Clarity
Stannis of the House Baratheon, the First of his Name,
the Rightful King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men,
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm,
All has gone accordingly, you should expect us within the next week or so though I cannot give you an exact estimation date when concerning our arrival however, it should be with haste. If you can spare them, I will need to borrow ten ships from your fleet if I am to bring you the remaining nine thousand men North with me, that will gift you with twenty-two thousand men more than you originally had.
I hope to see you soon.
Eliana Stark,
Princess of Dorne and Queen of the North.
Placing the quill on the table, Eliana folded the missive carefully, moving to press her seal the its edge, the hot wax steaming as it dried against the parchment. "You will sail to Dragonstone tonight. You will place this in the hand of Stannis Baratheon and no one else… only Stannis himself. Do you understand?" She questioned Jarrad, knowing she was being hard on him seeing as those he'd just come back with a missive from Littlefinger from the Vale.
Jarrad bowed his head, "Yes, My Princess... will that be all?" He wondered, tucking the missive inside his tunic pocket, out of sight but not forgotten.
"No, Jarrad that will be all for the moment." She explained, moving to her son who had stirred in his cradle. "If he doesn't send a missive back, I will know he agrees with my terms."
Jarrad nodded, walking past Oberyn who had witnessed the exchange silently. Waiting until they were alone, did Oberyn finally choose to speak. "Are you sure this is wise, Lia? Going to war with this King Beyond the Wall? I thought you were fighting for Winterfell..." Oberyn trailed off in wonder. "Why have you changed your mind all of a sudden?"
"Clarity."
Oberyn's brow furrowed at her response. "Since when have your concerns been for Wildlings?" Oberyn took her hands into his own, intervening with her route to their son. "What is there for you that far North?" He waited but she didn't answer him to his irritation. "What is with you lately? You don't even talk to me about anything anymore, how do you expect me to understand what in Seven Hells you're doing?!"
Eliana stroked his cheek and smiled, "I don't expect you to do anything... you done so much already." She planted a kiss on his lips, lingering for a couple of moments before she pulled away to rest her forehead against his. "I just need to do this, then I can rally against the Boltons and retake Winterfell."
"How many men has Doran sent you?" Oberyn pressed, pulling her to his chest. "Four thousand, was it?" He felt her nod against him as he rubbed a hand over her tense shoulders. "That was generous of him."
"It was."
"The Queen regent is not happy about the head found in her bed, Lia." Oberyn informed her dryly, hearing her muffled laughter vibrating on his chest, causing him to smile at her reaction. "Her bed, really? Of all the places, you choose where she sleeps how... you." Oberyn hummed, resting his chin on his head. "Your Great-Uncle is wishing to speak with you, the Blackfish... your friend the Spider smuggled him in late last night, he's with your mother right now." Oberyn explained to Eliana's surprise, lifting her head from his chest to frown in confusion.
"Brynden's here?" Eliana pressed quietly before she pulled away from him completely. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Oberyn sighed, "I had only just discovered the news myself." He answered with a smile, allowing her to go to their son as he continued to stir in his cradle, his smile widening when she took him into her arms and cooed to him softly. "I want us to all be a family, Lia. I want to be able to live without the fear that someone will try to harm our son, without the worry of Lannisters or the Boltons or the Freys..."
Oberyn moved towards her, "Fuck that, I want to spend everyday for the rest of our lives making love to you, to have brothers and sisters for Alaric to share his kingdom with, to live in solace." He pulled her tight against him, pressing his lips to his son's forehead. "That's my clarity."
Eliana smiled at his words, "I like the sound of that." She agreed, kissing him again until he pulled away.
"I have to tell Obara she will be returning to Sunspear with your mother and Alaric." Oberyn announced thoughtfully, spinning to face the direction of the door. "If I return to find a Lannister lurking where he does not belong..."
"Oberyn." Eliana chastised bitterly, sick of their petty bickering, but understanding his hatred all the same. She smiled when his gaze finally found hers, "If he comes then I will tell him of my plans to ride North, I aim to test his loyalty is all and if he complies then... all the more fun for me to get under Cersei's skin when I offer myself as witness for Tyrion."
Oberyn, however, didn't appear convinced by her words. "He will come." he challenged with certainty.
She nodded, "Yes, he will." Eliana saw the anger flicker across his face at her words but she ignored them all the same. "I love you."
Then he smiled. "Always, my love."
Eliana sighed to herself when he finally left the room, leaving her with her son whom resembled so much of Robb with his faint auburn girls that felt so soft beneath her chin when she rested it on his head. "You see this crown..." She smiled at the crown, holding it before her son as he clutched it between his fingers. "This will one day be your own and one day you will wear it as you rule over those who you have power over, you will use it against those who seek to oppose you, you will-"
"Lia?" the Lannister's voice rung out through her chamber, interrupting her chat with her son to her annoyance. Jaime paused when he saw the look Eliana was giving him from where he stood near the door. "I heard from Jarrad you're leaving... where are you going? Are you going somewhere?" he pressed, wandering into the room with a dark look ruining his usual handsome face.
Sighing, Eliana looked away from him and back to her son who sat comfortably in her arms. "Riding North to reclaim what is rightfully mine." she announced honestly, seeing absolutely no point lying to the man if he claimed he was loyal to her and not his sister.
Before he could stop himself, Jaime was blurting replies he didn't mean. "You can't."
He'd never seen her head snap so quickly in his direction before, her gaze threatening as he challenged her plans with two simple words that she simply couldn't stand to hear fall from his mouth. "And who will prevent me from doing such a thing?" Eliana questioned, willing him to rise against her once more, to question her plans to take back what rightfully belongs to her. Her eyes narrowed at him suspiciously. "... Even you're not that foolish."
Jaime strolled forwards softly, watching her with a gentle gaze. "And how do you suppose to do such a thing?" he probed, knowing it was dangerous for him to ask such things of her, knowing it was no his place to ask such things of her.
"More loyalists are coming to me with each passing day; several hundred rode in last night from the Riverlands, my great-uncle among them. I have twenty men riding North to rally the remains of my father's banners where they will wait until I give the command." She paused to his eyebrow raise in surprise at her news but also a frown form on his lips at her deception of keeping the truth from him. "Thomos has ridden to the Reach and Storm Lands to gather those who are still loyal to the cause - Randyll Tarly has been exceptionally kind - Markas has also persuaded Doran to fight for me, as I knew he would… he is my brother by law now."
Even Jaime seemed as surprised as she was when she discovered how lenient Doran had been when allowed her some of his troops, very rarely did he allow such things. "You and I both know that you won't have enough men to take back Winterfell – how many has the Reach gifted you with?" he pressed in concern, wanting to know the full reasoning behind such a sudden change in preparation.
Eliana smiled widely at his question, oh, how she'd laughed when she read his missive. "Ten thousand – they're currently sailing to Dragonstone where they will wait for their Queen with three thousand men from the Storm Lands and Vale." she divulged excitedly, swaying softly, causing the infant in her arms to gurgle but not take his attention off of the crown.
Jaime almost choked on her words. "You're rallying with Stannis Baratheon?" he all but exclaimed, finding his sudden rage all too much to contain in that moment. "You said you would do no such thing - that's... that's treason!" he roared with rage, throwing his hand and gilded steel one into the air.
She gave a shrug of her shoulders. "I lied."
"That's still not- "
Eliana cut him off swiftly, her eyes still glued to her son as he gurgled away in her arms quite contently. "Fight for me, Jaime – just like promised you would." Eliana encouraged all of a sudden, finally glancing to meet his eye as he stared at her with a strong verdant storm of ever growing fury. Eliana could easily tell that her words didn't sit well with Jaime which unsettled her as well.
He bowed his head in disgrace. "You know I cannot." he whispered but she heard him all the same.
Baring her teeth, Eliana hissed at him. "Then you are another futility I do not need in this." she warned in anger as she turned away from, not standing to look upon him as he went back on his word, back on what he'd promised her he would do if she requested.
"Lia- "
Whipping her head to glower at him, smirking menacingly when he jumped away in fright at her sudden outburst. "I am the Queen in the North! Do you honestly think I will stand aside as those treacherous sons of whores flay every last living soul in the North? Their own people? MY PEOPLE?!" Her voice ripped through the air, causing her son to jump in fright and his bottom lip to quiver at her shouts and soon enough, a wail erupted from his lungs. "They will burn for the sacrilege they forced upon my people and I will start all of the fires and watch them all burn..." Eliana continued, bouncing her son to soothe him as he continued to cry.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Jaime frowned, watching the interaction between mother and son.
Eliana clenched her jaw as she looked to her lion of Lannister with a thoughtfully look, frowning softly before nodding. "Soon enough winter will be upon us, and soon enough most will die from its wrath – I was born in the winter… When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." Eliana grinned at him, eager enough to pursue her enemy, tired of waiting in the shadows and allowed the lust for victory to lead her.
Surging forward, Eliana clasped his good remaining hand and squeezed it tightly, her wolfish grin not faltering for a moment. "Winter is coming, but they forget, I was born in the winter, it runs through my veins, I know how to survive its clutches – I am the winter and they shall fear my wrath." she told him with such passion flowing freely from within her, so much heart she'd thought she'd lost with her brother, with her father but it still lurked. "The North remembers."
Jaime ripped his hand from hers, stepping back in outage. "You're mad." His mouth fell agape at his own confession and her current mental state.
Shaking her head, Eliana smiled brightly at him, kissing Alaric's forehead as she smoothed his hair lovingly. "No, this is clarity Jaime..." Her gaze turned sour when he didn't return her smile which told her he wasn't willing to follow her into battle. "Get out, you're boring me. Your dulcet tones are successfully boring me." she growled, moving to place Alaric back into his cradle, taking the crown from him.
"What is with you?" Jaime grabbed her arms and shook her forcefully, hoping to shake some sense into her but Eliana merely stared at him. "First you want me then you throw me away? You can't do that." You have no right... he had to refrain himself from saying the last bit, knowing it would only infuriate him further.
"You did it to me easy enough, who's to say I can't do the same to you?" Eliana challenged, her eyes staring him tell, daring him to rise against her. "In case you've forgotten, I'm married and I have a child..." she trailed off in a whisper, finding herself lost in her thoughts as they revolved around her head. "Get out."
Jaime scoffed, throwing his head in the direction of Alaric despite knowing the child had wronged him in no way... only that he hadn't been born of his seed. He had to at least try to reason with her, to try and make her see that what she planned was mad and beyond belief. "Lia- "
"Do not call me by that name, get out!"
Jaime paused when he saw the tears in her eyes, glistening across that blizzard gaze he found himself being hypnotized by and soon he found himself walking towards her, wanting to touch her, to hold, to kiss her but before he even got the chance another voice rung through the air.
"You heard her, Lannister, she told you to leave."
Jaime could have sworn if he'd continued and took hold of her, she would have allowed him to have his way with her, to make her his, to make love to the woman he was so entranced by but her eyes moved from his person to the man stood behind him.
Eliana smiled warmly at the sight of Brynden Tully, quickly pulling him into a tight embrace. "It has been too long, Uncle Brynden." she laughed into his shoulder, feeling the tension lurking within his shoulders. "You have been sorely missed, you sight is most welcome." Eliana pulled him to her, leading him to the cradle holding her son as he stared upwards at their arrival.
"Oh, look at 'im!" Brynden chuckled gleefully, brushing his finger against Alaric's cheek as his tiny hand moved to grasp it as it made contact with him. "Little tyke, he looks just like him..."
Eliana looked between Brynden and Alaric, wondering whom he would say though she knew who he would say for it would only be the truth. "He resembles both your father and your brother, Fawn."
Eliana frowned, about to reply when her mother's voice broke through the air. "She's hardly a Fawn any more, Uncle." she announced, though her eyes didn't stray from Jaime as she entered the room, her arm touching his shoulder when she passed him.
He couldn't just stand there and watch them act as though they were a happy family, that everything was fine and back to normal, they weren't safe - no one was safe! Jaime followed Catelyn, not prepared to give up on talking sense into Eliana. "There's something you should know!" he shout caught the attention of not Eliana, but also Brynden and Catelyn who were watching him with narrowed eyes, sending his heart into frantic thumps as it rattled in his chest. "My sister has charged me with finding your sister and bringing back her head."
Tilting her head in question, Eliana stared at him for a moment, weighing out her options for the lion until she stalked towards him, her merely inches from his as she continued to stare him down. "Did she now... and why are you telling me?" Her voice was dreadfully low, a snarl through the night that came to bite him on the neck, to silence him but Jaime refused to be silenced.
"Because I don't want to kill your sister, I want to protect her!"
Eliana stepped away from him, feeling her mother seize her arm suddenly, her grasp tight on her wrist. "She's safe I can assure, I made certain of that." she argued, her eyes not wandering from his face as she watched him, waiting for him to persuade, for him to say something with some sense, something she could work with.
Her comment made Jaime scoff in disbelief, did she really believe that? She couldn't... "You think she's safe with Baelish, even I know you're not that stupid! He's a power hungry fool, he'll trade her for anything if it buys him status in return." he pleaded, his gaze moving between her and Catelyn, wanting to use the love the mother bore for her children to his advantage.
Charging forward, Brynden swung her around to face him, the furious blaze alight in his eyes. "Wait, you gave her to Baelish?" he demanded, staring her down as if trying to root out the source of her choice to send of Sansa to Petyr Baelish.
"Lia, he's right."
Eliana's eyes fell on her mother who pulled on her arm tightly, she'd never seen her look so frightened at the mention of Sansa being in danger. "I will go... the fault is mine and mine alone, I shouldn't have done it." she concluded dutifully with her head hung low in disappointment, knowing there was only one thing for her to do and only she could it.
But Jaime had other ideas, he also knew it wouldn't be wise for her to go riding off North to pursue Littlefinger when she had willing servants who could do the job for her, well perhaps one who would do so with full devotion that came at no cost. "No, that wouldn't be wise." Jaime knew his words displeased her but it was truth and she deserved the truth if no one else was willing to give it to her.
"What do you propose we do about her safety then?" Eliana took her mother's hand into her own as she smiled at her softly, giving it a squeeze before she glanced at Jaime with a frown. "You talk about my mistakes, tell me what I should have done but when I go to attempt to correct them, you object. What do you propose, Jaime Lannister?" Eliana asked him, wanting to know what thoughts were swirling around his head, wanting he wanted her to do, wanting he wished she would do. However, his silence showed her his reluctance to speak his mind. "Well, what are you waiting for? We're all familiar here, speak your mind."
With a deep intake of breath, Jaime nodded, feeling a slight warm from her words. "... I have a plan. but I'm afraid your agreement to it is quite debatable."
The sharp breeze rippled through the air, almost knocking Jaime over while stood with his good hand resting on Eliana's lower back but thankfully, his lady love caught him by the shoulder and steadied him.
Nudging him forwards, Jaime stepped towards the tall, formidable woman that lurked before himself and Eliana and withdrew his sword that was seated at his waist, its scabbard still keeping it comfortable. "I would have given anything to wield a blade like this... with my right hand but seeing as I am without the hand, this sword is wasted on me... take it." He thrusted the sword into her unwilling hands and took a step back despite how much it pained him to discard the piece of steel.
In one swift movement, Brienne unsheathed the blade and stared in wonder as the black and red ripples through the steel's body. Her eyes then darted to the pommel which had the shape of a golden lion's head with ruby eyes that shone wondrously. Its scabbard was also a piece of beauty, glittering gold and was decorated with a row of lion's head and smoldering red rubies.
Brienne looked up, meeting his gaze shakily. "I can't accept this, I can't take this - it's Valyrian steel, it belongs to you." She tried to hand the blade back but Jaime firmly shook his head.
Eliana looked at the man with golden hair, watching him silently before choosing to speak. "It was reforged from my father's sword, we've decided you'd use it to defend his daughter, my sister." Eliana paused, seeing her stiffen at her words. "I swore an oath to return my sister's to my mother, however, it seems I have failed in my duty to see it through and I hope that you'll be able to do what I couldn't seem to be able to." She stopped herself, seeing Brienne frown. "Many believe that Ary's dead which is incorrect, she is alive - or at least she was when I saw her last, she should be with Sandor Clegane but I know for definite where you'll find Sansa."
Brienne tilted her head, "My Princess?"
"You need to find her and get her somewhere safe."
Brienne stared at Eliana for a moment, watching the woman before her as she stared up at her with so much hope that willed her to say anything but no... she couldn't tell her no. "I'll find her, for Lady Catelyn." She gave a grave nod which made Eliana smile brightly. "And for you."
Eliana clasped her hand on Brienne's shoulder and gripped it tightly. "Oh, I almost forgot, we have one more gift." She smiled when she saw Podrick in her line of view, dropping her hand from her shoulder to clasp both of Podrick's.
Brienne scoffed, striding past Podrick, ignoring him completely. "I don't need a squire." she informed Eliana with a stubborn glance.
Eliana frowned but still persisted. "Of course you do." she argued with a stern look, paying her debt to Tyrion that she would keep the lad safe.
However, Brienne didn't seem to care, she worked best on her own and she knew that Eliana knew it too. "He'll slow me down." she acknowledged dryly, readying herself.
Jaime sighed when he saw Eliana look to him for help. "My brother owes him a debt. He's not safe here... you'd be keeping him from harm." Jaime stated with a small smirk, looking to Eliana who didn't seem at all impressed by his persuading, obviously believing he could have been more helpful in persuading her. "It's chivalry."
"I won't slow you down, ser-" Eliana broke out into laughter suddenly, knowing that Podrick would only get on Brienne's nerves, but also knowing that he only meant well. "My lady. I promise I'll serve you well."
"See?" Eliana teased with a wry smile, pulling away from Pod. "He's a good lad, you'll get along." Brienne merely glowered at her darkly, clearly not agreeing.
Clapping his hand on his shoulder, Bronn drew Podrick's attention to him. "Compliments of Lord Tyrion." He removed the cover of what he was carrying, revealing an axe before thrusting it into his chest with a forceful push. "His axe from the Blackwater... what are you waiting for, a kiss? Ready the lady's horse." Bronn ushered him away with a smirk.
Podrick nodded and rushed off, a stupid smile across his face as he stumbled off.
Jaime looked over at Eliana, who stepped towards her friend with a grim look on her face. "They say the best swords have names... any ideas?" she pressed, clasping her hands together as she cranked her upwards to look at the gaunt woman.
"Oathkeeper."
With a smile, Eliana reached up and briefly wrapped her arms around the woman, startling her until she was forced to wrap her own around her in response. "Good-bye, Brienne of Tarth, I hope you will succeed in the duty I failed due to my selfishness." she whispered only so she could hear her. "My friend, I wish you all the best of luck."
Once she pulled away, Brienne marched past her and swiftly climbed atop her horse and barely even waited for Podrick, who was still stumbling around after her. When he was atop his horse, he struggled to catch up with Brienne as she was already trotting ahead.
Just when Eliana thought they were fine and comfortable, she went to turn away but Brienne suddenly glanced back at her, make her freeze in her spot as their eyes connected with one another's. Nodding, Eliana couldn't help the guilt filling her as she forced another woman to claim her failed duties, she was a failure.
Turning away, Eliana began to walk off towards the city, leaving Jaime and Bronn to themselves until a voice called her back. "Where are you going now, Lia?" Jaime shouted to her as she didn't even look back at him.
"I am late for you brother, I promised him my service for his upcoming trial and I wish to discuss matters with him as a friend."
Eliana sighed as she stared at Tyrion, the rays of line illuminating his scarred face though she still thought he looked handsome... never had Tyrion been ugly in her eyes. The smell was awful she noted, it was worse than the last time she'd been down there, the mixture of piss and shit made her to sick to her stomach but somehow, she managed to ignore it.
"Tyrion." She begun quietly, trying to think what to say, smiling as he took a long drink of the wine she'd brought him. What ever she was to said would lead her to telling him what she'd done, that she was the reason he was down there in the black cells. "Podrick is safe, I've sent him along with Brienne to find Sansa."
"Sansa." His voice rose up, hoarse and gruff. "You know where she is?" he said in disbelief, looking at her with wide gaze, not believing his ears.
She nodded silently, not trusting her voice to talk for her but she knew she would have to soon enough. "Yes... she's with Baelish in the Vale, where I sent her." Her voice was barely audible.
"Then that means..."
"I think it would be best for me to explain, Tyrion." Eliana informed him calmly, wanting him to know the reasoning behind her actions. "I knew Joffrey would die, I had been informed of the matter and I knew the likely hood of you being taken for regicide, and so, I had to get my sister out of the city to ensure he safety."
Tyrion struggled to find the words to say, still in shock of the revelation that had been brought to light.
"Because of this, I will willingly stand witness for you in your trial as I believe you will have none other who would do such a thing."
"Why?" Tyrion asked, his mind reeling as he tried to understand what she saying to him. "You knew they would arrest me? And you did nothing?"
Eliana nodded solemnly, looking to the floor in shame of her actions. "Yes, I have played you for a pawn and for that I cannot merely apologise because that will do nothing to put right what has happened to you. I have allowed you to be held responsible for my mistakes and I will see it that you are a free man before you die for them, that I can promise you... the wait for your trial will not be much longer."
"Wonderful."
"I am so sorry." Eliana spoke, unable to look him in the eye.
Tyrion smiled crookedly, "It's the not first time I've be arrested for murder or attempted murder, it seems you and your mother have been responsible both time but strangely, I find myself trusting you." he admitted confusedly. "Have they chosen the judges yet?"
"No, but I would assume on of them will be your father though Oberyn is convinced that he will be asked to prevent me from coming to your aid in the trial..." Eliana told him with deep look. "But I think your father knows that whatever he does, I will still go against his wishes, which of course, I will."
"And what of your child?" he asked softly.
Eliana frowned in the darkness. "Your beloved sister tried to have him killed, but I handled that easy enough and don't think she'll do anything any time soon either, not if she wants another head in her bed but I shall soon see... " She said, clenching her fists at the memory. "I'm afraid I must go."
"Wait." He caught her by the sleeve, forcing her to turn back to find his mismatched her watching her every movement. "Why are you so willing to be a witness for me?"
"Tyrion, you will be free, I promise you."
A/N: Hello you lovely people!
I admit, not a lot went on in this chapter and I'm not best friends with it but after a couple of days of rearranging it, it's better than it was and hopefully you'll be happy with it.
Also, the next update may not be for a couple of weeks - on the 7th of August, I'm away seeing my dad's family and won't be back for week, but when I do get back I will be sure to have a new chapter for you with the following days.
The reviews are fantastic!
To my guest reviewers:
Marvelmyra - It's always great to see a new reader! Each of your six reviews were great, despite some negative points - but what's a story without some? Thank you, all the same. (By the way, I spent four days in Rome.)
anna - Thank you - I'm glad you liked it, I hope you continued to read the story!
Lucy - I'm glad to see you're eager, as are most of the readers which is always fantastic to see! I'm glad you liked the last update!
GOTFan - A Ser Jaime fan! I'm glad there are some out there, it was looking a bit meek for out Lion of Lannister... thank you for the kind words, I appreciate the review - thank you.
AFAN - Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the story which is always great to hear!
To my regulars:
CLTex, Laura201112, ZabuzasGirl, Naruhina1519, jean d'arc, Daisy96, klandgraf2007 - I love you guys immensely, the support you've given is absolutely amazing, like seriously, I couldn't ask for you - you're all wonderful! I just hope we all continue the adventure with one another.
Thank you all so much!
Ezeiel
