Part 5

"Brother," Renly Baratheon stated tensely.

King Robert concentrated on his wine goblet; he didn't bother to look at his younger brother. They were alone, so Robert didn't care how Renly addressed him. He heard enough "Your Grace this" and "Your Grace that" anyhow.

"I am not going to change my mind, Renly," he stated. "You will travel to North as soon as possible."

"Surely there would be someone more suitable, you know I haven't…"

"Our dear niece is getting married," Robert cut in, already bored with this conversation. "I want you to attend the wedding on behalf of our family."

Renly pressed his lips together, looking more and more displeased.

"May I ask why?"

"What do you mean why?" Robert snorted. "Stannis is our brother."

Renly hesitated, trying to find the right words. Robert could easily see what he was thinking. After giving Stannis' only daughter to a bastard, why would Robert want anyone in their family to attend the wedding? Well, he had his reasons and he didn't see fit to share them with his little brother. He was the king after all; he didn't have to explain himself to anyone.

"Everything has already been arranged," he huffed carelessly. "Kingslayer will accompany you."

"Jaime Lannister? Why?"

"He is an excellent swordsman; he will keep you safe during your journey. And he will represent his House at the wedding."

Not to mention sending him to the North would most certainly irritate Robert's beloved queen, but that was only one of the perks of this arrangement. Robert didn't like his wife's brother, he never had. Not that he was particularly fond of his wife either. There had been only one woman Robert had ever loved and she had been cruelly taken from him. The truth was that he would have given anything, including his throne, if he could have had his Lyanna back.

"I doubt that Stannis will be happy to see me," Renly stated.

Robert smiled; he found the whole thing amusing. Stannis was a good soldier, but he had never been fun company. And that wife of his… Lovely woman. Robert hadn't met their daughter, but he had heard about her scars. That was the reason why he hadn't given her to Ned's other sons. Two of them were too young anyway and of course he wouldn't have given her to Ned's heir.

His bastard son on the other hand… Robert was doing him and Ned a favor. Ned was one the most honorable men Robert had ever met and he had seen how guilty his friend had felt for betraying his wife. Now Ned wouldn't have to worry about his bastard's future anymore and Stannis would learn a valuable lesson.

"The girl… How old is she now?" Robert asked as the matter suddenly crossed his mind.

"If I am not mistaken, she will soon celebrate her 16th nameday," Renly replied.

"Hmm. Stannis should be grateful then. I doubt that there have been many suitors." He paused and glanced at his brother. "I have a very special wedding gift for them; I want you to deliver it."

Renly didn't seem pleased, but he nodded.

"Of course, brother."

Robert smiled and poured himself some more wine.

"Here's to the happy couple. Let us hope they will enjoy their marriage more than the rest of us."


"How long will you be away?" Cersei asked tensely.

Jaime shook his head.

"I don't know, the king didn't say."

Cersei gritted her teeth; there was no doubt that Robert had done this on purpose. Drunk bastard…

"You are a member of the Kingsguard…"

"Yes, and the king ordered me to protect his brother," Jaime sighed. "You know I have no choice but to obey."

Yes, Cersei knew that, but she was still furious. She needed Jaime here by her side. Unfortunately there was nothing she could do to stop him from leaving. If she would go to Robert and demand him to send someone else, he would laugh at her.

"I don't want you to go," she murmured.

"I don't want to go, but I have no choice." He paused and touched her cheek. "I will be back before you know it."

She knew that, but she couldn't understand why anyone needed to go to this wedding. Stannis Baratheon's ugly daughter would marry Ned Stark's bastard son. There was nothing important about either of them, why would anyone even care about their wedding? This was another one of Robert's ridiculous whims; he only wanted to make Cersei miserable.

He had succeeded, but she had no intention to show that to him. She would do what she always did, concentrate on her children. Her and Jaime's children. If only her husband would know… Cersei couldn't deny that she enjoyed imagining Robert's face if he would know the truth. She had sometimes fantasized about whispering those words in his ear when he would lie on his dead bed.

His children would never inherit the throne, he had no legitimate heir. She was nothing but glad that Jaime was the father of her children, Robert could keep his whores and his bastards. There was no better revenge than seeing Joffrey becoming the king after Robert would die. A perfect ending for their miserable travesty of a marriage. Cersei had no idea what she would have done without Jaime. He needed to come back to her.

"Take care of yourself," she said quietly.

Jaime smirked, looking as handsomely arrogant as ever.

"I always do."