[Throne Room]
The heavy doors of the throne room opened wide as Eddard Stark walked in with his guards. His face was calm, but his eyes were sharp. He knew that what he was doing wasn't wise. This would definitely put a target on his back—if not, he might even lose his life here in the south. Not even his bones would reach the North. But he had to do it. His honor wouldn't let him just sit by and let a bastard take the Seven Kingdoms for himself. In his hands, he held a rolled letter—King Robert's final order, naming him Protector of the Realm until the true heir was of age.
Well, of course he changed the last words of his friend, but only to keep the realm secured.
On the Iron Throne sat Joffrey Baratheon, dressed in royal colors, a smug look on his young face. The Queen stood proudly beside him. Lords and knights lined the hall, many unsure of what was about to unfold.
Ned didn't bow. He walked straight to the center of the room.
"I come with the last command of King Robert Baratheon," Ned said loudly so all could hear. "His final words, sealed by his hand."
Ned looked at Ser Barristan Selmy, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. "I believe no one could question your honor in this room, Ser Barristan. I ask you to read the letter."
Barristan stepped forward, took the letter, and broke the seal. He read the words aloud, his voice clear and steady. When he reached the part naming Ned as Protector of the Realm, the hall fell silent.
Cersei's face hardened. She stepped forward, her eyes cold.
"Give me that letter," she demanded.
Barristan hesitated but handed it over.
Without blinking, Cersei tore it in half. Then again.
"But those were the king's last words," Ned Stark said with a little stunned face.
"The king is dead," she said. "We have a new king now."
Ned took a step forward. "I won't let that happen."
"Then you are a traitor," Cersei replied without any emotion in her words.
The Queen kept on staring at Ned, but he didn't back down and went on to tell the truth about Joffrey's real parentage. Of course, this led to Joffrey asking for his head. Tension rose in the room.
However, even Cersei knew this that only this much wasn't enough to capture a lord paramount of north and take him hostage. So, she had to go a little further. That when she did what Thor was dreading the most from the moment he learn that Robert was poisoned.
Put the blame on Stark. A little false accusation here and wrong put blame there, she all but announce Ned Stark as a Kingslayer.
With a single motion, the Queen signaled. Swords were drawn. The white cloaks of the Kingsguard turned on Ned. His northern men raised their blades in response.
Steel clashed.
The throne room erupted into chaos.
Ned fought to protect himself, but he saw that they were outnumbered. One by one, his men fell. Now that he thinks about it, maybe Thor being here would have really helped. But for him, his daughters' safety was more important than his own life.
Knowing that with Thor on their side, they would be safe, he was relieved. He didn't wish this to happen, but the fight was inevitable. The war coming would have been inevitable. His heart was still in conflict, however. Ned Stark still did what he has been doing his entire life—do what his honor tells him is just.
He saw his men dying. He brought them to their death. A sense of guilt spread onto him. He knew that even if he won, the outcome would be bloodied, and winning was unlikely. He brought all his men—northern men—to their deaths.
"Capture him! I'll have his head! Bring me his head!" shouted Joffrey, pointing at Ned Stark, who was struggling now—he was outnumbered.
Cersei, hearing this, immediately tensed up. She might be just as crazy as her son; however, even she knew what would happen if Ned Stark were to die here. War would start. And unlike how she behaves, she knows that there are not many kingdoms who really support the Baratheon rule completely like they used to with Targaryen. They still needed North's support.
She had to stop her lion from doing that. Not to mention she was also worried about where Thor was. By now, even the entire King's Landing knew that Thor might as well be the mightiest warrior the Seven Kingdoms has ever seen.
She definitely wasn't over-exaggerating because she got hot for him. So, him not being here unnerves her. In fact, she was especially worried about Thor. If he really fights, would anyone be able to stop him?
Ned Stark sighed. He knew his outcome—knew it even before he entered the Throne Room. He should have listened to Thor, but even now, he didn't regret anything. Nothing but one: that he brought his daughters to the south. Now he could only hope that Thor kept them safe.
"Surely the Old Gods won't be that cruel to demand my children's lives..."
…
Thor had never felt the walls of King's Landing close in on him as much as they did now.
'These soilders are acting like it wasn't one man died but an entire army, and the next second the city would be encased.' Thor grumbled with irritation.
With King Robert dead and the crown already slipping into Cersei's claws, every gate of the capital was sealed tight. Soldiers patrolled like hounds sniffing for prey.
He was half sure that this was part vigilance and part haste done by Cersei. Not letting anyone in or out of the capital so most lords present could quickly give their oath of fealty, not giving them any chance to flea.
And to even Thor's amazement, Renly Baratheon was able to elope right under her noise.
'Huh… she could have been sneering thinking of this…' He smirked.
Though, he has to find his own way out now. He had two thoughts about breaking through by force, but that would only draw too much attention and place the Stark girls in even greater danger.
He can beat most, but doing that while protecting two girls. That's not what he was confident to do.
He needed a quieter path, a hidden way. And for that, there was only one man who came to mind.
Varys.
If there was one man,… one "Eunuch" in the king's landing who could smuggle them out then it has to be the spider.
Finding the Spider wasn't simple though, he could have been anywhere at this time.
But Thor was persistent.
Took him better part of the night to track the lost Eunuch out of his living quarter, but ultimately he found the bald in one of the may gardens around the giant castle, muttering with his birds again.
"My lord Thor," Varys greeted softly, folding his hands into his sleeves. "I had a feeling you would come to me, sooner or later."
"I hope so, if I didn't made myself clear only few hours before. Oh, how the time changes, fess minute and I found the world have lost me." Thor muttered with indignation.
"Very true my lord. Do tell, how I be of help." Varys was looking more composed now atleast.
"The Stark girls. I need them out of this pit before the vipers sink their fangs into them. Every gate is shut. I need another way."
Varys tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "A noble intent. Dangerous, too. The queen has her eyes fixed firmly on them… and on you."
'Me Too ?'
Thor's jaw tightened. "You seems to know awefully lot what the queen is upto… do tell did you know she was about to poison her own husband ?"
"Oh, you overestimate my capabilities my lord. I assure you I'm no greensight. I only know what my little birds tells me." He masterfully shrugged off the topic.
Part of Thor wished to argue a little bit more on his Eunuch morality but he didnt' had time.
"I gave my word to Lord Stark. I will not let his daughters rot here. We had a deal."
"Five names…"
"Yes, I remember my lord. However, its 3 names now, not five anymore." Varys replied with his usual smile on his face.
"Hmm, seems like you freed men in need from the dungeon. Good for him…"
"3 names then, Perhaps I could convince that stuck up Stark to change his decision now that he has done with his hourable act." Thor added.
For a moment, Varys studied him, weighing truth and consequence. Then, with the faintest smile, he nodded. "Beneath the Red Keep lie tunnels, old and forgotten by most. Rat runs, smugglers' ways… even dragon keepers once walked them. Few know of them now. Through these channels, one might slip past the walls unseen."
Thor's eyes narrowed. "And you can guide me there?"
"Naturally…I would show you the path," Varys replied smoothly.
Thor contemplated his options before finally deciding. He gave a firm nod. "Then take me there."
Varys bowed slightly. "So it shall be. But be quick, my lord. In King's Landing, whispers travel faster than arrows."
xxx
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