Cersei

The last year had been torture. Jon Arryn never returned the tome he borrowed from Pycelle and Cersei could only imagine how he sat by his desk night after night rereading the Stag's lineage. The thought kept her awake and crying.

She and Jaime hadn't spoken for many moons after he refused to take action against the falcon. Eventually, she couldn't help coming near him again and soon they were together and happy again, yet Jon Arryn's name went unspoken between the two of them.

She had watched the old falcon like a hawk, his every move was reported to her by the hungry low lives she had paid. But apart from the book, he didn't seem to take any actions against her. He went about his usual business, dealing with his mad wife and sick son. He didn't speak much to anyone apart from the so-called King and his council of fools.

Slowly, she calmed her fears and for a time even forgot about everything that had happened. Joffrey was growing taller and brighter, her beautiful boy. Her others were growing too, Myrcella was so beautiful and she was looking like her father, Tommen sadly seemed to grow more soft and pathetic with each day. She loved the boy truly, but where he got that weakness was beyond her.

Her husband did what he always did, drunk, whored and hunted, but luckily since their encounter during his drunk fantasy of the wolf girl he has stayed away from her, taking his pleasures from the usual whores. That meant she could have Jaime all to herself, these last few months had been so happy. Her beloved brother, her's forever.

But then one day she was waiting through the gardens when one of her spies, a cutthroat named Dayne, sent word that he had information. The man turned up with a hideous smile on his face.

"Well, vermin," she asked impatiently. She had tried to be pleasant with him in the past, but he could see right through her. "Why are you wasting my time?"

He laughed, his voice shrill. "My Queen, and here I thought you were grateful for my services."

"I'll have your head if this is a waste of time" she spat.

"Fine my lady. Your friend, Lord Arryn, has made a most peculiar visit to a forge in King's Landing."

"And?"

"He bought nothing, your Grace. Instead he enquired about one of the apprentices. A young lad, looks like a fucking bull. Son of a tavern wench, I found out from my friends. One of them said..."

He knelt in, and she resisted the urge to back away. "...he might be one of the King's bastards."

Cersei's world spiraled out of control as she shook. It was true. He had realized the truth and was looking at Robert's bastard to see if they looked like him at all. Gods know she had to do something.

She began to move away when the vermin called out after her.

"My Queen, I believe I am owed some coin".

Grunting, she threw a bag of coins at his feet and ordered a guard to take him out. She marched down the halls of the Red Keep deep in thought. What to do? The man knew and it was only a matter of time before he told Robert. She needed to do what she should have done moons ago.

Her brother was awaiting her in her chambers with a smile on his face.

Jaime

Robert was sleeping of his wine from the night before and Jaime took the opportunity to visit his sister. She had been angry at him for the first loons since Arryn got that damn book from the rat Pycelle. He did not regret his actions, killing the Hand of the King for a mere suspicion was not a wise move, he knew father would agree. But she couldn't stay away forever, and soon she found her way into his sleeping cell at night. He had thought it foolish to come there to seek him out, his sworn brothers could have caught them, but having her close again overpowered his reason.

"I love you" he whispered as she lay against him.

"As I you" she said quietly. She looked him in the eyes. "Never turn on me, brother, for I would surely die".

She was gone in the morning, but when he entered the dining hall to see the royal family gathered there, his sister had a smile for him. Everything had then returned to normal, though they had not spoken about Jon Arryn, he knew she still kept many eyes on him.

He had no love for the man, apart from some spark of gratitude for not allowing Stark to have him sent to the Wall for killing Aerys, though he was angry that he was sticking his nose in his family's business, if Cersei's suspicions were correct, that was. But killing a Hand of the King would only attract unwanted attention. The falcon was no friend of the lions, but he did a good enough job of running the kingdom, though Robert's recent dealings with the Iron Bank was worrying. He was surprised the falcon was slow to act on it, and he was stung with a bit of worry that he was preoccupied with other matters.

His worries seemed answered many moons later when he decided to surprise Cersei and snuck into her chambers to await her. He hid behind the curtains and waited until she opened the door. Making sure she was alone, he stepped with a smile.

"Sister, I thought"...

"He knows Jaime!" she told him sharply, the look of horror on her face now visible to him. "Arryn knows about us. He's plotting against us. I told you. I told you and like a fool you calmed me. We should have killed him the moment we found out."

Jaime's eyes shook as he registered what she said.

"Arryn knows, are you sure?"

Gods, if he knew, they were dead, both truly dead. They needed to flee, make for the Rock with the children for Arryn was surely about to tell Robert. Grabbing Cersei by the shoulders to steady her, he spoke sharply.

"Look at me. Are you sure?"

She scoffed as her nails dug into his shoulders.

"He was visiting one of Robert's bastards. Gods, he's been going throughout King's Landing too often lately, he found more! Those filthy bastards. He's comparing our children to a bunch of bastards!"

Jaime blinked as he took this in.

"How do you know?"

"I hired a spy, brother, many spies, and one tells me he visited a forge where he spoke to some boy. Word among the rats says he's one of the baseborn, son of a whore. I'll kill that bastard, I'll kill the lot of them and Arryn too."

"You will do no such thing sister" he said, feeling calmer now.

She stared at him, her eyes sharp as knives.

"You would stop me. You, who are meant to protect our family."

"Cersei, we need to know more..."

"We know enough!"

"No. Not for a Hand. I've no love for Arryn and if he's a danger to us, then yes, but not now. And stay away from the bastards. They've no claim and they're no threat, besides if they start dying then we will only confirm Arryn's suspicions. Think like father, Cersei. We need to be tactful. We need to be absolutely sure he knows and plans to tell Robert before we act against him."

He wrapped his arms around her and she weeped into his arms.

"I'm scared, brother" she burst out in a moment of weakness.

"I'll protect you, I swear it."

She broke free from the hug and looked into his eyes.

"What do we do then?"

Jaime signed thinking.

"We find out what the falcon has been up to.

The plan came simply, but execution was more complicated. It was Cersei who actually found the girl to help them. Helga was Lysa Arryn's handmaiden, he remembered her as Joanna's companion North. The girl was from a decent family in the Vale but he heard of her as snide and sneaky and fond of knights. He was the one sent to talk to her, he couldn't imagine why, but then he realised Cersei must want him to prove himself after he disappointed her.

She was waiting for him by a stable, barely visible in the night. She was dressed in a cloak of black that fit the grey one he himself had chosen. A Kingsguard meeting a handmaiden in secret would look far too suspicious.

"My lady," he said as he approached, wearing a smile.

"Ser Jaime" she answered, raising her head to look at him. She was a pretty girl, with blue eyes and dark hair. Despite the weary look on his face, she was smiling softly.

"To what do I owe this... peculiar pleasure, Ser?"

He smiled back again as he spoke.

"It concerns Lord Arryn, you are handmaiden to his wife are you not?"

She looked suspicious now.

"Perhaps. But what business is my employment to you?"

"A high status, my lady, you are close to the Hand through his lady wife are you not?"

"So?" she said, though her eyes were knowing. "Before you speak further, good Ser, I warn you that I am quite comfortable where I am, I would not be quick to lose it."

"A role helping Lysa Arryn nurse her son? That boy isn't leaving her lap for the rest of her life, we both know that. What if I can offer you... something better?"

She narrowed her eyes.

"What makes you certain I won't get something better by reporting your interest in the Hand?"

Daring, aren't you? He thought to himself. But he knew how to get to her. He was never as clever as his father, but he learned enough from him to know.

"Better than a knight to wed? A handsome young one, I can promise you that. A position with House Lannister for the rest of your life. A fair share of coins as well" he added grinning.

She looked at him, taking in his face with wonder. She liked him, he could see that. You'd be disappointed, you're pretty enough, but you're not Cersei. There will never be another like his sister. Never.

"I can promise all those things and my word that no harm will come to you."

She looked at him again, deep in thought.

"What would you have me do? If I agree."

He had her.

When he told Cersei, she was overjoyed, but suspicions lit up in her eyes.

"Pretty, is she?"

He almost laughed.

"Don't tell me you're jealous. You've no reason sister.

"For her sake I hope that's true."

"Let me prove it" He put his hands on her shoulders and started leading her towards her bed.

"Not now, Jaime, I can't..."

"You need me. And I need you" he said.

"Jaime..."

Her lips crushed against his and they ran into the bed together.

Days later, Cersei insisted that she went to meet Helga this time, it was almost cute how she had grown jealous despite his assurances. He awaited her in her chambers as usual. Sge burst through the door in tears and horror filled his face.

"He knows. I warned you!"

She stuffed two parchments in his hands and he read them thrice.

Lord Orys Baratheon, black of hair.

Axel Baratheon, black of hair.

Lyonel Baratheon black of hair.

Ormund Baratheon black of hair

Steffon Baratheon, black of hair.

Robert Baratheon, black of hair.

Joanna Baratheon, black of hair

Mya Stone, black of hair

Edric Storm, black of hair

Gendry, black of hair

His heart sank as he saw the name beneath them, highlighted in red.

Joffrey Baratheon, golden-haired

He caught Cersei's panicked eyes with his own.

Jon Arryn

Stannis agreed quickly to foster Robert. It hadn't been easy to give up Robert, his beloved son, but his son needed someone like Stannis Baratheon to help him. Jon could try to teach his son, but Lysa would sadly only spoil the boy. He had heard how she told him about the Moon Door, and he was disturbed at how excited his son got when she told him how he had to throw traitors through it.

Besides, Stannis may well be the future king, if Robert would have no more trueborns and chose not to have Joanna named his heir. A good relationship with the king would be beneficial for the future Warden of the Vale. He could only dream that Stannis would be to his son what he had tried to be to Robert and Ned.

The thought of his foster sons warmed him. He could almost see them in the training yard, swinging the wooden sword and hammer as if the world was such a simple place. He signed. That was lifetimes ago, far too many lifetimes, and he now directed his attention to the letter he had written to Ned, announcing his intentions to visit Winterfell. He was happy to see Ned again. His foster son had made him proud as he could ever be, and he wanted to see what his children were like.

He also needed to speak to Joanna. Apart from the questions he had for her, he wanted to know what she was like. The girl he remembered was clever but shy and meek, a mouse among lions, but time with Ned could only have been good for her. He was curious why she chose Jon Snow to tell her secret. He decided he wanted to get to know the lad as well. That she trusted him spoke well for the lad, Ned must have raised him and the other children well, though he could only imagine how Lady Catelyn felt about the boy. It will not have been easy for neither her nor the lad, that he knew.

All in all, he was shocked when Ned announced he had dishonored his marriage vows and fathered a bastard, and was shocked again yet not truly surprised when he brought the boy home to his wife and first son. Jon felt pride at that, Ned made a mistake, though whatever on this Earth compelled him to do so perplexed him, but he behaved more properly than any other lord, he not only cared for the boy but raised him. He felt humbled when he named the boy after him, despite Lysa's anger.

"First he dishonored my sister with some whore, then he called that brat after you!"

Jon could never have gotten Ned to tell him the boy, but he doubted she was a whire, Ned was not that kind of man. There was another end to this story, and as much as he wanted to know, it was Ned's wish as to whether he told or not, but he hoped he at least told the boy who his mother was.

He would have to tell Ned about Cersei, he realised. Only together could they convince Robert to quell his rage and spare the realm a war, or at least spare the children. For whatever they were in the eyes of the gods, they were children and not guilty of their parents' sins.

He folded the letter and went to the Maester to have it sent to Winterfell. When he returned, he passed by Helga.

"My lady is looking for you, my lord" she said quickly.

"Ask her to visit me in my solar, if she may, I have some things to do" he said politely. She nodded and scurried away quickly. It should have surprised him, but the girl was always eccentric so he let it be.

He sat in his solar looking through the letters. He had to make them ready for when he told Robert about Cersei. He hoped that the journey to Winterfell and back would be long, for it would break his heart to tell him the truth.

His wife came in with a jug of wine and two goblets, this would be a difficult conversation, he realised.

"My lord," she said formally.

"My lady," he answered.

"Wine?"

"Yes, thank you," he said. She took a goblet and filled it up as he looked down at his notes, stacking them away. She handed him the goblet and he took a sip.

"Why now?" she asked, sipping her own wine.

"Because our son acts half his age, Lysa"

Honesty was the best way forward, he had decided.

"You think that's my fault?" she asked softly, her eyes swallowing him as he had another, heavier sip. "That Robin..."

"His name is Robert, Lysa. And I think we've both played our part. He needs to grow now, Lysa. Before it's too late."

"He's ill".

"He's always been ill. That's no fault of yours, but we can't let it be a mark on his entire life, my lady."

"My lady" she repeated, tasting the words. "I was always "my lady". But never "my love".

He signed.

"Was I ever "my love" to you?" he asked sadly.

She signed in return.

"I don't think it was possible for either of us. We've had our duty and we've fulfilled it. We said the words, we had a son. But it was no more my duty to love you than yours was to love me, Jon."

"Perhaps" he said, taking a gulp. "I do care about you, Lysa. You are my wife, and for all that was between us, a good wife. You gave me Robert. I tried to give you a good life. Did I ever succeed?"

"You succeeded when you gave me our son. I loved you for that, not as a husband but in some way.."

"As I loved you when you gave me our son in pain and tears" he told her softly.

"But I can't forgive you for taking him away now."

"I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm doing what I must". He finished his goblet and refilled.

"So am I" she said, narrowing her eyes. "It's truly cruel, Jon, to give a woman something as precious as a son only to take him away".

"You shall see our boy again. I swear it."

She blinked, tears in her eyes.

"I can't lose him, Jon".

"You won't," he said sadly, crying with her.

"When is he going?"

"In a moon" he answered, taking another girl as he saw her face twist.

She nodded after a moment, downing her goblet. They drank in silence for some time, then she arose, taking the empty jug.

"I've tried to understand, Jon, but I can't. I hope you can forgive me."

He nodded. "Of course."

She nodded in return.

"I shall go find our son."

Sge turned to the door.

"Goodbye Jon" she said, looking back at him.

Then she was gone. He was surprised that she seemed so lucid, the hysteria at losing Robert was almost gone, replaced by a melancholic sadness. His poor Lysa. The wife he could never love who could never love him. He could only hope she could find it in her heart to live away from their son, then to brighten with joy when he returned a wise and strong man.

He was about to take out the bloodline papers again to show them to Ned when he felt the pain build up in his stomach. Clutching it with his hand, he slid from his chair and tumbled to the floor. His face burned with fever and he shook as the pain in him, tears in his eyes.

"Help!" he cried.

The guards found him. They carried him to a bed and he saw Pycelle loom over him.

"Drink this my lord" he said, giving him a jug of water. He washed it down but it brought no comfort. What was happening? The wine, he remembered. Oh, gods Lysa... She drank it too.

"My wife," he croaked. "Help my wife".

"Your wife is on her way, my lord," Pycelle said. Whatever the Maester gave him did nothing to help him. The pain built up and his body convulsed from time to time. He realised what was happening to him. Tears of Lys, he had read of them.

"Lys..." he croaked to Pycelle.

"Yes, my lord. Lady Lysa has been alerted."

"Lys..."

The door burst open and Lysa ran in, coming to his side.

"My lord?" she asked, staring at him.

"Robert" he croaked out desperately. He had to tell Robert, tell him.

"Our son shouldn't see this, Jon. You'll be fine"...

"Robert... The Seed is Strong..."

"Yes, he is strong. So strong, he'll make a great lord, like his father..."

"Robert. The Seed is Strong"

"I'm here, Jon. Just relax. It's alright. It will all be fine..."

She stared down at him, hand on his shoulder.

"Robert... The Seed is Strong. The Seed is Strong..."

Winterfell Godswood

He was hurt. The blood was on fur from the wound in his stomach. The stag's aim was true. He limped towards her as she stared with concern. She lay still in the den. She could feel them moving inside of her. Her children, ready to be born. His golden eyes stared sadly into hers as she made a painful noise. Not long now. It was almost time.

The snow fell down on them as she birthed, one by one. Six there were, dark, grey and black, and one was as white as snow, barely visible. He was smaller than the others, she realised sadly.

They heard it move in the trees. The stag's hooves crushed the twigs as it moved towards them. He turned to look at her and their children, a long hard stare, and then he was gone, growling despite his wound, to hold it back. But she knew he would not win. His cry came in through the trees and then there was silence. Then her ears perked up as she heard the stag come again. She saw it now, it's bloody antlers wet with his blood. He was gone now, she knew, only she remained. herself up, she moved between it and her children, growling.

(Please leave your thoughts in the comments. I enjoy reading your reviews. Let me know if I make any mistakes or need to change something. The last few chapters had been filler but hte next one will go to Winterfell (: )