A/N: Happy new year dear readers! Another chapter for you lovely folks which I very much hope you enjoy!
unnamed visitor: Thank you so much as always! Haha, I know you suspected about the baby, but I'm glad you didn't see twins coming, I'm in two minds about genders and names so you will have to wait and see! Glad you liked the scenes in Dorne too, there will be a little more interaction with Oberyn but I have more scenes in mind for him and a certain sand snake which will be more prominent. You will find out the name of baby Baratheon in the next chapter, as for their second child - I haven't even nearly thought about it yet haha. Thank you so much again, hope you like the new chapter.
Guest: Thank you, you're very welcome.
Boramir: Thank you, Stannis will be on the way soon, and your comment about seeing other banners making those inside lose hope is definitely going to feature. Haha, while it would be awesome to see that, I have no plans for a full on battle between Robb and the Tyrells, perhaps in another fic haha. Glad you liked the scenes with Cersei, I admit it's strange giving her and Sansa such a great relationship but I like it. Oh yes, Jon is fitting in well indeed, more from him in this chapter. Glad you liked the Theon part too, in some ways I think he is more of a best friend to Amy now than he is to Robb, oddly they spark off one another a little better. Glad you enjoyed anyway - thanks again!
Right-ho folks, on we go with the chapter!
:)
Surrender
"Sweetheart?" Jaime said questioningly as Amy emerged from behind the screen with shaky steps and a rather dazed look about her. She looked up to meet his eyes, her own huge. "Twins," she whispered disbelievingly, and his own eyes widened. He stepped forwards then and gathered her tightly in his arms, the only thing he could think to do. "Robb and I decided we didn't want more children yet, now we are having two," she laughed shakily, her voice still sounding more than a little dazed. Jaime decided against thinking too much about how his daughter had come to conceive twins, and instead just stroked his hand calmly through her hair. By the Gods, after Amy was born, years had passed without any more children coming into the family. Now it seemed there was an abundance of them.
"Robb will be thrilled," Jaime assured her when she finally pulled back from him, and she nodded her head determinedly. "I know he will," she smiled, "it was more my decision than his, and though I cannot quite believe it, I am so very happy." Her smile looked as though it would crack her face as her hands came to rest on her stomach. Jaime couldn't help but smile at her joy, determined not to start thinking the worst. His own mother had birthed twins and managed it well enough, there was no reason Amy would not be the same. "We should go," Amy said abruptly, shaking her head slightly. "We have lingered here far too long, it is high time I went to mother, and met my little cousin," she grabbed his arm eagerly and Jaime allowed her to tug him out of the Maester's quarters, throwing his thanks to the man over his shoulder as his daughter dragged him away.
They were not far from the nursery, and Jaime could hear happy chatter coming from the slightly open door as he and Amy approached. It brought a smile to his face, and he could only assume that Tyrion had succeeded in coming up with a believable reason for Amy's initial absence. "There you are," Lanette beamed as soon as they entered the room, "honestly Jaime, did you have to drag her off to see how you have decorated her old chambers?" Lanette rolled her eyes at him, and he smiled slightly, sending Tyrion a grateful look as soon as Lanette was occupied with embracing Amy. "Gods mother, you look so well, and so changed," Amy said brightly when they pulled apart. "Thank you sweetheart," Lanette smiled, "there is something altered about you as well, though I cannot quite put my finger on it."
"Lack of sleep most like," Amy said dismissively, turning her attention to Geanna and Tyrion. "Oh!" she clasped her hands together in joy when she saw the bundle of blankets nestled in Geanna's arms. "Gods, I know he is not much younger than Aedan but he seems so tiny!" Amy sounded almost giddy, and Jaime couldn't help but smile. He glanced towards Lanette as Amy exchanged pleasantries with Geanna, seeing that a happy smile adorned her own face. He was itching to tell her Amy's news, but it was not his place. The only reason he knew is because he had been there with her in the Maester's tower. He had heard him imply that she was with child, and in her dazed state he imagined that Amy would no doubt have confessed it to the first person she came across. Twins. He blinked stupidly and tried to stop his head from spinning.
"Are you alright? Did Amy like what you've done to the room?" Lanette asked him, her hand coming to rest on the small of his back. "Hmm? Yes," he snapped out of it, "yes she thought it was wonderful." Lanette smiled again at that, leaning her head against his upper arm as Amy prised the baby away from Geanna and promptly began cooing over him. Aedan shouted irritably in response and Amy's attention turned to him, one of her brows raised almost expectantly. "What are you shouting about?" she asked him in an amused tone, and her son screeched out unintelligibly in return. "I think he's jealous," Theon grinned, and Amy rolled her eyes. "The Gods help you when you give him a little brother or sister," Tyrion chuckled, and Amy glanced briefly towards Jaime before she started fussing over Tybolt's blankets.
Or one of each…Jaime thought to himself, turning his eyes on his grandson and seeing him rocking back and forth where he sat, his eyes fixed on his mother. "He will be crawling within a fortnight," Jaime told her, and she looked up in despair. "No," she shook her head, "no, he can't, he's too young, and Robb isn't here." She said it with such defiance that Jaime was almost inclined to believe her. "You crawled young," Lanette added to his case, "and Aedan is just as inquisitive as you were, if not more so." Amy continued to shake her head in denial, rocking the baby in her arms slightly as he began to grumble. "He won't," she said determinedly, "will you?" she looked towards her son, who ceased rocking back and forth and grinned at her. "See," she said pointedly, and Lanette and Jaime exchanged an amused smile.
"I think I will take him to my chambers, it seems he is hungry," Geanna stood up as Tybolt began to cry more insistently. "I will come with you darling," Tyrion hopped down from his own chair as Amy gently eased the baby back to his mother. "Theon," Amy said as soon as the little family were gone, "would you go down and get Aedan something from the kitchens? He will be grumbling himself soon enough." Theon rolled his eyes, but stood up obediently. "What did your last slave die of?" Jaime distinctly heard him murmur to Amy as he passed by her. His daughter merely rolled her eyes in response, and Theon swiftly let himself out of the nursery and closed the door behind him.
"Would you sit with me mother?" Amy gestured to the sofa and Lanette moved to do as she was bid, though Jaime could see the slight crease between her brows. "Is everything alright?" Lanette asked concernedly, and Jaime wondered exactly what her reaction would be. "Yes," Amy soothed her at once, taking one of her hands in both of hers. "I just wanted to tell you something, good news," she smiled, "you see, I haven't actually seen the new nursery for the baby, father took me to the Maester because he could tell I wasn't feeling well. I'm fine!" Amy said quickly as Lanette evidently looked as though she was about to interrupt. "I wouldn't usually say anything, since Robb really ought to know first, but he isn't here and I don't think it's fair that father knows and you don't -," Amy went on, and this time Lanette succeeded in interrupting her.
"A baby!" she burst out excitedly, and Jaime couldn't help but laugh. "Oh Gods, Amy, a baby! I knew there was something different about you. By the Gods, it almost looks as though you are showing already! How many moons has it been?!" Lanette was positively squealing with excitement now, and Amy too was laughing, that wide grin stretched across her face again. "Two at most," Amy said, "though I am likely to grow more quickly given that there are two of them…"
"Two?!" Lanette shrieked, and Jaime crossed to lay his hand on her shoulder. "Would you relax?" he asked her in an amused tone. "I know it's exciting news, but if you get yourself any more riled then you will be having this baby sooner than planned," he chuckled at her, and she put her hand up to her mouth. "By the Gods, I know, I ought not to get so wound up, but it is just such wonderful news! Gods Amy, I am so happy for you! Have you written to Robb yet?" Lanette asked her, and she shook her head. "No," she confirmed, "and I don't intend to. I want to tell him myself, so I can see the look on his face with my own eyes." Lanette smiled at that, and Jaime could see her squeezing Amy's hand tightly. "I do not think you will need to tell him," Jaime smirked, "if you carry on growing this quickly he will know as soon as he lays eyes on you."
"Now there's a welcome sight," Robb couldn't help but smirk as the banners of house Swann came into sight. They had received word from Stonehelm that their lord was marching to aid the King's men in their siege of Storm's End. Robb had hoped that seeing the banners of the second most powerful house in the Stormlands joining the besieging army would give those refusing to open the gates pause for thought. "And another to the north," Davos spoke at his side, and Robb turned his head to see Baratheon banners approaching. "Right on time," Robb said approvingly, and Davos chuckled. "Would you expect anything less?" he asked in an amused tone. Robb merely smirked again. He was in a good mood today, having received letters from the Rock and the Capitol.
The one from the Rock informed him that Amy and Aedan had arrived safely, and that they were both perfectly well. Amy had told him that she couldn't wait to see him again, and that her father seemed certain that Aedan would soon be crawling. That had made him close his eyes in despair. For one, his son was already enough of a handful without him being independently mobile, and for another, he would likely miss it. It was not enough to dampen his spirits though, not when Amy had written such words of love to him. She always did, but there was something a little different about this letter that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Whatever it was, he could not wait to get out of here and be on his way back to her and Aedan as soon as possible. He would have to stop back at the Capitol on the way though, especially since his second letter had contained the news that he was now an uncle.
He couldn't help but grin as he thought about how thrilled Sansa would be. She had been exhausted and fed up when he had left her, and just longing for her baby to come. Now he had, a perfect Baratheon prince is how Steffon had described him in the letter. Black hair, blue eyes, and a healthy set of lungs. They had named him Robert for Steffon's father, though Steffon had told Robb he could take it as a tribute to himself if he so wished. He had laughed at that, and he had plans to raise a toast to the new prince later on this evening, as no doubt Stannis would want to toast the news as well. Though Robb imagined he was not one for revelry, he also imagined that he would not allow the birth of his first great-nephew to go uncelebrated.
Robb supposed he would find out soon enough, as the man himself was striding towards him. "Do my eyes deceive me, or are they Swann banners?" he asked, as he and Robb grasped hands firmly. "Your eyes serve you well, my lord," Robb grinned, "they have just arrived, I have yet to greet Lord Swann. Though I imagine he will be present shortly."
"Indeed," Stannis agreed, moving to grasp Davos' hand before he turned his attention back to Robb. "You seem in good cheer Stark, have you already made plans to desert me?" Stannis asked with a hint of amusement, and Robb's smile widened. "The vast majority will stay with you, my lord, but I myself will return to the Capitol with the Northmen come morning. I suppose you have heard the news?" Robb asked with a raised brow, and Stannis shook his head. "The King has his heir," Robb told him, and a smile twitched Stannis' lips. "A boy?" he enquired, and Robb nodded. "Robert," he elaborated, and Stannis nodded faintly. "I wouldn't have expected anything else, you must take my congratulations when you return. And you can tell the King I will have the Stormlands settled for him presently, my gift to the new prince," he said.
"I'll be sure to tell him," Robb promised him with a smile, his eye caught by the approach of a small party of men. He could only assume that the man at the helm was Lord Swann, if his sigil was anything to go by. "Lord Swann," Stannis confirmed it in the next moment, inclining his head to the man. "Lord Baratheon, I see you have been ungraciously locked out of your home," Lord Swann replied, to which Stannis smiled thinly. "And who are your companions?" Lord Swann continued, clearly sensing that his jape had not been well received. "Ser Davos Seaworth," Stannis gestured to him, "and Robb Stark, heir to the North." Robb inclined his head as Lord Swann spared him a passing glance. "I hear there has been trouble at the Wall," Lord Swann said.
"Nothing my father has not been able to deal with," Robb returned, and he could have sworn that Stannis smirked slightly. "Good," Lord Swann smiled thinly before turning his attention back to Stannis. "What is your plan for retaking the castle?" he asked, and Robb saw Stannis visibly take an irritable breath. "Well, Stark has already set the men in a siege formation. Our men will add to it, and if it comes to it we will starve them out. Though word has been sent to the castellan to treat with us. Perhaps when he sees the new numbers on looking out of the window this morning, he may reconsider and open up the gates. It would be a wise move, but then, if he is friend to Renly then I doubt there is much wisdom in his head," Stannis said scathingly.
"He could always raise his banners in surrender," Robb grinned, and the two lords smiled wryly at him. "We can but hope Stark," Stannis said in a tired manner. "Oh, I think we can do a little more than hope my lord," Davos piped up, and Robb knew that he too must have glanced up at the ramparts. Stannis looked between them for a moment before he too looked up to see the white banners fluttering above the walls. Something akin to a disbelieving laugh escaped from him then, and Robb imagined that it was not a sound that was heard very often. "Well," Robb said in an amused tone as the gates began to rise, "perhaps I won't be the only one going home tomorrow after all."
"Forgive the intrusion," Tywin said as soon as he stepped into the room. This was the first time he had ever stepped foot inside the queen's chambers, but after all the correspondence he had received he needed to see his grandson at once. "There is no intrusion," Sansa smiled from where she was curled up with Steffon on the sofa, their son cradled in her arms as she leaned back against her husband. "You must have news grandfather, to come here of all places," Steffon said in an amused tone, his fingers twisting around a lock of Sansa's hair. Steffon had been walking in the clouds since his son's birth, and he had planned the most lavish naming ceremony and feast that Tywin could ever recall. Even his own had not been as sumptuous, and Robert had spent a damn fortune on it to celebrate the recovery of his "miracle prince".
"I have a gift for you, and news," Tywin told him, and Steffon fixed his eyes intently on him, he even had Sansa's attention, though her gaze did flicker back to her son every few moments. "The gift first," Steffon grinned, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes. "I have just had Mace Tyrell and his mother escorted down to the cells," Tywin told him, and Steffon sat up straighter, his eyes wide and disbelieving. "How in the name of the Gods have you managed that?" Steffon asked him incredulously. "You are not the only one who can keep a secret," Tywin chuckled, "I didn't bother you with it unless my plans didn't pay off. Thankfully, Willas Tyrell is not made in the same mould as his father."
"What do you mean?" Steffon asked him, shaking his head slightly. "Willas gave them up, persuaded them to enter exile. Only, when they arrived to meet their escort, they found Lannister men waiting for them. I wasn't sure the man would agree, but then, his reward was the lordship, and his family were doomed either way. I thought it a better solution than meeting the army of Highgarden out in the field. Do you not agree?"
"I agree wholeheartedly grandfather," Steffon smiled widely, "I do not think I could stand to march out into war, not when there is so much here to occupy me." He shared a loving glance with Sansa at that, and Tywin shifted awkwardly from foot-to-foot until Steffon turned his attention back to him. "What other news did you have, good, I hope?" Steffon raised a brow, and Tywin inclined his head in agreement. "The castellan at Storm's End has raised the banners and surrendered. Stannis has taken control and those inside have sworn fealty. Robb is riding back this way with his Northmen and the men he took from the Crownlands," Tywin reported.
"Good," Steffon exhaled in unmistakable satisfaction, and Tywin inclined his head in agreement. "Does Robb intend to grace us with his presence first, or will he be riding straight to the Rock?" Steffon asked after a moment of quiet. "He is coming here first," Tywin said, "both he and Stannis send their congratulations to the two of you."
"Good, I'm glad he's coming here, I intend to reward him for all he has done," Steffon said, nodding his head, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "How do you intend to do that?" it was Sansa who asked him, and Tywin was glad she had, for he too was curious. "I know what he wants more than anything, and I intend to grant him with it," Steffon said mysteriously, and Tywin was glad to see Sansa frowning as well as himself, as he had no idea what his grandson was talking about. "And what is that?" Sansa asked. "Do you intend to have Amy and Aedan appear from nowhere?" Steffon snorted at that, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I am no magician, my love," he said, "have a little patience, you will soon see what I have planned."
"You are skilled with the sword," a woman's voice came behind him, and Jon turned to find himself looking into the same eyes he had glimpsed through the thin drapes of the litter. That had been three weeks ago, and he had not seen her since. He had seen some of her sisters, even learned some of their names and engaged in pleasant conversation with them. Not her though, and he had been more than a little disappointed. "Do you joust?" she asked him when he made no reply. "There is not much cause to joust in the North," he told her, "but I have had some practice with the lance, my lady." She smiled slightly at him, her eyes searching him in a manner that made him feel almost uncomfortable. "My father has told me about the tourneys in the other kingdoms," she said, "you all wear your fine armour and choose the biggest horse you can find."
"Is that not the right way to do it?" he asked her, and her smile curved up more on one side. "The lighter you are, the more swiftly you move," she answered him, and he laughed slightly. "And the more injured you will be when your opponent cracks you with his lance," he countered her, and she took a step closer to him. "Not if you crack him first," she said, jabbing her forefinger into the centre of his chest. "Being quick does not mean you cannot be precise," she continued, raising one of her brows at him. "True enough," he agreed, "you seem to know a lot about jousting, my lady."
"Should I not?" she challenged him, and he shook his head almost violently. "You should do whatever is pleasing to you, my lady," he told her, and she smiled at him again, taking a step back and looking him up and down in a manner that made him feel completely bare. "A great number of things are pleasing to me," she said, and he swallowed hard. "You're a bastard, aren't you? Though my father said you have been given a trueborn name," she said abruptly, and he was startled by the change of subject. "Yes," he said, the only thing he could think to say in response. "I am one of eight," she smiled at him, "but you are just one, are you not?"
"I have many cousins, they are more like siblings to me," he told her honestly, and she nodded her head thoughtfully. "Though I imagine they are trueborn?" she raised a brow, and it was his turn to nod. "Then you have never known the company of your own kind?" she asked him teasingly, and he shook his head. "I have never had the pleasure," he dared let his eyes linger on her for longer than proper, and she bit down on her bottom lip for a moment. "We are all equals here in Dorne. Men, women. Bastards, trueborn. We are all the same, we all enjoy the same…freedoms," she emphasised the word, looking him up and down once more. It was almost enough to make him shudder, and he swallowed hard as she stepped closer to him.
"You're very interesting, Jon. Can I call you Jon? Or would you prefer my lord?" she asked him, cocking her head to one side. "Jon is fine," he said, "though you may have misjudged me, my lady. I do not think I am all that interesting." She smiled wickedly at that. It was a smile that had him imagining any number of unsavoury things he would like to do to her. Gods. He was surprised a blush hadn't coloured his cheeks. "I think I will be the judge of that," she said, was it his imagination or was her tone suddenly seductive? He had no idea how to tell, he had never been seduced by a woman before, and when he joined the Watch he imagined that he never would be. That had been a lifetime ago, whereas now he was somewhere else entirely. Standing in a courtyard in the palace at Sunspear, an inch away from Prince Oberyn's heartbreakingly beautiful daughter who may or may not be making an advance on him.
"Judge away, my lady," he said weakly, and her eyes seemed to sparkle in response. "Oh," she stepped back from him, "I intend to." With that she turned and began to walk away, her hips swinging hypnotically as she did so. "Wait!" he stammered out. "Would you tell me your name?" She didn't stop, but she did turn her head to look over her shoulder. "Elia," she informed him, "though…if you please me well enough, I may let you call me El."
A/N: I know it's a little neat with the sorting of the Stormlands and the Tyrells, but this is my happy fic remember ;)
Hope you enjoyed in any case, more soon!
:)