Game of Thrones: Of Lions and Roses
Chapter 15 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
Reviews
Boris Yeltsin: Yeah, she is.
wazzup11: Thanks; next up is Jaime.
Marina Ka-Fai: Yeah, it was a close call.
canonman89: Thanks; glad you enjoyed it :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; glad you liked Barristan and yeah, it was pretty close.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Jaime
"Uncle, I fail to see your reasoning behind this." Joffrey remarked.
Jaime shook his head and explained patiently. "Ser Boros and Ser Meryn are both guilty of violating their oaths as the Kingsguard; therefore we cannot allow them to remain so. Therefore there is only one option."
Joffrey shook his head. "We can just dismiss them; they don't need to die after all…"
"No, your dismissal of Ser Barristan Selmy was a mistake, there is only one way out of the Kingsguard." Jaime replied. "Certainly Ser Meryn should be removed, for his beating of helpless Sansa Stark."
Joffrey bristled at that. "She was given just punishment…"
"She was a helpless girl who did nothing but was beaten. The Kingsguard's duties do not involve the beating of helpless girls." Jaime explained; keeping calm. "Our oaths in fact, are to protect the helpless, as much as the King. As a result, Ser Meryn has broken our oath. Ser Boros' cowardice amongst other reasons show him to be unworthy of the title of Kingsguard."
Joffrey spluttered, clearly angry, however he didn't speak next, the next on to speak was Cersei.
"This is extreme Jaime." She remarked. "I don't see why you are so set on changing the Kingsguard, but if you must, why remove those who are loyal and…"
Tywin spoke up then. "Enough; the Lord Commander has spoken, he has presented his case and raised good points. I hear no good defence either. Therefore I agree with him."
The two men in question, who had been kneeling, awaiting their fate, were shocked by this, clearly not expecting this result. They tried to protest, to struggle, but those holding them were too many.
Jaime watched dispassionately as Meryn and Boros were dragged out; he was not sorry to see them go. Now however, he faced the task of introducing their replacements.
Joffrey shook his head; clearly not happy. "Well, I suppose that closes that matter uncle, but now we have to replace them, are you aware of the trouble that will cause us, we now…"
"It is no trouble, Your Grace; I have already taken the liberty of finding suitable replacements." Jaime remarked. "I will call them forwards for you."
There were whispers from all those assembled; Jaime ignored them and called the first man forwards. He could see the people, including Joffrey, Tywin and even several others, observing the newcomers with interest. The first was a tall man, strongly built with dark brown hair and green eyes and stubble covering his lower face.
Jaime introduced him first. "This is Ser Kaleb Swann; I have seen first-hand his strength and skill; you may rest assured he is worthy of the Kingsguard."
Kaleb bowed and spoke respectfully. "Your Grace, I shall serve you from now to my dying breath."
Jaime then gestured to the second man.
"You may already know this man, some of you at least." He said. "Ser Tobias Blount, the much more worthy cousin of our late Ser Boros."
In contrast to his ugly bandy legged cousin, Tobias Blount was in fact good-looking; with neat red hair, chiselled features and ice blue eyes. While not as muscular as Ser Kaleb, Ser Tobias was well built and had the relaxed stance of a man who knew his skills and limitations and knew how to operate expertly within them.
Ser Tobias also bowed and greeted Joffrey politely.
"Your Grace; I am honoured to meet you. I hope to cleanse the stain my cousin has brought to our name." He stated solemnly.
It was clear that Joffrey was still not too happy at losing the two Kingsguard who helped him without question, especially when it came to his outbursts against people, particularly Sansa when she had been here. Jaime however could see that, despite this, Joffrey could not see any way out of accepting them.
While waiting to hear his answer; Jaime considered what he knew of the history of the two men he had recommended, based on their skill and talents, as well as their dedication to duty. Aside from his relationship to Balon, Kaleb was engaged to Lady Hanna Glover before joining the Kingsguard; that engagement was now over. Otherwise the man was mostly unremarkable except for his skills in combat.
Ser Tobias had a slightly more colourful past, although not one that worked against him; in fact he was the victim. He was to marry Lady Spencer Bracken, but that ended with his intent to enter the Kingsguard. He was known for having a blind step-sister, Lady Jenna Bolton; a daughter from his mother's previous marriage, who had once attempted to bed him; he had resisted however and had been forced to inform his parents.
Shocked and horrified by her behaviour, Tobias' parents had forced Jenna to do a walk of atonement; shortly after that, Tobias and Jenna's mother had killed herself, jumping from the roof of the sept. As Jaime reflected on all this, he smiled as he overheard Joffrey finally accept the two men as the two newest members of the Kingsguard.
Sometime later, Jaime was in his quarters at the White Sword Tower; he was quite alone as the rest of the Kingsguard were out training; in preparation for the upcoming Siege of Dragonstone. Jaime knew he should be with them, but right now, he was lost in thought, examining his golden hand.
Just then he heard footsteps and stood up, tense as the hooded figure approached him.
"Who…" He began, but then they lowered the hood. "Cersei."
Cersei smiled as she approached him. "We've both been so busy, this is the first time we've had a chance to speak, just the two of us."
Jaime nodded; knowing how true her statement was. They embraced, Jaime couldn't help but note that he didn't seem to react the way he usually did to it.
"I have missed you." Cersei admitted quietly.
Jaime nodded slowly. "Yes, as have I…But I was busy, I had a duty to fulfil."
Cersei nodded. "I realize that; from what I heard, you handled yourself…rather well."
He sighed and shrugged. "If you can call that well, I suppose."
She smiled at that, before stepping closer, her hands suddenly on her chest.
"It has been too long…" She remarked softly.
Jaime stiffened. "Cersei, what are you…?"
Cersei laughed and shook her head. "We have not made love in many months, what else would I mean?"
"I have not been here, besides…I would hardly call this an appropriate setting." He replied lamely.
He felt strange, it was as if he…he didn't feel the same towards her anymore.
Cersei however seemed confused.
"What?" She remarked; raising her eyebrows. "What is wrong with you?"
'So it's true, I have lost those…affections.' He realized at that moment; fully understanding at last.
He gently pushed Cersei away.
Cersei started at this. "Jaime, what…?"
"We are not Targaryens, we are Lannisters." Jaime explained firmly. "All this time, I have been blind, but I am awake now."
"You…"
Jaime sighed and admitted the truth. "The Lady Brienne has changed my life; my view…"
Cersei narrowed her eyes. "Brienne, what, Brienne the Beauty. You would choose that…creature, over me!"
She was clearly enraged at the thought of that. Jaime merely nodded.
"Your tastes are certainly unusual then…" She snarled. "Falling for something like that."
Jaime glared but before he could say anything, Cersei left, furious, pulling the hood up as she went. Jaime sighed and shook his head; hard though it was, he knew it had to be done; now it was.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.