Chapter 2

Jaime

The air was filled with smoke and dust. The smell of shit and piss was difficult to ignore. Blood everywhere. And silence. Nobody said anything. The adrenaline that rushed through their bodies was now gone. Some men were counting the bodies of the dead, some mourning their friends. The battle was won, the brotherhood was defeated. It was a hard-fought battle and they suffered major losses.

Jaime sat there cleaning his sword. This was his first battle. He would never forget this moment. He had never felt this alive before. The people he faced today were grown men, who had years of experience and he was still a green boy. Today he had looked death in the face and had managed to get out unharmed. The only things he needed to improve this moment were a Dornish red wine and a beautiful woman to warm his bed. Although his mother had firmly forbidden him to visit a brothel, he still considered the going there with other survivors of the battle as he was in no mood to woo a woman.

He was still lost in his thoughts and didn't notice Ser Arthur Dayne standing next to him. "How are you feeling Jaime?" he asked. It felt strange that such a legendary knight of the kingsguard was talking to a squire like him. He looked around and saw most people looking his way including Ser Barriston and Jaime felt disdain in their eyes.

"I've never felt more alive Ser. You were brilliant out there today. I'll never forget your battle with the laughing knight. I feel honored to fight alongside great knights like you and Ser Barriston," Jaime replied.

"You did well today lad. There aren't many as young as you who can do what you did out there today."

"I'm glad to make you proud, Ser."

"Kneel Jaime Lannister," said Ser Arthur Dayne unsheathing his sword. Jaime couldn't believe this was happening. He had dreamed of this moment for years and it was finally his. He had not expected this moment to come so soon. He felt almost in a daze. His knees hit the ground on their own and he felt like he was watching this moment from afar. Now he understood the disdain in Ser Barriston's eyes and in that of the others. They felt he was too young to be a knight. Jaime, however, didn't care. A lion doesn't care about the opinion of the sheep. This was his moment. He thought about how proud his mother and father would feel as Ser Arthur kept tapped his shoulder with his sword. He thought about bards singing songs of this moment as Ser Arthur began to speak.

"In the name of the warrior I charge you to be brave. In the name of the father, I charge you to be just. In the name of the mother, I charge you to defend the innocent. Arise Jaime Lannister, a knight of the seven kingdoms."

Tywin

The King was having another bad day. The news came from Harrenhal about a tourney Lord Whent was holding to celebrate the name day of his daughter. The tourney was supposed to be the greatest the seven kingdoms had ever seen. The spider had however suggested to the King that the tourney might be a ruse to gather the major lords of the seven kingdoms in one place by the crown prince and gain their support to overthrow the King. Tywin had never seen the King in such a mood before. The look on his place was not of anger however but something different, something more malicious, like madness.

The news, however, sounded rather convincing. It wasn't like Lord Whent to throw such a grand tourney and the crown prince had made his displeasure about his father's rule known on several occasions. He was not entirely against the idea of the Crown Prince taking over from his father. If he could retain his title as Hand of the King then it might be better for him as compared to his current situation. A young king whom he could influence as compared to a mad one. He certainly had to let this plot grow rather than crushing it in its bed as he should have done.

"I don't think there is any truth to Lord Varys' words, your grace. Your son is loyal to you. Also, there is no reason for him to risk his life by committing treason for a crown which he would have anyway after your passing. However, if you would like I could go there myself and inspect if any treasonous activities are going on there," he replied slowly and by carefully choosing his words.

"Do you take me for a fool? Eh! Is that it Tywin? You think your King is foolish and doesn't understand that you want to go there and conspire with traitors. You will stay right here in this capital. I don't trust you, I don't trust anybody. Also, call your wife to the capitol, I don't want her anywhere near Harrenhal doing your treasonous work for you. God knows she is more than capable of doing so."

"I don't think this is necessary, your grace. She will remain in Casterly Rock and not leave if it worries your grace."

"NO! I command her to arrive here. Maester Pycelle, send a raven to Casterly Rock and summon Joanna Lannister. She will arrive within a fortnight or I'll have her head after I have her body that is," replied the King and laughed alone at his joke. Normally everyone would join in trying to get favor with the King but this time they were too scared to even make a noise.

Tywin rushed to his office as soon as the meeting ended and started writing a letter to his wife instructing her to arrive as soon as possible and not to bring the children with her. He also instructed her to send Jaime and Cersei along with Kevin to Harrenhal. Jaime was to take his place if there were any meeting the Crown Prince held with the Lords of the major houses.

Ned

"I just received a raven from Winterfell. Lyanna is coming to the tourney along with Brandon and Benjen. Father is staying in Winterfell."

"Why isn't he coming? And don't give me shit about a stark being in Winterfell," answered Robert. They were both drinking wine in his chambers after a training session. Lyanna was now betrothed to Robert. She did not want the match but he believed that once they met each other Lyanna would come to see that Robert is a good person. Ned truly believed in Robert, believed that he was a good person on the inside and his childishness would come to an end as soon as he got married.

"There must always be a Stark in Winterfell," he replied and emptied his glass.

"Why are you looking so glum? Cheer up. Maybe you'll find some high born lady there who you would make the future Lady Stark."

"I don't know Robert. Which lady would marry a second-born son like me?"

Cersei

Cersei didn't remember the last time they had so much fun together. The Lannister siblings were together again and they were having a great time together. Jaime had returned this morning and the entire keep had cheered up again. She was given a break today from her lessons along with Tyrion to spend time with Jaime.

"Come mother. Join us. We are celebrating Jaime's knighthood," she said ruffling Jaime's hair as her mother entered the chambers. She had a worried look on her face that made everyone get serious as their mother rarely get worried.

"What's wrong, mother?" asked Jaime.

"I received a raven from your father. The king has summoned me to the capitol. You both have to leave for Harrenhal with Uncle Kevin."

"But father never allows you to be in the capitol because..." began Cersei but slowed down when her mother nodded towards Tyrion, "... the King is unwell. What makes him believe that the King would behave this time?"

Cersei remembered how rudely the King behaved the last time she and Jaime joined her mother on her visit to King's Landing for a tourney. The crude remarks, the vulgar gestures and inappropriate suggestions that made father so angry that he forbid them from visiting the capitol again.

"Nothing."

"You shouldn't have to go, mother, if you don't want to. We can write back that you are not well and cannot make the journey to the capitol," suggested Jaime.

"This is a royal command. Your father says that the King is very serious this time. He wouldn't take no for an answer. We cannot refuse him this time."

"Then I will come with you mother. I'll protect you. We all will come," replied Jaime.

"No, I have to go to the tourney of Harrenhal mother. The prince will be there. He hasn't seen me since I was a child. This is my chance to impress him," she said but nobody cared about it. Her father had promised her that she would be the queen but the King had refused to marry his son to her and insulted her father. The Prince had married Elia Martel instead. However, she never gave up hope especially when Pycelle informed them that Elia Martel was of frail health and might not survive the birth of her next child.

"Where do I go mother?" asked Tyrion innocently.

"None of you are to come with me. You all will go to Harrenhal and Jaime you will take your father's place."

"Father's place in what?"

"In whatever the Prince is planning. Your father believes the Prince is making an elaborate plan with the lords of Westeros to overthrow the King. You are to listen and learn everything but make no promises without asking your father."

"I can do that. But mother, will you be alright?"

"Of course son. Your father wouldn't let anything happen to me."

Varys

"Your grace when we last spoke, you wanted to go to Harrenhal yourself to squash any seeds of rebellion that may have been growing. I don't understand why you have changed your decision," asked Varys.

"I have summoned Joanna Lannister to the capitol. I have to be here when she arrives."

"Your grace, you should focus on what is important for the Crown. Lady Joanna will be here when you return."

"Quiet. You dare tell your king what to do. I am a dragon. Dragon doesn't feel threatened by sheep. Long have I waited for Joanna Lannister. Now I shall have her."

Author's Note:

Sorry for the long wait guys but I am back now. I have this story planned till the end now which is quite far.

Please tell me how you felt about it in the reviews. Favorite and follow it if you liked it. I did leave a few foreshadowing in there, tell me in the comments if you got it.

See you next time.

Merry Christmas.