What Is Right, Is Never Easy
Cersei II
Jaime swung his sword in a horizontal arc. The air whistled as the blade passed through it, and for a moment there was quiet.
A loud clang erupted as Rohanne grunted and parried. She leapt backwards with bent knees and twisted, shooting forwards with a ferocious stab that Jaime deflected with ease. He returned with another attack, and once again she deflected. She threw a strange defence, catching his next downward thrust by holding the handle while her other hand braced the flat of the blade near the point.
Jaime shook his head.
"I told you not to use that move."
Rohanne frowned as she panted, leaping forward with another attack.
"Why change what works?" She said, chin jutting out in determination as she slashed upwards.
Jaime dodged swiftly out of the way and twirled his sword around hers before flicking roughly to the side. Rohanne gasped in outrage as his sword was wrenched from her grasp, landing with a crash on the stone floor and colliding into one of the pillars.
She wheezed for breath as he held his sword to her throat for a moment before backing off.
"That's the point, princess." He said mockingly. "It doesn't work with anyone unless they are weaker than you or going easy, like me. If you do that with someone stronger, like any man for example, one of your arms will give under the pressure and his blade will slide, fast, towards that end of the blade. And do you know what that means?"
Rohanne huffed and looked away.
"You'll end up losing some of those fingers. Do not let me catch you doing it again, do you understand?"
She sighed but nodded. "Yes, uncle."
Jaime nodded. "Good. Now go and get washed up. You're expected at dinner tonight - your mother will kill you if you come covered in sweat and wearing breeches."
Rohanne laughed, running a hand through her sweaty hair and tucking a tendril behind her ear. The wind was light, cold but not enough to cool them down.
"Alright, uncle. Will I see you there? Mother says uncle Tyrion will be attending." She said, smiling as she bounced on her toes.
Jaime gave her a wan smile. "We'll see. Run along now, princess."
She nodded and waved goodbye as she left the small outdoor courtyard, leaving her uncle alone. Or so she thought.
Cersei watched as Jaime walked over to the abandoned practice sword and picked it up, sheathing it again.
"She's quite good." Cersei said quietly. She knew he could hear her.
Jaime froze for a moment before turning to look at her.
"I wondered if you would show yourself, sister. What can I do for you?" Jaime said, walking over to the weapons rack and replacing the sword.
"I told you to stop teaching her."
Jaime turned to face her, a false smile on his face.
"I believe I told you before I first started teaching her that I would do it even if Robert forbade it. I misspoke; I meant whoever forbade it. My apologies for the confusion, sweet sister." Jaime said, his deliberately flippant tone causing her nostrils to flare.
"Don't be absurd, brother. It was fine when she was a child, galivanting around with swords and bows but it has gone on far too long. She is a woman now with duties and responsibilities. Soon she will marry and do you truly believe any noble family will tolerate a princess who larks around with weapons like a beardless boy?"
"The Dornish probably would."
"Enough with your jokes, Jaime. Stop indulging her." Cersei said, crossing her arms and standing straight.
Jaime walked closer to her. "You agreed with me, Cersei. I asked if you would let me protect her, let me help her learn to protect herself – and you said yes."
Cersei shook her head, pulling away when he tried to wrap her in his arms.
"Not here."
"Why not here? We're completely alone."
"Anyone could walk in Jaime!" She complained, trying not to react as he began kissing her neck.
"No one ever come here except myself and Rohanne – and I fully expect she's too busy trying to make herself presentable for you to bother doing so. Relax, sister." He said coaxingly.
Cersei groaned before easing back into his chest, closing her eyes for a moment.
"I do not care what I said all those years ago. You need to stop it now."
"No." He punctuated the word with another kiss just below her ear. "I don't think I will."
"She's my daughter, Jaime. You'll do as I say."
She felt his hold on her freeze just before he released her completely.
"That's not what you said before." He said, his voice nearly a whisper.
"Be realistic, brother."
"You don't let me near any of them anymore." He muttered, an ugly twist on his mouth.
"It's too dangerous!" She replied. Surely, he must realise that!
"They're my children Cersei! I rarely get to see Myrcella and Tommen barely knows me!" He shouted before she hit him hard across the face.
"Be quiet! Are you trying to get us all killed!" She hissed, glancing quickly to the closed door. She prayed no one had heard them.
"They are Robert's children, Jaime. They must be, to keep them and to keep us safe! It escapes me how you don't understand that!" She said, seeing the almost devastated expression on his face but refusing to care.
Her children were more important.
She took advantage of his silence to lay a hand on his chest.
"I am sorry Jaime. But if you hold any love at all for me and the children, you'll stop Rohanne's lessons and stay away from them."
She wrapped her shawl around her tightly and left him standing alone in the small courtyard as the rain began to fall.
Cersei had time to change into a different gown before dinner. It was Lannister red with shimmering sleeves of Pentoshi silk chiffon. Embroidered around her waist in marginally darker crimson thread were numerous tiny rampant lions; while the skirt flared over her hips and fell elegantly to the floor, edged with fine Myrish lace. It could be considered a daring option, yet Cersei was nothing if not daring. The only thing she had to fear from her husband had nothing to do with a dress.
It also had the added benefit of being Jaime's favourite on her. She knew that this dress accentuated her breasts and her hips, as well as teasing her shapely arms. She had meant every word she said earlier, of course, but she regretted hurting him. He would allow her to make it up to him.
She dismissed her maid and began walking down to the dining room.
There would be herself and the children in attendance, of course, along with her imp of a little brother Tyrion. Why anyone had felt the need to drag him from the Rock was beyond her – father should have kept him there, out of the sight of decent people. Robert was supposed to attend as well but there was half a chance that he just wouldn't appear. She wasn't opposed if he chose to do this tonight.
Jon Arryn and his deranged wife would be there too, along with their lackwit son. If Cersei was lucky the boy would be too 'ill'' to attend and Lysa Tully wouldn't come either. The demented raving of a lunatic was beyond what she wished to deal with tonight.
Jaime should be there too, but that was also a matter of whether Robert came. If he was there, Jaime would have to stand on guard at the side of the room or outside. If Robert remained enthralled by his whores, Jaime would get to eat with them.
Ser Boros stood at attention outside the dining room and greeted her respectfully. Clearly her eldest son was already in attendance, since Ser Boros had been the one to accompany him today. Joffrey had little tolerance for the guards, but she had managed to convince him to have them. He was the future king after all, he could hardly be left unguarded.
She was about to enter when conversation from inside made her pause.
"Please, leave him alone, Joff." Rohanne said, her voice muffled through the door.
"What was that? I can't hear you over the sound of this one snivelling." Joffrey replied, and Cersei would suddenly hear quiet sobs which could only be coming from Tommen.
"Please leave him, Joffrey. He didn't mean it." Myrcella's sweet voice piped up.
"I don't care if he meant it – the little fool spilled water on me!"
"It's just water and he's only seven. You're almost a man grown Joff, it's not at all a fair fight." Rohanne said, her tone placating. But there was a tinge of sarcasm there too and Joffrey picked up on it immediately.
"Do you want to show me a fair fight then, sister? Please." Joffrey said, a loud bang following. "I'd get my sword and you'd run off bleating to uncle Jaime or father like the cow you are."
"Sheep bleat, brother, not cows. Don't you know that?"
"Shut up!"
The loud crack of skin against skin followed and Cersei could hear Myrcella gasping as Tommen began to cry louder. She was sure Joff had just hit Rohanne but she found herself unable to move.
She remembered what Jaime said about bruises on cheekbones and brushed her fingers across her own cheek. But Joffrey was to be king. What kind of future king was disciplined by his mother?
Cersei loved all her children dearly, but Joffrey was the heir, the crown prince. Kings were not lesser men to be reprimanded and forced to obey. She couldn't.
Rohanne would have to learn the same lesson. Joffrey was her future king, not just her brother. She shouldn't talk back to him in that manner and while Cersei would prefer that she wasn't hurt, perhaps it would take this to settle things back into the proper rhythm.
She gave them a few more minutes before she went to enter.
"Good evening, your grace." A voice from behind her said.
She turned to meet Jon Arryn and his wife, although thankfully there didn't seem to be any sign of their ailing wretch. A gracious smile appeared on her face.
"Good evening Lord Arryn, Lady Arryn. Might I ask how young Robert is?"
Jon Arryn tightened his hold on his wife's arm as she went to speak and returned Cersei's smile with one of his own.
"We appreciate your concern, your grace. I'm afraid Robert has been rather poorly today, we left him in the safe hands of the maester. I apologise for his absence tonight."
"Nonsense, Lord Arryn. The wellbeing of our children is the utmost priority. Might I extend my wishes for his speedy recovery?"
"We are grateful for them, your grace." Jon said.
Cersei inclined her head to the door gracefully. "Shall we enter, my lord?"
"Let us, your grace."
Ser Boros opened the door and all three entered.
Joffrey was sitting to the right of the head of the table, sprawled out lazily but tense in his chair like a lion poised to attack. His long legs crossed at the ankles and he was glaring violently at his younger sister who sat diagonally opposite from him, one seat down from where Cersei herself would sit. Rohanne met Joffrey's stare head on while maintaining a conversation with Tommen, who was sitting next to her with a small toy in his hands. There was a familiar glint in her eyes, one known to Cersei because she was used to seeing in her own reflection – it promised retribution. Myrcella was sitting on the same side of the table as Joffrey with one seat between them. Of the four, she seemed to the most uncomfortable, looking from Rohanne to Joffrey and back again, as if waiting.
Whatever might have happened didn't, for as Cersei and the other guests entered her three eldest children stood up with pleasant, vacant smiles on their faces. Tommen followed their lead after a moment and small prompting by his sister.
"Mother! How lovely to see you!" Joffrey called out, gesturing to the empty table. "We were wondering if you were going to come!"
Joffrey was wearing a maroon doublet over a dark tunic, lined with golden strips of silk. He wore his sword belt, but Cersei could see that the sword and scabbard itself was missing. At least he hadn't forgotten his manners completely.
Cersei smiled briefly. "I wouldn't think of missing dinner, Joffrey."
"Some of us need to miss it, I think." Joffrey said, looking pointedly towards Rohanne with his eyes.
She ignored him, curtseying politely.
"Mother, Lord Arryn, Lady Arryn. It is a pleasure to see you all again." She finished with a sweet smile.
She was wearing a deep green gown, a muted contrast to Cersei's own vibrant choice. It was lined with dark Myrish lace and embroidered with different flowers from the bust to the bottom of the skirt, but lacked any other intricacies. Her hair was tied up in common southern style with a matching ribbon woven through it. Despite her activities earlier in the day, she would do for dinner.
Cersei could not see any sort of mark on her skin, but she wasn't facing her directly.
Jon bowed in response. "Princess, it is a delight to see you as well. Thank you for your and your siblings' kind welcome."
They all settled comfortably into their seats and were soon joined by Tyrion who jumped immediately into the seat between Joffrey and Myrcella that no one else seemed to want. He dispensed the usual pleasantries to the Hand and his wife before returning to his family.
"Hello, my darling nieces and nephews. I trust you have been well since last we spoke?"
He received a smile from them all except Joffrey, who scoffed instead and sipped at his wine which one of the maids had just brought in. Cersei held back a similar reaction – as much as she hated the little beast, her younger children seemed to have Jaime's bizarre liking for him.
"Oh yes, nuncle. I went to my garden today." Myrcella said, holding out to him a small tulip that she had taken from her hair. "This is for you."
She was wearing a fluffy pink dress, her favourite colour. Her long blonde hair flowed in gentle waves down her back while the front tresses were pinned up behind her head. It was this small strip of hair which had housed the flower.
"It's beautiful, Myrcella, thank you. Why don't you keep it safe for me until after dinner?" He asked and she did so with a giggle, tucking it back into her hair.
Tyrion then turned to where Tommen was smiling shying.
"Is that a new toy I see, Tommen? Might I have a closer look at it?" He said and the boy held it up.
Tyrion gasped in awe. "A fine thing. I should be rather jealous."
Tommen blushed and was about to speak when Joffrey interrupted.
"A fine toy for a baby." He said smugly. Tommen's small surge of confidence deflated again.
"A toy too young for some of us, perhaps, nephew. But Tommen is still young himself, let him enjoy it." Tyrion said.
Cersei spoke up. "Joff is right. Tommen is too old to be getting new toys. He is a prince and princes do not act like children."
Tommen deflate further but it was a harsh truth. He needed to stop clutching to toys and games.
"Yet he is still a child, dear sister." Tyrion said, ignoring the glare she sent him. "How are you, Rohanne? You seem to have an injury?"
Rohanne smiled civilly. Her head turned slightly and Cersei was at last able to see the viciously red and conspicuous handprint flared across her right cheek.
"Joffrey was swotting a fly, of all things, and happened to catch me. I was in the way, it wasn't his fault at all." She said, sarcasm dripping from every word. It was terribly reminiscent of Jaime and Cersei was reminded of all the time Rohanne spent with him.
"No, I hit you because you were being a cunt." Joffrey declared, his nose in the air.
"An accident, niece?" Tyrion asked simply.
"No, it was deliberate." Joffrey insisted, somehow avoiding Cersei who was trying to catch his eye.
"Naturally, uncle – my brother's aim is terrible. How is Casterly Rock?" Rohanne said mildly.
She flinched directly afterwards and Joffrey sat himself back up straight in his seat – but then he flinched as well and shot a look of pure poison at his sister. They had likely kicked each other under the table.
Cersei hated that her children fought so; yet what could she do?
Tyrion entertained the children for a time with stories of the Rock and their grandfather – how amusing that he could say anything nice about the man at all.
It was an open secret that Tyrion had less than warm feelings towards their father; and that the sentiment was returned. Cersei had little love for the man herself, but she understood his hatred of Tyrion. The little monster had ripped her mother to pieces and there he was swanning around, flaunting it in all their faces. It was revolting.
The conversation trailed off as Jaime entered with little fanfare and sat himself to the right of Myrcella.
"His grace sends his apologies, but he is unable to make dinner tonight." He said, gesturing to the maid to begin serving.
"Of course, Ser Jaime, we understand. His grace has many other duties to attend to." Jon Arryn said. The strange quirk of his lips showed that he knew exactly what Robert was up to.
Cersei was relieved. Any time away from that lumbering brute was time well spent, in her opinion. She would also get to have dinner with her twin, a rare occasion.
Idle chatter begun as the servants brought out the food onto the table. There was a pork joint basted in honey, surrounded by roasted sweet potatoes and vegetables. On another plate was salted salmon and herring drizzled with fresh lemon juice, another had a whole roasted chicken sprinkled with spices and dripping with fat. Such luxurious selection, only fitting for royalty.
Steam rose from the food as the smell permeated the room and soon the small talk ceased as everyone began to eat.
Dinner finished with few other interruptions, ignoring the odd outburst from Joffrey. The Arryns bade their farewells and Tyrion pleaded exhaustion after hugging the children, retrieving the flower from Myrcella.
Joffrey stormed out soon after and the maid came to take Tommen and Myrcella to their beds.
Jaime was waiting in the corner for her, his hands held behind his back. Rohanne took one last sip of water before she stood up.
"Rohanne, sweetling, come here." Cersei said while reaching her arms out.
Her daughter smiled softly and stood in front of her, wincing slightly when Cersei ran a gentle hand across the red mark on her skin. It was strange, she thought, that her fourteen-year-old daughter was the same height as she was – likely to grow taller. One of the only things she got from her father.
"I'm alright, please don't fuss." Rohanne said, but she didn't protest as Cersei cupped her other cheek and held her face softly.
"I am your mother; it is my right to worry." She ran a hand up through her dark hair before letting go and stepping back. "You need to mind your brother more, darling. You know he has a temper and when you fight with him you only encourage it."
Rohanne started to frown.
"He is the future king, your future king." Cersei said firmly. "You must remember that. He cannot have his sister undermining his authority."
Rohanne's brow furrowed. "That's just how Joff and I are-"
"Hush, now. Just say you agree."
"But mother, it isn't like that-"
"Rohanne." Cersei said, her eyes narrowing sharply.
Her daughter sighed and nodded again. "Alright mother."
"Good." Cersei leaned up and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I will meet you back in your chambers and we can discuss your dress for the tourney. Your uncle Jaime has something he needs to talk to you about."
Rohanne tilted her head in confusion and turned to her uncle. Jaime's face darken and Cersei knew that he was not pleased at her interference. Alas, she knew him far too well - had she left the matter up to him he would never have broached the topic.
It had to be done, for Rohanne's own good. The girl might not see it now, but her mother was looking out for her best interests, as always.
Later when Rohanne arrived back to her chamber with red eyes to match the slowly bruising handprint on her cheek, Cersei didn't comment.
They discussed dresses and all manner of other things, but Rohanne did not even pretend to be interested – the girl retired to bed early and Cersei did not fight it.
Sometimes what was best wasn't at all simple. But she would guard her children as much as they needed, and if that meant keeping Jaime away from them, so be it.
Cersei was a lioness and a lioness did whatever necessary to protect her cubs.
No matter what it takes.
A.N. The fourth and final prologue chapter. This one is a little bit shorter than the others but it's not any less important. The next update will be the first "proper" chapter of the story, from Rohanne's perspective at last. The main chapters are much longer than the prologues, so I think you'll all enjoy them. Thank you for all the reviews, and I'll see you next Friday!