The shortest chapter to be uploaded up to now in this story. The reason is simple, we have another chapter that will be uploaded tomorrow, much longer. You'll see why at the end of this chapter.


JAIME V

Every time a war happened in Westeros, the Riverlands paid the price. Fed by the three forks of the Trident and the Blackwater Rush, its lands were fertile, its population high. Had it not been for the lack of natural boundaries, the kingdom could have been as rich, if not richer, than the Reach. However, wealth and absence of means to defend them never made for a happy marriage. The Riverlands were like a rich merchant who traveled on the Kingsroad without a strong escort. He was certain to be robbed, and almost sure to be murdered. For every conflict, the Riverlands were the main battleground, a vast source of riches to be drained for the war effort. All the riches and wealth accumulated in times of peace served to feed the armies in times of war. Right now, the Lannisters lived on and from the lands of the Tullys and their bannermen.

Their army had been on the march for a few days now. Their scout reported that Robb stayed camped on his positions. He didn't move. After Mira Forrester came back from her diplomacy mission with the answer everyone expected, Kevan decided to march on Robb Stark and push him to battle. Ned Stark's son was new to war, hence he could be prone to quick and rash decisions if thrown against a wall, his uncle reasoned. They had to force him to fight. If they won, their hold on the Riverlands would be stronger than ever, and they could have a free way to Riverrun. If they lost, they could retreat to Harrenhal, or King's Landing if it came to that, and reorganize their defences. Kevan thought it was better to provoke the fight now, while Stannis was occupied in the Stormlands with his brother Renly. Jaime talked about it with someone this very morning before they resumed their march.

"I can't believe the favor Renly did to us," Jaime told the man.

"I know the three brothers never loved each other, but I must admit I didn't expect them to go as far as to actually start a war between them," Addam Marbrand said.

"Well, I won't complain about it, though I hardly imagine Renly riding into battle. He would be afraid to rip his doublet."

The two of them laughed heartedly. Ser Addam Marbrand was a childhood friend of Jaime from his time as page at Casterly Rock. He was one of the many knights in service of his father, and when Tywin Lannister passed away, Jaime's brother kept Addam at his service. Tyrion had respect for Jaime's friend, and Jaime respected him too.

"Please, don't beat the Starks by yourself. Leave some for us," Jaime told his friend as he prepared his cavalry squadrons.

"Ser Kevan only ordered me to harass the Starks. He was very clear on that. I wouldn't mind defeating them right away, but I'm afraid it will have to wait," Addam had replied.

"We'll see. Who knows what opportunities could present themselves to us today."

They exchanged these words this morning. Now they were in the middle of the afternoon, and while Ser Addam was harassing the Stark troops, Jaime had to content himself with leading the vanguard. As soon as they were on the move, Robb Stark moved as well. He retreated. The Stark boy was running away from them. Jaime had always thought the Starks were fools, but not cowards. He respected, even admired their courage, as foolish as it was. He thought Ned Stark's son would be made of the same stuff than his father, uncle and grandfather, but it seemed he was wrong. Robb Stark was afraid to fight. Perhaps after he learned how Rickard and Brandon Stark died, and now that his father joined them, he feared to face the same fate. Jaime couldn't blame him. The Lannister army was one of the most feared in Westeros, and they had the best weapons in this country. Robb Stark would know the true might of House Lannister soon enough. He could run away, Jaime was ready to chase him as far as the North went if necessary.

Kevan pushed their men forward, making sure they were always close enough to eventually decide of an attack and do it on the same day. Skirmishes had already taken place between their scouting units, and each time the Starks withdrew. Jaime couldn't wait for the moment where they would actually fight. Twice he rode against an enemy unit that was close, and twice the enemy ran away before Jaime could reach him. That was beyond frustrating. They only had to come and fight, Jaime would give them one. This game of hide and seek was insufferable. He didn't fight the Starks during Robert's Rebellion, but from what he saw during Balon Greyjoy's rebellion, he expected more from the northern armies.

He kept riding forward, pushing his horse a little more, impatient for a real fight. And as always, his thoughts went to the woman he loved. Cersei was in King's Landing with her children, queen like she always wanted. Well, not exactly the way she wanted. Cersei believed she knew Tyrion, but the truth was she didn't know him at all, while Jaime and Tyrion knew Cersei very well. Jaime knew his little brother wouldn't allow Cersei to rule the way she wanted. To Jaime, it didn't matter that much. As long as it was one of them who ruled, he had no problem. It was true, however, that his sister's first decisions didn't prove to be very wise. Jaime didn't blame Tyrion for his brief episode of anger when he arrived in the capital. Truth be told, he was grateful to Tyrion for relieving him of the unbearable title of Hand of the King. He knew what Tyrion enjoyed, and war wasn't among them. His little brother would rather spend his days with his wife at his side, doing whatever they liked to do together.

Jaime wanted this for Tyrion. He was set aside and mocked by their lord father long enough and deserved some happiness in his life, and Margaery Tyrell had provided him with that. Jaime had never seen Tyrion so happy before he was married to her. His little brother had loved his first wife, and he loved the second even more. He understood that Tyrion wanted to make peace, though he didn't see how Tyrion planned to do that. War was unavoidable between Stannis and Renly who wanted the throne and the Stark boy who wanted to avenge his father's death. Maybe the Martells would join them to avenge Elia and her children. Jaime wouldn't blame them. He still regretted the fact he couldn't protect the children and their mother. If there was one man he would understand if he rebelled against Joffrey, it would be Doran Martell. Had someone done the same to Cersei, he would kill everyone who had something to do with her death, whatever the way and the level they were involved.

The truth was, Jaime didn't really mind how and when peace would be made, or if it would ever be made. He was a knight. His place had always been on a battlefield, a sword in his hand. He could have died of boredom if his father and sister had their way and he became the Lord of Casterly Rock. Tyrion and Kevan were far better suited for the task, and both didn't complain about it. Furthermore, being Lord of Casterly Rock would mean leaving Cersei. He could leave her to go into battle, but not to deal with petty lords, judge robbers or listen to merchants complaining about their taxes. He knew this war wouldn't last forever. Wars could be long, but not without end. One day, he would go back to Cersei, and the desire to see her again motivated him to win this war.

From the horizon, Jaime spotted a group of knights heading in his direction. He recognized Addam Marbrand at their head. He stopped before Jaime as the column continued to advance.

"Jaime, we have them."

"You need to be more precise," he told his childhood friend.

"The Starks. We've caught their rearguard, and they're not expecting an attack. I saw them, they're entirely disorganized. If we attack them now, we could catch them unaware and inflict them great damage. I already sent one of my men to warn Ser Kevan."

Jaime sighed in relief. "Finally, some action. Go back to harassing them. I'll take them right away."

"Jaime, we should wait for your uncle. If we attack them without being prepared…"

"I'm tired of waiting. I've been wiping my ass with the back of my horse for days. The Starks are here, and I'm not going to let them escape." He turned towards Ser Gregor. "Clegane, lead the men on feet. Make them run for the Starks. I'll hold them with the cavalry until you arrive."

"Yes, ser," the Mountain replied.

Jaime spoke again to Addam. "Go back and take their flanks. I'll take their rear."

Not waiting for an answer, Jaime rode towards the cavalry that followed the vanguard of the Lannister army. After a few orders, they followed him at full speed. They would stop the rearguard of the Starks, giving time to the infantry of their vanguard to arrive and cut them to pieces. It was time Robb Stark stopped to run and fought. It was time for the Starks to taste Lannister steel.

It wasn't long before they came into view of the enemy's rearguard. Jaime drew his sword, then the shout came out of his mouth.

"Charge, men! For the Westerlands!"

The knights with him roared and they sped up, charging the enemy.

Jaime cut easily the head of the first man he came upon. He wasn't even wearing a helmet. The second man on feet he crossed was fully quipped, but from his advantageous position Jaime managed to smash him across the throat. Blood spurted from it.

Jaime kept fighting, the battle fever winning him over. There was nothing like this. That was his place. This was where he ought to be. Not guarding a fool of a king, not riding into a tourney, but here, on the battlefield, cutting through the flesh of the enemy.

The Starks were quickly in disarray. Their men were running away. It seemed to be the only thing they could do. Jaime gave them chase, and his men followed the movement, killing every man they could before they got too far.

All this was exhilarating, but Jaime came to realize this was too easy when his men met a volley of arrows. They might wear helmets and armors, but arrows shot from bows traveled so quickly that it pierced them. There was a line of archers not far from them. Jaime saw where the arrows came from and shouted to his men to follow him. The knight who bore the banner did hear him and followed him, causing all the other knights to do the same.

They found the archers who fired on them, and more. When Jaime's men approached, the archers hid behind a wall of spears that was waiting for them. Jaime tried to get his men around the deadly spikes, but it was difficult to break the movement of a cavalry. Many knights and their horses ended up skewered on spears. Jaime managed to avoid the same fate by slowing down. He used the opportunity created by the dead knights to attack spearmen. With their weapons buried into the bones of men and horses, they couldn't fight as well as before. Jaime proceeded to kill as many as he could, trying to make a breach into their defenses. Finally, he got some real challenge.

He received help, for he spotted the banner of Addam Marbrand on the left wing of the enemy. His friend saw what the enemy was trying to do, of course, and he adjusted his tactics to it. The spearmen, as a result, were stuck between two cavalries on different sides. The problem was, Jaime didn't only meet spearmen. There were swordsmen as well. His cavalry kept fighting them, but the enemy didn't give ground easily. The knights were immobilized, losing the advantage of the greater mobility their horses gave them. Still, the odds were equal. They held the Stark infantry just long enough.

Jaime spotted new men joining the fight, and they wore the red armor of the Lannisters. Clegane had arrived with the infantry. Jaime rode along their lines and ordered his horsemen to give way for their swordsmen to fight the Starks. He had another use planned for the knights of the Westerlands.

While Clegane and the rearguard kept fighting the enemy forces, relieving Jaime's men, he assembled the cavalry. They were fewer than before, but still more than enough for what Jaime had in mind. The Stark infantry was busy with their infantry. Addam had taken them on their left wing. Jaime would do the same for the other wing.

"Men, ready to show the Starks who they're dealing with?" he roared.

"Yeah!" the knights replied in chorus. Again, they charged, but this time they turned around their own troops and took the enemy by its right flank. The Starks were now surrounded, and it wouldn't be long before they ran away in panic. All they would have to do then would be to chase them and slaughter them in their escape. A horn sounded, and Jaime kept hacking through the enemy.

You should have stayed at home, Stark boy.


Here it is, the first battle of thestory. I thank you all for your patience, and I apologize for making you wait until we saw actual action. The rest of the battle is to be seen in the next chapter.

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Next chapter : surprise