The Young Lion

Act 1 Ch 23 Flocked and Flogged

[Kings Landing City]

At the same time the small council members were being arrested, chaos was unfolding in the streets. Joffrey’s cohort, fully armed and armored, were making their way through the city streets. They moved swiftly and quickly, killing armed gold cloaks with impunity throughout the city. They then raided their houses and brothels, dragging them still in their night clothes out into the streets and beating them unconscious. Those that surrendered peacefully were taken in without incident. Those that offered resistance of any kind were dealt with swiftly. Soon the streets ran red with the gold cloak's blood. 

They didn’t stop there; they made their way to several nobleman households. They made quick work of the house guards and soon seized several lords from their beds. They were flocked and flogged and dragged by irons to the red keep. In the great hall the nobles were led by a chain each linked to the other. As they were dragged they noticed the new guards stationed at each of the pillars of the great hall wore identical armor and weapons to the ones that raided their homes.

Soon they were brought before the young king who was leaning back on his throne. His five kingsguard were stationed before him and several of the dark soldiers stood behind him as well. They were dragged and then forced to kneel at the base of the stone steps before the throne. They looked up to gaze at the young king, he wore a matching pair of black velvet doublet and trousers. His golden blonde hair was loose and reached his nape and shimmered like gold in the early morning sunlight. He wore a new crown on his head, a simple circlet of gold with square cut rubies.

The expression he had was anything from the naive and soft one they had grown used to. His face was stern and annoyed and he looked at the twelve shackled nobles like they were mere bugs. As one nobleman attempted to stand and say something the black guard yanked the chain and forced him to kneel again.

“You are not to stand unless his grace allows you to.” The guard said sternly to the old noble.

The old men quivered in their sleepwear never before had they been treated or spoken to in such a manner. Joffrey then adjusted in his seat, resting his head on his right hand.

“Do you know why you have been summoned here?” He asked them sternly.

“Your grace I don’t know-” But before the old noble could finish he was kicked in the ribs by the black guard.

“His grace asked you a question.” He said sternly as the old man wheezed out in pain.

Joffrey raised his hand ordering the guard to stand down. Which he promptly did, giving his king a slight bow as he stepped back.

“I have to apologize for my royal guards behavior, they mean well but are still new.” He said insincerely as he sat up from his throne. “Now again please tell me why you think you have been brought here?”

“We don’t have any idea, your grace.” Said one bald one.

“Indeed I have no idea either.” Said a red headed freckled one.

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They all then voiced their confusion one after the other until Joffrey grew annoyed and smashed his fist against the arm rest.

“Silence!” He bellowed his voice echoing throughout the great hall.

Suddenly his pet Gaius had gotten up and walked to the edge of the stone steps looking down on the shackled nobles. He growled and licked his lips like he was looking at some nice mutton chops. The nobles grew afraid that they were about to become some appetizers until Joffrey called him off.

“Not now Gaius.” He said in a sweet pleasant tone as he called the young lion to him. “You already had a whole deer this morning, plus I don't think they would taste very good.” He said as the lion rubbed his head against his hands.

The old nobleman felt a shiver run down their spins hearing the king's words. The lion then curled up and laid at his master’s feet after receiving pats. Joffrey looked at him with love and affection before turning his gaze back on the nobles, his expression resuming a cold serious one.

“I’ve become aware of a conspiracy to have me ousted from my throne.” He said calmly. “And I know that each one of you is a part of it.”

The men each looked on with shocked expressions.

“That's ridiculous, your grace I would never conspire against you.” Said one man kneeling.

“Neither would I, I have always been loyal to your father beloved king Robert.” Said another.

Joffrey chuckled internally at hearing the word beloved and Robert's name in the same sentence.

This continued on for some time, each man proclaiming his innocence. Joffrey raised his hand silencing the squawking old men.

“Enough” He said sternly as he looked over the men. “Lord Baelish has already told me everything.”

The men became shocked at the king's words.

“How after I created my reforms and fed my citizens at the expense of your purses, you came flocking to him to have me ousted.” He paused letting his words sink into the sweating old men.

“How you proposed the idea that when the time came you would support my “uncle” Renly’s claim over mine.” He looked over each of their reactions seeing he was close to breaking them. “He told me how he feigned supporting you in order to gain your trust and protect my interests. So I have already guaranteed him a royal pardon for his hand in this conspiracy.”

The men became shocked and began to panic internally at the king’s words.

“That fucking snake this was his idea.” One thought.

“That two bit bean counter he played me for a fool.” Another thought.

“What are they talking about? I have nothing to do with any of this.” A middle aged man thought 

Others were thinking of rather colorful words and curses for the snake that had deceived them.

“I now see you all must think me a genuine fool for not seeing you for such vile treachery.” He said leaning back onto his throne crossing one leg over the other. “Even with me knowing everything you just continue to lie and spit in my face.”

“Your majesty, it was these men who conspired against you! I was working from the inside!” One shouted.

“No I was your grace, these men are nothing but filthy traitors!” Screamed another.

“No it was me!” This continued on for sometime each man professing their loyalty and the others filthy traitors.

“Enough!”

Joffrey then slammed his fist on his armrest again silencing the bickering old men.

“I have heard enough lies for one morning.” He then turned his attention to his royal guard. “Escort the traitors to the cells, make sure they are separated and kept alive.”

The royal guard then grabbed the chain and practically dragged the men from the great hall like dogs on a leash. They continued to scream and shout as they were escorted to their holding cells. Once the hall was emptied of treacherous scum, Joffrey let out a loud sigh as he ruffled Gaius fur.

Barristan then removed his kingsguard helmet and walked up the stone steps to the king.

“Was all this really necessary, your grace?” He asked, confused. “ You knew they were guilty, why bother with this charade?”

Joffrey looked up from Gaius to his sworn shield.

“I needed to hear it from their own lips, Ser Barristan.” He said calmly. “Information is nice but information can also be misconstrued.” He said, glancing at his master of whispers hiding behind one of the hall's pillars.

“What do you plan to do with them, your grace?” 

“Those men seek to destroy the future I plan to create. What do you think should be done with them?” He asked in return.

“Death” He responded coldly.

“Yes death is definitely the answer but I believe this mess poses an opportunity.” He responded calmly.

“What opportunity?”

“An example.” He said a wicked grin growing on his face.

[The Black Cells]

Petyr Baelish was blooded and beaten, his hands chained to the wall. The cell was pitch black he couldn’t see anything in front of him. He could hear the dripping of water, and the whole cell smelled of piss and feces. He was wondering where he had gone wrong and how he could have ended up in this situation. As he was trying to rack his brain he could hear footsteps in the distance. They slowly became louder and louder as they approached. Then the large wooden door was opened and a torch nearly blinded him with its light. As the torch was put on the wall, Littlefinger's eyes adjusted to the light, and to his great surprise it was the young king paying him a visit.

Littlefinger looked on with an expression that was a mix of shock and confusion.

“Hello lord Baelish, I think we need to have a chat.” He said with a smile.