To celebrate Bran's recovery, the Stark family invited a small number of guests to the Tower of the Hand for a feast.
Lancelot was among them, as he was Bran's best friend in King's Landing.
Lancelot woke up early that day and donned a new outfit: silk woven in Myr, boots from Lys, and a hat from Pentos. At his waist hung the Rose Sword.
The Rose Sword had a red scabbard and a red blade. Both were adorned with rose patterns, resembling the flower, which looked quite similar to a Chinese rose.
Lancelot led his squire, Podrick, to the Tower of the Hand. He saw that Robert had already arrived with the Queen, along with Joffrey, Myrcella, and the others.
Several prominent lords were also among Eddard Stark's guests; House Tyrell, led by Mace Tyrell, was present, as was Lord Renly.
Eddard Stark's steward, Vayon Poole, and his Captain of the Guard, Jory Cassel, were welcoming guests at the door.
"Ser Lancelot!" Steward Poole bowed.
"Steward Poole, where is Bran? I'd like to see him," Lancelot said.
Beside him, Podrick handed over the gift, which Jory accepted.
"Young Bran is in the rear courtyard with the other young lords and ladies. You may go see him yourself," Poole said.
Lancelot nodded, gave Podrick instructions, and headed to the rear courtyard.
He had been here a few times and knew where Bran's room was.
However, as he walked into the courtyard, he heard a familiar woman's laughter.
"Sansa, I didn't expect your brother to be so cute!"
"I really wanted a cute younger brother! It's a pity I only have three older brothers!"
Sansa was delighted to have made another good friend; in her eyes, Margaery was practically the perfect woman.
"Margaery, if you're willing, you could take Bran as your sworn brother. Our two houses could deepen our friendship," Sansa Stark suggested.
"Bran, would you like that?"
Bran's small face flushed red. It was the first time he had met a girl as beautiful as Margaery.
"I would like to have you as my sister!" Bran said.
Margaery happily kissed Bran on the cheek.
Then she began to direct her new little brother.
"Bran, tell me, will Lancelot be coming to the feast?"
"He will. Lancelot is the best friend I've made since leaving Winterfell!" Bran Stark declared.
"Then, since he bullied me, will you help your sister get revenge on him?" Margaery asked.
"I! I!" Bran lowered his head hesitantly.
Although Margaery was beautiful, he was Brandon Stark, son of Eddard Stark. He would absolutely not be seduced by beauty.
"Don't make things difficult for the little guy! Margaery!" Lancelot walked in at just the right moment; he had been listening outside for a while.
"Lancelot, you villain! Take this!" Margaery swung her pink fist at Lancelot's eye.
She was both ashamed and angry that Lancelot had caught her scheming red-handed.
Lancelot countered instantly, scooping Margaery up horizontally and tossing her into the air, eliciting a sharp scream from her. He caught her, then flipped her upside down, grabbing her by the ankles so her hands had to support her on the ground in a very bizarre posture.
Bran and Sansa were dumbfounded.
Lancelot showed no tenderness toward the fairer sex, handling Margaery roughly, though he didn't actually hit her.
"Let me go!" Margaery demanded.
Ignoring her, Lancelot slung her over his shoulder and spanked her bottom. He spanked her until Margaery's face was flushed red, and finally, she begged for mercy.
"Please, stop hitting me! Ah!"
"Let me go, I won't provoke you again..."
Only then did Lancelot set her down.
"I'll come to retrieve that statue from you later. Don't lose it!" Lancelot warned.
"Yes! I definitely won't lose it..." Her voice was as quiet as a mosquito's.
Lancelot then turned to Bran, who was thoroughly shocked by Lancelot's actions.
"Bran, let me see your legs!"
Lancelot felt his leg bones; they had completely healed!
"You should still avoid walking too much. Rest for a few more months! But it won't affect your life in the future!" Lancelot said.
"Lancelot, I heard you and Arya are learning the Water Dance. Can I join?" Bran asked.
"Of course! Syrio is a master; he'll like an obedient student like you!" Lancelot patted Bran's head.
At the banquet, Margaery was very quiet, keeping her head down while eating, seemingly scared by Lancelot's earlier discipline. However, she was secretly observing him.
Robert, Eddard, Mace, and a few others were chatting.
"Are the lords from all regions about to arrive?" Robert asked.
"House Umber is setting off from the Last Hearth, so they will arrive a bit later. The Night's Watch will also send a few representatives!" Eddard Stark said.
This was intelligence he had received from Grand Maester Pycelle that morning.
"Prince Doran of Dorne sent word that his brother, Prince Oberyn, will come to King's Landing personally. Now only House Arryn and Dragonstone are missing! Lord Stannis has blocked all news; we still don't know what he's doing on the island," Eddard continued.
"Lord Hightower and Lord Redwyne will also arrive shortly! This Great Council might have the largest attendance in history!" Mace Tyrell added.
The Great Council was similar to election speeches in ancient Greece; any noble lord could speak, and famous knights, maesters, and septons could also have their say.
In the end, whoever garnered the most support would have their opinions heard.
Lancelot could imagine the scene; it would probably look like a vegetable market.
"Queen! We need sufficient funds to support this war. Why didn't Tywin Lannister come to this feast? And where are your two brothers?" Robert looked at Cersei beside him.
Cersei had little interest in their conversation.
However, before coming here, Tywin had spoken to her. He didn't want to lend money to Robert anymore. The man was a deadbeat who borrowed but never repaid.
"Your Grace! My father has important matters to discuss with business partners from Qarth! That is why he is absent from today's banquet! I apologize to Lord Eddard Stark on his behalf."
Cersei gave a polite, formal smile to Eddard Stark.
"Queen, the treasury is empty. We need a large sum of money to buy weapons, food, and horses. Can House Lannister provide some assistance?" Robert asked.
This time he had to humble himself! Littlefinger wasn't here, so he had to borrow the money personally. Who else could do it? Eddard Stark? Ask him to borrow money?
"Your Grace! My father says Lancelot is his heir. You can discuss it directly with Lancelot, or you can bring Lancelot into your Small Council to discuss it with the other ministers," Cersei smiled.
Her meaning was clear: give Lancelot a position on the Small Council.