She decided to go see Jon before she slept, wanting to keep him company as he wasn't allowed to the feast. Sometimes she really wanted to slap Lady Stark, slap some damn sense into the woman.
"I wonder who has offended you so to give you that expression" A voice announced, as she was about to walk outside.
She looked around her to see a small man approaching. She guessed it was Tyrion Lannister, the Queen's other brother.
"I don't believe it to be any of your business" Keaira replied, rather boldly.
"I suppose not. Are you going out? I think you may catch a chill if you do" Tyrion informed her, finding her fierceness refreshing.
"I am used to this weather, thank you" Keaira stated.
"Going to keep the bastard company?" Tyrion suggested, as Keaira passed him.
"What has he done to make you so rude to him?" Keaira accused.
"I'm afraid you have taken my comment as rudeness, when it was meant to be only an observation" Tyrion explained.
"You should treat him with more respect" Keaira insisted.
"My apologizes, I didn't realise you were so protective of him" Tyrion said, a small smirk on his face.
"I…I'm not, I just…It's not nice, that's all" Keaira stuttered.
"Don't worry, my lips are sealed" Tyrion smiled at her, as Keaira began to walk away.
"He shouldn't be ashamed of being a bastard. He seems a rather honourable man. A quality not many have" Tyrion called after her, as she turned around.
"Thank you, My Lord" Keaira stated, knowing it was him trying to apologize.
"Please, call me Tyrion" He told her, holding out his hand to take hers.
She gave him her hand, as he kissed it gently, a small smirk on her face.
"You and your brother may not have much in common, but you do have that" She informed him, knowing that he must often be annoyed by people comparing his flaws to his brother's.
"Jaime kissed your hand? How strange" Tyrion frowned, walking away.
Keaira was about to call after him, wondering what he meant, but decided against it. It's not as if it mattered. She soon found Jon, angrily hitting a dummy with a large sword.
"What's got your knickers in a twist?" Keaira inquired, approaching him.
"I had a talk with the Imp" Jon told her, in between blows.
"Hm, so did I. I have to admit though, he seems much nicer than his sister" Keaira stated.
"How's the feast?" Jon inquired.
"Eventful. It sounds like Robb and I will be married within a year" Keaira informed him, as Jon missed his target, practically dropping his sword.
"What?" He questioned.
"Cersei Lannister was very persuasive. I think it's all because she wants to make sure her precious son doesn't have to marry me" Keaira explained.
"Right…" Jon trailed off, now having stopped what he was doing.
He had a strange sullen look on his face, and ridiculously slumped shoulders. She wanted to think that perhaps it was because of her engagement to Robb, but she knew that was just fanciful thinking.
"Hey, look on the bright side. At least it would mean I would stay in the North" She stated, nudging Jon.
"That would be good" He smiled at her.
"I heard Benjen's about. I hope I see him before he goes" Keaira exclaimed.
In a way she felt like Benjen was her father figure, and not a bad one at that. He always came to see her whenever he left the Wall, he seemed to feel the protectiveness over her that a Father would have.
"He'll be happy to see you. I talked to him about joining the Night's Watch. I think soon I might finally be able to go" Jon announced.
"Oh…so you'll be leaving?" Keaira asked.
One of the reasons that she had been happy to stay in the North, was because she had hoped Jon would stay at Winterfell. It seemed like a fine idea at the time, but knowing that he would soon go to the Night's Watch upset her now.
"I have to do this" He insisted.
"I suppose it wouldn't be long before I'd join you" She shrugged.
"Are you sure that would still happen? Seeing as you'd be Robb's wife" Jon suggested, as Keaira decided to make a bold move.
"Careful Snow, I might think you were jealous" Keaira grinned.
"I…what? No, that's…I was only pointing it out" Jon stuttered.
"Jaime Lannister danced with me at the feast" Keaira informed him.
"He, what? Why?" Jon asked, most certainly seeming jealous, to Keaira's delight.
"I don't know if you've noticed, but I am quite the catch" Keaira grinned.
"Jaime Lannister is a dangerous man" Jon warned her.
"Then it's a good thing I only have eyes for one man" Keaira replied, as Jon frowned at her.
"…Oh, and that's Robb, obviously" Keaira said, somewhat awkwardly.
"I know you don't love him. But he would make a good husband" Jon insisted.
"I know…it's just…I was hoping…someday…" Keaira trailed off, not having the guts to tell him.
"What?" Jon questioned.
"Oh, nothing. Never mind. You should go inside soon. You'll catch a cold out here" She told him.
"I'm fine" Jon shook his head, but Keaira could see he had begun to shiver.
"I mean really, you should escort me to my chambers. Who knows who'll try to intercept me on the way?" Keaira went on, dramatically.
"Alright then, come on" Jon exclaimed, packing away his sword.
"Did you really dance with Jaime Lannister?" Jon inquired, a moment later.
"Yes, but I would have much rather danced with you" She grinned at him, as he gave her a small smile back.
When Keaira heard of Bran's accident she was completely heartbroken. She had come to see him as family, and he was far too young to have such a terrible thing happen to him. Far too young to die. The Maester had informed them that there was strong hope that Bran would live, however he would most certainly never walk again. Seeing what an energetic boy he was, Keaira knew even if he did wake, he would be crushed. She was in the hall, playing with her food, when a familiar small man approached her, sitting opposite.
"My condolences, My Lady" Tyrion told her.
"He is not of my blood" Keaira shrugged.
"But you still see him as family. My brother and I may clash often, but I know how heartbroken I would be if he were to die" Tyrion admitted.
"He's not going to die" Keaira shook her head.
"Of course, I heard the Maester said he will live" Tyrion nodded.
"But he might not ever wake up…" Keaira trailed off.
"You mustn't think like that. The child is strong. He will continue to fight" Tyrion insisted.
"I saw you slapping the Prince earlier. It was quite the spectacle" Keaira stated, changing the subject.
"The little shit often gets on my nerves, sometimes I cannot contain myself" Tyrion confessed.
"I must admit I have never heard someone call Joffrey 'the little shit'. I think it is a rather good fit" Keaira grinned.
"I'm glad you agree" Tyrion smiled back at her, standing up.
"I hear you are leaving to go to the Wall" Keaira called after him.
"There has been a slight change of plans, I will be staying with my family on the road to Kings Landing" Tyrion replied.
"Oh, why?" Keaira couldn't help but ask.
"We received a letter from my father, stating that he wanted the whole family together and for me not to go off on a 'fool's errand'" Tyrion admitted.
"Oh…that's rather harsh" Keaira stated.
"That's my father in a nutshell…were you hoping I would be able to look out for Snow while I was there?" Tyrion smirked.
"The thought had crossed my mind" Keaira confessed.
"Fear not, I will find a way to visit the Wall soon, whether my father likes it or not" he exclaimed.
"Thank you" Keaira said, gratefully, as Tyrion nodded, departing.
Keaira decided later that morning to go looking for the boy she was so worried about, knowing he was leaving soon. She was surprised when she saw Jaime Lannister approaching him, and stayed back to listen to the conversation. She had overheard people saying that it was the Lannister who had found Bran which was undeniably suspicious. Keaira had thought for a moment that he had played a part in what had happened, but she decided against the thought. It made no sense that he would incriminate himself for no reason.
"A sword for the wall?" Jaime inquired, indicating to the skinny sword that was being made.
"I already have one" Jon replied, ushering to his side.
"Good man. Have you swung it yet?" Jaime queried.
"Of course I have" Jon frowned.
"At someone, I mean. It's a strange thing, the first time you cut a man. You realize we're nothing but sacks of meat and blood and some bone to keep it all standing. Let me thank you ahead of time for guarding us all from the perils beyond the Wall...Wildlings and White Walkers and whatnot. We're grateful to have good, strong men like you protecting us" Jaime said, as he grabbed Jon's hand, his grip hard as Jon gulped.
He then patted him on the shoulder condescendingly and walked away, a smirk on his face.
"We've guarded the kingdoms for 8,000 years" Jon retorted, surprising Jaime by his defiance.
"Is it "we" already? Have you taken your vows then?" Jaime inquired.
"Soon enough" Jon insisted, bravely.
"Give my regards to the Night's Watch. I'm sure it will be thrilling to serve in such an elite force. And if not? It's only for life" Jaime smirked.
At this Keaira decided she wouldn't stand for it, he was being cruel to Jon for no reason at all.
"Pay no mind to him Jon. You're doing an honourable thing" Keaira stated, loud enough for Jaime to hear.
"And that's something I'd know nothing about I suppose?" Jaime queried, as Keaira shrugged dismissively.
"What's the difference between the Night's Watch and the Kingsguard? You all swear to take no wife, sire no children. You don't seem to be particularly different types of people either" Keaira went on.
"Keaira…" Jon warned her quietly, worried she was about to get herself in trouble.
"I'm just trying to bestow some wisdom on the boy…seeing as we're so alike" Jaime retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"Thank you, Ser Jaime" Jon cut in, before Keaira could say anything else.
"A pleasure as always, my lady" Jaime said, with a bow, his eyes never leaving Keaira's.
Keaira felt herself flush lightly, under his intense gaze, irritated that he could get such a reaction out of her from a simple look. As Jaime took leave, Jon couldn't help but feel jealous, sensing that there was something going on between the two.
"Ass" Jon whispered, once Jaime had walked away, making Keaira giggle loudly.
"That he is" Keaira stated, as she leaned in and gave Jon a quick kiss on the cheek.
It was Jon's turn to flush this time, as Keaira pulled away with a shy smile on her face.
"What was that for?" Jon queried.
"For looking out for me" Keaira replied.
Jaime had watched this interaction from across the courtyard, surprised to find himself feeling somewhat jealous. He had only approached the bastard after hearing some servants talking about Keaira's affections towards him and it was clearly true. He had even stayed with the boy who he had pushed and called for help because of her. It was those damn eyes, he couldn't get them out of his head when he was going to leave. For the first time in a long time, he had actually felt guilt. With a shake of his head, he left, decided to think nothing more of it.
Author's Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I've changed the storyline a little bit and have had Tyrion stay with them for a bit longer, as I can imagine Tywin having something to say about him going off to the wall. I think he will certainly make their journey much more interesting. Please leave a review:)
Bella-swan11: I'm glad you seem to get where I'm going with this story, and seem to like all the relationships so far:) Jon and Keaira definitely need to man up and tell each other how they feel before it's too late. And it will be interesting to see how Jaime's relationship develops with her. Thanks for the review!
Padfootette: Thank you so much:)