"You cannot do this, father."
Jaime felt the need to roll his eyes as his sister piped up, her voice loud and controlling as she looked to the man who she called her father. He shook his head softly at her before looking to Jaime. The three of them sat around a table once the small council had disbanded. Jaime had asked for a moment of his father's time and he had been willing to grant him it. Much to his dismay, Cersei had decided to stay with them, fully intending on getting in the way.
She knew what he was going to ask and she had been right. She didn't know why he cared for the maid so much. She could only imagine that she had managed to bewitch him whilst on their journey. Jaime had changed. No longer was he willing to complete her every command but instead he questioned her. He had refused to kill Tyrion for murdering their son.
He had refused her.
And now he was trying to save his precious Gwen. He had told Cersei that he was loyal to her but she was slowly beginning to question the validity of that statement.
"She is a maid of the Starks. She spoke against me whilst I was Queen."
"And since then we have had two new rulers," Jaime interjected and Tywin couldn't help but feel like he was dealing with a pair of children. "The Lannisters pride themselves on repaying their debts. I owe her a debt. She saved me and so I intend to let her be."
"No," Cersei snapped back at her brother, shaking her head back and forth. She struggled to believe what she was hearing. She struggled to comprehend the true reasons for her brother's defiance. "I shall not allow it. She is their maid. She cannot be released."
"You know as well as I that the Starks are all gone. Their claim to the throne is dead. They are not a threat anymore," Jaime responded. "I hardly doubt that Gwen is going to attempt to overthrow Tommen in their honour."
"Gwen?" Cersei checked. "You really are cosy with her, aren't you?"
"Enough."
The two siblings glared at each other as their father's authoritative voice spoke, silencing them from saying another word. Jaime turned his gaze to his father, hoping that he could manage to persuade him to see sense. Cersei's eyes remained on her brother as he watched their father and she ground her teeth together, wondering what to do about the problem which her brother was presenting.
"This maid is one of the Starks, yes?" Tywin checked.
"She went against them when she helped to free me," Jaime informed his father. "They would consider her a traitor."
"As do I," Cersei spoke calmly. "She has betrayed the Lannisters, father."
"Yet she helped to save one of them," Jaime replied and Tywin looked back and forth between the two siblings. "She only spoke against you because you had her removed from Lady Arya and Lady Sansa's service. You ripped her from those girls and cast her out. She lost her temper."
"Is that so?" Tywin wondered and Cersei remained calm and collected before glancing to her father.
"She was incompetent," Cersei informed the Hand of the King. "She was useless and I had to let her go. The things she said about me were treasonous."
"She lost her temper."
"And since when did you care for her so dearly?" Cersei queried.
"I don't," Jaime denied. "I care about the honour of repaying my debt."
Tywin nodded at that. He may not like them sometimes but he did agree with them. A Lannister always had to pay their debts. It was what helped them survive. He looked to Cersei, not completely understanding her issue with the girl. Surely she knew how ill spoken of she was. If Tywin were to sentence all of those who spoke against her then she would surely have no room in the dungeons which she enjoyed to throw people into.
"Your brother is correct," Tywin said. "If this maid is the one who kept him alive then we are in debt to her."
"And the debt has been paid," Cersei spoke. "I have allowed the girl to keep her life."
"You have locked her in a dungeon," Jaime responded. "That is not how a debt is repaid."
"And this girl," Tywin waved his hand, "she has done nothing more than speak against you?"
"She spoke against your only daughter," Cersei reminded her father. "She spoke against the Queen. That is a crime which cannot go unpunished."
"And if you knew how many people spoke against you by whispers then you would surely see to it that there would be one execution a day for the next two years," Tywin responded to his daughter and she pursed her lips tightly, her eyes narrowed. "You know the rumours circulating. Would everyone who whispered them be placed to death?"
"No," Cersei admitted. "But they are rumours. This girl is defiant. We cannot trust her."
"We can," Jaime replied. "I think I am better to judge this matter. I have spent months with the girl. She would never do anything reckless to overthrow the throne."
"I don't believe it."
"Silence," Tywin interrupted before Cersei could continue with her rant which she had begun. He glanced at his daughter before looking to his son.
"And what would you have her do?" Tywin wondered.
"She is a fine maid," Jaime said. "She could work in the kitchens."
"There is not enough finance to keep her," Cersei said.
"One maid shall not bankrupt the crown even further," Jaime replied. "She does not require much. As a matter of fact, I don't think any maids require a lot in their life."
"And would you see to it that she is a hostage here?" Cersei wondered. "There are many of them now that the Starks have been trampled on."
"I would," Jaime agreed with his sister and she shook her head in disbelief.
"Father, you cannot seriously be considering-"
"-All of this fuss," Tywin shook his head before Cersei could speak. "I did not know that one maid could affect you two so much. It is almost as if there is something further to this matter."
He looked suspiciously at the two siblings who remained silent, their lips pursed as they looked to him. Their gazes were level and they refused to give away any information about their secret which Gwen knew.
"Cersei is right," Tywin said and a triumphant look came over her face for a moment. "Many of the Stark's followers have pledged their allegiance to us and have become hostages. They have willingly decided to support the Lannisters. Surely this girl has done the same. She spent months looking after Jaime and kept him alive. A Lannister always repays his debt."
Jaime felt relief flood through him as Cersei's look of smugness left her face and she stood up, glaring at her father as he picked up a letter which he had been reading before and continued to do so. Her gaze turned to Jaime who was staring back at her, anger clearly playing on her features.
"How could you wrong me like this?" she wondered from him and Tywin said nothing, his gaze still on his letter as he thought for a few moments.
"She is a maid, Cersei," Tywin said. "She will not cause you any trouble. Leave the matter alone, daughter. There is no point in arguing about it. My mind has been made up."
She glared at her father one more time before sweeping from the room, her footsteps heavy and full of anger as Jaime took a deep breath.
"Thank you, father," Jaime said to him and he made to stand up.
"This girl," Tywin spoke. "You know who she is, don't you?"
"Considering I spent many months with her then I have a good idea," Jaime said and Tywin looked up to his son, his glare apparent on his eyes.
"I see that she has not wiped the cleverness of your answers from you," Tywin said in a snarl. "She is a maid for the Starks. I am willing to let her serve us but that does not mean anything."
"I'm afraid that I do not follow," Jaime said, his brow furrowed as he watched his father.
"You are still a member of the Kingsguard much to my dismay. You have an oath to keep as best as you can," his father spoke and looked back to his letter.
"I owe the maid a debt and nothing more." Jaime assured him.
"You're my son, Jaime," Tywin spoke. "Do not think me foolish. You may have helped the girl but that is as far as you are to go so long as you are a member of the Kingsguard."
"I do not intend for that to change," Jaime said to his father.
"So you intend to remain as glorified bodyguard," Tywin spoke, disappointment clear in his voice. "As long as you are that then you need to stay away from the maid. You wouldn't want to break your oath."
"I really do not see where this is coming from," Jaime informed his father, frowning as Tywin chuckled.
"Your attempt at acting ignorant is quite something," Tywin said. "You would never fight so hard for a maid unless there was something else."
"There is nothing else. I have an oath," Jaime reminded his father, his voice cold and harsh.
"And you have broken that before," Tywin informed him and Jaime shook his head, finally standing up as Tywin watched him. "You will leave her be. I do not want a bastard in her belly."
"How-"
"-Quiet," Tywin interrupted his son. "I am no fool. Now go and see to it that your King is being protected. That's your job, isn't it?"
Jaime kept his lips shut tightly for a moment.
"May I go and free Gwen first?"
"Later," Tywin responded, the letter holding his full attention once more. "Now go to your King."
...
"So how did you change your mind about my brother?" Tyrion asked from Gwen as she stood in the cell. She had been pacing up and down ever since Jaime had left her and she waited nervously for his return. She looked over to Tyrion as he arched a brow, waiting for her to answer him.
"He...he's changed," Gwen shrugged. "I don't know what happened."
"I see that," Tyrion drawled. "The way he was with you was rather touching." His voice was dry and held sarcasm as Gwen scowled at him. "I don't think I've ever seen him hold someone's hand so tenderly. You've certainly managed to enchant him. Tell me, did you use magic?"
"What?"
"It is a simple enough question and it is the only way that Jaime could ever contemplate loving another woman."
"He doesn't love me."
"And you are sure about that?"
"Completely positive. Besides, I don't love him."
"You do."
"I don't."
"Don't lie to someone who has a higher intellect than you," Tyrion urged her and Gwen smirked for a moment, pushing her hand through her hair as she shrugged at him, knowing there was no point in denying it to him.
"Jaime's complex," Gwen decided to say. "I've only really just gotten to know him."
"And fall in love with him," Tyrion said and Gwen looked at him for a moment.
"They say that falling is the best part." Gwen whispered and he snorted at hearing her.
"They clearly didn't have any common sense."
"I think I can agree with that." The new voice entered the dungeon and Gwen recoiled as she saw the light of torches moving closer down to hers and Tyrion's cell. The dwarf took his feet, walking to the bars and watching as his sister moved closer to him, flanked by two of her guards.
"And I do believe that is the only thing we've been able to agree on," Tyrion spoke, his hand over his chest as Cersei glared at him. Gwen noticed the red gown which she held in her hands as she looked at her brother wearily. Her gaze then turned to Gwen, her glare cold and hard as the maid backed away from the bars.
"I suppose you think you are smart," Cersei informed her. "My brother has secured your release. You are to be a hostage and a maid."
Gwen said nothing as Cersei looked at her, her lip curling upwards as she did so and her hatred for the girl in front of her raging.
"He told my father that you saved him," Cersei continued to speak. "He also told me what else happened on that trip. He told me that the hole in between your legs caused you to gain a lot of men's attention. I heard the concern in his voice...it was almost as if he cared what happened to you..."
Tyrion resisted a snide comment which formed on his mouth as Cersei continued to taunt the girl, waiting for her to say something back to her and retaliate. But Gwen kept her mouth closed. She knew that if she spoke then Cersei would use it against her. She would find a way to hurt her.
"He told me all of this after making love to me," Cersei whispered as she drew closer to the bars, her voice low so only Gwen could hear her. The Queen Regent said nothing, watching as Gwen winced at her words and avoided her gaze. She knew she could break her.
"Does it hurt?" Cersei wondered. "Does it hurt to know that he doesn't want you? That whilst you were down here and longing for him, he was up there...with me..."
"Jaime's loyalty always has been the downfall of him," Tyrion spoke which earned his sister's glare. "Tell me, sweet sister, what do you think would happen if he learnt that your loyalty had disappeared whilst he'd been gone?"
"Silence, imp," Cersei snarled and Tyrion's eyes widened as he caught Gwen's attention for a moment.
"Does the truth hurt?" Tyrion wondered from her. "They say that it often does but I wondered if you could confirm it. You know as well as I that Jaime would want nothing from you if he learned that you had been bedding other men-"
"-Shut him up!" Cersei snapped at one of her guards who promptly unlocked Tyrion's cage and punched him across the jaw, knocking him to the floor as Gwen watched on with horror.
Tyrion remained on the ground, his vision black before him as Cersei turned her attention back to Gwen, her face still calm and controlled in front of the maid. She refused to get worked up over her. She refused to let Gwen win Jaime. He was hers and he always had been.
"Look at you," Cersei said, "stood there in fine silk as if you belong here. We'll soon see to that."
Cersei clicked her fingers and the guards unlocked Gwen's cell. The Queen nodded at them as they barged into the room and Gwen backed into the corner of the prison, fear held in every single pore of her skin as one grabbed her arms behind her back and the other tore at the silk she wore.
Cersei deposited the simple red gown on the floor. She had made sure that it was the plainest one to offer and she knew the cotton would itch against the young girl's skin. But she failed to care. She watched as Gwen began to sob, the pink silk being ripped from her body and left in tatters.
"Enough," Cersei declared and they stepped back as she entered the cell, her hands held in front of her as she watched the maid sink to the floor wearing just her underclothes on her body.
"You may have helped him," Cersei spoke. "You may have saved his life but do you have any idea what your actions have caused? Do you think for one second that he would willingly want you? A maid of the enemy house?" Her rage settled for a moment as she stared at the blonde before her, her eyes downcast and her shoulders shaking as sobs moved through her body. She smirked as the girl crumbled and sneered one final time;
"You are no good for him."
...
Jaime groaned as he left his father, knowing that he should follow his orders and go to the King. But he ignored him. He went straight to the dungeon for Gwen. He felt odd as he wandered the corridors with his white cloak flowing behind him and his body covered in the armour which had never been scratched.
He walked down the steps to the dungeon once more only for his steps to slow as he heard sobs and a harsh voice.
"Honestly, why would he want you? You've been ruined. You've been deflowered and you are not pure. How many men did you have? How many have taken your body?"
Jaime winced as his sister's words echoed through him and he wondered what was happening before he saw her stood in Gwen's cell.
"Do you honestly think he would fuck you after that? Did you think he would forsake every vow which he took for you?"
Jaime allowed his hands to ball into fists at his sister's words and he wondered what had happened to her. He never thought that she could be so vindictive. He never believed that she could cause this much pain to anyone. Apparently he was wrong.
"As long as you are here then you shall spend the rest of your days watching over your shoulder for I intend to make your life a living hell."
"Is that so?" Jaime drawled; his voice loud and calm. Cersei turned around to see him as he stood outside the cell, his eyes casting over to Gwen who was on the floor; her waist slumped over as her hands held her up, the only thing supporting her from collapsing.
"You took her side against me," Cersei snarled as she ordered her knights to leave her alone in her brother's company. Jaime turned to look at Tyrion's cell before noting that his brother was slumped over and unconscious. He shook his head at seeing Cersei and she moved closer to him.
"I did the right thing."
"You went against me," Cersei replied. "That is not the right thing to do."
"No, what you have done is wrong. Why can you not leave her alone? She will cause you no harm and she will be no bother. Why do you insist on torturing her so?"
"How touching," Cersei drawled. "You do care for her."
"I care for you, too," Jaime informed her. "I just don't care to encourage how you are behaving."
"You can never have her," Cersei reminded him. "You know that, don't you? She can never be with you."
"Just stop this," Jaime demanded his sister. "Leave me be and go and see to your son."
"You've changed, Jaime," Cersei informed him and he shook his head as she passed him to leave the cell.
"So have you." He declared and she said nothing more, leaving him alone with Gwen. He quickly turned back to look at Tyrion, seeing his brother's chest rise and fall gently and being satisfied that he was alive. Tyrion had passed out multiple times before, granted it was normally because of alcohol.
He moved into the cell and knelt by Gwen who was still bent over and crying at what she had heard.
"Don't listen to her," Jaime urged. "Nothing that she said is true."
"Really?" Gwen sniffed and she sat up straight as Jaime allowed his arm to wrap around her waist, his fingers curling at her hip. "She told me that you and her laid together as soon as I was brought down here...is that not true?"
"Gwen," Jaime whispered her name, wishing she would not torture herself so. She watched him as he looked to the ground. "It is true but I wish I never did."
"And so I was dragged away and you couldn't wait to get into her skirts," Gwen concluded before pushing herself from him, his arm instantly released from her warmth. "And you kissed me! Did that mean anything to you or could you not wait for her...was it all an act?"
"Gwen, if you would let me explain," Jaime urged her.
"So you can lie to me?"
"I was confused, Gwen," Jaime admitted to her as he managed to push himself to his feet and she stood up too, looking at the pink silk which laid in tatters around her. "I thought I was happy to see her. I thought that I loved her and...I was loyal to her, Gwen. I wanted to make her happy."
"She really does have you wrapped tightly around her finger," Gwen commented and Jaime shook his head.
"I still am confused, Gwen. What Cersei is doing...I...I know it isn't right. I know what she did before wasn't right but I never questioned it. I never questioned her because I was in love with her. I should have known before...but now I know that... and seeing her here and hurting you, taunting you and wanting you dead...I know it is wrong. But it hurt too. It hurt to see you crying at her feet. It hurt me and I hate her for it."
Gwen remained silent as Jaime looked at her and she lowered her gaze to the ground, her hands gripping onto her arms and keeping her warm. Jaime watched her before he dared to step closer to her, resting his hand on her chin and drawing her gaze to his.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to her.
"I know." She said. And she did know. She tried to understand the twisted love which they shared with each other. And she could see he was sorry. She knew he regretted it and she didn't intend to punish him for it.
She thought back to Tyrion's words of Cersei and she wondered if she should say something. Jaime had a right to know what his sister was doing. He had a right to know what Tyrion knew. But she didn't want to hurt him.
"Your brother," she began in a whisper, "he said something about your sister."
"What?" Jaime wondered, his finger running down Gwen's cheek slowly.
"Jaime...I'm not telling you this to hurt you...please know that," she urged him. "And I'm not saying it to get back at you for what you and her did...even though it does still hurt me."
"Gwen," Jaime interrupted her to stop her from blabbering on. She bit down on her bottom lip and looked at him.
"Promise that you won't tell her that I said anything," Gwen urged him.
"I promise," Jaime said to her and she inhaled sharply.
"Your brother said she had been with other men whilst you've been away."
Jaime stepped back from her, his hand dropping from her cheek as he thought of what she had just told him. She took a deep breath and watched him, studying him for any sign of emotion. All she could see was shock, his lips parted and his eyes wide.
"Jaime," she spoke. "Talk to me."
"I don't know what to say," Jaime admitted to her and raked his hand through his hair as he did so. "I thought that she would be loyal. How does Tyrion know?"
"I have no idea," Gwen shrugged. "He said something before your sister had her guard knock him unconscious. You'll have to ask him."
"I intend to," Jaime assured her and she remained silent for a few moments, well aware that she should place the dress which had been given to her on her body. "It seems Cersei and I aren't as strong as I had thought."
"Maybe," Gwen said without committal and Jaime watched as she picked the red dress up. She stepped into it, the cotton rubbing against her cuts and bruises as she took a moment to inhale sharply. His mind still rang with what Gwen had told him and he still struggled to believe it. Yet a part of him certainly did understand. Cersei had changed. She was not the woman Jaime thought she was. But a part of him still loved her. He supposed a part of him always would.
She was his sister and his first love. Was this how it felt to be betrayed? Was this how Gwen felt when her beloved farmer boy slept with someone else? Jaime didn't know. He knew that Gwen had been distraught. She had told him how she spent nights crying over Beren. But Jaime didn't shed a tear at the information he had received. Not one drop fell from his eyes.
Perhaps he knew that it had been over for a while.
Perhaps he knew that he was beginning to fall for another.
He spent no time dwelling on Cersei as he saw Gwen struggle into the tight fitting dress.
"Do you need a hand?" he wondered and she shook her head, her blond curls swaying down her back as she managed to pull the material over her hips. He ignored her and stepped forward, grabbing the material with his hand as he helped her to move it up. She groaned at the tightness before slipping her arms into the three quarter length sleeves.
"It's a bit tight," Gwen complained as he gathered her hair and pulled it from her dress. He saw the laces on the back as her hands began to move to them and try and fasten them from the small eyelets. He gathered both of her wrists into his hand as she turned her head over her shoulder to look at him.
"Are you okay?" she wondered.
"I'm fine," he said to her and she smirked.
"We both know those words are often just lies," she informed him and he grinned softly at hearing her, his mind still elsewhere as he slowly dragged one piece of fabric through the hoops, working his way to the top.
"How did you feel when you saw Beren leave the brothel?" Jaime wondered; his gaze still focused on lacing up her dress as she looked to the wall in front of her.
"Distraught, betrayed, angry," Gwen whispered. "I've never known anything like it."
"Why is it that I feel numb?" Jaime asked her and she shrugged, causing him to drop the fabric from his fingers. He picked it back up again as she spoke to him, her voice simply a whisper;
"We each deal with things differently," she informed him. "Perhaps this is simply your way of dealing with it."
"I don't know," Jaime admitted. "I feel betrayed by her. I feel as though she has been disloyal to me...but...I don't feel upset. I don't feel as though I want to go and strangle the men she has slept with. I don't feel anything about it."
"Well...I mean...I don't know why..." Gwen began to speak, trying to think of something logical to say to him. She tried to think of some advice which she could say but nothing came to her as he finished lacing her into the tight dress. She breathed deeply before turning around and looking at Jaime who was staring down at her.
"I shall speak to Cersei later," Jaime said and Gwen nodded. "I will speak to Tyrion first when he decides to grace us with his presence."
"You'll be okay, won't you?"
"You have no need to worry over me." Jaime promised her. "I have secured you a place in the kitchens to work. The kitchen staff are very courteous and I am sure they will extend you the same pleasantries. I'll take you there and then leave you to settle in."
"Will I see you again?"
"I'm sure to be around the castle," he replied.
"That's not what I meant." Gwen said and Jaime sighed, his hand moving to cup her neck as he looked down, his eyes unable to look away from her breast which had been pushed up on display.
"I don't know," he admitted, drawing his gaze back to her. "I don't want Cersei to bother you anymore. And if I confront her about this then I can't help but think she may."
"We will wait and see," Gwen informed him and he sighed, his head drooping once more.
He picked his gaze up for a second, moving closer to Gwen until his eyes were level with hers and he longed to press his lips against hers. She denied him the action, turning her head as he kissed her cheek. His lips lingered there for a few moments as she spoke to him.
"You've just found out she slept with someone else," she told him as he removed his lips from her skin. "Don't kiss me to get back at her."
"You should know that is not why I am doing it," Jaime informed her quickly. "You know that, Gwen. Last night in the tent...you know that..."
"We agreed that was a mistake."
"You said that. I didn't say anything."
"Nothing can happen, Jaime," Gwen whispered. "You know that and so do I."
Jaime took a deep breath and he nodded. He did know it was wrong. It didn't mean that he didn't want to do it. He ran his hand down Gwen's curls before leaning in, pressing his hand on the back of her head as he kissed her forehead and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Come on. I'll take you to the kitchen and then come back for Tyrion."
Gwen smiled at him as he held her hand out of the dungeon and she wondered what would be in store for her in the future.
...
A/N: So thank you to everyone who has reviewed! I do hope you're enjoying it still. Thanks to BlondieGirl9882, Jofrench22 (you were right about the preview being soon!), Kay1104, blackestnight10 (I hope your finals go well!), Miss. Lori MacManus, rinurechotay, moonlight1ify, Miss CarolineForbes, Lottie du Bois, meri, chen and x XRoweenaJAugustineX x for reviewing!
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