This is mostly fluff, but I skipped over the fluff last time and there were complaints.
Jaime and Allyria broke their fast quickly, he being in a hurry and never having much of an appetite before going on a long ride. They ate mostly in silence, neither really knowing what to say to the other. Allyria did not need him to return her sentiments from the night before, but she hadn't really meant for them to be heard and didn't know what to say now. Besides what do you say to a man you have known a year but who will be gone from your life for the next two moons? So she didn't try, only saying goodbye as he walked out of the door with a kiss.
Was this what marriage was? Being there for your man when he needed you and not making a fuss when he didn't? She wondered when everything would become a routine, when she would get used to her new life. In all honesty it wasn't so different from her life in Starfall but there she had been sure of her role and place. Here she might be Jaime Lannister's wife, and she would one day become the lady of the keep, but she tiptoed over everything wondering if it was right. Even after a year she still expected Tywin to pop around every corner and tell her she was a disgrace.
Even when they shared the news of her pregnancy she had been caught off guard to hear him say that he was happy. He hadn't looked happy or even pleased, but he hadn't looked angry either.
"Wow," Jaime had said later when they were alone. "That was high praise; I don't think I have ever heard him say he was happy." Allyria had shaken it off, Jaime was trying to clear any leftover tension, but even still a part of her was proud that she could make Lord Tywin say he was happy even if he refused to show it.
In her short time every rumor or tale of Lord Tywin had been confirmed for her, he was the scariest person she had ever met. Without fail every time they supped with him alone it was silent at best and always uncomfortable. At worst Tywin would be outright antagonistic towards his son, once he had interrupted Jaime before he even had a chance to speak. "Go on," Tywin said, "say something clever." In that moment she had a clear picture of what Jaime and Cersei's childhood had been like and she couldn't have imagined it, she tried not to think of Tyrion's. Good looks and coin only get you so far in life, at least as far as happiness is concerned. In that moment she decided she would always make Jaime feel important and needed. Allyria has the luxury of knowing just how greatly she was loved. She also decided that with effort, and time, she would forgive him of all things.
It had been heartbreaking to lose the baby, and to find out in the manner she did. She felt useless here, and marginalized, unimportant. The child would give her purpose, male or female she would be a mother.
Allyria knows she is not a brood mare but also knows the importance of children and her role. Now matter how much gold Casterly Rock sits on Tywin can never buy himself an heir. Jaime, without a wife, without her, could never provide one either. Only she alone could do this thing, and there was great strength in that.
In the loss there had also been relief, she felt the strain it put on the marriage, she and Jaime needed to be closer before they could become parents united for the child. It had only been a few short months after all, now they would wait to try again. She could wait for him, it might be hard, but again she was strong enough to bear all things. Jaime is strong, physically. In that respect Jaime was all a man could ever hope to be, but he lacked patience and understanding. If in time he failed to gain these things she could pick up the slack. For now she was willing to let him try to be the man she knew was in there.
There was a knock at the door, she had not bee expecting anyone. Flustered the door opened before she could answer. "My lord," she said even more surprised to see her father-in-law come through it.
"I believe it is time you learn how things are done here, you have responsibilities and you will not fail to fulfill them. The Rock will not fall when I am gone because of mismanagement." The insult barely registered, without Jaime her days would be far emptier, she was glad for the work; though she would have to endure the scorn of Lord Tywin many a time. "Tomorrow morning after you break your fast you will meet with me and my steward." He turned and left without as much as a goodbye in parting. That Allyria would not comply with his demands never crossed his mind. You had to respect a man that sure of himself. Besides it was not arrogance, that confidence had been earned. He was after all, the only Hand of King Aerys to ever leave his office, alive that is.
Allyria spent most of the rest of that day in a wooden rocking chair she had placed in front of one of the great windows in the sitting room of their chamber. Tyrion had left a great stack of books for her; a history of Valyria, written stories given by the great bards, and some on the age of heroes with a particular emphasis on the wall and what lies beyond it.
Quite accidently, while reading a particularly boring section of the history she dozed off to sleep. Feeling silly after awakening, she decided exercise would do her good and set off on a walk. Casterly Rock was so large that she doubted a lifetime would be enough to discover all its secrets.
Jaime and her chamber and the few other rooms attached to it were at the highest point in the second tower. Below her lived Tygett's wife, Darlessa Marband; before he had left to be the king's squire the son, Tyrek, had lived there also. Even further down were the chambers belonging to Joy Hill and the speta who attended to her. Joy was Gerion Lannister's bastard daughter. Both were sweet children who had been very accepting of her presence, looking at her with an eye of reverence. Perhaps in Tyrek's case his awestruck had been caused by the boy's love for Jaime.
Joy was naturally a sweet girl and quiet. Whether that was her disposition or was the result of her position of birth or even the isolation that came after her father's disappearance, Allyria knew not. Regardless, Allyria felt for the child, in Dorne bastard children were not looked on with such scorn. She was very happy to find Joy welcomed and well treated in a house such as this. Gerion was in all accounts a great favorite of both Tyrion and Jaime's, and he was good enough to take in his daughter and care for her. Allyria approved of him, living or dead. Still she never understood why the people least responsible must suffer the most. Joy had played no part in the act that brought about her birth, and yet she is considered less by everyone else for it.
After walking down the many stairs Allyria entered the main castle on the second floor. If she turned left there were a great many places to travel, the kitchen the great hall and even the lion's mouth were down that way, And the Lord's chambers, though she had no intention to find herself there if it could be helped. Instead she chose to go straight, in a little ways there would be a pavilion that overlooked the training yard. It was a large flat courtyard on the southern side of the castle, there was always something to see there. Jaime was most often there, usually attended by his young cousins Willem and Martyn. Even Ser Kevan would spend time with his sons there if he could manage. If on the off chance there wasn't something to be seen, then the Castellan would be there and she could speak to him before returning.
As expected there was plenty to see, Ser Kevan did happened to be there with his two young sons. Allyria enjoyed them immensely, apart from her own husband and Tyrion these three were her favorite Lannisters. She watched quietly as the young boys kept their father busy deflecting their blows. Kevan is a loving and attentive father, present as much as he could be so in contrast to his elder brother. The boys were likewise dutiful and well behaved.
"My lady Allyria," Willem said noticing her. He gave a deep bow, his sandy blonde hair almost skimming the dirt. His inattention earned him a sharp reprove, a smack on the behind with the broad side of a tourney sword.
"Never turn your back on a sword," His father said as he helped the boy up. "If you can't see it you can't stop it. Not paying attention is a good way to end up dead." The boy looked sheepish as he wiped dirt off his breeches.
"How are you?" Martyn called up loudly, speaking for the first time. Though he and Willem looked exactly alike he was a bit quieter and slower to action.
"Very well, thank you." Allyria said. "You are much improving I see, you will give my husband a run for his luck one day I am sure." The boys glowed as if there were no higher praise, for them there probably wasn't.
"Easy now," Kevan said smiling as he shook his head. "That day is very far off. They are improving markedly but their attention is often elsewhere as you see." He spoke to Allyria now, "flirting with pretty ladies isn't going to win you a melee any time soon."
"Very sound logic good Ser," She was smiling now too.
"With Jaime gone what are your plans, will you be dining alone?" Kevan asked. Martyn interrupted him, "You must eat with us, shouldn't she father." Kevan laughed at his son's eager impertinence.
"I was going to sup with Joy, she is alone to often."
"Yes," Kevan said, his smile turning a bit sad. "Bring her too; it will be good for all of us."
Allyria was very pleased with the outcome of her walk; she pictured no better an evening for herself then the one before her.
Author's note
So this should be 298 AL making my Allyria 17. I don't know how old Willem and Martyn are, no birth date was given, though Lancel is 16 at the start of the series so I am going to make them 12, hope no one objects. It's never specifically stated Joy lives at the Rock I just assumed, she should be 10. Jaime should be 32; this makes Allyria far closer in age to Jaime's cousins then Jaime. I have decided to kind of make Joy a bit of a companion for Allyria, though she does still have the maid Meiri. I am not going to change what happens to Willem, Joy, or Martyn, I just wanted to add them in since there isn't so much background I can kind of play with them a little bit.
