A Song of Lion's, Stag's and Heroes (NO SV, You are Joffery!)

Joffrey 3: The Sixth Year

You felt very odd, watching the gathering of men and horses on the parade grounds of the Red Keep… even more, odd than the feeling of being watched by all who were in attendance.

The Invitation for the tourney was exclusive, as it was… lesser in rewards. Only 50,000 dragons for the champion… along with… a special surprise reward for the winner.

The Knights of the North March and the South March were all there with the brightly colored banners. A few from Tyrell and Hightower were in attendance, but not the lord's themselves.

The West was Represented, not only by Ser Jaime and his young squire… Brienne, Brian? Was it? Well anywho, the Crackhalls and the Paynes were among the gathered men.

The Stormlord's only had two houses Represented, Young Beric Dondarian, who was in his first tourney… and some man that Stannis on his deathbed granted a knighthood. One of the few survivors of Storm's End's Siege. Davos Seaworth and two of his seven sons, though Davos himself would only take part in the Archery contest, stating he was far too old to be trying to be a true knight. A strange choice, but your father seemed to think the man was someone who did some good, trying to save his brother with the onions that now adorned his sigil.

Lory Arryn saw the Royces and Crosby's represented, though Lyn himself was suspiciously absent, and many thought… that Kettleback was a strange name to be offered to come from the Vale.

The Rivers saw Ser Brynden Tully, and young Hoster, along with the Freys… What seemed to be a dozen Frey knights that were… along with the Brakens, Blackwoods, and the Whent's.

The North had Manderly knights and a sole Knight from Winterfell… some white-haired man and his squire, also his son.

Dorne was absent entirely, and you could imagine why. Father was always keen on seeing the entire realm represented.

But perhaps the oddest thing was watching your mother and father bicker...Your father was next to your mother who was… less uncomfortable than she had been for a long time. "I tell you Cersei, let me take part in the tourney!" He requested with softness... something in his tone that you did not hear that much.

The trust, however, was clearly there between them. "You already promised that you would let others try, instead of beating them with your hammer?" There was something else in your mother's voice… confusion?

"But then I can at least say I didn't spend all the money on this tourney, and I won't have to deal with Jon's Nagging." your father replied. "And I made sure it was a very small reward, compared to the last tourney that we held."

"Fifty thousand Dragons is still a sum that we can ill afford." Your mother replied. "We may not be in debt, but my Father is still trying to push for more… investments in the Road networks, and he wishes for you to be a partner. We cannot make such investments if we are beggering ourselves with fun and parties."

"You think I got the Army formed and listening to me by being a lazy, incompetent invalid!" He raised his voice. "The Taxes from the charters have made the crown rich in gold!"

"Um… you asked for me father?" You asked, interrupting the flow between the two.

"Ah Joff!" your father was delighted. "Come to my knee boy, we've got things to talk about."

"What are we talking about?" You asked.

You walked over to your father's knee and took a seat on his knee. "Boy, you know why I am hosting this tournament?" He asked.

"Because tourneys are fun, and you get to hit people?" You asked.

"No… well" your father was at a loss for words for a moment. "They are for making connections, even when the fighting is just a way to get to know the men who fight in it. You would make strong friendships here. Friendships that can last lifetimes."

You frowned. "Like with you and Nucle Ned?"

That phrase made your mother's face frown and furl, but your father became sullen and silent for a moment. "Me and Ned have a friendship that is deeper than a tourney friendship." Your father stated with seriousness, something that you never saw from him. "He's my brother."

You raised both eyebrows. "Like Uncle Renly and Stannis were?"

"Aye." Tears were now in your father's eyes, before it was replaced with a smile. "Now… Take Ser Arys and go talk to the squires. I'm sure there will be some boys your age you can talk to. Your mother and I just need to talk alone for a few minutes."

"Okay." You replied, and ser Arys was waiting.

He smiled. "Alright Joffrey, where shall we go?"

Where do you go:
[]To the Valeman Camp: Lord Arryn was kind enough to let you gather with the squires. However, you do not see anyone who is entirely… well interesting.

[]To the Riverlords: Why are the Tullys with the Bannermen here… and why the Seven Hells are the Freys among the list! Your father hates them… mostly for some business on the Trident. The Blackwoods and Brakens look like they are about to kill each other again… but that's nothing new… but Lady Whent isn't a warrior… Why is she here with a camp of knights... and why was she wielding a silver sword?

[]To the Stormlords: Beric was preparing his armor when you arrived, and his smile was sort of disarming. He was so happy to start battering men into a pulp without any restraint. And Ser Seaworth was… well he was talking to his sons about duty, and knowing when it was time to shut up.

[]To the Northerners: The Manderly knights were keeping their distance from the man with white hair. But his son was doing everything in his power to remain noticed by… you. And he waved, trying to be the first who greeted you.

[]To the Westermen: Uncle Jaime was sitting with his squire and the other squires were in the dirt. And he was very proud of his squire. "Now next time you make threats to someone with a sword… try to back them up with your own."

[]Back to the Red Keep: You want to go away, and maybe see something in the city while everyone is focused on the tournament.

[]Spy on your Mother and Father: You want to hear what is going on between the two of them. Why does your father look sad when he looks at her?

AN: Now... Choose which Plotline you want to uncover?