AN: Hey guys! So this is my first attempt at writing a GoT fanfic and I'm really excited about it! The story starts a few years before Robert's Rebellion and will loosely revolve around it. It's slightly AUish and based off more on the show rather than the books. I try my best to stick as true to the characters as possible, but I'm always open to suggestions, so hit me up :) Also, the prologue has been edited and re-written so hope you all like it :) So without further ado...

Prologue

Jaime

Smoke, sweat and shit, they said. That's how Kings Landing smelled, they said.

Jaime scrunched his nose in disgust. His convoy stood outside the city gates of the 'glorious' capital, yet he was anything but impressed. The tales he heard when he was younger, of the brave Kings and Queens, their magnificent dragons and castles, all seemed to be such a huge letdown. Even the city gates, each of which were supposed to be an architectural masterpiece, didn't pique his interest as much. Except for the Lion Gate.

It was a regal structure, he observed, with intricate gold-plated designs he assumed could only be from the finest gold-mines in Lannisport. It complemented well with the red-clay bricks surrounding it, a supposed homage to the Red Keep, but could very well be another subtle nod to his family. His main interest, however, was piqued by the roaring lion's head on top, blinding him in its opulence. It almost reminded him of their words.

Hear me roar.

"Do you know the history behind this?"

He turned to see his father stare at him intently. They sat at the helm of the convoy with a few of their bannermen and soldiers behind. The soldiers lined up perfectly, not even a single man out of formation, and Jaime had to admire his father's military discipline. It would have taken a lot of strength and dedication to achieve a well-disciplined army as such. But then again, there wasn't much the mighty Tywin Lannister couldn't do.

Towards the far end of the convoy stood her carriage, decked in bright red and gold. His heart thumped loudly in his chest as he thought of the last time he spoke to Cersei. Ever since they left Casterly Rock, he had done nothing short of avoiding her. He was in pain and hoped that maybe his actions would make her realize how broken he felt. But as the days passed by, it felt as if she couldn't care any less.

"Jaime."

He caught his father's gaze, obvious displeasure on his face as his words fell on deaf ears. Jaime shook his head slightly and was met with another disappointed gaze. Nevertheless, Lord Tywin continued, much to Jaime's chagrin.

"Centuries ago, Aegon Targaryen conquered the Westerlands and made Loren Lannister the Warden of the West. He went on to become an important ally and hence, the Lion Gate was built to commemorate the alliance." He paused for a moment and passed on a quick signal to ready the soldiers up. "That alliance has kept our house in power for all these years and that very alliance will keep us in power for the years to come. I hope you understand your role in this." His father's eyes bore deep in his, and Jaime found momentary relief in the sounds of the gate opening.

He tried to get a good look at the city, but it was the overwhelming stench that hit him first. He felt startled for a minute only for Lord Sumner Crakehall, the man he squired for, to quickly rush to his side.

"All right, my lord?" He asked.

Jaime nodded silently, the new dynamics of their relationship all too strange for him. He held the man with high respect and dignity, yet at this moment he was Jaime Lannister, the son of the Hand of the King and liege lord to the Crakehalls. He looked up to see his father already riding ahead and quickly fell in line with his former Lord.

"How many people live here?" He asked Lord Crakehall, snapping him out of his daze. A huge crowd had started to gather around the procession, naturally drawn towards the show put out in front of them. He saw people stare wide-eyed, the opulence of Lannister gold blinding against their street rags. A young girl caught his eye as she watched him carefully, her hand rubbing through her matted hair. Scantily clad and dirty, even the smallfolk at the Rock fared better.

"About half a million, my lord."

"What?" Jaime asked, surprised. "The city can't hold that many."

"People believe that the capital harbors plenty of opportunities. A pauper's fairytale and a nobleman's nightmare, they call it." He shrugged. "But it's all a farce, I tell you."

Jaime looked around and could almost see the city limits in sight. The city was barely large enough to hold all the structures, let alone the people inside. It was meant to be the seat of royalty; the smallfolk be damned.

How unbecoming of me, he thought, a silent chuckle escaping his lips. The son of a great Lord caring a bit too much for the smallfolk.

The sun set upon the city and cast an orange hue over the sky. Over the horizon, he saw the castle nested on Aegon's Hill, the red clay glowing under the rays of the setting sun. For a moment, he was at a loss for words. While the Red Keep was not as large or intricate as Casterly Rock, the castle did not fail to disappoint. He heard stories of the castle glow as bright as the flames of a thousand dragons, and once he saw it with his own eyes, there was no looking elsewhere.

The horde arrived at the gates of the Keep and marched towards the Tower of the Hand. An old man stood at the entrance, his long gold-cloak glimmering on his back with spotless armor shining under the sun. It hardly took Jaime a minute to recognize the man in front of him; the famed Ser Barristan Selmy. He stood tall and broad and looked quite well for his age. A sense of admiration swelled up in Jaime's chest, along with a bit of anxiety; he was going to meet his childhood hero after all. The man beamed brightly as the father and son pair got off their horses and made their way to him. Tywin himself greeted the knight warmly, a sense of the respect with which he held the man as well. A few words were traded before Ser Barristan's gaze fell on the young Lannister.

"You must be the young lad your father keeps talking about." Ser Barristan smiled.

"It's an honor, Ser." Jaime replied, humbly.

"That sword of yours, do you know how to swing it?" He asked, pointing to the sword on Jaime's waistband.

"Quite well, I believe."

"Well, I ought to see it for myself then. We could always use a man with your talents." He chuckled, before silently muttering to Lord Tywin, "Your presence has been requested, My Lord."

Tywin nodded sharply and shot a commanding gaze towards his son. Jaime stood in awe, however, and watched the great knight walk away, leaving behind dreams of probably his own great adventures in his wake. He looked around to see the troops get to work immediately, making the necessary preparations to settle in their lords. He set to oversee the preparations, only to find Cersei's doe-eyes staring at him intently. Their eyes lingered for a moment before he pulled away, finding his resolve slowly crumbling. He quickly set the work in motion before heading up to their quarters, hoping to find peace and probably a bit more strength in his solace. He chose the room facing the sea and stood by the balcony, watching the waves crash onto the sandy banks. He watched as the ships docked at the harbor and sighed. How he had wished he were on one of them, with Cersei, sailing halfway across the world by now. He couldn't care less about traditions and alliances, talks of honor and family. He would give up each and every one of them if it meant that he could be with Cersei.

Cersei.

"Cersei?"

She was his twin, his other half, and the connection they bore was strong. He could feel what she felt and knew when she was around. Just like she was then.

But he firmly kept his back to her.

"You know me so well, brother." She walked up to him, slowly sliding her fingers down the length of his arm before locking her hand in his.

He shivered under her touch.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"You seem to be unhappy." She replied, pulling him towards her. He kept his head down, knowing well that if he let her see even a glimpse of weakness, all would be lost. She placed a finger under his chin and lifted his eyes to her level. He found himself fighting a losing battle, her jade eyes holding their own. He hated the power she held over him, and she loved it. "Jaime."

Internally, he was crushed. Her eyes were locked on his and their bodies were mere inches away from touching. All he wanted right now was to cup her face in his hands and kiss her without a care in the world, and yet he fought against it.

"How could you?" He burst out. "How could you be alright with this? How could you be alright with marrying the Prince?"

"It is what father wishes." She replied.

"What do you wish for?"

"Whatever is necessary."

He felt his heart break once more. He tried to pull back, but Cersei's hands kept him firmly in place. "What of our love?"

She chuckled softly. "You are so naïve." She said, cupping his face in her hands. "I do love you… but I can't throw away an opportunity to marry the Prince. Only a fool would do so."

"And you're no fool." He replied quietly.

"I'm not, dear brother. Which is why we shall be together forever."

"How so?" He retorted. "You shall remain in Kings Landing while I shall marry the Princess and return back to Casterly Rock. If at all they let us marry them."

Cersei looked him square in the eye. "They shall." He saw the anger budding in her eyes, just like they always did when she was denied something. If she was not going to see the logic in this situation, he would make her.

"Why would they? Aren't the Targaryens known to wed brother to sister? Then why shall they do otherwise?"

"If father wishes for something, it shall happen." She stared at him murderously for a moment before twisting her lips back in her mischievous smile. It scared him. "I shall marry the Prince, brother. And after I do so, we'll be together again. You have my word."

He didn't have it in him to argue anymore. Part of him wanted to believe her, but the other wasn't so sure. He wanted to snap her out of her delusion but realized it would all go in vain. When Cersei made up her mind, there was nothing he could do to change it. He resigned to fate for now, and wrapping her in his arms, settled for watching the waves break onto the shores gently.

It reminded him so much of home.

AN: And there it is! Jaime Lannister is by far my favourite character on the show and I love the potential his story offers. Let me know what you think. Reviews are much appreciated :)

Thank you for reading!