Author's note: I am setting this a year prior to the start of the series, which I think means Jaime has been in the kingsguard at least thirteen years. If this is incorrect I apologize, I am stickler for details too, so I understand. Also I know GRRM describes King's Landing but I don't remember it and I couldn't find specific details so I am making it up as I go.
Thankfully there would be no real ceremony; it had taken all of Jaime's considerable strength just to show up. After it became apparent there was no way out of the marriage he had contemplated just running away; going to the free cities liked he had always talked to Cersei about, even if he would be alone. Oathbreaker is one thing, craven another, he wouldn't run away from a fifteen year-old girl.
"I could have arranged a very different marriage, to a less noble house or someone more loyal to the crown," Robert had said to Jaime. "She is a very pretty girl, I knew as soon as I saw her it had to be her. You will have to tell me kingslayer if you make it through the bedding without thinking of the Mad King,"
The High Septon said some nonsense, Tyrion being incapable of running Casterly Rock, he would be a better lord then Jaime ever would be, if only his father would see that. The large man was giving a sermon to three people, his ego being as large as his waistband, it was becoming a longer process then Jaime, or anyone else expected. "Ye Gods," Jaime mumbled, "getting the cloak didn't take half as long." Ser Barristan Selmy over heard and gave a laugh, quite unlike the man. Selmy was a serious man, who took everything seriously he did not much like Jaime. So every acknowledgement actually meant something to Jaime.
The Septon spoke some more, mostly in high valyrian, which no one else spoke. Robert had been sitting in a nearby pew nursing from a horn of ale with a self satisfied smirk. The drunker he got and the longer this process took the angrier Robert got too. Finally it was his moment and the king waddled over, his feet sticking slightly to the floor with every step from the ale he had spilt. With a mind fogged from drink it was hard to work the clasps of the cloak, in frustration Robert cursed and ripped it off. Just like that there were only six members of the kingsguard.
The marble floors of sept were not meant for kneeling and Jaime's knees creaked and popped as he stood, betraying the truth of his thirty years. He heard the king and the others shuffling about but did not stay to understand their actions. It felt like they had taken thirteen years from his life. It was true that those thirteen years had brought him nothing but bitterness and dishonor, but they had still meant something to Jaime, had come to define the man Jaime thought he was.
Even though there would be nothing left for him in White Sword Tower, servants had been removing his things over the past several days; Jaime could not stop his feet from taking him back there. Wrenching open the door and stomping though to the dim and empty solar where Jaime looked at the large black table in the center of the room. He began taking off his armor and carefully placing it on the table, showing it more respect then he ever had before. The white enamel of the armor shown in great contrast to the deep black glaze of the oak table. Somehow this bothered him, it was disrespectful and childish but Jaime couldn't abide the sight any longer, he became a slave, as it were, to his emotions when they became to strong. Destroying the still life image before him by violently sweeping his arm across the table, scattering the metal all over the room clanging as it went. Jaime felt angry tears bite at his eyes; if he was honest he would have admitted they were out of sadness too, but not even to himself would he admit that he would miss the guard. "Dammit," He mumbled as he quickly wiped his eyes then ran his hand through his hair to disguise the action. He took a deep breath before slowly picking up all the pieces and putting things back the way they were before his outburst.
Jaime heard some whispering at the entrance, wiping his eyes again quickly before turning to look, it was Ser Barristan Selmy; at least his opinion of Jaime would be little swayed by what he just saw. Whoever the old man had been talking too was gone now.
Like everything else in the tower the entryway and solar were small, within thirty paces Jaime and the Lord Commander were face to face, though Jaime had trouble meeting his eye.
"Life is rarely what we expect," Ser Barristan said, grabbing Jaime's shoulder. "This was not what you wanted; the King wasn't what you expected nor some of your sworn brothers what you wanted them to be." That wasn't entirely true, Jaime had been in complete awe of Arthur Dayne Gerold Hightower and Selmy himself, once, "You have a second chance, a new life ahead of you, do not waste it focusing on the could bes of your past." The elder man tightened his grip on Jaime's shoulder; Jaime winced but looked up at him for the first time. "Do not curse that girl to a life of unhappiness, to the same fate you once held, she is too kind and too pretty for that. Not to mention witty enough to keep up with you sharp tongued Lannisters," Barristan said with a smile. "She can make you happy, if you let her." Before either man knew it they were hugging, it was short but it was comforting, and likely to be all the comfort Jaime would receive. "It would be a lie to say that it has always been a pleasure, but it has always been interesting." Ser Barristan stuck out his hand and Jaime hesitantly shook it, and then the Lord Commander was gone. Jaime checked the urge to run.
Passing through the lawn between his old home and the main castle Jaime realized no one had actually told him where his chambers where. Jaime let his feet lead the way, knowing with almost certainty they would lead into the great hall and then to Cersei, wherever she might be. As he passed through the great hall he saw someone else, someone who was most definitely waiting for him. The throne room was almost empty, except for a little white head in a deep purple gown.
"Every passage leads here, that's what father said when he sent me, at least. Rather neat I suppose, though I am sure it was intended."
"Your father sent you?" Jaime asked, rather dully. Allyria nodded as she stood, straightening her dress which had creased slightly from her sitting on the ground.
"Yes he said that you did not know where you are to stay, thought you might be least angry with me." She said. "Since it's not like either of us have a choice in the matter."
"Lead on," he said with a short temper, he didn't need to hear how she wanted a different husband. With a sigh Allyria headed off away from where the main chamber hall lay. The castle is set up in four parts; the hall first the outer towers, white sword the hand and maegor's holdfast, the chamber floors where everyone from servants to squires to guests of the king stayed, then finally behind the throne room the small council room and maiden vault. Allyria most have been lost because it was in the direction of the latter that she headed, Jaime began to chase after her yelling for her to stop.
"I am not in the habit of chasing little girls," Jaime growled at her catching her elbow and holding on to it tightly.
"I am not in the habit of being ordered about like a dog. Let go of me," she said icily. Jaime didn't release her but loosened considerably. Allyria responded to this action by wrenching her arm free from him completely. Jaime was glad she was not afraid of him, even if he wasn't particularly happy at the moment.
"This can not be where I am to sleep, this leads to the maidenvault, where maidens prepare for their wedding." Jaime said in an almost condescending whisper.
"Exactly," Allyria had an eerie sort of smile on her face. "No one said this is for you, you did not want my company, why force it on you?"
"You sleep here? It's really only for those betrothed to the king or crown prince." Jaime said matter of factly but with a confused look.
"Yes," Allyria's smile had begun to take on a bit of an edge. "The king had my things moved here after my father consented my hand. I am not sure what is being played at but I would like to know." It reassured Jaime that she was smart enough to recognize that not all was as it should be.
"Well," Jaime said drawing the word out, "My lady allow me to shed some light on the situation as you show me the way." He offered her his arm and she took it but said, "Don't call me that, I am nobody's lady." Jaime's face grew into a smirk and he could not help his reply, "You'll be my lady soon enough."
"I will be your wife, and a great many other things I am sure, but not a lady. I do not have the patience to cultivate great courtesies, that lack has kept me from appreciating it in others as well." Jaime laughed at that, how perfect she was Robert knew not, that she suited Jaime just fine but would irritate his father to no end was just an added bonus to the oblivious king. Jaime told the girl as much, it was meant to be a compliment but she took it as a slight, stiffening a bit in response.
"The truth is you were given as a punishment, to me and to my father," Jaime said, not realizing the damaging effect his words would have. "The king could have picked anyone to repay his debt to my father but he picked you." Jaime stopped and turned the girl to face him, starring straight at her. "Any unmarried woman from a noble house; fat old ugly young, whatever suited the king's taste, yet he chose you. A girl from a house that had openly supported the Targaryens, a wealthy and honorable house and also the heir, meaning our children would one day inherit the rock and Starfall. Not a very smart thing for a man to give a person he dislikes, and the king hates the very sight of me. Of course the feeling is mutual," Jaime added absentmindedly. "So why you?" he asked again in all seriousness.
There was a stillness in the air before Allyria answered, "Arthur. He knighted you, and welcomed you into the kingsguard, but while he died defending the Targaryens you killed one of them, the very one you were sworn to protect above all else." Jaime was stunned by her answer. Jaime felt the truth of it and slumped under the weight of all his memories, he had tried to be the sword of the morning, but somewhere along the way became the smiling knight, he thought to himself. He never regretted killing Aerys, but it saddened him to think how much he disappointed the men he once idolized. "I never met him," Allyria said dragging Jaime from his thoughts. "Well I did, but I don't remember him." Jaime nodded, he remembered how old she was, or rather how young, he too had been at her name day tourney. He was surprised when Sumner Crakehall had decided to go all the way to Dorne, but a tourney for a girl was a rare occasion and the crown prince was to be there too. "Your past does not bother me though; the king did not succeed in that respect." It was a nice sentiment, but Jaime's misdeeds ran deeper then broken vows and king slaying, not that he had ever regretted them either.
They continued up the stairs, it was obvious to Jaime now that he would be on the top floor. The small windows cut into the tower guided the way, in the winter they were boarded up and the halls were lit by torches drenched in wildfire.
"You are smart, smarter then the king, for he did not consider that unfortunate connection between us." Jaime said looking at the staisr still ahead of them, though they were almost to the top. "You are the closest link to old Valyria; it's why your eyes are purple and skin so white after so long in Dorne." The revelation dawned on her, that she was to be a constant reminder of his past, the Mad King.
They reached the final step, and then Allyria led him off to the left. Four doors down and she pushed one open, revealing a large but sparsely furnished chamber. The bed was large; it was so dominating it seemed to take up most of the room. It looked overly soft to Jaime and he wondered how he would sink into if he were to jump on it, as he had done in his youth. At first he checked the impulse to run and jump before he realized Allyria would probably approve of his impropriety. It was quite soft and he sank deep into it, Jaime was very satisfied. How odd he thought to himself, alone in his room in his bed, with his intended. "Care to join me? he asked, "it is quite fun."
Allyria laughed at him and smiled shaking her head, "I am sure it is. I am afraid I have to pass." With that she left quickly, leaving Jaime to say thanks to a wooden door.
