4th Month of 298 A.C. King's Landing

Lord Jaime Lannister

It felt odd to be back here, in this place. There were a lot of mixed memories in the Red Keep and King's Landing, for Jaime Lannister. This was the place where he had met his wife and fallen in love, but this was also the place where he had learned the true intentions of men. Their black hearts, and their lies disguised as pleasantries. It was a mixed feeling for him. Ashara and he had come, leaving their younger children in the Rock to the security of Tyrion and Gerion. They had met Arthur, and Jaime was proud to see the fine young man his son was becoming. His son reminded him a little of himself at that age, with his pale hair, his green eyes and his lithe build. There was a confidence there that was equal parts him as it was Ashara. Jaime was proud of his son, proud of the young man he was, and the man he was becoming. He often found himself, if this was the pride his own father had felt when Jaime had been Arthur's age, and if that was why he had always tried to get Jaime out of the Kingsguard.

Meeting his former sworn brothers at the wedding had been intriguing, they had greeted him reasonably well, Ser Arthur had smiled at him, and Ser Oswell had cracked a few jokes. Ser Gerold remained stoically silent though, as was his way. It was an interesting occasion, seeing Rhaegar's son now a man, with a crown on his head, so in love with his wife. The wedding had been a good one, but Jaime was glad it was over, for that meant he could speak with Lord Rickard who was the Hand, and still Lord of Winterfell, and then move on home, taking his son with him, as per their agreement. He was sat in the solar in the Tower of the Hand, Lord Rickard was sat before him, gazing at him intently, there were two cups of untouched wine before them both. Eventually, Lord Rickard breaks the silence. "I trust all has been well for you here my lord?" Jaime looks at the man and sees how quickly age is catching up with the man. He remembers his father saying something about Lord Rickard, long ago. Something about the man being more than he seemed.

"Everything has been most suitable, my lord hand. Thank you for that." Jaime responds politely. "I would also like to thank you for making sure that my son Arthur enjoyed his stay here, and that he has grown from the young boy he was."

The Hand merely waves a hand. "It was no bother my lord of Lannister. Arthur is a good boy, and someone who will make a very fine knight and lord when the time comes."

Jaime feels pride bloom at the man's words. "He speaks very highly of you my lord Hand. He says that you have taught him a lot."

A paternal smile crosses the hand's face then for the briefest of moments before disappearing. "That is good." the man pauses, and Jaime can sense that there is more to come, the main reason he has come is approaching. "Now, I am sure you are fully aware that whilst the King was the one who summoned you here, I am the one who requested your presence."

Jaime nods, he had expected as much. "I am."

"Good." The Hand says. "Our two houses have a long history of working together. When the Ironborn were threatening our shores recently, we worked together to throw them back. When those fools in the West tried to bring damage to you, we provided aid. And before that, during the times of Beron Stark and Gerold Lannister, we worked together to end the threats that were facing our two realms. Through all of that we have worked and fought side by side. Now I think the time is right for us to seal our alliance and friendship through marriage."

Jaime had been expecting something like this, though it still comes as a surprise. "A marriage my lord Hand? Between whom, might I ask?"

The Hand of the King smiles. "Come now, my lord, we both know who this marriage would be between. Or rather betrothal. I have a granddaughter who is of an age with your son Arthur. I think the time is right for a betrothal. They need not marry now, that can wait till they are older. But betrothing them now gives them the chance to get to know one another, and ensure that they work well together."

Jaime spends a moment to think on this, knowing as he does, the benefits that would come from tying himself closer to the Hand's family, it would give him an in with the King as well, and a chance to ensure his promise is fulfilled. He thinks on it for a moment, and then responds. "It is certainly a very tempting offer my lord Hand. I will need to speak with my wife about it, and ensure that we are both in agreement. I am sure you can understand." He says that last bit, thinking wryly of Lady Lyarra Stark, who is a formidable woman in her own right, and allegedly the lady who came up with the Stark-Tully alliance, if Aunt Genna is to be believed.

The Hand of the King has clearly caught onto what he was saying, for he smiles as he responds. "Oh most definitely, take all the time you want, my lord. Discuss it with your wife, make sure she is happy with it, and let me know, before you leave. I will need to make the necessary arrangements with my son."

Jaime nods. "Of course my lord Hand." With that they fall into silence for a moment, and then Jaime says. "If you would excuse me my lord Hand, I believe the King requested my presence at this time." The Hand gestures for him to stand, and he does so, the Hand standing up at the same time. Jaime nods to the older man and then leaves the tower of the Hand.

As he walks, Jaime looks around at his surroundings, though it has been many years, the Red Keep has not changed much. It still holds that feeling of grandeur and promise, of a better future, and a worse past. As if the ghosts of the past, and the dreams of the future are mingling together, forming some sort of strange song. It is an idle thought, one that brings an amused quirk to his lips, that thought is something that Tommen might come up with, his second son a bit of a dreamer, like the Prince had once been. The thought of the Prince, brings nerves filtering through into his system, he is going to meet the Prince's son, that is not something one can take lightly. He wonders what the King wishes to speak to him about, and thinks that he knows what it will be, somewhere deep down, he has always known. He comes to door to the King's chambers, and finds Ser Oswell and Ser Arthur standing guard outside, he nods to them both, waits for Arthur to announce him, and then from a nod from Ser Arthur, he enters the King's chambers.

The King, is a young man, with curly hair, and piercing eyes, he sits on a chair in front of table, wearing the red and black of his house, his crown atop his head. The King rises as he enters and says. "Ah, Lord Jaime. Please do take a seat." Jaime sits down in the offered chair, one that is close to the King, but not too close, he notes that Ser Gerold and Ser Jon Redfort of the Kingsguard are standing in the shadows, watching. "I trust your talk with my Lord Hand was not too tedious?"

Jaime shakes his head, nerves still there. "Of course not Your Grace. It was a most interesting experience. Lord Rickard is an interesting man."

The King nods, and Jaime gets the distinct impression that the man is weighing him up, just as his father would've done. Eventually, the man speaks. "So tell me my lord, how are you finding being back in King's Landing? I was but a babe when last you were here. Has it changed much?"

Jaime considers the question, and considers his response. "King's Landing has always been an interesting city Your Grace, in that bits of it might change, but overall it will remain the same." He sees the smirk on the King's face, and knows he has given the right answer. "As to how I feel about being back here, well it is an interesting experience. Being here for your wedding was a good way to return. Congratulations, by the way, Your Grace. Queen Margaery is a beautiful woman."

The King smirks, and then his smirk softens into a soft smile. "That she is. I am a lucky man truly I am." A pause, and Jaime senses that the King is looking for the words to ask the questions he clearly has. Eventually, the Young King speaks, his voice cautious. "I am sure you are wondering why I asked you here, my lord. The truth is, I have been curious about you." Jaime sees the man hesitate, and feels his own heart begin to quicken. "I know you were one of the last people my father, Prince Rhaegar, spoke to, and I would know what he spoke you about. And what he was like."

Jaime tries to keep his sigh of relief as quiet as possible, and thinks he largely succeeds. He takes a moment to consider the King's question and then replies. "Before he left for the Trident Prince Rhaegar told me to guard King Aerys, your grandsire, and if necessary do what was necessary to protect the people from him." He sees understanding dawn in the King's eyes and feels relief flow through him. It is that relief that encourages him to continue. "Prince Rhaegar was a good man, he was a true knight, but he had his faults. He was a dreamer, who never stopped to think that perhaps dreams and reality were two different things. he suffered for that."

The King looks at him curiously, before asking. "Do you think he would have made a good King?"

Jaime exhales softly at that question, and the weight it carries. He thinks over what response he will give, and then decides on one. "I think that before Harrenhal, he would have made a good figurehead King. My father would have tried to do all the ruling. After Harrenhal and had he survived the rebellion, I think he would have done his best. And at the end of the day, that is all anyone can ask for." He wants to ask why the King wants to know, but deep down he knows why. Of course the King would want to know.

The King seems to be deep in thought over what he has said, and so Jaime sits in silence, waiting for the man to speak. Eventually, when he does so, the King's words are once more considered. "Do you think then that his decision to take my mother was based on lust, or actual sense?"

This is a question that catches Jaime off guard, but after looking at the King, he thinks it is one that the King has wanted to ask for a long time, but hasn't. He takes a moment to think about his answer, then says. "I think it might have been equal parts lust and sense, Your Grace. I do not think anyone can truly know what went on between your father and your mother, apart from them both. And they are both gone from this world."

The King nods, seemingly accepting his answer. "Thank you Lord Jaime. And thank you for allowing Arthur to come and foster here, I shall miss him."

Jaime smiles. "He will miss you as well Your Grace."