Chapter 73

"Jaime?"

"Hmm?" he murmured absently, for he was quite engrossed in nuzzling against Sansa's bare breasts and softly kissing them every now and again, as they lay naked in each other's arms. They'd spent the past few hours in bed together and Jaime felt completely relaxed. She no longer worried that he was exhausting himself when fulfilling his duties in the bedchamber, and Jaime had made up for lost time.

"Have…Have you ever thought of living somewhere besides Westeros?" she asked casually, running her fingers through his hair.

Jaime reluctantly abandoned his current endeavor and sat up against the headboard. She immediately cuddled against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. "Why do you ask me that?" He had an idea, though he feigned ignorance. He'd kept Ser Kevan's letter to himself for a few days, but he'd broken down and told Sansa at dinner about the Targaryen girl attacking King's Landing and he saw the fear in Sansa's eyes. He hadn't wished to frighten her, but he wanted her to be prepared, should the capitol fall.

"Jaime…I'm tired of war and people who want to hurt us. I want…peace. I just want to be with you." He smiled and kissed her forehead. "When I was a little girl, I read a book about the Free Cities and for a week Jeyne Pool and I pretended we were in Lys and we curled and perfumed our hair…I'd never seen the ocean before and it sounded so beautiful." She was in his arms, gazing up at him, her eyes bright with adventure. Listening to her speak, he imagined this was how she was as a young girl who still believed in beauty and magic…before his family got a hold of her.

"Sansa…I'm shocked that a lady such as yourself would long for the pleasure houses and love goddesses of Lys. What would your mother think?" he asked in a whisper.

She rolled her eyes. "I didn't want to see the brothels…but the love goddesses might be nice," she said with a smile. "It seemed so magical to pretend to be somewhere else, where it was always warm and…it seemed so romantic." She smiled, looking down at her fingers trailing over his chest. "Of course, it was always far too cold in the North for us to dress as if we lived in Lys."

He chuckled. "Feel free to wear as little as you like here in our bedchamber." His eyes raked over her. "I think you're perfect as you are…naked, wearing nothing but a ruby necklace…your face flushed with passion…tousled curls in your hair. Perhaps we should go to the Free Cities if this is how you'll be…"

She pushed his shoulder playfully. "My point is…we don't have to stay in Westeros…we could raise Tommen and Julianna in the Free Cities. We could be so happy there. Winter never comes there, so it would always be warm and sunny."

"Aren't you happy here?"

"I am but…perhaps it's not safe to stay here now. Jaime, I don't care about being lady of a great castle. I don't care whether or not Tommen is king. I don't care who sits on the iron throne. I just want us to be together…as a family. That's all that matters. In the Free Cities, we could be just that. We could be free to love one another and raise our family. No one could ever hurt us or separate us. We would have everything that we needed, because we would be together."

How could she know? He looked at his little wife in wonder and didn't understand how she could know the words he'd said to Cersei so many times over the years, when he could not take the secrecy and knowing that he shared her with Robert Baratheon. Now Sansa was saying the words he had always longed to hear. She was choosing him over everything.

"Have you never thought of leaving Westeros, Jaime?"

Jaime smiled sadly as she rested her hand on his cheek. He held her tighter, lifting her onto his lap. "I used to think about it every day. While I was serving King Robert. I asked Cersei a million times to leave the Realm with me and…and the children. So we could be together…She never would. She would never leave the Iron Throne. She would never choose me over…power." He looked at Sansa, knowing she would give up everything just to be with him.

"If we left here, Tommen could know that you're his father," she whispered.

Jaime smiled sadly and leaned down to kiss her. "You'd leave your family? After fighting so long to be reunited with them?"

"They could come with us," she said hopefully.

Jaime chuckled. "I don't believe your lady mother would be interested in living with me for the rest of her life."

"But if it's not safe for us here –"

"Sansa," he whispered. "Please don't be scared. We're safe here right now. There's no need for us to go into exile."

"What if Kings Landing falls? I don't want anyone to hurt you or take you away from me. I couldn't bear it," she whispered, tears filling her eyes.

Jaime kissed the top of her head and rubbed his hand up and down her arm. He still marveled over how much his sweet little wife loved him and wanted to be with him. After all she had been through at the hands of his family, she still had hope and a goodness inside her. I can't allow her to suffer anymore. "If the capitol falls, we'll talk again about what we should do. I promise."

She nodded, resting her head against his chest again, though he knew she was not entirely satisfied. He supposed he wasn't either. Jaime had little doubt that he and Sansa could be happy anywhere, so long as they were together. Certainly they could find happiness in the Free Cities. And he certainly had enough gold to allow them start over again and never want for anything. If it comes to it…I'll take her, Julianna and Tommen…and we'll leave.

…

Sansa sat curled up on the sofa in Jaime's solar, watching him with Julianna, who was resting securely in his arms. She was staring up at him with her bright green eyes, a little smile on her face. Sansa glanced down at Tommen, who was lying on the rug in front of them, playing with his kittens. We really have become a family. She had not thought it possible, that they would be so happy, when she and Jaime were first married. She supposed that was why she was terrified of losing him.

For the past two weeks, she had been able to think of little else but what Jaime had told her about the Targaryens reappearing in Westeros and attacking King's Landing. Sansa was not so foolish that she didn't realize that the Lannisters were enemies to the Targaryens. Jaime in particular, since he'd killed the Mad King. She supposed the Starks were considered enemies to the Targaryens as well, since they had supported King Robert during the rebellion. She wished that Jaime would leave Westeros with her, and flee to the Free Cities. Sansa had not been surprised that he wished to stay at the Rock – it was not in his character to run away from a fight – but she was terrified that something would happen to him.

She moved closer to Jaime, resting her head on his shoulder and rubbing the babe's back, as she returned Julianna's smile. She's so happy. I don't ever want her to know anything but this happiness…and the safety of her father's arms. "I can hardly believe we've had her for a year," Sansa said softly. "It seems like only a few months ago that she was born. I'll never forget the sight of you holding her for the first time…and bringing her to me. Our perfect little girl."

He leaned over and kissed Julianna's forehead and she began babbling, as if she knew they were speaking about her. "The day she was born…changed my life forever. The moment I held her, I knew she belonged to me and that I would love her forever. Just like you," he whispered to Sansa, kissing her softly.

"Perhaps…we could have another?" Sansa asked shyly.

Jaime gripped her chin in his hand and held her still so he could kiss her. "I look forward to trying," he whispered, a smile on his face. "I think we should work on it all night…and perhaps all day tomorrow."

"Jaime," she said in warning, nodding toward Tommen.

He smirked at her and shook his head, no doubt amused at her concerns about propriety. "She certainly enjoyed her nameday," he murmured, turning his attention back to the babe cuddled up in his arms. Arya's little friend, Hot Pie, had made lemoncakes, and they had allowed Julianna to have her first one, in celebration of her nameday. She'd ripped it to pieces with her bare hands before gobbling the entire thing down in seconds. "Judging by the way she tore into that cake, I fear she may not be as ladylike as her mother…though she certainly shares your fondness for lemoncakes."

"She's only a baby…she'll learn to be a proper lady. Assuming you and Arya don't corrupt her."

"Uncle Jaime, do you remember when I was born?" Tommen asked from his place on the floor, no doubt having heard she and Jaime talking about Julianna. "Mother never talked about it. She always talked about when Joffrey was born…and that it was the happiest day of her life."

Sansa watched as Jaime considered what he was going to say. "I was there when you were born, Tommen," he said quietly.

"Were you waiting outside with Father?"

Jaime shook his head. "No. I was in the birthing chamber with your mother. I heard your first cries and saw you the moment you were placed in your mother's arms."

Tommen got up and climbed onto the sofa, squeezing between them, his eyes on Jaime. "Why were you there and not father?"

"The King…he would always go on a hunting trip when your mother was due to have a babe. That was his…way. And Cersei was afraid to be alone in the birthing chamber, so I would be there with her. I was there when all of you were born." He looked hesitantly at Sansa, and she knew Jaime was worried that he would upset her by speaking of this. She smiled encouragingly, wrapping her arms around Tommen and pulled him against her, trying to show Jaime that it was all right to speak to his son in this manner.

"Cersei…she didn't labor with you for very long. Not like with Joffrey." He smiled at Tommen. "Your birth was easy, as you have been your entire life. You've never giving anyone any trouble. Once you were born, and your cries filled the air, you were wrapped up and placed in your mother's arms. She remarked that you had the same green eyes that…she and I have."

"Did you hold me, like Julianna?"

"No…your mother wanted you all to herself, once she finally got to meet you." He met Sansa's eyes – they both knew he was lying about the reason he never held Tommen when he was a babe. Sansa felt for Jaime in that moment and understood why he was hesitant to tell Tommen that he was his father. The boy would see that Jaime felt so differently about Julianna – that he was much more open and affectionate with her. Julianna was his baby and Tommen had never been that. "Tommen…I…your mother and I were twins, you know." The boy nodded. "I was with her when all of you were born because I loved her and…" She could see that he was trying to find the words to tell Tommen the truth, but he wasn't able to, instead telling the child to get ready for bed.

Once Tommen left them alone, Sansa moved next to Jaime once again, careful not to disturb Julianna whose eyes were drooping as she drifted off to sleep. "You'll tell him when you're ready."

Jaime nodded, looking away from her. "He's happy here with us…he and I finally have…some relationship. I don't wish to destroy that." He sighed. "I'll wager you never thought your husband so cowardly that he would fear a nine year old boy."

"I don't think you're a coward, Jaime. I could never think that about you. It's…it's just not the right time."

"Will there ever be a right time?" he asked sadly.

Sansa nodded, kissing his cheek. "Yes, Jaime. There will. You'll know when it's the right time." He held out his arm for her, and she went to him. She carefully moved Julianna to her own lap, and the babe clutched her tightly, nuzzling her head against her mother's breasts as she tried to sleep. Sansa looked up at Jaime and kissed him, holding him as he buried his face against her neck.

…

"King's Landing has fallen. The Targaryen girl sits on the Iron Throne."

Sansa almost felt her heart stop at Ser Addam's words, and his grave tone of voice, though Jaime did not seem wholly surprised. She watched as he read through the reports from various scouts and citizens loyal to House Lannister. We have to leave Westeros. I can't allow Jaime to be imprisoned…or worse.

"What's this about Tyrion?" Jaime asked, skimming over one of the many messages.

"He rides with her, as an advisor. Along with Ser Barriston Selmy, Jorah Mormont…and Peter Baylish. As well as the Night's Watch and thousands of Unsullied."

"She has an army of slaves then? Fitting for a Targaryen, I suppose." Jaime thought about the men who traveled with her. "How did they all manage to find her?" Jaime asked, more to himself. "I expect she'll want to give Casterly Rock to Tyrion."

"What do you mean?" Sansa asked, stricken. "The Rock is yours."

"You know Tyrion has little affection for me right now. He'll no doubt want our childhood home for himself. Nothing would cause my father to turn over in his grave more than that. I expect that would please my brother."

"So you think…you think she will attack us?"

Jaime took her hand, trying to comfort her, though he had no comforting words to offer her. "Eventually. Yes. They will lay siege to Casterly Rock. Perhaps she'll merely summon us to the capitol. And attack when we don't appear."

"Shouldn't we go and try to make peace-"

"She'll make no peace with me."

Ser Addam held one last parchment in his hand, and seemed hesitant to hand it over. "What is it?" Jaime asked, nodding to the last missive his friend held.

"Shortly after her victory…King Tommen was marched through the city – to the Great Sept of Baelor – where he was burned alive by a large black dragon, on orders from the Queen. She stood there beside her dragon, watching and listening as the child burned and screamed."

"That can't be right," Sansa said, looking between the two men. "Tommen's here."

Jaime angrily took the letter from Addam's hand. "Lord Tyrell must have found a boy to pass off as the King once his daughter took him from the City. He would have needed a way to maintain his hold on the Iron Throne. He wouldn't be able to rule with the King no longer in the capitol. With him missing. I expect Tommen's whipping boy took the final punishment for his king."

Sansa was horrified at the thought of such brutality against a child – to be burned alive by dragonfire. "Why would she…burn him alive? He's just a little boy. He never did anything to her." The thought of that happening to Tommen brought tears to her eyes.

"Because he was sitting on her throne. Because she's just as mad and cruel as her father," Jaime spit out as he rose to pour a glass of wine. "Surely you've heard the saying – when a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin to decide if they'll be great or they'll be mad." Jaime took the letter from Ser Addam, who bowed as he took his leave. Once they were alone, Jaime sat opposite Sansa and turned to her with a bitter smile. "If the Mad Queen would burn a child…I expect she'd do the same, if not worse, to me, given the chance. Certainly the Kingslayer deserves a public burning."

Sansa shook her head, not wanting to hear such words. "No. You saved everyone – you saved the Realm from being burned. Jaime, you had no choice. You had to kill the king. If she knew why –"

"She won't care. No matter what the Mad King did, she won't ever see that he had to die. And she certainly won't allow the man who killed him to live. Targaryans are a prideful lot. She'll certainly wish to avenge her father's murder. If for no other reason than to send a message to anyone who might get it in their mind to do the same to her."

"We can still leave, Jaime. Go to the free cities. Please." She could see that he was considering her request and hurriedly pressed on before he changed his mind. "We would be happy there, Jaime, I know it. Far from this game of thrones. Far from the Realm." Sansa moved closer to him, kneeling before him, resting her hands on his knees. "No one in the Free Cities would care what house we're from, or what we did in the past. We could raise our children…it would be warm and…"

"Calm down, Sansa," he said, taking her in his arms, no doubt sensing her panic. "It's all right." She was shaking from the effort to keep from crying. Jaime must have noticed, and began stroking her hair. "Perhaps…It might be best for Julianna if we left to the Free Cities."

"Do you mean it?" She studied his eyes, not yet daring to believe that he spoke the truth. "We can really leave?"

He nodded, leaning forward and kissing her. "I have more to think of than just myself. I won't risk you…or Julianna. I'd give up anything, so long as you're safe."

"Should we leave now?" They couldn't leave soon enough, as far as Sansa was concerned. "When will they arrive here?"

"I'd expect that she would establish her presence in the capitol, set up a council of advisors, before sending men further south…to conquer the rest of the Realm…and bring her my head." Sansa shuddered at the thought. If they take his head, they should just take mine, as well. "We can begin preparations to leave now, and depart in a few days, at the next dawn. I'll send some men to purchase a ship from one of the merchants in Lannisport." He looked at her seriously. "You…you're prepared to say your goodbyes? To your family?"

"You won't allow them to come with us?"

"I would, if they wished, but…I expect they will wish to remain here. Edmure could likely be reinstated as Lord of Riverrun. Your mother and Arya would be safe there. Sansa," he began gently, "You must realize that your mother will not wish to stay under my roof any longer than necessary. If we leave Westeros…you'll have to leave her." She nodded, knowing he was right, though she wished they could all remain together. "I understand if you don't wish to leave them. We can stay and…try to fight-"

"No," she said immediately, taking his hand. "I would not risk your life. Not for anything. We must leave. I'll…I'll tell my mother and Arya in the morning." Though I don't know how I will say goodbye to them, after how hard we fought to be together again.

"It may not be forever," Jaime whispered.

Sansa wrapped her arms around him, seeing that he worried she would blame him for taking her from her family. She rested her head on his shoulder, snuggling against him. "Perhaps not," she said quietly, wrapping her arms around him. "Even if it is…so long as you and I are together…I can bear it. As long as our little family – you and me…Tommen and Julianna are together – I can bear anything."

…

Thank for reading and reviewing. The upcoming chapters definitely have more action rather than quiet moments…hope you enjoyed this chapter and what's to come.

Next Chapter: Sansa tells Arya and Catelyn about their plans to leave Westeros