The sun rising over the ocean on the Pentoshi coast at first daylight was one of the most beautiful sights Jamie Lannister had ever witnessed.
He found himself awake before sunrise, daily. It was one of the few moments of peace and solitude he had and offered the only glimmer of hope he could find in this misery. At least the home they were hiding in alloted them a veranda with a stunning view.
How had they let this happen? How had he lowered his guard enough for Euron Greyjoy to ambush him? Sentence him to a fate worse than death.
Cersei said it was a sign from The Seven themselves that he had survived. That they were together with their child. As always been intended.
She didn't know about the horse waiting for him that night. She didn't know he had planned to force her into the boat and push it off with all the strength he could muster.
She thought this was his choice. His destiny. Their destiny.
If she knew about Brienne, if she knew about their time at Winterfell, she wasn't letting on. Knowing his sister, the fact that she said nothing meant even less and she was merely waiting for what she deemed to be the perfect moment, to destroy him with it.
Pentos and the family Tyrion had arranged to hide them, left Cersei with little room to be the vindictive, evil, conniving women she was in Kings Landing. If she pushed herself to far out of line, the protection offered to her would instantly be revoked.
Tyrion's last raven to them had warned them to lay low, stay quiet and not to rock the perviable boat.
The boat being a well off former, vassal, Westerosi family who had long established themselves in Pentoshi society. The family had agreed to hide himself and Cersei, until it was safe for them to move elsewhere. They had even given their daugters as chamber maids, as a show of good faith for any future favors.
"Ser Jamie," A soft voice said from behind him, "I'm sorry to disturb you so early and without your breakfast, but my brother has given me a scroll for you. A raven just arrived with an urgent message from Lord Tyrion at Winterfell."
Jamie nodded and ushered his young chamber maid onto the veranda. "Thank you, Mia."
"Would you like me to wait? Should you need to send a raven in reply?"
Jamie nodded, offering her a grateful smile. So few people were kind to him, treated him like a human being, and he was so incredibly touched when someone did. Mia was the youngest of the three chambermaids and always eager to help. She and her sisters had no hidden agendas, they were honest and good. A complete change from what they had been used to in Westeros.
He unrolled the scroll quickly, needing to read the contents and have the scroll destoryed before Cersei woke.
Golden Lion Cub with Sapphire eyes due at Wintrfell in seven moons.
His eyes flicked up to meet Mia's, confused. "This is the only scroll?"
She nooded, "Yes Ser Jamie."
Golden Lion Cub with Sapphire eyes due at Wintrfell in seven moons
He read it again. Slower this time.
Golden Lion
Cub
Sapphire eyes
Seven moons
The words turned over and over in his head, as he struggled to make sense of them. What could be so important that Tyrion had gone through this much trouble to code the message?
"Golden Lion cub..." He read aloud and his eyes went wide as the words began to pound in his ears.
Golden Lion was clearly a reference to him. Sapphire eyes, that was for Brienne.
But what of cub...
Cub...a baby lion! The realization slammed into him like the hilt of a sword smashing into your gut.
"Gods," He finally pushed out through a shaking breath.
"Ser Jamie," Mia gasped, moving quickly to help steady him as he swayed on his feet.
Brienne was with child.
His child.
His heart raced high in his chest. His head spun. His legs wobbled under him.
She was carrying his child.
What had he done?
"Ser Jamie? Are you alright?" Mia asked, arms stretched out to steady him. "Let me fetch the Maester..."
Jamie shook his head, and exhaled sharply. A futile attempt to calm himself. "Your brother," He tried to push the words out. Form a thought other than that of Brienne and his child growing inside her. "He runs the rookery?" Mia nodded eyes wide as she waited for Jamie to continue. "He can be trusted?"
"Yes of course."
"I need him to get a raven to my brother at Wintrfell, as quickly as possible. Destory this one on your way." He handed her Tyrion's scroll and then dashed quickly inside, careful not to make any noise which might wake Cersei or the baby.
Mia followed behind.
"Take this to your brother immediately," He told her, handing over the scroll he had hasilty written. "Burn that one. Then come back here, serve our breakfasts as though this never happened."
Golden Lion to plot escape from cage. Urgent help needed to aid escape.
This may be the most important moment in his life. The moment he could shift the tide from a life of misery to one of pure happiness.
He wouldn't fail to cease that happiness. Not this time.
Mia nodded, her eyes searching his for answers as to what she was getting involved with.
"Nothing about that raven or the scroll from Winterfell is to be mentioned again," He told her firmly. "Go quickly."
Mia nodded before making a quick exit.
Jamie watched her go, before letting eyes drift shut. He bowed his head and asked the New Gods, the Old Gods or any other Gods who may or may not exist, to watch over Brienne and their child. To keep them safe until he was with them.
And he would be.
Whatever it took.
Whatever it took.
