Author's Note: I'm back! Hopefully I can get work and school under control so I can update more often! Also, I'd like to add that I had this fic storyboarded out before the most recent season, so the developments after season 6 will not be influencing this story! And thank you DarylDixon's Lover for your review!
I'd also like to give a special thanks to 's wonderful reviews! I'm so happy that you are enjoying my story and I hope that I will not disappoint!
Enjoy ^.^
Chapter 36: The Last of Them
Jaime wasn't surprised when he realized that he'd awoken before Lyra; when she was with child, he'd learned that she'd be asleep still long after he'd awoken. He never minded this, in fact, he often found himself enjoying moments like these.
Usually when he awoke these days, he'd let his eyes adjust before finding Lyra. Usually, he'd find her curled up against him, holding his torso. Dark, thick hair messy from sleep, covering most of his lady wife's face. As she was still asleep, he'd carefully pull her closer to himself and hold her. As she still slept in his arms, he'd usually close his eyes and allow his mind to wander, as Jaime too would occasionally find himself dozing.
This morning though, he couldn't get his mind off of one topic: Roslin Tully. He didn't really understand his lady wife's determination to know and protect the wife of Edmure Tully.
I was to be their queen—Lyra kept telling Jaime when he asked her why she cared so much about what happened to the Tullys. Perhaps Jaime's lady wife realized that had Dorne not forced Lyra to break her oath and if she were Robb's queen, then the North may not have lost the war. Though Dorne is not particularly known for their manpower, their warriors are quite fearsome—Indeed, some of the greatest warriors Jaime had ever seen, like his deceased King's Guard brother, Ser Arthur Dayne, were dornish. Cunning, swift and fierce was the typical dornish soldier, and they hated Lannisters.
Thinking back on Roslin Tully, Jaime began to realize that the girl could potentially be quite useful should certain things occur in the future. Perhaps the presence of Lady Tully and the heir to House Tully could help speed negotiations along? The Blackfish and Edmure Tully may have a change of heart when they realize that the future of their house is in the hands of the Freys. As Jaime was planning with the Freys on how to take Riverrun, he'd heard from Walder that the Blackfish was mostly holding the castle because he felt the future of his house depended on it. Not only that, but Jaime had heard rumors from the Freys themselves about how the Riverlands was revolting against them as their liege lords; the Riverlands, as a whole, was still loyal to House Tully.
The more Jaime though about Lord Walder and the Freys, the more he realized that it would be too dangerous to let them have so much power. The Freys have already proven themselves to be treacherous cravens…to give them the Tullys would solidify their rule in the Riverlands—As Jaime was slipping into his role as Lord Lannister and Warden of the West, he was beginning to find himself thinking more and more like his late father, Lord Tywin. Thinking on the matter further, Jaime decided that it would be best for the Tullys to stay with them at the Rock rather than stay with Lord Walder. He reasoned that Lord Walder would likely use his own grandson to further his political gains and possibly revolt against the Crown and/or the West. Jaime couldn't allow that to happen…
Making up his mind, Jaime watched as the rising winter sun turned the room from purple to orange. When the sun had completely risen, Jaime gently roused Lyra from her sleep. Lyra, still exhausted from going so long without a proper night's sleep, slowly blinked the sleep from her eyes before adjusting them and fully awakening from sleep.
"Is it morning already?" Lyra yawned.
"I'm afraid so," Jaime answered her. He, like Lyra, was not looking foreword to the long day ahead of them.
Lyra and Jaime slowly awoke before getting out of bed together. Both of them were dressed by the time Joyce and Ashara came in, Jaime left to speak to Walder while Lyra stayed to pack for the road. Right as Jaime was leaving, she remembered Roslin.
"I'll give her a good offer as an incentive to come with us," Jaime assured his wife as he told her his plan.
"What if Lord Walder refuses and keeps her here?" Lyra, having been a Stark under the protection of her mother's house knew of the intricacies of how much power women in hers and Roslin's position could have. Since Roslin was under the protection of House Frey, despite now being a Tully, Lyra was afraid that the other lady would feel obliged to stay at the Twins if her father wanted her to; and Lyra doubted that Lord Walder would let Brynden and Roslin Tully go without a fight. Walder may be a craven, but he was no fool; she was certain that the Lord of the Crossing knew how valuable his grandson is.
Reassuringly, Jaime kissed Lyra on her forehead and told her not to worry before leaving her and her handmaidens to their work.
"I will not allow it!" Walder Frey snapped at Jaime, outraged.
"Do you forget yourself, my lord?" Jaime responded threateningly. He then reminded Lord Frey that the only reason Lord Walder was now Lord of the Trident was because of the deal he struck with Lord Tywin; and adding the fact that the Lannisters had been called by the Freys to take Riverrun for them, the Lannisters were now the Frey's liege lords. Therefore, Jaime was not asking for Roslin Tully, he was ordering the Freys to give her up.
"She's my daughter and he's my grandson!" Walder argued back.
"Neither of whom are part of House Frey; both mother and son are now part of House Tully, and if I remember correctly, Edmure is still the head of House Tully," Jaime knew that it was a rather weak argument as Edmure's betrayal of the Crown put his legitimacy as head of House Tully into question; however, Edmure's betrayal arguably made Roslin Lady Regent for her infant son, the recognized head of House Tully. Therefore, Roslin Tully could make her own decisions for herself and her son.
"Lady Tully," Jaime turned to Roslin again, ignoring Walder. "The choice is yours; you are now Lady Regent of House Tully until your son comes of age due to your husband's betrayal," Jaime was trying to make it clear to Roslin that she was no longer under her father's control. "Come with us or no; you and your son are our guests, not our prisoners," he assured Roslin, whose face looked as if she was beginning to relent. "Come with us and you'll have my word that you and your son will be provided for. Your husband will also be accompanying us to the Rock as our political prisoner, but he will be treated as well as his rank dictates, and you and your son will be able to visit him." Jaime hoped this would entice Roslin.
"I captured Edmure Tully! He's my prisoner!" Walder roared indignantly.
"We will take him by force if we must, Lord Frey," Jaime threatened. "And if that should happen, I'm afraid that I will have to write my sister and nephew that House Frey is not obeying their liege lords."
As Walder backed down, grumbling to himself, Jaime turned back to Roslin; "Again Lady Tully, you are being invited to be my lady wife's long-term guest at the Rock. Come if you wish, my lady wife will be more than happy to have you and your family, or don't come if you wish; you have free choice in the matter, as is your prerogative as the head of House Tully until your son comes of age," Jaime was trying to stress to Roslin that she had the power to break free from her oppressive family if she wished. "Which also means that you may leave the Rock any time you wish, and come back anytime you wish. You may even make trips back to the Twins should you wish to see your family." Explaining Lady Tully's new position of power to her (her family likely had not, given the fact that she acted as if she had absolutely no power) seemed to seal the deal. Jaime saw the girl, whom Lyra mentioned seemed desperate to escape her awful father and brothers, relent as she made up her mind.
Uncomfortable with the first choice she must make as the head of House Tully for her son, Roslin looked at her father. "Don't do it, girl," Walder threatened his daughter.
Lady Tully then turned back to Jaime. They locked eyes for a moment before Roslin nodded her head; "I'll go to my room and pack immediately. Thank you, Lord Lannister," she curtseyed in gratitude.
"Good," Jaime slightly smiled. "My lady wife will be happy to have you and your boy," he welcomed the timid woman. "My men would be happy to accompany you to your chambers and assist you in packing for the road." Jaime brought three of his most frightening captains to help Lady Tully in case Walder or the Freys attempted to intimidate the lady into staying at the Twins.
After Roslin left the Great Hall to pack, Walder came down from his seat and walked towards Jaime. "Don't make me write to the king, boy," Walder spat. "Edmure is my prisoner, fair and square," he continued to threaten Jaime.
"No Lord Walder, don't make me write to the king, my nephew," Jaime was tired of Lord Walder's shit. "Don't forget that insubordination is ground for beheading if the king feels up to it, and you should also know that my sister is quite tired of you. Believe me, the Crown knows how craven and useless House Frey is. My sister was even talking of how the Crown may actually be better off without you."
Lyra was angry. NO! She was more than just angry, she was incensed!
"My lord husband ordered you to do what again?" Lyra asked the Lannister captain in front of her.
"I was ordered by Lord Lannister to ensure that you ride in the carriage," the burly knight answered her bluntly.
"What is your name again, Ser?" She asked irritably.
"Ser Davon Lannister, my Lady," the longhaired, large knight said with an all-knowing grin.
How many fucking Lannisters are there?! Ser Davon must have seen the irksome look on Lyra's face because he then chimed in; "There is a lot of us, Lady Lannister," Ser Davon chuckled warmly. "Your lord husband has many cousins, but don't worry, you'll get used to us just as your good aunt, Dorna Swift."
Dorna Swift? Jaime's aunt? Who's she married to then? However, Lyra pushed these thoughts aside.
Lyra protested Ser Davon further by demanding as Lady Lannister that a nearby squire ready her horse immediately, unfortunately, Ser Davon remained a thorn in her side by stopping the lad. As Lyra and Ser Davon argued back and forth, she actually felt sorry for the poor squire. He seemed genuinely confused as to whether he should obey Lyra's orders as Lady Lannister or Ser Davon's orders and authority given to him by Lord Lannister.
"Please, my lady, it will be more comfortable and safe for you in the carriage," Ser Davon attempted. "Also," he added rather sheepishly. "With all due respect Lady Lannister, these are orders from you lord husband himself."
Lyra only grew angrier when she realized that Jaime was ordering her in the carriage. However, that all dissipated when she suddenly saw Roslin Tully approaching her.
"Lady Lannister," Roslin politely curtseyed to Lyra before climbing into the carriage with Brynden in her arms.
Lyra could only stare, perplexed, as Jaime walked to her.
"You two should get to know each other," Jaime said to his lady wife before climbing onto Honor, grinning.
Though Lyra knew that Jaime had only done what he thought would make her happy, she was still angry with him—He knows that courtesy dictates that I cannot be a bad hostess. Jaime was using Roslin's presence to force her into the carriage; which was making Lyra regret requesting that Roslin and Brynden accompany them to the Rock. However, she put on her smile nonetheless and climbed into the carriage with her guests.
They rode all day with no break and didn't reach Riverrun until only a couple of hours before dusk. The carriage ride was thankfully not too bad though, but Lyra still couldn't wait to get out so she could see what was going on. On their way to Riverrun, Roslin and Lyra chatted about their childhoods. They found out that they both loved the water, just different kinds of water. Roslin loved swimming in and looking at the beauty of the rivers, whilst Lyra loved the sea. Remembering that Casterly Rock overlooked the Sunset Sea, Lyra wondered if her children would grow to love the sea too. Then, she began to wonder if Jaime loved the sea as she did; he hadn't told her many stories about his childhood. In fact, during their ride to Riverrun, when Lyra politely averted her gaze to look out the window as to let Roslin feed Brynden with relative privacy, Lyra began to have visions of her children with Jaime; she imagined children with dark hair and gold hair with the various eye colors and features of the Starks, Lannisters and Martells playing in the Sunset Sea.
As Lyra stepped out of the carriage, Roslin and Brynden went with some of the Lannister guards, while she stayed with Jaime. Realizing that though the siege was a joke, Lyra still couldn't help herself from instinctively putting a protective hand over her own belly.
I want my armor—No matter how uncomfortable her armor was when she was pregnant, Lyra didn't care; her only concern was protecting the life inside of her.
As Bronn and Jaime dismounted, Jaime looked quite irritated as they looked over the hill at the sorry excuse for a siege on Riverrun.
"Are things worse than Lord Frey let on?" Lyra asked, though she already knew the answer. She'd heard from her handmaidens and Jaime that the Freys were failing miserably to take Riverrun, and now she could see why.
As Jaime affirmed Lyra's question, he scanned the area, that's when he saw Edmure.
A noose around his neck, Edmure also had a knife to his throat as one of the Freys shouted at the Blackfish. The Blackfish, of course, called the Freys on their bluff.
Fools…Jaime understood more and more why his father was constantly irritated with his own vassals.
"Craven bastards," Lyra swore under her breath and the despicable display.
"Let's go say hello, shall we?" Jaime offered his arm to a grinning Lyra. As Lord and Lady Lannister casually walked up to the Frey brothers, as if they weren't even at a siege, Bronn walked slightly behind them, laughing with the Lannister captains.
Gods be Good! Lyra gasped when she saw the full extent of the Frey's "siege" on Riverrun. If it even deserves to be called a siege…
Jaime was equally baffled—No trenches, no proper look outs, no towers? Jaime couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was no wonder there was nobody to greet them when they arrived.
"Someone ought to teach them how to properly build trenches," Bronn said casually as they approached Black Walder and his brother, Lothar.
"Yes," Jaime responded, looking at Bronn carefully. "Someone should."
"Oh no! Oh no!" Bronn protested when he realized what Jaime was implying. "When I agreed to come, you promised me a castle with a high born beauty for a wife—"
"You are an anointed knight by the authority of House Lannister," Jaime countered.
"You promised him what now?" Lyra asked curiously.
However, their squabble was cut short when the Frey brothers began approaching them with Lord Edmure. They saw the Frey brothers irritably yank a dirty Edmure from the ground after he'd fallen into the mud. Thankfully, Edmure looked relatively unharmed.
"Lothar is it?" Jaime interrupted the squabbling Frey brothers. He wanted to get done with Riverrun as fast as possible.
"Lord Lannister!" Lothar looked surprised. "Lady Lannister!" Lothar and his brother turned white when they realized how Lyra and Jaime just casually approached them, unchallenged, during a siege.
"We had no idea you were coming," the Frey brothers stumbled over themselves.
"That's because you didn't set up a proper perameter," Jaime scolded them.
"You've just allowed an army of 8,000 men to approach you unchallenged. Are you lazy or just stupid?" Lyra asked the embarrassed Frey brothers.
"Good thing we're here to help, or we'd be fucking you in the ass right now," Bronn couldn't help but to interject. The Frey stupidity was unbelievable to him.
"Have Lord Edmure bathed and fed," Jaime suddenly ordered. It was bad enough that the Freys weren't carrying out their threats; they weren't even treating Edmure as his rank dictated. It was undignified for the Lannsiters to even be a part of it, just helping them take Riverrun was embarrassing enough for Jaime.
As Jaime began giving orders to his captains to organize a treat with the Blackfish and set up a proper siege, the Frey brothers began to recover.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! This is our siege! We're in charge here!" Black Walder yelled at Jaime indignantly. " Edmure is our prisoner. House Frey's prisoner!"
This again? Jaime was quickly losing patience with the craven Walder Frey and his sons.
Lyra knew something was about to happen when she saw Jaime get that fed up look in his eyes when those words came out of Black Walder's mouth. A look that wasn't that dissimilar to the late Lord Tywin's when he was about to force someone's hand out of anger.
"Only a fool makes threats he's not prepared to carry out," Jaime responded coldly, but calmly. "Now," Jaime continued, "let's say I threatened to hit you unless you shut your mouth, but you kept talking. What do you think I'd do?" Jaime finished rather menacingly. It was as if he wanted Black Walder to say something.
Jaime got his wish.
"I don't give a rat's—" Black Walder spat before Jaime suddenly back-handed him with his gold hand.
Bronn laughed out loud as Lothar struggled to help his brother back to his feet. Lyra even savored a smug smile, but she tried not to laugh, as Jaime looked quite irritated.
"I'm here by the King's command to take back this castle," Jaime told the Frey brothers firmly. "And Lord Edmure is now House Lannister's prisoner," he continued. "Now, have Lord Edmure bathed and fed before you hand him over to my captains," Jaime ordered the Frey brothers again. "Unless of course, you'd like to take his place."
As the Frey brothers got up, they practically stumbled over themselves again, apologizing and saying that House Frey was at House Lannister's service.
As the Freys walked past Jaime and Lyra with Lord Edmure, the fallen Lord Tully and Robb's would be queen briefly locked eyes. Lyra saw a broken man in those eyes…
Lyra was too lost in thought to hear Jaime taking over the siege until Bronn mentioned the Blackfish. Being broken from her own thoughts, Lyra felt terror as she realized that Bronn could be right; the Blackfish may challenge Jaime to a duel her lord husband may not be able to win yet.
Terrified for her husband's life, Lyra interjected without thinking; "Let me accompany you. I was supposed to marry Robb before my uncles made me break my oath; and I've known the Blackfish since I was a girl. He used to come and visit Aunt Cat." Lyra also hoped that by allowing her to accompany Jaime, she being a Stark would make the Blackfish more inclined to retain civility when dealing with her husband.
Jaime, signaling Bronn to go on ahead, waited until he was alone with Lyra before speaking. "Lyra," he began, reaching for her protectively. "I can't risk it." He didn't think he'd ever be the same again if he ever lost Lyra. "Also, we have more than just your safety to worry about," he put his hand over his lady wife's slightly rounded belly.
Lyra helped set up the tent with Ashara while Joyce helped Roslin set up hers on Lyra's command. Roslin, having seen her own husband being threatened and frightened by her own brothers was visibly shaken. Right now, she, like Lyra, was trying to occupy herself to help ease her anxiety about her husband's life.
Surely Bronn will intervene if the Blackfish tries to duel or kill Jaime. Jaime owes him too much—Lyra hoped as she got out her garb to wear while she watched Jaime treat with the Blackfish. Though Jaime wouldn't let her accompany him to treat with Ser Brynden, he'd let her have her armor back. That is, as long as her armor wasn't hurting her or restricting her waist.
"Lady Lannister," Ser Davon suddenly entered Lyra and Jaime's tent. "It's time."
Putting on her armor, Lyra then followed Ser Davon out to the safe spot they'd be observing the treat from.
Getting comfortable, Lyra sat down on the soft grass while she waited with Ser Davon and two other Lannister knights. The edge of this particular trench was the closest Jaime would allow Lyra to the castle. Waiting, Lyra suddenly shot up from where she was standing; startling a dozing Ser Davon. She saw Jaime riding Honor with Bronn and two captains before dismounting and crossing the now lowered drawbridge.
Lyra had her hand on Night's Queen as she nervously watched Jaime and the Blackfish exchange a few words before the Blackfish re-treated back into Riverrun and Jaime mounted Honor, riding back to the Lannister camp.
Confused as to why the negotiations lasted less than five minutes, Lyra quickly jumped out of the trench and ran to the camp to meet Jaime.
"Lady lannister! Lady Lannister!" Ser Davon and the captains scrambled out of the trench after her. However, Lyra didn't hear them as she nearly ran into multiple Lannister men in the camp.
"What happened?" Lyra ran up to Jaime as he dismounted from Honor. "What did he say?" A thousand questions came pouring out of her mouth.
Jaime, irritated and exhausted, motioned to dismiss his men before he and Lyra walked into a rather large tent that looked to be functioning as a war council.
Sighing, Jaime tiredly got both himself and his wife a glass and filled them with wine. Giving Lyra her wine, he finally spoke. "We may be here for a while," he sipped his wine as he observed Lyra's face upon hearing this news.
At this, Lyra slowly sipped her wine, letting the information sink in. "We aren't going to storm the castle will we?" She asked concerned; if Lyra allowed the Lannisters to kill any of the Tullys, she didn't think Sansa would ever forgive her…
"No, I don't think we will," Jaime answered, rubbing his eyes. Night had just fallen and he was as exhausted as he looked. The idea he had earlier, however, sprung back into his head.
"How well do you think you know the late King Robb's men?"
Author's Note: Sorry for making the scene with Jaime and the Frey brothers so long! It's just that it's one of the funniest scenes in Game of Thrones.
Next: Lyra and Jaime concoct a strategy to end the siege, an unexpected visitor arrives, and Roslin finally speaks with Edmure.