Chapter 94

Jaime stood on the dock adjoining the villa, waiting for Gerion to arrive and disembark from his own ship. His uncle had insisted there was no time for reunions in the marketplace. There could very well have been other sorrowful men around, determined to complete their task of killing Jaime. Gerion had ordered Jaime's men to proceed on to the villa, while he followed in his own vessel. And the Lannister soldiers had obeyed as if Gerion were their lord, not Jaime. He always did have a charisma that made men want to follow him. Tyrion and I would have followed him anywhere when we were boys. I see that's not changed.

"Why have I never heard anything of this uncle?" Sansa asked. She had sent the children inside with Pia, while she waited beside Jaime to meet his uncle, like a proper lady. She stood beside him, holding his arm possessively; just as she had cuddled beside him on their ship as they traveled home from the marketplace. Jaime knew she was still shaken by the attempt on his life and was unlikely to allow him to leave her sight anytime soon. He smiled and kissed the top of her head as Sansa leaned against him. I'd feel just as protective, if someone had just tried to end her life right in front of me.

"Gerion was always my favorite uncle. Tyrion's as well. He won the first tourney I ever saw. He made want to be a knight. Gerion would fight with me on the practice grounds, and defend Tyrion and Cersei and I when father wouldn't let us be children. He was never ashamed of Tyrion – spoiling him with attention while my father preferred to ignore him. I always wanted to be just like Gerion when I was grown," Jaime said quietly, more to himself than to Sansa. "Lord Tywin thought him a fool. He loved him but…a fool nonetheless. He always said Gerion did not have enough ambition. That he did not consider the future of House Lannister. That he spent far too much time being clever and thought life a joke."

"So you are just like him," Sansa said with a smile. Jaime smirked down at her.

"One day – more than fifteen years ago - he got it into his mind to search for our ancestral greatsword – Brightroar. It was lost so many years ago. And it's absence vexed my father for as long as I can remember. Gerion bought a ship, and sailed away. We all eagerly anticipated his return, knowing he would bring us treasures from his adventure and have stories to tell. He was always the best story-teller. Month after month passed, and we didn't hear a word from him. Soon years passed and still no word of him or his ship. As different as they were, and as much as they clashed, my father loved him, and he sent several men to the Free Cities to track him. He was traced as far as Volantis, but not beyond. His crew had abandoned him there when he insisted on sailing into the Smoking Sea. Father believed him to be dead."

Jaime watched as his uncle's crew guided his ship to their dock. The Laughing Lion. He still sails the same ship Tyrion and I waved goodbye to all those years ago, when he left Casterly Rock. Jaime knew his father had sent men looking for Gerion and for that specific ship. He didn't understand how they had not been able to locate him.

"What's the matter?" Sansa asked, seeing his reaction to the ship.

"My father…he sent many men looking for that ship. The Laughing Lion. There was not a trace of it." Jaime looked at his uncle as he approached. "However did you hide from Lord Tywin? How could you possibly hide a ship this large and…distinctive from the many men he sent looking for you?"

Gerion smiled. "Tywin may have ruled Westeros. But that was where his power ended. I came to have my own influence here in the Free Cities. It's not gold or your house that matters here. This is a place where you rise and fall on your own merit." He looked at the villa behind them and then back at his nephew. "And, Jaime, I believe you have more merit than your father ever gave you credit for. More than you gave yourself credit for. You'll do well here…for the time being."

He saw his uncle's eyes drift to the golden hand and Jaime looked away uncomfortably. Of all people, Jaime couldn't bear for Gerion – the man he'd idolized for his entire life – to see him so weak and deformed. It was as unthinkable to him as showing weakness to Ser Arthur Dayne. "I suppose that's a good thing, Uncle. Since I'm no longer the greatest sword in the Seven Kingdoms."

"You're no longer in the Seven Kingdoms, my boy."

"And you have learned so well with your left hand," Sansa said quietly, looking up at him in admiration.

Gerion turned his attention to Sansa then, smiling rakishly and looking her up and down. "I didn't have a chance to meet this beautiful creature before," he murmured. "Do me the honor, nephew?"

Jaime expected Sansa to be horrified by Gerion's open appraisal of her body, but she smiled and blushed at his compliment, offering her hand to him. As he recalled, every woman his uncle met succumbed to his charm. "Uncle Gerion, my wife, Lady Sansa, of House Stark. Sansa, my wayward Uncle, Gerion Lannister."

"It's a pleasure, my dear," his uncle said, his mouth lingering on her hand a touch too long to be completely proper. "Jaime, the gods have certainly smiled on you. I could only wish for such a beauty to allow me to take her as my lady wife."

"You're very kind, my lord," Sansa replied, smiling with pleasure and acting not unlike how she behaved around Ser Loras Tyrell back in King's Landing. I suppose Gerion is a rather gallant figure.

"I'm no lord, sweetling," he said, releasing Sansa's hand and placing it on his own arm, so as to lead her into the villa. "Your mother must be from the Riverlands," he said, as they began to walk, "You have the look, more than that of a Stark. Tell me all about yourself…it's been quite some time since I've had the pleasure of such charming company. I can scarce recall the last time I enjoyed the attentions of a true lady, such as yourself." He gazed at Sansa for a moment, his eyes moving over her face. "Such a striking beauty."

Jaime resisted the urge to roll his eyes as his uncle continued to shamelessly flirt with Sansa who giggled at his compliments like a silly girl. "Now I know you're trying to flatter me. We've been in Lys long enough for me to see how beautiful the women are here. I'm certain you have not lacked female companionship."

"None of them hold a candle to my beautiful new niece," he said smoothly. "I'm so pleased that you are part of the family. Your presence might tempt me to return."

"Don't mind me," Jaime murmured, following them into the villa. Sansa glanced back at him and blushed, smiling sheepishly.

"Oh, Jaime, don't be peevish," Gerion called out merrily. "She shares your bed every night and you have a lifetime to enjoy her. I only have a short time to drink in her substantial charms." He then turned his complete attention back to Sansa. "Unless of course I can convince you to run away with me, my dear."

Gerion's flirtation continued throughout dinner. Sansa and Tommen both hung on his uncle's every word as he told them stories of the many adventures he'd had since leaving Westeros. Any other man, and Jaime would have run him through hours ago for his improper attention to his wife. But Jaime knew the old scoundral was no real threat. He's likely trying to provoke a reaction from me. Gerion always enjoyed being provocative. And if it allowed him to enjoy the attentions of a beautiful woman at the same time, so much the better. Jaime turned his gaze to Sansa. She certainly is beautiful. The glow of her pregnancy becomes her very much.

"Did you see the Titan of Braavos? Or the triple walls of Qarth?" Tommen asked, the excitement of Gerion's tales pushing away any lingering fear from the events in the marketplace. He had eagerly peppered his great uncle with questions about the various sights he had encountered during his adventures.

"You know about the Wonders Made by Man, do you lad?"

Tommen nodded proudly. "I read both of Lomas Longstrider's books to Uncle Jaime when he was hurt after battling the White Walkers. He said they were Uncle Tyrion's favorite books."

Gerion smiled fondly at the memory. "That's true. I gave them to Tyrion when he was even younger than you are. He could recite the names of all of the wonders aloud from memory." Jaime smiled to himself at the memory of Uncle Gerion lifting Tyrion onto the dining table, once the food had been cleared away, and calling for Tyrion to recite all the wonders for everyone to hear. It would infuriate Lord Tywin when his youngest son became the center of attention, but he would hold his tongue, so as not to cause a scene before their guests. And Tyrion would laugh, basking in the attention.

"Uncle Tyrion is the Hand of the Queen," Tommen said proudly.

"I heard something about that," Gerion said, sipping his wine. "I've…heard quite a few things about our Tyrion. It seems he has turned out very differently from the sweet boy I knew. Though still quite clever." Jaime and Sansa both noticed the dimming of the light in his uncle's eyes. He knows that Tyrion killed father, then.

"Tommen, it's time for bed. Say goodnight," Sansa said, rising to her feet so they could discuss Tyrion and Lord Tywin outside of Tommen's hearing.

"Good night, Great-Uncle Gerion."

"Goodnight, lad."

Tommen hugged Jaime fiercely. "Goodnight, Uncle Jaime. I'm glad you're safe." Jaime returned the boy's hug before sending him off with Sansa, who promised to return directly.

Jaime leaned back in his chair, watching as his uncle's eyes followed Sansa and Tommen down the long hallway to the bedchambers. "Uncle Jaime, is it? I can plainly see that the boy has not a drop of Baratheon blood in him. He's a pure Lannister if I ever saw one." Jaime felt his stomach drop at the realization that his uncle knew about he and Cersei. "Your lady wife is no idiot. You're fortunate she welcomes him into the family. Most women would hand the boy over to the Dragon Queen, and have him out of their sights. Or at least banish him to the servant's quarters."

Jaime shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I take it word of Stannis Baratheon's…letters reached you?"

"I didn't need any gossip from Westeros to tell me your relationship with Cersei was abnormal. And I saw Joffrey when he was a babe. No Baratheon in him, either." Gerion fixed his gaze on him and Jaime felt like a little boy. "I told Tywin that he should send one of you to be fostered, after Joanna died. I loved my brother but…raising small children on his own, without Joanna's guidance, is not something he should have attempted. I suppose you and Cersei had to find comfort somewhere. She does know?" he asked, meaning Sansa.

"I…have no secrets from Sansa." Jaime desperately wished to change the subject, but he knew there was another unpleasant subject to discuss. "You know about Tyrion? That he killed father?"

Gerion nodded sadly. "I often wondered what would have happened if Joanna had lived. How you, Cersei and Tyrion would have turned out differently. You all would have benefitted from her love, her wit and her honor. She…would not have cared that Tyrion was a dwarf. I wonder if Tywin would have cared half as much, if Joanna had not died birthing him." He looked at Jaime and smiled knowingly. "Your father loved your mother, every bit as much as you appear to love your own lady wife." Before Jaime could respond, Gerion glanced up and his smile widened. "There's the enchantress now."

Sansa carried Julianna in her arms as she joined them in the sitting room. When Sansa set the babe on the ground, she looked up at Gerion shyly, as she did with most strangers. "Who is this little beauty?" he asked, picking up Julianna and setting her on his knee.

"Her name's Julianna," Sansa said proudly, ruffling the babe's hair.

Gerion repeated the babe's name before turning to gaze at Sansa, a flirtatious glimmer in his eyes. "I see where she gets her beauty. She's the picture of her mother." Jaime sighed in annoyance when Sansa lowered her eyes and blushed at the compliment. He noticed that even Julianna was in his uncle's thrall, gazing up at him with a smile on her face.

"I'm so grateful that we have her," Sansa said quietly, "And that she has two parents who love her." Jaime watched her shake her head and wondered what horrible memory she was trying to erase.

Gerion covered her hand with his own. "I'm very sorry for all that my House has done to you and yours. I see your happiness now but…I know it was hard won."

Sansa nodded, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. "I've asked the chamber maids to make up a room for you and-"

He shook his head and she stopped. "That's not necessary, sweetling. I'll not be staying in Lys beyond this evening."

"But we're your family," Sansa argued, urging him to stay. "And after so long away, Jaime's only just found you."

"I assure you, my dear, I am far better suited to wander the world than stay in one place. Who knows? I may see you again someday…if the sea should carry me in that direction." He put Julianna back on the ground and took Sansa's hand. "I'm very glad to have met you. I always wondered about the woman Jaime would finally settle down with. I'm pleased to see how well he has chosen. If I didn't know that he would fight me to the death, I'd throw you over my shoulder and take me with you."

Sansa laughed, picking up Julianna who was clinging to her leg. "I'm very glad to have met you as well. Do come and visit us any time. And thank you," she said, taking his hands in her own, "Thank you for saving Jaime's life. I'll not forget that."

Gerion nodded, though Jaime knew they were not likely to see him again. He's meant to roam free, without anything tying him down. "Jaime, will you see me out?"

"Of course," Jaime rubbed Sansa's arm reassuringly, before following Gerion outside and onto the dock.

"You haven't asked how I knew that there would be an attempt on your life."

"It wasn't a matter of chance?"

Gerion shook his head, and pulled a small scroll from his pocket. "Tyrion sent a warning, though it fell into the wrong hands. Luckily for the both of you I have men throughout Lys who are loyal to me. Any news of House Lannister – of you and Tyrion – finds its way to me eventually. It will not get back to the Dragon Queen that her Hand betrayed her – I've seen to that."

Jaime nodded, looking out into the water. Tyrion's saved me yet again.

"You're fortunate the girl didn't send a faceless man after you. If she had, you would have been dead before Tyrion's message was written. Of course, they would have asked for one of her dragons as payment. Perhaps that's why she was forced to settle for a sorrowful man. Targaryens are a prideful lot. And you did kill her father, however necessary it was. She may try to again, to have you killed."

"I realize that."

"I won't be here to stop another attempt on your life. You need to keep your wits about you. You have plenty of guards with you and they seem loyal. Hells, the traveled here with you out of loyalty, that says something. I've made it known throughout the Free Cities that you will handsomely reward anyone who sends word of sorrowful men here in Lys – or anyone else looking to do you or your family harm. Assassins are not looked on favorably here. But gold is, and Lannisters have plenty of that. Even in exile."

"It would be nice if you stayed. Even for a short time."

He smiled sadly. "I'm not meant to stay in one place, Jaime. I'm meant for adventure. There's something rather freeing about traveling from port to port. No one knowing who you are…leaving the past behind. And now that I see you, it's time I shed a bit more of the past." Jaime raised his eyebrows in question. "I've sailed the same vessel for far too long…it's like being with the same woman for too long." He smiled. "Though, I suppose, you may not agree on that, with your lovely Sansa. I'll take your ship and leave the Laughing Lion with you. She's been good to me…but it's time to move on."

Jaime sighed. They were both equally fine ships. The only purpose in the trade could be to conceal Gerion's identity and to leave his ties to House Lannister behind. Now we'll never be able to track him again. "Running from someone? Some comely woman's husband, perhaps?"

Gerion chuckled. "The only enemies I have in the Free Cities are those fools who refused to sail with me into the Smoking Sea. Replaced them with slaves and returned with more treasures than they could have dreamed. I may have…taunted them a bit about what their cowardice cost them."

"You never did know when to be quiet."

"Nor did you, Jaime," Gerion said fondly. His uncle removed the golden greatsword from his back and handed it to Jaime. Brightroar. Jaime was about to argue with him, but Gerion shook his head. "It took me many years to locate this. Not for myself, but to return it to the Lord of Casterly Rock, where it belongs. It belongs with you. You are the heir to House Lannister, whether you're inside the Rock or not. It's yours and it should be your son's after you. I'll let you decide if it goes to Tommen or any son that Sansa may give you."

Jaime nodded looking over the ancestral sword of House Lannister. As his eyes traced over the lion's head carved into the pommel, he knew that he still cared about his house. He may have even come to care about the legacy of House Lannister. Father would approve. For once. Jaime embraced his uncle, knowing that he could very well never see him again.

"Jaime…if it's ever possible…if that Targaryen girl should lose her throne or if Tyrion could persuade her…you should return to Casterly Rock. It's what Tywin would want. It's what he's always wanted. To know that you would be Lord of the Rock after him."

Jaime chuckled. "You roam the world…no ties to anyone or anything and you would send me back to be Lord of the castle?"

"You and I are different. You have a wife and children. You fought it your whole life, but you were meant to be Lord of the Rock. You are Tywin's heir and you always have been. Don't let another Targaryen deprive you of your birthright."

With that, Gerion Lannister clapped his nephew on the shoulder and strode down the dock, sailing away in Jaime's ship, and leaving the Laughing Lion behind. Jaime stood there for a while, watching his uncle disappear into the darkness and holding the sword of House Lannister – lost so many years ago. Father tried so many times to replace it. Now it has been restored. He and Sansa were happy in Lys, but he couldn't stop thinking about his uncle's words. Jaime shook his head, and returned to the Villa.

Perhaps one day, the Rock will be ours again.

…

We'll get to Tyrion & Daenerys reaching Winterfell in the next chapter (I promise).

As always, thank you all for reading and for the reviews. It's very humbling to read the kind words so many of you have for my story. I appreciate all of you and I'm so glad that I decided to share this story, rather than just write it for myself. In some cases, your reviews and messages have given me ideas that I've incorporated into the story and your encouragement has made this story far better than it would have been if written in a vacuum, so thank you.