Author's Note: Welcome to yet another exciting chapter my lovely readers! Now before we launch into the good stuff I will need to one again make some clarifications so the events in this chapter don't get everyone confused. According to established lore for Song of Ice and Fire, the events of Game of Thrones starts in the year 298 AL and Jaime & Cersei were born in 266 AL - making the Lannister twins 32 at the start of the first novel. Both Robb and Alysanne according to canon would be born in 282 AL making them sixteen at the start of the events of the first novel.
However for my own purposes I will state in this story that Jaime & Cersei were born in 268 AL, thus making them both 30.
Alright is that good? - everyone ready? I'm sure you guys have been dying to know what has been going on with Jaime, well never fear this chapter shall shed some light on what Jaime has been up to since his arrival in Winterfell and he view on meeting Alysanne.
At the royal caravan's arrival at Winterfell, Jaime had bee rather indifferent to it all. The North was vastly different than any of the other Seven Kingdoms, it was cool, the forests were thick and wild. But the charm of the North was not entirely lost on him, he was able to appreciate it's distinct beauty however he would be all to happy and eager to leave and return once again to the South. The Starks gave a proper and formal welcome at the gates of the Keep. Surveying his emerald gaze he had noticed how so much yet so little seemed to change in Eddard Stark. The years had certainly been kind to him as he was still quite a tall and strong man. As he looked about while King Robert greeted all the Starks children, and they certainly did have quite a few. However it was a head of brown hair standing next to Benjen Stark that caught her attention the most. It took little guess work to know who this young woman was, she had to be no other than the only daughter of Benjen and his late wife. On the journey up the Kingsroad he and Tyrion had heard rumours and gossip of this Stark girl, about her cool Northern beauty and charm. Once long ago Lyanna Stark had been called the Rose of the North but now many called this younger Stark lady by that same name.
There was just something about her grey eyes.
Jaime did not see her for the rest of the day as he had to go in search of his wayward brother, which to no surprise he found him in a brothel located not too far away from Winterfell. Even once he returned he was made busy by settling into the rooms that had been provided to him for the duration of the visit and going about his duties as a Kingsguard. Once when he was very young, Jaime had thought it a honourable and noble career for a young lord to pursue, being apart of the Kingsguard. With men like Barristan Selmy, a legend in his own right serving under King Aerys Targeryen... it had to be a fulfilling life - right? Of course that had not been Jaime's only reason for joining at the time... there had been his need to stay close to Cersei that had driven him to make his vows.
How he had been young and naive then.
Readying for the feast Jaime, there was a knock on the door. It was a servant boy come to deliver a message that his presence had been requested by the King to come to Eddard Stark's solar and speak with him. An odd request, he thought but never one to disobey his King he grabbed the scabbard and belt that held his sword and strapped it to his waist before departing the room. Very seldom did Robert Baratheon very want to just talk with him. Usually he liked to taunt him, called his 'Kingslayer' and make him stand guard over him while he drank and disgraced his sister by taken any number of women to bed, all while he listened.
Entering the solar he was surprised to see not just Robert Baratheon seated at a table but also Eddard and Benjen Stark as well. Standing off to the side with the maester of Winterfell, an older man dressed in the heavy drab gray clothing of his position. Closing the door behind him he rested one of his hands casually over the pommel of his sword and slowly approached the gathered men.
"You summoned me, Your Grace?" Jaime finally said, though a seat had been left empty for him he remained standing as he looked to Robert.
"Yes Lannister." the King acknowledged as he looked up to him. "Sure you know your father had been at me for years to release his son and heir from the Kingsguard." he then continued to say. This was truly no surprise to Jaime, his father had been upset ever since the Mad King had taken him for the Kingsguard. Tywin Lannister had been at it for years to try and get Jaime back, but vows were made for life. Nothing he thought could free him, not that he wanted to leave the Kingsguard anyway.
"My father can be stubborn on some issues I'm sure everyone here knows that." Jaime replied, his brows furrowed. Just what was Robert getting at? Briefly he looked to the two Starks wondering why this conversation was being held in their presence.
"Well like most times Tywin will be getting what he wants." Robert then said more to himself rather to anyone else but Jaime heard him none the less and he felt slight shock settle over him. Surely he couldn't mean...
"As of tonight when it is announced at the feast you will be released from your vows and duties as a Kingsguard." the king then continued.
"That's not possible, your-" Jaime then started.
"As King I decide what is possible and what isn't." Robert then cut him off with a stern voice as his face started to blanch red.
"You've done many years of great service, there is nothing to be ashamed of in that." the maester then said diplomatically, trying to ease the tension that was mounting in the room. "However what his Grace needs you to do more than protect him is to help him maintain peace and order in the Kingdoms and you will be do that as the heir and future Lord of Casterly Rock."
Conflicted. That was what Jaime felt in that moment. Part of him was enraged to be put aside in such a manner. But the idea of leaving the Kingsguard, leaving the manipulation and lies of court behind and return to his childhood home, a place he had not seen in years. Tyrion had made many comments over the years that the life of a Kingsguard was ill-suited for him, at first he had been offended by such statements. But over the years she realized the truth in his brother's words. He tired of the game that people played in Kings Landing. It was a constant war of words, intentions and lies.
"Is that why you bring me here, Your Grace? To tell me you no longer require my sword? Does my father even know?" Jaime then asked, speaking rather calmly and evenly.
"Lord Tywin does know, he had been informed before we left the capitol." Robert then said.
Before they left the capital? - Jaime wondered, why he the King then waited for so long to tell him of this. Now he glanced once again to Ned Stark and then to Benjen, once again wondering what reason they were here for.
"He was also informed that you would be married to a lady of my choosing for this favour I do him." the king then told him and once again Jaime was shocked.
"Married?" Jaime questioned lowly.
At this point Ned Stark saw fit to speak, "Robert asked upon his arrival that House Stark and Lannister bury the grudge that has existed since the war and join our houses." The Lord of Winterfell then stated.
"And who then is to be my bride? I've already heard whispers your eldest daughter is to be betrothed to my nephew, and your second daughter is much to young to be married to me." Jaime then said. He would never take a child bride, the youngest Stark girl was far too young and even if he had to wait until she was grown it would never settle the fact that there would be such an age difference between them.
"Your not to marry Ned's daughter but Benjen's daughter. She is one and seven years and certainly not too young for you." Robert then supplied. Alysanne was young, nearly half the age that Jaime was, however there could be worse. It was not uncommon for Lords to marry their daughters off as young as twelve and thirteen. Alysanne was more grown, more woman than child. It was not an unreasonable age difference, large... but not unreasonable. As the blonde turned his head he looked to the lady in question's father, Benjen had been sitting looked rather serious and solemn since his entrance and now Jaime knew why.
"Your daughter?" Jaime said as he looked to Benjen.
"Yes..." the younger Stark brother stated lowly and looked to the blonde knight with fierce eyes. "I do not give her hand to you lightly, I never intended to marry her to someone she does not know or have a say in and certainly never meant to send her to the South. But as my King and brother have convinced me that both I and my daughter have a duty to help the realm as best we can and the way that we can do that is to make a marriage-alliance with your House and forge peace." Benjen told him and Jaime could see that if this man truly had any say or choice in the matter he would never permit his daughter to marry him. He wondered if his intended bride was aware of what was going on or if she would be just as surprised once she found out.
"You'll be married here is a week's time." Robert then decreed.
"A week?" Jaime questioned shocked that they would push for the wedding to happen so soon.
"I'll not be sending my daughter to the South where I will not be able to see her wedding." Benjen then stated, his voice leaving no room for further questioning. Jaime gave a short nod, he could understand and respect that. They were talking of his only child.
"We have a Sept and Heart tree here, both ceremonies will happen and you'll journey back to the South as man and wife." the master added in and Jaime nodded. Of course it would only be kind to allow her to marry here, her home where she was comfortable and with her family before she had to suddenly leave everything with no promise of return. A sigh escaped the blonde haired man and he raised his hand and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"And my father knows of this wedding then?" he then asked, surely Tywin would have wanted to be in attendance to the marriage of his eldest son and heir.
"Of course, it was our agreement that I choose your wife if I release you from the Kingsguard. I'm sure your father is more than pleased with this." Robert said as she reached for a goblet and sloshed back a large drink. Jaime crossed his hands before his hips and sighed, barely into the evening hours and the King was already well on his way to drunkenness. After many years serving the man, Jaime would be happy to admit that he would not miss the drunken rantings and actions he was subjected too on such a regular basis.
Jaime learned that his father would be sending money to support the wedding and the feast, no doubt Tywin Lannister would make sure his son had a grand ceremony worthy of the Lannister name. Lord Stark assured that the staff of the castle were already working to make all necessary preparations. Two large feasts in a weeks time was a heavy burden but there was a confidence that Ned spoke with about the staff and people of Winterfell that Jaime was satisfied at least that everything would be done. However when it came to asking about when the announcement would be made a new silence fell over the room.
"We'll make the announcement tonight." Benjen then stated lowly. "Permit me first to tell Alysanne, I do not want this to come as a shock to her. She needs to hear this from me." he then continued as he lifted his head. Both Ned and Robert nodded in response.
"It's agreed then, now let's get on with the feast." Robert declared before quickly downing the last of his wine and then slamming the goblet back down.
"My brother, to be tied down in marriage. The infamously beautiful Jaime Lannister will be a married man... how I can hear the women of King's Landing weeping already." Tyrion lamented dramatically with a mischievous grin on his face as he looked to his older brother. Jaime found himself grinning as well, at least at how Tyrion seemed so amused by the upcoming nuptials. Jaime himself was apprehensive, his green eyes would dart over to Cersei and wonder if she knew already or would be just as surprised as everyone else once her husband announced the betrothal. He almost wished he was able to speak with her beforehand and tell her himself, but now as they stood waiting to go into the Great Hall for the feast he knew he would not be able to speak with her with the privacy required for such a delicate conversation. Turning his head away from his gorgeous twin he looked to his younger brother and gave a shrug of his shoulders.
"Those women never had a chance before, I was Kingsguard then. Sworn to my duty." Jaime said in mock horror.
"Yes, yes I know." Tyrion dismissed but Jaime knew his brother never believed what he said. Jaime had suspected for the longest time that Tyrion had known able the true nature of Jaime and Cersei's relationship. The youngest Lannister was a smart man, no one could doubt that, not even his father. But in all the years that he had suspected that his brother knew the truth, Tyrion never said a thing, either to him, Cersei or to the King. Sometimes Jaime would wonder why his brother never said a thing but he knew Tyrion loved and cared for his family, perhaps Cersei less so. But Mrycella and Tommen adored their uncle... and Tyrion desperately wanted the approval of their father so turning in his siblings for treason would surely not earn him their father's love.
"Still Robert gave you quite the pretty young bride, if he truly hated you he could have chosen someone far worse. Like one of Walder Frey's daughters for example." Tyrion then said his amused smirk still plastered across his face.
In that moment a movement from the corner of his eyes caused Jaime to turn his head and he spotted the brunette in question walking across the hallway to them. As she approached he regarded her. She was a petite girl, given the only other Northern women he had seen as been the fierce women of House Mormont and none of them could be described as delicate Ladies. But Alysanne Stark was a beauty, unlike women of the South who often sported lighter colored hair, she had the darker hair often associated with those of the North. Her sky was the color of fresh cream and it looked soft and smooth. She had large, round grey eyes that were a little too big for her face... but the more he looked at her face he realized that her wide expressive eyes might be the most captivating feature on her face. Her hair was long and her form was pleasing, indeed as Tyrion had said she was beautiful and she was young. Any man's dream for a bride.
Ever since first seeing in at the entrance of Winterfell he had wondered about her, about why he had been ensnared by the short, brief gaze that they had shared. He had thought about for most of the day and of course thought of her quite a bit once he knew that they would be married. He had to wonder what she was like, they had yet to share two words with each other. As she approached he attempted to keep his face calm, impassive as not to betray what he knew and she did not.
"Good evening my Lords." the brunette woman said and Jaime felt the corner of his mouth twitch as he heard a soft, sweet voice pass by her rosy lips. So far there was nothing unpleasing about his lady wife-to-be.
"Ah, you must be the Lady Alysanne Stark." Tyrion spoke before Jaime had the chance too.
"That is what everyone insists on calling me around here." she replied quickly and with a mischievous smirk on her face. It was not many women who could have suck quick wits especially when conversing with Tyrion. Perhaps she was not as delicate as she seemed. Already Jaime could hear the approval in his brother's voice when he spoke to her and Alysanne was gracious as a lady should be but she did not duck her head or shy away from speaking.
"A pleasure to meet you Lady Alysanne." Jaime said as he placed a kiss on her hand, so this was his future wife and his escort for the feast. It seemed Ned Stark was doing his best to try and ease their meeting. There were far too many tales of young ladies never meeting or even speaking to their husbands-to-be until they were exchanging vows before a septon. At the very least he would get to know her a little bit before they were married. As Tyrion excused himself, likely to let the pair get better acquainted and he smiled at the back of his brother's retreating form.
"So you are to be my escort?" Jaime then asked as he leaned in a little closer to her and Alysanne tilted her head up and looked directly at him. He saw a slightly an emotion flicker in her eyes that he could not place, but Jaime was quite up to the task of decoding what that emotion was. As Alysanne nodded to him he gave her a smile, one that he knew charmed the ladies with ease.
"Yes, my Lord." she then lowly replied and Jaime took her hand to place it at the crook of his arm as the doors to the hall opened.
"Well my Lady, please led the way." he then said lowly to her as they fell into line behind all the other Starks, Baratheons and Lannisters and walked into the feast.
Well there you have it, wanted to give you guys a chapter to focus on Jaime's POV in the events of the story so far. Tell me what you think? And what do you guys think is the nature of Jaime and Cersei's relationship in this story? The answer may surprise you.
Also would like to know if you guys like getting both sides of the story (being Alysanne's and then Jaime's) or would you prefer I focus just on one or the other?
For every person who reviews they shall get a preview of the next chapter and perhaps some hints to some twists and turns coming in later chapters! Please leave a comment, critique or word of encouragement it all goes a long way to fuel my writing!