A/N: Hey guys! New chapter for you all, hope you enjoy it!

unnamed visitor: Wow thank you very much. Yes, Tyrion and Geanna have got off to a good start, they certainly deserve a happy marriage. I'm glad you liked the Tywin/Robb conversation, Tywin might be a hard man but he can't be anything other than soft when it comes to Amy, and yes, it was a picture of Joanna in the locket. There is some Cersei POV in this chapter so hopefully it will give some more insight into her character. Glad you liked the royals arriving and the names of the princesses. I couldn't possibly comment on people finding out about Jaime and Cersei's past, all I can say is wait and see. Here is the new update anyway, hope you enjoy!

ItsLiz: Thanks for catching up and reviewing, it's very much appreciated! Cersei's arrival will certainly have an impact in several ways but I couldn't possibly give out spoilers haha. Not surprised you're on edge about the whole thing (Lana certainly is as well!) Thank you very much again, hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Boramir: Thank you, her POV is coming up in this chapter! I agree with your musings on what turned her bitter in canon, and that hasn't happened here so she certainly has potential to be a much better person. And definitely, she would not want anyone to know about the affair, Robert would kill her, whether he loves her or not. That temper shouldn't be messed with! It is definitely understandable that Jaime and Lana want her at arms length though, as you said, they aren't to know what goes on in her mind. There will be a touch more Steffon in this chapter and some interaction with Robb towards the end. Robert would certainly be happy if they were to get on with one another, despite being happy with Cersei he will always have a certain fondness for the Starks.

FAndomlifeCRazy101: Her side is coming right up!

Right then people, on we go!

:)

Lasts

It had been a week and so far Lanette had managed to avoid Cersei for the most part. Evening meals were now a grand affair rather than a family one at it was easy enough to make sure she was always seated away from her. She had worried that Tywin would notice but she explained away her decision using the excuse that Jaime and Robert had never really seen eye to eye. He seemed happy enough with her reasoning and hadn't questioned her since. There were only four days left now before the Royal party would depart again and Lanette could not wait. Once the wedding and the two days of the tourney were done with they would be left in peace again and she could enjoy what time she had left with Amy before she returned to Winterfell. If Lanette was honest with herself she knew she could have spent lots of time with Amy over the last week but her daughter was often in the company of Cersei or her children, or all of them. She didn't begrudge her daughter getting to know her cousins, but she was wary of how much time she spent with her aunt. At least Tyrion seemed happy, that at least was a weight off her mind.

"Mother?" Amy's questioning voice came from behind her then and she turned from the lists she was reading through for things needed for the feast.

"Do you need something?" she asked her, bringing a smile to her face.

"Well, the wedding is tomorrow and the King has arranged a sort of celebration for all the men. From what Robb says they are all likely just going to end up drinking far too much but it got me thinking that perhaps we could do something for Geanna," Amy said.

"What did you have in mind?" Lanette asked her.

"An afternoon tea out on the terrace; cakes and wine and a chance to talk about our husbands behind their backs," Amy smiled widely and Lanette couldn't help but return it.

"Just for ladies?" Lanette arched a brow.

"Of course, if we are not invited to the men's soiree then they cannot join ours," she said.

"And the Queen?" Lanette questioned her.

"Well she would be invited of course," Amy smiled, "you will come, won't you?"

"I have a lot to do for the feast Amy, there is barely any time left to prepare," Lanette tried.

"Let me help you then," she came forward at once, "we will be done in plenty of time if we both do it and neither of us will have to miss out."

"Thank you sweetheart," Lanette forced a smile, the only thing she could do.

Thankfully Amy seemed so caught up with helping her that she didn't seem to notice her growing sense of unease. She was more than dreading sitting around a table with Cersei and pretending that everything between them was fine. How long she would be able to keep up her pretence she didn't know but she knew she had to perfect the façade for the sake of her daughter. Amy could never find out what was between Jaime and Cersei and that meant Lanette could do nothing that would arouse her suspicions. Amy was a sharp girl and if she caught even a hint of something being wrong she would not let it lie until she got to the bottom of it. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that. Hopefully she wouldn't let her mask slip. If Amy knew … Gods, she shuddered to think what would happen. Amy adored Jaime, Lanette would not let anything break that bond. Not now. Not ever.

Jaime had been just as on edge as she was but at least he could go out to the tiltyard and work out his frustrations with the sword. He had the excuse that he was training with Robb, that he wanted his good-son to triumph at the tourney. Lanette knew it was only half true. Yes, he wanted Robb to do well but he only trained for so many hours a day so he could escape the keep. Lanette glanced at Amy again and saw her face set in serene happiness as she checked down her part of the list. Four more days, she told herself, just four more days.

Cersei ushered her daughters ahead of her as she stepped down onto the terrace that overlooked the sea, her eyes wandering the familiar view that she had missed for all these years before she moved them to see who was already present. Only Amy and Geanna so far and they both looked up at her entrance so she smiled widely at them and hoped they couldn't see through her nerves. Lanette wasn't here yet and Cersei almost hoped that she wouldn't come. Instant guilt flooded her then, if anyone should have stayed away then it should have been her. Perhaps she could just leave her girls and make some excuse or other. "Would you care for some wine your Grace?" Amy asked her then, looking so much like her mother that it made Cersei feel even more guilty. "Please," she smiled for her again, "I'll join you in a moment, I just want to admire the view for a while longer."

"I cannot blame you for that your Grace," Amy said, "since I've come back I have broken my fast out here every day and I have not been gone for nearly as long as you have."

"No," Cersei agreed softly, her eyes sweeping the incredible landscape and lingering on the sea for a long moment, remembering back to her childhood. Remembering when things had still been innocent. When she and Jaime had just been brother and sister. When their love for one another was proper and not sinful and twisted. If she could go back … She shook her head. She could never go back. One could never change the past, only hope for a better future. When Jaime had gone she had wallowed for a time but Steffon's recovery had helped her up, as had Robert. She smiled slightly. Never did she imagine they would find the happiness they had. It had been difficult at times and she had despaired of him and his whoring. When she fell pregnant for the second time she had been so sick throughout it that it still amazed her that she had survived the ordeal. Robert had been the one to get her through the days when she had been so weak that sometimes she could barely get out of bed. He had helped her through all that. He didn't have to. He could have just left her to her ladies but he didn't, he had been there and once Karenza came into the world that was it. Robert had been smitten at once.

Love had come then, slowly and tentatively. It was not burning passion, although on occasion fire did ignite for them, even now. No. It was a safe love, an easy love, something good. Something right and normal. Not like with Jaime. She closed her eyes. Seeing him again had terrified her. She had been terrified that when she looked into his eyes she would see everything they had shared. That she would miss what they had shared and crave it all over again. She hadn't, thank the Gods. When she looked into his eyes she only felt regret and shame. Regret that she had lost her brother and shame that it was her own actions that had driven him away. If only she had let him go when he had asked her to. If only … a wry smile tugged at her lips for a moment as she took in a great gulp of sea air and exhaled slowly. "Mother, about time!" Amy exclaimed then, "Here I was thinking you had gotten lost!"

"I had to drag your father from the tiltyard," Lanette said and Cersei smiled slightly at her exasperated tone.

"Nothing much changes," she said, turning away from the railings and moving to join the others.

"Here's your wine your Grace," Amy handed her a glass at once and she smiled.

"Thank you," she responded.

"Mother?" Amy looked towards Lanette then, an empty glass in her hand.

"Please," Lanette smiled and Cersei caught her eye for a moment before looking away and taking a long drink of wine.

"Mother can we go to the beach?" Karenza asked as soon as she sat down.

"Yes mother can we?" Eleanor piped up, her eyes wide and pleading.

"You have only just got here, don't be impolite," Cersei said; "have a cake at least."

"Father always said I would sink if I ate cakes before I went swimming," Amy said.

"But did you listen?" Lanette raised her brows and smiled knowingly.

"No," Amy grinned, "but then I didn't sink either."

The girls laughed at that and Cersei couldn't help but smile. She wished she had seen Jaime as a father. Wished they could have fixed their relationship just enough that their children could have grown up at least knowing one another. Eighteen years. Far too long. She caught Lanette's eye then and she thought she saw a similar look of regret in her own eyes before she averted them and moved instead to take a cake.

"So, Geanna … how are you feeling about tomorrow?" Cersei asked.

"Nervous I suppose, everyone has gone to so much trouble. It feels too much for it all to be for me, all the fuss," she shook her head almost disbelievingly.

"And Tyrion?" Cersei raised a brow.

"He's been very kind to me, and he makes me laugh … Gods he makes me laugh," Geanna smiled.

"I have to admit he was always quick with his wits, even as a child," Cersei conceded.

"I don't doubt it," Geanna said, reaching out to take a strawberry cake that Amy was offering round.

"Mother can we please go to the beach?" Karenza whined and she sighed heavily.

"Fine," she said after a moment, "but find your father first, someone will need to go with you."

"Why?" Eleanor asked.

"Because the sea can be dangerous. You do not go out into the Blackwater without supervision and it is no different here," Cersei said firmly.

"They sound like Amy," Lanette spoke up to her surprise, "she was forever sneaking down to the beach, it used to drive Jaime to despair."

"I know that feeling," Cersei said and her good-sister smiled faintly at her before turning her attention back to her wine.

Her daughters got up from the table then, politely curtseying and saying farewells in rather sweet voices that had Cersei suspicious at once. She narrowed her eyes slightly as she watched them retreat back into the keep. "Don't worry," again it was Lanette who spoke, "the guards have been warned about them, I believe the King had a word."

"Good," Cersei said, feeling relieved as she finally reached out to take a cake.

"When will the Prince be married your Grace?" Amy asked curiously after a moment.

"When Robert can stomach the price of a wedding," Cersei told her wryly and she grinned.

"Truly?" she asked her.

"Likely it will be in the next year," Cersei smiled, "but of course … you are his betrotheds good-sister, what is she like?"

"A perfect Lady," Amy said, "likely made for the south."

"As you were for the North perhaps," she said, pondering the girl for a moment.

"Perhaps," Amy smiled, "I am very happy there, that much is true."

"I can understand why, your husband is a fine man indeed," Cersei raised a brow then and Amy blushed, a tiny smile on her lips.

"He is indeed your Grace," she agreed, pride dripping from her every word.

"Such an agreeable match," Lanette said after a moment.

"It must have been difficult," Cersei said, "I cannot imagine what I will be like when the day comes for my girls to leave me."

"We miss her of course," Lanette smiled fondly at her daughter, "but knowing she is safe and happy makes it bearable."

"Perhaps there will soon be another child at the Rock," Cersei looked pointedly at Geanna who promptly blushed.

"If the Gods are good," the girl said meekly.

"In my experience the Gods do not have much to do with it," Cersei said slyly and Amy choked slightly on her wine.

"Perhaps not your Grace," Geanna said, her blush intensifying.

"Ignore me," Cersei said after a moment, "best leave such crudeness to the men."

Robb came out of the washroom just as Amy entered their chambers and he smiled knowingly as he took in her appearance, seeing her eyes slightly unfocused as she looked at him. "Something tells me you have had quite an afternoon," he raised his brows at her and she took a step towards him, stumbling slightly. "It was … very … enjoyable," she said, her body swaying slightly before she managed to make her way to the sofa and grab onto the back of it. "Perhaps you ought to lie down for a moment," he suggested as he made his way towards her. "I am perfectly … fine," she hiccoughed, sitting down on the arm of the sofa and promptly falling backwards against the cushions. "I'll fetch you a blanket," he said, rolling his eyes as he went into the bedchamber to pull one of the blankets off their bed. When he came back in her eyes were fluttering and he shook his head at her appearance, her legs still half hanging off the edge of the sofa.

With a sigh he moved to hitch his hands under her arms and pull her whole body onto the sofa, despite her grumbles and protests he finally managed it. Gods, she was uncooperative when she was drunk, not that she had ever been this drunk in his presence before. "Robb," she muttered then, her hand grasping out limply for him. "What?" he asked her amusedly, crouching down next to her. "Don't … wake me … when you get … back," she slurred at him, "I know … what you're like when you … when you drink ale … lustful husband," she muttered and he snorted. "We can … in the morning," she sighed, her eyes fluttering closed. "Something tells me you won't be capable of doing anything in the morning," he told her and she tried and failed to swat him. "Don't argue," she moaned, trying again to swat at him. "Fine I won't argue," he said, shaking his head. "Good," she seemed satisfied, her eyes closing again and a heavy sigh coming from her.

He watched her for a moment, just in case she decided she had anything else to say to him but her eyes didn't open again, her chest rising and falling evenly. Robb straightened up then and pulled the blanket over her, tucking her in securely as she let out a shuddering sigh and shifted slightly. He smiled faintly as he looked down on her, shaking his head before bending to press a kiss to her forehead. Her brow was creased lightly when he pulled away and he smiled again before creeping towards the door and letting himself out as quietly as he could. "Is your wife drunk as well Stark?" the King's amused voice sounded behind him and he turned to face him. "That is rather an understatement," Robb said and the King chuckled, clapping him on the back as they retreated down the hallway. "Lannisters," he said and Robb snorted slightly, shaking his head. "She will regret it in the morning," Robb said and it was the King's turn to snort. "Aye, they all will, especially when they have to sit through a damned wedding and a feast with the Gods know how many courses," he commented and Robb nodded his agreement. "Twenty four I heard," Robb said and the King whistled, chuckling slightly as they came to the top of the stairs. "My poor wife," he said in amusement and Robb grinned again. "I suppose there's only one thing to do," Robb said as they reached the bottom of the stairs; "best we keep them company in their discomfort."

"Now you're talking Stark!" the King laughed, "Gods, you're much more fun than your father! He's a good man though … a damn good man is Ned."

"I can only agree your Grace," Robb smiled as they approached the parlour where Tyrion and the others ought to be waiting.

"You make sure to pass on my regards when you head back North," the King implored him.

"I will your Grace, you can be sure of that," Robb nodded.

"Good lad," the King slapped his back as Robb pushed open the door, "now let's get some ale down us and show those women how drinking is really done!"

Robb met Ser Jaime's eyes then as he laughed and his good-father raised his brows to him and for a moment he faltered before he held up a flagon of ale. "You deserve a night off Stark," he grinned, pouring him a tankard and handing it to him. "Thank you Ser," Robb smiled, raising it to his lips and taking a long draught. "I take it Amy is rather worse for wear as well," he chuckled.

"I've never seen her like that before," Robb shook his head, "usually she will only have a few glasses, she says she doesn't like it when her head spins."

"It will be spinning tomorrow," Jaime said and Robb grimaced.

"She is already a pain to get up in the mornings," he said, shaking his head.

"She's been like that since she was a child, but as soon as she's fed you cannot stop her for the rest of the day," Jaime smiled slightly before taking a drink of his own.

"I'm not sure she'll be much for eating tomorrow," Robb said darkly.

"No," Jaime agreed, "I wish you luck with it."

"Stark!" he turned his head at the call and saw the Prince waving him over, "Join us for some cards!"

"Coming," Robb raised his own hand up in response, "fancy a game Ser?" he asked Jaime.

"Gods no, I will end up betting the Rock after few more of these. Don't fritter away Amy's jewels or she'll have yours," he said pointedly and Robb snorted to which Jaime clapped him on the back and moved towards where Tyrion was lurking in the corner, picking up another flagon of ale on the way and setting it down firmly in front of his little brother. "Last night of freedom brother," Jaime grinned, "how are you enjoying it?"

"I am enjoying this ale tremendously brother, an expensive barrel no doubt," Tyrion grinned.

"From the Riverlands I believe, father had it brought up from the cellar," Jaime said.

"I will thank him if he makes an appearance," Tyrion said, reaching out to refill his tankard.

"I think this soiree would make him highly uncomfortable," Jaime grinned.

"No doubt you're right," Tyrion agreed, "you're always very right Jaime …"

"Is that right?" he raised his brows sceptically.

"You were right about Geanna," Tyrion nodded seriously before taking a drink.

"I'm glad to hear it," Jaime smiled.

"So very right," Tyrion smiled wistfully, setting his tankard down.

"You care about her," Jaime concluded.

"So much," Tyrion nodded.

"And her about you I assume?" he raised a brow.

"She makes me feel like a whole man Jaime," Tyrion said, meeting his eyes, "a real man."

"Good," Jaime held his gaze, "because you have never been anything less."

Robb sighed heavily and leant his head back down against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes to try and stop the room from spinning. He knew he shouldn't have had that last tankard of ale. Nor probably the one before that. Really he ought to go to bed but he wasn't sure at this point that he would be able to make it up the stairs unaided. Ser Jaime and one of the squires had just picked up Tyrion between them and carried him off to his bed. The King had followed on after them after a moment and Robb didn't imagine any of them would come back. It was just him and Steffon sat on the sofa now and a few squires and men of the Rock playing another game of cards at the table. Robb opened his eyes in the next moment as he heard the door open and close. "Ah, finally, the true entertainment has arrived," the Prince grinned next to him, his eyes fixed on the two girls who had entered. "Why don't you join us ladies?" he continued, patting his lap. Robb frowned slightly as one of the girls came forward at once to straddle the man sitting next to him. The Prince had his hands sneaking under her skirts at once, his head coming to bury in her ample breasts.

He opened his mouth to protest then, the man was betrothed to his sister after all but his attention was caught as the other woman knelt down between his legs and ran her hands firmly up his thighs. "What are you doing?" he asked her, his voice slurring and she cocked her head to one side and moved her fingers to play with his laces. "Whatever is pleasing to you my Lord," she said, licking her lips and he moved his hands at once to push hers away. "My wife is pleasing to me," he said firmly, his head beginning to clear now as it dawned on him why these women were here. "Come on Stark," the Prince said from beside him and Robb turned to see the woman sat astride him attacking his neck. "Amy would never find out, it's between us. Besides," he winked, "you're a Lord, you can do whatever you please."

"I'm faithful to Amy, I swore vows, I would not break them," Robb shook his head.

"That's very noble of you Stark," the Prince grinned, "but you are missing out on a world of women, and a world of fun."

"My wife is all I need, in fact … I ought to return to her if you'll excuse me your Grace," Robb rose up at once, the woman who had been knelt between his legs looking at him rather mournfully.

"Your loss Stark," the Prince said, "come here sweet thing," he said to the girl Robb had rejected, "I have plenty enough for you to share."

"You're betrothed to my sister," Robb said almost disbelievingly, frowning down at him.

"Betrothed isn't married Stark," he shrugged, "and besides, a promise to a stranger doesn't keep my cock warm at night."

Robb shook his head incredulously then and decided he'd best walk away before saying something he would likely regret. It would do no good to get on the wrong side of the crown Prince but he felt immense pity for his sister back at Winterfell. Sansa had always thought it an honour to be marrying Steffon, thinking herself lucky. From what Robb had just seen he did not think that the case at all. The Prince would be lucky to have her but Robb doubted that he would see that, likely he would continue his whoring and break his gentle sister's heart. He climbed the stairs then, his head still spinning slightly but far more sobered than he had been before. That woman touching him had well and truly snapped him out of his drunken revelry. He felt guilt stab at his stomach as he thought that he really ought to have pushed her away sooner.

When he let himself back into the guest chambers his eyes found Amy still sleeping on the sofa, for once not laying on her stomach. He took in her sleeping face in the dim light cast out by the dying fire and felt the guilt rise higher. She would know wouldn't she that he hadn't wanted that woman? Surely she knew that she was everything to him. All he would ever need. A thousand women could parade themselves in front of him but he would turn all of them down. He would turn all of them down a thousand times over because Amy was the only one for him. It was Amy. It had always been Amy and it always would be Amy. She stirred then, her eyes opening before he could move into the bedchamber and hide his shame from her. She started slightly on seeing him, her hand reaching out to him and all he could do was approach her. He knelt down at her side and buried his head in the crook of her neck as her arms came tight around him, her lips seeking out his temple and pressing a kiss to it. "I'm sorry," he whispered then before he could stop himself.

"What for?" she asked in tired confusion and he pulled away to meet her eyes.

"I got drunk," he told her and she smiled.

"So did I," she replied and he turned his lips up briefly.

"The Prince had some women come," he told her then and her brow creased.

"Why are you telling me that?" she asked and he could see the panic in her eyes.

"I didn't," he shook his head, "she had her hands on me but I pushed her away. I ought to have done it sooner but she took me by surprise and I was drunk and I –," he cut off as Amy sat up abruptly and threw her arms around his neck.

"Gods Robb! I thought you'd done something awful!" she exclaimed as she clung to him.

"I didn't touch her I swear. I would never … never … never," he mumbled over and over.

"I know," she whispered, kissing at his temple and his cheek repeatedly, "I know … Gods, don't scare me like that again …"

"Only you," he said, pulling back slightly to meet her eyes again.

"Only you," she repeated, a small smile on her face as her hand came to stroke down her cheek.

"I love you so much," he whispered.

"I love you," she smiled back at him, "now ought we to bed husband, and I'll show you how much."

"I thought I was banned until morning," he teased her moving closer to her.

"A girl can change her mind can she not?" she raised her brows, "And I'm sure you agreed not to argue with me."

"I'm sure I agreed to any number of things to get you to sleep," he grinned and she swatted him.

"That's quite enough talk from you Robb Stark," she told him, her eyes fixed on his, "I can think of a much better use for that mouth of yours …"

A/N: Soooo, there's the Cersei POV. Also, Steffon is rather too much like his father at this point! Tywin's POV chapter is coming up next, after that I'm throwing in some Jaime/Cersei interaction (which I'm sure you're anticipating and dreading at the same time, but no...I shall not give you any hints!) Hope you enjoyed that anyway, more soon!

:)