Thanks to all of you who reviewed the last chapter - good or bad. I knew it would be controversial, but I also think it is consistent with the novels. For those of you who think it is out of character for Dany to threaten and/or kill Jaime's children, I would say to keep reading, since we haven't actually seen her yet. We've only seen the actions of those working on her behalf. (I am simplifying Dany's story from the books, so everything that happened to her and Jorah and Tyrion in the books may not be included in this story. Mainly, I'm ignoring most of A Dance with Dragons.)

This chapter got a little long...

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Chapter 77

Jaime had taken many castles, but he'd never been on the losing end of a siege. Oh, how the fortunes have reversed,he thought, remembering the sack of King's Landing, when the Lannisters had taken the Red Keep. Now, as he and his baby daughter were being held at sword point, while Sansa cried in his arms, and watched a foreign army invade Casterly Rock, Jaime felt like an utter failure. He'd never felt so helpless in his life. Not even when Vargo Hoat took his hand. His mind screamed at him to do something. To fight them. To stop them. Though he could scarce fight when they had a blade to his daughter's throat. I could kill Tyrion for this.

"Release the babe. Now," he ordered in a tone that left no doubt as to his words, even if these so-called Unsullied did not speak the common tongue. If I get the opportunity, this girl and her slave army will come to regret the day they set foot in Casterly Rock. Arya continued to struggle against the men that held her arms, kicking and scratching, though the men who held her did not react to her at all. Lady Catelyn, Edmure and Roslin were ushered into the Great Hall. Lady Roslin clutched her own babe to her chest, and all of their eyes widened as they saw Julianna being held as a hostage.

Sansa clung to Jaime's side as tears streamed down her face. Her eyes remained fastened on Julianna's little face. Though the soldier had lowered the sword he held to her throat, Jaime knew very well that the man could kill her in a second with his bare hands. He forced his mind away from thoughts of what his father's men had done to Rhaeger's children during the Sack. Jaime felt his heart constrict as Julianna began to cry, reaching for Jaime and Sansa as she squirmed in the man's arms.

"Give my sister her baby," Jon ground out, struggling against the soldiers that restrained him from interfering with their takeover of the castle. "And let go of my sister." It was clear that Snow had not known what the Targaryen girl had planned, but Jaime had little sympathy for the boy. He should not even be there, giving the impression that the Night's Watch had thrown its support behind anyone vying for the Iron Throne.

Jaime turned his attention to Tyrion, who had the grace to look shamed by what had happened. I may have lied to him about Tysha, but I spent my entire life trying to make it up to him. I've loved him as a true brother and he would torment my wife and child. He would serve me up for death. My own brother has ensured that I am executed."Tyrion," Jaime spit out angrily, getting his brother's attention. "Tell them to give my daughter to her mother. Now."

Jaime could see that he still had the ability to inspire fear – one hand or know – even with a sword pointed at him. Tyrion gestured for the soldier holding Julianna to return the child. He obeyed his order and gave her to Sansa. She clutched the baby tightly to her chest and shielded her from the Unsullied, turning toward Jaime to protect her between the two of them. It was as if Sansa expected them to snatch the baby away from her again. He leaned over and kissed the top of Julianna's head, hoping that she and Sansa would be spared whatever this girl had planned for him. He was glad they had already hidden Tommen away in the forge, where he would be safe.

"How could you do this?" she hissed at Tyrion. He had never seen such seething anger from Sansa. "How could you do this to us after Jaime freed you from the dungeons in King's Landing? He could have left you there to die. I asked Jaime to help you, but now I wish he had let Cersei take your head."

Normally Tyrion would respond back to such an attack, but he remained silent, looking away, in the face of Sansa's rage. At least he realizes that he's wronged her, if not me.

The Unsullied were eerily silent, holding swords on all of them as they awaited the arrival of their Queen. He met Ser Addam's grim expression over Sansa's head and Jaime knew he was doomed. He could accept anything, as long as his wife and baby weren't harmed.He nodded at Ser Addam, hoping he would do as he'd asked and bend the knee to the Targaryen girl.

"What's going to happen, now?" Sansa whispered fearfully to Jaime. Both she and Julianna were clutching him, seeking comfort.

"I expect we're waiting for their queen. You must be brave, Sansa. Whatever happens, you must be brave," he whispered. Though he felt fear on the inside, he couldn't allow his wife to see it. He had to be strong for her. He could close off his emotions for her sake. His greatest fear was that his death sentence would extend to Sansa because she was his wife, and he would do anything to protect her and save her life. He looked down at Sansa, who was trying to calm Julianna. I love them more than anything. He could bear anything, so long as Sansa was safe.

Sansa's grip on Jaime tightened as a woman entered the Great Hall who could only be Daenerys Targaryen. She resembled her mother, Queen Rhaella, very much. She was rather petite, shorter than Sansa, with her parents' silver hair and violet eyes. She also had the same air of entitlement as the Mad King. I wonder who taught her that the Realm was hers for the taking.He had not seen such arrogance before in one so young. Except perhaps Joffrey.She wore breeches, rather than a gown, with a long coat covering it, and a black fur cloak. No doubt her attire was a remnant from her time with the Dothraki. If she truly wishes to be accepted by the People of Westeros, she'll need to make an effort to be more like them. The ways of her savages will not be welcomed.

Jaime had received reports that Ser Barristan Selmy and Jorah Mormont traveled with the Targaryen girl, but he still felt a flutter of surprise when the old knight he had admired for so much of his life entered the Great Hall. Jaime had been only fifteen years old when he joined the Kingsguard, and his father had promptly left Kings Landing in fit of anger, taking Cersei with him and leaving Jaime there alone. In many ways, Ser Barristan had been as much of a father – as much of an influence – as Lord Tywin had been. Jaime had worshipped Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur Dayne when he joined the Kingsguard. He had thought it a terrible mistake when he heard that Cersei had dismissed Ser Barristan from the Kingsguard and installed Jaime as Lord Commander.

He thought about what a disgrace the Kingsguard had become under Joffrey and Cersei's leadership. It was no longer the elite brotherhood that it once was. Jaime wondered if Ser Barristan would have stopped Sansa's beatings, had he been there. When he thought back to standing outside the royal bedchamber, listening to the Mad King raping his queen, while his brothers told him that he was not to judge the king and he was not to protect the queen from him, Jaime realized that Ser Barristan would not have disobeyed Joffrey. He would not have intervened on Sansa's behalf and protected her. Ser Barristan was a simple man. A soldier. He was like Ned Stark - a man who blindly obeyed vows, no matter the consequence.

Jaime had been surprised to hear that Jorah Mormont with her. Cersei had mentioned that he was spying for Lord Varys in hopes of obtaining a pardon from Robert. He wondered what had made him stay to serve her once he could no longer spy for Robert. He wondered if the Targaryen girl knew that her faithful knight had betrayed her and caused the King to send assassins after her. If not, perhaps I can use that to my advantage.He knew that he and Sansa were in grave danger and he could not afford to make any mistakes. He had to carefully guard and use every piece of information. That's how this will be won - with intellect, not with steel.I'm not good at this. Not like Tyrion or my father. I have to think of what they would do in my place.

Lord Baelish arrived, following the queen and her guards. Jaime noticed that Sansa moved closer to him when she noticed Littlefinger's presence. Jaime watched him carefully and saw his eyes linger on both Sansa and her mother, his interest apparent. Lady Catelyn protectively stepped closer to Sansa, which confused Jaime, since he thought she considered Peter Bayish to be a friend. Perhaps she listened to what I told her about his actions in the capitol. Perhaps she now believes, that he lied to her and betrayed Ned Stark.

The young queen surveyed the room and immediately ordered the guards who restrained Jon Snow to release him, apologizing for her soldier's actions. Jaime couldn't help thinking she had made a mistake – showing her fondness for the boy in front of enemies. I can perhaps use that as well.

Once they released him, Jon Snow looked at the girl in confusion and disappointment. "You didn't tell me this was all a trick, your grace. We obtained admittance to Casterly Rock under a peace banner. How will you ever negotiate in the future, now that you've shown that your word is meaningless? When you raise a peace banner, you make a promise- "

"How dare you question her, Snow?" Jorah Mormont snarled.

"How dare you allow her to show all of the Realm not to trust her?"

Jaime was watching carefully, and saw the hostility Mormont had for the Stark bastard. Of course, Ned Stark was the one who condemned Mormont to death, for being a slaver. Jaime wondered if how he felt about that and if any hostility he had for Ned Stark extended to his children. Jaime also noticed that Mormont stayed rather close to the Queen. He recalled that Mormont was a romantic fool – becoming a slaver just to keep his shallow, faithless wife. I wonder if the little dragon queen returns his affections. He seems jealous of Jon Snow, so perhaps not.

She interrupted their bickering. "We did what was necessary to take the castle, Lord Snow. My brother Rhaeger fought with honor. And he died for it. As did his wife and children." It was clear that she would offer no apology, though she seemed to regret deceiving the Lord Commander. Jaime noted that she was not angry that the boy had challenged her decisions before an enemy, as she should have been. She must have some affection for him to allow such liberties.

"Was it necessary to hold my sister's baby at sword point while she cried for her mother?"

That seemed to have an impact. She began speaking to the Unsullied in High Valaryan. Jaime understood enough to know that she had not asked them to threaten Julianna. After the soldiers responded to her, she spun and addressed Littlefinger. "Did you tell them to threaten the life of a baby?" she asked furiously.

"I did, your grace, but the child was never in any danger. I was very clear that they should not actually harm her. I told them that the mere threat of harm would ensure that those in the castle would be...compliant."

"I thought I was clear after-" she broke off abruptly, realizing she could not show weakness or dissension in her ranks. She looked over at Julianna before returning her gaze to Jon Snow. "The child appears unharmed. She's certainly fared better during the taking of the castle than my brother's children did when the Lannisters took King's Landing."

"Ser Barristan," Jaime began, trying to take control of the conversation. "Welcome to Casterly Rock. I'd offer you and...your queen some refreshment, but it seems I'm not presently in a position to do so. I'm surprised to see you serving another Targaryen, given how it turned out for you the last time."

"The Khaleesi is the rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms."

"Khaleesi, is it? I wonder, if you believe the Iron Throne belongs to the Targaryens, why you served King Robert for as long as you did. It would seem that you should have sought her out years ago. Perhaps fled along with she and Viserys to serve as their personal guards. But you didn't. I seem to recall that you knelt beside me, before Robert Baratheon, and begged forgiveness for our sins. What sins were you asking forgiveness for? Perhaps you're with her because you merely needed a new master once you were dismissed."

He saw the girls eyes darken with hate when she focused on Jaime. "The Kingslayer?" she asked, turning to Lord Baelish.

"Yes, your grace," Littlefinger smarmed, moving close to the girl who called herself a queen, though she was not more than a few years older than Sansa.

"Ser Jaime Lannister, will do. Khaleesi." Jaime knew he was walking a fine line. He couldn't show fear or weakness, but he had to take care not to provoke her anger too much. "An interesting group of advisors you've collected for yourself."

Her eyes narrowed as she considered him. "You're the one who started this? The one who killed the rightful king?"

"I did kill Aerys," Jaime allowed. "But he brought the war on himself. As did Rhaeger, when he foolishly took Lyanna Stark. Rhaeger would have an excellent king," Jaime allowed. "Your father was not. He brought the Seven Kingdoms down on his own head."

He saw the same fire in her eyes that he had seen in the Mad King countless time before. "Take him to the dungeons. We'll take him with us to the capitol and he'll be executed for treason."

Jaime didn't allow himself to show or feel any fear. "Am I not entitled to a trial...Khaleesi?" Jaime asked, though he could imagine the type of trial she would come up with. Likely the same awarded to Rickard Stark.

"You are entitled to nothing. I'll see you dead in a hail of dragonfire and the People will rejoice that their true queen is on the throne and that an Oathbreaker is dead."

Who on earth gave her the impression that the small folk of Westeros longed for the return of the Targaryens?Before Jaime could respond, Sansa shoved Julianna into his arms and knelt on the ground before the queen, her head bowed. "Your grace-"

Jaime reached for Sansa, trying to stop her from drawing attention to herself, lest the girl decide to punish her as well as him. Jaime still wasn't entirely certain that Sansa would be spared, as she was his wife. Princess Elia was raped and murdered by the Mountain for no more than being Rhaeger's wife. Jaime would do anything to prevent that from happening to Sansa. It appeared the Targaryen girl saw that he was trying to silence Sansa and raised an eyebrow.

"Let her speak," Daenerys ordered. "I'd like to hear what it is you don't wish her to tell me." Jaime held Julianna, though he listened carefully to his wife's words. He could see that the girl expected Sansa to speak against him. Perhaps Jon Snow assured her that his sister would never willingly be his lady wife.

"Your grace…I am Lady Sansa of Houses Stark and Lannister and…I beg you to show mercy on my husband, Ser Jaime Lannister. I beg you to…to spare his life. I understand if you don't wish us to remain here, in Westeros. We'll leave forever if you wish. He doesn't deserve to die. Jaime…he has done so much for the Realm. He has saved so many lives, though he took your father's. King Aerys was…he was mad, your grace. He hurt so many innocents...he hurt you mother and Jaime… tried to stop him. He wanted to stop him from…violating her. He wanted to protect her, but the other knights of the Kingsguard would not allow it."

Sansa looked at Ser Barristan and Jaime saw a glimpse of her desperation as she appealed to him to help them. "Please tell her, Ser Barristan. Have you told her what the King was like? What he did? Have you told her that you wouldn't allow Jaime to protect her mother, Queen Rhaella? Have you? Or have you simply blamed Jaime? He was only a boy. You were a man. You should have stood for the Queen, rather than allowing a monster to hurt her, just because he was king."

Jaime couldn't allow this to go on. Sansa was only going to anger the girl if she continued to speak of her father that way. Even if it was all true. "Sansa, please, stop," he whispered urgently, trying to bring her to her feet, though she resisted him. He looked at Lady Catelyn, trying to urge her to stop her daughter, but she seemed uncertain of what to do, her eyes continuing to dart toward Littlefinger with suspicion.

"Please, your grace, Jaime does not deserve to die. He did not betray the Realm. He didn't. I promise you. He saved it. If you would take his head then…you should go ahead and take mine as well."

"No!" Jaime would have no more of this madness from her and pulled her to her feet. "Look at our daughter," he whispered urgently. "She needs you. You can't allow her to be an orphan." She gently ran her hand down both his and the babe's faces. He knew what she was trying to do, but he'd not allow her to die because of some foolish hope of saving him.

"I can't allow her to lose you. She needs you," Sansa whispered, tears forming in her eyes. "Your grace, may I speak to you alone?" Sansa asked, raising her voice and turning from Jaime.

"No," Jaime whispered urgently. "Stop this."

"I would speak to Lady Sansa alone," Daenerys pronounced. "Take the Kingslayer to his chambers. He is to remain under guard while I speak to his lady wife."

"Your grace," Littlefinger interrupted. "The dungeons would be more appropriate for the man who committed such a grave crime as the killing of the true king."

"His rank should afford him more consideration." Jaime looked at Tyrion, surprised that he was intervening on his behalf. Especially after his betrayal. "He is a high-born lord. His rank entitles him to better than a dungeon regardless of his crimes."

"Take him to his chambers," Daenerys repeated, much to Littlefinger's ire. "For now. You may take the child with you, while I speak to Lady Sansa. Take the rest of the hostages to rooms, under guard, as well, while I speak to Lady Sansa. I'll decide what's to be done with them later." She looked at Ser Addam. "Take the Kingslayer's second-in-command to address his soldiers and inform them that they now serve Lord Tyrion."

Jaime wanted to refuse to allow the girl to speak to his wife without him present, but Jaime knew that he was powerless. He reluctantly allowed them to lead him away, leaving Sansa with the girl and her advisors, though he noticed Tyrion following after him, as he was led to his bedchamber. He couldn't imagine what his brother had to say to him after serving him up to the Targaryen Queen and allowing them all to be taken prisoner. Jaime glanced back at Sansa one more time and held Julianna tighter. Don't do anything foolish, little wife. Our girl needs one parent to take care of her.

…

Once Jaime, and the rest of her family was led away, the Dragon Queen took a seat at the table in the great hall and gestured for Sansa to do the same, opposite her. Many of her black-clad soldiers were lined up behind the Queen and behind Sansa. She forced herself not to be scared. I have to convince her to allow Jaime to live. I have to. I can't fail at this.Jon had left, after Sansa nodded that she would be all right. He had taken Arya's hand and walked with her as the Unsullied ushered them all away.

The Queen's two knights - Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah - flanked her and Littlefinger hovered in the corner. Sansa glanced at him fearfully, knowing that he had encouraged the Queen in her anger and hatred of Jaime. She had not forgotten her own experiences with Lord Baelish in King's Landing. He recalled how he had tried to convince her to leave with him - to leave Jaime. She recalled how he had deceived her - making her believe that he wished to help her when he really wished to take her for himself. He had wanted me because I look like my mother.He leaned against the wall and watched her in a way that made her uncomfortable.

"Is it not possible for us to speak alone, your grace?" Sansa asked quietly, glancing at Littlefinger again.

"The wife of a traitor will not be trusted alone with the queen," Jorah Mormont pronounced, harshly. Sansa began to feel the old fear she'd felt in King's Landing return. When everyone had pronounced she and her family traitors. But Sansa quickly pushed it aside, knowing that the Lady of Casterly Rock could not show weakness. Jaime is not a traitor. Nor am I.

"I only ask that…Lord Baelish leave us. He makes me uneasy and I would like to speak freely with you, your grace."

The queen followed Sansa's gaze and looked at Littlefinger, considering. "Leave us, please, Lord Baelish. Tell the rest of my men to make camp for the night." Sansa could see that he was not happy to be sent away, but he did not argue with her. He merely bowed and left them alone, as she had asked. "Now, Lady Lannister, what did you wish to say about your traitor husband?"

Sansa steeled herself, knowing how important it was that the queen change her mind about Jaime. "My husband is not a traitor, your grace."

"What do you call a man who swore to protect the king with his own life, and then killed him?"

"It depends on the reason. My father...he always said that a man must keep his vows. But, he never said what to do when it is impossible to keep all of your vows. Jaime…Ser Jaime Lannister was in the Kingsguard but he was also a knight. He swore to protect the weak and the innocent. He swore to protect the realm."

"If this is all you have to say –"

"King Aerys was going to burn King's Landing to the ground with wildfire. He had it hidden all over the city. And when the Lannister forces arrived, and sacked the city, he refused to allow Jaime - the only knight in the Kingsguard who remained with him - to negotiate a peace. Instead, he ordered him to bring back his father's head. And he ordered his pyromancers to burn the city - to burn every citizen in their beds and kill them all. Jaime had to stop him." She could see that the girl was listening to her, but Sansa didn't know if she would change her mind. "What would you have done, Ser Barristan? If you were in Jaime's place, would you have allowed King's Landing to burn? Just because of an oath? Would you have brought the King your father's head, if he asked for it? If she asked you to an unspeakable act…would you do it, just because she asked?"

The queen turned and looked at her knight, and Sansa could see that he was uncomfortable with her question. "Ser Jaime never told me of this," was all he said.

Sansa nodded. "I know. He says he kept it secret because he was sworn to keep the King's secrets but...I think, now that I know him, that he was too proud to offer explanations for what he'd done. He saw that my father and...I expect you as well, already believed that he had killed the King to benefit his family. He's never been one to make excuses for himself."

"So he sends you to do it for him?" the Queen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm certain you saw that he would prefer if I didn't say anything to you. He's afraid that...I'll anger you and, you'll execute me as well."

The Queen met her eyes, and Sansa saw that she had kindness in her, beneath her hard exterior. Sansa wanted to ask her how she could burn the child she believed to be Tommen in the capitol, but she was too afraid to bring it up. "You needn't worry about that. I gave your brother my word that no harm would come to his sisters. He cares for his family very much."

Sansa nodded. "Your grace, if you execute Jaime...you would be harming me. I...If anyone has reason to hate the Lannisters, your grace, it is me."

"Yet you share a bed with the Kingslayer. You gave him an heir. And you beg for his life."

Sansa nodded. "I – I was not given a choice about marrying Ser Jaime. I was taken hostage when my father was imprisoned. First…I was to be wed to Joffrey. He was…cruel. He tormented me. He had me stripped and beaten by the Kingsguard. Weak men who blindly followed their king's every order," she said, speaking directly to Ser Barristan. "None of them had the courage to defy him. No one spoke out for me except Tyrion. I'll bear the scars from those beatings for the rest of my life. Before the Kingsguard...I'd never had a hand raised to me. I thought I was going to die there. At the hands of honorable men, serving their king. It was only when Ser Jaime returned to King's Landing that the beatings stopped. He would not allow anyone to harm me. Not even the king."

"He was no king," she said sternly. "On our journey from the Wall, your brother spoke a great deal about you and your sister. He loves the both of you very much. Your brother told me that you would never have consented to this marriage to the Kingslayer. Which is why your defense of him surprises me."

Sansa forced herself not to react to her husband being called names, and instead, continued on, trying to make the Queen see how much she needed Jaime and that he was not a bad man. "My father was dead and the Lannisters had declared the rest of my family traitors. I was…a ward of the crown and they decided to wed me to Ser Jaime. Because Lord Tywin had planned to murder my brother, and wanted my claim to Winterfell."

The dragon queen nodded. "Jon told me of the death of your brother, Robb. If the Lannisters did all of that – why do you now defend the head of their house?"

"Because I love him," she said quietly. "I was afraid of him at first, when we were first betrothed and first married. I didn't mean to love him but…he was so kind to me. He protected me from them. I had been so weak for so long but when he draped his cloak about my shoulders…I began to grow strong. I knew that I didn't have to cower in fear, because Jaime would protect me. And then...we had our little girl. They love each other so much," Sansa said, tears beginning to well in her eyes. "I could see it, the moment she was born and he held her in his arms...I could see how he loves her. And he makes her feel so safe, your grace. He can quiet her tears better than I can. Please, your grace. Please don't take him from me. Don't take him from my daughter."

The queen seemed affected by her words. "You're not much older than I was when…when I was married to Khal Drogo. I did not chose that marriage either. Did someone tell you to speak to me this way?"

Sansa shook her head, wondering if she had said something wrong. "No, your grace. I simply...said what was in my heart. Please don't kill him. We'll leave here forever. You'll never have to see him again. Please. Just let him live…let us be together."

"I will think on what you've said, and make my decision tomorrow. You may stay with the Kingslayer and your child until tomorrow. I suppose…your rank entitles you to that. You'll be heavily guarded, so don't try to escape. Ser Barristan, you'll escort her?"

The queen turned and left the great hall then, many of her men falling into line behind her. Ser Barriston offered Sansa his arm. She looked at him with contempt for a moment before lightly resting his hand on his arm. They walked in silence.

"You'll have to lead the way, my lady. I'm not familiar with Casterly Rock."

"Certainly." She had no interest in speaking to this man who judged Jaime's actions – the actions of a young boy – when he had been a grown man and turned a blind eye as the Mad King raped his wife and burned people for his own amusement.

"I get the feeling your husband speaks ill of me."

"Not at all," Sansa said coolly. "He admires you a great deal."

"Then why do seem so angry with me. We've only ever met in passing, Lady Sansa. And I greatly admired your father. His death was a tragedy."

"I suppose I have little patience for those who allow a cruel monarch to brutalize the innocent. To rape his wife and burn my grandfather to death."

"I swore an oath my lady. As did Ser Jaime."

"You swore many oaths. I always admired knights. I always admired brave men. And, my father always taught me that honor was the most important quality in a man. But…did you really feel that you were honorable while watching my uncle and my grandfather die? I know Jaime did not. Did you feel honorable when you listened to the Mad King rape his queen? When you told Jaime that he was not to protect the queen from the King?"

He was silent for so long, Sansa did not think he intended to answer her. "No, my lady," he whispered. "I did not."

...

Next chapter: Jaime and Tyrion speak privately