Game of Thrones: Of Lions and Roses
Chapter 3 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Jaime
Jaime Lannister let out a slow careful breath as he emerged from his chambers.
'How long has it been?' He thought forlornly, glancing with distaste at the golden hand attached to the stump of his right wrist. 'So much has happened, I missed so much; first from being held prisoner, then everything that happened on the way here, including my hand. Then I was stuck here until I was suitably recovered but now, here I am.'
He had been sequestered to his chambers for so long; he was ready to go crazy. But at last, the former Maester Qyburn who had been charged with caring for him, declared him fit to return to duty. Finally freed from his constraints, he had to first attend to his duty and present himself in the throne room.
He shook his head. 'Everything has changed, most of all, me…my promotion; well, one thing at a time.'
So, composing himself feeling out of place in his armour, all due to his missing hand; he began to make his way to the throne room. On the way he spotted people leaving the throne room; he knew who they were.
'Those would be the Dornish officials then…Of all people, Oberyn Martell, are they trying to stir up trouble?'
He knew after all; that of all the Martells; the one who would most likely stir up the bloody past, would be Oberyn.
Pushing the thought from his mind however; he turned back to the throne room and entered. As he entered the herald immediately announced.
"Ser Jaime Lannister, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard!"
He could hear the whispering from the gathered court nobles; many were unaware he had returned. There had been no triumphant return, no cheering crowds. He had sneaked back in, clad in simple traveller's clothes. Truthfully however, after everything he had been through, he was grateful for the quiet return.
He bit his lip, noticing the expressions of those present near the throne, including Cersei. He reached the foot of the steps leading up to the throne and bowed.
"Your Grace." He greeted his nephew formally. 'That is all I can think of him as…not what he truly is.'
Joffrey smirked and nodded. "Uncle, it is good to see you again."
Jaime stood and continued. "I apologize for the delay; but I am here to formally present myself to you, regarding my return."
As he said this he carefully observed those nearby; Cersei was watching him with something close to wonder; Joffrey looked no different than ever, the woman standing next to him, Margaery Tyrell; Jaime was certain she couldn't be anyone else, observed him almost casually. His father's expression remained unreadable as always.
"So, now you are here, finally the Kingsguard can function with their Commander again." Joffrey remarked.
Jaime nodded. "Yes, Your Grace; I shall meet with them at once."
With that he was dismissed and permitted to head for the White Sword Tower.
Jaime sighed as he shook his head; he had just come from a meeting of the Kingsguard in the White Sword Tower; he was not in the best of moods.
He thought of the meeting and had to supressed a groan. 'This is the Kingsguard now; it is nothing now but a gathering of arrogant, incompetent or incapable men. There is but a handful of effective people left.'
He knew that he himself had come under one of those categories himself; that of arrogance. But that was before his recent experiences had humbled him; now he was determined to make up for his failures. To do that he needed to make the most of his new position.
'No easy task considering who I must replace. Barristan Selmy has left giant shoes to fill.'
In addition it seemed there would be no time to rest either. He had gone from his meeting in the White Sword Tower, to being called by his father to the Tower of the Hand. He was on his way there now; contemplating everything that had changed.
He sighed as he reached the door to his father's chambers. 'It seems, out of everything that's changed…I am what has changed the most.'
He then straightened up and opened the door, entering. His father was sitting at his desk; observing Jaime carefully.
Jaime moved towards the desk; taking a seat opposite his father.
"My Lord Father." He greeted formally.
Tywin nodded. "Jaime; welcome back."
Jaime paused before remarking. "So, I am now Lord Commander of the Kingsguard; was this Joffrey's idea, or Cersei's?"
"It matters little, what's done is done. But it need not be this way." Tywin replied calmly. "You have a choice after all; you can remain in the Kingsguard if that is your wish, or return to Casterly Rock as the heir to our family's legacy."
'You will never give up that foolishness, will you father?' Jaime thought to himself before replying. "You know that is no choice father, I took the oath of the Kingsguard, I am sworn to it for life. Regardless of your liking it or not; Tyrion is your heir, you need to accept that."
Tywin shook his head. "No, I do not, I will not see Casterly Rock ruined by him, but fine, for now I will stand by your choice. What do you propose to do, now that you've recovered your strength?"
There was a stony silence before Jaime sighed and straightened in his seat.
"I would say I'd need to do something about the Kingsguard." He remarked at last. "I am…not satisfied with them."
Tywin raised an eyebrow at that. "Which members do you propose to be rid of and who would you replace them with?"
Jaime shrugged. "I would see if there is a chance of improving them first. Many of them have faults after all. I only see two of them being best suited to their roles and one of them, Ser Arys, isn't even here."
Tywin nodded at that; as Myrcella's bodyguard, Ser Arys was with her down in Dorne.
There was a pause before Tywin then asked.
"Who is the other one that you claim is capable?"
Jaime answered immediately. "Ser Balon Swann; he is steady, strong, dependable, an ideal Kingsguard knight. All the others have their faults, some more grave than others."
Tywin pondered briefly before picking up a quill. "What faults do you believe these others to have?"
"Where to start?" Jaime remarked; realizing his father would be taking notes. "Ser Loras; he is arrogant, he believes himself superior to everyone. I cannot fault his fighting skill; but his overblown sense of pride will be his undoing one day. Unlike me however, he might not escape with just this."
He raised his right arm, his false hand.
He sighed and then added. "Ser Osmund Kettleblack; he too is arrogant, albeit in a different way. He is a man who will bring about his own ruin, plus I have doubts of his true loyalties."
Tywin nodded slowly; as if Jaime's words matched his thoughts. "What would you have done with them?"
"I do not know yet." Jaime replied calmly. "I haven't even got around to Ser Boros and Ser Meryn either; the two of them also have faults, incompetence being perhaps the most obvious."
Tywin put the quill down and shook his head. "So be it, you have made your point. Do what you believe will help the Kingsguard. But you will have to convince our King and, in the case of Loras Tyrell; his father and Grandmother."
Jaime however merely shook his head and stood.
"As you will it Father; I shall return to them now; there is still much I have to discuss with them." He replied.
With that he bowed and left the Tower of the Hand.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.