chapter 158 part 2
Queen Cersei's pair of emerald eyes gleamed in the moonlight as she stared intently at Glyn's face.
"Your Grace, you are worried he will turn traitor..."
As he spoke, Glyn's eyes flickered. He looked directly at Queen Cersei. "What would you have me do?"
An almost imperceptible smile touched the corners of Queen Cersei's lips. "Your soldiers cannot remain outside the city."
Cersei knew very well that although she had successfully dealt with Robert first, a victor must be decided between the Mother Lion and the Wolf.
Queen Cersei had not lied. She had already bought Janos Slynt, the Commander of the Goldcloaks. Slynt was now the key to Cersei dealing with Lord Stark.
Janos Slynt was of common birth. Although his title was Lord, he was a lord without lands, equivalent to a hollow title, unrecognized by the nobility.
Queen Cersei had promised Lord Janos that after the matter was settled, she would reward him with the lands he had always dreamed of, legitimizing his status as a true noble.
For various reasons, the two had hit it off. But just as Queen Cersei herself had said, she would never fully trust the newly pledged Lord Janos. She needed Glyn's soldiers to keep the Goldcloaks in check. Only then would her plan be foolproof.
In the game of power, if you lose, there is only death. Cersei would stop at nothing to be the final victor.
***
Queen Cersei left a soft kiss on Glyn's cheek. She asked gently, "Glyn, have you thought of how to offer your loyalty to your Queen?"
Glyn's throat bobbed. He nodded slightly. "Your Grace, I will bribe the Captain of the City Gate. My soldiers will enter King's Landing silently and await your command at any time."
A look of satisfaction appeared on Queen Cersei's face. Her pale, slender finger tapped on the cold... heirloom chainmail Glyn was wearing.
***
***
The King's bedchamber.
Robert's voice was very weak. "Ned... I should have killed you too... can't even let a man hunt in peace... That boy Robb came to me, saying something about you wanting to capture bandits in the Westerlands... I was quite happy about it... thought there was finally a fight to be had... those people need to be taught a lesson... damn boar... the gods are punishing me..."
King Robert coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood. "Varys... Pycelle... my brothers... Ned... don't trust any of those wastes of space... my eldest son... I don't like him... but I love him... take care of Joffrey for me... help my son... don't let that woman... chatter in my son's ear all day... I only trust you..."
A sharp pain pierced Lord Eddard's heart. He murmured, "Robert..."
*Joffrey is not your son...* Lord Eddard wanted to speak the truth but couldn't bring himself to say the words. The pain Robert was enduring was written plainly on his face; he couldn't bear to add more suffering upon him.
The extreme agony King Robert was in made even speaking incredibly difficult.
"Damn it... don't look at me with that long face... it doesn't suit you... get me paper and a quill..."
With a clatter, Lord Eddard moved the small round table in the room to the bedside. He smoothed out a blank sheet of parchment and picked up the quill.
"Robert, I'm ready."
King Robert panted for a moment before speaking. "The following is the last will of Robert of House Baratheon, the First of His Name. Right... don't forget to write down all my damn titles..."
After a pause, he continued, "Hereby I name the Lord of Winterfell, current Hand of the King, Eddard of House Stark, as Regent and Warden of the Realm... after my death... to rule the Seven Kingdoms in my stead... until the heir, Joffrey, comes of age..."
The quill in Lord Eddard's hand paused for a moment. He changed "Joffrey" to "lawful heir"... The deception made Lord Eddard feel a stain upon his honor. He consoled himself that this was a lie for love... May the gods forgive him.
Lord Eddard put down the quill with a complex expression and said, "Robert, it is written."
"Give it to me to sign..."
King Robert scrawled a signature, then handed it to Lord Eddard with a trembling hand. "Ned, when I'm dead, give this to the Small Council."
Lord Eddard's tone was full of sorrow. "Robert, don't be like this. Don't leave me. The Realm needs you."
Robert squeezed his hand tightly. "Ned, you... you're a terrible liar... I know... I've been a shit king... a shit king, just like the Mad King... may the gods have mercy on me..."
Lord Eddard grieved, comforting his dying old friend, "No, you were so much better than him!"
King Robert forced a faint smile. "At least, people will say... the last thing I did in this life... was not a mistake. You won't disappoint me... this kingdom is yours now... you'll hate ruling more than I did... but you'll do a good job."
King Robert coughed up another mouthful of blood. His speech suddenly became less difficult.
"Remember to make that boar the main course at my funeral feast. Have them roast it until it's fragrant and crisp. Eat every last bit of that son of a bitch, I don't care if you burst. Promise me, Ned."
*Promise me, Ned...* Lord Eddard seemed to hear Lyanna's voice in a phantom echo.
"I promise you, Robert."
"Ned, let Joffrey become... a better man than me. Please, may the gods have pity on me."
"...I will, my friend."
King Robert seemed to relax slightly. He closed his eyes and murmured to himself, "To be killed by a boar in the end. If it didn't hurt so damn much, I'd have a good laugh."
Lord Eddard, of course, could not laugh. His face was etched with sorrow. "Robert, should I call the others back in?"
King Robert gave a weak nod. "I've had enough of that face of yours for now. Have Pycelle bring me something for the pain... Why is it so cold in here?"
***
The people waiting outside filed back into the room. Lord Eddard noticed that Queen Cersei was already gone, which was a small comfort to him... If Cersei had any sense, she should take her three children and flee the Red Keep before dawn.
King Robert did not ask of Queen Cersei's whereabouts either. He had Renly and Pycelle act as witnesses, took up the royal seal, and sealed the will Eddard had written with wax and stamp.
Then, King Robert drank a cup of milk of the poppy prepared by Maester Pycelle, down to the last drop.
Thick white drops clung to Robert's black beard. He asked, "Will I dream?"
With a heavy heart, Eddard gave him his answer. "Robert, you will have sweet dreams."
Robert smiled faintly. "Good... Ned, I will give Lyanna your regards... Help me take good care of my children."
Robert's words were like a sharp knife twisting in Eddard's heart. He didn't know what to do. He could not force himself to lie... but then he remembered Robert's bastards. He thought of Barra, still in the brothel; Mya in The Vale; Gendry, hammering at his forge.
Lord Eddard said slowly, "I will... love your children as my own."
Robert nodded and closed his eyes.
Eddard watched as the milk of the poppy washed the pain from his old friend's face. Robert sank limply into his pillow and fell into a deep sleep.
(end of chapter)