The Spider II

He felt edgy, like achild, when he made his way to the council meeting. Now, that Robert was dead, things seemed to take an interesting turn, prompting the Starks to make amove. His little birds had reported, that Stark was safe in Riverrun, with the Targaryens now together, planning the grand conquest, fighting in the Riverlands and close to the Golden Tooth.

As he sat down, he could not help, but note the changes. After Robert had died, Renly had not come back from Storm's End. Now, with the rumors flying around about the children everything seemed to descend into chaos.

Stannis and Renly both declared themselves Kings, as Robert had left no trueborn heir. The Lannister woman was clutching the Throne with all her might, but for how long? The rumors of Dragons being alive and coming to claim the Throne, only made her more agitated. That was good, Varys supposed. An agitated mind was more prone to mistakes.

He absently wondered what to do about Stannis and Renly, but for now, the Lions were more or athreat. He'd focus on Tywin and Cersei- the Baratheon brothers would come afterward.

„What do we know of this supposed Targaryen?" growled out Tywin Lannister. He'd been called to the city by 'King' Joffrey not long after Eddard Stark had left and had been appointed the new Hand. Kevan Lannister had taken up the title of Master of Ships, as Stannis had left.

Varys hummed, wondering how much to divulge, without giving away his true loyalties or creating asetback for the True King. „It is rumored, that Eddard Stark had brought the exiled Targaryens back to Westeros and that they had reunited."

„Last Iheard," Littlefinger injected, „they were planning to set out for Bitterbridge, to make an alliance with the Tyrells."

Varys' hands itched to choke the annoying bastard.'I'd have to do something about Littlefinger. He cannot be trusted. Iwill not have someone like him around when the Targaryens arrive.'

„Is there achance for such an alliance?" demanded Cersei Lannister, her green eyes flashing.

„Unlikely." Tywin said calmly. „The boy, even if he's truly Targaryen, has nothing to offer and he would have to get trough our host first. Jaime is leading them, remember that."

„He could offer marriage." Pycelle said, awake for once. Wasn't that asurprise? „The Tyrells had long wanted the crown. If he offers to make Margery Tyrell his queen, they will accept without hesitation."

„We've to do something." Cersei hissed. „They are athreat- the Tyrells had been Loyalists for along time."

„Nothing to fear." Littlefinger said flippantly.

„And why would you say that?" demanded Kevan Lannister. „Theydoseem athreat."

„That so-called son of Rhaegar plans to marry Rhaenys and Daenerys, to solidify Dorne's support. He will have nothing to offer for the Tyrells. Nothing that they would accept."

Varys was determined he'd find away to get rid of Littlefinger. The annoying little upstart of aLord was too dangerous to be left alive. He wondered if he could ask some of his contacts for Tears of Lys...

First things first though, he'd have to send amessage to the Riverlands about this. Stannis and Renly declaring themselves kings was bad enough. The Lions knowing about the Princess' was even worse. He'd have to act fast...

Once the meeting was over, he shuffled to his quarters and hastily scribed amessage. Once it was done, he sealed it with his personal seal, giving it to one of his older little birds, praying the message would reach its destination before more chaos was sowed.

Jaime VII

The fighting had been going on for some time, not that his heart was in it. He didn't want to harm the Targaryens, after all. (No one had noticed in the chaos, but he had yet to kill aNorthman. His sword was bloody from some cuts, but most of the time, he merely tended to knock his opponents out.) He hoped, that the young King had agood head on his shoulders and had trustworthy advisors.

He didn't want to harm them, yet ironically, he found himself and aband of Lannister bannermen circling Jaehaerys Targaryen. Apparently, the young King had been cut from his men and now, it was one against ten, plus himself.

But, now, more than ever, the white cape on his shoulder- marking him amember of the Kingsguard- felt heavier, than ever before. Here was the man, who he was supposed to protect, on the other side of afrontline.

Two men charged in and Jaehaerys met them with ease, steel glinting in his eyes, so much like Rhaegar's. He let his horse circle around the fighters, his sword held loosely. Then, two others decided to charge in, obviously happy to play with achild, as they saw it.

There was aswing at Jaehaerys' side... and Jaime's instincts kicked in. He spurred his horse forward, his mind echoing with the last words he'd exchanged with Rhaegar before the Prince rode for the Trident.

His white steed arrived in the close proximity and without hesitation, he raised his sword and made one of the men ahead shorter. There was amoment of shooked pause from the men, who thought he'd been their commander. He growled, whirling his sword.

„You'd get adragon over my dead body." he said coldly, stabbing another, while Jaehaerys dealt with one to his left.

Seven remained- shooked and wary, as they drew away. Jaehaerys gave him alook. „And what is that? Are my eyes playing tricks on me?"

„I made apromise to Prince Rhaegar." he stated. „I intend to keep it, even if Ihave to go against my family for it." his green gaze turned back to the seven, who'd regrouped. „Kingsguard is for life and I've sworn myself to House Targaryen first."

Aghost of asmile appeared on the handsome face. „Prove it, then, Ser."

Without afurther word, Jaime charged at his former subordinates, riding next to the True King. His blood sung with adrenaline- he could not have felt better.

His sword clanged, as it met other steel and he let the fine blade sail through the air, blocking several strikes, before felling another of the men. Without waiting for the now dead man to slide from his saddle, he turned to the next ones. They attacked in apair from the side, hoping to surprise him.

But he wasn't one of the best swordsmen of the Realm for nothing.

Several minutes later, the bodies of the Lannister bannermen lay in pools of blood, leaving him alone with the young King for amoment. Over the treeline, the fighting was still raging, but for aminute, it was just the two of them.

„Well, to me it seems, you meant your words." the King stated. „I know from my uncle, that you've helped him in several ways, while he was Hand."

Jaime shrugged. „A reluctant alliance, Iwill admit, he'd been the one to condemn me to the moniker ofKingslayer, after all. But the promise Imade to your father years ago, holds more weight, than the grudge Ihave against Stark."

The King just smiled and Jaime didn't know what to make of it. Suddenly, something swooped down and he needed all his strength to keep his horse where it was. In front of them, was one of the three dragons he'd seen earlier in the fight, burning the camp and cutting of the host's resources.

It was massive and its black colour reminded Jaime of the stories of the Black Dread. The same colour as this one and the largest of the Conquerors' three dragons, that had brought the Kingdoms to heel. Its eyes seemed to burn with fire and Jaime had afeeling that the beast saw right through him and into his soul. He couldn't help the shiver, that went down his spine.

The dragon showed off its massive, black teeth, huffing out air, that threatened to sheer his skin and made the metal of his armour feel uncomfortable. It growled, leaning closer and Jaime carefully made his horse back away. The poor animal was scared out of its wits and would have wanted to flee, but the firm hold he had, would not allow such athing. (How come, that they were not being approached by men? Had no one seen the dragon land?)

Then, the dragon opened its wings and with amassive leap, was back in the air, heading for the armies yet again. Jaime, still trembling under his armour, looked at the Targaryen next to him, who looked surprised and pleased all the same.

„Rhaeddar seems to trust you. Do not give him, or his siblings, areason to burn you. Now, would you like to accompany me to Riverrun? Ithink, we would still have some fighting to do on the way, but Ibelieve you would have my back, like now." he steered his horse into movement, but Jaime could only watch mutely. „Or... Iam mistaken, Young Lion?"

Jaime stiffened. That was the moniker the Kingsguard had given him in the early days, before the Rebellion. And the True King-Rhaegar's heir- was showing him trust, by calling him that again. He was actually trusting him, to have his back and protect him, as aKingsguard should.

'This is my chance.'he thought, hope sparking in him yet again. It had happened many times, ever since Varys had first brought the news of Targaryens to him. But now,now, that hope seemed even brighter, than before.

He smiled alittle, kicking his horse forward. „Lead the way, My King."

Jaehaerys gave him asatisfied grin before moving again. Jaime followed right at his heels, determined to see the Targaryen return to Riverrrun safe, without ascratch. After all, he was aKingsguard and he was supposed to protect the King.

He didn't even care what would be waiting at him there- the Lords and knights could say whatever they wanted. Jaehaerys had accepted him and that was all, that mattered to him.

'Do you remember my promise, Prince Rhaegar?'he asked quietly, in his mind, glancing at the sky for amoment.'I will keep it. They will be safe.'