Chapter nineteen
Jaime
It was only early in the morning. Jaime was done with his night shift: King Robert was still safe and he still fucked many whores. Gods, how he hated it to just stand there and do nothing.
He knew Robert only did it to anger Jaime. Although Robert didn't know how close Jaime and Cersei exactly were, he did know he loved his twin sister.
He sighed as he turned left. He tried to walk as silent as possible, as his little sister's chambers were nearby.
'She's probably still sleeping,' he thought, 'poor little thing. Only four years old and no mother to look after her.'
Of course, he, Cersei and Tyrion also grew up without a mother, but at least they had each other. Well, Jaime had Tyrion and Cersei and they had him. Alyssa had no one at the Rock, but their father. And he was always busy.
It was Tyrion that suggested to Cersei that Alyssa could stay in King's Landing for a few months. He said that it would be good for her, getting to know her relatives, but Jaime knew better. Tyrion only suggested it so that Joffrey would have another kid of his own age in this town, and hopefully would calm him down. It didn't work, though, for that Alyssa did not care for Joffrey and ignored him whenever possible. Instead she listened to Tyrion, who told her stories about dragons and giants, or drew the stories that were told to her.
Jaime smiled as he saw his little sister at the table. She was up early. He could hear her sing the Rains of Castamere while she was making a drawing.
"A coat of gold and a coat of red, a lion still has paws…" Her sweet voice whispered.
He saw her reach out for some chocolates in front of her. She grabbed three with her little, chubby fingers and put them all together in her mouth.
"And mine are long, and soft my Lord…" she continued with her mouth full.
"Well, well, well. Good morning, sweet sister." Jaime laughed.
Alyssa shocked from his voice. Her face was guilty, although she tried not to show him by making her emerald eyes look extra big.
"How are those little chocolates? Do they taste well?" He grinned as he walked over to the table to sit next to her.
"I didn't have any chocolates!" Alyssa said as she tried to sound honest. Jaime would almost believe her, but her mouth was covered with chocolate.
"Oh, no of course you haven't! That would've been silly of me, you still need to have breakfast!" He said as he cleaned her up with his fingers.
Alyssa sighed, relieved as she thought that her brother believed her. "Were you working?" She asked him.
Jaime grinned. "Sort of. I was protecting your uncle."
"Was he attacked then?" Alyssa answered, as she put her attention back to her drawing.
"No, but the King always need to be guarded you know." Jaime watched as his little sister drew.
"Then you weren't working, but just standing." She shrugged.
"Yes, you're right. It's not really fascinating." He said. "What are you drawing?"
Alyssa looked up and gave him a big smile. "Look!" she said as she showed him the drawing.
Jaime laughed as he saw the drawing: it was their family. He saw Alyssa's interpretation of him: a big knight with a white cloak and a sword that was bigger than he was. Alyssa did have some trouble with drawing his body, as his body, arms and legs were all brown sticks. Next to him was Tyrion with Alyssa, who were equally big. Tyrion was reading a story to Alyssa, who had a big smile. Joffrey was also sitting with Tyrion and Alyssa, although he was looking angry instead of happy. Next to Joffrey was Cersei, who only had eyes for the babe Myrcella in her arms. Jaime thought that Cersei could look a little happier than she did, but if he was fair to himself: Cersei never really looked happy. Last of all was their Lord Father, who was above all his children and sitting behind what looked like a table. He did not smile nor did he looked angry, he was expressionless. That stung Jaime: he really felt sorry for Alyssa that she was there at the Rock with only their stern father, how well he loved her.
Alyssa wrote a line above of the drawing: "A lion still has paws." Jaime laughed at the innocence of his little sister.
"It is very pretty, Alyssa." He said truthfully.
"Thank you, Jaime. Look how big and strong you are!" She pointed at the doll that was made out of sticks.
"Yes I am, very likely." Jaime chuckled. "And is Tyrion reading a story to you about dragons?"
"No, you silly," she said as she rolled her eyes which made Jaime laugh, "about direwolves and the Children of the Forest! It's my favorite!"
'Oh dear, do not let our dear father or sister hear about that,' he thought, but didn't bother Alyssa with it.
"Here, it's for you." Alyssa handed it to him.
"Thank you, sweet sister." Jaime said, moved. "I will always keep it close to me."
"Do you promise?" Alyssa asked a little suspicious.
"I promise." He hugged her tightly. "I love you, remember that."
"I love you too, Ser brother Knight Jaime." She said, and Jaime smiled when she said those words to him.
…..
It was almost twenty years later, but Jaime still smiled as he looked at the drawing Alyssa once made for him. He always kept it in his armor, like now, a secret no one knew. It made him feel like there was always someone who thought of him and cared about him. He didn't know if Cersei still did, but he knew Alyssa did. No matter what he did, Kingslayer or not.
He was carefully hidden in the forest, nearby the Wall. He couldn't just knock on the door and pick his sister up, for Stannis was there, but he had an agreement with Jon, who only knew he was there.
It was three days ago that Bronn rid towards him and told him she was coming home. Jaime was relieved that she got herself out of the claws of Stannis and that she was safe and well.
"How did you know that I was here?" He asked Bronn.
"Well, y'know. Lord Commander Snow was being warned by som' hot, evil red haired witch that there was a man with a gold'n hand comin' closer to the Wall. He knew it was you, so he sent me. I said that I was going for a good shag, so that no one would find ou'." Bronn shrugged.
'Lord Commander Snow.. Well, well,' Jaime thought, 'From bastard to Lord Commander. Talking about achievements.'
"Give the Lord Commander my thanks when you see him. I will see you in a few days then." Jaime nodded.
"I will, see y'soon." Bronn said as he quickly rode away, probably because he wanted a shag nearby after all.
Jaime could hear some hooves in the distance. Knowing Bronn, he wouldn't let his sister ride on the road, as he knew how dangerous it was.
"M'lady, please put your hood over your head! Some might see you!"
'Ah, that must be that lightheaded handmaiden of hers.' He thought.
"So? I was under the impression that my brother needed to see me so that he could take me home." Alyssa snapped back.
'Yes, that's definitely Alyssa, hearing that sarcastic voice of hers.'
Jaime came out of his hiding place as he quickly readied his horse. He rode towards them.
"Oh look who's here! It's my Ser Brother Knight Jaime!" Alyssa said once she saw him.
She got off her horse Snow as she ran towards him. He also got off his horse and once they were together, they hugged each other tightly.
"Little cub," he whispered, "are you well?"
"Could've been better." She whispered back.
Jaime took the time to look at his sister carefully. He could see that she was tired, from the small circles around her eyes. He also thought to see that her eyes where somewhat puffy, had she been crying? He did not ask her, he would do that some other time. They needed to get out of here as soon as possible.
"I thought that you would come here with your army?" Alyssa said as she looked around her.
"And have a battle with Stannis? No, thank you very much."
Alyssa shrugged. "He is busy on planning a battle with the Bastard of Bolton. He wants to take the North, starting with Winterfell."
"Then we better move quickly." Jaime helped her getting back on her horse and helped himself as well. It was still difficult with one hand, but he managed somehow. "And she's right, put your hood on your head. I have seen you now."
Alyssa rolled her eyes but did as she was told.
"So how was your great adventure?" He asked her as they rode deeper into the forest.
"Perfect. The man who said he loved me as I loved him is unable to break his vows. I can't take him as my man and therefor I need another man to make heirs. So yes, everything seems perfect."
'Yep, she definitely cried,' Jaime thought to himself.
"I'm sorry, Alyssa. I really am. You deserve happiness. I'm sure that there is a man who can make you happy." He thought for a moment and then gave her the drawing that was hidden under his armor. It was difficult to find with only his left hand.
"What's that? A letter from our sister?" She asked suspiciously.
"Watch for yourself." He said, as he continued to ride.
Alyssa stopped as she looked what was on the paper. It was an old drawing by her making. It showed the people that loved her. Well, not Joffrey, but the rest did. Even though Cersei may not agree with her most of the times, she knew deep down that even Cersei loved her.
It moved her deeply as she felt the tears in her eyes coming. A tear fell down on some words which she couldn't read, as they were written by a young child.
"Jaime, what does it say?" She asked him.
Jaime looked back at her. "A lion still has paws." He said as he started to laugh.
Alyssa smiled back. "You've kept it all this time?"
Jaime nodded. "And I will always do."
The brother and sister looked into each others eyes, knowing that they had a silent agreement. They might not be loved back by the person they loved, but they still had each other. Jaime took her hand and guided her through the dark forest.
….
Tyrion
"So, have you decided yet? Wheter I'm worthy of your service?" The Dragon Queen asked him while she lifted an eyebrow as she watched him gulp some wine.
"I don't know. Have you decided yet to kill me and my brother and sister once you're in Westeros?" Tyrion asked her back.
"What would you, your brother and sister do?" Daenerys asked him.
"Oh well, I murdered my own father and my brother killed yours while he was his Kingsguard. I'd probably advice you to go to my sweet young sister if I were you."
"Then perhaps I will kill you after all."
"Your queenly prerogative. I have given up on life until Varys convinced me you might be worth living for. You want to chop off my head? Well, my final days were interesting." Tyrion sighed and set his cup to his lips again.
Daenerys chuckled. "I am not going to kill you."
"Aren't you?" Tyrion sounded surprised. "Then what? Banish me?"
"No," the Queen said as she took his cup out of his hands, "you are going to advise me. Well, you need to speak in complete sentences for that."
Now it was Tyrion's time to chuckle. "Advise you on what? Getting the Iron Throne? Perhaps you should focus on something else."
Daenerys was starting to get annoyed, but somehow he didn't care. Lots of families felt apart because of that Throne. The Baratheons were almost extinct, so are the Targaryens apart from the girl who stood in front of him, the Lannisters and Starks fell apart, most contributed by his father and sister.
"If I wanted to hear jokes I would have get myself a proper fool." Daenerys said as she folded her arms.
He sighed. "I am not entirely joking, Your Grace. Maybe this is your place after all. You've done so much good over here, why throw that all away for Westeros?"
"Because that's my home." Daenerys said, determined.
"As it was mine. And I can't tell you how grateful I am that I'm away from Westeros. A land of lies." He tried to get his cup back, but Daenerys won't let him.
"Isn't that just one reason worth fighting for? You said you loved your brother and sister, they are still there, in Westeros." Daenerys answered and Tyrion knew she was trying to convince him.
"Jaime is perfectly capable of looking after himself. He's a Kingsguard and a great warrior, even with one hand. Alyssa is a smart girl, she will manage."
Of course he wanted to help them, but how? He was on the other side of the Narrow Sea and he would only bring them in danger if he would try to get in contact with them.
"Tell me about your sister, she's of my age, wasn't she?"
"Yes, Your Grace, she is. She's my half-sister, really. For I killed my mother in childbed. I was twelve years old when my stepmother gave birth to Alyssa. She was a warm woman, never insulted me, although my father and sister did. Alyssa was a sweet babe, but was spoiled by her mother. Her mother got into a depression and by the time Alyssa was four her mother threw herself off the cliffs of Casterly Rock. I can still hear Alyssa scream for her mother every night. She grew up by my father. Well, I have told you some of my father, so maybe you will understand that it wasn't always nice for her."
"Was she unhappy?" Daenerys asked curious.
Tyrion thought for a moment. "No, not really I think. I bet that she was lonely. She was so happy when our father decided that she could live in Kings Landing among us. It wasn't for the good reasons, though. My father didn't have the time to control her, so Cersei needed to do that."
"Did she need to be controlled, then?"
Tyrion sniffed, it was good to see that the Queen had such an interest for his little sister. Maybe it was because the Queen didn't have a lot of ladies about her own age around her. Only old, drunken men or men without a cock.
"Sometimes she did." Tyrion smiled at the memory.
"Why?"
"Let's just say she inherit the trouble-making from my brother Jaime. She's an impulsive woman when it comes to love."
"How come?"
"Let's safe that for the next time, Your Grace. Maybe you'll meet her once you set foot in Westeros. Tell me, how were you planning to do that? Who supports you back in Westeros?" He asked her curiously.
"The common people." She said wisely.
"Let's just say that the commoners are nice and that it is going to happen, Your Grace. But what is it like to rule without the rich? The House Targaryen is gone, not a single person who shares your blood is alive to support you. The Starks are gone, both of our fathers had saw to that. The remaining Lannisters won't support you, neither will Stannis Baratheon, so that only leaves us with the Tyrells. Small chance they will, but still not enough."
Daenerys looked up to him: "Lannister, Targaryen, Baratheon, Stark, Tyrell.. They're all just spokes on a wheel. First this one's on top, then that one's on top and on and on it spins, crushing those on the ground."
Tyrion grimaced, oh how many times had he heard someone speak of this dream? "It's a beautiful dream, stopping the wheel. You are not the first person to have dreamt it."
The Queen smiled: "I'm not going to stop the wheel, Lord Tyrion. I am going to break the wheel."
…..
Jon
He sat behind his desk, troubles filling his mind.
Soon after Alyssa had left, King Stannis had left as well to fight the Boltons out of Winterfell.
Days after that, he received a letter, where the content of it didn't leave his mind.
'Your little sister is dead and I have your Lady, bastard, come and see…'
'Your false King is dead and I have his magical sword, tell his Red Whore.'
'Your Lady is so cold, bastard. Luckily I am here to warm her up.'
He just couldn't stop thinking about it. His little sister Arya, tortured to death because of this man, and now Alyssa was in his cruel hands.
Thormund had said to him to not take the letter too literally: they can't know if all of its content was true. The idea of it helped him, but only slightly.
Doubts were settling together for the past days: Hardhome, or the place that was once his home? Only today he had made a decision: he would fight for his family and for his love, though he would break his vows.
Luckily there were many Wildlings that would help him retake Winterfell and to restore its honor. He would set Alyssa free from all the horror that she was going through right now and he would make sure that she would have a safe passage to Casterly Rock.
He took one last sip of his ale and readied himself to see the Lady Melisandre. She was the only one who had returned from the battle of Stannis and warned him about going to Hardhome. He needed to tell her that he changed his mind.
He walked through the door and felt how the cold breeze cut through his cloak. It seemed to get colder by the night and that could only mean one thing: Winter and the dead were upon them. After the Battle of Winterfell, he would send ravens throughout Westeros, to warn each House to what was coming closer to them by the day.
There was an uproar at the square and Jon ran towards it. He saw how the giant Wun Wun smashing a brother to a tower and other brothers attacking him.
Jon didn't hesitate as he ran to the square and tried to calm the people who were in a fight.
"Calm down! Don't attack him! You're only making it worse!" He yelled, but no-one seemed to hear him.
Only a moment later he felt how an ice cold dagger was put to his throat by a brother called Wick Wittlestick. He disarmed him quickly as he was trying to understand what was going on. Only then he felt a dagger being put into his back.
"For the Watch." Bowen Marsh said, as he cried for needing to do this.
"For the Watch." Another Black Brother said to him.
Jon didn't even feel the fourth stab entering his body. He felt face down onto the ground, feeling nothing but the cold.
….
Blegh, I hated that part in book and show! But, I needed to do this! You all know why by now ;-)
Is Alyssa really at Winterfell? You will find out next chapter! I don't know when I will post again, though, but I won't keep you waiting as long as I did last time!
Thanks for the many reviews last chapter and welcome to my new follows and favorites