Chapter Twenty-Four

Thanks for the continued support! On to the next chapter!

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"A coat of gold…or a coat of red…a lion still ha—"

"Will you please stop. Your. Singing." Brienne was nearing the point of offing the Kingslayer just to be rid of his presence. The two had been locked in the same room without being allowed to leave, if not for the escape plan they had been crafting, Brienne would have sent Jaime back to the dungeon for even a moment of silence.

"You didn't like my humming, and now my singing offends you?" Jaime stood from his chair, liking his freedom more than he would ever admit to anyone, and made his way towards where Brienne stood near the door of the room. At least in the dungeon I knew that I was a prisoner, now I am just being left to my devices with Brienne. What caused Stannis to release me, yet lock me in this room. Jaime had been worried what the reason might be, but instead of voice his worries, he took to distracting himself. "Is there anything that you will allow me to do, my Lady?"

"Sit. Quietly."

Jaime continued towards the door, walking past Brienne without acknowledgement that he had heard her speak. He placed his head close to the door, straining to hear anything the guards outside the door may be saying. Complete silence fell on his ears, and so he backed away from the door.

"One of us needs to get out there." Jaime did not turn to face Brienne as he spoke his thoughts. "Even if just for a moment. The boy, Gendry, needs to be given instruction. If you request an audience with the fair Lady Stark, it may raise suspicion." Brienne remained silent as Jaime took a moment of pause, allowing him to gather his thoughts before he spoke again. "No matter whom either of us requests an audience with, a suspicion will be raised." Jaime stood up a bit taller, a smirk appearing face as he turned to finally face Brienne. "Lady Brienne…I want you to hit me." His words caused the smallest of smirks to show on Brienne's lips before she opened her mouth to speak.

"Gladly."

When Brienne took the first swing at Jaime, he instinctively ducked out of the way before raising his own fist towards her. Jaime was not surprised that Brienne avoided the impact, but was surprised when her fist make contact with his stomach. Jaime's thoughts all stopped as his body took over, his muscles knowing which way to move in order to strike back. The pair began a brawl that started out slowly, that was sloppy, but eventually Jaime was able to throw Brienne in the direction of the door. Jaime felt the sting of where her throws had landed and it took him back to another place, another time, when fighting with his bare hands would have been beneath him. Nothing is beneath me if it means escaping with my family. Jaime quickly looked near his feet to find some sort of weapon, but could only see the boots he wore on his feet. He charged towards Brienne with his full strength, driving her back into the wooden door. Brienne was able to recover faster and gained the upper hand by bringing her knee into Jaime stomach, aiming for what she hoped would now be a weakened spot.

On the other side of the door, the three guards posted heard the sounds of a struggle but other than wagering if the Maid of Tarth of the Kingslayer would be victorious the guards did not move to open the door. Jaime had been counting on the fact that the men were told to keep Brienne and him alive and they would open the door to separate them. Even as he took another blow to his face, Jaime would not give up his plan to have their door opened.

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"Ah!" Melara gave an involuntary sound of pain as her sister's head came in contact with her still tender and healing stomach. The noise must have frightened Shireen, because the girl pulled back from her embrace. Melara had requested to see her sister again and Stannis had granted his permission, with the condition that the infants remain behind lest they catch the same disease Shireen had barely survived.

"Do you still hurt? From delivering your sons?"

"Only a little. But with time it will heal." Shireen remained quiet as she fully pulled away from Melara, knowing that their time together had once again come to an end. The young girl had been glowing with happiness upon seeing her sister so soon after they had just met. Shireen now had a spark of hope within her that once the war was over they could be together as family. Melara removed her arms from Shireen and the girls bid their farewells, with promises to meet again soon. She started her short walk back to Stannis's rooms with her four-man guard surrounding her. None of the guards spoke to her, and she had yet to offer them any words as well. As the small group traveled in silence, raised voices and hurried footsteps could be heard in the distance. Melara's instincts took over and she instantly took off in a run towards her babes, hating herself for leaving them if only for a moment. The guards behind her took chase, their armor and voices sounding through the halls but not reaching Melara's ears.

She turned into the hallway that led to Stannis's rooms and she halted, holding her stomach and gasping for air. She watched as Stannis entered his room with the Red Woman closely behind him. Melara watched as Robb walked away in what she assumed was anger, wondering what had caused Robb and Stannis to argue in such a way. A sharp pain from her middle brought her back to her sense and she made her way the fastest she could to Stannis's room. She did not need to ask the guards to allow her entrance, the door being opened for her as soon as she came in to sight.

"Get out!" Stannis's voice was tense, full of anger, as he addressed the woman who had been watching over Joseth and Ryam. She nearly ran Melara over in her haste to get away from the intimidating man. The sound of the door slamming made Melara jump slightly, her nerves still on edge from thinking her sons were in danger. In the near silent room, her light footfalls seemed to her ears that they were boulders crashing against the stone floor. She averted her gaze from where her father and Melisandre stood, not wanted to receive the wrath of her father and setting her escape plan back. Melara heard the Red Woman's soft, soothing murmurs, but it did not calm Melara in the least. It seemed that it had the same effect of her father as well. "That boy is a fool! I have kept my end of our bargain, who is he to change the terms!"

"My King, we do not need that pup any longer. We have everything the Lord of Light requires to bring about your victory." Melara knelt into the furs by the fire and pulled Ryam into her arms as he started to whine, hoping that Melisandre and Stannis would continue to speak without acknowledging her. "You need to prove your trust in Him if you are to continue to receive his favor."

"What more could this Red God require of me?"

"When He is ready to show us, we will know." Melisandre came to stand behind Stannis and brought her lips close to his ear. Melara chanced a look in their direction, and saw the way the Red Woman stood with such familiarity next to Stannis. Melara narrowed her eyes, and as if she could feel the hateful glare on her, Melisandre turned her eyes in Melara's direction. The two women locked their stares onto each other and neither backed down for a moment until Melisandre gave a smile and pulled away from Stannis. "You have much to discuss with your daughter, my King." Stannis seemed to have forgotten they were not alone in the room and spun around to look at his daughter. Melisandrea gave a bow of her head towards Stannis and another towards Melara as she walked towards the door. Before she was fully out in the hall, Melisandre turned to address Melara. "You hold a very important babe in your arms, Princess." The Red Woman did not wait for a response and left Melara nearly stunned at the title that she had been called.

"Lady Melisandre speaks very highly of you. Always thankful for the gift you have given me." Melara knew that the gift he was referring to was Ryam. She took a calming breath, her breath having slowed, before she addressed Stannis. It was time to put her armor on and play the part she had created.

"Lady Melisandre is very kind to say such things. I am thankful to her for looking past any treachery I have performed towards you, Father."

"She puts the blame on to the Lannisters for your traitorous ways. You were misguided but now you have come back, looking for redemption." Melara sent a silent thanks to Melisandre for the whispers she put into Stannis's ear. It only made things easier for the young woman to follow through with her scheme. Stannis came and stood near Melara's seated form, remaining silent for a moment as he simply stared at his daughter, studying the face that was becoming more familiar to him as each day passed. No longer was this the face of a stranger, of a disrespectful girl that he refused to claim as his own "We will leave Winterfell within the week. Lady Stark insisted that you remain here with her, saying that you are not well enough to travel."

"I believe I am well enough for travel. The babes may still be too young, but I am sure there is a way to keep them safe." Melara felt dread fill her body at the thought of leaving Winterfell, knowing that it was too soon for her escape. Her mind traveled from one thought to the next, images of Jaime flashing through her head. What will become of Jaime? She willed herself to remain calm in front of Stannis, holding in her tears until she was safely locked alone in her room. "How long will we be traveling? How far do you intend to go?"

"King's Landing." Stannis paused for a moment, his eyes traveling from Melara's face to the babe in her lap. As the silence passed on, Stannis thought of all the words he could have spoken, the wisdom he could have shared with the girl he had abandoned. Instead, he said nothing. Allowing another moment in time spent with Melara to slip from him. It was Melara who broke the silence, her voice nearly a whisper.

"What will happen to me?" Melara nearly did not want to know his answer. She had spent hours thinking about what would happen to her should Stannis become victorious before she could escape. She knew the first thing to happen would be Jaime being put to death with whatever Lannisters remained. What would happen to her next was a question that haunted her nightmares. Sold away in marriage? Locked away as he keeps Shireen locked away? Melara held her breath, bracing herself to hear what fate Stannis had chosen for her.

"I have more important matters to attend to than deciding one girl's future."

Melara let out a slow, shaky breath as Stannis walked away from her, hearing the slight tone of anger in his voice. She was becoming more confused by her father's behavior towards her with each discussion they had. She watched him walk over to the table where his maps sat opened. She saw the way his hands gripped harder than necessary, and could see the tension in his jaw where he surely was clenching his teeth. Melara set Ryam down, hesitating a moment before steeling her nerves and standing. She quietly made her way to where Stannis stood, putting her smaller hand over his clenched fist. The touch made Stannis jolt, pulling his hand from her loose grip.

"Father?"

That one word, spoken in question, was the final push Stannis needed into anger once more. He swept the maps from the table, the force sending the parchment flying across the room. He pounded his hands, now balled into fists, on the table before turning his eyes onto her. She had taken a few quick steps back, but fully turned to run when Stannis began to advance on her. He grabbed her upper arms and stopped her escape before she could get away, his grip tight enough to force a cry of pain from her lips.

"You'll be put to death for treason against the crown! Is THAT what you wanted to hear? Your head will sit on a pike next to the other Lannisters!" Stannis shoved Melara away from him, the girl stumbling before falling to her knees. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but Stannis had turned away from her once more and did not see. He spoke again, his voice calmer but still holding a tone that teetered on madness. "If you are spared…it will be a show of my weakness."

"And if you kill me, slaughter me, for trying to find a way to survive after being abandoned again and again…it will be a show of your madness." Melara pushed herself to her feet, moving with determination towards her father's turned back. She brought her hands to his arm, using what strength she had to turn him, force him, to look at her. If he saw the tears that fell from her eyes, he did not acknowledge them. "You will be King! What would killing your daughter show to the people, your people?"

"It would not be the people that call for your death but those that fight beside me." Melara released Stannis but did not move away from him. His hard eyes bore down into her weeping ones, both frightened at what they saw in each other. Melara let out a gasp, the realization hitting her hard.

"It's her! That Red Harlot is the one who fights beside you that calls for my death! You would throw my life away so easily? AGAIN! Am I really nothing to you? Have I not tried hard enough for you?" Melara felt all the anger, all the hatred, all the fear, take over her mind. Her father had just confessed to agreeing to her murder and stood before her without looking guilty or filled with remorse. "That is what this," Melara motioned with her hand towards her sons, "is all about. Taking me to see Shireen, keeping me close to you. You are trying to make my last remaining months alive just what I wanted, just what you think I want! Is it so you can kill me without hating yourself? So you can tell yourself each night that my last living months were filled with joy and love and you were the best father any daughter could ask for!"

"Enough!" The sound of Stannis's voice nearly drowned out the sound of the back of his hand connecting with Melara's face. Her head had been forced to the side from the strength of the slap, but Melara turned back to look at Stannnis, slowly bringing her hand up to cup her stinging cheek. "Enough, Melara." The unexpected tenderness that laced Stannis's voice was what started Melara's hot tears to run once more down her face. Stannis brought his hands up once more, causing Melara to flinch, but instead of striking her again he pulled her into an embrace. Melara did not fight him and nearly collapsed against him as her body shook from sobs. Stannis's voice was barely a whisper as he spoke. "I never wanted any of this for you." Stannis held Melara in his arms for a few moments, releasing her only once her cries had quieted.

"If I am truly to die, please allow me to see Jaime…if only one last time… before we leave Winterfell." Melara turned away from her father, her future murderer, and walked back to her children. As she sat, she heard Stannis exiting his room. And in that moment, Melara hoped that he never returned.

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Melara had finally closed her eyes once more after feeding Ryam when she heard the voices of the guards outside her door become raised. Without hesitation, the young mother was on her feet and ready to defend herself and her children with any weapon she could construct. She had retired to her room hours ago without seeing Stannis after their…disagreement. She couldn't be sure just how early in the day it was at the time, but knew that it was trouble gathering on the other side of her door. Gods help me. Melara ran to her sleeping sons in their shared cradle and moved them into her arms, shushing them to keep quiet. If whatever fight was breaking out in the hall spilled into her room, it would end in the same way the last did. I am a prisoner either way, really. Better to stay with the evil I know. An image of Stannis flashed in Melara's mind. But instead of her mind showing her the images of the fight they had hours ago, it showed him as he escorted her to see Shireen. As the father that she had wanted, had hoped would be real, but would never have.

The door opened quickly, startling Melara back into her present situation. Her grip tightened on her sons as a lone man, wearing the sigil of her father, ran into the room. Once he removed his helmet, it was easy for Melara to make out Gendry's face even in the low light.

"We have to leave. Grab only what you can carry, don't ask questions." Melara jumped into action and set her sons down for only a moment, grabbing a sack and wrapping her sons tightly in a blanket. Gendry took hold of the sack Melara had kept filled with supplies, for situations like this that she knew would arise, while the young woman held her babes tightly to her chest. Gendry ran to the door with Melara closely behind. When they arrived, Melara could see a familiar face in the hall.

"Jon?" The man did not respond but Melara knew it was Jon Snow who had fought with Gendry to get to her. She pushed her confusion aside, trusting in both of these men, and remained quiet and they quickly ran from her room. Melara did not look back at the prison she had been given. The halls were quiet and empty, but Melara hardly noticed as she ran behind Jon and Gendry, her eyes darting between the swords the men still had drawn.

As they ran farther, Melara began to recognize where they were headed. She knew that her freedom was close, and she willed her legs to move faster, for her lungs to take in more air. It all felt like a dream to her, felt as if she was not really running from her father, from her imminent death, and into freedom. She did not care in that moment where she went, as long as her sons, her Jaime, were safe. The thought of Jaime caused Melara to slow to a near halt.

"I…I can't…Jaime…"

"He's waiting. Run." Gendry's words spurred Melara back into a full run, not caring how this moment came upon her or what God granted it to happen. When they began to descend the spiral staircase that would lead them to the kitchens, Melara nearly fainted from the pain in her body, but she continued on. As they ran through the kitchen, the women working did nothing to stop them. When they ran out into the cold night air, Melara's lungs burned and her legs felt heavier with each step but she carried on. She was ready to collapse by the time Jaime came into view, sitting atop his horse dressed in the same matter as the wildings who had accompanied her to Winterfell had been. Melara saw no other horses, but did not stop to voice her questions, not entirely sure she could physically speak at this moment.

"Lift her up to me." When Melara was close enough, Jon and Gendry lifted her into Jaime's arms, helping to adjust her body on the saddle in front of him. He was cradling her in the same way that she cradled their sons. When Jaime spoke again, although it was next to her ear, his voice sounded far away, her body was tingling from pain and her breaths coming so fast she was unable to speak. "I will repay you for your help." Jaime nudged his horse forward, leaving no time for Melara to say her farewells or thanks. She adjusted Joseth and Ryam in her arms, praying that this was not just a dream. She turned her head slightly to look up at Jaime.

"H-…how…" In the early, silent hours of the morning the only thing that could be heard besides Melara's whispered word was the sounds of their escape to freedom. Jaime understood what she was asking, but would tell her everything when they were far enough away, close enough to safety. For now he would settle with telling her the main reason that they were now galloping to only the God's knew where.

"King Stannis…is dead."

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Uh-oh.