A/N: Two in one to try to make up for my absence! Perhaps more to come? Who knows! Thought I'd give you all a fresh perspective!
The days went by in a blur for Jaime. Ever since his sister's dance with disaster, he had avoided her as well as their father. While he had originally thought to just be alone- to go away inside and let the days pass- he had to appreciate his little brother's efforts to be there for him. Indeed, he had spent the past few nights in his brother's chambers, taking dinner with him and his lovely wife.
While Jaime had always been devoted to Cersei, but it didn't stop him from appreciating the beauty of women. He had lived at court for so long and had watched the women dressed in their finest flit about for years. He had observed Queen Rhaella's haunting, sad loveliness. Had experienced Princess Elia's unique, exotic lure. Had basked in the glory of Cersei's radiance. But his brother's wife, the wife of a man commonly considered the ugliest man in Westeros, was growing to be quite the northern flower. Jaime had to acknowledge the irony of such a pair. But as Sansa blossomed into womanhood, he was going to rival any that came before her. And as he watched this living doll fawn over his brother, he had to smile. After all the hatred and shame that had been heaped on Tyrion, he deserved to finally be appreciated by a woman. They were quite the pair. If he was a lesser man, he may have been jealous seeing their contentment together.
The two had informed him of their plans to leave the capital and journey to the Westerlands, finally leaving this hellhole. And it was time for him to do the same. He gathered his courage and came to his father's solar.
As always, Tywin was hunched over his desk, furiously scribbling notes and answering missives. This is how his father spent every morning- running the realm- before meeting with the small council. While young Tommen was absent now, Jaime knew the boy attended every meeting with his grandfather. Tywin was not about to let the little boy under his thumb and Jaime knew that the boy would flourish under the old lion's tutelage. He certainly wouldn't turn out like his rotten older brother.
Jaime stood before his father, shifting nervously in his white armor, feeling like the small child he always did before the grand Lord of Lannister. Finally, without glancing up, his father acknowledged him. "What do you want," he growled. Neither twin was in his good graces after Cersei's display.
"I hear that you are sending Tyrion to Casterly Rock," Jaime began. He paused for a moment, but when his father did not respond, he pushed forward. "I would like your leave to join him." Tywin's emerald gaze cut to him and he finally set the quill down, leaning back to observe his older son.
"You are Commander of the King's Guard," Tywin's sarcasm was not lost on Jaime. "Your place is by his side." Jaime waited, and the cold amusement faded in his father's eyes. Jaime knew that a dismissal for one of the twins was coming. There was no way that Tywin would leave them both in King's Landing after hearing the truth. Indeed, the old lion's lip twitched slightly as he thought. "You may journey with your brother West, but you will not join them at Casterly Rock. Your brother must learn how to be the lord he always claims he can be. He at least has done his duty for this family." The shot found its mark, wounding Jaime. His white cloak had always stood between he and Tywin's acceptance. But it seemed that by obeying his father to wed the key to the north, Tyrion had found a shred of it himself. "You will do yours now. You will take a host of men and relieve the siege at Riverrun. That fool, Emmon, has let this farce go on for far too long. You will deliver the seat of House Tully to the crown. Whatever you need, you will have." Jaime nodded, expecting this errand and determined to see it through.
"In your absence, I intend to see Tommen crowned. We cannot leave the kingdom without leadership while we wait to see of Joffrey's recovery. Even if the boy lives, he will not have the capacity to rule. Your sister will disapprove, but I will see it done." Jaime did not miss the snarl in his father's voice as he mentioned Cersei, nor the pointed glare he gave his oldest son. "The Tyrells have rejected her as a bride for their heir, but I will see her married again and away from the capital. I will not allow her to twist Tommen as she ruined Joffrey." Jaime nodded, seeing the sense of the separation and knowing that his father was not just pulling her away from her son, but from Jaime as well. This was to be his farewell to his sister. He knew that this was the end to the decades-long affair between them, but for some reason, it did not pain him as he thought it would. Cersei had changed so much. Or perhaps he had just been blind to her schemes and poison.
"Once Riverrun is in Frey hands, you will escort your aunt to Casterly Rock where she will guide the Lady Sansa as she takes her place as lady of the keep. Once Cersei is wedded and sent to her new home, wherever it may be, you may return to resume your place as Lord Commander." Jaime nodded once again, knowing that this was for the best. He would find honor and perhaps a life for himself once Cersei was gone from the Red Keep. Perhaps he could teach Tommen how to be a proper swordsman. While he would never be able to wield a sword like he used to, he could teach the boy. That could be his purpose.
With a flick of the wrist, he was dismissed. He meandered aimlessly for a bit around the Red Keep, mulling over the actions that had brought him here. He found that his deep fear and horror of Cersei's outburst the other day was not stemming from a desire to keep her close, but rather to not disappoint his father. He had been considering all the things that his relationship with his sister had cost him. He was utterly alone, having given up the chance at securing a family for himself for her. He had given up his birthright for her- not that he really had any interest in the responsibilities that came with a lordship. He had been forced into the role of glorified sentry for the mad king for her. Had been forced to listen nightly at the screams of innocent Queen Rhaella as she was tormented by her brother-husband and he had had his illusions of honor shattered in that position. He had cost himself what little honor he had left running that monster through with his golden sword, earning him the enmity of a realm. He had lost the chance to get to know his children- although Joffrey had ended up a monster, Tommen and Myrcella were sweet things. But Cersei had been possessive of them and demanded that he never engage with them- else someone put two and two together and discover the awful truth. He had attempted to murder the Stark boy to keep their secret, plunging the realm into this godsforsaken war. All this he had given up, had sacrificed, and for what? He could finally see the truth. The woman he had worshipped and loved with all his heart only had her own desires in mind. She had used him and taken from him everything she could without giving a shred of herself. What had she sacrificed for him? Nothing.
It was a bitter truth he tasted now, and he was glad to be leaving. He shuffled around the keep, in and out of gardens, before finding himself in the Godswood. A flash of copper caught his eye and he made his way to his goodsister as she sat before the heart tree. Her shadow, the hill woman, reclined on the fountain's edge as her mistress sat peacefully, embroidering. When they noticed his approach, the clanswoman nodded at him and Sansa smiled.
"Ser Jaime," she greeted, making him grin. The only one who called him 'Ser' with no hint of irony or disdain. "How are you this day?" Gods, but her guilelessness was refreshing, especially as he was forcing himself to admit how conniving his sister had been. What a sweet little wife his brother had found. He pushed the thought of the last sweet girl his brother had fallen for far from his mind.
"Lady Sansa," he greeted with equal courtesy. Something about the girl made him proud of his title and white cloak. "I am well, as I hope you are as well. I see the Dornish wine has not done you quite a disservice as it has my brother" she gave a delicate little laugh at his reference to the drunken antics of her little husband the night before.
"You know as well as I do, Ser, that I only partake in the honeyed Arbor gold. And always in moderation," she spoke with a dazzling smile. "I hope you will join us again tonight, if your duties allow." He nodded, fully expecting to take advantage of their hospitality again. "I am glad," her sweet voice took on a lightly wistful tone. "I know Tyrion will miss you when we leave."
"Well, I have news for you, dear sister. It seems as if you and my brother will not miss my company for a few more weeks," her eyebrows raised in question. "I will be joining you west, it seems. For at least some of your journey. I travel to Riverrun, the home of your mother, to treat with your Uncle Brynden" He could see the questions swirling in her eyes, but before she could speak, a rustle of leaves behind him interrupted.
"Jaime," Cersei's voice wavered and he could hear in her choked voice that she had been crying as she had been since that dreadful wedding. She stepped onto the path, wearing a plain, black gown and a frayed shawl covering her golden hair. Her disguise- one that she had frequently used to visit him before. She was alone, having probably snuck away from her guard to come to him again. Although she was a fair bit more put together than the last time he had seen her, clutching to her dying son's hand, she was still disheveled and distraught. "Jaime, I just heard...you can't leave me! Please, I need you...Father...he will force me to marry again. You can't let him..."Her red eyes looked at him imploringly and he could tell that she had not yet noticed that they were not alone. She stepped closer and raised a hand to grasp at his cloak pleadingly before her strained green eyes caught sight of his company. She visibly flinched and stepped back, anger seeping into her expression at the sight of their good sister. Sansa, to her credit, looked like she wished to be anywhere else rather than witness this exchange.
Cersei allowed her fingers to twist possessively in his white cloak. Her pleading tone evaporated and she twisted her lips into a sneer towards Sansa. "Fly away, little dove," she spat poisonously. "I have business with the Lord Commander."
Sansa immediately moved to collect her items and flee the scene, but Jaime raised a hand to halt her. He turned to his sister and forced his expression to remain even, not showing her the anger and resentment that had been brewing inside him. "Pardons, your grace, but I was just about to escort the Lady Sansa back to her chamber." Cersei stared incredulously and dropped her hand in shock when he moved away from her. " She stood frozen as he waited for Sansa to hurridly collect her belongings. He ignored Sansa's fearful, questioning gaze and offered her his arm, which she took reluctantly. As they turned back to the spurned queen, Jaime was not surprised to see her green eyes filled with fury. Yet her pride did not allow her to beg him to stay. As Jaime swept his good sister past his once-lover, he paused and murmured low enough for only Cersei to hear. "This madness must end, sister. Do not come to me alone again. We meet in public, or not at all."