Post by joffrey on Aug 18, 2012 1:26:26 GMT -5
Joffrey Baratheon's Post
”Hound are we there yet?” the young king spat at his body guard in apparent frustration. The boy was a long ways from the safety of the Red Keep and its gold cloaks. The war was on the horizon. It seemed everyone was eager to get their greedy hands on what was rightfully his, the Iron Throne. Rumors of the mother of Dragons in Dorne, the direwolves of the North had begun south wards as the Baratheon brothers and house Tyrell raced to see who would be first to slay the boy king and sit upon the throne made of smelted swords of lords that had sworn allegiance to the king, the rightful king.
”We are close your grace” the hound said in his cold tone brushing a long strand of hair from over his right eye placing it over the burn that he had received as a child. The king did not keep the disgusting idiot as a guard for his looks or his intellect. The hound was a brutal killing machine. The man himself could take down a small army without breaking a sweat. Thankfully they had not encountered any resistance on the way up as the river lords were too busy fighting for their lives against Jamie.
”Good I grow weary of sleeping in tents on a bedroll. A king deserves the pleasures that is his to take, not the simplicity or some northern barbarian.” he snarled as looked at the troops and Kings Guard around him. While it was no where near the size of his uncles armies the small entourage was sworn to him and they would all die before they let anyone put a hand on Joffrey. Growling he slammed his heels into the sides of his horse causing it to let out a sudden breath and a neigh of pain as it began to move forward with speed.
The sun was beginning to set. Night was coming and Joffrey could not take another night in a tent with the sound of his troops yelling and drinking amongst them selves and the howls of wild beasts that reminded him to much of the direwolf that nearly killed him on the kings road. ”Hound are you sure we are near the Twins!? Or are you so stupid that you cannot tell direction or time?!” he growled looking behind him at his bodyguard that road a chestnut colored horse. He would have rather had someone else deal with the Lord of the Crossing but who was there to trust. Littlefinger? The man had always had a crush on the traitors wife he could not be trusted. The ball less one? No he was only useful where he could get the songs and letters of his birds. He was not going to let his drunkard of a mother deal with this situation. She would get drunk off a few mugs of summerwine then proceed to bed the “late” Lord Frey and then be with child, an ugly disgusting child. It was up to him now to keep his kingdom in one piece before anyone with just a drop of noble blood thought they could rule the kingdom.
Leaving the woods Joffrey stopped his horse as he gazed upon the two identical stone towers. The twins, the crossing between the south and the north. The Starks would need to cross this ugly bridge in order to reach the south. Thankfully with his wits and the persuasion of his council he went to gain the Lord of the Crossings allegiance. The old man always wanted to be on the winning side he was always cautious or that’s what the Maester at the Red Keep told him. Either way he needed to get the old man to join his side or stop anything going North or coming south from going through the two stone sentinels that reflected against the waters of the trident. ”Come let us get this over with before the traitors arrive. he said coldly biting his lip frightened. He was king but he was scared. The Frey’s could easily sell him to the Stark’s and they would have him killed. Still he needed to be strong. He needed to let the Fury of the Baratheon and the roar of the Lannister come forth and get what he wanted.
Riding his horse to the Western tower one of his guards blew a horn that echoed into the distance. The Frey’s now knew that Joffrey was coming to meet them a much more dreaded encounter then the winter that was riding south to meet them. Reaching the Western tower the old man, a few of his family and his guards were already there to meet them. The white cloaked kings guard road ahead of Joffrey dismounting their horses and forming two parallel lines. Reaching his guards he got off his horse his feet landing on the hard cold stone of the bridge. “All hail Joffrey of House Baratheon the first of His Name King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm” the guard yelled aloud as Joffrey walked between the two walls of his Kings guard that then proceeded to follow him and spread out in a line behind him. Looking at Lord Frey and his kin Joffrey could not help but have a look of disgust on his face. They were ugly. None of them looked mildly attractive at all. And worst of all only a few of them were bowing.
”Why are you not bowing? Do you not know that I am your king?” he growled looking at Lord Frey. ”And according to ravens I have received from Dragon stone you are not king. Only a Lannister bastard born of incest like some Targaryen. Now who and I to believe? It is not like anyone, Stark, Tully, Martell, Lannister has ever given a shit about me or my house till now when the twins is what stands between their enemies. “ the old frail man said letting out a hump as he shook his head. Always spiting upon my family, never attending a wedding, never willing to take one of the many ungrateful brats that are my children. And now you want me to help you? I think not. I could easily sell you to the Starks, get on their good side and maybe live my days out in peace with a fair looking lady on my right and my left.” Walder said as he grabbed his young wifes ass.
”Father please, this is the king. Please show some curtiosty he commands the power of house Lannister” one of Lord Frey’s sons said in concern only to have his father make a hand gesture. ”They never have given us any respect to speak of and you want me to give them what they do not give us” he said looking at his son and the rest of his family. Letting out a deep sigh he rolled his eyes and fell to one knee. ”I am pleased to see you your GRACE” he said before getting up and looking back at his family.”Now all of yea save for my wife get out of here yea gotta get supper going, I’m hungry and have someone bring me a flask of ale.” he shouted as he shooed his remaining family away as his wife looked at Joffrey grinning showing that she was missing teeth as she twirled her greasy hair in her fingers attempting to turn Joffrey on. The young king glanced at the young woman shuddering in disgust. He would not want to take that thing to bed. He would not even give her to the Hound to play with as she was that disgusting of a creature.
”So what is the meaning of this your “grace”?” the Late Lord Frey asked as he nodded at a servant that had brought the flask of ale as he commanded. Taking the flask he drank straight from it looking at Joffrey waiting to reply. ”I have come to see your allegiance….on the winning side of this war.” Joffrey said taking a step forward towards Walder, the golden grown glistening in the ruby red setting sun. ”Hound bring me wine” Joffrey commanded watching his large brutal personal guard leave his side and go to a horse grabbing a skin of summer wine. Taking the skin into his hand he took a drink of the sweet liquid and took in a breath letting the sensation caused by the alcohol take its toll.
”Let me ask you Lord Frey……When was the last time the Starks or the Tully’s have done anything for your house?” Joffrey asked before he took another pull from his skin and put the cork back in handing it to the Hound. ”Take it back to my saddle bag. I will no longer be requiring it for the moment.” he said as he watched the Hound walk back to Joffrey’s horse placing the skin into a saddle bag before returing to the kings side. ”Never, never have they done anything for my house. As has House Lannister and house Baratheon. All your houses look upon mine like I am a pile of shit on your clean and shiny armor boy. I don’t like the lot of yea” Frey said turning looking over a side of the bridge as he took another pull from his flagon.
”Do you wish to know why Lord Frey?” Joffrey asked curiously as he began to open the webs of lies and deceit just as his small council and his mother had told him to. ”Because my family does not look worthy enough to be seen in the halls of the Red Keep or Casterly rock.” the old man snarled in reply shaking his head in shame and taking another pull from his glass. ”No that is not the case, my grandfather wished to have closer ties with House Frey. But what would House Stark say? What would House Tully said if Walder of House Frey Lord of the Twins became close with House Lannister. They would accuse you of plotting against them. Giving House Lannister control of the Twins blocking all passage north and South.” Joffrey said coldly walking up behind Walder as the old man gazed the what remained of the setting sun over the Trident. ”Would you risk a war over that? Would you risk your own flesh and blood dying because it brought our great houses closer” Joffrey asked.
”My grandfather is a wise and honorable man. He did not wish to see your house brought to harm by marrying off your children to Lannister blood. And thankfully he did not. What do you think the “king of the north” would do with you had married a Lannister and had children with Lannister blood?” Joffrey asked getting closer to the old man. They would butcher them all even in their sleep, bound helpless to fight back. Joffrey stated finally standing beside the aging man.
”However I am not like them. I am not some cruel barbarian from the north bent on so called honor and revenge. I am a merciful leader and I will see that those that stay by my side till all opposition is dead will be rewarded greatly. “ the young king said as he clasped his hands behind his back. ”My maester and my mother have told my you are a man that values the loyalty of his family. Lannister’s do not turn upon another. We are a pack of lions we will take anyone that wishes to follow our pride. And we will have what is ours as will you.” Joffrey said as turned to the Hound that handed him a piece of paper with the royal seal. ”Here is an agreement suggested by my council. However they are not wise and not king so I can change the agreement if need be.” he stated as he handed the piece of paper to Walder. ”I am offering you a way to protect your family and gain more power, more riches then you can possibly imagine.” he said as he watched the Lord of the Crossing look over the paper.
”In return to swearing fealty to myself the true king of the Iron Throne and blocking all access Northbound or Southbound over the Trident, including the Nightwatch and the Maesters of the Citadel, only allowing my troops to go as they please I swear that you will be appointed the warden of the Riverlands and the Northern most reaches of the neck if you so desire. Also I offer my younger brother to be married to any of your daughters when he comes of age. Joffrey said sternly as he watched the Walder nod his head.
Finishing reading the paper Walder rolled it back up and slapped the paper against his left palm. ”And what of you your grace? Are you too good to marry one of my daughters or do you prefer the company of men?” he asked coldly his eyes and face weathered by the hands of time looking at Joffrey in a deep gaze.
Taking in a breath Joffrey exhaled and opened his mouth to reply. ”No I am not that was the agreement my council came up with however I am willing to add more to it.” he said coldly his blue orbs pericing through the old mans withered flesh. ” I was Betrothed to Sansa of house Stark. However with her family becoming traitors and trying to seize the throne for themselves.” he stated before biting his lip. ”The High Septon has assured me that the agreement is void as of the traitorous deeds. While I would take one of your daughters I do not wish to place them in danger at Kings Landings. Instead I will give you Sansa Stark to marry yourself or to whomever you choose. Her presence at the Twins will make sure that your castle is untouched by their attacks until I am dealt with. And when the war is over and the sons of traitors executed or exiled your choice of a son will be bestowed a house of his own in the Westernlands.” he said pushing a small pebble on the bridge into the water watching ripples form.
What was seconds felt like eternity as the Lord of the crossing looked at the paper reading it over one last time before he rolled it up once again. ”I will only agree to your agreement if you take one of my sons as a squire and let one of my other ones be a squire for your uncle Jamie.” the old man said bitterly as he glared at Joffrey causing the young man to become frightened. Building up the roar of the Lannister he let out a chuckle shaking his head. Joffrey did not wish to have a squire however if it meant keeping the northern troops from crossing the twins then so be it. Hopefully the squire would die of some natural cause. ”So be it then” Joffrey said straighting himself. I Joffrey Baratheon, first of my name King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, hereby appoint Walder Frey of house Frey Lord of the Crossing and the Trident as the True Warden of the River lands.” Joffrey said aloud as the House Frey guards and Joffrey’s troops cheered.
The kings smile soon faded and turned into that of seriousness. Hound, take his wife. Send her back to Kings Landing with two of your most trust worthy guards.” Joffrey said cruely as the hound grabbed Walder’s wife and put her on a horse. ”What are you doing!?” Walder asked frantically and angry. ”Remember old man. The Lannister’s always pay their debts and so will I as you are loyal to your true king. Consider your wife to be extra assurance of this agreement. Once the Stark forces are all destroyed you will have her back. She will be safer in Kings Landing and I pray to the seven that you do not back out of this agreement or else she will pay the price with her blood. Letting out a sigh of relief he over at Walder, who now looked upset. ”Your King requires a place to stay the night and meat of a boar to feast upon. I expect the ravens will be sent to your banner men soon.” Joffrey asked with a smile. ”hound bring me wine and some for the new Warden of the Riverlands.” he said watching the large man go back to the saddle bag grabbing to skins of wine and handing them to Joffrey. The young king put one into Walder Frey’s shacking hands. ”Do not worry Sansa will have her blood soon and you can do whatever you want with her instead of that vile creature.” he commented letting out a laugh. The first step of the plan was done. The next few were going to be difficult. Could he tame the Kraken as he did the old man of the twins?