Chapter 21: Lady Lannister
Lyra, her mother, aunt, and cousin all watched tearfully as Prince Oberyn's body was carried onto the boat headed to Sunspear. Lyra had tried to convince Princesses Meria and Arienne to let Prince Oberyn's mourning to be done in the Capitol so that she could mourn for him as well; but Ellaria had insisted that the mourning rituals be completed in Sunspear.
"He hated this place," Lyra's aunt told them, "He loved Sunspear. He should be buried and mourned for at his home...with his brother and daughters present. Not a place full of enemies." As strong as Ellaria Sand was, losing her true love had a devastating effect on her. In fact, she had been grieving for her paramour so much that she couldn't even wear her eyeliner because it would all simply melt off.
As the smaller boat began it's journey back to the docks to pick up Meria, Arienne, and Ellaria, Lyra began to feel the grief and anxiety of being stuck with complete strangers for the first time in her life. All of the Martells would be leaving today except for Lyra. Not only was she to say good-bye to her beloved uncle, but she would also be saying good-bye to her mother and her other relatives for a long time.
When the boat arrived, all four women embraced each other as a good-bye. As Ellaria and Princess Arienne got into the boat, Princess Meria pulled Lyra aside.
"You're grown now Lyra, with a husband and the lady of a castle I never even dreamt of seeing you in. I know that I was never Lady of Winterfell, but I tried to show you how to run a household as best I could," Meria told her only daughter regretfully. Looking down sadly as she thought of Brandon, she continued, "I never told you, but originally, I was meant to marry Prince Rhaegar."
Lyra was stunned, she had never heard this before.
"My older sister had a kind wit, but mother knew that Elia would probably be too tame and unable to hold Prince Rhaegar's attention; which is likely why he courted me instead of her when the Targaryen's visited Sunspear, looking for a bride for Prince Rhaegar...and also probably why he did what he did with your aunt Lyanna." Looking at the Red Keep, Meria continued, "Sometimes I think that if I hadn't spurned my own marriage arrangements, perhaps everyone I lost to the War would still be alive. My sweet big sister and brother would still be here." She finished with tears in her eyes.
"It's not your fault mother. You couldn't have known..." Lyra comforted her mother, but she was not done yet.
Taking a deep breath and drying her eyes, Meria continued; "I spurned duty for love. The moment I saw Brandon Stark and we locked eyes at that tourney, it was like love at first sight. I didn't even believe in that until I met your father..." Meria seemed to say the last part more to herself that to Lyra. "Rhaegar was beautiful, but your father...he was the most handsome man I thought I had ever met. Passionate, hot blooded, impulsive...he could have been Dornish. Later that night at the tourney, we found ourselves together all night. When morning came, we were drunk, but we were sure; we wanted to be married. First, we were married in front of the Old Gods, and Oberyn was our witness," Meria's eyes became misty as she re-called the beautiful memory. "Your grandfather, Rickard, and my mother were so angry when they found out. They even tried their best to annul our marriage, until I found out that I was pregnant with you in Sunspear. As soon as Brandon found out, he rode day and night from Winterfell, just to be by my side, proclaiming that he would not allow his wife to give birth alone. Your father was so happy the day you were born. I think my favorite memory of us as a family was the day you were born; I was exhausted from twenty four hours of labour, but when Brandon was allowed into the birthing room, he held you tearing from overwhelming joy. He held my hand as he named you 'Lyra Stark of Winterfell'. After that, Brandon said that there was nothing in this world that could keep our little family apart; not even his father's threats to disinherit him phased Brandon, he was so passionate and fearless." Smiling and laughing bitterly, Meria added, "ironically, those traits that kept us together are also what ultimately parted us."
Emotion swelled in Lyra; "Sometimes, I wonder what father would think of my marriage to Jaime..." She added sadly. She doubted Brandon would have approved.
"He would have had his reservations about Jaime, as we all did, but I believe that he would be proud to know that not even the Lannisters could change who you are; and that you can balance being Lady Lannister while also not straying from your Stark and Martell roots. And he would especially be proud of how passionate and independent you are."
At this, Princess Arienne told Meria that the captain was eager to leave before the tides began to come in.
Lyra's mother kissed and held her one last time before she turned to leave and get onto the boat. "You will be a great Lady Lannister my love."
As the small boat began to paddle away from the docks, Lyra picked up her black skirts and ran to the edge. Fist in the air, as if she were holding a spear, Lyra yelled to her departing family; "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken."
"Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken," they all yelled back in unison. Symbolizing their solidarity as a family.
Jaime sighed irritably. He had not slept in two days and he needed to organize the Lannister army as soon as possible so that Lyra could leave and be safe. Thankfully, his childhood friend, Ser Addam, had volunteered to help.
"According to Lord Tywin's documents and notes, House Lannister currently only has around eight thousand active duty soldiers, including about three hundred knights. After Robb Stark's army was defeated and Stannis Baratheon was beaten at the Battle of the Blackwater, he sent most of the remaining soldiers and knights back home to guard the Westernlands in his absence," Ser Addam relayed to Jaime, who sat listening with his heavy eyes closed.
Though Jaime eventually figured out how to read despite his "affliction", it still made reading quite difficult when he was exhausted. Ser Addam had been kind enough to read his father's documents to him. Jaime made a mental note to thank his childhood friend in some way when they got to the Rock. Not only had Addam agreed immediately to leave the Gold Cloaks as soon as Jaime asked him to help guard his lady wife, but he also lied to Cersei for Jaime the night Lord Tywin was killed. Jaime was sure that Addam knew that he hadn't left to get food from the kitchens, which is likely why he told Cersei that Jaime had not left the room all night. Jaime couldn't be more grateful to have such a friend; one whom he could trust without doubt, which is why he only had him guarding Lyra that night as he went to free Tyrion.
"Lord Jaime." Jaime awoke from his short slumber to Ser Addam lightly shaking his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Jaime apologized; rubbing his eyes. "What was that?"
"How many men do you plan to send with Lady Lannister on her journey to the Trident?"
"I'm not sure...how dangerous do you think the road to the Trident would be?"
"It seems to me that all of the major battles and conflicts towards the Crown and House Lannister have stopped, for now at least. Most lords and their vassals have gone home to prepare for the Winter."
"And Lyra will be going through the territory of our allies. So the journey will be relatively safe for her," Jaime mused. Most of the armies have gone back home for the Winter, and Jaime needed to send the remaining Lannister soldiers back as well since he was now the head of House Lannister and he did not plan to remain in the Capitol after his father's mourning period was over in five days. He wanted to send Lyra with half of the Lannister forces to the Rock, however, Cersei demanded that Jaime leave her at least 2,000 red cloaks in addition to commanding him to stop the Siege of Riverrun on his way to join Lyra at Casterly Rock. Jaime only had 6,000 red cloaks to split between himself and Lyra, and he needed a larger portion for Riverrun. As much as Jaime loathed to do so, he would have to send Lyra with only 2,000.
"I'm going to send Lyra to the Rock with 2,000 men, including half of the knights pledged to House Lannister. Cersei demanded 2,000 soldiers be left with her in King's Landing, but we're taking all of our knights back to the Westernlands with us."
"I think that will be more than enough, especially with 150 knights," Addam agreed.
"Do you miss home, Ser Addam?" Jaime asked.
"I think about home everyday, my lord," Ser Addam responded. "It would be nice to go back and see my family again," he admitted.
"Good," Jaime said. "I want you to go with Lyra; I'm charging you with her safety."
Ser Addam stood at attention; "Lady Lannister is in good hands my lord. I shan't let you down."
"I'm relieved to hear so," Jaime got out a quill and parchment, and began writing.
Lyra was tired by the time evening came. In fact, she had already taken off her black mourning gown to get ready for bed by the time her handmaidens came to help her ready for the night.
It seemed the whole castle was busy: soldiers were looking all over the Red Keep for Tyrion; the royal family was mourning for Lord Tywin; and half of the Lannister household, now under Lyra's control, was preparing to depart with her for the Trident tomorrow. This morning, Lyra and Jaime dressed and went to the Sept of Baelor to pay their respects to Lord Tywin. Lyra had to leave when afternoon came in order to help organize for her and her party's departure. Lyra was beginning to worry for Jaime, he had not slept in two days, and it was beginning to show; which was why she implored him to come to bed tonight with her, especially since she and everyone else in her party going to the Trident were to depart tomorrow morning.
Due to the fact that almost everything she owned was now packed away in trunks, Joyce and Ashara had difficulty helping her ready for bed. Lyra had so much on her mind that she had forgotten to leave her brushes out. Thankfully though, she had remembered to put them in the trunk full of clothes and items she thought that she would need on her way to her new home. Joyce was horrified to see Lyra's warrior garb and sword packed in that trunk; Ashara, on the other hand, was quite amused.
"Though the war is mostly over and we are traveling through the lands controlled by our allies, there's still a chance that we could encounter enemy forces," Lyra had explained to her reluctant Lannister handmaiden.
My lady! What would your husband think? Joyce had asked, confounded.
Jaime has known about my sword and my skills since the first week of our marriage. He finds it to be quite amusing, was what Lyra had nonchalantly told Joyce. She nearly burst out laughing when the other woman looked as if she were about to faint at this news, it probably would have been the daintiest and most lady-like faint Lyra had ever seen. Which is why Lyra decided against also telling Joyce about how Jaime indirectly encourages her to keep up her skills.
After Joyce came back with the sleeping drought, the three women had a glass of Dream Wine before Lyra dismissed her handmaidens for the night and told them to make sure to get plenty of rest. After the two other women left, Lyra went to the trunk and got out Night's Queen. Moving the chairs and the sofa back against the walls of the room, she began to practice. Since she had nobody to practice her sword play with, Lyra instead focused on her technique. She had been doing this almost everyday after she recovered enough from her poisoning; and though she was working up a sweat, even now, she was pleased that her strength and skills were coming back to her quite quickly.
Lyra felt as if someone were watching her from behind, and without thinking, her warrior's intuition kicked in. Turning around quickly, and unexpectedly, she found herself aiming the sword at her own lord husband.
"Stop! I surrender!" Jaime mocked at his lady wife, laughing in good nature.
"Jaime!" Lyra was horrified and embarrassed to find herself aiming her own sword at her husband, intending to strike. "You really shouldn't sneak up on me when I'm doing this!" She scolded him as she put away Night's Queen.
"True," he admitted to his wife, who was sweating in her bed clothes, which he was shocked to see. Jaime and Lyra had always either slept naked or she wore her small clothes to bed if she could make it to her clothes after sex. To be honest, Jaime was surprised to learn that she had any bed clothes at all. "However, last I checked, ladies weren't supposed to practice swordplay," he teased.
"You must not know many Dornish ladies then," Lyra laughed. "Besides, if I'm going to the Rock without you, then I need to be up to par again," she added seriously. She knew that they would be headed through "friendly territory", but Lyra would rather have Night's Queen and not need it, than to not have it and need it.
"Speaking of which," Jaime pulled a long, thin gold bar out of his pocket, along with a scroll he had written earlier with the crimson Lannister seal on it. "I believe that my father meant to give this to you before his untimely death," Jaime said, handing the gold bar to Lyra.
Taking the gold bar from Jaime, Lyra examined it curiously before realizing what it was. "Lord Tywin wanted me to have a Lannister seal?" She was genuinely surprised at this; she didn't know that Lord Tywin trusted her that much.
"Yes, well, you are a Lannister as far as my father was concerned. And you were the future Lady Lannister," Jaime said sadly; he missed his father. "I think that he was waiting for us to leave for the Rock to rule in his stead. This was probably a sort of gift to officially welcome you into the family as the future Lady Lannister," he added.
Lyra didn't know what to say. All she could do was stare at the Lannister lion on the golden seal.
"I'm sure you know how to use it and when to use it," Jaime said to his puzzled wife. "I know that you didn't particularly care for my father Lyra, due to his part in the deaths of Princess Elia and her children; but I also know that you two, begrudgingly, held each other in high regard and saw each other as family."
All of what Jaime had told Lyra, she knew to be true; she had a complicated relationship with her father-in-law. Seeing her husband saddened by his father's recent death at the hands of a brother he had freed, Lyra assured him; "It's true that despised Lord Tywin for having my aunt and cousins killed when he sacked King's Landing, but you are also right. I respected the fact that your lord father lived up to his reputation, and despite everything, he was my father-in-law and I respected him as such."
Jaime looked down, contemplating, when he felt Lyra's arms wrap around him.
"I am so sorry about your father, Jaime," she whispered, while comfortingly rubbing his back. He brought his arms around her and leaned his head down to nuzzle his face into her neck, breathing in her warm, sweet scent. "I didn't know your father that well, but for what it's worth, I think he was very proud of you, and he would be proud to see how you've handled being Lord Lannister so far," she added, stroking Jaime's hair.
Kissing his wife up her neck to her jaw, Jaime pulled away from Lyra's embrace before tilting her head up and kissing her. Breaking their kiss, Jaime traced his wife's face with his good hand. Feeling her high cheekbones, which had become pronounced due to her weight loss, her swollen lips, and her long narrow jaw, he thought she was beautiful the first time he saw her, but now it seemed that she was becoming more beautiful to him everyday. He then found his hand unlacing the front of her bed clothes before pulling them down, completely exposing Lyra.
Lyra felt her nipples harden as her hot skin was suddenly exposed to the cold air. She gasped when Jaime's cold fingers touched her nipple before tracing the curves of her body. Feeling arousal pool between her legs, she cradled Jaime's face in her hands before pushing her toes up so she could get tall enough to kiss him.
Lifting Lyra up and wrapping her legs around his waist as they passionately kissed, Jaime put the scroll down on a table before carrying his wife to their bed. He needed to tell her what was in the scroll and more, but that could wait until morning. For now, he was going to make love to his wife.
Holding a candelabra, Lyra found herself walking through the dark hallways of the Red Keep.
Suddenly, she heard the caw of a raven. Looking around in the darkness, she saw the raven fly past her in the moonlight.
Follow me, it said.
Lyra followed the raven through the dark hallways with only moonlight and the candelabra to light her way. The raven would stop periodically and wait for her to catch up to it, each time doing so, it would repeat itself. "Follow me."
It felt like she was following this raven for a long time, and Lyra was beginning to wonder if she was simply walking in circles. Then, the raven suddenly flew in front of a large door. Flapping its wings to keep it in flight at the door, it said, "Open", before landing on a pot atop a pedestal next to the door.
Walking up to the door, Lyra looked at the raven with uncertainty.
"Open," it repeated; staring back at her.
Setting the candelabra down, Lyra grabbed the handle of the heavy door and cautiously pushed it open. She saw nothing but darkness. Lyra nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt the raven fly past her and into the darkness before her.
Picking up the candelabra, Lyra held it out in front of her. There were stairs leading down to the bowels of the Red Keep.
"Follow me," the raven's voice echoed eerily.
Cautiously, Lyra descended the stairs. When she got to the bottom, she held the candelabra out in front of her. It appeared that she was in the part of the castle where most of the dragon skulls were stored: she was in the storage room.
"Find the sword," the raven said.
Hearing wings flapping past her, Lyra turned around and saw that it had landed on one of the dragon skulls. Walking closer to the raven, the light from her candelabra illuminated it. Lyra gasped in horror; the raven had three eyes.
"Find the sword!"
Lyra shrieked and fell backwards in fear. She felt terror grip her as the candles must have gone out due to her fall.
"Find the sword!"
Lyra shot up from bed, naked and sweating. Though it was just a nightmare, she was relieved to find herself in her's and Jaime's room, lit soft and soothingly by a few candles in the sitting area.
Laying back down, Lyra tried to slow her racing heart.
Such a realistic and vivid dream!
It was time for her to get out of this terrible place.
Ser Addam and Ser Bronn rode behind Lyra and Jaime's horses at a respectful distance. Jaime was on his white stallion, Honor, and Lyra was riding the same sand steed she'd rode on her way to King's Landing from Dorne, Brightsun. Giving them some degree of privacy as they spoke of the contents in the scroll that Jaime had handed her that morning. Apparently, Ser Addam was to keep the 2,000 soldier and 150 knight army organized and disciplined as Lyra and her small Lannister host marched to the Trident; however, in Jaime's absence, Lyra was ultimately in charge of and leading the army with Ser Addam as her adviser and second-in-command. Jaime and Addam, both, agreed that leaving Lady Lannister ultimately in charge of the army headed back to the Trident would be the safest.
As they reached the Lannister men outside of the gates, Jaime and Lyra dismounted. Handing her the scroll, he told her, "Everything I've just told you is in this scroll. So if anyone should be unfortunate enough to give you any trouble, they will know that you are leading by my command."
Taking the scroll from her husband, Lyra nodded sadly and put it in one of the pockets of her riding dress. She scolded herself as she felt her eyes watering up at the fact that she and Jaime were parting ways, even if only for a little while. It was a beautiful day and Lyra didn't want to smudge the eyeliner that would help protect her dark eyes from the sun's rays.
Seeing his wife saddened by their temporary departure, Jaime pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He heard Bronn mutter Newly weds to himself in the background.
"I promise that as soon as I'm done here, I will join you," Jaime said as he wiped a small tear from Lyra's cheek. "It's only for a little bit," he assured her.
Mustering up a smile, Lyra told him, "Please take care of yourself, Jaime." She pushed his growing golden hair from his face. "I worry about you."
"I promise," he assured his wife.
"Even if you have to ask Pycelle for a drought, please do it and ignore your pride. For my peace of mind, at least? I know that you haven't been sleeping well, and everybody understands why. You have nothing to prove."
"I will," Jaime promised. As much as he wanted to spend more time with Lyra before she left, he let her sleep in due to her lack of sleep caused by her nightmare, he also wanted her to make haste in getting to the Rock, where she'd be safest. "You need to get going if you want to reach Maidenpool by nightfall." He kissed his wife one last time before calling for Ser Addam to escort her to the front of the Lannister host.
Getting back on Brightsun, the copper haired knight rode up next to Lyra.
"Lady Lannister," Ser Addam addressed her as they rode up to the front together.
Looking behind her one last time, Jaime smiled sadly at Lyra. A smile which she returned in kind; it hurt her heart to be leaving her husband, she felt so alone...
As they rode to the front, everyone stood at attention as Lyra passed them. Arriving to the front of the Lannister host, Lyra looked at the vast horizon of the King's Road. After waiting a while, Lyra turned to Ser Addam, "Why is nobody moving?"
"They're waiting for you to lead them. You are in charge of these men," the knight whispered in response.
Sure enough, a few moments after Lyra kicked Brightsun forward, she heard the clanking of the men marching behind her.
Jaime and Bronn stayed behind until they could no longer see Lyra.
Riding back to the Red Keep, Jaime was quiet. He already had a lot on his mind, and having to have Lyra depart for the Rock without him added to that stress.
"Try not to worry 'bout her," Bronn assured Jaime. "Your lady wife is one tough she-wolf. If anything, you should be more concerned 'bout her being too hard on your men."
Though Jaime was still concerned for Lyra, he couldn't help but to agree with Bronn.
Arriving at the Maidenpool just before sunset, Lord Mooton invited Lyra and Ser Addam into the castle to eat and sleep for the night, while the Lannister soldiers camped just outside. He also offered to provide her army with as much food as he could spare, which was not much. So, instead, Lyra told the men to hunt for their supper, which Lord Mooton agreed to. Initially, Lyra thought Lord Mooton had offered all of this out of kindness, but after being in the man's presence for a while, she began to realize that this was all because he had no balls...Randyll Tarly had apparently freed him, dealt out the necessary punishments and executions himself, and then put Lord Mooton back into power not too long ago. Lyra figured that Mooton's generosity was influenced more by fear of the Lannister army Lyra was currently stopping on his lands for the night.
In the room she was given for the night, changing out of her riding clothes and into something clean and warm, Lyra then went to the dinning hall to sup with Lord Mooton and his family. As everyone began eating the fish and potatoes, the conversation at the table naturally turned towards the war. Lyra tuned out Lord Mooton for the most part. She'd heard that he had coward behind his walls for the most part during the War of the Five Kings, not only that but his daughter, Eleanor Mooton, came betrothed to the heir of Randyll Tarly, the same man who jailed and then released Lord Mooton during the war. Lyra wasn't interested in hearing the exaggerated and likely false tales of such a man, but he was her host, so she politely nodded and asked appropriate questions to make it seem as if she was interested. However, one thing did catch her ear; Harrion Karstark, the true lord of Karhold, was Lord Mooton's prisoner. Lord Mooton began to brag about how he had heard of how big and fierce and frightening Harrion Karstark was, but now that the man is his prisoner, he never so much as even hears a word from the Karstark.
After everyone had supped, Lyra went to her room to bathe the grime from her body and to relax her aching muscles from such a long ride. As Lyra was enjoying the warmth of the bath, Ashara knocked on her door. Permitting the Dornish-woman to enter, she told Lyra that the men had captured two scouts who claim to know Jaime. Getting out of the bath, Ashara got Lyra a dressing gown and a robe.
Walking down the hallways of the castle, Ashara led Lyra to a room where Ser Addam was holding the two scouts for questioning.
"Lady Lannister," Ser Addam greeted Lyra, "the men found these two skulking around camp. They claim to be affiliated with Lord Jaime."
Looking behind Ser Addam, Lyra saw the two scouts, a big woman who was taller than Jaime, with big blue eyes and white blonde hair, and a dark haired lad wearing a red jacket. Lyra recognized Brienne of Tarth and Podrik Payne. After dismissing everyone except for Ser Addam, Lyra told him to untie them.
"Thank you my lady," Brienne thanked Lyra for setting them free.
"Lady Brienne," Lyra acknowledged, smiling "you are always welcome considering the fact that my husband probably wouldn't have made it back to King's Landing alive without you."
"That's Lady Lannister," Ser Addam scolded Brienne and Pod.
"Ser Addam, they are friends of Jaime, there's no need for formalities," Lyra told him gently but firm. Turning to Brienne, she asked the other woman, "You're an awfully long way from home. Why are you in Maidenpool?"
Brienne looked Lyra dead in the eye with her reply; "It's about your cousin, I fear that she may be in danger."
"Which one?" Lyra asked, urgently.
Seeing Brienne falter with her answer, looking at Ser Addam, Lyra asked him to give them privacy. Assuring the loyal knight that Brienne and Pod would never harm her, Ser Addam reluctantly left them to speak privately.
Lowering her voice just above a whisper, Brienne revealed to Lyra; "Baelish has Sansa and he is taking her North."
The hairs on the back of Lyra's neck went up. If Baelish had Sansa, then Lyra's cousin was definitely in danger. "How do you know this? And why did you come here?! She's an enemy of Cersei!"
"I saw Baelish headed to The Neck with Sansa in tow. Ser Jaime swore an oath to Lady Catlin that he would find her daughters and send them home. When he married you and lost his sword hand, he was prevented from fulfilling this oath. So he gave me his valeryin steel sword, Oathkeeper, and charged me with this task."
"That still doesn't explain why you came to this camp!"
"When I heard of Lord Tywin's death and that a Lannister host was headed to the Trident, I backtracked for help. Lysa Arryn is dead, and you are now Sansa's only living relative who is able to help her. I knew that you'd be here, and I was hoping that you would give us aid to help your cousin"
Baelish was married to Lysa last Lyra checked, and now the Lady of the Vale was dead around the same time Littlefinger was taking Sansa North. But why would he take her North? Wait! Before she left King's Landing, Lyra had overheard Pycelle talking to Ser Kevan of his disgust for a bastard son being legitimized and becoming the heir to the new Warden of the North.
"Who is the current Warden of the North?" Lyra quietly asked Brienne.
"Roose Bolton, my lady," Brienne answered gravely.
Lyra wasn't sure which it would be, Roose or his newly legitimized son, but she had a feeling that Baelish was going to use Sansa as a pawn and marry her off to one of them. Considering that the Boltons are the house who betrayed and killed Robb and Catlin Stark, along with Robb's pregnant wife, to become Warden of the North until Tyrion and Sansa had a son, Lyra had a bad feeling about Sansa's situation with Baelish.
Next: Lyra makes a decision.