She had found a good place to cry, that was at the back of the kitchens where no one usually ventured, and decided to go there just before she left. Instantly she burst into tears, she couldn't believe she was really having to leave her home, and that she might never see Jon again. She was managing to calm down her sobbing, when she heard someone approach her. A hankie was thrust near her face, which she gladly took, mopping away her tears. She looked back at who had handed it to her, finding it to be Jaime Lannister.
"I don't need your pity, Lannister" Keaira told him, as she saw he was surprised that she still did not call him Kingslayer.
"Why are you crying? Are you that upset at the Snow boy leaving?" Jaime asked.
"It looks like Bran will never wake up, I am being forced to leave the only home I've ever known, and going to the land of deceit and betrayal…and yes, I'm also having to leave most of my friends. Should I be happy about that?" Keaira questioned, standing up and squaring up to the older man.
"My apologises, My Lady. I have never been very good at being…" Jaime trailed off, trying to think of the right word.
"Kind?" Keaira inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"You wound my pride" Jaime mocked.
Keaira felt guilty all of a sudden, this man had done nothing to wrong her, why should she take her anger at the world out on him?
"I'm sorry, Ser. I don't mean to speak out of tone" Keaira apologised, as Jaime chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Keaira inquired.
"I think that's the first time someone's called me Ser in years" He confessed.
"I imagine there's probably a reason for that" Keaira told him.
"You're a rather feisty young lady, aren't you?" Jaime smirked, as a Lannister guard approached them from behind and informed them that they would be leaving soon.
"I will look forward to seeing you on the road, My Lady" Jaime towards her, before turning to leave.
Keaira watched with a frown as he walked away, for whatever reason there was something about the famous Kingslayer that intrigued her.
And so, their journey to King's Landing began. Keaira had never considered just how long it would take to get to the Capital, and she soon realised that she was not going to enjoy the trek. She was lucky enough to be given a horse to ride, which many of Ned's men did not receive. Of course, she didn't get a carriage like Sansa and Arya did, but at least it meant she didn't have to walk. She was grouped with the children mostly, which annoyed her to no end. It wasn't that she disliked spending time with Sansa and Arya, but she didn't feel like a child. She was almost sixteen. Nymeria seemed to sense this and went to sit with her as she watched the children play. She rubbed the direwolf's head, deciding that apart from Ghost, she was her favourite.
"I don't think you could look any more miserable if you tried" A voice announced behind her.
She turned to see Tyrion Lannister observing her, and for once they were at the same level as she was sitting down.
"I grow tired of watching the children play" Keaira admitted.
"Unless I am wrong, I believe Lady Sansa is only two years your junior" Tyrion stated.
"Almost three…and she's already getting tired of it" Keaira gestured to where Sansa was rolling her eyes, as she watched Arya getting her tunic dirty.
Nymeria had been watching the small man intently, her protective instincts kicking in, as Keaira was still unsure what to think of him. Nymeria began to give out a low growl, as Tyrion backed up a step.
"It's okay, Nymeria. He's not going to hurt anyone" Keaira assured her, as she rubbed her back.
"How could I…with these stumpy little hands?" Tyrion exclaimed, waving his arms around.
"You don't have to be physically strong to harm a person" Keaira retorted, as he nodded.
"I think you will do quite well in King's Landing" Tyrion smiled at her.
"I hope not…otherwise I'll never get away from there" Keaira answered, honestly.
"You've never even been" Tyrion stated, as he sat down next to her.
"I've heard what everyone's said. If I put one foot wrong I might end up murdered in the morning" She went on.
"I doubt Lord Stark…or this direwolf, would let anything happen to you" He suggested.
"Come children, it is time for us to continue" Jory called out to the group, as a few groans could be heard.
With that, Keaira and the Lannister stood up, as Nymeria bounded over to her partner.
"Would you ride beside me, my Lord? I think I need some adult company on this journey to stop myself from going mad" Keaira pleaded.
"…Well how could I refuse such an offer" Tyrion smiled at her, surprised.
Keaira seemed to notice this expression, as they began to walk after the children. Keaira had to walk a little slower than usual so Tyrion could keep up with her, but she didn't mind.
"You seem surprised anyone would wish to ride beside you" Keaira stated, a moment later.
"Despite my dashing good looks, I admit I do lack many offers" Tyrion laughed, as they arrived at their horses.
Keaira watched as Tyrion grabbed onto a branch beside him and heaved himself upwards so he could place one of his feet in this special saddle on his horse. He then managed to fluidly swing his other leg over, grinning at the look on Keaira's face.
"Shocking I know…a dwarf who can actually do things for himself" Tyrion exclaimed.
"No, it's not that…I'm finding it pretty hard getting on my own horse" Keaira sighed, revealing this as she tried and failed to jump onto the horse.
"Have you not spent much time around horses?" Tyrion queried.
"Honestly? No. I don't understand many girls fascination with them" Keaira admitted, as she attempted it again, almost reaching this time.
"Who picked out your horse?" Tyrion frowned.
"One of Lord Stark's men. He was very kind and offered it to me…he's over six foot" Keaira explained.
"Perhaps you should try my method" Tyrion shrugged, as she nodded.
She walked to horse over to the tree and positioned the horse in the correct place. She then went on her tiptoes and grabbed the brunch, her eyes widening when she suddenly heard a snap. A moment later she was flat on her back, as she let out a groan.
"Are you all right, my Lady?" Tyrion questioned, looking down at her.
"Excellent" She laughed, as she sat up.
Soon the pair had erupted in a fit of laughter, as Keaira could imagine the look on her face when she fell. They were still laughing as she picked herself up and dusted herself off. Meanwhile, Jaime had been watching this scene for a few minutes, after coming to search for his brother. A smile grew on his face as he watched his brother laugh so carefreely, as it had been a long time since he heard such a sound. Deciding to put the girl out of her misery, he approached the pair to offer his assistance.
"Would you like some help, my Lady?" Jaime offered.
"I am not a Lady, and I can manage myself" Keaira insisted, as Jaime put his hands up in mock surrender.
"You don't seem to have managed so far" Jaime joked, as Keaira glared at him.
"Well I haven't really been trying" Keaira suggested, as she turned to hike herself up.
"Of course…because what you have been doing is failing" Jaime replied.
"Your rather rude for a knight" Keaira accused, still not turning around to face him.
"Your rather stubborn for a small girl" Jaime retorted, as Tyrion watched them with amusement.
"Here…it will only take a moment" Jaime insisted, a moment later, as he stepped forward.
Before she could say another word, he had wrapped his arm around her waist, as his hand slipped on top of her hip. He then pushed her up, pushing her against him in the process, as she could now easily get a firm grip on the saddle. She threw her leg over the other side and manoeuvred onto the saddle, all while a blush had appeared on her face. She shook her head to rid the flush that was now cascading down her neck.
"…Thank you, Ser" She announced, in an embarrassed tone.
Jaime felt a grin begin on his face, not used to being given a respectable title. He also noticed for the first time the girl had the slightest accent to her voice, which some men would probably consider attractive. She then pulled on her horse's reins as they began to walk away. Tyrion pulled his horse over to his brother, being intrigued watching them.
"I think Lady Keaira will make this trip much more interesting" Tyrion grinned, as he began to wander after her.
Unbeknownst to them all, Jory had been watching them for the last minute, having gone back to find Keaira. He frowned as he saw the way the Lannister's were interacted with Keaira. He decided it did not sit right with him.
Author's Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! And so Jaime's relationship with Keaira will begin to grow. Please can I have some more reviews?:)
Padfootette: Aw, thank you so much:)