Chapter 15. Jaime Calls His Banners

Jaime Lannister once a Knight of the Kingsguard, a position he has held since he was a teenager, the youngest Kingsguard ever. He was appointed the position by the Mad King-King Aerys Targaryen II. During the latter end of Robert's rebellion Tywin Lannister betrayed the Targaryens and when his men entered the city they sacked it. It was Jaime who slew the mad King and earned the title Kingslayer throughout the seven Kingdoms. Robert who became King forgave his betrayal of his oath. Jaime was allowed to remain in the Kingsguard as part of Robert's alliance with House Lannister. He married Cersi Lannister, but while they are married Cersi and Jaime continue their incestuous relationship. Jaime fathered all three of his sister's children. Later on this secret was discovered by Jon Aryn who served as Hand of the King. When Jon Aryn died his wife fled in secret to the Eyrie and wrote a letter to her sister Catelyn Stark of Winterfel.

Robert came to Winterfel and named Eddard Stark his new Hand. They also betrothed their children Sansa and Joffrey to align their houses. While in Winterfel Bran Stark caught Jaime and Cersi in the act of having sex with each other. Jaime pushed the boy from the window to keep him quiet, then an assassin was hired to kill the boy as he lay in a coma. When Eddard came to King's Landing he discovered the truth behind Jon Aryn's death and the secret Cersi and Jaime tried so hard to keep secret. As things progressed Eddard was arrested for treason and publicaly executed.

Jaime joins the army of his father, Tywin Lannister, in the field. Tywin laments Jaime's pride and how he spends so much effort trying to convince others he doesn't care what they think of him. Tywin is incredulous and disgusted that Jaime would let Eddard live and go free because his victory was not "clean". He says that if other Houses think they can take a Lannister hostage and not suffer for it they will lose respect for the Lannister name. Tywin says that Jaime must accept responsibility for the future destiny of their house, which will be decided by this war against the Tullys and Starks. They will either die out like the Targaryens or begin a dynasty that will last 1,000 years. He gives Jaime thirty thousand men and sends him to besiege Riverrun. Robb Stark marches two thousand men towards Tywin's forces in order to create a distraction. The remaining force feints outside Riverrun, drawing out Jaime and a small number of troops to deal with what appears to be a small scouting party, and Jaime is taken prisoner in the resulting Battle of the Whispering Wood. Jaime offers to fight Robb in single combat to decide the war, but Robb knows that Jaime is better at swords than he is and says they aren't going to do it his way. Robb initially intends to use Jaime as a bargaining chip for his sisters' lives.

Out of desperation Catelyn Stark releases Jaime into Brienne's custody on the rpomise that he would release her daughters. Brienne is charged with bringing Jaime back to King's Landing. Along the way they encounter some men and Brienne slays them earning Jaime's respect. During their travels Brienne learns why Jaime killed the King and her views about Jaime change dramatically. As they cross a bridge Jaima manages to take a sword from Brienne and they fight. Jaime is surprised by Brienne's skill with a sword, but they are interrupted by Bolton men who take them captive. Jaime saves Brienne from a gang raping, but he looses his hand. Eventually Lord Bolton agrees to have Jaime sent to Kings Landing along with Brienne who comforts Jaime at the loss of his hand. When they finally reach King's Landing Tywin is angered by his son's severed hand and makes a new deal with the Greyjoys and Lord Frey. To keep from having his castle sacked Lord Bolton sends Locke to Tywin for judgement and execution.

Jaime learns of Cersi unfaithfulness to him with their cousin and refuses to speak with her. It is during this time that he falls in love with Brienne-they marry in secret and when Tywin threatens Brienne Jaime tells him that if anyone touches Brienne he will leave for the Night's Watch. Tywin doesn't want his Tyrion to inherit all that he has buult so he accepts Brienne as his daughter-in-law. After Brienne gives birth to her first son Jaime Lannister II they move to Casterly Rock and Jaime is made Lord of Casterly Rock as Tywin retires for his position as Hand of the King. Brienne has another son they name Brannon and then a daughter they name Joanna after Jaime's mother. Jaime is 10, Brannon is 9, Joanna is 7, and Brienne is 5 months preganant with their next child.

They are all in the courtyard as Jaime leads a horse with his son on it. His other children sit in by their mother as Jaime teaches his eldest to ride. "My lord!" the captain of his house guard yells from the balcony. Jaime waves his squire to take the horse, then he runs up to talk with the captain.

"What is it?"

"Lord Sarret's family has arrived with several refugees..." As he is talking Brienne joins them with her swollen stomach, "The borders lands are under assault by the Tyrells and the Martells."

"Did they give any reason for this aggression?" Jaime asked getting angry.

"No my lord!"

"Where is my uncle?"

"He's gone hunting."

Jaime looks at Brienne, "Send word for my Banners to gather at Casterly Rock-send ravens to King's Landing and Harranhal-If the Tyrells and Martells want a war-I will give them one!"

"Why would they do this!" Brienne asked.

"I don't know-I must prepare for war-Will you see to Lord Sarret's family and the refugees?"

"Of course!"

By now word had spread throughtout all the west that the Tyrells and Martells were invading. People were scrambling cities and castles were being fortified in preparation. Two days later the Captain walked into the grandhall of Casterly Rock carrying Kevin Lannister and three of his men. "We found them dead by the river-It looks like some animal tore them apart!"

"Has there been any word from my father or the King?"

"None yet sir." A week passed before the Banners arrived at Casterly Rock. Jaime now had an army of 75,000 men that camped outside his castle.

The Son of Lord Crake stood before Jaime, Brienne, and their Banners giving a report, "We captured a Tyrell scout and we gave the bastard nightshade-He swears under nightshade mind you that your sister Cersi was conspiring with your father to make her son the sole heir of High Garden-Also your nephew Victor committed suicide after learning his father was a wimp. Apparently Cersi had her husband killed-He also said that she had a diary-The diary had all this in it..."

Jaime sneered, "Where is my sister?"

"They executed her!-As for the Martells they claim that your niece and nephew were having an affair-They caught the two of them in the act the morning Lord Tommen was to leave for King's Landing. Mrycella and Prince Tommen were executed for infidelity-The Tyrells and Martells have sealed their alliance with a marraige-If they defeat us they will march on King's Landing-Margary will marry Trystan Martell and their child will be heir to the Iron Throne."

"What about the children she already has for Joffrey?" Brienne asks.

"They will be sent to High Graden as Wards."

"Lies all lies!" Jaime yelled, "My niece and Nephew weren't sleeping togther and my sister would never keep a diary!"

"How many troops do they have?" Brienne asked.

"150,000 my lady!"

"Sir perhaps we should send for help from Iron Isles." Lord Lefford suggested.

Lord Westerling pulled his arm, "And let the North know that there is disharmony in the south-If this reaches the wrong ears we will back where we started during the war of the five kings! Everyone will want a piece of us-Stannis! Walder Frey! The Boltons-That bastard Little Finger! Bryden Tully!"

Jaime stood up, "Lord Westerling is right!"

"But my lord we can't wait for aid from King's Landing or Harranhal!"

"No we will march out and meet them-we will meet them at Lion's Cross-Prepare the army we march in two days!"

Two Days later Jaime kissed Brienne in the doorway to their bedroom, "I will wave to you from the balcony."

"I will try to crush our enemies before the bay is born."

"Just come back to me safely!"

They kissed again and he walked out closing the door. When Brienne turned around she was struck in the head-When she awoke a young hooded woman stood over her. "If you scream I will open your stomach and deliver your baby quickly!" The hooded figure removed the gag.

"Who are you?"

"I am known by many names-All my enemies call me the lone wolf-If that is not sufficient then know this-The North never forgets nor do we forgive!"

Brienne furrowed her brow, "Are you-Stark? Arya Stark?"

She smiled, "I am!"

"I knew your mother!"

"So!"

"I was her vassal-She charged me with delivering Jaime Stark to King's Landing-When we arrived your brother and mother had already been killed."

"And you reward my mother's trust by marrying the man who tried to kill my brother."

"You are a woman-Despite all the anger in your eyes I see that you are in love!" Arya lowered Needle, "No one can help who they fall in love with it just happens!"

"That's ashame because I am sworn to kill all who bear the name and blood Lannister!"

"No wait! My children are innocent."

"When I was young-My friend Mycah and I were playing knights-Joffrey who was betrothed to my sister came upon us and threatened my friend for pretending to be something he would never be in Joffrey's eyes-My wolf Nymeria came to our defense and as I stood over that bastard with his own sword he cried like a little girl-Looking back I wished I would have shoved that sword into his dark heart-Anyway judgement was passed and my sister's Dire Wolf Lady was killed in place of my wolf Nymeria-My friend Mycah was ridden down and shot like a deer. I learned two things that day-No one is innocent in the game of life and death-Revenge is more powerful than Justice-As your husband pushed my brother from the window I am going to push you to your death."

"But I'm pregnant!" Brienne pleaded.

She just hunched her shoulders, "Your baby just happens to be in bad place at a bad time for Lannisters-Besides If I let your children live they will grow up seeking revenge."

"I swear they won't!"

Jaime waited in the courtyard looking up to see Brienne wave to him, "My Lord up here!" Arya's voice echoed over the courtyard.

Jaime looked up and gasped at Brienne on the ledge of the castle roof with a knife at her throat, "BRIENNE! Whoever you are please let her go!"

"Did you let my brother go when he caught you and your sister fucking in the tower at my family home? Bran Stark was my brother and I am his sister Arya Stark! THE NORTH NEVER FORGETS NOR DO WE FORGIVE!" Arya pulled the dagger away and pushed Brienne who screamed all the way down.

"NO!" Jaime screamed as he watched helplessly as the mother of his children tumbled three times on her way down and hit the steps face down. Her head and stomach had busted open and she lay in a pool of blood. Jaime sat on his horse staring dumbfounded at his wife's lifeless body. He climbed down and walked up to Brienne scooping her bleeding head up into his arms. His mouth was open but there was no sound.

"Find that bitch!" Lord Clegane ordered to the guards. He treid to help Jaime up but he would not move from that spot. "The children!" He whispered.

"Jaime!" Jaime senior yelled getting up. They ran to the room and burst through the door. Jaime fell to his knees as Clegane closed his eyes. Jaime II lay next to his brother Brannon and Joanna lay at their feet in the same bed-The heads of all three children had been severed and written in blood above the bed were the words...

THE NORTH NEVER FORGETS NOR DO WE FORGIVE

"My Lord no!" Clegane screamed as Jaime pulled out his own sword and fell on it. They burried the bodies, but Arya stole Jaime's head. Over the next several months more Lannisters died. Cousins aunts uncles blood and married relations. Because of this Lord Clegane of Clegane's Keep assumed stewardship over Casterly Rock. He sent 50 men to King's Landing as they hadn't received word from Joffrey or Lord Tywin. Then he sent another 100 men behind them to make sure they made it. Then Clegane turned his attention to the war as the Tyrell Martell alliance had already sacked another castle-Crakehall. Meanwhile the combined naval forces of the Tyrells and the Martells bomdarded all Lannister ports up and down the coast of the west.