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Jaime Lannister IV
Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Year 284 AC
Jaime barely slept the night before. He had reached the finals of the jousts for the first time in his life and saying he was nervous was a euphemism, after all, he would face his sworn brother and childhood hero, Ser Arthur Dayne the Sword in the Morning, later that day. Though he was very insecure, Jaime was determined to win the damned thing.
Ser Gerold had reunited the five of them before anything else, the jousts would be close to lunch so it was not a problem. "As you all know, the Queen and Princess Elia requested that I give them a list of potential Kingsguard members so that they could reunite with the other Regents and nominated the much-needed vacant spots in our order." The Lord Commander spared a glance at each one of them before he continued. "I have thus chosen Ser Meryn Trant and Ser Mandon Moore as the first two options. The former because he was the unmarried knight that reached the farthest in the jousts and the latter because he is also unmarried and is from the Vale. We have no Valemen in our ranks. Should any of them decline, I chose Ser Monford Velaryon and Ser Richard Horpe as possible replacements though I have also considered Ser Addam Marbrand and Ser Lyle Crakehall. Any contradictions or any suggestions?"
"Ser Mandon Moore seems like a good choice given Lord Commander's reasoning." Ser Barristan admitted. "He seemed very competent."
"What about Ser Meryn Trant or Ser Richard Horpe? What can you tell me about them, Barristan?" The Lord Commander questioned. "They are from your homeland."
"Not much, I'm afraid." The blue-eyed knight replied as he rubbed the back of his head. "Ever since I joined the Kingsguard I hardly went to the Stormlands and when I visited my family, we hardly speak of new knights though I can say that both houses are not exactly the most renowned in the Stormlands and they have a reputation of being quite harsh."
"I mean when someone rides with a shield showing a hanging man, one has to question their mental state." Ser Oswell muttered, earning a smile from most of them.
"It was not Ser Meryn Trant who chose his sigil." Ser Arthur pointed out.
"That is indeed true." Ser Oswell nodded.
"What about you Ser Jaime?" The Lord Commander shifted all eyes to Jaime. "What can you tell us about Ser Addam Marbrand and Ser Lyle Crakehall?"
"I would trust them with my life, My Lord." Jaime avowed. "I have known them since childhood. Addam is my best friend and Lyle is a very good friend who I spent a lot of time with due to being a ward at Crakehall under his grandfather."
"If Ser Jaime trusts them so do I." Ser Arthur said with a nod from Ser Oswell.
"Although I do not think Addam will accept." Jaime pointed out. "He is the heir of Ashemark and likes women quite a lot."
"Then he is out and I need to make a better job at getting information." Ser Gerold proclaimed in a stern voice. "You trust Ser Lyle Crakehall that much?"
"Yes."
"Hum..." The Lord Commander murmured with a thoughtful expression. "I guess I will take Ser Monford out of the picture too. His brother, Ser Jacaerys is a very good fighter..."
"Agreed." Jaime nodded as he remembered his fight in the melee with the Master of Ships. He had almost a couple of scares in that fight but not as many as when Brandon went crazy against him...
"But it seems like Ser Monford is not as good and from the whole lot he seemed like the worst. I thought it would be good to have another knight from the Crownlands and of a very close family to the Crown but..." Ser Gerold shrugged. "I'm still inclined to keep my two top suggestions unchanged..."
"Ser Lyle would like to join us." Jaime pressed forward, hoping it would help his friend's case. "He is a good warrior."
Ser Gerold spared a smile. "I understand that you are trying to push for your friend's nomination but at the end of the day it will be up to the Regents." The Lord Commander wrote something on a parchment with Jaime guessing it would be the names of the chosen ones. Since Brandon was a Regent, Jaime hoped Lyle had some chance of being chosen, as the Northerner seemed to enjoy the Crakehalls. "So we have Ser Meryn Trant and Ser Mandon Moore as top candidates and Ser Lyle Crakehall and Ser Richard Horpe as replacements," he said aloud. "Anyway, since Ser Arthur and Ser Jaime reached the finals, I have decided to give them a free day today." This warmed Jaime's spirit, it would certainly be good to either celebrate his victory or more likely his harsh defeat with his friends. "A quick warning, I do not care if you two get either too drunk or too tired, tomorrow, you will replace the three of us without complains, understood?" That did not seem as good though...
"Understood." Ser Arthur nodded in confirmation and so did Jaime.
"As for the others, Ser Oswell and Ser Barristan, you both will take care of the Royal Family in the stands and I will take care of Princess Daenerys with the Gold Cloaks. I'm not sure if the Queen will want her around her during the feast or not but it does not matter. If the rest of the family separates, Ser Barristan will take care of the children and Ser Oswell of the adults. Understood?"
"Understood." They nodded.
"Good. Perhaps we will have seven of us soon to ease our work." he glanced at both Ser Arthur and Jaime. "Good luck to you both."
"Thank you, My Lord."
All of them stood up from their chairs and walked in formation out of the building, climbing down the spiral stairs and getting ready for their day. Ser Arthur matched his pace for a bit. "Whatever happens, no resentment, right, Ser Jaime?"
"Absolutely not." Better get prepared for his impending defeat...
"Good. If I win, I would not want to see whoever Lady gave you her favor cry."
Jaime smiled at Ser Arthur's teasing. "Good thing I do not need to worry about doing the same to you, Ser. One less pressure on my shoulders...might give me a slight advantage..."
Ser Arthur chuckled and clapped his shoulder. "Indeed. Now you have no reason not to win." And so Jaime was left alone for the time being and he decided to use the time to calm down in the Godswood.
He did not know why he had the feeling to go there but he was quite glad he did. The empty garden was nearly fully empty, just a couple of souls, most likely Brandon's men here and there, and a few servants taking care of the Godswood's condition. The soft summer breeze of the early morning and birdies singing happy and calm tones left Jaime quite calm and relaxed.
Once he felt comfortable enough he went to the stables to fetch his horse and make his way to the fields. "Fancy seeing you here, Lannister." Jaime turned to the Northern accent-speaking man he knew to be Brandon Stark with a smirk and his horse's reins in his right hand. To his side were his lordly companions Ser Mark Ryswell and Lord Manderly.
"My Lords," Jaime said with a polite bow before he went at Brandon. "Some of us need to prepare for the finals of the joust."
Brandon laughed at that. "Look at this man...so early in the morning and he already rubs my face with Lannister pride."
"You would do it for me would you not, Stark?" Jaime asked with a smirk.
"Yes...I would." he laughed again and Jaime followed him. "Well, we also came to fetch our horses."
"You are going to watch me unhorse your sister-in-law's brother?"
"Someone is really cocky today..." Brandon murmured.
"I think Ser Jaime is just too nervous that he makes himself cocky to fool even himself." Lord Manderly said with a pleasant smile and Jaime shuddered as the fat man read him like a book. Clearly, there was more to this man than met the eye... "A strategy many of us use."
"Aye." Stark agreed. "I wish you good luck Lannister."
"So you are not supporting your sister-in-law's brother?" Jaime questioned.
"I am." Brandon nodded. "But I'm also supporting a friend."
"Oh, so we are friends now?" Jaime asked.
"I must extend my kindness to the person I utterly defeated in the melee," Stark smirked as Jaime was completely put into his place. "Besides...someone promised me and someone else that they would win the jousts." Jaime noticed Brandon looking at the handkerchief in his right arm.
"I did, did I not?"
"You did." Brandon nodded. "Tell you what, if you win I pay us all a round of wine when you are next free, and if you lose you pay."
"You really want to lose all that money Stark?" Jaime asked as he tried to save face.
"The only thing I will lose is my composure when I laugh at you with your sorry arse on the floor after you not only lose the jousts but a couple of dragons." Not again...
"Challenge accepted Stark," Jaime said, gritting his teeth. "I will show you."
He decided to go with them to the fields and the conversation did ease his tension further. Once they reached their destination they separated but not before they wished him good luck. While he appreciated it, he was unsure if they actually meant it...after all, Lady Ashara was now a Stark by marriage and as far he knew it, House Lannister was not married to House Stark at least not in recent memory so obviously, they would be biased in favor of Ser Arthur rather than him...
Time passed and Jaime grew restless again. His provided squire, the one who had been by his side throughout the whole tourney sat in a wooden chair, watching Jaime pace around with nervousness. A little to his left he could see Ser Arthur seated, reading a book by the looks of it, no hint of worriedness on his face, something that left Jaime jealous. "You'll win, Milord." The squire said with a smile.
"I will." Jaime avowed as he looked for something which he found quickly. "Here are couple dragons for you and your family. Make sure to spend them wisely."
The kid caught the small pouch and smiled widely. "Thank ya very much, Milord."
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" The steward announced suddenly, increasing Jaime's nervousness tenfold. "IT IS TIME FOR THE BIG DAY, THE FINAL MATCH, THE ONE THAT WILL DECIDE THE WINNER!" Jaime heard the cheers and claps from everywhere he looked. People were cheering for them. Another steward gestured for them to get ready on their horses. Jaime slapped his cheeks hard and tried to make sure the knot he had given to Melara's handkerchief was proper and he saw it was. He put on his white helmet and with the squire's help, jumped onto the horse. Ser Arthur was doing just the same. "ON THE RIGHT SIDE WE HAVE SER JAIME LANNISTER!" Cheers echoed and Jaime gulped as the other steward gestured for him to go to his side. He trotted his horse forward and the squire ran after him. "ON THE LEFT SIDE WE HAVE SER ARTHUR DAYNE!"
Doing exactly as Jaime had done, Ser Arthur positioned him diagonally to him then they trotted forward and shook hands. "I wish good fortunes in this joust, Jaime." His sworn brother said. "I pray we do not hold back and go all out."
"No opposition from me, Ser Arthur." Jaime avowed. "I have a promise to keep and a bet to win."
Jaime could not see Ser Arthur's face but he hoped he had a smile. They turned their horses around, trotted back to their corners, receiving first the shield and then the first lances from their squires, and prepared for the joust. "ARE YOU BOTH READY, SERS?!" The steward asked and both of them nodded. "THEN...BEGIN!"
At once both of them galloped forward gaining momentum and then they clashed. Jaime whirled on top of his horse and broke his lance against Ser Arthur's shield, his sworn brother looked as steady as a rock which Jaime left even more nervous if that was even possible. They returned to their respective sides and another lance was given to him. When they were ready they clashed again and this time Jaime held himself better.
The third clash was followed by the fourth and the fifth. At the sixth Jaime almost fell down and on the seventh, he almost did the same for Ser Arthur, the first close call for the Dornish knight. It went on for quite a while...either Jaime was getting better or Ser Arthur was getting worse or it was a combination of both. While the people were cheering with the display, Jaime was both annoyed and worried because it seemed like nothing was working.
Somehow they had reached the twenty-tilt...Jaime was sweating and his muscles hurt. He was sure that Ser Arthur was not too different but who knew anyway...I have tried every possible strike I can think of and that is if I don't get my sorry arse on the floor. I can barely do a thing...They went at it again and Jaime broke the lance when he hit Ser Arthur in the shoulder before being hit in the chest and barely holding on to his horse. Shit...
Once more they returned to their respective sides and Jaime picked another lance getting ready for the twenty-first tilt. You can do this! They clashed and the same happened...no good result...Jaime cursed internally as he returned to his side. He inhaled and exhaled and tried to think how he had beaten Ser Barristan down and then he remembered it had been an erratic move caused by a mistake of his which prompted him to have the lance in a very weird diagonal. Might as well try it...I have tried everything else anyway...
Jaime looked at his lance then at Ser Arthur, inhaled and exhaled once more, and prepared for the signal to come and when it did, he forced his horse to go all in. The movement was so fast but he managed to not only connect his lance onto Ser Arthur's left shoulder with such intensity while his sworn brother's hit Jaime's shield that when everything had settled down, he saw something white in the ground...
Somehow, after twenty-two tilts, Jaime had unhorsed Ser Arthur...It took him a while to properly register what he had just done but the cheers and claps and Ser Arthur on the floor finally brought the widest smile he had ever produced... "I...did it..." he whispered at the first but the happiness was such that he threw the shield to the floor and raised his arms upwards. "I FUCKING WON!"
When Jaime saw Ser Arthur moving meekly on the ground he jumped out of his horse, almost tripping, and ran to his sworn brother. "You got me there!" Ser Arthur said in a loud tone likely because the cheers had not ceased and because he was still stunned on the ground. Jaime extended his hand and his sworn brother took it. Once he was up, Ser Arthur took off his helmet and showed Jaime a proud smile. "Congratulations, Ser Jaime."
Hearing these words after what he just did left him with the strongest feeling of happiness he had ever felt. He took off his helmet so that everyone could see his proud smile...and the bruises Brandon had left on his face in the melee...Jaime waved at everyone as he walked around the fields. "HEAR ME ROAR!" he shouted proudly as the cheers got louder. "HEAR US ROAR!"
From the corner of his proud, happy eyes, Jaime saw the stewards bring a crown of golden roses on top of a green pillow from Lys. It was House Tyrell's sigil and speaking of Tyrells, Jaime saw Lord Tyrell himself stand up while one of the stewards rang a small portable bell to get everyone to quiet down. Jaime knew very well what was transpiring next and so he returned to his good old horse and jumped onto into, determined to put his little plan into motion.
Lord Tyrell finally got the silence he craved and spoke in a proud and joyful tone that could match Jaime's. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER AFTER WATCHING SUCH A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY OF SKILL FOR BOTH OF THESE MAGNIFICENT JOUSTERS! TRULY A DISPLAY OF THE LEGEND OF SER RYAM REDWYNE AND SER CLEMENT CRABB, AFTER ALL, TWENTY LANCES WERE BROKEN!"
Cheers and claps echoed once more, forcing Lord Tyrell to cut his speech halfway through but his smile did not leave his face that showed some signs of unwelcome fatness forming around his cheeks. Once silence returned he continued. "NOW WE MUST LET OUR CHAMPION CROWN HIS QUEEN OF LOVE AND BEAUTY!"
A lance was given to him by his happy squire and then the stewards gave him the crown of golden roses which they placed at the end of his lance. Jaime commanded his horse towards the Royal Stands. He knew Cersei was there and he could see her golden hair and green eyes, the same color as his, her well-shaped breasts hidden in her scarlet dress...
Had this happened two years ago, she would be the one receiving the crown but now Jaime could also match her somewhat stern expression and refuse to give her the crown. His eyes fell on the Queen and Princess Elia, both worthy of the crown for all they had done, for all their suffering, for all they achieved.
But it would not feel right crowning just one of them and since he could not crown both, he decided to give it to someone who also deserved it. "My Queen and My Princess," he said in a loud tone. "I deem you both worthy of this crown for all you have endured and achieved. You are both an inspiration to me." The two of them seemed touched by his speech so he worried if they would be as touched afterward. "However, since I cannot crown both of you, I decided to crown someone equally deserving. Someone with your blood and with the kindest heart. Someone who does not care for status or if you are having a bad day or not. In her presence, you can only smile and as such, I crown Princess Rhaenys as the Queen of Love and Beauty in hopes she might continue that path."
Cheers, claps and laughter echoed through the fields as the crown of golden roses reached the beaming Princess, surrounded by young girls, her cousins, and friendly friends. She took the crown and placed it on her head without help before she whirled around merrily and from that alone, Jaime knew he had done the right thing. Especially when he saw the Queen and Elia laughing and clapping at it.
He was congratulated everywhere he went and then while the smallfolk were granted a feast on the outskirts of the shit-smelling city, the highborn started going back to the Red Keep where they would have their more refined one later. Dozens of wheelhouses and twice as many riders made their now-ending regular trip back to the castle and as Jaime did, he saw exactly who he wanted to see...
"So...have you got the money ready, Stark?" Jaime asked with a smirk on his lips as he approached Brandon and the other Northerners. "I think I will be free five days from now..."
"You actually won, heh?" Brandon chuckled. "You little shit..."
"Now, now, Stark, do not be a prude to the winner of both the jousts and our bet." I'm going to show you now...
"That was a brilliant match, Lannister, and frankly I thought you would lose more often than you would win."
"You are not the only one..." Jaime admitted laughing.
"I must say we were both surprised and not so much when you crowned the little Princess, Ser Jaime." Ser Mark Ryswell said. "She certainly looked very happy."
"That girl is something else," Jaime admitted. "Besides, everything I said was true, I did want to crown her mother and grandmother but I felt this way I would honor both more...was I wrong?"
"Even if you were it's done already, Lannister," Brandon said wisely. "I think everyone agrees with your decision." Not everyone...I'm sure Cersei must have thought he would take the opportunity to ask forgiveness...She could wait a few centuries more for that...
"I'm glad people think the same way I do," Jaime confessed. "But anyhow, I invite Ser Mark to join us in our tavern trip and I would do the same to Lord Manderly if he was here..."
"Just because you crowned the little Princess, I will do you the favor of telling him." Brandon said.
"No opposition from me..." Jaime chuckled. "See you later, Stark."
"See you later, Lannister."
"Ser Mark."
"Ser Jaime."
In his quarters in the White Sword Tower, Jaime ate a sandwich as a small lunch to make him have enough appetite for the feast but not enough to starve in between. Then he changed into more comfortable and proper clothes. He wore a crimson silk tunic with a golden lion embroidered with black boots and a golden cloak. It had been a while since he had dressed this nicely and if not for the bruises that Brandon inflicted on him, he would be just perfect.
He took a glance at the handkerchief that Melara had given him and since he still had time he wrote a much-needed letter to her.
Dear Melara,
I'm sure you shall hear it soon but I won the jousts. I'm very proud of it and I know the final match will be spoken of for generations because it was legendary. It's good that I won my first ever jousts in such a way.
But enough of me boasting about my little Lannister ego. I like to think it was your handkerchief that gave me the victory so I must thank you for that. I hope you are well and Jeyne is too. Cersei is insufferable still and does not speak to me at all but I do not care.
Anyway, take care,
Jaime Too Much Pride Lannister
As he checked the letter, he smirked at that last bit. Jaime was very proud of how it turned out. Usually, he sucked at writing things but this one letter was neatly written. Tomorrow he would give it to Pycelle...or maybe to Addam since he would be returning to the Westerlands and was more trustworthy...
Jaime made his way out of his room and saw Ser Arthur exit his room. His sworn brother was wearing a purple doublet with dark grey leggings and black boots similar to Jaime's. "Ser Jaime."
"Ser Arthur." Jaime acknowledged. "Are you ready to drink away your sorrows?"
"I might be..." Ser Arthur chuckled. "Shall we go together?"
"Of course." Jaime gestured for them to start walking. "So how are you coping with your loss?"
Ser Arthur chuckled again. "Lannister pride is something else is it not?"
"Perhaps..." Jaime chuckled too. "I will refrain myself otherwise next time I will not be as lucky."
"Now that is a better way to act and talk." Ser Arthur avowed. "I'm coping well, I would say."
"Indeed." Jaime nodded. "So how is your family?"
"Doing fine. My sister Ashara is expecting another child...seems like she is raising a little army of her own."
"Should we be scared?"
Ser Arthur spared a clear laugh. "Maybe..." he admitted with a mirthful expression. "My other sister is growing into a beautiful woman and was deeply annoyed that she was not allowed to come to the tourney. My brother is fine too."
"That's what matters."
"Indeed." Ser Arthur nodded. "What about your family?"
"I only know of my siblings but I imagine the rest are fine."
"Your sister seems a bit..."
"Do not pay attention to her," Jaime advised. "She is sulking about how unfairly the world treats her while she dresses fancy clothes and jewelry and eats well."
"Perhaps you should talk with her?" His sworn brother proposed. "I have not seen you do that for a long while. Maybe it will help her somehow?"
"Maybe some other day." Jaime quickly dismissed.
"As you wish, then..." Ser Arthur did not push it further and Jaime was thankful for that. Throughout the rest of the walk, they talked about the joust, what they could have done better, and the things they were more touched about.
When they arrived at the Great Hall, they were presented with banners of House Targaryen and House Tyrell all over the place. The dragon skulls were lit by two torches instead of the usual one. Huge tables were set and multiple benches surrounded them and then there were groups of people gossiping.
Jaime and Ser Arthur approached the main table where the Royal Family and House Tyrell were to give the necessary condolences. A big smile came to his face when he saw Rhaenys with the crown of golden roses much to the envy of her cousins and friendly friends. The Queen and Elia sat next to the young king's left and right respectively though the lad was more interested in watching everyone in the room than anything else. "My King, My Queen, My Princess." The two of them said in unison.
"Ah, the two men of the moment," Elia said. "On a free day, I presume?"
"Indeed." Ser Arthur replied faster than he did which surprised Jaime a little.
"After the display, it is more than earned." The Queen added, Princess Daenerys in her arms a bit frightened with all the people around which she was definitely not used to seeing. "And Ser Jaime, your Queen and Love and Beauty is very happy with the crown you gave her."
"And her mother and grandmother?" he asked worriedly.
"As happy as her," Elia assured. "She deserves it. Though I confess I was very surprised with it."
"Though we hope it will not make her too proud." The Queen said as she cuddled her daughter.
"With all due respect, My Queen, Princess Rhaenys is anything but proud." Ser Arthur countered.
"Kids grow and change." The Queen said wisely and with a hint of sadness. "But I think Rhaenys will be as she is now."
"Do you agree, Aegon?" Elia asked of the King.
"Yes!" The boy said with a wicked smile.
"Well, we hope you enjoy the feast." Elia wished.
"Likewise."
Jaime and Ser Arthur bowed and left to the side to talk a bit more before Brandon approached them. "Ser Arthur and Ser Proud Lannister, I hereby invite you to seat with us for the feast. Joining us are Ser Mark Ryswell, Lord Manderly, the Crakehall brothers, Ser Addam Marbrand, Prince Oberyn, and some other guy I do not know but seems like a nice fellow."
"That seems like a promising proposal, Lord Stark, I think I shall take it." Jaime went on with Brandon's nonsensical parley.
"Good." Then he glanced at Ser Arthur. "Ser Arthur?"
"I guess I can join you too."
"Wonderful."
They found that the other guy that Stark did not know was Ser Richard Lonmouth. He wanted to leave as soon as he saw them, especially Ser Arthur but they urged him not to, and even if he was very tall and bulky he could not overpower half a dozen hands forcing him to seat down. After a while of japes coming from pretty much everyone present, the man was more at ease and eventually started laughing at said japes.
They ate plenty of dishes, salmon, octopus, duck, steak, broccoli, and a wide variety of other things. Unfortunately for them, Prince Oberyn convinced them all that they would not be able to take the Dornish wines so the Dornishman asked for said wines to be brought. Most of them went dancing, a bit lively from the wine, the Queen and Elia were their preferred targets but other comely ladies were addressed by the Crakehalls and Addam. His fellow Westerlands were bold enough to ask for a dance from Cersei and she accepted but none of them were very...happy after they finished. Jaime could but wonder why...
After a while, they returned to their table where Ser Richard kept drinking by himself so Prince Oberyn ordered stronger Dornish wines so that they would join them. Ser Arthur refused to partake in any of it but remained with them, worried, Lord Manderly was the first to drop out of the competition after tasting just two cups and he left altogether after saying goodbye and then it was Ser Mark who took three, and looked very uncomfortable.
But the rest of them were stupidly drunk after seven cups... "Fookin hell..." Brandon murmured in a very thick Northern accent. "The fuck is this shite? Just fookin' alcohol?"
"There are strong wines in Dorne but unfortunately I could not get the Burning Blood..." Prince Oberyn said with just a hint of drunkenness. "I do not remember you complaining when you started drinking."
"None of you would take the Burning Blood after this much wine." Ser Arthur said with a worried expression. "Not even you Oberyn."
"I guess...you are right..." Prince Oberyn laughed and a shiver went down Jaime's spine thinking that this Burning Blood must be a really strong wine that he was now thankful for not existing in the Red Keep. "These fools would be spitting a bigger fire than Balerion's."
"The Princess's kitten?" Jaime asked laughing like a stupid fool. "He'd scratch us but not burn us!"
"Look at the golden boy..." Prince Oberyn murmured amused. "Even Rhaenys would unhorse him like that."
"Shut up! I'd take you all down..." Jaime barked back stupidly.
"Sure golden boy." Prince Oberyn laughed. "Show us your roar."
"I think I'm goin' to puke..." Merlon Crakehall said as he stood up and made his way out of the Great Hall.
"Here goes the first one..." Prince Oberyn smirked. "He's going to show us his roar..."
"Give me another one!" Ser Richard demanded suddenly.
"No. That's enough." Ser Arthur intervened. "All of you had enough."
"No, we don'!" Brandon barked.
"Party ruiner." Prince Oberyn barked, earning nods.
"I need more wine to sink my sorrows!" Ser Richard continued demanding.
"You sank enough sorrows, Richard, it's time to toughen up and move on." Ser Arthur countered. "Have you all not noticed that the Royal Family and nearly everyone has left?"
It seemed like he was right...Jaime and the whole lot of them looked at the table which was mostly empty except for a few souls. Curiously, one such soul was Cersei who was drinking wine but not this manly wine and definitely not as much. Actually, this was wine for stupid men...What the fuck is she up to?
"Where did everyone go?" Asked Lyle stupidly. "To the privy?"
"Look at the whole lot of us..." Addam said disappointed. "You look stupid..."
"Look who' talkin'!" Brandon said as he hiccupped. "Ye drank with us, mate!"
"I wish I drank with some comely ladies instead!"
"Brothers before ladies, mate, ye know the code." Brandon countered.
"Ladies are prettier than the whole bunch of you." Addam retorted as he burped. "Fuck..."
"Aye...fook ye damn right." Brandon agreed as everyone at the table nodded at him. "Shite we should go, right?"
"That is what I have been telling you all." Ser Arthur said with his hands hiding his face. "Why did I let you convince me about allowing them to drink strong Dornish wines."
"What's the problem in having some fun, Artie boy." Oberyn laughed.
"You will not find it funny when you have to carry them all to their bedrooms." Ser Arthur proclaimed as he stood up. "Yes, because since you are not as drunk as them, you are going to help me and Ser Mark take them. And do not even try to go around it!"
"Ok, ok, I get it," Oberyn said while moving his hands around. "Party ruiner."
And so they were taken away from the Great Hall. Drunk and stupid. Thankfully few people could see the poor display that they were giving. But Jaime couldn't care less, after all, he won the bloody jousts. I'm on top of the fucking world!
Only one chapter remains before the "tourney arc" is complete. Since I have the bulk of it already written I'm hoping I will be able to post it on either Friday or Saturday. I will try my very hardest to do it.
Anyway, what are your thoughts on everything that just transpired? This was, after all, a big chapter.
Thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day and stays safe.