Darius stood against the wall of the King's bedroom, with Queen Cersei to his right and Sandor to his left. The entire room had a melancholy feel to it. Both Darius and Joffrey thought that it was possible that the squire had been more dramatic than necessary. They all thought it was probable that it was a decently sized wound, but it could be taken care of.

Once they entered the room, they were proven wrong.

Joffrey kneeled at the King's bedside, speaking to his father for what would be the last time. Darius wasn't very interested in their conversation though. Not only did he feel as if he would be intrusive, but other things were on his mind.

Home.

King Robert, the one that'd verbally chained him there at the age of ten was dying. He remembered his words verbatim.

"Darius of House Ankereon is to be my son, Joffrey's, guard until I release him from his duty."

Now the problem was, how was he supposed to release him if he was dead?

Don't get him wrong, Darius had a strong bond with the man. He'd known the King since he was a child; he was close enough to him to call him uncle, just like he did Eddard Stark. But he had been here too long, he wanted to go home. He needed his life back, and he needed Robert to let him go, today. Or he'd never be let go because he never gave the final word.

" I was never cut out to be a father..."

Joffrey's face fell, he knew his father was dissapointed in him. Truly it wasn't all his fault. Joffrey was just a little...well, crazy. It was weird though; the look on his face. Darius had never seen him so sad. Joffrey stood, looked into his father's eyes and walked quickly out the door, Sandor and Cersei at his heels.

" I failed that boy..." Robert sighed, or tried too, instead it was a troubled cough. Yes, there was no doubt that he was on his way out.

This was his chance. He needed to ask. Now or never.

" It's not your fault, " Darius said, and walked up to the King's bed. He took a breath and kneeled on the floor next to him. He tried to avoid looking down, the blood was leaking into the bed slightly. It wasn't a pretty sight at all.

" Ah, I would have to aruge with you on that one." He said, he attempted to chuckle, but it also turned into a hearty cough.

Darius didn't want to stall much longer, but he realized he didn't exactly want to burden him with talk. He had to this though. He looked at the man, but couldn't form the words.

" What is it, boy?" the King asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

" I want to go home, Uncle." Darius said, sounding more defeated than he'd ever been. The idea of home, it gave him a feeling words couldn't begin to describe. " I want your permission to go back home."

Robert raised a black brow, as if surprised Darius had had the guys to ask. But much to Darius' surprise, he nodded. " Yes... Yes, you I grant you permission to return to Allon. You're work here is done."

Darius' aqua blue eyes widened, and his heart picked up pace. Did he hear correctly. " Really?"

Robert nodded, " I had hoped that maybe.." he coughed, " You'd be able to tough Joffrey up. But I swear it's no use with that boy.." he sighed, and looked at the wall in front of him, temporarily lost in thought. It was a shame he didn't think to highly of his son, but sometimes you couldn't change people. Robert had just come to terms with that about his son.

He looked back at Darius and continued, " And even though I know you hate him..."

" I don-"

" Oh hush boy, don't lie." Robert cut in, and then he continued, " And even though I know you hate him, you served him well." he put a sweaty hand on Darius' shoulder briefly, " You deserve your freedom, Darius." he said.

Suddenly Darius face felt hot. He was in a state of confusion. Both happiness and sadness flowed in him. He was happy, so damn happy he was going to be home, back to his family in some days, but he was also sad. He might not have liked Joffrey, or any of the Lannisters, but he did like Robert. Robert was like family, and he wasn't just leaving him behind, Robert was really leaving this world.

And now, all Darius needed was official papers, so he wouldn't be asked wether he was lying when someone asked him why he was leaving the castle with his things. He opened his mouth to ask, and was cut off by the opening of the large metal door behind him.

He looked back and saw his other 'uncle', Eddard Stark coming into the room. " Hello, Darius."

" Ned." Darius said. He brought himself to his feet. There would be no time to ask for the letter. He turned back to Robert, and gripped his hand," Goodbye, Uncle."

Robert nodded slowly, " Goodbye Darius." he said. Darius then let go and turned to leave the two friends to their own goodbyes, and heard Robert's voice behind him. " And tell your father I said goodbye, alright?"

Darius nodded, " Will do." he said back. The sadness came over him again, a funny but familiar feeling in his throat appeared, and he fought the tears back. He hadn't cried since he left Allon. He wouldn't do it now. " Everlasting Strength." he said to himself as he walked through the door, and down the hallway to his room.

Then he thought, he would be able to really bring that motto to life when he returned to his family. He did last through all this years, he made it and he was still strong. " Thank all the gods!" he said loudly, his voice echoing. He took off into a run to his room, and made it there in less than five minutes.

He looked around, grabbing only what was necessary. All that was was his box of letters from home, he needed nothing else but a bit of gold for food and drink for his journey. He attached the pouch of gold to his belt, put the box of letters under his arm, and raced to the stables, getting across the castle in minutes.

The stables stunk as always, and the smell of waste and hay filled his nose, but he couldn't find the will to care. He'd deal with a little stink if that meant he could see his family again, and he would.

He hopped on the horses back, and petted the horse. " I'm going to take you to Allon." he said, " You'll love it more than this place."

" Just what do you think you're doing." A voice said.

It definitely wasn't the horse. Darius didn't even want to turn around. He knew the voice. He wished he didn't, and he wish he could ignore it, and he wished he could just tell the horse to go off as fast as it could.

He looked back and saw Joffrey, a smug look on his face. " I'm going home." he said in a monotone. " The King granted me permission to go home."

Joffrey looked a little hurt. But as quick as the expression appeared it vanished. He looked more than a little mischevious, " Well, that was the old King then." he said, " My father has passed. I'm the King now, and I revoke your grant Darius Ankereon."

Darius's heart dropped. Not only was Robert dead, but Joffrey was now the King. No, that wasn't possible. " You can't...You can't do that." he said, his brows narrowing.

" I can..and I have." Joffrey chuckled.

Darius couldn't believe it. " Why would you want to keep me here?" Darius asked, " You have the entire city watch, the kingsguard at your side, you do not need me, Joffrey! I can leave!" he yelled. He wasn't going to let Joffrey take home away from him, again.

" No! I command you stay and you will stay! Disobeying me is treason!" Joffrey yelled, his face reddening.

Darius stared him down, but this time, he wasn't scared like he'd been in the bar. He was just angry, so incredibly angry. His fists bunched at his sides. If he could, he would've smacked one across the new King's face.

After minutes of silence, Joffrey spoke, " Dismount your horse, and come back inside." he said. He smiled devishly. " We have to go to court. Ned is in for a surprise."