The Roar of the Golden Lion

Jaime

"Oathbreaker, Kingslayer, a man without honor." Jaime wasn't oblivious to what they called him ever since that faithful day. The day he saved them all. Even the men he called his brothers turned their back on him and wouldn't even give him the chance to explain himself. But worse of all was how she reacted. His dragon queen, despite all that mad bastard did to her, wouldn't allow him to explain why it was that he did what he did.

Only one person truly understood, and that was the woman he shared a womb with, his twin sister, Cersei. She was the one that let him explain what had happened. She comforted him and told him it would all be okay. What did Rhaella do? Dismiss him without getting a word in.

So much had happened since he left King's Landing. Everything was going right at Casterly Rock. Jaime would spend his daylight hours with his father learning how to rule, something he was beginning to enjoy now that he thought about it. While at night, he would sneak off to a part of the castle that no one paid attention to and coupled with Cersei.

Everything changed a few moons into his newfound life when he and Cersei decided to be reckless. They decided they just couldn't wait until after dark and instead coupled in his bed chambers, in the middle of the day.

Not even the Gods themselves could have predicted that Tywin Lannister would walk in on them, right in the middle of what they were doing. Speaking about the Gods, neither The Old Gods nor The New would have been able to stop his father's wrath that faithful day.

Neither twin could avoid the irony, though. Tywin always spoke about how a "lion didn't concern themselves with the opinion of the sheep." Yet clearly, this didn't apply to all situations, only those the great Lord of The Rock deemed as such. When Cersei dared to point out his hypocrisy, all Tywin could respond with was a stare that could make The Stranger himself die on the spot. If Jaime didn't know better, he would have sworn that Tywin had been shot with a crossbow while using the chamber pot. He was shocked and utterly disgusted with what had conspired between his twins.

Perhaps the fact that word had spread like wildfire due to servants deciding it would be the most opportune of moments to come by to watch as Cersei screamed at their Lord while covering her naked body with only a sheet.

Tywin had squashed these rumors by removing the tongues of anyone who spoke of such events. It didn't change what happened, though. As much as Tywin had wanted to sweep such a disaster under an imported rug, he couldn't. Cersei was now confined to one area of the castle, where she would only be attended by women. Hence, the only family member she had for comfort was aunt Gemma. While Jaime had to awkwardly get on with his Lordly duties.

Within half a moon, Cersei had disappeared from court completely, and his own father would refuse to even mention her, except when making sure she was still eating and digesting moon tea.

Whether it was crushing failed rebellions or incestuous relationships, Tywin Lannister was a force to be reckoned with.

However, the day of his new vows was near him. As he stood by his father to welcome their guests, he noticed a particular party of people: his brother, his uncle, his mentor, and his dragon queen.

Rhaella

Rhaella was not in the least bit happy about her current situation. First, she found out her now-dead husband was truly haunting her beyond the grave. The fucking monster had ordered wildfire to be placed all about the city of King's Landing by the sewers and underground tunnels. No one seemed to know who carried out his orders and what exactly he had planned to do with this material.

They had already looked into the alchemist guild, and none of them seemed to know anything about such plans. At the very least, they helped get rid of it correctly, for which she was grateful.

Her brother and his wicked ways could have killed them all if Tyrion hadn't found the substance when he did.

Regarding Tyrion, Rhaella had certainly enjoyed his company on their travels to the wedding of Jaime Lannister. Only half a moon after he had told them about the wildfire did Rhaella, Tyrion, Tygett, Ser Arthur, and one hundred Targaryen household guards leave King's Landing to journey to Casterly Rock.

However, she was not looking forward to the confrontation with any other member of the Lannister House. As much as she loved Joanna, she could never truly become fast friends with any other member of her kin. Genna was the only woman and was married off to a Frey by the previous Lord Lannister, so she didn't get to know her too well.

Gerion Lannister was disliked by his oldest brother for refusing to be like him. Still, again she had never gotten the chance to get to know him. Kevan Lannister would do whatever Tywin asked. No one could deny his sense of duty or likeliness to lick arse.

Who could forget Cersei? She was said to look precisely, perhaps even more beautiful like her mother, but if rumors were true, she was just as cunning as her father, Tyrion had told her that Cersei messed up in some way, but he refused to go into details as to how. It didn't seem like they were very close.

Then, of course, there was the cunning Lord Tywin Lannister, the rift her husband had created had been one of the reasons why they had lost the war in the first place. If Aerys had stopped himself from slighting Tywin at every turn, Gods only know what could have happened. Ned had punished him as his honor dictated him to do, but it wasn't the punishment Tywin deserved.

If Ned had just sent him to The Wall, then they wouldn't have to worry about what Tywin could possibly be planning. As always, her uncle's words of wisdom were genuine. It was better to have Tywin on their side, despite what he did or didn't do. There was no proof he had a hand in the death of her grandchildren, and he didn't kill the smallfolk of King's Landing himself. Those who committed crimes were punished accordingly. Having Tywin on their side would be foremost in crushing the looming Greyjoy attacks. A deal would have to be struck, but it would have to be favorable. The crown wasn't weak. They were just trying to protect their interests in the long term.

She nearly forgot the one other Lannister, one she owed a conversation too, what that conversation would detail scared her more than anything in this world.

Arrival at Lannisport

Rhaella

As they departed their ship, they were greeted by Lord Tywin himself flanked by his brother Ser Kevan on one side and his heir Ser Jaime on the other.

Lord Tywin was the first to speak. "Dowager Queen, I welcome you to the city of Lannisport, I hope your travels were well and that my son hasn't been causing any trouble during his stay with you." Besides the apparent disdain shown when he said the word son Tywin seemed actually genuine in his greeting, not that that meant much. He had always been a hard man to truly understand.

"Lord Tywin, it is great to be back in the West again. How many years has it been since you and my husband held court here?"

"Close to ten, your Grace, perhaps longer," he sighed in response

"Ten? has it been that long, I guess I am getting old then, but that means you are too," she japed. Oh, how Tywin hates japes.

"I must agree with you, Queen Rhaella, that is why we must shape the future in our image before it is too late. Now I must insist we get going back to the castle. You are among the last guests to arrive."

Rhaella wondered what he had meant about shaping the future before it was too late. Could it have had something to do with the Cersei situation? None, the less she, exchanged greetings with Kevan and tried to do the same with Jaime, but he had already turned and left. Rhaella decided to ignore the slight. She couldn't blame him for such behavior, could she?

She motioned to Ser Arthur to direct the guards to move along. At the same time, Tyrion caught up to Jaime to have a reuniting conversation. She smiled when she saw it. Tyrion was felt true happiness around his brother.

As she rode along the road to Casterly Rock on a horse, she had been given since she refused to get in a carriage. She noticed how Lannister guards had been posted on both sides of the road. If she had to guess, Tywin had commanded at least three hundred guards to mark the path to the castle. A number that dwarfed her one hundred and one. Also, she began to notice banners of the West's houses and some from the Riverlands and even a minor house from the Vale.

Clearly, Tywin had saved no expense regarding his heir's wedding or the security involved. She internally questioned some of his decisions. Perhaps it was all just a powerplay as per usual.

The Golden Wedding affair

Jaime

He stood at the top of the altar in the Sept, waiting for his bride to arrive. As he looked around, he noticed all the lords who had come to see his union.

All of his father's principle bannermen were in attendance, the Freys of the Riverlands too, but they were kin. Also, a house he did not recognize at first, Tyrion had to tell him that their banner belonged to House Baelish of The Fingers. Odd that his father would invite a minor house to his wedding, but it wasn't that big of an issue.

Closest to the alter were his family members. His father, who he could have sworn cracked a smile when they happened to glance at each other, his twin sister who was starring daggers at her father, their relationship had strained over the last few moons and Tyrion. The latter was beaming up at him, so Jaime beamed back. Then, of course, all of his uncles and his aunt, who had been placed in charge of organizing the wedding details, and he had to admit Aunt Genna did a great job. He was excited to see the decorations in the feasting hall.

His gaze next went over to Queen Rhaella or Dowager Queen, standing beside Ser Arthur on his family's opposite side. Despite the dislike, he felt for the way she treated him during their last encounter, he had to admit that she looked radiant in the light due to her silver hair. If one didn't know her well, they wouldn't have been able to guess that she had seen over forty namedays. She looked as if she had only seen over thirty namedays. However, Jaime did notice a faraway look in her eyes. This woman had been through the seven hells, and when Jaime had tried his best to help her, she had dismissed him without letting him get a word in.

He was staring at her for a couple of moments while she had her eyes at the entrance. This made him turn his head too, only to realize that his intended had arrived.

A man dressed in fine silk was on the right-hand side with a girl of his age on his left with her arm wrapped in his. This man had to be his future goodfather while the girl was clearly his new wife. She approached him and the Septan with her maiden's cloak on his shoulders. He noticed it had her house sigil sowed into it- six seashells, three in the first row, two in the second, and one on the last row.

Jeyne Westerling now stood before him, waiting for the Septan to begin his sermon. She was a pretty girl, her hair was chestnut brown, and it curled as Cersei's did, but that was the only trait she shared with Cersei. Jeyne was of a slender, tall build with a heart-shaped face and brown eyes.

She did not compare to the beauty of Cersei or Rhaella, but she was far from ugly. Jaime was not against the idea of loving her, but for now, she was just part of his duty as future Lord. A way of getting his father, another heir, to further cement his right to Casterly Rock. Pushing Tyrion further away from a lordship in other words.

The Septon began to speak.

He first focused on Jaime and Jeyne and said.

"You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection" Jaime took the cloak that he had been keeping on him for the last few minutes and did as such. The veil had the golden lion of Lannister sown into it. It fitted nicely on top of the cloak of House Westerling.

Once Jaime had done this, Jeyne turned back to face him, and the Septan continued his sermon.

He looked up towards the crowd and said, "Your Grace, my lords, and ladies, we stand here in the sight of Gods and men, to witness the union of man and wife, one flesh, one heart, now and forever."

He turned to Jaime again and nodded to remind him to say his part.

Jaime turned to Jeyne again and looked deep into her eyes and said, "with this kiss, I pledge my love."

Said as he kissed her on the forehead. Then he continued by saying, "and take you for my lady and wife."

Jeyne then said similar lines and kissed him on the lips instead of the forehead as he had. They both took a moment to stare deep into each other's eyes before they were interrupted again.

"Ladies and Lords of the Realm, I am proud to announce the marriage pact between Jaime of House Lannister and Jeyne of House Westerling and Lannister."

They then both turned to face the clapping and cheering crowd, even Cersei had a smile upon her face. As the newly married couple left the Sept together, Jaime glanced over at Rhaella again and received a small reassuring smile in return and the same from Ser Arthur.

He was sure a run-in and conversation with both would be unavoidable, but for now, it was time to enjoy his wedding day.

Rhaella

Feasting Hall

She watched from the right side of the hall as Jaime and his new wife told jokes to each other. They seemed like a great couple, and most people around them seemed happy for their newly found favorable vows.

Well, everyone except Cersei, whose smile left her face the second Jaime and Jeyne left the hall. How could a sister be so bitter? At least they seemed to be on better terms than herself and Aerys even back during their early years. She had never liked him. They married out of duty and to keep the bloodline pure, following their father's wishes. It wasn't like Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen, who married out of passion against their father's and brother's commands.

However, the whole ordeal gave her pause. Why did Jaime marry the daughter of a bannerman instead of forging links with houses outside their Kingdom? The Westerling's were a proud house with gold mines, but what did Tywin gain from this? It wasn't like it was odd for liege lords in a Kingdom to marry their children to their bannermen's children. The North did it all the time. Ned marrying Catelyn was the first time the Stark's married outside of the North since Cregan Stark married a Blackwood.

Jaime's grandmother would have been a Mambrand, and of course, his mother Joanna was a Lannister cousin of Tywin, so perhaps it was not that odd. She came to the conclusion that Tywin was just looking for a strategic match by bartering off Cersei. Rhaella just hoped she'd be happy wherever she was married off to.

She had one primary goal when she came to Casterly Rock, and that was to speak to Jaime about the wildfire problem. When she saw him leave the feasting hall to go outside, she claimed her chance.

"Ser Arthur, I think its time we do what we came here to do," She said to Ser Arthur, who was beside her, a fitting place for her chief companion and son of a highborn.

They both got up from their seats, hoping not to be noticed. Luckily, everyone was too far into their cups to see a former Queen walkout accompanied by the Realm's greatest swordsman.

Everyone except for Tywin, of course. Who had been keeping watch of their movements the entire time.

Jaime

His new wife was a beautiful thing. Although, he hadn't spent that much time with her, she was already beginning to make him laugh and feel comfortable around her. He was always wary of Cersei, though, who was constantly watching his every move.

As great as it was to be around so many family members, seeing Queen Rhaella and Arthur reminded him of his past life as a member of the kingsguard. Something that wiped the smile off his face when he thought about how that chapter ended.

For now, it was time to get some fresh air and be alone with his thoughts.

As he looked over the balcony that towered over the whole of Lannisport, his thoughts were interrupted by the last people he was expecting.

"I must congratulate you in person, Ser Jaime, you really make a wonderful couple." With her silver hair flowing in the wind, the Dragon Queen was standing before him with Ser Arthur by her side.

"Thank you, your Grace, or Dowager Queen, I should say," He said with a small bow. He wasn't going to allow her to slight him again.

"Now, if you excuse me, Queen Rhaella and Ser Arthur, I believe the bedding ceremony is nearing. It cannot proceed without me as I'm sure you can imagine."

He walked past them at a quick pace, trying to get back to the feast when…

"Ser Jaime, do you know anything involving wildfire being under King's Landing?" Rhaella said to him, completely ignoring his apparent attempts to get away.

He sighed then answered her. "Yes, I do, my Queen, your late husband, ordered them to be placed all along the underground soon after you left for Dragonstone. Only I and three members from the alchemist guild knew," He replied, dreading the thought of this conversation continuing.

"And why in the seven hells did you not think it to be a good idea to tell us?" She growled back at him.

Oh, she had really done it now. How could she not have realized by now that he would have told if she had just given Jaime a chance.

"How could I have your Grace? Last time I saw you, you were condemning me for killing your shit stain of a husband, without letting me explain why."

He growled back. He was not going to let anyone ruin his wedding night with stupid questions that could have waited until the morning.

"Do not talk to Queen Rhaella like that Kingslayer," Ser Arthur spoke next, only adding to the tension.

"Ser Arthur, for the sake of the love I bear for you as my former brother, I will let you calling me that name slide, but do be careful because when you're trained by the greatest swordsman to ever walk. You do pick up a thing or two." He felt relatively superior, saying those words.

Jaime was not entirely sure if he could beat Ser Arthur in one on one combat, or even Ser Barristan for that matter. The rest of them were nothing compared to his skills, though.

"Aye, you may have been trained by the greatest swordsman who ever walked as you say it, but he didn't teach you everything," Ser Arthur said back, starring at Jaime intensely now.

Neither Ser Arthur nor Jaime had a blade on them at the moment, which was a good thing for the sake of everyone.

It took Rhaella raising her arm against Ser Arthur's chest to calm the situation. She then turned to Ser Jaime again and said.

"Ser Jaime, I am truly sorry for how I treated you that day. You see, he was my husband, and you swore a vow," She said, her tone calmer now, slightly remorseful anyways but still with a hint of offense.

"You still don't get it, do you Rhaella, I swore a vow, but what does that vow mean when the person you swore it to broke every vow he made too?" Jaime let the words sit then continued on.

"You were his wife, yes, a husband is meant to protect his wife. It is written there in the vows I would know I just said them today, but The Mad King did not do that, King Aerys violated you, don't try to deny it. Your daughter is a result of rape, and you know it to be true. When I pointed out that the Kingsguard were meant to protect all members of the royal family, do you know what Ser Jonothor said to me?"

She shook her head in response.

"He told me we were to protect the Queen as well, just not from him, as if he was above the laws of men. You know what, Queen Rhaella, I spit at the thought of your husband, I'm glad I killed him. I saved more lives that day than any Kingsguard in existence, and what did I get for it? My former Kingsguard brothers scorn, which I could understand but to get that sort of reaction from you? I may have put my sword into the back of a mad King, but you drove a dagger through my heart and that of my mother's, good fucking riddance to you."

And with that, Jaime walked away and was about to enter the feasting hall again when Rhaella spoke up.

"Jaime, please, I'm sorry for the way we acted, just please let me make it right."

"You want to make it right? Fine, this is how you make it right. Let me enjoy my wedding night or what's left of it, and stay away from me until you are ready to have a proper conversation. Until you are ready to do that, you can take a note out of your husband's book of phrases and burn, like the former Stark lord."

And with that, he was gone.

Rhaella

It had been three days since her last conversation with Ser Jaime. Since that had happened, she and Ser Arthur had stayed away from the whole Lannister family ,instead roaming around the castle and Lannisport.

She also had a sit-down meeting with Tywin Lannister, where she warned him about the Greyjoy suspicious movement. Tywin listened to what she had to say and how she advised they strengthen their defenses down in Lannisport. Still, he dismissed her claims saying that they already were strong enough and that it would be a waste of time.

To strengthen the relations between The West and the crown-like, her uncle had advised she had also signed a trade deal with the Lannister house that would last three generations. Some of the terms included a tax reduction for those trading from Lannisport to King's Landing. Another term stated that if new material is ever mined across the whole Realm. The West would be given it at a small discount the trading price of other houses and ports. She agreed upon these terms using the excuse of rewarding him for his loyal years of service as Hand of the King.

Rhaella had done what she was tasked with while staying at Casterly Rock. She had made it so that at the very least, Tywin had reason not to back the Greyjoy's. A slightly better trade deal than other houses would not cause too much outrage. It wasn't as if they were going to find any new material that could be traded at any stage soon.

The more she thought about it, the more she was puzzled about why he would want that as a term of their agreement. Tywin wasn't one to bank on what didn't exist. Maybe he had more insight than she thought, which was worrying but not an issue right now.

She had tried to talk to him about Joanna but decided not to at the last moment as Tywin did not mention his wife in passing.

In the last few days, she thought about Joanna and what she would think about her son's conversation. Would she have slapped her, or would she have understood the turmoil Rhaella had been going through during her discussion with Jaime when she dismissed him?

The more she thought about Joanna, the more it led her to think about what Jaime had said to her. It seemed harsh and rude at the time to say such things to a Queen, but maybe he was right, even just a little.

After much discussion with Ser Arthur, they again decided to find him and get an answer about what happened with the wildfire. She wasn't leaving without telling her exactly how she felt this time around.

They found him in the sparring yard. Sparring and beating his uncle Gerion. He frowned when he saw her but came over regardless because she was his Queen, dowager, or otherwise.

Once it was just herself, Ser Arthur, and Ser Jaime, she began to speak again.

"Ser Jaime, what you said a few nights ago. It was not right to say such to a Queen. However, the way I treated you that night was uncalled for as well. It was your wedding night, and I could have possibly have ruined it. Please forgive me for all I have done, and please tell me about all the events involved in my husband's death, if you do this for me, I promise you, I will never bother you again."

He sighed then spoke solemnly.

"If it is what you truly want Dowager Queen, then so be it. But I need word from both of you that you will not interrupt me until I have finished, do I have it?" He looked at them both and waited for a nod before he continued.

He turned to Rhaella first, looked her straight in the eye, and told his side of the story.

"Soon after you and Prince Viserys left for Dragonstone, your Gods' given husband gave the order for some of the alchemists lay wildfire below the city, in every direction. It was meant to be his form of insuring than if Rhaegar lost the war, King Aerys would be the last to sit on the throne."

"In fact, I once heard him say to Rossart, his last Hand of the King, that Robert would be King over the ashes or something along those lines."

"Once my father arrived at the gates, and that imbecile, Pycelle advised the King to let him in. King Aerys gave the order to light the wildfire and for me to bring him my own father's head."

"I'll never forget the words he shouted to Lord Hand Rossart."

BURN THEM ALL

"However, once realizing the situation completely, I slew Rossart and then your husband, but that part you already know."

He paused before saying the last word.

"So you see Queen Rhaella and Ser Arthur, I may be one of the worse Kingsguard to ever live, but as a knight, I saved more lives than anyone in the history of Westeros. It's not like Lord Eddard would have understood, so I simply didn't tell him. Still, I had planned to tell my Kingsguard brothers about what happened and you, Queen Rhaella, but you decided to dismiss me and insult me instead."

No one spoke for what felt like the longest time.

"Ser Jaime, what you did is truly the noblest thing I've ever heard a knight do, you make me proud to say that I was the one who knighted you. I will tell our brothers what you did. I will make them understand you had no choice. Perhaps the idea of holding a vow to someone who thinks he's above such a thing is flawed," Ser Arthur said this with the utmost of sincerity.

"I thank you, Ser Arthur, I took my vows very seriously, but King Aerys lost his right to such privilege once he uttered the words 'burn them all', please tell Ser Gerold and the rest that I would have gladly given my life if I was on the battlefield with Prince Rhaegar, I want them to understand that"

Arthur nodded and smiled slightly in response just before Rhaella spoke up.

"Ser Jaime, I am so sorry you had to deal with that, I blame myself for my husband's behavior."

"No, Queen Rhaella, you don't understand, I can't make it any more clear than this," He snapped.

"You are not to blame for your husband's actions. He broke the vow he made to protect you, you had nothing to do with this, no one did, it just so happened that I killed him, but it could have been anyone, Robert was coming for his head, you know that he wouldn't have stopped there."

"That doesn't mean I shouldn't feel responsible for him." She was beginning to cry now. "All of this was my fault, I should have listened to you, I should have stood up for you when you were being ridiculed, I just feel so useless when I think about what happened."

Jaime put his right hand on her and gave her a warm smile and said, "Queen Rhaella, please listen to me. You tried your best to keep the Realm together after my father was dismissed, and you only failed because you weren't the King. Now you have the power to right all the wrongs, and you have already made a great start, My Queen, the dragon is your sigil, but it is also who you are."

"You are a dragon, so be a dragon. Make sure that Targaryen madness ended when your husband died. We both carry the burden of what that man did, but we both have new roles now. It is time we live up to them."

Before she genuinely knew what she was doing, she hugged Ser Jaime, tightly.

"Thank you, Ser Jaime, for everything. When I get back to King's Landing, I will tell the council what you did, then we will make a public announcement," Rhaella said, after breaking the hug.

"My Queen, I ask you don't make an announcement. All I care about is that you know the truth. Now go run the Realm, it is what you were destined to do this whole time" Rhaella couldn't help but smile back at him while he was saying this.

"Also, Ser Arthur, the next time we meet, I plan to challenge you to a melee. Do you accept?"

Ser Arthur laughed while responding, "Of course Ser Jaime, I look forward to beating you in a fair contest."

Rhaella and the rest of her party return to King's Landing soon after, despite being offered to stay, Tyrion came with them. Wanting to avoid his father, she guessed, not that she could blame him. She was glad she found out the truth and made peace with all the Lannisters, especially Ser Jaime.

Elsewhere

Deep in the depths of a mountain of obsidian, stones that had long been forgotten were coming alive within their cages made of shell. It was nearly time for their return, the return of magic in the world.

But first, this magic had to make itself known with the help of a man with the dragon's blood flowing through his veins like a river.

One thousand and eyes and one couldn't predict what was to come, not entirely.

Cersei

It had been a moon since her brother was married to that Westerling bitch and, therefore, a moon since that dragon whore left too. Cersei would have been thrilled of Jeyne fell off the rocks, and Rhaella, along with her good for nothing brother and uncle, drowned in the sea home, but none of those things happened.

Worse of all, Jaime was obsessed with his new wife. She would continuously watch them from her window of Casterly Rock's bedroom wing that she was confined to.

Her father let her go to her brother's wedding for the sake of appearance, but besides that, she was stuck in one area of the castle for around a year at this stage.

That was about to change, though, because her father had just summoned her to inform her who she was going to marry. She went over the possible options within her head many times.

Out of all the Liege Lords in the Realm, the only one without a wife was Stannis Baratheon. Considering all she had heard about him, she was not in favor of such a marriage. Stannis was said to be a man who just did his duty no matter what. The fact that he had refused the throne said all there was to say about him.

But then she thought about the Realm's heirs, and her thoughts came to Edmure Tully, now that was a boy she could wrap around her fingers. It was just a pity. The Riverlands was the weakest Kingdom with no barrier and too many neighbors. She wouldn't want her children being cousins with Ned Stark's pup whelps anyways.

However, who else was there? He wouldn't dare marry his only daughter to a bannermen that wouldn't make sense. Daughters are much more useful in making alliances because those who are male get married and get to keep their house's name.

She arrived at her father's solar and knocked gently. Her relationship with him had clearly soured over the last while due to the way he had dared to treat her, but she was always taught to keep herself calm and wear the right face when in certain situations. It was the only way to survive the game of thrones.

"Father, I am glad to see you. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, especially after the…incident. Please tell me who it is I am to marry, I am most eager to meet them," She said as sweetly as she could muster.

"I am glad you are so eager to start your new life, Cersei. I'm sure you agree that as a daughter of House Lannister, you have a duty to your house to further our influence, right?" Her father responded as fiercely as ever.

"Of course, father, that is what I will do. I care about my duty and our house, unlike Uncle Tygett and my dwarf brother."

She bitterly recalled how Tygett jumped at the opportunity for a 'Regency Council' seat and how Tyrion went with him with no fuss. Although she was glad to wave the little monster goodbye once again.

Tywin just stared at her in response. He may have had no issue giving Tyrion up as a hostage in exchange for his heir, but he avoided Tygett for as much as possible when he ever crossed paths.

"Anyways, sweet daughter, you will be glad to know that your husband is here, and he is as eager to meet you as you are to meet him."

"You may come in now, my Lord," Tywin said, looking at a side door where a man then emerged from.

Cersei took a second to look at her new husband.

He had the palest of eyes she had ever seen and had the shade of skin to match. He didn't look to have the muscles that Robert was said to have, nor was he anywhere near as handsome as Rhaegar. However, he was quite tall, and there was an odd appeal he still had on her, despite how unremarkable he looked.

He was so unremarkable that she honestly hadn't the faintest of ideas of who he was. He was too old to be either Edmure Tully or Stannis Baratheon. Oh, her father had a lot to answer for.

"Father, who in the seven hells is this?" She was trying her best to remain calm, but her mask was beginning to slip.

"Cersei, may I present to you Lord Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadford, the more prominent of bannermen to House Stark."

It is a pleasure, Lady Cersei, no words can describe how beautiful you are". Roose Bolton spoke for the first time, hissing out his words as far as she was concerned.

"You DARE to marry me to a FUCKING SAVAGE? HOW DARE YOU, I will refuse to marry. No one can force me" Her little outburst was long overdue.

"You will do your duty, and this is final. You are my daughter, and you will not defy me any more than you have. Do what you are ordered to do, dear daughter, and one day your offspring will rule The North, but anymore outburst like that. Will cause me to send you to the silent sisters for the rest of your sad days, we both know you are worth more than that Cersei. Now get out of my sight. You have a wedding to prepare for. Your Aunt Genna will see that the arrangements are made, you will be married in the Godswood tomorrow night."

"Why, father? Please explain why you would marry me to a fucking northern savage? tell me why, and I will consider marrying him." She was pleading at this stage.

"I have my reasons Cersei. In time I will tell you, but for now, you must produce me a grandchild as soon as you can so plans can begin to move forward, now get out of here while I speak to your future, Lord Husband."

Cersei ran from the room tears in her eyes, off to find her brother, no matter the consequences, they hadn't a lot of time left before she was shipped off to a wasteland. Surely he wouldn't refuse her, right?

The Leech Lord

He watched as his new wife ran out of the room in disgust with the idea of marrying him. She was a beautiful thing, so he couldn't blame her for not favoring the proposal, but it wasn't as if she had a choice.

After she had disappeared down the hall, he turned to Tywin and said, "well, that went better than I expected." He wasn't much for humor, but he wasn't making a jape."

Tywin sighed and said, "Indeed it did, I had expected her to take the option of the silent sisters, Lord Bolton, I have given you a great gift, do not disappoint me."

"Do not forget Lord Tywin that it is my head on the line here too if plans go array. I admire you, and I feel we have quite a lot in common but do not forget that I am not your servant. I will do my part, but you and our allies must do their parts as well."

Tywin nodded in agreement.

Just as Roose was about to leave Lord Tywin's solar, he called back to him.

"One more thing, Lord Bolton, word has already reached me that you have fathered a bastard. I don't particularly care, but Cersei will, and if word reaches her about the boy, then you will no longer have a natural-born child. Tread carefully, my Lord, for your own sake."

As if Roose didn't know that already, one who practices first night, despite it being outlawed over two hundred years ago, learned how to be careful.

It was time for the long game to return its move.

A/N- Hello again, I have arisen from the dead thanks to the Lord of Light. Employment causes one to have less free time, it turns out. Why did no one think to warn me lol?

So here's my usual optional breakdown. I'm trying to condense it for the sake of AO3-

So Tywin caught Jaime and Cersei in the act. Could you imagine what he was thinking, considering his former best friend was married to his sister lol? He then separated them and worked very hard to make Jaime a smarter political man, which we see later on.

I hope you enjoyed Jaime's revenge on Rhaella. He didn't mince his words, which is accurate to how bold he is. Do you think Jaime would have been able to beat the Blackfish at this time? I'm sure about the rest except Barristan and Arthur, and I'm thorn about Brynden. Also, I hope his wedding to Jeyne was a surprise (clearly aged up significantly). Also, consider the Westerlings a more powerful house. They are considered one of the leading Houses of The West. Still, here they have working gold mines, and in canon, they didn't give Robb a lot of men, I think only 50 knights. But it's important to note that Jeyne is related to Maggy the Frog on her mother's side. I only found that out after I wrote that part, but it's definitely fitting when you consider that link to Cersei lol.

So Rhaella has finally let go of her pain in a way. I wrote it to try to make it like she has awoken something inside her. It was close to coming out when Aerys died but now that he is gone entirely. She has accepted that he genuinely was an abusement monster that broke every vow imaginable…well, let's just say it will have a ripple effect ;).

So yeah, my biggest surprise is Cersei being paired with Roose Bolton. Joffrey deserves a father who will embrace how good a human being is, doesn't he?

Tywin isn't putting all his eggs into the one basket. He is indeed playing the long game. There's nothing illegal about a marriage alliance, but if he has his way, it's a better path to ruling the North than having a direct Lannister control it. In his eyes, a Bolton with Lannister blood will cause less outrage, or so he thinks. Tywin only knows what it means to rule by fear. He knows little about loyalty. I want to talk about this more, but I don't want to spoil it. I always reveal too much. I need to take a page out of Alperez's book and say, "we will see" every so often.

The North is about to become a lot more prosperous, as we will see soon.

Cersei and Roose won't be abusive. They will come to like each other eventually. Think Rollo and his wife Gisla in Vikings (slightly).

So I'll see you guys next time. I hope you enjoyed it. I love my interactions with commenters. You always have great ideas and tips. For example, I was reminded that Gendry being alive here is possible if I want to keep it close to canon. His mother was nothing significant. It's Edric Storm that is the offspring of two highborn. So I either cut him or give him to Stannis, not sure at the moment. Gendry was a lot better fleshed out due to the show. There's little importance to Robert having male bastards that look like him since Joffrey isn't being passed off as his blood. It would be more for the sake of Ned and Jon A to reminisce about Bobby B.

There's a lot more I want to talk about, but I have to keep some form of mystery alive for the future. I enjoyed writing this, but I desired this chapter to be done with because we are getting closer to the time skip to Jae speaking more words than his season 8 script lol.

All I can say for now is that I plan for every Targ to have a role.

Questions that may arise-

Why marry Jaime to a bannerman? There's not that many out that that share the ambitions of Lord Tywin, his bannermen are meant to follow him anyways. Also marrying your bannermen's offspring is common even in The West.

Where are the other two alchemists involved in the plot? Alive for the moment.

Is this it for Cersei and Jaime? Yes sorry.

Why not just give Tywin a spot on the council? No one would be in favour of it and its a complete U-turn to the fine. There's still suspicion that he was behind the attacks on Jae's siblings. A trade deal is just simply a reward for being a good Hand of the King but it is not enough for Tywin.

What does Tywin have planned? Nothing all out. He won't put all his eggs in the one basket. He will keep his options open for as long as he can. I have a twist in mind for him. Some will like it and some won't but that is a long way away.

Why does Jaime take more offense to name calling? He is an heir now, not a bodyguard

Coming up next- We return to King's Landing to see what Ned has been up to including a meeting with the two grumpiest men oops I mean best Commanders alive. A prophecy is foretold and whispers are heard.