Chapter 3

Aeryelle had climbed the tower for the 100th time. She couldn't believe that Bran would fall. He had done that climb innumerable times and knew every stone. The only thing Aeryelle considered possible was that he had been distracted by something. Maybe his direwolf Summer had started howling or something.

She sighed and went back down. Everyone was busy in the courtyard, getting ready for their departure. It seemed unbelievable that it had been just 4 weeks since the royal party had arrived. King Robert had made Lord Stark Hand of the King, Jon had been allowed to join the Night's Watch and worst of all Bran's accident.

It pained her to think that he would be a cripple for the rest of his life. Of all the Stark children, he was by far the most adventurous and curious. He would always beg her for stories of her travels and she could see in his eyes, how much he longed to see all those places for himself and now he was lying in his bed and had been there for weeks. Master Luwin had said he was to live but he still hadn't woken up.

There was another thing that was bothering Aeryelle. She hadn't been able to speak to Jamie alone since their reunion and he had been playing his role as the arrogant kingsguard so perfectly since then that she sometimes even doubted their reunion hat happened. She had managed a short conversation with Ser Barristan but before they could say anything of meaning they had been interrupted by Ser Meryn Trant.

„Alexandria! There you are!" Jon shouted from across the yard. He had always felt a special attachment to her, both of them being bastards or at least so he thought.

„What can I do for you? " She asked when he had reached her.

„Nothing, I just was looking for you. Father said we will be leaving soon." Jon was excited to join the Watch. He finally had found his place and his purpose in life.

„I know. Next time we see each other, you will be a man of the Night's Watch." She replied smiling.

A little later the party left after the goodbyes.

They had been on the Kingsroad for days and had left the rough climate of the North behind. The party was exhausted but it was a beautiful summer day and everyone was in good mood. The king had ordered to set up camp rather early and Aeryelle was among the guards, as he and Lord Stark ate.

„Read this." He ordered Lord Eddard and handed him as small piece of paper.

„Daenerys Targaryen has wed some Dothraki horse lord. What of it? Do we sent her a wedding gift?" Lord Eddard was annoyed.

Aeryelle stiffened at the sound of her sister's name, although they had never met and focused not to miss anything.

„A nice sharp knife." Robert snapped back at Ned.

„Imagine a Targaryen prince leading 40.000 Dothraki!"

„They have no ships Robert!" Ned was almost yelling. He was the only person alive, who could get away with speaking to his king like that but he didn't want to test his luck any further and changed the subject.

Aeryelle stopped listening. The past was catching up with her and her sister was in danger. She knew that Viserys was with her, but he had always been a weird little boy, even at 5 years, which was when Aeryelle had last seen him.

After their arrival to King's Landing Aeryelle had had a difficult time and almost forgot about what she had heard.

She had to pretend not knowing her way around, although it was as familiar as if she had left a fortnight ago. Lord Eddard was always out and grew secretive about it only trusting Jory. Aeryelle was careful whenever she saw someone from the past. Luckily she had kept the concept that she was from Dorne so if anybody recognized her she could talk her way of it. But nobody did recognize her. It was a proof of the nobility's arrogance but no one was expecting to see the king's warden in a household guard.

It had all been too much, so she decided to take some time off.

„I will be gone for the afternoon. Make sure the morning shift checks all chambers and support the city watch after lunch. I want Stark uniforms present at all times." She ordered Tom and left for the stables. Her mare Galatea needed an outing and got excited when she sattled her.

Aeryelle rode of out the eastern gate without thinking where to go but he instinct took her to her clearing. It was such an unknown and well-hidden spot, that it didn't even have a name. She had to ride through the forest east of the city. She had to ride for a long time, until the forest got so thick, that the sun was almost blocked then she reached a small stream and followed it south until it flew into a small lake on the clearing. The sun shone brightly and the flowers were blooming.

She wasn't even surprised to see him standing there and only felt stupid for not having come earlier.

„I had started to think you had forgotten about this place." Ser Jamie said.

She dismounted smiling and answered:

„How could I? It was the only place I could ever be myself."

„Then why has it taken you so long to come here? I have been coming here for weeks waiting for you!" His voice didn't show the slightest hint of reproach, only joy at seeing her.

„I was afraid you wouldn't come. How have you been? I can only imagine how hard it must have been for you to be back." He added and sat down on the grass. She sat down next to him.

„It is. The memories have been overwhelming. I am just glad that usually I can avoid the throne room and stay at the tower of the hand. The worst thing is not to be able to talk to anybody about it."

He looked guilty.

„I'm sorry but it is dangerous.. Everybody is watching me. I'm the queen's brother!" He explained apologetically.

„And her lover." She added reluctantly and he gasped.

„Don't worry. I have always known and I'm in no place to judge, after all my parents were brother and sister as well." She said, trying to sound reconciliatory.

„I just wanted you to know that I am aware it. It felt like the right thing to do." She hoped he would say something, as she was starting to babble. He sighed and then smiled with relief.

„Actually I am glad that you know and wished you would have told me sooner. I have always hated to keep it a secret from you."

„Do you love her?" She asked.

„I do but it is not that simple." He sounded confused like a boy.

„Why?"

„Cersei and I are twins, we shared a womb. This bond of love is intense and it can overshadow all other emotions. I don't know if people without a twin can understand this but sometimes it makes you blind for any other emotion."

He looked away and Aeryelle didn't dare saying a word.

„Anyhow." He continued eager on changing the topic. „What do you intend doing about your sister?"

„What about my sister?" She asked surprised.

„You can't be serious. You haven't heard? Robert has put a price on her head. The spider has sent assassins after her!" Jamie explained.

„What? By why? No Targaryen has ever tried to retake the seven Kingdoms. Hell, they even call Viserys the beggar king because he can hardly feed them. Let's alone put together an army!" Aeryelle felt the fury rising in her and Jamie stared at her.

„You don't know." He stated softly. „Viserys is dead, killed by Daenerys husband. You are now the head of house Targaryen as the king's eldest surviving child."

Aeryelle grasped for air, when she realised that it was up to her! She had never wanted to have anything to do with this game of thrones the nobility played. But if she didn't her sister would die and she would be the last of her family.

Jamie seemed to read her thoughts:

„I know that you never wanted any of this but you are your sister's only chance."

„And what am I supposed to do? I might be able to handle myself in combat one on one but I have no army, no money and no support! Am I supposed to challenge the king to a duel?" She snapped at him and immediately regretted it. „I'm sorry." She quickly added.

„No! Never say you're sorry, even if you mean it! They will see it as a weakness. You must show always strength!" He explained to her.

„I don't know what to do, I don't know how!" She was almost pleading.

„Don't worry. I know you will think of something and I will always protect you." He said calmingly.