"Finally decided to grace us your presense?" the cold female voice asked Vivian.
The young woman yelped in surprise as she jumped up from her seat. "Your majesty," she said as she gave the queen a deep curtsy. Dozens of thoughts bombarded her mind, but she forced herself to look calm. "If I had known you were coming I would have looked more presentable," she quickly added.
She had heard that the King's convoy was heading back to King's Landing, but she didn't realize that the news arrived nearly a month ago. Despite having not much to do, time had past quickly for Vivian. She spent a majority of her time by her mother's side. The older woman had been bed ridden nearly the moment they arrived at the palace. It made it impossible for Vivian to sneak back home.
Her father had visited her only once during the three months that the King was away. He was barely there a week before he suddenly became "ill" and retired back to her grandfather's home. Vivian suspected that he had gambled and whored the little money, that Jaime gave him, away.
Cersei gave her a small smile, but her eyes were coldly taking stock of the room and then Vivian herself.
Vivian was wearing simple clothes. It was clear that she had not expected company. Most of the nobles had retired to their prospective lands while the king was away. Vivian had no need to dress her best.
"Do you always dress like that?" Cersei asked, feigning concern.
Vivian frowned as she looked down at her clothes. "When I am alone, your majesty," she replied after a brief moment of silence.
Cersei shook her head. "That will not do," she said, clucking her tongue. "As you well know, my brother is extremely handsome. And he dresses well. His future wife should always look and dress her best. No matter if she is alone at home or in front of many guests. I will have my tailor sent to your quarters tomorrow. He will fit you with many nice clothes. I expect you to always look presentable."
"As you wish, your majesty." Vivian gave the queen another curtsy and plastered a fake smile on her face.
"I'm sure that you have already heard that Lord Eddard Stark is the King's Hand. And that Lady Sansa is betrothed to my son, Joffery," Cersei said as she walked over toward a window.
Vivian didn't respond as she watched the queen with curiosity.
"I have heard that you have spent a few summers with the Starks when you were younger, correct?" Although Cersei phrased it as a question, it was anything but.
Vivian nodded her head. "Yes," she said.
"I cannot make Sansa feel at home. As you have spent much time with her, then I expect that you can make her feel welcomed here?"
Vivian nodded her head. "Of course, your majesty," she replied.
"I'm sure that you are aware that she has never been to court. I do hope you will teach her well." Cersei didn't wait for Vivian to respond as she turned and headed toward the door. "Welcome back to court, Lady Vivian."
Vivian gave her a deep curtsy and didn't look up until after the queen left.
Sansa Stark sat on a bench in the garden. They had taken up residence in the guest wing of the palace. She was angry and hated everyone. Her father had killed her direwolf, and Joffery had fooled her. She had thought that he was a kind and very handsome prince. But his true colors were quick to show. He was a horrible and cowardly prince. She couldn't believe that she was going to marry him.
"Lady Sansa," Mordane said as she made her way over to her.
Sansa's scowl turned into a soft smile when she spotted the young woman next to Mordane.
"Vivian!" she called out as she stood up. Mordane gave her a disapproving look and she quickly corrected her speech. "I mean, welcome Lady Vivian," she said with a small curtsy.
Vivian returned her greeting. "I heard that you were here and I had to come see you," she said with a smile.
Sansa glared at Mordane. "You may go," she said, sharply.
The old woman forced a smile and nodded as she walked away.
"Sit," Sansa said as she motioned the seat next to her.
Vivian smiled as she sat. "How are you?" she asked.
Sansa sighed as she looked away. "You should know better than anyone else," she almost spat. "How can you stand it? Knowing that you're going to marry someone who is terrible?" Sansa couldn't help but go straight to the point. Even though it had been a few years since they had seen each other, she had a feeling that she could trust Vivian.
"You're not married yet, Sansa," Vivian said, trying to sound hopeful.
The young girl frowned as she looked up at her. "But I will be," she pointed out.
Vivian looked up. "Sometimes," she said very carefully. "Sometimes something happens that changes our future. How is your brother? I heard that…"
"Bran is still alive, but he's asleep," Sansa said softly.
Vivian slowly reached out then patted Sansa's hand. "I'm sure he'll be fine," she whispered. "You Starks are very strong."
Sansa nodded her head in agreement. "Vivian," she said softly. "When I marry Joffery…" she paused and slightly winced at her words. "You will be around for me, right?" she finally asked. "Since we both will be miserable."
Vivian nodded her head. "I will not abandon you, Sansa," she said as she reached over and hugged her.
"Vivian!" Arya shouted as she ran through the garden toward them.
"Arya! Be a lady," Sansa scolded.
Her little sister ignored her as she grabbed Vivian's hand. "Come!" she exclaimed.
Vivian gave Sansa an apologetic look as she allowed Arya to drag her away. It wasn't long before the two made it up into Arya's room. Arya opened up her chest and pulled out a small sword.
"Look!" she exclaimed happily.
"Amazing," Vivian said as she looked at the little sword.
"I call it Needle," Arya said. "Will you show me Ashes? Robb said that you had it with you when you were attacked by bandits."
Vivian paled at the sound of Robb's name, but nodded her head. "I can show you Ashes," she said. "But he's not with me right now. I will make a dinner and invite your family and after I will show you Ashes."
Arya smiled and nodded her head enthusiastically.
"Arya?" Eddard's voice was muffled through the door. "May I come in?"
Arya quickly opened the door for her father. He looked surprised when he spotted Vivian. She quickly curtsied and he bowed.
"Lady Vivian," he said. "I did not expect you."
"Forgive me, my lord," she said. "I heard the glorious news about Lady Sansa and Prince Joffery. I had come to congratulate. I had only meant to spend a few minutes. I also meant to welcome you and your family to King's Landing. I hear that there is a tournament being hosted in your name." Her mind was jumbled as she rambled. Eddard had a presence about him that always made her jumble her words.
He gave her a kind smile as he suppressed a chuckle.
"I do believe I have made enough of a fool of myself," she said.
"I will escort you out," he replied.
"Father? Why did you come?" Arya asked.
Eddard quickly turned and let a large smile cross his face. "Your brother Brann is awake," he said.
Vivian's legs let her walk swiftly through the halls and back to her quarters. She hadn't planned on staying long. But with the talk between her and Cersei and her and Sansa she knew she was trapped. Although Cersei hadn't said it, it was clear that she would be angry if Vivian left King's Landing. And Sansa needed someone to lean on.
Vivian opened the door to her room and entered. She felt sorry for Sansa. Vivian had seen Prince Joffery and knew how he was. At least Jaime wasn't as bad as the little prince.
Vivian stopped cold in her tracks. Jaime turned and smiled at her. "You are looking extremely lovely tonight," he commented.
"What are you doing in my quarters, my lord?" she asked, doing her best to keep her voice leveled.
Jaime gave her a sly smile as he picked a flower from one of her vases. "Do I need to have a reason to visit my future wife?" he asked her as he drew near. He wasn't wearing his armor, indicating that he was off-duty.
"Is it official then?" Vivian couldn't help but ask, as her feet took a step back.
Jaime took two long steps to get near her and pulled her toward him. "Does it matter?" he asked her.
"Please, my lord," she said, as she tried to pull away.
He didn't let her go, but he cocked his head ever so slightly. "Come winter and we will marry," he finally said.
Vivian's eyes widen with surprise. He leaned in and she quickly moved so that he kissed her cheek. He let out a frustrated sigh as he let her go.
"You can't avoid me for long," he said, firmly. "Once you are my wife you are mine."
Vivian took in long shallow breaths as Jaime made his way to her door. He opened it and then stopped.
"You will need to learn not to show your contempt for me. Be happy," he let out a small smile. "Your family has profited greatly from this arrangement. And the children you will bear will be beautiful."
Vivian didn't move from her spot and waited until he closed the door behind him before she grabbed a vase and threw it against the wall. Winter was still a little ways away, but there didn't seem to be any more hope that she would be able to escape her fate with Jaime.
She had realized that wishing for war was extremely selfish of her. War meant death. Should she happiness come at the death of others?
Jaime held his sister close to him as he tried to comfort her. She was extremely angry that the Stark boy, Brann, was still alive. He had thrown the little boy off the tower and had hoped that the fall would kill him. But the gods were on Brann's side and kept the little boy alive.
Cersei was furious and afraid. If anyone knew that the children were not Roberts and that they had tried to kill the Stark boy… Jaime couldn't even finish his thought. He wasn't exactly scared. He wasn't afraid of what the future would bring him. He was changing and breaking rules quite frequently. He had been responsible for the new rules that were going to affect the Kingsguard.
Poor little Vivian. It was clear to him and to others that she didn't like him. Maybe that was why he pursued her so thoroughly. Vivian didn't want him and he wanted her to want him. Her father was the easiest to convince to keep her single. But then there were the old laws and traditions to change.
But it wasn't only her that he wanted. When he had put his hands on Ashes he knew he wanted the sword. He could feel the ancient power coursing through it. It was rare for any knight or person to wield a flaming sword. Whoever did, coated their sword with wildfire, Thoros of Myr was one of those people. But Ashes was different. Jaime had heard about the sword. It was said that whoever wielded it never lost a battle.
He wanted to know, what was it like to take such a weapon into battle? He wanted to know if the legends about it were true. No one in the family had wielded it in ages. Or, if they had, it did not catch fire.
Fire.. Usaa. Jaime let out a sigh as he thought about the witch. She told Cersei's future and distressed his twin sister. Cersei had her locked in the dungeons because of it.
"It appears that Usaa has taken her own life," Jaime said softly into his sister's ear. She pulled away from him.
"What?" she snarled. "How?"
He shrugged. "It happened just before we got here," he said. "Appears that she was able to get her hands on something sharp and cut her wrists."
"I want the soldier standing guard to be locked in irons!" she commanded.
"My dear sister," Jaime said in a soothing voice. "Forget the witch! Nothing she has said has come true."
Cersei looked away and shuddered. "It may not now, but it may eventually." Cersei looked away and clenched her fists. "She said that I would outlive my children. And that I will witness my son's death," she hissed as she turned and glared at Jaime.
His face hardened as he shook his head. "I will not let that happen," he replied. "I will still be a part of the Kingsguard whether or not I'm married. I will protect him with my life. Joffery will be my king." Jaime grabbed his sister and forced her to look at him. "We make our futures!" Jaime stated. "With your help, I will soon be able to marry the Cynious girl. And our father will be able to gladly make my children with her his heirs."
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "As if that should please me," she whispered.
"Don't be jealous," he said. "We have gone through this before."
Cersei looked at him almost trusting his words then looked away. He placed his hands around her waist.
"I know how to make you believe," he whispered in her ear.
Jaime was not a man who believed in prophecies or future telling. He believed that his future was what he made it. And this was the tangled web that he was weaving.