Chapter 100

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Tyrion looked around the chamber he'd been given for the duration of their stay at Castle Black. It was the same chamber he had received during his last stay at the Wall. How much has changed since then. He shivered and poured himself another cup of strong wine and stood before the fire, trying to warm up. He found his mind wandering to Margaery back in King's Landing. He couldn't help wondering how she fared. Knowing my lady wife, she's scarce noticed my absence. No doubt, my sweet wife is planning how to take Casterly Rock for herself once the child is born in a few moons.

Tyrion wished Jaime were safely ensconced at Casterly Rock with Sansa and his children, instead of living in exile in the Free Cities. Even surrounded by the royal party, with his pregnant wife waiting for him in King's Landing, Tyrion felt very much alone in the world. At least Jaime is not alone. He has Sansa. His melancholy thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door to his chamber. He smiled when he saw who was outside. "Your grace. This is an unexpected surprise."

"Might I intrude for a few moments?" He expected Daenerys had much on her mind. Tyrion had watched from the windows of Castle Black in astonishment as the largest of the Queen's dragons began attacking the Wall. Panic had set in quickly, as those inside the castle anticipated the Wall to collapse. Then, the dragon had suddenly soared high into the air. From the height of the castle, Tyrion had not been certain what had finally caused the dragon to stop the destruction, but the littlest Stark boy had run back inside the castle in excitement, to tell Lady Catelyn that his brother, Bran, had controlled the dragon's mind.

When the Queen had returned to Castle Black, she had seemed shell-shocked – no doubt by Jon's refusal to leave the Night's Watch, as well as the incident with the dragons. Yet another thing that has not turned out as she expected. She had been similarly disappointed in the apathy – and in some cases distain – of the people of Westeros upon her return. Now that their trip to the Wall had not gone as she had anticipated, Tyrion knew she would wish to hear his advice. But he had not pushed her. Tyrion knew the queen well enough to know that she would speak to him when she was ready.

"It's no intrusion, your grace," he said, closing the door and inviting her to sit before the fire. "Though, this late-night visit to my chambers is likely to draw more than a few whispers. Let us hope they do not travel back to my lady wife. She is a most jealous woman." The queen smiled indulgently at his admittedly improper remarks. No one else would have dared address their queen in such a manner, but Tyrion knew she would be amused by his teasing, not angry. "Is it Jon that troubles you?"

She nodded. "How can he…how can he refuse to take his rightful place as Rhaeger's only living child? When Lord Reed told us, I thought that perhaps I wasn't alone in the world as I had believed. That I wasn't the last of my house. I thought…I wouldn't have to rule alone in a place where everyone regards me with suspicion."

"You aren't alone," Tyrion said gently. Both he, Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah offered her support and guidance. But he understood the desire for a more familial connection. "Your grace, I fear I should have warned you that the boy would likely refuse to leave the Wall. He may not be Eddard Stark's son, but he shares his foolish sense of honor. Must be the Stark blood in his veins. Perhaps it's for the best. If he remains as Lord Commander, there will be a Targaryen presence in the North – even if he refuses to take the name. In a way, he would be helping to rule the Realm." He smiled at her kindly. "I know how you must long for a true family by your side."

"As you do?" she asked, turning her head towards him. "I know…I know that miss your brother. That you are in contact with him." Tyrion felt his blood run cold as she spoke. "Lord Varys informed me that messages have traveled from Casterly Rock to Lys…he suspects you helped the Kingslayer and his wife escape from the Rock, though he cannot prove it. The servants at the Rock are…loyal. Whether to you or your brother, he knows not, but they have not uttered a word about it to anyone."

"You believe I've committed treason, and yet you would make me your Hand?"

Daenerys turned back to the fire. "I was told once that…I would suffer three treasons in my life. One for blood, one for gold, and one for love. You love your brother, do you not?"

Tyrion nodded, though the queen did not look in his direction. "I've always loved Jaime…more than anyone in the world. He's been my closest friend since I was a boy and…yes. I do miss him."

"There is no one that I would not betray, if it would bring Rhaeger back. And I never met him. I never loved him as you loved your brother." She'd have done the same in my place. She'd have freed Jaime. "Lord Varys expected me to take your head, I believe. Or at least banish you from the Red Keep. I expect he would like to serve as Hand. When we return to the capitol…I'll make it clear to him that you are my Hand and that I will not tolerate infighting in my small counsel." She rose to her feet then. "We'll leave in the morning."

Tyrion wondered when she decided to forgive him for freeing Jaime. He suspected this journey had been a test. A test that I passed. He sighed in relief. Perhaps I will be able to engineer Jaime's return, in time. He leaned back into the cushions of his chair. Now that he knew for certain that Lord Varys plotted against him, Tyrion would have to take steps to ensure that he did no further damage to his relationship with the Queen. And that Margaery had not joined Varys in his campaign to be Hand of the Queen.

…

She can't endure much more of this.

It seemed as though Sansa had been laboring forever, and still the babe had not been born. When Jaime discovered that she had concealed her labor from him for most of the day, he wanted to scold her. Instead, he had held her and kissed her, and assured her that all would be well. Gendry had been sent to town immediately to fetch the healer who would deliver the babe while Jaime and Pia tried to make Sansa comfortable. He had never been so grateful to see someone as he was when the healer finally arrived with Gendry. The healer had taken one look at Jaime, positioned on the bed behind Sansa, and had not so much as suggested that he leave her.

That had been hours ago. Every time Sansa screamed in pain, Jaime felt it tear at his heart. All he could do was wipe her brow with a cool cloth and hold her and whisper words of encouragement. He'd had enough. Jaime was not a man who sat around waiting for something to happen.

"Why is it taking so long to deliver this babe?" Jaime finally snapped at the healer, unable to take anymore.

"It's not her fault, Jaime," Sansa said weakly.

"She's exhausted," he said, with less anger, hoping the woman could do something for Sansa.

"It shouldn't be much longer," the healer said, looking between Sansa's thighs and asking Pia to bring some clean linens.

"I'm scared, Jaime," she whispered.

Jaime rested his head on her shoulder. "There's nothing for you to fear, sweet girl. I won't allow anything to happen to you. You've done this before. You can do it again." He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tighter and silently willed his words to be true. He had reassured her many times that all would be well, but he was beginning to doubt his words. Sansa was having a far more difficult time than she had with Julianna. He could see the fear in her eyes, even as he promised that she would be safe.

Sansa was struck by another labor pain and her eyes filled with tears as she cried and screamed through the pain. He kissed her temple and encouraged her to breathe. "I love you more than anything, Sansa." As a contraction passed, Sansa leaned back against Jaime's chest and he mopped her brow once more. "You're doing well, Sansa. You're braver than any warrior and you'll get through this. We'll get through this together."

She turned her head to look at him and stared into his eyes. Jaime knew that she got strength from him, just as he got strength from her. He leaned his forehead against hers and kissed her. "I love you."

She nodded. "I love you." She cried out in pain as another contraction came.

"Lady Lannister, it's time to push," the healer said, looking up from between Sansa's thighs.

Sansa nodded and squeezed his hand as she began to push. Her screams made his blood run cold and he tightened his arm around her, as if he could somehow absorb some of the pain for her. She began panting as the healer told her to stop and Jaime wrapped his arm around her chest. "It's almost over, Sansa," he murmured, kissing her shoulder as she cried and the babe was pulled from her womb. Hearty cries echoed the room. "You hear? The babe's all right."

"It's a little boy," Pia said happily as she helped the healer wipe him off with a warm cloth and wrap him in a blanket.

"Is he all right?" Sansa asked anxiously. He knew she had been worried because the babe had come early. Jaime was relieved by the hearty cries from the babe. It would have broken Sansa if their child had died.

"The babe's a bit small, but he'll fatten up soon enough," she healer said as she looked the babe over.

The squirming little bundle was placed in Sansa's arms. She began to cry in relief and happiness as she held him tightly against her chest. She looked up at Jaime once and smiled before turning her attention back to their son. She's so happy. He knew Sansa would say that it was well worth the pain and worry to bring their babe into the world. She's a wonderful mother. Far better than I am a father.

Jaime peered over her shoulder and met the green eyes of his son. He was much smaller than Julianna had been, but he was alert and looking at them both. He had blonde hair and distinctly Lannister features. "He looks just like you," Sansa said, carefully smoothing her fingers over the babe's locks. "Like you and like Tommen." She lowered her head and kissed the babe's forehead. "You should hold him."

As Sansa turned to pass the babe to him, she inhaled sharply, her pain apparent. "What is it? What's wrong with her?" he asked, looking at the healer accusingly.

The healer ignored Jaime and parted Sansa's thighs once again, examining her. Without explanation she turned toward Pia. "Take the babe from Lady Lannister."

"No," Sansa said. He could hear the panic in her voice as Pia reached for the newborn. "Why are you taking my baby away?"

She looked up at Sansa and smiled kindly. "Because, my lady, you're about to have another one."

Twins. Jaime felt an odd feeling of fear upon hearing that he and Sansa would have twins. What if this second babe is a girl? What if their relationship becomes as twisted as mine and Cersei's did? Jaime would not wish that sort of life on his children. Jaime pushed aside his fears, knowing that he had to support Sansa through her labor. He looked down at her and saw nothing but exhaustion.

She had been in labor for hours, and it had taken all of her strength to get through the birth of the first twin. "I don't know if I can, Jaime," she said weakly. "I'm so tired."

He kissed her forehead and brushed back her hair. "You can. You have to, Sansa. Just a little longer…just a bit more effort and you'll be holding both your babies. I'm right here with you." He propped her up again, and felt how limp she was. She barely has the strength to sit upright. Sansa began sobbing through her pain as the healer urged her to push.

"I can't."

"Yes, you can. Think of our babe inside you…trying to be born so you can hold it. Sansa, our babe wants to meet you. You can do this. I know you can. Just one more big push. For the babe – you can do this."

Sansa gripped his hand and wrist above the golden hand tight enough to cause him pain as she pushed. He could feel her determination as she dug for every scrap of strength she had left to bring their child into the world. As the babe began to cry, Sansa fell back against Jaime's chest. He cradled her against him, kissing her. "It's another boy, Sansa," he whispered, watching as the second babe was washed and wrapped in a blanket.

Jaime took the boy from Pia, holding him against Sansa so she could see him. He had Lannister features, like his twin, but the piercing blue eyes of his mother. Jaime smiled as the babe cooed and nuzzled against Sansa. "They look just alike, Sansa. Except their eyes. This one has your eyes. Sansa?" He waited for her to take the babe from him, but Sansa merely leaned heavily against him and Jaime saw that her eyes were fluttering shut. He pushed the babe back into Pia's arms, as he saw that the healer was working furiously between Sansa's thighs as a red stain spread out across the sheets. "Sansa? Sansa? Please…open your eyes," he whispered, as a cold fear gripped him.

He gently placed her back on the bed, watching as healer pulled bloody linens from beneath Sansa, and placed new ones down. Jaime remembered when his lady mother died. He remembered the servants carrying basket after basket of bloody linens from the birthing chamber, while he and Cersei cried in the hallway and listened to their mother scream.

Before he could stop himself, Jaime turned on the healer. "I'll kill you myself if she…" If she dies. If Sansa dies. Jaime couldn't bring himself to say the words aloud. "Save her. Please." She can't die. If she dies….I may as well lie down and die with her.

"Sansa," he whispered, taking her hand. "Please, Sansa…I need you…Julianna needs you." The babes' soft cries had become louder and Jaime felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Lord Lannister," Pia said hesitantly. "The babes?"

"Get them out of here," he said irritably. She shrank back at his tone, but nodded and gathered the twins up in her arms. Jaime hardly glanced at the infants that Pia carried from the room. He could only see and think about Sansa as he quietly begged her to come back to him.

It seemed like hours passed until the healer stopped working on Sansa and rose to her feet. She's given up on saving her, Jaime thought in a panic. "You can't stop. She-"

"My lord," she said gently, pulling a light blanket over Sansa, "the bleeding has stopped. But Lady Sansa has lost so much blood. It will be difficult…she will need to fight to regain consciousness. It will take a great strength and will to live for her to recover." Jaime looked at Sansa's pale face – as white as the Northern snow. The soft glow that lit her skin and the rosiness of her cheeks was gone. He had not released her hand for a moment, his fingers stretched across Sansa's wrist to feel her pulse. It was weak, but it was there. The quiet reassurance that his Sansa was still alive. The healer poured some concoctions down Sansa's throat. She sputtered a bit as the foul-looking liquids flowed past her lips, but failed to wake.

The healer moved to a chair across the room, but Jaime stayed by Sansa's side, holding her hand and urging her to fight, as night faded into day. The healer had given Sansa more herbs and potions during the night, but her color was still pale and she had not roused. The door to the bedchamber opened and he saw that Pia was carrying a basket. It was the same type of basket Sansa had carried Julianna in when she was a baby, and Jaime knew that the twins must be in there.

He could see that Pia was hesitant to approach him. "I thought…my lord, I thought if the babes were near her she might…it might help her to wake up."

Jaime nodded as she placed the basket beside Sansa. Jaime saw that the two tiny boys were curled up next to one another, staring up at him. He leaned over Sansa and gently stroked her face. "Wake up, Sansa. The babe's are here…for you to hold…" One of the boys cooed, but Sansa didn't react at all.

Pia's eyes welled with tears as she looked at Sansa. "I…My lord, I sent for a nursemaid…for the babes." She believes Sansa is dying. That she won't be here for the babes.

Jaime looked at the twins and understood why his father hated Tyrion as he had. His entire life, Jaime had heard how much Lord Tywin loved Lady Joanna. How his father had never been the same after his mother died in childbirth. If Sansa dies…it will break me. Jaime feared that he would never be able to forgive these tiny infants for taking Sansa away from him. If he'd had a choice, Jaime knew that he would have chosen Sansa's life in a heartbeat over the lives of his children. He didn't know what kind of man that made him, but he didn't care. Sansa's all that matters.

Jaime knew he should have felt protective of these babes. He should love them and be grateful for his sons. But all he could think was that he didn't know these babies. He didn't love them as he loved Julianna. He had not held them and comforted them through the night. He had not even named them. All he knew of them was that Sansa could die because of them. He turned back to Sansa, unable to look at the infants that made his shortcomings as a father so apparent. "Take them away."

Pia nodded quickly, picking up the basket. "My lord…Tommen…he doesn't know that Lady Sansa is…unwell. But, he's asked to see the babies and hold them and -"

"Fine," Jaime said, waving her away, and turning back to Sansa. "Don't bring them back here." The healer had left for a time and Jaime was grateful for the time alone with Sansa.

"I'm sorry I'm not a better father. I can't…I can't love them…knowing it's because of them that you are…." He rested his head on her shoulder. "I need you to fight to come back to me, Sansa. I can't lose you. Not so soon and not like this." Jaime lifted his head to look at her. She's still so beautiful. My sweet girl. "I know I don't deserve you, Sansa, but I need you. Our children need you."

The door to the bedchamber creaked open again, and Jaime was about to shout at whoever it was to leave him alone with Sansa, when he saw that it was Julianna sneaking into their chamber as she did most mornings. If he and Sansa were still in bed, she would climb in with them, and cuddle between them. Sometimes, Julianna would sit beside Sansa at her dressing table, copying her mother's actions as she got ready for the day. And Jaime would watch them, wondering how he got so lucky that those beautiful girls were his.

Julianna looked up at Jaime and smiled. He felt his heart break as he looked at his little miniature Sansa. She's so small. She needs her mother. If I have to raise her alone…I'll ruin her. She toddled over to him, and he saw her face fall as she looked at Sansa. He was grateful that the bloody sheets had been removed, so Julianna wouldn't be scared or see that Sansa was hurt.

"Mama?" she asked, reaching for Sansa's hand. "Mama?"

Jaime ran his hand over Julianna's hair. "She's sleeping now, little lioness. She's…your mother doesn't feel well."

"Mama sick?" she asked, her chin quivering and tears filling her eyes. Julianna tried to climb onto the bed with Sansa, and Jaime scooped her up so that she wouldn't jostle her or accidentally cause her more pain.

"She's very sick and she needs to rest. She needs to rest and get better. Then she'll wake up and be with us…then she can hold you, Julianna." We need you, Sansa. I need you. And Julianna needs you. Jaime settled Julianna against his chest, feeling some small comfort at the warmth of her little body against him as he held Sansa's hand and willed her to come back to him.

…

Wow – 100 Chapters! When I first began this story, I never imagined it would get to this point. Thank you all for continuing to read and review.

Next Chapter: We'll learn Sansa's fate