[1324]
—Westeros, King's Landing, in a chamber in the Red Keep, 291 AC—
The chamber was set in a grim silence, as the thick smell of blood filled the room while it was slowly being dispersed because of the open window.
Ser Barristan Selmy held his ground near the entrance to the chamber. He held his sword drawn, and the steel remained firm despite the shock that filled his face. Though seasoned by decades of war and service, even Barristan the Bold looked taken aback by the sight before him.
Behind him, crumpled upon the cold stones, lay Myrcella. The young princess had fainted; her golden hair spilled across the floor like golden silk, her body unmoving.
Barristan stood as her shield.
Facing him across the chamber was Ser Meryn Trant. The Kingsguard knight looked far less composed. Fear had crept into his expression, tightening his jaw as his eyes widened. In his hand, he held a dagger; the blade raised uncertainly toward Barristan, though the posture lacked the confidence expected of a sworn brother of the Kingsguard.
Several paces away stood Joffrey Baratheon.
The prince's expression was one of apparent delight. A cruel grin spread across his face as he looked downward with satisfaction. In his hand, he held a sword, the blade slick with blood, crimson drops sliding slowly from the edge to strike the floor with soft, steady taps.
At his feet lay Axel Baratheon.
The prince's body was sprawled across the stone floor, unmoving, surrounded by a widening pool of dark red blood. His chest rose faintly, though he remained motionless, his clothing soaked through with blood coming from his eye.
Then the chamber doors slammed open.
King Robert Baratheon entered first, his broad and fat frame filling the doorway. Queen Cersei Lannister followed close beside him, her emerald eyes wide and fearful as she looked at what was happening in the room. Jon Arryn came just behind them, his aged face tightening in alarm, while Ser Jaime Lannister stepped in last, his golden armor catching the torchlight.
All four stopped dead at the sight before them. Jaime, seeing what was happening, drew his sword, stepping in front, but then Robert pushed him back.
Robert's eyes moved across the chamber: Barristan with his sword drawn, Trant with dagger raised at Barristan, Myrcella collapsed upon the floor, Joffrey standing with his stained blade still in hand... and finally Axel lying motionless upon the stone.
The king's face darkened with overwhelming fury and disbelief.
"WHAT IN THE SEVEN HELLS IS GOING ON HERE!!!"
His voice boomed through the chamber like thunder, far louder than any shout he had loosed in many a year, the fury of a king and a father shaking the furniture.
Ser Barristan did not lower his blade.
He answered at once, his voice steady despite the surrounding chaos.
"Your Grace, I came here after Myrcella asked me to come over, screaming and crying that her brother is in danger, and so I came and saw Joffrey slash at his brother, Axel, and so I am protecting Myrcella, seeing how Ser Meryn Trant has a dagger pointed at me."
Unedited
The tension in the chamber did not abate with Barristan's words. Robert's huge hands clenched into fists, knuckles whitening, as he took a step forward. His eyes flicked between his sons, the King's guard, and the fainted Myrcella, disbelief, anger, disappointment, and most of all FURY coursing through his veins.
"By the Seven…" Cersei's voice was low, barely louder than a single raindrop, filled with shock, horror, and sadness. "What in the Seven has come over you, Joffrey?"
Joffrey's grin wavered for a moment, but then a calculating expression appeared on his boyish face. "I… I was defending myself," he said, voice full of famed innocence. "He…" Joffrey glanced at Axel, sprawled and motionless on the floor, "…he attacked me first."
Ser Barristan Selmy, seeing how Joffrey lied and did not let it be; he spoke up quickly. "Your Grace," Barristan said, turning to Robert, "When I arrived with Myrcella, Joffrey had slashed at his defenseless brother, but he was quick and moved so it only hit his eye."
Robert's booming voice filled the chamber again. "Barristan, get them both out of here, now!" His gaze hardened, filled with a father's wrath. "My son is hurt, and by his own brother no less; my daughter is unconscious, and by the gods, I will not have this be, not in my halls!"
Jaime moved first, stepping over the small pool of blood near Axel. He crouched beside the boy, examining the cut that ran across his right blue eye. "The blade grazed his eye, but it looks like he will keep his sight," Jaime said, the concern clashing with the discomfort he was feeling inside. His son had harmed his brother, his nephew.
"A maester must treat this wound immediately. He should be moved to his chambers to rest under the watch of guards."
"Fine, you and two other guards take him to his chambers and call the maesters and do the same with Myrcella Barristan, and once you're done, come to the throne room so we can sort this out," Robert said a bit calmer, but still enraged, as he left with Cersei and Jon by his side, as he tugged Joffrey by the arm, and the guards held Meryn Trant.
A pair of palace guards gently lifted Axel, carrying him with care to the chamber above Jamie, following behind them. The walk was silent except for the sound of armoured feet against the stone.
Myrcella remained where she had fallen, her unconscious form still delicate and pale, her soft breathing shallow. Ser Barristan walked beside the guards, sword returning to its sheath, as he picked up Myrcella and took her to her chambers while Perisa followed behind him.
When they reached the room and placed Axel on the bed, Jaime lingered waiting for the maesters. But he leaned down beside Axel and whispered.
"I really did not like you. I could end you right here, but you are my nephew, and I love you. I am sorry that this happened. I never thought Joffrey would be like this, but I promise this won't happen again. While you may never know this or even care, I will do all I can to help you."
Just as he whispered, the doors opened, and the maesters came in and started treating Axel's injuries while Jamie got up and left. The doors to Axel's chamber closed behind him, and the sounds of the maesters working on Axel still came through.
Ser Barristan and Ser Jaime returned to the throne room as Robert had ordered, their expressions grim. Sitting on their thrones, Robert and Cersei are looking down at the people gathered. Cersei had tears in her eyes, while Robert looked furious.
The people below were Jon Arryn, Hand of the King, Varys, the Master of Whisperers, Stanis Baratheon, Master of Ships, Renly Baratheon, Master of Laws, Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coin, Lord Commander of the King's Guard, Barristan Selmy, Grand Maester, Pycelle, who came after making sure Axel was safe, and Jamie Lannister by Cersei's side
While Meryn Trant and Joffrey are in chains, on their knees.
While that was happening, Axel lay in his bed, safe for the moment, his right eye bandaged, unconscious, but in his mind and soul some extraordinary was happening, and in a far, far, far, too many far's later, a world will perked up stopping the destruction that had been happening on and off for the past years, and so did its gods, some with hatred, love, happiness, and most of all fear.
And so this is the beginning of the Song of Life & Death, Ice & Fire, Storms & Gold, Gods & Demons, more aptly, the fable of Axel Eryx Baratheon, first of his name, king of the seven kings, protector of the realm, a God Emperor of Planetos.
[Author's Note: If you're confused about anything, stick with me, I'm making this as we go! Did you like the changes I made? Yes, no, leave a comment and tell me I will do what I can, so leave a review and tell me what you may want to see, and as you know, this is a harem, so who would you want in it? I was also very tired, and my computer was fucked up when I made this, so if I did not properly read it enough, then leave a comment and tell me, and I will change it.
Disclaimer: I have a rough idea of where this is going, but I haven't mapped out every single detail or an overarching idea. So if you have suggestions to make the story better or who you might want to see, please leave a comment and review! I hope you like the story. While I do use AI, I don't think it is slop, and if there is any, I will try to change it and or add humanity into it, but just give me a chance.
Next time: So the next chapter will start with the Judgment of Joffrey and Meryn Trant.
Ending Note: Thank you for the support. Have a great( if you're not religious) and or blessed day, and check out my other account where I publish Og novels. It's called Fiction_Dragon! :)]