Chapter 71 - Judgement

300 AC, King's Landing...

The invasion of the capital city was rather peaceful for the people of King's Landing. They could still remember that when the Lannisters sacked the city during the rebellion, many of them lost their kin in the battle and many bled for no reason. Thus, they were a little bit grateful for the rebel army as rapists and pillagers were quickly arrested and hanged for their actions.

The first thing Eddard did after he occupied the city and the Red Keep was searching for the secret tunnels for Lannisters. Though even the shadows joined the efforts, they weren't able to catch any of them. However, the help came from an unexpected party, the people of King's Landing.

Tywin Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Joffrey Waters, Tommen Waters and Myrcella Waters, all of them were caught by smallfolk near the Mud's Gate. In a normal situation, the smallfolk would have helped them with the promises made by the Lannisters and the respect they have shown to them but it was not the case with them.

The people of King's Landing were familiar with the tyranny of the Lannisters. King Joffrey himself was responsible for the death of many as he was killing people left and right with the accusation of being a believer, even a Septon was killed for being a believer.

Though the Kingsguard was able to defend the family, soon they overwhelmed by the number of people who were charging at them. However, the fate of the Lannisters was still not something many wished to see as the Dowager Queen Cersei Lannister was raped before his children and family. His children were ripped from toe to the head and many unspeakable things were done to them. Only then, the soldiers arrived at the scene and dispersed the crowd.

The soldiers were surprised to see them in such a state, Tywin Lannister was lying on the ground with a broken leg and swollen eyes. The dwarf's eyes were gouged out and his ears were ripped from their places. They were quickly dragged to the castle with many soldiers escorting them.

Many nobles, including the Tyrells and Crownlanders, were dragged to the throne room. All of them witnessed the soldiers dragging the remaining Lannister's and throwing them before the Iron Throne.

Eddard Stark was sitting on the throne and looking at the Lannisters with belittling eyes. Tywin was in a state between consciousness and unconsciousness. On the other hand, Tyrion was sobbing silently as he tried to touch his gouged out eyes.

If it had been the old Eddard sitting on the throne and seeing the state of Lannisters, he would have sent them to the maester to get treatment. However, the Eddard of today was different as he only had his mission and supposed revenge in his eyes. He did not care about such stupid things as an honour. The only thing that mattered was the will of the Prophet and for that, he needed to bring justice in the name of the people of Westeros. However, as far as he can see their number was lacking as there were at least four more Lannisters in the city.

"Where is the rest of them?" he asked.

One of the soldiers stepped forward and knelt before the throne, "Cersei Lannister and her bastard children were killed by a mob near the Mud's Gate, Your Grace."

People were shocked at the soldier's words but not because of the death of the Dowager Queen and her children but the title he used for Eddard Stark. Though the northern lord was sitting on the Iron Throne, he was not wearing a crown so many thought that he had other plans for the throne. However, the title used by the soldier was an indication of him claiming the throne by right of conquest and, indeed, he did not correct the soldier's use of words.

"People of King's Landing just survived the reign of a mad king so their anger is understandable. Traitors do not deserve a proper burial, burn their bodies but save the bastard king's and his mother's heads for spikes." Ned turned his eyes to Tywin and his son. "I was expecting you to sit on this throne and wait for surrender. Though you deserve far more than this, I will not make you suffer. Your death will be as swift as the history of your house. No Lannister shall ever set foot on Westeros as long as the things you have done are remembered. And the ones found will be executed from this moment onwards."

The murmurs of the crowd grew as Tywin coughed blood and tried to speak but a quick slap was enough to silence him, "His grace did not allow you to speak." said the guard.

"I will not waste my time with you anymore, you and all of your kin will be executed on the grounds of treason and extinction of many noble lines. Your deaths will happen before the Sept of Baelor and in public." Ned made a disgusted face and waved his hand as they were dragged out of the room. "Bring the Tyrells," he said.

The Tyrell family quickly went forward with heads down. Ned seized them up and down. If not for their greed, this war would have ended even before it started but their acts were a boon for the Prophet's cause. However, he was not going to be lenient with them as he was planning to put an example for others.

"Broken promises, going against the rightful king, treason… should I continue?" Ned's rhetoric question was ignored as the head of the house went to open his mouth for apologies but a hand on his shoulder stopped him from doing that.

Ned snorted, "At least there is someone who has some brains in your family. Your family's punishment is already decided." He beckoned with his hand as the scribe beside him began reading.

"Henceforth, House Tyrell is stripped of its Lord Paramountcy and its lands. Loras Tyrell of the Kingsguard is stripped of its white cloak. All males up to the age of 90 shall take black on grounds of treason. All ladies up to the age of 50 shall be married to the respected nobles. All ladies who entered the house through marriage shall be returned to their respective families." Each word that came out of the scribe's mouth felt like a death sentence for the men and women standing before the Iron Throne.

Indeed, they were expecting a harsher punishment but this wasn't what they expected as it meant the end of the Tyrell line. Mace felt like crying, as the hand on his shoulder slid down he looked back to see his mother holding her chest. There was a shock on her face as she tried to breath. Her heart yielded in the face of all her efforts for the family going waste. Nearly seventy years she spent for this family but all of it went down with the words of a scribe.

In the end, her breathing ceased as she fell to the ground. The last thing she heard was her stupid son crying out for people to bring a maester.

At last, a maester came but it was too late as the Queen of Thorns gave her last breath. Ned was in the intention to continue to humiliate them but he knew it would be too much so he waved his hand as the soldiers took them away.

However, the scribe did not stop there as Ned signalled him to continue, "The lands of the House Tyrell will be given to loyal nobles and, in the lights of their recent contributions to the war, Lord Paramountcy shall be awarded to House Rowan." The scribe closed the edict and looked at the crowd and cried out one last time, "The gods are merciful and the king is just, may his rule last forever!"