Ari Lannister (game of thrones)

Chapter 27: The Boar and The Stag

By rights she had no business there. She was the queen's sister. And a dear friend to the kings own brother. But she shouldn't have been there. She only was, because Cersei had forced her. The kings own hand wasn't even there, yet there stood Ari standing dimly at the end of the large bed, watching Robert 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 clinging on to his life with all the strength he had left. He had been a terrible king. But what was to follow? Joffrey. Perhaps an even worse king than his 'father'? Joffrey wasn't actually the king's son which would make Stannis the true heir. But Stannis as king is out of the question. What then? Renly? Tommen?

"Lord Eddard stark, the hand of the king," announced Ser Barristan Selmy.
"Bring him here," Roberts's voice called, thick with mingled fear.
When Eddard walked in he was soaked in the red blare from the fire. Renly stopped pacing for a second to look at him, then swiftly continued after nodding.
"Ned," the king whispered when he saw him. His face pale as milk. "Come... closer."
He did, resting his weight on the bed post. "What...?" he began, his throat clenched audibly.
"A boar." Renly was still, like the king, in his hunting garb. The fine green masked with blood.
"A devil," the king husked. "My own fault, too much wine. Missed my trust." Cersei shifted slightly.
"And where were the rest of you?" Ned demanded. "Where was the bloody king's guard?"
"My brother commanded us to stand down, and let him take the boar alone." Ned lifted the blanket. The hideous smell intensified. Ari gasped when she saw the black gash. "Seven hells." She said.
The king laughed at her. "Stinks, doesn't it?" he was watching her. She just nodded feeling as weak as a child. "The smell of death. I paid the buggar back Ned, for the feast." His smile was as terrible as his wound. "Now leave us, I wish to speak to the hand alone."
"My sweet lord..."
"Out woman, now." Cersei picked up her skirts and left, Ari and Renly following.

Once outside Cersei kissed both Renly and Ari sweetly on the cheeks. "Dear sister, and brother I am going to comfort my children, please get me if his condition changes."
"Of course." Renly said slightly too dark. Time passed, no one spoke a single word. Then Eddard came out, everything that was aid was a blur to Ari, apart from Renly asking him for a word, alone. They walked off and Ari choosing family over friendship followed.

"My lord I have thirty men as my personal guard, and more and more friends. Give me an hour I can have more than a hundred swords in your hand."
"And what should I do with a hundred swords?" Lord stark aid cooly.
"Strike, now while the castle sleeps. We must get Joffrey away from his mother, who ever holds the king holds the kingdom. We should get the others too, then Cersei wouldn't dare appose us. The council will confirm you as lord protector and make Joffrey your ward. The Lannister's need to be stopped before they start"
"Robert is not dead yet. The gods may spare him, if not I shall convene the council to the kings last words and the matter of succession. I will not drag frightened children from there beds." Ari had heard enough. Turning around she marched to the queens rooms.

She didn't knock, but as she walked in she said "it's me, are you alone?"
"the children are sleeping, I had them brought near me." Cersei sounded stressed.
"Okay good. Make sure they stay there, I've just heard Renly asking Lord stark to rip the children away from you." The room was oldly cool, though the fires where blazing.
Cersei was holding herself weakly. "Has stark told Robert?"
"No, I think he felt too bad."
She laughed and pulled her sister into a hug. "We need to be ready for what's ought to happen next."
"I know, the game of thrones is starting again."
Cersei sighed. "It never stops."