, Small Council Chamber]
Cersei sat in her chair, an angry expression on her face. At the table was Maester Pycelle, Qyburn, Mace Tyrell, and an empty chair. Aelinor was not present. Instead, she opted to spend the time with her son.
"The Iron Bank has called one tenth of the Crown's debts. Given the expense of rebuilding the royal-" Mace began.
"How much can the Crown afford?" Cersei asked.
"With winter coming, half what they ask. Less."
"You're the Master of Coin. How do we pay them?"
"Well, House Tyrell could front the gold, and the the Crown will pay us back in time, or I'll have words with my daughter." He smiled, as if he was expecting a laugh.
Qyburn and Pycelle both looked down and Mace’s smile faded. Though, Cersei put on one of her own.
"You've already given us too much." She stood up and walked to one of the windows. "No, we must arrange better terms with the Iron Bank."
"Absolutely."
"In person."
He looked at her surprised. "Me?" He asked, and Qyburn smiled.
"We must send an envoy to the Iron Bank, someone of importance, to show these bankers our respect. As the King's Master of Coin, I can think of no one more qualified."
"I will be honored, Your Grace."
"The King has expressed concern about his father-in-law's safety on this voyage." She smiled. "He's ordered Ser Meryn to personally lead your escort.
Ser Meryn walked into the room. Mace turned to look at him, and then back at Cersei.
"My very own Kingsguard? Please express-"
"Safe travels, Lord Tyrell." She cut him off.
"Of course, of course," he said, hands raised, before he stood up and began gathering his belongings. "I'll give your regards to the Titan of Braavos."
Mace laughed and Qyburn looked down, lightly chuckling. Mace exited, followed by Ser Meryn.
"The Small Council grows smaller and smaller." Pycelle commented.
"Not small enough." Cersei said, walking out.
She needed to get to her meeting with the High Sparrow.
Pycelle watched her leave.
[High Sparrow’s Chamber]
A note laid on the desk, stamped with the seal of the High Sparrow. The High Sparrow sat behind his desk, across from Cersei.
She poured a glass of wine. "May I offer you some wine, Your Holiness?"
"No." He smiled.
Cersei looked unsure, almost having expected him to say yes. After a moment she smiled and pushed the wine away.
"The old High Septon would have asked the vintage." She smiled.
"I could say that our minds are temples to the Seven and should be kept pure. But the truth is," He chuckled. "I don't like the taste."
"Hmm."
"How may I serve?" The High Sparrow said after a moment.
"All over Westeros we hear about septs being burned. Silent sisters raped. Bodies of holy men piled in the streets."
"Wars teach people to obey the sword, not the Gods."
"Perhaps the Gods need a sword of their own." The High Sparrow raised an eyebrow. "In the days before the Targaryens, the Faith Militant dispensed the justice of the Seven."
"Well, the Faith Militant was disarmed more than two centuries ago."
"If I explain the holy purpose to my son, the king, I have no doubt he will sign a decree arming the believers you felt worthy."
"An army that defends the bodies and souls of the common people."
"An army and service to the Gods themselves. And to you, of course. As the chosen representative of the Seven.
"An honour I nevr expected. Or indeed, ever wished for."
"Which is why you were chosen." He smiled at her words. "You and I both know how the world works. Too often the wicked are the wealthiest, beyond the reach of justice. The king himself cannot alwys punish those who deserve it most."
"All sinners are equal before the Gods."
Cersei smiled. "What would you say if I told you we have a great sinner in our very midst? Shielded by gold and privilege."
"May the Father judge them justly." He smiled, which Cersei returned.
Thus far, everything was going to plan. She had given him some liberty in punishing criminals and "sinners" and now he would help her bring down House Tyrell.
She had already sent Mace away from the Capital. Next was Loras. Then, Margaery would be all alone and much easier to deal with.
[Streets Of King's Landing]
A group of Faith Militant, wearing black robes and chains, walked down the street. Many nearby people chattered amongst themselves as they looked on, watching as the men began breaking open casks of wine. The people soon began screaming. One threw some men out of a building, wine from the broken casks flowing down some steps.
Elsewhere, in a room, a man in pain, sweating heavily and biting down on a piece of cloth. Someone begins carving something on his forehead, and his hand scratched and clawed at the table in front of him.
Outside, the Faith Militant began destroying a marketplace, smashing things for sale, flipping over tables, and attacking merchants. One merchant, laying on the ground, looked up at some gold cloaks on a castle wall.
"Help me! Help me!" He pleaded.
The gold cloaks turned around, ignoring him.
The man in the room continued to sweat and bite down on the cloth. His face trembled as the symbol continued to be carved.
[King's Landing - Brothel]
A prostitute was attending to a client when some Faith Militant walked in, interrupting them. She shrieked as one of them grabbed her by the hair and pulled her off of the man. Another entered the room, grinning and struck the man with a stick. The prostitute was forced out of the room.
Some more men interrupted an orgy. Two women started screaming as they began beating some of the participants, and taking others out of the room. Olyvar attempted to confront a member of the Faith Militant as the man dragged out a prostitute.
"This is Lord Petyr Baelish's establishment." He told the man, his voice full of anger.
The man elbowed Olyvar in the face and continued on his way.
After most of the Faith Militant were gone, Olyvar heard a scream. He walked towards the source of the scream, blood running from his nose, and heard another scream.
"Cocksucker!" One of the Faith Militant yelled as the man he was attacking screamed. "Boy fucker! You barbaric filth! There's a special place in the Seventh Hell for your kind."
Olyvar stood just outside the doorway of a large room. Inside, a group of militants, most of them armed, stood around a male prostitute and his male client. Both were naked and bloody on the floor.
"Please, please, I'll pay! I'll pay all of you."
The militant who appeared to be in charge pulled out a knife. "Yes, you will. Seize him!"
The client began crying. Olyvar backed out of the doorway and began running away when he heard the client scream.
In the unknown room, someone finished carving the symbol on the man’s head. The carver walked away and the man, revealed to be Lancel Lannister, sat up, breathing heavily. The symbol on his forehead was the symbol of the Faith Militant.
[King's Landing - Red Keep, Aelinor's Chambers]
Aelinor had been sitting in her chambers next to her son when Dyanna burst into the room, embroidering a blanket for him.
She looked up to see a frantic look on her handmaiden's face.
"Dyanna? What is it?"
"There was an incident in the courtyard." Aelinor gestured for her to continue. "Ser Ashford assaulted Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard."
"What?!" She shouted, causing her son to wake, crying. "Oh, my love." She picked him up and began rocking him. "I'm sorry I scared you. Shh, it's okay. Mommy's sorry."
She peppered a few kisses on his face and continued rocking him until he calmed.
"Why would he do that?"
"Apparently, as he was leaving to escort Lord Tyrell to Braavos, Ser Trant made some inappropriate comments about you and your relationship with Ser Ashford. Going as far as to claim Aegar is his son."
"Are you serious?" She scoffed. "I nevr liked that cunt. What right does he think he has to spread rumours regarding my son's legitimacy?"
"It matters not." Dyanna told her. "Ser Ashford has been stripped of his title of Commander of the City Watch, and ordered back to Ashford, by order of the King."
Aelinor shook her head. "It's one thing after another. It nevr stops in the Capital. First my mother sends Willem to Dorne with my uncle and Bronn. Now my brother sends my family's protector away."
Once Ser Fowler had left to Dorne with Jaime and Bronn, Ser Ashford had assumed his duties as her protector, in addition to his command of the City Watch.
"That is not all. The Faith Militant is resurgent. I've been told they stormed the streets of King's Landing and brothels. Destroying wares, attacking merchants, prostitutes and clients."
"I told my mother this was a bad idea. They've gotten a taste of power and are now willing to exercise that power however they see fit.
After Dyanna had left, Aelinor, with her son in one arm, sat down and began writing a letter to Eleanor.
Dear Eleanor,
I'm sorry it has been so long since we last spoke or wrote one another.
I hope you and Jacearys are happy and healthy. I cannot wait to meet your son or daughter. Perhaps our children will become the best of friends, like us.
So much has happened since you left to Driftmark.
I have a son, Aegar. He is perfect; ten fingers and ten toes. He has his father's hair, but my eyes.
Joffrey died and Tyrion was nearly killed for it. Prince Oberyn fought for Tyrion and now lies unconscious in Dorne. Tyrion was released by my uncle Jaime and killed his father. Margaery married Tommen, and is now Queen. My mother sent Willem with Jaime and Tyrion's sellsword to deliver the skull of the Mountain.
But, worst of all, my mother has rearmed the Faith Militant. They are led by someone called the High Sparrow. My mother's cousin, Lancel, has joined them. These men are fanatics. I'm sorry. I know you worship the Seven, but these men have shown such little regard for the lives and safety of others. Anything they view as a sin or threat to the Faith, they are not shy in attacking. Be it people or places of business.
I fear for the safety of my family. My mother is so determined to bring down the Tyrells because of some prophecy she was told as a child by a Wood Witch.
She is only thinking short term. Our family has all sorts of rumours surrounding it. Rumours that could turn these fanatics against us, if she's not careful.
With Loras, my place is in King's Landing.
Before the trial by combat, I planned to visit Dorne so Myrcella could meet her nephew and I could meet the Sand Snakes, but with Joffrey's death, my mother has become determined to have her children nearby. It's why she sent Jaime. Though he only has one hand (it was cut off by some man), she wants him to bring my sister home. Th
If anything happens to me, please promise me you will look after Aegar. I'm doing my best, but I believe it's only a matter of time before the Faith Militant and High Sparrow's attention turns to the royal family.
All are equal in their eyes, meaning all are made to answer for all crimes, real or imagined.
If this happens, I hope to hear from you. Hopefully before, but I know you have a family you must look after now.
All my best wishes to you and Jacearys and your child or children.
I thank you for your years of faithful companionship. I don't think I would have been able to keep myself together in the way I have had I not met you.
You helped me balance my fury and helped me see that I did not need to be on guard like my mother. But, you also helped me realize that trust can be a dangerous tool. You've nevr given me a reason not to trust you and I hope we will see each other again soon.
I love you,
Aelinor
Aelinor hadn't realized she was crying until a tear fell onto her parchment.
Setting down her quill, she used her free hand to clean her face, before sealing her letter and setting it aside to be delivered.
Aegar was reclined in his mother's arm, content, but with a confused expression on his face.
She leaned down and kissed his forehead.
"Don't worry my baby boy. I will kill before I let anyone harm you. Should they tempt my fury, they will be met with blood."
Of course Aegar was oblivious to what his mother had just promised him.
A blissful ignorance Aelinor wished she could return to.
She returned to rocking him until he fell asleep.
A knock on the door caught her attention.
Instead of calling out, she stood and opened the door herself.
It was Ser Ashford.
She stepped aside, allowing him to enter.
"I suppose you've heard," he whispered and she nodded, not looking away from their son. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let that cunt Trant get the better of me." He sighed. "Now I am set to return to Ashford. I don't know when or if we'll see each other again. For his sake, I hope we do."
He leaned down and kissed his son on the forehead.
"When we meet again, I will be a stranger."
He tried to look at Aelinor who refused to meet his gaze. She didn't trust herself not to break down.
Everyone was leaving. Soon, she'd be the only one to protect her son.
Yes, she had Loras, but as her mother said, he was hardly around.
That, and the fact her mother was actively plotting against his family.
How long before she lost Loras as well?