Greetings! Once again, i'm quite happy I got a surge of energy to finish this before the deadline I had set for myself, so...yay me. This chapter starts with a first person account of Lorraine's, I figured since she is mute I would like to include her inner thoughts as a sort of commentary as well as to lighten things up a little, I feel like it'll make understanding her easier. But all the other POV's will remain in third person, I just wanted to make it seem like Lorraine has the in on things. Like she constantly knows things that others don't.
Just a few clarifications, in terms of fashion, every time I pictured the west I imagined it as a little Tudor-ish, you know? Tight corsets yadayadayada. Anyways yeah that was just my inspiration and imagery behind it. I'm taking a weekend trip so i'm pretty glad I didn't have to postpone this till after my return, so hopefully that means that the next chapter won't have to be delayed either. Any and all questions welcome, any feedback is appreciate! Enjoy.

Lorraine

I was only doing some reading, all I wanted was time alone. But I suppose some might argue I have a surplus of that. I did not know why I felt frozen to place as my eyes skipped back and forth from my brother to Ser Jaime Lannister, as if somehow they would pretend to not have seen me and steadily tip-toe away from me and my sanctuary. Addam was looking at me in a funny way as well, has he been talking about me?

Jaime Lannister avoided my gaze completely after his initial shock at my very existence in this room subsided, I was glad for it. You see, I'm not ashamed of our earlier encounters -quite the contrary, it's been a while since i've been able to let someone else look the fool. I never particularly enjoyed being infuriating, but I don't know what came over me when I met him. He looked directly at me when he kissed my hand, and I immediately realised that he expected me to speak. I have yet to fully understand why that left me quite calm, but I can't say i'm shocked that it excited me. For once someone didn't know me and wasn't fully briefed on my history of speech; or lack thereof. He even tried to talk to me once more, my earlier lack of pleasantry had surely grated on his pride by then I assume, but even then I knew I was not about to break the spell. For one night, i'll have someone think of me as some sort of dream.

It made me feel guilty, I won't lie. To play at someone's insecurities has never been something I have endorsed, and thus I avoided Ser Jaime Lannister all throughout dinner so I would not have to be responsible for any more false impressions, but moreover I knew how much that sort of thing must fluster someone. Gods, he must think I have some sort of grudge against him or wish to cause him offence. It was all good and well while that lasted, but standing here in the middle of the library looking at Addam and Ser Jaime -who could still not venture to look at me once more, I knew immediately that Addam must have told him.

It was there, plainly obvious for me to see, he pities me. He must. Everyone else seems to.

"Sister," finally, someone is speaking. Addam made his way over to me in what seemed to be two steps, why do men take such long strides? He held the back of my head to kiss the side of my brow and continued,

"How are you here alone?" I glanced at Jaime Lannister once more, as if this was the moment of truth and whatever Addam had told him about me would be as clear as can be. He has a wonderful box seat to the show.

I looked back at Addam then, pointing to myself then crossing my arms around my middle,

"I wanted to be alone." It does not take any time at all for Addam to understand what I had meant, and I am immensely glad for it. Relieved to no end that he had not forgotten me. He looked down at me with a raised eyebrow, and I could see that this was not going to be a serious conversation.

"Would you like some company, then?"

I did not even have to move for him to know what the answer to that was. He chuckled loudly, and though I can never say I don't love the silence that the library usually affords me with I can not recall smiling this widely at it being filled with his laughter.

"I should not like to leave you alone here. But I fear I can not stay as I have things to attend to." And before I could even respond he twirled to face the other knight in the room who stood standing once again on the outskirts of Addam's familial interactions.

"I'm afraid I must cut our tour short, you can walk back with me if you wi-"

"I think i'll stay, actually. I'll find my way back -hopefully." replied Jaime swiftly, though he sounded a little unsure himself. I could hear Addam's surprise in his voice when he had the good sense to respond,

"A-are...you sure?" and as if to mask the growing insecurity I kept reading off of him, he plastered an attractive grin on his face in an attempt to create an air of ease to cover the stifling awkwardness of the situation.

"Quite. It's been a long while since i've knocked at a few volumes, should do me some good, if it's at all as sufficient as you've implied." Both men chuckled at that and I could not help but find their easy companionship interesting. I have had very little friends outside of the family over the years, and it is strange to see Addam at such ease with another. Although i've always thought Addam to be quite charming and entertaining, I also know him to be very private and careful with what real affection he gives out. Men hate calling it affection don't they? Their damn pride is all it is. But I can see great understanding between these two friends, and that made me see Jaime Lannister differently. I had not yet decided in what way I regarded him different to any of our other guests, but different all the same.

Addam made his way out then, giving me a reassuring nod as he moved to close the doors, and I could just catch a glimpse of the suspicious look he gave to his good friend, or to be precise, the back of his good friend's golden head.

I found myself for the second time in only a few moments to be again standing in the middle of the library, staring at Jaime Lannister. Noticeably with less shock, but still obviously staring. He gave a shy smile as he took some steps closer, not directly towards me but around me with a furrowed look on his face, as if he was starting to circle me.

"I...I hope I am not causing my Lady any disturbance." I shook my head quickly at his comment and only stopped shaking so furiously when his lips curled upward once he had understood me. Now that he stood closer and we were openly engaged in some sort of interaction with one another I could freely regard his features to my analytic eye. Reina and Elaine said they found him very handsome, and I could not say otherwise. His features were sharp and glorious, and even if one chose not to dismiss what may be viewed as flaws like his darkened hair and golden hand -he was still a sight I know I have not seen.

I moved silently across to grab hold of one of the chairs, giving my back to him as I considered the books I had left on the table as I tried to go about my usual business with the knowledge that the golden knight was probably watching me like a hawk. Why else would he offer to stay?

I sat down as soon as I absently chose what to pretend to read and I could not miss the silence that followed after his footsteps ceased. Was he still watching me? Am I some sort of creature to observe? At that thought I straightened my back; I will not be daunted by anyone.

But Jaime Lannister did not daunt me, strangely so, and still while pretending to read words that at this moment do not mean anything to me, I could not understand why. Perhaps it was the sort of pleading anticipation he met me with, like he was searching for approval. His strength, technique and ruthlessness has been legendary especially in the West, so why do I see nothing but vulnerability?

Should I do something? Should I perhaps suggest a volume? Should I end the needless tension and offer him another friendship with another Marbrand? Or should I just let him continue staring at the back of my head until he realises how silly everything is?

Jaime

What am I doing here? He thought to himself furiously as he continued staring at the back of Lorraine's head, I don't even like books. He was at an impasse. It was silly of him to ask to stay, as he himself had now forgotten his reason behind doing so, but he couldn't just leave now. He didn't even know whether he wants to make any contact with her or not, but he could not just stand there staring at her like that. His eyes wandered the room in an attempt to relieve her head of his heated stare and as he traced the room with his eyes he felt her presence in every corner. He could see her dainty fingers picking out volumes from the shelves or slouched in a corner reading something, in silence. Unlike the silence he was faced with now, he knew that this silence was slow and calm, as apposed to one awaiting for the other to breathe. It was not a particularly fun game they were playing, seeing who would break.

Jaime found it comical for a moment as he considered being in this very room with Lorraine Marbrand, the little mute. He had always been one for few words, or more accurately, prone to say the wrong things. Everyone thought so. He knew he spoke the truth, it may have been too crude for people to accept, but he rarely lied. It never pleased anyone, it didn't please Eddard Stark, King Robert always hated it, his father always looked down on him for it, even Cersei abhorred it, she called it insensitive. It was almost funny for Jaime to think of that, now that he was standing here walking on eggshells around someone he barely knew.

He saw her shift suddenly, and before he had known it she was standing up and facing him again, holding the book she was previously scanning close to her chest. He took her in once again, her dress was looser than the one she had worn for dinner the previous night -it was a deep red, the sleeves went all the way down to her wrist and were slightly puffed, the waist line still pinched her figure but there was no overlying bodice or ample cleavage, her dress was plain and pretty, like he had initially assumed her to be. He could not help but also notice that the smile she wore on her face now was shier than he had seen it before, and it was good to know then that she may have been as flustered as him.

"Do you come here often, my Lady?" he heard himself say, being polite sounded strained coming from him, but still sincere. Once again Lorraine nodded enthusiastically as her smile relaxed. Left in silence again he decided to start once more and gestured to the book she was cradling,

"Bored already?" I can only ask so many questions.

What caught him off guard was how her nose suddenly scrunched up and she quickly covered her mouth with her free hand as something akin to a snort and giggle escaped her. And though he was completely taken off guard by it, he felt his own mouth widen in response as he enjoyed the remnants of that brief sound of happiness. Once she had regained her composure she looked at him with a wide smile, unassuming and pleased, and Jaime could do nothing but look back at her.

He found her mesmerising at that moment, what beauty he had called simple but a night ago he now found radiated from her with such strength. She's different when she's like this. Or perhaps she's just different. He could still not understand it, but he wanted more out of whatever this interaction was, he wanted to learn what she was and how she did things, he wanted to make her laugh again. And before he could think of anything witty to say to extract another reaction out of her, he found himself to be the one frozen into place as she approached him on the other side of the library where he was standing and extended her arm towards him. His eyes were wide with surprise, as she continued to extend it further towards him with slight hesitation in the direction of his shoulder, his mind raced to what she was trying to reach and what her motivations were -and for a foolish moment he thought she might be making some sort of advance towards him.

All his thoughts of that sort were expelled as her hand went past his shoulder and landed on the wall behind him, and he looked back to find her index finger, her dainty little finger, resting on a map of Westeros, on a place he had almost forgotten had ever existed to him, Casterly Rock.

He gulped silently and turned back, meeting her curious gaze and swiftly removing himself from standing in between her and the immovable map. She pressed her gentle finger onto the same spot again as she narrowed her gaze at Jaime, and then spread both her arms to sort of motion at the whole library, and looked back at Jaime once more, his mind coming to some sort of a conclusion to her question,

"Does my Lady wish to inquire about the library at Casterly Rock?" he said with a tinge of hope in his voice that he may be correct, and once again the smile that graced her features was a sight that warmed him. He grinned in response, swimming in the depth of relief in her eyes.

"Well...i'm sorry to say it's bigger than this one. But i'm sure it's far dustier as well." and all she did was smile at him, her gaze not wavering. And for the first time Jaime found himself incapable of staring back, flustered by her outrightness and surprisingly close proximity. She stood facing him slightly to the side, and as he was far taller than her he towered over her, coincidentally perfectly positioned to be awarded with the sight of her ample bosom, her eyes were wide as they looked up at him, lacking something he could not immediately think of.

Maliciousness, scheming, dishonesty. That's what they lacked. Because to Jaime that was something he had grown accustomed to seeing whenever he ventured to gaze into the ones he cared for. For once what I gaze at does not hold such hatred, for the kingdom, the gods, the people, or me. She stands before me and she is beautiful and alive and lovely. She is open and she laughs. So different, so unlike... He had to stop himself from thinking, so unlike Cersei in every way.

Immediately his chest constricted and he could feel a sweat breaking at his brow as he struggled to push out the bubbling images of beautiful golden hair turned to ash. Lorraine's face directly correlated to his as confusion etched in her brow,

"My Lady will forgive me, I must be going. It was a pleasure to share your company." He said hurriedly as he struggled to form enough steps to escape her presence.

He did not even spare a glance as he pushed open the doors and paced out with no direction in his claustrophobic haze. He had to get far away from Lorraine, he needed to think. I can not think with her eyes staring at me that way, why am I being so foolish? Gods be damned, I am a man grown, a knight of the highest order, a bloody Lannister. I will not be shaken. Not by a fair maiden or my treacherous sister.

He approached a set of downward stairs soon and trusted them to take him farther away to a place that can provide little more in the way of solitude, and he found it had let him to the gardens beneath the castle grounds. He walks, partially resting his shoulder on the bushes, his mind numb and clear as he walked deeper and deeper through the gardens heading to mind to how he'd even begin to find his way out. He thought of Brienne then, for some strange reason, she would tell him he was being a little girl right about now. Suddenly paranoid that the old wench would appear out of thin air he could not rule it as part of his imagination that he heard a sudden noise come from the other side of the bush, and moving forward to see what it was he was met face to face with the eldest Marbrand yet again.

Janyne

She needed some respite from her children, they had been grating at her nerves all morning and Reina and Elaine had been all too happy to watch the litter as she took a well deserve stroll. Coincidentally, she found herself face to face with a very bewildered looking Jaime Lannister.

"Lost, Lannister?" And though he seemed slightly troubled he took no time to reply to her quip as he carried the weight of his facade to cover his surprise,

"Merely taking a stroll, Lady Serrett." She winced at the formal name, Lady Serrett.

"You needn't be so formal, Janyne is fine."

"How kind of you, Janyne" his grin weakened at she did not even know why he was even trying to act jovial. Taking initiative with the lion she linked her arm in his and placed her hand over his in a maternal fashion,

"Addam told me he would be taking you on a tour this morning, has he left you to fend for yourself?"

"On the contrary, he offered to walk me back." there was a pause as if he was going to continue but decided not to. Again, Janyne poked further,

"Back from where, might I ask? You certainly are a far way away from the guest wing."

"I ..was in the library. With your sister." She immediately recognised that he must have been talking about Lorraine. After he had left dinner the previous night she had scolded Addam privately for being remiss in terms of offering information to the Lannister knight, and he had assured her he would fix the situation the following morning. So Janyne knew that the Jaime Lannister she was walking with knew of her sister and her slight "limitation", what was so troubling?

Janyne ventured to feel partially offended for a moment. She had always been as fiercely protective of Lorraine as Addam had been since their youth and she could not say she has not overheard malicious things said of her lovely little sister. Some people said she was trying to get attention, some said she was strange, some even said she must be avoiding marriage with that stunt, and others -worst of all, pitied her. "Poor thing, that Lorraine."
Lorraine Marbrand, her Lorraine, was the strongest person she knew. Janyne not only loved but admired her greatly, her heart was her own. She has seen all kinds of reactions towards her sister but Jaime Lannister's reaction she did not know what to make of. It's as if he's seen some kind of a ghost. Her sister was nothing frightening, not was she cruel or bad or evil. Her sister was a nice, plain, simple and happy girl. Sensing that Jaime would not answer any direct questions regarding the matter, she took matters into her own hands -the way she had had to learn at Silverhill.

"Did you know she was named after Ser Lorent Marbrand?"

"Who?"

"Lorraine. When our mother was with child everyone thought it'd be a boy. Even I did, we just all had a feeling. We decided on Lorent, it's beautiful name. And to our surprise it was a little girl, and Addam insister we call her Lorraine. He had always loved stories of Ser Lorent, a stamp in Marbrand history, fought gracefully and rightfully, they said."

"Yes, he served the Kingsguard well."

"And the Queensguard."

He smiled at that,

"Yes, that's true. It's a good namesake."

"Yes, yes. Tell me, Ser, does my sister strike you as formidable? You would be the expert."

"Formidable? My Lady, I would not venture to think so."

"Then what would you say she was?"

"She's ...nice, my lady."

She sighed heavily at that. Yes, Lorraine is very nice.

"I only ask this, Ser, because I have noted that her previous actions may have been something you had taken offence to. I do not know how much you know of my sist-"

"Addam told me everything." He did not venture to look at Janyne, just continued looking straight ahead as she slowly lead them back towards a familiar court of the castle.

"Does that, trouble you in some way, Ser?"

"Do I seem awfully troubled, to you?" She took a moment to look down and consider how she would answer. She did not want to offend her house guest. Regardless of how outright he already thought she was.

"It just appears to me, Ser, that perhaps you find something about the way Lorraine is abnormal." She almost laughed then.

And apparently she did. Her laughter bubbled through and died down immediately as she composed herself as Jaime looked half shocked and half smirking.

"My lady?"

"I'll never get used to saying that. Meeting new people always has me walking on eggshells when it comes to her. I love her dearly, and there is nothing about her that is monstrous or freakish or abnormal. She just ...doesn't speak."

"I know that, my Lady."

"Do you, Ser? You look a little shaken."

"And you do me the displeasure of assuming it must have had something to do with your sister. I would ask you to refrain from telling Addam, I don't assume it would do my reputation much good." The air was easier now, their steps lighter, and Janyne had almost forgotten what had made her question Jaime Lannister so.

"I apologise, Ser. You must understand, I am very fond of my sister."

"I understand very well." And suddenly, once again, the air was heavy as she watched Jaime's mind wander to something that was obviously not there. And she let him be, she would wait until he spoke.

That proved to take a while, as they had almost reached the upward stairs leading to the main grounds, when he said,

"I don't know how to speak to her." She was almost bewildered at his sudden statement, widening her eyes in pleading question until she had finally settled on what he had meant. He wants to speak to her.

"You'll find, Ser Jaime, with Lorraine you do not always have to speak. Words are not always such a necessity with her. I hope that helps."

"It does my Lady, forgive me for asking."

"Janyne." He smiled sweetly at that.

"Janyne."

"I must be going now, the children grow restless at this time of day. I expect to see you prim and proper at dinner tonight?"

"As you wish, Janyne." He said pointedly and she chuckled as she unlinked their arms and walked away, turning back swiftly to add one more thing,

"Oh and Ser Jaime?"

"Yes?"

"I do hope you stay longer after dinner this time." And with a simultaneous smirk from both parties, she exited the courtyard and left Jaime to his own devices.

I hope he does well.