Fandomweekly Challenge 13 - Prepared

[m_findlow]

Title: Prepared
Fandom: Game of Thrones
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 1,000 words
Content notes: M. Spoilers for Seasons 1-7
Author notes: Written for Challenge 13 - Clear skies at fandomweekly
Summary: Cersei has planned for every contingency.

Cersei stepped down towards the docks, her feet making barely a sound on the squeaking wooden boards. Behind her, The Mountain trod heavily, his armor and sheer size making up for her silent approach.

The Blackwater was full of ships, crammed cheek by jowl on the wide expanse of water. It was a magnificent sight, seeing the Ironborn fleet in its entirety, now host to her every whim. A stiff breeze drifted across the water, though it made no impact on her. The narrow hoops of her gown resisted against the winds as if she herself were indomitable against the very elements. She had eyes only for the scruffy man who swaggered down from the gangway that bridged the longship he called Silence.

'Tis a fine day to be at sea,' Euron greeted her. He did not bow to her, nor show any signs of deference, merely shoving his thumbs through his belt and leaning back, thrusting his hips forward. 'A man can only truly feel a man with the waves beneath his feet and a woman beneath his cock.'

'Then you must feel only half a man,' Cersei quipped, letting an arrogant little smile play across her lips.

Euron stepped closer until he was almost nose to nose with her. 'How could I be anything else without you? We are two halves of the same coin. Were you not the queen I would insist you come with me. Most men take saltwives on their journeys. You would be so much more than just my saltwife.'

The Mountain stepped forward, a huge fist gripping the pommel of his sword, towering over Euron and forcing him to take two steps back, holding his hands up in surrender. He grinned, none of his arrogance leaving his eyes. 'You have my replacement gift for me?' he asked.

Cersei turned to glance behind her. Two gold cloaks between them gripped Yara Greyjoy in heavy iron chains. Despite the restraints, she struggled the entire way down from the Mud Gate to the dock. 'As promised,' Cersei said as two Ironborn took custody of the lanky woman.

Euron waltzed over to her as she glared at him with unbridled loathing. 'Niece, how nice it will be to have your company. The nights get so lonely without a woman.' Yara spat in his face and Euron didn't even flinch, let alone retaliate. 'I always knew you had more balls than Theon. I look forward to tasting them later.' She struggled harder as the two men dragged her aboard.

'I trust that you enjoyed my two gifts?' Euron asked. 'What plans do you have for the Dornish bitches?'

'My plans for them are none of your concern,' Cersei replied icily, 'but I thank you for them all the same.'

'Then I bid you farewell, only for now, Your Grace,' Euron said, making a grand yet disingenuous bow. 'I trust you have given my men what we require?'

'Enough gold to buy the loyalty of the Golden Company and any other army that is prepared to wield their swords in the name of their rightful queen,' Cersei replied. 'If you require more ships to bring them back to Westeros, then you shall have coin enough for that also.'

'Your Grace is most generous,' Euron simpered, 'but I have given you my word that it shall be done, because of the love I bear for you. It is my honor to serve you.'

'Your honor is bought,' Cersei replied, looking down on him. 'And I very much doubt love has anything to do with it. The only one you love is yourself.'

'It's true!' Euron exclaimed, throwing his arms out wide, his eyes glinting like those of a madman. 'I am the Drowned God! Who wouldn't love me? It's why we make such a perfect union. The Seven Kingdoms should be ruled by their Queen and their God.'

Cersei shook her head. 'You truly are the most arrogant man I've ever met.'

Euron grinned back. 'A compliment I will carry with me all the way to Essos and back.'

'Then I wish you clear skies and smooth sailing,' Cersei replied. 'Bring me back what I want and you shall have all that you desire. Once the war is won,' she added.

'I will kill the Targaryen myself if it would please you.'

'Bringing me back an army would please me more.' Having him out of her sight would please her even more.

'I live only to please you, Your Grace.' Euron gave a grin and another theatrical bow before strutting away to board his ship.

Cersei felt the presence of her Hand as he quietly sidled up next to her. 'Are you certain this is wise, Your Grace?' Qyburn asked, watching on as the breeze off the Blackwater began to ripple and fill the sails of the eighty ships. 'I know something of men like Euron Greyjoy. What is to say he won't take the Crown's gold and simply sail off into the east, never to return? He already admitted he would abandon any Northern cause and return to the safety of the Iron Islands. Perhaps we should have kept the Greyjoy woman hostage here in King's Landing. Insurance to ensure his return.'

Cersei studied the ships. 'I know something of men like Euron Greyjoy as well. Something only a woman can know. Once a man has had a taste of something he thought was unattainable, he'll stop at nothing to have it. Euron will bring me the Golden Company, and in return he shall have his reward.'

'You mean to honor your promise to wed him? What of your brother, Jaime?'

She pressed a hand to her belly, feeling for the tiny life he'd left there before he'd abandoned her. 'A traitor whose reckoning will come soon enough.' The large black kraken on the sail bulged suddenly from a gust of wind, its red eye appearing almost to bleed. 'Marriages in King's Landing tend not to last very long.'