Robert and Jaime sat in awkward silence as the contents of several bottles of wine quickly disappeared. They were alone as Robert had dismissed his household knowing that whatever they spoke about should not be overheard. Eventually Robert's patience wore thin, and he spoke out.
"So, are you going to volunteer what you know or am I going to have to drag it out of you?" While he was not yet slurring his words, his volume hinted that he had started down the path of drunkenness. Jaime just gave him a sneer as if he was once again looking at the fat king. The now young knight drained the contents of his goblet in one go and steeled himself for what was to come.
"Well, things went to shit even faster after you died. After Stark found out… Well, once he found out…" Jaime was uncharacteristically apprehensive and was struggling to finish his sentence. Robert knew he wasn't going to like what was said next and narrowed his eyes at Jaime.
"What did Ned find out?" He said in a dangerous tone.
"He found out that the children weren't yours." Jaime, not one to cower in fear, spoke in as strong a voice as he could manage. There were a few beats of silence as Robert processed what had just been said before he stood and threw his goblet across the room. His furry was on full display and it was a terrible site to behold
"I knew it!" He roared. "All of the bastards I fathered looked like Baratheons, and that little shit Jeoffrey looked nothing like me!" Robert reached down and picked Jaime up by his collar lifting him up almost a whole foot off the ground. "Where is that bitch, I'll kill her! I'll snap her neck with my bare hands!"
Jaime offered no resistance to being manhandled, he just stared at Robert with that cocky smirk. It took a moment for Robert in his drunken and enraged state to notice that behind the smirk was a broken and defeated man. Robert couldn't help but derive a sick sense of pleasure from the site. That is until he heard what Jaime said next.
"I beat you to it." Jaime said coldly. Robert let him go and the young knight stumbled and fell to the ground.
"What?" Was all Robert could manage.
"My last act before submitting myself to Daenerys' dragons was to strangle my sister to death. I thought it was the least I could do to try and make up for all the evil we brought into the world."
"I think…" Robert started but paused. He took deep breaths, he paced, he even kicked his chair aside, doing everything he could to lessen his anger before he did something that he would truly regret. Eventually he calmed enough to continue speaking. "I think there's a lot in the middle you've left out." After grabbing his chair and taking a seat again, he leaned forward and motioned for Jaime to continue.
And so, Jaime started to recount his tale. Robert did his best to keep his anger in check through it all, often asking Jaime to give him a moment to compose himself, this was especially true when he heard about how Ned was executed. Robert let out a laugh at Jaime's expense when he heard about his capture at the hands of Robb Stark at the Whispering Woods, but that joy was quickly extinguished when Jaime recounted how the boy had been betrayed. Robert knew he had been a terrible king, but it was something else to be told just how much of a mess he had left the realm in.
What Robert was not expecting was to hear about Jaime's escapades with Brienne of Tarth. Funnily enough, in the past few months he had actually met the girl, barely past her first name day. Old Selwyn had said that he had brought her and older brother to Storm's End to pay their respects, but Robert figured it was something to do with wanting to be away from his home where he had so recently buried his daughters and wife. To hear that the toddler that he met recently would grow to be his height and a fearsome warrior in her own right was surprising to say the least. Robert asked what had happened to Galladon, and Jaime explained that he had drowned when Brienne was young. Robert felt for the Lord of Tarth, he was a good man who didn't deserve all the pain he was going through but wasn't exactly sure how to help prevent that from coming to pass. Maybe he could offer to foster the boy. Eventually, he returned from his musing and bade Jaime to continue.
Jaime then told Robert of how he had lost his sword hand, even showing him the thin white scar just that the Stranger left as a reminder. Robert couldn't help but feel a little bad for Jaime in this regard. He remembered hearing tales of how different Orys Baratheon was after losing his sword hand to the Dornish. Robert could only imagine what that would do to Jaime who had built his whole life on his skills with a blade. Though perhaps, from what he was hearing, the loss of his hand and the time with Brienne seemed to be exactly what Jaime needed. Jaime seemed to purposefully skim over his return to King's Landing and things seemed to take a turn for the worse when he began speaking of his renewed campaigns in the Riverlands and his second meeting with Brienne. Jaime was actually beginning to choke up and was having difficulty continuing. Robert gave Jaime a moment to compose himself before asking him to continue.
Jaime explained that Brienne had come to him, telling him a tale that she had discovered that Sandor Clegane was holding Sansa captive, and that if they were to save her, they would have to go alone. Jaime had been so eager to fulfill his vow to Lady Stark that he left his army without a second thought. That only led him to an encounter with the monster that now walked in Lady Stark's body. A hideous rotting corpse animated by hatred for the Lannisters met them along with the remaining members of the Brotherhood without Banners. Brienne declared that she had done what she had promised and had brought them Jaime; she demanded that they return her squire. At a nod from the monster, the head of Podrick was thrown to them. Jaime described the harrowing fight that ensued after Brienne drew Oathkeeper while screaming in anguish. What should have been a short one sided slaughter turned into a full-on brawl when nearly half the Brotherhood turned on their leader and joined the two of them in the fight. Brienne and Jaime managed to escape, but Brienne had been mortally wounded while fighting her way to decapitate the creature known as Lady Stoneheart. Jamie was fighting back tears as he spoke of Brienne's dying moments where she begged him to be the good man she knew he could be; to be the knight she was never allowed to be.
Silence reigned as Jaime tried to compose himself after sharing this part of his story. Once again, Robert felt the resolve to change the fates of all those involved. Brienne deserved better, Catelyn deserved better, practically everyone involved deserved better.
Jaime continued by telling of when he learned of the madness that was happening in the Stormlands and Crownlands. Some pretender claiming to be Aegon son of Rhaegar, true king of Westeros, had landed with the Golden Company and was taking castle after castle. Even Storm's End fell to them. Stannis was stuck in the North and King's Landing was soon to be besieged. Jaime rallied his army and abandoned his campaign in the Riverlands to try and reach the city in time. Things became even more chaotic when word came from Meereen that Daenerys Targaryen had returned and ended the rebellion in the city with the help of her dragons and the Dothraki. Apparently, word had reached her about Aegon, and she soon set sail with her unsullied and a few thousand willing Dothraki to meet him. Jaime wasn't exactly sure about the details as so many people told different versions of the story, but apparently Aegon tried to approach Rhaegal the dragon named after his father thinking that he was meant to be its rider, but the dragon rejected him and burned him to ashes. Daenerys was quick to incorporate the now leaderless armies into her own.
Jaime arrived in King's Landing just days before Daenerys' armies arrived to lay siege. When he saw what his sister had done to solidify her control over the city, he was physically sick. The newest member of the Kingsguard, the monstrous Robert Strong, had won her freedom in a trial by combat and would slaughter any who stood against her. She quickly established herself as the sole regent for King Tommen, who by this point was a corpse rotting in his chambers after being poisoned like his brother before him. Jaime knew that he had to do something and sought to parley in secret with the Dragon Queen. In the end, Jaime promised to bring his sister to justice and submit himself to her judgment if she would just spare the city and his men.
"And that brings us to the end. I entered her chambers and pleaded with her to go with me and end the madness, but of course she refused so I killed her. I strangled the life out of her while she kept repeating valonqar. I snuck out with her body through the secret tunnels to avoid that beast she kept as a pet, and presented her body to the queen who thanked me for keeping my end of the deal. I didn't have to wait long to be brought before her dragons. It didn't even hurt. Now I'm here, doomed to serve you again and relive the nightmare that is King Aerys' court." Jaime's voice betrayed his emotional exhaustion from the retelling of the story.
Robert studied Jamie in silence for a while, just trying his best to take in everything that had been relayed to him. It would have been a lot to handle if he was fully sober, let alone in his currently inebriated state. But there was one thing his alcohol-addled mind would not let go. Jaime used the words 'the evil we brought into the world'. Robert was thinking back to all the times he thought he had fathered his children, and only one question remained.
"Jaime… Who was the father?"
Jaime's silence and refusal to meet his piercing gaze was the only answer Robert needed. He wasn't exactly sure what happened next as it seemed he fell into a blind rage. When he finally found himself fully in control again, he was standing over a groaning and bloodied Jaime, the knight's blood dripping from Robert's fists. Robert tried to reign in his anger knowing that it would be unwise to murder Tywin's son in cold blood, but it was still burning hot.
"Have you seen your sister since your return?" Robert's voice was full of malice. Jaime just groaned in pain. Robert spoke again.
"Stand up, and speak, your king demands it." The word king tasted sour on his tongue, but he knew it would add insult to the injury the knight had received. Jaime managed to roll over onto his hands and knees, and spit blood onto the floor. Robert continued his verbal assault
"I can't believe the gods would send me someone as disgusting and pathetic as you. They truly do have a sick sense of humor" Eventually Jaime managed to stand on unsure legs and look up at Robert with that oh so familiar expression of hate he had seen on the man's face whenever he would speak poorly of Cersei while Jaime was standing guard. Somehow, Jaime managed to hide his anger behind his famously prideful smirk.
"I…" he winced in pain as he started talking. "I suppose you deserve some retribution, but I will not stand by and let you do that again." Robert snorted derisively at Jaime's attempt to maintain his pride.
"I have not seen my sister since the gods sent me back, nor do I wish to." Jaime paused to wipe at the blood that was still pouring from his nose. "Though something strange happened the day I received the king's summons. I received a second letter from my sister demanding that I stay at Casterly Rock until she arrived."
"How is that strange? Your sister was always demanding things." Robert rumbled as memories of her incessant nagging played in his mind.
"It didn't happen last time, something changed. Though, I had no desire to find out what it was. I burnt the letter and left as soon as I could." Jaime said bitterly.
Robert sat back down and tried to take stock of what Jaime had said. Even angry and deep in his cups he realized that a man who strangled his sister to death probably felt no real love for her, but lust was a difficult sin to overcome. He imagined that Cersei was the one who initiated their relationship, but the man before him still fucked his twin sister willingly. But then again, he had paid quite a price for his sin as well. Robert's head hurt and he was tired. It had been an incredibly long day. He sighed and looked Jaime in the eyes.
"I don't think anything else I can do to you will be worse than what you have gone through or what you will go through. Beyond that, whether I like it or not, you are the one the gods chose to send back. Things are getting complicated, and it doesn't look like things are going to go the same way they did before. Swear to me that you will do your damn job this time and protect the Princess and her children when the time comes. They didn't deserve such a fate." Robert said solemnly.
"I swear it." Jaime replied with a steely determination in his voice.
"Now get out of my sight." Robert's voice was barely above a whisper at this point.
Jaime said nothing in return, just nodded and made his way out of Robert's tent and into the dark night. After sitting in silence for a while his steward entered stating that he had seen Robert's guest leave and had thought it best to call the rest of the household back. Robert was sure the man was not so unobservant as to miss the ruined furniture and blood on the floor but appreciated that he was loyal and wise enough not to say anything about it. Robert eventually made his way to his bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Robert awoke the next morning to the voice of Walder calling out to him, and something jabbing into his side. He rolled over and as he blinked the sleep out of his eyes, he saw his squire with that damned waster in his hands.
"I'm awake damn it." Robert grumbled
"Good morning, My Lord." Walder greeted in a very cheerful tone. Far too cheerful for how Robert currently felt. "The opening ceremonies will be held in just over an hour and you are expected to be in attendance. The king sent a messenger that you are to join him in the royal box."
Robert groaned. He was not ready to deal with the king, but he once again had no choice. He rolled out of his cot and began putting himself together as fast as he could manage. Fortunately, the steward and the rest of the household had gotten things ready while he still slept. As he hastily broke his fast, he noticed Walder was almost bouncing with excitement.
"What's gotten into you boy?" Robert asked grumpily, still suffering from a headache.
"The squire's melee will be the first event after the king's big announcement, my lord. I want to test myself against all the other boys training to be knights." Walder was practically beaming as he spoke. Even in his current state, Robert couldn't help but smile. Then Robert finally remembered that he had commissioned a brand-new mail hauberk and helm for his squire.
"Right, I almost forgot. I Can't have you representing me in old hand me down training equipment." Robert waved over the Steward and had him bring out Walder's new equipment. "You're still growing so I had this made to be adjusted. Once you've stopped growing, we'll see about getting you some proper plate." To say that Walder was stunned by the gesture would have been an understatement. The boy was wide eyed and hesitated when first reaching out to take the gift. His hands were nearly trembling with excitement as he picked up the barbute style helm to inspect it. It was a simple thing as far as helmets went, but it along with the accompanying mail were probably the most expensive things he could have ever called his own.
"Normally you thank people who have given you a gift." Robert said jovially
"Oh! Thank you, my lord." Walder said, slightly embarrassed. "This is more than I ever expected."
"It's fine, go talk to the armorer and make sure it fits properly. You need to be in top shape if you are going to whip all the rest of the boys out there." Robert replied with a chuckle
"By your leave, my lord." Walder bowed and rushed out of the tent. Once the infectious excitement that Walder had been exuding was gone, Robert once again returned to his brooding. Thoughts of the previous night and of what he was going to have to deal with today went through his mind.
"Where's Stannis?" He asked the steward.
"He's already gone to call on the young Lady Florent, my Lord." The steward replied
"At Least one of us is going to enjoy our day then." Robert's chuckle was humorless. He wouldn't dare bring Lyanna to the royal booth. "Well, I guess I had better get to the ceremony." He said to no one in particular. Pretty much everyone else in his party had already left except Walder, and the boy was quick to join Robert as soon as he left the tent.
Robert had to admit that his squire cut quite an imposing figure for someone who had just seen his eleventh name day. Walder had been provided tabard in Baratheon colors to wear over his new mail. The boy seemed to stand taller and prouder as he carried his new helmet in the crook of his arm. Robert couldn't help but smile as he patted Walder on the shoulder before heading towards his unfortunate date with the king.
Every step Robert took towards the tourney grounds felt heavier and heavier. He wanted nothing more than to stop, find Lyanna, and take her up on her offer from the previous night. No matter how much he wanted it though, he had to press forward, there was nothing for it. Soon enough, he found himself approaching the royal box, seeing Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Jonathor Darry standing guard at the entrance. Robert took a moment to address Walder.
"Alright lad, go find the Master of Games and make sure you are all set for the melee." Walder nodded and hurried off. There was no need to subject the boy to the king's presence. With that taken care of he approached the entrance to the stands and found himself waved in by Ser Darry without a word. Robert approached the king cautiously and noticed that a seat had been left open between King Aerys and Prince Rhaegar. Robert didn't like where this was going, and he was most definitely not looking forward to being stuck between the two people he had absolutely no desire to be around at this moment. Ser Gerrold was the first to notice his approach and informed the king of his presence.
"Ah, Finally, you're here. You kept me waiting long enough." The king's tone was strangely both jovial and threatening. Something only someone afflicted with mercurial madness could truly manage.
"Apologies, your grace." Robert said in as neutral a tone he could. He knew he had to play a careful game around the king. Robert turned to the prince. "Good day Prince Rhaegar, Princes Elia."
Prince Rhaegar studied him with an unreadable expression before nodding in response and turning his attention elsewhere. The tension between the Prince and the King was thick, and Robert was once again stepping into the midst of it. Fortunately, it seemed as if the prince was determined to simply ignore everything to do with his father at the moment.
"Enough," The king said impatiently, "Come, take the seat next to mine, you deserve it." He spoke overly loud, obviously trying to make it clear to all around that Robert was favored over the prince. Robert saw that Rhaegar's posture stiffened in response to the king's provocation, but it seemed as if the prince was determined to not let the king win.
"You honor me, your grace." Robert replied as he took the seat. He was doing his best to channel his brother's stony visage at the moment.
"Now we can finally get the festivities started. It's time to announce the newest member of my kingsguard." Aerys almost snarled when he saw that Rhaegar had not reacted how he wanted.
"Whent!" the king roared out for the lord of Harrenhal.
"Yes, your grace?" Lord Whent quailed in response.
"Get the fucking festivities started." The king ordered, obviously taking pleasure in the hosting lord's discomfort.
"Of course, your grace." Lord Whent quickly responded rushing off to set everything in motion. After watching the man go for a bit, King Aerys turned to Robert with a wild grin.
"I've finally gotten my victory over the old lion; can you believe that stupid bitch of his is the one who offer up her brother to the Kingsguard? With you by my side and Tywin defanged, the throne has never been more secure. It seems like the gods are truly smiling on me and my house these days." He began to cackle. Robert allowed himself to grin as he imagined that the only god smiling at Aerys would be the Stranger.
"Now all that's left is to strengthen our grip on the rest of the kingdoms. Hah! I'll show Tywin how to rule the seven.."
"I'm sure your rule will be remembered for generations." Robert said, hoping to placate the madman. He wasn't lying of course; Aerys would be remembered as the Mad King for years to come. It didn't seem to be the right thing to say however as the king's smile quickly turned into a frown.
"I didn't bring you here to turn you into another boot licker Robert. I hear enough of that shit from the rest of my council. I'll allow you more time to sort your house out, but soon I will call you to King's Landing and you'll help me keep the realm in line. If you take too long, I might have to do something about it." The king's voice was harsh, and his eyes narrowed in malice.
"Of course, your Grace." Robert replied, trying to mimic Stannis' stoic visage. Beneath it, he felt the anger boiling up again. He balled his fists tightly thinking only of controlling his urge to commit regicide. Slowly the king's scowl turned back into a gleeful smile as the heralds pronounced the opening of the tourney with the elevation of Ser Jamie Lannister to the ranks of the Kingsguard. Jaime strode out onto the tourney grounds resplendent in his golden armor; red cloak billowing in the wind. Robert noticed however that Jamie was also wearing his helm thus covering his face, something very out of character for the vain young man. It wasn't until Jamie was presented to the king and was forced by custom to remove it that he understood. Robert heard some ladies gasp in shock as Jaime revealed the damage Robert had inflicted upon him the previous night. Deep purple bruises and an obviously broken nose were quite apparent. Robert couldn't help but take some small satisfaction that Jaime's handsome face would forever bear the consequences of his dalliance.
"What in the name of the gods happened to your face." The king asked, His face a strange mix of anger, confusion, and glee at the state of the son of Tywin.
"It was a sparing accident, your grace. I met Lord Baratheon after the feast and wanted to see if his skills were truly all that the rumors said they were." Jaime said while shooting Robert a cocky grin.
To say that Robert wanted to get up and strangle the man was to put it lightly, but he put on a smile as the eyes of the king and the other assorted nobility turned to him.
"Yes, sometimes I forget my own strength when in my cups. Accidents are bound to happen." Robert said in what he hoped was a congenial tone. It was the only excuse he could come up with on such short notice. Everyone seemed to sense the tension in the air as Robert and Jaime stared at each other. The moment was broken, however, by the rasping laughter of the King that soon turned into a full-on mad cackle. Others eventually joined the king with nervous laughs of their own. And soon all of the stands were filled with laughter over Jaime's apparent accident. When the laughter finally died down the King spoke.
"It's good to see Tywin's golden lion humbled. Lord Hightower, replace that gaudy cloak of his with a white one already." Aerys couldn't keep the glee off of his face. By the look on the king's face, Robert guessed that the madman had somehow concluded that he had purposefully sought out and beat the young knight on purpose. Robert couldn't help but curse Jaime for pushing him further into the king's good graces.
As soon as Jaime had sworn his vows a second time and redonned his white cloak the king spoke again with a gleeful tone.
"Now, get back to King's Landing and watch over my wife and son. We don't want to have your ugly face spoiling the festivities here."
"As you command your grace." Was all Jaime said, the damn cocky grin never leaving his face. His response was obviously not what Aerys had been expecting and the king's manic smile turned into an angry snarl.
"Get out of my site!" The king roared before settling into his chair in a far fowler mood than he was just moments previous. Jaime bowed low to the king and gave Robert a knowing nod of the head as he strode away from the tourney grounds to make his way to the Red Keep. Robert heard the king mumbling something about how the boy should have been more upset.
Lord Whent took the dismissal of Jaime and the King's silence as a signal to move the events along and nodded to the Master of Games. The man took to his stand and addressed the crowd.
"Your Grace, My Prince and Princes, My Lords, and Ladies. Lord Whent is pleased to begin this grand tourney by inviting the next generation of warriors to show their mettle and skill in the Squire's Melee!" The Master of Games allowed the crowd to clap politely. While the squire's melee was never the most popular of events, it was common to place it near the beginning of the tourney so that the young men competing would not be overshadowed by the much more popular Grand Melee and Jousts. "All who wish to complete, please make your way to the staging ground! As the future knights of the realm prepare for honorable battle, Lord Whent has graciously provided for a mummer's troop to re-enact the Battle of Redgrass field!" Another round of polite applause followed the announcement and soon the troop of mummers entered the field and began their play. Robert noticed that with the completion of the announcement the king's mood shifted again, eventually the king leaned over and spoke.
"You have a new squire I'm told. A savage giant from the north able to rip the other boys limb from limb they say." His voice was one of bored curiosity.
"The stories obviously exaggerate your grace, but he is a strong lad that shows plenty of promise and is a diligent squire." Robert did not even try to keep the pride out of his voice, but at the same time he worried about how much the king was taking an interest in his life.
"Hmm," King Aerys mused before a sinister smile crept on his face, "I hear the Lannisters brought their own rabid mutt to show off. I suppose this squire's melee might actually be worth paying attention to."
A/N Another chapter down, and Robert finally knows about the father of his children. I hope my take on what might happen to Jaime and Brienne as the series progresses feels believable. To be clear, Jaime and Cersei die long before the final confrontation with the others, so he is not fully aware of what is happening beyond the wall. In the next chapter, Walder will get his time to shine, and things between Robert and Rhaegar get complicated. As always, your comments are very much appreciated.