291 AC – Casterly Rock – Lyonel's Chambers
Sleep refused to come.
I was laying in my bed, staring up at the ceiling of my chamber. The fire in the hearth had burned down to embers, casting faint flickers across the room.
But the city below was screaming.
Every few minutes another explosion rolled across the water, like thunder trapped beneath the waves. Each one lit the night sky orange for a heartbeat, then faded, leaving only the glow of spreading fires. Lannisport was burning...again. The Ironborn had returned under cover of darkness, their longships slipping past the outer patrols, they set every ship docked in the port on fire and it was spreading fast.
I threw back the blankets and walked to the balcony doors. The night air was sharp with smoke when I pushed them open.
From here high in the Rock, safe behind those walls I could see everything.
The harbor was a furnace. Ships blazed at their moorings, masts collapsing in showers of sparks. Flames raced along the wharves, leaping from building to building on rooftops. Black smoke boiled upward, blotting out the stars. Tiny figures ran through the streets fleeing in blind panic and their screams carried on the wind.
I gripped the stone railing until my knuckles ached.
Greyjoys.
Those fucking squids.
The Red Keep – King's Landing – 3 Days Later
Jon Arryn entered great hall with an opened letter in his hand.
Servants moved quietly, laying out platters of bread, cheese, smoked fish, honeyed fruits, and pitchers of watered wine. Robert Baratheon sat at the high table, already halfway through a heaped plate of sausages and bread, his face unshaven and his eyes heavy from the night before. Cersei sat to his right, her gown of crimson silk cut in the new fashion that draped softly over her figure. Her belly was still small but the careful way she carried herself, the subtle hand that sometimes drifted to rest just above the curve, made the early pregnancy unmistakable to anyone who knew her well.
Myrcella who was seven moons old now sat curled in Cersei's lap, tiny hands clutching at her mother's sleeve, her black curls still soft and wispy against Cersei's chest. The baby had been restless all morning, fussing quietly until Cersei lifted her settled her there, rocking her gently with one arm while picking at a small bowl of fruit with the other. Joffrey was seated further down the table, stabbing at his food with a silver fork, scowling at a piece of fruit as though it had personally offended him.
Ser Jaime Lannister and Ser Barristan Selmy stood on guard duty. Barristan close to Robert's right, Jaime on the other side of table. Both of them were silent statues scanning the hall. Jaime's gaze was cool and distant, though it softened fractionally whenever it drifted toward Myrcella in Cersei's arms. Barristan's face was as composed as ever.
"Your Grace," Jon said quietly.
Robert looked up, mouth full, chewing slowly. "What now, Jon? Can't a man eat his breakfast in peace?"
Jon lifted the letter slightly. "From Tywin Lannister, Your Grace. It arrived by raven at first light. I have already read it."
Robert swallowed, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and gestured for Jon to continue.
Jon spoke clearly, voice steady.
"Lannisport is on fire. The Ironborn have begun open rebellion. Balon Greyjoy has declared himself King of the Iron Islands. They struck the docks with fire and explosives. The city burns. Prince Lyonel was in Lannisport when the attack began but was escorted back unharmed. The Rock is secure and cannot be taken."
The hall went still.
Robert's hand closed around his flagon, knuckles white. The metal groaned.
Cersei's fork clattered to the table. One hand flew instinctively to the small, rounded swell beneath her gown while the other tightened around Myrcella, pulling the baby closer against her chest. Myrcella whimpered softly at the sudden movement, tiny fingers curling into Cersei's sleeve. Cersei turned sharply, face pale.
"What about my son?" she demanded, voice sharp enough to cut glass. "Is Lyonel safe?"
Ser Jaime Lannister had gone very still. His hand rested on his sword hilt and his knuckles turned white. His eyes burned with a cold rage that made the nearest servant take an involuntary step back. He did not speak, but the fury radiating from him was almost palpable.
Ser Barristan Selmy had drawn himself up to his full height. His face remained composed, but his jaw clenched so tightly a muscle jumped in his cheek.
Jon inclined his head. "Prince Lyonel was in Lannisport when the attack began but was escorted back unharmed."
Cersei exhaled, one hand pressing to her chest. "Thank the gods."
Jon paused, then continued, his voice growing graver. "There is more, Your Grace. Lord Tywin reports that during the attack, Ser Boros Blount failed to protect the prince. He abandoned his duty and tried to flee while an enemy was attacking Prince Lyonel."
The hall, already silent, seemed to freeze.
Robert's face went from red to purple. "He what?" he roared, slamming a fist on the table so hard the platters jumped and wine spilled from the pitchers. "That craven dog! I'll have his head! I'll strip him of his cloak and feed him to the hounds!"
Cersei's eyes widened in shock and disgust. "He tried to run? While my son was in danger? It's his duty to protect him!"
Jaime's composure cracked for the first time. His lip curled in contempt, his green eyes flashing with pure loathing. He stepped forward half a pace, hand gripping his sword hilt so tightly the leather creaked.
Barristan's face went from composed to thunderous, his jaw tightening further. "To flee… to abandon a prince Lyonel in the face of the enemy… it is unforgivable. He has shamed us all."
Robert stood slowly his chair scraped back with a harsh sound. His eyes full of rage locked on Jon Arryn.
"Send ravens to all the lords." he said, voice low and cold. "Tell them to muster at once and march for Casterly Rock. Send a raven to Winterfell first. I want Ned by my side when we go kill those fucking squids."
He turned toward the door, already moving.
Jon stepped forward. "Your Grace, the lords will need time to..."
Robert rounded on him, eyes blazing. "They'll have time on the march. I want them moving yesterday. Make preparations for us to leave quickly. If you need me, I'll be in the training yard."
He strode past Jon without another word.
Cersei stared after him, stunned. Robert Baratheon had not set foot in the training yard since the day he took the throne.
Jon Arryn cleared his throat. "I will see to it that measters send all the ravens with the summons, Your Grace."
Cersei nodded absently, still staring at the empty doorway.
The Red Keep Courtyard - Month Later
Cersei's POV
The sun had barely risen when the royal party assembled in the outer yard.
Robert already in his legendary armor and his warhammer hung at his belt. His eyes were burning with a fury Cersei had not seen in years.
Beside him stood Ser Jaime Lannister focused but with clear anger behind his eyes.
On Robert's other side was Ser Barristan Selmy who's gaze every so often flickered toward the horizon, betraying the tension beneath his calmness.
Cersei stepped forward as Robert walked to his horse.
"Robert."
He paused, turning to face her. His eyes were cold and full of fury but when they met hers he saw the same fury mirrored in her gaze.
"Make sure they pay for this," she said, with a fierce voice. "Make sure they all pay Robert, they nearly hurt our son."
Robert stared at her for a long moment.
Then he nodded once and embraced her in an awkward hug.
"Don't worry, Cersei I'm going to do just that and when I'm done with them, I'll bring Lyonel back home."
At that moment when she stared at his broad shoulders, for one heartbeat she almost believed the man in front of her was the Robert she had married the Demon of the Trident, His back was still wide, but no longer so heavily muscled as it once had been. A layer of fat had softened the hard lines she remembered. Yet in this moment he looked almost like that younger man again.
She swallowed, then spoke the words she never thought she would say to him again.
"Thank you. And… be careful too… husband."
Robert stared at her, surprised. Then he laughed genuine, deep, the laugh she had not heard from him for years, the last time she heard it was the day their firstborn was born.
"I will be back in one piece, wife."
He got on his horse and raised a his hand.
"Let's move out!"
The column surged forward knights, men-at-arms, squires, Baratheon banners snapping in the morning breeze. Robert rode at the head, Jaime and Barristan flanking him, the royal standard streaming behind.
Cersei watched until they passed beneath the gate and disappeared down the Kingsroad.
Then she turned away, clutching her onto her dress.
"Please come back safely, both of you."