New chapter and once again, Jaime's POV. Next we have Dany's POV, then Jon's. Hope you like this one! And thank you to everyone who commented, subscribed and left kudos on my story. I'm really glad you're liking it.
I revised the chapter a little so I decided to repost it. There aren't many differences to the previous version but still, I'd advise you to reread it anyway.
Chapter 3
"I thought you would be half way to King's Landing by now." Tyrion said by way of greeting, coming to stand next to him on the rampart overlooking Winterfell courtyard. It was still early, only a few servants up and about. Jaime ignored the usual discomfort of his golden hand sending freezing waves of pain up his wrist and forearm. He hated this fucking weather.
"I thought about it." Jaime answered, unable to lie to his brother.
"But you didn't leave. Why is that? Does a certain knight have something to do with it?"
Jaime ignored the teasing about Brienne. Maybe she was part of the reason why he stayed, but not for the reasons Tyrion was thinking. "I stayed because it's the right thing to do. And for once in my life, I want to do the right thing."
"You did the right thing by coming here, and you did the right thing when you killed the Mad King." Tyrion pointed out.
"Yes. But I could have done more. I could have done more for Rhaegar's family. For Rhaella and her children. And now Rhaella's daughter is here and she's helped saved us all. I'm not a religious man but even I can't ignore such a blatant sign."
"You intend to help Daenerys take her throne?" The look of surprise on Tyrion's face was amusing. "Even if it means going against Cersei? Cersei, who is pregnant with your child, may I remind you."
"Are you trying to dissuade me from helping your Queen? I thought you would be happy."
"I am. I'm just…" Tyrion sighed and looked away from him. "I'm concerned about Daenerys."
"Yes, she's been through a tremendous ordeal lately. But she's strong. She will win this as well."
"That is what concerns me." Tyrion said, his expression sad. "I'm starting to believe she's not the same person I kneeled to in Meereen. She's being paranoid lately, suspicious and withdrawn. Since we came north, she's being different. I'm afraid what she would be willing to do to get the throne."
"What do you mean?"
"I have no doubt she'll win. It's how many innocent people will die in the process that concerns me."
Jaime scoffed. "Innocent people always die in war. It's unfortunate, but it's the reality we live in. And really, if Daenerys hadn't cared about innocent lives, she would have taken King's Landing already with her dragons. Instead, here we are, with Cersei still sitting on the throne, with a new army and Euron Greyjoy and his fleet. And all because she stayed her hand."
"Because I advised her to."
"And she listened. And maybe she shouldn't have."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, brother, you are a cunning politician but you are dismal at military strategy. If she had someone competent on that, maybe she would be on the throne already. With all three of her dragons and most of her army. Instead, she lost a dragon and half her army and Cersei is still sitting on the throne. No wonder she's angry at you lately. Anyone else would have dismissed you and find themselves another Hand." At Tyrion's frown Jaime smirked, understanding what the real problem was. "Oh, I see what it is. You aren't doubting Daenerys because you changed your mind about her and suddenly think she wouldn't make a good queen. It's because your pride is hurt.
"You just hate the fact that you know you made a lot of mistakes lately and because of that, she stopped listening to you as you think she should. You don't like the fact that you don't have the influence on her you think you should have, that you used to have. It's like you said, like all smart people you hate being wrong. But most of all, you hate the fact that she knows you were wrong and because of that, she's willing to listen to you less than before. The more she doubts you and the more you doubt her in turn."
Tyrion opened and closed his mouth a few times in surprise. Then he sighed and said, "Since when you are the smartest Lannister?"
Jaime shrugged. "I'm not. But because I'm not involved so closely, I see things clearer. And what I see is you letting your bruised ego cloud your judgement. Can I give you some advice, brother?"
Tyrion nodded but he looked both suspicious and offended.
"Instead of resenting Daenerys because she holds you accountable for your mistakes, why don't you try to make up for them?"
Tyrion didn't answer. Instead, he said, "I've never thought I'd see you, of all people, championing Daenerys Targaryen."
Jaime shrugged, trying to portrait an air of nonchalance he didn't really feel. "I talked to her, yesterday night, after the feast. And I saw what you did, or used to, at least.
"I didn't before. Not during the battle against her. It's difficult to think well of a person when said person is killing all your soldiers with her dragon. But I see it now. I saw it while she fought against the dead. She's brave…fearless even. But she's also kind, compassionate and just. You were right. She's a queen worth following and believing in.
"She even said she understood why I had to kill her father, that she didn't blame me for it. And, I mean, she also has men like you and Varys in her council. Varys, who tried to poison her when she was married with that Dothraki Khal. And you, a Lannister, as her Hand of the Queen. And ser Jorah, who used to spy on her. Her capacity for forgiveness is great.
"And yet, she's also incredibly vulnerable. She's clearly in pain, in mourning. She lost a lot. And for someone who didn't have any family left at all to begin with, it must be excruciating. And I imagine she's also feeling isolated in this cold place, because the people who were meant to accept her as queen after what she did for them, people who should be grateful she came here at all, are still treating her like the enemy, especially the Starks sisters. Honour demands they treat her with the respect she deserves after what she's done for them. Ironic, I'll say, especially for the Starks, who praise themselves in being so honourable." Then with an annoyed look at his little brother he said, "I can't believe I have to be the one to explain this to you."
"You're right. How could I not have seen it?" Tyrion asked himself, a look of shame crossing his face. "It's just that…she's so…" Tyrion made a vague gesture with his hand, seemingly unable to find the word he was looking for. "It's just difficult to see Daenerys as someone who can become affected by normal, human insecurities. She's the Mother of Dragons, the Breaker of Chains and all that. She always seems so…tenacious and in control, all the time, a figure larger than life. It's hard to imagine that a person like her could ever feel vulnerable, could ever feel sad. I know it's stupid to think so. But, sometimes, I forget that she's human behind all her titles and power. I guess I was unconsciously buying into her being some kind of goddess or something.
"Still, I don't know what to do. I'm really afraid she's going to do something she'll regret. I know she doesn't want to kill innocent people, but she's getting impatient. And I understand that. She's afraid she's going to lose even more than she already did. And she's not listening to me anymore. Though I suppose, it's better if I don't come up with the plan to take King's Landing this time. Still, would she trust Jon Snow's plan instead?"
"You noticed that too, huh?"
"Difficult not to. They were attached at the hips when we first came here. It was nauseating, how much in love they were. And that ship voyage, the longest of my life. And yet, now, they barely talk or even look at each other, let alone spend time together. I don't know what happened but something clearly did."
"Maybe it just…fizzled out. Whatever there was between them." Jaime said, not really believing what he was saying and yet, some small part of him couldn't help but hope it was true. He shook his head. The last thing he needed was to develop feelings for a woman who wouldn't or couldn't love him back.
"I don't think it's that at all. They look at each other longingly when the other isn't looking. They were like that in Dragonstone as well, when they first met. Clearly having feelings for each other but neither of them doing anything about it. The only reason one of them took the leap is because the other almost died."
"Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. You're right, we need to come up with a plan we can present to Daenerys, an effective one, that would allow her to take the city without killing innocent civilians in the process."
"We? So, you're really committed to this?"
"I am."
"What about Cersei? And your child?"
Jaime sighed. "Cersei is already lost to me. There's nothing I can do to save her now."
"And your child?"
"I'm hoping Daenerys will spare Cersei long enough for her to give birth to my child."
"Do you really think she would let Cersei's child, a Lannister child, live?"
Jaime glared at him. "She's not Robert Baratheon and she's not Cersei either. Or do you really think she would kill an innocent child? I thought you really believed in her, that she was better than everyone who came before her. Is that not true anymore?"
Tyrion sighed, once again shamed-faced. "You're right. As her Hand, who has her best interests at heart, I should be the one advising her to kill the child, because that child could pose a threat to her reign. But after what she did, legitimizing Robert Baratheon's bastard…"
Jaime nodded. "Exactly." Then he grinned, suddenly amused. "A few months ago, you were the one defending Daenerys to me, and now look at us."
Tyrion laughed. Then his smile turned sly. "A few months ago, I was the one having romantic feelings for Daenerys Targaryen. And now look at us."
Jaime stiffened immediately. "I don't have romantic feelings for Daenerys Targaryen." He said with a grimace to cover up his discomfort.
Tyrion rolled his eyes at him. "I know that look. Jorah Mormont, Jon, even me…we all had the same look in our eyes while talking about Daenerys. Don't worry, it's normal. She just has this kind of effect on men. It will pass…or you'll fall madly and deeply in love with her. One of the two."
