A certain part of Jacqueline hoped Jaime would leave her be, that he would see fit to not fuel a dying fire and move on from their brief dalliance. But every time she heard the soft knock on her door in the early hours before dawn in the following days, Jacqueline didn't hesitate to open it and allow the golden knight into her chambers and into her bed. They took their time with each other, as if they had all the time in the world. Whatever shyness she felt when she first laid with Jaime Lannister a year prior melted away each time the knight paid her an early morning visit.
When they were finished, they would lay together for a time in a tangle of sheets and sweaty limbs. Sometimes, they would talk: Jaime spoke of how he managed to find himself back in King's Landing and how he lost his hand. Jacqueline talked about more lighthearted things like her race into Littlefinger's brothel in search of the Martells. Other times they would remain silent, choosing to listen to each other's steady breathing as the sun's first light began to filter through the window. There was no talk of Cersei or Jacqueline's impending departure. Eventually, it would come time for Jaime to leave and resume his Kingsguard duties for the day. He was Lord Commander now, despite his golden hand. Outside of her chambers, the two rarely saw or acknowledged each other. Jacqueline would pretend to return to sleep as he left but sleep would never come to reclaim her. Instead she would lay there and examine the road her life had taken. For the first time in a long time since Robert's death, she was content with her life. She dared to allow herself to be happy.
Jacqueline made certain any evidence of Jaime's visits were gone by the time the handmaid appeared to help her start the day. Normally, she resisted the Queen's instances that she take on a handmaid, preferring to take care of herself without any prying eyes or ears hovering over her, but with the Red Keep full of visitors she decided she should look her best, considering she was the only true Baratheon for hundreds of miles. And some of the dresses Ellaria had given her required more than two hands to don. Still, Jacqueline did not engage the young girl in conversation, no matter how hard the handmaid tried. Avoiding small talk with strangers had been a skill Jacqueline had mastered at a young age.
She was wearing one of Ellaria's dresses, made of a light linen dyed a lavender color with elaborate lacing in the back that took the poor handmaid nearly an hour to tie, when she joined the Dornishwoman for a late breakfast with Margaery Tyrell. Many other noblewomen were present including Sansa Stark and Margaery's numerous cousins and her grandmother. Cersei's absence was an unspoken but acknowledged detail. There was no talk of Joffrey's horrible temperament this time, only talk about the wedding itself. Flower arrangements and feast details. Jacqueline and Ellaria nodded and smiled along but they rarely spoke. The two were pariahs in such company, albeit for different reasons. Thankfully, the meal was overly rather quickly and the two outcasts were permitted to depart.
The gardens for more crowded nowadays than usual with the added quests but there were still some secluded places one could find some peace and quiet. They were walking through one such section when Jacqueline gave a familiar request. "Tell me about Dorne."
Ellaria laughed, as she always did when Jacqueline inquired about the woman's homeland. "You'll see it for yourself soon enough, my lady. Of course, with the way the Tyrells talk it seems this royal wedding will take weeks to complete." A seventy-seven course feast was definitely excessive in Jacqueline's opinion as well. "That dress looks lovely on you." Ellaria let her fingers brush the soft fabric draped over Jacqueline's hip. "Though we should be cautious once you reach Dorne. The sun is more intense there and it will take some time for your pale skin to adjust." Jacqueline often wondered how different she would look like with a tan. She wondered how it would compare to Jaime's golden skin.
"How long will you wish to stay in Dorne?" Ellaria's question pulled Jacqueline away from her thoughts on Jaime's looks.
It was a question she had not really considered before. With a shrug, Jacqueline looked up at the Red Keep, the crimson stones shining in the sunlight. "I honestly do not know. But there is nothing for me here but bad memories and contempt."
The Dornishwoman nodded with a thin smile on her lips. "I am certain Prince Doran will allow you to stay as long as you wish, my lady. But perhaps it is time you thought about your future."
Jacqueline forced herself to swallow her laugh. "What future could I have?"
"There is marriage." Jacqueline let her laugh go this time.
"Who would want to marry the barren sister of traitors?"
With both hands, Ellaria forced Jacqueline to turn towards her. The smile was still on her face but there was something in her dark eyes. Something hidden. "With a sweet face like yours? In Dorne, you will have a great many suitors, I am sure." Ellaria was strong in her conviction that Jacqueline would find a husband in Dorne. Jacqueline didn't understand the woman's determination but she would always humor her regardless.
"Anyone you would recommend?"Jacqueline asked as the two resumed their walk between the row of bright yellow roses.
"There is Gerold Dayne. He's the most handsome but he has a mean heart. A poor choice. And of course there's Ser Deziel, you've already met him. Or perhaps one of the Manwoody brothers, they are currently in the capital with us as well if wish to meet them. . ." Jacqueline let Ellaria talk. They had had this conversation before as well. Ellaria would list men and their attributes and Jacqueline would simply nod her head. It was all mindless conversation. Jacqueline would never be married, no matter how pretty some considered her to be. But she let Ellaria talk. A few days earlier, Ellaria and Oberyn had introduced her to Ser Deziel Dalt, a tall man in his mid-thirties with broad shoulders and a short dark beard. He was the lord of a small, modest house. Still he was in need of children of his own and Jacqueline knew the possibility of marriage was hollow, no matter how interested he appeared.
As they wandered around the garden, more guests crossed their path. It was nearing midday and Jacqueline was growing tired. Thankfully, Ellaria noticed her fatigue and ceased conversation, preferring to walk in silence. Jacqueline hadn't been playing attention to anything in particular when Ellaria pulled her to a stop. Looking up from the stone path, Jacqueline spotted Joffrey and a small entourage making their way quickly down the stone path that led to their left. A servant carried Joffrey's crossbow, making it obvious that the King was off to kill something. The blonde boy had taken up Robert's fondness for hunting, if one could call killing animals in a confided space actual hunting. Robert certainly wouldn't have.
Thankfully, the king crossed their path without looking at the two women, who bowed respectfully as he walked by. Strolling behind the royal party, sword resting to his right side and golden armour beaming, was Ser Jaime. Jacqueline was unable to look elsewhere before she met his eyes. "Lady Jacqueline, Lady Ellaria," Jaime said with a nod of his head, through he did not take his eyes from Jacqueline as he walked pass. The two woman watched the golden knight follow after his king. His son, a voice in Jacqueline's head corrected.
"Of course, my lady," Ellaria began, eyes still on the space in front of them. "Marriage would come easier if one had not already given their heart to someone who was unable to receive it." Her voice was firm and unemotional but when she turned to look at Jacqueline there was pity on her face. "To someone unworthy of it."
Jacqueline had to bite her tongue. Ellaria spoke of marriage as if it was something she knew. But she wasn't Oberyn's wife. She was his lover and the mother of four of his children. But she was still a bastard and she still carried the name Sand. Despite all that, she was able to stay beside the man she loved. Jacqueline found herself wanting the same. "And what if I don't want to be married?" The words tasted bitter on her tongue.
Before Ellaria could answer, a servant dressed in Lannister colors appeared in front of them with a swift bow. "Lady Jacqueline, the Hand of the King wishes to speak with you."
The walk to the Tower of the Hand was unfortunately too short as Jacqueline tried to think of all the possible reasons Tywin would want to speak with her. She had behaved herself, been polite to all and not made a spectacle of herself. She could find no flaw in her behavior, aside from Jaime's early morning visits but no one knew of those. Or so she believed. She waited outside the large ornate door, hands clasped tightly in front of her, as the servant announced her presence. The last time she had been here had been in the aftermath of the Battle of the Blackwater and Jacqueline had lost her patience with the old man. Still, she had managed to walk away from the interaction with what she wanted. But this time Jacqueline was the one cut off guard.
The study looked the same as it had that day. Only now Tywin Lannister stood by the open window instead of being seated behind his desk. Clothed in his usual red velvet and black leather, the Hand stood with his back to Jacqueline, who remained in the open space between his desk and the table used for the small council. "My lord," Jacqueline did not bother with a curtsy. "You wished to speak with me."
When the old lion spoke, he kept his face to the window. Jacqueline couldn't recall what his view would be; Blackwater Bay or the city? "How are you enjoying the wedding festivities, Lady Jacqueline?" His words were light but his tone was heavy as always.
Jacqueline allowed herself to roll her eyes but a tension started to grow in her stomach. Tywin Lannister was not one for small talk. "The keep is certainly more cheerful nowadays. We should have more royal weddings around here." She half-joked.
She could see Tywin nod in acknowledgment but still he did not turn towards her. "Well, be sure to enjoy it because after Joffrey's wedding, you will be leaving the capitol."
Dorne. Sooner or later, she knew, her and Tywin would being having this conversation but Jacqueline was hoping to put it off as long as possible. "My lord, if this is about me going to Dorne, please -"
"You will not be going to Dorne." He didn't raise his voice but the force of it was enough to silence any protest from Jacqueline. "After the wedding, you will travel to the Twins where you will marry Roose Bolton."
Ice crawled it's way down Jacqueline's spine. The Twins. Marry. Roose Bolton. Her mind was spinning and it took her a moment to find something coherent to say. "Roose Bolton has a wife." Jaime had mentioned her, a large girl with a dowry worth her weight in silver. Roose had bragged about her when Jaime was at Harrenhal.
"Unfortunately, Lady Walda did not survive the fighting at the Twins." Finally, Lord Tywin turned away from the window to look at her with those gold-specked green eyes. Jacqueline swore there was a ghost of a smile on his thin lips. "Lord Bolton has found himself in need of a new wife."
The cold crept around Jacqueline's chest and into her heart. Her lungs felt heavy. The words she understood but the meaning of them had escaped her. "What?"
"After the royal wedding, you will marry Lord -"
"But why?" Jacqueline interrupted, raising her voice, an aspect that Tywin was not too pleased about.
Whatever smile that was on his face disappeared into the permanent frown as he walked away from the window towards his desk. "You are not a child anymore, my lady. It is time for you to marry."
Given the time to process everything, the ice claiming her body was quickly melted away by her anger. She took a determined step towards the Hand's desk, taking a deep breath. "You are not my father nor my brother!" She yelled, surprising both herself and the Hand of the King. "You have no right to decide who I marry! I won't do it. I won't allow you to send me north with the Boltons."
The lion leaned back in his chair, looking at the sight before him: Jacqueline in her flowing lavender grown with clenched fists and red cheeks. "Since Robert's death, you've been a ward of the crown. And as Hand of the King, I have every right and authority to send you anywhere I so desire."
Jacqueline shook her head, trying to will this conversation away. It was hard to forget Roose Bolton, with his dark hair and transparent grey eyes. He was the one who had interrupted her last moments with Robb Stark. And if the rumors were true Lord Bolton was the one who had ultimately killed Robb at the Red Wedding. Tywin was sending her to a grave. "I cannot bare children. Roose Bolton would never marry a woman who cannot continue his line. What else was promised? If you wish to kill me, there are easier ways."
"Lord Bolton has no need of an heir. King Joffrey has already legitimatized his bastard, Ramsay. Lord Bolton and his army remain at the Twins, preparing for their return north. You will go there, marry and return to Winterfell as the wife of the new Warden of the North. It is more than you could ever have hoped for. With Stannis a traitor to the crown, you are the last heir of Storm's End until Tommen comes of age. Until such time, your husband will be Lord of Storm's End with rights to all the land's revenue."
Gripping the smooth edge of Twyin's desk, Jacqueline leaned forward slightly. "So, Roose gets some gold and a useless wife. What is it you get?"
The Hand raised an eyebrow. "We have reports that Stannis is headed to the Wall. It won't be long before he turns his war to Winterfell."
Jacqueline wanted to laugh at that. "And you believe I will be a deterrent? You have greatly misjudged Stannis if you think threatening my life will stop him, just as it did not stop him on the Blackwater." Tywin's frown grew and Jacqueline knew the old man was getting annoyed with her. "I have been nothing but compliant. Why are you doing this to me?"
Tywin rose to his feet and Jacqueline took an involuntary step backwards. "You fail to understand, my lady, that this isn't about you. You are wholly unimportant to me. Just a good to be traded and a damaged good at that. You could kiss every stone Joffrey walked on and my decision would be the same. Because any other way, you are useless to both me and the King."
An iron taste appeared in Jacqueline's mouth from where she bit her tongue. The insult strung. No one had ever called her useless to her face before. It was just something Jacqueline assumed about herself but hearing someone speak it into existence thinned her skin. But the words came out nonetheless. "You think you're so clever. The great Tywin Lannister. But without you your house is nothing. Joffrey is a Baratheon in name and his children with the Tyrell girl will be Baratheons. Do you think history will care that his grandfather was a Lannister. Or the queen for that matter." Jacqueline shook her head as Tywin glared at her. "No one ever mentions that my father's mother was a Targaryen. No, your grandchildren will carry on my house's name. If you cared so much about the Lannister legacy you would let Tyrion inherit Casterly Rock, as is his right. But, no. You still think Ser Jaime will set aside his duty. Whatever hope your family name has at surviving past the death of your children rests with the son you've hated and cursed since he was born. You have no heir. I am far from the only useless person in this keep it seems."
Tywin clenched his jaw and for a moment Jacqueline worried she had crossed a line. But when he spoke, his voice was strangely relaxed. "I have an heir."
"Jaime is a member of Kingsguard."
"He'll understand soon enough," Tywin started as he stepped around from behind the desk, coming to a stop before Jacqueline. "It'll be a bit difficult for him to guard anyone without his sword hand. He'll realize that and he'll step aside for someone better suited. No, the hard part will be pulling him from your bed long enough to get him to see reason." Silence filled the room as the color drained from Jacqueline's face as he spoke her secret into existence. "Did you really think no one would notice, my lady?"
For a moment, Jacqueline had the decency to at least look ashamed before finding her voice again and returning to the larger subject at hand. Anger wasn't going to win her any arguments. Neither was begging but Jacqueline's body crumbled without her consent and she found herself on her knees, half buried in her lavender dress. "If it is my absence you seek, then allow me to go to Dorne with the Martells. They have already agreed."
"And let Prince Doran marry you to his son?" Tywin looked down at her, unphased by the woman's new found place on the floor. "I don't think so."
"His son?" Jacqueline shook her head, once again confused. "I think you greatly overestimate my value, my lord."
"Do I?" They stared at each other for a moment, Jacqueline mind's whirling.
Tywin had mentioned that she was the last heir to Storm's End. But that wasn't the only thing she was heir to, depending on who one asked. "There are those who believe Stannis to be Robert's rightful heir. Those who believe Joffrey to be a bastard and a usurper." She was stepping into dangerous territory, she knew, but Jacqueline continued under Tywin's glare. "Joffrey maintains the throne through you. Gold and the fear of what Tywin Lannister would do to them should they pledge for Stannis. But if I went to Dorne and Stannis were to die, what would stop the Martells from seeking to put the proper heir on the throne. Especially when it comes with an opportunity to avenge a grudge." She knew the Martells never held her family in any high regard but they also blamed Tywin for the death of Princess Elia.
"I knew you were always smarter than you've let on." The smile on his face was clear now. A smug smile now that Jacqueline had realized what she was losing.
The old man's smirk reminded her too much Cersei's, causing Jacqueline's anger to rise once again as she climbed to feet. "And if you were as clever as you think you are, you would have chosen someone else if you're so worried about someone putting a crown on my head. The Boltons have already betrayed one king." His smile didn't falter. Not yet. "A smart pick would have been Ser Jaime himself. That way you'd get the heir you always wanted while putting an end to those rumors about Cersei and -"
Her taunt was cut short when Tywin grasped her by the throat and pulled her forward. Jacqueline struggled as the old man's fingernails clawed into the back of her neck. "Careful, girl. I can still make your time in the capitol extremely unpleasant." The words were whispered across her ear before Tywin released her with a solid push backwards. Catching herself on the table, Jacqueline managed to keep from falling to the floor. When she turned to look at the Hand of the King, he was already making his way back to his desk. "Do close the door on your way out, my lady." He spoke without looking at her as he settled back behind his desk. Jacqueline did her best not to run from the room and down the stairs as she left the door ajar behind her.
OH BOY! I don't wanna talk about the show's finale but here's some TWIST AND TURNS of my own. Thanks for reading as always. Still working on editing and revising earlier chapters because I'm lazy af. Love y'all!